The Goddess's Dream: The Rescue of Ekavali Promised to King Ekavira

Verse 1 (devibhagavatam.6.22.1)

यशोवत्युवाच । प्रातरुत्थाय तन्वङ्गी चलिता च सखीयुता । चामरैर्वीज्यमाना सा रक्षिता बहुरक्षिभिः

yaśovatyuvāca | prātarutthāya tanvaṅgī calitā ca sakhīyutā | cāmarairvījyamānā sā rakṣitā bahurakṣibhiḥ

Yashovati said: Rising at dawn, the slender-limbed one set out together with her attendants; fanned with chowries, she was guarded by many protectors.

Verse 2 (devibhagavatam.6.22.2)

सायुधैश्चातिसन्नद्धैः सहिता वरवर्णिनी । क्रीडार्थमत्र राजेन्द्र सम्प्राप्ता नलिनीं शुभाम्

sāyudhaiścātisannaddhaiḥ sahitā varavarṇinī | krīḍārthamatra rājendra samprāptā nalinīṁ śubhām

Accompanied by well-armed and fully equipped guards, the lovely one, O king, arrived at that beautiful lotus-pond to play.

Verse 3 (devibhagavatam.6.22.3)

अहमप्यनया सार्धं गङ्गातीरे समागता । अप्सरोभिः समेता च कमलैः क्रीडमानया

ahamapyanayā sārdhaṁ gaṅgātīre samāgatā | apsarobhiḥ sametā ca kamalaiḥ krīḍamānayā

I too came together with her to the bank of the Ganga, joined by celestial nymphs, while she played among the lotuses.

Verse 4 (devibhagavatam.6.22.4)

एकावली तथा चाहं जाते क्रीडापरे यदा । सहसैव तदायातो दानवो बलसंयुतः

ekāvalī tathā cāhaṁ jāte krīḍāpare yadā | sahasaiva tadāyāto dānavo balasaṁyutaḥ

When Ekavali and I were thus absorbed in play, a demon suddenly arrived, accompanied by his forces.

Verse 5 (devibhagavatam.6.22.5)

कालकेतुरिति ख्यातो राक्षसैर्बहुभिर्युतः । परिघासिगदाचापबाणतोमरपाणिभिः

kālaketuriti khyāto rākṣasairbahubhiryutaḥ | parighāsigadācāpabāṇatomarapāṇibhiḥ

He was a rakshasa known as Kalaketu, surrounded by many rakshasas armed with iron clubs, swords, maces, bows and arrows, and lances.

Verse 6 (devibhagavatam.6.22.6)

दृष्टा चैकावली तेन रूपयौवनशालिनी । द्वितीया कामपत्नीव क्रीडमाना सुपङ्कजैः

dṛṣṭā caikāvalī tena rūpayauvanaśālinī | dvitīyā kāmapatnīva krīḍamānā supaṅkajaiḥ

He saw Ekavali, resplendent with beauty and youth, playing among the fine lotuses, as though she were a second wife of Kama.

Verse 7 (devibhagavatam.6.22.7)

मयोक्तैकावली राजन् कोऽयं दैत्यः समागतः । गच्छावो रक्षपालानां मध्ये पङ्कजलोचने

mayoktaikāvalī rājan ko'yaṁ daityaḥ samāgataḥ | gacchāvo rakṣapālānāṁ madhye paṅkajalocane

I said to Ekavali: 'Who is this demon that has come, O king? O lotus-eyed one, let us go among the guards.'

Verse 8 (devibhagavatam.6.22.8)

विमृश्यैव सखी चाहं त्वरयैव गते भयात् । मध्ये वै सैनिकानां तु सायुधानां नृपात्मज

vimṛśyaiva sakhī cāhaṁ tvarayaiva gate bhayāt | madhye vai sainikānāṁ tu sāyudhānāṁ nṛpātmaja

Reflecting for a moment, my friend and I, out of fear, quickly went, O prince, into the midst of the armed soldiers.

Verse 9 (devibhagavatam.6.22.9)

कालकेतुस्तु तां दृष्ट्वा मोहिनीं मदनातुरः । गदां गुर्वी गृहीत्वा तु धावमानः समागतः

kālaketustu tāṁ dṛṣṭvā mohinīṁ madanāturaḥ | gadāṁ gurvī gṛhītvā tu dhāvamānaḥ samāgataḥ

Seeing that enchanting girl, Kalaketu, tormented by desire, seized his heavy mace and came rushing forward.

Verse 10 (devibhagavatam.6.22.10)

रक्षकान्दूरतः कृत्वा जग्राहाम्बुजलोचनाम् । त्रस्तां वेपथुसंयुक्तां क्रन्दमानां कृशोदरीम्

rakṣakāndūrataḥ kṛtvā jagrāhāmbujalocanām | trastāṁ vepathusaṁyuktāṁ krandamānāṁ kṛśodarīm

Driving the guards away, he seized the lotus-eyed, slender-waisted girl, who was terrified, trembling, and crying out.

Verse 11 (devibhagavatam.6.22.11)

त्यजैनां मां गृहाणेति मया चोक्तोऽपि दानवः । न मां जग्राह कामार्तस्तां गृहीत्वा विनिःसृतः

tyajaināṁ māṁ gṛhāṇeti mayā cokto'pi dānavaḥ | na māṁ jagrāha kāmārtastāṁ gṛhītvā viniḥsṛtaḥ

I said to the demon, 'Release her, seize me instead!' But tormented by lust, he did not take me — he seized her and fled.

Verse 12 (devibhagavatam.6.22.12)

तिष्ठ तिष्ठेति भाषन्तो रक्षकास्तं महाबलम् । प्रतिषिध्य तु सङ्ग्रामं चक्रुर्विस्मयकारकम्

tiṣṭha tiṣṭheti bhāṣanto rakṣakāstaṁ mahābalam | pratiṣidhya tu saṅgrāmaṁ cakrurvismayakārakam

Shouting 'Stop! Stop!' the guards tried to check that mighty one, and a wondrous battle broke out.

Verse 13 (devibhagavatam.6.22.13)

तस्यापि राक्षसाः क्रूराः सर्वतः शस्त्रपाणयः । युयुधू रक्षकैः सार्धं स्वामिकार्ये कृतोद्यमाः

tasyāpi rākṣasāḥ krūrāḥ sarvataḥ śastrapāṇayaḥ | yuyudhū rakṣakaiḥ sārdhaṁ svāmikārye kṛtodyamāḥ

His cruel rakshasas too, weapons in hand on every side and intent on their master's cause, fought with the guards.

Verse 14 (devibhagavatam.6.22.14)

सङ्ग्रामस्तु तदा जातः कालकेतोस्तथा रणे । निहत्य रक्षकान्सर्वान्गृहीत्वैनां महाबलः

saṅgrāmastu tadā jātaḥ kālaketostathā raṇe | nihatya rakṣakānsarvāngṛhītvaināṁ mahābalaḥ

A fierce battle then took place in that fight with Kalaketu; the mighty one, having slain all the guards, seized her.

Verse 15 (devibhagavatam.6.22.15)

युक्तो राक्षससैन्येन निर्जगाम पुरं प्रति । वीक्ष्य तां रुदतीं बालां गृहीता दानवेन तु

yukto rākṣasasainyena nirjagāma puraṁ prati | vīkṣya tāṁ rudatīṁ bālāṁ gṛhītā dānavena tu

Accompanied by his rakshasa army, he set out toward his city, carrying off the weeping girl seized by the demon.

Verse 16 (devibhagavatam.6.22.16)

पृष्ठतोऽहं गता तत्र यत्र नीता सखी मम । विक्रोशन्ती यथा सा मां पश्येदिति पदानुगा

pṛṣṭhato'haṁ gatā tatra yatra nītā sakhī mama | vikrośantī yathā sā māṁ paśyediti padānugā

I followed on foot behind, to the place where my friend was being taken, so that she, crying out, might see me following.

Verse 17 (devibhagavatam.6.22.17)

सापि मामागतां वीक्ष्य किञ्चित्स्वस्थाभवत्तदा । गताहं तत्समीपे तु तामाभाष्य पुनः पुनः

sāpi māmāgatāṁ vīkṣya kiñcitsvasthābhavattadā | gatāhaṁ tatsamīpe tu tāmābhāṣya punaḥ punaḥ

Seeing me coming, she too became somewhat calm; I went near her and spoke to her again and again.

Verse 18 (devibhagavatam.6.22.18)

सा मां प्राप्यातिदुःखार्ता स्तम्भस्वेदसमाकुला । कण्ठे गृहीत्वा मां भूप रुरोद भृशदुःखिता

sā māṁ prāpyātiduḥkhārtā stambhasvedasamākulā | kaṇṭhe gṛhītvā māṁ bhūpa ruroda bhṛśaduḥkhitā

Overwhelmed with grief, trembling and covered in sweat, O king, upon reaching me she clasped me by the neck and wept bitterly.

Verse 19 (devibhagavatam.6.22.19)

स मामाह कालकेतुः प्रीतिपूर्वमिदं वचः । समाश्वासय भीतां त्वं सखीं चञ्चललोचनाम्

sa māmāha kālaketuḥ prītipūrvamidaṁ vacaḥ | samāśvāsaya bhītāṁ tvaṁ sakhīṁ cañcalalocanām

Kalaketu then spoke these words to me affectionately: 'Console your frightened friend of the restless eyes.'

Verse 20 (devibhagavatam.6.22.20)

प्राप्तं ममाद्य नगरं देवलोकसमं प्रिये । दासोऽस्मि तव रत्या हि कस्मात्क्रन्दसि कातरा

prāptaṁ mamādya nagaraṁ devalokasamaṁ priye | dāso'smi tava ratyā hi kasmātkrandasi kātarā

'Today, O beloved, my city has become like the world of the gods; I am a servant through love of you — why then does she weep so fearfully?'

Verse 21 (devibhagavatam.6.22.21)

कथयैनां सखीं तेऽद्य स्वस्था भव सुलोचने । इत्युक्त्वा मां सखीपार्श्वे समारोप्य रथोत्तमे

kathayaināṁ sakhīṁ te'dya svasthā bhava sulocane | ityuktvā māṁ sakhīpārśve samāropya rathottame

'Tell your friend this today and let her be at peace, O fair-eyed one.' Having said this, he seated me beside my friend in his finest chariot.

Verse 22 (devibhagavatam.6.22.22)

जगाम तरसा दुष्टः पुरे स्वस्य मनोहरे । सैन्येन महता युक्तः प्रफुल्लवदनाम्बुजः

jagāma tarasā duṣṭaḥ pure svasya manohare | sainyena mahatā yuktaḥ praphullavadanāmbujaḥ

That wicked one swiftly went to his own beautiful city, accompanied by his great army, his lotus-face blooming with joy.

Verse 23 (devibhagavatam.6.22.23)

एकावली तथा मां च संस्थाप्य धवले गृहे । राक्षसान् गृहरक्षार्थं कल्पयामास कोटिशः

ekāvalī tathā māṁ ca saṁsthāpya dhavale gṛhe | rākṣasān gṛharakṣārthaṁ kalpayāmāsa koṭiśaḥ

He lodged Ekavali and me in a white mansion, and posted crores of rakshasas to guard the house.

Verse 24 (devibhagavatam.6.22.24)

द्वितीये दिवसे सोऽथ मामुवाच रहो नृप । प्रबोधय सखीं बालां शोचन्तीं विरहातुराम्

dvitīye divase so'tha māmuvāca raho nṛpa | prabodhaya sakhīṁ bālāṁ śocantīṁ virahāturām

On the second day he said to me in private, O king: 'Console your grieving young friend, who is tormented by separation.'

Verse 25 (devibhagavatam.6.22.25)

पत्नी मे भव सुश्रोणि सुखं भुङ्क्षव यथेप्सितम् । राज्यं त्वदीयं चन्द्रास्ये सेवकोऽहं सदा तव

patnī me bhava suśroṇi sukhaṁ bhuṅkṣava yathepsitam | rājyaṁ tvadīyaṁ candrāsye sevako'haṁ sadā tava

'Become my wife, O fair one, and enjoy happiness as you wish; O moon-faced one, this kingdom is yours — I am ever your servant.'

Verse 26 (devibhagavatam.6.22.26)

पुनरुक्तं मया वाक्यं श्रुत्वा तद्भाषितं खरम् । नाहं क्षमाप्रियं वक्तुं त्वमेनां कथय प्रभो

punaruktaṁ mayā vākyaṁ śrutvā tadbhāṣitaṁ kharam | nāhaṁ kṣamāpriyaṁ vaktuṁ tvamenāṁ kathaya prabho

Hearing his harsh words repeated to me, I said: 'I am not able to present this as agreeable — you yourself, my lord, tell her.'

Verse 27 (devibhagavatam.6.22.27)

इत्युक्ते वचने दुष्टो मदनक्षतमानसः । उवाच विनयादेनां सखीं क्षामोदरीं प्रियाम्

ityukte vacane duṣṭo madanakṣatamānasaḥ | uvāca vinayādenāṁ sakhīṁ kṣāmodarīṁ priyām

Hearing these words, the wicked one, his mind wounded by desire, spoke humbly to that dear, slender-waisted friend —

Verse 28 (devibhagavatam.6.22.28)

कृशोदरि त्वया मन्त्रो निक्षिप्तोऽस्ति ममोपरि । तेन मे हृदयं कान्ते हृतं ते वशतां गतम्

kṛśodari tvayā mantro nikṣipto'sti mamopari | tena me hṛdayaṁ kānte hṛtaṁ te vaśatāṁ gatam

'O slender-waisted one, you have cast some spell upon me; by it my heart, O beloved, has been stolen and has come under your power.'

Verse 29 (devibhagavatam.6.22.29)

तेनाहं तव दासोऽद्य कृतोऽस्मीति विनिश्चयः । भज मां कामबाणेन पीडितं विवशं भृशम्

tenāhaṁ tava dāso'dya kṛto'smīti viniścayaḥ | bhaja māṁ kāmabāṇena pīḍitaṁ vivaśaṁ bhṛśam

'Thus I have today become your servant — this is certain; accept me, utterly overpowered and helpless before the arrows of desire.'

Verse 30 (devibhagavatam.6.22.30)

यौवनं याति रम्भोरु चञ्चलं दुर्लभं तदा । सफलं कुरु कल्याणि पतिं मां परिरभ्य च

yauvanaṁ yāti rambhoru cañcalaṁ durlabhaṁ tadā | saphalaṁ kuru kalyāṇi patiṁ māṁ parirabhya ca

'O plantain-thighed one, youth is fleeting and, once gone, is hard to regain; O gracious one, make it fruitful by embracing me as your husband.'

Verse 31 (devibhagavatam.6.22.31)

एकावल्युवाच । पित्राहं कल्पिता पूर्वं दातुं राजसुताय वै । हैहयस्तु महाभाग स मया मनसा वृतः

ekāvalyuvāca | pitrāhaṁ kalpitā pūrvaṁ dātuṁ rājasutāya vai | haihayastu mahābhāga sa mayā manasā vṛtaḥ

Ekavali said: 'My father long ago resolved to give me to a certain prince; O most fortunate one, that Haihaya I have already chosen in my heart.'

Verse 32 (devibhagavatam.6.22.32)

कथमन्यं भजे कान्तं त्यक्त्वा धर्मं सनातनम् । कन्याधर्मं विहायाद्य वेत्सि शास्त्रविनिश्चयम्

kathamanyaṁ bhaje kāntaṁ tyaktvā dharmaṁ sanātanam | kanyādharmaṁ vihāyādya vetsi śāstraviniścayam

'How could I love another, forsaking eternal dharma? Do you not know the scriptures' verdict — that I would today be abandoning a maiden's own duty?'

Verse 33 (devibhagavatam.6.22.33)

यस्मै दद्यात्पिता कामं कन्या तं पतिमाप्नुयात् । परतन्त्रा सदा कन्या न स्वातन्त्र्यं कदाचन

yasmai dadyātpitā kāmaṁ kanyā taṁ patimāpnuyāt | paratantrā sadā kanyā na svātantryaṁ kadācana

'Whomever the father willingly gives her to, that man the maiden obtains as husband; a maiden is ever dependent, never free.'

Verse 34 (devibhagavatam.6.22.34)

इत्युक्तोऽपि तया पापी विरराम न मोहितः । न मुमोच विशालाक्षीं मां च पार्श्वस्थितां तथा

ityukto'pi tayā pāpī virarāma na mohitaḥ | na mumoca viśālākṣīṁ māṁ ca pārśvasthitāṁ tathā

Though thus addressed, that sinful, infatuated one did not relent; he released neither the large-eyed girl nor me, standing beside her.

Verse 35 (devibhagavatam.6.22.35)

पातालविवरे तस्य पुरं परमसङ्कटे । राक्षसै रक्षितं दुर्गं मण्डितं परिखावृतम्

pātālavivare tasya puraṁ paramasaṅkaṭe | rākṣasai rakṣitaṁ durgaṁ maṇḍitaṁ parikhāvṛtam

His city lies in a cavern of the netherworld, in a place of extreme difficulty — a fortress guarded by rakshasas, adorned, and surrounded by a moat.

Verse 36 (devibhagavatam.6.22.36)

तत्र तिष्ठति दुःखार्ता सखी मे प्राणवल्लभा । तेनाहं विरहेणात्र रारटीमि सुदुःखिता

tatra tiṣṭhati duḥkhārtā sakhī me prāṇavallabhā | tenāhaṁ viraheṇātra rāraṭīmi suduḥkhitā

There my friend, dearer to me than life, remains stricken with sorrow; and it is for that separation that I wail here in such anguish.

Verse 37 (devibhagavatam.6.22.37)

एकवीर उवाच । कथं त्वमत्र सम्प्राप्ता पुरात्तस्य दुरात्मनः । विस्मयो मे महानत्र तत्त्वं ब्रूहि वरानने

ekavīra uvāca | kathaṁ tvamatra samprāptā purāttasya durātmanaḥ | vismayo me mahānatra tattvaṁ brūhi varānane

Ekavira said: 'How did you come here from that evil one's city? Great is my astonishment at this — tell me the truth, O fair-faced one.'

Verse 38 (devibhagavatam.6.22.38)

त्वया च कथितं वाक्यं सन्दिग्धं भाति भामिनि । हैहयार्थे कल्पिता सा पित्रेति मम साम्प्रतम्

tvayā ca kathitaṁ vākyaṁ sandigdhaṁ bhāti bhāmini | haihayārthe kalpitā sā pitreti mama sāmpratam

'And the words you have spoken seem doubtful to me, O lovely one — that she was destined by her father for the sake of some Haihaya.'

Verse 39 (devibhagavatam.6.22.39)

हैहयो नाम राजाहं नान्योऽस्ति पृथिवीपतिः । मदर्थे कथिता सा किं सखी तव सुलोचना

haihayo nāma rājāhaṁ nānyo'sti pṛthivīpatiḥ | madarthe kathitā sā kiṁ sakhī tava sulocanā

'I myself am the king named Haihaya — there is no other lord of the earth by that name. Was your friend, O fair-eyed one, then destined for me?'

Verse 40 (devibhagavatam.6.22.40)

एतन्मे संशयं सुभ्रु छेत्तुमर्हसि भामिनि । अहं तामानयिष्यामि तं हत्वा राक्षसाधमम्

etanme saṁśayaṁ subhru chettumarhasi bhāmini | ahaṁ tāmānayiṣyāmi taṁ hatvā rākṣasādhamam

'You ought to resolve this doubt of mine, O fair-browed one; I shall bring her back, having slain that vilest of rakshasas.'

Verse 41 (devibhagavatam.6.22.41)

स्थानं दर्शय मे तस्य यदि जानासि सुव्रते । राज्ञे निवेदितं किं वा तत्पित्रे चातिदुःखिता

sthānaṁ darśaya me tasya yadi jānāsi suvrate | rājñe niveditaṁ kiṁ vā tatpitre cātiduḥkhitā

'Show me his location, if you know it, O virtuous one. Has this been reported to the king, her deeply grieving father?'

Verse 42 (devibhagavatam.6.22.42)

यस्यैषा वल्लभा पुत्री न किं जानाति तां हृताम् । नोद्यमः किं कृतस्तेन ततो मोचनहेतवे

yasyaiṣā vallabhā putrī na kiṁ jānāti tāṁ hṛtām | nodyamaḥ kiṁ kṛtastena tato mocanahetave

'Does he whose beloved daughter she is not know that she has been carried off? Has no effort been made by him toward her release?'

Verse 43 (devibhagavatam.6.22.43)

बन्दीकृतां सुतां ज्ञात्वा कथं तिष्ठति सुस्थिरः । असमर्थो नृपः किं वा कारणं ब्रूहि सत्वरम्

bandīkṛtāṁ sutāṁ jñātvā kathaṁ tiṣṭhati susthiraḥ | asamartho nṛpaḥ kiṁ vā kāraṇaṁ brūhi satvaram

'Knowing his daughter held captive, how can he remain so composed? Is the king powerless, or what is the reason — tell me quickly.'

Verse 44 (devibhagavatam.6.22.44)

त्वया मेऽपहृतं चेतो गुणानुक्त्वा ह्यमानुषान् । सख्याः पङ्कजपत्राक्षि कृतः कामवशो भृशम्

tvayā me'pahṛtaṁ ceto guṇānuktvā hyamānuṣān | sakhyāḥ paṅkajapatrākṣi kṛtaḥ kāmavaśo bhṛśam

'You have stolen my heart, O lotus-petal-eyed one, by describing your friend's superhuman virtues — I have become utterly overcome by desire.'

Verse 45 (devibhagavatam.6.22.45)

कदा पश्यामि तां कान्तां मोचयित्वातिसङ्कटात् । इति मे हृदयं चाद्य करोत्यतिमनोरथम्

kadā paśyāmi tāṁ kāntāṁ mocayitvātisaṅkaṭāt | iti me hṛdayaṁ cādya karotyatimanoratham

'When shall I see that lovely one, having freed her from such great peril?' — so today my heart is filled with intense longing.

Verse 46 (devibhagavatam.6.22.46)

ब्रूहि मे गमनोपायं पुरे तस्यातिदुर्गमे । कथं त्वमागता तस्मात्सङ्कटादत्र तद्वद

brūhi me gamanopāyaṁ pure tasyātidurgame | kathaṁ tvamāgatā tasmātsaṅkaṭādatra tadvada

'Tell me the means of reaching his nearly inaccessible city; and tell me too how you escaped that peril and came here.'

Verse 47 (devibhagavatam.6.22.47)

यशोवत्युवाच । बालभावान्मया मन्त्रो भगवत्या विशाम्पते । प्राप्तोऽस्ति ब्राह्मणात्सिद्धात्सबीजध्यानपूर्वकः

yaśovatyuvāca | bālabhāvānmayā mantro bhagavatyā viśāmpate | prāpto'sti brāhmaṇātsiddhātsabījadhyānapūrvakaḥ

Yashovati said: 'From childhood, O lord of men, I obtained from a perfected brahmin the Goddess's mantra, together with its seed-syllable and its meditation.'

Verse 48 (devibhagavatam.6.22.48)

तत्रावस्थितया राजन् मया चित्ते विचारितम् । आराधयामि सततं चण्डिकां चण्डविक्रमाम्

tatrāvasthitayā rājan mayā citte vicāritam | ārādhayāmi satataṁ caṇḍikāṁ caṇḍavikramām

'Established there, O king, I resolved in my mind that I would ceaselessly worship Chandika of fierce prowess.'

Verse 49 (devibhagavatam.6.22.49)

सा देवी सेविता कामं बन्धमोक्षं करिष्यति । भक्तानुकम्पिनी शक्तिः समर्था सर्वसाधने

sā devī sevitā kāmaṁ bandhamokṣaṁ kariṣyati | bhaktānukampinī śaktiḥ samarthā sarvasādhane

'That Goddess, when duly worshipped, grants release from bondage; that Shakti, compassionate to her devotees, is capable of accomplishing anything.'

Verse 50 (devibhagavatam.6.22.50)

या विश्वं सृजते शक्त्या पालयत्येव सा पुनः । कल्पान्ते संहरत्येव निराकारा निराश्रया

yā viśvaṁ sṛjate śaktyā pālayatyeva sā punaḥ | kalpānte saṁharatyeva nirākārā nirāśrayā

'She who by her power creates the universe, sustains it as well, and at the end of the kalpa withdraws it — she is formless and without support.'

Verse 51 (devibhagavatam.6.22.51)

इति सञ्चिन्त्य मनसा देवीं विश्वेश्वरीं शिवाम् । ध्यात्वा रक्ताम्बरां सौम्यां सुरक्तनयनां हृदि

iti sañcintya manasā devīṁ viśveśvarīṁ śivām | dhyātvā raktāmbarāṁ saumyāṁ suraktanayanāṁ hṛdi

'Thinking thus in my mind of the Goddess, the auspicious Mistress of the universe, I meditated on her in my heart — clad in red, gentle, with beautifully red eyes.'

Verse 52 (devibhagavatam.6.22.52)

संस्मृत्य मनसा रूपं मन्त्रजाप्यपराभवम् । उपासिता मया देवी मासमेकं समाधिना

saṁsmṛtya manasā rūpaṁ mantrajāpyaparābhavam | upāsitā mayā devī māsamekaṁ samādhinā

'Recollecting her form in my mind and devoted to the repetition of her mantra, I worshipped the Goddess with deep meditation for a full month.'

Verse 53 (devibhagavatam.6.22.53)

स्वप्ने मम समायाता भक्तिभावेन तोषिता । मामाहामृतया वाचा किं सुप्तासीति चण्डिका

svapne mama samāyātā bhaktibhāvena toṣitā | māmāhāmṛtayā vācā kiṁ suptāsīti caṇḍikā

'Pleased by my devotion, she came to me in a dream, and Chandika said to me in a voice like nectar: "Are you asleep?"'

Verse 54 (devibhagavatam.6.22.54)

उत्तिष्ठ याहि तरसा गङ्गातीरं मनोहरम् । आगमिष्यति तत्रासौ हैहयो नृपपुङ्गवः

uttiṣṭha yāhi tarasā gaṅgātīraṁ manoharam | āgamiṣyati tatrāsau haihayo nṛpapuṅgavaḥ

'"Arise, go quickly to the lovely bank of the Ganga; there the foremost of kings, the Haihaya, will come."'

Verse 55 (devibhagavatam.6.22.55)

एकवीरो महाबाहुः सर्वशत्रुविमर्दनः । दत्तात्रेयेण मन्मन्त्रो महाविद्याभिधः परः

ekavīro mahābāhuḥ sarvaśatruvimardanaḥ | dattātreyeṇa manmantro mahāvidyābhidhaḥ paraḥ

'"Ekavira, mighty-armed, the destroyer of all foes — to him Dattatreya has given my supreme mantra, called the Mahavidya."'

Verse 56 (devibhagavatam.6.22.56)

दत्तोऽस्मै सोऽपि सततं मामुपास्तेऽतिभक्तितः । मय्यासक्तमतिर्नित्यं मम पूजापरायणः

datto'smai so'pi satataṁ māmupāste'tibhaktitaḥ | mayyāsaktamatirnityaṁ mama pūjāparāyaṇaḥ

'"That mantra was given to him, and he too constantly worships me with the greatest devotion, his mind ever attached to me, wholly devoted to my worship."'

Verse 57 (devibhagavatam.6.22.57)

मामेव सर्वभूतेषु ध्यायन्नास्ते च मत्परः । स ते दुःखविनाशं वै करिष्यति महामतिः

māmeva sarvabhūteṣu dhyāyannāste ca matparaḥ | sa te duḥkhavināśaṁ vai kariṣyati mahāmatiḥ

'"Meditating on me alone in all beings, and devoted solely to me, that great-minded one will indeed destroy your sorrow."'

Verse 58 (devibhagavatam.6.22.58)

मासुतो विहरंस्तत्र तव त्राता भविष्यति । हत्वा तं राक्षसं घोरं मोचयिष्यति मानिनीम्

māsuto viharaṁstatra tava trātā bhaviṣyati | hatvā taṁ rākṣasaṁ ghoraṁ mocayiṣyati māninīm

'"He who is like a son to me, wandering there, shall become your protector; having slain that terrible rakshasa, he will free your honored friend."'

Verse 59 (devibhagavatam.6.22.59)

एकावलीमेकवीरः सर्वशास्त्रविशारदः । पश्चात्सैव पतिः कार्यस्त्वया राजसुतः शुभः

ekāvalīmekavīraḥ sarvaśāstraviśāradaḥ | paścātsaiva patiḥ kāryastvayā rājasutaḥ śubhaḥ

'"Ekavira, learned in all the scriptures, that auspicious prince — let him afterward be made Ekavali's husband."'

Verse 60 (devibhagavatam.6.22.60)

इत्युक्त्वान्तर्दधे देवी प्रबुद्धाहं तदैव हि । कथितं स्वप्नवृत्तान्तं देव्याश्चाराधनं तथा

ityuktvāntardadhe devī prabuddhāhaṁ tadaiva hi | kathitaṁ svapnavṛttāntaṁ devyāścārādhanaṁ tathā

Having said this, the Goddess vanished, and I awoke at that very moment; I told my friend the account of the dream and of my worship of the Goddess.

Verse 61 (devibhagavatam.6.22.61)

प्रसन्नवदना जाता श्रुत्वा सा कमलेक्षणा । विशेषेण च सन्तुष्टा मामुवाच शुचिस्मिता

prasannavadanā jātā śrutvā sā kamalekṣaṇā | viśeṣeṇa ca santuṣṭā māmuvāca śucismitā

Hearing it, that lotus-eyed one's face grew joyful; especially pleased, she spoke to me with a radiant smile —

Verse 62 (devibhagavatam.6.22.62)

गच्छ तत्र त्वरायुक्ता कुरु कार्यं मम प्रिये । सत्यवाक्या भगवती सावां मोक्षं विधास्यति

gaccha tatra tvarāyuktā kuru kāryaṁ mama priye | satyavākyā bhagavatī sāvāṁ mokṣaṁ vidhāsyati

'Go there quickly and accomplish this task for me, my dear; the Goddess's word is ever true — she will grant us both release.'

Verse 63 (devibhagavatam.6.22.63)

इत्याज्ञप्ता तया चाहं सख्या वै प्रेमयुक्तया । मत्वोपसरणं युक्तं तस्मात्स्थानात्तदा नृप

ityājñaptā tayā cāhaṁ sakhyā vai premayuktayā | matvopasaraṇaṁ yuktaṁ tasmātsthānāttadā nṛpa

Thus commanded by my loving friend, and considering it right to depart, I then left that place, O king.

Verse 64 (devibhagavatam.6.22.64)

चालिताहं ततः शीघ्रं महादेवीप्रसादतः । मार्गज्ञानं शीघ्रगतिर्मया प्राप्ता नृपात्मज

cālitāhaṁ tataḥ śīghraṁ mahādevīprasādataḥ | mārgajñānaṁ śīghragatirmayā prāptā nṛpātmaja

By the grace of the great Goddess I was then swiftly guided; I obtained knowledge of the way and swiftness of movement, O prince.

Verse 65 (devibhagavatam.6.22.65)

इत्येतत्कथितं सर्वं कारणं मम दुःखजम् । कस्त्वं कस्य सुतश्चेति वद वीर यथा तथा

ityetatkathitaṁ sarvaṁ kāraṇaṁ mama duḥkhajam | kastvaṁ kasya sutaśceti vada vīra yathā tathā

'Thus I have told you the entire cause of my sorrow — now tell me truly, O hero, who you are and whose son you are.'