Devī Māhātmyam | Durgā Saptashatī | 5
Chapter 5
Devi's conversation with the messenger
॥ pañcamo'dhyāyaḥ ||
viniyogaḥ
asya śrī uttaracaritrasya rudra ṛṣiḥ ।
śrīmahāsarasvatī devatā ।
anuṣṭup chandaḥ । bhīmā śaktiḥ । bhrāmarī bījam । sūryastattvam ।
sāmavedaḥ svarūpam । śrīmahāsarasvatīprītyarthe
uttaracaritrapāṭhe
viniyogaḥ ।
Meditation of Mahā-Sarasvatī
dhyānam
ghaṇṭāśūlahalāni śaṅkhamusale cakraṃ dhanuḥ sāyakaṃ
hastābjairdadhatīṃ ghanāntavilasacchītāṃśutulyaprabhām ।
gaurīdehasamudbhavāṃ trijagatāmādhārabhūtāṃ mahā-
pūrvāmatra sarasvatīmanubhaje śumbhādidaityārdinīm ||
I meditate on the incomparable Mahā-Sarasvatī who holds in her (eight) lotus-like hands bell, trident, plough, conch, mace, discus, bow and arrow;
who is effulgent like destroyer of Śumbha and other asuras, who issued forth from Pārvatī’s body and is the substratum of the three worlds.
oṃ klīṃ ṛṣiruvāca ॥ 1||
The Rishi said:
purā śumbhaniśumbhābhyāmasurābhyāṃ śacīpateḥ ।
trailokyaṃ yajñabhāgāśca hṛtā madabalāśrayāt ॥ 2||
1-2. Of yore Indra's (sovereignty) over the three worlds and his portions of the sacrifices were taken away by the asuras, Śumbha and Niśumbha, by force of their pride and strength.
tāveva sūryatāṃ tadvadadhikāraṃ tathaindavam ।
kauberamatha yāmyaṃ ca cakrāte varuṇasya ca ॥ 3||
3. The two, themselves, took over likewise, the offices of the sun, the moon, Kubera, Yama, and Varuṇa.
tāveva pavanarddhiṃ ca cakraturvahnikarma ca ।
tato devā vinirdhūtā bhraṣṭarājyāḥ parājitāḥ ॥ 4||
4. They themselves exercised Vāyu’s authority and Agni's duty.
Deprived of their lordships and sovereignties, Devas were defeated.
hṛtādhikārāstridaśāstābhyāṃ sarve nirākṛtāḥ ।
mahāsurābhyāṃ tāṃ devīṃ saṃsmarantyaparājitām ॥ 5||
5. Deprived of their functions and expelled by these two great asuras,
all Devas thought of the invincible Devi.
tayāsmākaṃ varo datto yathāpatsu smṛtākhilāḥ ।
bhavatāṃ nāśayiṣyāmi tatkṣaṇātparamāpadaḥ ॥ 6||
6. 'She had granted us the boon: "Whenever in calamities you think of me, that very moment I will put an end to all your worst calamities."'
iti kṛtvā matiṃ devā himavantaṃ nageśvaram ।
jagmustatra tato devīṃ viṣṇumāyāṃ pratuṣṭuvuḥ ॥ 7||
7. Resolving thus, Devas went to Himavān, lord of the mountains, and there extolled the Devi, who is the illusive power of Vishnu.
devā ūcuḥ ॥ 8||
Devas said:
namo devyai mahādevyai śivāyai satataṃ namaḥ ।
namaḥ prakṛtyai bhadrāyai niyatāḥ praṇatāḥ sma tām ॥ 9||
8-9. 'Salutation to the Devi, to the Mahādevī. Salutation always to her who is ever auspicious.
Salutation to her who is the primordial cause and the sustaining power. With attention, we have made obeisance to her.
raudrāyai namo nityāyai gauryai dhātryai namo namaḥ ।
jyotsnāyai cendurūpiṇyai sukhāyai satataṃ namaḥ ॥ 10||
10. 'Salutation to her who is terrible, to her who is eternal. Salutation to Gauri, the supporter(of the Universe).
Salutation always to her who's is of the form of the moon and moon-light and happiness itself.
kalyāṇyai praṇatā vṛddhyai siddhyai kurmo namo namaḥ ।
nairṛtyai bhūbhṛtāṃ lakṣmyai śarvāṇyai te namo namaḥ ॥ 11||
11. 'We bow to her who is welfare; we make salutations to her who is prosperity and success.
Salutation to the consort of Shiva who is herself the good fortune as well as misfortune of kings.
durgāyai durgapārāyai sārāyai sarvakāriṇyai ।
khyātyai tathaiva kṛṣṇāyai dhūmrāyai satataṃ namaḥ ॥ 12||
12. 'Salutations always to Durgā who takes one across in difficulties, who is essence, who is the authority of everything; who is knowledge of discrimination and who is blue-black as also smoke-like in complexion.
atisaumyātiraudrāyai natāstasyai namo namaḥ ।
namo jagatpratiṣṭhāyai devyai kṛtyai namo namaḥ ॥ 13||
13. 'We prostrate before her who is at once most gentle and most terrible; we salute her again and again.
Salutation to her who is the support of the world. Salutation to the Devi who is the form of volition.
yā devī sarvabhūteṣu viṣṇumāyeti śabditā ।
namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namaḥ ॥ 14-16||
14-16. 'Salutations again and again to the Devi who in all beings is called Vishnu-māyā.
yā devī sarvabhūteṣu cetanetyabhidhīyate ।
namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namaḥ ॥ 17-19||
17-19. 'Salutations again and again to the Devi who abides in all beings as consciousness;
yā devī sarvabhūteṣu buddhirūpeṇa saṃsthitā ।
namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namaḥ ॥ 20-22||
20-22. 'Salutations again and again to the Devi who abides in all beings in the form of intelligence;
yā devī sarvabhūteṣu nidrārūpeṇa saṃsthitā ।
namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namaḥ ॥ 23-25||
23-25. 'Salutations again and again to the Devi who abides in all beings in the form of sleep;
yā devī sarvabhūteṣu kṣudhārūpeṇa saṃsthitā ।
namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namaḥ ॥ 26-28||
26-28. 'Salutations again and again to the Devi who abides in all beings in the form of hunger:
yā devī sarvabhūteṣu chāyārūpeṇa saṃsthitā ।
namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namaḥ ॥ 29-31||
29-31. 'Salutations again and again to the Devi who abides in all beings in the form of reflection;
yā devī sarvabhūteṣu śaktirūpeṇa saṃsthitā ।
namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namaḥ ॥ 32-34||
32-34. 'Salutations again and again to the Devi who abides in all beings in the form of power.
yā devī sarvabhūteṣu tṛṣṇārūpeṇa saṃsthitā ।
namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namaḥ ॥ 35-37||
35-37. 'Salutations again and again to the Devi who abides in all beings in the form of thirst;
yā devī sarvabhūteṣu kṣāntirūpeṇa saṃsthitā ।
namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namaḥ ॥ 38-40||
38-40. 'Salutations again and again to the Devi who abides in all beings in the form of forgiveness;
yā devī sarvabhūteṣu jātirūpeṇa saṃsthitā ।
namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namaḥ ॥ 41-43||
41-43. 'Salutations again and again to the Devi who abides in all beings in the form of genus;
yā devī sarvabhūteṣu lajjārūpeṇa saṃsthitā ।
namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namaḥ ॥ 44-46||
44-46. 'Salutations again and again to the Devi who abides in all beings in the form of modesty;
yā devī sarvabhūteṣu śāntirūpeṇa saṃsthitā ।
namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namaḥ ॥ 47-49||
47-49. 'Salutations again and again to the Devi who abides in all beings in the form of peace;
yā devī sarvabhūteṣu śraddhārūpeṇa saṃsthitā ।
namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namaḥ ॥ 50-52||
50-52. 'Salutations again and again to the Devi who abides in all beings in the form of faith;
yā devī sarvabhūteṣu kāntirūpeṇa saṃsthitā ।
namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namaḥ ॥ 53-55||
53-55. 'Salutations again and again to the Devi who abides in all beings in the form of loveliness;
yā devī sarvabhūteṣu lakṣmīrūpeṇa saṃsthitā ।
namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namaḥ ॥ 56-58||
56-58. 'Salutations again and again to the Devi who abides in all beings in the form of good fortune;
yā devī sarvabhūteṣu vṛttirūpeṇa saṃsthitā ।
namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namaḥ ॥ 59-61||
59-61. 'Salutations again and again to the Devi who abides in all beings in the form of activity;
yā devī sarvabhūteṣu smṛtirūpeṇa saṃsthitā ।
namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namaḥ ॥ 62-64||
62-64. 'Salutations again and again to the Devi who abides in all beings in the form of memory;
yā devī sarvabhūteṣu dayārūpeṇa saṃsthitā ।
namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namaḥ ॥ 65-67||
65-67. 'Salutations again and again to the Devi who abides in all beings in the form of compassion;
yā devī sarvabhūteṣu tuṣṭirūpeṇa saṃsthitā ।
namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namaḥ ॥ 68-70||
68-70. 'Salutations again and again to the Devi who abides in all beings in the form of contentment;
yā devī sarvabhūteṣu mātṛrūpeṇa saṃsthitā ।
namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namaḥ ॥ 71-73||
71-73. 'Salutations again and again to the Devi who abides in all beings in the form of mother;
yā devī sarvabhūteṣu bhrāntirūpeṇa saṃsthitā ।
namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namaḥ ॥ 74-76||
74-76. 'Salutations again and again to the Devi who abides in all beings in the form of error;
indriyāṇāmadhiṣṭhātrī bhūtānāṃ cākhileṣu yā ।
bhūteṣu satataṃ tasyai vyāptyai devyai namo namaḥ ॥ 77||
77. 'Salutations again and again to the all-pervading Devi who constantly presides over the senses of all beings and (governs) all the elements;
citirūpeṇa yā kṛtsnametad vyāpya sthitā jagat ।
namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namaḥ ॥ 78-80||
78-80. 'Salutations again and again to her who, pervading the entire world, abides in the form of consciousness.
stutā suraiḥ pūrvamabhīṣṭasaṃśrayā-
ttathā surendreṇa dineṣu sevitā ।
karotu sā naḥ śubhaheturīśvarī
śubhāni bhadrāṇyabhihantu cāpadaḥ ॥ 81||
81. 'Invoked of yore by Devas for the sake of their desired object, and adored by the lord of Devas every day, may she, the Īśvarī, the source of all good, accomplish for us all auspicious things and put an end to our calamities!
yā sāmprataṃ coddhatadaityatāpitai-
rasmābhirīśā ca surairnamasyate ।
yā ca smṛtā tatkṣaṇameva hanti naḥ
sarvāpado bhaktivinamramūrtibhiḥ ॥ 82||
82. 'And who is now again, reverenced by us, devas, tormented by arrogant asuras and who, called to mind by us obeisant with devotion, destroys this very moment all our calamities.'
ṛṣiruvāca ॥ 83||
The Rishi said:
evaṃ stavābhiyuktānāṃ devānāṃ tatra pārvatī ।
snātumabhyāyayau toye jāhnavyā nṛpanandana ॥ 84||
83-84. O Prince, while Devas were thus engaged in praises and (other acts of adoration), Pārvatī came there to bathe in the waters of the Ganga.
sābravīttān surān subhrūrbhavadbhiḥ stūyate'tra kā ।
śarīrakośataścāsyāḥ samudbhūtābravīcchivā ॥ 85||
85. She, the lovely-browed, said to those devas, 'Who is praised by you here?'
An auspicious goddess, sprung forth from her physical sheath, gave the reply:
stotraṃ mamaitatkriyate śumbhadaityanirākṛtaiḥ ।
devaiḥ sametaiḥ samare niśumbhena parājitaiḥ ॥ 86||
86. 'This hymn is addressed to me by the assembled devas set at naught by the asura Śumbha and routed in battle by Niśumbha.
śarīrakośādyattasyāḥ pārvatyā niḥsṛtāmbikā ।
kauśikīti samasteṣu tato lokeṣu gīyate ॥ 87||
87. Because that Ambikā came out of Pārvatī’s physical sheath (Kosa), she is glorified as Kauśikī in all the worlds.
tasyāṃ vinirgatāyāṃ tu kṛṣṇābhūtsāpi pārvatī ।
kāliketi samākhyātā himācalakṛtāśrayā ॥ 88||
88. After she had issued forth, Pārvatī became dark and was called Kālikā and stationed on mount Himalaya.
tato'mbikāṃ paraṃ rūpaṃ bibhrāṇāṃ sumanoharam ।
dadarśa caṇḍo muṇḍaśca bhṛtyau śumbhaniśumbhayoḥ ॥ 89||
89. Then, Caṇḍa, and Muṇḍa, two servants of Śumbha and Niśumbha, saw that Ambikā (Kauśikī) bearing a surpassingly charming form.
They both told Śumbha:
tābhyāṃ śumbhāya cākhyātā sātīva sumanoharā ।
kāpyāste strī mahārāja bhāsayantī himācalam ॥ 90||
90. 'O King, a certain woman, most surpassingly beautiful, dwells there shedding lustre on mount Himalaya.
naiva tādṛk kvacidrūpaṃ dṛṣṭaṃ kenaciduttamam ।
jñāyatāṃ kāpyasau devī gṛhyatāṃ cāsureśvara ॥ 91||
91. 'Such supreme beauty was never seen by anyone anywhere. Ascertain who that Goddess is and take possession of her, O Lord of the asuras!
strīratnamaticārvaṅgī dyotayantī diśastviṣā ।
sā tu tiṣṭhati daityendra tāṃ bhavān draṣṭumarhati ॥ 92||
92. 'A gem among women, of exquisitely beautiful limbs, illuminating the quarters with her lustre there she is, O Lord of the Daityas. You should see her.
yāni ratnāni maṇayo gajāśvādīni vai prabho ।
trailokye tu samastāni sāmprataṃ bhānti te gṛhe ॥ 93||
93. 'O Lord, whatever jewels, precious stones, elephants, horses and others there are in the three worlds, they are all now in your house.
airāvataḥ samānīto gajaratnaṃ purandarāt ।
pārijātataruścāyaṃ tathaivoccaiḥśravā hayaḥ ॥ 94||
94. 'Airāvata, gem among elephants, has been brought away from Indra and so also this Pārijāta tree and the horse Uchchaiśravās.
vimānaṃ haṃsasaṃyuktametattiṣṭhati te'ṅgaṇe ।
ratnabhūtamihānītaṃ yadāsīdvedhaso'dbhutam ॥ 95||
95. 'Here stands in your courtyard the wonderful chariot yoked with swans, a wonderful gem (of its class). It has been brought here from Brahma to whom it originally belonged.
nidhireṣa mahāpadmaḥ samānīto dhaneśvarāt ।
kiñjalkinīṃ dadau cābdhirmālāmamlānapaṅkajām ॥ 96||
96. 'Here is the treasure named Mahā-Padmā brought from the lord of wealth. And the ocean gave a garland named Kiñjalkinī made of unfading lotus flowers.
chatraṃ te vāruṇaṃ gehe kāñcanasrāvi tiṣṭhati ।
tathāyaṃ syandanavaro yaḥ purāsītprajāpateḥ ॥ 97||
97. 'In your house stands the gold-showering umbrella of Varuṇa. And here is the excellent chariot that was formerly Prajāpati’s.
mṛtyorutkrāntidā nāma śaktirīśa tvayā hṛtā ।
pāśaḥ salilarājasya bhrātustava parigrahe ॥ 98||
98. By you, O Lord, Death's Shakti weapon named Utkrantida has been carried off. The noose of the ocean-king is among your brother's possessions.
niśumbhasyābdhijātāśca samastā ratnajātayaḥ ।
vahnirapi dadau tubhyamagniśauce ca vāsasī ॥ 99||
99. 'Niśumbha has every kind of gem produced in the sea. Fire also gave you two garments which are purified by fire.
evaṃ daityendra ratnāni samastānyāhṛtāni te ।
strīratnameṣā kalyāṇī tvayā kasmānna gṛhyate ॥ 100||
100. 'Thus, O Lord of asuras, all gems have been brought by you.
Why this beautiful lady-jewel is not seized by you?
ṛṣiruvāca ॥ 101||
The Rishi said:
niśamyeti vacaḥ śumbhaḥ sa tadā caṇḍamuṇḍayoḥ ।
preṣayāmāsa sugrīvaṃ dūtaṃ devyā mahāsuram ॥ 102||
101-102. On hearing these words of Chaṇḍa and Muṇḍa, Śumbha sent the great asura Sugrīva as messenger to the Devi.
He said:
iti ceti ca vaktavyā sā gatvā vacanānmama ।
yathā cābhyeti samprītyā tathā kāryaṃ tvayā laghu ॥ 103||
103. 'Go and tell her thus in my words and do the thing in such a manner that she may quickly come to me in love.'
sa tatra gatvā yatrāste śailoddeśe'tiśobhane ।
tāṃ ca devīṃ tataḥ prāha ślakṣṇaṃ madhurayā girā ॥ 104||
104. He went there where the Devi was staying in a very beautiful spot on the mountain and spoke to her in fine and sweet words.
dūta uvāca ॥ 105||
The messenger said:
devi daityeśvaraḥ śumbhastrailokye parameśvaraḥ ।
dūto'haṃ preṣitastena tvatsakāśamihāgataḥ ॥ 106||
105-106. 'O Devi, Śumbha, lord of asuras, is the supreme sovereign of three worlds. Sent by him as messenger, I have come here to your presence.
avyāhatājñaḥ sarvāsu yaḥ sadā devayoniṣu ।
nirjitākhiladaityāriḥ sa yadāha śṛṇuṣva tat ॥ 107||
107. 'Hearken to what has been said by him whose command is never resisted among Devas and who has vanquished all the foes of the asuras:
mama trailokyamakhilaṃ mama devā vaśānugāḥ ।
yajñabhāgānahaṃ sarvānupāśnāmi pṛthak pṛthak ॥ 108||
108. '(He says), "All the three worlds are mine and Devas are obedient to me. I enjoy all their hares in sacrifices separately.
trailokye vararatnāni mama vaśyānyaśeṣataḥ ।
tathaiva gajaratnaṃ ca hṛtaṃ devendravāhanam ॥ 109||
kṣīrodamathanodbhūtamaśvaratnaṃ mamāmaraiḥ ।
uccaiḥśravasasaṃjñaṃ tatpraṇipatya samarpitam ॥ 110||
109-110. "All the choicest gems in the three worlds are in my possession; and so is the gem of elephants, Airāvata, the vehicle of the king of devas carried away be me.
Devas themselves offered to me with salutations that gem of horses named Uchchaiśravās which arose at the churning of milk-ocean.
yāni cānyāni deveṣu gandharveṣūrageṣu ca ।
ratnabhūtāni bhūtāni tāni mayyeva śobhane ॥ 111||
111. "O beautiful lady, whatever other rare objects there existed among Devas, the gandharvas and nāgas are now with me.
strīratnabhūtāṃ tvāṃ devi loke manyāmahe vayam ।
sā tvamasmānupāgaccha yato ratnabhujo vayam ॥ 112||
112. "We look upon you, O Devi, as the jewel of womankind in the world. You, who are such, come to me, since we are the enjoyers of the best things.
māṃ vā mamānujaṃ vāpi niśumbhamuruvikramam ।
bhaja tvaṃ cañcalāpāṅgi ratnabhūtāsi vai yataḥ ॥ 113||
113. "Take to me or to my younger brother Niśumbha of great prowess, O unsteady-eyed lady, for you are in truth a jewel.
paramaiśvaryamatulaṃ prāpsyase matparigrahāt ।
etadbuddhyā samālocya matparigrahatāṃ vraja ॥ 114||
114. "Wealth, great and beyond compare, you will get by marrying me. Think over this in your mind, and become my wife."'
ṛṣiruvāca ॥ 115||
The Rishi said:
ityuktā sā tadā devī gambhīrāntaḥsmitā jagau ।
durgā bhagavatī bhadrā yayedaṃ dhāryate jagat ॥ 116||
115-116. Thus told, Durgā the adorable and auspicious, by whom this universe is supported, then became serene and said.
devyuvāca ॥ 117||
The Devi said:
satyamuktaṃ tvayā nātra mithyā kiñcittvayoditam ।
trailokyādhipatiḥ śumbho niśumbhaścāpi tādṛśaḥ ॥ 118||
117-118. You have spoken truth; nothing false has been uttered by you in this matter. Śumbha is indeed the sovereign of the three worlds and likewise is also Niśumbha.
kiṃ tvatra yatpratijñātaṃ mithyā tatkriyate katham ।
śrūyatāmalpabuddhitvātpratijñā yā kṛtā purā ॥ 119||
119. 'But in this matter, how can that which has been promised be made false?
Hear what promise I had made already out of foolishness:
yo māṃ jayati saṅgrāme yo me darpaṃ vyapohati ।
yo me pratibalo loke sa me bhartā bhaviṣyati ॥ 120||
120. "He who conquers me in battle, removes my pride and is my match in strength in the world shall be my husband."
tadāgacchatu śumbho'tra niśumbho vā mahābalaḥ ।
māṃ jitvā kiṃ cireṇātra pāṇiṃ gṛhṇātu me laghu ॥ 121||
121. 'So let Śumbha come here then, or Niśumbha the great asura. Vanquishing me here, let him soon take my hand in marriage. Why delay?'
dūta uvāca ॥ 122||
The messenger said:
avaliptāsi maivaṃ tvaṃ devi brūhi mamāgrataḥ ।
trailokye kaḥ pumāṃstiṣṭhedagre śumbhaniśumbhayoḥ ॥ 123||
123. 'O Devi, you are haughty. Talk not so before me. Which man in the three worlds will stand before Śumbha and Niśumbha?
anyeṣāmapi daityānāṃ sarve devā na vai yudhi ।
tiṣṭhanti sammukhe devi kiṃ punaḥ strī tvamekikā ॥ 124||
124. 'All Devas verily cannot stand face to face with even the other asuras in battle. Why mention you, O Devi, a single woman?
indrādyāḥ sakalā devāstasthuryeṣāṃ na saṃyuge ।
śumbhādīnāṃ kathaṃ teṣāṃ strī prayāsyasi sammukham ॥ 125||
125. 'Indra and all other devas could not stand in battle against Śumbha and other demons, how will you, a woman, face them?
sā tvaṃ gaccha mayaivoktā pārśvaṃ śumbhaniśumbhayoḥ ।
keśākarṣaṇanirdhūtagauravā mā gamiṣyasi ॥ 126||
126. 'On my word itself, you go to Śumbha and Niśumbha. Let it not be that you go to them with your dignity lost be being dragged by your hair.'
devyuvāca ॥ 127||
The Devi said:
evametad balī śumbho niśumbhaścāpitādṛśaḥ ।
kiṃ karomi pratijñā me yadanālocitā purā ॥ 128||
127-128. 'Yes, it is; Śumbha is strong and so is Niśumbha exceedingly heroic!
What can I do since there stands my ill-considered vow taken long ago?
sa tvaṃ gaccha mayoktaṃ te yadetatsarvamādṛtaḥ ।
tadācakṣvāsurendrāya sa ca yuktaṃ karotu yat ॥ 129||
129. 'Go back, and tell the lord of asuras carefully all this that I have said; let him do whatever he considers proper.'
॥ svasti śrīmārkaṇḍeyapurāṇe sāvarṇike manvantare devīmāhātmye devyā dūtasaṃvādo nāma pañcamo'dhyāyaḥ ॥ 5॥
Here ends the fifth chapter called 'Devi's conversation with the messenger' of the Devi-Māhātmya in Mārkaṇḍeya Purāṇa during the period of Sāvarṇi, the Manu.