देव्या दूतसंवाद
Devyā Dūta Saṃvāda
The Devi's Dialogue with the Messenger · 76 verses
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The opening chapter of the Uttama Charita (presided over by Mahasaraswati). Robbed of heaven by Shumbha and Nishumbha, the gods go to the Himalaya and praise the Goddess in the celebrated 'Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu' hymn, adoring her as the one power that abides in all beings as consciousness, intelligence, sleep, hunger, power, forbearance, peace, faith, prosperity, compassion, the mother, and as the very consciousness pervading the world. Ambika (Kaushiki) springs from Parvati's body, who then becomes the dark Kalika. The demon-servants Chanda and Munda see her dazzling beauty and report it to Shumbha, who sends the messenger Sugriva to win her. The Devi, smiling, replies with her vow: only he who conquers her in battle may have her hand — so let Shumbha or Nishumbha come and defeat her first.
✦ Dhyāna — Opening Meditation
ॐ घण्टाशूलहलानि शङ्खमुसले चक्रं धनुः सायकं हस्ताब्जैर्दधतीं घनान्तविलसच्छीतांशुतुल्यप्रभाम् । गौरीदेहसमुद्भवां त्रिजगतामाधारभूतां महा- पूर्वामत्र सरस्वतीमनुभजे शुम्भादिदैत्यार्दिनीम् ॥
oṃ ghaṇṭāśūlahalāni śaṅkhamusale cakraṃ dhanuḥ sāyakaṃ hastābjairdadhatīṃ ghanāntavilasacchītāṃśutulyaprabhām gaurīdehasamudbhavāṃ trijagatāmādhārabhūtāṃ mahā- pūrvāmatra sarasvatīmanubhaje śumbhādidaityārdinīm
I worship here the great Sarasvati (Mahasaraswati), slayer of Shumbha and the other daityas, who arose from the body of Gauri and is the support of the three worlds, holding in her lotus-hands the bell, trident, plough, conch, pestle, discus, bow and arrow, and shining with a lustre like the moon gleaming at the edge of the clouds.
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ॐ क्लीं ऋषिरुवाच पुरा शुम्भनिशुम्भाभ्यामसुराभ्यां शचीपतेः । त्रैलोक्यं यज्ञभागाश्च हृता मदबलाश्रयात् ॥
oṃ klīṃ ṛṣiruvāca purā śumbhaniśumbhābhyāmasurābhyāṃ śacīpateḥ trailokyaṃ yajñabhāgāśca hṛtā madabalāśrayāt
Meaning(Om Klim. The Rishi said:) Of old, the three worlds and the sacrificial shares of Indra were carried off by the two asuras Shumbha and Nishumbha, relying upon their pride and might.
तावेव सूर्यतां तद्वदधिकारं तथैन्दवम् । कौबेरमथ याम्यं च चक्राते वरुणस्य च ॥
tāveva sūryatāṃ tadvadadhikāraṃ tathaindavam kauberamatha yāmyaṃ ca cakrāte varuṇasya ca
MeaningThose two likewise usurped the office of Surya, the authority of Chandra, of Kubera, of Yama, and of Varuna.
तावेव पवनर्द्धिं च चक्रतुर्वह्निकर्म च । ततो देवा विनिर्धूता भ्रष्टराज्याः पराजिताः ॥
tāveva pavanarddhiṃ ca cakraturvahnikarma ca tato devā vinirdhūtā bhraṣṭarājyāḥ parājitāḥ
MeaningThose two also took over the powers of Vayu and the function of Agni. Thereupon the gods were cast out, deprived of their kingdoms and defeated.
हृताधिकारास्त्रिदशास्ताभ्यां सर्वे निराकृताः । महासुराभ्यां तां देवीं संस्मरन्त्यपराजिताम् ॥
hṛtādhikārāstridaśāstābhyāṃ sarve nirākṛtāḥ mahāsurābhyāṃ tāṃ devīṃ saṃsmarantyaparājitām
MeaningAll the gods, stripped of their offices and ousted by those two great asuras, called to mind that invincible Devi:
तयास्माकं वरो दत्तो यथापत्सु स्मृताखिलाः । भवतां नाशयिष्यामि तत्क्षणात्परमापदः ॥
tayāsmākaṃ varo datto yathāpatsu smṛtākhilāḥ bhavatāṃ nāśayiṣyāmi tatkṣaṇātparamāpadaḥ
Meaning'She granted us this boon: "Whenever in calamities you all remember me, that very instant I shall put an end to your direst calamities."'
इति कृत्वा मतिं देवा हिमवन्तं नगेश्वरम् । जग्मुस्तत्र ततो देवीं विष्णुमायां प्रतुष्टुवुः ॥
iti kṛtvā matiṃ devā himavantaṃ nageśvaram jagmustatra tato devīṃ viṣṇumāyāṃ pratuṣṭuvuḥ
MeaningHaving so resolved, the gods went to Himavan, the lord of mountains, and there extolled the Devi, the Vishnu-maya.
देवा ऊचुः नमो देव्यै महादेव्यै शिवायै सततं नमः । नमः प्रकृत्यै भद्रायै नियताः प्रणताः स्म ताम् ॥
devā ūcuḥ namo devyai mahādevyai śivāyai satataṃ namaḥ namaḥ prakṛtyai bhadrāyai niyatāḥ praṇatāḥ sma tām
Meaning(The gods said:) Salutation to the Devi, to the Mahadevi, to the auspicious Shiva ever salutation; salutation to Prakriti, to the gracious one — with reverence we bow to her.
रौद्रायै नमो नित्यायै गौर्यै धात्र्यै नमो नमः । ज्योत्स्नायै चेन्दुरूपिण्यै सुखायै सततं नमः ॥
raudrāyai namo nityāyai gauryai dhātryai namo namaḥ jyotsnāyai cendurūpiṇyai sukhāyai satataṃ namaḥ
MeaningSalutation to the terrible (Raudri), to the eternal (Nitya), to Gauri, to the Supporter (Dhatri); to the moonlight and to her of moon-like form, to bliss, ever salutation.
कल्याण्यै प्रणतां वृद्ध्यै सिद्ध्यै कुर्मो नमो नमः । नैरृत्यै भूभृतां लक्ष्म्यै शर्वाण्यै ते नमो नमः ॥
kalyāṇyai praṇatāṃ vṛddhyai siddhyai kurmo namo namaḥ nairṛtyai bhūbhṛtāṃ lakṣmyai śarvāṇyai te namo namaḥ
MeaningTo the auspicious (Kalyani), to her who is the prosperity (Vriddhi) of the devout, to attainment (Siddhi), we offer salutation; to Nairriti, to the Lakshmi of kings, to Sharvani — to you, salutation, salutation.
दुर्गायै दुर्गपारायै सारायै सर्वकारिण्यै । ख्यात्यै तथैव कृष्णायै धूम्रायै सततं नमः ॥
durgāyai durgapārāyai sārāyai sarvakāriṇyai khyātyai tathaiva kṛṣṇāyai dhūmrāyai satataṃ namaḥ
MeaningTo Durga, to her who carries (us) beyond the difficult (Durgapara), to the Essence (Sara), to the doer of all (Sarvakarini), to Fame (Khyati), and likewise to the dark (Krishna) and the smoke-hued (Dhumra), ever salutation.
अतिसौम्यातिरौद्रायै नतास्तस्यै नमो नमः । नमो जगत्प्रतिष्ठायै देव्यै कृत्यै नमो नमः ॥
atisaumyātiraudrāyai natāstasyai namo namaḥ namo jagatpratiṣṭhāyai devyai kṛtyai namo namaḥ
MeaningTo her who is at once most gentle and most terrible, we bow; salutation, salutation; salutation to the support of the world, to the Devi who is Action (Kriti), salutation, salutation.
या देवी सर्वभूतेषु विष्णुमायेति शब्दिता । नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥
yā devī sarvabhūteṣu viṣṇumāyeti śabditā namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namaḥ
MeaningTo that Devi who in all beings is named Vishnu-maya — salutation to her, salutation to her, salutation to her, salutation again and again.
या देवी सर्वभूतेषु चेतनेत्यभिधीयते । नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥
yā devī sarvabhūteṣu cetanetyabhidhīyate namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namaḥ
MeaningTo that Devi who in all beings is termed Consciousness (Chetana) — salutation to her, salutation to her, salutation to her, salutation again and again.
या देवी सर्वभूतेषु बुद्धिरूपेण संस्थिता । नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥
yā devī sarvabhūteṣu buddhirūpeṇa saṃsthitā namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namaḥ
MeaningTo that Devi who abides in all beings in the form of intelligence (Buddhi) — salutation to her, salutation to her, salutation to her, salutation again and again.
या देवी सर्वभूतेषु निद्रारूपेण संस्थिता । नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥
yā devī sarvabhūteṣu nidrārūpeṇa saṃsthitā namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namaḥ
MeaningTo that Devi who abides in all beings in the form of sleep (Nidra) — salutation to her, salutation to her, salutation to her, salutation again and again.
या देवी सर्वभूतेषु क्षुधारूपेण संस्थिता । नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥
yā devī sarvabhūteṣu kṣudhārūpeṇa saṃsthitā namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namaḥ
MeaningTo that Devi who abides in all beings in the form of hunger (Kshudha) — salutation to her, salutation to her, salutation to her, salutation again and again.
या देवी सर्वभूतेषु छायारूपेण संस्थिता । नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥
yā devī sarvabhūteṣu chāyārūpeṇa saṃsthitā namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namaḥ
MeaningTo that Devi who abides in all beings in the form of shadow / reflection (Chhaya) — salutation to her, salutation to her, salutation to her, salutation again and again.
या देवी सर्वभूतेषु शक्तिरूपेण संस्थिता । नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥
yā devī sarvabhūteṣu śaktirūpeṇa saṃsthitā namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namaḥ
MeaningTo that Devi who abides in all beings in the form of power (Shakti) — salutation to her, salutation to her, salutation to her, salutation again and again.
या देवी सर्वभूतेषु तृष्णारूपेण संस्थिता । नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥
yā devī sarvabhūteṣu tṛṣṇārūpeṇa saṃsthitā namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namaḥ
MeaningTo that Devi who abides in all beings in the form of thirst / craving (Trishna) — salutation to her, salutation to her, salutation to her, salutation again and again.
या देवी सर्वभूतेषु क्षान्तिरूपेण संस्थिता । नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥
yā devī sarvabhūteṣu kṣāntirūpeṇa saṃsthitā namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namaḥ
MeaningTo that Devi who abides in all beings in the form of forbearance (Kshanti) — salutation to her, salutation to her, salutation to her, salutation again and again.
या देवी सर्वभूतेषु जातिरूपेण संस्थिता । नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥
yā devī sarvabhūteṣu jātirūpeṇa saṃsthitā namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namaḥ
MeaningTo that Devi who abides in all beings in the form of the kind / species (Jati) — salutation to her, salutation to her, salutation to her, salutation again and again.
या देवी सर्वभूतेषु लज्जारूपेण संस्थिता । नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥
yā devī sarvabhūteṣu lajjārūpeṇa saṃsthitā namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namaḥ
MeaningTo that Devi who abides in all beings in the form of modesty (Lajja) — salutation to her, salutation to her, salutation to her, salutation again and again.
या देवी सर्वभूतेषु शान्तिरूपेण संस्थिता । नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥
yā devī sarvabhūteṣu śāntirūpeṇa saṃsthitā namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namaḥ
MeaningTo that Devi who abides in all beings in the form of peace (Shanti) — salutation to her, salutation to her, salutation to her, salutation again and again.
या देवी सर्वभूतेषु श्रद्धारूपेण संस्थिता । नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥
yā devī sarvabhūteṣu śraddhārūpeṇa saṃsthitā namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namaḥ
MeaningTo that Devi who abides in all beings in the form of faith (Shraddha) — salutation to her, salutation to her, salutation to her, salutation again and again.
या देवी सर्वभूतेषु कान्तिरूपेण संस्थिता । नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥
yā devī sarvabhūteṣu kāntirūpeṇa saṃsthitā namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namaḥ
MeaningTo that Devi who abides in all beings in the form of loveliness (Kanti) — salutation to her, salutation to her, salutation to her, salutation again and again.
या देवी सर्वभूतेषु लक्ष्मीरूपेण संस्थिता । नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥
yā devī sarvabhūteṣu lakṣmīrūpeṇa saṃsthitā namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namaḥ
MeaningTo that Devi who abides in all beings in the form of fortune (Lakshmi) — salutation to her, salutation to her, salutation to her, salutation again and again.
या देवी सर्वभूतेषु वृत्तिरूपेण संस्थिता । नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥
yā devī sarvabhūteṣu vṛttirūpeṇa saṃsthitā namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namaḥ
MeaningTo that Devi who abides in all beings in the form of activity / livelihood (Vritti) — salutation to her, salutation to her, salutation to her, salutation again and again.
या देवी सर्वभूतेषु स्मृतिरूपेण संस्थिता । नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥
yā devī sarvabhūteṣu smṛtirūpeṇa saṃsthitā namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namaḥ
MeaningTo that Devi who abides in all beings in the form of memory (Smriti) — salutation to her, salutation to her, salutation to her, salutation again and again.
या देवी सर्वभूतेषु दयारूपेण संस्थिता । नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥
yā devī sarvabhūteṣu dayārūpeṇa saṃsthitā namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namaḥ
MeaningTo that Devi who abides in all beings in the form of compassion (Daya) — salutation to her, salutation to her, salutation to her, salutation again and again.
या देवी सर्वभूतेषु तुष्टिरूपेण संस्थिता । नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥
yā devī sarvabhūteṣu tuṣṭirūpeṇa saṃsthitā namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namaḥ
MeaningTo that Devi who abides in all beings in the form of contentment (Tushti) — salutation to her, salutation to her, salutation to her, salutation again and again.
या देवी सर्वभूतेषु मातृरूपेण संस्थिता । नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥
yā devī sarvabhūteṣu mātṛrūpeṇa saṃsthitā namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namaḥ
MeaningTo that Devi who abides in all beings in the form of the mother (Matri) — salutation to her, salutation to her, salutation to her, salutation again and again.
या देवी सर्वभूतेषु भ्रान्तिरूपेण संस्थिता । नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥
yā devī sarvabhūteṣu bhrāntirūpeṇa saṃsthitā namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namaḥ
MeaningTo that Devi who abides in all beings in the form of error / delusion (Bhranti) — salutation to her, salutation to her, salutation to her, salutation again and again.
इन्द्रियाणामधिष्ठात्री भूतानां चाखिलेषु या । भूतेषु सततं तस्यै व्याप्त्यै देव्यै नमो नमः ॥
indriyāṇāmadhiṣṭhātrī bhūtānāṃ cākhileṣu yā bhūteṣu satataṃ tasyai vyāptyai devyai namo namaḥ
MeaningTo that Devi who is the presiding power over the senses of all beings, and who is ever the all-pervading one (Vyapti) among all the elements — salutation to her, salutation.
चितिरूपेण या कृत्स्नमेतद् व्याप्य स्थिता जगत् । नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥
citirūpeṇa yā kṛtsnametad vyāpya sthitā jagat namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namaḥ
MeaningTo that Devi who, in the form of pure consciousness (Chiti), abides pervading this whole world — salutation to her, salutation to her, salutation to her, salutation again and again.
स्तुता सुरैः पूर्वमभीष्टसंश्रया- त्तथा सुरेन्द्रेण दिनेषु सेविता । करोतु सा नः शुभहेतुरीश्वरी शुभानि भद्राण्यभिहन्तु चापदः ॥
stutā suraiḥ pūrvamabhīṣṭasaṃśrayā- ttathā surendreṇa dineṣu sevitā karotu sā naḥ śubhaheturīśvarī śubhāni bhadrāṇyabhihantu cāpadaḥ
MeaningPraised of old by the gods for the gaining of their desire, and served daily by Indra — may she, the source of good, the Ishwari, do us good and blessings and destroy our calamities.
या साम्प्रतं चोद्धतदैत्यतापितै- रस्माभिरीशा च सुरैर्नमस्यते । या च स्मृता तत्क्षणमेव हन्ति नः सर्वापदो भक्तिविनम्रमूर्तिभिः ॥
yā sāmprataṃ coddhatadaityatāpitai- rasmābhirīśā ca surairnamasyate yā ca smṛtā tatkṣaṇameva hanti naḥ sarvāpado bhaktivinamramūrtibhiḥ
MeaningAnd she, the Ishwari, who is now reverenced by us, tormented by the arrogant daityas, and by the gods with forms bowed in devotion — she who, when remembered, that very instant destroys all our calamities.
ऋषिरुवाच एवं स्तवाभियुक्तानां देवानां तत्र पार्वती । स्नातुमभ्याययौ तोये जाह्नव्या नृपनन्दन ॥
ṛṣiruvāca evaṃ stavābhiyuktānāṃ devānāṃ tatra pārvatī snātumabhyāyayau toye jāhnavyā nṛpanandana
Meaning(The Rishi said:) While the gods were thus engaged in praise, Parvati came there to bathe in the waters of the Ganga (Jahnavi), O delight of the king.
साब्रवीत्तान् सुरान् सुभ्रूर्भवद्भिः स्तूयतेऽत्र का । शरीरकोशतश्चास्याः समुद्भूताब्रवीच्छिवा ॥
sābravīttān surān subhrūrbhavadbhiḥ stūyate'tra kā śarīrakośataścāsyāḥ samudbhūtābravīcchivā
MeaningThat fair-browed one asked the gods: 'Who is being praised here by you?' And, springing forth from the sheath of her (Parvati's) body, the auspicious one (Ambika) answered:
स्तोत्रं ममैतत्क्रियते शुम्भदैत्यनिराकृतैः । देवैः समेतैः समरे निशुम्भेन पराजितैः ॥
stotraṃ mamaitatkriyate śumbhadaityanirākṛtaiḥ devaiḥ sametaiḥ samare niśumbhena parājitaiḥ
Meaning'This hymn is being offered to me by the assembled gods, set at naught by the daitya Shumbha and defeated in battle by Nishumbha.'
शरीरकोशाद्यत्तस्याः पार्वत्या निःसृताम्बिका । कौशिकीति समस्तेषु ततो लोकेषु गीयते ॥
śarīrakośādyattasyāḥ pārvatyā niḥsṛtāmbikā kauśikīti samasteṣu tato lokeṣu gīyate
MeaningBecause Ambika came forth from the bodily sheath (kosha) of Parvati, she is therefore sung in all the worlds as Kaushiki.
तस्यां विनिर्गतायां तु कृष्णाभूत्सापि पार्वती । कालिकेति समाख्याता हिमाचलकृताश्रया ॥
tasyāṃ vinirgatāyāṃ tu kṛṣṇābhūtsāpi pārvatī kāliketi samākhyātā himācalakṛtāśrayā
MeaningAnd when she had come forth, Parvati too became dark, and, named Kalika, took her abode upon the Himalaya.
ततोऽम्बिकां परं रूपं बिभ्राणां सुमनोहरम् । ददर्श चण्डो मुण्डश्च भृत्यौ शुम्भनिशुम्भयोः ॥
tato'mbikāṃ paraṃ rūpaṃ bibhrāṇāṃ sumanoharam dadarśa caṇḍo muṇḍaśca bhṛtyau śumbhaniśumbhayoḥ
MeaningThen Chanda and Munda, two servants of Shumbha and Nishumbha, beheld Ambika bearing that supremely beautiful form.
ताभ्यां शुम्भाय चाख्याता सातीव सुमनोहरा । काप्यास्ते स्त्री महाराज भासयन्ती हिमाचलम् ॥
tābhyāṃ śumbhāya cākhyātā sātīva sumanoharā kāpyāste strī mahārāja bhāsayantī himācalam
MeaningThe two told Shumbha: 'An exceedingly lovely woman, O great king — some (unknown) lady — is dwelling there, illumining the Himalaya.
नैव तादृक् क्वचिद्रूपं दृष्टं केनचिदुत्तमम् । ज्ञायतां काप्यसौ देवी गृह्यतां चासुरेश्वर ॥
naiva tādṛk kvacidrūpaṃ dṛṣṭaṃ kenaciduttamam jñāyatāṃ kāpyasau devī gṛhyatāṃ cāsureśvara
MeaningSuch a surpassing beauty of form has nowhere been seen by anyone. Find out who that goddess is, and take possession of her, O lord of the asuras.
स्त्रीरत्नमतिचार्वङ्गी द्योतयन्ती दिशस्त्विषा । सा तु तिष्ठति दैत्येन्द्र तां भवान् द्रष्टुमर्हति ॥
strīratnamaticārvaṅgī dyotayantī diśastviṣā sā tu tiṣṭhati daityendra tāṃ bhavān draṣṭumarhati
MeaningA jewel of a woman, of most lovely limbs, lighting up the quarters with her radiance — there she stands, O lord of the daityas; you ought to behold her.
यानि रत्नानि मणयो गजाश्वादीनि वै प्रभो । त्रैलोक्ये तु समस्तानि साम्प्रतं भान्ति ते गृहे ॥
yāni ratnāni maṇayo gajāśvādīni vai prabho trailokye tu samastāni sāmprataṃ bhānti te gṛhe
MeaningWhatever jewels, gems, elephants, horses and the like there are in the three worlds, O lord, all of them now shine in your house.
ऐरावतः समानीतो गजरत्नं पुरन्दरात् । पारिजाततरुश्चायं तथैवोच्चैःश्रवा हयः ॥
airāvataḥ samānīto gajaratnaṃ purandarāt pārijātataruścāyaṃ tathaivoccaiḥśravā hayaḥ
MeaningAiravata, the jewel of elephants, has been brought from Indra, and this Parijata tree, and likewise the horse Uchchaihshravas.
विमानं हंससंयुक्तमेतत्तिष्ठति तेऽङ्गणे । रत्नभूतमिहानीतं यदासीद्वेधसोऽद्भुतम् ॥
vimānaṃ haṃsasaṃyuktametattiṣṭhati te'ṅgaṇe ratnabhūtamihānītaṃ yadāsīdvedhaso'dbhutam
MeaningThis wondrous swan-yoked aerial car (vimana), the jewel that was Brahma's, stands here in your courtyard, brought hither.
निधिरेष महापद्मः समानीतो धनेश्वरात् । किञ्जल्किनीं ददौ चाब्धिर्मालामम्लानपङ्कजाम् ॥
nidhireṣa mahāpadmaḥ samānīto dhaneśvarāt kiñjalkinīṃ dadau cābdhirmālāmamlānapaṅkajām
MeaningThis treasure, the Mahapadma, has been brought from the lord of wealth (Kubera); and the ocean gave the garland Kinjalkini of unfading lotuses.
छत्रं ते वारुणं गेहे काञ्चनस्रावि तिष्ठति । तथायं स्यन्दनवरो यः पुरासीत्प्रजापतेः ॥
chatraṃ te vāruṇaṃ gehe kāñcanasrāvi tiṣṭhati tathāyaṃ syandanavaro yaḥ purāsītprajāpateḥ
MeaningVaruna's umbrella, streaming gold, stands in your house; and this excellent chariot that was formerly Prajapati's.
मृत्योरुत्क्रान्तिदा नाम शक्तिरीश त्वया हृता । पाशः सलिलराजस्य भ्रातुस्तव परिग्रहे ॥
mṛtyorutkrāntidā nāma śaktirīśa tvayā hṛtā pāśaḥ salilarājasya bhrātustava parigrahe
MeaningBy you, O lord, was carried off the Shakti named Utkrantida (bestower of death), belonging to Death; the noose of the lord of waters (Varuna) is in your brother's possession.
निशुम्भस्याब्धिजाताश्च समस्ता रत्नजातयः । वह्निरपि ददौ तुभ्यमग्निशौचे च वाससी ॥
niśumbhasyābdhijātāśca samastā ratnajātayaḥ vahnirapi dadau tubhyamagniśauce ca vāsasī
MeaningAnd Nishumbha possesses all the kinds of jewels born of the ocean; Agni too gave you the two garments purified by fire (fireproof).
एवं दैत्येन्द्र रत्नानि समस्तान्याहृतानि ते । स्त्रीरत्नमेषा कल्याणी त्वया कस्मान्न गृह्यते ॥
evaṃ daityendra ratnāni samastānyāhṛtāni te strīratnameṣā kalyāṇī tvayā kasmānna gṛhyate
MeaningThus, O lord of the daityas, all jewels have been brought to you. Why then is this auspicious jewel of a woman not taken by you?'
ऋषिरुवाच निशम्येति वचः शुम्भः स तदा चण्डमुण्डयोः । प्रेषयामास सुग्रीवं दूतं देव्या महासुरम् ॥
ṛṣiruvāca niśamyeti vacaḥ śumbhaḥ sa tadā caṇḍamuṇḍayoḥ preṣayāmāsa sugrīvaṃ dūtaṃ devyā mahāsuram
Meaning(The Rishi said:) Having heard these words of Chanda and Munda, Shumbha then sent the great asura Sugriva as a messenger to the Devi:
इति चेति च वक्तव्या सा गत्वा वचनान्मम । यथा चाभ्येति सम्प्रीत्या तथा कार्यं त्वया लघु ॥
iti ceti ca vaktavyā sā gatvā vacanānmama yathā cābhyeti samprītyā tathā kāryaṃ tvayā laghu
Meaning'Going at my word, you are to say to her thus and thus, so that she may come willingly, with affection — and accomplish it swiftly.'
स तत्र गत्वा यत्रास्ते शैलोद्देशेऽतिशोभने । तां च देवीं ततः प्राह श्लक्ष्णं मधुरया गिरा ॥
sa tatra gatvā yatrāste śailoddeśe'tiśobhane tāṃ ca devīṃ tataḥ prāha ślakṣṇaṃ madhurayā girā
MeaningHe went there, to where she dwelt on that most lovely mountain-ridge, and then addressed the Devi smoothly, in sweet words:
दूत उवाच देवि दैत्येश्वरः शुम्भस्त्रैलोक्ये परमेश्वरः । दूतोऽहं प्रेषितस्तेन त्वत्सकाशमिहागतः ॥
dūta uvāca devi daityeśvaraḥ śumbhastrailokye parameśvaraḥ dūto'haṃ preṣitastena tvatsakāśamihāgataḥ
Meaning(The messenger said:) 'O Devi, Shumbha, the lord of the daityas, is the supreme lord of the three worlds; I am his messenger, sent by him, and have come here to your presence.
अव्याहताज्ञः सर्वासु यः सदा देवयोनिषु । निर्जिताखिलदैत्यारिः स यदाह शृणुष्व तत् ॥
avyāhatājñaḥ sarvāsu yaḥ sadā devayoniṣu nirjitākhiladaityāriḥ sa yadāha śaṛṇuṣva tat
MeaningHe whose command is unresisted among all the races of the gods, who has conquered all the foes of the daityas — hear what he says:
मम त्रैलोक्यमखिलं मम देवा वशानुगाः । यज्ञभागानहं सर्वानुपाश्नामि पृथक् पृथक् ॥
mama trailokyamakhilaṃ mama devā vaśānugāḥ yajñabhāgānahaṃ sarvānupāśnāmi pṛthak pṛthak
Meaning"The whole three worlds are mine, and the gods obey my will; I enjoy all the shares of the sacrifices, each separately.
त्रैलोक्ये वररत्नानि मम वश्यान्यशेषतः । तथैव गजरत्नं च हृतं देवेन्द्रवाहनम् ॥
trailokye vararatnāni mama vaśyānyaśeṣataḥ tathaiva gajaratnaṃ ca hṛtaṃ devendravāhanam
MeaningAll the choicest jewels in the three worlds are wholly in my possession; and likewise the jewel of elephants, the mount of the king of the gods, has been seized.
क्षीरोदमथनोद्भूतमश्वरत्नं ममामरैः । उच्चैःश्रवससंज्ञं तत्प्रणिपत्य समर्पितम् ॥
kṣīrodamathanodbhūtamaśvaratnaṃ mamāmaraiḥ uccaiḥśravasasaṃjñaṃ tatpraṇipatya samarpitam
MeaningThe jewel of horses named Uchchaihshravas, churned up from the Ocean of Milk, was offered to me by the gods with bowed heads.
यानि चान्यानि देवेषु गन्धर्वेषूरगेषु च । रत्नभूतानि भूतानि तानि मय्येव शोभने ॥
yāni cānyāni deveṣu gandharveṣūrageṣu ca ratnabhūtāni bhūtāni tāni mayyeva śobhane
MeaningAnd whatever other jewel-like beings there were among the gods, the gandharvas and the nagas — those too, O beautiful one, are with me alone.
स्त्रीरत्नभूतां त्वां देवि लोके मन्यामहे वयम् । सा त्वमस्मानुपागच्छ यतो रत्नभुजो वयम् ॥
strīratnabhūtāṃ tvāṃ devi loke manyāmahe vayam sā tvamasmānupāgaccha yato ratnabhujo vayam
MeaningWe deem you, O Devi, to be the jewel of womankind in the world; come, therefore, to us, since we are the enjoyers of jewels.
मां वा ममानुजं वापि निशुम्भमुरुविक्रमम् । भज त्वं चञ्चलापाङ्गि रत्नभूतासि वै यतः ॥
māṃ vā mamānujaṃ vāpi niśumbhamuruvikramam bhaja tvaṃ cañcalāpāṅgi ratnabhūtāsi vai yataḥ
MeaningResort to me, or to my younger brother Nishumbha of vast valour, O you of tremulous sidelong glances, since you are verily a jewel.
परमैश्वर्यमतुलं प्राप्स्यसे मत्परिग्रहात् । एतद्बुद्ध्या समालोच्य मत्परिग्रहतां व्रज ॥
paramaiśvaryamatulaṃ prāpsyase matparigrahāt etadbuddhyā samālocya matparigrahatāṃ vraja
MeaningBy becoming mine you shall attain peerless supreme sovereignty. Weighing this in your mind, come into my possession."'
ऋषिरुवाच इत्युक्ता सा तदा देवी गम्भीरान्तःस्मिता जगौ । दुर्गा भगवती भद्रा ययेदं धार्यते जगत् ॥
ṛṣiruvāca ityuktā sā tadā devī gambhīrāntaḥsmitā jagau durgā bhagavatī bhadrā yayedaṃ dhāryate jagat
Meaning(The Rishi said:) Thus addressed, the Devi then — Durga, the Bhagavati, the auspicious, by whom this world is upheld — with a deep, inward smile, spoke:
देव्युवाच सत्यमुक्तं त्वया नात्र मिथ्या किञ्चित्त्वयोदितम् । त्रैलोक्याधिपतिः शुम्भो निशुम्भश्चापि तादृशः ॥
devyuvāca satyamuktaṃ tvayā nātra mithyā kiñcittvayoditam trailokyādhipatiḥ śumbho niśumbhaścāpi tādṛśaḥ
Meaning(The Devi said:) 'You have spoken the truth; nothing untrue have you said. Shumbha is indeed the lord of the three worlds, and so likewise is Nishumbha.
किं त्वत्र यत्प्रतिज्ञातं मिथ्या तत्क्रियते कथम् । श्रूयतामल्पबुद्धित्वात्प्रतिज्ञा या कृता पुरा ॥
kiṃ tvatra yatpratijñātaṃ mithyā tatkriyate katham śrūyatāmalpabuddhitvātpratijñā yā kṛtā purā
MeaningBut how can what has been vowed in this matter be made false? Hear the vow which, out of little wisdom, I made long ago:
यो मां जयति सङ्ग्रामे यो मे दर्पं व्यपोहति । यो मे प्रतिबलो लोके स मे भर्ता भविष्यति ॥
yo māṃ jayati saṅgrāme yo me darpaṃ vyapohati yo me pratibalo loke sa me bhartā bhaviṣyati
Meaning'He who conquers me in battle, who removes my pride, who is my match in strength in the world — he shall be my husband.'
तदागच्छतु शुम्भोऽत्र निशुम्भो वा महाबलः । मां जित्वा किं चिरेणात्र पाणिं गृह्णातु मे लघु ॥
tadāgacchatu śumbho'tra niśumbho vā mahābalaḥ māṃ jitvā kiṃ cireṇātra pāṇiṃ gṛhṇātu me laghu
MeaningSo let Shumbha come here, or the mighty Nishumbha; conquering me, let him take my hand at once — why delay?'
दूत उवाच अवलिप्तासि मैवं त्वं देवि ब्रूहि ममाग्रतः । त्रैलोक्ये कः पुमांस्तिष्ठेदग्रे शुम्भनिशुम्भयोः ॥
dūta uvāca avaliptāsi maivaṃ tvaṃ devi brūhi mamāgrataḥ trailokye kaḥ pumāṃstiṣṭhedagre śumbhaniśumbhayoḥ
Meaning(The messenger said:) 'You are arrogant. Do not speak so before me, O Devi! What man in the three worlds could stand before Shumbha and Nishumbha?
अन्येषामपि दैत्यानां सर्वे देवा न वै युधि । तिष्ठन्ति सम्मुखे देवि किं पुनः स्त्री त्वमेकिका ॥
anyeṣāmapi daityānāṃ sarve devā na vai yudhi tiṣṭhanti sammukhe devi kiṃ punaḥ strī tvamekikā
MeaningBefore even the other daityas, all the gods do not stand firm in battle, O Devi; how much less you, a single woman?
इन्द्राद्याः सकला देवास्तस्थुर्येषां न संयुगे । शुम्भादीनां कथं तेषां स्त्री प्रयास्यसि सम्मुखम् ॥
indrādyāḥ sakalā devāstasthuryeṣāṃ na saṃyuge śumbhādīnāṃ kathaṃ teṣāṃ strī prayāsyasi sammukham
Meaning(They) before whom Indra and all the gods could not stand in war — before those Shumbha and the rest, how will you, a woman, go to face them?
सा त्वं गच्छ मयैवोक्ता पार्श्वं शुम्भनिशुम्भयोः । केशाकर्षणनिर्धूतगौरवा मा गमिष्यसि ॥
sā tvaṃ gaccha mayaivoktā pārśvaṃ śumbhaniśumbhayoḥ keśākarṣaṇanirdhūtagauravā mā gamiṣyasi
MeaningSo go, at my bidding, to the side of Shumbha and Nishumbha; do not (compel us to take you) with your dignity stripped, dragged by the hair.'
देव्युवाच एवमेतद् बली शुम्भो निशुम्भश्चापितादृशः । किं करोमि प्रतिज्ञा मे यदनालोचिता पुरा ॥
devyuvāca evametad balī śumbho niśumbhaścāpitādṛśaḥ kiṃ karomi pratijñā me yadanālocitā purā
Meaning(The Devi said:) 'So it is — Shumbha is mighty, and Nishumbha likewise. What can I do? My vow was made before, without due reflection.
स त्वं गच्छ मयोक्तं ते यदेतत्सर्वमादृतः । तदाचक्ष्वासुरेन्द्राय स च युक्तं करोतु यत् ॥
sa tvaṃ gaccha mayoktaṃ te yadetatsarvamādṛtaḥ tadācakṣvāsurendrāya sa ca yuktaṃ karotu yat
MeaningSo go, and report respectfully to the lord of the asuras all that I have said; and let him do whatever is fitting.'