Chapter 5: Ya Devi hymn and Shumbha's proposal

पुरा शुम्भनिशुम्भाभ्यामसुराभ्यां शचीपतेः ।
त्रैलोक्यं यज्ञभागाश्च हृता मदबलाश्रयात्

purā śumbhaniśumbhābhyāmasurābhyāṃ śacīpateḥ |
trailokyaṃ yajñabhāgāśca hṛtā madabalāśrayāt

The Rishi said: Long ago the asuras Shumbha and Nishumbha, relying on the pride of their strength, seized the three worlds from Indra, lord of Shachi, along with the gods' shares of the sacrifice.

तावेव सूर्यतां तद्वदधिकारं तथैन्दवम् ।
कौबेरमथ याम्यं च चक्राते वरुणस्य च

tāveva sūryatāṃ tadvadadhikāraṃ tathaindavam |
kauberamatha yāmyaṃ ca cakrāte varuṇasya ca

Those two took over the office of the Sun, and likewise that of the Moon, of Kubera, of Yama and of Varuna.

तावेव पवनर्धि च चक्रतुर्वह्निकर्म च ।
अन्येषाञ्चाधिकारान् स स्वयमेवाधितिष्ठति ।
ततो देवा विनिर्धूता भ्रष्टराज्याः पराजिताः

tāveva pavanardhi ca cakraturvahnikarma ca |
anyeṣāñcādhikārān sa svayamevādhitiṣṭhati |
tato devā vinirdhūtā bhraṣṭarājyāḥ parājitāḥ

They took over the power of Vayu and the work of Agni, and the offices of the other gods they held themselves. Then the gods, cast out, stripped of their kingdoms and defeated...

हृताधिकारास्त्रिदशास्ताभ्यां सर्वे निराकृताः ।
महासुराभ्यां तां देवीं संस्मरन्त्यपराजिताम्

hṛtādhikārāstridaśāstābhyāṃ sarve nirākṛtāḥ |
mahāsurābhyāṃ tāṃ devīṃ saṃsmarantyaparājitām

...robbed of their offices and driven out by those two great asuras, all the gods called to mind the unconquered Devi.

तयास्माकं वरो दत्तो यथाऽपत्सु स्मृताखिलाः ।
भवतां नाशयिष्यामि तत्क्षणात् परमापदः

tayāsmākaṃ varo datto yathā'patsu smṛtākhilāḥ |
bhavatāṃ nāśayiṣyāmi tatkṣaṇāt paramāpadaḥ

'She gave us a boon: When you remember me in times of trouble, I will that very moment destroy all your gravest calamities.'

इति कृत्वा मतिं देवा हिमवन्तं नगेश्वरम् ।
जग्मुस्तत्र ततो देवीं विष्णुमायां प्रतुष्टुवुः

iti kṛtvā matiṃ devā himavantaṃ nageśvaram |
jagmustatra tato devīṃ viṣṇumāyāṃ pratuṣṭuvuḥ

Resolving thus, the gods went to Himavan, lord of mountains, and there they praised the Devi, Vishnumaya.

नमो देव्यै महादेव्यै शिवायै सततं नमः ।
नमः प्रकृत्यै भद्रायै नियताः प्रणताः स्म ताम्

namo devyai mahādevyai śivāyai satataṃ namaḥ |
namaḥ prakṛtyai bhadrāyai niyatāḥ praṇatāḥ sma tām

The gods said: Salutations to the Devi, to the Great Devi. Salutations ever to Shiva, the auspicious one. Salutations to Prakriti, to Bhadra the gracious. With minds composed, we bow to her.

रौद्रायै नमो नित्यायौ गौर्यै धात्र्यै नमो नमः ।
नमो जगत्प्रतिष्ठायै देव्यै कृत्यै नमो नमः

raudrāyai namo nityāyau gauryai dhātryai namo namaḥ |
namo jagatpratiṣṭhāyai devyai kṛtyai namo namaḥ

Salutations to the fierce one, to the eternal one, to Gauri, to the upholder, again and again. Salutations to the Devi who is the ground of the world, to Kriti the accomplisher, again and again.

द्योत्स्त्रायै चेन्दुरूपिण्यै सुखायै सततं नमः ।
कल्याण्यै प्रणतां वृद्ध्यै सिद्ध्यै कुर्मो नमो नमः

dyotstrāyai cendurūpiṇyai sukhāyai satataṃ namaḥ |
kalyāṇyai praṇatāṃ vṛddhyai siddhyai kurmo namo namaḥ

Salutations ever to her who is moonlight, who has the form of the moon, who is joy. To the auspicious one, to Growth and to Siddhi, fulfilment, of those who bow to her, we offer salutations again and again.

नैरृत्यै भूभृतां लक्ष्म्यै शर्वाण्यै ते नमो नमः ।
दुर्गायै दुर्गपारायै सारायै सर्वकारिण्यै ।
ख्यात्यै तथैव कृष्णायै धूम्रायै सततं नमः

nairṛtyai bhūbhṛtāṃ lakṣmyai śarvāṇyai te namo namaḥ |
durgāyai durgapārāyai sārāyai sarvakāriṇyai |
khyātyai tathaiva kṛṣṇāyai dhūmrāyai satataṃ namaḥ

Salutations again and again to you who are Nairriti, misfortune to the wicked, and Lakshmi, fortune to kings, and Sharvani, consort of Shiva. Salutations ever to Durga, who carries across difficulty, to the essence and maker of all, to Khyati, fame, to the dark one and the smoke-hued one.

अतिसौम्यातिरौद्रायै नतास्तस्यै नमो नमः ।
नमो जगत्प्रतिष्ठायै देव्यै कृत्यै नमो नमः

atisaumyātiraudrāyai natāstasyai namo namaḥ |
namo jagatpratiṣṭhāyai devyai kṛtyai namo namaḥ

We bow to her who is most gentle and most fierce; salutations to her again and again. Salutations to the Devi who is the ground of the world, to Kriti, again and again.

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु विष्णुमायेति शब्दिता ।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः

yā devī sarvabhūteṣu viṣṇumāyeti śabditā |
namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namaḥ

To the Devi who in all beings is called Vishnumaya, Vishnu's power of illusion: salutations to her, salutations to her, salutations to her, salutations again and again.

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु चेतनेत्यभिधीयते ।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः

yā devī sarvabhūteṣu cetanetyabhidhīyate |
namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namaḥ

To the Devi who in all beings is called consciousness: salutations to her, salutations to her, salutations to her, salutations again and again.

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु बुद्धिरूपेण संस्थिता ।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः

yā devī sarvabhūteṣu buddhirūpeṇa saṃsthitā |
namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namaḥ

To the Devi who in all beings abides in the form of intellect: salutations to her, salutations to her, salutations to her, salutations again and again.

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु निद्रारूपेण संस्थिता ।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः

yā devī sarvabhūteṣu nidrārūpeṇa saṃsthitā |
namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namaḥ

To the Devi who in all beings abides in the form of sleep: salutations to her, salutations to her, salutations to her, salutations again and again.

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु क्षुधारूपेण संस्थिता ।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः

yā devī sarvabhūteṣu kṣudhārūpeṇa saṃsthitā |
namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namaḥ

To the Devi who in all beings abides in the form of hunger: salutations to her, salutations to her, salutations to her, salutations again and again.

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु च्छायारूपेण संस्थिता ।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः

yā devī sarvabhūteṣu cchāyārūpeṇa saṃsthitā |
namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namaḥ

To the Devi who in all beings abides in the form of shadow, the reflection of the Self: salutations to her, salutations to her, salutations to her, salutations again and again.

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु शक्तिरूपेण संस्थिता ।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः

yā devī sarvabhūteṣu śaktirūpeṇa saṃsthitā |
namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namaḥ

To the Devi who in all beings abides in the form of power: salutations to her, salutations to her, salutations to her, salutations again and again.

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु तृष्णारूपेण संस्थिता ।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः

yā devī sarvabhūteṣu tṛṣṇārūpeṇa saṃsthitā |
namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namaḥ

To the Devi who in all beings abides in the form of thirst and longing: salutations to her, salutations to her, salutations to her, salutations again and again.

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु क्षान्तिरूपेण संस्थिता ।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः

yā devī sarvabhūteṣu kṣāntirūpeṇa saṃsthitā |
namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namaḥ

To the Devi who in all beings abides in the form of forbearance: salutations to her, salutations to her, salutations to her, salutations again and again.

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु जातिरूपेण संस्थिता ।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः

yā devī sarvabhūteṣu jātirūpeṇa saṃsthitā |
namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namaḥ

To the Devi who in all beings abides in the form of birth and kind, the species and lineage of each being: salutations to her, salutations to her, salutations to her, salutations again and again.

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु लज्जारूपेण संस्थिता ।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः

yā devī sarvabhūteṣu lajjārūpeṇa saṃsthitā |
namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namaḥ

To the Devi who in all beings abides in the form of modesty: salutations to her, salutations to her, salutations to her, salutations again and again.

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु शान्तिरूपेण संस्थिता ।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः

yā devī sarvabhūteṣu śāntirūpeṇa saṃsthitā |
namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namaḥ

To the Devi who in all beings abides in the form of peace: salutations to her, salutations to her, salutations to her, salutations again and again.

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु श्रद्धारूपेण संस्थिता ।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः

yā devī sarvabhūteṣu śraddhārūpeṇa saṃsthitā |
namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namaḥ

To the Devi who in all beings abides in the form of faith: salutations to her, salutations to her, salutations to her, salutations again and again.

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु कान्तिरूपेण संस्थिता ।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः

yā devī sarvabhūteṣu kāntirūpeṇa saṃsthitā |
namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namaḥ

To the Devi who in all beings abides in the form of beauty and radiance: salutations to her, salutations to her, salutations to her, salutations again and again.

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु लक्ष्मीरूपेण संस्थिता ।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः

yā devī sarvabhūteṣu lakṣmīrūpeṇa saṃsthitā |
namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namaḥ

To the Devi who in all beings abides in the form of Lakshmi, prosperity: salutations to her, salutations to her, salutations to her, salutations again and again.

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु धृतिरूपेण संस्थिता ।
तमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः

yā devī sarvabhūteṣu dhṛtirūpeṇa saṃsthitā |
tamastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namaḥ

To the Devi who in all beings abides in the form of steadfastness: salutations to her, salutations to her, salutations to her, salutations again and again.

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु वृत्तिरूपेण संस्थिता ।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः

yā devī sarvabhūteṣu vṛttirūpeṇa saṃsthitā |
namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namaḥ

To the Devi who in all beings abides in the form of livelihood and activity: salutations to her, salutations to her, salutations to her, salutations again and again.

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु स्मृतिरूपेण संस्थिता ।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः

yā devī sarvabhūteṣu smṛtirūpeṇa saṃsthitā |
namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namaḥ

To the Devi who in all beings abides in the form of memory: salutations to her, salutations to her, salutations to her, salutations again and again.

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु दयारूपेण संस्थिता ।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः

yā devī sarvabhūteṣu dayārūpeṇa saṃsthitā |
namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namaḥ

To the Devi who in all beings abides in the form of compassion: salutations to her, salutations to her, salutations to her, salutations again and again.

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु नीतिरूपेणं संस्थिता ।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः

yā devī sarvabhūteṣu nītirūpeṇaṃ saṃsthitā |
namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namaḥ

To the Devi who in all beings abides in the form of right conduct: salutations to her, salutations to her, salutations to her, salutations again and again.

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु तुष्टिरूपेण संस्थिता ।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः

yā devī sarvabhūteṣu tuṣṭirūpeṇa saṃsthitā |
namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namaḥ

To the Devi who in all beings abides in the form of contentment: salutations to her, salutations to her, salutations to her, salutations again and again.

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु पुष्टिरूपेण संस्थिता ।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः

yā devī sarvabhūteṣu puṣṭirūpeṇa saṃsthitā |
namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namaḥ

To the Devi who in all beings abides in the form of nourishment: salutations to her, salutations to her, salutations to her, salutations again and again.

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु मातृरूपेण संस्थिता ।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः

yā devī sarvabhūteṣu mātṛrūpeṇa saṃsthitā |
namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namaḥ

To the Devi who in all beings abides in the form of the mother: salutations to her, salutations to her, salutations to her, salutations again and again.

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु भ्रान्तिरूपेण संस्थिता ।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः

yā devī sarvabhūteṣu bhrāntirūpeṇa saṃsthitā |
namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namaḥ

To the Devi who in all beings abides in the form of delusion: salutations to her, salutations to her, salutations to her, salutations again and again.

इन्द्रियाणामधिष्ठात्री भूतानां चाखिलेषु या ।
भूतेषु सततं तस्यै व्याप्तिदेव्यै नमो नमः

indriyāṇāmadhiṣṭhātrī bhūtānāṃ cākhileṣu yā |
bhūteṣu satataṃ tasyai vyāptidevyai namo namaḥ

To her who presides over the senses of all beings and ever pervades all beings, to the all-pervading Devi, salutations again and again.

चितिरूपेण या कृत्स्त्रमेतद् व्याप्य स्थिता जगत् ।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः

citirūpeṇa yā kṛtstrametad vyāpya sthitā jagat |
namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namaḥ

To her who, as pure consciousness, pervades this entire world and abides in it: salutations to her, salutations to her, salutations to her, salutations again and again.

स्तु ता सुरैः पूर्वमभीष्टसंश्रयात्
तथासुरेन्द्रेण दिनेषु सेविता ।
करोतु सा नः शुभहेतुरीश्वरी
शुभानि भद्राण्यभिहन्तु चापदः

stu tā suraiḥ pūrvamabhīṣṭasaṃśrayāt
tathāsurendreṇa dineṣu sevitā |
karotu sā naḥ śubhaheturīśvarī
śubhāni bhadrāṇyabhihantu cāpadaḥ

Praised of old by the gods for the fulfilment of their wishes, and served day after day by Indra, lord of the gods, may that Ishvari, the source of all good, bring us what is auspicious and blessed, and strike down our calamities.

या साम्प्रतं चोद्धतदैत्यतापितैर्
अस्माभिरीशा च सुरैर्नमस्यते ।
या च स्मृता तत्क्षणमेव हन्ति नः
सर्वापदो भक्तिविनम्कमूर्तिभिः

yā sāmprataṃ coddhatadaityatāpitair
asmābhirīśā ca surairnamasyate |
yā ca smṛtā tatkṣaṇameva hanti naḥ
sarvāpado bhaktivinamkamūrtibhiḥ

She whom we gods, tormented now by the arrogant Daityas, bow to as our sovereign, and who, remembered by us with bodies bowed in devotion, destroys that very moment all our calamities, may she protect us.

ऋषिरूवाच
एवं स्तवादियुक्तानां देवानां तत्र पार्वती ।
स्नातुमभ्याययौ तोये जाह्नव्या नृपनन्दन

ṛṣirūvāca
evaṃ stavādiyuktānāṃ devānāṃ tatra pārvatī |
snātumabhyāyayau toye jāhnavyā nṛpanandana

The Rishi said: O prince, while the gods were thus engaged in praise, Parvati came there to bathe in the waters of the Ganga.

साब्रवीत्तान् सुरान् सुभ्रूर्भवद्भिः स्तूयतेऽत्र का ।
शरीरकोशतश्चास्याः समुद्भूताब्रवीच्छिवा

sābravīttān surān subhrūrbhavadbhiḥ stūyate'tra kā |
śarīrakośataścāsyāḥ samudbhūtābravīcchivā

The fair-browed one said to the gods, 'Whom are you praising here?' Then Shiva, the auspicious one, emerging from the sheath of her body, answered.

स्तोत्रं ममैतत् क्रियते शुम्भदैत्यनिराकृतैः ।
देवैः समेतैः समरे निशुम्भेन पराजितैः

stotraṃ mamaitat kriyate śumbhadaityanirākṛtaiḥ |
devaiḥ sametaiḥ samare niśumbhena parājitaiḥ

'This hymn is offered to me by the gods, who have been cast out by the Daitya Shumbha and defeated in battle by Nishumbha, and have gathered here.'

शरीरकोशाद्यत्तस्याः पार्वत्या निः सृताम्बिका ।
कौशिकीति समस्तेषु ततो लोकेषु गीयते

śarīrakośādyattasyāḥ pārvatyā niḥ sṛtāmbikā |
kauśikīti samasteṣu tato lokeṣu gīyate

Because Ambika came forth from the sheath, the kosha, of Parvati's body, she is sung in all the worlds as Kaushiki.

तस्यां विनिर्गतायां तु कृष्णाभूत् सापि पार्वती ।
कालिकेति समाख्याता हिमाचलकृताश्रया

tasyāṃ vinirgatāyāṃ tu kṛṣṇābhūt sāpi pārvatī |
kāliketi samākhyātā himācalakṛtāśrayā

When she had come forth, Parvati herself became dark, and became known as Kalika, dwelling on the Himalaya.

ततोऽम्बिकां परं रूपं बिभ्राणां सुमनोहरम् ।
ददर्श चण्डो मुण्डश्च भृत्यौ शुम्भनिशुम्भयोः

tato'mbikāṃ paraṃ rūpaṃ bibhrāṇāṃ sumanoharam |
dadarśa caṇḍo muṇḍaśca bhṛtyau śumbhaniśumbhayoḥ

Then Chanda and Munda, servants of Shumbha and Nishumbha, saw Ambika bearing her supreme and most enchanting form.

ताभ्यां शुम्भाय चाख्याता अतीव सुमनोहरा ।
काप्यास्ते स्त्री महाराज भासयन्ती हिमाचलम्

tābhyāṃ śumbhāya cākhyātā atīva sumanoharā |
kāpyāste strī mahārāja bhāsayantī himācalam

They told Shumbha: 'Great king, some woman of surpassing beauty is dwelling there, lighting up the Himalaya.

नैव तादृक् क्वचिद्रूपं दृष्टं केनचिदुत्तमम् ।
ज्ञायतां काप्यसौ देवी गृह्यतां चासुरेश्वर

naiva tādṛk kvacidrūpaṃ dṛṣṭaṃ kenaciduttamam |
jñāyatāṃ kāpyasau devī gṛhyatāṃ cāsureśvara

No one has ever seen such a supreme beauty anywhere. Find out who that goddess is, lord of the asuras, and take her.

स्त्रीरत्नमतिचार्वङ्गी द्योतयन्ती दिशस्त्विषा ।
सा तु तिष्ठति दैत्येन्द्र तां भवान् द्रष्टुमर्हति

strīratnamaticārvaṅgī dyotayantī diśastviṣā |
sā tu tiṣṭhati daityendra tāṃ bhavān draṣṭumarhati

She is a jewel among women, lovely of limb, lighting the quarters with her radiance. There she stays, lord of the Daityas. You should see her.

यानि रत्नानि मणयो गजाश्वादीनि वै प्रभो ।
त्रैलोक्ये तु समस्तानि साम्प्रतं भान्ति ते गृहे

yāni ratnāni maṇayo gajāśvādīni vai prabho |
trailokye tu samastāni sāmprataṃ bhānti te gṛhe

Lord, all the jewels, gems, elephants, horses and other treasures in the three worlds now shine in your house.

ऐरावतः समानीतो गजरत्नं पुरन्दरात् ।
पारिजाततरुश्चायं तथैवोच्चैः श्रवा हयः

airāvataḥ samānīto gajaratnaṃ purandarāt |
pārijātataruścāyaṃ tathaivoccaiḥ śravā hayaḥ

Airavata, the jewel among elephants, was taken from Indra, the destroyer of cities. So too this Parijata tree and the horse Uchchaihshravas.

विमानं हंससंयुक्तमेतत्तिष्ठति तेऽङ्गणे ।
रत्नभूतमिहानीतं यदासीद्वेधसोऽद्भुतम्

vimānaṃ haṃsasaṃyuktametattiṣṭhati te'ṅgaṇe |
ratnabhūtamihānītaṃ yadāsīdvedhaso'dbhutam

This wondrous chariot yoked with swans, which was Brahma's treasure, has been brought here and stands in your courtyard.

निधिरेष महापद्मः समानीतो धनेश्वरात् ।
किञ्जल्किनीं ददौ चाब्धिर्मालामम्लानपङ्कजाम्

nidhireṣa mahāpadmaḥ samānīto dhaneśvarāt |
kiñjalkinīṃ dadau cābdhirmālāmamlānapaṅkajām

This great treasure, the Mahapadma, was brought from Kubera, lord of wealth. And the ocean gave you a garland of unfading lotuses full of filaments.

छत्रं ते वारुणं गेहे काञ्चनस्त्रावि तिष्ठति ।
तथायं स्यन्तनवरो यः पुरासीत् प्रजापतेः

chatraṃ te vāruṇaṃ gehe kāñcanastrāvi tiṣṭhati |
tathāyaṃ syantanavaro yaḥ purāsīt prajāpateḥ

Varuna's umbrella, which showers gold, stands in your house, and so does this finest chariot that once belonged to Prajapati.

मृत्योरुत्क्रान्तिदा नाम शक्तिरीश त्वया हृता ।
पाशः सलिलराजस्य भ्रातुस्तव परिग्रहे

mṛtyorutkrāntidā nāma śaktirīśa tvayā hṛtā |
pāśaḥ salilarājasya bhrātustava parigrahe

Lord, you have taken from Death the shakti called Utkrantida, which draws out life. The noose of Varuna, king of the waters, is in your brother's keeping.

निशुम्भस्याब्धिजाताश्च समस्ता रत्नजातयः ।
वह्निरपि ददौ तुभ्यमग्निशौचे च वाससी

niśumbhasyābdhijātāśca samastā ratnajātayaḥ |
vahnirapi dadau tubhyamagniśauce ca vāsasī

Every kind of jewel born of the ocean belongs to Nishumbha. Agni himself gave you two garments purified by fire.

एवं दैत्येन्द्र रत्नानि समस्तान्याहृतानि ते ।
स्त्रीरत्नमेषा कल्याणी त्वया कस्मान्न गृह्यते

evaṃ daityendra ratnāni samastānyāhṛtāni te |
strīratnameṣā kalyāṇī tvayā kasmānna gṛhyate

So, lord of the Daityas, all treasures have been brought to you. Why do you not take this auspicious woman, the jewel among women?'

निशम्येति वचः शुम्भः स तदा चण्डमुण्डयोः ।
प्रेषयामास सुग्रीवं दूतं देव्या महासुरः

niśamyeti vacaḥ śumbhaḥ sa tadā caṇḍamuṇḍayoḥ |
preṣayāmāsa sugrīvaṃ dūtaṃ devyā mahāsuraḥ

The Rishi said: Hearing these words of Chanda and Munda, the great asura Shumbha sent the envoy Sugriva to the Devi.

इति चेति च वक्तव्या सा गत्वा वचनान्मम ।
यथा चाभ्येति संप्रीत्या तथा कार्यं त्वया लघु

iti ceti ca vaktavyā sā gatvā vacanānmama |
yathā cābhyeti saṃprītyā tathā kāryaṃ tvayā laghu

Shumbha said: Go, and tell her this and this in my name. Do it quickly, and act so that she comes to me gladly.

स तत्र गत्वा यत्रास्ते शैलोद्देशेऽतिशोभने ।
तां च देवीं ततः प्राह श्लक्ष्णं मधुरया गिरा

sa tatra gatvā yatrāste śailoddeśe'tiśobhane |
tāṃ ca devīṃ tataḥ prāha ślakṣṇaṃ madhurayā girā

He went to the place on the beautiful mountain where she was, and spoke to the Devi in soft and sweet words.

देवि दैत्येश्वरः शुम्भस्त्रैलोक्ये परमेश्वरः ।
दूतोऽहं प्रेषितस्तेन त्वत्सकाशमिहागतः

devi daityeśvaraḥ śumbhastrailokye parameśvaraḥ |
dūto'haṃ preṣitastena tvatsakāśamihāgataḥ

The envoy said: O Devi, Shumbha, lord of the Daityas, is supreme sovereign of the three worlds. I am his envoy, sent by him into your presence.

अव्याहताज्ञः सर्वासु यः सदा देवयोनिषु ।
निर्जिताखिलदैत्यारिः स यदाह शृणुष्व तत्

avyāhatājñaḥ sarvāsu yaḥ sadā devayoniṣu |
nirjitākhiladaityāriḥ sa yadāha śṛṇuṣva tat

His command is never resisted among any of the races of the gods, and he has conquered every foe of the Daityas. Hear what he says.

मम त्रैलोक्यमखिलं मम देवा वशानुगाः ।
यज्ञभागानहं सर्वानुपाश्नामि पृथक् पृथक्

mama trailokyamakhilaṃ mama devā vaśānugāḥ |
yajñabhāgānahaṃ sarvānupāśnāmi pṛthak pṛthak

'All three worlds are mine, and the gods obey my will. I enjoy all the shares of the sacrifice, each one separately.

त्रैलोक्ये वररत्नानि मम वश्यान्यशेषतः ।
तथैव गजरत्नं च हृत्वा देवेन्द्रवाहनम्

trailokye vararatnāni mama vaśyānyaśeṣataḥ |
tathaiva gajaratnaṃ ca hṛtvā devendravāhanam

Every choice treasure in the three worlds is wholly in my power, and so is the jewel among elephants, the mount of Indra, which I took.

क्षीरोदमथनोद्भूतमश्वरत्नं ममामरैः ।
उच्चैः श्रवससंज्ञं तत्प्रणिपत्य समर्पितम्

kṣīrodamathanodbhūtamaśvaratnaṃ mamāmaraiḥ |
uccaiḥ śravasasaṃjñaṃ tatpraṇipatya samarpitam

The jewel among horses named Uchchaihshravas, born from the churning of the ocean of milk, the immortals bowed and surrendered to me.

यानि चान्यानि देवेषु गन्धर्वेषूरगेषु च ।
रत्नभूतानि भूतानि तानि मय्येव शोभने

yāni cānyāni deveṣu gandharveṣūrageṣu ca |
ratnabhūtāni bhūtāni tāni mayyeva śobhane

Whatever other beings are treasures among the gods, Gandharvas and Nagas, all of them, lovely one, are with me.

स्त्रीरत्नभूतां त्वां देवि लोके मन्यामहे वयम् ।
सा त्वमस्मानुपागच्छ यतो रत्नभुजो वयम्

strīratnabhūtāṃ tvāṃ devi loke manyāmahe vayam |
sā tvamasmānupāgaccha yato ratnabhujo vayam

O Devi, we regard you as the jewel among women in the world. So come to us, for we are the enjoyers of all jewels.

मां वा ममानुजं वापि निशुम्भमुरुविक्रमम् ।
भज त्वं चञ्चलापाङ्गि रत्नभूतासि वै यतः

māṃ vā mamānujaṃ vāpi niśumbhamuruvikramam |
bhaja tvaṃ cañcalāpāṅgi ratnabhūtāsi vai yataḥ

O you of restless glances, take as your lord either me or my younger brother, Nishumbha of great valour, for you are indeed a jewel.

परमैश्वर्यमतुलं प्राप्स्यसे मत्परिग्रहात् ।
एतद् बुद्ध्या समालोच्य मत्परिग्रहतां व्रज

paramaiśvaryamatulaṃ prāpsyase matparigrahāt |
etad buddhyā samālocya matparigrahatāṃ vraja

By marrying me you will gain supreme, unequalled power. Think on this with your understanding, and become my wife.'

इत्युक्ता सा तदा देवी गम्भीरान्तः स्मिता जगौ ।
दुर्गा भगवती भद्रा ययेदं धार्यते जगत्

ityuktā sā tadā devī gambhīrāntaḥ smitā jagau |
durgā bhagavatī bhadrā yayedaṃ dhāryate jagat

The Rishi said: Thus addressed, the Devi, Durga, gracious Bhagavati, by whom this world is upheld, smiled inwardly and spoke in a deep voice.

सत्यमुक्तत्वया नात्र मिथ्या किञ्चित्त्वयोदितम् ।
त्रैलोक्याधिपतिः सुम्भो निशुम्भश्चापि तादृशः

satyamuktatvayā nātra mithyā kiñcittvayoditam |
trailokyādhipatiḥ sumbho niśumbhaścāpi tādṛśaḥ

The Devi said: You have spoken the truth; nothing you have said is false. Shumbha is lord of the three worlds, and Nishumbha is just as mighty.

किं त्वत्र यत्प्रतिज्ञातं मिथ्या तत्क्रियते कथम् ।
श्रूयतामल्पबुद्धित्वात् प्रतिज्ञा या कृता पुरा

kiṃ tvatra yatpratijñātaṃ mithyā tatkriyate katham |
śrūyatāmalpabuddhitvāt pratijñā yā kṛtā purā

But how can I break the vow I have made? Hear the vow I made long ago out of my little understanding.

यो मां जयति संग्रामे यो मे दर्पं व्यपोहति ।
यो मे प्रतिबलो लोके स मे भर्ता भविष्यति

yo māṃ jayati saṃgrāme yo me darpaṃ vyapohati |
yo me pratibalo loke sa me bhartā bhaviṣyati

He who conquers me in battle, who breaks my pride, who is my equal in strength in the world, he shall be my husband.

तदागच्छतु शुम्भोऽत्र निशुम्भो वा महासुरः ।
मां जित्वा किं चिरेणात्र पाणि गृह्णातु मे लघु

tadāgacchatu śumbho'tra niśumbho vā mahāsuraḥ |
māṃ jitvā kiṃ cireṇātra pāṇi gṛhṇātu me laghu

So let Shumbha come here, or the great asura Nishumbha. Let him conquer me and take my hand quickly. Why delay?

अवलिप्तासि मैवं त्वं देवि ब्रूहि ममाग्रतः ।
त्रैलोक्ये कः पुमांस्तिष्ठेदग्रे शुम्भनिशुम्भयोः

avaliptāsi maivaṃ tvaṃ devi brūhi mamāgrataḥ |
trailokye kaḥ pumāṃstiṣṭhedagre śumbhaniśumbhayoḥ

The envoy said: You are proud, O Devi. Do not speak so before me. What man in the three worlds can stand before Shumbha and Nishumbha?

अन्येषामपि दैत्यानां सर्वे देवा न वै युधि ।
तिष्ठन्ति संमुखे देवि किं पुनः स्त्री त्वमेकिका

anyeṣāmapi daityānāṃ sarve devā na vai yudhi |
tiṣṭhanti saṃmukhe devi kiṃ punaḥ strī tvamekikā

All the gods together cannot stand face to face in battle even against the other Daityas, O Devi. How much less you, a woman alone?

इन्द्राद्याः सकला देवास्तस्थुर्येषां न संयुगे ।
शुम्भादीनां कथं तेषां स्त्री प्रयास्यसि संमुखम्

indrādyāḥ sakalā devāstasthuryeṣāṃ na saṃyuge |
śumbhādīnāṃ kathaṃ teṣāṃ strī prayāsyasi saṃmukham

Indra and all the gods could not stand in battle against Shumbha and the others. How will you, a woman, face them?

सा त्वं गच्छ मयैवोक्ता पार्श्वं शुम्भनिशुम्भयोः ।
केशाकर्षणनिर्धूतगौरवा मा गमिष्यसि

sā tvaṃ gaccha mayaivoktā pārśvaṃ śumbhaniśumbhayoḥ |
keśākarṣaṇanirdhūtagauravā mā gamiṣyasi

So, as I tell you, go to Shumbha and Nishumbha yourself, so that you do not go with your honour lost, dragged by the hair.

एवमेतद् बली शुम्भो निशुम्भश्चातिवीर्यवान् ।
किं करोमि प्रतिज्ञा मे यदनालोचिता पुरा

evametad balī śumbho niśumbhaścātivīryavān |
kiṃ karomi pratijñā me yadanālocitā purā

The Devi said: It is so. Shumbha is strong and Nishumbha is very mighty. But what can I do? I made my vow long ago without thinking.

स त्वं गच्छ मयोक्तं ते यदेतत्सर्वमादृतः ।
तदाचक्ष्वासुरेन्द्राय स च युक्तं करोतु तत्

sa tvaṃ gaccha mayoktaṃ te yadetatsarvamādṛtaḥ |
tadācakṣvāsurendrāya sa ca yuktaṃ karotu tat

So go, and tell the lord of the asuras carefully all that I have said. Then let him do what is fitting.