Devi Mahatmyam

Sri Devi Mahatmyam
Madhyama Charitham
(Middle part)
Chapter 3: Killing of Mahishasura.

36.  Devyuvacha:-

       Garja Garja kshanam mooda madhu yavath pibamyaham,

       Maya twayi hathe athraiva garjishyanthyasu devatha.

 The Goddess told:-

       Hey Idiot, You keep on roaring again and again for little more time till I drink this wine. When I kill you quickly these gods will roar with happiness.

37.  Rishir Uvacha:-

       Eva mukthwa samuth pathya saa rooda thaam mahasuram,

       Paadenakramya kante cha soole maina mathadayath.

 The sage told:-

       After telling thus that Goddess climbed on the Asura and by oppressing him by her feet drove the spear in to him.

38.  Thatha soapi padakraantha sthaya nija mukha thatha,

       Ardha nishkantha evathi devya veeryena samvyatha.

 Afterwards he being pressed by the feet of the Goddess tried to lift half of his body and face but was kept immobile by her.

39.  Ardha nishkantha eva sou yudhya mano mahasura,

       Thaya mahasina devya siraschithwa nipathitha.

That great Asura though he fought with half his body, was felled down by the goddess by cutting his head by the big sword.

40.  Thatho haha krutham sarvam dhaithya sainye nanasa thath,

       Praharsham cha param jagmu sakala devatha gana.

 Afterwards that great Asura army ran away shouting,”Ha”, “Ha” and all the Gods attained great happiness.

41.  Thushtuvasthaam sura deveem saha divyair maharshibhi,

       Jagur gandarwa pathayo nanyuthuschapsa saro gana.

The gods along with sages in the heaven prayed that Goddess, the chiefs of gandarwas (celestial singers) sang about her and crowds of Apsaras (Deva dancers) danced.

Ithi Markandeya purane savarnike manwanthare,

       Devi Mahatmye,

       Mahishasura vadho nama,

       Trithiyo adhyaya,

This is the third chapter in Devi Mahatmya dealing with the killing of Mahishasura Occurring in the Savarnika period of Markandeya Purana.

(to be contd…..)

Devi Mahatmyam

Sri Devi Mahatmyam
Madhyama Charitham
(Middle part)
Chapter 3: Killing of Mahishasura.

31.  Karena cha maha simham tham chakarsha jagarja cha,

       Karshathasthu karam devi gadgena nirakrunthatha.

He (with form of an elephant) with his huge trunk pulled that great lion and trumpeted. But the Goddess cut off his pulling trunk using the sword.

32.  Thatho mahasuro bhooyo maahisham vapurasthitha,

       Thadiva Kshobhayamasa trilokyam sa characharam.

 Afterwards that Great Asura again took the form of Buffalo and shook the entire world with all its beings.

33.  Thatha Krudha Jaganmatha chandika panamuthamam,

       Papow puna punaschaiwa jahasa aruna lochana.

 Afterwards that Goddess Chandika who was the mother of the entire world, with great anger and with blood shot eyes, drank high quality wine and again and again laughed.

34.  Nanardha chaasura sopi bala veerya madhodadhada,

       Varshanabhyam cha chiksepa chandikaam prathi bhoodaraan.

 That Asura who was ferociously agile due to his great strength shouted at her and threw mountains at her with his horns.

35.  Saa cha thaan prahithaamsthena choornayanthi saroth karai,

       Uvacha tham Madhoduddha muga raga kulaksharam.

That Goddess made in to powder, mountains thrown at her and with reddish face and with unclear words told him.

(Reddish face and unclear words were as a result of wine. )

(to be contd…..)

Devi Mahatmyam

Sri Devi Mahatmyam
Madhyama Charitham
(Middle part)
Chapter 3: Killing of Mahishasura.

 26. Duthasrunga vibhinnascha Gandam Gandam yuyurghana,

       Swasa anilastha sathaso nipethurnnabhaso achala.

 The clouds, which were moved by his horns, broke in to pieces and the mountains, which were blown by his breath, fell into innumerable pieces.

27.  Ithi krodha samadhmaatha maapadantham Mahasura,

       Drushtwa saa chandika kopam thadwadhaya thadakaroth.

 Seeing the Mahishasura who was burning with anger and running towards her, that Chandika became angry and decided to kill him.

28.  Saa kshipthwa thasya vai paasam tham babandha mahasuram,

       Thathyaja mahishamroopam so api bhadho mahamrudhe.

 In that Great War That Goddess threw the famous Pasa (literally rope) and tied that great Asura. Though he was tied he gave up the form of the buffalo

29.  Thatha Simho abhavadsadhyo yavathambhika sira,

       Chinnathi thavaht purusha Gadgapaniradhursyadha.

 Afterwards that Asura swiftly became lion and when she was cutting his head, then he was seen as a male who was holding a sword.

30.  Thatha evasu purusham devi chichedha sayakai,

       Tham gadga charmana saardham thatha so aboon maha gaja.

 Afterwards the Goddess cut the head of the man with a sword and shield by using swift arrows. Then from that man he became a very big elephant.

(to be contd…..)

Devi Mahatmyam

Sri Devi Mahatmyam
Madhyama Charitham
(Middle part)
Chapter 3: Killing of Mahishasura.

21.  Kaschit thunda praharena Khurakshepai sthadhaparaan,

       Langula thadithamschanyan srungabhyam cha vidharithaan

22.  Vegena kamschid aparan nadena bramanena cha,

       Niswasa pavanonyan pathayamasa bhoothale.

 Mahishasura hit some with his face, some others he stamped with his hoof, some others he beat with his tail, some by tearing with his horns, some he fell on the ground because of his speed, some by sound, some by his movement and some by his breath.

23.  Nipaathya pramadhaneeka mabhyadhavatha soasura,

       Simham hanthum maha devya kopam chakre thathombika.

 After felling her army he ran towards the lion to kill it and this made the Goddess angry.

24.  So api kopaan maha veerya Ghurakshanna mahee thala,

       Srungabhyaam Parvathan uchamscchikshepa cha nanadha cha.

 He who is very strong became very angry and by tearing the earth by his front hoof threw the mountains by his two horns and shrieked.

25.  Vega bramana vikshunna mahii thasya vyaseeryatha,

       Langulenahthaschabdhi plavayamasa sarvatha.

Due to his fast rotation the earth was broken and the ocean which was beaten by his tail rose up and drowned every one.

(to be contd…..)

Devi Mahatmyam

Sri Devi Mahatmyam
Madhyama Charitham
(Middle part)
Chapter 3: Killing of Mahishasura.

16.  Udagrascha rane devya Shila vrakshadhibhir hatha,

       Danda mushti thalaischaiva karalascha nipathitha.

In the war Udagra was also killed by stones and trees and Karala was killed by teeth, fist and palm.

(Some people interpret instead of “teeth, fist and Palm”, sword whose handle was made of ivory. )

17.  Devi krudha gadha pathai choornayamasa chodhatham,

       Bashkalam bindhipalena banaisthamram thadandhakam.

18.  Ugrasya mugra veeryam cha thadiva cha Maha hanum,

       Trinethra cha trishoolena jagana Parameshwari.

The Goddess with great anger powdered Udhatha with hits from her mace. The three eyed goddess of every one, killed Bashkala with her scythe. With her arrows Thamra and Andhaka, with her trident Ugrasya, Ugraveera and Maha Hanu.

19.  Bidlasyaasina kayath pathayamasa vai sira,

       Durdharam durmugam chobhou sarair ninye yama kshayam.

With sword she separated the head of Bidala from his body and famously made it fall and with arrows she sent Durdhara and Durmukha to the place of God of death.

20.  Evam Samksheeyamano thu swasainye Mahishasura,

       Mahishena swaroopena trasayamasa thaan ganan.

When his army was thus being vanquished Mahishasura took the shape of a buffalo and scared the army of the Goddess.

(to be contd…..)

Pictures from Sri Thirumeni Guruji's Puja's

Devi Mahatmyam

Sri Devi Mahatmyam
Madhyama Charitham
(Middle part)
Chapter 3: Killing of Mahishasura.

11.  Sopi shakthim mumochadha devyasthamambika drutham,

       Hungararibi hatham bhoomou pathayamasa nishprabham.

 Afterwards he too threw a spear at the Goddess. The Goddess after swiftly destroying it, made it loose the glitter and made it fall on to the earth.

12.  Bhagnam shakthim nipathitham drusthwa krodha samanvitha,

       Chikshepa chamara soolam ambanai sthadabhi saachinnath.

 Chamara seeing that his spear was destroyed, threw the trident and the Goddess cut it off with her arrows.

13.  Thatha simha samuthpathya gaja kumbhandhara sthidha,

       Bahu yuddhena yuyudhe thenochai thridasaarina.

 Afterwards that lion jumped up to a great height and standing on the forehead of the elephant fought with the Asura using its hands.

14.  Yudhyamanou thathasthou thu tasmanaganmaheem gathou,

       Yuyudhathe athi samrabdhou praharairathi darunai.

 Afterwards they (Lion and Chamara) who were fighting jumped to the earth from the elephant and with great anger continued the horrific fighting with slaps. (Note that in most of the places where wresting is done, the Goddess does not take part. )

15.  Thado vegath gamuthpathya nipathya cha mriagarina,,

       Karapraharena siraschamarasya pradhakrutham.

 Then they both jumped on to the sky and again fell down. Then by a hit of the hand, the lion separated the head of Chamara from his trunk.

(to be contd…..)

Devi Mahatmyam

Sri Devi Mahatmyam
Madhyama Charitham
(Middle part)
Chapter 3: Killing of Mahishasura.

6.    Simhamahathya gadgena, theeshna dharena moordhani,

       Jajwalyamanam thejobhi ravi bhimbha mivambharan.

That Asura called Chikshura who was a commander wounded the lion on his head by the sword and hit the Goddess on her left hand.

7.    Thasya Gadgo bhujam prapya paphala nrupa nandana,

       thatho jagraha soolam sa kopadh aruna lochana.

Hey king, that sword reaching the arm of the Goddess broke in to pieces and he with red eyes due to extreme anger took the spear.

8.    Chiksepa cha thathasthathu Bhadrakalyaam mahasura,

       Jajwalyamanam thejobhi ravi bimbha mivambarath.

 Afterwards that great Asura reached the sky and like the shining sun of the sky threw that shining spear at the good giving Goddess.

9.    Drushtwa thadapathascsulam devi soolamamunchadha,

       Thena thaccha thadha neetham soolam sa cha mahasura.

 Seeing the spear thrown by the Asura coming towards her, she sent her spear and split in to hundred that spear as well as that great Asura.

10.  Hathe thasmin maha veerye, mahishasya chamoopathou,

       Aajagama gajarudaan Chamara tridasardhana

 Seeing that, that very strong commander in chief of Mahishasura was killed by her. One Asura called Chamara came riding on an elephant.

 (to be contd…..)

Devi Mahatmyam

Sri Devi Mahatmyam
Madhyama Charitham
(Middle part)
Chapter 3: Killing of Mahishasura.

1.    Rishir Uvacha:-

       Nihanyamanam that sainyamavalokya mahasura,

       senani chikshura kopadhyaou yodhumambikaam.

 The sage said:-

Afterwards seeing that the entire army of Mahishasura was destroyed, A commander of their army known as Chikshura started for war against the goddess.

2.    Saa deveem sara varshena va varsha samare asura,

       Yadha meru gire srungam thoya varshena thoyadha.

 In that war, that Chikshura rained arrows at her similar to the torrential rain of water covering the peaks of Meru Mountain

3.    Thasya Chithwa thatho devi leelayeva saroth karaan,

       Jagana thuragan banairyanthaaram chaiva vajinaam.

Afterwards the goddess as if she was playing, cutoff his crowd of arrows and killed his horses and horseman.

4.    Chichedha cha dhanu sadhyo dwajam chaadhi samuchridham,

       Vivyadha chaiva gathreshu chinna dhanwa namausugai.

 Then the Goddess cut of his bow and flag post of his chariot and hit him in all his organs by arrows.

5.    Sa Chinadhanwa, viradho, hathaswo hatha saradhi,

       Abhyadavadha thaam devim gadga charmadharo asura.

That Asura whose bow was cut, whose chariot was broken, whose horse was killed and whose chariot driver was killed ran towards her with a sword and a shield.

(to be contd…..)

Devi Mahatmyam

Sri Devi Mahatmyam
Madhyama Charitham
(Middle part)
Chapter 2: Killing of the armies of Mahishasura.

66.  Kshanena than maha sainyamasuranam thadhambhika,

       Ninye kshayam yadha vahnis tharna dharu maha chayam.

That goddess destroyed the huge Asura army as quickly as a huge fire destroys heaps of straw.

67.  Sa cha simho maha nada musrujan dutha kesara.

       Sarerebhyo amarareenamasuniva vichinwathi.

That lion with its flowing manes and with a great roar, appeared as if it was interested in taking away souls from the Asura bodies

68.  Devya Ganaischa thaisthathra krutham yudham thadhasurai,

       Yadhishaam thustuvur deva pushpa vrushti mucho dhivi.

While the devas who were singing her praise and causing rain of flowers, there was war between asuras and the army of the goddess.

.

Ithi Markandeya purane savarnike manwanthare,

       Devi Mahatmye,

       Mahishasura sainya vadho nama,

       Dwithiyo adhyaya,

This is the second chapter in Devi Mahatmya dealing with the killing of the army of Mahishasura Occurring in the Savarnika period of Markandeya Purana

(to be contd…..)

Devi Mahatmyam

Sri Devi Mahatmyam
Madhyama Charitham
(Middle part)
Chapter 2: Killing of the armies of Mahishasura.

61.  Eka bhawakshi charana kechidivya dwidhakrutha,

       Chinnepi chaanye shirasi pathitha punuruthidha.

62.  Kabandhaa yuyudhur devya grahidha paramayudha.

 Some of them were cut in to two pieces with each piece having one eye, one ear and one leg. Some others even though they were beheaded again and again got up and fought with the goddess as headless body with several great weapons.

(It was believed that once thousand heroes are beheaded in war one trunk without head gets up to fight. In this war it is believed ten million times ten million trunks got up)

63.  Kabandha Chinna shirasa Gadga shakthyushti panaya,

       Thishta thishtehi bhashantho devimanye mahasura.

 Some other asuras danced to the balanced tune of orchestra. While some trunks fought with the two sided sharpened sword, some other asuras fought with her shouting to her, “Stop, stop.”

64.  Pathithairadha naga aswai asuraischa vasundhara,

       Agamya sabhavat thathra yathradbutha maha rana.

 That arena of war where the war took place became mpossible to cross due to fallen chariots, elephants, horses and other fallen asuras.

65.  Sonithougha maha nadhya sadya sththra visusruvu,

       madhye chasura sainyasya varanasura vajinaam.

 There in the midst of the Asura army, great rivers of blood in which elephants, horses and asuras were floating were seen.

(to be contd…..)

Devi Mahatmyam

Sri Devi Mahatmyam
Madhyama Charitham
(Middle part)
Chapter 2: Killing of the armies of Mahishasura.

56.  Pathayamasa chaivanyan gandaswana vimohithan,

       Asuran bhuvi pasena bhadwa chanynakarshayath.

 Some were made to swoon by production of huge clanging sound and some other asuras were tied by rope and dragged on the floor by the goddess.

57.  Vipodhitha nipathena gadhya bhuvi serathe,

       Vemascha kechid rudhiram bhoomou musalena brusam hatha.

58.  Kechith nipathitha bhoomou bhina soolena vakshasi.

Some great asuras were cut in to two by the severe strokes of the sword. Some others were beaten severely by the mace and fell on the floor. Some others vomited blood because of the beatings by the pestle. Others fell on the floor because the spears were driven on their chest.

59.  Nirakrutha sarou gana krutha kechid rana jire,

       Senanu karina pranaan mumuchu tridasardhana.

 Some very valorous asuras gave up their life in the war by becoming hurt by crowds of arrows.

60.  Siramsi pethur anyeshaamanye madhye vidharitha

       Vichinna jangaasthwapare pethururvyam mahasura

 In case of some, the hands were cut, similarly in case of some necks were cut, in case of some heads fell on the ground, in case of some they were cut in the middle and in case of some they fell on the earth having their legs broken.

(to be contd…..)

Devi Mahatmyam

Sri Devi Mahatmyam
Madhyama Charitham
(Middle part)
Chapter 2: Killing of the armies of Mahishasura.

51.  So api krudho, druhasato devya vahana kesari,

       Chachara sura sainyeshu vaneshwiva huthasana.

 The famous steed lion of the goddess also became angry and with flowing manes traveled in the army of asuras like fire.

52.  Niswasaaan mumuche yamscha yudhyamana rane ambhika,

       They eva sadhya sambhootha ganaa satha sahasrasa.

 Every deep breath of that Goddess Ambika took while fighting in the war with asuras, themselves became into of millions of Chandikas immediately.

53.  Yuyudhusthe parsubhir bhindhi palasi pattisai,

       Nasayantho asuraganan devi shakthyupa bramhitha.

 Those soldiers (Chandikas) enthused by the great valour of the goddess-waged war against the asuras with weapons like axes, swords, Bindhipala and Pattisa etc (last two weapons were weapons of that time.)

54.  Aavadhayantha patahan gana sankhasthadhapare,

       Mrudangascha thadaivanyai tasmin yudha mahotsave.

 Those soldiers celebrated that festival of war by playing on huge drums or blowing conches or playing on Mrudangam (a type of drum)

55.  Thatho devi trishulena gadhaya shakthi vrushtibhi

       Gadgadhibischa sathaso nijagana mahasuran.

 Afterwards that goddess killed innumerable asuras by trident,, mace sword and shower of spears.

(to be contd…..)

Devi Mahatmyam

Sri Devi Mahatmyam
Madhyama Charitham
(Middle part)
Chapter 2: Killing of the armies of Mahishasura.

46.  Koti koti sahasraisthu rathaanaam dandhinaam thadha,

       Hayanaam cha vyatho yudhe thathra bhoon mahishasura.

 Similarly Mahishasura also was ready to fight in that battle surrounded by thousand million times thousand million sets of chariots, elephants and horses.

47.  Thomarair bindhi palaischa shakthibhir musalisthadha,

       Yuyudhu samyuge, devya gadagai parasu pattisai.

 Those Rakshasas fought the war with javelins, (not clear), elephant controlling spears, spears, pestles, axes and broad swords.

48.  Kecicha chikshupu sakthi kechith pasa sthada pare,

       Devim gadga praharaisthu they thaam hanthum prachakramu.

 Some of them threw spears and some rope at her. And other great asuras tried to cut that goddess by swords and kill her.

49.  Sapi devi thathasthani sasthrayastharni chandika,

       Leelayaiva prachicheda nija sasthranyasthani varshani.

 Afterwards that Goddess Chandika by sending her weapons and arrows cut off the weapons and arrows send by them as if she was playing.

50.  Anayasthanana Devi sthyumana surarshibhi,

       Mumocha sura deheshu Sasthrani asthrani cheswari.

 Without sign of any tiredness in her face that Goddess who was being praised by devas and sages also sent weapons and arrows towards the bodies of those asuras.

(to be contd…..)

Devi Mahatmyam

Sri Devi Mahatmyam
Madhyama Charitham
(Middle part)
Chapter 2: Killing of the armies of Mahishasura.

41.  Ayudhyathayuthaanam cha sahasrena maha hanu,

       Pancha shadbhischa niyuthair asiloma mahasura.

 While Maha Hanu fought with one hundred million chariots, the great Asura called Asiloma fought with five hundred million chariots.

42.  Ayuthanaam sathair Shadbhir bhashkalo yuyudhe rane,

       Gaja vaji sahasrou ghair anekair parivaritha.

43.  Vyatho radhaanam kotya cha yudhe tasminayudhyatha.

 The Asura called Bhashkala fought with six million chariots and the Asura called Parivaritha fought surrounded by innumerable and uncountable groups of elephants and horses and one hundred million chariots.

44.  Bidalakhyo ayuthanaam cha pancha sadbhi radayuthai,

       Yuyudhe samyughe thathra radhaanam parivaritha.

 Afterwards Bidaala (cat eyed Asura) took part in that war with five hundred million chariots.

45.  Anye cga thathr yuthaso ratha naagahayair vrutha,

       Yuyudhu samyughe devya saha thathra mahasura.

 All other asuras who were not mentioned above fought with the goddess surrounded by ten thousand sets of chariots, elephants and horses.

(to be contd…..)

Devi Mahatmyam

Sri Devi Mahatmyam
Madhyama Charitham
(Middle part)
Chapter 2: Killing of the armies of Mahishasura.

36.  Aa kimethadhithi krodhadhabhyashya mahishasura,

       Abhyadavatha tham sabdham aseshair asurairvrutha.

 Mahishasura with anger said, “What is this?” and surrounded by all asuras ran towards the origin of the sound.

(This shows the baser quality of the Asura, who did not first send an emissary to enquire about the source of the sound and started for a war himself.)

37.  Sa dadarsa thatho devim vyaptha lokathrayam twisha,

       Padakrathya natha bhuvam kiritolikithambharam.

38.  Kshobhithasesha patalam dhanurjyani swanena tham,

       Dhiso bhuja sahasrena samanthad vyapya samsthidham.

 Afterwards he saw her spread all over the three worlds by her lustrous power, pushing down the earth by her feet, touching the skies with her crown, shaking the world including patala by the twang of her bow and occupying all the sides with her thousand arms.

39.  Thatha prava vruthe yudham thaya devya suradwishaam,

       Sashthrasthrair bahudha mukthiaraa depitha digandharam.

 Then those Asuras had a Great War with the Devi (goddess) in which the differently sent weapons and arrows lighted all the different directions.

40.  Mahishasura senani Chikshurakhyo mahasura,

       Yuyudhe chamarschanyair schathuranga balanvidha,

       Radhaana, mayuthair shadbhir udhagraghyo mahasura.

She fought with Chikshura the great Asura who was the commander-in-chief of Mahishasura’s army, Chamara who fought along with the four types of army (Infantry, Cavalry, and chariot riders and elephant riders) and with Udagra, the great asura with sixty thousand chariots.

(to be contd…..)

Devi Mahatmyam

Sri Devi Mahatmyam
Madhyama Charitham
(Middle part)
Chapter 2: Killing of the armies of Mahishasura.

31.  Sammanitha nanadhochaisa attahasam muhur muhu,

       Thasya nadena gorena kruthsnama pooritham nabha.

 Thus presented by many other ornaments and weapons by other devas, she again and again shouted with powerful laugh and the entire sky was filled her sound.

32.  Amayathathi mahatha prathi sabhdho mahanabhooth,

       Chukshubhu sakala loka samudhrascha chakambhire.

 That great sound produced great echo and the entire earth and ocean shook because of that.

33.  Chachala vasudha chelu, sakalascha mahidhara,

       Jayethi devascha mudha thamoochu simha vahine.

 The earth shook, all the mountains trembled and all the gods wished victory to that goddess who was riding on a lion.

34.  Thushtuvur munayaschainaam bhakthi namrathma moorthaya,

       Drushtwa samastham samkshubdham trilokya amararaya.

35.  Sanadhakhila sainyasthe samuthasthadhurudhayudha.

Sages praised with humility born of devotion and the enemies of devas (Mahisha and others) seeing the entire world is tumultuous rose up along with the ever-ready armies and with weapons held aloft.

(to be contd…..)

Devi Mahatmyam

Sri Devi Mahatmyam
Madhyama Charitham
(Middle part)
Chapter 2: Killing of the armies of Mahishasura.

28.  Adhadha Jaladhi thasyai pankajamchadi shobhanam,

       Himavan vahanam simham, rathnani vividhani cha.

The God of sea gave her garlands made of never fading flowers to wear over her head and neck and a very pretty lotus flower and the Himalaya mountain gave her a lion to ride and several type of gems.

29.  Dadha vassoonyam suraya panapathram dhanadhipa,

       Seshascha sarva nageso maha mani vibhooshitham.

30.  Naga haram dadhou thasyai dathe ya prithwimimaam

 Kubhera, the god of wealth gave her a goblet full of wine that Anantha who was the king of snakes and who bears the earth gave her a snake garland decorated by precious jewels.

(One interpreter says Goblet filled with nectar, though majority interpret it as goblet full of wine. The above stanzas indicate that the Goddess had 18 hands and was the basic power behind all the Gods. )

(to be contd…..)