The Devi's Boon to Manu

Verse 1 (devibhagavatam.8.1.1)

जनमेजय उवाच । सूर्यचन्द्रान्वयोत्थानां नृपाणां सत्कथाश्रितम् । चरितं भवता प्रोक्तं श्रुतं तदमृतास्पदम्

janamejaya uvāca | sūryacandrānvayotthānāṁ nṛpāṇāṁ satkathāśritam | caritaṁ bhavatā proktaṁ śrutaṁ tadamṛtāspadam

Janamejaya said: The virtuous history of kings born in the lineage of the Sun and the Moon, filled with excellent tales, has been narrated by you and heard by me — that is the very abode of nectar.

Verse 2 (devibhagavatam.8.1.2)

अधुना श्रोतुमिच्छामि सा देवी जगदम्बिका । मन्वन्तरेषु सर्वेषु यद्यद्रूपेण पूज्यते

adhunā śrotumicchāmi sā devī jagadambikā | manvantareṣu sarveṣu yadyadrūpeṇa pūjyate

Now I wish to hear how that Devi, the Mother of the universe, is worshipped in each and every form, in all the Manvantaras.

Verse 3 (devibhagavatam.8.1.3)

यस्मिन्यस्मिंश्च वै स्थाने येन येन च कर्मणा । (शरीरेण च देवेशी पूजनीया फलप्रदा । येनैव मन्त्रबीजेन यत्र यत्र च पूज्यते ॥) देव्या विराट्स्वरूपस्य वर्णनं च यथातथम्

yasminyasmiṁśca vai sthāne yena yena ca karmaṇā | (śarīreṇa ca deveśī pūjanīyā phalapradā | yenaiva mantrabījena yatra yatra ca pūjyate ||) devyā virāṭsvarūpasya varṇanaṁ ca yathātatham

In whatever place, and by whatever rite — (by embodiment too the ruling Goddess is to be worshipped, the giver of fruit, by whichever seed-mantra she is worshipped in whichever place) — and also the true description of the Devi's cosmic (virāt) form.

Verse 4 (devibhagavatam.8.1.4)

येन ध्यानेन तत्सूक्ष्मे स्वरूपे स्यान्मतेर्गतिः । तत्सर्वं वद विप्रर्षे येन श्रेयोऽहमाप्नुयाम्

yena dhyānena tatsūkṣme svarūpe syānmatergatiḥ | tatsarvaṁ vada viprarṣe yena śreyo'hamāpnuyām

By what meditation one attains steadfastness of mind in her subtle form — tell me all of that, O best of sages, by which I may attain the highest good.

Verse 5 (devibhagavatam.8.1.5)

व्यास उवाच । शृणु राजन् प्रवक्ष्यामि देव्याराधनमुत्तमम् । यत्कृतेन श्रुतेनापि नरः श्रेयोऽत्र विन्दते

vyāsa uvāca | śṛṇu rājan pravakṣyāmi devyārādhanamuttamam | yatkṛtena śrutenāpi naraḥ śreyo'tra vindate

Vyasa said: Listen, O king, I shall declare the supreme worship of the Devi, by doing or even merely hearing which a man attains the highest good in this regard.

Verse 6 (devibhagavatam.8.1.6)

एवमेतन्नारदेन पृष्टो नारायणः पुरा । तस्मै यदुक्तवान्देवो योगचर्याप्रवर्तकः

evametannāradena pṛṣṭo nārāyaṇaḥ purā | tasmai yaduktavāndevo yogacaryāpravartakaḥ

Thus indeed, in ancient times, was Narayana once asked by Narada; that god, the promulgator of the path of yoga, told him what follows.

Verse 7 (devibhagavatam.8.1.7)

एकदा नारदः श्रीमान्पर्यटन्पृथिवीमिमाम् । नारायणाश्रमं प्राप्तो गतखेदश्च तस्थिवान्

ekadā nāradaḥ śrīmānparyaṭanpṛthivīmimām | nārāyaṇāśramaṁ prāpto gatakhedaśca tasthivān

Once the glorious Narada, wandering over this earth, arrived at the hermitage of Narayana and, his weariness gone, remained there.

Verse 8 (devibhagavatam.8.1.8)

तस्मै योगात्मने नत्वा ब्रह्मदेवतनूद्भवः । पर्यपृच्छदिमं चार्थं यत्पृष्टो भवतानघ

tasmai yogātmane natvā brahmadevatanūdbhavaḥ | paryapṛcchadimaṁ cārthaṁ yatpṛṣṭo bhavatānagha

Having bowed to him whose very self is yoga, he — Narada, born of the body of Brahma — asked this same question, O sinless one, that you too have asked of me.

Verse 9 (devibhagavatam.8.1.9)

नारद उवाच । देवदेव महादेव पुराणपुरुषोत्तम । जगदाधार सर्वज्ञ श्लाघनीयोरुसद्गुण

nārada uvāca | devadeva mahādeva purāṇapuruṣottama | jagadādhāra sarvajña ślāghanīyorusadguṇa

Narada said: O God of gods, great God, most ancient among Supreme Persons, foundation of the universe, all-knowing one, of praiseworthy and vast virtues!

Verse 10 (devibhagavatam.8.1.10)

जगतस्तत्त्वमाद्यं यत्तन्मे वद यथेप्सितम् । जायते कुत एवेदं कुतश्चेदं प्रतिष्ठितम्

jagatastattvamādyaṁ yattanme vada yathepsitam | jāyate kuta evedaṁ kutaścedaṁ pratiṣṭhitam

Tell me, as I desire, the primal truth of the universe — from what does this arise, and on what is it established?

Verse 11 (devibhagavatam.8.1.11)

कुतोऽन्तं प्राप्नुयात्काले कुत्र सर्वफलोदयः । केन ज्ञातेन मायैषा मोहभूर्नाशमाप्नुयात्

kuto'ntaṁ prāpnuyātkāle kutra sarvaphalodayaḥ | kena jñātena māyaiṣā mohabhūrnāśamāpnuyāt

Where does it attain its end in time, and where does the arising of all fruits occur? By knowing what does this bewildering Maya, the ground of delusion, meet its destruction?

Verse 12 (devibhagavatam.8.1.12)

कयार्चया किं जपेन किं ध्यानेनात्महृत्कजे । प्रकाशो जायते देव तमस्यर्कोदयो यथा

kayārcayā kiṁ japena kiṁ dhyānenātmahṛtkaje | prakāśo jāyate deva tamasyarkodayo yathā

By what worship, what recitation, what meditation in the lotus of one's own heart, O God, does light arise — as it does when the sun's rising dispels the darkness?

Verse 13 (devibhagavatam.8.1.13)

एतत्प्रश्नोत्तरं देव ब्रूहि सर्वमशेषतः । यथा लोकस्तरेदन्धतमसं त्वञ्जसैव हि

etatpraśnottaraṁ deva brūhi sarvamaśeṣataḥ | yathā lokastaredandhatamasaṁ tvañjasaiva hi

O God, declare to me this question and its answer in full, so that people may swiftly cross over this blinding darkness.

Verse 14 (devibhagavatam.8.1.14)

व्यास उवाच । एवं देवर्षिणा पृष्टः प्राचीनो मुनिसत्तमः । नारायणो महायोगी प्रतिनन्द्य वचोऽब्रवीत्

vyāsa uvāca | evaṁ devarṣiṇā pṛṣṭaḥ prācīno munisattamaḥ | nārāyaṇo mahāyogī pratinandya vaco'bravīt

Vyasa said: Thus questioned by the divine sage, Narayana — the ancient one, best of sages, the great yogin — gladly spoke these words.

Verse 15 (devibhagavatam.8.1.15)

श्रीनारायण उवाच । शृणु देवर्षिवर्यात्र जगतस्तत्त्वमुत्तमम् । येन ज्ञातेन मर्त्यो हि जायते न जगद्भ्रमे

śrīnārāyaṇa uvāca | śṛṇu devarṣivaryātra jagatastattvamuttamam | yena jñātena martyo hi jāyate na jagadbhrame

Shri Narayana said: Listen, O best of divine sages, to this supreme truth of the universe, by knowing which a mortal is not born again into the delusion of the world.

Verse 16 (devibhagavatam.8.1.16)

जगतस्तत्त्वमित्येव देवी प्रोक्ता मयापि हि । ऋषिभिर्देवगन्धर्वैरन्यैश्चापि मनीषिभिः

jagatastattvamityeva devī proktā mayāpi hi | ṛṣibhirdevagandharvairanyaiścāpi manīṣibhiḥ

That very 'truth of the universe' has been declared, by me as well, to be the Devi — by sages, gods, gandharvas, and other wise ones too.

Verse 17 (devibhagavatam.8.1.17)

सा जगत्सृजते देवी तया च प्रतिपाल्यते । तया च नाश्यते सर्वमिति प्रोक्तं गुणत्रयात्

sā jagatsṛjate devī tayā ca pratipālyate | tayā ca nāśyate sarvamiti proktaṁ guṇatrayāt

That Devi creates the universe, and by her it is sustained; and by her all is destroyed as well — this is declared to proceed from the three gunas.

Verse 18 (devibhagavatam.8.1.18)

तस्याः स्वरूपं वक्ष्यामि देव्याः सिद्धर्षिपूजितम् । स्मरतां सर्वपापघ्नं कामदं मोक्षदं तथा

tasyāḥ svarūpaṁ vakṣyāmi devyāḥ siddharṣipūjitam | smaratāṁ sarvapāpaghnaṁ kāmadaṁ mokṣadaṁ tathā

I shall describe her true form, that of the Devi worshipped by the perfected sages — remembrance of which destroys all sin, and grants both desire and liberation.

Verse 19 (devibhagavatam.8.1.19)

मनुः स्वायम्भुवस्त्वाद्यः पद्मपुत्रः प्रतापवान् । शतरूपापतिः श्रीमान्सर्वमन्वन्तराधिपः

manuḥ svāyambhuvastvādyaḥ padmaputraḥ pratāpavān | śatarūpāpatiḥ śrīmānsarvamanvantarādhipaḥ

Manu Svayambhuva, the first, son of the lotus-born Brahma, mighty, glorious, husband of Shatarupa, lord of that entire Manvantara —

Verse 20 (devibhagavatam.8.1.20)

स मनुः पितरं देवं प्रजापतिमकल्मषम् । भक्त्या पर्यचरत्पूर्वं तमुवाचात्मभूः सुतम्

sa manuḥ pitaraṁ devaṁ prajāpatimakalmaṣam | bhaktyā paryacaratpūrvaṁ tamuvācātmabhūḥ sutam

that Manu, formerly, served with devotion his father, the stainless lord Prajapati; then the Self-Born One (Brahma) spoke thus to his own son.

Verse 21 (devibhagavatam.8.1.21)

पुत्र पुत्र त्वया कार्यं देव्याराधनमुत्तमम् । तत्प्रसादेन ते तात प्रजासर्गः प्रसिद्ध्यति

putra putra tvayā kāryaṁ devyārādhanamuttamam | tatprasādena te tāta prajāsargaḥ prasiddhyati

"Son, son! You must perform the supreme worship of the Devi. By her grace, dear one, the creation of progeny will succeed."

Verse 22 (devibhagavatam.8.1.22)

एवमुक्तः प्रजास्रष्ट्रा मनुः स्वायम्भुवो विराट् । जगद्योनिं तदा देवीं तपसातर्पयद् विभुः

evamuktaḥ prajāsraṣṭrā manuḥ svāyambhuvo virāṭ | jagadyoniṁ tadā devīṁ tapasātarpayad vibhuḥ

Thus addressed by the creator of beings, that sovereign, Manu Svayambhuva, then set about satisfying with austerity that Devi who is the very womb of the world.

Verse 23 (devibhagavatam.8.1.23)

तुष्टाव देवीं देवेशीं समाहितमतिः किल । आद्यां मायां सर्वशक्तिं सर्वकारणकारणाम्

tuṣṭāva devīṁ deveśīṁ samāhitamatiḥ kila | ādyāṁ māyāṁ sarvaśaktiṁ sarvakāraṇakāraṇām

With composed mind he praised the ruling Goddess — the primal Maya, the power of all, the cause of all causes.

Verse 24 (devibhagavatam.8.1.24)

मनुरुवाच । नमो नमस्ते देवेशि जगत्कारणकारणे । शङ्खचक्रगदाहस्ते नारायणहृदाश्रिते

manuruvāca | namo namaste deveśi jagatkāraṇakāraṇe | śaṅkhacakragadāhaste nārāyaṇahṛdāśrite

Manu said: Salutations, salutations to you, O ruling Goddess, cause of the cause of the universe! You who bear the conch, discus and mace in hand, dwelling within the heart of Narayana!

Verse 25 (devibhagavatam.8.1.25)

वेदमूर्त्ते जगन्मातः कारणस्थानरूपिणि । वेदत्रयप्रमाणज्ञे सर्वदेवनुते शिवे

vedamūrtte jaganmātaḥ kāraṇasthānarūpiṇi | vedatrayapramāṇajñe sarvadevanute śive

O embodiment of the Vedas, Mother of the world, whose very form is the seat of causation, knower of the authority of the three Vedas, praised by all the gods, O auspicious one!

Verse 26 (devibhagavatam.8.1.26)

माहेश्वरि महाभागे महामाये महोदये । महादेवप्रियावासे महादेवप्रियङ्करि

māheśvari mahābhāge mahāmāye mahodaye | mahādevapriyāvāse mahādevapriyaṅkari

O Maheshvari, greatly fortunate one, great Maya, of great rising, dwelling dear to Mahadeva, ever doing what pleases Mahadeva!

Verse 27 (devibhagavatam.8.1.27)

गोपेन्द्रस्य प्रिये ज्येष्ठे महानन्दे महोत्सवे । महामारीभयहरे नमो देवादिपूजिते

gopendrasya priye jyeṣṭhe mahānande mahotsave | mahāmārībhayahare namo devādipūjite

O eldest and beloved of the Lord of cowherds, of great bliss, great festivity, remover of the fear of great pestilence — salutation to you, worshipped from the beginning by the gods!

Verse 28 (devibhagavatam.8.1.28)

सर्वमङ्गलमाङ्गल्ये शिवे सर्वार्थसाधिके । शरण्ये त्र्यम्बके गौरि नारायणि नमोऽस्तु ते

sarvamaṅgalamāṅgalye śive sarvārthasādhike | śaraṇye tryambake gauri nārāyaṇi namo'stu te

O auspiciousness of all things auspicious, O accomplisher of all aims, O refuge, three-eyed one, O Gauri, O Narayani — salutation be to you!

Verse 29 (devibhagavatam.8.1.29)

यतश्चेदं यया विश्वमोतं प्रोतं च सर्वदा । चैतन्यमेकमाद्यन्तरहितं तेजसां निधिम्

yataścedaṁ yayā viśvamotaṁ protaṁ ca sarvadā | caitanyamekamādyantarahitaṁ tejasāṁ nidhim

She from whom, and by whom, this universe is ever woven through and through — the one consciousness, without beginning or end, the treasury of all splendours;

Verse 30 (devibhagavatam.8.1.30)

ब्रह्मा यदीक्षणात्सर्वं करोति च हरिः सदा । पालयत्यपि विश्वेशः संहर्ता यदनुग्रहात्

brahmā yadīkṣaṇātsarvaṁ karoti ca hariḥ sadā | pālayatyapi viśveśaḥ saṁhartā yadanugrahāt

by whose mere glance Brahma ever creates everything, Hari, lord of the universe, ever sustains it, and by whose grace the Destroyer destroys —

Verse 31 (devibhagavatam.8.1.31)

मधुकैटभसम्भूतभयार्तः पद्मसम्भवः । यस्याः स्तवेन मुमुचे घोरदैत्यभवाम्बुधेः

madhukaiṭabhasambhūtabhayārtaḥ padmasambhavaḥ | yasyāḥ stavena mumuce ghoradaityabhavāmbudheḥ

the lotus-born Brahma, tormented by fear born of the demons Madhu and Kaitabha, was released — by praising her — from that dreadful ocean of demonic existence.

Verse 32 (devibhagavatam.8.1.32)

त्वं ह्रीः कीर्तिः स्मृतिः कान्तिः कमला गिरिजा सती । दाक्षायणी वेदगर्भा सिद्धिदात्री सदाभया

tvaṁ hrīḥ kīrtiḥ smṛtiḥ kāntiḥ kamalā girijā satī | dākṣāyaṇī vedagarbhā siddhidātrī sadābhayā

You are Hri (modesty), Kirti (fame), Smriti (memory), Kanti (radiance), Kamala, Girija, Sati, Dakshayani, the womb of the Vedas, the giver of accomplishment, ever the giver of fearlessness.

Verse 33 (devibhagavatam.8.1.33)

स्तोष्ये त्वां च नमस्यामि पूजयामि जपामि च । ध्यायामि भावये वीक्षे श्रोष्ये देवि प्रसीद मे

stoṣye tvāṁ ca namasyāmi pūjayāmi japāmi ca | dhyāyāmi bhāvaye vīkṣe śroṣye devi prasīda me

I shall praise you and bow to you, worship you and recite your mantra; I meditate on you, I contemplate you, I behold you, and I shall listen for you — be gracious to me, O Goddess.

Verse 34 (devibhagavatam.8.1.34)

ब्रह्मा वेदनिधिः कृष्णो लक्ष्यावासः पुरन्दरः । त्रिलोकाधिपतिः पाशी यादसाम्पतिरुत्तमः

brahmā vedanidhiḥ kṛṣṇo lakṣyāvāsaḥ purandaraḥ | trilokādhipatiḥ pāśī yādasāmpatiruttamaḥ

Brahma, the treasury of the Vedas; Krishna, whose abode is Lakshmi; Purandara; Varuna, lord of the three worlds who bears the noose; the supreme lord of aquatic beings —

Verse 35 (devibhagavatam.8.1.35)

कुबेरो निधिनाथोऽभूद्यमो जातः परेतराट् । नैरृतो रक्षसां नाथः सोमो जातो ह्यपोमयः

kubero nidhinātho'bhūdyamo jātaḥ paretarāṭ | nairṛto rakṣasāṁ nāthaḥ somo jāto hyapomayaḥ

Kubera became lord of treasures; Yama was born as king of the departed; Nairrita became lord of the rakshasas; Soma was born, made of the waters —

Verse 36 (devibhagavatam.8.1.36)

त्रिलोकवन्द्ये लोकेशि महामाङ्गल्यरूपिणि । नमस्तेऽस्तु पुनर्भूयो जगन्मातर्नमो नमः

trilokavandye lokeśi mahāmāṅgalyarūpiṇi | namaste'stu punarbhūyo jaganmātarnamo namaḥ

O one worshipped by the three worlds, ruler of the worlds, embodiment of great auspiciousness — salutation to you again and again, O Mother of the world, salutation, salutation!

Verse 37 (devibhagavatam.8.1.37)

श्रीनारायण उवाच । एवं स्तुता भगवती दुर्गा नारायणी परा । प्रसन्ना प्राह देवर्षे ब्रह्मपुत्रमिदं वचः

śrīnārāyaṇa uvāca | evaṁ stutā bhagavatī durgā nārāyaṇī parā | prasannā prāha devarṣe brahmaputramidaṁ vacaḥ

Shri Narayana said: Thus praised, the blessed Durga, supreme Narayani, pleased, spoke these words to Brahma's son.

Verse 38 (devibhagavatam.8.1.38)

देव्युवाच । वरं वरय राजेन्द्र ब्रह्मपुत्र यदिच्छसि । प्रसन्नाहं स्तवेनात्र भक्त्या चाराधनेन च

devyuvāca | varaṁ varaya rājendra brahmaputra yadicchasi | prasannāhaṁ stavenātra bhaktyā cārādhanena ca

The Devi said: Choose a boon, O foremost of kings, son of Brahma, whatever you desire; I am pleased here by your hymn, your devotion, and your worship.

Verse 39 (devibhagavatam.8.1.39)

मनुरुवाच । यदि देवि प्रसन्नासि भक्त्या कारुणिकोत्तमे । तदा निर्विघ्नतः सृष्टिः प्रजायाः स्यात्तवाज्ञया

manuruvāca | yadi devi prasannāsi bhaktyā kāruṇikottame | tadā nirvighnataḥ sṛṣṭiḥ prajāyāḥ syāttavājñayā

Manu said: If you are pleased, O Devi, by my devotion, O most compassionate one, then by your command may the creation of progeny proceed without obstacle.

Verse 40 (devibhagavatam.8.1.40)

देव्युवाच । प्रजासर्गः प्रभवतु ममानुग्रहतः किल । निर्विघ्नेन च राजेन्द्र वृद्धिश्चाप्युत्तरोत्तरम्

devyuvāca | prajāsargaḥ prabhavatu mamānugrahataḥ kila | nirvighnena ca rājendra vṛddhiścāpyuttarottaram

The Devi said: Let the creation of progeny proceed by my grace, O foremost of kings, without obstacle, and let it increase more and more.

Verse 41 (devibhagavatam.8.1.41)

यः कश्चित्पठते स्तोत्रं मद्भक्त्या त्वत्कृतं सदा । तेषां विद्या प्रजासिद्धिः कीर्तिः कान्त्युदयः खलु

yaḥ kaścitpaṭhate stotraṁ madbhaktyā tvatkṛtaṁ sadā | teṣāṁ vidyā prajāsiddhiḥ kīrtiḥ kāntyudayaḥ khalu

Whoever recites, always, with devotion to me, this hymn composed by you — for them there shall surely come learning, success in progeny, fame, and the rising of radiance,

Verse 42 (devibhagavatam.8.1.42)

जायन्ते धनधान्यानि शक्तिरप्रहता नृणाम् । सर्वत्र विजयो राजन् सुखं शत्रुपरिक्षयः

jāyante dhanadhānyāni śaktiraprahatā nṛṇām | sarvatra vijayo rājan sukhaṁ śatruparikṣayaḥ

wealth and grain shall be born to them, their power unassailed by others; O king, victory everywhere, happiness, and the destruction of enemies.

Verse 43 (devibhagavatam.8.1.43)

श्रीनारायण उवाच । एवं दत्त्वा वरान् देवी मनवे ब्रह्मसूनवे । अन्तर्धानं गता चासीत्पश्यतस्तस्य धीमतः

śrīnārāyaṇa uvāca | evaṁ dattvā varān devī manave brahmasūnave | antardhānaṁ gatā cāsītpaśyatastasya dhīmataḥ

Shri Narayana said: Having thus granted boons to Manu, son of Brahma, the Devi vanished from sight, even as that wise one watched.

Verse 44 (devibhagavatam.8.1.44)

अथ लब्धवरो राजा ब्रह्मपुत्रः प्रतापवान् । ब्रह्माणमब्रवीत्तात स्थानं मे दीयतां रहः

atha labdhavaro rājā brahmaputraḥ pratāpavān | brahmāṇamabravīttāta sthānaṁ me dīyatāṁ rahaḥ

Then the king, mighty, son of Brahma, having obtained his boon, said to Brahma: "Father, let a solitary place be given to me,

Verse 45 (devibhagavatam.8.1.45)

यत्राहं समधिष्ठाय प्रजाः स्रक्ष्यामि पुष्कलाः । यक्ष्यामि यज्ञैर्देवेशं तत्समादिश माचिरम्

yatrāhaṁ samadhiṣṭhāya prajāḥ srakṣyāmi puṣkalāḥ | yakṣyāmi yajñairdeveśaṁ tatsamādiśa māciram

where, established, I may create abundant progeny and worship the Lord of gods with sacrifices — command that to me without delay."

Verse 46 (devibhagavatam.8.1.46)

इति पुत्रवचः श्रुत्वा प्रजापतिपतिर्विभुः । चिन्तयामास सुचिरं कथं कार्यं भवेदिदम्

iti putravacaḥ śrutvā prajāpatipatirvibhuḥ | cintayāmāsa suciraṁ kathaṁ kāryaṁ bhavedidam

Having heard these words of his son, the lord of the Prajapatis pondered for a long while as to how this task might be accomplished.

Verse 47 (devibhagavatam.8.1.47)

सृजतो मे गतः कालो विपुलोऽनन्तसङ्ख्यकः । धरा वार्भिः स्तुता मग्ना रसं याताखिलाश्रया

sṛjato me gataḥ kālo vipulo'nantasaṅkhyakaḥ | dharā vārbhiḥ stutā magnā rasaṁ yātākhilāśrayā

"The time since I created has grown vast, of unending count; the earth, refuge of all, overwhelmed by the waters, has sunk into the depths.

Verse 48 (devibhagavatam.8.1.48)

इदं मच्चिन्तितं कार्यं भगवानादिपूरुषः । करिष्यति सहायो मे यदादेशेऽहमाश्रितः

idaṁ maccintitaṁ kāryaṁ bhagavānādipūruṣaḥ | kariṣyati sahāyo me yadādeśe'hamāśritaḥ

This task now occupying my thought — the Blessed Primal Person will accomplish it, becoming my helper, when I take refuge in his command."