The Slaying of Mahishasura's Army

Verse 1 (markandeya.82.1)

ऋषिरुवाच देवासुरमभूद् युद्धं पूर्णमब्दशतं पुरा । महिषेऽसुराणामधिपे देवानां च पुरन्दरे ॥ 82.1 ॥

ṛṣiruvāca devāsuramabhūd yuddhaṁ pūrṇamabdaśataṁ purā mahiṣe ’surāṇāmadhipe devānāṁ ca purandare

The sage said: Formerly there was a war between the gods and the asuras, lasting a full hundred years, when Mahisha was lord of the asuras and Purandara was lord of the gods.

Verse 2 (markandeya.82.2)

तत्रासुरैर्महावीर्यैर्देवसैन्यं पराजितम् । जित्वा च सकलान् देवानिन्द्रोऽभून्महिषासुरः ॥ 82.2 ॥

tatrāsurairmahāvīryairdevasainyaṁ parājitam jitvā ca sakalān devānindro ’bhūnmahiṣāsuraḥ

There the army of the gods was defeated by the mighty asuras; and having conquered all the gods, Mahishasura himself became Indra.

Verse 3 (markandeya.82.3)

ततः पराजिता देवाः पद्मयोनिं प्रजापतिम् । पुरस्कृत्य गतास्तत्र यत्रेश-गरुडध्वजौ ॥ 82.3 ॥

tataḥ parājitā devāḥ padmayoniṁ prajāpatim puraskṛtya gatāstatra yatreśa-garuḍadhvajau

Then the defeated gods, placing the lotus-born Prajapati Brahma at their head, went to where Isha and Garudadhvaja were.

Verse 4 (markandeya.82.4)

यथावृत्तं तयोस्तद्वन्महिषासुरचेष्टितम् । त्रिदशाः कथयामासुर्देवाभिभवविस्तरम् ॥ 82.4 ॥

yathāvṛttaṁ tayostadvanmahiṣāsuraceṣṭitam tridaśāḥ kathayāmāsurdevābhibhavavistaram

The gods related to those two, just as it had happened, the doings of Mahishasura — the whole account of the gods' defeat.

Verse 5 (markandeya.82.5)

सूर्येन्द्रग्न्यनिलेन्दूनां यमस्य वरुणस्य च । अन्येषां चाधिकारान् स स्वयमेवाधितिष्ठिति ॥ 82.5 ॥

sūryendragnyanilendūnāṁ yamasya varuṇasya ca anyeṣāṁ cādhikārān sa svayamevādhitiṣṭhiti

"He himself now occupies the offices of Surya, Indra, Agni, Vayu, Chandra, Yama, Varuna, and of the other gods as well."

Verse 6 (markandeya.82.6)

स्वर्गान्निराकृताः सर्वे तेन देवगणा भुवि । विचरन्ति यथा मर्त्या महिषेण दुरात्मना ॥ 82.6 ॥

svargānnirākṛtāḥ sarve tena devagaṇā bhuvi vicaranti yathā martyā mahiṣeṇa durātmanā

"Cast out of heaven by that evil-minded Mahisha, all we hosts of gods now wander on earth like mortals."

Verse 7 (markandeya.82.7)

एतद्वः कथितं सर्वममरारिविचेष्टितम् । शरणं वः प्रपन्नाः स्मो वधस्तस्य विचिन्त्यताम् ॥ 82.7 ॥

etadvaḥ kathitaṁ sarvamamarāriviceṣṭitam śaraṇaṁ vaḥ prapannāḥ smo vadhastasya vicintyatām

"All this — the doings of the enemy of the gods — has been told to you. We have taken refuge with you; let his destruction now be considered."

Verse 8 (markandeya.82.8)

ऋषिरुवाच इत्थं निशम्य देवानां वचांसि मधुसूदनः । चकार कोपं शम्भुश्च भ्रुकुटीकुटिलाननौ ॥ 82.8 ॥

ṛṣiruvāca itthaṁ niśamya devānāṁ vacāṁsi madhusūdanaḥ cakāra kopaṁ śambhuśca bhrukuṭīkuṭilānanau

The sage said: Hearing thus the words of the gods, Madhusudana grew wrathful, and Shambhu's face too twisted, his brows drawn into a frown.

Verse 9 (markandeya.82.9)

ततोऽतिकोपपूर्णस्य चक्रिणो वदनात्ततः । निश्चक्राम महत्तेजो ब्रह्मणः शङ्करस्य च ॥ 82.9 ॥

tato ’tikopapūrṇasya cakriṇo vadanāttataḥ niścakrāma mahattejo brahmaṇaḥ śaṅkarasya ca

Then, from the face of the discus-bearer, filled with extreme wrath, and from Brahma's and Shankara's faces too, a great radiance issued forth.

Verse 10 (markandeya.82.10)

अन्येषाञ्चैव देवानां शक्रादीनां शरीरतः । निर्गतं सुमहत्तेजस्तच्चैक्यं समगच्छत ॥ 82.10 ॥

anyeṣāñcaiva devānāṁ śakrādīnāṁ śarīrataḥ nirgataṁ sumahattejastaccaikyaṁ samagacchata

And from the bodies of the other gods too, headed by Shakra, a very great radiance issued forth, and it all merged into one.

Verse 11 (markandeya.82.11)

अतीव तेजसः कूटं ज्वलन्तमिव पर्वतम् । ददृशुस्ते सुरास्तत्र ज्वालाव्याप्तदिगन्तरम् ॥ 82.11 ॥

atīva tejasaḥ kūṭaṁ jvalantamiva parvatam dadṛśuste surāstatra jvālāvyāptadigantaram

The gods there beheld that exceedingly great mass of radiance, like a blazing mountain, filling every horizon with flame.

Verse 12 (markandeya.82.12)

अतुलं तत्र तत्तेजः सर्वदेवशरीरजम् । एकस्थं तदभून्नारी व्याप्तलोकत्रयं त्विषा ॥ 82.12 ॥

atulaṁ tatra tattejaḥ sarvadevaśarīrajam ekasthaṁ tadabhūnnārī vyāptalokatrayaṁ tviṣā

That incomparable radiance, born from the bodies of all the gods, gathered into one place and became a woman, pervading the three worlds with her splendor.

Verse 13 (markandeya.82.13)

यदभूच्छाम्भवं तेजस्तेनाजायत तन्मुखम् । याम्येन चाभवन् केशा बहवो विष्णुतेजसा ॥ 82.13 ॥

yadabhūcchāmbhavaṁ tejastenājāyata tanmukham yāmyena cābhavan keśā bahavo viṣṇutejasā

From the radiance that was Shiva's, her face was born; from Yama's radiance, her abundant hair; and from Vishnu's radiance, her arms.

Verse 14 (markandeya.82.14)

सौम्येन स्तनयोर्युग्मं मध्यं चैन्द्रेण चाभवत् । वारुणेन च जङ्घोरू नितम्बस्तेजसा भुवः ॥ 82.14 ॥

saumyena stanayoryugmaṁ madhyaṁ caindreṇa cābhavat vāruṇena ca jaṅghorū nitambastejasā bhuvaḥ

From the moon's radiance came the pair of her breasts, and from Indra's, her waist; from Varuna's radiance, her thighs and shanks; and from the Earth's radiance, her hips.

Verse 15 (markandeya.82.15)

ब्रह्मणस्तेजसा पादौ तदङ्गुल्योऽर्कतेजसा । वसूनाञ्च कराङ्गुल्यः कौबेरेण च नासिका ॥ 82.15 ॥

brahmaṇastejasā pādau tadaṅgulyo ’rkatejasā vasūnāñca karāṅgulyaḥ kaubereṇa ca nāsikā

From Brahma's radiance came her two feet, from the Sun's, her toes; from the Vasus' radiance, her fingers, and from Kubera's, her nose.

Verse 16 (markandeya.82.16)

तस्यास्तु दन्ताः सम्भूताः प्राजापत्येन तेजसा । नयनत्रितयं जज्ञे तथा पावकतेजसा ॥ 82.16 ॥

tasyāstu dantāḥ sambhūtāḥ prājāpatyena tejasā nayanatritayaṁ jajñe tathā pāvakatejasā

Her teeth arose from Prajapati's radiance, and likewise her three eyes were born from the radiance of Fire.

Verse 17 (markandeya.82.17)

भ्रुवौ च सन्ध्ययोस्तेजः श्रवणावनिलस्य च । अन्येषां चैव देवानां सम्भवस्तेजसां शिवा ॥ 82.17 ॥

bhruvau ca sandhyayostejaḥ śravaṇāvanilasya ca anyeṣāṁ caiva devānāṁ sambhavastejasāṁ śivā

Her eyebrows arose from the radiance of the two twilights, her ears from Vayu's; and, O auspicious one, her remaining form came from the radiances of the other gods as well.

Verse 18 (markandeya.82.18)

ततः समस्तदेवानां तेजोराशिसमुद्भवाम् । तां विलोक्य मुदं प्रापुरमरा महिषार्दिताः ॥ 82.18 ॥

tataḥ samastadevānāṁ tejorāśisamudbhavām tāṁ vilokya mudaṁ prāpuramarā mahiṣārditāḥ

Then, beholding her — born from the mass of radiance of all the gods — the immortals, afflicted by Mahisha, were filled with joy.

Verse 19 (markandeya.82.19)

ततो देवा ददुस्तस्यै स्वानि स्वान्यायुधानि च । ऊचुर्जयजयेत्युच्चैर्जयन्तीं ते जयैषिणः ॥ 82.19 ॥

tato devā dadustasyai svāni svānyāyudhāni ca ūcurjayajayetyuccairjayantīṁ te jayaiṣiṇaḥ

Then the gods, seekers of victory, gave to her each their own weapons, and cried out loudly, "Victory, victory!" to her, the ever-victorious one.

Verse 20 (markandeya.82.20)

शूलं शूलाद्विनिष्कृष्य ददौ तस्यै पिनाकधृक् । चक्रं च दत्तवान् कृष्णः समुत्पाद्य स्वचक्रतः ॥ 82.20 ॥

śūlaṁ śūlādviniṣkṛṣya dadau tasyai pinākadhṛk cakraṁ ca dattavān kṛṣṇaḥ samutpādya svacakrataḥ

The wielder of the Pinaka drew a trident from his own trident and gave it to her; Krishna produced a discus from his own discus and gave it.

Verse 21 (markandeya.82.21)

शङ्खञ्च वरुणः शक्तिं ददौ तस्यै हुताशनः । मारुतो दत्तवांश्चापं बाणपूर्णे तथेषुधी ॥ 82.21 ॥

śaṅkhañca varuṇaḥ śaktiṁ dadau tasyai hutāśanaḥ māruto dattavāṁścāpaṁ bāṇapūrṇe tatheṣudhī

Varuna gave a conch, Hutashana gave her a spear; Maruta gave a bow and two quivers filled with arrows.

Verse 22 (markandeya.82.22)

वज्रमिन्द्रः समुत्पाद्य कुलिशादमराधिपः । ददौ तस्यै सहस्राक्षो घण्टामैरावताद् गजात् ॥ 82.22 ॥

vajramindraḥ samutpādya kuliśādamarādhipaḥ dadau tasyai sahasrākṣo ghaṇṭāmairāvatād gajāt

Indra, the thousand-eyed lord of the immortals, produced a thunderbolt from his own thunderbolt and gave it to her, and also a bell from his elephant Airavata.

Verse 23 (markandeya.82.23)

कालदण्डाद्यमो दण्डं पाशं चाम्बुपतिर्ददौ । प्रजापतिश्चाक्षमालां ददौ ब्रह्मा कमण्डलुम् ॥ 82.23 ॥

kāladaṇḍādyamo daṇḍaṁ pāśaṁ cāmbupatirdadau prajāpatiścākṣamālāṁ dadau brahmā kamaṇḍalum

Yama gave a staff drawn from the Staff of Time; the Lord of Waters gave a noose; Prajapati gave a rosary, and Brahma a water-pot.

Verse 24 (markandeya.82.24)

समस्तरोमकूपेषु निजरश्मीन् दिवाकरः । कालख्च दत्तवान् खड्गं तस्याश्चर्म च निर्मलम् ॥ 82.24 ॥

samastaromakūpeṣu nijaraśmīn divākaraḥ kālakhca dattavān khaḍgaṁ tasyāścarma ca nirmalam

The Sun poured his own rays into all her pores, and Kala gave a sword and an unblemished shield.

Verse 25 (markandeya.82.25)

क्षीरोदश्चामलं हारमजरे च तथाम्बरे । चूडामणिं तथा दिव्यं कुण्डले कटकानि च ॥ 82.25 ॥

kṣīrodaścāmalaṁ hāramajare ca tathāmbare cūḍāmaṇiṁ tathā divyaṁ kuṇḍale kaṭakāni ca

The Ocean of Milk gave her a spotless necklace and two ever-unfading garments; and likewise a divine crest-jewel, earrings, and bracelets.

Verse 26 (markandeya.82.26)

अर्धचन्द्रं तथा शुभ्रं केयूरान् सर्वबाहुषु । नूपुरौ विमलौ तद्वद् ग्रैवेयकमनुत्तमम् । अङ्गुलीयकरत्नानि समस्तास्वङ्गुलीषु च ॥ 82.26 ॥

ardhacandraṁ tathā śubhraṁ keyūrān sarvabāhuṣu nūpurau vimalau tadvad graiveyakamanuttamam aṅgulīyakaratnāni samastāsvaṅgulīṣu ca

It also gave a bright crescent ornament, armlets for all her arms, likewise two spotless anklets, an unsurpassed necklace, and jeweled rings for all her fingers.

Verse 27 (markandeya.82.27)

विश्वकर्मा ददौ तस्यै परशुञ्चातिनिर्मलम् । अस्त्राण्यनेकरूपाणि तथाभेद्यं च दंशनम् ॥ 82.27 ॥

viśvakarmā dadau tasyai paraśuñcātinirmalam astrāṇyanekarūpāṇi tathābhedyaṁ ca daṁśanam

Vishvakarma gave her a most spotless battle-axe, weapons of many kinds, and an impenetrable armor.

Verse 28 (markandeya.82.28)

अम्लानपङ्कजां मालां शिरस्युरसि चापराम् । अददज्जलधिस्तस्यै पङ्कजं चातिशोभनम् ॥ 82.28 ॥

amlānapaṅkajāṁ mālāṁ śirasyurasi cāparām adadajjaladhistasyai paṅkajaṁ cātiśobhanam

The Ocean gave her an unfading garland of lotuses for her head, another for her chest, and also a most beautiful lotus.

Verse 29 (markandeya.82.29)

हिमवान् वाहनं सिंहं रत्नानि विविधानि च । ददावशून्यं सुरया पानपात्रं धनाधिपः ॥ 82.29 ॥

himavān vāhanaṁ siṁhaṁ ratnāni vividhāni ca dadāvaśūnyaṁ surayā pānapātraṁ dhanādhipaḥ

Himavan gave a lion as her mount, and various jewels; the Lord of Wealth gave a drinking-cup ever-full of wine.

Verse 30 (markandeya.82.30)

शेषश्च सर्वनागेशो महामणिविभूषितम् । नागहारं ददौ तस्यै धत्ते यः पृथिवीमिमाम् ॥ 82.30 ॥

śeṣaśca sarvanāgeśo mahāmaṇivibhūṣitam nāgahāraṁ dadau tasyai dhatte yaḥ pṛthivīmimām

And Shesha, lord of all serpents, who bears up this earth, gave her a serpent-garland adorned with a great jewel.

Verse 31 (markandeya.82.31)

अन्यैरपि सुरैर्देवी भूषणैरायुधैस्तथा । संमानिता ननादोच्चैः साट्टहासं मुहुर्मुहुः ॥ 82.31 ॥

anyairapi surairdevī bhūṣaṇairāyudhaistathā saṁmānitā nanādoccaiḥ sāṭṭahāsaṁ muhurmuhuḥ

Honored by the other gods too, with ornaments and with weapons alike, the goddess roared loudly, again and again, with laughter.

Verse 32 (markandeya.82.32)

तस्या नादेन घोरेण कृत्स्त्रमापूरितं नभः । अमायतातिमहता प्रतिशब्दो महानभूत् ॥ 82.32 ॥

tasyā nādena ghoreṇa kṛtstramāpūritaṁ nabhaḥ amāyatātimahatā pratiśabdo mahānabhūt

By her terrible roar the entire sky was filled, and a great, boundless echo arose in answer.

Verse 33 (markandeya.82.33)

चुक्षुभुः सकला लोकाः समुद्राश्च चकम्पिरे । चचाल वसुधा चेलुः सकलाश्च महीधराः ॥ 82.33 ॥

cukṣubhuḥ sakalā lokāḥ samudrāśca cakampire cacāla vasudhā celuḥ sakalāśca mahīdharāḥ

All the worlds shook, the oceans trembled; the earth quaked, and all the mountains stirred.

Verse 34 (markandeya.82.34)

जयेति देवाश्च मुदा तामूचुः सिंहवाहिनीम् । तुष्टुवुर्मुनयश्चैनां भक्तिनम्रात्ममूर्तयः ॥ 82.34 ॥

jayeti devāśca mudā tāmūcuḥ siṁhavāhinīm tuṣṭuvurmunayaścaināṁ bhaktinamrātmamūrtayaḥ

The gods, in joy, cried "Victory!" to her, the lion-rider; and the sages too, their forms bowed in devotion, praised her.

Verse 35 (markandeya.82.35)

दृष्ट्वा समस्तं संक्षुब्धं त्रैलोक्यममरारयः । सन्नद्धाखिलसैन्यास्ते समुत्तस्थुरुदायुधाः ॥ 82.35 ॥

dṛṣṭvā samastaṁ saṁkṣubdhaṁ trailokyamamarārayaḥ sannaddhākhilasainyāste samuttasthurudāyudhāḥ

Seeing the whole triple world thrown into turmoil, the enemies of the gods, their entire army arrayed, rose up with weapons raised.

Verse 36 (markandeya.82.36)

आः किमेतदिति क्रोधादाभाष्य महिषासुरः । अभ्यधावत तं शब्दमशेषैरसुरैर्वृतः ॥ 82.36 ॥

āḥ kimetaditi krodhādābhāṣya mahiṣāsuraḥ abhyadhāvata taṁ śabdamaśeṣairasurairvṛtaḥ

"Ah, what is this!" cried Mahishasura in fury, and, surrounded by all the asuras, rushed toward that sound.

Verse 37 (markandeya.82.37)

स ददर्श ततो देवीं व्याप्तलोकत्रयां त्विषा । पादाक्रान्त्या नतभुवं किरीटोल्लिखिताम्बराम् ॥ 82.37 ॥

sa dadarśa tato devīṁ vyāptalokatrayāṁ tviṣā pādākrāntyā natabhuvaṁ kirīṭollikhitāmbarām

Then he beheld the goddess, pervading the three worlds with her splendor, the earth bowing beneath the tread of her foot, her crown grazing the sky.

Verse 38 (markandeya.82.38)

क्षोभिताशेषपातालां धनुर्ज्यानिः स्वनेन ताम् । दिशो भुजसहस्रेण समन्ताद् व्याप्य संस्थिताम् ॥ 82.38 ॥

kṣobhitāśeṣapātālāṁ dhanurjyāniḥ svanena tām diśo bhujasahasreṇa samantād vyāpya saṁsthitām

[He beheld her] who, with the twang of her bowstring, agitated the whole netherworld, standing there having filled every direction all around with her thousand arms.

Verse 39 (markandeya.82.39)

ततः प्रववृते युद्धं तया देव्या सुरद्विषाम् । शस्त्रास्त्रैर्बहुधा मुक्तैरादीपितदिगन्तरम् ॥ 82.39 ॥

tataḥ pravavṛte yuddhaṁ tayā devyā suradviṣām śastrāstrairbahudhā muktairādīpitadigantaram

Then a battle broke out between her and the enemies of the gods, the horizon set ablaze by the many weapons and missiles let loose.

Verse 40 (markandeya.82.40)

महिषासुरसेनानीश्चिक्षुराख्यो महासुरः । युयुधे चामरश्चान्यैश्चतुरङ्गबलान्वितः ॥ 82.40 ॥

mahiṣāsurasenānīścikṣurākhyo mahāsuraḥ yuyudhe cāmaraścānyaiścaturaṅgabalānvitaḥ

Mahishasura's general, the great asura named Chikshura, and Chamara too, along with others, accompanied by the fourfold army, joined the battle.

Verse 41 (markandeya.82.41)

रथानामयुतैः षड्भिरुदग्राख्यो महासुरः । अयुध्यतायुतानाञ्च सहस्रेण महाहनुः ॥ 82.41 ॥

rathānāmayutaiḥ ṣaḍbhirudagrākhyo mahāsuraḥ ayudhyatāyutānāñca sahasreṇa mahāhanuḥ

The great asura named Udagra fought with sixty thousand chariots, and Mahahanu with ten million.

Verse 42 (markandeya.82.42)

पञ्चाशद्भिश्च नियुतैरसिलोमा महासुरः । अयुतानां शतैः षड्भिर्वाष्कलो युयुधे रणे ॥ 82.42 ॥

pañcāśadbhiśca niyutairasilomā mahāsuraḥ ayutānāṁ śataiḥ ṣaḍbhirvāṣkalo yuyudhe raṇe

The great asura Asiloman fought with five million chariots, and Vashkala with six million, upon the field of battle.

Verse 43 (markandeya.82.43)

गजवाजिसहस्रौघैरनेकैरुग्रदर्शनः । वृतो रथानां कोट्या च युद्धे तस्मिन्नयुध्यत ॥ 82.43 ॥

gajavājisahasraughairanekairugradarśanaḥ vṛto rathānāṁ koṭyā ca yuddhe tasminnayudhyata

A fierce-looking asura, surrounded by many thousands of elephants and horses and by a crore of chariots, fought on in that battle.

Verse 44 (markandeya.82.44)

बिडालाक्षोऽयुतानाञ्च पञ्चाशद्भिरथायुतैः । युयुधे संयुगे तत्र रथानां परिवारितः ॥ 82.44 ॥

biḍālākṣo ’yutānāñca pañcāśadbhirathāyutaiḥ yuyudhe saṁyuge tatra rathānāṁ parivāritaḥ

Bidalaksha, surrounded by fifty thousand chariots, fought there in that battle.

Verse 45 (markandeya.82.45)

वृतः कालो रथानाञ्च रणे पञ्चाशतायुतैः । युयुधे संयुगे तत्र तावद्भिः परिवारितः ॥ 82.45 ॥

vṛtaḥ kālo rathānāñca raṇe pañcāśatāyutaiḥ yuyudhe saṁyuge tatra tāvadbhiḥ parivāritaḥ

The asura named Kala, likewise surrounded by that same number of chariots, fought there in that battle.

Verse 46 (markandeya.82.46)

अन्ये च तत्रायुतशो रथनागहयैर्वृताः । युयुधुः संयुगे देव्या सह तत्र महासुराः ॥ 82.46 ॥

anye ca tatrāyutaśo rathanāgahayairvṛtāḥ yuyudhuḥ saṁyuge devyā saha tatra mahāsurāḥ

And other great asuras there, surrounded by chariots, elephants, and horses by the tens of thousands, fought there in battle with the goddess.

Verse 47 (markandeya.82.47)

कोटिकोटिसहस्रैस्तु रथानां दन्तिनां तथा । हयानाञ्च वृतो युद्धे तत्राभून्महिषासुरः ॥ 82.47 ॥

koṭikoṭisahasraistu rathānāṁ dantināṁ tathā hayānāñca vṛto yuddhe tatrābhūnmahiṣāsuraḥ

Mahishasura himself was present in that battle, surrounded by thousands of crores of chariots, elephants, and horses.

Verse 48 (markandeya.82.48)

तोमरैर्भिन्दिपालैश्च शक्तिभिर्मुसलैस्तथा । युयुधुः संयुगे देव्या खड्गैः परशुपट्टिशैः ॥ 82.48 ॥

tomarairbhindipālaiśca śaktibhirmusalaistathā yuyudhuḥ saṁyuge devyā khaḍgaiḥ paraśupaṭṭiśaiḥ

They fought against the goddess with lances, javelins, spears, and maces, and likewise with swords, axes, and pattishas.

Verse 49 (markandeya.82.49)

केचिच्च चिक्षिपुः शक्तीः केचित् पाशांस्तथापरे । देवीं खड्गप्रहारैस्तु ते तां हन्तुं प्रचक्रमुः ॥ 82.49 ॥

kecicca cikṣipuḥ śaktīḥ kecit pāśāṁstathāpare devīṁ khaḍgaprahāraistu te tāṁ hantuṁ pracakramuḥ

Some hurled spears, others nooses; and others still began trying to slay the goddess with sword-strokes.

Verse 50 (markandeya.82.50)

सापि देवी ततस्तानि शस्त्राण्यस्त्राणि चण्डिका । लीलयैव प्रचिच्छेद निजशस्त्रास्त्रवर्षिणी ॥ 82.50 ॥

sāpi devī tatastāni śastrāṇyastrāṇi caṇḍikā līlayaiva praciccheda nijaśastrāstravarṣiṇī

But that goddess Chandika, herself raining down her own weapons and missiles, cut to pieces all those weapons and missiles as if in mere sport.

Verse 51 (markandeya.82.51)

अनायस्तानना देवी स्तूयमाना सुरर्षिभिः । मुमोचासुरदेहेषु शस्त्राण्यस्त्राणि चेश्वरी ॥ 82.51 ॥

anāyastānanā devī stūyamānā surarṣibhiḥ mumocāsuradeheṣu śastrāṇyastrāṇi ceśvarī

The goddess, her face utterly untroubled, praised by the gods and sages, that Sovereign Lady let loose her weapons and missiles upon the bodies of the asuras.

Verse 52 (markandeya.82.52)

सोऽपि क्रुद्धो धुतसटो देव्या वाहनकेशरी । चचारासुरसैन्येषु वनेष्विव हुताशनः ॥ 82.52 ॥

so ’pi kruddho dhutasaṭo devyā vāhanakeśarī cacārāsurasainyeṣu vaneṣviva hutāśanaḥ

And that lion, the goddess's mount, enraged and its mane bristling, ranged through the asura armies like fire through the forests.

Verse 53 (markandeya.82.53)

निश्वसान्मुमुचे यांश्च युध्यमाना रणेऽम्बिका । त एव सद्यः सम्भूता गणाः शतसहस्रशः ॥ 82.53 ॥

niśvasānmumuce yāṁśca yudhyamānā raṇe ’mbikā ta eva sadyaḥ sambhūtā gaṇāḥ śatasahasraśaḥ

And the sighs which Ambika released while fighting in battle — from those very sighs, in an instant, hundreds and thousands of attendant hosts came into being.

Verse 54 (markandeya.82.54)

युयुधुस्ते परशुभिर्भिन्दिपालासिपट्टिशैः । नाशयन्तोऽसुरगणान् देवीशक्त्युपबृंहिताः ॥ 82.54 ॥

yuyudhuste paraśubhirbhindipālāsipaṭṭiśaiḥ nāśayanto ’suragaṇān devīśaktyupabṛṁhitāḥ

Empowered by the goddess's own power, those hosts fought with axes, javelins, swords, and pattishas, destroying the asura hordes.

Verse 55 (markandeya.82.55)

अवादयन्त पटहान् गणाः शङ्खांस्तथापरे । मृदङ्गांश्च तथैवान्ये तस्मिन् युद्धमहोत्सवे ॥ 82.55 ॥

avādayanta paṭahān gaṇāḥ śaṅkhāṁstathāpare mṛdaṅgāṁśca tathaivānye tasmin yuddhamahotsave

In that great festival of battle, some of her hosts sounded war-drums, others conches, and others still mridangas.

Verse 56 (markandeya.82.56)

ततो देवी त्रिशूलेन गदया शक्तिवृष्टिभिः । शड्गादिभिश्च शतशो निजघान महासुरान् ॥ 82.56 ॥

tato devī triśūlena gadayā śaktivṛṣṭibhiḥ śaḍgādibhiśca śataśo nijaghāna mahāsurān

Then the goddess, with her trident, her mace, showers of spears, and swords and the like, struck down the great asuras by the hundreds.

Verse 57 (markandeya.82.57)

पातयामास चैवान्यान् घण्टास्वनविमोहितान् । असुरान् भुवि पाशेन बद्ध्वा चान्यानकर्षयत् ॥ 82.57 ॥

pātayāmāsa caivānyān ghaṇṭāsvanavimohitān asurān bhuvi pāśena baddhvā cānyānakarṣayat

She felled others too, who had been stupefied by the sound of her bell; and having bound yet others with her noose, she dragged them upon the ground.

Verse 58 (markandeya.82.58)

केचिद् द्विधा कृतास्तीक्ष्णैः खड्गपातैस्तथापरे । विपोथिता निपातेन गदया भुवि शेरते ॥ 82.58 ॥

kecid dvidhā kṛtāstīkṣṇaiḥ khaḍgapātaistathāpare vipothitā nipātena gadayā bhuvi śerate

Some were cut in two by the sharp strokes of her sword; others, crushed by the blow of her mace, lay prostrate upon the ground.

Verse 59 (markandeya.82.59)

वेमुश्च केचिद्रुधिरं मुसले भृशं हताः । केचिन्नपातिता भूमौ भिन्नाः शूलेन वक्षसि ॥ 82.59 ॥

vemuśca kecidrudhiraṁ musale bhṛśaṁ hatāḥ kecinnapātitā bhūmau bhinnāḥ śūlena vakṣasi

Some, struck fiercely by her club, vomited blood; some, their chests pierced by her trident, fell down upon the earth.

Verse 60 (markandeya.82.60)

निरन्तराः शरौघेण कृताः केचिद्रणाजिरे । शैलानुकारिणः प्राणान् मुमुचुस्त्रिदशार्दनाः ॥ 82.60 ॥

nirantarāḥ śaraugheṇa kṛtāḥ kecidraṇājire śailānukāriṇaḥ prāṇān mumucustridaśārdanāḥ

Some, riddled through and through by a flood of arrows on the field of battle, those tormentors of the gods gave up their lives there, lying like mountains.

Verse 61 (markandeya.82.61)

केषाञ्चिद्वाहवश्छिन्नाश्छिन्नग्रीवास्तथापरे । शिरांसि पेतुरन्येषामन्ये मध्ये विदारिताः ॥ 82.61 ॥

keṣāñcidvāhavaśchinnāśchinnagrīvāstathāpare śirāṁsi peturanyeṣāmanye madhye vidāritāḥ

Of some, the arms were severed; of others, the necks; the heads of some fell off; and others were torn apart at the middle.

Verse 62 (markandeya.82.62)

विच्छिन्नजङ्घास्त्वपरे पेतुरुर्व्यां महासुराः । एकबाह्वक्षिचरणाः केचिद्देव्या द्विधा कृताः ॥ 82.62 ॥

vicchinnajaṅghāstvapare petururvyāṁ mahāsurāḥ ekabāhvakṣicaraṇāḥ keciddevyā dvidhā kṛtāḥ

Other great asuras, their legs severed, fell upon the ground; some, left with a single arm, eye, and foot, had been cut in two by the goddess.

Verse 63 (markandeya.82.63)

छिन्नेऽपि चान्ये शिरसि पतिताः पुनरुत्थिताः । कबन्धा युयुधुर्देव्या गृहीतपरमायुधाः ॥ 82.63 ॥

chinne ’pi cānye śirasi patitāḥ punarutthitāḥ kabandhā yuyudhurdevyā gṛhītaparamāyudhāḥ

And others, though their heads had fallen off, rose up again; as headless trunks they fought on against the goddess, still holding their finest weapons.

Verse 64 (markandeya.82.64)

ननृतुश्चापरे तत्र युद्धे तूर्यलयाश्रिताः । कबन्धाश्छिन्नखिरसः खड्ग-शक्त्यृष्टिपाणयः ॥ 82.64 ॥

nanṛtuścāpare tatra yuddhe tūryalayāśritāḥ kabandhāśchinnakhirasaḥ khaḍga-śaktyṛṣṭipāṇayaḥ

And other headless trunks there danced in that battle keeping time to the music of the war-instruments, their hands still holding swords, spears, and lances.

Verse 65 (markandeya.82.65)

तिष्ठ तिष्ठेति भाषन्तो देवीमन्ये महासुराः। रुधिरौघविलुप्ताङ्गाः संग्रामे लोमहर्षणे ॥ 82.65 ॥

tiṣṭha tiṣṭheti bhāṣanto devīmanye mahāsurāḥ rudhiraughaviluptāṅgāḥ saṁgrāme lomaharṣaṇe

Other great asuras, their limbs drenched in streams of blood, cried out to the goddess in that hair-raising battle, "Stand! Stand and fight!"

Verse 66 (markandeya.82.66)

पातितै रथनागाश्वैरसुरैश्च वसुन्धरा । अगम्या साभवत् तत्र यत्राभूत् स महारणः ॥ 82.66 ॥

pātitai rathanāgāśvairasuraiśca vasundharā agamyā sābhavat tatra yatrābhūt sa mahāraṇaḥ

The earth, there where that great battle took place, became impassable, strewn with fallen chariots, elephants, horses, and asuras.

Verse 67 (markandeya.82.67)

शोणितौघा महानद्यः सद्यस्तत्र विसुस्त्रुवुः । मध्ये चासुरसैन्यस्य वारणासुरवाजिनाम् ॥ 82.67 ॥

śoṇitaughā mahānadyaḥ sadyastatra visustruvuḥ madhye cāsurasainyasya vāraṇāsuravājinām

Great rivers of blood at once began to flow there, in the midst of the asura army, amid the elephants, asuras, and horses.

Verse 68 (markandeya.82.68)

क्षणेन तन्महासैन्यमसुराणां तथाम्बिका । निन्ये क्षयं यथा वह्निस्तृणदारुमहाचयम् ॥ 82.68 ॥

kṣaṇena tanmahāsainyamasurāṇāṁ tathāmbikā ninye kṣayaṁ yathā vahnistṛṇadārumahācayam

In an instant, Ambika reduced that great host of asuras to destruction, just as fire consumes a great heap of grass and wood.

Verse 69 (markandeya.82.69)

स च सिंहो महानादमुत्सृजन् धुतकेसरः । शरीरेभ्योऽमरारीणामसूनिव विचिन्वति ॥ 82.69 ॥

sa ca siṁho mahānādamutsṛjan dhutakesaraḥ śarīrebhyo ’marārīṇāmasūniva vicinvati

And that lion, letting out a great roar, its mane bristling, seemed to be gathering up the very life-breaths from the bodies of the enemies of the gods.

Verse 70 (markandeya.82.70)

देव्या गणैश्च तैस्तत्र कृतं युद्धं तथासुरैः । यथैषां तुतुषुर्देवाः पुष्पवृष्टिमुचो दिवि ॥ 82.70 ॥

devyā gaṇaiśca taistatra kṛtaṁ yuddhaṁ tathāsuraiḥ yathaiṣāṁ tutuṣurdevāḥ puṣpavṛṣṭimuco divi

Such was the battle waged there by the goddess and her hosts against the asuras, that the gods in heaven, well pleased, rained down showers of flowers.