r̥ṣiruvāca.
The Rishi said:
purā śumbhaniśumbhābhyāmasurābhyāṁ śacīpateḥ . trailokyaṁ yajñabhāgāśca hr̥tā madabalāśrayāt.
In former times, the great asuras Shumbha and Nishumbha, in the pride of their strength, deprived Indra of his sovereignty over the three worlds and his portions of the sacrifices.
tāveva sūryatāṁ tadvadadhikāraṁ tathaindavam . kauberamatha yāmyaṁ ca cakrāte varuṇasya ca.
They themselves took over the offices of the sun, the moon, Kubera, Yama, and Varuna.
tāveva pavanarddhiṁ ca cakraturvahnikarma ca . tato devā vinirdhūtā bhraṣṭarājyāḥ parājitāḥ.
They themselves exercised Vayu's authority and Agni's duty. Thereupon the devas, defeated, deprived of their kingdoms and routed,
hr̥tādhikārāstridaśāstābhyāṁ sarve nirākr̥tāḥ . mahāsurābhyāṁ tāṁ devīṁ saṁsmarantyaparājitām.
Were ousted from their offices by the two great asuras. All the devas, thus defeated, recalled the invincible Devi.
tayāsmākaṁ varo datto yathā''patsu smr̥tākhilāḥ . bhavatāṁ nāśayiṣyāmi tatkṣaṇātparamāpadaḥ.
'She had granted us the boon: "Whenever in calamities you think of me, that very moment I will put an end to all your worst disasters."'
iti kr̥tvā matiṁ devā himavantaṁ nageśvaram . jagmustatra tato devīṁ viṣṇumāyāṁ pratuṣṭuvuḥ.
Resolving thus, the devas went to Himavat, lord of the mountains, and there extolled the Devi, who is the illusive power of Vishnu.
devā ūcuḥ.
The devas said:
namo devyai mahādevyai śivāyai satataṁ namaḥ . namaḥ prakr̥tyai bhadrāyai niyatāḥ praṇatāḥ sma tām.
Salutation to the Devi, to the great Devi, to Her who is kind, salutation for ever. Salutation to Prakriti, to the good one; we bow to Her with minds restrained.
raudrāyai namo nityāyai gauryai dhātryai namo namaḥ . jyotsnāyai cendurūpiṇyai sukhāyai satataṁ namaḥ.
Salutation to Her who is terrible, to the eternal one, to Gauri, to the supporter of the universe, salutation again and again. Salutation to Her who is of the form of the moon's light, and to Her who is the form of happiness, salutation for ever.
kalyāṇyai praṇatāṁ vr̥ddhyai siddhyai kurmo namo namaḥ . nairr̥tyai bhūbhr̥tāṁ lakṣmyai śarvāṇyai te namo namaḥ.
We bow to Her who is welfare; we make salutations to Her who is prosperity and success. Salutation to the consort of Shiva, who is the good fortune of kings, and who is the destroyer of misfortune.
durgāyai durgapārāyai sārāyai sarvakāriṇyai . khyātyai tathaiva kr̥ṣṇāyai dhūmrāyai satataṁ namaḥ.
Salutations always to Durga, who takes one across difficulties, who is the essence, who is the author of everything; to the knowledge of the truth, and to the dark one, and to the smoke-coloured one.
atisaumyātiraudrāyai natāstasyai namo namaḥ . namo jagatpratiṣṭhāyai devyai kr̥tyai namo namaḥ.
We prostrate before Her who is at once most gentle and most terrible; we salute Her again and again. Salutation to Her who is the support of the world. Salutation to the Devi who is of the form of volition.
yā devī sarvabhūteṣu viṣṇumāyeti śabditā . namastasyai.
To the Devi who in all beings is called Vishnumaya, salutation to Her.
namastasyai.
Salutation to Her.
namastasyai namo namaḥ.
Salutation to Her, salutation, salutation.
yā devī sarvabhūteṣu cetanetyabhidhīyate . namastasyai.
To the Devi who in all beings is termed consciousness, salutation to Her.
namastasyai.
Salutation to Her.
namastasyai namo namaḥ.
Salutation to Her, salutation, salutation.
yā devī sarvabhūteṣu buddhirūpeṇa saṁsthitā . namastasyai.
To the Devi who abides in all beings in the form of intelligence, salutation to Her.
namastasyai.
Salutations to Her.
namastasyai namo namaḥ.
Salutations to Her, salutations again and again.
yā devī sarvabhūteṣu nidrārūpeṇa saṁsthitā.
To the Devi who abides in all beings in the form of sleep.
namastasyai.
Salutations to Her.
namastasyai namo namaḥ.
Salutations to Her, salutations again and again.
yā devī sarvabhūteṣu kṣudhārūpeṇa saṁsthitā.
To the Devi who abides in all beings in the form of hunger.
namastasyai.
Salutations to Her.
namastasyai namo namaḥ.
Salutations to Her, salutations again and again.
yā devī sarvabhūteṣu chāyārūpeṇa saṁsthitā.
To the Devi who abides in all beings in the form of shadow (or reflection).
namastasyai.
Salutations to Her.
namastasyai namo namaḥ.
Salutations to Her, salutations again and again.
yā devī sarvabhūteṣu śaktirūpeṇa saṁsthitā.
To the Devi who abides in all beings in the form of power.
namastasyai.
Salutations to Her.
namastasyai namo namaḥ.
Salutations to Her, salutations again and again.
yā devī sarvabhūteṣu tr̥ṣṇārūpeṇa saṁsthitā.
To the Devi who abides in all beings in the form of thirst.
namastasyai.
Salutations to Her.
namastasyai namo namaḥ.
Salutations to Her, salutations again and again.
yā devī sarvabhūteṣu kṣāntirūpeṇa saṁsthitā.
To the Devi who abides in all beings in the form of forgiveness.
namastasyai.
Salutations to Her.
namastasyai namo namaḥ.
Salutations to Her, salutations again and again.
yā devī sarvabhūteṣu jātirūpeṇa saṁsthitā . namastasyai
To the Devi who abides in all beings in the form of class, salutations to Her.
namastasyai
Salutations to Her.
namastasyai namo namaḥ
Salutations to Her, salutations again and again.
yā devī sarvabhūteṣu lajjārūpeṇa saṁsthitā . namastasyai
To the Devi who abides in all beings in the form of modesty, salutations to Her.
namastasyai
Salutations to Her.
namastasyai namo namaḥ
Salutations to Her, salutations again and again.
yā devī sarvabhūteṣu śāntirūpeṇa saṁsthitā . namastasyai
To the Devi who abides in all beings in the form of peace, salutations to Her.
namastasyai
Salutations to Her.
namastasyai namo namaḥ
Salutations to Her, salutations again and again.
yā devī sarvabhūteṣu śraddhārūpeṇa saṁsthitā . namastasyai
To the Devi who abides in all beings in the form of faith, salutations to Her.
namastasyai
Salutations to Her.
namastasyai namo namaḥ
Salutations to Her, salutations again and again.
yā devī sarvabhūteṣu kāntirūpeṇa saṁsthitā . namastasyai
To the Devi who abides in all beings in the form of beauty, salutations to Her.
namastasyai
Salutations to Her.
namastasyai namo namaḥ
Salutations to Her, salutations again and again.
yā devī sarvabhūteṣu lakṣmīrūpeṇa saṁsthitā . namastasyai
To the Devi who abides in all beings in the form of prosperity, salutations to Her.
namastasyai
Salutations to Her.
namastasyai namo namaḥ
Salutations to Her, salutations again and again.
yā devī sarvabhūteṣu vr̥ttirūpeṇa saṁsthitā . namastasyai
To the Devi who abides in all beings in the form of activity, salutations to Her.
namastasyai
Salutations to Her.
namastasyai namo namaḥ.
Salutations to Her, salutations again and again.
yā devī sarvabhūteṣu smr̥tirūpeṇa saṁsthitā . namastasyai.
To the Devi who abides in all beings in the form of memory, salutations to Her.
namastasyai.
Salutations to Her.
namastasyai namo namaḥ.
Salutations to Her, salutations again and again.
yā devī sarvabhūteṣu dayārūpeṇa saṁsthitā . namastasyai.
To the Devi who abides in all beings in the form of compassion, salutations to Her.
namastasyai.
Salutations to Her.
namastasyai namo namaḥ.
Salutations to Her, salutations again and again.
yā devī sarvabhūteṣu tuṣṭirūpeṇa saṁsthitā . namastasyai.
To the Devi who abides in all beings in the form of contentment, salutations to Her.
namastasyai.
Salutations to Her.
namastasyai namo namaḥ.
Salutations to Her, salutations again and again.
yā devī sarvabhūteṣu mātr̥rūpeṇa saṁsthitā . namastasyai.
To the Devi who abides in all beings in the form of mother, salutations to Her.
namastasyai.
Salutations to Her.
namastasyai namo namaḥ.
Salutations to Her, salutations again and again.
yā devī sarvabhūteṣu bhrāntirūpeṇa saṁsthitā . namastasyai.
To the Devi who abides in all beings in the form of error, salutations to Her.
namastasyai.
Salutations to Her.
namastasyai namo namaḥ.
Salutations to Her, salutations again and again.
indriyāṇāmadhiṣṭhātrī bhūtānāṁ cākhileṣu yā . bhūteṣu satataṁ tasyai vyāptyai devyai namo namaḥ.
To the all-pervading Devi who constantly presides over the senses of all beings and governs all creation, salutations again and again.
citirūpeṇa yā kr̥tsnametadvyāpya sthitā jagat . namastasyai.
To the Devi who pervades this entire world in the form of consciousness, salutations to Her.
namastasyai.
Salutations to Her.
namastasyai namo namaḥ.
Salutations to Her, salutations again and again.
stutā suraiḥ pūrvamabhīṣṭasaṁśrayā- ttathā surendreṇa dineṣu sevitā. karotu sā naḥ śubhaheturīśvarī śubhāni bhadrāṇyabhihantu cāpadaḥ.
'Invoked of yore by the devas for the sake of their desired object, and adored by the lord of the devas every day, may she, the Isvari, the source of all good, accomplish for us all good things and put an end to our calamities!'
yā sāmprataṁ coddhatadaityatāpitai- rasmābhirīśā ca surairnamasyate. yā ca smr̥tā tatkṣaṇameva hanti naḥ sarvāpado bhaktivinamramūrtibhiḥ.
'And who is now again, reverenced by us, devas, tormented by arrogant asuras and who, called to mind by us obeisant with devotion, destroys this very moment all our calamities.'
r̥ṣiruvāca.
The Rishi said:
evaṁ stavādiyuktānāṁ devānāṁ tatra pārvatī. snātumabhyāyayau toye jāhnavyā nr̥panandana.
O Prince, while the devas were thus engaged in praises and (other acts of adoration), Parvati came there to bathe in the waters of the Ganga.
sābravīttān surān subhrūrbhavadbhiḥ stūyate'tra kā. śarīrakośataścāsyāḥ samudbhūtābravīcchivā.
She, the lovely-browed, said to those devas, 'Who is praised by you here?' A kind devi, sprung forth from her physical sheath, gave the reply:
stotraṁ mamaitat kriyate śumbhadaityanirākr̥taiḥ. devaiḥ sametaiḥ samare niśumbhena parājitaiḥ.
'This stotra is addressed to me by the assembled devas set at naught by the asura Shumbha and routed in battle by Nishumbha.'
śarīrakośādyattasyāḥ pārvatyā niḥsr̥tāmbikā. kauśikīti samasteṣu tato lokeṣu gīyate.
Because that Ambika came out of Parvati's physical sheath (Kosa), she is glorified as Kaushiki in all the worlds.
tasyāṁ vinirgatāyāṁ tu kr̥ṣṇābhūtsāpi pārvatī. kāliketi samākhyātā himācalakr̥tāśrayā.
After she had issued forth, Parvati became dark and was called Kalika and stationed on mount Himalaya.
tato'mbikāṁ paraṁ rūpaṁ bibhrāṇāṁ sumanoharam . dadarśa caṇḍo muṇḍaśca bhr̥tyau śumbhaniśumbhayoḥ.
Then, Caṇḍa and Muṇḍa, two servants of Śumbha and Niśumbha, saw that Ambikā bearing a surpassingly charming form.
tābhyāṁ śumbhāya cākhyātā sātīva sumanoharā . kāpyāste strī mahārāja bhāsayantī himācalam.
They both told Śumbha: 'O King, a certain woman, most surpassingly beautiful, dwells there shedding lustre on mount Himalaya.
naiva tādr̥k kvacidrūpaṁ dr̥ṣṭaṁ kenaciduttamam . jñāyatāṁ kāpyasau devī gr̥hyatāṁ cāsureśvara.
'Such supreme beauty was never seen by anyone anywhere. Ascertain who that Devi is and take possession of her, O lord of the asuras!
strīratnamaticārvaṅgī dyotayantī diśastviṣā . sā tu tiṣṭhati daityendra tāṁ bhavān draṣṭumarhati.
'A gem among women, of surpassingly beautiful limbs, illuminating the quarters with her lustre, there she stands, O lord of the daityas. You should see her.
yāni ratnāni maṇayo gajāśvādīni vai prabho . trailokye tu samastāni sāmprataṁ bhānti te gr̥he.
'O Lord, whatever gems, precious stones, elephants, horses and others there are in the three worlds, they are all now in your house.
airāvataḥ samānīto gajaratnaṁ purandarāt . pārijātataruścāyaṁ tathaivoccaiḥśravā hayaḥ.
'Airavata, gem among elephants, has been brought away from Purandara (Indra) and so also this Parijata tree and the horse Uccaihsravas.
vimānaṁ haṁsasaṁyuktametattiṣṭhati te'ṅgaṇe . ratnabhūtamihānītaṁ yadāsīdvedhaso'dbhutam.
'Here stands in your courtyard the wonderful chariot yoked with swans, a wonderful gem (of its class), brought here from Brahma.
nidhireṣa mahāpadmaḥ samānīto dhaneśvarāt . kiñjalkinīṁ dadau cābdhirmālāmamlānapaṅkajām.
'Here is the treasure Mahapadma brought from the lord of wealth. And the ocean gave a garland named Kinjalkini made of unfading lotus flowers.
chatraṁ te vāruṇaṁ gehe kāñcanasrāvi tiṣṭhati. tathāyaṁ syandanavaro yaḥ purā''sītprajāpateḥ.
In your house stands the gold-showering umbrella of Varuna. And here is the excellent chariot that was formerly Prajapati's.
mr̥tyorutkrāntidā nāma śaktirīśa tvayā hr̥tā. pāśaḥ salilarājasya bhrātustava parigrahe.
By you, O Lord, Death's shakti weapon named Utkrantida has been carried off. The noose of the ocean-king is among your brother's possessions.
niśumbhasyābdhijātāśca samastā ratnajātayaḥ. vahnirapi dadau tubhyamagniśauce ca vāsasī.
Nishumbha has every kind of gem produced in the sea. Fire also gave you two garments which are purified by fire.
evaṁ daityendra ratnāni samastānyāhr̥tāni te. strīratnameṣā kalyāṇī tvayā kasmānna gr̥hyate.
Thus, O lord of the asuras, all gems have been brought to you. Why is this jewel of a woman not seized by you?
r̥ṣiruvāca.
The Rishi said:
niśamyeti vacaḥ śumbhaḥ sa tadā caṇḍamuṇḍayoḥ. preṣayāmāsa sugrīvaṁ dūtaṁ devyā mahāsuram.
Hearing these words of Chanda and Munda, Shumbha sent the great asura Sugriva as a messenger to the Devi.
iti ceti ca vaktavyā sā gatvā vacanānmama. yathā cābhyeti samprītyā tathā kāryaṁ tvayā laghu.
He said: 'Go and tell her thus and thus from me, and act in such a manner that she may quickly come to me in affection.'
sa tatra gatvā yatrāste śailoddeśe'tiśobhane. tāṁ ca devīṁ tataḥ prāha ślakṣṇaṁ madhurayā girā.
He went there where the Devi was staying in a very beautiful spot on the mountain, and spoke to her in fine and sweet words.
dūta uvāca.
The messenger said:
devi daityeśvaraḥ śumbhastrailokye parameśvaraḥ. dūto'haṁ preṣitastena tvatsakāśamihāgataḥ.
'O Devi, Sumbha, lord of asuras, is the supreme sovereign of three worlds. Sent by him as messenger, I have come here to your presence.
avyāhatājñaḥ sarvāsu yaḥ sadā devayoniṣu. nirjitākhiladaityāriḥ sa yadāha śr̥ṇuṣva tat.
'Hearken to what has been said by him whose command is never resisted among the devas and who has vanquished all the foes of the asuras:
mama trailokyamakhilaṁ mama devā vaśānugāḥ. yajñabhāgānahaṁ sarvānupāśnāmi pr̥thak pr̥thak.
'(He says), "All the three worlds are mine and the devas are obedient to me. I enjoy all their shares of sacrifices separately.
trailokye vararatnāni mama vaśyānyaśeṣataḥ. tathaiva gajaratnaṁ ca hr̥tvā devendravāhanam.
"All the choicest gems in the three worlds are altogether under my power; and so is the jewel of elephants, Airavata, the mount of the lord of devas which I have taken away.
kṣīrodamathanodbhūtamaśvaratnaṁ mamāmaraiḥ. uccaiḥśravasasaṁjñaṁ tatpraṇipatya samarpitam.
"The gods themselves offered to me with salutations that jewel of horses named Uccaihsravas which arose at the churning of the milk-ocean.
yāni cānyāni deveṣu gandharveṣūrageṣu ca. ratnabhūtāni bhūtāni tāni mayyeva śobhane.
"O beautiful lady, whatever other rare objects there existed among the devas, the gandharvas and nagas are now with me.
strīratnabhūtāṁ tvāṁ devi loke manyāmahe vayam. sā tvamasmānupāgaccha yato ratnabhujo vayam.
"We look upon you, O Devi, as the jewel of women in the world. You who are such, come to us, since we are the enjoyers of the best objects."
māṁ vā mamānujaṁ vāpi niśumbhamuruvikramam . bhaja tvaṁ cañcalāpāṅgi ratnabhūtāsi vai yataḥ.
"Take to me or to my younger brother Nisumbha of great prowess, O unsteady-eyed lady, for you are in truth a jewel."
paramaiśvaryamatulaṁ prāpsyase matparigrahāt . etad buddhyā samālocya matparigrahatāṁ vraja.
"Wealth, great and beyond compare, you will get by marrying me. Think over this in your mind, and become my wife."
r̥ṣiruvāca.
The Rishi said:
ityuktā sā tadā devī gambhīrāntaḥsmitā jagau . durgā bhagavatī bhadrā yayedaṁ dhāryate jagat.
Thus told, Durga the adorable and kind, by whom this universe is supported, then became serene and said.
devyuvāca.
The Devi said:
satyamuktaṁ tvayā nātra mithyā kiñcittvayoditam . trailokyādhipatiḥ śumbho niśumbhaścāpi tādr̥śaḥ.
"You have spoken truth; nothing false has been uttered by you in this matter. Sumbha is indeed the sovereign of the three worlds and likewise is also Nisumbha."
kiṁ tvatra yatpratijñātaṁ mithyā tatkriyate katham . śrūyatāmalpabuddhitvātpratijñā yā kr̥tā purā.
"But in this matter, how can that which has been promised be made false? Hear what promise I had made already out of foolishness."
yo māṁ jayati saṁgrāme yo me darpaṁ vyapohati . yo me pratibalo loke sa me bhartā bhaviṣyati.
"He who conquers me in battle, removes my pride and is my match in strength in the world shall be my husband."
tadāgacchatu śumbho'tra niśumbho vā mahāsuraḥ . māṁ jitvā kiṁ cireṇātra pāṇiṁ gr̥hṇātu me laghu.
So let Sumbha come here then, or Nisumbha the great asura. Vanquishing me here, let him soon take my hand in marriage. Why delay?
dūta uvāca.
The messenger said:
avaliptāsi maivaṁ tvaṁ devi brūhi mamāgrataḥ . trailokye kaḥ pumāṁstiṣṭhedagre śumbhaniśumbhayoḥ.
O Devi, you are haughty. Talk not so before me. Which man in the three worlds will stand before Sumbha and Nisumbha?
anyeṣāmapi daityānāṁ sarve devā na vai yudhi . tiṣṭhanti sammukhe devi kiṁ punaḥ strī tvamekikā.
All the devas verily cannot stand face to face with even the other asuras in battle. Why mention you, O Devi, a single woman?
indrādyāḥ sakalā devāstasthuryeṣāṁ na saṁyuge . śumbhādīnāṁ kathaṁ teṣāṁ strī prayāsyasi sammukham.
Indra and all other devas could not stand in battle against Sumbha and other asuras, how will you, a woman, face them?
sā tvaṁ gaccha mayaivoktā pārśvaṁ śumbhaniśumbhayoḥ . keśākarṣaṇanirdhūtagauravā mā gamiṣyasi.
On my word itself, you go to Sumbha and Nishumbha. Let it not be that you go to them with your dignity lost by being dragged by your hair.
devyuvāca.
The Devi said:
evametad balī śumbho niśumbhaścātivīryavān . kiṁ karomi pratijñā me yadanālocitā purā.
Yes, it is; Sumbha is strong and so is Nisumbha exceedingly heroic! What can I do since there stands my ill-considered sankalp taken long ago?
sa tvaṁ gaccha mayoktaṁ te yadetatsarvamādr̥taḥ . tadācakṣvāsurendrāya sa ca yuktaṁ karotu tat.
Go back, and tell the lord of asuras carefully all this that I have said; let him do whatever he considers proper.