ब्रह्मा तेषां परं स्थानं दास्यते नात्र संशयः। नागानां तु भयं ज्ञात्वा ब्रह्मा लोकपितामहः
For them, Brahmā will grant the highest abode—of this there is no doubt; knowing the fear of the serpents, Brahmā, the grandsire of the worlds,
पूर्वोक्तं तु पुनर्वाक्यं नागानश्रावयत्तदा। पंचमी सा तिथिर्धन्या सर्वपापहरा शुभा
Again spoke the previously mentioned words to the serpents at that time: 'That fifth lunar day is blessed, auspicious, and removes all sins.'
यतोऽस्यामेव सुतिथौ नागानां कार्यमुद्धृतम्। एतस्यां सर्वतो यस्तु कट्वम्लं परिवर्जयेत्
Because on that very sacred day, the task concerning the serpents was accomplished; on that day, whoever avoids pungent and sour foods in every way,
क्षीरेण स्नापयेन्नागांस्तस्य ते यांति मित्रताम्। भीष्म उवाच। शिवदूती यथा जाता येन चैव निवेशिता
And bathes the serpents with milk, those serpents become friendly to him. Bhīṣma said: 'How did Śivadūtī arise, and by whom was she established?'
तन्मे सर्वं यथातत्त्वं भवान्शंसितुर्महति। पुलस्त्य उवाच। शिवा नीलगिरिं प्राप्ता तपसे धृतमानसा
'Tell me all of this in its true nature, O great one.' Pulastya said: 'Śivā, with her mind set on austerity, reached the blue mountain.'
रौद्री जटोद्भवा शक्तिस्तस्याः शृणु नृप व्रतम्। तपः कृत्वा चिरं कालं ग्रसिष्याम्यखिलं जगत्
'The fierce one, born from matted locks, is her power; hear, O king, her vow: Having performed austerity for a long time, I will consume the entire world.'
एवमुद्दिश्य पंचाग्निं साधयामास भामिनी। तस्याः कालांतरे देव्यास्तपंत्यास्तप उत्तमम्
With this resolve, the radiant goddess undertook the five-fire austerity; at another time, while that goddess was performing supreme penance,
रुरुर्नाममहातेजा ब्रह्मदत्तवरोऽसुरः। समुद्रमध्ये रत्नाख्यं पुरमस्ति महाधनम्
There was an asura named Ruru, of great splendor, who had received a boon from Brahmā; in the midst of the ocean is a city called Ratna, exceedingly wealthy.
तत्रातिष्ठत्स दैत्येंद्रस्सर्वदेवभयंकरः। अनेक शतसाहस्र कोटिकोटिशतोत्तमैः
There that lord of the Daityas resided, terrifying to all the gods, attended by countless hundreds of thousands and crores of the best asuras.
असुरैरर्चितः श्रीमान्द्वितीयो नमुचिर्यथा। कालेन महता सोऽथ लोकपालपुरं ययौ
Honored by the asuras, glorious like a second Namuci; after a long time, he went to the city of the guardians of the worlds.
जिगीषुः सैन्यसंवीतो देवैर्वैरमरोचयत्। उत्तिष्ठतस्तस्य महासुरस्य समुद्रतोयं ववृधेति वेगात्
Desiring victory, surrounded by his army, he provoked enmity with the gods; as that great asura rose up, the ocean's water surged swiftly.
अनेक नाग ग्रह मीनजुष्टमाप्लावयत्पर्वतसानुदेशान्। अंतःस्थितानेकसुरारिसंघं विचित्रवर्मायुधचित्रशोभम्
Flooding the slopes of the mountains, teeming with many serpents, crocodiles, and fish, within it were many hosts of enemies of the gods, adorned with wondrous armor and weapons.
भीमं बलं चलितं चारुयोधं विनिर्ययौ सिंधुजलाद्विशालम्। तत्र द्विपा दैत्यभठाभ्युपेताः सयानघंटाश्च समृद्धियुक्ताः
A terrible and mighty force, skilled in battle, emerged vast from the ocean's waters; there, elephants with daitya warriors mounted, and chariots with bells, all endowed with great prosperity.
विनिर्ययुः स्वाकृतिभिर्झषाणां समत्वमुच्चैः खलु दर्शयंतः। अश्वास्तथा कांचनसूत्रनद्धा रोहीतमत्स्या इव ते जलांते
They came forth, displaying forms like those of great fish, showing their might; horses, bound with golden cords, appeared at the edge of the waters like red Rohita fish.
व्यवस्थितास्तैः सममेव तूर्णं विनिर्ययुर्लक्षशः कोटिशश्च। तथा रविस्यंदनतुल्यवेगाः सचक्रदंडाक्षतवेणुयुक्ताः
Arranged together with them, swiftly they emerged in hundreds of thousands and crores; their speed was like the chariot of the sun, equipped with Indra's staff and unbroken bamboo poles.
रथाश्च यंत्रोपरिपीडितांगाश्चलत्पताकाः स्वनितं विचक्रुः। तथैव योधाः स्थगितास्तरीभिस्तितीर्षवस्ते प्रवरास्त्रपाणयः
Chariots, their bodies pressed by machines, with fluttering banners, made a resounding noise; likewise, the warriors, stationed on boats, eager to cross, held excellent weapons in their hands.
रणेरणे लब्धजयाः प्रहारिणो विरेजुरुच्चैरसुरानुगा भृशं। देवेषु वै रणे तेषु विद्रुतेषु विशेषतः
Victorious in battle after battle, the fierce followers of the asuras shone greatly, especially as the gods were routed in that fight.
असुरास्सर्वदेवानामन्वधावंस्ततस्ततः। ततो देवगणाः सर्वे द्रवंतो भयविह्वलाः
The asuras pursued all the gods here and there; then all the hosts of gods, overcome by fear, fled.
नीलं गिरिवरं जग्मुर्यत्र देवी स्वयं स्थिता। रौद्री तपोन्विता धन्या शांभवी शक्तिरुत्तमा
They went to the great blue mountain, where the goddess herself stood—terrible, endowed with ascetic power, blessed, the supreme energy of Shiva.
संहारकारिणी देवी कालरात्रीति यां विदुः। सा तु दृष्ट्वा तदा देवान्भयत्रस्तान्विचेतसः
The goddess, known as Kālarātrī, the bringer of destruction, saw the gods then, terrified and bewildered.
पप्रच्छ विस्मयाद्देवी प्रोत्फुल्लांबुजलोचना। पृष्ठतो वो न पश्यामि भयं किंचिदुपागतम्
The goddess, her eyes wide as blossoming lotuses, asked in astonishment, 'I do not see any danger approaching from behind you.'
कथं तु विद्रुता देवाः सर्वे शक्रपुरःसराः। देवा ऊचुः। अयमायाति दैत्येंद्रो रुरुर्भीमपराक्रमः
‘Then why are all the gods, with Indra at their head, fleeing?’ The gods said: ‘Here comes the lord of the daityas, Ruru, of terrible might.’
चतुरंगेण सैन्येन महता परिवारितः। तस्माद्दीना वयं देवीं भवतीं शरणं गताः
‘Surrounded by a great fourfold army, he advances; therefore, O goddess, we, distressed, have come to seek your refuge.’
देवानामिति वै श्रुत्वा वाक्यमुच्चैर्जहास सा। तस्यां हसंत्यां निश्चेरुर्वरांग्यो वदनात्ततः
Hearing the words of the gods, she laughed aloud; as she laughed, splendid women emerged from her mouth.
पाशांकुशधराः सर्वाः पीनोन्नतपयोधराः। सर्वाश्शूलधरा भीमाः सर्वा दंष्ट्राङ्कुशाननाः
All of them bore nooses and goads, with full, high breasts; all held tridents, were fearsome, and had faces with fangs and goads.
आबद्धमकुटाः सर्वाः संदष्टदशनच्छदाः। फूत्काररावैरशिवैस्त्रासयंत्यश्चराचरम्
All wore crested crowns, their teeth clenched and bared; with unholy roars and shouts, they terrified all beings, moving and unmoving.
काश्चिच्छुक्लाम्बरधराः काश्चिच्चित्राम्बरास्तथा। सुनीलवसनाः काश्चिद्रक्तपानातिलालसाः
Some wore white garments, some wore varied clothes; some were dressed in deep blue, others were eager for the taste of blood.
नानारूपैर्मुखैस्तास्तु नानावेषवपुर्धराः। ताभिरेवं वृता देवी देवानामभयंकरी
They had faces of many forms, bodies of many appearances; surrounded by them, the goddess became the giver of safety to the gods.
मा भैष्ट देवा भद्रं वो यावद्वदति दानवः। चतुरंगबलोपेतो रुरुस्तावत्समागतः
‘Do not fear, gods—may good befall you!’ she said, but even as she spoke, Ruru, equipped with a fourfold force, arrived.
तं नीलपर्वतवरं देवानां मार्गमार्गणः। देवानामग्रतः सैन्यं दृष्ट्वा देवी समाकुलम्
That best of blue mountains, the path and refuge of the gods, was approached by the goddess; seeing the gods’ army in confusion before her,