The Muster of the Goddess's Army

Verse 1 (skanda.8.64.1)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । आहत्य भेरीः सन्नह्य दितिजा दानवाश्च ते । तदा सन्नाहयामासू रथनागतुरङ्गमान्

sanatkumāra uvāca | āhatya bherīḥ sannahya ditijā dānavāśca te | tadā sannāhayāmāsū rathanāgaturaṅgamān

Sanatkumara said: Striking their war-drums and arming themselves, those sons of Diti and the Danavas then equipped their chariots, elephants and horses.

Verse 2 (skanda.8.64.2)

गृहीततोयानानीय ततो दैत्या मतङ्गजान् । मदस्फातिकरान् दत्त्वा धूपाँश्च कवलानि च

gṛhītatoyānānīya tato daityā mataṅgajān | madasphātikarān dattvā dhūpā~śca kavalāni ca

Then the Daityas brought forth their elephants, already watered, giving them intoxicating draughts, incense-fumigations and fodder-balls to swell their rut.

Verse 3 (skanda.8.64.3)

तथा कक्षाश्च सन्नाह्या ग्रैवेयाँश्च सुसंस्कृतान् । अंकुशान् सर्वलोहाँश्च हेमरत्नपरिष्कृतान्

tathā kakṣāśca sannāhyā graiveyā~śca susaṁskṛtān | aṁkuśān sarvalohā~śca hemaratnapariṣkṛtān

and likewise fastened girths, well-finished neck-chains, and all-iron goads adorned with gold and jewels.

Verse 4 (skanda.8.64.4)

करेणुषु समारूढाः समन्ताद् गजसादिनः । आबबन्धुर्विचित्राणि वर्माणि विधिवत्तदा

kareṇuṣu samārūḍhāḥ samantād gajasādinaḥ | ābabandhurvicitrāṇi varmāṇi vidhivattadā

The elephant-riders, mounted upon female elephants all around, then duly fastened on their colourful armour.

Verse 5 (skanda.8.64.5)

तिर्यगूर्ध्वमुखान् सस्यग् बबन्धुस्तोमरेषुधीन् । आयुधानि च सर्वाणि बबन्धुरुभयोरपि

tiryagūrdhvamukhān sasyag babandhustomareṣudhīn | āyudhāni ca sarvāṇi babandhurubhayorapi

They properly bound quivers of javelins, points turned crosswise and upward, and fastened all their weapons on both sides.

Verse 6 (skanda.8.64.6)

पार्श्वयोरासनानां तु त्रयाणामपि भागशः । वैजयन्तीपताकाश्च समुच्छिश्रियिरे ततः

pārśvayorāsanānāṁ tu trayāṇāmapi bhāgaśaḥ | vaijayantīpatākāśca samucchiśriyire tataḥ

Then, on the sides of all three howdahs, section by section, they hoisted aloft their victory-banners.

Verse 7 (skanda.8.64.7)

तुरङ्गान् स्नातपीताँश्च वर्मिणो बद्धबालधीन् । आरूढा बद्धनिस्त्रिंशा दानवा लोहजालिनः

turaṅgān snātapītā~śca varmiṇo baddhabāladhīn | ārūḍhā baddhanistriṁśā dānavā lohajālinaḥ

The demons, armoured and netted in iron, swords bound at their sides, mounted horses that had been bathed and fed, their tails tied up.

Verse 8 (skanda.8.64.8)

आरूढा रथिनः केचिद् रथान् युक्ततुरङ्गमान् । सायुधान्सपताकाँश्च प्रयस्तान् स्वक्षकूबरान्

ārūḍhā rathinaḥ kecid rathān yuktaturaṅgamān | sāyudhānsapatākā~śca prayastān svakṣakūbarān

Some charioteers mounted chariots yoked with horses, fitted with weapons and banners, well-crafted, with fine axles and shafts.

Verse 9 (skanda.8.64.9)

अथ शुंभो निशुंभश्च भ्रातरौ दानवेश्वरौ । आरुह्य बद्धकवचौ बलोन्मत्तौ महासुरौ

atha śuṁbho niśuṁbhaśca bhrātarau dānaveśvarau | āruhya baddhakavacau balonmattau mahāsurau

Then Shumbha and Nishumbha, the two brother-lords of the demons, those two great Asuras crazed with strength, mounted their chariots, their armour fastened on,

Verse 10 (skanda.8.64.10)

सांग्रामिकौ सुसंयत्तौ रथौ वल्गत्तुरङ्गमौ । सायुधौ सपताकौ च कार्त्तस्वरमयौ पृथक्

sāṁgrāmikau susaṁyattau rathau valgatturaṅgamau | sāyudhau sapatākau ca kārttasvaramayau pṛthak

in their two war-ready chariots, well-prepared, drawn by prancing horses, each fitted with weapons and banners, each made of gold,

Verse 11 (skanda.8.64.11)

निर्जग्मतुर्महोरस्कौ प्रयुक्तजयमङ्गलौ । मागधैर्वन्दिभिः सूतैः स्तूयमानौ पुरःसरैः

nirjagmaturmahoraskau prayuktajayamaṅgalau | māgadhairvandibhiḥ sūtaiḥ stūyamānau puraḥsaraiḥ

those two broad-chested ones set forth, having performed victory-rites, praised by panegyrists, heralds and bards going before them.

Verse 12 (skanda.8.64.12)

ततो यातुं समारब्धास्तूर्याण्याहत्य संघशः । यत्रास्ते कौशिकी देवी तं शैलमभितोसुराः

tato yātuṁ samārabdhāstūryāṇyāhatya saṁghaśaḥ | yatrāste kauśikī devī taṁ śailamabhitosurāḥ

Then the Asuras began their march, striking their trumpets in unison, toward that mountain where the goddess Kaushiki dwelt.

Verse 13 (skanda.8.64.13)

अथ दानवसिंहानां ध्वजाः पेतुर्यियासताम् । अशिवञ्च शिवा नेदुर्दीप्तायां दिशि संस्थिताः

atha dānavasiṁhānāṁ dhvajāḥ peturyiyāsatām | aśivañca śivā nedurdīptāyāṁ diśi saṁsthitāḥ

Then, as those lion-like demons prepared to set out, their banners fell; and jackals, standing in the blazing quarter, howled an ill-omened cry.

Verse 14 (skanda.8.64.14)

पपात नभसो रेणुः कपोतोदरधूसरः । उपरिष्टाच्च सेनाया बभ्रमुर्गृध्रवायसाः

papāta nabhaso reṇuḥ kapotodaradhūsaraḥ | upariṣṭācca senāyā babhramurgṛdhravāyasāḥ

Dust, ash-grey as a dove's belly, fell from the sky; and vultures and crows circled above the army.

Verse 15 (skanda.8.64.15)

प्रतीपञ्च ववौ तेषां रजोगर्भः समीरणः । ररास परुषं व्योम चचाल च वसुन्धरा

pratīpañca vavau teṣāṁ rajogarbhaḥ samīraṇaḥ | rarāsa paruṣaṁ vyoma cacāla ca vasundharā

A dust-laden wind blew against them; the sky roared harshly, and the earth trembled.

Verse 16 (skanda.8.64.16)

पराजयनिमित्तानि बुध्यमानाः सुरद्विषः । अभिजग्मुः कृतान्तेन कृष्यमाणा इवावशाः

parājayanimittāni budhyamānāḥ suradviṣaḥ | abhijagmuḥ kṛtāntena kṛṣyamāṇā ivāvaśāḥ

Though recognising these portents of defeat, the enemies of the gods still marched on, as though drawn on helplessly by Death himself.

Verse 17 (skanda.8.64.17)

आदिदेशाथ दैत्येन्द्रो मूकमारक्षिकं तदा । गृहाण शुल्कमिति तां ब्रूहि गत्वा सुमध्यमाम्

ādideśātha daityendro mūkamārakṣikaṁ tadā | gṛhāṇa śulkamiti tāṁ brūhi gatvā sumadhyamām

Then the demon-lord instructed Muka the guard: 'Go and say to that slender-waisted one: "Accept your bride-price, now paid."'

Verse 18 (skanda.8.64.18)

स गत्वा वचनात्तस्य प्रणम्योवाच कौशिकीम् । शुल्कं किल गृहाणार्ये दीयमानं सुरद्विषा

sa gatvā vacanāttasya praṇamyovāca kauśikīm | śulkaṁ kila gṛhāṇārye dīyamānaṁ suradviṣā

He went, and by his lord's command, bowed and said to Kaushiki: 'O noble lady, accept indeed the bride-price now offered by the enemy of the gods.'

Verse 19 (skanda.8.64.19)

एवमस्त्विति सा प्रोच्य तं विसृज्य च दानवम् । व्यवर्धत महायोगा योगमास्थाय कौशिकी

evamastviti sā procya taṁ visṛjya ca dānavam | vyavardhata mahāyogā yogamāsthāya kauśikī

Saying 'So be it,' and dismissing that demon, Kaushiki, the great yogini, then, entering into yoga, began to grow in stature.

Verse 20 (skanda.8.64.20)

अथ तस्याः समुत्पेदु र्गात्रेभ्यः प्रमदोत्तमाः । बद्धगोधांगुलित्राणाः सायुधा भीमदर्शनाः

atha tasyāḥ samutpedu rgātrebhyaḥ pramadottamāḥ | baddhagodhāṁgulitrāṇāḥ sāyudhā bhīmadarśanāḥ

Then from her limbs there arose excellent women, wearing bound leather finger-guards, armed, terrible to behold.

Verse 21 (skanda.8.64.21)

वायसी वायसास्यानां स्त्रीणां कोट्या समावृता । उपका कोकिला स्याभिस्तावतीभिर्महाबला

vāyasī vāyasāsyānāṁ strīṇāṁ koṭyā samāvṛtā | upakā kokilā syābhistāvatībhirmahābalā

Vayasi, surrounded by a myriad of crow-faced women; Upaka, mighty, surrounded by an equal number of cuckoo-faced ones;

Verse 22 (skanda.8.64.22)

प्रचण्डा सिंहवक्त्राभिर्देवीभिरभिसंवृता । उग्रा व्याघ्रमुखाभिश्च परितः परिरक्षिता

pracaṇḍā siṁhavaktrābhirdevībhirabhisaṁvṛtā | ugrā vyāghramukhābhiśca paritaḥ parirakṣitā

Prachanda, encircled by lion-faced goddesses; Ugra, guarded on every side by tiger-faced ones;

Verse 23 (skanda.8.64.23)

जया च गजवक्त्राभिर्जयन्ती च महाबला । देवीभिः शिखिवक्त्राभिरमेया भिर्वृतानघा

jayā ca gajavaktrābhirjayantī ca mahābalā | devībhiḥ śikhivaktrābhirameyā bhirvṛtānaghā

Jaya, surrounded by elephant-faced ones; and mighty Jayanti, sinless, surrounded by countless peacock-faced goddesses;

Verse 24 (skanda.8.64.24)

जयमानाश्ववक्त्राभिर्हंसास्याभिः प्रभावृता । प्रभावती च चक्राह्ववदनाभिर्महाबला

jayamānāśvavaktrābhirhaṁsāsyābhiḥ prabhāvṛtā | prabhāvatī ca cakrāhvavadanābhirmahābalā

Jayamana, attended by horse-faced ones; Prabha, surrounded by swan-faced ones; and mighty Prabhavati, by chakravaka-faced ones;

Verse 25 (skanda.8.64.25)

शिवा गोमायुवक्त्राभिरशिवा विद्विषां रणे । सरमा श्वमुखीभिश्च वृता परमदुर्जया

śivā gomāyuvaktrābhiraśivā vidviṣāṁ raṇe | saramā śvamukhībhiśca vṛtā paramadurjayā

Shiva, attended by jackal-faced ones - inauspicious to her foes in battle; and Sarama, utterly unconquerable, surrounded by dog-faced ones;

Verse 26 (skanda.8.64.26)

विजया श्येनवक्त्राभिः सर्वतः परिरक्षिता । कंकास्याभिर्वृता मृत्युर्हन्त्रीभिः समरे रिपून्

vijayā śyenavaktrābhiḥ sarvataḥ parirakṣitā | kaṁkāsyābhirvṛtā mṛtyurhantrībhiḥ samare ripūn

Vijaya, guarded on every side by hawk-faced ones; and Mrityu, slayer of foes in battle, surrounded by heron-faced ones;

Verse 27 (skanda.8.64.27)

नियतिर्मद्गुवक्त्राभि र्दुर्जयाभिः परैर्युधि । अशनिः कुक्कुटास्याभिर्बह्वीभिरभिनादिता

niyatirmadguvaktrābhi rdurjayābhiḥ parairyudhi | aśaniḥ kukkuṭāsyābhirbahvībhirabhināditā

Niyati, attended by cormorant-faced ones, unconquerable by foes in battle; and Ashani, resounding with many cock-faced ones.

Verse 28 (skanda.8.64.28)

रेवती वृषदंशा च पूतना कटपूतना । आलम्बा किन्नरी षष्ठी शकुनिर्मुखमण्डिका

revatī vṛṣadaṁśā ca pūtanā kaṭapūtanā | ālambā kinnarī ṣaṣṭhī śakunirmukhamaṇḍikā

And there were also Revati, Vrishadamsha, Putana, Kataputana, Alamba, Kinnari, Shashthi, Shakuni, and Mukhamandika,

Verse 29 (skanda.8.64.29)

अलक्ष्मीरधृतिर्लक्ष्मीः पोतकी वानरी स्पृहा । एताश्चान्याश्च कौशिक्याः संबभूवुर्महाबलाः

alakṣmīradhṛtirlakṣmīḥ potakī vānarī spṛhā | etāścānyāśca kauśikyāḥ saṁbabhūvurmahābalāḥ

Alakshmi, Adhriti, Lakshmi, Potaki, Vanari, and Spriha - these and others, mighty in strength, arose from Kaushiki.

Verse 30 (skanda.8.64.30)

नानावेषधराभिश्च बह्वीभिः परितो वृता । बिभ्रतीभिर्विचित्राणि कवचान्यायुधानि च

nānāveṣadharābhiśca bahvībhiḥ parito vṛtā | bibhratībhirvicitrāṇi kavacānyāyudhāni ca

She was surrounded on all sides by many attendants wearing various forms, bearing colourful armour and weapons.

Verse 31 (skanda.8.64.31)

ससर्ज कौशिकी तूर्णं हैमान्सांग्रामिकान् रथान् । युक्तानश्वैर्मनोवेगैः सायुधानुच्छ्रितध्वजान्

sasarja kauśikī tūrṇaṁ haimānsāṁgrāmikān rathān | yuktānaśvairmanovegaiḥ sāyudhānucchritadhvajān

Kaushiki swiftly created golden war-chariots, yoked with horses swift as thought, fitted with weapons and raised banners,

Verse 32 (skanda.8.64.32)

वाजिनः सोपकरणान् मदोन्मत्तान् मतङ्गजान् । आयुधानि तनुत्राणि तूर्याणि विविधानि च

vājinaḥ sopakaraṇān madonmattān mataṅgajān | āyudhāni tanutrāṇi tūryāṇi vividhāni ca

and horses with their equipment, elephants mad with rut, weapons, body-armour, and various kinds of trumpets.

Verse 33 (skanda.8.64.33)

उवाच च महायोगा ता देवीः पुरतः स्थिताः । देव्यः शुंभो निशुंभश्च भ्रातरौ देवकण्टकौ

uvāca ca mahāyogā tā devīḥ purataḥ sthitāḥ | devyaḥ śuṁbho niśuṁbhaśca bhrātarau devakaṇṭakau

And the great yogini spoke to those goddesses standing before her: 'O goddesses, the two brothers Shumbha and Nishumbha, thorns to the gods,'

Verse 34 (skanda.8.64.34)

नेतुं मां किल संग्रामे विजित्य रणमूर्धनि । आगतौ तौ बलोन्मत्तौ सहितौ दैत्यदानवैः

netuṁ māṁ kila saṁgrāme vijitya raṇamūrdhani | āgatau tau balonmattau sahitau daityadānavaiḥ

'-have come, strength-maddened, together with the Daityas and Danavas, to take me away after conquering me at the height of battle.'

Verse 35 (skanda.8.64.35)

तावहं विनिहंस्यामि शेषान् हत सुरद्विषः । अजराश्चामराश्चैव भविष्यथ महाबलाः

tāvahaṁ vinihaṁsyāmi śeṣān hata suradviṣaḥ | ajarāścāmarāścaiva bhaviṣyatha mahābalāḥ

'I myself shall slay those two; you slay the rest of the enemies of the gods. You shall become mighty, ageless and immortal.'

Verse 36 (skanda.8.64.36)

इति ताभ्यो वरं दत्त्वा समादिश्य च तास्तदा । देवीर्देवी महाभागा युद्धाय कृतनिश्चया

iti tābhyo varaṁ dattvā samādiśya ca tāstadā | devīrdevī mahābhāgā yuddhāya kṛtaniścayā

Having thus given them this boon and instructed those goddesses, the greatly blessed goddess then resolved firmly upon battle.

Verse 37 (skanda.8.64.37)

अथ सा स्वरथं महारथं मनसाचिन्तयदच्युता तदा । तमुपस्थितमाशु चिन्तितं प्रददौ यं गिरिराजनन्दना

atha sā svarathaṁ mahārathaṁ manasācintayadacyutā tadā | tamupasthitamāśu cintitaṁ pradadau yaṁ girirājanandanā

Then that unfailing goddess thought in her mind of her own great chariot; and the moment it was thought of, it appeared - the very one given by the Daughter of the King of Mountains.

Verse 38 (skanda.8.64.38)

ज्वलदग्निसमानवर्च्चसं परितो रत्नमयूखमालिनम् । पुरतः समवेक्ष्य कौशिकी सुकृतं हेममयं नभश्चरम्

jvaladagnisamānavarccasaṁ parito ratnamayūkhamālinam | purataḥ samavekṣya kauśikī sukṛtaṁ hemamayaṁ nabhaścaram

Kaushiki looked upon it before her - blazing with the splendour of fire, garlanded all about with the rays of jewels, well-wrought, made of gold, moving through the sky.

Verse 39 (skanda.8.64.39)

विविधायुधवर्मसंयुतं प्रचलत्पिङ्गसटाकलापिभिः । समरे जयिभिर्द्विषद्बलं युक्तं केसरिभिर्महाबलैः

vividhāyudhavarmasaṁyutaṁ pracalatpiṅgasaṭākalāpibhiḥ | samare jayibhirdviṣadbalaṁ yuktaṁ kesaribhirmahābalaiḥ

It was fitted with various weapons and armour, and yoked with mighty, victorious lions, their tawny manes streaming, ever conquering the enemy's host in battle.

Verse 40 (skanda.8.64.40)

नृत्यन्मयूरेण विकीर्णभासा समुच्छ्रितेनातितरां दृढेन । हैमेन रत्नद्युतिभास्वरेण ध्वजप्रवेकेण विराजमानम्

nṛtyanmayūreṇa vikīrṇabhāsā samucchritenātitarāṁ dṛḍhena | haimena ratnadyutibhāsvareṇa dhvajapravekeṇa virājamānam

It shone with a superb standard - a dancing peacock, radiance scattering all about, raised very high and firm, made of gold, ablaze with the light of jewels.

Verse 41 (skanda.8.64.41)

जग्राह विजया छत्रं सिंही सूता तदाभवत् । जयन्ती च जया चास्या दधतुश्चामराण्यथ

jagrāha vijayā chatraṁ siṁhī sūtā tadābhavat | jayantī ca jayā cāsyā dadhatuścāmarāṇyatha

Vijaya took hold of the parasol; Simhi then became her charioteer; and Jayanti and Jaya then held her fly-whisks.

Verse 42 (skanda.8.64.42)

ततः सा बद्धकवचा विविधायुधधारिणी । आरुरोह रथं दिव्यं स्रुताशीर्जयमङ्गला

tataḥ sā baddhakavacā vividhāyudhadhāriṇī | āruroha rathaṁ divyaṁ srutāśīrjayamaṅgalā

Then, her armour fastened on, bearing various weapons, having received blessings, she mounted that divine chariot amid victory-rites.

Verse 43 (skanda.8.64.43)

संपूर्णचन्द्रद्युतिनाथ मूर्ध्नि समुच्छ्रितेनातपवारणेन । संवीज्यमाना च विचित्रदण्डैः सुचामरैरिन्दुमरीचिगौरैः

saṁpūrṇacandradyutinātha mūrdhni samucchritenātapavāraṇena | saṁvījyamānā ca vicitradaṇḍaiḥ sucāmarairindumarīcigauraiḥ

Above her head a parasol was raised, bright as the full moon; and she was fanned with fine fly-whisks, white as moonbeams, on ornate handles.

Verse 44 (skanda.8.64.44)

ततस्तास्तूर्यमाहत्य नेदुर्नादान् पृथग्विधान् । देव्या देव्यः सुसंयुक्ता बभूवुश्च पुरस्सराः

tatastāstūryamāhatya nedurnādān pṛthagvidhān | devyā devyaḥ susaṁyuktā babhūvuśca purassarāḥ

Then those goddesses struck their trumpets and raised various sounds; well-arrayed, they became the vanguard before the great goddess.

Verse 45 (skanda.8.64.45)

तेन नादेन दैत्यानां हृदयानि चकम्पिरे । विससर्ज शकृन्मूत्रं हस्त्यश्वञ्चासुरे बले

tena nādena daityānāṁ hṛdayāni cakampire | visasarja śakṛnmūtraṁ hastyaśvañcāsure bale

At that sound, the hearts of the Daityas trembled; and in the demon army, the elephants and horses voided dung and urine in fear.

Verse 46 (skanda.8.64.46)

चकम्प इव भूर्लोकश्चुक्षुभुः सागरा इव । विचेलुरिवशैलेन्द्राः पूरितं व नभस्तलम्

cakampa iva bhūrlokaścukṣubhuḥ sāgarā iva | vicelurivaśailendrāḥ pūritaṁ va nabhastalam

The earth seemed to tremble, the oceans seemed to churn, the great mountains seemed to shake, and the vault of heaven seemed to fill with sound.

Verse 47 (skanda.8.64.47)

तदा तद्देवतानीकं पताकाध्वजशोभितम् । विरेजे विनदत्तूर्यं सितनिस्त्रिंशसंकुलम्

tadā taddevatānīkaṁ patākādhvajaśobhitam | vireje vinadattūryaṁ sitanistriṁśasaṁkulam

Then that host of goddesses, adorned with banners and flags, shone forth, its trumpets blaring, thronged with gleaming white swords,

Verse 48 (skanda.8.64.48)

बलाकापंक्तिशबलं सेन्द्रचापं महास्वनम् । नभस्ये मासि सतडिद् वृन्दं जलमुचामिव

balākāpaṁktiśabalaṁ sendracāpaṁ mahāsvanam | nabhasye māsi sataḍid vṛndaṁ jalamucāmiva

-dappled like rows of cranes, rainbow-crowned, loud-thundering, like a mass of lightning-lit rainclouds in the month of Bhadrapada.

Verse 49 (skanda.8.64.49)

ततो जगाम संयच्छद् दैत्येन्द्राभिमुखं तदा । जवेन देवतानीकं संक्षिप्येव दिशो दश

tato jagāma saṁyacchad daityendrābhimukhaṁ tadā | javena devatānīkaṁ saṁkṣipyeva diśo daśa

Then that host of goddesses advanced, restrained yet swift, straight toward the demon-lords, as though gathering up the ten directions.

Verse 50 (skanda.8.64.50)

अथ ददृशुरनीकमागतं सुररिपवो विविधोच्छ्रितध्वजम् । प्रतिभयजननं महास्वनं प्रलय इवाम्बुदवृन्दमुन्नतम्

atha dadṛśuranīkamāgataṁ suraripavo vividhocchritadhvajam | pratibhayajananaṁ mahāsvanaṁ pralaya ivāmbudavṛndamunnatam

Then the enemies of the gods saw that army approaching, its many banners raised high, terror-inspiring, loud-thundering, towering like a mass of clouds at the universal dissolution.