The Victory of Durga

Verse 1 (skanda.4.72.1)

॥अगस्त्य उवाच॥ पार्वतीहृदयानंद स्कंद सर्वज्ञनंदन ॥ काः कास्तु शक्तयस्ता वै तासां नामानि मे वद

||agastya uvāca|| pārvatīhṛdayānaṁda skaṁda sarvajñanaṁdana || kāḥ kāstu śaktayastā vai tāsāṁ nāmāni me vada

Agastya said: O joy of Parvati's heart, Skanda, son of the omniscient one — who are those Shaktis? Tell me their names.

Verse 2 (skanda.4.72.2)

॥स्कंद उवाच॥ तासां परमशक्तीनामुमावयवसंभुवाम् ॥ आख्याम्याख्यां शृणु मुने कुंभसंभव तत्त्वतः

||skaṁda uvāca|| tāsāṁ paramaśaktīnāmumāvayavasaṁbhuvām || ākhyāmyākhyāṁ śṛṇu mune kuṁbhasaṁbhava tattvataḥ

Skanda said: I shall tell the names of those supreme Shaktis, born from the very limbs of Uma; listen truly, O sage, jar-born one.

Verse 3 (skanda.4.72.3)

त्रैलोक्यविजया तारा क्षमा त्रैलोक्यसुंदरी ॥ त्रिपुरा त्रिजगन्माता भीमा त्रिपुरभैरवी

trailokyavijayā tārā kṣamā trailokyasuṁdarī || tripurā trijaganmātā bhīmā tripurabhairavī

Trailokyavijaya, Tara, Kshama, Trailokyasundari, Tripura, mother of the three worlds, Bhima, Tripurabhairavi —

Verse 4 (skanda.4.72.4)

कामाख्या कमलाक्षी च धृतिस्त्रिपुरतापनी ॥ जया जयंती विजया जलेशी चापराजिता

kāmākhyā kamalākṣī ca dhṛtistripuratāpanī || jayā jayaṁtī vijayā jaleśī cāparājitā

— Kamakhya, Kamalakshi, Dhriti, Tripuratapani, Jaya, Jayanti, Vijaya, Jaleshi, and Aparajita —

Verse 5 (skanda.4.72.5)

शंखिनी गजवक्त्रा च महिषघ्नी रणप्रिया ॥ शुभानंदा कोटराक्षी विद्युज्जिह्वा शिवारवा

śaṁkhinī gajavaktrā ca mahiṣaghnī raṇapriyā || śubhānaṁdā koṭarākṣī vidyujjihvā śivāravā

— Shankhini, elephant-faced Gajavaktra, Mahishaghni, Ranapriya, Shubhananda, Kotaraksha, Vidyujjihva, Shivarava —

Verse 6 (skanda.4.72.6)

त्रिनेत्रा च त्रिवक्त्रा च त्रिपदा सर्वमंगला ॥ हुंकारहेतिस्तालेशी सर्पास्या सर्वसुंदरी

trinetrā ca trivaktrā ca tripadā sarvamaṁgalā || huṁkārahetistāleśī sarpāsyā sarvasuṁdarī

— three-eyed Trinetra, three-faced Trivaktra, three-footed Tripada, Sarvamangala, Hunkarahati, Taleshi, serpent-mouthed Sarpasya, Sarvasundari —

Verse 7 (skanda.4.72.7)

सिद्धिर्बुद्धिः स्वधा स्वाहा महानिद्रा शराशना ॥ पाशपाणिः खरमुखी वज्रतारा षडानना

siddhirbuddhiḥ svadhā svāhā mahānidrā śarāśanā || pāśapāṇiḥ kharamukhī vajratārā ṣaḍānanā

— Siddhi, Buddhi, Svadha, Svaha, Mahanidra, Sharashana, noose-handed Pashapani, donkey-faced Kharamukhi, Vajratara, six-faced Shadanana —

Verse 8 (skanda.4.72.8)

मयूरवदना काकी शुकी भासी गरुत्मती ॥ पद्मावती पद्मकेशी पद्मास्या पद्मवासिनी

mayūravadanā kākī śukī bhāsī garutmatī || padmāvatī padmakeśī padmāsyā padmavāsinī

— peacock-faced Mayuravadana, crow-faced Kaki, parrot-faced Shuki, hawk-faced Bhasi, Garutmati, Padmavati, lotus-haired Padmakeshi, lotus-faced Padmasya, lotus-dwelling Padmavasini —

Verse 9 (skanda.4.72.9)

अक्षरा त्र्यक्षरा तंतुः प्रणवेशी स्वरात्मिका ॥ त्रिवर्गा गर्वरहिता अजपा जपहारिणी

akṣarā tryakṣarā taṁtuḥ praṇaveśī svarātmikā || trivargā garvarahitā ajapā japahāriṇī

— Akshara, Tryakshara, Tantu, Pranavesi, Svaratmika, Trivarga, pride-free Garvarahita, Ajapa, Japaharini —

Verse 10 (skanda.4.72.10)

जपसिद्धिस्तपःसिद्धिर्योगसिद्धिः परामृता ॥ मैत्रीकृन्मित्रनेत्रा च रक्षोघ्नी दैत्यतापनी

japasiddhistapaḥsiddhiryogasiddhiḥ parāmṛtā || maitrīkṛnmitranetrā ca rakṣoghnī daityatāpanī

— Japasiddhi, Tapahsiddhi, Yogasiddhi, Paramrita, friendship-making Maitrikrit, Mitranetra, demon-destroying Rakshoghni, Daityatapani —

Verse 11 (skanda.4.72.11)

स्तंभनी मोहनीमाया बहुमाया बलोत्कटा ॥ उच्चाटनी महोल्कास्या दनुजेंद्रक्षयंकरी

staṁbhanī mohanīmāyā bahumāyā balotkaṭā || uccāṭanī maholkāsyā danujeṁdrakṣayaṁkarī

— Stambhani, illusion-weaving Mohanimaya, Bahumaya, Balotkata, Uchchatani, blazing-mouthed Mahaulkasya, destroyer of demon-lords Danujendrakshayankari —

Verse 12 (skanda.4.72.12)

क्षेमकरी सिद्धिकरी छिन्नमस्ता शुभानना ॥ शाकंभरी मोक्षलक्ष्मीस्त्रिवर्गफलदायिनी

kṣemakarī siddhikarī chinnamastā śubhānanā || śākaṁbharī mokṣalakṣmīstrivargaphaladāyinī

— Kshemakari, Siddhikari, Chhinnamasta, fair-faced Shubhanana, Shakambhari, Mokshalakshmi, granter of the three aims' fruit —

Verse 13 (skanda.4.72.13)

वार्ताली जंभली क्लिन्ना अश्वारूढा सुरेश्वरी ॥ ज्वालामुखी प्रभृतयो नवकोट्यौ महाबलाः

vārtālī jaṁbhalī klinnā aśvārūḍhā sureśvarī || jvālāmukhī prabhṛtayo navakoṭyau mahābalāḥ

— Vartali, Jambhali, Klinna, horse-mounted Ashvarudha, Sureshvari, Jvalamukhi, and others — nine crore of these mighty Shaktis.

Verse 14 (skanda.4.72.14)

बलानि बलिनां ताभिर्दानवानां स्वलीलया ॥ संक्षिप्ता निजगंतीव प्रलयानलहेतेभिः

balāni balināṁ tābhirdānavānāṁ svalīlayā || saṁkṣiptā nijagaṁtīva pralayānalahetebhiḥ

By them, the strength of those mighty demons was reduced, effortlessly, as if by mere play, as though by the very flames of the fire of universal dissolution.

Verse 15 (skanda.4.72.15)

तावत्स दुर्गो दैत्येंद्रः पयोदांतरतो बली ॥ चकार करकावृष्टिं वात्या वेगवतीं बहु

tāvatsa durgo daityeṁdraḥ payodāṁtarato balī || cakāra karakāvṛṣṭiṁ vātyā vegavatīṁ bahu

Meanwhile, that mighty demon-king Durga, from within a mass of clouds, produced a great, violent storm of hailstones.

Verse 16 (skanda.4.72.16)

ततो भगवती देवी शोषणास्त्र प्रयोगतः ॥ वृष्टिं निवारयामास सवर्षोपलमयी क्षणात्

tato bhagavatī devī śoṣaṇāstra prayogataḥ || vṛṣṭiṁ nivārayāmāsa savarṣopalamayī kṣaṇāt

Then the blessed goddess, by the use of the weapon of desiccation, instantly stopped that shower, together with all its hailstones.

Verse 17 (skanda.4.72.17)

योषिन्मनोरथवती षंढं प्राप्य यथाऽफला ॥ सा दैत्यकरकावृष्टिर्देवीं प्राप्य तथाभवत्

yoṣinmanorathavatī ṣaṁḍhaṁ prāpya yathā'phalā || sā daityakarakāvṛṣṭirdevīṁ prāpya tathābhavat

Just as a woman full of desire becomes fruitless upon meeting an impotent man, so did that demon's shower of hail become fruitless upon meeting the goddess.

Verse 18 (skanda.4.72.18)

अथ दैतेयराजेन बाहुसंकर्षकोपतः ॥ उत्पाट्य शैलशिखरं परिक्षिप्तं नभोंगणात्

atha daiteyarājena bāhusaṁkarṣakopataḥ || utpāṭya śailaśikharaṁ parikṣiptaṁ nabhoṁgaṇāt

Then the king of demons, in the fury of straining his arms, tore up a mountain peak and hurled it from the courtyard of the sky.

Verse 19 (skanda.4.72.19)

अद्रेः शृंगं सुविस्तीर्णमापतत्परिवीक्ष्य सा ॥ शतकोटिप्रहारेण कोटिशः सकलं व्यधात्

adreḥ śṛṁgaṁ suvistīrṇamāpatatparivīkṣya sā || śatakoṭiprahāreṇa koṭiśaḥ sakalaṁ vyadhāt

Seeing that vast mountain peak falling toward her, she, with a hundred crore blows, shattered it entirely into crores of pieces.

Verse 20 (skanda.4.72.20)

आंदोल्य मौलिमसकृत्कुंडलाभ्यां विराजितम् ॥ गजीभूयाशु दुद्राव तां देवीं समरेऽसुरः

āṁdolya maulimasakṛtkuṁḍalābhyāṁ virājitam || gajībhūyāśu dudrāva tāṁ devīṁ samare'suraḥ

Shaking his crown, adorned repeatedly with its earrings, the demon swiftly transformed himself into an elephant and charged at the goddess in battle.

Verse 21 (skanda.4.72.21)

शैलाकारं तमायांतं दृष्ट्वा भगवती गजम् ॥ बद्ध्वा पाशेन जवतः खङ्गेन करमच्छिनत्

śailākāraṁ tamāyāṁtaṁ dṛṣṭvā bhagavatī gajam || baddhvā pāśena javataḥ khaṅgena karamacchinat

Seeing that elephant, mountain-like in form, coming toward her, the blessed goddess swiftly bound him with her noose and cut off his trunk with her sword.

Verse 22 (skanda.4.72.22)

ततोत्यंतं स चीत्कृत्य देव्याकृत्तकरःकरी ॥ अकिंचित्करतां प्राप्य माहिषं वपुराददे

tatotyaṁtaṁ sa cītkṛtya devyākṛttakaraḥkarī || akiṁcitkaratāṁ prāpya māhiṣaṁ vapurādade

Then, screaming loudly as an elephant with its trunk cut off by the goddess, and having become powerless, he took on the form of a buffalo.

Verse 23 (skanda.4.72.23)

अचलां सचलां सर्वां स चक्रे सुरघाततः ॥ शिलोच्चयांश्च बहुशः शृंगाभ्यां सोक्षिपद्बली

acalāṁ sacalāṁ sarvāṁ sa cakre suraghātataḥ || śiloccayāṁśca bahuśaḥ śṛṁgābhyāṁ sokṣipadbalī

He, mighty, threw into confusion everything, moving and unmoving, in his onslaught upon the gods, and hurled many mountain-masses about with his horns.

Verse 24 (skanda.4.72.24)

निःश्वासवातनिहताः पेतुरुर्व्यां महाद्रुमाः ॥ उद्वेलिताः समभवन्सप्तापि जलराशयः

niḥśvāsavātanihatāḥ petururvyāṁ mahādrumāḥ || udvelitāḥ samabhavansaptāpi jalarāśayaḥ

Great trees, struck down by the wind of his breath, fell upon the earth; all seven great oceans became agitated, overflowing their bounds.

Verse 25 (skanda.4.72.25)

महामहिषरूपेण तेन त्रैलोक्यमंडपः ॥ आंदोलितोति बलिना युगांते वात्यया यथा

mahāmahiṣarūpeṇa tena trailokyamaṁḍapaḥ || āṁdolitoti balinā yugāṁte vātyayā yathā

By him, in his great buffalo-form, so mighty, the pavilion of the three worlds was shaken, just as by the great storm-wind at the end of an age.

Verse 26 (skanda.4.72.26)

ब्रह्मांडमप्यकांडेन तद्भयेन समाकुलम् ॥ दृष्ट्वा भगवती क्रुद्धा त्रिशूलेन जघान तम्

brahmāṁḍamapyakāṁḍena tadbhayena samākulam || dṛṣṭvā bhagavatī kruddhā triśūlena jaghāna tam

Seeing the very universe thrown into sudden turmoil by fear of him, the blessed goddess, enraged, struck him with her trident.

Verse 27 (skanda.4.72.27)

त्रिशूलघातविभ्रांतः पतित्वा पुनरुत्थितः ॥ तं त्यक्त्वा माहिषं वेषमभूद्बाहुसहस्रभृत्

triśūlaghātavibhrāṁtaḥ patitvā punarutthitaḥ || taṁ tyaktvā māhiṣaṁ veṣamabhūdbāhusahasrabhṛt

Reeling from the blow of the trident, having fallen and risen again, he abandoned that buffalo-form and became one bearing a thousand arms.

Verse 28 (skanda.4.72.28)

स दुर्गो नितरां दुर्गो विबभौ समराजिरे ॥ आयुधानां सहस्राणि बिभ्रत्कालांतकोपमः

sa durgo nitarāṁ durgo vibabhau samarājire || āyudhānāṁ sahasrāṇi bibhratkālāṁtakopamaḥ

That Durga truly shone forth as exceedingly formidable on the field of battle, bearing thousands of weapons, resembling Death, the ender of all.

Verse 29 (skanda.4.72.29)

अथ तूर्णं स दैत्येंद्रस्तां देवीं रणकोविदाम् ॥ महाबलः प्रगृह्याशु नीतवानान्गगनांगणम्

atha tūrṇaṁ sa daityeṁdrastāṁ devīṁ raṇakovidām || mahābalaḥ pragṛhyāśu nītavānāngaganāṁgaṇam

Then swiftly, that mighty king of demons seized the goddess, skilled as she was in battle, and carried her at once into the courtyard of the sky.

Verse 30 (skanda.4.72.30)

ततो नभोंगणाद्दूरात्क्षिप्त्वा स जगदंबिकाम् ॥ क्षणात्कलंबजालेन च्छादयामास वेगवान्

tato nabhoṁgaṇāddūrātkṣiptvā sa jagadaṁbikām || kṣaṇātkalaṁbajālena cchādayāmāsa vegavān

Then, having hurled the mother of the universe far off from the courtyard of the sky, that swift one instantly covered her with a net of arrows.

Verse 31 (skanda.4.72.31)

अथांतरिक्षगा देवी तस्य मार्गणमध्यगा ॥ विद्युन्मालेव विबभौ महाभ्रपटलीधृता

athāṁtarikṣagā devī tasya mārgaṇamadhyagā || vidyunmāleva vibabhau mahābhrapaṭalīdhṛtā

Then the goddess, traveling through the sky, caught in the midst of his arrows, shone like a garland of lightning held within a mass of great clouds.

Verse 32 (skanda.4.72.32)

तं विधूय शरत्रातं निजेषु निकरैरलम् ॥ महेषुणाथ विव्याध सा तं दैत्यजनेश्वरम्

taṁ vidhūya śaratrātaṁ nijeṣu nikarairalam || maheṣuṇātha vivyādha sā taṁ daityajaneśvaram

Shaking off that mass of arrows with abundant showers of her own arrows, she then pierced that lord of the demon-folk with a great shaft.

Verse 33 (skanda.4.72.33)

हृदि विद्धस्तया देव्या स च तेन महेषुणा ॥ व्याघूर्णमाननयनः क्षितिमापाति विह्वलः

hṛdi viddhastayā devyā sa ca tena maheṣuṇā || vyāghūrṇamānanayanaḥ kṣitimāpāti vihvalaḥ

Pierced in the heart by that great shaft of the goddess, his eyes reeling, he fell to the ground, overcome —

Verse 34 (skanda.4.72.34)

महारुधिरधाराभिः स्रवंतीं च प्रवर्तयन् ॥ तस्मिन्निपतिते दुर्गे महादुर्गपराक्रमे

mahārudhiradhārābhiḥ sravaṁtīṁ ca pravartayan || tasminnipatite durge mahādurgaparākrame

— causing a river of great streams of blood to flow. When that Durga of mighty, formidable valour had fallen —

Verse 35 (skanda.4.72.35)

देवदुंदुभयो नेदुः प्रहृष्टानि जगंति च ॥ सूर्याचंद्रमसौ साग्नी तेजो निजमवापतुः

devaduṁdubhayo neduḥ prahṛṣṭāni jagaṁti ca || sūryācaṁdramasau sāgnī tejo nijamavāpatuḥ

— the drums of the gods resounded, and all the worlds rejoiced; the sun and moon, together with fire, regained their own natural splendour.

Verse 36 (skanda.4.72.36)

पुष्पवृष्टिं प्रकुर्वंतः प्राप्ता देवा महर्षिभिः ॥ तुष्टुवुश्च महादेवीं महास्तुतिभिरादरात्

puṣpavṛṣṭiṁ prakurvaṁtaḥ prāptā devā maharṣibhiḥ || tuṣṭuvuśca mahādevīṁ mahāstutibhirādarāt

The gods, showering down flowers, arrived together with the great sages, and reverently praised the great goddess with great hymns.

Verse 37 (skanda.4.72.37)

देवा ऊचुः ॥ नमो देवि जगद्धात्रि जगत्रयमहारणे ॥ महेश्वर महाशक्ते दैत्यद्रुमकुठारके

devā ūcuḥ || namo devi jagaddhātri jagatrayamahāraṇe || maheśvara mahāśakte daityadrumakuṭhārake

The gods said: Homage, O goddess, sustainer of the world, in the great battle of the three worlds; O great power of Maheshvara, axe against the tree of the demons.

Verse 38 (skanda.4.72.38)

त्रैलोक्यव्यापिनि शिवे शंखचक्रगदाधरि ॥ स्वशार्ङ्गव्यग्रहस्ताग्रे नमो विष्णुस्वरूपिणि

trailokyavyāpini śive śaṁkhacakragadādhari || svaśārṅgavyagrahastāgre namo viṣṇusvarūpiṇi

O you who pervade the three worlds, auspicious one, bearer of the conch, discus and mace, your hands engaged with your Sharnga bow — homage, O you of Vishnu's form.

Verse 39 (skanda.4.72.39)

हंसयाने नमस्तुभ्यं सर्वसृष्टिविधायिनि ॥ प्राचां वाचां जन्मभूमे चतुराननरूपिणि

haṁsayāne namastubhyaṁ sarvasṛṣṭividhāyini || prācāṁ vācāṁ janmabhūme caturānanarūpiṇi

Homage to you, O rider of the swan, ordainer of all creation, O birthplace of ancient speech, O you of the form of the four-faced one.

Verse 40 (skanda.4.72.40)

त्वमैंद्री त्वं च कौबेरी वायवी त्वं त्वमंबुपा ॥ त्वं यामी नैर्ऋती त्वं च त्वमैशी त्वं च पावकी

tvamaiṁdrī tvaṁ ca kauberī vāyavī tvaṁ tvamaṁbupā || tvaṁ yāmī nairṛtī tvaṁ ca tvamaiśī tvaṁ ca pāvakī

You are Aindri, and you are Kauberi, you are Vayavi, you are the drinker of water; you are Yami, and Nairriti, and you are Aishi, and Pavaki.

Verse 41 (skanda.4.72.41)

शशांककौमुदी त्वं च सौरी शक्तिस्त्वमेव च ॥ सर्वदेवमयी शक्तिस्त्वमेव परमेश्वरी

śaśāṁkakaumudī tvaṁ ca saurī śaktistvameva ca || sarvadevamayī śaktistvameva parameśvarī

You are the very moonlight of the moon, and you are the power of the sun; you alone are the power made of all the gods, the supreme goddess.

Verse 42 (skanda.4.72.42)

त्वं गौरी त्वं च सावित्री त्वं गायत्री सरस्वती ॥ प्रकृतिस्त्वं मतिस्त्वं च त्वमहंकृतिरूपिणी

tvaṁ gaurī tvaṁ ca sāvitrī tvaṁ gāyatrī sarasvatī || prakṛtistvaṁ matistvaṁ ca tvamahaṁkṛtirūpiṇī

You are Gauri, and you are Savitri, you are Gayatri and Sarasvati; you are Prakriti, you are the intellect, and you are of the very form of the ego.

Verse 43 (skanda.4.72.43)

चेतः स्वरूपिणी त्वं वै त्वं सर्वेंद्रियरूपिणी ॥ पंचतन्मात्ररूपा त्वं महाभूतात्मिकेंबिके

cetaḥ svarūpiṇī tvaṁ vai tvaṁ sarveṁdriyarūpiṇī || paṁcatanmātrarūpā tvaṁ mahābhūtātmikeṁbike

You indeed are the very form of consciousness, you are the form of all the senses; O mother, you are the form of the five subtle elements, and the very self of the great elements.

Verse 44 (skanda.4.72.44)

शब्दादि रूपिणी त्वं वै करणानुग्रहा त्वमु ॥ ब्रह्मांडकर्त्री त्वं देवि ब्रह्मांडांतस्त्वमेव हि

śabdādi rūpiṇī tvaṁ vai karaṇānugrahā tvamu || brahmāṁḍakartrī tvaṁ devi brahmāṁḍāṁtastvameva hi

You indeed are the form of sound and the other sense-objects; you are the very grace of the instruments of perception; O goddess, you are the maker of the universe, and you are the universe itself.

Verse 45 (skanda.4.72.45)

त्वं परासि महादेवि त्वं च देवि परापरा ॥ परापराणां परमा परमात्मस्वरूपिणी

tvaṁ parāsi mahādevi tvaṁ ca devi parāparā || parāparāṇāṁ paramā paramātmasvarūpiṇī

O great goddess, you are the transcendent; and O goddess, you are also the immanent-transcendent; you are the supreme of the supreme and the lesser, of the very form of the supreme Self.

Verse 46 (skanda.4.72.46)

सर्वरूपा त्वमीशानि त्वमरूपासि सर्वगे ॥ त्वं चिच्छक्तिर्महामाये त्वं स्वाहा त्वं स्वधामृते

sarvarūpā tvamīśāni tvamarūpāsi sarvage || tvaṁ cicchaktirmahāmāye tvaṁ svāhā tvaṁ svadhāmṛte

O ruling goddess, you are of all forms, and you are formless, all-pervading; you are the power of consciousness, O great Maya, you are Svaha, you are Svadha, you are Amrita.

Verse 47 (skanda.4.72.47)

वषड्वौषट्स्वरूपासि त्वमेव प्रणवात्मिका ॥ सर्वमंत्रमयी त्वं वै ब्रह्माद्यास्त्वत्समुद्भवाः

vaṣaḍvauṣaṭsvarūpāsi tvameva praṇavātmikā || sarvamaṁtramayī tvaṁ vai brahmādyāstvatsamudbhavāḥ

You are of the very form of the ritual exclamations Vashat and Vaushat; you alone are the very essence of the sacred syllable Om; you are made of all mantras; Brahma and the other gods have arisen from you.

Verse 48 (skanda.4.72.48)

चतुर्वर्गात्मिका त्वं वै चतुर्वर्गफलोदये ॥ त्वत्तः सर्वमिदं विश्वं त्वयि सर्वं जगन्निधे

caturvargātmikā tvaṁ vai caturvargaphalodaye || tvattaḥ sarvamidaṁ viśvaṁ tvayi sarvaṁ jagannidhe

You indeed are the very self of the four aims of life, in the arising of their fruit; from you comes this entire universe, and in you rests all of it, O treasury of the world.

Verse 49 (skanda.4.72.49)

यद्दृश्यं यददृश्यं च स्थूलसूक्ष्मस्वरूपतः ॥ तत्र त्वं शक्तिरूपेण किंचिन्न त्वदृते क्वचित्

yaddṛśyaṁ yadadṛśyaṁ ca sthūlasūkṣmasvarūpataḥ || tatra tvaṁ śaktirūpeṇa kiṁcinna tvadṛte kvacit

Whatever is visible and whatever is invisible, whether of gross or subtle nature — there, you are present in the form of power; nothing whatsoever exists anywhere apart from you.

Verse 50 (skanda.4.72.50)

मातस्त्वयाद्य विनिहत्य महासुरेंद्रं दुर्गं निसर्गविबुधार्पितदैत्यसैन्यम् ॥ त्राताः स्म देवि सततं नमतां शरण्ये त्वत्तोऽपरः क इह यं शरणं व्रजामः

mātastvayādya vinihatya mahāsureṁdraṁ durgaṁ nisargavibudhārpitadaityasainyam || trātāḥ sma devi satataṁ namatāṁ śaraṇye tvatto'paraḥ ka iha yaṁ śaraṇaṁ vrajāmaḥ

O mother, by you having today slain the great demon-lord Durga, along with his demon army arrayed against the gods — we have been saved, O goddess, refuge of those who ever bow to you; who else is there here, besides you, to whom we might go for shelter?

Verse 51 (skanda.4.72.51)

लोके त एव धनधान्यसमृद्धिभाजस्ते पुत्रपौत्रसुकलत्र सुमित्रवंतः ॥ तेषां यशः प्रसरचंद्रकरावदातं विश्वं भवेद्भवसि येषु सुदृक्त्वमीशे

loke ta eva dhanadhānyasamṛddhibhājaste putrapautrasukalatra sumitravaṁtaḥ || teṣāṁ yaśaḥ prasaracaṁdrakarāvadātaṁ viśvaṁ bhavedbhavasi yeṣu sudṛktvamīśe

In this world, those alone are endowed with the prosperity of wealth and grain, sons, grandsons, wives, and friends, whose fame, spreading like the rays of the moon, brightens the entire universe — those upon whom you, O ruling goddess, cast your gracious glance.

Verse 52 (skanda.4.72.52)

त्वद्भक्तिचेतसि जनेन विपत्तिलेशः क्लेशः क्व वानुभवती नतिकृत्सु पुंसु ॥ त्वन्नामसंसृतिजुषां सकलायुषां क्व भूयः पुनर्जनिरिह त्रिपुरारिपत्नि

tvadbhakticetasi janena vipattileśaḥ kleśaḥ kva vānubhavatī natikṛtsu puṁsu || tvannāmasaṁsṛtijuṣāṁ sakalāyuṣāṁ kva bhūyaḥ punarjaniriha tripurāripatni

For a person whose heart holds devotion to you, where indeed is even the least particle of calamity ever experienced, among men who bow to you? For those whose whole life partakes of the utterance of your name, O wife of the destroyer of Tripura, where here is there ever a further rebirth?

Verse 53 (skanda.4.72.53)

चित्रं यदत्र समरे स हि दुर्गदैत्यस्त्वद्दृष्टिपातमधिगम्य सुधानिधानम् ॥ मृत्योर्वशत्वमगमद्विदितं भवानि दुष्टोपि ते दृशिगतः कुगतिं न याति

citraṁ yadatra samare sa hi durgadaityastvaddṛṣṭipātamadhigamya sudhānidhānam || mṛtyorvaśatvamagamadviditaṁ bhavāni duṣṭopi te dṛśigataḥ kugatiṁ na yāti

It is a wonder, O Bhavani, that here in this battle, the demon Durga, having received even the mere fall of your glance, that treasury of nectar, still came under the sway of death — for it is well known that even an evil one, once within your sight, does not go to a wretched fate.

Verse 54 (skanda.4.72.54)

त्वच्छस्त्रवह्निशलभत्वमिता अपीह दैत्याः पतंगरुचिमाप्य दिवं व्रजंति ॥ संतः खलेष्वपि न दुष्टधियो यतः स्युः साधुष्विव प्रणयिनः स्वपथं दिशंति

tvacchastravahniśalabhatvamitā apīha daityāḥ pataṁgarucimāpya divaṁ vrajaṁti || saṁtaḥ khaleṣvapi na duṣṭadhiyo yataḥ syuḥ sādhuṣviva praṇayinaḥ svapathaṁ diśaṁti

Here, demons who have become like moths in the fire of your weapons, having taken on the radiance of that flame, still go on to heaven; for the virtuous never harbour evil intent even toward the wicked, but, as toward the good, show them, in their affection, the right path.

Verse 55 (skanda.4.72.55)

प्राच्यां मृडानि परिपाहि सदा नतान्नो याम्यामव प्रतिपदं विपदो भवानि ॥ प्रत्यग्दिशि त्रिपुरतापन पत्नि रक्ष त्वं पाह्युदीचि निजभक्तजनान्महेशि

prācyāṁ mṛḍāni paripāhi sadā natānno yāmyāmava pratipadaṁ vipado bhavāni || pratyagdiśi tripuratāpana patni rakṣa tvaṁ pāhyudīci nijabhaktajanānmaheśi

In the east, O Mridani, ever protect us who bow to you; in the south, O Bhavani, guard us at every step from calamity; in the west, O wife of the scorcher of Tripura, protect us; in the north, O great goddess, guard your own devoted people.

Verse 56 (skanda.4.72.56)

ब्रह्माणि रक्ष सततं नतमौलिदेशं त्वं वैष्णवि प्रतिकुलं परिपालयाधः ॥ रुद्राग्नि नैर्ऋति सदागति दिक्षु पांतु मृत्युंजया त्रिनयना त्रिपुरा त्रिशक्त्यः

brahmāṇi rakṣa satataṁ natamaulideśaṁ tvaṁ vaiṣṇavi pratikulaṁ paripālayādhaḥ || rudrāgni nairṛti sadāgati dikṣu pāṁtu mṛtyuṁjayā trinayanā tripurā triśaktyaḥ

O Brahmani, ever protect the crown of our bowed heads; O Vaishnavi, guard our households from below; may Rudra, Agni, Nairriti and Vayu, in their directions, protect us, along with the conqueror of death, the three-eyed one, Tripura, and the three Shaktis.

Verse 57 (skanda.4.72.57)

पातु त्रिशूलममले तव मौलिजान्नो भालस्थलं शशिकला मृदुमाभ्रुवौ च ॥ नेत्रे त्रिलोचनवधूर्गिरिजा च नासामोष्ठं जया च विजयात्वधरप्रदेशम्

pātu triśūlamamale tava maulijānno bhālasthalaṁ śaśikalā mṛdumābhruvau ca || netre trilocanavadhūrgirijā ca nāsāmoṣṭhaṁ jayā ca vijayātvadharapradeśam

O spotless one, may your trident, born of your very crown, protect us; may the crescent moon protect our forehead, and the soft goddess our eyebrows; may the wife of the three-eyed one and Girija protect our eyes; may Jaya and Vijaya protect our nose and lower lip.

Verse 58 (skanda.4.72.58)

श्रोत्रद्वयं श्रुतिरवा दशनावलिं श्रीश्चंडी कपोलयुगलं रसनां च वाणी ॥ पायात्सदैव चिबुकं जयमंगला नः कात्यायनी वदनमंडलमेव सर्वम्

śrotradvayaṁ śrutiravā daśanāvaliṁ śrīścaṁḍī kapolayugalaṁ rasanāṁ ca vāṇī || pāyātsadaiva cibukaṁ jayamaṁgalā naḥ kātyāyanī vadanamaṁḍalameva sarvam

May the sound of the Vedas protect our two ears, may Lakshmi and Chandi protect our row of teeth, may our cheeks and tongue be protected by Vani; may Jayamangala ever protect our chin, and Katyayani our whole face.

Verse 59 (skanda.4.72.59)

कंठप्रदेशमवतादिह नीलकंठी भूदारशक्तिरनिशं च कृकाटिकायाम् ॥ कौर्म्यं सदेशमनिशं भुजदंडमैंद्री पद्मा च पाणिफलकं नतिकारिणां नः

kaṁṭhapradeśamavatādiha nīlakaṁṭhī bhūdāraśaktiraniśaṁ ca kṛkāṭikāyām || kaurmyaṁ sadeśamaniśaṁ bhujadaṁḍamaiṁdrī padmā ca pāṇiphalakaṁ natikāriṇāṁ naḥ

May Nilakanthi protect our throat; may the power that upholds the earth ceaselessly protect our nape; may Kaurmi protect our shoulders, and Aindri our arms, and Padma the palms of us who bow to her.

Verse 60 (skanda.4.72.60)

हस्तांगुलीः कमलजा विरजा नखांश्च कक्षांतरं तरणिमंडलगा तमोघ्नी ॥ वक्षःस्थलं स्थलचरी हृदयं धरित्री कुशिद्वयं त्ववतु नः क्षणदाचरघ्नी

hastāṁgulīḥ kamalajā virajā nakhāṁśca kakṣāṁtaraṁ taraṇimaṁḍalagā tamoghnī || vakṣaḥsthalaṁ sthalacarī hṛdayaṁ dharitrī kuśidvayaṁ tvavatu naḥ kṣaṇadācaraghnī

May the lotus-born one protect our fingers, and the spotless one our nails, and the one dwelling in the sun's disc our armpits, destroyer of darkness; may the earth-wanderer protect our chest, and the earth-goddess our heart, and the destroyer of night-demons our two sides.

Verse 61 (skanda.4.72.61)

अव्यात्सदा दरदरीं जगदीश्वरी नो नाभिं नभोगतिरजात्वथ पृष्ठदेशम् ॥ पायात्कटिं च विकटा परमास्फिचौ नो गुह्यं गुहारणिरपानमपाय हंत्री

avyātsadā daradarīṁ jagadīśvarī no nābhiṁ nabhogatirajātvatha pṛṣṭhadeśam || pāyātkaṭiṁ ca vikaṭā paramāsphicau no guhyaṁ guhāraṇirapānamapāya haṁtrī

May the ruler of the universe ever protect our waist; may the sky-traveller protect our navel, and then our back; may the terrible one protect our hips, and another our buttocks; may the mother of Guha protect our secret place, and the destroyer of misfortune our organ of excretion.

Verse 62 (skanda.4.72.62)

ऊरुद्वयं च विपुला ललिता च जानू जंघे जवाऽवतु कठोरतरात्र गुल्फौ ॥ पादौ रसातलचरांगुलिदेशमुग्रा चांद्री नखान्त्पदतलं तलवासिनी च

ūrudvayaṁ ca vipulā lalitā ca jānū jaṁghe javā'vatu kaṭhoratarātra gulphau || pādau rasātalacarāṁgulideśamugrā cāṁdrī nakhāntpadatalaṁ talavāsinī ca

May the vast one protect our two thighs, and Lalita our knees; may the swift one protect our calves, and the firm one our ankles; may the fierce one protect our feet, and the netherworld-mover protect our toes, and the dweller of the sole protect our nails and soles.

Verse 63 (skanda.4.72.63)

गृहं रक्षतु नो लक्ष्मीः क्षेत्रं क्षेमकरी सदा ॥ पातु पुत्रान्प्रियकरी पायादायुः सनातनी

gṛhaṁ rakṣatu no lakṣmīḥ kṣetraṁ kṣemakarī sadā || pātu putrānpriyakarī pāyādāyuḥ sanātanī

May Lakshmi protect our home; may Kshemakari ever protect our field; may Priyakari protect our sons; may the eternal one protect our life.

Verse 64 (skanda.4.72.64)

यशः पातु महादेवी धर्मं पातु धनुर्धरी ॥ कुलदेवी कुलं पातु सद्गतिं सद्गतिप्रदा

yaśaḥ pātu mahādevī dharmaṁ pātu dhanurdharī || kuladevī kulaṁ pātu sadgatiṁ sadgatipradā

May the great goddess protect our fame; may the bow-bearing one protect our dharma; may our family deity protect our family; may the giver of a good end protect our good end.

Verse 65 (skanda.4.72.65)

रणे राजकुले द्यूते संग्रामे शत्रुसंकटे ॥ गृहे वने जलादौ च शर्वाणी सर्वतोऽवतु

raṇe rājakule dyūte saṁgrāme śatrusaṁkaṭe || gṛhe vane jalādau ca śarvāṇī sarvato'vatu

In battle, in the royal court, in gambling, in war, in danger from enemies, at home, in the forest, in water and elsewhere — may Sharvani protect us everywhere.

Verse 66 (skanda.4.72.66)

इति स्तुत्वा जगद्धात्रीं प्रणेमुश्च पुनःपुनः ॥ सर्वे सवासवा देवाः सर्षिगंधर्वचारणाः

iti stutvā jagaddhātrīṁ praṇemuśca punaḥpunaḥ || sarve savāsavā devāḥ sarṣigaṁdharvacāraṇāḥ

Having thus praised the sustainer of the world, all the gods together with Indra, and with the sages, Gandharvas and Charanas, bowed to her again and again.

Verse 67 (skanda.4.72.67)

ततस्तुष्टा जगन्माता तानाह सुरसत्तमान् ॥ स्वाधिकारान्सुराः सर्वे शासतु प्राग्यथायथा

tatastuṣṭā jaganmātā tānāha surasattamān || svādhikārānsurāḥ sarve śāsatu prāgyathāyathā

Then the pleased mother of the universe said to those best of gods: 'Let all the gods rule over their own domains as before, each in his own place.'

Verse 68 (skanda.4.72.68)

तुष्टाहमनया स्तुत्या नितरां तु यथार्थया ॥ वरमन्यं प्रदास्यामि तच्छृणुध्वं सुरोत्तमाः

tuṣṭāhamanayā stutyā nitarāṁ tu yathārthayā || varamanyaṁ pradāsyāmi tacchṛṇudhvaṁ surottamāḥ

'I am exceedingly pleased with this hymn of yours, so fitting to the truth; I shall grant one more boon — hear it, O best of gods.'

Verse 69 (skanda.4.72.69)

॥दुर्गोवाच॥ यः स्तोष्यति तु मां भक्त्या नरः स्तुत्यानया शुचिः ॥ तस्याहं नाशयिष्यामि विपदं च पदे पदे

||durgovāca|| yaḥ stoṣyati tu māṁ bhaktyā naraḥ stutyānayā śuciḥ || tasyāhaṁ nāśayiṣyāmi vipadaṁ ca pade pade

Durga said: 'Whatever pure man shall praise me with devotion by this hymn — his calamity, at every step, I shall destroy.'

Verse 70 (skanda.4.72.70)

एतत्स्तोत्रस्य कवचं परिधास्यति यो नरः ॥ तस्य क्वचिद्भयं नास्ति वज्रपंजरगस्य हि

etatstotrasya kavacaṁ paridhāsyati yo naraḥ || tasya kvacidbhayaṁ nāsti vajrapaṁjaragasya hi

'Whatever man shall wear this hymn as an armour — for him, enclosed as if in a cage of thunderbolts, there is no fear anywhere at all.'

Verse 71 (skanda.4.72.71)

अद्यप्रभृति मे नाम दुर्गेति ख्यातिमेष्यति ॥ दुर्गदैत्यस्य समरे पातनादति दुर्गमात्

adyaprabhṛti me nāma durgeti khyātimeṣyati || durgadaityasya samare pātanādati durgamāt

'From this day forth, my name shall become renowned as Durga, from the felling in battle of that most formidable demon Durga.'

Verse 72 (skanda.4.72.72)

ये मां दुर्गां शरणगा न तेषां दुर्गतिः क्वचित् ॥ दुर्गास्तुतिरियं पुण्या वज्रपंजरसंज्ञिका

ye māṁ durgāṁ śaraṇagā na teṣāṁ durgatiḥ kvacit || durgāstutiriyaṁ puṇyā vajrapaṁjarasaṁjñikā

'Those who take refuge in me, Durga, never fall into any evil state; this holy hymn of Durga is called the Vajra-panjara.'

Verse 73 (skanda.4.72.73)

अनया कवचं कृत्वा मा बिभेतु यमादपि ॥ भूतप्रेतपिशाचाश्च शाकिनीडाकिनी गणाः

anayā kavacaṁ kṛtvā mā bibhetu yamādapi || bhūtapretapiśācāśca śākinīḍākinī gaṇāḥ

'Making this into an armour, let one not fear even Yama; nor spirits, ghosts, or demons, nor the hosts of Shakinis and Dakinis.'

Verse 74 (skanda.4.72.74)

झोटिंगा राक्षसाः क्रूरा विष सर्पाग्नि दस्यवः ॥ वेतालाश्चापि कंकाल ग्रहा बालग्रहा अपि

jhoṭiṁgā rākṣasāḥ krūrā viṣa sarpāgni dasyavaḥ || vetālāścāpi kaṁkāla grahā bālagrahā api

'Nor the Jhotingas, nor cruel Rakshasas, nor poison, serpents, fire, or thieves; nor Vetalas, nor skeleton-spirits, nor demons that afflict children.'

Verse 75 (skanda.4.72.75)

वातपित्तादि जनितास्तथा च विषमज्वराः ॥ दूरादेव पलायंते श्रुत्वा स्तुतिमिमां शुभाम्

vātapittādi janitāstathā ca viṣamajvarāḥ || dūrādeva palāyaṁte śrutvā stutimimāṁ śubhām

'Diseases born of wind, bile and the like, and irregular fevers — hearing this auspicious hymn, they flee from afar.'

Verse 76 (skanda.4.72.76)

वज्रपंजर नामैतत्स्तोत्रं दुर्गाप्रशंसनम् ॥ एतत्स्तोत्रकृतत्राणे वज्रादपि भयं नहि

vajrapaṁjara nāmaitatstotraṁ durgāpraśaṁsanam || etatstotrakṛtatrāṇe vajrādapi bhayaṁ nahi

'This hymn, praising Durga, is named Vajra-panjara; for one protected by this hymn, there is no fear even of the thunderbolt.'

Verse 77 (skanda.4.72.77)

अष्टजप्तेन चानेन योभिमंत्र्य जलं पिबेत् ॥ तस्योदरगतापीडा क्वापि नो संभविष्यति

aṣṭajaptena cānena yobhimaṁtrya jalaṁ pibet || tasyodaragatāpīḍā kvāpi no saṁbhaviṣyati

'Whoever recites this eight times over water and drinks it, having thus consecrated it — no affliction of the belly shall ever arise in him.'

Verse 78 (skanda.4.72.78)

गर्भपीडा तु नो जातु भविष्यत्यभिमंत्रणात् ॥ बालानां परमा शांतिरेतत्स्तोत्रांबुपानतः

garbhapīḍā tu no jātu bhaviṣyatyabhimaṁtraṇāt || bālānāṁ paramā śāṁtiretatstotrāṁbupānataḥ

'Distress in pregnancy shall never arise, through this consecration; supreme peace for children comes from drinking water consecrated by this hymn.'

Verse 79 (skanda.4.72.79)

यत्र सान्निध्यमेतस्य स्तवस्येह भविष्यति ॥ एतास्तु शक्तयः सर्वा सर्वत्र सहिता मया

yatra sānnidhyametasya stavasyeha bhaviṣyati || etāstu śaktayaḥ sarvā sarvatra sahitā mayā

'Wherever the presence of this hymn shall be — there all these Shaktis, together with me, everywhere —'

Verse 80 (skanda.4.72.80)

रक्षां परिकरिष्यंति मद्भक्तानां ममाज्ञया ॥ इति दत्त्वा वरान्देवी देवेभ्यो तर्हि ता तदा

rakṣāṁ parikariṣyaṁti madbhaktānāṁ mamājñayā || iti dattvā varāndevī devebhyo tarhi tā tadā

'— shall perform the protection of my devotees, at my command.' Having thus given these boons to the gods, the goddess then —

Verse 81 (skanda.4.72.81)

तेपि स्वर्गौकसः सर्वे स्वंस्वं स्वर्गं ययुर्मुदा ॥ ॥स्कंद उवाच॥ इत्थं दुर्गाभवन्नाम तया देव्या महामुने ॥ काश्यां सेव्या यथा सा च तच्छृणुष्व वदामि ते

tepi svargaukasaḥ sarve svaṁsvaṁ svargaṁ yayurmudā || ||skaṁda uvāca|| itthaṁ durgābhavannāma tayā devyā mahāmune || kāśyāṁ sevyā yathā sā ca tacchṛṇuṣva vadāmi te

— withdrew, and all the dwellers of heaven joyfully went each to his own heaven. Skanda said: Thus did that goddess come to bear the name Durga, O great sage; hear now how she is to be served in Kashi — I shall tell you.

Verse 82 (skanda.4.72.82)

अष्टम्यां च चतुर्दश्यां भौमवारे विशेषतः ॥ संपूज्या सततं काश्यां दुर्गा दुर्गतिनाशिनी

aṣṭamyāṁ ca caturdaśyāṁ bhaumavāre viśeṣataḥ || saṁpūjyā satataṁ kāśyāṁ durgā durgatināśinī

On the eighth and fourteenth days, and especially on Tuesday, Durga, destroyer of evil states, is to be constantly worshipped in Kashi.

Verse 83 (skanda.4.72.83)

नवरात्रं प्रयत्नेन प्रत्यहं सा समर्चिता ॥ नाशयिष्यति विघ्नौघान्सुमतिं च प्रदास्यति

navarātraṁ prayatnena pratyahaṁ sā samarcitā || nāśayiṣyati vighnaughānsumatiṁ ca pradāsyati

Worshipped diligently every day during Navaratri, she shall destroy floods of obstacles and grant good understanding.

Verse 84 (skanda.4.72.84)

महापूजोपहारैश्च महाबलिनिवेदनैः ॥ दास्यत्यभीष्टदा सिद्धिं दुर्गा काश्यां न संशयः

mahāpūjopahāraiśca mahābalinivedanaiḥ || dāsyatyabhīṣṭadā siddhiṁ durgā kāśyāṁ na saṁśayaḥ

With great offerings of worship and great oblations, Durga in Kashi shall grant the desired accomplishment, without doubt.

Verse 85 (skanda.4.72.85)

प्रतिसंवत्सरं तस्याः कार्या यात्रा प्रयत्नतः ॥ शारदं नवरात्रं च सकुटुंबैः शुभार्थिभिः

pratisaṁvatsaraṁ tasyāḥ kāryā yātrā prayatnataḥ || śāradaṁ navarātraṁ ca sakuṭuṁbaiḥ śubhārthibhiḥ

Every year, a pilgrimage to her should be diligently made, during the autumn Navaratri, by those seeking good fortune, together with their families.

Verse 86 (skanda.4.72.86)

यो न सांवत्सरीं यात्रां दुर्गायाः कुरुते कुधीः ॥ काश्यां विघ्न सहस्राणि तस्य स्युश्च पदेपदे

yo na sāṁvatsarīṁ yātrāṁ durgāyāḥ kurute kudhīḥ || kāśyāṁ vighna sahasrāṇi tasya syuśca padepade

He of poor understanding who does not make the yearly pilgrimage to Durga — for him, in Kashi, thousands of obstacles arise at every step.

Verse 87 (skanda.4.72.87)

दुर्गाकुंडे नरः स्नात्वा सर्वदुर्गार्तिहारिणीम् ॥ दुर्गां संपूज्य विधिवन्नवजन्माघमुत्सृजेत्

durgākuṁḍe naraḥ snātvā sarvadurgārtihāriṇīm || durgāṁ saṁpūjya vidhivannavajanmāghamutsṛjet

A man, bathing in the Durga-kunda, and duly worshipping Durga, who removes all suffering — casts off the sin of nine births.

Verse 88 (skanda.4.72.88)

सा दुर्गाशक्तिभिः सार्धं काशीं रक्षति सर्वतः ॥ ताः प्रयत्नेन संपूज्या कालरात्रिमुखा नरैः

sā durgāśaktibhiḥ sārdhaṁ kāśīṁ rakṣati sarvataḥ || tāḥ prayatnena saṁpūjyā kālarātrimukhā naraiḥ

She, together with the Shaktis of Durga, protects Kashi on every side; those, beginning with Kalaratri, are to be diligently worshipped by men.

Verse 89 (skanda.4.72.89)

रक्षंति क्षेत्रमेतद्वै तथान्या नवशक्तयः ॥ उपसर्गसहस्रेभ्यस्ता वैदिग्देवताक्रमात्

rakṣaṁti kṣetrametadvai tathānyā navaśaktayaḥ || upasargasahasrebhyastā vaidigdevatākramāt

And likewise nine other Shaktis protect this sacred field, from thousands of calamities, in the order of the guardian deities of the directions.

Verse 90 (skanda.4.72.90)

शतनेत्रा सहस्रास्या तथायुतभुजापरा ॥ अश्वारूढा गजास्या च त्वरिता शववाहिनी

śatanetrā sahasrāsyā tathāyutabhujāparā || aśvārūḍhā gajāsyā ca tvaritā śavavāhinī

Shatanetra, Sahasrasya, and another of ten-thousand arms, horse-mounted, elephant-faced, swift, corpse-riding —

Verse 91 (skanda.4.72.91)

विश्वा सौभाग्यगौरी च सृष्टाः प्राच्यादिमध्यतः ॥ एता यत्नेन संपूज्याः क्षेत्ररक्षणदेवताः

viśvā saubhāgyagaurī ca sṛṣṭāḥ prācyādimadhyataḥ || etā yatnena saṁpūjyāḥ kṣetrarakṣaṇadevatāḥ

— Vishva, and Saubhagyagauri, created from the east through the centre — these are the deities protecting the sacred field, to be diligently worshipped.

Verse 92 (skanda.4.72.92)

तथैव भैरवाश्चाष्टौ दिक्ष्वष्टासु प्रतिष्ठिताः ॥ रक्षंति सततं काशीं निर्वाणश्रीनिकेतनम्

tathaiva bhairavāścāṣṭau dikṣvaṣṭāsu pratiṣṭhitāḥ || rakṣaṁti satataṁ kāśīṁ nirvāṇaśrīniketanam

Likewise, eight Bhairavas, established in the eight directions, ever protect Kashi, the very abode of the glory of liberation.

Verse 93 (skanda.4.72.93)

रुरुश्चंडोसितांगश्च कपाली क्रोधनस्तथा ॥ उन्मत्तभैरवस्तद्वत्क्रमात्संहारभीषणौ

ruruścaṁḍositāṁgaśca kapālī krodhanastathā || unmattabhairavastadvatkramātsaṁhārabhīṣaṇau

Ruru, Chanda, Asitanga, Kapali, likewise Krodhana, Unmattabhairava, and in like order, Samhara and Bhishana.

Verse 94 (skanda.4.72.94)

चतुःषष्टिस्तु वेताला महाभीषणमूर्तयः ॥ रुंडमुंडस्रजः सर्वे कर्त्रीखर्परपाणयः

catuḥṣaṣṭistu vetālā mahābhīṣaṇamūrtayaḥ || ruṁḍamuṁḍasrajaḥ sarve kartrīkharparapāṇayaḥ

And sixty-four Vetalas, of most terrifying forms, all wearing garlands of severed heads and skulls, holding knives and skull-bowls in their hands.

Verse 95 (skanda.4.72.95)

श्ववाहना रक्तमुखा महादंष्ट्रा महाभुजाः ॥ नग्ना विमुक्तकेशाश्च प्रमत्ता रुधिरासवैः

śvavāhanā raktamukhā mahādaṁṣṭrā mahābhujāḥ || nagnā vimuktakeśāśca pramattā rudhirāsavaiḥ

Riding on dogs, red-mouthed, with great fangs and mighty arms, naked, their hair loose, intoxicated with wine that is blood.

Verse 96 (skanda.4.72.96)

नानारूपधराः सर्वे नानाशस्त्रास्त्र पाणयः ॥ तदाकारैश्च तद्भृत्यैः कोटिशः परिवारिताः

nānārūpadharāḥ sarve nānāśastrāstra pāṇayaḥ || tadākāraiśca tadbhṛtyaiḥ koṭiśaḥ parivāritāḥ

All bearing various forms, various weapons and missiles in their hands, surrounded by crores of attendants of like appearance and rank.

Verse 97 (skanda.4.72.97)

विद्युज्जिह्वो ललज्जिह्वः क्रूरास्यः क्रूरलोचनः ॥ उग्रो विकटदंष्ट्रश्च वक्रास्यो वक्रनासिकः

vidyujjihvo lalajjihvaḥ krūrāsyaḥ krūralocanaḥ || ugro vikaṭadaṁṣṭraśca vakrāsyo vakranāsikaḥ

Lightning-tongued, lolling-tongued, cruel-faced, cruel-eyed, fierce, terrible-fanged, crooked-faced, crooked-nosed —

Verse 98 (skanda.4.72.98)

जंभको जृंभणमुखो ज्वालानेत्रो वृकोदरः ॥ गर्तनेत्रो महानेत्रस्तुच्छनेत्रोंऽत्रमण्डनः

jaṁbhako jṛṁbhaṇamukho jvālānetro vṛkodaraḥ || gartanetro mahānetrastucchanetroṁ'tramaṇḍanaḥ

— Jambhaka, yawning-mouthed, flame-eyed, wolf-bellied, hollow-eyed, huge-eyed, tiny-eyed, adorned with entrails —

Verse 99 (skanda.4.72.99)

ज्वलत्केशः कंबुशिराः खर्वग्रीवो महाहनुः ॥ महानासो लंबकर्णः कर्णप्रावरणोनसः

jvalatkeśaḥ kaṁbuśirāḥ kharvagrīvo mahāhanuḥ || mahānāso laṁbakarṇaḥ karṇaprāvaraṇonasaḥ

— blazing-haired, conch-headed, short-necked, huge-jawed, huge-nosed, long-eared, ears drooping like a garment, snub-nosed.

Verse 100 (skanda.4.72.100)

इत्यादयो मुने क्षेत्रं दुर्वृत्तरुधिरप्रियाः ॥ त्रासयंतो दुराचारान्रक्षंति परितः सदा

ityādayo mune kṣetraṁ durvṛttarudhirapriyāḥ || trāsayaṁto durācārānrakṣaṁti paritaḥ sadā

Such as these, O sage, fond of the blood of the wicked, terrifying the evil-conducted, ever protect the sacred field on every side.

Verse 101 (skanda.4.72.101)

त्रैलोक्यविजयाद्याश्च ज्वालामुख्यंतगाश्च याः ॥ शक्तयोऽत्र मया ख्याता मुने कलशसंभव

trailokyavijayādyāśca jvālāmukhyaṁtagāśca yāḥ || śaktayo'tra mayā khyātā mune kalaśasaṁbhava

Trailokyavijaya and the rest, up to Jvalamukhi — these are the Shaktis I have declared here, O sage, jar-born one.

Verse 102 (skanda.4.72.102)

ताः काशीं परिरक्षंति चतुर्दिक्षूद्यतायुधाः ॥ ताः समर्च्याः प्रयत्नेन महाविघ्न प्रशांतये

tāḥ kāśīṁ parirakṣaṁti caturdikṣūdyatāyudhāḥ || tāḥ samarcyāḥ prayatnena mahāvighna praśāṁtaye

They protect Kashi on all four sides, weapons raised; they are to be diligently worshipped for the pacification of great obstacles.

Verse 103 (skanda.4.72.103)

भैरवा रुरुमुख्याश्च महाभयनिवारकाः ॥ संपूज्याः सर्वदा काश्यां सर्वसंपत्तिहेतवः

bhairavā rurumukhyāśca mahābhayanivārakāḥ || saṁpūjyāḥ sarvadā kāśyāṁ sarvasaṁpattihetavaḥ

The Bhairavas, beginning with Ruru, remove great fear; they are to be worshipped always in Kashi, as causes of every prosperity.

Verse 104 (skanda.4.72.104)

विद्युज्जिह्वप्रभृतयो वेताला उग्ररूपिणः ॥ अत्युग्रानपि विघ्नौघान्हरिष्यंत्यर्चिता इह

vidyujjihvaprabhṛtayo vetālā ugrarūpiṇaḥ || atyugrānapi vighnaughānhariṣyaṁtyarcitā iha

The Vetalas beginning with Vidyujjihva, of fierce form, when worshipped here, shall remove even the most fierce floods of obstacles.

Verse 105 (skanda.4.72.105)

तथा भूतावली चात्र नानाभीषणरूपिणी ॥ उदायुधाऽवति पुरीं शतकोटिमिता मुने

tathā bhūtāvalī cātra nānābhīṣaṇarūpiṇī || udāyudhā'vati purīṁ śatakoṭimitā mune

And likewise here, O sage, a host of spirits, of many terrifying forms, weapons raised, numbering a hundred crores, protects the city.

Verse 106 (skanda.4.72.106)

निर्वाणलक्ष्मीक्षेत्रस्य पालयित्री पदेपदे ॥ एता वै देवताः पूज्याः काश्यां निर्वाणकांक्षिभिः

nirvāṇalakṣmīkṣetrasya pālayitrī padepade || etā vai devatāḥ pūjyāḥ kāśyāṁ nirvāṇakāṁkṣibhiḥ

These are the protectors, at every step, of the sacred field that is the wealth of liberation; these deities are to be worshipped in Kashi by those who desire liberation.

Verse 107 (skanda.4.72.107)

श्रुत्वाध्यायमिमं पुण्यं नरो दुर्गजयाभिधम् ॥ नानाशक्तिसमायुक्तं दुर्गमाशु तरिष्यति

śrutvādhyāyamimaṁ puṇyaṁ naro durgajayābhidham || nānāśaktisamāyuktaṁ durgamāśu tariṣyati

A man who hears this sacred chapter, named 'The Victory over Durga,' filled with the various Shaktis, shall swiftly cross over difficulty.

Verse 108 (skanda.4.72.108)

य एते भैरवाः प्रोक्ता ये वेताला उदाहृताः ॥ तेषां नामानि चाकर्ण्य नरो विप्रैर्न दूयते

ya ete bhairavāḥ proktā ye vetālā udāhṛtāḥ || teṣāṁ nāmāni cākarṇya naro viprairna dūyate

Whatever man hears the names of these Bhairavas that have been declared, and these Vetalas that have been described, is not troubled even by brahmin-curses.

Verse 109 (skanda.4.72.109)

अदृष्टा अपि ते भूता एतदाख्यानपाठकम् ॥ रक्षिष्यंति प्रयत्नेन सह श्रोतृजनेन च

adṛṣṭā api te bhūtā etadākhyānapāṭhakam || rakṣiṣyaṁti prayatnena saha śrotṛjanena ca

Even unseen, these spirits shall diligently protect one who recites this narrative, together with those who hear it.

Verse 110 (skanda.4.72.110)

तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन काशीभक्तिपरैर्नरैः ॥ श्रोतव्यमिदमाख्यानं महाविघ्ननिवारणम्

tasmātsarvaprayatnena kāśībhaktiparairnaraiḥ || śrotavyamidamākhyānaṁ mahāvighnanivāraṇam

Therefore, this narrative, which wards off great obstacles, should be heard with every effort by men devoted to Kashi.

Verse 111 (skanda.4.72.111)

गृहेपि यस्य लिखितमेतत्स्थास्यति पूजितम् ॥ तस्यापदां सहस्राणि नाशयिष्यंति देवताः

gṛhepi yasya likhitametatsthāsyati pūjitam || tasyāpadāṁ sahasrāṇi nāśayiṣyaṁti devatāḥ

In whosoever's house this is written and kept, worshipped, the deities shall destroy his thousands of calamities.

Verse 112 (skanda.4.72.112)

काश्यां यस्यास्ति वै प्रेम तेन कृत्वाऽऽदरं गुरुम् ॥ श्रोतव्यमिदमाख्यानं वज्रपंजरसन्निभम्

kāśyāṁ yasyāsti vai prema tena kṛtvā''daraṁ gurum || śrotavyamidamākhyānaṁ vajrapaṁjarasannibham

He who has love for Kashi should, with great reverence, hear this narrative, which is like a cage of thunderbolts.