The Glory of Yogeshvari

Verse 1 (skanda.7.83.1)

ईश्वर उवाच। ततो गच्छेन्महादेवि तस्य पूर्वेण संस्थिताम्। योगेश्वरीं महादेवीं योगसिद्धिफलप्रदाम्

īśvara uvāca| tato gacchenmahādevi tasya pūrveṇa saṁsthitām| yogeśvarīṁ mahādevīṁ yogasiddhiphalapradām

Ishvara said: Thereafter, O great Goddess, one should go to the great Goddess Yogeshvari, situated to the east of that place, who grants the fruit of the accomplishments of yoga.

Verse 2 (skanda.7.83.2)

तदुत्पत्तिं प्रवक्ष्यामि शृणु श्रद्धासमन्विता। पुरा दानवशार्दूलो महिषाख्यो महाबलः

tadutpattiṁ pravakṣyāmi śṛṇu śraddhāsamanvitā| purā dānavaśārdūlo mahiṣākhyo mahābalaḥ

Now I shall relate its origin — listen with faith. Formerly there was a tiger among the demons, of great strength, named Mahisha.

Verse 3 (skanda.7.83.3)

बभूव प्रवरो देवि सर्वदेवभयंकरः। कामरूपी स लोकांस्त्रीन्वशीकृत्वाऽभवत्सुखी

babhūva pravaro devi sarvadevabhayaṁkaraḥ| kāmarūpī sa lokāṁstrīnvaśīkṛtvā'bhavatsukhī

O Devi, he was pre-eminent and a terror to all the gods. Able to assume any form at will, he subdued the three worlds and lived happily.

Verse 4 (skanda.7.83.4)

कस्मिंश्चिदथ काले तु ब्रह्मणा लोककारिणा। सृष्टा मनोहरा कन्या रूपेणाप्रतिमा दिवि

kasmiṁścidatha kāle tu brahmaṇā lokakāriṇā| sṛṣṭā manoharā kanyā rūpeṇāpratimā divi

At a certain time, Brahma, the creator of the worlds, brought forth in heaven a charming maiden of incomparable beauty.

Verse 5 (skanda.7.83.5)

अतपत्सा तपो घोरं कन्या रूपवती सती। नारदेन ततो दृष्टा सा कदाचिद्वरानने

atapatsā tapo ghoraṁ kanyā rūpavatī satī| nāradena tato dṛṣṭā sā kadācidvarānane

That beautiful and virtuous maiden performed fierce austerity; O fair-faced one, at one time Narada beheld her.

Verse 6 (skanda.7.83.6)

ततः स सहसा देवि विस्मयं परमं गतः। अहो रूपमहो धैर्यमहो कान्तिरहो वयः

tataḥ sa sahasā devi vismayaṁ paramaṁ gataḥ| aho rūpamaho dhairyamaho kāntiraho vayaḥ

O Devi, he was then suddenly overcome with the greatest astonishment: 'Ah, what beauty! Ah, what composure! Ah, what radiance! Ah, what youthfulness!'

Verse 7 (skanda.7.83.7)

इत्येवं चिन्तयंस्तत्र नारीं वचनमब्रवीत्। कुरुष्वात्मप्रदानं मे न मे दारपरिग्रहः। तवाहं दर्शनाद्देवि कामवाणेन पीडितः

ityevaṁ ciṁtayaṁstatra nārīṁ vacanamabravīt| kuruṣvātmapradānaṁ me na me dāraparigrahaḥ| tavāhaṁ darśanāddevi kāmavāṇena pīḍitaḥ

Thinking thus, he spoke these words to the woman: 'Give yourself to me; I have no wife. O Devi, at the sight of you I have been struck by the arrow of desire.'

Verse 8 (skanda.7.83.8)

सा ऽब्रवीन्न हि मे कार्यं कामधर्मेण सत्तम। कौमारं व्रतमासाद्य साधयिष्ये यथेप्सितम्

sā'bravīnna hi me kāryaṁ kāmadharmeṇa sattama| kaumāraṁ vratamāsādya sādhayiṣye yathepsitam

She said: 'O most excellent one, I have no need of the way of desire. Holding to my vow of maidenhood, I shall accomplish what I desire.'

Verse 9 (skanda.7.83.9)

न च मन्युस्त्वया कार्यो ह्यस्मिन्नर्थे कथंचन। तस्यास्तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा स मुनिर्नारदः प्रिये

na ca manyustvayā kāryo hyasminnarthe kathaṁcana| tasyāstadvacanaṁ śrutvā sa munirnāradaḥ priye

'And you should not in any way feel resentment over this matter.' O beloved, having heard her words, the sage Narada —

Verse 10 (skanda.7.83.10)

समुद्रान्तेऽगमद्दिव्यां पुरीं महिषपालिताम्। अर्चितो हि मुनिस्तेन महिषेण महात्मना

samudrānte'gamaddivyāṁ purīṁ mahiṣapālitām| arcito hi munistena mahiṣeṇa mahātmanā

went to that divine city, ruled by Mahisha, situated at the edge of the ocean. The great-souled Mahisha received the sage with honor.

Verse 11 (skanda.7.83.11)

पृष्ट्वा ह्यनामयं देवि दत्त्वा चार्घ्यमनुत्तमम्। सोऽब्रवीत्प्राञ्जलिर्भूत्वा किमागमनकारणम्। ब्रूहि यत्ते व्यवसितं सर्वं कर्त्तास्मि नारद

pṛṣṭvā hyanāmayaṁ devi dattvā cārghyamanuttamam| so'bravītprāñjalirbhūtvā kimāgamanakāraṇam| brūhi yatte vyavasitaṁ sarvaṁ karttāsmi nārada

O Devi, having inquired after his well-being and offered him the finest reception-water, he said with joined palms: 'What is the reason for your visit? O Narada, tell me whatever you have in mind — I shall accomplish all of it.'

Verse 12 (skanda.7.83.12)

अथोवाच मुनिस्तत्र महिषं दानवेश्वरम्। कन्यारत्नं समुत्पन्नं जंबूद्वीपे महासुर

athovāca munistatra mahiṣaṁ dānaveśvaram| kanyāratnaṁ samutpannaṁ jaṁbūdvīpe mahāsura

Then the sage said there to Mahisha, the lord of the demons: 'O great demon, a jewel of a maiden has appeared in Jambudvipa —'

Verse 13 (skanda.7.83.13)

स्वर्गे मर्त्ये च पाताले न दृष्टं न च मे श्रुतम्। तादृग्रूपमहं येन कामबाणवशीकृतः

svarge martye ca pātāle na dṛṣṭaṁ na ca me śrutam| tādṛgrūpamahaṁ yena kāmabāṇavaśīkṛtaḥ

'Neither in heaven, on earth, nor in the netherworld have I ever seen or heard of such beauty — by which even I have been overpowered by the arrow of desire.'

Verse 14 (skanda.7.83.14)

स श्रुत्वा वचनं तस्य कामस्योत्पादनं परम्। जगाम यत्र सा साध्वी क्षेत्रे प्राभासिके स्थिता

sa śrutvā vacanaṁ tasya kāmasyotpādanaṁ param| jagāma yatra sā sādhvī kṣetre prābhāsike sthitā

Having heard his words, which greatly kindled desire, he went to where that virtuous woman was, dwelling in the Prabhasa field.

Verse 15 (skanda.7.83.15)

तामेव प्रार्थयामास बलेन महता वृतः। भार्या भव त्वं मे भीरु भुंक्ष्व भोगान्मनोरमान्। एतत्तपो महाभागे विरुद्धं यौवनस्य ते

tāmeva prārthayāmāsa balena mahatā vṛtaḥ| bhāryā bhava tvaṁ me bhīru bhuṁkṣva bhogānmanoramān| etattapo mahābhāge viruddhaṁ yauvanasya te

Surrounded by a mighty army, he solicited her, saying: 'O timid one, become my wife, and enjoy delightful pleasures. O most fortunate one, this austerity ill-suits your youth.'

Verse 16 (skanda.7.83.16)

तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा जहास वरवर्णिनी। तस्या हसंत्या देवेशि शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः

tasya tadvacanaṁ śrutvā jahāsa varavarṇinī| tasyā hasaṁtyā deveśi śataśo'tha sahasraśaḥ

Hearing his words, the fair-complexioned one laughed. O Queen of gods, from her laughter, in their hundreds and thousands —

Verse 17 (skanda.7.83.17)

निश्वासात्सहसा नार्यः शस्त्रहस्ता भयानकाः। ताभिर्विध्वंसितं सैन्यं महिषस्य दुरात्मनः

niśvāsātsahasā nāryaḥ śastrahastā bhayānakāḥ| tābhirvidhvaṁsitaṁ sainyaṁ mahiṣasya durātmanaḥ

from her breath there suddenly appeared fearsome, weapon-wielding women; by them the army of the evil-minded Mahisha was destroyed.

Verse 18 (skanda.7.83.18)

तस्मिन्निपात्यमाने तु सैन्ये दानवसत्तमः। क्रोधं कृत्वा ततः शीघ्रं तामेवाभिमुखो ययौ

tasminnipātyamāne tu sainye dānavasattamaḥ| krodhaṁ kṛtvā tataḥ śīghraṁ tāmevābhimukho yayau

As that army was being struck down, the foremost of the demons, filled with rage, at once rushed straight toward her.

Verse 19 (skanda.7.83.19)

विधुन्वन्स हि ते तीक्ष्णशृंगेऽभीक्ष्णं भयानके। तया सार्धं च सुमहत्कृत्वा युद्धं महासुरः

vidhunvansa hi te tīkṣṇaśṛṁge'bhīkṣṇaṁ bhayānake| tayā sārdhaṁ ca sumahatkṛtvā yuddhaṁ mahāsuraḥ

Continually brandishing his sharp and terrifying horns, that great demon fought an immense battle against her.

Verse 20 (skanda.7.83.20)

शृंगाभ्यां जगृहे देवीं सा तस्योपरि संस्थिता। पद्भ्यामाक्रम्य शूलेन निहतो दैत्यपुंगवः

śṛṁgābhyāṁ jagṛhe devīṁ sā tasyopari saṁsthitā| padbhyāmākramya śūlena nihato daityapuṁgavaḥ

He tried to seize the Goddess with his horns, but she mounted upon him; pressing him down with her feet, she slew that foremost of demons with her trident.

Verse 21 (skanda.7.83.21)

छिन्ने शिरसि खङ्गेन तद्रूपो निःसृतः पुमान्। रौद्रोऽपि स गतः स्वर्गं दैत्यो देव्यस्त्रपातितः

chinne śirasi khaṅgena tadrūpo niḥsṛtaḥ pumān| raudro'pi sa gataḥ svargaṁ daityo devyastrapātitaḥ

When his head was severed with the sword, a man of the same form emerged from him; though terrible, that demon, felled by the Goddess's weapon, went to heaven.

Verse 22 (skanda.7.83.22)

ततो देवगणाः सर्वे महिषं वीक्ष्य निर्जितम्। महेंद्राद्याः स्तुतिं चक्रुर्देव्यास्तुष्टेन चेतसा

tato devagaṇāḥ sarve mahiṣaṁ vīkṣya nirjitam| maheṁdrādyāḥ stutiṁ cakrurdevyāstuṣṭena cetasā

Then all the hosts of gods, seeing Mahisha vanquished, led by Mahendra, praised the Goddess with joyful hearts.

Verse 23 (skanda.7.83.23)

देवा ऊचुः। नमो देवि महाभागे गम्भीरे भीमदर्शने। नयस्थिते सुसिद्धांते त्रिनेत्रे विश्वतोमुखि

devā ūcuḥ| namo devi mahābhāge gaṁbhīre bhīmadarśane| nayasthite susiddhāṁte trinetre viśvatomukhi

The gods said: Salutations to you, O most fortunate Goddess! O profound one, O fearsome-visaged one, O one grounded in righteousness, O one of perfect doctrine, O three-eyed one, O one facing every direction!

Verse 24 (skanda.7.83.24)

विद्याविद्ये जये जाप्ये महिषासुरमर्दिनि। सर्वगे सर्वविद्येशे देवि विश्वस्वरूपिणि

vidyāvidye jaye jāpye mahiṣāsuramardini| sarvage sarvavidyeśe devi viśvasvarūpiṇi

O you who are both knowledge and ignorance, O victory itself, O one worthy of silent recitation, O slayer of the demon Mahisha, O all-pervading one, O mistress of all learning, O Devi of universal form!

Verse 25 (skanda.7.83.25)

वीतशोके ध्रुवे देवि पद्मपत्रायतेक्षणे। शुद्धसत्त्वे व्रतस्थे च चण्डरूपे विभावरि

vītaśoke dhruve devi padmapatrāyatekṣaṇe| śuddhasattve vratasthe ca caṇḍarūpe vibhāvari

O one free from sorrow, O constant one, O Devi with eyes wide as lotus petals, O one of pure essence, O one steadfast in vows, O fierce-formed one, O night incarnate!

Verse 26 (skanda.7.83.26)

ऋद्धिसिद्धिप्रदे देवि कालनृत्ये धृतिप्रिये। शांकरि ब्राह्मणि ब्राह्मि सर्वदेवनमस्कृते

ṛddhisiddhipradе devi kālanṛtye dhṛtipriye| śāṁkari brāhmaṇi brāhmi sarvadevanamaskṛte

O Devi who bestows prosperity and accomplishment, O dancer of time, O lover of steadfastness, O consort of Shankara, O Brahmani, O Brahmi, O one venerated by all the gods!

Verse 27 (skanda.7.83.27)

घंटाहस्ते शूल हस्ते महामहिषमर्दिनि। उग्ररूपे विरूपाक्षि महामायेऽमृते शिवे

ghaṁṭāhaste śūla haste mahāmahiṣamardini| ugrarūpe virūpākṣi mahāmāye'mṛte śive

O bell-bearer, O trident-bearer, O slayer of the great buffalo-demon, O fierce-formed one, O misshapen-eyed one, O great illusion, O immortal one, O auspicious one!

Verse 28 (skanda.7.83.28)

सर्वगे सर्वदे देवि सर्वसत्त्वमयोद्भवे। विद्यापुराणशल्यानां जननि भूतधारिणि

sarvage sarvade devi sarvasattvamayodbhave| vidyāpurāṇaśalyānāṁ janani bhūtadhāriṇi

O all-pervading one, O all-giving Devi, O one born of the essence of all beings, O mother of the sciences of knowledge, of the ancient lore, and of surgery, O sustainer of all creatures!

Verse 29 (skanda.7.83.29)

सर्वदेवरहस्यानां सर्वसत्त्ववतां शुभे। त्वमेव शरणं देवि विद्याऽविद्ये श्रियेऽश्रिये

sarvadevarahasyānāṁ sarvasattvavatāṁ śubhe| tvameva śaraṇaṁ devi vidyā'vidye śriye'śriye

O auspicious source of the secrets of all the gods and of all living beings, you alone, O Devi, are the refuge — whether as knowledge or ignorance, as fortune or misfortune.

Verse 30 (skanda.7.83.30)

एवं स्तुता सुरैर्देवि प्रणम्य ऋषिभिस्तथा। उवाच हसती वाक्यं वृणुध्वं वरमुत्तमम्

evaṁ stutā surairdevi praṇamya ṛṣibhistathā| uvāca hasatī vākyaṁ vṛṇudhvaṁ varamuttamam

O Devi, thus praised by the gods and sages who bowed before her, she said, smiling: 'Ask for an excellent boon.'

Verse 31 (skanda.7.83.31)

देवा ऊचुः। स्तवेनानेन ये देवि स्तुवन्त्यत्र नरोत्तमाः। ते संतु कामैः संपूर्णा वरवर्षा निरंतरम्

devā ūcuḥ| stavenānena ye devi stuvantyatra narottamāḥ| te saṁtu kāmaiḥ saṁpūrṇā varavarṣā niraṁtaram

The gods said: O Devi, may those excellent men who praise you here with this hymn ever be fulfilled in their desires, through an unceasing shower of boons.

Verse 32 (skanda.7.83.32)

अस्मिन्क्षेत्रे त्वया वासो नित्यं कार्यः शुचिस्मिते

asminkṣetre tvayā vāso nityaṁ kāryaḥ śucismite

O pure-smiling one, your dwelling should be forever in this sacred field.

Verse 33 (skanda.7.83.33)

एवमस्त्विति सा देवी देवानुक्त्वा वरानने। विसृज्य ऋषिसंघांश्च तत्रैव निरताऽभवत्

evamastviti sā devī devānuktvā varānane| visṛjya ṛṣisaṁghāṁśca tatraiva nirata'bhavat

O fair-faced one, saying 'so be it' to the gods, the Goddess then, having taken leave of the assemblies of sages as well, settled there permanently herself.

Verse 34 (skanda.7.83.34)

आश्वयुक्छुक्लपक्षस्य नवम्यां यो वरानने। उपवासपरो भूत्वा तां प्रपश्यति भक्तितः। तस्य पापं क्षयं याति तमः सूर्योदये यथा

āśvayukchuklapakṣasya navamyāṁ yo varānane| upavāsaparo bhūtvā tāṁ prapaśyati bhaktitaḥ| tasya pāpaṁ kṣayaṁ yāti tamaḥ sūryodaye yathā

O fair-faced one, whoever, keeping a fast, beholds her with devotion on the ninth day of the bright fortnight of Ashvina, his sin is destroyed just as darkness vanishes at sunrise.

Verse 35 (skanda.7.83.35)

य एतत्पठति स्तोत्रं प्रातरुत्थाय मानवः। न भीः संपद्यते तस्य यावज्जीवं नरस्य वै

ya etatpaṭhati stotraṁ prātarutthāya mānavaḥ| na bhīḥ saṁpadyate tasya yāvajjīvaṁ narasya vai

The man who rises at dawn and recites this hymn never experiences fear, throughout his entire life.

Verse 36 (skanda.7.83.36)

आश्वयुक्छुक्लपक्षे या अष्टमी मूलसंयुता। सा महानामिका प्राणा येषां तस्यां गताः शुभे

āśvayukchuklapakṣe yā aṣṭamī mūlasaṁyutā| sā mahānāmikā prāṇā yeṣāṁ tasyāṁ gatāḥ śubhe

The eighth day of the bright fortnight of Ashvina, when conjoined with the Mula constellation, is called the Great-Named (Mahanamika) day; O auspicious one, those whose life-breath departs here on that day —

Verse 37 (skanda.7.83.37)

तेषां स्वर्गे ध्रुवं वासो वीरास्तेऽप्सरसां प्रियाः

teṣāṁ svarge dhruvaṁ vāso vīrāste'psarasāṁ priyāḥ

their dwelling is certainly in heaven; those heroes become beloved of the celestial nymphs.

Verse 38 (skanda.7.83.38)

मन्वन्तरेषु सर्वेषु कल्पादिषु सुरेश्वरि। एष एव क्रमः प्रोक्तो विशेषं शृणु सांप्रतम्

manvantareṣu sarveṣu kalpādiṣu sureśvari| eṣa eva kramaḥ prokto viśeṣaṁ śṛṇu sāṁpratam

O queen of the gods, this same sequence has been declared for all the Manvantaras and at the beginning of every aeon. Now hear the special observance.

Verse 39 (skanda.7.83.39)

आश्वयुक्छुक्लपक्षे या पंचमी पापनाशिनी। तस्यां संपूजयेद्रात्रौ खड्गमंत्रैर्विभूषितम्

āśvayukchuklapakṣe yā paṁcamī pāpanāśinī| tasyāṁ saṁpūjayedrātrau khaḍgamaṁtrairvibhūṣitam

The fifth day of the bright fortnight of Ashvina is sin-destroying; on that night one should worship the sword, adorned with (recitation of) its mantras.

Verse 40 (skanda.7.83.40)

मंडपं कारयेत्तत्र नवसप्तकरं तथा। प्रागुदक्प्रवणे देशे पताकाभिरलंकृतम्। योगेश्वर्याः संनिधाने विधिना कारयेद्द्विजः

maṁḍapaṁ kārayettatra navasaptakaraṁ tathā| prāgudakpravaṇe deśe patākābhiralaṁkṛtam| yogeśvaryāḥ saṁnidhāne vidhinā kārayeddvijaḥ

There one should have a pavilion built, nine or seven cubits in extent, on ground sloping toward the north-east, decorated with banners; a twice-born should have it built duly near Yogeshvari.

Verse 41 (skanda.7.83.41)

आग्नेय्यां कारयेत्कुण्डं हस्तमात्रं सुशोभनम्। मेखलात्रयसंयुक्तं योन्याऽश्वत्थदलाभया

āgneyyāṁ kārayetkuṇḍaṁ hastamātraṁ suśobhanam| mekhalātrayasaṁyuktaṁ yonyā'śvatthadalābhayā

In the south-eastern corner one should have a beautiful fire-pit built, one cubit in size, furnished with three encircling ledges and a yoni-shaped opening resembling a peepal leaf.

Verse 42 (skanda.7.83.42)

शास्त्रोक्तं मन्त्रसंयुक्तं होतव्यं पायसं ततः। ततः खड्गं तु संस्नाप्य पंचामृतरसेन वै। पूजयेद्विविधैः पुष्पैर्मंत्रपूर्वं द्विजोत्तमैः

śāstroktaṁ maṁtrasaṁyuktaṁ hotavyaṁ pāyasaṁ tataḥ| tataḥ khaḍgaṁ tu saṁsnāpya paṁcāmṛtarasena vai| pūjayedvividhaiḥ puṣpairmaṁtrapūrvaṁ dvijottamaiḥ

Then one should offer rice-milk pudding into the fire, accompanied by the mantras prescribed in scripture. Thereafter, having bathed the sword with the essence of the five nectars, the best of the twice-born should worship it with various flowers, preceded by mantra.

Verse 43 (skanda.7.83.43)

अभीर्विशसनं खड्गः प्राणिभूतो दुरासदः। अगम्यो विजयश्चैव धर्माधारस्तथैव च। इत्यष्टौ तव नामानि स्वयमुक्तानि वेधसा

abhīrviśasanaṁ khaḍgaḥ prāṇibhūto durāsadaḥ| agamyo vijayaścaiva dharmādhārastathaiva ca| ityaṣṭau tava nāmāni svayamuktāni vedhasā

'Fearless, the Slayer, the Sword, Embodied-life, Unassailable, Unapproachable, Victory, and the Foundation of Dharma' — these eight names of yours were declared by the Creator (Brahma) himself.

Verse 44 (skanda.7.83.44)

नक्षत्रं कृत्तिका तुभ्यं गुरुर्देवो महेश्वरः। हिरण्यं च शरीरं ते धाता देवो जनार्दनः। पिता पितामहो देव स्वेन पालय सर्वदा

nakṣatraṁ kṛttikā tubhyaṁ gururdevo maheśvaraḥ| hiraṇyaṁ ca śarīraṁ te dhātā devo janārdanaḥ| pitā pitāmaho deva svena pālaya sarvadā

'Your constellation is Krittika, your preceptor is the god Maheshvara, your body is gold, your creator is the god Janardana. O divine one, he is your father and grandfather — protect always through your own power.'

Verse 45 (skanda.7.83.45)

एवं संपूज्य विधिना तं खङ्गं ब्राह्मणोत्तमैः। भ्रामयेन्नगरे रात्रौ नान्दीघोषपुरःसरम्

evaṁ saṁpūjya vidhinā taṁ khaṅgaṁ brāhmaṇottamaiḥ| bhrāmayennagare rātrau nāndīghoṣapuraḥsaram

Having thus duly worshipped that sword through the finest Brahmins, one should carry it in procession through the city at night, preceded by auspicious music.

Verse 46 (skanda.7.83.46)

सर्वसैन्येन संयुक्तस्तत्र ब्राह्मणपुंगवैः। एवं कृत्वा विधानं तु पुनर्योगेश्वरीं नयेत्। उच्चार्य मन्त्रमेवं वै खङ्गं तस्यै समर्पयेत्

sarvasainyena saṁyuktastatra brāhmaṇapuṁgavaiḥ| evaṁ kṛtvā vidhānaṁ tu punaryogeśvarīṁ nayet| uccārya maṁtramevaṁ vai khaṅgaṁ tasyai samarpayet

Accompanied by the entire army and the foremost Brahmins, having performed this rite, one should then bring it back to Yogeshvari, and reciting the mantra, offer the sword to her.

Verse 47 (skanda.7.83.47)

अञ्जनेन समालेख्य चन्दनेन विलेपितम्। बिल्वपत्रकृतां मालां तस्यै देव्यै निवेदयेत्

aṁjanena samālekhya caṁdanena vilepitam| bilvapatrakṛtāṁ mālāṁ tasyai devyai nivedayet

One should offer to that Goddess a garland made of Bilva leaves, adorned with collyrium and anointed with sandal paste.

Verse 48 (skanda.7.83.48)

दुर्गे दुर्गार्तिहे देवि सर्व दुर्गतिनाशिनि। त्राहि मां सर्वदुर्गेषु दुर्गेऽहं शरणं गतः

durge durgārtihe devi sarva durgatināśini| trāhi māṁ sarvadurgeṣu durge'haṁ śaraṇaṁ gataḥ

'O Durga, O Devi who removes distress and misfortune, O destroyer of all evil states, protect me in every difficulty; O Durga, I have come for refuge to you.'

Verse 49 (skanda.7.83.49)

दत्त्वैवमर्घ्यं देवेशि तत्र खङ्गं च जागृयात्। नित्यं संपूज्य विधिना अष्टम्यां यावदेव हि

dattvaivamarghyaṁ deveśi tatra khaṅgaṁ ca jāgṛyāt| nityaṁ saṁpūjya vidhinā aṣṭamyāṁ yāvadeva hi

O Queen of gods, having thus offered the reception-water, one should keep vigil over the sword there, worshipping it duly every day until the eighth lunar day.

Verse 50 (skanda.7.83.50)

तद्रात्रौ जागरं कृत्वा प्रभाते ह्यरुणोदये। पातयेन्महिषान्मेषानग्रतो गतकंधरान्

tadrātrau jāgaraṁ kṛtvā prabhāte hyaruṇodaye| pātayenmahiṣānmeṣānagrato gatakaṁdharān

Having kept vigil that night, at dawn when the first light of sunrise appears, one should, standing before her, fell buffaloes and rams by severing their necks.

Verse 51 (skanda.7.83.51)

शतमर्धशतं वापि तदर्धार्धं यथेच्छया। सुरासवभृतैः कुंभैस्तर्पयेत्परमेश्वरीम्

śatamardhaśataṁ vāpi tadardhārdhaṁ yathecchayā| surāsavabhṛtaiḥ kuṁbhaiḥ tarpayetparameśvarīm

A hundred, or fifty, or half of that again, according to one's wish; and one should gratify the Supreme Goddess with jars filled with wine and spirituous liquor.

Verse 52 (skanda.7.83.52)

कापालिकेभ्यस्तद्देयं दासीदासजने तथा। ततोऽपराह्नसमये नवम्यां स्यन्दने स्थिताम्

kāpālikebhyastaddeyaṁ dāsīdāsajane tathā| tato'aparāhnasamaye navamyāṁ syandane sthitām

This should also be given to the Kapalika ascetics and to the male and female servants. Thereafter, in the afternoon of the ninth day, [the Goddess], placed upon a chariot —

Verse 53 (skanda.7.83.53)

योगेशीं भ्रामयेद्राष्ट्रे स्वयं राजा स्वसैन्यवान्। नदद्भिः शंखपटहैः पठद्भिर्बटुचारणैः

yogeśīṁ bhrāmayedrāṣṭre svayaṁ rājā svasainyavān| nadadbhiḥ śaṁkhapaṭahaiḥ paṭhadbhirbaṭucāraṇaiḥ

should be carried in procession through the kingdom by the king himself with his army, amid the sounding of conch-shells and drums and the chanting of young Brahmin acolytes and bards.

Verse 54 (skanda.7.83.54)

भूतेभ्यश्च बलिं दद्यान्मंत्रेणानेन भामिनि। सरक्तं सजलं सान्नं गन्धपुष्पाक्षतैर्युतम्

bhūtebhyaśca baliṁ dadyānmaṁtreṇānena bhāmini| saraktaṁ sajalaṁ sānnaṁ gaṁdhapuṣpākṣatairyutam

O gracious lady, one should offer an oblation to the spirits with this mantra, consisting of blood, water, food, fragrance, flowers, and unbroken rice.

Verse 55 (skanda.7.83.55)

त्रीन्वाराँस्तु त्रिशूलेन दिग्विदिक्षु क्षिपेद्बलिम्। बलिं गृह्णन्त्विमे देवा आदित्या वसवस्तथा

trīnvārāṁstu triśūlena digvidikṣu kṣipedbalim| baliṁ gṛhṇantvime devā ādityā vasavastathā

With the trident, one should cast the offering three times toward the cardinal and intermediate directions: 'May these gods — the Adityas, the Vasus, and others — accept this offering.'

Verse 56 (skanda.7.83.56)

मरुतोऽथाश्विनौ रुद्राः सुपर्णाः पन्नगा ग्रहाः। सौम्या भवंतु तृप्ताश्च भूताः प्रेताः सुखावहाः

maruto'thāśvinau rudrāḥ suparṇāḥ pannagā grahāḥ| saumyā bhavaṁtu tṛptāśca bhūtāḥ pretāḥ sukhāvahāḥ

'May the Maruts, the Ashvins, the Rudras, Garuda-like beings, serpents, and the planetary deities be benign; may the spirits and the departed be satisfied and bring well-being.'

Verse 57 (skanda.7.83.57)

य एवं कुर्वते यात्रां ब्राह्मणाः क्षेत्रवासिनः। न तेषां शत्रवो नाग्निर्न चौरा न विनायकाः। विघ्नं कुर्वंति देवेशि योगेश्वर्याः प्रसादतः

ya evaṁ kurvate yātrāṁ brāhmaṇāḥ kṣetravāsinaḥ| na teṣāṁ śatravo nāgnirna caurā na vināyakāḥ| vighnaṁ kurvaṁti deveśi yogeśvaryāḥ prasādataḥ

The Brahmin residents of that field who thus perform this observance — O Queen of gods, by the grace of Yogeshvari, neither enemies, nor fire, nor thieves, nor obstacle-making spirits create any hindrance for them.

Verse 58 (skanda.7.83.58)

सुखिनो भोगभोक्तारः सर्वातंकविवर्जिताः। भवन्ति पुरुषा भक्ता योगेश्वर्या निरंतरम्

sukhino bhogabhoktāraḥ sarvātaṁkavivarjitāḥ| bhavanti puruṣā bhaktā yogeśvaryā niraṁtaram

Men who remain continually devoted to Yogeshvari become happy, enjoyers of pleasures, and free from every affliction.

Verse 59 (skanda.7.83.59)

इत्येष ते समाख्यातो योगेश्वर्या महोत्सवः। पठतां शृण्वतां चैव सर्वाशुभविनाशनः

ityeṣa te samākhyāto yogeśvaryā mahotsavaḥ| paṭhatāṁ śṛṇvatāṁ caiva sarvāśubhavināśanaḥ

Thus I have described to you this great festival of Yogeshvari, which destroys every inauspiciousness for those who read or hear it.

Verse 60 (skanda.7.83.60)

शूलाग्रभिन्नमहिषासुरपृष्ठपीठामुत्खातखड्गरुचिरांगदबाहुदंडाम्। अभ्यर्च्य पंचवदनानुगतं नवम्यां दुर्गां सुदुर्गगहनानि तरंति मर्त्याः

śūlāgrabhinnamahiṣāsurapṛṣṭhapīṭhāmutkhātakhaḍgaruciraṁgadabāhudaṁḍām| abhyarcya paṁcavadanānugataṁ navamyāṁ durgāṁ sudurgagahanāni taraṁti martyāḥ

Worshipping on the ninth day that Durga — whose seat is the back of the buffalo-demon pierced by the point of her trident, whose lovely arms are adorned with an upraised sword and armlets, and who is attended by the five-faced Shiva — mortals cross over the densest and most impassable of difficulties.