The Valour of Durga

Verse 1 (skanda.4.71.1)

॥अगस्त्य उवाच॥ कथं दुर्गेति वै नाम देव्या जातंमुमासुत ॥ कथं च काश्यां सा सेव्या समाचक्ष्वेति मामिह

||agastya uvāca|| kathaṁ durgeti vai nāma devyā jātaṁmumāsuta || kathaṁ ca kāśyāṁ sā sevyā samācakṣveti māmiha

Agastya said: How did the goddess's name Durga come to be, O son of Uma? And how is she to be worshipped in Kashi? Tell me this.

Verse 2 (skanda.4.71.2)

॥स्कंद उवाच॥ कथयामि महाबुद्धे यथा कलशसंभव ॥ दुर्गा नामाभवद्देव्या यथा सेव्या च साधकैः

||skaṁda uvāca|| kathayāmi mahābuddhe yathā kalaśasaṁbhava || durgā nāmābhavaddevyā yathā sevyā ca sādhakaiḥ

Skanda said: I shall tell you, O wise one, O jar-born, how the goddess came to be named Durga, and how she is to be served by seekers.

Verse 3 (skanda.4.71.3)

दुर्गो नाम मदादैत्यो रुरु दैत्यांगजोभवत् ॥ यश्च तप्त्वा तपस्तीव्रं पुंभ्योजेयत्वमाप्तवान्

durgo nāma madādaityo ruru daityāṁgajobhavat || yaśca taptvā tapastīvraṁ puṁbhyojeyatvamāptavān

There was a demon named Durgama, son of the demon Ruru; he, having performed severe austerity, obtained unconquerability by any male.

Verse 4 (skanda.4.71.4)

ततस्तेनाखिला लोका भूर्भुवःस्वर्मुखा अपि ॥ स्वसात्कृता विनिर्जित्य रणे स्वभुजसारतः

tatastenākhilā lokā bhūrbhuvaḥsvarmukhā api || svasātkṛtā vinirjitya raṇe svabhujasārataḥ

Then by him all the worlds, beginning with earth, sky and heaven, were made his own, conquered in battle by the strength of his own arms.

Verse 5 (skanda.4.71.5)

स्वयमिंद्रः स्वयं वायुः स्वयं चंद्रः स्वयं यमः ॥ स्वयमग्निः स्वयं पाशी धनदोभूत्स्वयं बली

svayamiṁdraḥ svayaṁ vāyuḥ svayaṁ caṁdraḥ svayaṁ yamaḥ || svayamagniḥ svayaṁ pāśī dhanadobhūtsvayaṁ balī

He himself became Indra, himself Vayu, himself the moon, himself Yama, himself Agni, himself Varuna, himself the mighty Kubera.

Verse 6 (skanda.4.71.6)

स्वयमीशानरुद्रार्क वसूनां पदमाददे ॥ तत्साध्वसाद्विमुक्तानि तपांस्यति तपस्विभिः

svayamīśānarudrārka vasūnāṁ padamādade || tatsādhvasādvimuktāni tapāṁsyati tapasvibhiḥ

He himself took the place of Ishana, Rudra, the sun, and the Vasus; out of terror of him, austerities were abandoned even by the greatest ascetics.

Verse 7 (skanda.4.71.7)

न वेदाध्ययनं चक्रुर्ब्राह्मणास्तद्भयादिताः ॥ यज्ञवाटा विनिर्ध्वस्तास्तद्भटैरतिदुःसहैः

na vedādhyayanaṁ cakrurbrāhmaṇāstadbhayāditāḥ || yajñavāṭā vinirdhvastāstadbhaṭairatiduḥsahaiḥ

Brahmins, afflicted by fear of him, ceased the study of the Vedas; sacrificial enclosures were destroyed by his unbearable warriors.

Verse 8 (skanda.4.71.8)

विध्वस्ता बहुशः साध्व्यस्तैरमार्गकृतास्पदैः ॥ प्रसभं च परस्वानि अपहृत्य दुरासदाः

vidhvastā bahuśaḥ sādhvyastairamārgakṛtāspadaiḥ || prasabhaṁ ca parasvāni apahṛtya durāsadāḥ

Chaste women were repeatedly violated by them, who had taken to unrighteous ways; and, unassailable, they forcibly seized the wealth of others.

Verse 9 (skanda.4.71.9)

अभोक्षिषुर्दुराचाराः क्रूरकर्मपरिग्रहाः ॥ नद्यो विमार्गगा आसञ्ज्वलंति न तथाग्नयः

abhokṣiṣurdurācārāḥ krūrakarmaparigrahāḥ || nadyo vimārgagā āsañjvalaṁti na tathāgnayaḥ

Those of evil conduct, given over to cruel deeds, consumed that wealth; rivers flowed astray, fires did not blaze as they should.

Verse 10 (skanda.4.71.10)

ज्योतींषि न प्रदीप्यंति तद्भयाकुलितान्यहो ॥ दिग्वधूवसनन्यासन्विच्छायानि समंततः

jyotīṁṣi na pradīpyaṁti tadbhayākulitānyaho || digvadhūvasananyāsanvicchāyāni samaṁtataḥ

The heavenly lights did not shine, agitated with fear of him, ah; the garments of the maidens of the directions, on all sides, lost their lustre.

Verse 11 (skanda.4.71.11)

धर्मक्रियाविलुप्ताश्च प्रवृत्ताः सुकृतेतराः ॥ त एव जलदीभूय ववृषुर्निज लीलया

dharmakriyāviluptāśca pravṛttāḥ sukṛtetarāḥ || ta eva jaladībhūya vavṛṣurnija līlayā

Righteous rites were abolished, and unrighteous ones flourished instead; the clouds themselves, at his mere whim, rained down.

Verse 12 (skanda.4.71.12)

सस्यानि तद्भयात्सूते त्वनुप्तापि वसुंधरा ॥ सदैव फलिनो जातास्तरवोप्यवकेशिनः

sasyāni tadbhayātsūte tvanuptāpi vasuṁdharā || sadaiva phalino jātāstaravopyavakeśinaḥ

Out of fear of him, the earth brought forth crops even unsown; the trees ever bore fruit even before growing leaves.

Verse 13 (skanda.4.71.13)

बंदीकृताः सुरर्षीणां पत्न्यस्तेनातिदर्पिणा ॥ दिवौकसः कृतास्तेन समस्ताः काननौकसः

baṁdīkṛtāḥ surarṣīṇāṁ patnyastenātidarpiṇā || divaukasaḥ kṛtāstena samastāḥ kānanaukasaḥ

By that exceedingly arrogant one, the wives of gods and sages were taken captive; by him all the dwellers of heaven were made dwellers of the forest.

Verse 14 (skanda.4.71.14)

मर्त्या अमर्त्यान्स्वगृहं प्राप्तानपि भयार्दिताः ॥ अपि संभाषमात्रेण नार्च्चयंति विपज्जुषः

martyā amartyānsvagṛhaṁ prāptānapi bhayārditāḥ || api saṁbhāṣamātreṇa nārccayaṁti vipajjuṣaḥ

Mortals, though the immortals came to their very homes, afflicted with fear, did not even honour them with mere conversation, for the gods now shared in mortal misfortune.

Verse 15 (skanda.4.71.15)

॥स्कंद उवाच॥ न कौलीन्यं न सद्वृत्तं महत्त्वाय प्रकल्पते ॥ एकमेव पदं श्रेयः पदभ्रंशो हि लाघवम्

||skaṁda uvāca|| na kaulīnyaṁ na sadvṛttaṁ mahattvāya prakalpate || ekameva padaṁ śreyaḥ padabhraṁśo hi lāghavam

Skanda said: Neither noble birth nor good conduct is enough to make for greatness; a single secure position is what is truly good — the loss of one's position is a diminishment.

Verse 16 (skanda.4.71.16)

विपद्यपि हि ते धन्या न ये दैन्यप्रणोदिताः ॥ धनैर्मलिनचित्तानामालभंतेंगणं क्वचित्

vipadyapi hi te dhanyā na ye dainyapraṇoditāḥ || dhanairmalinacittānāmālabhaṁteṁgaṇaṁ kvacit

Blessed indeed are those who, even in calamity, are not driven to abjectness; they never touch the doorstep of the impure-minded, even for wealth.

Verse 17 (skanda.4.71.17)

पंचत्वमेव हि वरं लोके लाघववर्ज्जितम् ॥ नामरत्वमपि श्रेयो लाघवेन समन्वितम्

paṁcatvameva hi varaṁ loke lāghavavarjjitam || nāmaratvamapi śreyo lāghavena samanvitam

Death itself, free of any diminishment, is better in this world; even immortality accompanied by diminishment is not truly good.

Verse 18 (skanda.4.71.18)

त एव लोके जीवंति पुण्यभाजस्त एव वै ॥ विपद्यपि न गांभीर्यं यच्चेतोब्धिः परित्यजेत्

ta eva loke jīvaṁti puṇyabhājasta eva vai || vipadyapi na gāṁbhīryaṁ yaccetobdhiḥ parityajet

They alone truly live in this world, they alone are partakers of merit, whose ocean-deep heart does not abandon its depth even in calamity.

Verse 19 (skanda.4.71.19)

कदाचित्संपदुदयः कदाचिद्विपदुद्गमः ॥ दैवाद्द्वयमपि प्राप्य धीरो धैर्यं न हापयेत्

kadācitsaṁpadudayaḥ kadācidvipadudgamaḥ || daivāddvayamapi prāpya dhīro dhairyaṁ na hāpayet

Sometimes prosperity arises, sometimes calamity emerges; the wise, obtaining either by fate, should not lose their steadiness.

Verse 20 (skanda.4.71.20)

उदयानुदयौ प्राज्ञैर्द्रष्टव्यौ पुष्पवंतयोः ॥ सदैकरूपताऽत्याज्या हर्षाहर्षौ ततोऽध्रुवौ

udayānudayau prājñairdraṣṭavyau puṣpavaṁtayoḥ || sadaikarūpatā'tyājyā harṣāharṣau tato'dhruvau

Rise and fall are to be seen by the wise as the waxing and waning of the moon; one should never abandon an unwavering constancy, for joy and sorrow are both impermanent.

Verse 21 (skanda.4.71.21)

यस्त्वापदं समासाद्य दैन्यग्रस्तो विपद्यते ॥ तस्य लोकद्वयं नष्टं तस्माद्दैन्यं विवर्जयेत्

yastvāpadaṁ samāsādya dainyagrasto vipadyate || tasya lokadvayaṁ naṣṭaṁ tasmāddainyaṁ vivarjayet

He who, encountering calamity, is seized by abjectness and falls apart — both worlds are lost to him; therefore one should abandon abjectness.

Verse 22 (skanda.4.71.22)

आपद्यपि हि ये धीरा इह लोके परत्र च ॥ न तान्पुनः स्पृशेदापत्तद्धैर्येणावधीरिता

āpadyapi hi ye dhīrā iha loke paratra ca || na tānpunaḥ spṛśedāpattaddhairyeṇāvadhīritā

Those who are steadfast even in calamity, both in this world and beyond — calamity, scorned by that very steadiness, never touches them again.

Verse 23 (skanda.4.71.23)

भ्रष्टराज्याश्च विबुधा महेशं शरणं गताः ॥ सर्वज्ञेन ततो देवीप्रेरिताऽसुरमर्दने

bhraṣṭarājyāśca vibudhā maheśaṁ śaraṇaṁ gatāḥ || sarvajñena tato devīpreritā'suramardane

The gods, deprived of their realms, took refuge in Mahesha; then, by the all-knowing one, the goddess was urged toward the crushing of the demon.

Verse 24 (skanda.4.71.24)

माहेश्वरीं समासाद्य भवान्याज्ञां प्रहृष्टवत् ॥ अमर्त्यायाऽभयं दत्त्वा समरायोपचक्रमे

māheśvarīṁ samāsādya bhavānyājñāṁ prahṛṣṭavat || amartyāyā'bhayaṁ dattvā samarāyopacakrame

Having reached the goddess Maheshvari, Bhavani, well pleased, giving fearlessness to the immortals, began her preparation for battle.

Verse 25 (skanda.4.71.25)

कालरात्रीं समाहूय कांत्या त्रैलोक्यसुंदरीम् ॥ प्रेषयामास रुद्राणी तमाह्वातुं सुरद्रुहम्

kālarātrīṁ samāhūya kāṁtyā trailokyasuṁdarīm || preṣayāmāsa rudrāṇī tamāhvātuṁ suradruham

Summoning Kalaratri, beautiful with a splendour that made her the loveliest in the three worlds, Rudrani sent her to summon that enemy of the gods.

Verse 26 (skanda.4.71.26)

कालरात्री समासाद्य तं दैत्यं दुष्टचेष्टितम् ॥ उवाच दैत्याधिपते त्यज त्रैलोक्यसंपदम्

kālarātrī samāsādya taṁ daityaṁ duṣṭaceṣṭitam || uvāca daityādhipate tyaja trailokyasaṁpadam

Kalaratri, having reached that demon of wicked conduct, said: 'O lord of demons, give up the prosperity of the three worlds.'

Verse 27 (skanda.4.71.27)

त्रिलोकीं लभतामिंद्रस्त्वं तु याहि रसातलम् ॥ प्रवर्तंतां क्रियाः सर्वा वेदोक्ता वेदवादिनाम्

trilokīṁ labhatāmiṁdrastvaṁ tu yāhi rasātalam || pravartaṁtāṁ kriyāḥ sarvā vedoktā vedavādinām

'Let Indra have the three worlds, and you go down to the netherworld; let all the rites enjoined in the Vedas be performed once more by the followers of the Vedas.'

Verse 28 (skanda.4.71.28)

अथ चेद्गर्वलेशोऽस्ति तदायाहि समाजये ॥ अथवा जीविताकांक्षी तदिंद्रं शरणं व्रज

atha cedgarvaleśo'sti tadāyāhi samājaye || athavā jīvitākāṁkṣī tadiṁdraṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja

'But if you have even a trace of pride left, then come to the battle; or, if you desire to live, then go for refuge to Indra.'

Verse 29 (skanda.4.71.29)

इति वक्तुं महादेव्या महामंगलरूपया ॥ त्वदंतिके प्रेषिताहं मृत्युस्ते तदुपेक्षया

iti vaktuṁ mahādevyā mahāmaṁgalarūpayā || tvadaṁtike preṣitāhaṁ mṛtyuste tadupekṣayā

'I have been sent to you by the great goddess, of most auspicious form, to say this; your death is at hand, should you disregard it.'

Verse 30 (skanda.4.71.30)

अतो यदुचितं कर्तुं तद्विधेहि महासुर ॥ परं हितं चेच्छृणुयाज्जीवग्राहं ततो व्रज

ato yaducitaṁ kartuṁ tadvidhehi mahāsura || paraṁ hitaṁ cecchṛṇuyājjīvagrāhaṁ tato vraja

'Therefore, O great demon, do what is fitting; if you would hear the highest counsel, then go and be taken alive.'

Verse 31 (skanda.4.71.31)

इत्याकर्ण्य वचो देव्या महाकाल्याः स दैत्यराट् ॥ प्रजज्वाल तदा क्रोधाद्गृह्यतां गृह्यतामियम्

ityākarṇya vaco devyā mahākālyāḥ sa daityarāṭ || prajajvāla tadā krodhādgṛhyatāṁ gṛhyatāmiyam

Hearing these words of the goddess Mahakali, that king of demons then blazed up with anger: 'Seize her! Seize her!'

Verse 32 (skanda.4.71.32)

त्रैलोक्यमोहिनी ह्येषा प्राप्ता मद्भाग्यगौरवैः ॥ त्रैलोक्यराज्यसंपत्ति वल्ल्याः फलमिदं महत्

trailokyamohinī hyeṣā prāptā madbhāgyagauravaiḥ || trailokyarājyasaṁpatti vallyāḥ phalamidaṁ mahat

'This enchantress of the three worlds has been obtained by the weight of my good fortune; this is the great fruit of the vine of the wealth of the three worlds' kingdom.'

Verse 33 (skanda.4.71.33)

एतदर्थं हि देवर्षि नृपा बंदी कृता मया ॥ अनायासेन मे प्राप्ता गृहमेषा शुभोदयात्

etadarthaṁ hi devarṣi nṛpā baṁdī kṛtā mayā || anāyāsena me prāptā gṛhameṣā śubhodayāt

'For this very purpose, O gods, sages and kings, have I taken captive; effortlessly has she come into my house, through my good fortune.'

Verse 34 (skanda.4.71.34)

अवश्यं यस्य योग्यं यत्तत्तस्येहोपतिष्ठते ॥ अरण्ये वा गृहे वापि यतो भाग्यस्य गौरवात्

avaśyaṁ yasya yogyaṁ yattattasyehopatiṣṭhate || araṇye vā gṛhe vāpi yato bhāgyasya gauravāt

'Whatever is fitting for whom, that surely comes to him here, whether in the forest or in the house, through the weight of his own fortune.'

Verse 35 (skanda.4.71.35)

अंतःपुरचरा एतां नयंत्वंतःपुरं महत् ॥ अनया सदलं कृत्या मम राष्ट्रमलंकृतम्

aṁtaḥpuracarā etāṁ nayaṁtvaṁtaḥpuraṁ mahat || anayā sadalaṁ kṛtyā mama rāṣṭramalaṁkṛtam

'Let my inner attendants lead her to my great inner chambers; with her, my kingdom shall be made complete and adorned.'

Verse 36 (skanda.4.71.36)

अहो महोदयश्चाद्य जातो मम महामते ॥ केवलं न ममैकस्य सर्वदैत्यान्वयस्य च

aho mahodayaścādya jāto mama mahāmate || kevalaṁ na mamaikasya sarvadaityānvayasya ca

'Ah, what great fortune has arisen for me today, O wise ones! Not for me alone, but for the entire lineage of demons.'

Verse 37 (skanda.4.71.37)

नृत्यंतु पितरश्चाद्य मोदंतां बांधवाः सुखम् ॥ मृत्युः कालोंऽतको देवाः प्राप्नुवंत्वद्य मे भयम्

nṛtyaṁtu pitaraścādya modaṁtāṁ bāṁdhavāḥ sukham || mṛtyuḥ kāloṁ'tako devāḥ prāpnuvaṁtvadya me bhayam

'Let our ancestors dance today, let our kinsmen rejoice happily; let Death, Time, the Destroyer and the gods now feel fear of me!'

Verse 38 (skanda.4.71.38)

इति यावत्समायातास्तां नेतुं सौविदल्लकाः ॥ तावत्तया कालरात्र्या प्रत्युक्तो दैत्यपुंगवः

iti yāvatsamāyātāstāṁ netuṁ sauvidallakāḥ || tāvattayā kālarātryā pratyukto daityapuṁgavaḥ

While the chamberlains came forward to lead her away, that foremost of demons was answered by Kalaratri.

Verse 39 (skanda.4.71.39)

॥कालरात्र्युवाच॥ दैत्यराज महाप्राज्ञ नैतद्युक्तं भवादृशाम् ॥ वयं दूत्यः परवशा राजनीतिविदुत्तम

||kālarātryuvāca|| daityarāja mahāprājña naitadyuktaṁ bhavādṛśām || vayaṁ dūtyaḥ paravaśā rājanītividuttama

Kalaratri said: 'O king of demons, most wise one, this is not fitting for one such as you; we messengers are subject to another's will, O best of those learned in statecraft.'

Verse 40 (skanda.4.71.40)

अल्पोपि दूतसंबाधां न विदध्यात्कदाचन ॥ किं पुनर्ये भवादृक्षा महांतो बलिनोऽधिपाः

alpopi dūtasaṁbādhāṁ na vidadhyātkadācana || kiṁ punarye bhavādṛkṣā mahāṁto balino'dhipāḥ

'Even a lesser person should never cause distress to a messenger; how much more so should great and mighty rulers such as you.'

Verse 41 (skanda.4.71.41)

दूतीषु कोनुरागोयं महाराजाल्पिकास्विह ॥ अनायासेन च वयमायास्यामस्तदागमात्

dūtīṣu konurāgoyaṁ mahārājālpikāsviha || anāyāsena ca vayamāyāsyāmastadāgamāt

'What is this passion, O great king, for such lowly messengers as we? And effortlessly shall we come to you once she arrives.'

Verse 42 (skanda.4.71.42)

विजित्य समरे तां तु स्वामिनीं मम दैत्यप ॥ मादृशीनां सहस्रणि परिभुंक्ष्व यथेच्छया

vijitya samare tāṁ tu svāminīṁ mama daityapa || mādṛśīnāṁ sahasraṇi paribhuṁkṣva yathecchayā

'Having conquered my mistress in battle, O lord of demons, you may enjoy thousands of women like me, according to your will.'

Verse 43 (skanda.4.71.43)

अद्यैव ते महासौख्यं भावितस्याविलोकनात् ॥ बांधवानां सुखं तेद्य भविता सह पूर्वजैः

adyaiva te mahāsaukhyaṁ bhāvitasyāvilokanāt || bāṁdhavānāṁ sukhaṁ tedya bhavitā saha pūrvajaiḥ

'This very day shall bring you great happiness beyond your imagining; today your kinsmen's joy, together with your ancestors', shall come to be.'

Verse 44 (skanda.4.71.44)

संपत्स्यंतेऽद्य ते कामाः सर्वे ये चिरचिंतिताः ॥ अबला सा च मुग्धा च तस्यास्त्राता न कश्चन

saṁpatsyaṁte'dya te kāmāḥ sarve ye ciraciṁtitāḥ || abalā sā ca mugdhā ca tasyāstrātā na kaścana

'Today all your desires, long cherished, shall be fulfilled; she is merely a weak and innocent woman, and she has no protector.'

Verse 45 (skanda.4.71.45)

सर्वरूपमयी चैव तां भवान्द्रष्टुमर्हति ॥ अहं हि दर्शयिष्यामि यत्र साऽस्ति जगत्खनिः

sarvarūpamayī caiva tāṁ bhavāndraṣṭumarhati || ahaṁ hi darśayiṣyāmi yatra sā'sti jagatkhaniḥ

'And she, of every form, you deserve to see; I myself shall show you where she is, the very mine of the universe.'

Verse 46 (skanda.4.71.46)

धृतायामपि चैकस्यां कस्ते कामो भविष्यति ॥ अहं ते सन्निधिं नैव त्यक्ष्याम्यद्य दिनावधि

dhṛtāyāmapi caikasyāṁ kaste kāmo bhaviṣyati || ahaṁ te sannidhiṁ naiva tyakṣyāmyadya dināvadhi

'And once one like her is held, what other desire will remain for you? I myself shall not leave your presence, until the close of this very day.'

Verse 47 (skanda.4.71.47)

ततो निवारयैतान्मामादित्सून्सौविदल्लकान् ॥ इति श्रुत्वा वचस्तस्याः स कामक्रोधमोहितः

tato nivārayaitānmāmāditsūnsauvidallakān || iti śrutvā vacastasyāḥ sa kāmakrodhamohitaḥ

'So, restrain these chamberlains, who wish to seize me.' Hearing her words, he, deluded by lust and anger —

Verse 48 (skanda.4.71.48)

तामेव बह्वमंस्तैकां दूतीं मृत्योरिवासुरः ॥ शुद्धांतरक्षिणश्चैतां शुद्धां तं प्रापयंत्वरम्

tāmeva bahvamaṁstaikāṁ dūtīṁ mṛtyorivāsuraḥ || śuddhāṁtarakṣiṇaścaitāṁ śuddhāṁ taṁ prāpayaṁtvaram

— esteemed her alone, though she was, as it were, a messenger of death, and commanded, 'Let the guards of my inner chambers swiftly bring this pure one to me.'

Verse 49 (skanda.4.71.49)

इति तेन समादिष्टाः सर्वे वर्पवरा मुने ॥ तां धर्तुमुद्यमं चक्रुर्बलेन बलवत्तराः

iti tena samādiṣṭāḥ sarve varpavarā mune || tāṁ dhartumudyamaṁ cakrurbalena balavattarāḥ

O sage, at his command, all his most powerful attendants, exceedingly mighty, made an effort to seize her by force.

Verse 50 (skanda.4.71.50)

सा तान्भस्मीचकाराशु हुंकारजनिताग्निना ॥ ततो दैत्यपतिः क्रुद्धो दृष्ट्वा तान्भस्मसात्कृतान्

sā tānbhasmīcakārāśu huṁkārajanitāgninā || tato daityapatiḥ kruddho dṛṣṭvā tānbhasmasātkṛtān

She instantly reduced them to ashes with the fire born of her mere 'Hum'; then the lord of demons, enraged, seeing them turned to ashes —

Verse 51 (skanda.4.71.51)

क्षणेनैव तया दूत्या दैत्त्यास्त्र्ययुतसंमितान् ॥ दृशा व्यापारयामास दुर्धरं दुर्मुखं खरम्

kṣaṇenaiva tayā dūtyā daittyāstryayutasaṁmitān || dṛśā vyāpārayāmāsa durdharaṁ durmukhaṁ kharam

— and in that instant he dispatched, with a mere glance, twenty thousand demons against that messenger — Durdhara, Durmukha, Khara —

Verse 52 (skanda.4.71.52)

सीरपाणिं पाशपाणिं सुरेंद्रदमनं हनुम् ॥ यज्ञारिं खङ्गलोमानमुग्रास्यं देवकंपनम्

sīrapāṇiṁ pāśapāṇiṁ sureṁdradamanaṁ hanum || yajñāriṁ khaṅgalomānamugrāsyaṁ devakaṁpanam

— Sirapani, Pashapani, Surendradamana, Hanu, Yajnari, Khadgaloman, Ugrasya, Devakampana —

Verse 53 (skanda.4.71.53)

बद्ध्वा पाशैरिमां दुष्टामानयंत्वाशु दानवाः ॥ विध्वस्तकेशवेशां च विस्त्रस्तांबरभूषणाम्

baddhvā pāśairimāṁ duṣṭāmānayaṁtvāśu dānavāḥ || vidhvastakeśaveśāṁ ca vistrastāṁbarabhūṣaṇām

— 'Bind this wicked one with nooses, O demons, and bring her here swiftly, her hair and adornment torn asunder, her garments and ornaments scattered.'

Verse 54 (skanda.4.71.54)

इति दैत्याधिपादेशाद्दुर्धरप्रमुखास्ततः ॥ पाशासिमुद्गरधरास्तामादातुं कृतोद्यमाः

iti daityādhipādeśāddurdharapramukhāstataḥ || pāśāsimudgaradharāstāmādātuṁ kṛtodyamāḥ

At the command of the lord of demons, Durdhara and the others, then, bearing nooses, swords, and maces, made their effort to seize her.

Verse 55 (skanda.4.71.55)

गिरींद्रगुरुवर्ष्माणः शस्त्रास्त्रोद्यतपाणयः ॥ दिगंतं ते परिप्राप्तास्तदुच्छ्वासानिलाहताः

girīṁdraguruvarṣmāṇaḥ śastrāstrodyatapāṇayaḥ || digaṁtaṁ te pariprāptāstaducchvāsānilāhatāḥ

Those whose bodies were as heavy as mountains, weapons raised in their hands, were driven to the very ends of the directions, struck by the wind of her mere breath.

Verse 56 (skanda.4.71.56)

तेषूड्डीनेषु दैत्येषु शतकोटिमितेषु च ॥ निर्जगाम ततः सा तु कालरात्रिर्नभोध्वगा

teṣūḍḍīneṣu daityeṣu śatakoṭimiteṣu ca || nirjagāma tataḥ sā tu kālarātrirnabhodhvagā

When those hundred crores of demons had been thus blown away, Kalaratri then set forth, travelling through the sky.

Verse 57 (skanda.4.71.57)

ततस्तां तु विनिर्यांतीमनुजग्मुर्महासुराः ॥ कोटिकोटिसहस्राणि पूरयित्वा तु रोदसी

tatastāṁ tu viniryāṁtīmanujagmurmahāsurāḥ || koṭikoṭisahasrāṇi pūrayitvā tu rodasī

Then, as she departed, the great demons followed after her, thousands of crores of crores, filling the very sky and earth.

Verse 58 (skanda.4.71.58)

दुर्गोनाम महादैत्यः शतकोटि रथावृतः ॥ गजानामर्बुदशतद्वयेनपारिवारितः

durgonāma mahādaityaḥ śatakoṭi rathāvṛtaḥ || gajānāmarbudaśatadvayenapārivāritaḥ

The great demon named Durga, surrounded by a hundred crores of chariots, attended by two hundred hundred-millions of elephants,

Verse 59 (skanda.4.71.59)

कोट्यर्बुदेन सहितो हयानां वातरंहसाम् ॥ पदातिभिरसंख्यातैः पच्चूर्णितशिलोच्चयैः

koṭyarbudena sahito hayānāṁ vātaraṁhasām || padātibhirasaṁkhyātaiḥ paccūrṇitaśiloccayaiḥ

together with a hundred-million crore of horses swift as the wind, and countless foot-soldiers who ground mountains to powder with their tread,

Verse 60 (skanda.4.71.60)

उदायुधैर्महाभीमैःकृतत्रिजगतीभयैः ॥ समेतः स महादैत्यो दुर्गः क्रुद्धो विनिर्ययौ

udāyudhairmahābhīmaiḥkṛtatrijagatībhayaiḥ || sametaḥ sa mahādaityo durgaḥ kruddho viniryayau

armed and most fearsome, striking terror into the three worlds — thus attended, that great demon Durga, enraged, set forth.

Verse 61 (skanda.4.71.61)

अथ दृष्ट्वा महादेवी विंध्याचलकृतालयाम् ॥ आगत्य कालरात्र्यां च निवेदित तदागसम्

atha dṛṣṭvā mahādevī viṁdhyācalakṛtālayām || āgatya kālarātryāṁ ca nivedita tadāgasam

Then the great goddess, who had made her abode on the Vindhya mountain, beheld Kalaratri, who had come and reported that offence.

Verse 62 (skanda.4.71.62)

महाभुजसहस्राढयां महातेजोभिबृंहिताम् ॥ तत्तद्घोरप्रहरणां रणकौतुकसादराम्

mahābhujasahasrāḍhayāṁ mahātejobhibṛṁhitām || tattadghorapraharaṇāṁ raṇakautukasādarām

She was endowed with a thousand mighty arms, magnified with great splendour, bearing every kind of terrible weapon, eager with delight for the battle.

Verse 63 (skanda.4.71.63)

प्रौद्यच्चंद्रसहस्रांशु निर्मार्जित शुभाननाम् ॥ लावण्यवार्धि निर्गच्छच्चंचच्चंद्रैकचंद्रिकाम्

praudyaccaṁdrasahasrāṁśu nirmārjita śubhānanām || lāvaṇyavārdhi nirgacchaccaṁcaccaṁdraikacaṁdrikām

Her lovely face was as if polished bright by the rays of a thousand rising moons; she was like the single, flickering moonlight rising from the very ocean of beauty.

Verse 64 (skanda.4.71.64)

महामाणिक्यनिचय रोचिःखचितविग्रहाम् ॥ त्रैलोक्यरम्यनगरी सुप्रकाशप्रदीपिकाम्

mahāmāṇikyanicaya rociḥkhacitavigrahām || trailokyaramyanagarī suprakāśapradīpikām

Her form was studded with the radiance of heaps of great rubies; she was like the bright, guiding lamp of the beautiful city that is the three worlds.

Verse 65 (skanda.4.71.65)

हरनेत्राग्निनिर्दग्ध कामजीवातुवीरुधम् ॥ लसत्सौंदर्यसंभार जगन्मोहमहौषधिम्

haranetrāgninirdagdha kāmajīvātuvīrudham || lasatsauṁdaryasaṁbhāra jaganmohamahauṣadhim

She was the very life-giving herb for Kama, who had been burnt to ashes by the fire of Hara's eye; she was the great medicinal plant of gleaming beauty that enchants the whole world.

Verse 66 (skanda.4.71.66)

विषमेषु शरैर्भिन्नहृदयो दैत्यपुंगवः ॥ आदिष्टवान्महासैन्यनायकानुप्रशासनः

viṣameṣu śarairbhinnahṛdayo daityapuṁgavaḥ || ādiṣṭavānmahāsainyanāyakānupraśāsanaḥ

His heart pierced by the arrows of Kama, the foremost of demons commanded and instructed the leaders of his great army.

Verse 67 (skanda.4.71.67)

अयि जंभ महाजंभ कुजंभ विकटानन ॥ लंबोदर महाकाय महादंष्ट्र महाहनो

ayi jaṁbha mahājaṁbha kujaṁbha vikaṭānana || laṁbodara mahākāya mahādaṁṣṭra mahāhano

'O Jambha, Mahajambha, Kujambha, terrible of face, Lambodara, huge of body, Mahadamshtra, huge of jaw —'

Verse 68 (skanda.4.71.68)

पिंगाक्ष महिषग्रीव महोग्रात्युग्रविग्रह ॥ क्रूराक्ष क्रोधनाक्रंद संक्रंदन महाभय

piṁgākṣa mahiṣagrīva mahogrātyugravigraha || krūrākṣa krodhanākraṁda saṁkraṁdana mahābhaya

'— Pingaksha, buffalo-necked, Mahogra, exceedingly fierce of form, Kruraksha, wrathful Akranda, Sankrandana, most terrible —'

Verse 69 (skanda.4.71.69)

जितांतक महाबाहो महावक्त्र महीधर ॥ दुंदुभे दुंदुभिरव महादुंदुभिनासिक

jitāṁtaka mahābāho mahāvaktra mahīdhara || duṁdubhe duṁdubhirava mahāduṁdubhināsika

'— Jitantaka, mighty-armed, huge-faced, Mahidhara, Dundubhi, Dundubhirava, Mahadundubhinasika —'

Verse 70 (skanda.4.71.70)

उग्रास्य दीर्घदशनमेवकेश वृकानन ॥ सिंहास्य सूकरमुख शिवाराव महोत्कट

ugrāsya dīrghadaśanamevakeśa vṛkānana || siṁhāsya sūkaramukha śivārāva mahotkaṭa

'— fierce-faced, long-toothed, single-haired, wolf-faced, lion-faced, boar-mouthed, jackal-howling, exceedingly monstrous —'

Verse 71 (skanda.4.71.71)

शुकतुंड प्रचंडास्य भीमाक्ष क्षुदमानस ॥ उलूकनेत्र कंकास्य काकतुंड करालवाक्

śukatuṁḍa pracaṁḍāsya bhīmākṣa kṣudamānasa || ulūkanetra kaṁkāsya kākatuṁḍa karālavāk

'— parrot-beaked, fierce-faced, terrible-eyed, hungry-minded, owl-eyed, heron-faced, crow-beaked, terrible-voiced —'

Verse 72 (skanda.4.71.72)

दीर्घग्रीव महाजंघ क्रमेलक शिरोधर ॥ रक्तबिंदो जपानेत्र विद्युज्जिह्वाग्नितापन

dīrghagrīva mahājaṁgha kramelaka śirodhara || raktabiṁdo japānetra vidyujjihvāgnitāpana

'— long-necked, huge-thighed, camel-necked, Raktabindu, hibiscus-eyed, lightning-tongued, fire-scorching —'

Verse 73 (skanda.4.71.73)

धूम्राक्ष धूमनिःश्वास चंडचंडांशुतापन ॥ महाभीषणमुख्याश्च शृण्वंत्वाज्ञां ममादरात्

dhūmrākṣa dhūmaniḥśvāsa caṁḍacaṁḍāṁśutāpana || mahābhīṣaṇamukhyāśca śṛṇvaṁtvājñāṁ mamādarāt

'— smoke-eyed, smoke-breathing, fierce, sun-scorching, and other great and terrible chiefs — let them hear my command with respect.'

Verse 74 (skanda.4.71.74)

भवत्स्वेतेषु चान्येषु एतां विंध्यवासिनीम् ॥ धृत्यानेष्यति बुद्ध्या वा बलेनापि च्छलेन वा

bhavatsveteṣu cānyeṣu etāṁ viṁdhyavāsinīm || dhṛtyāneṣyati buddhyā vā balenāpi cchalena vā

'Among you and the others, whoever brings this Vindhya-dweller, by patience, by cleverness, by force, or by deceit —'

Verse 75 (skanda.4.71.75)

तस्याहमिंद्रपदवीमद्य दास्याम्यसंशयम् ॥ दृष्ट्वैतां सुंदरीमद्य मनो मे व्याकुलं भवेत्

tasyāhamiṁdrapadavīmadya dāsyāmyasaṁśayam || dṛṣṭvaitāṁ suṁdarīmadya mano me vyākulaṁ bhavet

'— to him I shall, without doubt, give this very day the rank of Indra. Having seen this beautiful one today, my mind has become distraught.'

Verse 76 (skanda.4.71.76)

यांतु क्षिप्रं नयावन्मे पंचेषु शरपीडितम् ॥ मनोविह्वलतां गच्छेदेतत्प्राप्तेरभावतः

yāṁtu kṣipraṁ nayāvanme paṁceṣu śarapīḍitam || manovihvalatāṁ gacchedetatprāpterabhāvataḥ

'Let them go swiftly and bring her, before my mind, pierced by the arrows of Kama, falls into utter distraction from her non-attainment.'

Verse 77 (skanda.4.71.77)

इत्याकर्ण्य वचस्तस्य दुर्गस्य दनुजेशितुः ॥ प्रोचुः सर्वे तदा दैत्याः प्रबद्धकरसंपुटाः

ityākarṇya vacastasya durgasya danujeśituḥ || procuḥ sarve tadā daityāḥ prabaddhakarasaṁpuṭāḥ

Hearing these words of Durga, lord of the demons, all the demons then said, with hands joined together in respect.

Verse 78 (skanda.4.71.78)

अवधेहि महाराज किमेतत्कर्मदुष्करम् ॥ अनाथायास्तथैकस्या अबलया विशेषतः

avadhehi mahārāja kimetatkarmaduṣkaram || anāthāyāstathaikasyā abalayā viśeṣataḥ

'Consider, great king — what is difficult in this task, especially against one such as her, unprotected, alone, and weak?'

Verse 79 (skanda.4.71.79)

अस्या आनयने कोयं महायत्नविधिः प्रभो ॥ कोऽस्मान्प्रलयकालाग्निमहाज्वालावलीसमान्

asyā ānayane koyaṁ mahāyatnavidhiḥ prabho || ko'smānpralayakālāgnimahājvālāvalīsamān

'What great effort is needed, my lord, to bring her here? Who, in the three worlds, could withstand us, who are like great rows of flames of the fire of universal dissolution —'

Verse 80 (skanda.4.71.80)

सहेत त्रिषु लोकेषु त्वत्प्रसादात्कृतोद्यमान् ॥ यद्यादेशो भवेदद्य तदेंद्रं स मरुद्गणम्

saheta triṣu lokeṣu tvatprasādātkṛtodyamān || yadyādeśo bhavedadya tadeṁdraṁ sa marudgaṇam

'— set in motion by your grace? If it were your command today, we would bring even Indra along with the host of the Maruts —'

Verse 81 (skanda.4.71.81)

सांतःपुरं समानीय क्षिप्नुमस्त्वत्पदाग्रतः ॥ भूर्भुवःस्वरिदं सर्वं त्वदाज्ञावशवर्तितम्

sāṁtaḥpuraṁ samānīya kṣipnumastvatpadāgrataḥ || bhūrbhuvaḥsvaridaṁ sarvaṁ tvadājñāvaśavartitam

'— together with his inner chambers, and cast him before your very feet. This entire earth, sky and heaven are already under the sway of your command.'

Verse 82 (skanda.4.71.82)

महर्जनस्तपःसत्यलोकास्त्वदधिकारिणः ॥ तत्राप्यसाध्यं नास्माकं त्वन्निदेशान्महासुर

maharjanastapaḥsatyalokāstvadadhikāriṇaḥ || tatrāpyasādhyaṁ nāsmākaṁ tvannideśānmahāsura

'The worlds of Mahar, Jana, Tapa, and Satya are all subject to you; even there, nothing is unachievable for us, at your command, O great demon.'

Verse 83 (skanda.4.71.83)

वैकुंठनायको नित्यं त्वदाज्ञापरिपालकः ॥ यानि रम्याणि रत्नानि तानि संप्रेषयन्मुदा

vaikuṁṭhanāyako nityaṁ tvadājñāparipālakaḥ || yāni ramyāṇi ratnāni tāni saṁpreṣayanmudā

'The lord of Vaikuntha ever obeys your command, and joyfully sends you whatever lovely jewels he possesses.'

Verse 84 (skanda.4.71.84)

अस्माभिरेव संत्यक्तः कैलासाधिपतिः स वै ॥ विपाशी चातिनिःस्वत्वाद्भस्मकृत्त्यहिभूषणः

asmābhireva saṁtyaktaḥ kailāsādhipatiḥ sa vai || vipāśī cātiniḥsvatvādbhasmakṛttyahibhūṣaṇaḥ

'Even the lord of Kailasa has been left alone by us — he, utterly destitute, smeared with ash, adorned with serpents —'

Verse 85 (skanda.4.71.85)

अर्धांगेनास्मद्भयतो योषिदेका निगूहिता ॥ तस्य ग्रामेपि सकले द्वितीयो न चतुष्पदः

ardhāṁgenāsmadbhayato yoṣidekā nigūhitā || tasya grāmepi sakale dvitīyo na catuṣpadaḥ

'— who, out of fear of us, has hidden a single woman within half his own body. In his entire village there is not a second four-footed creature.'

Verse 86 (skanda.4.71.86)

एकोऽजरद्गवः सोपि नान्यस्मात्परिजीवति ॥ श्मशानवासिनः सर्वे सर्वे कौपीनवाससः

eko'jaradgavaḥ sopi nānyasmātparijīvati || śmaśānavāsinaḥ sarve sarve kaupīnavāsasaḥ

'He has only a single, old bull, and even that does not live off anything else. All his attendants dwell in cremation grounds, all clad in mere loincloths.'

Verse 87 (skanda.4.71.87)

सर्वे विभूतिधवला सर्वेप्येक कपर्द्दिनः ॥ समस्ते नगरे तस्य वसंत्येवंविधा गणाः

sarve vibhūtidhavalā sarvepyeka kaparddinaḥ || samaste nagare tasya vasaṁtyevaṁvidhā gaṇāḥ

'All of them are white with ash, all wear their hair in a single matted lock; throughout his entire city dwell attendants of just this sort.'

Verse 88 (skanda.4.71.88)

तेषां गणानां किं कुर्मो दरिद्राणां वयं विभो ॥ समुद्रा रत्नसंभारं प्रत्यहं प्रेषयंति च

teṣāṁ gaṇānāṁ kiṁ kurmo daridrāṇāṁ vayaṁ vibho || samudrā ratnasaṁbhāraṁ pratyahaṁ preṣayaṁti ca

'What need have we of these impoverished attendants, O lord? The very oceans send to us, daily, a mass of jewels.'

Verse 89 (skanda.4.71.89)

नागा वराकाश्चास्माकं सायंसायं स्वयं प्रभो ॥ प्रदीपयंति सततं फणा रत्नप्रदीपकान्

nāgā varākāścāsmākaṁ sāyaṁsāyaṁ svayaṁ prabho || pradīpayaṁti satataṁ phaṇā ratnapradīpakān

'And the humble serpents, O lord, of their own accord, light every evening the jewel-lamps of their own hoods for us continually.'

Verse 90 (skanda.4.71.90)

कल्पद्रुमः कामगवी चिंतामणिगणा बहु ॥ तव प्रसादादस्माकमपि तिष्ठंति वेश्मसु

kalpadrumaḥ kāmagavī ciṁtāmaṇigaṇā bahu || tava prasādādasmākamapi tiṣṭhaṁti veśmasu

'The wishing-trees, the wish-granting cow, and many wishing-gems, by your grace, stand even now in our very homes.'

Verse 91 (skanda.4.71.91)

वायुर्व्यजनतां यातस्त्वां सेवेत प्रयत्नतः ॥ स्वच्छान्यंबूनि वरुणः प्रत्यहं पूरयत्यहो

vāyurvyajanatāṁ yātastvāṁ seveta prayatnataḥ || svacchānyaṁbūni varuṇaḥ pratyahaṁ pūrayatyaho

'The wind itself has become your fan, diligently serving you; Varuna, ah, daily fills your pools with clear waters.'

Verse 92 (skanda.4.71.92)

वासांसि क्षालयेदग्निश्चंद्रश्छत्रधरः स्वयम् ॥ सूर्यः प्रकाशयेन्नित्यं क्रीडावाप्यंबुजानि च

vāsāṁsi kṣālayedagniścaṁdraśchatradharaḥ svayam || sūryaḥ prakāśayennityaṁ krīḍāvāpyaṁbujāni ca

'Agni washes your garments; the moon himself holds a parasol over you; the sun ever illuminates the lotuses of your pleasure-pools.'

Verse 93 (skanda.4.71.93)

कस्त्वत्प्रसादं नेक्षेत मर्त्यामर्त्योरगेषु च ॥ सर्वे त्वामुपजीवंति सुराऽसुरखगादयः

kastvatprasādaṁ nekṣeta martyāmartyorageṣu ca || sarve tvāmupajīvaṁti surā'surakhagādayaḥ

'Who, among mortals, immortals, or serpents, does not experience your grace? Gods, demons, birds, and all others live by depending upon you.'

Verse 94 (skanda.4.71.94)

पश्य नः पौरुषं राजन्नानयामो बलादिमाम् ॥ इत्युक्त्वा युगपत्सर्वे क्षुब्धास्तोयधयो यथा

paśya naḥ pauruṣaṁ rājannānayāmo balādimām || ityuktvā yugapatsarve kṣubdhāstoyadhayo yathā

'Behold our valour, O king — we shall bring her here by force!' Having said this, all of them, together, surged forth like agitated oceans.

Verse 95 (skanda.4.71.95)

संवर्तकालमासाद्य प्लावितुं जगतीमिमाम् ॥ रणतूर्य निनादश्च समुत्तस्थौ समंततः

saṁvartakālamāsādya plāvituṁ jagatīmimām || raṇatūrya ninādaśca samuttasthau samaṁtataḥ

As if the oceans, at the time of universal dissolution, had risen to flood this whole earth — the din of battle-drums arose on every side.

Verse 96 (skanda.4.71.96)

रोमांचिता यच्छ्रवणात्कातरा अप्यकातराः ॥ ततो देवा भयत्रस्ताश्चकंपे च वसुंधरा

romāṁcitā yacchravaṇātkātarā apyakātarāḥ || tato devā bhayatrastāścakaṁpe ca vasuṁdharā

At the mere sound of it, even the timid felt their hair rise as if fearless; then the gods trembled in fear, and the earth itself shook.

Verse 97 (skanda.4.71.97)

क्षुब्धा अंबुधयः सर्वे पेतुर्नक्षत्रमालिकाः ॥ रोदसीमंडलं व्याप्तं तेन तूर्यरवेण वै

kṣubdhā aṁbudhayaḥ sarve peturnakṣatramālikāḥ || rodasīmaṁḍalaṁ vyāptaṁ tena tūryaraveṇa vai

All the oceans were agitated, garlands of stars fell from the sky; the whole sphere of heaven and earth was pervaded by that din of battle-drums.

Verse 98 (skanda.4.71.98)

ततो भगवती देवी स्वशरीरसमुद्भवाः ॥ शक्तीरुत्पादयामास शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः

tato bhagavatī devī svaśarīrasamudbhavāḥ || śaktīrutpādayāmāsa śataśo'tha sahasraśaḥ

Then the blessed goddess produced from her own body powers, Shaktis, by the hundreds and by the thousands.

Verse 99 (skanda.4.71.99)

ताभिः शक्तिभिरेतेषां बलिनां दितिजन्मनाम् ॥ प्रत्येकं परितो रुद्ध उद्वेलः सैन्यसागरः

tābhiḥ śaktibhireteṣāṁ balināṁ ditijanmanām || pratyekaṁ parito ruddha udvelaḥ sainyasāgaraḥ

By those Shaktis, the overflowing ocean of the army of those mighty demon-born ones was surrounded and checked on every side, each of them engaged individually.

Verse 100 (skanda.4.71.100)

शस्त्रास्त्राणि महादैत्यैर्यान्युत्सृष्टानि संगरे ॥ ताभिः शक्तिभिरुग्राणि तृणीकृत्योज्झितान्यरम्

śastrāstrāṇi mahādaityairyānyutsṛṣṭāni saṁgare || tābhiḥ śaktibhirugrāṇi tṛṇīkṛtyojjhitānyaram

Whatever fierce weapons were hurled by the great demons in that battle, by those Shaktis they were reduced to mere straw and cast aside utterly.

Verse 101 (skanda.4.71.101)

ततोतिकोपपूर्णास्ते जंभमुख्याः सुरारयः ॥ असि चक्र भुशुंडीभिर्गदामुद्गरतोमरैः

tatotikopapūrṇāste jaṁbhamukhyāḥ surārayaḥ || asi cakra bhuśuṁḍībhirgadāmudgaratomaraiḥ

Then, filled with extreme fury, those enemies of the gods, Jambha and the rest, with swords, discuses, slings, maces, mallets and javelins —

Verse 102 (skanda.4.71.102)

भिंदिपालैश्च परिघैः कुंतैः शल्यैश्च शक्तिभिः ॥ अर्धचंद्रैः क्षुरप्रैश्च नाराचैश्च शिलीमुखैः

bhiṁdipālaiśca parighaiḥ kuṁtaiḥ śalyaiśca śaktibhiḥ || ardhacaṁdraiḥ kṣurapraiśca nārācaiśca śilīmukhaiḥ

— with darts, iron clubs, lances, spears and javelins, with crescent-headed arrows, razor-arrows, iron shafts, and flower-tipped arrows —

Verse 103 (skanda.4.71.103)

महाभल्लैः परशुभिर्भिंदुरैर्मर्मभेदिभिः ॥ वृक्षोपलमहावर्षैर्ववृषुर्जलदा इव

mahābhallaiḥ paraśubhirbhiṁdurairmarmabhedibhiḥ || vṛkṣopalamahāvarṣairvavṛṣurjaladā iva

— with great broad-headed arrows, axes, and piercing weapons that split the vitals — and with great showers of trees and boulders, they rained down like storm-clouds.

Verse 104 (skanda.4.71.104)

अथ सा विंध्यनिलया महामाया महेश्वरी ॥ आदायोद्दंडकोदंडं वायव्यास्त्रेण हेलया

atha sā viṁdhyanilayā mahāmāyā maheśvarī || ādāyoddaṁḍakodaṁḍaṁ vāyavyāstreṇa helayā

Then she, the great Maya, the great goddess who dwells on the Vindhya, taking up her mighty bow, with the weapon of Vayu, effortlessly —

Verse 105 (skanda.4.71.105)

दैत्यास्त्रशस्त्रजालानि परिचिक्षेप दूरतः ॥ ततो महासुरो दुर्गो वीक्ष्य सैन्यं निरायुधम्

daityāstraśastrajālāni paricikṣepa dūrataḥ || tato mahāsuro durgo vīkṣya sainyaṁ nirāyudham

— scattered far away the whole mass of the demons' weapons and missiles. Then the great demon Durga, seeing his army disarmed —

Verse 106 (skanda.4.71.106)

ज्वलंतीं शक्तिमादाय तां देवीं प्रति सोऽक्षिपत् ॥ तां तु शक्तिं समायांतीं महावेगवतीं रणे

jvalaṁtīṁ śaktimādāya tāṁ devīṁ prati so'kṣipat || tāṁ tu śaktiṁ samāyāṁtīṁ mahāvegavatīṁ raṇe

— took up a blazing spear and hurled it at the goddess. That spear, coming on with great force in the battle —

Verse 107 (skanda.4.71.107)

निजचापविनिर्मुक्तैर्बाणैश्चूर्णी चकार सा ॥ भग्नां शक्तिं समालोक्य ततो दुर्गो महासुरः

nijacāpavinirmuktairbāṇaiścūrṇī cakāra sā || bhagnāṁ śaktiṁ samālokya tato durgo mahāsuraḥ

— she pulverized with arrows released from her own bow. Then, seeing his spear shattered, the great demon Durga —

Verse 108 (skanda.4.71.108)

चक्रं च प्रेषयामास दैत्यचक्रातिहर्षदम् ॥ तच्च देव्या शरशतैरंतरैवाणुवत्कृतम्

cakraṁ ca preṣayāmāsa daityacakrātiharṣadam || tacca devyā śaraśatairaṁtaraivāṇuvatkṛtam

— hurled his discus, a source of great joy to the demons; but that too was reduced by the goddess to the size of an atom, midway, with hundreds of arrows.

Verse 109 (skanda.4.71.109)

ततः शार्ङ्गं समादाय धनुः शक्रधनुर्यथा ॥ हृदि विव्याध बाणेन तां देवीममरार्दनः

tataḥ śārṅgaṁ samādāya dhanuḥ śakradhanuryathā || hṛdi vivyādha bāṇena tāṁ devīmamarārdanaḥ

Then, taking up his bow, bright as Indra's own rainbow, that tormentor of the gods pierced the goddess's heart with an arrow.

Verse 110 (skanda.4.71.110)

स च बाणस्तया देव्या निज बाणैर्महाजवैः ॥ निवारितोपि वेगेन तां देवीमभ्यगान्मुने

sa ca bāṇastayā devyā nija bāṇairmahājavaiḥ || nivāritopi vegena tāṁ devīmabhyagānmune

O sage, that arrow, though warded off by the goddess with her own swift arrows, still, by its force, reached the goddess.

Verse 111 (skanda.4.71.111)

ततः कोदंडदंडेन आषुगेन तमाशुगम् ॥ हत्वा निवारयामास कालदंडमिवापरम्

tataḥ kodaṁḍadaṁḍena āṣugena tamāśugam || hatvā nivārayāmāsa kāladaṁḍamivāparam

Then, with a swift arrow from the shaft of her bow, she struck and warded off that swift arrow, as if it were another staff of death.

Verse 112 (skanda.4.71.112)

तस्मिन्विमुखतां याते मार्गणे दुर्गमासुरः ॥ क्रुद्धः शूलं समादाय संवर्तानलसुप्रभम्

tasminvimukhatāṁ yāte mārgaṇe durgamāsuraḥ || kruddhaḥ śūlaṁ samādāya saṁvartānalasuprabham

When that arrow had thus been turned back, Durgama the demon, enraged, took up his trident, blazing bright as the fire of universal dissolution —

Verse 113 (skanda.4.71.113)

महावेगन चिक्षेप तां देवीमभि दैत्यपः ॥ परापतच्च तच्छूलं निजशूलेन चंडिका

mahāvegana cikṣepa tāṁ devīmabhi daityapaḥ || parāpatacca tacchūlaṁ nijaśūlena caṁḍikā

— and that lord of demons hurled it with great force at the goddess. And as that trident came flying toward her, Chandika, with her own trident —

Verse 114 (skanda.4.71.114)

अंतरैव प्रचिच्छेद सह दैत्यजयाशया ॥ तस्मिन्नपि महाशूले देवीशूलावहेलिते

aṁtaraiva praciccheda saha daityajayāśayā || tasminnapi mahāśūle devīśūlāvahelite

— cut it apart midway, along with the demon's hope of victory. Even that great trident having been thus easily repulsed by the goddess's own trident —

Verse 115 (skanda.4.71.115)

गदामादाय दैत्येंद्रः सहसाभिपपात ह ॥ आजघान च तं देवीं भुजमूले महाबलः

gadāmādāya daityeṁdraḥ sahasābhipapāta ha || ājaghāna ca taṁ devīṁ bhujamūle mahābalaḥ

— the king of demons, taking up his mace, suddenly rushed forward, and, mighty as he was, struck the goddess at the base of her arm.

Verse 116 (skanda.4.71.116)

सापि देवी भुजं प्राप्य गिरींद्रशिखराकृतिः ॥ गदाशुपरिपुस्फोट शतधा च सहस्रधा

sāpi devī bhujaṁ prāpya girīṁdraśikharākṛtiḥ || gadāśuparipusphoṭa śatadhā ca sahasradhā

The goddess too, receiving the blow with her arm shaped like the peak of the king of mountains, instantly shattered the enemy's mace into hundreds and thousands of pieces.

Verse 117 (skanda.4.71.117)

तदा देव्या स दैत्येंद्रो वामपादतलेन हि ॥ आताडितः पपातोर्व्यां हृदि गाढं प्रपीडितः

tadā devyā sa daityeṁdro vāmapādatalena hi || ātāḍitaḥ papātorvyāṁ hṛdi gāḍhaṁ prapīḍitaḥ

Then that king of demons, struck by the goddess with the sole of her left foot, fell upon the earth, his chest severely crushed.

Verse 118 (skanda.4.71.118)

तत्क्षणादेव दैत्येंद्रः पतित्वा पुनरुत्थितः ॥ बभूव सहसा दृश्यो दीपो वातहतो यथा

tatkṣaṇādeva daityeṁdraḥ patitvā punarutthitaḥ || babhūva sahasā dṛśyo dīpo vātahato yathā

That very instant, the king of demons, having fallen, rose up again, suddenly visible once more, like a lamp struck by the wind that flares up again.

Verse 119 (skanda.4.71.119)

तावञ्जगज्जनन्याताः प्रेरिता निज शक्तयः ॥ विचेरुर्दैत्यसैन्येषु संवर्ते मृत्युसैन्यवत्

tāvañjagajjananyātāḥ preritā nija śaktayaḥ || vicerurdaityasainyeṣu saṁvarte mṛtyusainyavat

Meanwhile, the Shaktis, sent forth by the mother of the universe, ranged through the demon armies like the very armies of death at the time of universal dissolution.