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Devi Mahatmya / Chapter 8

Chapter 8 · Markandeya Purana canto 88

The slaying of Rakta-vija

रक्तबीजवधोनाम

63 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

1ऋषिरुवाच ॥

1The rishi spoke:

2चण्डे च निहते दैत्ये मुण्डे च विनिपातिते । बहुलेषु च सैन्येषु क्षयितेष्वसुरेश्वरः ॥

2After both the Daitya C'anda was slain and Munda was laid low, and many soldiers were destroyed, the lord of the Asuras, majestic Sumbha,

3ततः कोपपराधीनचेताः शुम्भः प्रतापवान् । उद्योगं सर्वसैन्यानां दैत्यानामादिदेश ह ॥

3with mind overcome by wrath, gave command then to array all the Daitya hosts,—‘

4अद्य सर्वबलैर्दैत्याः षडशीतिरुदायुधाः । कम्बूनां चतुरशीतिर्निर्यान्तु स्वबलैर्वृताः ॥

4“Now let the eighty-six Daityas, upraising their weapons, march forth with all their forces; let the eighty-four Kambus march forth surrounded by their own forces;

5कोटिवीर्याणि पञ्चाशदसुराणां कुलानि वै । शतं कुलानि धौम्राणां निर्गच्छन्तु ममाज्ञया ॥

5let the fifty Asura families who excel in valour go forth; let the hundred families of Dhaumras go forth at my command.

6कालका दौर्हृदा मौर्याः कालकेयास्तथासुराः । युद्धाय सज्जा निर्यान्तु आज्ञया त्वरिता मम ॥

6Let the Kalakas, the Daurhritas, the Mauryas, and the Kalakeyas,—let these Asuras, hastening at my command, march forth ready for battle.”

7इत्याज्ञाप्यासुरपतिः शुम्भो भैरवशासनः । निर्जगाम महासैन्यसहस्रैर्बहुभिर्वृतः ॥

7After issuing these commands Sumbha, the lord of the Asuras, who ruled with fear, went forth, attended by many thousands of great soldiers.

8आयान्तं चण्डिका दृष्ट्वा तत्सैन्यमतिभीषणम् । ज्यास्वनैः पूरयामास धरणीगगनान्तरम् ॥

8C'andika, seeing that most terrible army at hand, filled the space between the earth and the firmament with the twanging of her bow-string.

9स च सिंहो महानादमतीव कृतवान् नृप । घण्टास्वनेन तन्नादमम्बिका चाप्यबृंहयत् ॥

9Thereon her lion roared exceedingly loud, O king; and Ambika augmented those roars with the clanging of her bell.

10धनुर्ज्यासिंहघण्टानां नादापूरितदिङ्मुखा । निनादैर्भीषणैः काली जिग्ये विस्तारितानना ॥

10Kali, filling the regions of the sky with the noise from her bow-string, from her lion and from her bell, and expanding her mouth wide with her terrific roars, had the predominance.

Verses 11 to 20

11तं निनादमुपश्रुत्य दैत्यसैन्यैश्चतुर्दिशम् । देवी सिंहस्तथा काली सरोषैः परिवारिताः ॥

11On hearing that roar which filled the four regions of the sky, the Daitya armies enraged surrounded the goddess’ lion and Kali.

12एतस्मिन्नन्तरे भूप विनाशाय सुरद्विषाम् । भवायामरसिंहानामतिवीर्यबलान्विताः ॥

12At this moment, O king, in order to destroy the gods’ foes, and for the well-being of the lion-like Immortals, there issued

13ब्रह्मेशगुहविष्णूनां तथेन्द्रस्य च शक्तयः । शरीरेभ्यो विनिष्क्रम्य तद्रूपैश्चण्डिकां ययुः ॥

13forth endowed with excessive vigour and strength the Energies from the bodies of Brahma, Siva, Guha and Vishnu and of Indra also, and went in the forms of those gods to C'andika.

14यस्य देवस्य यद्रूपं यथाभूषणवाहनम् । तद्वदेव हि तच्छक्तिरसुरान् योद्धुमाययौ ॥

14Whatever was the form of each god, and whatever his ornaments and vehicle, in that very appearance his Energy advanced to fight with the Asuras.

15हंसयुक्तविमानाग्रे साक्षसूत्रकमण्डलुः । आयाता ब्रह्मणः शक्तिर्ब्रह्माणी साभिधीयते ॥

15In the front of a heavenly car drawn by swans advanced Brahma’s Energy, bearing a rosary of seeds and an earthen water-pot; she is called Brahmani.

16माहेश्वरी वृषारूढा त्रिशूलवरधारिणी । महाहिवलया प्राप्ता चन्द्रलेखाविभूषणा ॥

16Mahesvara’s Energy, seated on a bull, grasping a fine trident, and wearing a girdle of large snakes, arrived, adorned with a digit of the moon.

17कौमारी शक्तिहस्ता च मयूरवरवाहना । योद्धुमभ्याययौ दैत्यानम्बिका गुहरूपिणी ॥

17And Kumara’s Energy, Ambika, with spear in hand and riding on a choice peacock, advanced in Guha’s shape to attack the Daityas.

18तथैव वैष्णावी शक्तिर्गरुडोपरि संस्थिता । शङ्खचक्रगदाशार्ङ्गखड्गहस्ताभ्युपाययौ ॥

18Likewise Vishnu’s Energy, seated upon Garuda, advanced with conch, discus, club, bow and scymitar in hand.

19जज्ञे वाराहमतुलं रूपं या बिभ्रती हरेः । शक्तिः साप्यायौ तत्र वाराहीं बिभ्रती तनुम् ॥

19The Energy of Hari, who assumes the peerless form of a sacrificial boar, she also advanced assuming a hog-like form.

20नारसिंही नृसिंहस्य बिभ्रती सदृशं वपुः । प्राप्ता तत्र सटाक्षेपक्षिप्तनक्षत्रसंहतिः ॥

20Nri-simha’s Energy assuming a body like Nri-simha’s arrived there, adorned with a cluster of constellations hurled down by the tossing of his mane.

Verses 21 to 30

21वज्रहस्ता तथैवैन्द्री गजराजोपरि स्थिता । प्राप्ता सहस्रनयना यथा शक्रस्तथैव सा ॥

21Likewise Indra’s Energy, with thunder-bolt in hand, seated upon the lord of elephants and having a thousand eyes, arrived; as is Sakra, such indeed was she.

22ततः परिवृतस्ताभिरीशानो देवशक्तिभिः । हन्यन्तामसुराः शीघ्रं मम प्रीत्याऽह चण्डिकाम् ॥

22Then those Energies of the gods surrounded S'iva. He said to C'andika, “Let the Asuras be slain forthwith through my good-will.”

23ततो देवोशरीरात्तु विनिष्क्रान्तातिभीषणा । चण्डिकाशक्तिरत्युग्रा शिवाशतनिनादिनी ॥

23Thereupon from the goddess’ body there came forth C'C'andika’s Energy, most terrific, exceedingly fierce, howling like a hundred jackals.

24सा चाह धूम्रजटिलमीशानमपराजिता । दूत त्वं गच्छ भगवन् पार्श्वं शुम्भनिशुम्भयोः ॥

24And she the unconquered said to Siva, who was smoke-coloured and had matted locks, “Be — thou, my lord, a messenger to the presence of Sumbha and Nisumbha.

25ब्रूहि शुम्भं निशुम्भं च दानवावतिगर्वितौ । ये चान्ये दानवास्तत्र युद्धाय समुपस्थिताः ॥

25Say unto the two overweening Danavas, Sumbha and Nisumbha, and to whatever other Danavas are assembled there to do battle—

26त्रैलोक्यमिन्द्रो लभतां देवाः सन्तु हविर्भुजः । यूयं प्रयात पातालं यदि जीवितुमिच्छथ ॥

26‘Let Indra obtain the three worlds, let the gods be the enjoyers of the oblations; go ye to Patala if ye wish to live.

27बलावलेपादथ चेद्भवन्तो युद्धकाङ्क्षिणः । तदागच्छत तृप्यन्तु मच्छिवाः पिशितेन वः ॥

27Yet if through pride in your strength ye are longing for battle, come ye on then! let my jackals be

28यतो नियुक्तो दौत्येन तया देव्या शिवः स्वयम् । शिवदूतीति लोकेऽस्मिंस्ततः सा ख्यातिमागता ॥

28glutted with your flesh.’” Because the goddess appointed Siva himself to be ambassador, she has hence attained fame as S'iva-duti in this world.

29तेऽपि श्रुत्वा वचो देव्याः शर्वाख्यातं महासुराः । अमर्षापूरिता जग्मुर्यत्र कात्यायनी स्थिता ॥

29Those great Asuras however, on hearing the goddess’ speech fully announced, were filled with indignation and went where Katyayani stood.

30ततः प्रथममेवाग्रे शरशक्त्यृष्टिवृष्टिभिः । ववर्षुरुद्धतामर्षास्तां देवीममरारयः ॥

30Then, at the very first, the arrogant and indignant foes of the Immortals in front poured on the goddess showers of arrows, javelins and spears.

Verses 31 to 40

31सा च तान् प्रहितान् बाणाञ्छूलशक्तिपरश्वधान् । चिच्छेद लीलयाऽध्मातधनुर्मुक्तैर्महेषुभिः ॥

31And gracefully she clove those arrows, darts, discuses and axes, which were hurled, with large arrows shot from her resounding bow.

32तस्याग्रतस्तथा काली शूलपातविदारितान् । खट्वाङ्गपोथितांश्चारीन् कुर्वती व्यचरत्तदा ॥

32And in front of her stalked Kali then, tearing the foes asunder with the onset of her darts and crushing them with her skull-topped staff.

33कमण्डलुजलाक्षेपहतवीर्यान् हतौजसः । ब्रह्माणी चाकरोच्छत्रून् येन येन स्म धावति ॥

33And Brahmani caused the foes to lose their courage by casting water on them from her earthen pot, and weakened their vigour, by whatever way she ran.

34माहेश्वरी त्रिशूलेन तथा चक्रेण वैष्णवी । दैत्याञ्जघान कौमारी तथा शक्त्यातिकोपना ॥

34Mahesvara’s Energy slew Daityas with her trident, and Vishnu’s Energy with her discus, and Kumara’s Energy, very wrathful, slew them with her javelin.

35ऐन्द्रीकुलिशपातेन शतशो दैत्यदानवाः । पेतुर्विदारिताः पृथ्व्यां रुधिरौघप्रवर्षिणः ॥

35Torn to pieces by the down-rush of the thunder-bolt hurled by Indra’s Energy, Daityas and Danavas fell on the earth in hundreds, pouring out streams of blood.

36तुण्डप्रहारविध्वस्ता दंष्ट्राग्रक्षतवक्षसः । वाराहमूर्त्या न्यपतंश्चक्रेण च विदारिताः ॥

36Shattered by the hog-embodied Energy with blows from her snout, wounded in their breasts by the points of her tushes, and torn by her discus, demons fell down.

37नखैर्विदारितांश्चान्यान् भक्षयन्ती महासुरान् । नारसिंही चचाराजौ नादापूर्णदिगन्तरा ॥

37And Nri-simha’s Energy roamed about in the battle, devouring other great Asuras who were torn by her claws, as she filled the intermediate region of the sky with her roaring.

38चण्डाट्टहासैरसुराः शिवदूत्यभिदूषिताः । पेतुः पृथिव्यां पतितांस्तांश्चखादाथ सा तदा ॥

38Asuras, demoralized by Siva-duti with her violent loud laughs, fell down on the earth; she then devoured those fallen ones.

39इति मातृगणं क्रुद्धं मर्दयन्तं महासुरान् । दृष्ट्वाभ्युपायैर्विविधैर्नेशुर्देवारिसैनिकाः ॥

39Seeing the enraged band of Mothers crushing the great Asuras thus by various means, the troops of the gods’ foes perished.

40पलायनपरान् दृष्ट्वा दैत्यान् मातृगणार्दितान् । योद्धुमभ्याययौ क्रुद्धो रक्तबीजो महासुरः ॥

40Rakta-vija, a great Asura, seeing the Daityas, who were hard-pressed by the band of Mothers, intent on fleeing, strode forward to fight in wrath.

Verses 41 to 50

41रक्तबिन्दुर्यदा भूमौ पतत्यस्य शरीरतः । समुत्पतति मेदिन्यां तत्प्रमाणो महासुरः ॥

41When from his body there falls to the ground a drop of blood, at that moment starts up from the earth an Asura of his stature.

42युयुधे स गदापाणिपरिन्द्रशक्त्या महासुरः । ततश्चैन्द्री स्ववज्रेण रक्तबीजमताडयत् ॥

42He, a great Asura, with club in hand fought with Indra’s Energy, and Indra’s Energy then struck Rakta-vija with her thunder-bolt;

43कुलिशेनाहतस्याशु बहु सुस्राव शोणितम् । समुत्तस्थुस्ततो योधास्तद्रूपास्तत्पराक्रमाः ॥

43blood flowed quickly from him when wounded by the thunder-bolt. Thereupon stood up together fresh combatants, like him in body, like him in valour;

44यावन्तः पतितास्तस्य शरीराद्रक्तबिन्दवः । तावन्तः पुरुषा जातास्तद्वीर्यबलविक्रमाः ॥

44for as many blood-drops fell from his body, so many men came into being, like him in courage, strength and valour.

45ते चापि युयुधुस्तत्र पुरुषा रक्तसम्भवाः । समं मातृभिरत्युग्रशस्त्रपातातिभीषणम् ॥

45And those men also who sprang from his blood fought there with the Mothers in a combat, dreadful because of the sweep of their very sharp weapons.

46पुनश्च वज्रपातेन क्षतमस्य शिरो यदा । ववाह रक्तं पुरुषास्ततो जाताः सहस्रशः ॥

46And again when his head was wounded by the fall of her thunder-bolt, his blood poured forth; therefrom were born men by thousands.

47वैष्णवी समरे चैनं चक्रेणाभिजघान ह । गदया ताडयामास ऐन्द्री तमसुरेश्वरम् ॥

47And Vishnu’s Energy struck at this foe with her discus in the battle. Indra’s Energy beat that lord of the Asuras with her club.

48वैष्णावीचक्रभिन्नस्य रुधिरस्रावसम्भवैः । सहस्रशौ जगद्व्याप्तं तत्प्रमाणैर्महासुरैः ॥

48The world was filled by the thousands of great Asuras, who were his equals, and who sprang from the blood that flowed from him when cloven by the discus of Vishnu’s Energy.

49शक्त्या जघान कौमारी वाराही च तथासिना । माहेश्वरी त्रिशूलेन रक्तबीजं महासुरम् ॥

49Kumara’s Energy struck the great Asura Rakta-vija with her spear, and Varaha’s Energy also struck him with her sword, and Mahesvara’s Energy with her trident.

50स चापि गदया दैत्यः सर्वा एवाहनत् पृथक् । मातः कोपसमाविष्टो रक्तबीजो महासुरः ॥

50And the Daitya Rakta-vija, that great Asura, filled full of wrath, struck every one of the Mothers in turn with his club.

Verses 51 to 59

51तस्याहतस्य बहुधा शक्तिशूलादिभिर्भुवि । पपात यो वै रक्तौघस्तेनासञ्छतशोऽसुराः ॥

51By the stream of blood, which fell on the earth from him when he received many wounds from the spears, darts and other weapons, Asuras came verily into being in hundreds.

52तैश्चासुरासृक्सम्भूतैरसुरैः सकलं जगत् । व्याप्तमासीत्ततो देवा भयमाजग्मुरुत्तमम् ॥

52And those Asuras who sprang from that Asura’s blood pervaded the whole world; thereat the gods fell into the utmost terror.

53तान् विषण्णान् सुरान् दृष्ट्वा चण्डिका प्राह सत्वरा । उवाच कालीं चामुण्डे विस्तीर्णं वदनं कुरु ॥

53Seeing the gods dejected, C'andika spoke with haste; she said to Kali, “O C'amunda! stretch out thy mouth wide;

54मच्छस्त्रपातसम्भूतान् रक्तबिन्दून् महासुरान् । रक्तबिन्दोः प्रतीच्छ त्वं वक्त्रेणानेन वेगिना ॥

54with this mouth do thou quickly take in the great Asuras, which are the drops of blood, that have come into being out of Raktavija at the descent of my weapon on him.

55भक्षयन्ती चर रणे तदुत्पन्नान् महासुरान् । एवमेष क्षयं दैत्यः क्षीणरक्तो गमिष्यति ॥

55Roam about in the battle, devouring the great Asuras who sprang from him; so shall this Daitya with his blood ebbing away meet destruction.

56भक्ष्यमाणास्त्वया चोग्रा न चोत्पत्स्यन्ति चापरे । इत्युक्त्वा तां ततो देवी शूलेनाभिजघान तम् ॥

56These fierce demons are being devoured by thee and at the same time no others will be produced.” Having enjoined her thus, the goddess next smote him with her dart.

56aऋषिरुवाच ॥

56aA line found in some editions; Pargiter does not translate it.

57मुखेन काली जगृहे रक्तबीजस्य शोणितम् । ततोऽसावाजघानाथ गदया तत्र चण्डिकाम् ॥

57Kali swallowed Rakta-vija’s blood with her mouth. Then he struck C'andika with his club there;

58न चास्या वेदनां चक्रे गदापातोऽल्पिकामपि । तस्याहतस्य देहात्तु बहु सुस्राव शोणितम् ॥

58and the blow of his club caused her no pain, even the slightest, but from his stricken body blood flowed copiously,

59यतस्ततः स्ववक्त्रेण चामुण्डा सम्प्रतीच्छति । मुखे समुद्गता येऽस्या रक्तपातान्महासुराः ॥

59and from whatever direction it came, C'amunda takes it then with her mouth. The great Asuras, who sprang up from the flow of blood in her mouth,

Verses 60 to 63

60तांश्चखादाथ चामुण्डा पपौ तस्य च शोणितम् । देवी शूलेन चक्रेण बाणैरसिभिरृष्टिभिः ॥

60C'amunda both devoured them and quaffed his blood. The goddess smote Rakta-vija with her dart, her thunder-bolt, arrows,

61जघान रक्तबीजं तं चामुण्डापीतशोणितम् । स पपात महीपृष्ठे शस्त्रसंहतितो हतः ॥

61swords and spears, when C'amunda drank up his blood. Stricken with that multitude of weapons, he fell on the earth’s surface,

62नीरक्तश्च महीपाल रक्तबीजो महासुरः । ततस्ते हर्षमतुलमवापुस्त्रिदशा नृप ॥

62and the great Asura Rakta-vija became blood-less, O king. Thereat the thirty gods gained joy unparalleled, O king. The band of Mothers which sprang from them broke into a dance, being intoxicated with blood.

63तेषां मातृगणो जातो ननर्तासृङ्मदोद्धतः ॥

63English given with verse 62

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