The Battle Between the Goddess and Mahishasura

Verse 1 (skanda.1.111.1)

ब्रह्मोवाच । अथ देवा महीं हित्वा महिषासुरपीडिताः । नत्वा गौरीं तपस्यंतीं जग्मुः शरणमाकुलाः

brahmovāca atha devā mahīṁ hitvā mahiṣāsurapīḍitāḥ natvā gaurīṁ tapasyaṁtīṁ jagmuḥ śaraṇamākulāḥ

Brahma said: Then the gods, oppressed by Mahishasura, forsaking the earth, bowed to Gauri, who was performing austerity, and, in their distress, went to her for refuge.

Verse 2 (skanda.1.111.2)

अथ तानभयं देहि देवीति भयविह्वलान् । अमरान्वीक्ष्य सा देवी किं कार्यमिति चाभ्यधात्

atha tānabhayaṁ dehi devīti bhayavihvalān amarānvīkṣya sā devī kiṁ kāryamiti cābhyadhāt

Beholding those gods overwhelmed with fear, that goddess said: 'O gods, freedom from fear be yours — tell me, what is to be done?'

Verse 3 (skanda.1.111.3)

ततो विज्ञापयामासुर्दैत्येंद्राद्भयमात्मनाम् । देव्यै बद्धांजलिपुटा देवा इंद्रपुरोगमाः

tato vijñāpayāmāsurdaityeṁdrādbhayamātmanām devyai baddhāṁjalipuṭā devā iṁdrapurogamāḥ

Then the gods, led by Indra, with joined palms, made known to the goddess the fear that had arisen in them from the lord of the demons.

Verse 4 (skanda.1.111.4)

देवा ऊचुः । अप्सरोभिः परिवृतः सुखं क्रीडति नंदने । ऐरावतमुखान्सर्वान्दिङ्नागान्निजमंदिरे

devā ūcuḥ apsarobhiḥ parivṛtaḥ sukhaṁ krīḍati naṁdane airāvatamukhānsarvāndiṅnāgānnijamaṁdire

The gods said: 'Surrounded by celestial nymphs, he sports at ease in the Nandana grove; all the elephant-guardians of the directions, headed by Airavata, in his own dwelling —'

Verse 5 (skanda.1.111.5)

आवसयन्विनोदार्थमंगनाभिः सहागतान् । उच्चैःश्रवःपुरोगानामुपभोगं करोत्यसौ

āvasayanvinodārthamaṁganābhiḥ sahāgatān uccaiḥśravaḥpurogānāmupabhogaṁ karotyasau

'— he settles there for his own amusement together with women, and makes even Uchchaihshravas and the rest into objects for his own enjoyment.'

Verse 6 (skanda.1.111.6)

मंदुरास्वस्य रम्यासु दृश्यंते लक्षकोटयः । हुताशवाहनं मेषं पुत्रारोहार्थमीप्सति

maṁdurāsvasya ramyāsu dṛśyaṁte lakṣakoṭayaḥ hutāśavāhanaṁ meṣaṁ putrārohārthamīpsati

'In his delightful stables are to be seen millions and millions of horses; the ram, mount of fire, he desires to bring for his own son to ride.'

Verse 7 (skanda.1.111.7)

याम्यं महिषमानीय शकटे सोऽभ्यवाहयत् । सिद्धीराकृष्य सकला गृहकर्मणि चादिशत्

yāmyaṁ mahiṣamānīya śakaṭe so'bhyavāhayat siddhīrākṛṣya sakalā gṛhakarmaṇi cādiśat

'Yama's own buffalo he has taken and yoked to a chariot; all the divine powers he has dragged away and set to household tasks.'

Verse 8 (skanda.1.111.8)

अप्सरःसंघमखिलमात्मसेवार्थमानयत् । अन्यत्किमपि यद्वस्तु रत्नभूतं जगत्त्रये

apsaraḥsaṁghamakhilamātmasevārthamānayat anyatkimapi yadvastu ratnabhūtaṁ jagattraye

'The whole host of celestial nymphs he has brought for his own service; whatever other thing there is in the three worlds that is like a jewel —'

Verse 9 (skanda.1.111.9)

अनाहृतं पुनर्हर्तुं न विश्राम्यति कोपवान् । वयं च सेवका भूत्वा नित्यं भीतिसमन्विताः

anāhṛtaṁ punarhartuṁ na viśrāmyati kopavān vayaṁ ca sevakā bhūtvā nityaṁ bhītisamanvitāḥ

'— unless it is brought to him, he, filled with rage, finds no rest; and we, becoming his servants, ever gripped by fear,'

Verse 10 (skanda.1.111.10)

पूजयंतश्च तस्याज्ञां नान्यां वीक्षामहे गतिम् । शरणागतसंत्राणं तपःफलमुदाहृतम्

pūjayaṁtaśca tasyājñāṁ nānyāṁ vīkṣāmahe gatim śaraṇāgatasaṁtrāṇaṁ tapaḥphalamudāhṛtam

'— honouring only his command, see no other recourse. To protect one who has taken refuge is declared to be the very fruit of austerity.'

Verse 11 (skanda.1.111.11)

दुर्जयोऽयं वरो दैत्यः सर्वेषां बलिनामपि । सुराणामपि दैत्यानां शिवाल्लब्धवरोदयः

durjayo'yaṁ varo daityaḥ sarveṣāṁ balināmapi surāṇāmapi daityānāṁ śivāllabdhavarodayaḥ

'This foremost demon is unconquerable even among all the mighty; among gods and demons alike he has risen, having obtained a boon from Shiva.'

Verse 12 (skanda.1.111.12)

अस्य शृंगाहतः सिंधुर्व्यावर्जितमिति ब्रुवन् । रत्नोपहारदानेन नित्यं तत्प्रीतिमिच्छति

asya śṛṁgāhataḥ siṁdhurvyāvarjitamiti bruvan ratnopahāradānena nityaṁ tatprītimicchati

'The very ocean, struck by his horn, bows down before him — so it is said — and, by offering him gems, he ever seeks his favour.'

Verse 13 (skanda.1.111.13)

पर्वतांश्च समुत्क्षिप्य शृंगाग्रेण महोद्धतः । क्रीडति क्षोदिताशेषधातुधूलिविलेपनैः

parvatāṁśca samutkṣipya śṛṁgāgreṇa mahoddhataḥ krīḍati kṣoditāśeṣadhātudhūlivilepanaiḥ

'Tossing up whole mountains upon the tip of his horn, exceedingly arrogant, he plays about, smeared with the dust of every ore ground fine.'

Verse 14 (skanda.1.111.14)

न शक्यमतुलं तस्य बलमन्यदुरासदम् । स्वयमेव विजानीहि हत्वा ते निजतेजसा

na śakyamatulaṁ tasya balamanyadurāsadam svayameva vijānīhi hatvā te nijatejasā

'His matchless strength is unattainable by any other; know this yourself — that he must be slain by your own radiance alone.'

Verse 15 (skanda.1.111.15)

शंभुशक्तिः परा सेयं स्त्रीरूपेणात्र दृश्यते । त्वयैवायं निहंतव्यः शिवाल्लब्धवरो ह्ययम्

śaṁbhuśaktiḥ parā seyaṁ strīrūpeṇātra dṛśyate tvayaivāyaṁ nihaṁtavyaḥ śivāllabdhavaro hyayam

'That supreme Shakti of Shambhu appears here in the form of a woman; by you alone must he be slain, since it was from Shiva that he obtained this very boon.'

Verse 16 (skanda.1.111.16)

न जानीमो वयं देवि किंचिच्छंभुविचेष्टितम् । केवलं पालनीयाः स्म जगन्मात्रा सदा त्वया

na jānīmo vayaṁ devi kiṁcicchaṁbhuviceṣṭitam kevalaṁ pālanīyāḥ sma jaganmātrā sadā tvayā

'O goddess, we know nothing at all of Shambhu's play; we are only ever to be protected by you alone, O mother of the world.'

Verse 17 (skanda.1.111.17)

इति तेषां भयार्तानामाकर्ण्य वचनं शुभम् । व्याजहार प्रसन्नात्मा देवी दत्त्वाभयं तदा

iti teṣāṁ bhayārtānāmākarṇya vacanaṁ śubham vyājahāra prasannātmā devī dattvābhayaṁ tadā

Hearing this auspicious speech of theirs, tormented by fear, the goddess, her mind pleased, then granted them freedom from fear and spoke thus.

Verse 18 (skanda.1.111.18)

शरणागतसंत्राणं तपसि स्थितया मया । कर्त्तव्यममराः कालात्क्षीणः शत्रुर्भविष्यति

śaraṇāgatasaṁtrāṇaṁ tapasi sthitayā mayā karttavyamamarāḥ kālātkṣīṇaḥ śatrurbhaviṣyati

'The protection of one who has taken refuge is indeed something I, established in austerity, must do, O gods! In time this enemy, worn thin, shall meet his end.'

Verse 19 (skanda.1.111.19)

उपायेन समाकृष्य हनिष्यामि महासुरम् । निरागसस्तु हननमद्य मे न हि युज्यते

upāyena samākṛṣya haniṣyāmi mahāsuram nirāgasastu hananamadya me na hi yujyate

'Drawing him in by a stratagem, I shall slay the great demon; for slaying one who has committed no offense is not fitting for me today.'

Verse 20 (skanda.1.111.20)

धर्मगे धर्मभेत्तारः शलभत्वं व्रजंति हि । देवास्तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा प्रणम्य गिरिकन्यकाम्

dharmage dharmabhettāraḥ śalabhatvaṁ vrajaṁti hi devāstadvacanaṁ śrutvā praṇamya girikanyakām

'Those who break dharma against one who follows dharma become as it were mere locusts.' The gods, hearing this word of hers, bowing before the daughter of the mountain,

Verse 21 (skanda.1.111.21)

जग्मुर्यथागतं सर्वे निर्भया हृष्टचेतसः

jagmuryathāgataṁ sarve nirbhayā hṛṣṭacetasaḥ

all went back, just as they had come, free of fear and gladdened in heart.

Verse 22 (skanda.1.111.22)

गतेषु तेषु देवेषु गौरी कमललोचना । बभूव मोहिनी शक्तिः कांतियुक्ता ततोदरी

gateṣu teṣu deveṣu gaurī kamalalocanā babhūva mohinī śaktiḥ kāṁtiyuktā tatodarī

When those gods had gone, lotus-eyed Gauri became a bewitching Shakti, radiant, her waist slender.

Verse 23 (skanda.1.111.23)

सा देवी दिक्षु शैलेषु चतुर्ष्वरुणभूभृतः । रक्षार्थं स्थापितवती चतुरो बटुकान्वरान्

sā devī dikṣu śaileṣu caturṣvaruṇabhūbhṛtaḥ rakṣārthaṁ sthāpitavatī caturo baṭukānvarān

That goddess established, upon the four mountains standing in the four directions of the mountain Aruna, four excellent young attendants for its protection.

Verse 24 (skanda.1.111.24)

यदा कैलासशिखरादागता शैलकन्यका । अन्वगच्छन्सेवमानाश्चतस्रो मातरस्तदा

yadā kailāsaśikharādāgatā śailakanyakā anvagacchansevamānāścatasro mātarastadā

When the mountain's daughter had come here from the peak of Kailasa, four mothers had followed after her, waiting upon her.

Verse 25 (skanda.1.111.25)

दुन्दुभिः सत्यवत्याख्या तथा चानवमी परा । सुन्दरीति चतस्रस्तामन्वयुः परिचारिकाः

dundubhiḥ satyavatyākhyā tathā cānavamī parā sundarīti catasrastāmanvayuḥ paricārikāḥ

Dundubhi, one named Satyavati, another named Anavami, and Sundari — these four attendants had come following her.

Verse 26 (skanda.1.111.26)

विमुञ्चतातिथिं श्रांतं क्षुत्पिपासा समन्वितम् । अरुणाद्रिमिमं द्रष्टुं नान्यमित्यब्रवीच्च तान्

vimuñcatātithiṁ śrāṁtaṁ kṣutpipāsā samanvitam aruṇādrimimaṁ draṣṭuṁ nānyamityabravīcca tān

She said to them: 'Only let through a weary guest, oppressed by hunger and thirst, who wants nothing but to see this Arunadri — no other.'

Verse 27 (skanda.1.111.27)

सीमाशलस्थितान्वीरांस्तानादिश्य बलाधिकान् । तपश्चचाराद्रिकन्या गौतमाश्रमसन्निधौ

sīmāśalasthitānvīrāṁstānādiśya balādhikān tapaścacārādrikanyā gautamāśramasannidhau

Having thus instructed those mighty heroes stationed on the boundary mountains, the mountain's daughter performed austerity in the vicinity of Gautama's hermitage.

Verse 28 (skanda.1.111.28)

तस्यां तपत्यां तन्वंग्यां न तापः कश्चिदप्यभूत् । ववर्ष काले जलदः सफलाश्चाभवन्द्रुमाः

tasyāṁ tapatyāṁ tanvaṁgyāṁ na tāpaḥ kaścidapyabhūt vavarṣa kāle jaladaḥ saphalāścābhavandrumāḥ

As that slender one performed her austerity, no distress of any kind touched her; in due season the clouds rained, and the trees became laden with fruit.

Verse 29 (skanda.1.111.29)

विरोधीनि च सत्त्वानि मुमुचुः पूर्वमत्सरम् । आश्रमः सर्वजन्तूनां शरण्योऽभूद्भयापहः

virodhīni ca sattvāni mumucuḥ pūrvamatsaram āśramaḥ sarvajantūnāṁ śaraṇyo'bhūdbhayāpahaḥ

Even mutually hostile creatures gave up their former enmity; that hermitage became for all beings a place of refuge, a remover of fear.

Verse 30 (skanda.1.111.30)

योजनद्वयपर्यंतं सीमाशैलेषु संस्थितैः । चतुभिर्वटकैः शूरै रक्षितश्चारुणाचलः

yojanadvayaparyaṁtaṁ sīmāśaileṣu saṁsthitaiḥ catubhirvaṭakaiḥ śūrai rakṣitaścāruṇācalaḥ

For a boundary of two yojanas, Arunachala remained guarded by those four heroic attendants stationed upon the boundary mountains.

Verse 31 (skanda.1.111.31)

नोदभूत्कश्चन त्रासो न च दृष्टो भयोदयः । न व्याधिपीडनं चासीत्तत्र नारिविजृंभणम्

nodabhūtkaścana trāso na ca dṛṣṭo bhayodayaḥ na vyādhipīḍanaṁ cāsīttatra nārivijṛṁbhaṇam

There arose there no terror at all, nor was any rise of fear ever seen; there was no affliction of disease there, nor any outbreak of enmity.

Verse 32 (skanda.1.111.32)

कृतार्था मुनयः सर्वे प्रशंसंतो नगात्मजाम् । शिवलोकपदं केचित्प्रत्यशंसंस्तथाश्रमम्

kṛtārthā munayaḥ sarve praśaṁsaṁto nagātmajām śivalokapadaṁ kecitpratyaśaṁsaṁstathāśramam

All the sages, praising the mountain's daughter, became fulfilled; some even likened that hermitage to the very rank of Shiva's own world.

Verse 33 (skanda.1.111.33)

सा च गौरी तपो घोरं कुर्वती च दिवानिशम् । न तृप्तिमाययौ बाला शिवसंतोषकारकम्

sā ca gaurī tapo ghoraṁ kurvatī ca divāniśam na tṛptimāyayau bālā śivasaṁtoṣakārakam

And that Gauri, though performing terrible austerity day and night, that slender maiden never once attained a satisfaction that seemed sufficient to please Shiva.

Verse 34 (skanda.1.111.34)

महिषश्च महावीर्यो मृगयां कर्तुमुद्यतः । चचार काननं सर्वं विदूरे शोणभूभृतः

mahiṣaśca mahāvīryo mṛgayāṁ kartumudyataḥ cacāra kānanaṁ sarvaṁ vidūre śoṇabhūbhṛtaḥ

Meanwhile the mighty Mahisha, setting out to hunt, roamed through the whole forest, far from the mountain of the red hue.

Verse 35 (skanda.1.111.35)

दैत्यसैन्यसमायुक्तो मृगयूथान्यनेकशः । वनेषु निघ्नस्तरसा विचचाराशु भक्षयन्

daityasainyasamāyukto mṛgayūthānyanekaśaḥ vaneṣu nighnastarasā vicacārāśu bhakṣayan

Joined with his demon army, he roamed swiftly through the forests, killing many herds of deer with great speed and quickly devouring them.

Verse 36 (skanda.1.111.36)

धन्विभिर्बलिभिर्वीरैर्मृगाः केचिदनुद्रुताः । भयार्त्ताः परिधावंतः प्राविशंस्तं तथाश्रमम्

dhanvibhirbalibhirvīrairmṛgāḥ kecidanudrutāḥ bhayārttāḥ paridhāvaṁtaḥ prāviśaṁstaṁ tathāśramam

Some deer, chased by the bow-bearing, mighty warriors, running about in terror, entered that very hermitage.

Verse 37 (skanda.1.111.37)

अनुव्रजन्तो दितिजा मृगांस्तान्हंतुमुद्यताः । वारिता बटुकैर्वीरैर्मा यातात्रेति सत्वरैः

anuvrajanto ditijā mṛgāṁstānhaṁtumudyatāḥ vāritā baṭukairvīrairmā yātātreti satvaraiḥ

The demons, chasing those deer, eager to kill them, were quickly stopped by the heroic attendants, who said, 'Do not go there.'

Verse 38 (skanda.1.111.38)

किमत्रेति तदा पृष्टा बटुका दुष्टदानवैः । तपस्यति वरारोहा कन्यात्रेत्याहुरंजसा

kimatreti tadā pṛṣṭā baṭukā duṣṭadānavaiḥ tapasyati varārohā kanyātretyāhuraṁjasā

Asked by the evil demons, 'What is there here?', the attendants at once replied, 'A maiden of excellent form performs austerity here.'

Verse 39 (skanda.1.111.39)

न केनचित्प्रवेष्टव्यं बलिना मुनिसेवितम् । तपःस्थानमिदं देव्याः शरणागतरक्षकम्

na kenacitpraveṣṭavyaṁ balinā munisevitam tapaḥsthānamidaṁ devyāḥ śaraṇāgatarakṣakam

'No one of great strength, whoever he be, should enter here; this is the sage-served place of the goddess's austerity, protector of those who take refuge.'

Verse 40 (skanda.1.111.40)

इति तेषां वचः श्रुत्वा बलिनो दुष्टदानवाः । तथेति विनिवृत्त्याशु कर्त्तव्यं समचिंतयन्

iti teṣāṁ vacaḥ śrutvā balino duṣṭadānavāḥ tatheti vinivṛttyāśu karttavyaṁ samaciṁtayan

Hearing these words of theirs, the mighty and wicked demons, saying 'so be it,' turned back and quickly began to consider what should now be done.

Verse 41 (skanda.1.111.41)

मायया पक्षिरूपास्ते प्रविश्याश्रममादरात् । आरामवृक्षशाखासु निषेदुः खादिहेक्षितुम्

māyayā pakṣirūpāste praviśyāśramamādarāt ārāmavṛkṣaśākhāsu niṣeduḥ khādihekṣitum

Taking on, through maya, the form of birds, they entered the hermitage with due care and perched upon the branches of the garden trees to watch her.

Verse 42 (skanda.1.111.42)

सा पुनर्ल्लसितारण्ये सर्वर्तुकुसुमान्विते । तपस्यन्ती तदा दृष्टा माया दैत्यस्य सैनिकैः

sā punarllasitāraṇye sarvartukusumānvite tapasyantī tadā dṛṣṭā māyā daityasya sainikaiḥ

Performing austerity in that lovely forest, filled with the flowers of every season, she was then seen through maya by the demon's soldiers.

Verse 43 (skanda.1.111.43)

रूपलावण्यते तस्या निश्चयं तपसि स्थितम् । वीक्ष्य ते विस्मयोपेता गत्वा तस्मै न्यवेदयन्

rūpalāvaṇyate tasyā niścayaṁ tapasi sthitam vīkṣya te vismayopetā gatvā tasmai nyavedayan

Beholding her beauty and grace and her resolve fixed firmly in austerity, they, filled with wonder, went and reported it to him.

Verse 44 (skanda.1.111.44)

स स्मरार्तो वृद्धरूपः प्रविवेशाश्रमं तदा । पूजितोऽस्याः सखीभिश्च गतश्रांतिरिव स्थितः

sa smarārto vṛddharūpaḥ praviveśāśramaṁ tadā pūjito'syāḥ sakhībhiśca gataśrāṁtiriva sthitaḥ

Then, tormented by desire, he took the form of an old man and entered that hermitage; honoured by her companions, he sat down as if his weariness had already passed.

Verse 45 (skanda.1.111.45)

वृद्धोऽपृच्छत्किमर्थं तु तपोऽस्या इति तास्तथा । बाला कांतप्रसादार्थं चिरमत्र तपस्यति

vṛddho'pṛcchatkimarthaṁ tu tapo'syā iti tāstathā bālā kāṁtaprasādārthaṁ ciramatra tapasyati

That old man asked: 'For what purpose is this austerity?' They said: 'This maiden has for a long time been performing austerity here for the favour of a husband.'

Verse 46 (skanda.1.111.46)

परं स बलवान्कांतो न कदापि प्रसीदति । कार्यं विवाहसमये मनोरथं यथोचितम्

paraṁ sa balavānkāṁto na kadāpi prasīdati kāryaṁ vivāhasamaye manorathaṁ yathocitam

'But that mighty beloved never becomes pleased; the tasks that should be done at the time of marriage, as befits one's heart's desire —'

Verse 47 (skanda.1.111.47)

अपूर्वप्रभुणा तेन नवोपकरणं महत् । सद्योजातकुलालेन सद्यः सृष्टैर्विपाचितैः

apūrvaprabhuṇā tena navopakaraṇaṁ mahat sadyojātakulālena sadyaḥ sṛṣṭairvipācitaiḥ

'— great and unprecedented implements given by an unheard-of lord, freshly fashioned and fired by a potter freshly created —'

Verse 48 (skanda.1.111.48)

भाजनरपि साद्यस्कैर्न्यस्तः पक्वैश्च शालिभिः । तादृशैः साधनैः सर्वैस्तादृशैर्द्रव्यसंचयैः

bhājanarapi sādyaskairnyastaḥ pakvaiśca śālibhiḥ tādṛśaiḥ sādhanaiḥ sarvaistādṛśairdravyasaṁcayaiḥ

'— vessels made in that same instant, filled too with rice cooked that same instant — with just such implements, with just such gathered wealth,'

Verse 49 (skanda.1.111.49)

अपूर्वदृष्टविभवैः कार्यं स्यादुपकारणम् । सिद्धे तथोपकरणेऽस्याः सद्योऽस्तु स्वयंवरः

apūrvadṛṣṭavibhavaiḥ kāryaṁ syādupakāraṇam siddhe tathopakaraṇe'syāḥ sadyo'stu svayaṁvaraḥ

'— with unheard-of, unseen splendour, must this preparation be made; and, once such preparation is accomplished, let her marriage-choice follow at once.'

Verse 50 (skanda.1.111.50)

इति तासां वचः श्रुत्वा विहसन्महिषोऽभ्यधात् । तपःफलमहं प्राप्तः सत्यमस्या इति स्थितम् । मदीया सकलां भूतिं शृणु बाले तपस्विनि

iti tāsāṁ vacaḥ śrutvā vihasanmahiṣo'bhyadhāt tapaḥphalamahaṁ prāptaḥ satyamasyā iti sthitam madīyā sakalāṁ bhūtiṁ śṛṇu bāle tapasvini

Hearing their words, Mahisha, laughing, said: 'That I am the very fruit of her austerity — this stands true. Hear, O ascetic maiden, all of my own majesty.'

Verse 51 (skanda.1.111.51)

महिषोऽहं महावीरो दैत्येन्द्रः सुरवंदितः । जगत्त्रयमिदं सर्वं मयैव परिगृह्यते

mahiṣo'haṁ mahāvīro daityendraḥ suravaṁditaḥ jagattrayamidaṁ sarvaṁ mayaiva parigṛhyate

'I am the mighty Mahisha, lord of demons, revered even by the gods; these three worlds, entire, are held by me alone.'

Verse 52 (skanda.1.111.52)

अनन्यवीरसद्भावो मय्येव भुजशुष्मणा । कामरूपोस्म्यहं बाले सर्वभोगप्रदायकः

ananyavīrasadbhāvo mayyeva bhujaśuṣmaṇā kāmarūposmyahaṁ bāle sarvabhogapradāyakaḥ

'There is no true valour of any other hero but in the strength of my own arms alone; O maiden, I am one who takes any form at will, granter of every enjoyment.'

Verse 53 (skanda.1.111.53)

भज मां तव भर्त्तारं प्राणिनां तपसः फलम् । सर्वं संपादयिष्यामि कल्पवृक्षैः समाहृतैः

bhaja māṁ tava bharttāraṁ prāṇināṁ tapasaḥ phalam sarvaṁ saṁpādayiṣyāmi kalpavṛkṣaiḥ samāhṛtaiḥ

'Take me as your husband, I who am the very fruit of the austerity of living beings; I shall accomplish everything by bringing the wish-fulfilling trees.'

Verse 54 (skanda.1.111.54)

सृजामि तपसा चाहं विश्वकर्माणमादितः । कामधेनुसहस्राणि सृजामि तपसा क्षणात्

sṛjāmi tapasā cāhaṁ viśvakarmāṇamāditaḥ kāmadhenusahasrāṇi sṛjāmi tapasā kṣaṇāt

'By austerity I create Vishvakarma right at the start; by austerity I create thousands of wish-fulfilling cows in an instant.'

Verse 55 (skanda.1.111.55)

नवभिर्निधिभिः प्राप्तैः पार्श्वस्थैर्नित्यदा मम । अपेक्षितार्थसंसिद्धिः सहसैवोपपाद्यते

navabhirnidhibhiḥ prāptaiḥ pārśvasthairnityadā mama apekṣitārthasaṁsiddhiḥ sahasaivopapādyate

'Through the nine treasures ever at my side, whatever desired purpose is required is accomplished at once.'

Verse 56 (skanda.1.111.56)

इति तस्य वचः श्रुत्वा स्मृतदेवाभवत्क्रमात् । विसृज्य मौनं शनकैर्विहसंती तमब्रवीत्

iti tasya vacaḥ śrutvā smṛtadevābhavatkramāt visṛjya maunaṁ śanakairvihasaṁtī tamabravīt

Hearing his words, gradually remembering the gods, she, releasing her silence, spoke to him slowly, with a smile.

Verse 57 (skanda.1.111.57)

अहं बलवतो भार्या भविष्यामि तपश्चिरम् । करोमि यद्यसि बली बलं दर्शय मे निजम्

ahaṁ balavato bhāryā bhaviṣyāmi tapaściram karomi yadyasi balī balaṁ darśaya me nijam

'I shall become the wife of the strong — this is the very austerity of long duration; if you are strong, show me your own strength, and I shall act accordingly.'

Verse 58 (skanda.1.111.58)

विरच स्त्रीस्वभावं स्वं श्रुत्वा तद्वाक्यमुत्थितम् । हते कोयमिति क्रोधान्ननर्द महिषासुरः

viraca strīsvabhāvaṁ svaṁ śrutvā tadvākyamutthitam hate koyamiti krodhānnanarda mahiṣāsuraḥ

Setting aside his womanly disguise upon hearing this arisen speech of hers, Mahishasura roared in fury, 'Who is this that wishes to be slain?'

Verse 59 (skanda.1.111.59)

जिघृक्षतं समायांतं वीक्ष्य तं महिषासुरम् । अभूद्दुरासदा दुर्गा कन्या सा ज्वलनाकृतिः

jighṛkṣataṁ samāyāṁtaṁ vīkṣya taṁ mahiṣāsuram abhūddurāsadā durgā kanyā sā jvalanākṛtiḥ

Beholding that Mahishasura advancing to seize her, that maiden became unassailable Durga, her form like a very flame.

Verse 60 (skanda.1.111.60)

महामायां समालोक्य ज्वलंती पुरतः स्थिताम् । स्वयं स महिषाकारो ववृधे मेरुसन्निभः

mahāmāyāṁ samālokya jvalaṁtī purataḥ sthitām svayaṁ sa mahiṣākāro vavṛdhe merusannibhaḥ

Beholding that blazing Mahamaya standing before him, he himself too swelled up into buffalo form, vast as Meru.

Verse 61 (skanda.1.111.61)

कुलभूधरशृंगाणि शृंगाभ्यां मुहुराक्षिपन् । आजुहाव निजां सेनामापूरितदिगंतराम्

kulabhūdharaśṛṁgāṇi śṛṁgābhyāṁ muhurākṣipan ājuhāva nijāṁ senāmāpūritadigaṁtarām

Tossing up, again and again, the peaks of the great mountains with his very horns, he summoned his own army, filling the spaces between the quarters of the sky.

Verse 62 (skanda.1.111.62)

अथ ब्रह्ममुखा देवाः प्रणम्य विविधायुधैः । पूजयामासुरात्मीयैर्दुर्गां कालाग्निरूपिणीम्

atha brahmamukhā devāḥ praṇamya vividhāyudhaiḥ pūjayāmāsurātmīyairdurgāṁ kālāgnirūpiṇīm

Then the gods, led by Brahma, bowing, worshipped Durga, in her form as the very fire of dissolution, with their own various weapons.

Verse 63 (skanda.1.111.63)

पंचहेतीर्हरिः प्रादाद्दश चापि सदाशिवः । ब्रह्मा चतस्रश्च तदा तस्यै मायातिरोहिताः

paṁcahetīrhariḥ prādāddaśa cāpi sadāśivaḥ brahmā catasraśca tadā tasyai māyātirohitāḥ

Vishnu granted her five weapons, Sadashiva ten as well, and Brahma four — these were then hidden within her by her own maya.

Verse 64 (skanda.1.111.64)

दिक्पालाश्च सुराश्चान्ये पर्वताश्च पयोधयः । स्वीयैराभरणैः शस्त्रैरधृष्यास्तामपूजयन्

dikpālāśca surāścānye parvatāśca payodhayaḥ svīyairābharaṇaiḥ śastrairadhṛṣyāstāmapūjayan

The guardians of the directions, other gods, mountains, and oceans too, with their own ornaments and weapons, worshipped that invincible goddess.

Verse 65 (skanda.1.111.65)

माया सा बहुभिर्हस्तैर्ज्वलदायुधसंचयैः । आबद्धकवचा तूर्णं दुर्गाभूत्सिंहवाहना

māyā sā bahubhirhastairjvaladāyudhasaṁcayaiḥ ābaddhakavacā tūrṇaṁ durgābhūtsiṁhavāhanā

That Maya, with many hands bearing blazing hosts of weapons, girding on her armour, swiftly became Durga, mounted upon a lion.

Verse 66 (skanda.1.111.66)

आपूरितदिशाभोगा तेजस्तत्सोढुमक्षमः । दुर्गाया घोरमालोक्य महिषस्तु पलायितः

āpūritadiśābhogā tejastatsoḍhumakṣamaḥ durgāyā ghoramālokya mahiṣastu palāyitaḥ

Unable to withstand that radiance which filled the very quarters of the sky, beholding Durga's terrible aspect, Mahisha fled.

Verse 67 (skanda.1.111.67)

अथ तेजो निजं घोरं प्रज्वलत्सोढुमक्षमम् । पलायमानमालोक्य महिषं सा व्यचिंतयत्

atha tejo nijaṁ ghoraṁ prajvalatsoḍhumakṣamam palāyamānamālokya mahiṣaṁ sā vyaciṁtayat

Then, beholding Mahisha fleeing from her own terrible, blazing, unbearable radiance, she reflected thus.

Verse 68 (skanda.1.111.68)

उपायेन निहंतव्यो दुष्टोऽयं महिषासुरः । मदपूर्वं निवृत्यंते मृगा मृगयुभिर्वने

upāyena nihaṁtavyo duṣṭo'yaṁ mahiṣāsuraḥ madapūrvaṁ nivṛtyaṁte mṛgā mṛgayubhirvane

'This wicked Mahishasura must be slain by a stratagem alone; just as, in the forest, hunters first draw back herds of deer without any provocation.'

Verse 69 (skanda.1.111.69)

दूतोक्तिभिः समाकृष्य मृद्वीभिर्मर्मवृत्तिभिः । कोपमस्य समुद्भाव्य करिष्येभिमुखं क्षणात्

dūtoktibhiḥ samākṛṣya mṛdvībhirmarmavṛttibhiḥ kopamasya samudbhāvya kariṣyebhimukhaṁ kṣaṇāt

'Drawing him in through a messenger's gentle words, touching the very core of his heart, and stirring up his anger, I shall bring him face to face in an instant.'

Verse 70 (skanda.1.111.70)

अधर्मवृत्तियुक्तानां धर्मवाक्यपरिश्रवात् । कोपः समुद्भवेत्सद्यः स्वजीवक्षयकारणम्

adharmavṛttiyuktānāṁ dharmavākyapariśravāt kopaḥ samudbhavetsadyaḥ svajīvakṣayakāraṇam

'Among those given to unrighteous conduct, hearing words of dharma at once gives rise to anger, which becomes the very cause of the destruction of their own life.'

Verse 71 (skanda.1.111.71)

अथवा धर्मबुद्धिस्सन्यदि शांतो भविष्यति । तदा हितोपदेशेन धर्मलोपो न संभवेत्

athavā dharmabuddhissanyadi śāṁto bhaviṣyati tadā hitopadeśena dharmalopo na saṁbhavet

'Or else, should his sense of dharma become calm, then through beneficial counsel there will be no lapse of dharma.'

Verse 72 (skanda.1.111.72)

तपस्यद्भिः सदा कार्यः कोपत्यागः फलान्वितः । धर्महानिर्न सोढव्या तत्कोपो हि तपः परम्

tapasyadbhiḥ sadā kāryaḥ kopatyāgaḥ phalānvitaḥ dharmahānirna soḍhavyā tatkopo hi tapaḥ param

'Ascetics should always practise the renunciation of anger, so fruitful in itself; yet the loss of dharma is not to be endured — for such anger is indeed the highest austerity.'

Verse 73 (skanda.1.111.73)

इति संचिंत्य सा गौरी नाम्ना सुरगुरुं मुनिम् । संकल्प्य वानरमुखं प्राहिणोदसुरं प्रति

iti saṁciṁtya sā gaurī nāmnā suraguruṁ munim saṁkalpya vānaramukhaṁ prāhiṇodasuraṁ prati

Reflecting thus, Gauri fashioned a sage in the guise of the guru of the gods, with the face of a monkey, and sent him to the demon.

Verse 74 (skanda.1.111.74)

गच्छ त्वं मायया युक्तो महर्षे वानरानन । महिषं बोधयित्वा च वचनं शीघ्रमाव्रज

gaccha tvaṁ māyayā yukto maharṣe vānarānana mahiṣaṁ bodhayitvā ca vacanaṁ śīghramāvraja

'Go, endowed with maya, O great sage of monkey face; having counselled Mahisha, return quickly with his answer.'

Verse 75 (skanda.1.111.75)

मैव त्वमरुणाद्रीशमुपपीडय दुर्मते । अत्र दुर्मनसां वीर्यमदृश्यं भवति क्षणात्

maiva tvamaruṇādrīśamupapīḍaya durmate atra durmanasāṁ vīryamadṛśyaṁ bhavati kṣaṇāt

'O evil-minded one, do not oppress the Lord of the red mountain; here the might of the ill-disposed vanishes in an instant.'

Verse 76 (skanda.1.111.76)

न कलेरुपतापोऽत्र नासुरैरपि पीडनम् । न साहसं च शुभदं शिवभक्तिमतामपि

na kalerupatāpo'tra nāsurairapi pīḍanam na sāhasaṁ ca śubhadaṁ śivabhaktimatāmapi

'Here there is no affliction even by time itself, nor any affliction by demons; nor is recklessness auspicious even for devotees of Shiva.'

Verse 77 (skanda.1.111.77)

पूर्वजन्मकृतैः पुण्यैर्लब्धवीर्यमहोदयः । मा त्वं शोणाचलेशाग्नौ शलभत्वं भजासुर

pūrvajanmakṛtaiḥ puṇyairlabdhavīryamahodayaḥ mā tvaṁ śoṇācaleśāgnau śalabhatvaṁ bhajāsura

'This rise of your strength was obtained through merit earned in a former birth — O demon, do not become, in the very fire of the Lord of Shonachala, a mere moth.'

Verse 78 (skanda.1.111.78)

शिवेन दत्ता विभवास्तव पूर्वतपोबलात् । दह्येरन्यत्र तरसा दाववह्नौ यथा द्रुमाः

śivena dattā vibhavāstava pūrvatapobalāt dahyeranyatra tarasā dāvavahnau yathā drumāḥ

'The splendours given to you by Shiva, obtained through the strength of former austerity, could just as swiftly be burned away elsewhere, as trees are consumed in a forest fire.'

Verse 79 (skanda.1.111.79)

अत्र धर्मात्मनां वासः शिवभक्तिमतां सदा । परपीडाप्रसक्तानां भवेद्रोगशतावृतः

atra dharmātmanāṁ vāsaḥ śivabhaktimatāṁ sadā parapīḍāprasaktānāṁ bhavedrogaśatāvṛtaḥ

'Here is ever the dwelling of the righteous, of the devoted to Shiva; but for those bent on tormenting others, it becomes surrounded by hundreds of diseases.'

Verse 80 (skanda.1.111.80)

ऐश्वर्य्यमतुलं प्राप्तो बलमन्यद्दुरासदम् । किमर्थं स्वल्पबुद्धिः सन्स्वदोषैर्नाशमेष्यसि

aiśvaryyamatulaṁ prāpto balamanyaddurāsadam kimarthaṁ svalpabuddhiḥ sansvadoṣairnāśameṣyasi

'Having obtained matchless majesty and other strength hard to attain, why, being of so little understanding, will you go to your own ruin through your own faults?'

Verse 81 (skanda.1.111.81)

मया कन्या पुनर्दृष्टा विशेषादबला मता । अंतर्गतोरुणाद्रीश एतस्मात्सा विशिष्यते

mayā kanyā punardṛṣṭā viśeṣādabalā matā aṁtargatoruṇādrīśa etasmātsā viśiṣyate

'I have seen this maiden again — she is held to be no mere weak woman; since the Lord of the red mountain dwells within her, she surpasses this very boast of yours.'

Verse 82 (skanda.1.111.82)

अथवा युक्तिभेदैस्त्वं शास्त्रैर्वा शिवसंमतैः । अनिग्राह्यमनोवृत्तिरात्मसैन्यं समानय

athavā yuktibhedaistvaṁ śāstrairvā śivasaṁmataiḥ anigrāhyamanovṛttirātmasainyaṁ samānaya

'Or else, through various arguments, or through scriptures approved by Shiva, bring here your own army, its resolve unshakeable —'

Verse 83 (skanda.1.111.83)

येन लोकान्समस्तांस्त्वं बाधसे बलगर्वितः । तत्सैन्यं तव वृद्धं च क्षणाद्धक्ष्यामि तेजसा

yena lokānsamastāṁstvaṁ bādhase balagarvitaḥ tatsainyaṁ tava vṛddhaṁ ca kṣaṇāddhakṣyāmi tejasā

'— for by which, puffed up with strength, you afflict all the worlds — that grown army of yours I shall reduce to ashes with my own radiance in an instant.'

Verse 84 (skanda.1.111.84)

आनीय सकलं सैन्यमग्रे स्थापय सायुधम् । सद्यस्त्वात्मबलैः सृष्टेः संहरिष्यामि तत्क्षणात्

ānīya sakalaṁ sainyamagre sthāpaya sāyudham sadyastvātmabalaiḥ sṛṣṭeḥ saṁhariṣyāmi tatkṣaṇāt

'Bring your whole army, armed, and station it before me; with my own powers I shall destroy this whole host that very instant.'

Verse 85 (skanda.1.111.85)

मच्छस्त्र परिकृत्तस्य ससैन्यस्य तवायुषः । मुक्तिरत्रैव भविता को जानाति शिवेहितम्

macchastra parikṛttasya sasainyasya tavāyuṣaḥ muktiratraiva bhavitā ko jānāti śivehitam

'The liberation of your life, together with your army, cut down by my weapon — that shall come to pass right here; who indeed knows Shiva's own intent?'

Verse 86 (skanda.1.111.86)

वार्यमाणोऽपि पूर्वेण कर्मणा प्रेरितो जनः । अवशः कर्म कुरुते भुंक्ते च सदृशं फलम्

vāryamāṇo'pi pūrveṇa karmaṇā prerito janaḥ avaśaḥ karma kurute bhuṁkte ca sadṛśaṁ phalam

'Even one restrained, driven on by former deeds, helplessly performs the act, and reaps the fruit that fits it.'

Verse 87 (skanda.1.111.87)

त्वयापि करुणावाक्यं वक्तव्यं किल भूरिभिः । अकार्यविनिवृत्त्यर्थं नित्यधर्मानुपालने

tvayāpi karuṇāvākyaṁ vaktavyaṁ kila bhūribhiḥ akāryavinivṛttyarthaṁ nityadharmānupālane

'Even so, for the upholding of eternal dharma, and for turning him back from wrongdoing, you too should speak many words full of compassion.'

Verse 88 (skanda.1.111.88)

इति गौर्या समादिष्टा वाचं कपिमुखो मुनिः । दूतः सन्सर्वमाचष्ट महिषस्याग्रतः स्थितः

iti gauryā samādiṣṭā vācaṁ kapimukho muniḥ dūtaḥ sansarvamācaṣṭa mahiṣasyāgrataḥ sthitaḥ

Thus, carrying the word commanded by Gauri, the monkey-faced sage, become a messenger, stood before Mahisha and related everything.

Verse 89 (skanda.1.111.89)

सोऽपि सर्वं समाकर्ण्य क्रोधवेगसमाकुलः । तं भक्षयितुमारेभे सोपि मायाबलाद्ययौ

so'pi sarvaṁ samākarṇya krodhavegasamākulaḥ taṁ bhakṣayitumārebhe sopi māyābalādyayau

He too, hearing all this, overwhelmed with the surge of his rage, set out to devour him; but he too departed by the power of maya.

Verse 90 (skanda.1.111.90)

अथ सैन्यं निजं सर्वं समाहूय दुराशयः । सन्नद्धं सायुधं योद्धुमादिशल्लोकभीषणम्

atha sainyaṁ nijaṁ sarvaṁ samāhūya durāśayaḥ sannaddhaṁ sāyudhaṁ yoddhumādiśallokabhīṣaṇam

Then that evil-hearted one, summoning his entire army, armed and arrayed, commanded them to fight a battle that terrified the worlds.

Verse 91 (skanda.1.111.91)

युगांतसमयोद्वेलचतुरर्णवसंनिभम् । सैन्यानां सैन्यमतुलं शोणाद्रिं पर्यवेष्टयत्

yugāṁtasamayodvelacaturarṇavasaṁnibham sainyānāṁ sainyamatulaṁ śoṇādriṁ paryaveṣṭayat

Like the four oceans overflowing at the end of an age, that matchless army of armies surrounded Shonadri.

Verse 92 (skanda.1.111.92)

अथ गौरी समालोक्य दैत्यानां सैन्यमद्भुतम् । ससर्ज तैजसाञ्शूरान्घोरान्भूतगणान्बहून्

atha gaurī samālokya daityānāṁ sainyamadbhutam sasarja taijasāñśūrānghorānbhūtagaṇānbahūn

Then, beholding that wondrous army of the demons, Gauri created many terrible hosts of radiant, heroic spirits.

Verse 93 (skanda.1.111.93)

एकपादाक्षिचरणा लंबकर्णपयोधराः । पाणिपादशिरःकुक्षिवक्त्राः केचिद्विनिर्गताः

ekapādākṣicaraṇā laṁbakarṇapayodharāḥ pāṇipādaśiraḥkukṣivaktrāḥ kecidvinirgatāḥ

Some emerged one-legged, one-eyed, one-footed, with dangling ears and breasts, joined with extra hands, feet, heads, bellies, and mouths —

Verse 94 (skanda.1.111.94)

अहं ग्रसामि सकलमपर्याप्तमिदं मम । अहमेव हनिष्यामि दैत्यसैन्यमशेषतः

ahaṁ grasāmi sakalamaparyāptamidaṁ mama ahameva haniṣyāmi daityasainyamaśeṣataḥ

'I alone shall devour it all, this is not enough for me'; 'I alone shall utterly destroy the whole demon army.'

Verse 95 (skanda.1.111.95)

किं त्वयात्र पुनः कार्यं वीक्ष्य त्वं तिष्ठ केवलम् । अहमेवात्र योत्स्यामीत्यभाषंत परस्परम्

kiṁ tvayātra punaḥ kāryaṁ vīkṣya tvaṁ tiṣṭha kevalam ahamevātra yotsyāmītyabhāṣaṁta parasparam

'What further need have you here? Just stand and watch — I alone shall fight here' — thus they spoke to one another.

Verse 96 (skanda.1.111.96)

तेषां कथयतां शंखं गणानां योगिनीगणैः । अधमत्सा भगवती हंतुं तद्दैत्यमंडलम्

teṣāṁ kathayatāṁ śaṁkhaṁ gaṇānāṁ yoginīgaṇaiḥ adhamatsā bhagavatī haṁtuṁ taddaityamaṁḍalam

As those ganas spoke thus, that blessed Goddess, together with hosts of yoginis, sounded the conch, to destroy that circle of demons.

Verse 97 (skanda.1.111.97)

आलोक्य तां तथारूपामापतंस्तस्य सैनिकाः । दर्शयंतः स्ववीर्याणि स्वामिनोग्रे धृतायुधाः

ālokya tāṁ tathārūpāmāpataṁstasya sainikāḥ darśayaṁtaḥ svavīryāṇi svāminogre dhṛtāyudhāḥ

Beholding her in that form, his soldiers advanced, showing their own valour before their master, weapons in hand.

Verse 98 (skanda.1.111.98)

ववृषुः शस्त्रवर्षाणि दैत्याः प्रतिदिगन्तरम् । बाणैः कार्मुकनिर्मुक्तैस्तानि सा तु न्यवारयत्

vavṛṣuḥ śastravarṣāṇi daityāḥ pratidigantaram bāṇaiḥ kārmukanirmuktaistāni sā tu nyavārayat

The demons rained down showers of weapons in every direction; she warded them off with arrows loosed from her bow.

Verse 99 (skanda.1.111.99)

रथानां वारणेंद्राणां हयानां लक्षकोटिभिः । युयुधुर्भूतवेताला देव्या सृष्टास्तु दुर्जयाः

rathānāṁ vāraṇeṁdrāṇāṁ hayānāṁ lakṣakoṭibhiḥ yuyudhurbhūtavetālā devyā sṛṣṭāstu durjayāḥ

With millions upon millions of chariots, elephant-lords, and horses, the invincible bhuta-vetalas created by the Goddess fought on.

Verse 100 (skanda.1.111.100)

मातरो विविधाकारा डाकिन्यो योगिनीगणाः । सृष्टाश्च तेजसा भूयः पिशाचाः प्रेतराक्षसाः

mātaro vividhākārā ḍākinyo yoginīgaṇāḥ sṛṣṭāśca tejasā bhūyaḥ piśācāḥ pretarākṣasāḥ

Mother-goddesses of varied forms, dakinis, hosts of yoginis, and, by her radiance, pishachas, pretas, and rakshasas too, were newly created.

Verse 101 (skanda.1.111.101)

देव्या सृष्टेन सैन्येन दुर्जयेन महासुराः । भक्षिताश्चूर्णिता भिन्ना दारिता निहताः क्षणात्

devyā sṛṣṭena sainyena durjayena mahāsurāḥ bhakṣitāścūrṇitā bhinnā dāritā nihatāḥ kṣaṇāt

By that invincible army created by the Goddess, the great demons were, in an instant, devoured, crushed, cleft, torn apart, and slain.

Verse 102 (skanda.1.111.102)

देवी च सायुधा दृष्टा ज्वलंती निहतासुरैः । नृत्यद्भूतगणैर्भुक्तै रक्तैर्मांसैश्च तोषितैः

devī ca sāyudhā dṛṣṭā jvalaṁtī nihatāsuraiḥ nṛtyadbhūtagaṇairbhuktai raktairmāṁsaiśca toṣitaiḥ

The Goddess herself was seen, armed, blazing, gladdened by the slain demons and by the dancing bhuta-ganas, sated with the flesh and blood they had eaten.

Verse 103 (skanda.1.111.103)

यदा कैलासशिखरात्प्राप्ता कर्त्तुं तपो भुवम् । तदा समागताः काश्चिन्मातृका देहगुप्तये

yadā kailāsaśikharātprāptā karttuṁ tapo bhuvam tadā samāgatāḥ kāścinmātṛkā dehaguptaye

When she had come from the peak of Kailasa to this earth to perform austerity, certain mother-goddesses had come then for the protection of her body.

Verse 104 (skanda.1.111.104)

दुंदुभिः सत्यवत्याख्या तथा चान्तवती परा । सुंदरीति चतस्रस्ता अन्वयुः परिचारिकाः

duṁdubhiḥ satyavatyākhyā tathā cāntavatī parā suṁdarīti catasrastā anvayuḥ paricārikāḥ

Dundubhi, one named Satyavati, another named Antavati, and Sundari — these four attendants had followed after her.

Verse 105 (skanda.1.111.105)

देव्या सृष्टा च चामुंडा दंष्ट्रावलयभीपणा । दैत्यकृत्तिवसा मांसरक्ततृप्ता चचार सा

devyā sṛṣṭā ca cāmuṁḍā daṁṣṭrāvalayabhīpaṇā daityakṛttivasā māṁsaraktatṛptā cacāra sā

Chamunda, created by the Goddess, terrible with her rows of fangs, clad in a demon's hide, sated with flesh and blood, roamed about.

Verse 106 (skanda.1.111.106)

असुरं कंचिदाक्रम्य नटनं सा चकार ह

asuraṁ kaṁcidākramya naṭanaṁ sā cakāra ha

Trampling upon a certain demon, she performed a dance upon him.

Verse 107 (skanda.1.111.107)

अथ तां समवेक्ष्य दुर्मदो हि ज्वलयामास च कोपवह्निना सः । अतितीव्रविवृत्तभीष्मनेत्रश्रुतिशृंगाग्रविभिन्नमेघजालः

atha tāṁ samavekṣya durmado hi jvalayāmāsa ca kopavahninā saḥ atitīvravivṛttabhīṣmanetraśrutiśṛṁgāgravibhinnameghajālaḥ

Then, beholding her, that arrogant one blazed up with the very fire of his rage, his exceedingly fierce eyes wide and rolling, his ears and horn-tips scattering the very clouds around him.

Verse 108 (skanda.1.111.108)

ज्वलदग्निशिखाभदीर्घजिह्वापरिलीढोन्नतशैलशृंगभागः । अवनिं दलयन्खुराभिघातैरसकृत्पांसुभिरास्वनन्दिगंतान्

jvaladagniśikhābhadīrghajihvāparilīḍhonnataśailaśṛṁgabhāgaḥ avaniṁ dalayankhurābhighātairasakṛtpāṁsubhirāsvanandigaṁtān

Licking the towering mountain-peaks around him with a long tongue like a blazing flame, splitting the earth with the blows of his hooves, making the very quarters of the sky resound again and again with dust.

Verse 109 (skanda.1.111.109)

अतिघर्घर दीर्घघोरनादस्फुटदंडभ्रममोहितामरो यः । धृतवालधिदंडताड्यमानप्रतिशीर्णामितशस्त्रवर्षसंघः

atigharghara dīrghaghoranādasphuṭadaṁḍabhramamohitāmaro yaḥ dhṛtavāladhidaṁḍatāḍyamānapratiśīrṇāmitaśastravarṣasaṁghaḥ

With an exceedingly harsh, deep, terrible roar, whose bursting din, whirling about, bewildered even the immortals, striking with his tail wielded as a rod, shattering measureless showers of weapons —

Verse 110 (skanda.1.111.110)

मृतये व्यगमद्बलित्रयाढ्यां मृगराजस्थितिभासुरां भवानीम्

mṛtaye vyagamadbalitrayāḍhyāṁ mṛgarājasthitibhāsurāṁ bhavānīm

— he went forth to slay Bhavani, resplendent with the might of the three worlds, established in the very posture of the lion-king.