The Goddess's Penance and the Slaying of Mahishasura

Verse 1 (skanda.1.133.1)

नंदिकेश्वर उवाच । तावत्कुतश्चिदाकर्ण्य तत्रस्थां महिषासुरः । अवज्ञातसुरारातिर्विध्वंसितपुरंदरः

naṁdikeśvara uvāca tāvatkutaścidākarṇya tatrasthāṁ mahiṣāsuraḥ avajñātasurārātirvidhvaṁsitapuraṁdaraḥ

Nandikeshvara said: Meanwhile, having somehow learned that she dwelt there, Mahishasura — the foe of the immortals, scornful of the gods, who had crushed Indra —

Verse 2 (skanda.1.133.2)

सर्वलोकजयी सिद्धविद्याधरभयावहः । दुर्निग्रहो वरादासीच्छस्त्रास्त्रैरखिलैरपि

sarvalokajayī siddhavidyādharabhayāvahaḥ durnigraho varādāsīcchastrāstrairakhilairapi

— the conqueror of all the worlds, a terror to Siddhas and Vidyadharas, who, by his boon, could not be overcome by any weapon or missile whatsoever.

Verse 3 (skanda.1.133.3)

तीक्ष्णानामपि शापानामप्यगोचरतां गतः । दर्पद्भिर्दानवैदैत्यैः कौणपैश्च निषेवितः

tīkṣṇānāmapi śāpānāmapyagocaratāṁ gataḥ darpadbhirdānavaidaityaiḥ kauṇapaiśca niṣevitaḥ

— beyond the reach even of the sharpest curses, and attended by proud Danavas, Daityas, and man-eating Rakshasas —

Verse 4 (skanda.1.133.4)

दूषको मुनिपत्नीनां धर्ममार्गोपघातकः । बलात्पुलोम्नो नमुचेर्वृत्रादपि बलाधिकः

dūṣako munipatnīnāṁ dharmamārgopaghātakaḥ balātpulomno namucervṛtrādapi balādhikaḥ

— a defiler of sages' wives, a destroyer of the path of righteousness, mightier in strength than Puloma, Namuchi, or even Vritra —

Verse 5 (skanda.1.133.5)

हिरण्यकशिपोर्वश्यो हिरण्याक्ष इवापरः । तां विलोभयितुं कांचित्प्राहिणोत्किल दूतिकाम्

hiraṇyakaśiporvaśyo hiraṇyākṣa ivāparaḥ tāṁ vilobhayituṁ kāṁcitprāhiṇotkila dūtikām

— a follower of Hiranyakashipu, like a second Hiranyaksha — he sent, it is said, a certain female messenger to entice her.

Verse 6 (skanda.1.133.6)

ततः सा तापसीवेषधारिणी गिरिजां प्रति । सखीसमक्ष एवेदमुवाचानुचितं वचः

tataḥ sā tāpasīveṣadhāriṇī girijāṁ prati sakhīsamakṣa evedamuvācānucitaṁ vacaḥ

Then she, disguised as a female ascetic, spoke these unseemly words to Girija, right there before her companions.

Verse 7 (skanda.1.133.7)

अरारु भीषणे भीरो निवसस्यत्र किं वने । विहर्तुमुचिता रम्येष्ववरोधनवेश्मसु

arāru bhīṣaṇe bhīro nivasasyatra kiṁ vane vihartumucitā ramyeṣvavarodhanaveśmasu

"O timid one, why do you dwell here in this dreadful forest? You are fit to disport yourself in lovely private chambers."

Verse 8 (skanda.1.133.8)

किमर्थं वाद्य चित्तं ते यौवने भोगनिःस्पृहम् । निवेशितं तपसि च दैवतैरपि दुष्करे

kimarthaṁ vādya cittaṁ te yauvane bhoganiḥspṛham niveśitaṁ tapasi ca daivatairapi duṣkare

"Why has your mind, in the very bloom of youth, turned away from all pleasure and been fixed instead upon a penance so hard that even gods would find it difficult?"

Verse 9 (skanda.1.133.9)

हंसतूलमयीं शय्यां मुक्तामयवितानिकाम् । हित्वा किमिति मृद्वंगि सुप्यते परुषाश्मसु

haṁsatūlamayīṁ śayyāṁ muktāmayavitānikām hitvā kimiti mṛdvaṁgi supyate paruṣāśmasu

"O soft-limbed one, why have you left behind a bed of swan's-down beneath a canopy of pearls, to sleep instead upon harsh stones?"

Verse 10 (skanda.1.133.10)

तपोजडो मृडो दिष्ट्या प्रागेवास्ति त्वयोज्झितः । तवानुरूपो नैवान्यो विद्यते दिविषत्सु च

tapojaḍo mṛḍo diṣṭyā prāgevāsti tvayojjhitaḥ tavānurūpo naivānyo vidyate diviṣatsu ca

"By good fortune, Mrida, dulled by his own austerities, has already been left behind by you; and truly there exists no other among the gods your equal."

Verse 11 (skanda.1.133.11)

किं तु त्रैलोक्यनाथोऽस्ति महिषो दानवेश्वरः । यदि द्रक्ष्यसि तं सुभ्र त्यक्ष्यस्येव क्षणात्तपः

kiṁ tu trailokyanātho'sti mahiṣo dānaveśvaraḥ yadi drakṣyasi taṁ subhra tyakṣyasyeva kṣaṇāttapaḥ

"But there is Mahisha, lord of the three worlds, ruler of the Danavas. O fair-browed one, if you were to see him, you would surely give up your penance that very instant."

Verse 12 (skanda.1.133.12)

किं निह्नवेन नन्वेष श्रुत्वा सर्वं चिरात्प्रभुः । स प्राहिणोदुपानेतुं दूतिकां मां स्मरातुरः

kiṁ nihnavena nanveṣa śrutvā sarvaṁ cirātprabhuḥ sa prāhiṇodupānetuṁ dūtikāṁ māṁ smarāturaḥ

"Why hide it? This lord, having long ago heard everything and tormented by desire, has sent me as his messenger to bring you to him."

Verse 13 (skanda.1.133.13)

इत्यत्यंतविरुद्धं तां ब्रुवाणामसमंजसम् । देव्याश्चित्तस्थितिं ज्ञात्वा विजया निरकासयत्

ityatyaṁtaviruddhaṁ tāṁ bruvāṇāmasamaṁjasam devyāścittasthitiṁ jñātvā vijayā nirakāsayat

As she spoke these utterly improper, unfitting words, Vijaya, reading the Goddess's true state of mind, drove her away.

Verse 14 (skanda.1.133.14)

सा चातिरोषेण कृतप्रतिज्ञा दैत्यरूपिका । गत्वा विदितवृत्तांतमकरोन्महिषासुरम्

sā cātiroṣeṇa kṛtapratijñā daityarūpikā gatvā viditavṛttāṁtamakaronmahiṣāsuram

That demon-woman in disguise, having made a vow in bitter fury, went and informed Mahishasura of the whole affair.

Verse 15 (skanda.1.133.15)

सोऽपि तत्सर्वमाकर्ण्य रुषातीवारुणेक्षणः । देवीं जिघृक्षुरभ्यागाद्वृतो दैतेयकोटिभिः

so'pi tatsarvamākarṇya ruṣātīvāruṇekṣaṇaḥ devīṁ jighṛkṣurabhyāgādvṛto daiteyakoṭibhiḥ

He too, hearing all this, his eyes blazing red with fury, marched forth to seize the Goddess, surrounded by crores of Daityas.

Verse 16 (skanda.1.133.16)

स्यन्दनैर्द्विरदैरश्वैः पत्तिभिश्च समंततः । भुवमाच्छादयामास ध्वजैश्च गगनांतरम्

syandanairdviradairaśvaiḥ pattibhiśca samaṁtataḥ bhuvamācchādayāmāsa dhvajaiśca gaganāṁtaram

With chariots, elephants, horses, and foot-soldiers he covered the earth on every side, and with his banners he blanketed the very sky.

Verse 17 (skanda.1.133.17)

क्ष्वेलितैर्वाद्यघोषैश्च नभः स्फुटदिवाभवत् । पादाघातैश्च दैत्यानां विदद्रे वसुधातलम्

kṣvelitairvādyaghoṣaiśca nabhaḥ sphuṭadivābhavat pādāghātaiśca daityānāṁ vidadre vasudhātalam

With battle-roars and the crash of instruments the sky seemed on the verge of splitting, and beneath the demons' pounding feet the earth's surface seemed to crack apart.

Verse 18 (skanda.1.133.18)

करालो दुर्द्धरस्तस्य विचष्णुर्विकरालकः । बाष्कलो दुर्मुखश्चंडः प्रचंडश्चामरासुरः

karālo durddharastasya vicaṣṇurvikarālakaḥ bāṣkalo durmukhaścaṁḍaḥ pracaṁḍaścāmarāsuraḥ

Karala, Durdhara, Vichashnu, Vikaralaka, Bashkala, Durmukha, Chanda, Prachanda, and the demon Chamara —

Verse 19 (skanda.1.133.19)

महाहनुर्महामौलिरुग्रास्यो विकटेक्षणः । ज्वालास्यो दहनश्चेमे सेनान्योपि प्रतस्थिरे

mahāhanurmahāmaulirugrāsyo vikaṭekṣaṇaḥ jvālāsyo dahanaśceme senānyopi pratasthire

— and Mahahanu, Mahamauli, Ugrasya, Vikatekshana, Jvalasya, and Dahana — these commanders too marched forth to war.

Verse 20 (skanda.1.133.20)

कोलाहलमिमं श्रुत्वा देवी नियमविघ्नतः । शंकिता दैत्यसंहृत्यै दुर्गामादिशति स्म सा

kolāhalamimaṁ śrutvā devī niyamavighnataḥ śaṁkitā daityasaṁhṛtyai durgāmādiśati sma sā

Hearing this uproar and fearing disturbance to her vow of penance, the Goddess, sensing danger, commanded Durga to annihilate the demons.

Verse 21 (skanda.1.133.21)

सारुणाद्रिरहोद्रोण्यामधिरूढा मृगाधिपम् । दीप्तायुधधरैर्दोर्भिः कालिकेव महीं गता

sāruṇādrirahodroṇyāmadhirūḍhā mṛgādhipam dīptāyudhadharairdorbhiḥ kālikeva mahīṁ gatā

Mounted upon a lion in the secluded valley of the Red Mountain, bearing blazing weapons in her arms, she descended upon the earth like Kalika herself.

Verse 22 (skanda.1.133.22)

घनाघनरवोदग्रं सिंहनादमचीकरत् । स्फुरद्दंतच्छदोपांतं वल्गदंगुलिपल्लवा

ghanāghanaravodagraṁ siṁhanādamacīkarat sphuraddaṁtacchadopāṁtaṁ valgadaṁgulipallavā

She let out a mighty lion's roar, deep as the rumble of storm clouds, her lip-edges quivering, her bud-soft fingers trembling with rage.

Verse 23 (skanda.1.133.23)

स्वांगेभ्यो योगिनीचक्रं मातरोऽप्यसृजन्रुषा । देव्याः प्रियाय दैतेयसंहारार्हाः सहस्रशः

svāṁgebhyo yoginīcakraṁ mātaro'pyasṛjanruṣā devyāḥ priyāya daiteyasaṁhārārhāḥ sahasraśaḥ

In fury, the Mother-goddesses brought forth from their own bodies, by the thousand, the circle of Yoginis, capable of destroying the Daityas, for the Goddess's pleasure.

Verse 24 (skanda.1.133.24)

काश्चित्तत्रारुणच्छाया दंडिन्यो हंसवाहनाः । मुखैश्चतुर्भिराजग्मुः कोपप्रस्फुरिताधरैः

kāścittatrāruṇacchāyā daṁḍinyo haṁsavāhanāḥ mukhaiścaturbhirājagmuḥ kopaprasphuritādharaiḥ

Some of them, ruddy-hued, bearing staffs and mounted on swans, came forth with four faces, their lips quivering with anger.

Verse 25 (skanda.1.133.25)

निर्ययुः काश्चन क्रुद्धा ज्वलत्त्रिशिखपाणयः । निस्वनद्भूषणाः पंसल्ललाटा वृषवाहनाः

niryayuḥ kāścana kruddhā jvalattriśikhapāṇayaḥ nisvanadbhūṣaṇāḥ paṁsallalāṭā vṛṣavāhanāḥ

Others went forth enraged, blazing tridents in their hands, their ornaments jingling, their brows smeared with ash, mounted on bulls.

Verse 26 (skanda.1.133.26)

निर्जग्मुरपराः सेनासहिताः शिखिवाहनैः । शक्तिदंडाभयकराः शतशः षड्भिराननैः

nirjagmuraparāḥ senāsahitāḥ śikhivāhanaiḥ śaktidaṁḍābhayakarāḥ śataśaḥ ṣaḍbhirānanaiḥ

Others still went forth with their armies, mounted on peacocks, their hands bearing spears, staffs, and gestures of protection — hundreds of them with six faces each.

Verse 27 (skanda.1.133.27)

निश्चक्रमुः परास्तार्क्ष्यमधिरुह्याधिकक्रुधा । शंखचक्रधराः सूर्यचंद्रमोभ्यां दिवो यथा

niścakramuḥ parāstārkṣyamadhiruhyādhikakrudhā śaṁkhacakradharāḥ sūryacaṁdramobhyāṁ divo yathā

Yet others, in still greater fury, mounted on Garuda, bearing conch and discus, went forth like the sun and moon issuing from the sky.

Verse 28 (skanda.1.133.28)

प्रतिष्ठंते तथा व्याघ्रवाहाः कुवलयत्विषः । पोत्रैः सद्घर्घरारावैर्बिभ्रत्यो मुसलं हलम्

pratiṣṭhaṁte tathā vyāghravāhāḥ kuvalayatviṣaḥ potraiḥ sadghargharārāvairbibhratyo musalaṁ halam

Others, dark-hued as the blue lotus, mounted on tigers, went forth bearing pestle and plough, their snouts giving out a low, rumbling growl.

Verse 29 (skanda.1.133.29)

रोषारुणसहस्राक्ष्यो वलक्षद्विपवाहनाः । प्रतस्थिरे शातकोटिशतकोटिधराः पराः

roṣāruṇasahasrākṣyo valakṣadvipavāhanāḥ pratasthire śātakoṭiśatakoṭidharāḥ parāḥ

Others, their thousand eyes reddened with rage, riding white elephants and bearing weapons in the hundreds of millions, set forth as well.

Verse 30 (skanda.1.133.30)

अश्वारूढा समापेतुरेकाः सौदामिनीनिभाः । खड्गखेटकधारिण्यः कोपेन कपिलाननाः

aśvārūḍhā samāpeturekāḥ saudāminīnibhāḥ khaḍgakheṭakadhāriṇyaḥ kopena kapilānanāḥ

Some, mounted on horses, gleaming like lightning, rushed forward bearing sword and shield, their faces tawny with rage.

Verse 31 (skanda.1.133.31)

ताश्च कोटिचतुःषष्टिमसुरानाश्रमाद्बहिः । अरुन्धन्प्रसभं ध्वांतराशीनिव रवेस्त्विषः

tāśca koṭicatuḥṣaṣṭimasurānāśramādbahiḥ arundhanprasabhaṁ dhvāṁtarāśīniva ravestviṣaḥ

And they forcibly held back sixty-four crores of demons outside the hermitage, just as the sun's rays hold back the masses of darkness.

Verse 32 (skanda.1.133.32)

ततश्च योगिनीचक्रदानवानीकयोर्मिथः । प्रावर्त्तत रणं घोरं मुष्टामुष्टि कचाकचि

tataśca yoginīcakradānavānīkayormithaḥ prāvarttata raṇaṁ ghoraṁ muṣṭāmuṣṭi kacākaci

Then a terrible battle broke out between the circle of Yoginis and the demon army — fist against fist, hand to hand, hair pulled against hair.

Verse 33 (skanda.1.133.33)

सायकैर्योगिनीमुक्तैर्दलिता दैत्यमौलयः । आच्छादयन्महीपृष्ठं स्थलजानीव सर्वतः

sāyakairyoginīmuktairdalitā daityamaulayaḥ ācchādayanmahīpṛṣṭhaṁ sthalajānīva sarvataḥ

The demons' heads, shattered by the arrows loosed by the Yoginis, covered the earth's surface everywhere, like scattered blossoms grown on land.

Verse 34 (skanda.1.133.34)

प्रसस्रू रक्तसरितो लगत्कैशिकशैवलाः । लुठद्विपाठपाठीनाः स्मरैर्देवीमुखांबुजैः

prasasrū raktasarito lagatkaiśikaśaivalāḥ luṭhadvipāṭhapāṭhīnāḥ smarairdevīmukhāṁbujaiḥ

Rivers of blood streamed forth, with clinging strands of hair for their water-weeds, and rolling severed heads for their fish, as if fleeing in fear of the Goddesses' lotus faces.

Verse 35 (skanda.1.133.35)

वेतण्डतुण्डान्यारुह्य सौधानिव पिशाचिकाः । प्रचण्ड तांडवाः पीतरक्तमद्याश्चकाशिरे

vetaṇḍatuṇḍānyāruhya saudhāniva piśācikāḥ pracaṇḍa tāṁḍavāḥ pītaraktamadyāścakāśire

Climbing the trunks of elephants as though mounting palace towers, the fierce Pishachis, wild in their frenzied Tandava dance and intoxicated on draughts of blood, shone forth.

Verse 36 (skanda.1.133.36)

कपालैर्दैत्यवीराणामघासुरसृगासवान् । क्रीडड्डमरुकाकारैर्डामरैर्योगिनीगणाः

kapālairdaityavīrāṇāmaghāsurasṛgāsavān krīḍaḍḍamarukākārairḍāmarairyoginīgaṇāḥ

The bands of Yoginis played with the skulls of the demon heroes, filled with the blood of those sinful Asuras as wine, using them like sounding damaru-drums.

Verse 37 (skanda.1.133.37)

परिजह्रुस्तथांत्राणि कंकौघाः पाशशंकया । क्षुधिता अपि मांसानि सशल्यान्यजहुः शिवाः

parijahrustathāṁtrāṇi kaṁkaughāḥ pāśaśaṁkayā kṣudhitā api māṁsāni saśalyānyajahuḥ śivāḥ

Flocks of vultures snatched up the entrails, mistaking them for nooses, and even the hungry jackals left aside flesh still studded with weapon-splinters.

Verse 38 (skanda.1.133.38)

सिद्धविद्याधरोन्मुक्तमंदारप्रसवासवैः । इयाय शांतिं भूरेणुः संग्रामे क्षोभसम्भवः

siddhavidyādharonmuktamaṁdāraprasavāsavaiḥ iyāya śāṁtiṁ bhūreṇuḥ saṁgrāme kṣobhasambhavaḥ

With the fragrant mandara-blossoms scattered down by the Siddhas and Vidyadharas, the dust of the earth, stirred up by the tumult of battle, was at last settled.

Verse 39 (skanda.1.133.39)

विरेजुर्योगिनीमुक्तैर्देहलग्नैर्द्विषां हयाः । अमर्षातिशयोत्क्षिप्तैः शल्यैः शल्यमृगा इव

virejuryoginīmuktairdehalagnairdviṣāṁ hayāḥ amarṣātiśayotkṣiptaiḥ śalyaiḥ śalyamṛgā iva

The enemy's horses, their bodies studded with the arrows loosed in extreme fury by the Yoginis, appeared like porcupines bristling with quills.

Verse 40 (skanda.1.133.40)

दंडैः केचित्परे शूलैर्निशितैः केऽपि शक्तिभिः । चक्रैरन्ये हलैरेके कतिचिच्छतकोटिभिः

daṁḍaiḥ kecitpare śūlairniśitaiḥ ke'pi śaktibhiḥ cakrairanye halaireke katicicchatakoṭibhiḥ

Some demons were struck down with staffs, others with sharpened tridents, some with spears, others with discuses, some with ploughs, and some with hundreds of millions of other weapons.

Verse 41 (skanda.1.133.41)

योगिनीनां परे खड्गैर्दलिता दानवेश्वराः । निःशेषतामुपाजग्मुर्विना सेनाधिपान्निजान्

yoginīnāṁ pare khaḍgairdalitā dānaveśvarāḥ niḥśeṣatāmupājagmurvinā senādhipānnijān

The lords of the Danavas, cut down by the swords of the remaining Yoginis, were utterly destroyed, all but their own commanders.

Verse 42 (skanda.1.133.42)

ब्राह्मी स्वयमुपागम्य विहितायोधनावधीत् । करालं विकरालेन दण्डेन ज्वलिता चिरात्

brāhmī svayamupāgamya vihitāyodhanāvadhīt karālaṁ vikarālena daṇḍena jvalitā cirāt

Brahmi herself advanced, and, blazing with fury after prolonged combat, slew Karala with her terrifying staff.

Verse 43 (skanda.1.133.43)

माहेश्वरी त्रिशूलेन सुचिरं कृतसंगरा । चकर्त दुर्द्धरस्याशु मूर्द्धानमतिरोषणा

māheśvarī triśūlena suciraṁ kṛtasaṁgarā cakarta durddharasyāśu mūrddhānamatiroṣaṇā

Maheshvari, after a long battle, in the height of her fury, swiftly severed Durdhara's head with her trident.

Verse 44 (skanda.1.133.44)

शक्त्या लुलाव कौमारी चिक्षुरासुरमस्तकम् । चक्रेण चालुनान्मौलिं विकरालस्य वैष्णवी

śaktyā lulāva kaumārī cikṣurāsuramastakam cakreṇa cālunānmauliṁ vikarālasya vaiṣṇavī

Kaumari cut off the demon Chikshura's head with her spear, and Vaishnavi severed Vikarala's head with her discus.

Verse 45 (skanda.1.133.45)

बाष्कलस्याशु वाराही मुसलेनालुनाच्छिरः । दुर्मुखं चाशु वज्रेण व्यधादैंद्री गतायुषम्

bāṣkalasyāśu vārāhī musalenālunācchiraḥ durmukhaṁ cāśu vajreṇa vyadhādaiṁdrī gatāyuṣam

Varahi swiftly severed Bashkala's head with her pestle, and Aindri swiftly struck Durmukha lifeless with her thunderbolt.

Verse 46 (skanda.1.133.46)

ख्यातं यस्याश्च नामेदं तयोरेव निदूषनात् । चामुण्डा चण्डमुण्डौ च मण्डलाग्रेण चिच्छिदे

khyātaṁ yasyāśca nāmedaṁ tayoreva nidūṣanāt cāmuṇḍā caṇḍamuṇḍau ca maṇḍalāgreṇa cicchide

And she whose very name became renowned through the slaying of those two — Chamunda — cut down Chanda and Munda with the edge of her weapon.

Verse 47 (skanda.1.133.47)

प्रचण्डचामरौ वीरौ महामौलिं महाहनुम् । उग्रास्यविकटाक्षौ च ज्वालास्यदहनावपि

pracaṇḍacāmarau vīrau mahāmauliṁ mahāhanum ugrāsyavikaṭākṣau ca jvālāsyadahanāvapi

Prachanda and the hero Chamara, Mahamauli and Mahahanu, Ugrasya and Vikatakasha, and Jvalasya and Dahana as well —

Verse 48 (skanda.1.133.48)

अनुजग्मुः क्रुधा यान्तं युद्धाय महिषासुरम् । कालनेमिप्रभृतयो विप्रचित्तिमिवासुराः

anujagmuḥ krudhā yāntaṁ yuddhāya mahiṣāsuram kālanemiprabhṛtayo vipracittimivāsurāḥ

— followed the enraged Mahishasura as he marched forth to battle, just as the Asuras headed by Kalanemi once followed Vipracitti.

Verse 49 (skanda.1.133.49)

शिरस्त्रवंतो रथिनः सुनिषंगा धनुर्धराः । उद्भूतकटकाः प्रापुर्युद्धभूमिं चलद्ध्वजाः

śirastravaṁto rathinaḥ suniṣaṁgā dhanurdharāḥ udbhūtakaṭakāḥ prāpuryuddhabhūmiṁ caladdhvajāḥ

Wearing helmets, mounted on chariots, quivers strapped tight, bows in hand, their armlets flashing and their banners streaming, they arrived upon the battlefield.

Verse 50 (skanda.1.133.50)

समंतात्पूरितदिशः सिंहनादैर्भयंकरैः । पृषत्कवर्षिणो मातृमंडलान्यभिदुद्रुवुः

samaṁtātpūritadiśaḥ siṁhanādairbhayaṁkaraiḥ pṛṣatkavarṣiṇo mātṛmaṁḍalānyabhidudruvuḥ

Filling every quarter with terrifying lion-roars and showering down arrows, they charged upon the circles of Mother-goddesses.

Verse 51 (skanda.1.133.51)

ताश्च तैर्बलिभिः कृत्वा संग्रामं निस्सहत्वतः । दुर्गां प्रपेदिरे देवीं शरणं सिंहवाहनाम्

tāśca tairbalibhiḥ kṛtvā saṁgrāmaṁ nissahatvataḥ durgāṁ prapedire devīṁ śaraṇaṁ siṁhavāhanām

And they, having fought against those powerful demons, but overcome by weariness, took shelter with the lion-mounted Goddess Durga.

Verse 52 (skanda.1.133.52)

उक्त्वा मायालुलायस्य दुर्जयत्वं दुरात्मनः । देवी तां तुष्टुवुर्दुर्गामेवं सप्तापि मातरः

uktvā māyālulāyasya durjayatvaṁ durātmanaḥ devī tāṁ tuṣṭuvurdurgāmevaṁ saptāpi mātaraḥ

Describing the invincibility of the wicked, illusion-wielding Buffalo-demon, all seven Mother-goddesses then praised the Goddess Durga in this way.

Verse 53 (skanda.1.133.53)

योगनिद्रेति रूपेण विष्णोर्नयनपद्मयोः । त्वया निलीयते देवि मधुकार्येव लीलया

yoganidreti rūpeṇa viṣṇornayanapadmayoḥ tvayā nilīyate devi madhukāryeva līlayā

"O Goddess, in your form as Yoganidra you playfully conceal yourself within Vishnu's lotus eyes, as though for the very purpose of dealing with the demon Madhu."

Verse 54 (skanda.1.133.54)

अमूमुहस्तं न तथा मातश्च मधुकैटभौ । कथं जघान तौ विष्णुस्तयोरेवाभ्यनुज्ञया

amūmuhastaṁ na tathā mātaśca madhukaiṭabhau kathaṁ jaghāna tau viṣṇustayorevābhyanujñayā

"O Mother, had you not thus bewildered Madhu and Kaitabha, how else could Vishnu have slain those two, except by their own consent granted through you?"

Verse 55 (skanda.1.133.55)

त्वं कौशिकी न चेज्जाता मृत्युः शुंभनिशंभयोः । कथं तु लोकपालानामैश्वर्यं देवि एष्यति

tvaṁ kauśikī na cejjātā mṛtyuḥ śuṁbhaniśaṁbhayoḥ kathaṁ tu lokapālānāmaiśvaryaṁ devi eṣyati

"O Goddess, had you not been born as Kaushiki and brought about the death of Shumbha and Nishumbha, how would the guardians of the world ever have regained their sovereignty?"

Verse 56 (skanda.1.133.56)

विंध्यवासिनि विंध्येन किमवंध्यं कृतं तपः । यत्र मैत्री किरातीभिरपि लभ्या त्वया समम्

viṁdhyavāsini viṁdhyena kimavaṁdhyaṁ kṛtaṁ tapaḥ yatra maitrī kirātībhirapi labhyā tvayā samam

"O dweller of the Vindhya, what unfailing penance did the Vindhya perform, that even the Kirata huntswomen were able to attain your friendship?"

Verse 57 (skanda.1.133.57)

कापिशायनमापीतं धनदोपायनीकृतम् । त्वयांब नीतं दैत्यानां रसैर्नियतमानवैः

kāpiśāyanamāpītaṁ dhanadopāyanīkṛtam tvayāṁba nītaṁ daityānāṁ rasairniyatamānavaiḥ

"O Mother, you drank the Kapishayana wine offered by Kubera, brought to you by devoted men, distilled from the very essence of the demons."

Verse 58 (skanda.1.133.58)

ब्रह्मणः सृष्टिशक्तिस्त्वं स्थितिशक्तिर्मधुद्विषः । अंब संहारशक्तिश्च रुद्रस्यापि प्रगल्भसे

brahmaṇaḥ sṛṣṭiśaktistvaṁ sthitiśaktirmadhudviṣaḥ aṁba saṁhāraśaktiśca rudrasyāpi pragalbhase

"O Mother, you are the creative power of Brahma, the sustaining power of Vishnu, and you manifest also as the power of destruction belonging to Rudra."

Verse 59 (skanda.1.133.59)

यशोदानंदजाता त्वमेकानंशेति नामतः । कंसाद्यसुरसंहारे हरेः साह्यं करिष्यसि

yaśodānaṁdajātā tvamekānaṁśeti nāmataḥ kaṁsādyasurasaṁhāre hareḥ sāhyaṁ kariṣyasi

"Born as the daughter of Yashoda, under the name Ekanamsha, you shall aid Hari in the destruction of Kamsa and the other demons."

Verse 60 (skanda.1.133.60)

त्वं विद्या त्वं महामाया त्वं लक्ष्मीस्त्वं सरस्वती । त्वं देवी पार्वतीशापि दुर्गे किं वा न जायसे

tvaṁ vidyā tvaṁ mahāmāyā tvaṁ lakṣmīstvaṁ sarasvatī tvaṁ devī pārvatīśāpi durge kiṁ vā na jāyase

"You are Vidya, you are Mahamaya, you are Lakshmi, you are Sarasvati; you are the Goddess Parvati too — O Durga, is there anything you do not become?"

Verse 61 (skanda.1.133.61)

नन्दिकेश्वर उवाच । स्तोत्रेणानेन मातृभ्यो दुर्गा दत्ताभया स्वयम् । महिषासुरयुद्धाय संतुष्टा निर्ययौ तदा

nandikeśvara uvāca stotreṇānena mātṛbhyo durgā dattābhayā svayam mahiṣāsurayuddhāya saṁtuṣṭā niryayau tadā

Nandikeshvara said: Pleased by this hymn, Durga herself granted the Mother-goddesses freedom from fear, and, well satisfied, set out at once to do battle with Mahishasura.

Verse 62 (skanda.1.133.62)

प्रचंडमंडलाग्रेण भिंडिपालेन चामरम् । महामौलिं क्षुरिकया कर्परेण महाहनुम्

pracaṁḍamaṁḍalāgreṇa bhiṁḍipālena cāmaram mahāmauliṁ kṣurikayā karpareṇa mahāhanum

With the sharp edge of her fierce discus she struck down Chamara; with her javelin, Mahamauli; and with her dagger and skull-cup, Mahahanu.

Verse 63 (skanda.1.133.63)

उग्रवक्त्रं कुठारेण शक्त्या विकटचक्षुषम् । ज्वालामुखं मुद्गरेण दहनं मुसलेन च

ugravaktraṁ kuṭhāreṇa śaktyā vikaṭacakṣuṣam jvālāmukhaṁ mudgareṇa dahanaṁ musalena ca

She slew Ugravaktra with her axe, Vikatachakshusha with her spear, Jvalamukha with her hammer, and Dahana with her pestle.

Verse 64 (skanda.1.133.64)

निहत्य महिषस्याग्रे सरोषं युध्यती स्वयम् । सिंहनादं महाघोरं चक्रेण मुदिताशया

nihatya mahiṣasyāgre saroṣaṁ yudhyatī svayam siṁhanādaṁ mahāghoraṁ cakreṇa muditāśayā

Having slain them, and now fighting furiously before Mahisha himself, she, her heart filled with joyous resolve, let loose a mighty, terrifying lion's roar as she wielded her discus.

Verse 65 (skanda.1.133.65)

अथात्यमर्षितो दुर्गां विशिखैर्महिषासुरः । विव्याध फालफलके स्तनयोर्गडयोरपि

athātyamarṣito durgāṁ viśikhairmahiṣāsuraḥ vivyādha phālaphalake stanayorgaḍayorapi

Then Mahishasura, in extreme fury, pierced Durga with his arrows upon her forehead, upon both her breasts, and upon her cheeks as well.

Verse 66 (skanda.1.133.66)

ततो दुर्गाथ संरंभात्प्रजहारासुरेश्वरम् । बाह्वोर्वक्षसि वक्त्रे च क्षुरप्रैः प्रज्वलत्फलैः

tato durgātha saṁraṁbhātprajahārāsureśvaram bāhvorvakṣasi vaktre ca kṣurapraiḥ prajvalatphalaiḥ

Then Durga, seized with fierce anger, struck the lord of the Asuras on his arms, chest, and face with her razor-sharp, blazing-tipped arrows.

Verse 67 (skanda.1.133.67)

ततो दैत्यस्त्रिभिर्दुर्गां जघान विशिखैर्मुखे । पंचभिः पंचभिर्बाह्वोर्द्वाभ्यां द्वाभ्यां च नेत्रयोः

tato daityastribhirdurgāṁ jaghāna viśikhairmukhe paṁcabhiḥ paṁcabhirbāhvordvābhyāṁ dvābhyāṁ ca netrayoḥ

Then the demon struck Durga on the face with three arrows, on each arm with five, and on each eye with two.

Verse 68 (skanda.1.133.68)

एकेन सारथिं रथ्यानष्टभिः कार्मुकं त्रिभिः । चतुर्भिश्च ध्वजं तस्य दुर्गा चिच्छेद सायकैः

ekena sārathiṁ rathyānaṣṭabhiḥ kārmukaṁ tribhiḥ caturbhiśca dhvajaṁ tasya durgā ciccheda sāyakaiḥ

With one arrow Durga cut down his charioteer, with eight the chariot's horses, with three his bow, and with four his banner.

Verse 69 (skanda.1.133.69)

पदातिरथ दैत्येंद्रः शतघ्नीं ज्वलदाकृतिम् । कालदंडप्रतीकाशां दुर्गां प्रति विमुक्तवान्

padātiratha daityeṁdraḥ śataghnīṁ jvaladākṛtim kāladaṁḍapratīkāśāṁ durgāṁ prati vimuktavān

Then the lord of the Daityas, now fighting on foot, hurled at Durga a blazing shataghni missile, resembling the very staff of Death.

Verse 70 (skanda.1.133.70)

हाहाकुर्वस्तु देवेषु विद्राणे मातृमंडले । तामापतंतीमादाय दुर्गा जग्राह लीलया

hāhākurvastu deveṣu vidrāṇe mātṛmaṁḍale tāmāpataṁtīmādāya durgā jagrāha līlayā

As the gods cried out in alarm and the circle of Mother-goddesses fled in terror, Durga, with effortless ease, seized that hurtling weapon as it came flying toward her.

Verse 71 (skanda.1.133.71)

कृपाणमंकुशं पाशं भुशुंडीं करवालिकाम् । शंकुं शक्तिं गदां चक्रं तोमरं फलकं सृणिम्

kṛpāṇamaṁkuśaṁ pāśaṁ bhuśuṁḍīṁ karavālikām śaṁkuṁ śaktiṁ gadāṁ cakraṁ tomaraṁ phalakaṁ sṛṇim

A sword, a goad, a noose, a bhushundi weapon, a curved blade, a spike, a spear, a mace, a discus, a lance, a shield, a hook —

Verse 72 (skanda.1.133.72)

परश्वधं भिंडिपालं पट्टिशं लगुडं च सः । दुर्गां प्रति विचिक्षेप क्षयांभोद इवाशनिम्

paraśvadhaṁ bhiṁḍipālaṁ paṭṭiśaṁ laguḍaṁ ca saḥ durgāṁ prati vicikṣepa kṣayāṁbhoda ivāśanim

— an axe, a javelin, a pattisha, and a cudgel — he hurled at Durga one after another, like a doomsday storm-cloud raining thunderbolts.

Verse 73 (skanda.1.133.73)

आपतंत्येव शस्त्राणि क्षिप्तान्यादाय वैरिणाम् । बभंज पाणिभिः स्वैरं करिणीवेक्षुकांडकम्

āpataṁtyeva śastrāṇi kṣiptānyādāya vairiṇām babhaṁja pāṇibhiḥ svairaṁ kariṇīvekṣukāṁḍakam

Catching the enemy's hurled weapons as they came flying, she snapped them with her own hands as effortlessly as a female elephant breaks a stalk of sugarcane.

Verse 74 (skanda.1.133.74)

दुर्गोपवाह्यः सिंहोऽपि लांगूलाग्रेण मुद्रितम् । दंष्ट्रया दारयामास प्रहरन्नखपंकजैः

durgopavāhyaḥ siṁho'pi lāṁgūlāgreṇa mudritam daṁṣṭrayā dārayāmāsa praharannakhapaṁkajaiḥ

Durga's lion-mount too, marking its prey with a lash of its tail, tore it apart with its fangs, striking with claws like lotus-petals.

Verse 75 (skanda.1.133.75)

क्षणं सिंहः क्षणं क्रोडः क्षणं व्याघ्रः क्षणं गजः । क्षणं च महिषो भूत्वा दैत्यो दुर्गामयोधयत्

kṣaṇaṁ siṁhaḥ kṣaṇaṁ kroḍaḥ kṣaṇaṁ vyāghraḥ kṣaṇaṁ gajaḥ kṣaṇaṁ ca mahiṣo bhūtvā daityo durgāmayodhayat

Turning for a moment into a lion, then a boar, then a tiger, then an elephant, and then a buffalo, the demon fought on against Durga.

Verse 76 (skanda.1.133.76)

महिषोऽथ विषाणाभ्यां तीक्ष्णाभ्यामत्यमर्षितः । ताडयामास सिंहं च देवीमपि मुहुर्मुहुः

mahiṣo'tha viṣāṇābhyāṁ tīkṣṇābhyāmatyamarṣitaḥ tāḍayāmāsa siṁhaṁ ca devīmapi muhurmuhuḥ

Then, in his buffalo form, wild with fury, he struck again and again at the lion and at the Goddess herself with his two sharp horns.

Verse 77 (skanda.1.133.77)

क्षणं गगनमध्यस्थः क्षणं प्राप्तो महीतले । क्षणं दिक्षु भ्रमन्प्राप्तः क्षणं चादृश्यतां गतः

kṣaṇaṁ gaganamadhyasthaḥ kṣaṇaṁ prāpto mahītale kṣaṇaṁ dikṣu bhramanprāptaḥ kṣaṇaṁ cādṛśyatāṁ gataḥ

For an instant he hung suspended in mid-air, for an instant he touched the ground, for an instant he was seen wheeling through the directions, and for an instant he vanished from sight altogether.

Verse 78 (skanda.1.133.78)

प्रार्थिता मातृचक्रेण दुर्गा महिषदानवम् । अमोघेन त्रिशूलेन दारयामास सस्मिता

prārthitā mātṛcakreṇa durgā mahiṣadānavam amoghena triśūlena dārayāmāsa sasmitā

At the entreaty of the circle of Mother-goddesses, Durga, with a faint smile, rent the buffalo-demon apart with her unfailing trident.

Verse 79 (skanda.1.133.79)

मुक्तघर्घरनिर्घोषो यावत्पतति दानवः । तावदस्य हठेनांघ्रिं स्कंधपीठे न्यवेशयत्

muktaghargharanirghoṣo yāvatpatati dānavaḥ tāvadasya haṭhenāṁghriṁ skaṁdhapīṭhe nyaveśayat

Just as the demon fell, giving out a gurgling death-rattle, she forcefully set her foot upon the pedestal of his shoulder.

Verse 80 (skanda.1.133.80)

कंठपीडनतो यातजीवितस्यामरद्रुहः । छिन्नमूर्द्धानमादाय पाणिनाथ ननर्त्त सा

kaṁṭhapīḍanato yātajīvitasyāmaradruhaḥ chinnamūrddhānamādāya pāṇinātha nanartta sā

As the life of that enemy of the immortals slipped away under the pressure on his throat, she took his severed head in her hand and danced.

Verse 81 (skanda.1.133.81)

इति दुर्गया समिति कासरासुरे दलिते समस्तभुवनैककंटके । ननृतुः सुराः प्रजहृषुर्महर्षयो ववृषुश्च दिव्यकुमुमानि वारिदाः

iti durgayā samiti kāsarāsure dalite samastabhuvanaikakaṁṭake nanṛtuḥ surāḥ prajahṛṣurmaharṣayo vavṛṣuśca divyakumumāni vāridāḥ

Thus, when the buffalo-demon — the single thorn in the side of all the worlds — was destroyed by Durga in battle, the gods danced for joy, the great sages rejoiced, and the clouds rained down celestial flowers.