निरस्य तत्कोपितया च मुक्तो दण्डस्तु याम्यो बहुखण्डतां गतः
Having repelled it, she released the staff in anger, and the staff of Yama was shattered into many fragments.
संत्यज्य सिंहं महिषासुरस्य दुर्गाधिरूढा सहसैव पृष्ठम्
Abandoning the lion of the buffalo-demon, Durga swiftly mounted its back.
सा चापि पद्भ्यां मृदुकोमलाभ्यां ममर्द तं क्लिन्नमिवाजिनं हि
With her soft and tender feet, she pressed him, as if moistening a hide.
ततो ऽस्य शूलेन बिबेद कण्ठं तस्मात् पुमान् खङ्गधरो विनिर्गतः
Then she pierced his throat with her spear, and from it emerged a man bearing a sword.
शिरः प्रचिच्छेद वरासिनास्य हाहाकृतं दैत्यबलं तदाभूत्
She cut off his head with her excellent sword, and the demon army cried out in distress.
संताड्यमानाः प्रमथैर्भवान्याः पातलमेवाविविशुर्भयार्ताः
Struck by the attendants of Bhavani, terrified, they entered the netherworld.
नारायणीं सर्वजगत्प्रतिष्ठां कात्यायनीं घोरमुखीं सुरूपाम्
Narayani, the foundation of all worlds, Katyayani, fierce-faced and beautiful in form.
भूयो भविष्याम्यमरार्थमेवमुक्त्वा सुरांस्तान् प्रविवेश दुर्गा
Saying, 'I will again be born for the sake of the gods,' Durga entered among them.
महत्कौतूहलं मे ऽद्य विस्तराद् ब्रह्मवित्तम
Today I have great curiosity, O knower of Brahman, tell me in detail.
शुम्भासुरवधार्थाय लोकानां हितकाम्यया
For the destruction of the demon Shumbha, desiring the welfare of the worlds.
उमा नाम्ना च तस्याः सा कोशाञ्जाता तुकौशिकी
And by the name Uma, from her arose the sheath called Kaushiki.
शुम्भं चैव निशुम्भं च वधिष्यति वरायुधैः
She will slay Shumbha and Nishumbha with excellent weapons.
सा जाता हिमवत्पुत्रीत्येवं मे वक्तुमर्हसि
She was born as the daughter of Himavat; thus you should tell me.
यथा हतवती शुम्भं निसुम्भं च महासुरम्
How she slew Shumbha and Nishumbha, the great demons.
एतद् विस्तरतः सर्वं यथावद् वक्तुमर्हसि
You ought to recount all this in detail, just as it truly happened.
शृणुष्वावहितो भूत्वा स्कन्दोत्पत्तिं च शाश्वतीम्
Listen attentively as I relate the eternal origin of Skanda.
निराश्रयत्वमापन्नस्तपस्तप्तुं व्यवस्थितः
Having become devoid of support, he resolved to undertake austerity.
स चासीद् देवसेनानीर्दैत्यदर्फविनाशनः
He became the commander of the gods, destroyer of the arrogance of demons.
दानवेन्द्रेण विक्रम्य महिषेण पराजिताः
Having been overpowered by the lord of the demons, Mahisha, they were defeated.
श्वेत्दवीपे महाहंसं प्रपन्नाः शरणं हरिम्
In the white island, they sought refuge in Hari, the great swan.
विहस्य मेघगम्भीरं प्रोवाच पुरुषोत्तमः
Smiling with a voice deep as thunder, the Supreme Person spoke.
येन सर्वे समेत्यैवं मम पार्श्वमुपागताः
By whom have you all gathered together and come to my side in this way?
तत्कुरुध्वं जयो येन समाश्रित्य भवेद्धि वः
Do that by which, relying upon it, victory will surely be yours.
अमीषां मानसी कन्या मेना नाम्नास्ति देवताः
Among these, there is a divine maiden born of the mind, named Menā.
प्रार्थयध्वं सतीं मेनां प्रालेयाद्रेरिहार्थतः
Request the virtuous Menā from the icy mountain for your purpose.
दक्षकोपाद् यया मुक्तं मलवज्जीवितं प्रियम्
By whom, freed from the wrath of Daksha, life was cleansed like impurity.
स हनिष्यति दैत्येन्द्रं महिषं सपदानुगम्
She will slay the lord of the demons, Mahisha, along with his followers.
तत्र पृथूदके तीर्थे पूज्यन्तां पितरो ऽव्ययः
There, at the broad-watered holy place, let the imperishable ancestors be worshipped.
जिहासतात्मनः सर्वे इत्थं वै क्रियतामिति
For those wishing to relinquish themselves, let it be done thus.
कृताञ्जलिपुटा भूत्वा पप्रच्छुः परम्श्वरम्
With hands joined in reverence, they questioned the supreme lord.