Section VI

Vaisampayana said, "And while Yudhishthira was on his way to the delightful city of Virata, he began to praise mentally the Divine Durga, the Supreme Goddess of the Universe, born on the womb of Yasoda, and fond of the boons bestowed on her by Narayana, sprung from the race of cowherd Nanda, and the giver of prosperity, the enhancer (of the glory) of (the worshipper’s) family, the terrifier of Kansa, and the destroyer of Asuras,—and saluted the Goddess—her who ascended the skies when dashed (by Kansa) on a stony platform, who is the sister of Vasudeva, one who is always decked in celestial garlands and attired in celestial robes,—who is armed with scimitar and shield, and always rescues the worshipper sunk in sin, like a cow in the mire, who in the hours of distress calls upon that eternal giver of blessings for relieving him of their burdens. And the king, desirous with his brothers of obtaining a sight of the Goddess, invoked her and began to praise her by reciting various names derived from (approved) hymns.

And Yudhishthira said,

’salutations to you, O giver of boons. O you that art identical with Krishna, O maiden, O you that hast observed the vow of Brahmacarya, O you of body bright as the newly-risen Sun, O you efface beautiful as the full moon. Salutations to you, O you of four hands and four faces, O you of fair round hips and deep bosom, O you that wearest bangles made of emeralds and sapphires, O you that bearest excellent bracelets on your upper arm. You shinest, O Goddess, as Padma, the consort of Narayana. O you that rangest the etherial regions, your true form and your Brahmacarya are both of the purest kind. Sable as the black clouds, your face is beautiful as that of Sankarshana.

You bearest two large arms long as a couple of poles raised in honour of Indra. In your (six) other arms you bearest a vessel, a lotus, a bell, a noose, a bow, a large discus, and various other weapons. You are the only female in the universe that possesses! the attribute of purity. You are decked with a pair of well-made ears graced with excellent rings. O Goddess, you shinest with a face that challenges the moon in beauty. With an excellent diadem and beautiful braid with robes made of the bodies of snakes, and with also the brilliant girdle round your hips, you shinest like the Mandara mountain encircled with snakes.

You shinest also with peacock-plumes standing erect on your head, and you have sanctified the celestial regions by adopting the vow of perpetual maiden-hood. It is for this, O you that hast slain the Mahishasura,^[1] that you are praised and worshipped by the gods for the protection of the three worlds. O you foremost of all deities, extend to me your grace, show me your mercy, and be you the source of blessings to me.

You are Jaya and Vijaya, and it is you that givest victory in battle. Grant me victory, O Goddess, and give me boons also at this hour of distress. Your eternal abode is on Vindhya—that foremost of mountains. O Kali, O Kali, you are the great Kali, ever fond of wine and meat and animal sacrifice. Capable of going everywhere at will, and bestowing boons on your devotees, you are ever followed in your journeys by Brahma and the other gods. By them that call upon you for the relief of their burdens, and by them also that bow to you at daybreak on Earth, there is nothing that cannot be attained in respect either of offspring or wealth. And because you rescuest people from difficulties whether when they are afflicted in the wilderness or sinking in the great ocean, it is for this that you are called Durga^[2] by all.

You are the sole refuge of men when attacked by robbers or while afflicted in crossing streams and seas or in wilderness and; forests. Those men that remember you are never prostrated, O great Goddess. You are Fame, you are Prosperity, you are Steadiness, you are Success; you are the Wife, you are men’s Offspring, you are Knowledge, and you are the Intellect.

You are the two Twilights, the Night Sleep, Light—both solar and lunar, Beauty, Forgiveness, Mercy, and every other thing. You dispellest, worshipped by the devotees their fetters, ignorance, loss of children and loss of wealth, disease, death, and fear. I, who have been deprived of my kingdom, seek your protection. And as I bow to you with bended head, O Supreme Goddess, grant me protection, O you of eyes like lotus leaves. And be you as boon-giving Truth unto us that are acting according to Truth. And, O Durga, kind as you are unto all that seek your protection, and affectionate unto all your devotees, grant me protection!'"

Vaisampayana continued, "Thus praised by the son of Pandu, the Goddess showed herself unto him. And approaching the king, she addressed him in these words, 'O mighty armed king, listen, O Lord, to these words of mine. Having vanquished and slain the ranks of the Kauravas through my grace, victory in battle will soon be thine. You shalt again lord it over the entire Earth, having made your dominions destitute of thorns. And, O king, you shalt also, with your brothers, obtain great happiness. And through my grace, joy and health will be thine. And they also in the world who will recite my attributes and achievements will be freed from their sins, and gratified. I will bestow upon them kingdom, long life, beauty of person, and offspring. And they, O king, who will invoke me, after your manner, in exile or in the city, in the midst of battle or of dangers from foes, in forests or in inaccessible deserts, in seas or mountain fastnesses, there is nothing that they will not obtain in this world. And you sons of Pandu, he will achieve success in every business of his that will listen to, or himself recite with devotion, this excellent hymn. And through my grace neither the Kuru’s spies, nor those that dwell in the country of the Matsyas, will succeed in recognising you all as long as you reside in Virata’s city!' And having said these words unto Yudhishthira, that chastiser of foes, and having arranged for the protection of the sons of Pandu, the Goddess disappeared there and then."