The Origin of the Goddess and the War with Mahishasura

Verse 1 (skanda.3.6.1)

ऋषय ऊचुः । द्वैपायनविनेय त्वं सूत पौराणिकोत्तम । देवीपत्तनपर्यंतं चक्रतीर्थमनुत्तमम्

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ dvaipāyanavineya tvaṁ sūta paurāṇikottama devīpattanaparyaṁtaṁ cakratīrthamanuttamam

The sages said: You, O Suta, disciple of Dvaipayana (Vyasa), foremost of narrators of the Puranas — extending as far as Devipattana, that unsurpassed Chakratirtha —

Verse 2 (skanda.3.6.2)

इत्यब्रवीः पुरास्माकमतः पृच्छाम किंचन । देवीपुरं हि तत्कुत्र यदन्तं चक्रतीर्थकम्

ityabravīḥ purāsmākamataḥ pṛcchāma kiṁcana devīpuraṁ hi tatkutra yadantaṁ cakratīrthakam

— this you told us earlier; hence we ask something more. Where indeed is that Devipura, at which Chakratirtha ends?

Verse 3 (skanda.3.6.3)

देवीपत्तन मित्याख्या कथं तस्याभवत्तथा । श्रीरामसेतुमूले च स्नातानां पापिनामपिः

devīpattana mityākhyā kathaṁ tasyābhavattathā śrīrāmasetumūle ca snātānāṁ pāpināmapiḥ

How did it come to have the name Devipattana? And at the base of Shri Rama's bridge, for sinners too who bathe there —

Verse 4 (skanda.3.6.4)

कीदृशं वा भवेत्पुण्यं चक्रतीर्थे तथैव च । एतच्चान्यान्विशे षांश्च ब्रूहि पौराणिकोत्तम

kīdṛśaṁ vā bhavetpuṇyaṁ cakratīrthe tathaiva ca etaccānyānviśe ṣāṁśca brūhi paurāṇikottama

— what sort of merit accrues, and likewise at Chakratirtha? Tell us this and other particulars too, O foremost of narrators of the Puranas.

Verse 5 (skanda.3.6.5)

श्रीसूत उवाच । सर्वमेतत्प्रवक्ष्यामि शृणुध्वं मुनिपुंगवाः । पठतां शृण्वतां चैतदाख्यानं पापनाश नम्

śrīsūta uvāca sarvametatpravakṣyāmi śṛṇudhvaṁ munipuṁgavāḥ paṭhatāṁ śṛṇvatāṁ caitadākhyānaṁ pāpanāśa nam

Shri Suta said: I shall tell all of this; listen, O foremost of sages. This narrative destroys sin for those who recite or hear it.

Verse 6 (skanda.3.6.6)

यत्र पाषाणनवकं स्थापयित्वा रघूद्वहः । बबन्ध प्रथमं सेतुं समुद्रे मैथिलीपतिः

yatra pāṣāṇanavakaṁ sthāpayitvā raghūdvahaḥ babandha prathamaṁ setuṁ samudre maithilīpatiḥ

The place where, having placed nine stones, the upholder of the Raghus, the lord of Maithili, first bound the bridge upon the ocean —

Verse 7 (skanda.3.6.7)

देवीपुरं तु तत्रैव यदन्तं चक्रतीर्थकम् । देवीपत्तनमित्याख्या यथा तस्य समागता

devīpuraṁ tu tatraiva yadantaṁ cakratīrthakam devīpattanamityākhyā yathā tasya samāgatā

— Devipura is there itself, at which Chakratirtha ends. How its name Devipattana came about —

Verse 8 (skanda.3.6.8)

तद्ब्रवीमि मुनिश्रेष्ठाः शृणुध्वं श्रद्धया सह । पुरा देवासुरे युद्धे देवैर्नाशितपुत्रिणी । दितिः प्रोवाच तनयामात्मनः शोकमोहिता

tadbravīmi muniśreṣṭhāḥ śṛṇudhvaṁ śraddhayā saha purā devāsure yuddhe devairnāśitaputriṇī ditiḥ provāca tanayāmātmanaḥ śokamohitā

— that I shall tell, O foremost of sages; listen with faith. Long ago, in the war between gods and asuras, Diti, whose sons had been destroyed by the gods, overcome with grief, spoke to her own daughter:

Verse 9 (skanda.3.6.9)

दितिरुवाच । याहि पुत्रि तपः कर्तुं तपोवनमनुत्तमम्

ditiruvāca yāhi putri tapaḥ kartuṁ tapovanamanuttamam

Diti said: "Go, my daughter, to the unsurpassed forest of austerity, to perform penance,

Verse 10 (skanda.3.6.10)

पुत्रार्थं तव सुश्रोणि नियता नियतेन्द्रिया । इन्द्रादयो न शिष्येरन्येन पुत्रेण वै सुराः

putrārthaṁ tava suśroṇi niyatā niyatendriyā indrādayo na śiṣyeranyena putreṇa vai surāḥ

— for the sake of a son of yours, O fair-hipped one, restrained, your senses controlled. Indra and the other gods shall not survive against any other kind of son."

Verse 11 (skanda.3.6.11)

उदिता तनया चैवं जनन्या तां प्रणम्य सा । स्वीकृत्य माहिषं रूपं वनं पञ्चाग्निमध्यगा

uditā tanayā caivaṁ jananyā tāṁ praṇamya sā svīkṛtya māhiṣaṁ rūpaṁ vanaṁ pañcāgnimadhyagā

Thus addressed by her mother, that daughter, bowing to her, taking on the form of a buffalo, went to the forest, remaining amidst five fires,

Verse 12 (skanda.3.6.12)

तपोऽतप्यत सा घोरं तेन लोकाश्चकंपिरे । तस्यां तपः प्रकुर्वंत्यां त्रिलोक्यासीद्भयातुरा

tapo'tapyata sā ghoraṁ tena lokāścakaṁpire tasyāṁ tapaḥ prakurvaṁtyāṁ trilokyāsīdbhayāturā

— she performed such terrible austerity that the worlds trembled because of it. While she was performing that austerity, the three worlds became stricken with fear.

Verse 13 (skanda.3.6.13)

इन्द्रादयः सुर गणा मोहमापुर्द्विजोत्तमाः । सुपार्श्वस्तपसा तस्या मुनिः क्षुब्धोऽवदत्तु ताम्

indrādayaḥ sura gaṇā mohamāpurdvijottamāḥ supārśvastapasā tasyā muniḥ kṣubdho'vadattu tām

O foremost of brahmins, Indra and the hosts of gods fell into confusion. The sage Suparshva, disturbed by her austerity, said to her:

Verse 14 (skanda.3.6.14)

सुपार्श्व उवाच । परितुष्टोऽस्मि सुश्रोणि पुत्रस्तव भविष्यति । मुखेन महिषाकारो वपुषा नररूपवान्

supārśva uvāca parituṣṭo'smi suśroṇi putrastava bhaviṣyati mukhena mahiṣākāro vapuṣā nararūpavān

Suparshva said: "I am well pleased, O fair-hipped one; a son of yours shall be born, with the face in the form of a buffalo, but with the body of a man's form.

Verse 15 (skanda.3.6.15)

महिषो नामपुत्रस्ते भविष्यत्यतिवीर्यवान् । पीडयिष्यति यः स्वर्गं देवेन्द्रं च ससैनिकम्

mahiṣo nāmaputraste bhaviṣyatyativīryavān pīḍayiṣyati yaḥ svargaṁ devendraṁ ca sasainikam

Your son shall be named Mahisha, of surpassing might, who shall torment heaven and Indra together with his forces."

Verse 16 (skanda.3.6.16)

सुपार्श्वस्त्वेवमुक्त्वा तां विनिवार्य तपस्तथा । आगच्छदात्मनो लोकमनुनीय तपस्विनीम्

supārśvastvevamuktvā tāṁ vinivārya tapastathā āgacchadātmano lokamanunīya tapasvinīm

Suparshva, having said this, and having thus persuaded that ascetic woman to cease her austerity, returned to his own world.

Verse 17 (skanda.3.6.17)

अथ जज्ञे स महिषो यथोक्तं ब्रह्मणा पुरा । व्यवर्द्धत महावीर्यः पर्वणीव महोदधिः

atha jajñe sa mahiṣo yathoktaṁ brahmaṇā purā vyavarddhata mahāvīryaḥ parvaṇīva mahodadhiḥ

Then that Mahisha was born, just as had been declared by Brahma long ago; he grew, of great might, like the ocean on the day of the full moon.

Verse 18 (skanda.3.6.18)

ततः पुत्रो विप्रचित्तेर्विद्युन्माल्यसुराग्रणीः । अन्येऽप्यसुरवर्यास्ते संति ये भूतले द्विजाः

tataḥ putro vipracittervidyunmālyasurāgraṇīḥ anye'pyasuravaryāste saṁti ye bhūtale dvijāḥ

Then Vidyunmalin, the son of Viprachitti, foremost among the asuras, and O brahmins, whatever other excellent asuras there were upon the earth —

Verse 19 (skanda.3.6.19)

ते सर्वे महिषस्यास्य श्रुत्वा दत्तवरं मुदा । समागम्य मुनिश्रेष्ठाः प्रावदन्महिषासुरम्

te sarve mahiṣasyāsya śrutvā dattavaraṁ mudā samāgamya muniśreṣṭhāḥ prāvadanmahiṣāsuram

— all of them, hearing joyfully of the boon given to this Mahisha, O foremost of sages, coming together, said to Mahishasura:

Verse 20 (skanda.3.6.20)

स्वर्गाधिपत्यमस्माकं पूर्व मसीन्महामते । देवैर्विष्णुं समाश्रित्य राज्यं नो हृतमोजसा

svargādhipatyamasmākaṁ pūrva masīnmahāmate devairviṣṇuṁ samāśritya rājyaṁ no hṛtamojasā

"O great-minded one, sovereignty over heaven was once ours; the gods, taking refuge in Vishnu, have forcibly seized our kingdom.

Verse 21 (skanda.3.6.21)

तद्राज्यमानय वलादस्माकं महिषासुर । वीर्यं प्रकटयस्वाद्य प्रभावमपि चात्मनः

tadrājyamānaya valādasmākaṁ mahiṣāsura vīryaṁ prakaṭayasvādya prabhāvamapi cātmanaḥ

Bring back that kingdom of ours by force, O Mahishasura; today display your might, and also your own power.

Verse 22 (skanda.3.6.22)

अतुल्यबलवीर्यस्त्वं ब्रह्मदत्तवरोद्धतः । पुलोमजापतिं युद्धे जहि देवगणैः सह

atulyabalavīryastvaṁ brahmadattavaroddhataḥ pulomajāpatiṁ yuddhe jahi devagaṇaiḥ saha

You are of incomparable strength and valor, exalted by the boon granted by Brahma; slay in battle the husband of Puloma's daughter (Indra), together with the hosts of gods."

Verse 23 (skanda.3.6.23)

दनुजैरेवमुक्तोऽसौ योद्धुकामोऽमरैः सह । महा वीर्योऽथ महिषः प्रययावमरावतीम्

danujairevamukto'sau yoddhukāmo'maraiḥ saha mahā vīryo'tha mahiṣaḥ prayayāvamarāvatīm

Thus addressed by the danavas, that greatly mighty Mahisha, desiring to fight against the gods, then set out for Amaravati.

Verse 24 (skanda.3.6.24)

देवानामसुराणां च संवत्सरशतं रणम् । पुरा बभूव विप्रेंद्रास्तुमुलं रोमहर्षणम्

devānāmasurāṇāṁ ca saṁvatsaraśataṁ raṇam purā babhūva vipreṁdrāstumulaṁ romaharṣaṇam

O foremost of brahmins, long ago there took place between the gods and the asuras a tumultuous, hair-raising war lasting a hundred years.

Verse 25 (skanda.3.6.25)

देववृन्दं ततो भी त्या पुरस्कृत्य पुरन्दरम् । कांदिशीकमभूद्विप्रा ब्रह्माणं च ययौ तदा

devavṛndaṁ tato bhī tyā puraskṛtya purandaram kāṁdiśīkamabhūdviprā brahmāṇaṁ ca yayau tadā

O brahmins, the hosts of gods, then, out of fear, placing Purandara (Indra) at their head, became scattered in all directions, and then went to Brahma.

Verse 26 (skanda.3.6.26)

ब्रह्मा तानमरासर्वान्समादाय ययौ पुनः । नारायणशिवौ यत्र वर्तेते विश्वपालकौ

brahmā tānamarāsarvānsamādāya yayau punaḥ nārāyaṇaśivau yatra vartete viśvapālakau

Brahma, taking all those gods, then went again to where Narayana and Shiva, the two protectors of the universe, were.

Verse 27 (skanda.3.6.27)

तत्र गत्वा नमस्कृत्य स्तुत्वा स्तोत्रैरनेकशः । ब्रह्मा निवेदयामास महिषासुरचेष्टितम्

tatra gatvā namaskṛtya stutvā stotrairanekaśaḥ brahmā nivedayāmāsa mahiṣāsuraceṣṭitam

Going there, bowing down, praising them with many hymns, Brahma related the doings of Mahishasura —

Verse 28 (skanda.3.6.28)

सुराणामसुरैः पीडां देवयोः शंभुकृष्णयोः । इंद्राग्नियमसूर्येंदुकुबेरवरुणादिकान्

surāṇāmasuraiḥ pīḍāṁ devayoḥ śaṁbhukṛṣṇayoḥ iṁdrāgniyamasūryeṁdukuberavaruṇādikān

— the affliction of the gods by the asuras, of the two gods Shambhu and Krishna themselves, and of Indra, Agni, Yama, Surya, Chandra, Kubera, Varuna, and the others —

Verse 29 (skanda.3.6.29)

निराकृत्याधिकारेषु तेषां तिष्ठत्ययं स्वयम् । अन्येषां देववृंदानामधिकारेपि तिष्ठति

nirākṛtyādhikāreṣu teṣāṁ tiṣṭhatyayaṁ svayam anyeṣāṁ devavṛṁdānāmadhikārepi tiṣṭhati

— how he, removing them from their offices, occupies them himself, and occupies the offices of other hosts of gods too.

Verse 30 (skanda.3.6.30)

निरस्तं देववृंदं तत्स्वर्लोकादवनीतले । मनुष्यवद्विचरते महिषासुरबाधितम्

nirastaṁ devavṛṁdaṁ tatsvarlokādavanītale manuṣyavadvicarate mahiṣāsurabādhitam

That host of gods, expelled from the heavenly world, tormented by Mahishasura, wanders upon the surface of the earth like mere mortals.

Verse 31 (skanda.3.6.31)

एतज्ज्ञापयितुं देवौ युवयोरहमागतः । सार्द्धं देव गणैरत्र रक्षतं तान्समागतान्

etajjñāpayituṁ devau yuvayorahamāgataḥ sārddhaṁ deva gaṇairatra rakṣataṁ tānsamāgatān

To make this known, O two gods, I have come to you both. Together with the hosts of gods here, protect those who have come to you."

Verse 32 (skanda.3.6.32)

ब्रह्मणो वचनं श्रुत्वा रमेश्वरमहेश्वरौ । कोपात्करालवदनौ दुष्प्रेक्ष्यौ तौ बभूवतुः

brahmaṇo vacanaṁ śrutvā rameśvaramaheśvarau kopātkarālavadanau duṣprekṣyau tau babhūvatuḥ

Hearing Brahma's words, Rameshvara (Vishnu) and Maheshvara (Shiva), out of anger, both became terrible-faced, unbearable to behold.

Verse 33 (skanda.3.6.33)

अत्यन्तकोपज्वलितान्मुखाद्विष्णोरथ द्विजाः । निश्चक्राम महत्तेजः शंभोः स्रष्टुस्तथैव च

atyantakopajvalitānmukhādviṣṇoratha dvijāḥ niścakrāma mahattejaḥ śaṁbhoḥ sraṣṭustathaiva ca

O brahmins, from the mouth of Vishnu, blazing with intense anger, there issued forth a great radiance; and likewise from Shambhu and from the creator (Brahma) as well.

Verse 34 (skanda.3.6.34)

अपरेषां सुराणां च देहादिंद्रशरीरतः । तेजः समुदभूत्क्रूरं तदेकं समजायत

apareṣāṁ surāṇāṁ ca dehādiṁdraśarīrataḥ tejaḥ samudabhūtkrūraṁ tadekaṁ samajāyata

And from the bodies of the other gods, and from the body of Indra, a fierce radiance arose; and that all became united into one.

Verse 35 (skanda.3.6.35)

तेषां तु तेजसां राशिर्ज्वलत्पर्वतसंनिभः । ददृशे देववृंदैस्तैर्ज्वालाव्याप्तदिगंतरः

teṣāṁ tu tejasāṁ rāśirjvalatparvatasaṁnibhaḥ dadṛśe devavṛṁdaistairjvālāvyāptadigaṁtaraḥ

That mass of their combined radiance, resembling a blazing mountain, its flames pervading the far quarters, was seen by those hosts of gods.

Verse 36 (skanda.3.6.36)

तेजसां समुदायोऽसौ नारी काचि दभूत्तदा । शिवतेजो मुखमभूद्विष्णुतेजो भुजौ द्विजाः

tejasāṁ samudāyo'sau nārī kāci dabhūttadā śivatejo mukhamabhūdviṣṇutejo bhujau dvijāḥ

That aggregate of radiance then became a certain woman. Shiva's radiance became her face; O brahmins, Vishnu's radiance became her arms.

Verse 37 (skanda.3.6.37)

ब्रह्मतेजस्तु चरणौ मध्यमैंद्रेण तेजसा । यमस्य तेजसा केशाः कुचौ चंद्रस्य तेजसा

brahmatejastu caraṇau madhyamaiṁdreṇa tejasā yamasya tejasā keśāḥ kucau caṁdrasya tejasā

Brahma's radiance became her two feet; her waist was formed by Indra's radiance; her hair by Yama's radiance; her breasts by the moon's radiance.

Verse 38 (skanda.3.6.38)

जंघोरू कल्पितौ विप्रा वरुणस्य तु तेजसा । नितंबः पृथिवीतेजः पादांगुल्योऽर्कतेजसा

jaṁghorū kalpitau viprā varuṇasya tu tejasā nitaṁbaḥ pṛthivītejaḥ pādāṁgulyo'rkatejasā

O brahmins, her shins and thighs were formed by the radiance of Varuna; her hips by the radiance of the Earth; her toes by the radiance of the Sun.

Verse 39 (skanda.3.6.39)

करांगुल्यो वसूनां च तेजसा कल्पितास्तथा । कुबेरतेजसा विप्रा नासिकापरिकल्पिता

karāṁgulyo vasūnāṁ ca tejasā kalpitāstathā kuberatejasā viprā nāsikāparikalpitā

Her fingers were likewise formed by the radiance of the Vasus; O brahmins, her nose was formed by the radiance of Kubera.

Verse 40 (skanda.3.6.40)

नवप्रजापतीनां च तेजसा दंतपंक्तयः । चक्षुर्द्वयं समजनि हव्यवाहनतेजसा

navaprajāpatīnāṁ ca tejasā daṁtapaṁktayaḥ cakṣurdvayaṁ samajani havyavāhanatejasā

By the radiance of the nine Prajapatis, her rows of teeth were formed; her two eyes came into being by the radiance of fire (Agni).

Verse 41 (skanda.3.6.41)

उभे संध्ये भ्रुवौ जाते श्रवणे वायुतेजसा । इतरेषां च देवानां तेजोभिरतिदारुणैः

ubhe saṁdhye bhruvau jāte śravaṇe vāyutejasā itareṣāṁ ca devānāṁ tejobhiratidāruṇaiḥ

The two twilights became her two eyebrows; her ears were formed by the radiance of Vayu. And by the exceedingly fierce radiances of the other gods —

Verse 42 (skanda.3.6.42)

कृतान्यावयवा नारी दुर्गा परमभास्वरा । बभूव दुर्धर्षतरा सर्वैरपि सुरासुरैः

kṛtānyāvayavā nārī durgā paramabhāsvarā babhūva durdharṣatarā sarvairapi surāsuraiḥ

— her other limbs were formed — that woman, Durga, supremely radiant, became unassailable by all gods and asuras alike.

Verse 43 (skanda.3.6.43)

सर्ववृंदारकानीकतेजःसंघसमुद्भवा । तां दृष्ट्वा प्रीतिमापुस्ते देवा महिषबाधिताः

sarvavṛṁdārakānīkatejaḥsaṁghasamudbhavā tāṁ dṛṣṭvā prītimāpuste devā mahiṣabādhitāḥ

Born from the combined mass of the radiance of the entire host of gods, seeing her, those gods, tormented by Mahisha, felt joy.

Verse 44 (skanda.3.6.44)

ततो रुद्रा दयो देवा विनिष्कृष्यायुधान्निजात् । आयुधानि ददुस्तस्यै शूलादीनि द्विजोत्तमाः

tato rudrā dayo devā viniṣkṛṣyāyudhānnijāt āyudhāni dadustasyai śūlādīni dvijottamāḥ

Then Rudra and the other gods, drawing forth their own weapons, O foremost of brahmins, gave her their weapons, beginning with the trident.

Verse 45 (skanda.3.6.45)

भूषणानि ददुस्तस्यै वस्त्रमाल्यानि चंदनम् । सापि देवी तदा वस्त्रैर्भूषणैश्चंदनादिभिः

bhūṣaṇāni dadustasyai vastramālyāni caṁdanam sāpi devī tadā vastrairbhūṣaṇaiścaṁdanādibhiḥ

They gave her ornaments, garments, garlands, and sandal-paste. That goddess too, then, adorned with garments, ornaments, sandal-paste, and the like —

Verse 46 (skanda.3.6.46)

कुसुमैरायुधैर्हारैर्भूषिता परिचारकैः । साट्टहासं प्रमुंचंती भैरवी भैरवस्वना

kusumairāyudhairhārairbhūṣitā paricārakaiḥ sāṭṭahāsaṁ pramuṁcaṁtī bhairavī bhairavasvanā

— with flowers, weapons, garlands, and attendants, thus adorned, uttering a loud laugh, terrible, of terrifying sound —

Verse 47 (skanda.3.6.47)

ननाद कंपयतीव रोदसी देवसेविता । देव्या भैरवनादेन चचाल सकलं जगत्

nanāda kaṁpayatīva rodasī devasevitā devyā bhairavanādena cacāla sakalaṁ jagat

— roared, as if making heaven and earth tremble, worshipped by the gods. By the goddess's terrible roar, the entire world shook.

Verse 48 (skanda.3.6.48)

सिंहवाहनमारूढां देवीं ताममरास्तदा । मुनयः सिद्धगंधर्वास्तुष्टुवुर्जयश ब्दतः

siṁhavāhanamārūḍhāṁ devīṁ tāmamarāstadā munayaḥ siddhagaṁdharvāstuṣṭuvurjayaśa bdataḥ

The gods then, and sages, siddhas, and gandharvas, praised that goddess, mounted upon her lion vehicle, with cries of victory.

Verse 49 (skanda.3.6.49)

अतिभीषणनादेन देव्याः क्षुब्धं जगत्त्रयम् । दृष्ट्वा देवारयो दैत्याः समुत्तस्थुरुदायुधाः

atibhīṣaṇanādena devyāḥ kṣubdhaṁ jagattrayam dṛṣṭvā devārayo daityāḥ samuttasthurudāyudhāḥ

The three worlds, agitated by the goddess's most terrible roar — seeing this, the enemies of the gods, the daityas, rose up with weapons raised.

Verse 50 (skanda.3.6.50)

महिषोऽपि महाक्रोधात्समुद्यत महायुधः । तं शब्दमवलक्ष्याथ ययावसुरसंवृतः

mahiṣo'pi mahākrodhātsamudyata mahāyudhaḥ taṁ śabdamavalakṣyātha yayāvasurasaṁvṛtaḥ

Mahisha too, filled with great anger, his great weapons raised, hearing that sound, then went forth, surrounded by asuras.

Verse 51 (skanda.3.6.51)

व्यलोकयत्ततो देवीं तेजोव्याप्तजगत्त्रयीम् । सायुधानंतबाह्वाढयां नादकंपितभूतलाम्

vyalokayattato devīṁ tejovyāptajagattrayīm sāyudhānaṁtabāhvāḍhayāṁ nādakaṁpitabhūtalām

He then beheld the goddess, whose radiance pervaded the three worlds, endowed with countless weapon-bearing arms, whose roar made the earth tremble,

Verse 52 (skanda.3.6.52)

क्षोभिताशेषशेषादिमहानागपरंपराम् । विलोक्य देवीमसुराः समनह्यन्नुदायुधाः

kṣobhitāśeṣaśeṣādimahānāgaparaṁparām vilokya devīmasurāḥ samanahyannudāyudhāḥ

— and by whom the entire succession of great serpents, headed by Shesha, was disturbed. Beholding the goddess, the asuras armed themselves, weapons raised.

Verse 53 (skanda.3.6.53)

ततो देव्या तया सार्द्धमसुराणामभूद्रणः । अस्त्रैः शस्त्रैः शरैश्चक्रैर्गदाभिर्मुसलैरपि

tato devyā tayā sārddhamasurāṇāmabhūdraṇaḥ astraiḥ śastraiḥ śaraiścakrairgadābhirmusalairapi

Then a battle took place between that goddess and the asuras, with astras, shastras, arrows, discuses, maces, and pestles as well.

Verse 54 (skanda.3.6.54)

गजाश्वरथपादातैरसंख्येयैर्महावलः । महिषो युयुधे तत्र देव्या साकमरिंदमः

gajāśvarathapādātairasaṁkhyeyairmahāvalaḥ mahiṣo yuyudhe tatra devyā sākamariṁdamaḥ

With innumerable elephants, horses, chariots, and infantry, that mighty subduer of enemies, Mahisha, fought there together with the goddess.

Verse 55 (skanda.3.6.55)

लक्षको टिसहस्राणि प्रधानासुरयूथपाः । एकैकस्य तु सेनायास्तेषां संख्या न विद्यते

lakṣako ṭisahasrāṇi pradhānāsurayūthapāḥ ekaikasya tu senāyāsteṣāṁ saṁkhyā na vidyate

There were thousands of hundred-thousands of crores of principal leaders of asura hosts; the number of the army of each single one of them cannot be known.

Verse 56 (skanda.3.6.56)

ते सर्वे युगपद्देवीं शस्त्रैरावव्रुरोजसा । सापि देवी ततो भीमा दैत्यमुक्तास्त्रसंचयम्

te sarve yugapaddevīṁ śastrairāvavrurojasā sāpi devī tato bhīmā daityamuktāstrasaṁcayam

All of them, together, forcefully surrounded the goddess with their weapons. But that fearsome goddess, in turn, the mass of weapons released by the daityas —

Verse 57 (skanda.3.6.57)

बिभेद लीलया बाणैः स्वकार्मुकविनिःसृतैः । ससर्ज दैत्यकायेषु बाणपूगान्यनेकशः

bibheda līlayā bāṇaiḥ svakārmukaviniḥsṛtaiḥ sasarja daityakāyeṣu bāṇapūgānyanekaśaḥ

— split apart playfully with arrows shot from her own bow, and rained down upon the bodies of the daityas countless multitudes of arrows.

Verse 58 (skanda.3.6.58)

देव्याश्रयबला द्देवा निर्भया दैत्ययूथपैः । युयुधुः संयुगे शस्त्रैरस्त्रैरप्यायुधांतरैः

devyāśrayabalā ddevā nirbhayā daityayūthapaiḥ yuyudhuḥ saṁyuge śastrairastrairapyāyudhāṁtaraiḥ

The gods, gaining strength from the goddess's protection, fearless, fought in battle against the leaders of the daityas with shastras, astras, and other weapons.

Verse 59 (skanda.3.6.59)

ततो देवा बलोत्सिक्ता देवीशक्त्युपबृंहिताः । निःशेषमसुरान्सर्वानायु धैर्निरमूलयन्

tato devā balotsiktā devīśaktyupabṛṁhitāḥ niḥśeṣamasurānsarvānāyu dhairniramūlayan

Then the gods, exalted in strength, empowered by the goddess's own power, uprooted with their weapons all the asuras, leaving none remaining.

Verse 60 (skanda.3.6.60)

स्वसैन्ये तु क्षयं याते संक्षुब्धो महिषासुरः । चापमादाय वेगेन विकृष्य च महास्वनम्

svasainye tu kṣayaṁ yāte saṁkṣubdho mahiṣāsuraḥ cāpamādāya vegena vikṛṣya ca mahāsvanam

But when his own army had been destroyed, Mahishasura, greatly agitated, taking up his bow, and drawing it swiftly with a great sound —

Verse 61 (skanda.3.6.61)

संधाय मुमुचे बाणान्देव सैन्येषु भूसुराः । इंद्रे तु दशसाहस्रं यमे पंचसहस्रकम्

saṁdhāya mumuce bāṇāndeva sainyeṣu bhūsurāḥ iṁdre tu daśasāhasraṁ yame paṁcasahasrakam

— O brahmins, and, taking aim, released arrows into the ranks of the gods' army: ten thousand upon Indra, five thousand upon Yama,

Verse 62 (skanda.3.6.62)

वरुणे चाष्टसाहस्रं कुबेरे षट्सहस्रकम् । सूर्ये चंद्रे च वह्नौ च वायौ वसुषु चाश्विनोः

varuṇe cāṣṭasāhasraṁ kubere ṣaṭsahasrakam sūrye caṁdre ca vahnau ca vāyau vasuṣu cāśvinoḥ

— eight thousand upon Varuna, six thousand upon Kubera; and upon Surya, Chandra, Agni, Vayu, the Vasus, and the two Ashvins —

Verse 63 (skanda.3.6.63)

अन्येष्वपि च देवेषु महिषो दानवेश्वरः । प्रत्येकमयुतं बाणान्मुमुचे बलिनां वरः

anyeṣvapi ca deveṣu mahiṣo dānaveśvaraḥ pratyekamayutaṁ bāṇānmumuce balināṁ varaḥ

— and upon the other gods too, Mahisha, lord of the danavas, that foremost of the mighty, released ten thousand arrows upon each.

Verse 64 (skanda.3.6.64)

पलायंते ततो देवा महिषासुरमर्द्दिताः । देवीं शरणमाजग्मुस्त्राहित्राहीतिवादिनः

palāyaṁte tato devā mahiṣāsuramardditāḥ devīṁ śaraṇamājagmustrāhitrāhītivādinaḥ

The gods, then, crushed by Mahishasura, fled, and came for refuge to the goddess, crying out, "Save us, save us!"

Verse 65 (skanda.3.6.65)

ततो देवी गणान्स्वस्य भूतवेतालकादिकान् । यूयं नाशयत क्षिप्रमासुरं बलमित्यशात्

tato devī gaṇānsvasya bhūtavetālakādikān yūyaṁ nāśayata kṣipramāsuraṁ balamityaśāt

Then the goddess commanded her own ganas, beginning with bhutas and vetalas: "You swiftly destroy the army of asuras.

Verse 66 (skanda.3.6.66)

अहं तु महिषं युद्धे योधयामि वलोद्धतम् । ततो देव्या गणैः सर्वमासुरं क्षतमाशु वै

ahaṁ tu mahiṣaṁ yuddhe yodhayāmi valoddhatam tato devyā gaṇaiḥ sarvamāsuraṁ kṣatamāśu vai

I myself shall fight in battle against Mahisha, who is exalted in his strength." Then, by the goddess's ganas, the entire asura army was swiftly destroyed.

Verse 67 (skanda.3.6.67)

ततः सैन्यं क्षयं नीते गणै र्देवीप्रचोदितैः । योद्धुकामः स महिषो गणैः साकं व्यतिष्ठत

tataḥ sainyaṁ kṣayaṁ nīte gaṇai rdevīpracoditaiḥ yoddhukāmaḥ sa mahiṣo gaṇaiḥ sākaṁ vyatiṣṭhata

Then, when his army had been destroyed by the ganas urged on by the goddess, that Mahisha, desiring to fight, stood confronting the ganas.

Verse 68 (skanda.3.6.68)

अत्रांतरे महानादः सुचक्षुश्च महाहनुः । महाचंडो महाभक्षो महोदरम होत्कटौ

atrāṁtare mahānādaḥ sucakṣuśca mahāhanuḥ mahācaṁḍo mahābhakṣo mahodarama hotkaṭau

Meanwhile, Mahanada, Suchakshu, Mahahanu, Mahachanda, Mahabhaksha, Mahodara, and Mahotkata —

Verse 69 (skanda.3.6.69)

पञ्चास्यः पादचूडश्च बहुनेत्रः प्रबाहुकः । एकाक्षस्त्वेकपादश्च बहुपादोऽप्यपादकः

pañcāsyaḥ pādacūḍaśca bahunetraḥ prabāhukaḥ ekākṣastvekapādaśca bahupādo'pyapādakaḥ

— Panchasya, Padachuda, Bahunetra, Prabahuka, Ekaksha, Ekapada, Bahupada, and Apadaka —

Verse 70 (skanda.3.6.70)

एते चान्ये च बहवो महिषासुर मंत्रिणः । योद्धुकामा रणे देव्याः पुरतस्त्ववतस्थिरे

ete cānye ca bahavo mahiṣāsura maṁtriṇaḥ yoddhukāmā raṇe devyāḥ puratastvavatasthire

— these and many others, the ministers of Mahishasura, desiring to fight, stood before the goddess in battle.

Verse 71 (skanda.3.6.71)

सिंहं वाहनमारुह्य ततो देवी मनोजवम् । प्रलयांबुदनिर्घोषं चापमादाय भैरवम्

siṁhaṁ vāhanamāruhya tato devī manojavam pralayāṁbudanirghoṣaṁ cāpamādāya bhairavam

Then the goddess, mounting her lion, swift as thought, and taking up her terrible bow, roaring like the clouds of dissolution,

Verse 72 (skanda.3.6.72)

विस्फोट्य मुमुचे बाणान्वज्रवेगसमान्युधि । दशलक्षगजैश्चापि शतलक्षैश्च वाजिभिः

visphoṭya mumuce bāṇānvajravegasamānyudhi daśalakṣagajaiścāpi śatalakṣaiśca vājibhiḥ

— twanging it, released arrows swift as the thunderbolt in battle. And Mahahanu, the daitya, equipped with ten hundred-thousand elephants, and with a hundred hundred-thousand horses,

Verse 73 (skanda.3.6.73)

शतलक्षै रथैश्चापि लक्षायुतपदातिभिः । युक्तो महाहनुर्दैत्यो देव्या युधि निपातितः

śatalakṣai rathaiścāpi lakṣāyutapadātibhiḥ yukto mahāhanurdaityo devyā yudhi nipātitaḥ

— with a hundred hundred-thousand chariots, and with countless infantry, was struck down by the goddess in battle.

Verse 74 (skanda.3.6.74)

सैन्ये च तस्य निहता देव्या बाणैर्द्विजोत्तमाः । लक्षकोटिसहस्राणि प्रधानासुरनायकाः

sainye ca tasya nihatā devyā bāṇairdvijottamāḥ lakṣakoṭisahasrāṇi pradhānāsuranāyakāḥ

And in his army, O foremost of brahmins, thousands of hundred-thousands of crores of principal asura commanders were slain by the goddess's arrows.

Verse 75 (skanda.3.6.75)

महिषस्य हि विद्यन्ते महाबलपराक्रमाः । एकैकस्य प्रधानस्य चतुरङ्गबलं तथा

mahiṣasya hi vidyante mahābalaparākramāḥ ekaikasya pradhānasya caturaṅgabalaṁ tathā

For Mahisha indeed had commanders of tremendous strength and prowess; each single principal one had a fourfold army as well.

Verse 76 (skanda.3.6.76)

महाहनोर्यथा विप्रास्तथैवास्ति महद्बलम् । तत्सर्वं निहतं देव्या शरैः कांचनपुंखितैः

mahāhanoryathā viprāstathaivāsti mahadbalam tatsarvaṁ nihataṁ devyā śaraiḥ kāṁcanapuṁkhitaiḥ

O brahmins, just as with Mahahanu, so likewise each had a great army. All of that was slain by the goddess with her golden-feathered arrows.

Verse 77 (skanda.3.6.77)

याममात्रेण विप्रेंद्रास्तदद्भुतमिवाभवत्

yāmamātreṇa vipreṁdrāstadadbhutamivābhavat

O foremost of brahmins, all this became, as it were, a wonder — accomplished within the span of a single yama (three hours).