The Greatness of Kumari (the Virgin Goddess)

Verse 1 (skanda.7.242.1)

ईश्वर उवाच। ततो गच्छेन्महादेवि यत्र देवीकुमारिका। तस्यैव पूर्वदिग्भागे स्थिता रक्षार्थमेव हि

īśvara uvāca| tato gacchenmahādevi yatra devīkumārikā| tasyaiva pūrvadigbhāge sthitā rakṣārthameva hi

Ishvara said: O Mahadevi, next one should go to where the Goddess Kumarika stands, situated in the eastern quarter of that place, established there solely for protection.

Verse 2 (skanda.7.242.2)

पुरा रथंतरे कल्पे रुरुर्नाम महासुरः। उत्पन्नः स महाकायः सर्वलोकभयावहः

purā rathaṁtare kalpe rururnāma mahāsuraḥ| utpannaḥ sa mahākāyaḥ sarvalokabhayāvahaḥ

Long ago, in the Rathantara kalpa, there arose a great demon named Ruru, of immense form, who struck terror into all the worlds.

Verse 3 (skanda.7.242.3)

तेन देवाः सगन्धर्वास्त्रासितास्त्रिदशा लयात्। तस्य भीत्या ततः सर्वे ब्रह्मलोकमधिस्थिताः

tena devāḥ sagandharvāstrāsitāstridaśā layāt| tasya bhītyā tataḥ sarve brahmalokamadhisthitāḥ

By him, the gods together with the Gandharvas were terrified with fear of annihilation; and through fear of him, all of them took refuge in Brahmaloka.

Verse 4 (skanda.7.242.4)

तथा भूमितले विप्रान्यज्वनोऽथ तपस्विनः। निजघान स दुष्टात्मा ये चान्ये धर्मचारिणः

tathā bhūmitale viprānyajvano'tha tapasvinaḥ| nijaghāna sa duṣṭātmā ye cānye dharmacāriṇaḥ

That evil-souled one also slew upon the earth the sacrificing brahmins, the ascetics, and all others who practised righteousness.

Verse 5 (skanda.7.242.5)

निःस्वाध्यायवषट्कारं तदाऽऽसीद्धरणीतलम्। नष्टयज्ञोत्सवं सर्वं रुरोर्भयनिपीडितम्

niḥsvādhyāyavaṣaṭkāraṁ tadāsīddharaṇītalam| naṣṭayajñotsavaṁ sarvaṁ ruror bhayanipīḍitam

At that time the whole earth became devoid of Vedic recitation and the sacred vashatkara; all festive sacrifices ceased, and everything lay afflicted by fear of Ruru.

Verse 6 (skanda.7.242.6)

ततः प्रव्यथिता देवास्तथा सर्वे महर्षयः। समेत्यामंत्रयन्मंत्रं वधार्थं तस्य दुर्मतेः

tataḥ pravyathitā devāstathā sarve maharṣayaḥ| sametyāmaṁtrayanmaṁtraṁ vadhārthaṁ tasya durmateḥ

Then the distressed gods and all the great sages assembled together and deliberated on a plan for the destruction of that evil-minded one.

Verse 7 (skanda.7.242.7)

ततः कायोद्भवः स्वेदः सर्वेषां समजायत। तेषां चिंतयतां देवि निरोधाज्जगृहुश्च तम्

tataḥ kāyodbhavaḥ svedaḥ sarveṣāṁ samajāyata| teṣāṁ ciṁtayatāṁ devi nirodhājjagṛhuśca tam

Then sweat arose from the bodies of them all; and, O Devi, as they deliberated, they gathered and held back that sweat.

Verse 8 (skanda.7.242.8)

तत्र कन्या समुत्पन्ना दिव्या कमललोचना। व्यापयंती दिशः सर्वाः सर्वेषां पुरतः स्थिता

tatra kanyā samutpannā divyā kamalalocanā| vyāpayaṁtī diśaḥ sarvāḥ sarveṣāṁ purataḥ sthitā

From it a divine maiden with lotus eyes was born, who, pervading all directions, stood before them all.

Verse 9 (skanda.7.242.9)

सर्वान्देवांस्ततः प्राह किमर्थं निर्मितास्म्य हम्। तद्वः कार्यं करिष्यामि श्रुत्वा तस्यास्तदा गिरम्

sarvāndevāṁstataḥ prāha kimarthaṁ nirmitāsmyaham| tadvaḥ kāryaṁ kariṣyāmi śrutvā tasyāstadā giram

She then asked all the gods, 'For what purpose have I been created? I shall accomplish that task for you.' Having heard her words —

Verse 10 (skanda.7.242.10)

आचख्युः संकटं तस्यास्ते देवा रुरुचेष्टितम्। श्रुत्वा जहास सा देवी देवानां कार्य सिद्धये

ācakhyuḥ saṁkaṭaṁ tasyāste devā rurucaṣṭitam| śrutvā jahāsa sā devī devānāṁ kārya siddhaye

The gods told her of their plight and of Ruru's deeds. Hearing this, that Goddess laughed, in order to accomplish the task of the gods.

Verse 11 (skanda.7.242.11)

तस्या हसंत्या निश्चेरुर्वरांगाः कन्यकाः पुनः। पाशांकुशधराः सर्वाः पीनश्रोणिपयोधराः

tasyā hasaṁtyā niścerurvarāṁgāḥ kanyakāḥ punaḥ| pāśāṁkuśadharāḥ sarvāḥ pīnaśroṇipayodharāḥ

From her laughter, again, there issued forth beautiful maidens, all bearing nooses and goads, full-hipped and full-breasted.

Verse 12 (skanda.7.242.12)

फेत्कारारावमात्रेण त्रास यंत्यश्चराचरम्। अन्वगात्सा रुरुर्यत्र ताभिः सार्द्धं यशस्विनी

phetkārārāvamātreṇa trāsayaṁtyaścarācaram| anvagātsā rururyatra tābhiḥ sārddhaṁ yaśasvinī

By the mere sound of their hissing roar they terrified all moving and unmoving beings. That glorious Goddess, together with them, went to where Ruru was.

Verse 13 (skanda.7.242.13)

अथाभूत्तुमुलं तासां युद्धं घोरं तु तैः सह। शस्त्रास्त्रैर्विविधैर्घोरैः शत्रुपक्षक्षयंकरैः

athābhūttumulaṁ tāsāṁ yuddhaṁ ghoraṁ tu taiḥ saha| śastrāstrairvividhairghoraiḥ śatrupakṣakṣayaṁkaraiḥ

Then a tumultuous and terrible battle broke out between them and the demons, with various dreadful weapons and missiles that destroyed the enemy ranks.

Verse 14 (skanda.7.242.14)

ताभिस्तदनुगाः सर्वे प्रहारैर्जर्जरीकृताः। पराङ्मुखाः क्षणेनैव जाताः केचिन्निपातिताः

tābhistadanugāḥ sarve prahārairjarjarīkṛtāḥ| parāṅmukhāḥ kṣaṇenaiva jātāḥ kecinnipātitāḥ

By their blows, all of Ruru's followers were shattered to pieces; some, in an instant, turned and fled, while others fell dead.

Verse 15 (skanda.7.242.15)

ततो हतं बलं दृष्ट्वा रुरुर्मायामथाऽसृजत्। तामसींनाम देवेशि तयामुह्यत नैव सा

tato hataṁ balaṁ dṛṣṭvā rururmāyāmathāsṛjat| tāmasīṁ nāma deveśi tayā muhyata naiva sā

Seeing his army destroyed, Ruru then unleashed an illusion called Tamasi; but, O Goddess of gods, she was not deluded by it.

Verse 16 (skanda.7.242.16)

तमोभूते ततस्तत्र देवी दैत्यं तदा रुरुम्। शक्त्या बिभेद हृदये ततो मूर्छां जगाम ह

tamobhūte tatastatra devī daityaṁ tadā rurum| śaktyā bibheda hṛdaye tato mūrchāṁ jagāma ha

When darkness had spread all around, the Goddess then pierced the demon Ruru's heart with her spear, whereupon he fell into a swoon.

Verse 17 (skanda.7.242.17)

मुहूर्त्ताल्लब्धसंज्ञोऽथ ज्ञात्वा तस्याः पराक्रमम्। पलायनकृतोत्साहः समुद्राभिमुखो ययौ

muhūrttāllabdhasaṁjño'tha jñātvā tasyāḥ parākramam| palāyanakṛtotsāhaḥ samudrābhimukho yayau

Regaining consciousness a moment later, and realizing her prowess, he resolved to flee and made his way towards the ocean.

Verse 18 (skanda.7.242.18)

साऽपि देवी जगामाथ पृष्ठतोऽस्य दुरात्मनः। स्तूयमाना सुरगणैः किंनरैः समहोरगैः

sā'pi devī jagāmātha pṛṣṭhato'sya durātmanaḥ| stūyamānā suragaṇaiḥ kiṁnaraiḥ samahoragaiḥ

That Goddess too followed close behind that evil-souled one, being praised all the while by hosts of gods, kinnaras, and great serpents.

Verse 19 (skanda.7.242.19)

ततः प्रविश्य जलधिं तं दृष्ट्वा दानवं रुषा। खङ्गाग्रेण शिरश्छित्त्वा चर्ममुण्डधरा ततः

tataḥ praviśya jaladhiṁ taṁ dṛṣṭvā dānavaṁ ruṣā| khaṅgāgreṇa śiraśchittvā carmamuṇḍadharā tataḥ

Then, entering the ocean and seeing that demon, she, in fury, severed his head with the edge of her sword, and thereafter bore his hide and severed skull.

Verse 20 (skanda.7.242.20)

निश्चक्राम पुनस्तस्मात्प्रभासं क्षेत्रमागता। कन्या सैन्येन संयुक्ता बहुरूपेण भास्वता

niścakrāma punastasmātprabhāsaṁ kṣetramāgatā| kanyā sainyena saṁyuktā bahurūpeṇa bhāsvatā

That maiden then emerged from there and came to the field of Prabhasa, accompanied by her radiant army of manifold forms.

Verse 21 (skanda.7.242.21)

देवैः सुविस्मितैर्दृष्टा चर्ममुण्डधरा वरा। ततो देवाः स्तुतिं चक्रुः कृतांजलिपुटाः स्थिताः

devaiḥ suvismitairdṛṣṭā carmamuṇḍadharā varā| tato devāḥ stutiṁ cakruḥ kṛtāṁjaliputāḥ sthitāḥ

The gods, utterly astonished, beheld that excellent Goddess bearing the hide and skull. Then, standing with joined palms, the gods offered her praise.

Verse 22 (skanda.7.242.22)

देवा ऊचुः। जय त्वं देवि चामुंडे जय भूतापहारिणि। जय सर्वगते देवि कालरात्रि नमोऽस्तु ते

devā ūcuḥ| jaya tvaṁ devi cāmuṁḍe jaya bhūtāpahāriṇi| jaya sarvagate devi kālarātri namo'stu te

The gods said: Victory to you, O Goddess Chamunda! Victory, O remover of malevolent spirits! Victory, O all-pervading Goddess Kalaratri, salutations to you.

Verse 23 (skanda.7.242.23)

भीमरूपे शिवे विद्ये महामाये महोदये। महाभागे जये जृम्भे भीमाक्षि भीमदर्शने

bhīmarūpe śive vidye mahāmāye mahodaye| mahābhāge jaye jṛmbhe bhīmākṣi bhīmadarśane

O you of fearsome form, O Shiva (the auspicious one), O Vidya (knowledge), O Mahamaya, O Mahodaya, O most fortunate one, O Jaya, O Jrimbha, O you with terrifying eyes, O you of terrifying appearance —

Verse 24 (skanda.7.242.24)

महामाये विचित्रांगि गेयनृत्यप्रिये शुभे। विकरालि महाकालि कालिके कालरूपिणि

mahāmāye vicitrāṁgi geyanṛtyapriye śubhe| vikarāli mahākāli kālike kālarūpiṇi

O Mahamaya, O you of wondrous form, O lover of song and dance, O auspicious one, O terrible one, O Mahakali, O Kalika, O embodiment of Time —

Verse 25 (skanda.7.242.25)

प्रासहस्ते दण्डहस्ते भीमहस्ते भयानने। चामुण्डे ज्वलमानास्ये तीक्ष्णदंष्ट्रे महाबले। शवयानस्थिते देवि प्रेतसंघनिषेविते

prāsahaste daṇḍahaste bhīmahaste bhayānane| cāmuṇḍe jvalamānāsye tīkṣṇadaṁṣṭre mahābale| śavayānasthite devi pretasaṁghaniṣevite

O you who hold a spear, O you who hold a staff, O terrible-handed one, O fearsome-faced one, O Chamunda, O you with a blazing face, O sharp-fanged one, O mighty one, O you who ride upon a corpse, O Goddess served by hosts of spirits.

Verse 26 (skanda.7.242.26)

एवं स्तुता तदा देवी सर्वैः शक्रपुरोगमैः। प्रहृष्टवदना भूत्वा वाक्यमेतदुवाच ह

evaṁ stutā tadā devī sarvaiḥ śakrapurogamaiḥ| prahṛṣṭavadanā bhūtvā vākyametaduvāca ha

Thus praised by all the gods headed by Indra, the Goddess, her face lighting with delight, then spoke these words:

Verse 27 (skanda.7.242.27)

वरं वृणुध्वं भद्रं वो नित्यं यन्मनसि स्थितम्। अहं दास्यामि तत्सर्वं यद्यपि स्यात्सुदुर्ल्लभम्

varaṁ vṛṇudhvaṁ bhadraṁ vo nityaṁ yanmanasi sthitam| ahaṁ dāsyāmi tatsarvaṁ yadyapi syātsudurllabham

'Choose a boon, O blessed ones — whatever has ever remained in your minds. I shall grant you all of it, however hard it may be to obtain.'

Verse 28 (skanda.7.242.28)

देवा ऊचुः। कृतकृत्यास्त्वया भद्रे दानवस्य निषूदनात्

devā ūcuḥ| kṛtakṛtyāstvayā bhadre dānavasya niṣūdanāt

The gods said: O gracious one, by your slaying of this demon we have already attained our purpose.

Verse 29 (skanda.7.242.29)

स्तोत्रेणानेन यो देवि त्वां वै स्तौति वरानने। तस्य त्वं वरदा देवि भव सर्वगता सती

stotreṇānena yo devi tvāṁ vai stauti varānane| tasya tvaṁ varadā devi bhava sarvagatā satī

O fair-faced Goddess, for whoever praises you with this hymn, O virtuous Goddess, may you, all-pervading, become the bestower of boons.

Verse 30 (skanda.7.242.30)

यश्चेदं शृणुयाद्भक्त्या तव देवि समुद्भवम्। सर्वपापविनिर्मुक्तः स प्राप्नोतु परां गतिम्

yaścedaṁ śṛṇuyādbhaktyā tava devi samudbhavam| sarvapāpavinirmuktaḥ sa prāpnotu parāṁ gatim

O Goddess, whoever hears with devotion this account of your manifestation, may he, freed from all sins, attain the supreme goal.

Verse 31 (skanda.7.242.31)

अस्मिन्क्षेत्रे त्वया देवि स्थितिः कार्या सदा शुभे

asminkṣetre tvayā devi sthitiḥ kāryā sadā śubhe

O auspicious one, you should dwell in this field forever.

Verse 32 (skanda.7.242.32)

अत्र त्वां पूजयेद्यस्तु शुक्लपक्षे समाहितः। नवम्यामाश्विने मासि तस्य कार्यं सदा शुभम्

atra tvāṁ pūjayedyastu śuklapakṣe samāhitaḥ| navamyāmāśvine māsi tasya kāryaṁ sadā śubham

Whoever worships you here with a composed mind on the ninth day of the bright fortnight of the month of Ashvina, his undertakings shall always be blessed with success.

Verse 33 (skanda.7.242.33)

ईश्वर उवाच। एवमुक्ता महादेवी तत्रैव निरताऽभवत्। देवास्त्रिविष्टपं जग्मुः प्रहृष्टा हतशत्रवः

īśvara uvāca| evamuktā mahādevī tatraiva niratā'bhavat| devāstriviṣṭapaṁ jagmuḥ prahṛṣṭā hataśatravaḥ

Ishvara said: Thus addressed, that great Goddess remained settled there itself; and the gods, rejoicing at the destruction of their enemy, returned to heaven.