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Fifth Skandha · Chapter 14

Chapter 14

Unit 101 of 318Fifth Skandha · Chapter 14Fifth Skandha · Chapter 141 source entries

Fifth Skandha · Chapter 14

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व्यास उवाच दुर्मुखं निहतं श्रुत्वा महिषः क्रोधमूर्च्छितः । उवाच दानवान्सर्वान्किं जातमिति चासकृत् ॥ १ ॥ निहतौ दानवौ शूरौ रणे दुर्मुखबाष्कलौ । तन्व्या तत्परमाश्चर्यं पश्यन्तु दैवचेष्टितम् ॥ २ ॥ कालो हि बलवान्कर्ता सततं सुखदुःखयोः । नराणां परतन्त्राणां पुण्यपापानुयोगतः ॥ ३ ॥ निहतौ दानवश्रेष्ठौ किं कर्तव्यमतः परम् । ब्रुवन्तु मिलिताः सर्वे यद्युक्तं कार्यसङ्कटे ॥ ४ ॥ व्यास उवाच एवं ब्रुवति राजेन्द्र महिषेऽतिबलान्विते । चिक्षुराख्यस्तु सेनानीस्तमुवाच महारथः ॥ ५ ॥ राजन्नहं हनिष्यामि का चिन्ता स्त्रीविहिंसने । इत्युक्त्वा स्वबलैर्युक्तः प्रययौ रथसंयुतः ॥ ६ ॥ द्वितीयं पार्ष्णिरक्षं तु कृत्वा ताम्रं महाबलम् । महता सैन्यघोषेण पूरयन्गगनं दिशः ॥ ७ ॥ तमागच्छन्तमालोक्य देवी भगवती शिवा । चकार शङ्खज्याघोषं घण्टानादं महाद्‌भुतम् ॥ ८ ॥ तत्रसुस्तेन शब्देन ते च सर्वे सुरारयः । किमेतदिति भाषन्तो दुद्रुवुर्भयकम्पिताः ॥ ९ ॥ चिक्षुराख्यस्तु तान्दृष्ट्वा पलायनपरायणान् । उवाचातीव संकुद्धः किं भयं वः समागतम् ॥ १० ॥ अद्यैवाहं हनिष्यामि बाणैर्बालां मदोन्नताम् । तिष्ठन्त्वत्र भयं त्यक्त्वा दैत्याः समरमूर्धनि ॥ ११ ॥ इत्युक्त्वा दानवश्रेष्ठश्चापपाणिर्बलान्वितः । आगत्य सङ्गरे देवीमित्युवाच गतव्यथः ॥ १२ ॥ किं गर्जसि विशालाक्षि भीषयन्तीतरान्नरान् । नाहं बिभेमि तन्वङ्‌गि श्रुत्वा तेऽद्य विचेष्टितम् ॥ १३ ॥ स्त्रीवधे दूषणं ज्ञात्वा तथैवाकीर्तिसम्भवम् । उपेक्षां कुरुते चित्तं मदीयं वामलोचने ॥ १४ ॥ स्त्रीणां युद्धं कटाक्षैश्च तथा हावैश्च सुन्दरि । न शस्त्रैर्विहितं क्वापि त्वादृशीनां कदाचन ॥ १५ ॥ पुष्पैरपि न योद्धव्यं किं पुनर्निशितैः शरैः । भवादृशीनां देहेषु दुनोति मालतीदलम् ॥ १६ ॥ धिग्जन्म मानुषे लोके क्षात्रधर्मानुजीविनाम् । लालितोऽयं प्रियो देहः कृन्तनीयः शितैः शरैः ॥ १७ ॥ तैलाभ्यङ्गैः पुष्पवातैस्तथा मिष्टान्नभोजनैः । पोषितोऽयं प्रियो देहो घातनीयः परेषुभिः ॥ १८ ॥ देहं छित्त्वासिधाराभिर्धनभृज्जायते नरः । धिग्धनं दुःखदं पूर्वं पश्चात्किं सुखदं भवेत् ॥ १९ ॥ त्वमप्यज्ञैव वामोरु युद्धमाकाङ्क्षसे यतः । सुखं सम्भोगजं त्यक्त्वा कं गुणं वेत्सि सङ्गरे ॥ २० ॥ खड्गपातं गदाघातं भेदनञ्ज शिलीमुखैः । मरणान्ते तु संस्कारो गोमायुमुखकर्षणम् ॥ २१ ॥ तस्यैव कविभिर्धूर्तैः कृतं चातीव शंसनम् । रणे मृतानां स्वःप्राप्तिरर्थवादोऽस्ति केवलः ॥ २२ ॥ तस्माद्‌ गच्छ वरारोहे यत्र ते रमते मनः । भज वा भूपतिं नाथं हयारिं सुरमर्दनम् ॥ २३ ॥ व्यास उवाच एवं ब्रुवाणं तं दैत्यं प्रोवाच जगदम्बिका । किं मृषा भाषसे मूढ बुद्धिमानिव पण्डितः ॥ २४ ॥ नीतिशास्त्रं न जानासि विद्यां चान्वीक्षिकीं तथा । न सेवितास्त्वया वृद्धा न धर्मे मतिरस्ति ते ॥ २५ ॥ मूर्खसेवापरो यस्मात्तस्मात्त्वं मूर्ख एव हि । राजधर्मं न जानासि किं ब्रवीषि ममाग्रतः ॥ २६ ॥ संग्रामे महिषं हत्वा कृत्वा रुधिरकर्दमम् । यशःस्तम्भं स्थिरं कृत्वा गमिष्यामि यथासुखम् ॥ २७ ॥ देवानां दुःखदातारं दानवं मदगर्वितम् । हनिष्येऽहं दुराचारं युद्धं कुरु स्थिरो भव ॥ २८ ॥ जीवितेच्छास्ति चेन्मूढ महिषस्य तथा तव । तदा गच्छन्तु पातालं दानवाः सर्व एव ते ॥ २९ ॥ मुमूर्षा यदि वश्चित्ते युद्धं कुर्वन्तु सत्वराः । सर्वानेव वधिष्यामि निश्चयोऽयं ममाधुना ॥ ३० ॥ व्यास उवाच तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं तस्या दानवो बलदर्पितः । मुमोच बाणवृष्टिं तां घनवृष्टिमिवापराम् ॥ ३१ ॥ चिच्छेद तस्य सा बाणान्स्वबाणैर्निशितैस्तदा । जघान तं तथा घोरैराशीविषसमैः शरैः ॥ ३२ ॥ युद्धं परस्परं तत्र बभूव विस्मयप्रदम् । गदया घातयामास तं रथाज्जगदम्बिका ॥ ३३ ॥ मूर्च्छां प्राप स दुष्टात्मा गदयाभिहतो भृशम् । मुहूर्तद्वयमात्रं तु रथोपस्थ इवाचलः ॥ ३४ ॥ तं तथा मूर्च्छितं दृष्ट्वा ताम्रः परबलार्दनः । आजगाम रणे योद्धुं चण्डिकां प्रति चापलात् ॥ ३५ ॥ आगच्छन्तं तु तं वीक्ष्य हसन्ती प्राह चण्डिका । एह्येहि दानवश्रेष्ठ यमलोकं नयाम्यहम् ॥ ३६ ॥ किं भवद्‌भिः समायातैरबलैश्च गतायुषैः । महिषः किं गृहे मूढः करोति जीवनोद्यमम् ॥ ३७ ॥ किं भवद्‌भिर्हतैर्मन्दैर्ममापि विफलः श्रमः । अहते महिषे पापे सुरशत्रौ दुरात्मनि ॥ ३८ ॥ तस्माद्यूयं गृहं गत्वा महिषं प्रेषयन्त्विह । पश्येन्मां सोऽपि मन्दात्मा यादृशीं तादृशीं स्थिताम् ॥ ३९ ॥ ताम्रस्तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा बाणवृष्टिं चकार ह । चण्डिकां प्रति कोपेन कर्णाकृष्टशरासनः ॥ ४० ॥ भगवत्यपि ताम्राक्षी समाकृष्य शरासनम् । बाणान्मुमोच तरसा हन्तुकामा सुराहितम् ॥ ४१ ॥ चिक्षुराख्योऽपिबलवान्मूर्च्छां त्यक्त्वोत्थितः पुनः । गृहीत्वा सशरं चापं तस्थौ तत्सम्मुखः क्षणात् ॥ ४२ ॥ चिक्षुराख्यश्च ताम्रश्च द्वावप्यतिबलोत्कटौ । युयुधाते महावीरौ सह देव्या रणाङ्गणे ॥ ४३ ॥ कुपिता च महामाया ववर्ष शरसन्ततिम् । चकार दानवान् सर्वान् बाणक्षततनुच्छदान् ॥ ४४ ॥ असुराः क्रोधसम्मूढा बभूवुः शरताडिताः । चिक्षिपुः शरजालानि देवीं प्रति रुषान्विताः ॥ ४५ ॥ बभुस्ते राक्षसास्तत्र किंशुका इव पुष्पिणः । शिलीमुखक्षताः सर्वे वसन्ते च वने रणे ॥ ४६ ॥ बभूव तुमुलं युद्धं ताम्रेण सह संयुगे । विस्मयं परमं जग्मुर्देवा ये प्रेक्षकाः स्थिताः ॥ ४७ ॥ ताम्रो मुसलमादाय लोहजं दारुणं दृढम् । जघान मस्तके सिंहं जहास च ननर्द च ॥ ४८ ॥ नर्दमानं तदा तं तु दृष्ट्वा देवी रुषान्विता । खड्गेन शितधारेण शिरश्चिच्छेद सत्वरा ॥ ४९ ॥ छिन्ने शिरसि ताम्रस्तु विशीर्षो मुसली बली । बभ्राम क्षणमात्रं तु पपात रणमस्तके ॥ ५० ॥ पतितं ताम्रमालोक्य चिक्षुराख्यो महाबलः । खड्गमादाय तरसा दुद्राव चण्डिकां प्रति ॥ ५१ ॥ भगवत्यपि तं दृष्ट्वा खड्गपाणिमुपागतम् । दानवं पञ्चभिर्बाणैर्जघान तरसा रणे ॥ ५२ ॥ एकेन पातितं खड्गं द्वितीयेन तु तत्करः । कण्ठाच्च मस्तकं तस्य कृन्तितं चापरैः शरैः ॥ ५३ ॥ एवं तौ निहतौ कूरौ राक्षसौ रणदुर्मदौ । भग्नं सैन्यं तयोस्तूर्णं दिक्षु सन्त्रस्तमानसम् ॥ ५४ ॥ देवाश्च मुदिताः सर्वे दृष्ट्वा तौ निहतौ रणे । पुष्पवृष्टिं मुदा चक्रुर्जयशब्दं नभःस्थिताः ॥ ५५ ॥ ऋषयो देवगन्धर्वा वेतालाः सिद्धचारणाः । ऊचुस्ते जय देवीति चाम्बिकेति पुनः पुनः ॥ ५६ ॥

vyāsa uvāca durmukhaṃ nihataṃ śrutvā mahiṣaḥ krodhamūrcchitaḥ | uvāca dānavānsarvānkiṃ jātamiti cāsakṛt || 1 || nihatau dānavau śūrau raṇe durmukhabāṣkalau | tanvyā tatparamāścaryaṃ paśyantu daivaceṣṭitam || 2 || kālo hi balavānkartā satataṃ sukhaduḥkhayoḥ | narāṇāṃ paratantrāṇāṃ puṇyapāpānuyogataḥ || 3 || nihatau dānavaśreṣṭhau kiṃ kartavyamataḥ param | bruvantu militāḥ sarve yadyuktaṃ kāryasaṅkaṭe || 4 || vyāsa uvāca evaṃ bruvati rājendra mahiṣe'tibalānvite | cikṣurākhyastu senānīstamuvāca mahārathaḥ || 5 || rājannahaṃ haniṣyāmi kā cintā strīvihiṃsane | ityuktvā svabalairyuktaḥ prayayau rathasaṃyutaḥ || 6 || dvitīyaṃ pārṣṇirakṣaṃ tu kṛtvā tāmraṃ mahābalam | mahatā sainyaghoṣeṇa pūrayangaganaṃ diśaḥ || 7 || tamāgacchantamālokya devī bhagavatī śivā | cakāra śaṅkhajyāghoṣaṃ ghaṇṭānādaṃ mahād‌bhutam || 8 || tatrasustena śabdena te ca sarve surārayaḥ | kimetaditi bhāṣanto dudruvurbhayakampitāḥ || 9 || cikṣurākhyastu tāndṛṣṭvā palāyanaparāyaṇān | uvācātīva saṃkuddhaḥ kiṃ bhayaṃ vaḥ samāgatam || 10 || adyaivāhaṃ haniṣyāmi bāṇairbālāṃ madonnatām | tiṣṭhantvatra bhayaṃ tyaktvā daityāḥ samaramūrdhani || 11 || ityuktvā dānavaśreṣṭhaścāpapāṇirbalānvitaḥ | āgatya saṅgare devīmityuvāca gatavyathaḥ || 12 || kiṃ garjasi viśālākṣi bhīṣayantītarānnarān | nāhaṃ bibhemi tanvaṅ‌gi śrutvā te'dya viceṣṭitam || 13 || strīvadhe dūṣaṇaṃ jñātvā tathaivākīrtisambhavam | upekṣāṃ kurute cittaṃ madīyaṃ vāmalocane || 14 || strīṇāṃ yuddhaṃ kaṭākṣaiśca tathā hāvaiśca sundari | na śastrairvihitaṃ kvāpi tvādṛśīnāṃ kadācana || 15 || puṣpairapi na yoddhavyaṃ kiṃ punarniśitaiḥ śaraiḥ | bhavādṛśīnāṃ deheṣu dunoti mālatīdalam || 16 || dhigjanma mānuṣe loke kṣātradharmānujīvinām | lālito'yaṃ priyo dehaḥ kṛntanīyaḥ śitaiḥ śaraiḥ || 17 || tailābhyaṅgaiḥ puṣpavātaistathā miṣṭānnabhojanaiḥ | poṣito'yaṃ priyo deho ghātanīyaḥ pareṣubhiḥ || 18 || dehaṃ chittvāsidhārābhirdhanabhṛjjāyate naraḥ | dhigdhanaṃ duḥkhadaṃ pūrvaṃ paścātkiṃ sukhadaṃ bhavet || 19 || tvamapyajñaiva vāmoru yuddhamākāṅkṣase yataḥ | sukhaṃ sambhogajaṃ tyaktvā kaṃ guṇaṃ vetsi saṅgare || 20 || khaḍgapātaṃ gadāghātaṃ bhedanañja śilīmukhaiḥ | maraṇānte tu saṃskāro gomāyumukhakarṣaṇam || 21 || tasyaiva kavibhirdhūrtaiḥ kṛtaṃ cātīva śaṃsanam | raṇe mṛtānāṃ svaḥprāptirarthavādo'sti kevalaḥ || 22 || tasmād‌ gaccha varārohe yatra te ramate manaḥ | bhaja vā bhūpatiṃ nāthaṃ hayāriṃ suramardanam || 23 || vyāsa uvāca evaṃ bruvāṇaṃ taṃ daityaṃ provāca jagadambikā | kiṃ mṛṣā bhāṣase mūḍha buddhimāniva paṇḍitaḥ || 24 || nītiśāstraṃ na jānāsi vidyāṃ cānvīkṣikīṃ tathā | na sevitāstvayā vṛddhā na dharme matirasti te || 25 || mūrkhasevāparo yasmāttasmāttvaṃ mūrkha eva hi | rājadharmaṃ na jānāsi kiṃ bravīṣi mamāgrataḥ || 26 || saṃgrāme mahiṣaṃ hatvā kṛtvā rudhirakardamam | yaśaḥstambhaṃ sthiraṃ kṛtvā gamiṣyāmi yathāsukham || 27 || devānāṃ duḥkhadātāraṃ dānavaṃ madagarvitam | haniṣye'haṃ durācāraṃ yuddhaṃ kuru sthiro bhava || 28 || jīvitecchāsti cenmūḍha mahiṣasya tathā tava | tadā gacchantu pātālaṃ dānavāḥ sarva eva te || 29 || mumūrṣā yadi vaścitte yuddhaṃ kurvantu satvarāḥ | sarvāneva vadhiṣyāmi niścayo'yaṃ mamādhunā || 30 || vyāsa uvāca tacchrutvā vacanaṃ tasyā dānavo baladarpitaḥ | mumoca bāṇavṛṣṭiṃ tāṃ ghanavṛṣṭimivāparām || 31 || ciccheda tasya sā bāṇānsvabāṇairniśitaistadā | jaghāna taṃ tathā ghorairāśīviṣasamaiḥ śaraiḥ || 32 || yuddhaṃ parasparaṃ tatra babhūva vismayapradam | gadayā ghātayāmāsa taṃ rathājjagadambikā || 33 || mūrcchāṃ prāpa sa duṣṭātmā gadayābhihato bhṛśam | muhūrtadvayamātraṃ tu rathopastha ivācalaḥ || 34 || taṃ tathā mūrcchitaṃ dṛṣṭvā tāmraḥ parabalārdanaḥ | ājagāma raṇe yoddhuṃ caṇḍikāṃ prati cāpalāt || 35 || āgacchantaṃ tu taṃ vīkṣya hasantī prāha caṇḍikā | ehyehi dānavaśreṣṭha yamalokaṃ nayāmyaham || 36 || kiṃ bhavad‌bhiḥ samāyātairabalaiśca gatāyuṣaiḥ | mahiṣaḥ kiṃ gṛhe mūḍhaḥ karoti jīvanodyamam || 37 || kiṃ bhavad‌bhirhatairmandairmamāpi viphalaḥ śramaḥ | ahate mahiṣe pāpe suraśatrau durātmani || 38 || tasmādyūyaṃ gṛhaṃ gatvā mahiṣaṃ preṣayantviha | paśyenmāṃ so'pi mandātmā yādṛśīṃ tādṛśīṃ sthitām || 39 || tāmrastadvacanaṃ śrutvā bāṇavṛṣṭiṃ cakāra ha | caṇḍikāṃ prati kopena karṇākṛṣṭaśarāsanaḥ || 40 || bhagavatyapi tāmrākṣī samākṛṣya śarāsanam | bāṇānmumoca tarasā hantukāmā surāhitam || 41 || cikṣurākhyo'pibalavānmūrcchāṃ tyaktvotthitaḥ punaḥ | gṛhītvā saśaraṃ cāpaṃ tasthau tatsammukhaḥ kṣaṇāt || 42 || cikṣurākhyaśca tāmraśca dvāvapyatibalotkaṭau | yuyudhāte mahāvīrau saha devyā raṇāṅgaṇe || 43 || kupitā ca mahāmāyā vavarṣa śarasantatim | cakāra dānavān sarvān bāṇakṣatatanucchadān || 44 || asurāḥ krodhasammūḍhā babhūvuḥ śaratāḍitāḥ | cikṣipuḥ śarajālāni devīṃ prati ruṣānvitāḥ || 45 || babhuste rākṣasāstatra kiṃśukā iva puṣpiṇaḥ | śilīmukhakṣatāḥ sarve vasante ca vane raṇe || 46 || babhūva tumulaṃ yuddhaṃ tāmreṇa saha saṃyuge | vismayaṃ paramaṃ jagmurdevā ye prekṣakāḥ sthitāḥ || 47 || tāmro musalamādāya lohajaṃ dāruṇaṃ dṛḍham | jaghāna mastake siṃhaṃ jahāsa ca nanarda ca || 48 || nardamānaṃ tadā taṃ tu dṛṣṭvā devī ruṣānvitā | khaḍgena śitadhāreṇa śiraściccheda satvarā || 49 || chinne śirasi tāmrastu viśīrṣo musalī balī | babhrāma kṣaṇamātraṃ tu papāta raṇamastake || 50 || patitaṃ tāmramālokya cikṣurākhyo mahābalaḥ | khaḍgamādāya tarasā dudrāva caṇḍikāṃ prati || 51 || bhagavatyapi taṃ dṛṣṭvā khaḍgapāṇimupāgatam | dānavaṃ pañcabhirbāṇairjaghāna tarasā raṇe || 52 || ekena pātitaṃ khaḍgaṃ dvitīyena tu tatkaraḥ | kaṇṭhācca mastakaṃ tasya kṛntitaṃ cāparaiḥ śaraiḥ || 53 || evaṃ tau nihatau kūrau rākṣasau raṇadurmadau | bhagnaṃ sainyaṃ tayostūrṇaṃ dikṣu santrastamānasam || 54 || devāśca muditāḥ sarve dṛṣṭvā tau nihatau raṇe | puṣpavṛṣṭiṃ mudā cakrurjayaśabdaṃ nabhaḥsthitāḥ || 55 || ṛṣayo devagandharvā vetālāḥ siddhacāraṇāḥ | ūcuste jaya devīti cāmbiketi punaḥ punaḥ || 56 ||

English translation

1-4. Vyasa said Hearing the death news of Durmukha, Mahisasura became blind with anger and began to utter repeatedly to the Danavas, “O! What is this? What is this? Alas! That delicate woman has slain in battle the two heroes Durmukha and Vaskala! Lo! Now look at the wonderful workings of the Daiva (Fate). It is the acts virtuous, or otherwise that make men dependent; and the powerful Time awards pleasure or pain accordingly. The two powerful Demons are killed; what are we to do hereafter? You all judge and say what is reasonable at this critical juncture.”

5-23. Vyasa said When the powerful Mahisa said thus, his general Chiksura, the great warrior spoke as follows “O King! Why are you so anxious as to take away the life of a delicate woman? I will kill Her;” thus saying he departed for battle, mounted on his chariot and accompanied by his own army. The powerful Tamra accompanied him as his attendant; the sky and all the quarters became filled with the clamour of their vast army. The auspicious Devi Bhagavati saw them before Her and She made an extraordinary wonderful sound with Her conchshell, with Her bow string and with Her great bell. The Asuras heard that and trembled and fled, speaking amongst each other, “What is this?” The Chiksuraksa seeing them turning their backs, told them very angrily, “O Danavas! What fear has now overcome you? I will slay today this vain woman in the battle with arrows; so you should quit your fear and remain steady in battle.” Thus saying, the Danava Chieftain Chiksura came fearlessly before the Devi with bows and arrows in his hands and, accompanied by his army, angrily spoke thus “O Thou of large and broad eyes! Why are you roaring to terrify the weak persons! O the Soft limbed One! I have heard all about your deeds but I am not a bit afraid of You. O One of beautiful eyes! It is a matter of disgrace, rather sin, to

kill a woman; knowing this my heart wants to pass over this act (does not like to do it, if my purpose be served without it).

O Beautiful One! The women fight with their side glances and amorous gestures; but I have never heard a woman like you coming to fight with arms and weapons. Even the delicate flowers, Malati, etc., cause pain on the bodies of beautiful women like you; so it is not advisable to fight against you with flowers even; what to speak of sharpened arrows! Fie on those who spend their lives according to the Ksatriya Dharma! Oh! Who can praise that Dharma which allows this dear body of ours to be pierced by sharpened arrows? This dear body is nourished by sweet food, by being smeared with oil, and by smelling the scents of beautiful flowers. Ought, then, one to destroy it by arrows from an enemy? Men get their bodies pierced by arrows and then become rich. Now is it possible for the riches to give pleasure afterwards when they caused such pains in the beginning? Even if this be so, fie on those riches! O Beautiful One! It seems you are not intelligent; why have you desired to fight instead of to enjoy sexual pleasures. O beautiful! What merits have you found in the battle that you have chosen this. Where you see the action of the axes and spears, striking each other with clubs, and hurling of sharpened arrows and weapons and where, when death comes, jackals come and feed upon the dead bodies, what merits have you been able to trace out in these things! It is only those cunning poets that praise these; they say that those who die in battle go to heaven! O Beautiful! Those sayings are, no doubt, mere flatteries. Therefore, O Excellent One! Go away anywhere else you like; or accept this king Mahisa, the tormentor of the Devas, as your husband.”

24-30. Vyasa said O King! The Danava Chiksura speaking thus, the Divine Mother addressed him thus O Stupid! Why are you speaking false words, having no significance, like a literary man giving out mere words only? You do not know anything of politics.

ethics, metaphysics; you serve the illiterate and stupid; therefore, you are also a first class illiterate; you do not know what are the royal duties; then what are you speaking before me? I will kill that Mahisasura in battle make the soil muddy with his blood, thus establish firmly My pillar of Fame and then go happily to My abode. Surely will I slay that vain vicious demon, the tormentor of the Devas. Better fight steadily. O Stupid! Better go to Patala with all the Danavas, if you and Mahisa desire to live any longer. And if you like to go unto death, then be ready and fight without any delay; I will slay you all; this is My firm resolve.

31-39. Vyasa said O King! Hearing the Devi’s words, the Danava, proud of his own strength, began to hurl instantly on Her showers of arrows, as if another shower of rain burst upon Her. The Devi cut off those arrows into pieces by Her sharp arrows and shot at him dreadful arrows like poisonous snakes. Then their fight became astounding to the public; the Divine Mother, then, struck him with Her club so much that he fell down from his chariot. That vicious demon, thus struck by the club, remained senseless near to his chariot for two muhurtas, fixed like a mountain. Tamra, the tormentor of the foes, seeing him thus, could not remain steady and came forward to fight with Chandika. The Devi seeing him laughed and said, “O Danava! Come, Come, I will instantly send you unto death. Or, what is the use of your coming? You are so weak that you can be called lifeless. What is that stupid Mahisa doing now? Is he thinking out the way to save his life? You all are too weak; no use in killing you, all my labours will go in vain, if that wicked Mahisa, the enemy of the gods, be not slain. Therefore, do you go to your home and send here your king Mahisa. I am staying here in that form in which that wicked one likes very much to see Me.”

40-56. Hearing Her words, Tamra became very angry and drawing his bow up to his ear, began to hurl arrows after arrows on Chandika

Devi. The Bhagavati, too, had her eyes reddened with anger and drawing Her bow began to shoot arrows quickly at the demon, wishing to kill, as early as possible, the enemy of the gods. In the meanwhile, Chiksura regained his senses, and taking up again his bow in an instant, came before the Devi. Then Chiksura and Tamra, the two valiant warriors, began to fight dreadfully with the Devi.

Maha Maya then, became very angry and began to hurl arrows after arrows so incessantly that all the armours of all the Danavas became pierced and were cut down to pieces. The Asuras, thus pierced by arrows, became infuriated with anger and hurled angrily a network of arrows upon the Devi. The Danavas, thus struck with sharp arrows and filled with cuts and wounds looked like the red Kims’uka flowers in the spring. The fight then grew so severe between Tamra and Bhagavati that the seers, the Devas, were all struck with wonder. Tamra struck on the head of the lion with his dreadful hard Musala (club), made of iron, and laughed and shouted aloud. Seeing him thus vociferating, the Devi became angry and cut off his head by her sharp axes in no time. The head being thus severed from the body, Tamra, though headless, for a moment turned round his Musala and then fell down on the ground. The powerful Chiksura, seeing Tamra thus falling down, instantly took up his axe and ran after Chandika. Seeing Chiksura with axe in his hand, the Bhagavati quickly shot at him five arrows. With one arrow, his axe was cut down, with the second arrow his hands were cut and with the remaining ones his head was severed from his body. Thus when the two cruel warriors were slain, their soldiers soon fled away in terror in all directions.

The Devas were exceedingly glad at their downfall and showered gladly flowers from the sky and uttered shouts of Victory to the Devi. The Risis, Gandarbhas, the Vetalas, the Siddhas and Charanas were all very glad and began to utter repeated, “O Goddess! Victory, victory be Yours.”

Here ends the Fourteenth Chapter of the Fifth Skandha on the killing of Tamra and Chiksura in S’ri Mad Devi Bhagavatam, the Maha

Puranam, of 18,000 verses by Maharsi Veda Vyasa.

Complete chapter-aligned witnesses. Sanskrit Wikisource page 24413, revision 74846 (2016-07-21T23:44:34Z). English is Swami Vijñanananda’s complete 1921–23 public-domain translation, controlled against the archival OCR and its chapter page at https://sacred-texts.com/hin/db/bk05ch14.htm. Historic spelling and transliteration are lightly normalized; no verse-by-verse alignment is asserted.