Chapter 47 - Dhūmralocana, Caṇḍa, Muṇḍa and Raktabīja are slain

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

The sage said:—

1. There was a Daitya Śumbha and another equally powerful Niśumbha. The three worlds including mobile and immobile beings were attacked by the two brothers.

2. The gods afflicted and harassed by them went to Himalaya and saluted the mother of all living beings, the bestower of all desires.

The gods said:—

3. O goddess Durgā, Victory be to you. O, beloved of your kinsmen, be victorious. Obeisance to you, the cause of the protection of the three worlds.

4. Obeisance to you, the bestower of salvation, obeisance to the great mother, the cause of the creation, sustenance and annihilation of the world.

5. O goddess of the form of Kālikā, Tārā. Chinnamastā, Śrīvidyā, Obeisance to you.

6. O goddess of the worlds, of the form of Bhairava, obeisance to you. Obeisance to Bagalāmukhī (stork-faced). Obeisance, to Dhūmāvatī.

7. Obeisance to Tripurasundarī, to Mātaṅgī, to Ajitā (the unconquered) and to Vijayā.

8. Obeisance to Jayā, Maṅgalā Vilāsinī, to you of the form of milking maid and of terrible form.

9. Obeisance to you, O goddess, of the form of the unconquered, of permanent form, the protectress of those who seek refuge in you.

10. Obeisance to the one knowable through Vedānta; obeisance to you the great soul, the heroine of infinite worlds of this universe.

11. Eulogised thus by the gods the delighted goddess the bestower of boons, spoke, to the gods—“Who is being eulogised by you here?”

12. Then a virgin came out of the body of the goddess. Even as they were winking she spoke to the goddess with great reverence.

13. “O mother, this eulogy is addressed to me by the heaven-dwellers harassed by the powerful Daityas Śumbha and Niśumbha.”

14. Since she emerged out of the inner vestures of her body she is called Kauśikī. The destroyer of the Asura Śumbha is being sung in that name.

15. She alone is said to be Ugratārikā and great Ugratārikā. She is called Mātaṅgī after the source from which she manifested herself.

16. She addressed the gods—“All of you stay here fearlessly. I shall carry out your task without any strain.

I am independent”.

17. After saying this, the goddess vanished. Caṇḍa and Muṇḍa—the attendants of Śumbha and Niśumba saw the goddess.

18. On seeing her beautiful form pleasing to the eyes they were fascinated. They lost their consciousness and fell on the ground.

19. Returning to their king they narrated the details to him “O king, a certain beautiful lady hitherto unseen has been seen by us.

20. Seated on a lion, on the beautiful peak of the Himavat she was served by the virgins of the gods with palms joined in reverence.

21. They massaged her feet and hands, decorated her tresses, and applied collyrium to her eyes.

22. A certain damsel held out the mirror to her face. Another handed over the betel-leaf along with cloves and cardamom.

23. Some picked up the fallen dice and stood in front of her. Some bedecked her body with ornaments and clothes.

24. Her calves and thighs are like the stem of the plantain tree. Her nose is like that of a parrot. Her arms are like serpents and creepers. She wears a beautiful girdle. The anklets round her feet are jingling.

25. Pearl necklaces heave over her breasts rendered fragrant with the musk. Necklaces shine round her neck. She was sporting about bedecked in chaplets.

26. She has semi-circular marks on her forehead. She wears car-rings set with gems. Her plaited hair are pretty. The wide three eyes bedeck her face.

27. She is imperishable, possessed of garlands. Bangles shine in her hands. There are gold rings round her fingers. Shining bracelets make her hands dazzle.

28. She is clad in white garments. She shines in her lotus-pose with the marks of saffron on her forehead which is also bedecked with the moon.

29. She has the brilliance of lightning. She wears precious garments. Her breasts are elevated within her bodice. She holds excellent weapons with her eight uplifted arms.

30. There is no lady among the Asuras, Nāgas, Gandharvas or Dānavas in the three worlds as beautiful as she.

31. Hence the fitness for sexual indulgence with her rests only in you since she is a gem among ladies and O lord, you are a gem among men.

32. On hearing the words of Caṇḍa and Muṇḍa that great demon Śumbha sent a messenger Sugrīva to her.

33. “O messenger, there is a certain beautiful lady on the snow-capped mountain. Mentioning these words of mine she shall be strenuously brought here”.

34. Thus urged by him, the excellent Dānava Sugrīva went to Himācala and spoke to the great goddess, the mother of the universe.

The messenger said:—

35. O gentle lady, the Daitya Śumbha and his brother Niśumbha are very strong and valorous. They are famous in the three worlds.

36. O goddess, I am a messenger of Śumbha. I have come with his message to which you will listen please.

37. “I have defeated Indra and others in the battle and taken away their jewels. I enjoy the share of the gods offered to them in the sacrifices.

38. You are a jewel among women, more precious than ether jewels. Resort to me or to my younger brother, exhibiting your loving emotion.

39. On hearing the message of Śumbha conveyed by the messenger the Mahāmāyā, the beloved consort of Śiva, spoke.

The goddess said:—

40-41. O messenger, you speak the truth, not the lie. Bat I have taken a vow that I shall endeavour to make one alone as my husband who can shake off my pride, who can conquer me in the battle. None else.

42. Hence you convey my words to Śumbha and Niśumbha. Let either do whatever is proper in this matter.

43. On hearing these words of the goddess the Asura Sugrīva returned to his king and acquainted him with every detail.

44. On hearing the report of the messenger Śumbha of stern rule angrily said to Dhūmrākṣa, the foremost of his generals.

45-46. O Dhūmrākṣa, there is a beautiful lady on the snow-capped Himalaya mountain. Go quickly and fetch her here. O excellent Asura, do not be afraid of this expedition. If she wishes to fight, you shall fight strenuously.

47. Thus directed the Daitya Dhūmrākṣa went to Himālaya and spoke to the goddess who was a part of Umā.

48. “O lady, approach my lord. Otherwise I shall kill you. I am accompanied by sixty-thousand Asuras”

The goddess said:—

49. “O hero, yon are commissioned by the king of Daityas. If you kill me what can I do for you? But I consider it impossible to go without a fight.”

50. Thus addressed, the Dānava Dhūmrākṣa rushed at her but was burnt with a mere Huṅkāra uttered by her.

51. Since then, that goddess is called Dhūmāvatī in the world. When propitiated she destroys hosts of enemies of her devotees.

52. After Dhūnirākṣa was killed, his army was crunched and munched by the infuriated lion. Those who were spared fled away.

53. On hearing that the Daitya was killed by the goddess, the valorous Śumbha was angry and bit his lips.

54. He sent the Asuras—Caṇḍa, Muṇḍa and Raktabīja in order. The Daityas, thus ordered, went to the spot where Ambikā was stationed.

55. On seeing the goddess seated on a lion, possessed of Aṇimā^[1] and other Siddhis and dazzling the quarters with her brilliance, the leading Dānavas said.

56. “O lady, hasten to approach Śumbha and Niśumbha. Otherwise we shall kill you along with your Gaṇas and your lion.

57. O lady, choose him as your husband. He is eulogised by the guardians of the quarters and others. You will attain a great bliss rare to attain by the gods.”

58. On hearing these words the goddess Ambā smiled and spoke interesting and truthful words.

59. Lord Śiva, the great Braḥman, the eternal god is without a second. Even the Vedas do not understand his reality. What then of Viṣṇu and others?

60. I am His subtle Prakṛti. How can I choose another as my husband? Even if she is overwhelmed by love does a lioness choose a jackal as her mate?

61. A female elephant does not take an ass nor does a leopardess take a hare. O Daityas, overcome by the Serpent of Death you speak in vain.

62. Descend to Pātāla^[2] all of you. If you have the power, fight.” On hearing her provocative words the Asuras said to one another.

63. “We do not kill you as you are a woman. But if you desire for battle be ready with your lion.”

64. While they spoke thus the fight ensued. The arrows rained in the battle., sharp arrows from either side.

65. Thus fighting with them sportively the goddess slew the Asura along with Caṇḍa and Muṇḍa.

66. Though they had an inimical feeling these enemies of the gods attained in the end that world which her followers go to.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

See P. 235 note.

[2]:

According to the Purānic Mythology it is the seventh region ascending from the earth below.