The Battle with Raktabija and the Coming of the Mother-Goddesses

Verse 1 (devibhagavatam.5.28.1)

व्यास उवाच । कृत्वा हास्यं ततो देवी तमुवाच विशाम्पते । मेघगम्भीरया वाचा युक्तियुक्तमिदं वचः

vyāsa uvāca | kṛtvā hāsyaṁ tato devī tamuvāca viśāmpate | meghagambhīrayā vācā yuktiyuktamidaṁ vacaḥ

Vyasa said: Having laughed, the Goddess then, O lord of men, spoke to him in a voice deep as thunderclouds, these words full of reason.

Verse 2 (devibhagavatam.5.28.2)

पूर्वमेव मया प्रोक्तं मन्दात्मन् किं विकत्थसे । दूतस्याग्रे यथायोग्यं वचनं हितसंयुतम्

pūrvameva mayā proktaṁ mandātman kiṁ vikatthase | dūtasyāgre yathāyogyaṁ vacanaṁ hitasaṁyutam

"I have already told you this before, O foolish one — why do you keep boasting? I gave the messenger, as was fitting, words that were beneficial and to the point."

Verse 3 (devibhagavatam.5.28.3)

सदृशो मम रूपेण बलेन विभवेन च । त्रिलोक्यां यदि कोऽपि स्यात्तं पतिं प्रवृणोम्यहम्

sadṛśo mama rūpeṇa balena vibhavena ca | trilokyāṁ yadi ko'pi syāttaṁ patiṁ pravṛṇomyaham

"If there exists anywhere in the three worlds anyone equal to me in beauty, in strength, and in majesty, that one alone I shall choose as my husband."

Verse 4 (devibhagavatam.5.28.4)

ब्रूहि शुम्भं निशुम्भञ्च प्रतिज्ञा मे पुरा कृता । तस्माद्युध्यस्व जित्वा मां विवाहं विधिवत्कुरु

brūhi śumbhaṁ niśumbhañca pratijñā me purā kṛtā | tasmādyudhyasva jitvā māṁ vivāhaṁ vidhivatkuru

"Go tell this to Shumbha and Nishumbha — this vow was made by me long ago. Therefore, fight; and only if you conquer me may you marry me according to due rite."

Verse 5 (devibhagavatam.5.28.5)

त्वं वै तदाज्ञया प्राप्तस्तस्य कार्यार्थसिद्धये । सङ्ग्रामं कुरु पातालं गच्छ वा पतिना सह

tvaṁ vai tadājñayā prāptastasya kāryārthasiddhaye | saṅgrāmaṁ kuru pātālaṁ gaccha vā patinā saha

"You have come here by his command, to accomplish his purpose — so either give battle, or go to the netherworld together with your would-be husband."

Verse 6 (devibhagavatam.5.28.6)

व्यास उवाच । तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं देव्याः स दैत्योऽमर्षपूरितः । मुमोच तरसा बाणान्सिंहस्योपरि दारुणान्

vyāsa uvāca | tacchrutvā vacanaṁ devyāḥ sa daityo'marṣapūritaḥ | mumoca tarasā bāṇānsiṁhasyopari dāruṇān

Vyasa said: Hearing the Goddess's words, that demon, filled with fury, swiftly loosed terrible arrows upon her lion.

Verse 7 (devibhagavatam.5.28.7)

अम्बिका ताच्छरान्वीक्ष्य गगने पन्नगोपमान् । चिच्छेद सायकैस्तीक्ष्णैर्लघुहस्ततया क्षणात्

ambikā tāccharānvīkṣya gagane pannagopamān | ciccheda sāyakaistīkṣṇairlaghuhastatayā kṣaṇāt

Seeing those arrows, like serpents in the sky, Ambika at once, with her light and skillful hand, cut them all to pieces with her own sharp shafts.

Verse 8 (devibhagavatam.5.28.8)

अन्यैर्जघान विशिखै रक्तबीजं महासुरम् । अम्बिकाचापनिर्मुक्तैः कर्णाकृष्टैः शिलाशितैः

anyairjaghāna viśikhai raktabījaṁ mahāsuram | ambikācāpanirmuktaiḥ karṇākṛṣṭaiḥ śilāśitaiḥ

With other arrows still, drawn back to her very ear and whetted sharp on stone, loosed from Ambika's bow, she struck down the great demon Raktabija.

Verse 9 (devibhagavatam.5.28.9)

देवीबाणहतः पापो मूर्च्छामाप रथोपरि । पतिते रक्तबीजे तु हाहाकारो महानभूत्

devībāṇahataḥ pāpo mūrcchāmāpa rathopari | patite raktabīje tu hāhākāro mahānabhūt

Struck by the Goddess's arrows, that sinful one fell into a swoon upon his chariot; and when Raktabija fell, a great cry of lamentation went up.

Verse 10 (devibhagavatam.5.28.10)

सैनिकाश्चुक्रुशुः सर्वे हताः स्म इति चाब्रुवन् । ततो बुम्बारवं श्रुत्वा शुम्भः परमदारुणम्

sainikāścukruśuḥ sarve hatāḥ sma iti cābruvan | tato bumbāravaṁ śrutvā śumbhaḥ paramadāruṇam

All his soldiers cried out in dismay, saying, "We are lost!" Then Shumbha, hearing that great and terrible clamor —

Verse 11 (devibhagavatam.5.28.11)

उद्योगं सर्वसैन्यानां दैत्यानामादिदेश ह । शुम्भ उवाच । निर्यान्तु दानवाः सर्वे काम्बोजाः स्वबलैर्वृताः

udyogaṁ sarvasainyānāṁ daityānāmādideśa ha | śumbha uvāca | niryāntu dānavāḥ sarve kāmbojāḥ svabalairvṛtāḥ

— gave orders for the full mobilization of all the demon armies. Shumbha said: "Let all the demons march out — the Kambojas too, surrounded by their own forces —"

Verse 12 (devibhagavatam.5.28.12)

अन्येऽप्यतिबलाः शूराः कालकेया विशेषतः । व्यास उवाच । इत्याज्ञप्तं बलं सर्वं शुम्भेन च चतुर्विधम्

anye'pyatibalāḥ śūrāḥ kālakeyā viśeṣataḥ | vyāsa uvāca | ityājñaptaṁ balaṁ sarvaṁ śumbhena ca caturvidham

"— and all the other mighty heroes as well, the Kalakeyas above all." Vyasa said: Thus commanded, the entire fourfold army, at Shumbha's word —

Verse 13 (devibhagavatam.5.28.13)

निर्जगाम मदाऽऽविष्टं देवीसमरमण्डले । तमागतं समालोक्य चण्डिका दानवं बलम्

nirjagāma madā''viṣṭaṁ devīsamaramaṇḍale | tamāgataṁ samālokya caṇḍikā dānavaṁ balam

— marched out, intoxicated with pride, into the Goddess's field of battle. Seeing that demon army approaching, Chandika —

Verse 14 (devibhagavatam.5.28.14)

घण्टानादं चकाराशु भीषणं भयदं मुहुः । ज्यास्वनं शङ्खनादञ्च चकार जगदम्बिका

ghaṇṭānādaṁ cakārāśu bhīṣaṇaṁ bhayadaṁ muhuḥ | jyāsvanaṁ śaṅkhanādañca cakāra jagadambikā

— at once made the clang of her bell, terrible and fear-striking, again and again; the Mother of the Universe also twanged her bowstring and blew her conch.

Verse 15 (devibhagavatam.5.28.15)

तेन नादेन सा जाता काली विस्तारितानना । श्रुत्वा तन्निनदं घोरं सिंहो देव्याश्च वाहनम्

tena nādena sā jātā kālī vistāritānanā | śrutvā tanninadaṁ ghoraṁ siṁho devyāśca vāhanam

At that very sound, Kali sprang forth, her mouth opened wide; and hearing that terrible roar, the Goddess's lion, her mount —

Verse 16 (devibhagavatam.5.28.16)

जगर्ज सोऽपि बलवाञ्जनयन्भयमद्भुतम् । तन्निनादमुपश्रुत्य दानवाः क्रोधमूर्च्छिताः

jagarja so'pi balavāñjanayanbhayamadbhutam | tanninādamupaśrutya dānavāḥ krodhamūrcchitāḥ

— also, mighty as he was, let out a roar, striking wondrous fear. Hearing that sound, the demons, overcome with rage —

Verse 17 (devibhagavatam.5.28.17)

सर्वे चिक्षिपुरस्त्राणि देवीं प्रति महाबलाः । तस्मिन्नेवायते युद्धे दारुणे लोमहर्षणे

sarve cikṣipurastrāṇi devīṁ prati mahābalāḥ | tasminnevāyate yuddhe dāruṇe lomaharṣaṇe

— all the mighty ones hurled their weapons at the Goddess. And in the midst of that terrible battle, one that made the hair stand on end —

Verse 18 (devibhagavatam.5.28.18)

ब्रह्मादीनाञ्च देवानां शक्तयश्चण्डिकां ययुः । यस्य देवस्य यद्रूपं यथा भूषणवाहनम्

brahmādīnāñca devānāṁ śaktayaścaṇḍikāṁ yayuḥ | yasya devasya yadrūpaṁ yathā bhūṣaṇavāhanam

— the Shaktis (feminine energies) of Brahma and the other gods came forth to join Chandika, each in the very form of her own god, with the same ornaments and the same mount.

Verse 19 (devibhagavatam.5.28.19)

तादृग्रूपास्तदा देव्यः प्रययुः समराङ्गणे । ब्रह्माणी वरटारूढा साक्षसूत्रकमण्डलुः

tādṛgrūpāstadā devyaḥ prayayuḥ samarāṅgaṇe | brahmāṇī varaṭārūḍhā sākṣasūtrakamaṇḍaluḥ

In just such forms, those goddesses advanced onto the field of battle: Brahmani, mounted on a swan, bearing a rosary and a water-pot;

Verse 20 (devibhagavatam.5.28.20)

आगता ब्रह्मणः शक्तिर्ब्रह्माणीति प्रतिश्रुता । वैष्णवी गरुडारूढा शङ्खचक्रगदाधरा

āgatā brahmaṇaḥ śaktirbrahmāṇīti pratiśrutā | vaiṣṇavī garuḍārūḍhā śaṅkhacakragadādharā

— she came, the Shakti of Brahma, renowned as Brahmani. Vaishnavi, mounted on Garuda, bearing conch, discus, and mace,

Verse 21 (devibhagavatam.5.28.21)

पद्महस्ता समायाता पीताम्बरविभूषिता । शाङ्करी तु वृषारूढा त्रिशूलवरधारिणी

padmahastā samāyātā pītāmbaravibhūṣitā | śāṅkarī tu vṛṣārūḍhā triśūlavaradhāriṇī

— with a lotus in her hand, adorned in yellow garments, came forward. And Shankari, mounted upon a bull, bearing the trident, granter of boons,

Verse 22 (devibhagavatam.5.28.22)

अर्धचन्द्रधरा देवी तथाहिवलया शिवा । कौमारी शिखिसंरूढा शक्तिहस्ता वरानना

ardhacandradharā devī tathāhivalayā śivā | kaumārī śikhisaṁrūḍhā śaktihastā varānanā

— bore the crescent moon and wore a serpent as a bracelet, auspicious Shiva herself. Kaumari, mounted on a peacock, spear in hand, of lovely face,

Verse 23 (devibhagavatam.5.28.23)

युद्धकामा समायाता कार्तिकेयस्वरूपिणी । इन्द्राणी सुष्ठुवदना सुश्वेतगजवाहना

yuddhakāmā samāyātā kārtikeyasvarūpiṇī | indrāṇī suṣṭhuvadanā suśvetagajavāhanā

— came eager for battle, in the very form of Kartikeya. Indrani, of splendid countenance, mounted on a pure-white elephant,

Verse 24 (devibhagavatam.5.28.24)

वज्रहस्तातिरोषाढ्या सङ्ग्रामाभिमुखी ययौ । वाराही शूकराकारा प्रौढप्रेतासना मता

vajrahastātiroṣāḍhyā saṅgrāmābhimukhī yayau | vārāhī śūkarākārā prauḍhapretāsanā matā

— thunderbolt in hand, filled with fury, advanced toward the battle. And Varahi, boar-faced, seated upon a great corpse, as is well known,

Verse 25 (devibhagavatam.5.28.25)

नारसिंही नृसिंहस्य बिभ्रती सदृशं वपुः । याम्या च महिषारूढा दण्डहस्ता भयप्रदा

nārasiṁhī nṛsiṁhasya bibhratī sadṛśaṁ vapuḥ | yāmyā ca mahiṣārūḍhā daṇḍahastā bhayapradā

— and Narasimhi, bearing a form like that of Narasimha; and Yami, mounted upon a buffalo, staff in hand, striking terror,

Verse 26 (devibhagavatam.5.28.26)

समायाताथ सङ्ग्रामे यमरूपा शुचिस्मिता । तथैव वारुणी शक्तिः कौबेरी च मदोत्कटा

samāyātātha saṅgrāme yamarūpā śucismitā | tathaiva vāruṇī śaktiḥ kauberī ca madotkaṭā

— came into that battle, in the very form of Yama, of pure and gentle smile. Likewise came the Shakti of Varuna, and Kauberi, exultant with pride —

Verse 27 (devibhagavatam.5.28.27)

एवंविधास्तथाऽऽकारा ययुः स्वस्वबलैर्वृताः । आगतास्ताः समालोक्य देवी मुदमवाप च

evaṁvidhāstathā''kārā yayuḥ svasvabalairvṛtāḥ | āgatāstāḥ samālokya devī mudamavāpa ca

— in forms just such as these, they came, each surrounded by her own forces. Seeing them arrived, the Goddess was filled with joy.

Verse 28 (devibhagavatam.5.28.28)

स्वस्था मुमुदिरे देवा दैत्याश्च भयमाययुः । ताभिः परिवृतस्तत्र शङ्करो लोकशङ्करः

svasthā mumudire devā daityāśca bhayamāyayuḥ | tābhiḥ parivṛtastatra śaṅkaro lokaśaṅkaraḥ

The gods, now at ease, rejoiced, while the demons were seized with fear. Surrounded by those goddesses, Shankara, the bringer of peace to all worlds, standing there —

Verse 29 (devibhagavatam.5.28.29)

समागम्य च सङ्ग्रामे चण्डिकामित्युवाच ह । हन्यन्तामसुराः शीघ्रं देवानां कार्यसिद्धये

samāgamya ca saṅgrāme caṇḍikāmityuvāca ha | hanyantāmasurāḥ śīghraṁ devānāṁ kāryasiddhaye

— came to the field of battle and spoke thus to Chandika: "Let the demons be slain at once, for the accomplishment of the purpose of the gods —

Verse 30 (devibhagavatam.5.28.30)

निशुम्भं चैव शुम्भं च ये चान्ये दानवाः स्थिताः । हत्वा दैत्यबलं सर्वं कृत्वा च निर्भयं जगत्

niśumbhaṁ caiva śumbhaṁ ca ye cānye dānavāḥ sthitāḥ | hatvā daityabalaṁ sarvaṁ kṛtvā ca nirbhayaṁ jagat

"— Nishumbha, and Shumbha, and whatever other demons still remain; and having slain the entire demon army, having made the world free from fear —

Verse 31 (devibhagavatam.5.28.31)

स्वानि स्वानि च धिष्ण्यानि समागच्छन्तु शक्तयः । देवा यज्ञभुजः सन्तु ब्राह्मणा यजने रताः

svāni svāni ca dhiṣṇyāni samāgacchantu śaktayaḥ | devā yajñabhujaḥ santu brāhmaṇā yajane ratāḥ

"— let all these Shaktis then return to their own respective abodes. Let the gods again partake of the sacrifice, let the brahmins be devoted to the performance of rites,

Verse 32 (devibhagavatam.5.28.32)

प्राणिनः सन्तु सन्तुष्टाः सर्वे स्थावरजङ्गमाः । शमं यान्तु तथोत्पाता ईतयश्च तथा पुनः

prāṇinaḥ santu santuṣṭāḥ sarve sthāvarajaṅgamāḥ | śamaṁ yāntu tathotpātā ītayaśca tathā punaḥ

"— let all living beings, moving and unmoving alike, be content; let all calamities and plagues likewise be quelled and pass away,

Verse 33 (devibhagavatam.5.28.33)

घनाः काले प्रवर्षन्तु कृषिर्बहुफला तथा । व्यास उवाच । एवं ब्रुवति देवेशे शङ्करे लोकशङ्करे

ghanāḥ kāle pravarṣantu kṛṣirbahuphalā tathā | vyāsa uvāca | evaṁ bruvati deveśe śaṅkare lokaśaṅkare

"— let the clouds rain in their proper season, and the harvest be abundant." Vyasa said: While Shankara, the lord of gods and the bringer of peace to all worlds, was speaking thus —

Verse 34 (devibhagavatam.5.28.34)

चण्डिकाया शरीरात्तु निर्गता शक्तिरद्भुता । भीषणातिप्रचण्डा च शिवाशतनिनादिनी

caṇḍikāyā śarīrāttu nirgatā śaktiradbhutā | bhīṣaṇātipracaṇḍā ca śivāśataninādinī

— from Chandika's own body there emerged a wondrous Shakti, terrible and utterly fierce, whose cry resembled that of a hundred jackals.

Verse 35 (devibhagavatam.5.28.35)

घोररूपाथ पञ्चास्यमित्युवाच स्मितानना । देवदेव व्रजाशु त्वं दैत्यानामधिपं प्रति

ghorarūpātha pañcāsyamityuvāca smitānanā | devadeva vrajāśu tvaṁ daityānāmadhipaṁ prati

Terrible in form, she then addressed the five-faced one [Shiva], smiling: "O God of gods, go swiftly to the lord of the demons —

Verse 36 (devibhagavatam.5.28.36)

दूतत्वं कुरु कामारे ब्रूहि शुम्भं स्मराकुलम् । निशुम्भञ्च मदोत्सिक्तं वचनान्मम शङ्कर

dūtatvaṁ kuru kāmāre brūhi śumbhaṁ smarākulam | niśumbhañca madotsiktaṁ vacanānmama śaṅkara

"— act as my messenger, O foe of Kama. Tell Shumbha, tormented by desire, and Nishumbha, drunk with pride, in these words of mine, O Shankara —

Verse 37 (devibhagavatam.5.28.37)

मुक्त्वा त्रिविष्टपं यात यूयं पातालमाशु वै । देवाः स्वर्गे सुखं यान्तु तुराषाट् स्वासनं शभम्

muktvā triviṣṭapaṁ yāta yūyaṁ pātālamāśu vai | devāḥ svarge sukhaṁ yāntu turāṣāṭ svāsanaṁ śabham

"— 'Abandon heaven and go swiftly to the netherworld; let the gods dwell happily in heaven once more, and let Indra return to his own auspicious throne.

Verse 38 (devibhagavatam.5.28.38)

प्राप्नोतु त्रिदिवं स्थानं यज्ञभागांश्च देवताः । जीवितेच्छा च युष्माकं यदि स्यात्तु महत्तरा

prāpnotu tridivaṁ sthānaṁ yajñabhāgāṁśca devatāḥ | jīvitecchā ca yuṣmākaṁ yadi syāttu mahattarā

"'Let the gods regain their place in the three heavens, and their portions of the sacrifice. But if your desire to live remains very great,

Verse 39 (devibhagavatam.5.28.39)

तर्हि गच्छत पातालं तरसा यत्र दानवाः । अथवा बलमास्थाय युद्धेच्छा मरणाय चेत्

tarhi gacchata pātālaṁ tarasā yatra dānavāḥ | athavā balamāsthāya yuddhecchā maraṇāya cet

"'then go swiftly to the netherworld, where the other demons dwell. Or else, if relying on your own strength you still desire battle unto death,

Verse 40 (devibhagavatam.5.28.40)

तदाऽऽगच्छन्तु तृप्यन्तु मच्छिवाः पिशितेन वः । व्यास उवाच । तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं तस्याः शूलपाणिस्त्वरान्वितः

tadā''gacchantu tṛpyantu macchivāḥ piśitena vaḥ | vyāsa uvāca | tacchrutvā vacanaṁ tasyāḥ śūlapāṇistvarānvitaḥ

"'then come — let my jackals be sated on your flesh.'" Vyasa said: Hearing her words, the trident-bearer at once, with all haste —

Verse 41 (devibhagavatam.5.28.41)

गत्वाऽऽह दैत्यराजानं शुम्भं सदसि संस्थितम् । शिव उवाच । राजन् दूतोऽहमम्बायास्त्रिपुरान्तकरो हरः

gatvā''ha daityarājānaṁ śumbhaṁ sadasi saṁsthitam | śiva uvāca | rājan dūto'hamambāyāstripurāntakaro haraḥ

— went and addressed the demon king Shumbha, seated in his assembly. Shiva said: "O king, I am the messenger of the Mother, I, Hara, the destroyer of Tripura —

Verse 42 (devibhagavatam.5.28.42)

त्वत्सकाशमिहायातो हितं कर्तुं तवाखिलम् । त्यक्त्वा स्वर्गं तथा भूमिं यूयं गच्छत सत्वरम्

tvatsakāśamihāyāto hitaṁ kartuṁ tavākhilam | tyaktvā svargaṁ tathā bhūmiṁ yūyaṁ gacchata satvaram

"— come here into your presence entirely for your own good. Abandoning heaven, and this earth as well, go swiftly —

Verse 43 (devibhagavatam.5.28.43)

पातालं यत्र प्रह्लादो बलिश्च बलिनां वरः । अथवा मरणेच्छा चेत्तर्ह्यागच्छत सत्वरम्

pātālaṁ yatra prahlādo baliśca balināṁ varaḥ | athavā maraṇecchā cettarhyāgacchata satvaram

"— to the netherworld where Prahlada dwells, and Bali, the foremost of the mighty. Or, if you truly desire death, then come at once to battle —

Verse 44 (devibhagavatam.5.28.44)

सङ्ग्रामे वो हनिष्यामि सर्वानेवाहमाशु वै । इत्युवाच महाराज्ञी युष्मत्कल्याणहेतवे

saṅgrāme vo haniṣyāmi sarvānevāhamāśu vai | ityuvāca mahārājñī yuṣmatkalyāṇahetave

"— for I shall swiftly slay every one of you in battle." Thus spoke the great Queen, for your own welfare.

Verse 45 (devibhagavatam.5.28.45)

व्यास उवाच । इति दैत्यवरान्देवीवाक्यं पीयूषसन्निभम् । हितकृच्छ्रावयित्वा स प्रत्यायातश्च शूलभृत्

vyāsa uvāca | iti daityavarāndevīvākyaṁ pīyūṣasannibham | hitakṛcchrāvayitvā sa pratyāyātaśca śūlabhṛt

Vyasa said: Having thus made the demon lords hear the Goddess's words, sweet as nectar and meant for their own good, the trident-bearer returned.

Verse 46 (devibhagavatam.5.28.46)

ययासौ प्रेरितः शम्भुर्दूतत्वे दानवान्प्रति । शिवदूतीति विख्याता जाता त्रिभुवनेऽखिले

yayāsau preritaḥ śambhurdūtatve dānavānprati | śivadūtīti vikhyātā jātā tribhuvane'khile

And because it was by her that Shambhu was sent as messenger to the demons, she became renowned throughout the entire three worlds by the name Shivaduti.

Verse 47 (devibhagavatam.5.28.47)

तेऽपि श्रुत्वा वचो देव्याः शङ्करोक्तं तुदुष्करम् । युद्धाय निर्ययुः शीघ्रं दंशिताः शस्त्रपाणयः

te'pi śrutvā vaco devyāḥ śaṅkaroktaṁ tuduṣkaram | yuddhāya niryayuḥ śīghraṁ daṁśitāḥ śastrapāṇayaḥ

Having heard the Goddess's words, delivered through Shankara, and finding them unbearable, they swiftly marched out to battle, armored and weapons in hand.

Verse 48 (devibhagavatam.5.28.48)

तरसा रणमागत्य चण्डिकां प्रति दानवाः । निर्जघ्नुश्च शरैस्तीक्ष्णैः कर्णाकृष्टैः शिलाशितैः

tarasā raṇamāgatya caṇḍikāṁ prati dānavāḥ | nirjaghnuśca śaraistīkṣṇaiḥ karṇākṛṣṭaiḥ śilāśitaiḥ

Rushing swiftly into battle, the demons struck at Chandika with sharp arrows, drawn back to the ear and whetted keen on stone.

Verse 49 (devibhagavatam.5.28.49)

कालिका शूलपातैस्तान् गदाशक्तिविदारितान् । कुर्वन्ती व्यचरत्तत्र भक्षयन्ती च दानवान्

kālikā śūlapātaistān gadāśaktividāritān | kurvantī vyacarattatra bhakṣayantī ca dānavān

Kalika ranged over that field, tearing the demons apart with the strokes of her trident, mace, and spear, and devouring them.

Verse 50 (devibhagavatam.5.28.50)

कमण्डलुजलाक्षेपगतप्राणान् महाबलान् । ब्रह्माणी चाकरोत्तत्र दानवान्समराङ्गणे

kamaṇḍalujalākṣepagataprāṇān mahābalān | brahmāṇī cākarottatra dānavānsamarāṅgaṇe

Brahmani, on that battlefield, deprived mighty demons of their very life-breath merely by the sprinkling of water from her pot.

Verse 51 (devibhagavatam.5.28.51)

माहेश्वरी वृषारूढा त्रिशूलेनातिरंहसा । जघान दानवान्सङ्ख्ये पातयामास भूतले

māheśvarī vṛṣārūḍhā triśūlenātiraṁhasā | jaghāna dānavānsaṅkhye pātayāmāsa bhūtale

Maheshvari, mounted on her bull, with the utmost swiftness, struck down the demons with her trident, felling them to the ground in that battle.

Verse 52 (devibhagavatam.5.28.52)

वैष्णवी चक्रपातेन गदापातेन दानवान् । गतप्राणांश्चकाराशु चोत्तमाङ्गविवर्जितान्

vaiṣṇavī cakrapātena gadāpātena dānavān | gataprāṇāṁścakārāśu cottamāṅgavivarjitān

Vaishnavi, with the strokes of her discus and her mace, at once deprived the demons of life and severed their very heads.

Verse 53 (devibhagavatam.5.28.53)

ऐन्द्री वज्रप्रहारेण पातयामास भूतले । ऐरावतकराघातपीडितान्दैत्यपुङ्गवान्

aindrī vajraprahāreṇa pātayāmāsa bhūtale | airāvatakarāghātapīḍitāndaityapuṅgavān

Aindri, with the stroke of her thunderbolt, felled to the ground the foremost of the demons, tormenting them further with blows from the trunk of Airavata.

Verse 54 (devibhagavatam.5.28.54)

वाराही तुण्डघातेन दंष्ट्राग्रपातनेन च । जघान क्रोधसंयुक्ता शतशो दैत्यदानवान्

vārāhī tuṇḍaghātena daṁṣṭrāgrapātanena ca | jaghāna krodhasaṁyuktā śataśo daityadānavān

Varahi, filled with fury, slew hundreds of demons and danavas with the blows of her snout and the thrusts of her tusks.

Verse 55 (devibhagavatam.5.28.55)

नारसिंही नखैस्तीव्रैर्दारितान्दैत्यपुङ्गवान् । भक्षयन्ती चचाराजौ ननाद च मुहुर्मुहुः

nārasiṁhī nakhaistīvrairdāritāndaityapuṅgavān | bhakṣayantī cacārājau nanāda ca muhurmuhuḥ

Narasimhi ranged over the battlefield, tearing the foremost of the demons with her fierce claws and devouring them, roaring again and again.

Verse 56 (devibhagavatam.5.28.56)

शिवदूती अट्टहासैः पातयामास भूतले । तांश्चखादाथ चामुण्डा कालिका च त्वरान्विता

śivadūtī aṭṭahāsaiḥ pātayāmāsa bhūtale | tāṁścakhādātha cāmuṇḍā kālikā ca tvarānvitā

Shivaduti, with her loud bursts of laughter alone, felled the demons to the ground; and Chamunda and Kalika swiftly devoured them.

Verse 57 (devibhagavatam.5.28.57)

शिखिसंस्था च कौमारी कर्णाकृष्टैः शिलाशितैः । निजघान रणे शत्रून्देवानां च हिताय वै

śikhisaṁsthā ca kaumārī karṇākṛṣṭaiḥ śilāśitaiḥ | nijaghāna raṇe śatrūndevānāṁ ca hitāya vai

Kaumari, seated upon her peacock, with arrows drawn back to the ear and whetted keen on stone, slew the enemy in battle, for the welfare of the gods.

Verse 58 (devibhagavatam.5.28.58)

वारुणी पाशसम्बद्धान्दैत्यान्समरमस्तके । पातयामास तत्पृष्ठे मूर्च्छितान्गतचेतनान्

vāruṇī pāśasambaddhāndaityānsamaramastake | pātayāmāsa tatpṛṣṭhe mūrcchitāngatacetanān

Varuni, having bound the demons with her noose at the very forefront of the battle, cast them down senseless and unconscious on her own mount's back.

Verse 59 (devibhagavatam.5.28.59)

एवं मातृगणेनाजावतिवीर्यपराक्रमम् । मर्दितं दानवं सैन्यं पलायनपरं ह्यभूत्

evaṁ mātṛgaṇenājāvativīryaparākramam | marditaṁ dānavaṁ sainyaṁ palāyanaparaṁ hyabhūt

Thus the demon army, for all its might and valor, was crushed in that battle by the host of Mother-goddesses, and turned wholly to flight.

Verse 60 (devibhagavatam.5.28.60)

बुम्बारवस्तु सुमहानभूत्तत्र बलार्णवे । पुष्पवृष्टिं तदा देवाश्चक्रुर्देव्या गणोपरि

bumbāravastu sumahānabhūttatra balārṇave | puṣpavṛṣṭiṁ tadā devāścakrurdevyā gaṇopari

A very great clamor rose up in that ocean of an army; and then the gods showered flowers down upon the Goddess's own host.

Verse 61 (devibhagavatam.5.28.61)

तच्छ्रुत्वा निनदं घोरं जयशब्दं च दानवाः । रक्तबीजश्चुकोपाशु दृष्ट्वा दैत्यान्पलायितान्

tacchrutvā ninadaṁ ghoraṁ jayaśabdaṁ ca dānavāḥ | raktabījaścukopāśu dṛṣṭvā daityānpalāyitān

Hearing that terrible din and the cries of "Victory!" — and seeing the demons fleeing — Raktabija at once flew into a rage.

Verse 62 (devibhagavatam.5.28.62)

गर्जमानांस्तथा देवान्वीक्ष्य दैत्यो महाबलः । रक्तबीजस्तु तेजस्वी रणमभ्याययौ तदा

garjamānāṁstathā devānvīkṣya daityo mahābalaḥ | raktabījastu tejasvī raṇamabhyāyayau tadā

Seeing the gods thus roaring in triumph, that mighty and radiant demon Raktabija then advanced once more into battle.

Verse 63 (devibhagavatam.5.28.63)

सायुधो रथसंविष्टः कुर्वञ्ज्याशब्दमद्भुतम् । आजगाम तदा देवीं क्रोधरक्तेक्षणोद्यतः

sāyudho rathasaṁviṣṭaḥ kurvañjyāśabdamadbhutam | ājagāma tadā devīṁ krodharaktekṣaṇodyataḥ

Armed, seated in his chariot, twanging his bowstring with a wondrous sound, his eyes red with fury, he now bore down upon the Goddess.