PRAYER TO BHAGVATI

At the break of dawn I meditate upon Bhagvati Ishvari. Her beauty is brilliance of the autumn moon rays; she is adorned with crocodile shaped earrings studded with beautiful gems and garland; she has in her beautiful adorous innumerable hands divine glittering weapons and her feet are the beauty of red lotus.

At dawn, I bow to Chandi - the embodiment of all devas. She is proficient in the destruction of Mahishaasur, Chand, Munda and Shumbhaasur and other daityas; her play-act deludes Brahmaa, Indra, Rudra and munis and she has innumerable forms.

At dawn I worship great Vishnu's great Maayaa. She fulfills all desires of her devotees; she is the beholder of all the world; she is the destroyer of all evil and she causes to break the bond of the cyclical world of birth, death and suffering (samsaar).

SRI DURGAA ASHTOTAR NAAM STOTRA

(108 NAMES OF DURGAA)

O you who are the face of lotus! Listen to the 108 names, which I will now relate. As a result of this Sati Durgaa is extremely pleased.

Aum Sati, Saadhvi, Bhavprita (one who has affection for Bhav i.e. Shankar), Bhavaani, Bhavmochan (one who frees from the shackles of birth and death world), Aaryaa, Durgaa, Jayaa, Aadhyaa, Trinetra (three-eyed), and Shuldhaarini (beholder of spear).

Pinaakdhaarini (beholder of the bow Pinaak of Shiva), Chitraa, Chand ghantaa (the maker of loud bell sounds), Mahaatapaa (doer of great penance), Mana (the power to remember / meditate), Buddhi (the power of intellect), Ahamkaaraa (the abode of ego), Chittarupa (the form of mind), Chittaa (mind), and Chitti (consciouness).

Sarva mantra mayi (the form of all the mantras), Satta (the form of truth), Satya aanand svarupini (the form of bliss), Anantaa (whose form has no end), Bhaavini ( the creator of all), Bhaavyaa (appropriate for meditation), Abhavyaa (beyond whom none is greater), and Sadaagati.

Shaambhavi (beloved of Shambhu), Deva maataa (mother of devas), Chintaa, Ratnapriyaa, Sarva vidyaa, Daksha kanyaa (daughter of Daksha), and Daksha yagna vinashini (destroyer of Daksha's yagna).

Aparnaa (not eating a single leaf in penance), Aneka varnaa (of many colours), Paatlaa (of red colour), Paatlaavati (Wearing Paatal or red flowers), Pata ambar paridhaanaa (wearing clothes of silk), and Kala manjir ranjini (the holder of cymbals of sweet sound).

Ameya vikramaa (of infinite valour), Kruraa (cruel on daityas), Sundari, Sur sundari, Van durgaa, Maatangi, and Matang muni pujitaa.

Braahmi, Maaheshvari, Aindri, Kaumaari, Vaishnavi, Chaamundaa, Vaaraahi, Lakshmi, and Purush aakruti.

Vimlaa, Utkarshini, Gnaanaa, Kriyaa, Nityaa, and Buddhidaa, Bahulaa, Bahul premaa, and Sarva vaahan vaahanaa.

Nishumbh Shumbha hanani, Mahishaasur mardini, Madhu Kaitbh hantri, and Chanda Munda vinaashini.

Aneka shahtra hastaa, Aneka astra dhaarini, Kumaari, Ek kanyaa, Keishori, Yuvati and Yati.

Apraudhaa, Praudhaa, Vruddha maataa, Bala pradaa, Mahodari, Mukta keshi, Ghor  rupaa, and Mahaa balaa.

Agni jvaalaa, Raudra mukhi, Kaal raatri, Tapasvini, Naaraayani, Bhadra kaali, Vishnu  maayaa, and Jalodari.

Shiv dooti, Karaali, Anantaa (wothout end), Param eshvari, Kaatyaayani, Saavitri, Pratyakshaa, and Brahma vaadini.

O devi Paarvati ! Those who daily pray with these 108 names of Durgaa, to them nothing is out of reach in the three worlds.

They are gifted with wealth, food, family, spouse, horses, elephants, Dharma and the four purushaarthas, and in the end ultimate liberation.

After worshipping young girls (kumaarikaa) and meditating on Sureshvari (the supreme lady of the brave), worship her with great devotion. Then commence the chant of these 108 names.

O Devi! Those who perform in this manner, they obtain from the greatest of devas super natural powers. The king becomes his servant and gains the wealth of a kingdom.

Those ritualistic men who write the yantra with mixture of Gorochan, adato, kumkum, sindur (red lead), kapoor (camphor), saamkar (candy) and honey, with due procedure, and wear it thereafter, they become equivalent of Shiva (form of liberated).

At midnight on the last dark night (new moon) of Tuesday, when the moon is in the house of Shatbhishaa nakshatra, at that time the one who writes this stotra and chants it, he will gain wealth.

From Vishva saar tantra - Durgaa ashtotar naam stotra endeth.

SHREE CHANDIPAATH

The devotee after cleansing by bath should do tilakam etc.

Then sit facing the north.

Do 4 aachamans

And with concentration and great faith, read the Chandipath, renouncing all to the Great Mother

MEDITATION OF MAHAAKAALI

1. Aum Aeim Maarkandeya said (to his disciple Krashustuki Bhaaguri):
2. Saavarni, son of Surya, is called the eighth Manu. Listen, while I describe in detail about his birth, how Saavarni, illustrious son of Surya
3. Became the Lord of the (eighth) Manvantara by the grace of Mahaamaayaa.
4. In former times, there was a king named Suratha, born of the Chaitra dynasty, ruling over the whole world in the period of Svarochisha.
5. He protected his subjects duly like his own children. At that time the kings, who were the destroyers of the Kolas, became his enemies.
6. He, the wielder of powerful weapons, fought the battle with the destroyers of Kolaas, but was defeated by them though they were a small force.
7. Then he returned to his city, and ruled over his own country. Then that illustrious king was attacked by those powerful enemies.
8. Even in his own city, the king, (now) bereft of strength, was robbed of his treasury and army by his own powerful, vicious and evil-disposed ministers.
9. Thereafter, deprived of his sovereignty, the king left alone on horseback for a dense forest, under the pretext of hunting.
10. He saw there the hermitage of Medhas - the supreme among the twice born - inhabited by wild animals, which were peaceful, and graced by the disciples of the sage.
11. Entertained by the sage, Suratha spent some time moving about in the hermitage of the great sage.
12. There then overcome with a attachment, he fell into the thought,
13. 'I do not know whether the capital (which was) well guarded by my ancestors and recently deserted by me is being guarded righteously or not by my servants of evil conduct.
14. I do not know what enjoyment my chief elephant, heroic and always elated, and fallen into the hands of my foes, will get.
15. Those who were my constant followers and received favour, riches and food from me, now certainly pay homage to other kings.
16. The treasure, which I gathered with great care, will be squandered by those constant spendthrifts, who are addicted to improper expenditures.'
17. The king was continually thinking of these and other things. Near the hermitage of the Braahmana he saw a merchant,
18. And asked:' Ho! Who are you? What is the reason for your coming here? Wherefore do you appear as if afflicted with grief and depressed in mind?'
19. Hearing this speech of the king, uttered in a friendly spirit, the merchant bowed respectfully and replied to the king.
20. The merchant said:
21. ' I am a merchant named Samaadhi, born in a wealthy family. I have been cast out by my sons and wife, who are wicked through greed of wealth.
22. `My wife and sons misappropriated my riches, and made me devoid of wealth. Cast out by my trusted kinsmen, I have come to the forest grief-stricken.
23. `Dwelling here, I do not know anything as regards good or bad of my sons, kinsman and wife.
24. `At present is welfare or ill luck theirs at home? How are they?
25. `Are my sons living good or evil lives?'
26. The king said:
27. `To those covetous folk, your sons, wife and others, who have deprived you of your wealth
28. `Why is your mind affectionately attached to them?'
29. The merchant said:
30. `This very thought has occurred to me, just as you have uttered it. What can I do? My mind does not become hard;
31. `It bears deep affection to those very persons who have driven me out in their greed for wealth, abandoning love for a father and attachment to one's master and kinsmen.
32. `I do not comprehend although, I know it, O noble-hearted king, how it is that the mind is prone to love even towards worthless kinsmen.
33. `On account of them I heave heavy sighs and feel dejected.
34. `What can I do since my mind does not become hard towards those unloving ones?'
35. Maarkandeya said:
36. Then O Braahman, the noble king approached the sage (Medhas)
37. Together with the merchant Samaadhi;
38. And after observing the etiquette worthy of him and as was proper, they sat down and conversed (with him) on some topics.
39. The king said:
40. `Sir, I wish to ask you one thing. Be pleased to reply to it.
41. `Without the control of my intellect, my mind is afflicted with sorrow.
42. `Though I have lost the kingdom, like an ignorant man - though I know it - I have an attachment to all the paraphernalia of my kingdom. How is this, O best of sages?
43. `And this merchant has been disowned by his children, wife and servants, and forsaken by his own people; still he is inordinately affectionate towards them.
44. `Thus both he and I, drawn by attachment towards objects whose defects we do know, are exceedingly unhappy.
45. `How this happens, then, Sir, that though we are aware of it, this delusion comes? This delusion besets me as well as him, blinded as we are in respect of discrimination.'
46. The Rushi said:
47. Sir, every being has the knowledge of objects perceivable by the senses. An object of sense reaches it in various ways.
48. Some beings are blind by day, and others are blind by night; some beings have equal sight both by day and night.
49. Human beings are certainly endowed with knowledge, but they are not the only beings (to be so endowed), for cattle, birds, animals and other creatures also cognise (objects of senses).
50. The knowledge that men have, birds and beasts too have; and what they have, men also possess; and the rest (like eating and sleeping) is common to both of them.
51. Look at these birds, which though they possess knowledge, and are themselves distressed by hunger are yet, because of the delusion, engaged in dropping grains into the beaks of their young ones.
52. Human beings are, O tiger among men, attached to their children because of greed for return help. Do you not see this?
53. Even so men are hurled into the whirlpool of attachment, the pit of delusion, through the power of Mahaamaayaa (the Great Illusion), who makes the existence of the world possible.
54. Marvel not at this. This Mahaamaayaa is the Yoganidraa, of Vishnu, the Lord of the world. It is by her the world is deluded.
55. Verily she, the Bhagavati, Mahaamaayaa forcibly drawing the minds of even the wise, throws them into delusion.
56. She creates this entire universe, both moving and unmoving. It is she who, when propitious, becomes a boon-giver to human beings for their final liberation.
57. She is supreme knowledge, the cause of final liberation, and eternal;
58. She is the cause of the bondage of transmigration and the sovereign over all Lords.
59. The king said:
60. `Venerable Sir, who is that Devi whom you call Mahaamaayaa? How does she come into being, and what is her sphere of action, O Braahman?
61. `What constitutes her nature? What is her form? Where from did she originate?
62. `All this I wish to hear from you, O you supreme among the knowers of Brahma.'
63. The Rushi said:
64. She is eternal, embodied as the universe. By her all this is pervaded.
65. Nevertheless she incarnates in manifold ways; hear it from me.
66. When she manifests herself in order to accomplish the purposes of the devas, she is said to be born in the world, though she is eternal.
67. At the end of a kalpa when the universe was one ocean (with the waters of deluge) and the adorable Lord Vishnu stretched out on Sesha and took to mystic slumber,
68. Two terrible asuras, the well known Madhu and Kaitabh, sprung into being from the dirt of Vishnu's ears, sought to slay Brahmaa;
69. Brahmaa the father of beings, was sitting in the lotus (that came out) from Vishnu's navel. Seeing these two fierce asuras and Janaardana asleep,
70. And with a view to awakening Hari, (Brahmaa) with concentrated mind extolled Yoganidraa, dwelling in Hari's eyes.
71. The resplendent Lord Brahmaa extolled the incomparable Goddess of Vishnu, Yoganidraa, the queen of cosmos, the supporter of the worlds, the cause of the sustentation and dissolution alike (of the universe).
72. Brahmaa said:
73. `You are Svahaa and Svadhaa. You are verily the Vashatakaara and embodiment of Svara. You are the nectar. O eternal and imperishable One, you are the embodiment of the threefold maatraa.
74. `You are half a maatraa, though eternal. You are verily that which cannot be uttered specifically. You are Saavitri and the supreme mother of the devas.
75. ` By you this universe is borne, by you this world is created, By you it is protected, O Devi and you always consume at the end.
76. `O you who are (always) of the form of the whole world, at the time of creation you are the form of the creative force, at the time of sustentation you are the form of the protective power, and at the time of the dissolution of the world, you are the form of destructive power.
77. `You are the supreme knowledge as well as the great nescience, the great intellect and contemplation, as also the great delusion, the great Devi as also the great asuri.
78. `You are the primordial cause of everything, bringing into force the three qualities. You are the dark night of periodic dissolution. You are the great night of final dissolution, and the terrible night of delusion.
79. `You are the goddess of good fortune, the ruler, modesty, intelligence characterised by knowledge, bashfulness, nourishment, contentment, tranquillity and forbearance.
80. `Armed with sword, spear, club, discus, conch, bow, arrows, slings and iron mace,
81. `You are terrible (and at the same time) you are pleasing, you are more pleasing than all the pleasing things and exceedingly beautiful. You are indeed the supreme Isvari, beyond the high and low.
82. `And whatever or wherever a thing exists, conscient (real) of non-conscient (unreal), whatever power all that possesses is yourself. O you who are the soul of everything, how can I extol you (more than this)?
83. `By you, even he who creates, sustains and devours the world, is put to sleep. Who is here capable of extolling you?
84. `Who is capable of praising you, who has made all of us - Vishnu, myself and Shiva - take our embodied forms?
85. `O Devi, being lauded thus, bewitch these two unassailable asuras Madhu and Kaitabh with your superior powers.
86. `Let Vishnu, the master of the world, be quickly awakened from sleep and rouse up his nature to slay these two great asuras.'
87. The Rushi said:
88. There, the Devi of delusion extolled thus by Brahmaa, the creator, in order to awaken Vishnu for the destruction of Madhu and Kaitabh,
89. Drew herself out of his eyes, mouth, nostrils, arms, heart and breast, and appeared in the sight of Brahmaa of inscrutable birth.
90. Janaardana, Lord of the Universe, quitted by her, rose up from His couch of the universal ocean, and saw those two evil (asuras),
91. Madhu and Kaitabh, of exceeding heroism and power, with eyes red in anger, endeavouring to devour Brahmaa.
92. Thereupon the all-pervading Bhagvaan Vishnu got up and fought with the asuras for five thousand years, using his arms as weapons.
93. And they, frenzied with their exceeding power, and deluded by Mahaamaayaa,
94. Exclaimed to Vishnu: `Ask a boon from us.'
95. Bhagavaan (Vishnu) said:
96. `If you are satisfied with me, you must both be slained by me now.
97. `What need is there of any other boon here? My choice is this much indeed.'
98. The Rushi said:
99. `Those two (asuras), thus bewitched (by Mahaamaayaa), gazing then at the entire world turned into water, told Bhagavaan, the lotus-eyed One,
100. `Slay us at the spot where the earth is not flooded with water.'
101. The Rushi said:
102. Saying, `Be it so', Bhagavaan (Vishnu), the great wielder of conch, discus and mace,
103. Took them on his loins and there severed their heads with his discus.
104. Thus she (Mahaamaayaa) herself appeared when praised by Brahmaa. Now listen again to the glory of this Devi. I tell you. Aeim Aum

Here ends the first chapter called `The slaying of Madhu and Kaitabh'

of Devi-Mahaatmaya in Maarkandeyapuraana,

during the period of Saavarni, the Manu.

THE MIDDLE EPISODE

MEDITATION OF MAHAALAKSHAMI

I resort to Mahaalakshami, the destroyer of Mahishaasura, who is seated on the lotus, is of the complexion of coral and who holds in her (eighteen) handsrosary, axe, mace, arrow, thunderbolt, lotus, bow, pitcher, rod, shakti, sword, shield, conch, bell, wine-cup, trident, noose and the discus Sudarshana.

CHAPTER TWO

105. Aum Hrim The Rushi said:
106. Of yore when Mahishaasura was the lord of asuras and Indra the lord of devas, there was a war between the devas and asuras for a full hundred years.
107. In that the army of the devas was vanquished by the valorous asuras. After conquering all the devas, Mahishaasura became the lord of heaven (Indra).
108. Then the vanquished devas headed by Brahmaa, the lord of beings, went to the place Shiva and Vishnu were.
109. The devas described to them in detail, as it had happened, the story of their defeat wrought by Mahishaasura.
110. `He (Mahishaasura) himself has assumed the jurisdictions of Surya, Indra, Agni, Vaayu, Chandra, Yama and Varuna and other (devas).
111. `Thrown out from heaven by that evil-natured Mahisha, the hosts of devas wander on the earth like mortals.
112. `All that has been done by the enemy of the devas, has been rekated to you both, and we have sought shelter under you both. May both of you be pleased to think out the means of his destruction.'
113. Having thus heard the words of the devas, Vishnu was angry and also Shiva, and their faces became fierce with frowns.
114. Then issued forth a great light from the faces of Vishnu who was full of intense anger, and from that of Brahmaa and Shiva too.
115. From the bodies of Indra and other devas also sprang forth a very great light. And (all) this light united together.
116. The devas saw there a concentration of light a mountain blazing excessively, pervading all the quarters with its flames.
117. Then that unique light, produced from the bodies of all the devas, pervading the three worlds with its lustre, combined into one and became a female form.
118. By that which was Shiva's light, her face came into being; by Yama's (light) her hair, by Vishnu's light her arms;
119. and by Chandra's (light) her two breasts. By Indra's light her waist, by Varuna's (light) her shanks and thighs and by earth's light her hips.
120. By Brahmaa's light her feet came into being; by Surya's light her toes, by Vasu's (light) her fingers, by Kuber's (light) her nose;
121. by Prajaapati's light her teeth came into being and similarly by Agni's light her three eyes were formed.
122. The light of the two Sandhyaas became her eyebrows, the light of Vaayu her ears; the manifestation of the lights of other devas too (contributed to the being of the) auspicious Shivaa (Devi).
123. Then looking at her, who had come into being from the assembled lights of all the devas, the immortals who were oppressed by Mahishaasura experienced joy.
124. The bearer of Pinaaka (Shiva) drawing forth a trident from his own trident presented it to her; and Vishnu bringing forth a discus out of his own gave her.
125. Varuna gave her a conch, Agni a spear; and Maaruta gave her a bow as well as two quivers full of arrows.
126. Indra, lord of devas, bringing forth a thunderbolt out of (his own) thunderbolt and a bell from that of his elephant Airaavata, gave her.
127. Yama gave her a staff from his own staff of Death and Varuna, the lord of waters, a noose; and Brahmaa, the lord of beings, gave a string of beads and a water-pot.
128. Surya bestowed his own rays on all the pores of her skin and Kaala (Time) gave a spotless sword and a shield.
129. The milk-ocean gave a pure necklace, a pair of undecaying garments, a divine crest-jewel, a pair of ear-rings, bracelets,
130. a brilliant half-moon (ornament), armlets on all her arms, a pair of shining anklets, a unique necklace
131. and excellent rings on all the fingers. Viswakarmaa gave her a very brilliant axe,
132. weapons of various forms and also an impenetrable armour. The ocean gave her a garland of unfading lotuses for her head and another for her breast,
133. besides a very beautiful lotus in her hand. The (mountain) Himavat gave her a lion to ride on and various jewels.
134. The lord of wealth (Kubera) gave her a drinking cup, ever full of wine, Sesha, the lord of all serpents, who supports this earth, gave her a serpent-necklace bedecked with best jewels.
135. Honoured likewise by other devas also with ornaments and weapons,
136. she (the Devi) gave out a loud roar with a defying laugh again and again. By her unending, exceedingly great, terrible roar the entire sky was filled,
137. and there was great reverberation. All the worlds shook, the seas trembled.
138. The earth quaked and all the mountains rocked. `Victory to you,' exclaimed the devas in joy to her, the lion-rider.
139. The sages, who bowed their bodies in devotion, extolled her. Seeing the three worlds agitated the foes of devas,
140. mobilised all their armies and rose up together with uplifted weapons. Mahishaasura, exclaimed in wrath, `Ha! What is this?'
141. rushed towards that roar, surrounded by innumerable asuras. Then he saw the Devi pervading the three worlds with her lustre.
142. Making the earth bend with her footstep, scraping the sky with her diadem, shaking the nether worlds with the twang of her bow-string,
143. and standing there pervading all the quarters around with her thousand arms. Then began a battle between that Devi and the enemies of the devas,
144. in which the quarters of the sky were illumined by the weapons hurled diversely. Mahishaasura's general, a great asura named Chiksura
145. and Chaamara, attended by forces comprising four parts, and other (asuras) fought. A great asura named Udagra with sixty thousand chariots,
146. and Mahaahanu with ten million (of chariots) gave battle. Asiloman, another great asura, with fifteen millions (of chariots),
147. and Baaskala with six millions fought in that battle. Parivaarita with many thousands of elephants and horses,
148. and surrounded by ten millions of chariots, fought in that battle. An asura named Bidaala fought in that battle surrounded with five hundred crores of chariots.
149. And other great asuras, thousands in number, surrounded with chariots, elephants and horses
150. fought with the Devi in that battle.
151. Mahishaasura was surrounded in that battle with thousands of crores of horses, elephants and chariots.
152. Others (asuras) fought in the battle against the Devi with iron maces and javelins, with spears and clubs, with swords, axes and halberds. Some hurled spears and others nooses.
153. They began to strike her with swords in order to kill her. Showering her own weapons and arms, that Devi Chandikaa
154. very easily cut into pieces all those weapons and arms. Without any strain on her face, and with gods and sages extolling her,
155. the Ishvari threw her weapons and arms at the bodies off the asuras. And the lion also which carried the Devi, shaking its mane in rage,
156. stalked among the hosts of the asuras like a conflagration amidst the forests. The sighs which Ambikaa, engaged in the battle, heaved
157. became at once her battalions by hundreds and thousands. Energised by the power of the Devi, these (battalions) fought with axes, javelins, swords, halberds,
158. and destroyed the asuras. Of these battalions, some beat drums, some blew conches
159. and others played on tabors in that great martial festival. Then the Devi killed hundreds of asuras with her trident, club, showers of spears,
160. swords and the like, and threw down others who were stupefied by the noise of her bell;
161. and binding others with her noose, she dragged them on the ground. Some were split into two by the sharp slashes of her sword,
162. and others, smashed by the blows of her mace, lay down on the ground; and some severely hammered by her club vomited forth blood.
163. Pierced in the breast by her trident, some fell on the ground. Pierced all over by her arrows and resembling porcupines, some of the enemies of devas gave up their lives on that field of battle.
164. Some had their arms cut off, some, their necks broken, the heads of others rolled down;
165. some others were torn asunder in the middle of their trunks, and some great asuras fell on the ground with their legs severed.
166. Some rendered one-armed, one-eyed, and one-legged were again clove in twain by the Devi. And others, though rendered headless, fell and rose again.
167. Headless trunks fought with the Devi with best weapons in their hands. Some of these headless trunks danced there in the battle to the rhythm of the musical instruments.
168. The trunks of some other great asuras, with their swords, spears and lances still in their hands, shouted at the Devi with their just severed heads, `Stop, stop'.
169. That part of the earth where the battle was fought became impassable with the asuras, elephants and horses and the chariots that had been felled.
170. The profuse blood from the asuras, elephants and horses flowed immediately like large rivers amidst that army of the asuras.
171. As fire consumes a huge heap of straw and wood, so did Ambikaa destroy that vast army of asuras in no time.
172. And her carrier-lion, thundering aloud with quivering mane, prowled about in the battlefield, appearing to search out the vital breaths from the bodies of the enemies of devas.
173. In that battlefield the battalions of the Devi fought such a grand manner with the asuras that the devas in heaven, showering flowers, extolled them.

Here ends the second chapter called 'Slaughter of the armies of Mahishaasura'

of Devi-mahaatmaya in Maarkandeya -puraana, during the period

of Saavarni, the Manu.

CHAPTER THREE

174. The Rushi said:
175. Then Chikshur, the great asura general, seeing the army being slain (by the Devi), advanced in anger to fight with Ambikaa.
176. That asura rained shower of arrows on the Devi in the battle, even as a cloud (showers) rain in the summit of Mount Meru.
177. Then the Devi, easily cutting asunder the masses of his arrows, killed his horses and their controller with her arrows.
178. Forthwith she split his bow and lofty banner, and with her arrows pierced the body of that (asura) whose bow had been cut.
179. His bow shattered, his chariot broken, his horses killed and his charioteer slain, the asura armed with sword and shield rushed at the Devi.
180. Swiftly he smote the lion on the head with his sharp-edged sword and struck the Devi also on her left arm.
181. O king, his sword broke into pieces as it touched her arm. Thereon his eyes turning red with anger, he grasped his pike.
182. Then the great asura flung at Bhadrakaali the pike, blazing with lustre, as if he was hurling the very sun from the skies.
183. Seeing that pike coming upon her, the Devi hurled her pike that shattered his pike into a hundred fragments and the great asura himself.
184. Mahishaasura's very valiant general having been killed, Chaamara, the afflictor of devas, mounted on an elephant, advanced.
185. He also hurled his spear at the Devi. Ambikaa quickly assailed it with a whoop, made it lustreless and fall to the ground.
186. Seeing his spear broken and fallen, Chaamara, full of rage, flung a pike, and she split that also with her arrows.
187. Then the lion, leaping up and seating itself at the centre of the elephant's forehead, engaged itself in a hand to hand fight with that foe of the devas.
188. Fighting, the two then came down to the earth from the back of the elephant, and fought very impetuously, dealing the most terrible blows at each other.
189. Then the lion, springing up quickly to the sky, and descending, severed Chaamara's head with a blow from its paw.
190. And Udagra was killed in the battle by the Devi with stones, trees and the like, and Karaala also was stricken down by her teeth and fists and slaps.
191. Enraged, the Devi ground Uddhata to powder with the blows of her club, and killed Baashkala with a dart and destroyed Taamara and Andhaka with arrows.
192. The three-eyed supreme Ishvari killed Ugraasya and Ugravirya and Mahaahanu also with her trident.
193. With her sword she struck down Bidaala's head from his body, and despatched both Durdhara and Durmukha to the abode of Death with her arrows.
194. As his army was thus being destroyed, Mahishaasura terrified the troops of the Devi with his own buffalo form.
195. Some (he laid low) by a blow of his muzzle, some by stamping with his hooves, some by the lashes of his tail, and others by the pokes of his horns.
196. Some he laid low on the face of the earth by his impetuous speed, some by his bellowing and wheeling movement and others by the blast of his breath.
197. Having laid low her army, Mahishaasura rushed to slay the lion of the Mahaadevi. This enraged Ambikaa.
198. Mahishaasura, great in valour, pounded the surface of the earth with his hooves in rage, tossed up the high mountains with his horns, and bellowed terribly.
199. Crushed by the velocity of his wheeling, the earth disintegrated, and lashed by his tail, the sea overflowed all around.
200. Pierced by his swaying horns, the clouds went into fragments. Cast up by the blast of his breath, mountains fell down from the sky in hundreds.
201. Seeing the great asura swollen with rage and advancing towards her, Chandikaa displayed her wrath in order to slay him.
202. She flung her noose over him and bound the great asura. Thus bound in the great battle, he quitted his buffalo form.
203. Then he became lion suddenly. While Ambikaa cut off the head (of his lion form), he took the appearance of a man with sword in hand.
204. Immediately then the Devi with her arrows chopped off the man together with his sword and shield. Then he became a big elephant.
205. (The elephant) tugged at her great lion with his trunk and roared loudly, but as he was dragging, the Devi cut off his trunk with her sword.
206. The great asura then resumed his buffalo shape and shook the three worlds with their movable and immovable objects.
207. Enraged thereat, Chandikaa, the mother of the worlds, quaffed a divine drink again and again, and laughed, her eyes becoming red.
208. And the asura also roared intoxicated with his strength and valour, and hurled mountains against Chandikaa with his horns.
209. And she, with showers of arrows pulverised (those mountains) hurled at her, and spoke to him in flurried words, the colour of her face accentuated with the intoxication of the divine drink.
210. The Devi said:
211. `Roar, roar, O fool, for a moment while I drink this wine. When you will be slain by me, the devas will soon roar in this very place.'
212. The Rushi said:
213. Having exclaimed thus, she jumped and landed herself on that great asura, pressed him on the neck with her foot and struck him with her spear.
214. And thereupon, caught up under her foot, Mahishaasura half issued forth (in his real form) from his own (buffalo) mouth, being completely overcome by the valour of the Devi.
215. Fighting thus with his half-revealed form, the great asura was laid by the Devi who struck off his head with her great sword.
216. Then, crying in consternation, the whole asura army perished; and all the hosts of devas were in great exultation.
217. With the great sages of heaven, the devas praised the Devi. The Gandharva chiefs sang and the bevies of apsaras danced.

Here ends the third chapter called `The slaying of Mahishaasura' of

Devi Mahaatmaya in Maarkandeya-puraana during the period

of Saavarni, the Manu.

CHAPTER FOUR

218. The Rushi said:
219. When that most valiant but evil-natured Mahishaasura and the army of that foe of the devas were destroyed by the Devi, Indra and the hosts of devas uttered their words of praise, their necks and shoulders reverently bent, and bodies rendered beautiful with horripilation and exultation.
220. `To that Ambikaa who is worthy of worship by devas and sages and pervades this world by her power and who is the embodiment of the entire powers of all the hosts of devas, we bow in devotion. May she grant us auspicious things!
221. `May Chandikaa whose incomparable greatness and power Bhagwaan Vishnu, Brahmaa and Hara are unable to describe, bestow her mind on protecting the entire world and on destroying the fear of evil.
222. `O Devi, we bow before you, who are yourself good fortune in the dwellings of the virtuous, and ill-fortune in those of the vicious, intelligence in the hearts of the learned, faith in the hearts of the good, and modesty in the hearts of the high-born. May you protect the universe!
223. `O Devi, how can we describe your inconceivable form, or your abundant surpassing valour that destroys the asuras, or your wonderful feats displayed in battles among all the hosts of gods, asuras and others?
224. `You are the origin of all the worlds! Though you are possessed of the three gunas you are not known to have any of their attendant defects (like passion)! You are incomprehensible even to Vishnu, Shiva and others! You are the resort of all! This entire world is composed of an infinitesimal portion of yourself! You are verily the supreme primordial Prakruti untransformed.
225. `O Devi, you are Svaahaa at whose utterance the whole assemblage of gods attains satisfaction in all the sacrifices. You are the Svadhaa, which gives satisfaction to the manes. Therefore you are chanted (as Svaahaa and Svadhaa in sacrifices) by people.
226. `O Devi, you are Bhagavati, the supreme Vidyaa which is the cause of liberation, and great inconceivable penances (are the means for your realisation). You (the supreme knowledge) are cultivated by the sages desiring liberation, whose senses are well restrained, who are devoted to Reality, and have shed all the blemishes.
227. `You are the soul of Shabda-brahman. You are the repository of the very pure Ruk and Yajus hymns, and of Saamans, the recital of whose words is beautiful with the Udgitha! You are Bhagavati embodying the three Vedas. And you are the sustenance whereby life is maintained. You are the supreme destroyer of the pain of all the worlds.
228. `O Devi, you are the intellect, by which the essence of all scriptures is comprehended. You are Durgaa, the boat that takes men across the difficult ocean of worldly existence, devoid of attachments. You are Sri who has invariably taken her abode in the heart of Vishnu. You are indeed Gauri who has established herself with Shiva.
229. Gently smiling, pure, resembling the full moon's orb, beautiful like the splendour of excellent gold was your face! Yet it was very strange that being swayed by anger, Mahishasura suddenly struck your face when he saw it.
230. `Far strange it is that after seeing your wrathful face, O Devi, terrible with its frowns and red in hue like the rising moon, that Mahishaasura did not forthwith give up his life! For, who can live after beholding the enraged Destroyer?
231. `O Devi, be propitious. You are Supreme. If enraged, you forthwith destroy the (asura) families for the welfare (of the world). This was known the very moment when the extensive forces of Mahishaasura were brought to their end.
232. `You who are always bounteous, with whom you are well pleased, those (fortunate ones) are indeed the object of esteem in the country, theirs are riches, theirs are glories and their acts of righteousness perish not; they are indeed blessed and possessed of devoted children, servants and wives.
233. `By your grace, O Devi, the blessed individually does daily all righteous deeds with utmost care, and thereby attains to heaven. Are you not, therefore, O Devi, the Bestower of reward in all the three worlds?
234. `When called to mind in a difficult pass, you remove fear for every person. When called to mind by those in happiness, you bestow a mind still further pious. Which goddess but you, O Dispeller of poverty, pain and fear, has and ever sympathetic heart for helping everyone?
235. `The world attains happiness by the killing of these (foes); and though these (asuras) have committed sins to keep them long in hell, let them reach heaven by meeting death eventually at the battle (with me) - thinking thus, that you. O Devi, certainly destroy our enemies.
236. `Don't you reduce to ashes all asuras by mere sight? But you direct your weapons against them so that even the inimical ones, purified by the missiles, may attain the higher worlds. Such is your most kindly intention towards them.
237. `If the eyes of the asuras had not been put by the terrible flashes of the mass light issuing out from your sword of by the copious lustre of your spear point, it is because they saw also your face resembling the moon, giving out (cool) rays.
238. `O Devi, your nature is to subdue the conduct of the wicked; this your peerless beauty is inconceivable for others; your power destroys those who have robbed the devas of their prowess, and you have thus manifested your compassion even towards the enemies
239. `What is your prowess to be compared to? Where can one find this beauty (of yours) most charming, (yet) striking fear in enemies? Compassion in heart and relentlessness in battle are seen, O Devi, O Bestower of boons, only in you in all the three worlds!
240. `Through the destruction of the enemies all these three worlds have been saved by you. Having killed them in the battlefront, you have led even hosts of enemies to heaven, and you have dispelled our fear from the frenzied enemies of the devas. Salutation to you!
241. `O Devi, protect us with your spear, O Ambikaa, protect us with your sword, protect us by the sound of your bell and by the twang of your bowstring.
242. `O Chandikaa, guard us in the east, in the west, in the north and in the south by brandishing of your spear, O Ishvari!
243. `Protect us and the earth with those lovely forms of yours moving about in the three worlds, as also with your excludingly terrible forms.
244. `O Ambikaa, protect us on every side with your sword, spear and club and whatever other weapons your sprout-like (soft) hand has touched.'
245. The Rushi said:
246. Thus the supporter of the world was praised by the devas, worshipped with celestial flowers that blossomed in Nandana and with perfumes and unguents;
247. and with devotion all of them, offered her - heavenly incense. Benignly serene in countenance she spoke to all obeisant devas.
248. The Devi said:
249. `Choose all of you, O devas, whatever you desire of me. (Gratified immensely with these hymns, I grant it with great pleasure.)'
250. The devas said:
251. `Since our enemy, this Mahishaasura, has been slain by Bhagavati (i.e. you) everything has been accomplished, and nothing remains to be done.
252. `And if a boon is to be granted to us by you. O Maheshvari, whenever we think of you again, destroy our direct calamities.
253. `O Mother of spotless countenance, and whatever mortal shall praise you with these hymns, in his wealth, wife, and other fortunes together with riches, prosperity and life,
254. `may you, who have become gracious towards us, increase them for ever, O Ambikaa!'
255. The Rushi said:
256. O King, being thus propitiated by the devas for the sake of the world and for their own sake, Bhadrakaali said, `Be it so' and vanished from their sight.
257. Thus have I narrated. O King, how the Devi who desires the good of all the three worlds made her appearance of yore out of the bodies of the devas.
258. And again how, she appeared in the form of Gauri for the slaying of wicked asuras as well as Shumbha and Nishumbha,
259. and for the protection of worlds, as benefactress of the devas, listen as I relate it. I shall tell it to you as it happened. Hrim Aum.

Here ends the fourth chapter called 'Praise by Shakra (Indra) and

others' of Devimahaatmya, in Maarkandeya-puraana, during

the period of Saavarni, the Manu.

THE ULTIMATE EPISODE

MEDITATION OF MAHAASARASWATI

I meditate on the incomparable Mahaasaraswati who holds in her (eight) lotus-like hands bell, trident, plough, conch, mace, discuss, bow and arrow; who is effulgent like the moon shining at the fringe of a cloud, who is the destroyer of Shumbha and other asuras, who issued forth from Paarvati's body and is the substratum of the three worlds.

THE FIFTH CHAPTER

260. The Rushi said:
261. Of yore Indra's (sovereignty) over the three worlds and his portion of sacrifices was taken away by the asuras, Shumbha and Nishumbha, by force of their pride and strength.
262. The two, themselves, took over likewise, the offices of the sun, the moon, Kubera, Yama, and Varuna.
263. They themselves exercised Vaayu's authority and Agni's duty. Deprived of their lordships and sovereignties, the devas were defeated.
264. Deprived of their functions and expelled by these two great asuras, all the devas thought of the invincible Devi.
265. 'She had granted us the boon, "Whenever in calamities you think of me, that very moment I will put and end to all your worst calamities." '
266. Resolving thus, the Devas went to Himavat, lord of the mountains, and there extolled the Devi, who is the illusive power of Vishnu.
267. The devas said :
268. `Salutation to the Devi, the Mahaadevi. Salutation always to her who is ever auspicious. Salutation to her who is the primordial cause and the sustaining power. With attention, we have made obeisance to her.
269. `Salutation to her who is terrible, to her who is eternal. Salutation to Gauri, the supporter (of the Universe). Salutation always to her who is the form of the moon and moonlight and happiness itself.
270. `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 herself the good fortune as well as the misfortune of kings.
271. `Salutation always to Durgaa who takes one across in difficulties, who is essence, who is the author of everything; who is knowledge of discrimination; and who is blue-black as also smoke-like in complexion.
272. `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.
273. `Salutations, salutations and salutations
274. to the Devi
275. who in all beings is called Vishnumaayaa.
276. `Salutations, salutations and salutations
277. to the Devi
278. who abides in all beings as consciousness;
279. `Salutations, salutations and salutations
280. to the Devi
281. who abides in all beings in the form of intelligence;
282. `Salutations, salutations and salutations
283. to the Devi
284. who abides in all beings in the form of sleep;
285. `Salutations, salutations and salutations
286. to the Devi
287. who abides in all beings in the form of hunger;
288. `Salutations, salutations and salutations
289. to the Devi
290. who abides in all beings in the form of reflection;
291. `Salutations, salutations and salutations
292. to the Devi
293. who abides in all beings in the form of power;
294. `Salutations, salutations and salutations
295. to the Devi
296. who abides in all beings in the form of thirst;
297. `Salutations, salutations and salutations
298. to the Devi
299. who abides in all beings in the form of forgiveness;
300. `Salutations, salutations and salutations
301. to the Devi
302. who abides in all beings in the form of genus;
303. `Salutations, salutations and salutations
304. to the Devi
305. who abides in all beings in the form of modesty;
306. `Salutations, salutations and salutations
307. to the Devi
308. who abides in all beings in the form of peace;
309. `Salutations, salutations and salutations
310. to the Devi
311. who abides in all beings in the form of faith;
312. `Salutations, salutations and salutations
313. to the Devi
314. who abides in all beings in the form of loveliness;
315. `Salutations, salutations and salutations
316. to the Devi
317. who abides in all beings in the form of good fortune (wealth);
318. `Salutations, salutations and salutations
319. to the Devi
320. who abides in all beings in the form of activity;
321. `Salutations, salutations and salutations
322. to the Devi
323. who abides in all beings in the form of memory;
324. `Salutations, salutations and salutations
325. to the Devi
326. who abides in all beings in the form of compassion;
327. `Salutations, salutations and salutations
328. to the Devi
329. who abides in all beings in the form of contentment;
330. `Salutations, salutations and salutations
331. to the Devi
332. who abides in all beings in the form of mother;
333. `Salutations, salutations and salutations
334. to the Devi
335. who abides in all beings in the form of error;
336. `Salutations to the all-pervading Devi who constantly presides over the senses of all beings and (governs) all the elements;
337. `Salutations, salutations and salutations
338. to her who,
339. pervading this entire world, abides in the form of consciousness.
340. `Invoked of yore by the devas for the sake of their desired object, and adored by the lord of the devas everyday, may she, the Ishvari, the source of all good, accomplish for us all auspicious things and put an end to our calamities!
341. `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.'
342. The Rushi said:
343. O Prince, while the devas were engaged in praises and (other acts of adoration), Paarvati came there to bathe in the waters of the Gangaa.
344. She, the lovely browed, said to those devas, `Who is praised by you here?' An auspicious goddess, sprung forth from her physical sheath, gave the reply:
345. `This hymn is addressed to me by the assembled devas set at naught by the asura Shumbha and routed in battle by Nishumbha.'
346. Because that Ambikaa came out of Paarvati's physical sheath (Kosha), she is glorified as Kaushiki in all the worlds.
347. After she issued forth, Paarvati became dark and was called Kaalikaa and stationed on mount Himaalaya.
348. Then, Chanda and Munda, two servants of Shumbha and Nishumbha, saw that Ambikaa (Kaushiki) bearing a surpassingly charming form.
349. They both told Shumbha: `O King, a certain woman, most surpassingly beautiful, dwells there shedding lustre on mount Himaalaya.
350. `Such supreme beauty was never seen by any one anywhere. Ascertain who that Goddess is and take possession of her. O Lord of the asuras!
351. `A gem among women, of exquisitely beautiful limbs, illuminating the quarters with her lustre there she is, O Lord of the daityas. You should see her.
352. `O Lord, whatever jewels, precious stones, elephants, horses and others there are in the three worlds, they are all now in your house.
353. `Airaavata, gem among elephants, has been brought away from Indra and so also this Paarijaata tree and the horse Uchaihsravas.
354. `Here stands in your courtyard the wonderful chariot yoked with swans, a wonderful gem (of its class). It has been brought here from Brahmaa to whom it originally belonged.
355. `Here is the treasure named Mahaapadma brought from the lord of wealth. And the ocean gave a garland named Kinjalkini made of unfading lotus flowers.
356. `In your house stands the gold-showering umbrella of Varuna. And here is the excellent chariot that was formerly Prajaapati's.
357. `By you, O Lord, Death's shakti weapon named Utkraantida has been carried off. The noose of the ocean-king is among your brother's possessions.
358. `Nishumbha has every kind of gem produced in the sea. Fire also gave two garments, which are purified by fire.
359. `Thus, O Lord of asuras, all gems have been brought by you. Why this beautiful lady-jewel is not seized by you?'
360. The Rushi said:
361. On hearing these words of Chanda and Munda, Shumbha sent the great asura Sugriva as messenger to the Devi.
362. He said: `Go and tell her thus in my words and do the thing in such a manner that she may quickly come to me in love.'
363. 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.
364. The messenger said:
365. `O Devi, Shumbha, lord of asuras, is the supreme sovereign of three worlds. Sent by him as messenger, I have come here to your presence.
366. `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:
367. `(He says), " All the three worlds are mine and the devas are obedient to me. I enjoy all their hares in sacrifices separately.
368. " All the choicest gems in the three worlds are in my possession; and so is the gem of elephants, Airaavata, the vehicle of the king of devas carried away by me.
369. "The devas themselves offered to me with salutations that gem of horses named Uchaihsravas which arose at the churning of milk-ocean.
370. "O beautiful lady, whatever other rare objects there existed among the devas, gandharvas and naagas are now with me.
371. "We look upon you, O Devi, as the jewel of womankind in the world. You who are such, come to me, since we are the enjoyers of the best objects.
372. "Take to me or to my younger brother Nishumbha of great prowess, O unsteady-eyed lady, for you are in truth a jewel.
373. "Wealth, great and beyond compare, you will get by marrying me. Think over this in your mind, and become my wife." '
374. The Rushi said:
375. Thus told, Durgaa the adorable and auspicious, by whom this universe is supported, then became serene and said.
376. The Devi said:
377. `You have spoken truth; nothing false has been uttered by you in this matter. Shumbha is indeed the sovereign of the three worlds and likewise is also Nishumbha.
378. `But in this matter, how can that which has been promised be made false? Hear what promise I had made already out of foolishness.
379. ` He who conquers me in battle, removes my pride and is my match in strength in the world shall be my husband.’
380. `So let Shumbha come here then, or Nishumbha the great asura. Vanquishing me here, let him soon take my hand in marriage. Why delay?'
381. The messenger said:
382. `O Devi, you are haughty. Talk not so before me. Which man in the three worlds will stand before Shumbha and Nishumbha?
383. `All the devas verily cannot stand face to face with even the other asuras in battle. Why mention you, O Devi, a single woman?
384. `Indra and all other devas could not stand in battle against Sumbha and other demons, how will you, a woman, face them?
385. `On my word itself, you go to Shumbha and Nishumbha. Let it not be that you go to them with your dignity lost by being dragged by your hair.'
386. The Devi said:
387. `Yes, it is; Shumbha is strong and so is Nishumbha exceedingly heroic! What can I do since there stands my ill-considered vow taken long ago?
388. `Go back, and tell the lord of asuras carefully all this that I have said; let him do whatever he considers proper.'

Here ends the fifth chapter called `Devi's conversation

with the messenger' of Devi-Mahaatmaya in

Maarkandeya-Puraana during the period

of Saavarni, the Manu.

THE SIXTH CHAPTER

389. The Rushi said:
390. The messenger filled with indignation on hearing the words of the Devi, returned and related them to the king of daityas.
391. Then the asura monarch, enraged on hearing that report from his messenger, told Dhumralochan, a chieftain of the daityas:
392. `O Dhumralochan, hasten together with your army and fetch here by force that shrew, distressed when dragged by her hair.
393. ` Or if any one else stands up as her saviour, let him be slain, be he a god, a yaksha of a gandharva.'
394. The Rushi said:
395. Then the asura Dhumralochan, commanded thus by Shumbha, went forth quickly, accompanied by sixty thousand asuras.
396. On seeing the Devi stationed on the snowy mountain, he asked her aloud, `Come to the presence of Shumbha and Nishumbha.
397. `If you will not go to my lord with pleasure now, here I will take you by force, distressed when dragged by your hair.'
398. The Devi said:
399. `You are sent by the lord of the asuras, mighty yourself and accompanied by an army. If thus you take me by force, then what can I do to you?'
400. The Rushi said:
401. Thus told, the asura Dhumralochan rushed towards her and thereupon Ambikaa reduced him to ashes with a mere heave of the sound `hum'.
402. Then the great army of asuras became enraged and showered on Ambikaa sharp arrows, javelins, and axes.
403. Then the lion, vehicle of the Devi, shaking its mane in anger, and making the most terrific roar, fell on the army of the asuras.
404. Some asuras, it slaughtered with a blow of its forepaw, others with its mouth, and other great asuras, by treading over with its hind legs.
405. The lion, with its claws, tore out the hearts of some and severed heads with a blow of the paw.
406. And it severed arms and heads from others, and shaking its mane drank the blood from the hearts of others.
407. In a moment all the army was destroyed by that high-spirited and exceedingly enraged lion that bore the Devi.
408. When Shumbha, the lord of asuras, heard that asura Dhumralochan was slain by the Devi and all his army was destroyed by the lion of the Devi,
409. he was infuriated, his lip quivered and he commanded the two mighty asuras Chanda and Munda:
410. `O Chanda, O Munda, go there with large forces, and bring her here speedily,
411. `dragging her by her hair or binding her. But if you have any doubt about doing that, then let the asuras strike (her) in the fight with all their weapons.
412. `When that shrew is wounded and her lion stricken down, seize that Ambikaa, bind and bring her quickly.'

Here ends the sixth chapter called ` the slaying

of Dhumralochan' of Devi-mahaatmaya in

Maarkendeyapuraana during the

period of Saavarni, the Manu.

CHAPTER SEVEN

413. The Rushi said:
414. Then at his command the asuras, fully armed, and with Chanda and Munda at their head, marched in fourfold array.
415. They saw the Devi, smiling gently, seated upon the lion on a huge golden peak of the great mountain.
416. On seeing her, some of them excited themselves and made an effort to capture her, and others approached her, with their bows bent and swords drawn.
417. Thereupon Ambikaa became terribly angry at those foes, and in her anger her countenance then became dark as ink.
418. Out from the surface of her forehead, fierce with frown, issued suddenly Kaali, of terrible countenance, armed with a sword and a noose.
419. Bearing the strange skull-topped staff, decorated with a garland of skulls, clad in a tiger's skin, very appalling owing to her emaciated flesh,
420. with gaping mouth, fearful with her tongue lolling out, having deep-sunk reddish eyes and filling the regions of the sky with her roars,
421. and falling upon impetuously and slaughtering the great asuras in that army, she devoured those hosts of the foes of the devas.
422. Snatching the elephants with one hand she flung them into her mouth together with their rear men and drivers and their warrior-riders and bells.
423. Taking likewise into her mouth the cavalry with the horses, and chariot with its driver, she ground them most frightfully with her teeth.
424. She seized one by the hair and another by the neck; one she crushed by the weight of her foot, and another by her body.
425. And she caught with her mouth the weapons and the great arms shot by those asuras and crunched them up with her teeth in her fury.
426. She destroyed all that host of mighty and evil natured asuras, devoured some and battered others.
427. Some were killed with her sword, some were beaten with her skull-topped staff, and other asuras met their death being ground with the edge of her teeth.
428. On seeing all the hosts of asuras laid low in a moment, Chanda rushed against that Kaali, who was exceedingly terrible.
429. The great asura (Chanda) with very terrible showers of arrows, and Munda with discuses hurled in thousands covered that terrible-eyed (Devi).
430. Those numerous discusses, disappearing into her mouth, looked like numerous solar orbs disappearing into the midst of a cloud.
431. Thereat Kaali, who was roaring frightfully, whose fearful teeth were gleaming within her dreadful mouth, laughed terribly with exceeding fury.
432. Then the Devi, mounting upon her great lion, rushed at Chanda, and seizing him by his hair, severed his head with her sword.
433. Seeing Chanda laid low, Munda also rushed at her. She felled him also to the ground, striking him with her sword in her fury.
434. Seeing the most valiant Chanda and Munda laid low, the remaining army there became panicky and fled in all directions.
435. And Kaali, holding the heads of Chanda and Munda in her hands, approached Chandikaa and said, her words mingled with very loud laughter:
436. `Here have I brought you the heads of Chanda and Munda as two great animal offerings in this sacrifice of battle; Shumbha and Nishumbha, you shall yourself slay.'
437. The Rushi said:
438. Thereupon seeing those asuras, Chanda and Munda brought to her, the auspicious Chandikaa said to Kaali these playful words:
439. `Because you have brought me both Chanda and Munda, you, O Devi, shall be famed in the world by the name Chaamundaa.'

Here ends the seventh chapter called ` The slaying

of Chanda and Munda' of Devi-mahaatmaya in

Maarkandeyapurana, during the period

of Saavarni, the Manu.

CHAPTER EIGHT

440. The Rushi said:
441. After the daitya Chanda was slain and Munda was laid low, and many of the battalions were destroyed,
442. the lord of the asuras, powerful Shumbha, with mind overcome by anger, commanded then the mobilisation of all the daitya hosts:
443. `Now let the eighty six asuras - upraising their weapons - with all their forces, and the eighty four Kambus, surrounded by their own forces, go out.
444. 'Let the fifty asura families of Kotiviryas and the hundred families of Dhaumras go forth at my command.
445. `Let the asuras Kalkas, Daurhryadas, the Mauryas and the Kaalakeyas hasten at my command and march forth ready for the battle.'
446. After issuing these orders, Shumbha, the lord of the asuras and a ferocious ruler, went forth, attended by many thousands of big forces.
447. Seeing that most terrible army coming, Chandikaa filled into space between the earth and the sky with twang of her bowstring.
448. Thereon her lion made and exceedingly loud roar, O King, and Ambikaa magnified those roars with the clanging of her bell.
449. Kaali, expanding her mouth wide and filling the quarters with the sound (hum) overwhelmed the noises of her bowstring, lion and bell by her terrific roars.
450. On hearing that roar the enraged asura battalions surrounded the lion, the Devi, (Chandikaa) and Kaali on all the four sides.
451. At this moment, O King, in order to annihilate the enemies of devas and for the well-being of the supreme devas, there issued forth, endowed with exceeding vigour and strength,
452. shaktis from the bodies of Brahmaa, Shiva, GuhaVishnu and Indra, and with the form of those devas went to Chandikaa.
453. Whatever was the form of each deva, and whatever his ornaments and vehicle, in that very form his shakti advanced to fight with the asuras.
454. In a heavenly chariot drawn by swans advanced Brahmaa's shakti carrying a rosary and a kamandalu. She is called Brahmaani.
455. Maaheshvari arrived, seated on a bull, holding a fine trident, wearing bracelets of great snakes and adorned with a digit of the moon.
456. Ambikaa Kaumaari, in the form of Guha, holding a spear in hand riding on a fine peacock, advanced to attack the asuras.
457. Like wise the Shakti of Vishnu came, seated upon Garuda, holding conch, club, bow and sword in hand.
458. The Shakti of Hari, who assumed the incomparable form of a sacrificial boar, she also advanced there in a boar-like form.
459. Naarsimhi arrived there, assuming a body like that of a Narasimha, bringing down the constellations by the toss of her mane.
460. Likewise the thousand-eyed Aindri, holding a thunderbolt in hand and riding on the lord of elephants arrived just like Shakra (Indra).
461. Then Shiva, surrounded by those shaktis of the devas, said to Chandikaa, ` Let the asuras be killed forthwith by you for my gratification.'
462. Thereupon from the body of Devi issued forth the Shakti of Chandikaa, most terrific, exceedingly fierce and yelling like a hundred jackals.
463. And that invincible (Shakti) told Shiva, of dark coloured matted locks, ` Go, my lord, as ambassador to the presence of Shumbha and Nishumbha.
464. `Tell the two haughty asuras, Shumbha and Nishumbha, and the other asuras assembled there for battle.
465. "Let Indra obtain the three worlds and let devas enjoy the sacrificial oblations. You go to the nether world, if you wish to live.
466. "But if through pride of strength you are anxious for battle, come on then. Let my jackals be satisfied with your flesh." '
467. Because that Devi appointed Shiva himself as ambassador, thenceforth she became renowned in this world as Shivdooti.
468. Those great asuras, on their part, hearing the words of Devi communicated by Shiva, were filled with indignation and went where Kaatyaayani stood.
469. The in the very beginning, the enraged foes of the devas poured in front on the Devi showers of arrows, javelins and spears.
470. And lightly, with the huge arrows shot from her full-drawn bow, she clove those arrows, spears, darts and axes hurled by them.
471. Then, in front of him (Shumbha), stalked Kaali, piercing the enemies to pieces with her spear and crushing them with skull-topped staff.
472. And Brahmaani, wherever she moved, made the enemies bereft of valour and prowess by sprinkling on them the water from her kamandalu.
473. The very wrathful Maheshvari slew the daityas with her trident, and Vaishnavi, with her discus, and Kaumaari, with her javelin.
474. Torn to pieces by the thunderbolt, which came down upon them, hurled by Aindri, daityas and daanavas fell on the earth in hundreds, streams of blood flowing out of them.
475. Shattered by the boar-formed goddess (Vaaraahi) with blows of her snout, wounded in their chests by the point of her tusk and torn by her discus, (the asuras) fell down.
476. Naarsimhi, filling all the quarters and the sky with her roars, roamed about in the battle, devouring other great asuras torn by her claws.
477. Demoralised by the violent laughter of Shivadooti, the asuras fell down on earth; she then devoured them who had fallen down.
478. Seeing the enraged band of Maatras (mothers) crushing the great asuras thus by various means, the troops of the enemies of devas took to their heels.
479. Seeing the asuras harassed by the band of Maatras and fleeing, the great asura Raktabija strode forward to fight in wrath.
480. Whenever from his body there fell to the ground a drop of blood, at that moment rose up from the earth asura of his stature.
481. The great asura fought with Indra'a shakti with club in his hand; then Aindri also struck Raktabija with her thunderbolt.
482. Blood flowed quickly and profusely from him who was wounded by the thunderbolt. From the blood rose up (fresh) combatants of his form and valour.
483. As many drops of blood fell from his body, so many persons came into being, with his courage, strength and valour.
484. And those persons also sprung up from his blood fought there with the Maatras in a more dreadful manner hurling the very formidable weapons.
485. And again when his head was wounded by the fall of her thunderbolt, his blood flowed and therefrom were born persons in thousands.
486. Vaishnavi struck him with her discus in the battle, Aindri beat that lord of asuras with her club.
487. The world was pervaded by thousands of great asuras who were of his stature and who rose up from the blood that flowed from him when cloven by the discus of Vaishnavi.
488. Kaumaari struck the great asura Raktabija with her spear, Vaaraahi with her sword, and Maaheshvari with her trident.
489. And Raktabija, that great asura also, filled with wrath, struck every one of the Maatras severally with his club.
490. From the stream of blood, which fell on the earth from him when he received multiple wounds by the spears, darts, and other weapons, hundreds of asuras came into being.
491. And those asuras that were born from the blood of Raktabija pervaded the whole world; the devas got intensely alarmed at this.
492. Seeing the devas dejected, Chandikaa laughed and said to Kaali, `O Chaamundaa, open your mouth wide;
493. with this mouth quickly take in the drops of blood generated by the blow of my weapon and (also) the great asuras born of the drops of blood of Raktabija.
494. `Roam about in the battlefield, devouring the great asuras that spring from him. So shall this daitya, with his blood emptied, perish.
495. `As you go on devouring these, other fierce (asuras) will not be born.' Having enjoined her thus, the Devi next smote him (Raktabija) with her dart.
496. Then Kaali drank Raktabija's blood with her mouth. Then and there he struck Chandikaa with his club.
497. The blow of his club caused her not even the slightest pain. And from his stricken body wherever blood flowed copiou