Devi Mahatmya / Chapter 5
Chapter 5 · Markandeya Purana canto 85
The goddess' conversation with the Asura's messenger
129 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.
Verses 1 to 9
1ऋषिरुवाच ॥
1The rishi spoke:
2पुरा शुम्भनिशुम्भाभ्यामसुराभ्यां शचीपतेः । त्रैलोक्यं यज्ञभागाश्च हृता मदबलाश्रयात् ॥
2Of yore the Asuras S'umbha and Nisumbha, trusting in their pride and strength, robbed S'aci’s lord of the three worlds and of his portions of the sacrifices;
3तावेव सूर्यतां तद्वदधिकारं तथैन्दवम् । कौबेरमथ याम्यं च चक्राते वरुणस्य च ॥
3they both usurped likewise the sun’s dignity and the moon’s dominion, and Kuvera’s and Yama’s and Varuna’s;
4तावेव पवनर्धि च चक्रतुर्वह्निकर्म च । ततो देवा विनिर्धूता भ्रष्टराज्याः पराजिताः ॥
4and they both exercised Vayu’s authority and Agni’s sphere of action. Thereby the gods were scattered, deprived of their sovereignties and put to rout.
4aअन्येषाञ्चाधिकारान् स स्वयमेवाधितिष्ठति ॥
4aA line found in some editions; Pargiter does not translate it.
5हृताधिकारास्त्रिदशास्ताभ्यां सर्वे निराकृताः । महासुराभ्यां तां देवीं संस्मरन्त्यपराजिताम् ॥
5The thirty gods, bereft of their dominion and set at nought by those two great Asuras, all recall to mind that never-vanquished goddess,—
6तयास्माकं वरो दत्तो यथाऽपत्सु स्मृताखिलाः । भवतां नाशयिष्यामि तत्क्षणात् परमापदः ॥
6“Thou didst grant us the boon, ‘As ye when in calamities shall call me to mind, that very moment will I put an end to all your direst
7इति कृत्वा मतिं देवा हिमवन्तं नगेश्वरम् । जग्मुस्तत्र ततो देवीं विष्णुमायां प्रतुष्टुवुः ॥
7calamities.’” Making this resolve the gods went to Himavat, lord among mountains, and there raised their hymn to the goddess, who is Vishnu’s illusive power.
8देवा ऊचुः ॥
8The gods spoke:
9नमो देव्यै महादेव्यै शिवायै सततं नमः । नमः प्रकृत्यै भद्रायै नियताः प्रणताः स्म ताम् ॥
9Reverence to the goddess, to the great goddess! To her who is auspicious reverence perpetually! Reverence to Prakriti the good! Submissive we fall prostrate before her! Reverence to her who is terrible,
Verses 10 to 26-28
10रौद्रायै नमो नित्यायौ गौर्यै धात्र्यै नमो नमः । द्योत्स्त्रायै चेन्दुरूपिण्यै सुखायै सततं नमः ॥
10to her who is constant! To Gauri, to Dhatri reverence, yea reverence! And to the Moon-light, to her who has the moon’s form, To her who is happy, reverence continually!
10aनमो जगत्प्रतिष्ठायै देव्यै कृत्यै नमो नमः ॥
10aA line found in some editions; Pargiter does not translate it.
11कल्याण्यै प्रणतां वृद्ध्यै सिद्ध्यै कुर्मो नमो नमः । नैरृत्यै भूभृतां लक्ष्म्यै शर्वाण्यै ते नमो नमः ॥
11Falling prostrate, to her who is propitious, to Prosperity, To Perfection let us pay reverence, yea reverence! To Nirriti, to the goddess of Good-Fortune of kings, To thee, S'arvani, reverence, yea reverence!
12दुर्गायै दुर्गपारायै सारायै सर्वकारिण्यै । ख्यात्यै तथैव कृष्णायै धूम्रायै सततं नमः ॥
12To Durga, to her who is a further shore difficult to be reached, To her who is essential, to her who works all things, And to Fame also, to her who is blue-black, To her who is smoke-dark reverence continually!
13अतिसौम्यातिरौद्रायै नतास्तस्यै नमो नमः । मनो जगत्प्रतिष्ठायै देव्यै कृत्यै नमो नमः ॥
13Before her who is at once most gentle and most harsh We fall prostrate; to her reverence, yea reverence! Reverence to her who is the foundation of the world! To the goddess who is Action reverence, yea reverence!
14-16या देवी सर्वभूतेषु विष्णुमायेति शब्दिता । नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥
14-16To the goddess who among all created things Is called Vishnu’s illusive power, Reverence to her, yea reverence to her! Reverence to her, reverence, yea reverence!
17-19या देवी सर्वभूतेषु चेतनेत्यभिधीयते । नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥
17-19To the goddess who among all created beings Bears the name Consciousness, Reverence to her, yea reverence to her! Reverence to her, reverence, yea reverence!
20-22या देवी सर्वभूतेषु बुद्धिरूपेण संस्थिता । नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥
20-22To the goddess who among all created beings Stands firm with the form of Intellect, Reverence to her, yea reverence to her! Reverence to her, reverence, yea reverence!
23-25या देवी सर्वभूतेषु निद्रारूपेण संस्थिता । नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै मनो नमः ॥
23-25To the goddess who among all created beings Stands firm with the form of Sleep, Reverence to her, yea reverence to her! Reverence to her, reverence, yea reverence!
26-28या देवी सर्वभूतेषु क्षुधारूपेण संस्थिता । नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥
26-28To the goddess who among all created beings Stands firm with the form of Hunger, Reverence to her, yea reverence to her! Reverence to her, reverence, yea reverence,
Verses 29-31 to 56-58
29-31या देवी सर्वभूतेषु च्छायारूपेण संस्थिता । नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥
29-31To the goddess who among all created beings Stands firm with the form of Shadow, Reverence to her, yea reverence to her! Reverence to her, reverence, yea reverence!
32-34या देवी सर्वभूतेषु शक्तिरूपेण संस्थिता । नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥
32-34To the goddess who among all created beings Stands firm with the form of Energy, Reverence to her, yea reverence to her! Reverence to her, reverence, yea reverence!
35-37या देवी सर्वभूतेषु तृष्णारूपेण संस्थिता । नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥
35-37To the goddess who among all created beings Stands firm with the form of Thirst, Reverence to her, yea reverence to her! Reverence to her, reverence, yea reverence!
38-40या देवी सर्वभूतेषु क्षान्तिरूपेण संस्थिता । नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥
38-40To the goddess who among all created beings Stands firm with the form of Patience, Reverence to her, yea reverence to her! Reverence to her, reverence, yea reverence!
41-43या देवी सर्वभूतेषु जातिरूपेण संस्थिता । नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥
41-43To the goddess who among all created beings Stands firm with the form of Speciality, Reverence to her, yea reverence to her! Reverence to her, reverence, yea reverence!
44-46या देवी सर्वभूतेषु लज्जारूपेण संस्थिता । नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥
44-46To the goddess who among all created beings Stands firm with the form of Modesty, Reverence to her, yea reverence to her! Reverence to her, reverence, yea reverence!
47-49या देवी सर्वभूतेषु शान्तिरूपेण संस्थिता । नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥
47-49To the goddess who among all created beings Stands firm with the form of Peaceableness, Reverence to her, yea reverence to her! Reverence to her, reverence, yea reverence!
50-52या देवी सर्वभूतेषु श्रद्धारूपेण संस्थिता । नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥
50-52To the goddess who among all created beings Stands firm with the form of Faith, Reverence to her, yea, reverence to her! Reverence to her, reverence, yea reverence!
53-55या देवी सर्वभूतेषु कान्तिरूपेण संस्थिता । नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥
53-55To the goddess who among all created beings Stands firm with the form of Loveliness, Reverence to her, yea reverence to her! Reverence to her, reverence, yea reverence!
56-58या देवी सर्वभूतेषु लक्ष्मीरूपेण संस्थिता । नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥
56-58To the goddess who among all created beings Stands firm with the form of Good-Fortune, Reverence to her, yea reverence to her! Reverence to her, reverence, yea reverence!
Verses 58a to 77
58aया देवी सर्वभूतेषु धृतिरूपेण संस्थिता । तमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥
58aA line found in some editions; Pargiter does not translate it.
59-61या देवी सर्वभूतेषु वृत्तिरूपेण संस्थिता । नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥
59-61To the goddess who among all created beings Stands firm with the form of Activity, Reverence to her, yea reverence to her! Reverence to her, reverence, yea reverence!
62-64या देवी सर्वभूतेषु स्मृतिरूपेण संस्थिता । नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥
62-64To the goddess who among all created beings Stands firm with the form of Memory, Reverence to her, yea reverence to her! Reverence to her, reverence, yea reverence!
65-67या देवी सर्वभूतेषु दयारूपेण संस्थिता । नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥
65-67To the goddess who among all created beings Stands firm with the form of Mercy, Reverence to her, yea reverence to her! Reverence to her, reverence, yea reverence!
67aया देवी सर्वभूतेषु नीतिरूपेणं संस्थिता । नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥
67aA line found in some editions; Pargiter does not translate it.
68-70या देवी सर्वभूतेषु तुष्टिरूपेण संस्थिता । नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥
68-70To the goddess who among all created beings Stands firm with the form of Contentment, Reverence to her, yea reverence to her! Reverence to her, reverence, yea reverence!
70aया देवी सर्वभूतेषु पुष्टिरूपेण संस्थिता । नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥
70aA line found in some editions; Pargiter does not translate it.
71-73या देवी सर्वभूतेषु मातृरूपेण संस्थिता । नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥
71-73To the goddess who among all created beings Stands firm with the form of Mother, Reverence to her, yea reverence to her! Reverence to her, reverence, yea reverence!
74-76या देवी सर्वभूतेषु भ्रान्तिरूपेण संस्थिता । नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥
74-76To the goddess who among all created beings Stands firm with the form of Error, Reverence to her, yea reverence to her! Reverence to her, reverence, yea reverence!
77इन्द्रियाणामधिष्ठात्री भूतानां चाखिलेषु या । भूतेषु सततं तस्यै व्याप्तिदेव्यै नमो नमः ॥
77To her who both governs the organs of sense Of created beings, and rules among all Created beings perpetually,—to her The goddess of Pervasiveness reverence, yea reverence!
Verses 78-80 to 89
78-80चितिरूपेण या कृत्स्त्रमेतद् व्याप्य स्थिता जगत् । नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥
78-80To her who exists pervading this entire World with the form of Thinking Mind, Reverence to her, yea reverence to her! Reverence to her, reverence, yea reverence!
81स्तु ता सुरैः पूर्वमभीष्टसंश्रयात् तथासुरेन्द्रेण दिनेषु सेविता । करोतु सा नः शुभहेतुरीश्वरी शुभानि भद्राण्यभिहन्तु चापदः ॥
81Praised by the gods afore-time because of eagerly-desired protection, And waited upon by the lord of the gods many days, May she, the goddess, the origin of brightness, accomplish for us Bright things, yea good things, and ward off calamities!
82या साम्प्रतं चोद्धतदैत्यतापितैर् अस्माभिरीशा च सुरैर्नमस्यते । या च स्मृता तत्क्षणमेव हन्ति नः सर्वापदो भक्तिविनम्कमूर्तिभिः ॥
82And she, who is both reverenced as queen by us gods, Who are tormented now by the arrogant Daityas, And whom we called to mind as we bow our bodies in faith, She this very moment destroys all our calamities!
83ऋषिरूवाच ॥
83The rishi spoke:
84एवं स्तवादियुक्तानां देवानां तत्र पार्वती । स्नातुमभ्याययौ तोये जाह्नव्या नृपनन्दन ॥
84While the gods were thus engaged in offering hymns and other reverential acts, Parvati came there to bathe in the water of the Ganges, O prince.
85साब्रवीत्तान् सुरान् सुभ्रूर्भवद्भिः स्तूयतेऽत्र का । शरीरकोशतश्चास्याः समुद्भूताब्रवीच्छिवा ॥
85She, the beautiful-browed, said to those gods,—“Whom do ye, lords, hymn here?” And springing forth from the treasure-house of her body the auspicious goddess spoke—
86स्तोत्रं ममैतत् क्रियते शुम्भदैत्यनिराकृतैः । देवैः समेतैः समरे निशुम्भेन पराजितैः ॥
86‘For me this hymn is uttered by the assembled gods, who have been set at nought by the Daitya Sumbha and routed in battle by Nisumbha.”
87शरीरकोशाद्यत्तस्याः पार्वत्या निः सृताम्बिका । कौशिकीति समस्तेषु ततो लोकेषु गीयते ॥
87Because Ambika issued forth from the treasure-house of Parvati’s body, she is therefore named in song as Kaushiki among all the worlds.
88तस्यां विनिर्गतायां तु कृष्णाभूत् सापि पार्वती । कालिकेति समाख्याता हिमाचलकृताश्रया ॥
88Now after she had issued forth, the other also, even Parvati, became Krishna; she is celebrated as Kalika; she fixed her abode on Mount Hima-vat.
89ततोऽम्बिकां परं रूपं बिभ्राणां सुमनोहरम् । ददर्श चण्डो मुण्डश्च भृत्यौ शुम्भनिशुम्भयोः ॥
89Thereafter C'anda, and Munda, the two servants of S'umbha and Nisumbha, saw Ambika displaying her sublime and most captivating form;
Verses 90 to 99
90ताभ्यां शुम्भाय चाख्याता अतीव सुमनोहरा । काप्यास्ते स्त्री महाराज भासयन्ती हिमाचलम् ॥
90and both spake out unto Sumbha;— “What woman then, most surpassingly captivating, dwells here, illuminating Mount Hima-vat, O great king?
91नैव तादृक् क्वचिद्रूपं दृष्टं केनचिदुत्तमम् । ज्ञायतां काप्यसौ देवी गृह्यतां चासुरेश्वर ॥
91Such sublime beauty was never in sooth seen by anyone anywhere; let it be ascertained if she is any goddess, and let her be taken possession of, O lord of the Asuras.
92स्त्रीरत्नमतिचार्वङ्गी द्योतयन्ती दिशस्त्विषा । सा तु तिष्ठति दैत्येन्द्र तां भवान् द्रष्टुमर्हति ॥
92A gem among women, surpassingly beautiful in body, illuminating the regions of the sky with her lustre, there she is then, O lord of the Daityas; deign, Sir, to look at her.
93यानि रत्नानि मणयो गजाश्वादीनि वै प्रभो । त्रैलोक्ये तु समस्तानि साम्प्रतं भान्ति ते गृहे ॥
93Moreover, whatever gems, precious stones, elephants, horses and other valuable things indeed exist in the three worlds, O lord, all those display their splendour at this present time in thy house.
94ऐरावतः समानीतो गजरत्नं पुरन्दरात् । पारिजाततरुश्चायं तथैवोच्चैः श्रवा हयः ॥
94Airavata, gem among elephants, has been captured from Purandara; and this Parijata tree and also the horse Uccaihsravas.
95विमानं हंससंयुक्तमेतत्तिष्ठति तेऽङ्गणे । रत्नभूतमिहानीतं यदासीद्वेधसोऽद्भुतम् ॥
95Here stands the heavenly chariot yoked with swans in thy court-yard; it has been brought here, the wonderful chariot composed of gems, which belonged to Brahma.
96निधिरेष महापद्मः समानीतो धनेश्वरात् । किञ्जल्किनीं ददौ चाब्धिर्मालामम्लानपङ्कजाम् ॥
96Here is the Nidhi Maha-padma, captured from the Lord of wealth. And the Ocean gave a garland made of filaments and of undying lotus flowers.
97छत्रं ते वारुणं गेहे काञ्चनस्त्रावि तिष्ठति । तथायं स्यन्तनवरो यः पुरासीत् प्रजापतेः ॥
97In thy house stands Varuna’s umbrella, which streams with gold. And here is the choice chariot that belonged to Praja-pati formerly.
98मृत्योरुत्क्रान्तिदा नाम शक्तिरीश त्वया हृता । पाशः सलिलराजस्य भ्रातुस्तव परिग्रहे ॥
98Thou, O lord, hast carried off Death’s power which is named Utkranti-da. The noose of the Ocean-king is in thy brother’s possession.
99निशुम्भस्याब्धिजाताश्च समस्ता रत्नजातयः । वह्निरपि ददौ तुभ्यमग्निशौचे च वाससी ॥
99And Nisumbha has every kind of gem which is produced in the sea. Agni also gave thee two garments which are purified by fire.
Verses 100 to 108
100एवं दैत्येन्द्र रत्नानि समस्तान्याहृतानि ते । स्त्रीरत्नमेषा कल्याणी त्वया कस्मान्न गृह्यते ॥
100Thus, O lord of the Daityas, all gems have been captured by thee; why dost thou not seize this auspicious lady, this gem of womankind?”
101ऋषिरुवाच ॥
101The rishi spoke:
102निशम्येति वचः शुम्भः स तदा चण्डमुण्डयोः । प्रेषयामास सुग्रीवं दूतं देव्या महासुरः ॥
102Sumbha, on hearing this speech then from C'anda and Munda, sent the great Asura Su-griva as messenger to the goddess,
102aशुम्भ उवाच ॥
102aA line found in some editions; Pargiter does not translate it.
103इति चेति च वक्तव्या सा गत्वा वचनान्मम । यथा चाभ्येति संप्रीत्या तथा कार्यं त्वया लघु ॥
103“Go and address her thus and thus according to my words, and lightly conduct the matter so that she may come to me of her own good pleasure.” He went to
104स तत्र गत्वा यत्रास्ते शैलोद्देशेऽतिशोभने । तां च देवीं ततः प्राह श्लक्ष्णं मधुरया गिरा ॥
104where the goddess sat on a very bright spot in the mountain and spoke gently with mellifluous voice.
105दूत उवाच ॥
105The messenger spoke:
106देवि दैत्येश्वरः शुम्भस्त्रैलोक्ये परमेश्वरः । दूतोऽहं प्रेषितस्तेन त्वत्सकाशमिहागतः ॥
106goddess! Sumbha, lord of the Daityas, is supreme lord, over the three worlds. A messenger am I, sent by him; to thy presence here I have come.
107अव्याहताज्ञः सर्वासु यः सदा देवयोनिषु । निर्जिताखिलदैत्यारिः स यदाह शृणुष्व तत् ॥
107Hearken to what he has said, whose command is never resisted among all beings of divine origin, and who has vanquished every foe of the Daityas Mine are all the three worlds;
108मम त्रैलोक्यमखिलं मम देवा वशानुगाः । यज्ञभागानहं सर्वानुपाश्नामि पृथक् पृथक् ॥
108obedient to my authority are the gods, I eat every portion of the sacrifices separately.
Verses 109 to 118
109त्रैलोक्ये वररत्नानि मम वश्यान्यशेषतः । तथैव गजरत्नं च हृत्वा देवेन्द्रवाहनम् ॥
109The choicest gems in the three worlds are altogether under my power; and so are the finest elephants and the chariot of the lord of the gods, since I have captured them.
110क्षीरोदमथनोद्भूतमश्वरत्नं ममामरैः । उच्चैः श्रवससंज्ञं तत्प्रणिपत्य समर्पितम् ॥
110That gem among horses, named Uccaih-sravasa, which came forth at the churning of the sea of milk, was presented to me by the immortals who prostrated themselves before me.
111यानि चान्यानि देवेषु गन्धर्वेषूरगेषु च । रत्नभूतानि भूतानि तानि मय्येव शोभने ॥
111And whatever other created things in the shape of gems existed among the gods, Gandharvas and Nagas, they were presented even to me, O brilliant lady. I esteem thee O goddess,
112स्त्रीरत्नभूतां त्वां देवि लोके मन्यामहे वयम् । सा त्वमस्मानुपागच्छ यतो रत्नभुजो वयम् ॥
112to be the gem of womankind in the world; do thou, who art such, approach unto me, since I am an enjoyer of gems.
113मां वा ममानुजं वापि निशुम्भमुरुविक्रमम् । भज त्वं चञ्चलापाङ्गि रत्नभूतासि वै यतः ॥
113Either to me, or to my younger brother Nisumbha of wide-reaching prowess, approach thou, O lady of quick side-glances, since thou art in truth a gem.
114परमैश्वर्यमतुलं प्राप्स्यसे मत्परिग्रहात् । एतद् बुद्ध्या समालोच्य मत्परिग्रहतां व्रज ॥
114Supreme dominion beyond compare thou shalt gain by wedding me. Understand and consider this, and come unto wedlock with
115ऋषिरुवाच ॥
115The rishi spoke:
116इत्युक्ता सा तदा देवी गम्भीरान्तः स्मिता जगौ । दुर्गा भगवती भद्रा ययेदं धार्यते जगत् ॥
116Thus accosted the goddess, smiling deeply within herself, she, Durga the adorable and good, who supports this world, sang this reply then.
117देव्युवाच ॥
117The goddess spoke:
118सत्यमुक्तत्वया नात्र मिथ्या किञ्चित्त्वयोदितम् । त्रैलोक्याधिपतिः सुम्भो निशुम्भश्चापि तादृशः ॥
118Truly hast thou spoken; nought hast thou uttered falsely herein. Sovereign of the three worlds is Sumbha, and like unto him is Nisumbha also!
Verses 119 to 128
119किं त्वत्र यत्प्रतिज्ञातं मिथ्या तत्क्रियते कथम् । श्रूयतामल्पबुद्धित्वात् प्रतिज्ञा या कृता पुरा ॥
119But how can that which has been promised concerning this myself be fulfilled falsely? Hearken, what vow I made formerly by reason of my small understanding at that time,—
120यो मां जयति संग्रामे यो मे दर्पं व्यपोहति । यो मे प्रतिबलो लोके स मे भर्ता भविष्यति ॥
120' He who vanquishes me in fight, who forces my pride from me, and who is my match in strength in the world, he shall be my husband.’
121तदागच्छतु शुम्भोऽत्र निशुम्भो वा महासुरः । मां जित्वा किं चिरेणात्र पाणि गृह्णातु मे लघु ॥
121Let Sumbha come here then, or Nisumbha the great Asura; let him vanquish me—what need of delay here? and let him lightly take my hand in marriage!
122दूत उवाच ॥
122The messenger spoke:
123अवलिप्तासि मैवं त्वं देवि ब्रूहि ममाग्रतः । त्रैलोक्ये कः पुमांस्तिष्ठेदग्रे शुम्भनिशुम्भयोः ॥
123Proud art thou! Talk not so before me, O goddess! What male in the three worlds may stand front to front with S'umbha and Nisumbha?
124अन्येषामपि दैत्यानां सर्वे देवा न वै युधि । तिष्ठन्ति संमुखे देवि किं पुनः स्त्री त्वमेकिका ॥
124All the gods verily stand not face to face with even the other Daityas in battle, O goddess; how much less canst thou so stand, a woman single-handed!
125इन्द्राद्याः सकला देवास्तस्थुर्येषां न संयुगे । शुम्भादीनां कथं तेषां स्त्री प्रयास्यसि संमुखम् ॥
125With S'umbha and those other Daityas, against whom Indra and all the other gods stood not in battle, how shalt thou, a woman, venture face to face?
126सा त्वं गच्छ मयैवोक्ता पार्श्वं शुम्भनिशुम्भयोः । केशाकर्षणनिर्धूतगौरवा मा गमिष्यसि ॥
126Do thou, being such, to whom I have in sooth delivered my message, go near unto Sumbha and Nisumbha; let it not be that thou shalt go with thy dignity shattered in that thou wilt be dragged thither by thy hair!
127देव्युवाच ॥
127The goddess spoke:
128एवमेतद् बली शुम्भो निशुम्भश्चातिवीर्यवान् । किं करोमि प्रतिज्ञा मे यदनालोचिता पुरा ॥
128So strong as this is Sumbha! and so exceedingly heroic is Nisumbha! What can I do, since there stands my ill-considered promise of long ago?
Verses 129 to 129
129स त्वं गच्छ मयोक्तं ते यदेतत्सर्वमादृतः । तदाचक्ष्वासुरेन्द्राय स च युक्तं करोतु तत् ॥
129Go thou thyself; make known respectfully to the lord of the Asuras all this that I have said to thee, and let him do whatever is fitting.
- Sanskrit: मार्कण्डेयपुराणम्, अध्यायाः ८१-९३ (देवीमाहात्म्यम्), Sanskrit Wikisource ↗, by Sanskrit Wikisource contributors, used under CC BY-SA 4.0; the Sanskrit on this page is shared under the same licence. Not proofread against a printed edition.
- English: The Markandeya Purana, translated with notes by F. Eden Pargiter (Bibliotheca Indica, Asiatic Society of Bengal, Calcutta, 1904), cantos LXXXI to XCIII ↗. Public domain (published 1904; the translator died in 1927). Text taken from archive.org OCR of five scans of the printed book, compared word by word. Pargiter's wording is kept as printed; his footnotes are omitted.