Chapter 61 - Greatness of Lalitomāviśālākṣī (Lalitomā-viśālākṣī)

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Īśvara said:

1-4. Then a pilgrim should go to the great goddess Kṣetradevī of Viṣṇu, O goddess. She is stationed to the east of Śrīdaityasūdana and within a distance of seven bows (Dhanus) to the north-east of Yogeśvarī.

She has established herself as the medicine (balm) unto those who are burned (by the fire) of great wretchedness.

Iṅ the Cākṣuṣa Manvantara, O goddess, when the excessively powerful Daityas proceeded towards the southern quarter on being slain by Viṣṇu, they fought for more than a hundred years in a great battle there with Viṣṇu. O goddess of Devas, they fought with wonderful missiles of various kinds.

5. Knowing that they could not be killed easily, the lotus-eyed Viṣṇu remembered Bhairavī Śakti, the Mahāmāyā of great lustre.

6. On being remembered by Viṣṇu, the all-powerful one, the great goddess came there within a moment with her eyes shining with great delight.

7. At the sight of Viṣṇu, the eyes became large and wide (Viśāla). Hence the goddess stationed there who is the destroyer of Daityas, became (known as) Viśālākṣī.

8. In this Kalpa, O lady of excellent countenance, she is called Lalitomā. Thus there are two Umās mentioned, one in Someśa and the other in Daityasūdana (Viṣṇu).

9. The pilgrim should view (Umā) at the outset in Someśvara and then in Daityasūdana thereafter. By worshipping the two Umās, one will derive the full benefit of the pilgrimage.

10. If a devotee duly worships her on the third lunar day in the month of Māgha, he shall never be devoid of progeny. His line will extend to ten millions.

11. He who is endowed with great devotion and visits her everyday, shall be always blessed with health, happiness and conjugal felicity for a long time.

12. Thus the greatness of Lalitā has been succinctly spoken. If listened to, it becomes conducive to the destruction of sins and increase of piety.