मधुकैटभवध
Madhu-Kaiṭabha Vadha
The Slaying of Madhu and Kaitabha · 90 verses
▶ Listen to recitationChapter Summary
The opening chapter, from the Prathama Charita (whose presiding deity is Mahakali), sets the frame of the Devi Mahatmyam. King Suratha, robbed of his realm by treacherous ministers, and the merchant Samadhi, cast out by his greedy family, both discover that — though wronged — their hearts still cling in attachment to those who betrayed them. They approach the sage Medhas, who explains that this delusion is the work of Mahamaya, the great Goddess who deludes even the wise, yet when gracious grants liberation. To reveal her power he tells the tale of Madhu and Kaitabha: two demons born of Vishnu's ear-wax who menace Brahma while Vishnu sleeps the yogic sleep on the cosmic ocean. Brahma praises the Goddess as Yoganidra; she withdraws from Vishnu, who awakens and slays the two asuras. Thus the Goddess is revealed as the supreme power behind creation, preservation and dissolution.
✦ Dhyāna — Opening Meditation
ॐ खड्गं चक्रगदेषुचापपरिघाञ्छूलं भुशुण्डीं शिरः शङ्खं सन्दधतीं करैस्त्रिनयनां सर्वाङ्गभूषावृताम् । नीलाश्मद्युतिमास्यपाददशकां सेवे महाकालिकां यामस्तौत्स्वपिते हरौ कमलजो हन्तुं मधुं कैटभम् ॥
oṃ khaḍgaṃ cakragadeṣucāpaparighāñchūlaṃ bhuśuṇḍīṃ śiraḥ śaṅkhaṃ sandadhatīṃ karaistrinayanāṃ sarvāṅgabhūṣāvṛtām nīlāśmadyutimāsyapādadaśakāṃ seve mahākālikāṃ yāmastautsvapite harau kamalajo hantuṃ madhuṃ kaiṭabham
I worship Mahakali, holding in her ten hands the sword, discus, mace, arrows and bow, the iron mace, trident, sling, a (demon's) head and the conch; three-eyed, adorned with ornaments on every limb, lustrous as a sapphire, with ten faces and ten feet — her whom the lotus-born Brahma extolled, to slay Madhu and Kaitabha, while Hari (Vishnu) lay asleep.
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ॐ ऐं मार्कण्डेय उवाच सावर्णिः सूर्यतनयो यो मनुः कथ्यतेऽष्टमः । निशामय तदुत्पत्तिं विस्तराद्गदतो मम ॥
oṃ aiṃ mārkaṇḍeya uvāca sāvarṇiḥ sūryatanayo yo manuḥ kathyate'ṣṭamaḥ niśāmaya tadutpattiṃ vistarādgadato mama
MeaningMarkandeya said: Savarni, son of Surya, is called the eighth Manu. Hear from me in detail the story of his birth —
महामायानुभावेन यथा मन्वन्तराधिपः । स बभूव महाभागः सावर्णिस्तनयो रवेः ॥
mahāmāyānubhāvena yathā manvantarādhipaḥ sa babhūva mahābhāgaḥ sāvarṇistanayo raveḥ
Meaninghow, by the power of Mahamaya, that blessed Savarni, son of the Sun, became the lord of a Manvantara.
स्वारोचिषेऽन्तरे पूर्वं चैत्रवंशसमुद्भवः । सुरथो नाम राजाभूत्समस्ते क्षितिमण्डले ॥
svārociṣe'ntare pūrvaṃ caitravaṃśasamudbhavaḥ suratho nāma rājābhūtsamaste kṣitimaṇḍale
MeaningIn former times, in the Svarocisha Manvantara, there was a king named Suratha, born of the Chaitra dynasty, ruling over the whole earth.
तस्य पालयतः सम्यक् प्रजाः पुत्रानिवौरसान् । बभूवुः शत्रवो भूपाः कोलाविध्वंसिनस्तदा ॥
tasya pālayataḥ samyak prajāḥ putrānivaurasān babhūvuḥ śatravo bhūpāḥ kolāvidhvaṃsinastadā
MeaningWhile he was duly protecting his subjects like his own begotten children, there arose as his foes the kings called Kolavidhvamsins (destroyers of the Kolas).
तस्य तैरभवद्युद्धमतिप्रबलदण्डिनः । न्यूनैरपि स तैर्युद्धे कोलाविध्वंसिभिर्जितः ॥
tasya tairabhavadyuddhamatiprabaladaṇḍinaḥ nyūnairapi sa tairyuddhe kolāvidhvaṃsibhirjitaḥ
MeaningThat king of mighty force had a battle with them; though they were fewer in number, he was defeated in the fight by those Kolavidhvamsins.
ततः स्वपुरमायातो निजदेशाधिपोऽभवत् । आक्रान्तः स महाभागस्तैस्तदा प्रबलारिभिः ॥
tataḥ svapuramāyāto nijadeśādhipo'bhavat ākrāntaḥ sa mahābhāgastaistadā prabalāribhiḥ
MeaningThen he returned to his own city and ruled over his own land; but there too that illustrious king was attacked by those powerful enemies.
अमात्यैर्बलिभिर्दुष्टैर्दुर्बलस्य दुरात्मभिः । कोशो बलं चापहृतं तत्रापि स्वपुरे ततः ॥
amātyairbalibhirduṣṭairdurbalasya durātmabhiḥ kośo balaṃ cāpahṛtaṃ tatrāpi svapure tataḥ
MeaningEven in his own city the now-weakened king had his treasury and army seized by his own powerful, wicked and evil-minded ministers.
ततो मृगयाव्याजेन हृतस्वाम्यः स भूपतिः । एकाकी हयमारुह्य जगाम गहनं वनम् ॥
tato mṛgayāvyājena hṛtasvāmyaḥ sa bhūpatiḥ ekākī hayamāruhya jagāma gahanaṃ vanam
MeaningThereupon, on the pretext of hunting, the king — robbed of his sovereignty — mounted his horse and went away alone into a dense forest.
स तत्राश्रममद्राक्षीद्द्विजवर्यस्य मेधसः । प्रशान्तश्वापदाकीर्णं मुनिशिष्योपशोभितम् ॥
sa tatrāśramamadrākṣīddvijavaryasya medhasaḥ praśāntaśvāpadākīrṇaṃ muniśiṣyopaśobhitam
MeaningThere he beheld the hermitage of Medhas, the best of the twice-born — peaceful, filled with tame wild beasts, and graced by the sage's disciples.
तस्थौ कञ्चित्स कालं च मुनिना तेन सत्कृतः । इतश्चेतश्च विचरंस्तस्मिन् मुनिवराश्रमे ॥
tasthau kañcitsa kālaṃ ca muninā tena satkṛtaḥ itaścetaśca vicaraṃstasmin munivarāśrame
MeaningHonoured by that sage, he stayed there for some time, wandering here and there within that great sage's hermitage.
सोऽचिन्तयत्तदा तत्र ममत्वाकृष्टमानसः । मत्पूर्वैः पालितं पूर्वं मया हीनं पुरं हि तत् ॥
so'cintayattadā tatra mamatvākṛṣṭamānasaḥ matpūrvaiḥ pālitaṃ pūrvaṃ mayā hīnaṃ puraṃ hi tat
MeaningThen, his mind drawn by attachment, he thought: 'That city, formerly guarded by my ancestors and now lost by me —
मद्भृत्यैस्तैरसद्वृत्तैर्धर्मतः पाल्यते न वा । न जाने स प्रधानो मे शूरो हस्ती सदामदः ॥
madbhṛtyaistairasadvṛttairdharmataḥ pālyate na vā na jāne sa pradhāno me śūro hastī sadāmadaḥ
Meaningis it being governed righteously or not by those unworthy servants of mine? I do not know how fares my chief elephant, the valiant one, ever in rut,
मम वैरिवशं यातः कान् भोगानुपलप्स्यते । ये ममानुगता नित्यं प्रसादधनभोजनैः ॥
mama vairivaśaṃ yātaḥ kān bhogānupalapsyate ye mamānugatā nityaṃ prasādadhanabhojanaiḥ
Meaningwho has now fallen into my enemies' power — what comforts will he obtain? Those who always followed me, sharing my favour, wealth and food —
अनुवृत्तिं ध्रुवं तेऽद्य कुर्वन्त्यन्यमहीभृताम् । असम्यग्व्ययशीलैस्तैः कुर्वद्भिः सततं व्ययम् ॥
anuvṛttiṃ dhruvaṃ te'dya kurvantyanyamahībhṛtām asamyagvyayaśīlaistaiḥ kurvadbhiḥ satataṃ vyayam
Meaningthey surely now render service to other kings. By those servants of wasteful habits, ever making reckless expenditure,
सञ्चितः सोऽतिदुःखेन क्षयं कोशो गमिष्यति । एतच्चान्यच्च सततं चिन्तयामास पार्थिवः ॥
sañcitaḥ so'tiduḥkhena kṣayaṃ kośo gamiṣyati etaccānyacca satataṃ cintayāmāsa pārthivaḥ
Meaningthe treasury gathered with such great hardship will be ruined.' Thus and on other matters the king brooded constantly.
तत्र विप्राश्रमाभ्याशे वैश्यमेकं ददर्श सः । स पृष्टस्तेन कस्त्वं भो हेतुश्चागमनेऽत्र कः ॥
tatra viprāśramābhyāśe vaiśyamekaṃ dadarśa saḥ sa pṛṣṭastena kastvaṃ bho hetuścāgamane'tra kaḥ
MeaningThere, near the sage's hermitage, he saw a merchant, and asked him: 'Who are you, sir? And what is the reason for your coming here?
सशोक इव कस्मात्त्वं दुर्मना इव लक्ष्यसे । इत्याकर्ण्य वचस्तस्य भूपतेः प्रणयोदितम् ॥
saśoka iva kasmāttvaṃ durmanā iva lakṣyase ityākarṇya vacastasya bhūpateḥ praṇayoditam
MeaningWhy do you appear as if grief-stricken, as if dejected in mind?' Hearing these affectionate words of the king,
प्रत्युवाच स तं वैश्यः प्रश्रयावनतो नृपम् ॥
pratyuvāca sa taṃ vaiśyaḥ praśrayāvanato nṛpam
Meaningthe merchant, bowing low with humility, replied to the king:
वैश्य उवाच समाधिर्नाम वैश्योऽहमुत्पन्नो धनिनां कुले ॥
vaiśya uvāca samādhirnāma vaiśyo'hamutpanno dhanināṃ kule
MeaningThe merchant said: I am a vaishya named Samadhi, born into a family of wealthy people.
पुत्रदारैर्निरस्तश्च धनलोभादसाधुभिः । विहीनश्च धनैर्दारैः पुत्रैरादाय मे धनम् ॥
putradārairnirastaśca dhanalobhādasādhubhiḥ vihīnaśca dhanairdāraiḥ putrairādāya me dhanam
MeaningI have been cast out by my wicked wife and sons out of greed for wealth — deprived of riches, wife and sons, my own kin having taken away my wealth.
वनमभ्यागतो दुःखी निरस्तश्चाप्तबन्धुभिः । सोऽहं न वेद्मि पुत्राणां कुशलाकुशलात्मिकाम् ॥
vanamabhyāgato duḥkhī nirastaścāptabandhubhiḥ so'haṃ na vedmi putrāṇāṃ kuśalākuśalātmikām
MeaningDriven to the forest in grief, abandoned by my trusted kinsmen, and dwelling here, I do not know whether things go well or ill with my sons.
प्रवृत्तिं स्वजनानां च दाराणां चात्र संस्थितः । किं नु तेषां गृहे क्षेममक्षेमं किं नु साम्प्रतम् ॥
pravṛttiṃ svajanānāṃ ca dārāṇāṃ cātra saṃsthitaḥ kiṃ nu teṣāṃ gṛhe kṣemamakṣemaṃ kiṃ nu sāmpratam
MeaningDwelling here, I have no news of my kinsmen and wife. Is it well or ill with them at home at present?
कथं ते किं नु सद्वृत्ता दुर्वृत्ताः किं नु मे सुताः ॥
kathaṃ te kiṃ nu sadvṛttā durvṛttāḥ kiṃ nu me sutāḥ
MeaningHow are they? Are my sons living rightly, or have they turned to evil ways?
राजोवाच यैर्निरस्तो भवाँल्लुब्धैः पुत्रदारादिभिर्धनैः ॥
rājovāca yairnirasto bhavā~llubdhaiḥ putradārādibhirdhanaiḥ
MeaningThe king said: Those greedy ones by whom you were cast out — your sons, wife and the rest, for the sake of wealth —
तेषु किं भवतः स्नेहमनुबध्नाति मानसम् ॥
teṣu kiṃ bhavataḥ snehamanubadhnāti mānasam
Meaningwhy does your mind still bind itself in affection to them?
वैश्य उवाच एवमेतद्यथा प्राह भवानस्मद्गतं वचः ॥
vaiśya uvāca evametadyathā prāha bhavānasmadgataṃ vacaḥ
MeaningThe merchant said: It is just as you say — these words of yours are true of me.
किं करोमि न बध्नाति मम निष्ठुरतां मनः । यैः सन्त्यज्य पितृस्नेहं धनलुब्धैर्निराकृतः ॥
kiṃ karomi na badhnāti mama niṣṭhuratāṃ manaḥ yaiḥ santyajya pitṛsnehaṃ dhanalubdhairnirākṛtaḥ
MeaningWhat can I do? My mind will not turn hard. By those greedy ones who, casting off a father's love, drove me out,
पतिस्वजनहार्दं च हार्दितेष्वेव मे मनः । किमेतन्नाभिजानामि जानन्नपि महामते ॥
patisvajanahārdaṃ ca hārditeṣveva me manaḥ kimetannābhijānāmi jānannapi mahāmate
Meaningforsaking the affection due to husband and kinsman — my heart still goes out to them. Though I know this, O great-minded one, I cannot understand it:
यत्प्रेमप्रवणं चित्तं विगुणेष्वपि बन्धुषु । तेषां कृते मे निःश्वासो दौर्मनस्यं च जायते ॥
yatpremapravaṇaṃ cittaṃ viguṇeṣvapi bandhuṣu teṣāṃ kṛte me niḥśvāso daurmanasyaṃ ca jāyate
Meaningthat my heart is full of love even for these kinsmen devoid of virtue. For their sake I heave sighs and fall into dejection.
करोमि किं यन्न मनस्तेष्वप्रीतिषु निष्ठुरम् ॥
karomi kiṃ yanna manasteṣvaprītiṣu niṣṭhuram
MeaningWhat can I do, since my mind does not grow hard towards those unloving ones?
मार्कण्डेय उवाच ततस्तौ सहितौ विप्र तं मुनिं समुपस्थितौ ॥
mārkaṇḍeya uvāca tatastau sahitau vipra taṃ muniṃ samupasthitau
MeaningMarkandeya said: Then, O Brahmin, the two together — the merchant and the king — approached the sage.
समाधिर्नाम वैश्योऽसौ स च पार्थिवसत्तमः । कृत्वा तु तौ यथान्यायं यथार्हं तेन संविदम् ॥
samādhirnāma vaiśyo'sau sa ca pārthivasattamaḥ kṛtvā tu tau yathānyāyaṃ yathārhaṃ tena saṃvidam
MeaningThat merchant named Samadhi and the king, best of monarchs, having duly and fittingly observed the courtesies with the sage,
उपविष्टौ कथाः काश्चिच्चक्रतुर्वैश्यपार्थिवौ ॥
upaviṣṭau kathāḥ kāściccakraturvaiśyapārthivau
Meaningsat down; and the merchant and the king held some conversations together.
राजोवाच भगवंस्त्वामहं प्रष्टुमिच्छाम्येकं वदस्व तत् ॥
rājovāca bhagavaṃstvāmahaṃ praṣṭumicchāmyekaṃ vadasva tat
MeaningThe king said: O revered one, I wish to ask you one thing; pray tell me that.
दुःखाय यन्मे मनसः स्वचित्तायत्ततां विना । ममत्वं गतराज्यस्य राज्याङ्गेष्वखिलेष्वपि ॥
duḥkhāya yanme manasaḥ svacittāyattatāṃ vinā mamatvaṃ gatarājyasya rājyāṅgeṣvakhileṣvapi
MeaningIt concerns what so grieves my mind, beyond my own control — this clinging of 'mine-ness' to all the members of my kingdom, even though the kingdom is lost,
जानतोऽपि यथाज्ञस्य किमेतन्मुनिसत्तम । अयं च निकृतः पुत्रैर्दारैर्भृत्यैस्तथोज्झितः ॥
jānato'pi yathājñasya kimetanmunisattama ayaṃ ca nikṛtaḥ putrairdārairbhṛtyaistathojjhitaḥ
Meaninglike that of one without knowledge, even though I do know better. What is this, O best of sages? And this merchant too has been spurned by sons, wife and servants, and forsaken;
स्वजनेन च सन्त्यक्तस्तेषु हार्दी तथाप्यति । एवमेष तथाहं च द्वावप्यत्यन्तदुःखितौ ॥
svajanena ca santyaktasteṣu hārdī tathāpyati evameṣa tathāhaṃ ca dvāvapyatyantaduḥkhitau
Meaningabandoned by his own people, yet he bears deep affection towards them. Thus both he and I are exceedingly miserable,
दृष्टदोषेऽपि विषये ममत्वाकृष्टमानसौ । तत्किमेतन्महाभाग यन्मोहो ज्ञानिनोरपि ॥
dṛṣṭadoṣe'pi viṣaye mamatvākṛṣṭamānasau tatkimetanmahābhāga yanmoho jñāninorapi
Meaningour minds drawn by attachment to objects whose faults we plainly see. O most fortunate one, how is it that this delusion clouds even the wise?
ममास्य च भवत्येषा विवेकान्धस्य मूढता ॥
mamāsya ca bhavatyeṣā vivekāndhasya mūḍhatā
MeaningThis folly besets both me and him, blind as we are to discrimination.
ऋषिरुवाच ज्ञानमस्ति समस्तस्य जन्तोर्विषयगोचरे ॥
ṛṣiruvāca jñānamasti samastasya jantorviṣayagocare
MeaningThe sage said: Every being has knowledge of the objects perceptible to its senses.
विषयाश्च महाभाग यान्ति चैवं पृथक्पृथक् । दिवान्धाः प्राणिनः केचिद्रात्रावन्धास्तथापरे ॥
viṣayāśca mahābhāga yānti caivaṃ pṛthakpṛthak divāndhāḥ prāṇinaḥ kecidrātrāvandhāstathāpare
MeaningAnd, O most fortunate one, objects are reached in various ways. Some creatures are blind by day, others blind by night,
केचिद्दिवा तथा रात्रौ प्राणिनस्तुल्यदृष्टयः । ज्ञानिनो मनुजाः सत्यं किं तु ते न हि केवलम् ॥
keciddivā tathā rātrau prāṇinastulyadṛṣṭayaḥ jñānino manujāḥ satyaṃ kiṃ tu te na hi kevalam
Meaningand some have sight equal by both day and night. Human beings are indeed endowed with knowledge — yet they are not the only ones so endowed;
यतो हि ज्ञानिनः सर्वे पशुपक्षिमृगादयः । ज्ञानं च तन्मनुष्याणां यत्तेषां मृगपक्षिणाम् ॥
yato hi jñāninaḥ sarve paśupakṣimṛgādayaḥ jñānaṃ ca tanmanuṣyāṇāṃ yatteṣāṃ mṛgapakṣiṇām
Meaningfor beasts, birds, animals and the rest are all endowed with knowledge too. The knowledge that men have, those beasts and birds also have;
मनुष्याणां च यत्तेषां तुल्यमन्यत्तथोभयोः । ज्ञानेऽपि सति पश्यैतान् पतङ्गाञ्छावचञ्चुषु ॥
manuṣyāṇāṃ ca yatteṣāṃ tulyamanyattathobhayoḥ jñāne'pi sati paśyaitān pataṅgāñchāvacañcuṣu
Meaningand what they have, men have as well; the rest (eating, sleeping, fear, mating) is common to both. Look at these birds — though possessed of knowledge,
कणमोक्षादृतान् मोहात्पीड्यमानानपि क्षुधा । मानुषा मनुजव्याघ्र साभिलाषाः सुतान् प्रति ॥
kaṇamokṣādṛtān mohātpīḍyamānānapi kṣudhā mānuṣā manujavyāghra sābhilāṣāḥ sutān prati
Meaningwho, though themselves tormented by hunger, drop grains out of delusion into their young ones' open beaks. O tiger among men, human beings likewise are full of longing for their children,
लोभात् प्रत्युपकाराय नन्वेतान् किं न पश्यसि । तथापि ममतावर्त्ते मोहगर्ते निपातिताः ॥
lobhāt pratyupakārāya nanvetān kiṃ na paśyasi tathāpi mamatāvartte mohagarte nipātitāḥ
Meaningexpecting some return from them out of greed. Do you not see this? Yet they are flung into the whirlpool of attachment, the pit of delusion,
महामायाप्रभावेण संसारस्थितिकारिणा । तन्नात्र विस्मयः कार्यो योगनिद्रा जगत्पतेः ॥
mahāmāyāprabhāveṇa saṃsārasthitikāriṇā tannātra vismayaḥ kāryo yoganidrā jagatpateḥ
Meaningby the power of Mahamaya, who makes possible the very existence of the world. At this no wonder need be felt: this Mahamaya is the Yoganidra of the Lord of the world,
महामाया हरेश्चैषा तया सम्मोह्यते जगत् । ज्ञानिनामपि चेतांसि देवी भगवती हि सा ॥
mahāmāyā hareścaiṣā tayā sammohyate jagat jñānināmapi cetāṃsi devī bhagavatī hi sā
Meaningshe is the Mahamaya of Hari, by whom this world is deluded. Indeed it is she, the Goddess Bhagavati, who forcibly draws away
बलादाकृष्य मोहाय महामाया प्रयच्छति । तया विसृज्यते विश्वं जगदेतच्चराचरम् ॥
balādākṛṣya mohāya mahāmāyā prayacchati tayā visṛjyate viśvaṃ jagadetaccarācaram
Meaningeven the minds of the wise and casts them into delusion. By her this whole universe, moving and unmoving, is sent forth.
सैषा प्रसन्ना वरदा नृणां भवति मुक्तये । सा विद्या परमा मुक्तेर्हेतुभूता सनातनी ॥
saiṣā prasannā varadā nṛṇāṃ bhavati muktaye sā vidyā paramā mukterhetubhūtā sanātanī
MeaningWhen gracious, she becomes the bestower of boons to men, for their liberation. She is the supreme Knowledge, the cause of release, eternal,
संसारबन्धहेतुश्च सैव सर्वेश्वरेश्वरी ॥
saṃsārabandhahetuśca saiva sarveśvareśvarī
Meaningand she too is the cause of the bondage of samsara; she is the Sovereign of all sovereigns.
राजोवाच भगवन् का हि सा देवी महामायेति यां भवान् ॥
rājovāca bhagavan kā hi sā devī mahāmāyeti yāṃ bhavān
MeaningThe king said: O revered sir, who is that Goddess whom you call Mahamaya?
ब्रवीति कथमुत्पन्ना सा कर्मास्याश्च किं द्विज । यत्प्रभावा च सा देवी यत्स्वरूपा यदुद्भवा ॥
bravīti kathamutpannā sā karmāsyāśca kiṃ dvija yatprabhāvā ca sā devī yatsvarūpā yadudbhavā
MeaningHow was she born, and what is her work, O Brahmin? What is her power, what her nature, and whence did she arise?
तत्सर्वं श्रोतुमिच्छामि त्वत्तो ब्रह्मविदां वर ॥
tatsarvaṃ śrotumicchāmi tvatto brahmavidāṃ vara
MeaningAll that I wish to hear from you, O best among the knowers of Brahman.
ऋषिरुवाच नित्यैव सा जगन्मूर्तिस्तया सर्वमिदं ततम् ॥
ṛṣiruvāca nityaiva sā jaganmūrtistayā sarvamidaṃ tatam
MeaningThe sage said: She is eternal, embodied as the world; by her all this is pervaded.
तथापि तत्समुत्पत्तिर्बहुधा श्रूयतां मम । देवानां कार्यसिद्ध्यर्थमाविर्भवति सा यदा ॥
tathāpi tatsamutpattirbahudhā śrūyatāṃ mama devānāṃ kāryasiddhyarthamāvirbhavati sā yadā
MeaningYet her manifestation comes about in manifold ways; hear it from me. When she manifests to accomplish the purposes of the gods,
उत्पन्नेति तदा लोके सा नित्याप्यभिधीयते । योगनिद्रां यदा विष्णुर्जगत्येकार्णवीकृते ॥
utpanneti tadā loke sā nityāpyabhidhīyate yoganidrāṃ yadā viṣṇurjagatyekārṇavīkṛte
Meaningthen she is said to be 'born' in the world, although she is eternal. When Vishnu, at the end of a kalpa, the world become a single ocean, entered the yogic sleep,
आस्तीर्य शेषमभजत् कल्पान्ते भगवान् प्रभुः । तदा द्वावसुरौ घोरौ विख्यातौ मधुकैटभौ ॥
āstīrya śeṣamabhajat kalpānte bhagavān prabhuḥ tadā dvāvasurau ghorau vikhyātau madhukaiṭabhau
Meaningand the Lord lay reposing upon (Ananta) Shesha — then two terrible asuras, the well-known Madhu and Kaitabha,
विष्णुकर्णमलोद्भूतौ हन्तुं ब्रह्माणमुद्यतौ । स नाभिकमले विष्णोः स्थितो ब्रह्मा प्रजापतिः ॥
viṣṇukarṇamalodbhūtau hantuṃ brahmāṇamudyatau sa nābhikamale viṣṇoḥ sthito brahmā prajāpatiḥ
Meaningsprung from the wax of Vishnu's ears, rose up to slay Brahma. Brahma, lord of beings, seated on the lotus from Vishnu's navel,
दृष्ट्वा तावसुरौ चोग्रौ प्रसुप्तं च जनार्दनम् । तुष्टाव योगनिद्रां तामेकाग्रहृदयः स्थितः ॥
dṛṣṭvā tāvasurau cograu prasuptaṃ ca janārdanam tuṣṭāva yoganidrāṃ tāmekāgrahṛdayaḥ sthitaḥ
Meaningseeing those two fierce asuras and Janardana asleep, with single-pointed heart extolled Yoganidra to awaken him, standing steadfast —
विबोधनार्थाय हरेर्हरिनेत्रकृतालयाम् । विश्वेश्वरीं जगद्धात्रीं स्थितिसंहारकारिणीम् ॥
vibodhanārthāya harerharinetrakṛtālayām viśveśvarīṃ jagaddhātrīṃ sthitisaṃhārakāriṇīm
Meaningpraising her who dwells in Hari's eyes, to rouse Hari — the Mistress of the universe, Upholder of the world, worker of its preservation and dissolution,
निद्रां भगवतीं विष्णुरतुलां तेजसः प्रभुः ॥
nidrāṃ bhagavatīṃ viṣṇuratulāṃ tejasaḥ prabhuḥ
Meaningthe incomparable Bhagavati Nidra (Sleep) — thus did Brahma, lord of creative power, extol her.
ब्रह्मोवाच त्वं स्वाहा त्वं स्वधा त्वं हि वषट्कारः स्वरात्मिका ॥
brahmovāca tvaṃ svāhā tvaṃ svadhā tvaṃ hi vaṣaṭkāraḥ svarātmikā
MeaningBrahma said: You are Svaha, you are Svadha; you are indeed the Vashatkara, the very soul of sound.
सुधा त्वमक्षरे नित्ये त्रिधा मात्रात्मिका स्थिता । अर्धमात्रा स्थिता नित्या यानुच्चार्याविशेषतः ॥
sudhā tvamakṣare nitye tridhā mātrātmikā sthitā ardhamātrā sthitā nityā yānuccāryāviśeṣataḥ
MeaningYou are the nectar Sudha, O eternal, imperishable One. You abide as the three matras (of Om) and as the half-matra besides,
त्वमेव सन्ध्या सावित्री त्वं देवि जननी परा । त्वयैतद्धार्यते विश्वं त्वयैतत् सृज्यते जगत् ॥
tvameva sandhyā sāvitrī tvaṃ devi jananī parā tvayaitaddhāryate viśvaṃ tvayaitat sṛjyate jagat
Meaningthe eternal half-matra that cannot be separately uttered. You yourself are the Sandhya, the Savitri, the supreme Mother of the gods, O Goddess.
त्वयैतत् पाल्यते देवि त्वमत्स्यन्ते च सर्वदा । विसृष्टौ सृष्टिरूपा त्वं स्थितिरूपा च पालने ॥
tvayaitat pālyate devi tvamatsyante ca sarvadā visṛṣṭau sṛṣṭirūpā tvaṃ sthitirūpā ca pālane
MeaningBy you this universe is borne, by you this world is created; by you it is sustained, O Goddess, and you ever devour it at the end.
तथा संहृतिरूपान्ते जगतोऽस्य जगन्मये । महाविद्या महामाया महामेधा महास्मृतिः ॥
tathā saṃhṛtirūpānte jagato'sya jaganmaye mahāvidyā mahāmāyā mahāmedhā mahāsmṛtiḥ
MeaningAt creation you take the form of creation, in protection the form of sustenance, at the world's end the form of dissolution, O you who are the world itself. You are the Mahavidya, Mahamaya, Mahamedha, Mahasmriti,
महामोहा च भवती महादेवी महेश्वरी । प्रकृतिस्त्वं च सर्वस्य गुणत्रयविभाविनी ॥
mahāmohā ca bhavatī mahādevī maheśvarī prakṛtistvaṃ ca sarvasya guṇatrayavibhāvinī
Meaningthe Mahamoha, the Mahadevi, the Maheshwari. You are the Prakriti of all, evolving the three gunas.
कालरात्रिर्महारात्रिर्मोहरात्रिश्च दारुणा । त्वं श्रीस्त्वमीश्वरी त्वं ह्रीस्त्वं बुद्धिर्बोधलक्षणा ॥
kālarātrirmahārātrirmoharātriśca dāruṇā tvaṃ śrīstvamīśvarī tvaṃ hrīstvaṃ buddhirbodhalakṣaṇā
MeaningYou are Kalaratri, Maharatri and the dread Moharatri (the night of delusion). You are Shri, you are Ishwari, you are Hri, you are the intellect marked by inner awakening,
लज्जा पुष्टिस्तथा तुष्टिस्त्वं शान्तिः क्षान्तिरेव च । खड्गिनी शूलिनी घोरा गदिनी चक्रिणी तथा ॥
lajjā puṣṭistathā tuṣṭistvaṃ śāntiḥ kṣāntireva ca khaḍginī śūlinī ghorā gadinī cakriṇī tathā
Meaningyou are modesty, nourishment and contentment; you are tranquillity and forbearance. You wield the sword and the spear, you are the terrible one, bearer of the club and the discus,
शङ्खिनी चापिनी बाणभुशुण्डीपरिघायुधा । सौम्या सौम्यतराशेषसौम्येभ्यस्त्वतिसुन्दरी ॥
śaṅkhinī cāpinī bāṇabhuśuṇḍīparighāyudhā saumyā saumyatarāśeṣasaumyebhyastvatisundarī
Meaningbearer of the conch and the bow, armed with arrows, sling and iron mace. You are gentle, gentler than all the gentle, and yet exceedingly beautiful.
परापराणां परमा त्वमेव परमेश्वरी । यच्च किञ्चित्क्वचिद्वस्तु सदसद्वाखिलात्मिके ॥
parāparāṇāṃ paramā tvameva parameśvarī yacca kiñcitkvacidvastu sadasadvākhilātmike
MeaningYou are the supreme of the high and the low; you alone are the Supreme Sovereign. And whatever thing exists anywhere, real or unreal, O soul of all,
तस्य सर्वस्य या शक्तिः सा त्वं किं स्तूयसे मया । यया त्वया जगत्स्रष्टा जगत्पात्यत्ति यो जगत् ॥
tasya sarvasya yā śaktiḥ sā tvaṃ kiṃ stūyase mayā yayā tvayā jagatsraṣṭā jagatpātyatti yo jagat
Meaningof all that, you are the Power; how then can I praise you (fully)? When you have put to sleep the very One who creates, sustains and devours the world,
सोऽपि निद्रावशं नीतः कस्त्वां स्तोतुमिहेश्वरः । विष्णुः शरीरग्रहणमहमीशान एव च ॥
so'pi nidrāvaśaṃ nītaḥ kastvāṃ stotumiheśvaraḥ viṣṇuḥ śarīragrahaṇamahamīśāna eva ca
Meaningwho here is able to praise you? Since you have made Vishnu, myself and Ishana (Shiva) assume our bodies,
कारितास्ते यतोऽतस्त्वां कः स्तोतुं शक्तिमान् भवेत् । सा त्वमित्थं प्रभावैः स्वैरुदारैर्देवि संस्तुता ॥
kāritāste yato'tastvāṃ kaḥ stotuṃ śaktimān bhavet sā tvamitthaṃ prabhāvaiḥ svairudārairdevi saṃstutā
Meaningwho then could be capable of praising you? May you, thus extolled by your own exalted, generous powers, O Goddess,
मोहयैतौ दुराधर्षावसुरौ मधुकैटभौ । प्रबोधं च जगत्स्वामी नीयतामच्युतो लघु ॥
mohayaitau durādharṣāvasurau madhukaiṭabhau prabodhaṃ ca jagatsvāmī nīyatāmacyuto laghu
Meaningdelude these two unassailable asuras, Madhu and Kaitabha; and let the Lord of the world, the unfallen Vishnu, be quickly brought to waking,
बोधश्च क्रियतामस्य हन्तुमेतौ महासुरौ ॥
bodhaśca kriyatāmasya hantumetau mahāsurau
Meaningand rouse his awareness to slay these two great asuras.
ऋषिरुवाच एवं स्तुता तदा देवी तामसी तत्र वेधसा ॥
ṛṣiruvāca evaṃ stutā tadā devī tāmasī tatra vedhasā
MeaningThe sage said: Thus extolled there by the Creator, the Goddess of tamas (tamasi), to awaken Vishnu and to slay Madhu and Kaitabha,
विष्णोः प्रबोधनार्थाय निहन्तुं मधुकैटभौ । नेत्रास्यनासिकाबाहुहृदयेभ्यस्तथोरसः ॥
viṣṇoḥ prabodhanārthāya nihantuṃ madhukaiṭabhau netrāsyanāsikābāhuhṛdayebhyastathorasaḥ
Meaningissued forth from his eyes, mouth, nostrils, arms, heart and breast,
निर्गम्य दर्शने तस्थौ ब्रह्मणोऽव्यक्तजन्मनः । उत्तस्थौ च जगन्नाथस्तया मुक्तो जनार्दनः ॥
nirgamya darśane tasthau brahmaṇo'vyaktajanmanaḥ uttasthau ca jagannāthastayā mukto janārdanaḥ
Meaningand appeared in the sight of Brahma of unmanifest birth. Released by her, Janardana, Lord of the world, rose up
एकार्णवेऽहिशयनात्ततः स ददृशे च तौ । मधुकैटभौ दुरात्मानावतिवीर्यपराक्रमौ ॥
ekārṇave'hiśayanāttataḥ sa dadṛśe ca tau madhukaiṭabhau durātmānāvativīryaparākramau
Meaningfrom his couch upon (Ananta) in the single ocean; and then he saw those two — Madhu and Kaitabha, the evil-souled, of surpassing might and valour,
क्रोधरक्तेक्षणावत्तुं ब्रह्माणं जनितोद्यमौ । समुत्थाय ततस्ताभ्यां युयुधे भगवान् हरिः ॥
krodharaktekṣaṇāvattuṃ brahmāṇaṃ janitodyamau samutthāya tatastābhyāṃ yuyudhe bhagavān hariḥ
Meaningtheir eyes red with rage, bent on devouring Brahma. Rising up, the Lord Hari then fought with the two,
पञ्चवर्षसहस्राणि बाहुप्रहरणो विभुः । तावप्यतिबलोन्मत्तौ महामायाविमोहितौ ॥
pañcavarṣasahasrāṇi bāhupraharaṇo vibhuḥ tāvapyatibalonmattau mahāmāyāvimohitau
Meaningand for five thousand years the all-pervading Lord fought, his arms his only weapons. And those two, frenzied with overwhelming might and deluded by Mahamaya,
उक्तवन्तौ वरोऽस्मत्तो व्रियतामिति केशवम् ॥
uktavantau varo'smatto vriyatāmiti keśavam
Meaningsaid to Keshava (Vishnu): 'Ask a boon of us!'
श्रीभगवानुवाच भवेतामद्य मे तुष्टौ मम वध्यावुभावपि ॥
śrībhagavānuvāca bhavetāmadya me tuṣṭau mama vadhyāvubhāvapi
MeaningThe Lord said: If you are both now pleased with me, then let both of you be slain by me.
किमन्येन वरेणात्र एतावद्धि वृतं मया ॥
kimanyena vareṇātra etāvaddhi vṛtaṃ mayā
MeaningWhat need of any other boon here? This much alone is what I choose.
ऋषिरुवाच वञ्चिताभ्यामिति तदा सर्वमापोमयं जगत् ॥
ṛṣiruvāca vañcitābhyāmiti tadā sarvamāpomayaṃ jagat
MeaningThe sage said: Thus duped, and seeing the whole world turned to water,
विलोक्य ताभ्यां गदितो भगवान् कमलेक्षणः । आवां जहि न यत्रोर्वी सलिलेन परिप्लुता ॥
vilokya tābhyāṃ gadito bhagavān kamalekṣaṇaḥ āvāṃ jahi na yatrorvī salilena pariplutā
Meaningthe two said to the lotus-eyed Lord: 'Slay us only where the earth is not flooded with water.'
ऋषिरुवाच तथेत्युक्त्वा भगवता शङ्खचक्रगदाभृता । कृत्वा चक्रेण वै छिन्ने जघने शिरसी तयोः ॥
ṛṣiruvāca tathetyuktvā bhagavatā śaṅkhacakragadābhṛtā kṛtvā cakreṇa vai chinne jaghane śirasī tayoḥ
MeaningThe sage said: Saying 'So be it', the Lord, bearer of conch, discus and mace, took them upon his thighs and severed both their heads with his discus.
एवमेषा समुत्पन्ना ब्रह्मणा संस्तुता स्वयम् । प्रभावमस्या देव्यास्तु भूयः शृणु वदामि ते ॥
evameṣā samutpannā brahmaṇā saṃstutā svayam prabhāvamasyā devyāstu bhūyaḥ śaṛṇu vadāmi te
MeaningThus did the Goddess herself arise, extolled by Brahma. Now hear once more the glory of this Goddess; I shall tell it to you.