तेन नादेन सा जाता काली विस्तारितानना । श्रुत्वा तन्निनदं घोरं सिंहो देव्याश्च वाहनम्
At that sound, Kālī became wide-mouthed; hearing that dreadful roar, the lion, the goddess's mount,
जगर्ज सोऽपि बलवाञ्जनयन्भयमद्भुतम् । तन्निनादमुपश्रुत्य दानवाः क्रोधमूर्च्छिताः
also roared mightily, producing a wondrous and fearsome noise; hearing that tumult, the demons, seized by wrath,
सर्वे चिक्षिपुरस्त्राणि देवीं प्रति महाबलाः । तस्मिन्नेवायते युद्धे दारुणे लोमहर्षणे
all those mighty ones hurled their weapons at the goddess; in that very moment, in that fierce and hair-raising battle,
ब्रह्मादीनाञ्च देवानां शक्तयश्चण्डिकां ययुः । यस्य देवस्य यद्रूपं यथा भूषणवाहनम्
the powers of Brahmā and the other gods entered Caṇḍikā; each goddess took on the form, ornaments, and mount of her respective deity.
तादृग्रूपास्तदा देव्यः प्रययुः समराङ्गणे । ब्रह्माणी वरटारूढा साक्षसूत्रकमण्डलुः
In such forms, those goddesses entered the battlefield; Brahmāṇī arrived riding a swan, holding a rosary and water-pot.
आगता ब्रह्मणः शक्तिर्ब्रह्माणीति प्रतिश्रुता । वैष्णवी गरुडारूढा शङ्खचक्रगदाधरा
The power of Brahmā, known as Brahmāṇī, came forth; Vaiṣṇavī arrived mounted on Garuḍa, bearing conch, discus, and mace.
पद्महस्ता समायाता पीताम्बरविभूषिता । शाङ्करी तु वृषारूढा त्रिशूलवरधारिणी
She came holding a lotus, adorned with yellow garments; Śāṅkarī, mounted on a bull, bearing a trident,
अर्धचन्द्रधरा देवी तथाहिवलया शिवा । कौमारी शिखिसंरूढा शक्तिहस्ता वरानना
the goddess adorned with a crescent moon and snake bracelets, auspicious; Kaumārī, riding a peacock, holding a spear, with a beautiful face,
युद्धकामा समायाता कार्तिकेयस्वरूपिणी । इन्द्राणी सुष्ठुवदना सुश्वेतगजवाहना
desiring battle, arrived in the form of Kārttikeya; Indrāṇī, with a lovely face, riding a pure white elephant,
वज्रहस्तातिरोषाढ्या संग्रामाभिमुखी ययौ । वाराही शूकराकारा प्रौढप्रेतासना मता
holding a thunderbolt, filled with intense wrath, advanced toward the battle; Vārāhī, boar-formed, seated on a powerful corpse,
नारसिंही नृसिंहस्य बिभ्रती सदृशं वपुः । याम्या च महिषारूढा दण्डहस्ता भयप्रदा
Nārasiṃhī, resembling Narasiṃha, bore a similar form; Yāmī, riding a buffalo, holding a staff, bestower of fear,
समायाताथ संग्रामे यमरूपा शुचिस्मिता । तथैव वारुणी शक्तिः कौबेरी च मदोत्कटा
also arrived in the battle, smiling beautifully, in the form of Yama; likewise, the powers of Varuṇa and Kubera, fierce with intoxication,
एवंविधास्तथाऽऽकारा ययुः स्वस्वबलैर्वृताः । आगतास्ताः समालोक्य देवी मुदमवाप च
such goddesses, in those forms, came, each surrounded by their own forces; seeing them assembled, the goddess rejoiced.
स्वस्था मुमुदिरे देवा दैत्याश्च भयमाययुः । ताभिः परिवृतस्तत्र शङ्करो लोकशङ्करः
The gods became at ease and delighted, while the demons were seized by fear; surrounded by those goddesses, Śaṅkara, the benefactor of the worlds,
समागम्य च संग्रामे चण्डिकामित्युवाच ह । हन्यन्तामसुराः शीघ्रं देवानां कार्यसिद्धये
having come together in battle, addressed Caṇḍikā, saying: 'Let the demons be swiftly slain for the accomplishment of the gods' purpose.'
निशुम्भं चैव शुम्भं च ये चान्ये दानवाः स्थिताः । हत्वा दैत्यबलं सर्वं कृत्वा च निर्भयं जगत्
'Niśumbha and Śumbha, and all other demons present—having slain all the demon forces, make the world free from fear.'
स्वानि स्वानि च धिष्ण्यानि समागच्छन्तु शक्तयः । देवा यज्ञभुजः सन्तु ब्राह्मणा यजने रताः
Let each power return to its own proper seat; let the gods partake of the offerings, and let the Brahmins be devoted to the performance of sacrifice.
प्राणिनः सन्तु सन्तुष्टाः सर्वे स्थावरजङ्गमाः । शमं यान्तु तथोत्पाता ईतयश्च तथा पुनः
Let all living beings, both moving and unmoving, be content; let disturbances and calamities subside and come to peace once more.
घनाः काले प्रवर्षन्तु कृषिर्बहुफला तथा । व्यास उवाच एवं ब्रुवति देवेशे शङ्करे लोकशङ्करे
Let the clouds rain at the proper time, and let the crops yield abundant fruit. Vyasa said: As the Lord of the gods, Shankara, the benefactor of the worlds, spoke thus—
चण्डिकाया शरीरात्तु निर्गता शक्तिरद्भुता । भीषणातिप्रचण्डा च शिवाशतनिनादिनी
From the body of Chandika emerged a wondrous power, terrifying and exceedingly fierce, roaring like a hundred thunderbolts.
घोररूपाथ पञ्चास्यमित्युवाच स्मितानना । देवदेव व्रजाशु त्वं दैत्यानामधिपं प्रति
With a dreadful form and five faces, yet smiling, she said: 'O Lord of gods, go swiftly to the lord of the Daityas.'
दूतत्वं कुरु कामारे ब्रूहि शुम्भं स्मराकुलम् । निशुम्भञ्च मदोत्सिक्तं वचनान्मम शङ्कर
'Become a messenger, O enemy of desire, and speak to Shumbha, who is agitated by passion, and to Nishumbha, who is intoxicated with pride, these words of mine, O Shankara.'
मुक्त्वा त्रिविष्टपं यात यूयं पातालमाशु वै । देवाः स्वर्गे सुखं यान्तु तुराषाट् स्वासनं शभम्
'Abandoning heaven, you all should quickly go to the netherworld, where the Daityas dwell; let the gods enjoy happiness in heaven, and Turashat his splendid throne.'
प्राप्नोतु त्रिदिवं स्थानं यज्ञभागांश्च देवताः । जीवितेच्छा च युष्माकं यदि स्यात्तु महत्तरा
'Let the gods regain their place in heaven and their shares of the sacrifice. If your desire for life is greater—'
तर्हि गच्छत पातालं तरसा यत्र दानवाः । अथवा बलमास्थाय युद्धेच्छा मरणाय चेत्
'Then go swiftly to the netherworld, where the Danavas are. Or, if you wish for battle and death, relying on your strength—'
तदाऽऽगच्छन्तु तृप्यन्तु मच्छिवाः पिशितेन वः । व्यास उवाच तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं तस्याः शूलपाणिस्त्वरान्वितः
'Then come, and let my fierce attendants be satisfied with your flesh.' Vyasa said: Hearing her words, the trident-bearing one, filled with urgency—
गत्वाऽऽह दैत्यराजानं शुम्भं सदसि संस्थितम् । शिव उवाच राजन् दूतोऽहमम्बायास्त्रिपुरान्तकरो हरः
Went and addressed the Daitya king Shumbha, who was seated in his assembly. Shiva said: 'O King, I am the messenger of Ambika, the destroyer of Tripura, Hara.'
त्वत्सकाशमिहायातो हितं कर्तुं तवाखिलम् । त्यक्त्वा स्वर्गं तथा भूमिं यूयं गच्छत सत्वरम्
'I have come here to you to do what is wholly beneficial for you. Abandoning heaven and earth, you all should go at once—'
पातालं यत्र प्रह्लादो बलिश्च बलिनां वरः । अथवा मरणेच्छा चेत्तर्ह्यागच्छत सत्वरम्
'To the netherworld, where Prahlada and Bali, the foremost among the strong, reside. Or, if you desire death, then come at once.'
संग्रामे वो हनिष्यामि सर्वानेवाहमाशु वै । इत्युवाच महाराज्ञी युष्मत्कल्याणहेतवे
'In battle, I will swiftly slay you all.' Thus spoke the great queen for your welfare.