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Devi Mahatmya / Chapter 12

Chapter 12 · Markandeya Purana canto 92

The slaying of Sumbha and Nisumbha concluded

देवीवाक्यं नाम

41 verses.

Verses follow the standard 700-verse numbering of the Durga Saptashati. Pargiter numbered the Purana differently, so his English was matched to each Sanskrit verse by its content; at a few joins a word or two may sit with the neighbouring verse. Lines found only in some printed editions are marked.

Artist's impression of this chapter.
Artist's impression.

Verses 1 to 10

1देव्युवाच ॥

1The goddess spoke:

2एभिः स्तवैश्च मां नित्यं स्तोष्यते यः समाहितः । तस्याहं सकलां बाधां नाशयिष्याम्यसंशयम् ॥

2And whoever with mind composed shall praise me constantly with these hymns, I will quiet down every trouble for him assuredly.

3मधुकैटभानाशं च महिषासुरघातनम् । कीर्तयिष्यिन्ति ये तद्वद् वधं शुम्भनिशुम्भयोः ॥

3And those who shall celebrate the destruction of Madhu and Kaitabha, the slaughter of the Asura Mahisha, and the slaying of Sumbha and Nisumbha likewise;

4अष्टम्यां च चतुर्दश्यां नवम्यां चैकचेतसः । स्तोष्यन्ति चैव ये भक्त्या मम माहात्म्यमुत्तमम् ॥

4and those also who shall listen in faith to this poem of my sublime majesty on the eighth day of the lunar fortnight, on the fourteenth and on the ninth,

5न तेषां दुष्कृतं किञ्चिद् दुष्कृतोत्था न चापदः । भविष्यति न दारिद्रयं न चैवेष्टवियोजनम् ॥

5with intent mind, to them shall happen no wrong-doing whatever, nor calamities that arise from wrong-doing, nor poverty, nor indeed deprivation of their desires.

6शत्रुतो न भयं तस्य दस्युतो वा न राजतः । न शस्त्रानलतोयौघात् कदाचित् सम्भविष्यति ॥

6Never shall he experience fear from enemies, from robbers, nor from kings, nor from weapon or fire or water-flood.

7तस्मान्ममैतन्माहात्म्यं पठितव्यं सहाहितैः । श्रोतव्यं च सदा भक्त्या परं स्वस्त्ययनं महत् ॥

7Hence this poem of my majesty must be read by men of composed minds and listened to by them always with faith, for it is the supreme course of blessings.

8उपसर्गानशेषांस्तु महामारीसमुद्भवान् । तथा त्रिविधमुत्पातं माहात्म्यं शमयेन्मम ॥

8Now may this poem of my majesty quell all kinds of calamities, which arise from grievous pestilence, and the three-fold portent.

9यत्रैतत् पठ्यते सम्यङ्नित्यमायतने मम । सदा न तद्विमोक्ष्यामि सांनिध्यं तत्र मे स्थितम् ॥

9Where this poem is duly read constantly at my sanctuary, I will never forsake that place, and there my presence is fixed. At the offering of the bali,

10बलिप्रदाने पूजायामग्निकार्ये महोत्सवे । सर्वं ममैतच्चरितमुच्चार्यं श्राव्यमेव च ॥

10and during worship, in the ceremonies with fire, and at a great festival, all this story of my exploits must verily be proclaimed and listened to.

Verses 11 to 20

11जानताजानता वापि बलिपूजां तथा कृताम् । प्रतीच्छिष्याम्यहं प्रीत्या वह्निहोमं तथा कृतम् ॥

11I will accept with kindliness both the bali worship that is paid, and the oblation by fire that is offered, by him who understands or him who understands not.

12शरत्काले महापूजा क्रियते या च वार्षिकी । तस्यां ममैतन्माहात्म्यं श्रुत्वा भक्तिसमन्वितः ॥

12And at the great annual worship that is performed in autumn time, the man, who listens filled with faith to this poem of my majesty,

13सर्वबाधाविनिर्मृक्तो धनधान्यसमन्वितः । मनुष्यो मत्प्रसादेन भविष्यति न संशयः ॥

13shall assuredly through my favour be delivered from every trouble, and be blessed with riches, grain and children.

14श्रुत्वा ममैतन्माहात्म्यं तथोत्पत्तीः पृथक् शुभाः । पराक्रमं च युद्धेषु जायते निर्भयः पुमान् ॥

14From listening to this poem of my majesty moreover come splendid issues and prowess in battles, and a man becomes fearless.

15रिपवः संक्षयं यान्ति कल्याणं चोपपद्यते । नन्दते च कुलं पुंसां माहात्म्यं मम शृण्वताम् ॥

15When men listen to this poem of my majesty, enemies pass to destruction, and prosperity accrues and their family rejoices.

16शान्तिकर्मणि सर्वत्र तथा दुः स्वप्नदर्शने । ग्रहपीडासु चोग्रासु माहात्म्यं शृणुयान्मम ॥

16Let a man listen to this poem of my majesty everywhere, at a ceremony for securing tranquillity, and after seeing an ill-dream and when planets are greatly eclipsed.

17उपसर्गाः शमं यान्ति ग्रहपीडाश्च दारुणाः । दुः स्वप्नं च नृभिर्दृष्टं सुस्वप्नमुपजायते ॥

17Thereby portents turn into calm, and also dreadful eclipses of the planets, and also an ill-dream which men have seen; and a sweet dream appears.

18बालग्रहाभिभूतानां बालानां शान्तिकारकम् । संघातभेदे च नृणां मैत्रीकरणमुत्तमम् ॥

18It produces peacefulness in children who have been possessed by the demon that seizes children, and it is the best promoter of friendship among men when union is dissolved;

19दुर्वृत्तानामशेषाणां बलहानिकरं परम् । रक्षोभूतपिशाचानां पठनादेव नाशनम् ॥

19it is the most potent diminisher of the power of all men of ill livelihood; verily through reading it, comes the destruction of Rakshasas, goblins and Pisacas.

20सर्वं ममैतन्माहात्म्यं मम सन्निधिकारकम् । पशुपुष्पार्घ्यधूपैश्च गन्धदीपैस्तथोत्तमैः ॥

20All this poem of my majesty brings a man near unto me. And by means of cattle, flowers, arghya offerings and incenses, and by the finest perfumes and lamps,

Verses 21 to 30

21विप्राणां भोजनैर्हेमैः प्रोक्षणीयैरहर्निशम् । अन्यैश्च विविधैर्भोगैः प्रदानैर्वत्सरेण या ॥

21by feasts given to brahmans, by oblations, by sprinkled water day and night, and by various other objects of enjoyment, by gifts yearly—the favour which comes by such means,

22प्रीतिर्मे क्रियते सास्मिन् सकृत्सुचरिते श्रुते । श्रुतं हरति पापानि तथाऽरोग्यं प्रयच्छति ॥

22such favour is won from me when this story of my noble exploits is once heard. When heard it takes away sins and confers perfect health.

23रक्षां करोति भूतेभ्यो जन्मनां कीर्तनं मम । युद्धेषु चरितं यन्मे दुष्टदैत्यनिबर्हणम् ॥

23This celebration of me preserves created beings from future births, even this story of my exploits in battles, the annihilation of — the wicked Daityas.

24तस्मिन् श्रुते वैरिकृतं भयं पुंसां न जायते । युष्माभिः स्तुतयो याश्च याश्च ब्रह्मर्षिभिः कृताः ॥

24When it is heard, no fear, that is caused by enmity, springs up among men. And the hymns which ye have composed, and those composed by brahman rishis,

25ब्रह्मणा च कृतास्तास्तु प्रयच्छन्ति शुभां गतिम् । अरण्ये प्रान्तरे वापि दावाग्निपरिवारितः ॥

25and those composed by Brahma bestow a splendid mind. He who is surrounded by a raging fire in a forest or on a lonesome road,

26दस्युभिर्वा वृतः शून्ये गृहीतो वापि शत्रुभिः । सिंहव्याघ्रानुयातो वा वने वा वनहस्तिभिः ॥

26or who is encompassed by robbers in a desolate spot, or who is captured by enemies, or who is prowled after by a lion or tiger or by wild elephants in a forest,

27राज्ञा क्रुद्धेन चाज्ञप्तो वध्यो बन्धगतोऽपि वा । आघूर्णितो वा वातेन स्थितः पोते महार्णवे ॥

27or who is under the command of an enraged king, or who is sentenced to death, or who has fallen into bonds, or who is whirled around by the wind, or who stands in a ship in the wide sea,

28पतत्सु चापि शस्त्रेषु संग्रामे भृशदारुणे । सर्वाबाधासु घोरासु वेदनाभ्यर्दितोऽपि वा ॥

28or, who is in the most dreadful battle with weapons falling upon him, or who is afflicted with pain amidst all kinds of terrible troubles—

29स्मरन्ममैतच्छरितं नरो मुच्येत सङ्कटात् । मम प्रभावात्सिंहाद्या दस्यवो वैरिणस्तथा ॥

29such a man on calling to mind this story of my exploits is delivered from his strait. Through my power lions and other dangerous beasts, robbers and enemies, from a distance indeed, flee from him who calls to mind this story of my exploits.

30दूरादेव पलायन्ते स्मरतश्चरितं मम ॥

30English given with verse 29

Verses 31 to 40

31ऋषिरुवाच ॥

31The rishi spoke:

32इत्युक्त्वा सा भगवती चण्डिका चण्डविक्रमा ॥

32Having spoken thus the adorable C'andika, who is fierce in prowess,

33पश्यतामेव देवानां तत्रैवान्तरधीयत । तेऽपि देव्या निरातङ्का स्वाधिकारान् यथा पुरा ॥

33vanished there, while the gods were gazing indeed on her. The gods also relieved from fear, their foes being slain, all resumed their own dominions as before,

34यज्ञभागभुजः सर्वे चक्रुर्विनिहतारयः । दैत्याश्च देव्या निहते शुम्भे देवरिपौ युधि ॥

34participating in their shares of sacrifices. And the Daityas—when Sumbha, that most fierce foe of the gods,

35जगद्विध्वंसके तस्मिन् महोग्रेऽतुलविक्रमे । निशुम्भे च महावीर्ये शेषाः पातालमाययुः ॥

35who brought ruin on the world and who was peerless in prowess, had been slain by the goddess in fight, and Nisumbha also great in valour was slain—all came to Patala.

36एवं भगवती देवी सा नित्यापि पुनः पुनः । सम्भूय कुरुते भूप जगतः परिपालनम् ॥

36Thus that adorable goddess, although everlasting, yet taking birth again and again, accomplishes the safeguarding of the world, O king.

37तयैतन्मोह्यते विश्वं सैव विश्वं प्रसूयते । सा याचिता च विज्ञानं तुष्टा ऋद्धिं प्रयच्छति ॥

37By her this universe is bewitched; she verily gives birth to the universe. And when besought, she bestows knowledge; when gratified, she bestows prosperity.

38व्याप्तं तयैतत्सकलं ब्रह्माण्डं मनुजेश्वर । महाकाल्या महाकाले महाकारीस्वरूपया ॥

38All this egg of Brahma, O king, is pervaded by her, who is Mahakali at Mahakala, and who has the nature of the Great Destroying Goddess.

39सैव काले महामारी सैव सृष्टिर्भवत्यजा । स्थितिं करोति भूतानां सैव काले सनातनी ॥

39She indeed is Maha-mari at the fated time; she indeed is creation, the Unborn; she indeed the Eternal gives stability to created beings at their fated time.

40भवकाले नृणां सैव लक्ष्मीर्वृद्धिप्रदा गृहे । सैवाभावे तथालक्ष्मीर्विनाशायोपजायते ॥

40She indeed is Lakshmi, bestowing prosperity on the houses of men while she abides with them; and she indeed when she is absent becomes the goddess of Ill Fortune unto their destruction.

Verses 41 to 41

41स्तुता सम्पूजिता पुष्पैर्धूपगन्धादिबिस्तथा । ददाति वित्तं पुत्रांश्च मतिं धर्मे गतिं शुभाम् ॥

41When hymned and worshipped with flowers, and with incense, perfumes and other offerings, she bestows wealth and sons, and a mind brilliant in righteousness.

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