The Manifestation of the Goddess's Form

Verse 1 (devibhagavatam.5.8.1)

व्यास उवाच । तरसा तेऽथ सम्प्राप्य वैकुण्ठं विष्णुवल्लभम् । ददृशुः सर्वशोभाढ्यं दिव्यसद्मविराजितम्

vyāsa uvāca | tarasā te'tha samprāpya vaikuṇṭhaṁ viṣṇuvallabham | dadṛśuḥ sarvaśobhāḍhyaṁ divyasadmavirājitam

Vyasa said: Swiftly arriving at Vaikuntha, the beloved abode of Vishnu, they beheld it, rich with every splendor, resplendent with divine mansions.

Verse 2 (devibhagavatam.5.8.2)

सरोवापीसरिद्भिश्च संयुतं सुखदं शुभम् । हंससारसचक्राह्वैः कूजद्भिश्च विराजितम्

sarovāpīsaridbhiśca saṁyutaṁ sukhadaṁ śubham | haṁsasārasacakrāhvaiḥ kūjadbhiśca virājitam

— filled with lakes, step-wells, and rivers, delightful and auspicious, adorned with the calling of swans, cranes, and chakravaka birds.

Verse 3 (devibhagavatam.5.8.3)

चम्पकाशोककह्लारमन्दारबकुलावृतैः । मल्लिकातिलकाम्रातयुतैः कुरबकादिभिः

campakāśokakahlāramandārabakulāvṛtaiḥ | mallikātilakāmrātayutaiḥ kurabakādibhiḥ

— surrounded by champaka, ashoka, red lotus, mandara, and bakula trees, and set about with jasmine, tilaka, mango, kurabaka, and more.

Verse 4 (devibhagavatam.5.8.4)

कोकिलारावसन्नादैः शिखण्डैर्नृत्यरञ्जितैः । भ्रमरारावरम्यैश्च दिव्यैरुपवनैर्युतम्

kokilārāvasannādaiḥ śikhaṇḍairnṛtyarañjitaiḥ | bhramarārāvaramyaiśca divyairupavanairyutam

— filled with divine groves resounding with the sweet call of cuckoos, adorned with dancing peacocks, and delightful with the hum of bees.

Verse 5 (devibhagavatam.5.8.5)

सुनन्दनन्दनाद्यैश्च पार्षदैर्भक्तितत्परैः । संस्तुवद्भिर्युतं भक्तैरनन्यभववृत्तिभिः

sunandanandanādyaiśca pārṣadairbhaktitatparaiḥ | saṁstuvadbhiryutaṁ bhaktairananyabhavavṛttibhiḥ

— filled with attendants like Sunanda and Nandana, devoted in their bhakti, singing his praises without distraction, their whole being fixed on him alone.

Verse 6 (devibhagavatam.5.8.6)

प्रासादै रत्नखचितैः काञ्चनैश्चित्रमण्डितैः । अभ्रंलिहैर्विराजद्भिः संयुतं शुभसद्मकैः

prāsādai ratnakhacitaiḥ kāñcanaiścitramaṇḍitaiḥ | abhraṁlihairvirājadbhiḥ saṁyutaṁ śubhasadmakaiḥ

— filled with auspicious mansions, gem-studded and golden, adorned with wondrous designs, resplendent, touching the very clouds.

Verse 7 (devibhagavatam.5.8.7)

गायद्भिर्देवगन्धर्वैर्नृत्यद्भिरप्सरोगणैः । रञ्जितं किन्नरैः शश्वद्रक्तकण्ठेर्मनोहरैः

gāyadbhirdevagandharvairnṛtyadbhirapsarogaṇaiḥ | rañjitaṁ kinnaraiḥ śaśvadraktakaṇṭhermanoharaiḥ

— delightful with divine gandharvas singing, hosts of apsaras dancing, and kinnaras, ever sweet-voiced and enchanting.

Verse 8 (devibhagavatam.5.8.8)

मुनिभिश्च तथा शान्तैर्वेदपाठकृतादरैः । स्तुवद्भिः श्रुतिसूक्तैश्च मण्डितं सदनं हरेः

munibhiśca tathā śāntairvedapāṭhakṛtādaraiḥ | stuvadbhiḥ śrutisūktaiśca maṇḍitaṁ sadanaṁ hareḥ

— and adorned besides by peaceful sages devoted to Vedic recitation, praising with hymns of the Shruti — thus was Hari's abode arrayed.

Verse 9 (devibhagavatam.5.8.9)

ते च विष्णुगृहं प्राप्य द्वारपालौ शुभाकृती । वीक्ष्योचुर्जयविजयौ हेमयष्टिधरौ स्थितौ

te ca viṣṇugṛhaṁ prāpya dvārapālau śubhākṛtī | vīkṣyocurjayavijayau hemayaṣṭidharau sthitau

Reaching Vishnu's dwelling, they saw the two beautiful gatekeepers, Jaya and Vijaya, standing there with golden staves, and spoke to them.

Verse 10 (devibhagavatam.5.8.10)

गत्वैकोऽप्युभयोर्मध्ये निवेदयतु सङ्गतान् । द्वारस्थान् ब्रह्मरुद्रादीन्विष्णुदर्शनलालसान्

gatvaiko'pyubhayormadhye nivedayatu saṅgatān | dvārasthān brahmarudrādīnviṣṇudarśanalālasān

'Let one of you two go and announce that Brahma, Rudra, and the others stand assembled at the gate, eager for a sight of Vishnu.'

Verse 11 (devibhagavatam.5.8.11)

व्यास उवाच । विजयस्तद्वचः श्रुत्वा गत्वाथ विष्णुसन्निधौ । सर्वान्समागतान्देवान्प्रणम्योवाच सत्वरः

vyāsa uvāca | vijayastadvacaḥ śrutvā gatvātha viṣṇusannidhau | sarvānsamāgatāndevānpraṇamyovāca satvaraḥ

Vyasa said: Vijaya, hearing these words, went into Vishnu's presence and, bowing, quickly told him of all the gods who had gathered.

Verse 12 (devibhagavatam.5.8.12)

विजय उवाच । देवदेव महाराज रमाकान्त सुरारिहन् । समागताः सुराः सर्वे द्वारि तिष्ठन्ति वै विभो

vijaya uvāca | devadeva mahārāja ramākānta surārihan | samāgatāḥ surāḥ sarve dvāri tiṣṭhanti vai vibho

Vijaya said: O god of gods, great king, beloved of Rama, slayer of the gods' enemies, O mighty one — all the gods have gathered and stand at the gate.

Verse 13 (devibhagavatam.5.8.13)

ब्रह्मा रुद्रस्तथेन्द्रश्च वरुणः पावको यमः । स्तुवन्ति वेदवाक्यैस्त्वाममरा दर्शनार्थिनः

brahmā rudrastathendraśca varuṇaḥ pāvako yamaḥ | stuvanti vedavākyaistvāmamarā darśanārthinaḥ

Brahma, Rudra, Indra, Varuna, Agni, and Yama — all these immortals, eager for a sight of you, are praising you with the words of the Veda.

Verse 14 (devibhagavatam.5.8.14)

व्यास उवाच । तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं विष्णर्विजयस्य रमापतिः । निर्जगाम गृहात्तूर्णं सुरान्समधिकोत्सवः

vyāsa uvāca | tacchrutvā vacanaṁ viṣṇarvijayasya ramāpatiḥ | nirjagāma gṛhāttūrṇaṁ surānsamadhikotsavaḥ

Vyasa said: Hearing these words of Vijaya, the Lord of Rama swiftly came out of his dwelling to the gods, filled with the greatest joy.

Verse 15 (devibhagavatam.5.8.15)

गत्वा वीक्ष्य हरिर्देवान्द्वारस्थाञ्छ्रमकर्शितान् । प्रीतिप्रवणया दृष्ट्या प्रीणयामास दुःखितान्

gatvā vīkṣya harirdevāndvārasthāñchramakarśitān | prītipravaṇayā dṛṣṭyā prīṇayāmāsa duḥkhitān

Going there, Hari saw the gods standing at the gate, worn thin with weariness, and comforted those grieving ones with a glance full of affection.

Verse 16 (devibhagavatam.5.8.16)

प्रणेमुस्ते सुराः सर्वे देवदेवं जनार्दनम् । तुष्टुवुश्च सुरारिघ्नं वाग्भिर्वेदविनिश्चितम्

praṇemuste surāḥ sarve devadevaṁ janārdanam | tuṣṭuvuśca surārighnaṁ vāgbhirvedaviniścitam

All the gods bowed before that god of gods, Janardana, and praised the slayer of the gods' enemies with words established by the Veda.

Verse 17 (devibhagavatam.5.8.17)

देवा ऊचुः । देवदेव जगन्नाथ सृष्टिस्थित्यन्तकारक । दयासिन्धो महाराज त्राहि नः शरणागतान्

devā ūcuḥ | devadeva jagannātha sṛṣṭisthityantakāraka | dayāsindho mahārāja trāhi naḥ śaraṇāgatān

The gods said: O god of gods, lord of the world, cause of creation, preservation, and dissolution, ocean of compassion, great king — save us, who have come to you for refuge.

Verse 18 (devibhagavatam.5.8.18)

विष्णुरुवाच । विशन्तु निर्जराः सर्वे कुशलं कथयन्तु वः । आसनेषु किमर्थं वै मिलिताः समुपागताः

viṣṇuruvāca | viśantu nirjarāḥ sarve kuśalaṁ kathayantu vaḥ | āsaneṣu kimarthaṁ vai militāḥ samupāgatāḥ

Vishnu said: Let all the immortals enter and tell me of your welfare. Tell me — for what reason have you all gathered and come here together?

Verse 19 (devibhagavatam.5.8.19)

चिन्तातुराः कथं जाता विषण्णा दीनमानसाः । ब्रह्मरुद्रेण सहिताः कार्यं प्रब्रूत सत्वरम्

cintāturāḥ kathaṁ jātā viṣaṇṇā dīnamānasāḥ | brahmarudreṇa sahitāḥ kāryaṁ prabrūta satvaram

Why have you, together with Brahma and Rudra, become so troubled with anxiety, so downcast and dispirited? Tell me your purpose at once.

Verse 20 (devibhagavatam.5.8.20)

देवा ऊचुः । महिषेण महाराज पीडिताः पापकर्मणा । असाध्येनातिदुष्टेन वरदृप्तेन पापिना

devā ūcuḥ | mahiṣeṇa mahārāja pīḍitāḥ pāpakarmaṇā | asādhyenātiduṣṭena varadṛptena pāpinā

The gods said: O great king, we are oppressed by that Mahisha of sinful deeds — untamable, most wicked, arrogant with his boon, and sinful —

Verse 21 (devibhagavatam.5.8.21)

यज्ञभागानसौ भुङ्क्ते ब्राह्मणैः प्रतिपादितान् । अमरा गिरिदुर्गेषु भ्रमन्ति च भयातुराः

yajñabhāgānasau bhuṅkte brāhmaṇaiḥ pratipāditān | amarā giridurgeṣu bhramanti ca bhayāturāḥ

— who enjoys the sacrificial portions offered by the brahmins, while the gods wander, terror-stricken, in the fastnesses of the mountains.

Verse 22 (devibhagavatam.5.8.22)

वरदानेन धातुः स दुर्जयो मधुसूदन । तस्मात्त्वां शरणं प्राप्ता ज्ञात्वा तत्कार्यगौरवम्

varadānena dhātuḥ sa durjayo madhusūdana | tasmāttvāṁ śaraṇaṁ prāptā jñātvā tatkāryagauravam

By the boon of the Creator, O Madhusudana, he has become invincible. Therefore, knowing the gravity of this matter, we have come to you for refuge.

Verse 23 (devibhagavatam.5.8.23)

समर्थोऽसि समुद्धर्तुं दैत्यमायाविशारद । कुरु कृष्ण वधोपायं तस्य दानवमर्दन

samartho'si samuddhartuṁ daityamāyāviśārada | kuru kṛṣṇa vadhopāyaṁ tasya dānavamardana

You alone, skilled against the illusions of the daityas, are capable of delivering us. Devise the means of his death, O Krishna, O crusher of danavas.

Verse 24 (devibhagavatam.5.8.24)

धात्रा तस्मै वरो दत्तो ह्यवध्योऽसि नरैः किल । का स्त्री त्वेवंविधा बाला या हन्यात्तं शठं रणे

dhātrā tasmai varo datto hyavadhyo'si naraiḥ kila | kā strī tvevaṁvidhā bālā yā hanyāttaṁ śaṭhaṁ raṇe

Brahma has granted him the boon that he can never be slain by men. What woman, then — what young girl — could be capable of killing that wicked one in battle?

Verse 25 (devibhagavatam.5.8.25)

उमा मा वा शची विद्या का समर्थास्य घातने । महिषस्यातिदुष्टस्य वरदानबलादपि

umā mā vā śacī vidyā kā samarthāsya ghātane | mahiṣasyātiduṣṭasya varadānabalādapi

Uma, or Lakshmi, or Shachi, or Vidya — which among them could be capable of slaying that exceedingly wicked Mahisha, given even the strength of his boon?

Verse 26 (devibhagavatam.5.8.26)

विचिन्त्य बुद्ध्या यत्सर्वं मरणस्यास्य कारणम् । कुरु कार्यं च देवानां भक्तवत्सल भूधर

vicintya buddhyā yatsarvaṁ maraṇasyāsya kāraṇam | kuru kāryaṁ ca devānāṁ bhaktavatsala bhūdhara

O lover of your devotees, O sustainer of the earth, having thought through with your own wisdom every cause of his death, accomplish this task for the gods.

Verse 27 (devibhagavatam.5.8.27)

व्यास उवाच । श्रुत्वा तद्वचनं विष्णुस्तानुवाच हसन्निव । युद्धं कृतं पुरास्माभिस्तथापि न मृतो ह्यसौ

vyāsa uvāca | śrutvā tadvacanaṁ viṣṇustānuvāca hasanniva | yuddhaṁ kṛtaṁ purāsmābhistathāpi na mṛto hyasau

Vyasa said: Hearing those words, Vishnu, as if smiling, said to them: 'We have already fought him once before, and still he has not died.'

Verse 28 (devibhagavatam.5.8.28)

अद्य सर्वसुराणां वै तेजोभी रूपसम्पदा । उत्पन्ना चेद्वरारोहा सा हन्यात्तं रणे बलात्

adya sarvasurāṇāṁ vai tejobhī rūpasampadā | utpannā cedvarārohā sā hanyāttaṁ raṇe balāt

'If, today, from the combined radiance of all the gods, a woman of the finest form and beauty should be born, she could slay him by force in battle.'

Verse 29 (devibhagavatam.5.8.29)

हयारिं वरदृप्तञ्च मायाशतविशारदम् । हन्तुं योग्या भवेन्नारी शक्त्यंशैर्निर्मिता हि नः

hayāriṁ varadṛptañca māyāśataviśāradam | hantuṁ yogyā bhavennārī śaktyaṁśairnirmitā hi naḥ

'A woman fit to slay that boon-swollen enemy, skilled in a hundred illusions, could be formed only from portions of the power of all of us.'

Verse 30 (devibhagavatam.5.8.30)

प्रार्थयन्तु च तेजोंऽशान्स्त्रियोऽस्माकं तथा पुनः । उत्पन्नैस्तैश्च तेजोंऽशैस्तेजोराशिर्भवेद्यथा

prārthayantu ca tejoṁ'śānstriyo'smākaṁ tathā punaḥ | utpannaistaiśca tejoṁ'śaistejorāśirbhavedyathā

'And let our wives, too, offer their own portions of radiance, so that from all these gathered portions a great mass of radiance may be formed.'

Verse 31 (devibhagavatam.5.8.31)

आयुधानि वयं दद्मः सर्वे रुद्रपुरोगमाः । तस्यै सर्वाणि दिव्यानि त्रिशूलादीनि यानि च

āyudhāni vayaṁ dadmaḥ sarve rudrapurogamāḥ | tasyai sarvāṇi divyāni triśūlādīni yāni ca

'All of us, with Rudra at our head, shall give her our weapons — all our divine weapons, the trident and the rest.'

Verse 32 (devibhagavatam.5.8.32)

सर्वायुधधरा नारी सर्वतेजःसमन्विता । हनिष्यति दुरात्मानं तं पापं मदगर्वितम्

sarvāyudhadharā nārī sarvatejaḥsamanvitā | haniṣyati durātmānaṁ taṁ pāpaṁ madagarvitam

'That woman, bearing every weapon, endowed with the radiance of all of us, shall slay that evil-souled, sinful, pride-swollen one.'

Verse 33 (devibhagavatam.5.8.33)

व्यास उवाच । इत्युक्तवति देवेशे ब्रह्मणो वदनात्ततः । स्वयमेवोद्बभौ तेजोराशिश्चातीव दुःसहः

vyāsa uvāca | ityuktavati deveśe brahmaṇo vadanāttataḥ | svayamevodbabhau tejorāśiścātīva duḥsahaḥ

Vyasa said: As the lord of gods spoke thus, at once, of its own accord, a mass of radiance, exceedingly unbearable, blazed forth from the mouth of Brahma.

Verse 34 (devibhagavatam.5.8.34)

रक्तवर्णं शुभाकारं पद्मरागमणिप्रभम् । किञ्चिच्छीतं तथा चोष्णं मरीचिजालमण्डितम्

raktavarṇaṁ śubhākāraṁ padmarāgamaṇiprabham | kiñcicchītaṁ tathā coṣṇaṁ marīcijālamaṇḍitam

— red in hue, of auspicious form, radiant as a ruby, somewhat cool and somewhat warm, wreathed in a network of rays.

Verse 35 (devibhagavatam.5.8.35)

निःसृतं हरिणा दृष्टं हरेण च महात्मना । विस्मितौ तौ महाराज बभूवतुरुरुक्रमौ

niḥsṛtaṁ hariṇā dṛṣṭaṁ hareṇa ca mahātmanā | vismitau tau mahārāja babhūvatururukramau

That radiance, issuing forth, was seen by both Hari and the great-souled Hara. O great king, both those far-striding, mighty ones were struck with wonder.

Verse 36 (devibhagavatam.5.8.36)

शङ्करस्य शरीरात्तु निःसृतं महदद्भुतम् । रौप्यवर्णमभूत्तीव्रं दुर्दर्शं दारुणं महत्

śaṅkarasya śarīrāttu niḥsṛtaṁ mahadadbhutam | raupyavarṇamabhūttīvraṁ durdarśaṁ dāruṇaṁ mahat

Then, from Shankara's own body, a great and wondrous radiance issued forth — silver in hue, intense, hard to look upon, terrible, and vast.

Verse 37 (devibhagavatam.5.8.37)

भयङ्करञ्च दैत्यानां देवानां विस्मयप्रदम् । घोररूपं गिरिप्रख्यं तमोगुणमिवापरम्

bhayaṅkarañca daityānāṁ devānāṁ vismayapradam | ghorarūpaṁ giriprakhyaṁ tamoguṇamivāparam

Terrifying to the daityas and astonishing to the gods, of a fearsome form, huge as a mountain, as though it were tamas itself given a second body.

Verse 38 (devibhagavatam.5.8.38)

ततो विष्णुशरीरात्तु तेजोराशिमिवापरम् । नीलं सत्त्वगुणोपेतं प्रादुरास महाद्युति

tato viṣṇuśarīrāttu tejorāśimivāparam | nīlaṁ sattvaguṇopetaṁ prādurāsa mahādyuti

Then, from Vishnu's own body, another mass of radiance appeared — blue in hue, endowed with the quality of sattva, and of great splendor.

Verse 39 (devibhagavatam.5.8.39)

ततश्चेन्द्रशरीरात्तु चित्ररूपं दुरासदम् । आविरासीत्सुसंवृत्तं तेजः सर्वगुणात्मकम्

tataścendraśarīrāttu citrarūpaṁ durāsadam | āvirāsītsusaṁvṛttaṁ tejaḥ sarvaguṇātmakam

Then, from Indra's own body, a radiance of wondrous form appeared — hard to approach, well-composed, embodying every quality.

Verse 40 (devibhagavatam.5.8.40)

कुबेरयमवह्नीनां शरीरेभ्यः समन्ततः । निश्चक्राम महत्तेजो वरुणस्य तथैव च

kuberayamavahnīnāṁ śarīrebhyaḥ samantataḥ | niścakrāma mahattejo varuṇasya tathaiva ca

From the bodies of Kubera, Yama, and Agni, on every side, a great radiance issued forth, and likewise from Varuna's body.

Verse 41 (devibhagavatam.5.8.41)

अन्येषां चैव देवानां शरीरेभ्योऽतिभास्वरम् । निर्गतं तन्महातेजोराशिरासीन्महोज्ज्वलः

anyeṣāṁ caiva devānāṁ śarīrebhyo'tibhāsvaram | nirgataṁ tanmahātejorāśirāsīnmahojjvalaḥ

And from the bodies of the other gods too, exceedingly brilliant light poured forth; and from all of it together arose one great, blazing mass of radiance.

Verse 42 (devibhagavatam.5.8.42)

तं दृष्ट्वा विस्मिताः सर्वे देवा विष्णुपुरोगमाः । तेजोराशिं महादिव्यं हिमाचलमिवापरम्

taṁ dṛṣṭvā vismitāḥ sarve devā viṣṇupurogamāḥ | tejorāśiṁ mahādivyaṁ himācalamivāparam

Seeing that great, divine mass of radiance, like a second Himalaya, all the gods, Vishnu at their head, were struck with astonishment.

Verse 43 (devibhagavatam.5.8.43)

पश्यतां तत्र देवानां तेजःपुञ्जसमुद्भवा । बभूवातिवरा नारी सुन्दरी विस्मयप्रदा

paśyatāṁ tatra devānāṁ tejaḥpuñjasamudbhavā | babhūvātivarā nārī sundarī vismayapradā

Even as the gods watched, from that mass of radiance there came into being a most excellent woman, beautiful, a cause of wonder to all.

Verse 44 (devibhagavatam.5.8.44)

त्रिगुणा सा महालक्ष्मीः सर्वदेवशरीरजा । अष्टादशभुजा रम्या त्रिवर्णा विश्वमोहिनी

triguṇā sā mahālakṣmīḥ sarvadevaśarīrajā | aṣṭādaśabhujā ramyā trivarṇā viśvamohinī

That Mahalakshmi, embodying the three gunas, born of the bodies of all the gods, was possessed of eighteen arms, lovely, three-hued, enchanting the whole universe.

Verse 45 (devibhagavatam.5.8.45)

श्वेतानना कृष्णनेत्रा संरक्ताधरपल्लवा । ताम्रपाणितला कान्ता दिव्यभूषणभूषिता

śvetānanā kṛṣṇanetrā saṁraktādharapallavā | tāmrapāṇitalā kāntā divyabhūṣaṇabhūṣitā

Her face was white, her eyes dark, her lips like fresh red buds, the palms of her hands coppery, and she, lovely, was adorned with divine ornaments.

Verse 46 (devibhagavatam.5.8.46)

अष्टादशभुजा देवी सहस्रभुजमण्डिता । सम्भूतासुरनाशाय तेजोराशिसमुद्भवा

aṣṭādaśabhujā devī sahasrabhujamaṇḍitā | sambhūtāsuranāśāya tejorāśisamudbhavā

That Goddess of eighteen arms, adorned as if with a thousand, had thus come into being from that mass of radiance, for the destruction of the asura.

Verse 47 (devibhagavatam.5.8.47)

जनमेजय उवाच । कृष्ण देव महाभाग सर्वज्ञ मुनिसत्तम । विस्तरं ब्रूहि तस्यास्त्वं शरीरस्य समुद्भवम्

janamejaya uvāca | kṛṣṇa deva mahābhāga sarvajña munisattama | vistaraṁ brūhi tasyāstvaṁ śarīrasya samudbhavam

Janamejaya said: O Krishna, O god, O most fortunate one, all-knowing, best of sages, tell me in full detail the origin of her body.

Verse 48 (devibhagavatam.5.8.48)

एकीभूतं च सर्वेषां तेजः किं वा पृथक् स्थितम् । अङ्गानि चैव तस्यास्तु सर्वतेजोमयानि वा

ekībhūtaṁ ca sarveṣāṁ tejaḥ kiṁ vā pṛthak sthitam | aṅgāni caiva tasyāstu sarvatejomayāni vā

Was the radiance of all of them fused into one, or did it remain separate? And were her limbs made wholly of that combined radiance, or...?

Verse 49 (devibhagavatam.5.8.49)

भिन्नभागविभागेन जातान्यङ्गानि यानि तु । मुखनासाक्षिभेदेन सर्वत्रैकभवानि च

bhinnabhāgavibhāgena jātānyaṅgāni yāni tu | mukhanāsākṣibhedena sarvatraikabhavāni ca

— or did her limbs come into being through a division into separate parts — mouth, nose, eyes, each distinct — yet everywhere becoming, together, a single body?

Verse 50 (devibhagavatam.5.8.50)

ब्रूहि तद्विस्तरं व्यास शरीराङ्गसमुद्भवम् । बभूव यस्य देवस्य तेजसोऽङ्गं यदद्भुतम्

brūhi tadvistaraṁ vyāsa śarīrāṅgasamudbhavam | babhūva yasya devasya tejaso'ṅgaṁ yadadbhutam

Tell me that in detail, O Vyasa — the origin of her bodily limbs — from which god's radiance which wondrous limb of hers came into being.

Verse 51 (devibhagavatam.5.8.51)

आयुधाभरणादीनि दत्तानि यैर्यथा यथा । तत्सर्वं श्रोतुकामोऽस्मि त्वन्मुखाम्बुजनिर्गतम्

āyudhābharaṇādīni dattāni yairyathā yathā | tatsarvaṁ śrotukāmo'smi tvanmukhāmbujanirgatam

By whom, and in what manner, the weapons and ornaments were given — all of it I wish to hear, as it issues from your lotus mouth.

Verse 52 (devibhagavatam.5.8.52)

न हि तृप्याम्यहं ब्रह्मन् सुधामयरसं पिबन् । चरितञ्च महालक्ष्यास्त्वन्मुखाम्भोजनिःसृतम्

na hi tṛpyāmyahaṁ brahman sudhāmayarasaṁ piban | caritañca mahālakṣyāstvanmukhāmbhojaniḥsṛtam

O brahmin, drinking in this nectar-like tale of the great Devi as it flows from your lotus mouth, I am never satiated.

Verse 53 (devibhagavatam.5.8.53)

सूत उवाच । इति तस्य वचः श्रुत्वा राज्ञः सत्यवतीसुतः । उवाच मधुरं वाक्यं प्रीणयन्निव भूपतिम्

sūta uvāca | iti tasya vacaḥ śrutvā rājñaḥ satyavatīsutaḥ | uvāca madhuraṁ vākyaṁ prīṇayanniva bhūpatim

Suta said: Hearing these words of the king, the son of Satyavati spoke sweet words, as if to delight that king.

Verse 54 (devibhagavatam.5.8.54)

व्यास उवाच । शृणु राजन्महाभाग विस्तरेण ब्रवीमि ते । यथामति कुरुश्रेष्ठ तस्या देहसमुद्भवम्

vyāsa uvāca | śṛṇu rājanmahābhāga vistareṇa bravīmi te | yathāmati kuruśreṣṭha tasyā dehasamudbhavam

Vyasa said: Listen, O most fortunate king, best of the Kurus — I shall tell you, to the best of my understanding, the origin of her body in full.

Verse 55 (devibhagavatam.5.8.55)

न ब्रह्मा न हरिः साक्षान्न रुद्रो न च वासवः । याथातथ्येन तद्रूपं वक्तुमीशः कदाचन

na brahmā na hariḥ sākṣānna rudro na ca vāsavaḥ | yāthātathyena tadrūpaṁ vaktumīśaḥ kadācana

Neither Brahma, nor Hari himself, nor Rudra, nor even Vasava, is ever capable of describing her true form exactly as it is.

Verse 56 (devibhagavatam.5.8.56)

कथं जानाम्यहं देव्या यद्रूपं यादृशं यतः । वाचारम्भणमात्रं तदुत्पन्नेति ब्रवीमि यत्

kathaṁ jānāmyahaṁ devyā yadrūpaṁ yādṛśaṁ yataḥ | vācārambhaṇamātraṁ tadutpanneti bravīmi yat

How, then, could I know what form the Goddess had, of what kind, or whence it came? Whatever I say — that 'she came into being' — is merely a starting-point made of words.

Verse 57 (devibhagavatam.5.8.57)

सा नित्या सर्वदैवास्ते देवकार्यार्थसिद्धये । नानारूपा त्वेकरूपा जायते कार्यगौरवात्

sā nityā sarvadaivāste devakāryārthasiddhaye | nānārūpā tvekarūpā jāyate kāryagauravāt

She is eternal, ever present at all times; for the fulfillment of the gods' purpose, though one in essential form, she appears to take many forms according to the weight of the task.

Verse 58 (devibhagavatam.5.8.58)

यथा नटो रङ्गगतो नानारूपो भवत्यसौ । एकरूपस्वभावोऽपि लोकरञ्जनहेतवे

yathā naṭo raṅgagato nānārūpo bhavatyasau | ekarūpasvabhāvo'pi lokarañjanahetave

Just as an actor upon the stage, though one in his own nature, assumes many forms for the sake of delighting the audience —

Verse 59 (devibhagavatam.5.8.59)

तथैषा देवकार्यार्थमरूपापि स्वलीलया । करोति बहुरूपाणि निर्गुणा सगुणानि च

tathaiṣā devakāryārthamarūpāpi svalīlayā | karoti bahurūpāṇi nirguṇā saguṇāni ca

— so too she, though formless, assumes many forms through her own divine play for the sake of the gods' purpose, taking on qualities though she is beyond all qualities.

Verse 60 (devibhagavatam.5.8.60)

कार्यकर्मानुसारेण नामानि प्रभवन्ति हि । धात्वर्थगुणयुक्तानि गौणानि सुबहून्यपि

kāryakarmānusāreṇa nāmāni prabhavanti hi | dhātvarthaguṇayuktāni gauṇāni subahūnyapi

Names indeed arise according to the deed performed — many of them secondary, bound up with the sense of the verbal root and with quality.

Verse 61 (devibhagavatam.5.8.61)

तद्वै बुद्ध्यनुसारेण प्रब्रवीमि नराधिप । यथा तेजःसमुद्भूतं रूपं तस्या मनोहरम्

tadvai buddhyanusāreṇa prabravīmi narādhipa | yathā tejaḥsamudbhūtaṁ rūpaṁ tasyā manoharam

So, O lord of men, according to my own understanding, I shall now tell you how her enchanting form arose from that radiance.

Verse 62 (devibhagavatam.5.8.62)

शङ्करस्य च यत्तेजस्तेन तन्मुखपङ्कजम् । श्वेतवर्णं शुभाकारमजायत महत्तरम्

śaṅkarasya ca yattejastena tanmukhapaṅkajam | śvetavarṇaṁ śubhākāramajāyata mahattaram

From that portion of radiance which was Shankara's, her great, white-hued, auspicious, lotus-like face came into being.

Verse 63 (devibhagavatam.5.8.63)

केशास्तस्यास्तथा स्निग्धा याम्येन तेजसाभवन् । वक्राग्राश्चातिदीर्घा वै मेघवर्णा मनोहराः

keśāstasyāstathā snigdhā yāmyena tejasābhavan | vakrāgrāścātidīrghā vai meghavarṇā manoharāḥ

From Yama's radiance came her glossy hair — curling at the tips, very long, cloud-dark in hue, and enchanting.

Verse 64 (devibhagavatam.5.8.64)

नयनत्रितयं तस्या जज्ञे पावकतेजसा । कृष्णं रक्तं तथा श्वेतं वर्णत्रयविभूषितम्

nayanatritayaṁ tasyā jajñe pāvakatejasā | kṛṣṇaṁ raktaṁ tathā śvetaṁ varṇatrayavibhūṣitam

From the radiance of Agni her three eyes came into being, adorned with three colors — black, red, and white.

Verse 65 (devibhagavatam.5.8.65)

वक्रे स्निग्धे कृष्णवर्णे सन्ध्ययोस्तेजसा भ्रुवौ । जाते देव्याः सुतेजस्के कामस्य धनुषीव ते

vakre snigdhe kṛṣṇavarṇe sandhyayostejasā bhruvau | jāte devyāḥ sutejaske kāmasya dhanuṣīva te

From the radiance of the two twilights came her curved, glossy, dark-hued eyebrows, radiant as the very bows of Kama, the god of love.

Verse 66 (devibhagavatam.5.8.66)

वायोश्च तेजसा शस्तौ श्रवणौ सम्बभूवतुः । नातिदीर्घो नातिह्रस्वौ दोलाविव मनोभुवः

vāyośca tejasā śastau śravaṇau sambabhūvatuḥ | nātidīrgho nātihrasvau dolāviva manobhuvaḥ

From the radiance of Vayu came her two excellent ears, neither too long nor too short, like the very swings of the mind-born god.

Verse 67 (devibhagavatam.5.8.67)

तिलपुष्पसमाकारा नासिका सुमनोहरा । सञ्जाता स्निग्धवर्णा वै धनदस्य च तेजसा

tilapuṣpasamākārā nāsikā sumanoharā | sañjātā snigdhavarṇā vai dhanadasya ca tejasā

From the radiance of the lord of wealth came her most enchanting, glossy-hued nose, shaped like a sesame flower.

Verse 68 (devibhagavatam.5.8.68)

दन्ताः शिखरिणः श्लक्ष्णाः कुन्दाग्रसदृशाः समाः । सञ्जाताः सुप्रभा राजन् प्राजापत्येन तेजसा

dantāḥ śikhariṇaḥ ślakṣṇāḥ kundāgrasadṛśāḥ samāḥ | sañjātāḥ suprabhā rājan prājāpatyena tejasā

O king, from the radiance of Prajapati came her teeth — pointed, smooth, even, resembling jasmine buds, and of excellent luster.

Verse 69 (devibhagavatam.5.8.69)

अधरश्चातिरक्तोऽस्याः सञ्जातोऽरुणतेजसा । उत्तरोष्ठस्तथा रम्यः कार्तिकेयस्य तेजसा

adharaścātirakto'syāḥ sañjāto'ruṇatejasā | uttaroṣṭhastathā ramyaḥ kārtikeyasya tejasā

From the radiance of Aruna came her most-red lower lip; and from the radiance of Kartikeya came her lovely upper lip.

Verse 70 (devibhagavatam.5.8.70)

अष्टादशभुजाकारा बाहवो विष्णुतेजसा । वसूनां तेजसाङ्गुल्यो रक्तवर्णास्तथाभवन्

aṣṭādaśabhujākārā bāhavo viṣṇutejasā | vasūnāṁ tejasāṅgulyo raktavarṇāstathābhavan

From the radiance of Vishnu came her eighteen arms; and from the radiance of the Vasus came her red-hued fingers.

Verse 71 (devibhagavatam.5.8.71)

सौम्येन तेजसा जातं स्तनयोर्युग्ममुत्तमम् । ऐन्द्रेणास्यास्तथा मध्यं जातं त्रिवलिसंयुतम्

saumyena tejasā jātaṁ stanayoryugmamuttamam | aindreṇāsyāstathā madhyaṁ jātaṁ trivalisaṁyutam

From the gentle radiance of the Moon came her excellent pair of breasts; and from the radiance of Indra came her waist, marked with its three folds.

Verse 72 (devibhagavatam.5.8.72)

जङ्घोरू वरुणस्याथ तेजसा सम्बभूवतुः । नितम्बः स तु सञ्जातो विपुलस्तेजसा भुवः

jaṅghorū varuṇasyātha tejasā sambabhūvatuḥ | nitambaḥ sa tu sañjāto vipulastejasā bhuvaḥ

From the radiance of Varuna came her shins and thighs; and from the radiance of the Earth came her broad hips.

Verse 73 (devibhagavatam.5.8.73)

एवं नारी शुभाकारा सुरूपा सुस्वरा भृशम् । समुत्पन्ना तथा राजंस्तेजोराशिसमुद्भवा

evaṁ nārī śubhākārā surūpā susvarā bhṛśam | samutpannā tathā rājaṁstejorāśisamudbhavā

Thus, O king, from that mass of radiance there came into being a woman of auspicious form, most beautiful, and of a wonderfully sweet voice.

Verse 74 (devibhagavatam.5.8.74)

तां दृष्ट्वा सुष्ठुसर्वाङ्गीं सुदतीं चारुलोचनाम् । मुदं प्रापुः सुराः सर्वे महिषेण प्रपीडिताः

tāṁ dṛṣṭvā suṣṭhusarvāṅgīṁ sudatīṁ cārulocanām | mudaṁ prāpuḥ surāḥ sarve mahiṣeṇa prapīḍitāḥ

Seeing her, so beautiful in every limb, with lovely teeth and enchanting eyes, all the gods, so sorely oppressed by Mahisha, were filled with joy.

Verse 75 (devibhagavatam.5.8.75)

विष्णुस्त्वाह सुरान्सर्वान्भूषणान्यायुधानि च । प्रयच्छन्तु शुभान्यस्यै देवाः सर्वाणि साम्प्रतम्

viṣṇustvāha surānsarvānbhūṣaṇānyāyudhāni ca | prayacchantu śubhānyasyai devāḥ sarvāṇi sāmpratam

Vishnu then said to all the gods: 'Let all the gods now offer her every kind of auspicious ornament and weapon.'

Verse 76 (devibhagavatam.5.8.76)

स्वायुधेभ्यः समुत्पाद्य तेजोयुक्तानि सत्वराः । समर्पयन्तु सर्वेऽद्य देव्यै नानायुधानि वै

svāyudhebhyaḥ samutpādya tejoyuktāni satvarāḥ | samarpayantu sarve'dya devyai nānāyudhāni vai

'Let each of you, swiftly generating radiant counterparts of your own weapons, offer to the Goddess today your various weapons.'