The Manifestation of Sarasvati

Verse 1 (shiva.uma.48.1)

राजोवाच । धूम्राक्षं चण्डमुण्डं च रक्तबीजासुरं तथा । भगवन्निहतं देव्या श्रुत्वा शुम्भः सुरार्दनः

rājovāca dhūmrākṣaṁ caṇḍamuṇḍaṁ ca raktabījāsuraṁ tathā bhagavannihataṁ devyā śrutvā śumbhaḥ surārdanaḥ

The king said: O venerable one, hearing that Dhūmrāksha, Chanda-Munda, and the demon Raktabīja had been slain by the goddess, Shumbha, the tormentor of the gods —

Verse 2 (shiva.uma.48.2)

किमकार्षीत्ततो ब्रह्मन्नेतन्मे ब्रूहि साम्प्रतम् । शुश्रूषवे जगद्योनेश्चरित्रं पापनाशनम्

kimakārṣīttato brahmannetanme brūhi sāmpratam śuśrūṣave jagadyoneścaritraṁ pāpanāśanam

what did he do then? Tell me this now, O brahmin; I am eager to hear this sin-destroying tale of the very source of the world.

Verse 3 (shiva.uma.48.3)

ऋषिरुवाच । हतानिमान्दैत्यवरान्महासुरो निशम्य राजन्महनीयविक्रमः । अजिज्ञपत्स्वीयगणान्दुरासदान् रणाभिधोच्चारणजातसम्मदान्

ṛṣiruvāca hatānimāndaityavarānmahāsuro niśamya rājanmahanīyavikramaḥ ajijñapatsvīyagaṇāndurāsadān raṇābhidhoccāraṇajātasammadān

The sage said: O king, hearing that his foremost demons had been slain, that great demon of honoured valour informed his own formidable hosts, who grew jubilant at the very mention of the word "battle":

Verse 4 (shiva.uma.48.4)

बलान्विताः सम्मिलिता ममाज्ञया जयाशया कालकवंशसम्भवाः । सकालकेयासुरमौर्यदौर्हृदाः तथा परेऽप्याशु प्रयाणयन्तु ते

balānvitāḥ sammilitā mamājñayā jayāśayā kālakavaṁśasambhavāḥ sakālakeyāsuramauryadaurhṛdāḥ tathā pare'pyāśu prayāṇayantu te

"Let the mighty, gathered at my command, hoping for victory, born of the lineage of Kālaka, together with the Kālakeya demons and those of the Maurya and Daurhṛda hosts, and all others too, march forth at once."

Verse 5 (shiva.uma.48.5)

निशुम्भशुम्भौ दितिजान्निदेश्य तान् रथाधिरूढौ निरयाम्बभूवतुः । बलान्यनूकाबलिनोस्तयोर्धराद् विनाशवन्तः शलभा इवोत्थिताः

niśumbhaśumbhau ditijānnideśya tān rathādhirūḍhau nirayāmbabhūvatuḥ balānyanūkābalinostayordharād vināśavantaḥ śalabhā ivotthitāḥ

Having thus commanded those demons, Nishumbha and Shumbha, mounted upon their chariots, set forth; and the vast armies of those two rose up from the earth like locusts bent on destruction.

Verse 6 (shiva.uma.48.6)

प्रवादयामास मृदङ्गमर्दलं सभेरिकाडिण्डिमझर्झरानकम् । रणस्थले सञ्जहृषू रणप्रिया असुप्रियाः सङ्गरतः पराययुः

pravādayāmāsa mṛdaṅgamardalaṁ sabherikāḍiṇḍimajharjharānakam raṇasthale sañjahṛṣū raṇapriyā asupriyāḥ saṅgarataḥ parāyayuḥ

The mridanga and mardala drums began to sound, along with the bheri, dindima, jharjhara and anaka drums; those who loved battle rejoiced upon the field, while those to whom their own lives were dear fled far from the fray.

Verse 7 (shiva.uma.48.7)

भटाश्च ते युद्धपटावृतास्तदा रणस्थलीमापुरपापविग्रहाः । गृहीतशस्त्रास्त्रचया जिगीषया परस्परं विग्रहयन्त उल्बणम्

bhaṭāśca te yuddhapaṭāvṛtāstadā raṇasthalīmāpurapāpavigrahāḥ gṛhītaśastrāstracayā jigīṣayā parasparaṁ vigrahayanta ulbaṇam

Those warriors, clad in the armour of battle, their bodies unmarked, reached the battlefield; and, bearing masses of weapons, with a longing for victory, they engaged one another in fierce combat.

Verse 8 (shiva.uma.48.8)

गजाधिरूढास्तुरगाधिरोहिणो रथाधिरूढाश्च तथापरेऽसुराः । अलक्षयन्तः स्वपराञ्जनान्मुदाऽ- सुरेशसङ्गे समरेऽभिरेभिरे

gajādhirūḍhāsturagādhirohiṇo rathādhirūḍhāśca tathāpare'surāḥ alakṣayantaḥ svaparāñjanānmudā'- sureśasaṅge samare'bhirebhire

Demons mounted upon elephants, riders of horses, and others mounted upon chariots too, unable to tell friend from foe, joyfully clashed together in battle alongside their demon lord.

Verse 9 (shiva.uma.48.9)

ध्वनिः शतघ्नीजनितो मुहुर्मुहु- र्बभूव तेन त्रिदशाः समेजिताः । महान्धकारः समपद्यताम्बरे विलोक्यते नो रथमण्डलं रवेः

dhvaniḥ śataghnījanito muhurmuhu- rbabhūva tena tridaśāḥ samejitāḥ mahāndhakāraḥ samapadyatāmbare vilokyate no rathamaṇḍalaṁ raveḥ

The sound produced by the great weapon Śataghnī rang out again and again, so that even the gods trembled; so dense a darkness spread across the sky that the very disc of the sun's chariot could no longer be seen.

Verse 10 (shiva.uma.48.10)

पदातयो निर्व वजुर्हि कोटिशः प्रभूतमाना विजयाभिलाषिणः । रथाश्वगा वारणगा अथापरेऽ- सुरा निरीयुः कति कोटिशो मुदा

padātayo nirva vajurhi koṭiśaḥ prabhūtamānā vijayābhilāṣiṇaḥ rathāśvagā vāraṇagā athāpare'- surā nirīyuḥ kati koṭiśo mudā

Millions of foot-soldiers, longing for victory, marched forth in mighty pride; and other demons, mounted on chariots, horses, and elephants — how many millions, none could count — marched forth in joy as well.

Verse 11 (shiva.uma.48.11)

अशुक्लशैला एव मत्तवारणा अतानिषुश्चीत्कृतिशब्दमाहवे । क्रमेलकाश्चापि गलद्गलध्वनिं वितन्वते क्षुद्रमहीधरोपमाः

aśuklaśailā eva mattavāraṇā atāniṣuścītkṛtiśabdamāhave kramelakāścāpi galadgaladhvaniṁ vitanvate kṣudramahīdharopamāḥ

Elephants in rut, huge as unhewn mountains, trumpeted their fearsome cries in that battle; and camels too, like small hills, gave forth a gurgling sound from their throats.

Verse 12 (shiva.uma.48.12)

हयाश्च ह्रेषन्त उदग्रभूमिजा विशालकण्ठाभरणा गतेर्विदः । पदानि दन्तावलमूर्ध्नि बिभ्रतः सुडिड्यिरे व्योमपथा यथावयः

hayāśca hreṣanta udagrabhūmijā viśālakaṇṭhābharaṇā gatervidaḥ padāni dantāvalamūrdhni bibhrataḥ suḍiḍyire vyomapathā yathāvayaḥ

Horses of noble breeding, adorned with broad ornaments upon their necks, skilled in their gait, whinnied aloud; and some warriors, setting their feet upon the crowns of elephants, seemed to fly through the pathways of the sky, like birds.

Verse 13 (shiva.uma.48.13)

समीक्ष्य शत्रोर्बलमित्थमापतत् चकार सज्यं धनुरम्बिका तदा । ननाद घण्टां रिपुसाददायिनीं जगर्ज सिंहोऽपि सटां विधूनयन्

samīkṣya śatrorbalamitthamāpatat cakāra sajyaṁ dhanurambikā tadā nanāda ghaṇṭāṁ ripusādadāyinīṁ jagarja siṁho'pi saṭāṁ vidhūnayan

Seeing the enemy's army thus advancing, Ambikā at once strung her bow taut; she sounded her bell that heralds the foe's destruction, and her lion too roared, shaking its mane.

Verse 14 (shiva.uma.48.14)

ततो निशुम्भस्तुहिनाचलस्थितां विलोक्य रम्याभरणायुधां शिवाम् । गिरं बभाषे रसनिर्भरां परां विलासनीभावविचक्षणो यथा

tato niśumbhastuhinācalasthitāṁ vilokya ramyābharaṇāyudhāṁ śivām giraṁ babhāṣe rasanirbharāṁ parāṁ vilāsanībhāvavicakṣaṇo yathā

Then Nishumbha, beholding that auspicious goddess stationed upon the snowy mountain, adorned with lovely ornaments and weapons, spoke to her, as one skilled in the art of seduction, in a voice heavy with passion:

Verse 15 (shiva.uma.48.15)

भवादृशीनां रमणीयविग्रहे दुनोति कीर्णं खलु मालतीदलम् । कथं करालाहवमातनोष्यसे महेशि तेनैव मनोज्ञवर्ष्मणा

bhavādṛśīnāṁ ramaṇīyavigrahe dunoti kīrṇaṁ khalu mālatīdalam kathaṁ karālāhavamātanoṣyase maheśi tenaiva manojñavarṣmaṇā

"Even a scattered petal of jasmine pains the delicate body of women such as you; how then, O great goddess, will you endure this fearsome battle in that very same tender frame?

Verse 16 (shiva.uma.48.16)

इतीरयित्वा वचनं महासुरो बभूव मौनी तमुवाच चण्डिका । वृथा किमात्थासुर मूढ सङ्गरं कुरुष्व नागालयमन्यथा व्रज

itīrayitvā vacanaṁ mahāsuro babhūva maunī tamuvāca caṇḍikā vṛthā kimātthāsura mūḍha saṅgaraṁ kuruṣva nāgālayamanyathā vraja

Having spoken this word, that great demon fell silent; Chaṇḍikā said to him: "O foolish demon, why do you speak thus in vain? Do battle, or else go to the abode of the serpents."

Verse 17 (shiva.uma.48.17)

ततोऽतिरुष्टः समरे महारथ- श्चकार बाणावलिवृष्टिमद्भुताम् । घनाघनाः संववृषुर्यथोदकं रणस्थले प्रावृडिवागतास्तदा

tato'tiruṣṭaḥ samare mahāratha- ścakāra bāṇāvalivṛṣṭimadbhutām ghanāghanāḥ saṁvavṛṣuryathodakaṁ raṇasthale prāvṛḍivāgatāstadā

Then, exceedingly enraged, that great chariot-warrior loosed an astonishing rain of arrows in that battle; as if the rains had come, as if storm-clouds were pouring down water upon the field of war.

Verse 18 (shiva.uma.48.18)

शरैश्शितैः शूलपरश्वधायुधैः सभिन्दिपालैः परिघैः शरासनैः । भुशुण्डिकाप्रासक्षुरप्रसंज्ञकै- र्महासिभिः संयुयुधे मदोद्धतैः

śaraiśśitaiḥ śūlaparaśvadhāyudhaiḥ sabhindipālaiḥ parighaiḥ śarāsanaiḥ bhuśuṇḍikāprāsakṣuraprasaṁjñakai- rmahāsibhiḥ saṁyuyudhe madoddhataiḥ

With sharp arrows, tridents, battle-axes, javelins, iron clubs, bows, the weapon called bhuśuṇḍī, spears, crescent-headed arrows, and great swords, he fought on, swollen with pride.

Verse 19 (shiva.uma.48.19)

विबभ्रमुस्तत्समरे महागजा विभिन्नकुम्भा असिताद्रिसन्निभाः । चलद्बलाकाधवला विकेतवो विसेतवः शुम्भनिशुम्भकेतवः

vibabhramustatsamare mahāgajā vibhinnakumbhā asitādrisannibhāḥ caladbalākādhavalā viketavo visetavaḥ śumbhaniśumbhaketavaḥ

In that battle great elephants, their frontal lobes split open, wandered about like dark mountains in motion; white banners fluttered like restless cranes, and the standards of Shumbha and Nishumbha were torn apart and scattered.

Verse 20 (shiva.uma.48.20)

विभिन्नदेहा दितिजा झषोपमा विकन्धरा वाजिगणा भयङ्कराः । परासवः कालिकया कृता रणे मृगारिणा चामिषतां परेऽसुराः

vibhinnadehā ditijā jhaṣopamā vikandharā vājigaṇā bhayaṅkarāḥ parāsavaḥ kālikayā kṛtā raṇe mṛgāriṇā cāmiṣatāṁ pare'surāḥ

The demons' shattered bodies lay scattered like fish; their bands of horses, necks severed, presented a fearsome sight; and those demons whose lives Kālikā, mounted on her lion, took in battle, became food for that very lion.

Verse 21 (shiva.uma.48.21)

विसुस्रुवू रक्तवहास्तदन्तरे सरिच्चयास्तत्र विपुप्लुवे हतैः । कचा भटानां जलनीलिकोपमा- स्तदुत्तरीयं सितफेनसन्निभम्

visusruvū raktavahāstadantare sariccayāstatra vipupluve hataiḥ kacā bhaṭānāṁ jalanīlikopamā- staduttarīyaṁ sitaphenasannibham

Meanwhile streams of blood flowed out, and rivers there overflowed with the bodies of the slain; the warriors' hair resembled dark water-weeds, their upper garments resembled white foam.

Verse 22 (shiva.uma.48.22)

तुरङ्गसादी तुरगाधिरोहिणं गजस्थितानभ्यपतन्गजारुहः । रथी रथेशं खलु पत्तिरङ्घ्रिगान् समप्रतिद्वन्द्विकलिर्महानभूत्

turaṅgasādī turagādhirohiṇaṁ gajasthitānabhyapatangajāruhaḥ rathī ratheśaṁ khalu pattiraṅghrigān samapratidvandvikalirmahānabhūt

Horseman fell upon horseman, one on an elephant upon another so mounted, charioteer upon charioteer, and foot-soldier upon foot-soldier; a great combat arose between evenly matched rivals.

Verse 23 (shiva.uma.48.23)

ततो निशुम्भो हृदये व्यचिन्तयत् करालकालोऽयमुपागतोऽधुना । भवेद्दरिद्रोऽपि महाधनो महा- धनो दरिद्रो विपरीतकालतः

tato niśumbho hṛdaye vyacintayat karālakālo'yamupāgato'dhunā bhaveddaridro'pi mahādhano mahā- dhano daridro viparītakālataḥ

Then Nishumbha thought within his heart: "This terrible Time has now arrived; the poor man becomes greatly wealthy, and the wealthy man becomes poor — such is the reversal wrought by Time.

Verse 24 (shiva.uma.48.24)

जडो भवेत्स्फीतमतिर्महामति- र्जडो नृशंसो बहुमन्तुसंस्तुतः । पराजयं यान्ति रणे महाबला जयन्ति सङ्ग्राममुखे च दुर्बलाः

jaḍo bhavetsphītamatirmahāmati- rjaḍo nṛśaṁso bahumantusaṁstutaḥ parājayaṁ yānti raṇe mahābalā jayanti saṅgrāmamukhe ca durbalāḥ

The dull-witted become men of vast intelligence, and the greatly wise become dull; the cruel man is praised by many; the mighty go down to defeat in battle, and the weak win victory at the very front of war.

Verse 25 (shiva.uma.48.25)

जयोऽजयो वा परमेश्वरेच्छया भवत्यनायासत एव देहिनाम् । न कालमुल्लङ्घ्य शशाक जीवितुं महेश्वरः पद्मजनी रमापतिः

jayo'jayo vā parameśvarecchayā bhavatyanāyāsata eva dehinām na kālamullaṅghya śaśāka jīvituṁ maheśvaraḥ padmajanī ramāpatiḥ

Victory or defeat comes to embodied beings solely by the will of the Supreme Lord, without any effort of their own; not even Maheshvara, nor the lotus-born Brahmā, nor Vishnu, lord of Ramā, could ever overstep Time and live beyond it.

Verse 26 (shiva.uma.48.26)

उपेत्य सङ्ग्राममुखं पलायनं न साधु वीरा हृदयेऽनुमन्वते । परन्तु युद्धे कथमेतया जयो विनाशितं मे सकलं बलं यथा

upetya saṅgrāmamukhaṁ palāyanaṁ na sādhu vīrā hṛdaye'numanvate parantu yuddhe kathametayā jayo vināśitaṁ me sakalaṁ balaṁ yathā

Having reached the front of battle, brave men do not, in their hearts, approve of flight; and yet how shall victory come to me in this fight, when my entire army has already been destroyed by her?

Verse 27 (shiva.uma.48.27)

इयं हि नूनं सुरकर्म साधितुं समागता दैत्यबलं च बाधितुम् । पुराणमूर्तिः प्रकृतिः परा शिवा न लौकिकीयं वनिता कदापि वा

iyaṁ hi nūnaṁ surakarma sādhituṁ samāgatā daityabalaṁ ca bādhitum purāṇamūrtiḥ prakṛtiḥ parā śivā na laukikīyaṁ vanitā kadāpi vā

Surely she has come to accomplish the work of the gods and to obstruct the demon-army; this is that primeval embodiment famed in the Purana, the supreme Nature, the auspicious Power — she is by no means any worldly woman.

Verse 28 (shiva.uma.48.28)

वधोऽपि नारीविहितोऽयशस्करः प्रगीयते युद्धरसं लिलिक्षुभिः । तथाप्यकृत्वा समरं कथं मुखं प्रदर्शयामोऽसुरराजसन्निधौ

vadho'pi nārīvihito'yaśaskaraḥ pragīyate yuddharasaṁ lilikṣubhiḥ tathāpyakṛtvā samaraṁ kathaṁ mukhaṁ pradarśayāmo'surarājasannidhau

Even so, to slay a woman brings disgrace — this is sung even by those who long for the taste of battle; and yet how, without having fought, shall I show my face before the demon-king?"

Verse 29 (shiva.uma.48.29)

विचारयित्वेति महारथो रथं महान्तमध्यास्य नियन्तृचोदितम् । ययौ द्रुतं यत्र महेश्वराङ्गना सुराङ्गनाप्रार्थितयौवनोद्गमा

vicārayitveti mahāratho rathaṁ mahāntamadhyāsya niyantṛcoditam yayau drutaṁ yatra maheśvarāṅganā surāṅganāprārthitayauvanodgamā

Having thus reflected, that great chariot-warrior, mounting his great chariot driven by his own charioteer, went swiftly to where that lady of the great Lord stood — she whose youthful bloom even the women of heaven might well desire for themselves.

Verse 30 (shiva.uma.48.30)

अवोचदेनां स महेशि किं भवे- देभिर्हतैर्वेतनजीविभिर्भटैः । तवास्ति काङ्क्षा यदि योद्धुमावयो- स्तदा रणः स्याद्धृतयुद्धसत्पटैः

avocadenāṁ sa maheśi kiṁ bhave- debhirhatairvetanajīvibhirbhaṭaiḥ tavāsti kāṅkṣā yadi yoddhumāvayo- stadā raṇaḥ syāddhṛtayuddhasatpaṭaiḥ

He said to her: "O great goddess, what is the use of slaying these soldiers who live on wages? If it is your wish that there be a battle between us two, then let the battle be fought according to the true code of warriors."

Verse 31 (shiva.uma.48.31)

उवाच कालीं प्रति कौशिकी तदा समीक्ष्यतामेष दुराग्रहोऽनयोः । करोति कालो विपदागमे मतिं विभिन्नवृत्तिं सदसत्प्रवर्तकः

uvāca kālīṁ prati kauśikī tadā samīkṣyatāmeṣa durāgraho'nayoḥ karoti kālo vipadāgame matiṁ vibhinnavṛttiṁ sadasatpravartakaḥ

Then Kaushikī said to Kālikā: "See here, the vain obstinacy of these two; when calamity draws near, it is Time itself that produces in the mind this contrary understanding, driving one now toward the right course, now toward the wrong."

Verse 32 (shiva.uma.48.32)

ततो निशुम्भोऽभिजघान चण्डिकां शरैः सहस्रैश्च तथैव कालिकाम् । बिभेद बाणानसुरप्रचोदितान् सहस्रखण्डं स्वशरोत्करैः शिवा

tato niśumbho'bhijaghāna caṇḍikāṁ śaraiḥ sahasraiśca tathaiva kālikām bibheda bāṇānasurapracoditān sahasrakhaṇḍaṁ svaśarotkaraiḥ śivā

Then Nishumbha struck Chaṇḍikā, and likewise Kālikā, with thousands of arrows; the auspicious goddess split those demon-driven arrows into a thousand fragments with her own shower of arrows.

Verse 33 (shiva.uma.48.33)

ततः समुत्थाप्य कृपाणमुज्ज्वलं सचर्म कण्ठीरवमूर्ध्न्यताडयत् । बिभेद तं चापि महासिनाम्बिका यथा कुठारेण तरुं तरुश्छिदः

tataḥ samutthāpya kṛpāṇamujjvalaṁ sacarma kaṇṭhīravamūrdhnyatāḍayat bibheda taṁ cāpi mahāsināmbikā yathā kuṭhāreṇa taruṁ taruśchidaḥ

Then, raising his gleaming sword together with his shield, he struck at the lion's head; Ambikā, with her own great sword, split that too, just as an axe cuts through the very tree from which axe-handles are made.

Verse 34 (shiva.uma.48.34)

स भिन्नखड्गो निचखान मार्गणं पराम्बिकावक्षसि सोऽपि चिच्छिदे । पुनस्त्रिशूलं हृदयेऽक्षिपत्तद- प्यचूर्णयन्मुष्टिनिपातनेन सा

sa bhinnakhaḍgo nicakhāna mārgaṇaṁ parāmbikāvakṣasi so'pi cicchide punastriśūlaṁ hṛdaye'kṣipattada- pyacūrṇayanmuṣṭinipātanena sā

His sword now broken, he hurled a shaft, which too shattered upon the supreme Mother's breast; then he cast a trident at her heart, and this too she pulverized with a single blow of her fist.

Verse 35 (shiva.uma.48.35)

गदां समादाय पुनर्महारथो- ऽभ्यधावदम्बां मरणोन्मुखोऽसुरः । अचूर्णयत्तामपि शूलधारया पुनस्त्रिशूलं विददार सोऽन्यया

gadāṁ samādāya punarmahāratho- 'bhyadhāvadambāṁ maraṇonmukho'suraḥ acūrṇayattāmapi śūladhārayā punastriśūlaṁ vidadāra so'nyayā

Then, taking up a mace, that great demon-warrior, hastening toward death, charged again at the Mother; she pulverized that too with the edge of her trident; and when he hurled yet another trident, she tore that apart as well, with another trident of her own.

Verse 36 (shiva.uma.48.36)

ततोऽम्बिका भीमभुजङ्गमोपमैः सुरद्विषां शोणितचूषणोचितैः । निशुम्भमात्मीयशिलीमुखैः शितै- र्निहत्य भूमीमनयद्विषोक्षितैः

tato'mbikā bhīmabhujaṅgamopamaiḥ suradviṣāṁ śoṇitacūṣaṇocitaiḥ niśumbhamātmīyaśilīmukhaiḥ śitai- rnihatya bhūmīmanayadviṣokṣitaiḥ

Then Ambikā, with her own sharp arrows — terrible as serpents fit to drink the very blood of the gods' enemies — struck down Nishumbha and laid him upon the earth, drenched in blood.

Verse 37 (shiva.uma.48.37)

निपातितेऽमानबलेऽसुरप्रभुः कनीयसि भ्रातरि रोषपूरितः । रथस्थितो बाहुभिरष्टभिर्वृतो जगाम यत्र प्रमदा महेशितुः

nipātite'mānabale'suraprabhuḥ kanīyasi bhrātari roṣapūritaḥ rathasthito bāhubhiraṣṭabhirvṛto jagāma yatra pramadā maheśituḥ

When that demon of measureless strength had thus fallen, his younger [elder, in some tellings] brother, the demon-lord, filled with fury, and surrounded by his own eight arms, went upon his chariot to where that lady of the great Lord stood.

Verse 38 (shiva.uma.48.38)

अवादयच्छङ्खमरिन्दमं तदा धनुःस्वनं चापि चकार दुःसहम् । ननाद सिंहोऽपि सटां विधूनयन् बभूव नादत्रयनादितं नभः

avādayacchaṅkhamarindamaṁ tadā dhanuḥsvanaṁ cāpi cakāra duḥsaham nanāda siṁho'pi saṭāṁ vidhūnayan babhūva nādatrayanāditaṁ nabhaḥ

Then he sounded his conch, which subdues foes, and made the unbearable twang of his own bowstring resound; the lion too roared, shaking its mane, and the sky was filled with the sound of these three roars together.

Verse 39 (shiva.uma.48.39)

ततोऽट्टहासं जगदम्बिकाऽकरो- द्वितत्रसुस्तेन सुरारयोऽखिलाः । जयेति शब्दं जगदुस्तदा सुरा यदाम्बिकोवाच रणे स्थिरो भव

tato'ṭṭahāsaṁ jagadambikā'karo- dvitatrasustena surārayo'khilāḥ jayeti śabdaṁ jagadustadā surā yadāmbikovāca raṇe sthiro bhava

Then Jagadambikā let out a peal of laughter, at which every enemy of the gods trembled; and the gods raised the cry of "Victory!" the very instant Ambikā said, "Stand firm in the battle."

Verse 40 (shiva.uma.48.40)

स दैत्यराजो महतीं ज्वलच्छिखां मुमोच शक्तिं निहता च सोल्कया । बिभेद शुम्भप्रहितान् शरान् शिवा शिवेरितान्सोऽपि सहस्रधा शरान्

sa daityarājo mahatīṁ jvalacchikhāṁ mumoca śaktiṁ nihatā ca solkayā bibheda śumbhaprahitān śarān śivā śiveritānso'pi sahasradhā śarān

That demon-king hurled a vast, blazing spear-weapon; though struck by that flaming missile, the auspicious goddess still split, with her own arrows, the shafts sent forth by Shumbha into a thousand pieces.

Verse 41 (shiva.uma.48.41)

त्रिशूलमुत्क्षिप्य जघान चण्डिका महासुरं तं स पपात मूर्च्छितः । विभिन्नपक्षो हरिणा यथा नगः प्रकम्पयन् द्यां वसुधां सवारिधिम्

triśūlamutkṣipya jaghāna caṇḍikā mahāsuraṁ taṁ sa papāta mūrcchitaḥ vibhinnapakṣo hariṇā yathā nagaḥ prakampayan dyāṁ vasudhāṁ savāridhim

Raising her trident, Chaṇḍikā struck that great demon; he fell down in a swoon, like a mountain whose wings Indra had severed, shaking heaven, earth, and the very ocean as it fell.

Verse 42 (shiva.uma.48.42)

ततो मृषित्वा त्रिशिखोद्भवां व्यथां विधाय बाहूनयुतं महाबलः । स कालिकां सिंहयुतां महेश्वरीं जघान चक्रैरमरक्षयङ्करैः

tato mṛṣitvā triśikhodbhavāṁ vyathāṁ vidhāya bāhūnayutaṁ mahābalaḥ sa kālikāṁ siṁhayutāṁ maheśvarīṁ jaghāna cakrairamarakṣayaṅkaraiḥ

Then, having shaken off the pain of that trident-blow, that mighty demon, assuming ten thousand arms, hurled at Kālikā, the great goddess with her lion, discuses capable of destroying even the gods.

Verse 43 (shiva.uma.48.43)

तदस्य चक्राणि विभिद्य लीलया त्रिशूलमुद्गूर्य जघान सासुरम् । शिवाजगत्पावनपाणिपङ्कजा- दुपात्तमृत्यू परमं पदं गतौ

tadasya cakrāṇi vibhidya līlayā triśūlamudgūrya jaghāna sāsuram śivājagatpāvanapāṇipaṅkajā- dupāttamṛtyū paramaṁ padaṁ gatau

Playfully shattering those discuses too, she raised her trident and struck down that demon; and thus both those demons, receiving death from the lotus hand of that goddess who purifies the world, attained the supreme abode.

Verse 44 (shiva.uma.48.44)

हते तस्मिन्महावीर्ये निशुम्भे भीमविक्रमे । शुम्भे च सकला दैत्या विविशुर्बलिसद्मनि

hate tasminmahāvīrye niśumbhe bhīmavikrame śumbhe ca sakalā daityā viviśurbalisadmani

When that Nishumbha of mighty strength and terrible prowess, and Shumbha too, were slain, all the remaining demons entered the abode of Bali.

Verse 45 (shiva.uma.48.45)

भक्षिता अपरे कालीसिंहाद्यैरमरद्विषः । पलायितास्तथान्ये च दशदिक्षु भयाकुलाः

bhakṣitā apare kālīsiṁhādyairamaradviṣaḥ palāyitāstathānye ca daśadikṣu bhayākulāḥ

Some other enemies of the gods were devoured by Kālikā, by her lion, and by others; and the rest, seized with fear, fled away in the ten directions.

Verse 46 (shiva.uma.48.46)

बभूवुर्मार्गवाहिन्यः सरितः स्वच्छपाथसः । ववुर्वाताः सुखस्पर्शा निर्मलत्वं ययौ नभः

babhūvurmārgavāhinyaḥ saritaḥ svacchapāthasaḥ vavurvātāḥ sukhasparśā nirmalatvaṁ yayau nabhaḥ

The rivers, flowing along their courses, once more became clear-watered; the winds blew pleasant to the touch, and the sky too attained purity.

Verse 47 (shiva.uma.48.47)

पुनर्यागः समारेभे देवैर्ब्रह्मर्षिभिस्तथा । सुखिनश्चाभवन्सर्वे महेन्द्राद्या दिवौकसः

punaryāgaḥ samārebhe devairbrahmarṣibhistathā sukhinaścābhavansarve mahendrādyā divaukasaḥ

The gods and the brahmin-sages once more resumed their sacred rites, and Mahendra and all the other dwellers of heaven became happy once again.

Verse 48 (shiva.uma.48.48)

पवित्रं परमं पुण्यमुमायाश्चरितं प्रभो । दैत्यराजवधोपेतं श्रद्धया यः समभ्यसेत्

pavitraṁ paramaṁ puṇyamumāyāścaritaṁ prabho daityarājavadhopetaṁ śraddhayā yaḥ samabhyaset

O lord, this pure and supremely meritorious story of Umā's deeds, together with the slaying of the demon-kings — whoever devotedly and repeatedly studies it,

Verse 49 (shiva.uma.48.49)

स भुक्त्वेहाखिलान्भोगांस्त्रिदशैरपि दुर्लभान् । परत्रोमालयं गच्छेन्महामायाप्रसादतः

sa bhuktvehākhilānbhogāṁstridaśairapi durlabhān paratromālayaṁ gacchenmahāmāyāprasādataḥ

having enjoyed, here in this world, every pleasure rare even for the gods, shall attain, in the world beyond, by the grace of Mahāmāyā, to Umā's own abode.

Verse 50 (shiva.uma.48.50)

ऋषिरुवाच । एवं देवी समुत्पन्ना शुम्भासुरनिबर्हिणी । प्रोक्ता सरस्वती साक्षादुमांशाविर्भवा नृप

ṛṣiruvāca evaṁ devī samutpannā śumbhāsuranibarhiṇī proktā sarasvatī sākṣādumāṁśāvirbhavā nṛpa

The sage said: Thus arose that goddess, the destroyer of the demon Shumbha — she who, O king, is declared to be none other than Sarasvatī, manifest, in visible form, from a portion of Umā.