Chapter 54 - Greatness of Carmamuṇḍā

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Note: The Nala episode follows the Mbh story in general except verses 16-33 which are meant for the glorification of Carmamuṇḍā.

Sūtía said:

1-2. Goddess Carmamuṇḍā is also established in that holy spot. She was formerly installed by the noble-souled Nala himself.

One who devoutly worships her on the day of Mahānavamī (ninth day in the month of Āśvina) obtains desired benefits and attains the eternal state (i.e. Mokṣa).

3. Formerly there was a king named Nala. He was the son of Vīrasena. He was endowed with all good qualities. He brought about the destruction of all enemies.

4. His wife was a chaste lady well-known as Damayantī. She was dearer to him than his own life. She was the daughter of the king of Vidarbha.

5. O Brāhmaṇas, haunted by Kali, the king played the game of dice day and night with Puṣkara, his Dāyāda (kinsman).

6. He indulged in this vice though forbidden by good people. He lost the entire kingdom consisting of seven Aṅgas, (constituent units such as arms) excepting his beloved.

7. Taking her with him he entered a forest devoid of people. He was overwhelmed with shame and utterly distressed with grief.

8-10. Thereupon he thought: ‘If this gentle lady goes to the palace of Bhīma (her father), she can be relieved of painful sufferings due to the stay in the forest.

I have to maintain my prestige. So I should not go there at any cost. So I shall desert her at night and go very far. Abandoned by me, the chaste lady will go to his city Kuṇḍina.’

After deciding thus, he left her during sound sleep and went deep into the terrible forest infested by wild beasts of prey.

11. Early in the morning, the lovely woman got up but found a void in the place where Nala had been before at her side.

12. Distressed with misery, she lamented piteously in the forest. She slowly proceeded ahead along the path and reached the palace of her father.

13. King Nala roamed alone all over the forest always resorting to clusters of trees and bushes.

14. Then he left that forest and went to another great forest full of trees of various kinds and infested with many beasts of prey.

15. Roaming thus from forest to forest, the king ultimately reached the holy spot of Hāṭakeśvara.

16. In the meantime there occurred the advent of that great Navamī day (ninth day) when kings perform special adoration of the goddesss of Suras.

17. The king made a clay icon of Carmamuṇḍadharā. Thereafter improverished that he was, be propitiated the goddess with fruits and roots.

18. The king of Niṣadha endowed with great faith stood before the goddess with palms joined in reverence and eulogized.

Prayer of Carmamuṇḍā;

19. “Be victorious, O omnipresent goddess, O excellent Carmamuṇḍadharā. Be victorious, O splendid daughter of Dakṣa, efficient in the annihilation of the race of demons.

20. Be victorious, O Kālarātri, O incomprehensible one, O goddess fond of Navamī and Aṣṭamī (9th and 8th lunar days). O three-eyed one, O beloved of the Three-eyed One. Be victorious, O goddess adored by Suras.

21. O terrible one, O beautiful one, O great deity of learning of great power, O goddess of huge body and great prosperity. Be victorious, O goddess of great Vratas.

22. O mother of the universe, of permanent form, O goddess fond of liquor and meat and suet! O Mahākāll of hideous form, be victorious, O goddess with Pretas as followers.

23. O beautiful goddess fond of corpse as vehicle. O goddess with serpents for ornaments! O goddess of huge hands armed with the noose, O goddess having flood of blood made as the place of residence.

24. O goddess splendidly shining with shouts and howls! O goddess shining with music of instruments and songs. Be victorious, O goddess without beginning. Be victorious, O goddess worthy of meditation, O goddess resorting to a half of the body of Bharga (Śiva).

25. Undoubtedly you are Rati, you are Dhṛti (fortitude), you are Tuṣṭi (satisfaction) O Gaurī; you are the goddess of Suras. You are Lakṣmī; you are Sāvitrī and Gāyatrī.

26. O goddess, whatever is seen in the three worlds in female form is identical with you. Here I have no doubt at all.

27. On the basis of that truth whereby I believe so you shall be present here quickly. O goddess bowed down to by Suras and Asuras, pleased with my devotion, be present here.”

Sūta said:

28. On being eulogized thus by King Nala, the goddess fond of her devotees appeared before him and said to him:

Śrī Devī said:

29. O my dear one, I am now pleased with this prayer of yours. So receive from me anything you desire as a boon.

Nala said:

30. Damayantī is my wife. She is dearer to me, more than my life. She has been deserted by me in a desolate forest infested by tigers and serpents.

31. O goddess, immediately see to this that I regain her. She is faultless and is never cross at me. She cannot be called unchaste. With your favour, I shall get her again.

32. O goddess, if anyone were to pray to you reciting this hymn and standing before you, you must grant his wish on that day itself.

Sūta said:

33. Saying “So be it” she vanished. The tiger among kings obtained everything mentioned by her.