Tuesday, December 26, 2017

Devi Mahatmyam


DEVI MAHATMYAM


      
Rishir Uvacha:-
       Devasuramabhoodhyudham poornama sabdhasatham pura,
       Mahishe asuranamadhipe devanam cha purandare
The sage told:-
Long long ago when Indra was the king of devas and Mahisha was the king of asuras, a hundred year was fought between devas and asuras.
(Mahishmati was the wife of an Asura called Vipra chithi. She terrorized the sage Sindhu Deepa taking the form of a buffalo. He cursed her to really become a buffalo. She drank the semen of sage Sindhu Deepa and gave birth to Mahishasura. The place where Mahishasura ruled in the olden days was called Mahishur and is the present Mysore in the city in the Karnataka State of India. )

2.    Thathrasurai Maha Veeryair deva sainyam parajitham,
       Jithwa sakalan devan indroabhoon Mahishasura.

In that war the army of devas was defeated by the very valorous army of Asuras and after winning all devas Mahishasura became Indra (king of Devas)

3.    Thatha parajithaa deva padmayonim prajapathim,
       Puraskruthya gathasthathra yathresa garuda dwaja.

Afterwards the defeated Devas went to the place where Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu are there with Brahma who was born out of the lotus as their leader.

4.    Yada vrutham thayosthadwan Mahishasura Cheshtitham,
       Tridasa kadayamasu r devabhi bhava vistharam.

Devas went to them and related to them about the action of Mahishasura and their great defeat truly as it happened.

5.    Suryendragnya Neelendunaam yamasya varunasya cha,
       Anwesham cha adhikaraan swaya mevadhi thisthati.

That Mahishasura has usurped the powers of Sun, Indra, Fire, wind god, and moon and using their powers.

6.    Swarga nirakrutha sarve thena devagana bhuvi,
       Vicharanthi yadha marthya mahishena durathmana.

Driven out from heaven by the bad soul Mahishasura all groups of Devas are traveling in the earth like human beings.
7.    Ethadwa kaditham sarva amarari cheshtitham,
       Saranam cha prapanna smo vadha sthasya vichinthyathaam.

We have told you all actions of Mahishasura and have sought your refuge. Please think about how he can be killed.

8.    Iththam nisamya devaanaam vachamsi Madu soodhana,
       Chakara kopam sambhooscha brukuti kuti lalanou.

Thus hearing the words of the devas, Lord Vishnu and lord Shiva, with a face with eyebrows curved, became very angry.

9.    Thatho kopa poor nasya chakrino vadanasthada,
       Nischakrama mahathejo brahmana sankarasya cha.

Then from the very angry and broad face of Vishnu and the faces of Lord Shiva and Lord Brahma, one lustrous power arose.

10.  Anwesham chaiva devanam sakradheenam sareeratha,
       Nirgatham samuhatheja thachaikyam samagachatha.

From the bodies of all devas including Indra very large lustrous power arose and became united with this power.

11.  Athheevathejasa kutam jwalanthamiva parvatham,
       Dhadrususthe surasthathra jwala vyaptha digantharam.

Those devas saw that very powerful fireball which was lighting all directions with its great flame and found it similar to a shining mountain.

12.  Athulam thathra thatheja sarva deva sareerajam,
       Ekastham thada bhoonari vyaptha lokathrayam twisha.

In that assembly of devas, that incomparable flame which emerged from the bodies of all devas including Vishnu became one and took the form of a lady whose power was shining in all the three worlds.

13.  Yadabhooschambhavam thejasthena jayatha thanmkham,
       Yamyena chabhavan kesa bahavo Vishnu thejasa.

From the power of Lord Shiva the face of Goddess was formed, from that of Yama her hair was formed and from that Vishnu her hands were formed.
(Her face was white because Shiva was white her hair black because Yama was black and her eighteen hands were blue because Vishnu was blue. )

14.  Sowmyenas thanyor yugmam, madhyamaindrena cha bhavat,
       vaarunena cha jangoru nithamba sthejasa buva.
From the power of moon her two busts were made, from the power of Indra her middle part, from the power of Varuna her calfs and thighs and from the power of earth her behind.
(Her busts were white because it was from moon, and her middle part was red because it was from Indra)

15.  Brahmana thejasa padhou thadangulyo arka thejasa,
       Vasoonaam cha karangulyai koubherana cha nasika.

Her feet were made by the power from Brahma, her toes from the power of Sun, from the Ashta Vasus her fingers and from the power of Kubhera her nose were made.
(Her feet were red because they were made with the power of Brahma)

16.  Thasyasthu Dantha sambhootha prajapathyena thejasa,
       Nayanathritayam jakjne thadha pavaka thejasa.

Her teeth were made with the power of Prajapathis like Daksha and her three eyes from the power of God of fire.

17.  Broovou cha sandyoyostheja sravana vanilasya cha,
       Anyeshaam chaiva devanaam sambhavasthejasam shiva.

From the power of dawn and dusk were made her eye brows, from the power of God of wind her ears and then power from all other Devas became one and she was formed.

18.  Thatha samastha devaanaam thejo rasi samud bhavam,
       Thaam vilokhya mudham prapuramara mahishardhitha.

All devas who were troubled by Mahishasura became happy seeing that Devi (Goddess) who was formed out of the powers of all devas.

19.  Soolam sooladhwinishkrushya dhadhou thasyai pinaka druk,
       Chakram cha Dhathawan Krushna samudpatya swachakratham.

Lord Shiva took the power of trident and gave it to her and Similarly Lord Vishnu took the power of his holy wheel and mace and gave it to her.
(“Chakram cha” meaning “also holy wheel” has been interpreted as Holy wheel and mace, because she holds the mace in one of her eighteen hands).

20.  Sankham cha Varuna, shakthim dadhou tasyai huthasana,
       Maarutho dathavamschapam banapurne thadheshudhi.

Varuna (God of rain) gave her the Conch, fire god Spear, and the God of wind the quiver full (inexhaustible) of many arrows.

21.  Vajramindra samudpatya kulisaadamaradipa,
       Dadhou thasyai Sahasraksho Gandam Iravadath Jagath.
The thousand-eyed Indra who was the king of Devas took (attracted) the diamond from Vajrayudha (weapon made of diamond) and bell from his elephant Iravatha and gave it to her.

22.  Kaladandadhyamo dandam paasam chambhu pathir dadhou,
       Prajapathischaksha maalam dadhou Brahma kamandalum.

Yama, the God of death gave her a staff made from his death staff, Varuna his rope made from his rope and the creator Brahma gave bead chain for praying and pot for taking water.

23.  Samastha roma koopeshu nija rasmin divakara,
       Kaalascha dathavan Gadgam tasyascharma cha nirmalam.

The Sun God gave her all the rays taken from every hair pore of his body and the God of time (Also God of death) gave her his sword and a sparkling shield.

24.  Ksheerodaschamalam haaramajare cha thadambhare.

The sea of milk gave her the very clear garland of pearls and ever fresh and never destroying set of cloths.

25.  Choodamanim thatha divyam kundale kadakani cha,
       Arda chandram vimalou thadwath graiveyakamuthamam.

26.  Noopuraou vimalou thadwath graiveyakamuthamam,
       Angulyaka rathnani samasthaswamguleeshu cha.

27.  Viswakarma Dhadou tasyai parasum cha athi nirmalam,
       Asthanyaneka roopani thadha bedhyam cha damsanam.

Viswakarma the architect and crafts specialist of Devas gave her, a jewel to wear on her head, studs, bangles, the holy crescent and shoulder armlets for all her hands and also very holy toe rings, very holy axe, several types of arrows and a shield which cannot be cut.

28.  Adhadha Jaladhi thasyai pankajamchadi shobhanam,
       Himavan vahanam simham, rathnani vividhani cha.

The God of sea gave her garlands made of never fading flowers to wear over her head and neck and a very pretty lotus flower and the Himalaya mountain gave her a lion to ride and several type of gems.

29.  Dadha vassoonyam suraya panapathram dhanadhipa,
       Seshascha sarva nageso maha mani vibhooshitham.

30.  Naga haram dadhou thasyai dathe ya prithwimimaam

Kubhera, the god of wealth gave her a goblet full of wine that Anantha who was the king of snakes and who bears the earth gave her a snake garland decorated by precious jewels.
(One interpreter says Goblet filled with nectar, though majority interpret it as goblet full of wine. The above stanzas indicate that the Goddess had 18 hands and was the basic power behind all the Gods. )

31.  Sammanitha nanadhochaisa attahasam muhur muhu,
       Thasya nadena gorena kruthsnama pooritham nabha.

Thus presented by many other ornaments and weapons by other devas, she again and again shouted with powerful laugh and the entire sky was filled her sound.

32.  Amayathathi mahatha prathi sabhdho mahanabhooth,
       Chukshubhu sakala loka samudhrascha chakambhire.

That great sound produced great echo and the entire earth and ocean shook because of that.

33.  Chachala vasudha chelu, sakalascha mahidhara,
       Jayethi devascha mudha thamoochu simha vahine.

The earth shook, all the mountains trembled and all the gods wished victory to that goddess who was riding on a lion.

34.  Thushtuvur munayaschainaam bhakthi namrathma moorthaya,
       Drushtwa samastham samkshubdham trilokya amararaya.

35.  Sanadhakhila sainyasthe samuthasthadhurudhayudha.

Sages praised with humility born of devotion and the enemies of devas (Mahisha and others) seeing the entire world is tumultuous rose up along with the ever-ready armies and with weapons held aloft.

36.  Aa kimethadhithi krodhadhabhyashya mahishasura,
       Abhyadavatha tham sabdham aseshair asurairvrutha.

Mahishasura with anger said, “What is this?” and surrounded by all asuras ran towards the origin of the sound.
(This shows the baser quality of the Asura, who did not first send an emissary to enquire about the source of the sound and started for a war himself.)

37.  Sa dadarsa thatho devim vyaptha lokathrayam twisha,
       Padakrathya natha bhuvam kiritolikithambharam.

38.  Kshobhithasesha patalam dhanurjyani swanena tham,
       Dhiso bhuja sahasrena samanthad vyapya samsthidham.

Afterwards he saw her spread all over the three worlds by her lustrous power, pushing down the earth by her feet, touching the skies with her crown, shaking the world including patala by the twang of her bow and occupying all the sides with her thousand arms.

39.  Thatha prava vruthe yudham thaya devya suradwishaam,
       Sashthrasthrair bahudha mukthiaraa depitha digandharam.

Then those Asuras had a Great War with the Devi (goddess) in which the differently sent weapons and arrows lighted all the different directions.

40.  Mahishasura senani Chikshurakhyo mahasura,
       Yuyudhe chamarschanyair schathuranga balanvidha,
       Radhaana, mayuthair shadbhir udhagraghyo mahasura.

She fought with Chikshura the great Asura who was the commander-in-chief of Mahishasura’s army, Chamara who fought along with the four types of army (Infantry, Cavalry, and chariot riders and elephant riders) and with Udagra, the great asura with sixty thousand chariots.

41.  Ayudhyathayuthaanam cha sahasrena maha hanu,
       Pancha shadbhischa niyuthair asiloma mahasura.

While Maha Hanu fought with one hundred million chariots, the great Asura called Asiloma fought with five hundred million chariots.

42.  Ayuthanaam sathair Shadbhir bhashkalo yuyudhe rane,
       Gaja vaji sahasrou ghair anekair parivaritha.

43.  Vyatho radhaanam kotya cha yudhe tasminayudhyatha.

The Asura called Bhashkala fought with six million chariots and the Asura called Parivaritha fought surrounded by innumerable and uncountable groups of elephants and horses and one hundred million chariots.

44.  Bidalakhyo ayuthanaam cha pancha sadbhi radayuthai,
       Yuyudhe samyughe thathra radhaanam parivaritha.

Afterwards Bidaala (cat eyed Asura) took part in that war with five hundred million chariots.

45.  Anye cga thathr yuthaso ratha naagahayair vrutha,
       Yuyudhu samyughe devya saha thathra mahasura.

All other asuras who were not mentioned above fought with the goddess surrounded by ten thousand sets of chariots, elephants and horses.

46.  Koti koti sahasraisthu rathaanaam dandhinaam thadha,
       Hayanaam cha vyatho yudhe thathra bhoon mahishasura.

Similarly Mahishasura also was ready to fight in that battle surrounded by thousand million times thousand million sets of chariots, elephants and horses.

47.  Thomarair bindhi palaischa shakthibhir musalisthadha,
       Yuyudhu samyuge, devya gadagai parasu pattisai.

Those Rakshasas fought the war with javelins, (not clear), elephant controlling spears, spears, pestles, axes and broad swords.

48.  Kecicha chikshupu sakthi kechith pasa sthada pare,
       Devim gadga praharaisthu they thaam hanthum prachakramu.

Some of them threw spears and some rope at her. And other great asuras tried to cut that goddess by swords and kill her.

49.  Sapi devi thathasthani sasthrayastharni chandika,
       Leelayaiva prachicheda nija sasthranyasthani varshani.

Afterwards that Goddess Chandika by sending her weapons and arrows cut off the weapons and arrows send by them as if she was playing.

50.  Anayasthanana Devi sthyumana surarshibhi,
       Mumocha sura deheshu Sasthrani asthrani cheswari.

Without sign of any tiredness in her face that Goddess who was being praised by devas and sages also sent weapons and arrows towards the bodies of those asuras.

51.  So api krudho, druhasato devya vahana kesari,
       Chachara sura sainyeshu vaneshwiva huthasana.

The famous steed lion of the goddess also became angry and with flowing manes traveled in the army of asuras like fire.

52.  Niswasaaan mumuche yamscha yudhyamana rane ambhika,
       They eva sadhya sambhootha ganaa satha sahasrasa.

Every deep breath of that Goddess Ambika took while fighting in the war with asuras, themselves became into of millions of Chandikas immediately.

53.  Yuyudhusthe parsubhir bhindhi palasi pattisai,
       Nasayantho asuraganan devi shakthyupa bramhitha.

Those soldiers (Chandikas) enthused by the great valour of the goddess-waged war against the asuras with weapons like axes, swords, Bindhipala and Pattisa etc (last two weapons were weapons of that time.)
54.  Aavadhayantha patahan gana sankhasthadhapare,
       Mrudangascha thadaivanyai tasmin yudha mahotsave.

Those soldiers celebrated that festival of war by playing on huge drums or blowing conches or playing on Mrudangam (a type of drum)

55.  Thatho devi trishulena gadhaya shakthi vrushtibhi
       Gadgadhibischa sathaso nijagana mahasuran.

Afterwards that goddess killed innumerable asuras by trident,, mace sword and shower of spears.

56.  Pathayamasa chaivanyan gandaswana vimohithan,
       Asuran bhuvi pasena bhadwa chanynakarshayath.

Some were made to swoon by production of huge clanging sound and some other asuras were tied by rope and dragged on the floor by the goddess.

57.  Vipodhitha nipathena gadhya bhuvi serathe,
       Vemascha kechid rudhiram bhoomou musalena brusam hatha.

58.  Kechith nipathitha bhoomou bhina soolena vakshasi.

Some great asuras were cut in to two by the severe strokes of the sword. Some others were beaten severely by the mace and fell on the floor. Some others vomited blood because of the beatings by the pestle. Others fell on the floor because the spears were driven on their chest.

59.  Nirakrutha sarou gana krutha kechid rana jire,
       Senanu karina pranaan mumuchu tridasardhana.

Some very valorous asuras gave up their life in the war by becoming hurt by crowds of arrows.

60.  Siramsi pethur anyeshaamanye madhye vidharitha
       Vichinna jangaasthwapare pethururvyam mahasura

In case of some, the hands were cut, similarly in case of some necks were cut, in case of some heads fell on the ground, in case of some they were cut in the middle and in case of some they fell on the earth having their legs broken.

61.  Eka bhawakshi charana kechidivya dwidhakrutha,
       Chinnepi chaanye shirasi pathitha punuruthidha.

62.  Kabandhaa yuyudhur devya grahidha paramayudha.

Some of them were cut in to two pieces with each piece having one eye, one ear and one leg. Some others even though they were beheaded again and again got up and fought with the goddess as headless body with several great weapons.
(It was believed that once thousand heroes are beheaded in war one trunk without head gets up to fight. In this war it is believed ten million times ten million trunks got up)

63.  Kabandha Chinna shirasa Gadga shakthyushti panaya,
       Thishta thishtehi bhashantho devimanye mahasura.

Some other asuras danced to the balanced tune of orchestra. While some trunks fought with the two sided sharpened sword, some other asuras fought with her shouting to her, “Stop, stop.”

64.  Pathithairadha naga aswai asuraischa vasundhara,
       Agamya sabhavat thathra yathradbutha maha rana.

That arena of war where the war took place became mpossible to cross due to fallen chariots, elephants, horses and other fallen asuras.

65.  Sonithougha maha nadhya sadya sththra visusruvu,
       madhye chasura sainyasya varanasura vajinaam.

There in the midst of the Asura army, great rivers of blood in which elephants, horses and asuras were floating were seen.

66.  Kshanena than maha sainyamasuranam thadhambhika,
       Ninye kshayam yadha vahnis tharna dharu maha chayam.

That goddess destroyed the huge Asura army as quickly as a huge fire destroys heaps of straw.

67.  Sa cha simho maha nada musrujan dutha kesara.
       Sarerebhyo amarareenamasuniva vichinwathi.

That lion with its flowing manes and with a great roar, appeared as if it was interested in taking away souls from the Asura bodies

68.  Devya Ganaischa thaisthathra krutham yudham thadhasurai,
       Yadhishaam thustuvur deva pushpa vrushti mucho dhivi.

While the devas who were singing her praise and causing rain of flowers, there was war between asuras and the army of the goddess.
.
Ithi Markandeya purane savarnike manwanthare,
       Devi Mahatmye,
       Mahishasura sainya vadho nama,
       Dwithiyo adhyaya,
This is the second chapter in Devi Mahatmya dealing with the killing of the army of Mahishasura Occurring in the Savarnika period of Markandeya Purana

(To be contd…..)



No comments: