Devi Mahatmyam
Devi Mahatmyam
Translated by P. R. Ramachander
Index
Introduction
Chapter-1: Madhu and Kaidabha Execution Description
Chapter-2: Mahishasura Army Destruction
Chapter-3: Mahishasura Execution
Chapter-4: Sakradi Devathas Prayer
Chapter-5: Devi and Emissary Argument
Chapter-6: Dhoomralochana Execution
Chapter-7: Chanda and Munda Execution
Chapter-8: Raktha Bheeja Execution
Chapter-9: Nishumbha Execution
Chapter-10: Shumbha Execution
Chapter-11: Prayer to Narayani
Chapter-12: Devi's Story Greatness
Chapter-13: Suradha and Vaisya Getting Boons
Appendix-1:
Esoteric Significance of Devi-Mahatmya
Appendix-2:
Devi Mahatmya Ashtaka Stotram
Devi Kavacham
Devi Argala Sthuthi
Devi Keelagam
Introduction
This book which relates the story of how the Devi [Mother Goddess] executed Madhu and Kaidabha as Vishnu Maya [Thamasic Form], Mahishasura as Lakshmi [Rajashic Form - Materialistic] and Shumbha and Nishumbha in the form of Goddess Saraswathi [Sathvic Form - Spiritual] is known as Devi Mahatmya in South India, Chandi in West Bengal and as Durga Sapthasathi in the northern parts of the country including Varanasi. It consists of Chapters 74 to 86 [13 Chapters] of the Markandeya Purana and has 700 Stanzas. This Purana is also authored by Veda Vyasa and is a medium sized Purana.
The stories of Devi Mahatmya are as told by Sage Markandeya to Sage Baguri. He tells him that one King called Suradha, who was driven out of his Kingdom by his own people met one Vysya [businessman] called Samadhi who was driven out of his home by his wife and sons, in the forest. They discover that though their own people have driven them out, they are both worried about the welfare of their people. It appears to them that this is unnatural. So they approach Sage Sumedhas who was also living in the forest. The sage tells them that all this is the illusion created by the great Goddess called Vishnu Maya. They became curious and want to know about this Great Mother Goddess. He then relates to them the story of Devi Mahatmya, which consists of three stories in all of which the Mother Goddess executes the enemies of Gods.
The first story is that of Madhu and Kaidabha. They take birth from the ear wax of Lord Vishnu while he was asleep and start troubling Lord Brahma who was sitting on the lotus originating from the belly of Lord Vishnu. Lord Brahma prays to the Goddess to help him continue his work of creation. The Goddess appears and takes the form of Lord Vishnu and executes both Asuras after wrestling with them for thousands of years. Since both these Asuras were of Thamasic origin, she also had a Thamasic form.
The second story is of how the Mother Goddess helped devas by executing Mahishasura. This Asura who had the form of buffalo, drove away devas and Indra from their homes. They go and approach the Holy Trinity for the redressal of their grievances. This made those three gods very angry and the innate power of the Goddess in them came out and joined together. This Goddess was further strengthened by the powers of the various Gods. She was equipped with arms by all devas. This Goddess, mainly consisting of the anger-generated power executed Mahishasura.
The third story is of how the Great Asura brothers Shumbha and Nishumbha were executed by the Goddess. This time the gods approach Goddess Uma who was wandering in the Himalaya Mountains and told her of their sufferings. Out of the Goddess body came Koushikhi or Chandika. She was black in colour. She along with the powers generated by various Gods executed Shumbha and Nishumbha.
Sage Markandeya then tells of how, the King Suradha and Vysya Samadhi did penance on the Goddess and got the boons that they wanted.
In the twelfth chapter of this great book, the Goddess tells that for one, who reads or hears, these three stories of her, there is nothing impossible to obtain including salvation.
In my translation, I have followed the interpretation of the great book by Brahmasri Kandiyur Mahadeva Sastrigal in Malayalam, which is based on the text given to him by Sri Hari Krishna Sharma of Aurangabad, based on the commentaries on the book given in explanatory guides of the book viz. Durga Pradeepa, Gupthavathi, Chathurdhari, Santhanavi, Nagoji Bhatti, Damsodharam and Jagat Chandra Chandrika.
It is believed that just possession of this book has helped many great people to fight evil spirits as well as getting the blessings of the Goddess herself. Several such folk stories abound all over India. One of those famous one in Kerala was how one great Manthrika called Kalluru Namboodhiri was asked by a King called Shakthan Thamburan to enter the Kodungaloor Bhagawathi temple at night after the festival and bring back his ring from the closed sanctum sanctorum. He did this easily by taking with him a copy of Devi Mahatmya. This book though is a treasure house for all those trying for super natural powers is also a book leading one to get his wishes fulfilled and also attain salvation.
It is believed that reading of the book during Sharad and Vasantha Navarathris is auspicious. In Appendix-1, summary of talk given by Swami Krishnanada on "Esoteric significance of Devi Mahatmya" is given and Appendix-2 gives some Sthothras with meaning which summaries the story of Devi Mahatmya.
Parayana Krama [Prescribed Methods of Reading]:
Devi Mahatmya is a story but each of its slokas is considered as mantras. There are two methods of how to start reading Devi Mahatmya.
The first one is called Tryangam and consists of reading three prayers viz., Devi Kavacham, Devi Argalam and Devi Keelakam followed by meditation and chanting of the Navakshari Manthra: Om Iym Hreem Kleem Chamandayai, Viche Nama.This manthra is of very great power and should not be chanted unless, it is taught by a Guru.
The other is Navangam, where nine prayers are recited before reading of the book. They are chanting of 1. Nyasa 2. Avahana 3. Namani 4. Argala 5. Keelaga 6. Hrudhaya 7. Dhala 8. Dhyana and 9. Kavacha.
It is recommended that the entire Devi Mahatmya should be read in one sitting. After completion of the reading it is necessary to chant the Devi Suktham consisting of the Slokas 7 to 36 of Chapter 8, is to be chanted. If the Guru has taught the Navakshari Manthra, then it should also be meditated up on.
People who cannot do this should read the Pradhama Charithra consisting of the first chapter on the first day, the Madhyama Charithra consisting of the next three chapters on the next day and the remaining Uthama Charitha consisting of the next 9 chapters on the third day.
Another method of completing the full reading by seven days viz., one chapter on the first day, next two chapters on the second day, next one chapter on the third day, next four chapters on the fourth day, next two chapters on the fifth day, next one chapter on the sixth day and last two chapters on the seventh day.
It is important to know that daily the parayana should start with the Trayanga Manthras, text of Devi Mahatmya followed by the chanting of Devi Suktham. It is also essential not to stop in between while reading a chapter. If for some reason, it is stopped, the entire chapter should be read again.
It has also been told that "Geethi, Seegri, Sirakhambhi, Hyakurvano Vinasyathi, Thatho Jnathwaiva Sampannamidham Prabhyathe Budhai".
Those who sing it, those who read it fast, those who read with shaking of their head, those who read from the text in their own handwriting, those who read without understanding the import and those who read in a very feeble tone, do not get the benefit of reading a work. It has also been told that any book, which has less than one thousand slokas should be recited from memory to get full benefit. Those who cannot should keep the book on a stand and read it without touching it.
The benefit of reading Devi Mahatmya several times is given below:-
Three Times - To get rid of Black Magic.
Five Times - To get rid of Difficulties Caused by Planets.
Seven Times - To get rid of Great Fear.
Nine Times - Peace.
Eleven Times - To get over Fear of Death and to Attract the King.
Twelve Times - To get Desires Fulfilled and Destruction of Enemies.
Fourteen Times - To Attract Women and Enemies.
Fifteen Times - To get Pleasant Life and to get Wealth.
Sixteen Times - To get Sons and Grand-sons.
Seventeen Times - To get rid of Fear of the King.
Eighteen Times - To get Occult Powers.
Twenty Times - To end War.
Twenty-Five Times - To come out of Prison.
Hundred Times - To get rid of Great Sorrow, Banishment from Caste, Loss of Life and to get Salvation.
Hundred and Eight Times - To fulfill any Desire.
One Thousand Times - Goddess Maha Lakshmi will visit him and he will get all wealth.
The Kathyayani Thanthra mentions various other methods of reading Devi Mahatmya. Some of them are:
1. Chant before and after every sloka, the Navakshari Manthra. This would make your magical chants effective.
2. Chant Om Bhoor Buva Swaha before every sloka and then chant Suva, Bhuva, Bhoo and Om after every sloka. Chanting one hundred times would get you occult powers.
3. Add "Jatha Vedase" before every sloka and chant. This would lead to fulfilment of all desires.
4. After every manthra chant Thrayambaka Manthra: Tryambakam Yajamahe, Sugandhim Pushtivardhanam, Urvarurkamiva Bhandhanam, Mrityor Mukshiya Ma-mritat.This would prevent untimely death.
5. Chant Tryambaka Manthra One Hundred Times before and after reading Devi Mahatmya and this will lead to avoidance of early death.
Prathama Charitham [First Story]
Chapter-1: Madhu and Kaidabha Execution Description
OM IM
1. Markandeya Uvacha:-
Savarni Surya thanayo yo Manu Kadyatheshtama,
Nisamaya Thad uthpathim vistharath gadatho mama.
Makandeya told: -
Please hear from me about the origin of Savarni who is the son of Sun god and the eighth Manu in detail.
[There were fourteen Manus who ruled the world. The seven before Savarni were Swayambhuva, Swarochisha, Uthama, Thapasa, Raivatha, Chakshusha and Vaiwaswatha. Markandeya was the son of Sage Mrukandu and was telling this story to another sage called Bagoori. Some versions have two additional slokas regarding the announcement of Sage Sootha that Jaimini, the disciple of Vyasa, approached Sage Markandeya and requested him to tell the story of Devi Mahatmya.]
2. Maha mayanu bhavena Yadha manwantharadhipa,
Sa Bhabhuva maha bhaga, Savarnisthanayo rave.
Please hear in detail how that very famous and lucky Savarni, who was the son of Sun God, became the King for 71 sets of four yugas with the blessing of the Great Goddess in whom the entire world rests.
3. Swarochishanthare poorvam Chaithra vamsa samud bhava,
Suradho Nama Rajabuth samasthe Kshithi mandale.
During ancient times and in the time of Manu Swarochisha, Suradha, who belonged to the clan of Chaithras, became King of the entire earth.
[Swarochisha was the second Manu.]
4. Tasya palayatha Samyak praja puthra nivaurasan,
Bhabhuvu sathruvo bhoopaa kola vidwamsina sthatha.
To him, who looked after his people like his own sons, the Kola Vidhwamsi Kings became enemies.
The Kola Vidhwamsi Kings might indicate any of the following:
Kings belonging to Kola dynasty.
Kings from another Capital City called Kola.
The Greeks who killed pigs [kolas].
5. Thasya thairabhavadhyuddham athi prabhala dandina,
Nyunairapi sa thairyudhe kolavidwamsibhirjjitha
Though extremely learned in war, he was defeated in a war with the kola Vidhwamsi Kings who were not experts in war.
6. Thatha swapurmayatho nija desadhipobhavath
Aakrantha sa maha bhaga stai sthadha prabhalaribhi.
Attacked by those famous enemy Kings, that great one reached his city and became a King to it.
[Being defeated, he lost his Kingdom and became the chief of his native city only.]
7. Amathyair bhalibhir dushtai dhurbalasya dhurathmabhi,
Koso bhalam chapahrutham thathrapi swapure satha.
His powerful and bad ministers took away his treasury and army from him who was powerless in his city.
8. Thatho mrugaya vyajena hruthaswamya sa bhoopathi,
Ekaaki, hayamaruhya jagama gahanam vanam.
Afterwards that King, who had lost his Kingdom, reached the dark forests alone on a horse under the pretext of hunting.
9. Sa thatrasrama madraksheed dwija varyasya medhasa,
Prasantha swapadhakeernam muni sishyopashobhitham.
There he saw the hermitage of the great Brahmin Sumedhas, which was populated by peaceful animals and was shining, with his disciples.
10. Tasthow kamchit sakalam munina thena sathkrutha
Ithaschethascha vicharam sthasmin munivarasrame.
Under the hospitality of the sage in the hermitage, that King lived there for some time traveling here and there.
11. So chinthayathada thatra mamathwakrushta chethana,
Mathpurvai palitham poorvam mayaheenam puram hithath.
Mind attracted by egoism, he thought as follows: that city which was looked after by my ancestors is definitely not mine now.
12. Mad bhrtyai sthaira sad vruthyair dharmatha palyathe na va,
Na jaane sapradhano me soorahasthi sadamadha.
13. Mama vairi vasam yaatha kaan bhogaanupa lapsyathe.
"I do not know whether my citizens are being properly looked after by my servants who are with bad character. Nor do I know how my chief of elephant brigade, who is exuberant and heroic, fares in the hand of my enemies."
14. Yea Mamanugatha nithyam prasada dhana bhojanai
Anuvrathim Druvam they kurvanthyanya mahi brutham.
"It is definite that those who lived out of recognition, wealth and food given by me, are living by serving other Kings."
15. Asmyagwaya Seelasthai kurvathbhi sathatham vayam,
Sanchitha sothi dukhena kshayam koso gamishyathi
Ethachanyacha sathatham Chinthayamasa Parthiva.
"Because those spend thrifts due to their bad habits always spend and my treasury would become soon empty" thus worried the King.
16. Thathra viprasramaabhyase Vaisyamekham dadarsa sa,
Sa prashtasthena kasthwam bho hethuschagamanethra ka.
That King saw near the sage’s hermitage a Vaisya [one who belongs to the community of business people] and asked him, "Who are you? Why have you come here?"
17. Sasoka iva kasmathwam durmana iva lakshyase.,
Ityakarnya vachasthasya bhoopathe pranayo ditham.
18. Prathyuvacha sa tham vaisya prasrayavanatho nrupam.
To the loving question by the King as to why he was sad and appeared with a disturbed mind, that Vysya with humility told the King.
19. Vaisyo Uvacha:-
Samadhirnama Vysyo Aham uthpanno dhaninam kule,
Puthra dharairnirasthascha dhanalobhada sadhubhi,
Viheenaswajanairdharai puthrairadhaya me dhanam
20. Vanambhyagadho dukhee nirasthaschapthabandhbhi.
Vaisya told:-
"I am Vysya called Samadhi born in a rich family. Because of intense desire for money, I was robbed of all my wealth and driven out by my wives and sons who were of bad character. Thus I, without my wives, sons and forsaken by my intimate friends, have arrived in this forest with intense sorrow."
21. Pravruthim swajanacha dharanam chaathra samsthitha,
Kim nu thesham gruhe, ksemakshemam kim nu sampratham,
22. Kadam they kim nu sad vrutha durvrutha kim ne mey sutha.
"I do not know, sitting here, about the well-being of my sons, wives and other relatives. I do not know whether they are happy or suffering in their homes. I do not know whether my sons are well behaved or of bad character."
23. Rajo Uvacha
Yair nirastho Bhavan Lubhdhair puthra dharadhibhir dhanai,
Theshu kim bhavatha snehamanubhadnadhi manasam.
The King told:-
"You have been driven out by your sons and wives due to their intense longing for money. Why is it your mind still loves them?"
24. Vysya Uvacha
Evaethadyadha praha bhavanasmadgatham vacha,
Kim karomi na bhadnathi mama nishtooratham mana.
Vaisya told:
"Whatever has been told by you are the truth; but somehow my mind does not take recourse to cruel hatred."
25. Yai ssandhyajya pithru sneham dhanalubdhair nirakruthai,
Pathi swajana hardamcha hardhi theshweva me mana.
My mind still has love for those, who have driven me out, forsaking love towards father, love towards husband and love towards one's own people.
26. Kimethannabhi janami jananabhi maha mathe,
Yath prema pravanam chitham viguneshwabhi bandhushu.
Hey great soul, though I am intelligent, my mind has love towards those relations who are not good. I am not able to understand as to why.
27. Tesham kruthe mey niswaso daurmanasyam na jayathe,
Karomi kim yanna manastheshwa preethishu nishtooram.
Because of them I have deep breath and deep sorrow, but my mind is not cruel on them who do not have love for me.
28. Markandeya Uvacha:-
Tathasthou sahiothou vipra, tham muneem samupasthithou,
Samdhir nama vysyo asou sa cha parthiva sathama.
Markandeya told:-
Hey Brahmin, after that, the Vysya called Samadhi and that great King joined together and went near that sage.
29. Kruthwa thu thou yadha nyayam yadarham thena samvidham,
Upavishtou kadha kaschit chakrathu r vysya parthivou.
The Vysya and the King after holding conversation with the sage according to etiquette told him some news and stories.
30. Rajo Uvacha
Bhagavatswamaham prashtu michakyam vadasya that,
Dukhaya yanme manasa swa chitthaaya thathaam vinaa.
Hey great soul, I want to ask you a question. Why is it that my mind is not under my control? Why does it create sorrow for me? Please tell me this secret.
31. Mamathwam gatha rajhyasya rajayangeshwakhilesh bhi,
Janathophi yadagnasya kimethan muni sathama.
Hey great sage, though I am wise, I, who have lost my Kingdom, still feel attached to my Kingdom. Why is this happening?
32. Ayamcha nikrutha puthrai dharair bruthyai sthadhoth jaditha,
Swajanena cha samthyakthastheshu hardhee thadhaapyathi.
This Vysya who has been forsaken by his children, wives, servants and his own people is also feeling very much attached to them.
33. Eva mesha thadahamcha dwapyathyantha dukhithou,
Dushta doshepi vishaye mamathwakrushta manasa
Though he and myself, in spite of our finding bad qualities in a matter, our mind is being attracted by that matter and both of us are becoming sad.
34. Thal kimethan maha bhaga, yan moha gnaninorapi,
mamaasya cha bhavtheysha vivekandhasya moodatha.
Hey great wise soul, why is it that this foolish quality of an unwise individual has come to him and me, whom are wise people.
35. Rishir Uvacha:-
Gnanamasthi samasthasya janthor vishaya gochare,
Vishayascha Maha bhaga, yathi chaivam prudhak prudhak.
The sage told:-
All animals born in the world have knowledge of present activity. But great soul, this knowledge is of different types.
36. Divandha pranina kechith rathravandha sthadapare,
Kechi diva thadha rathrou pranina sthulya drushtaya.
Some animals are blind during day, some blind during night; but there are also animals that can see equally both in day and night.
[The sage says that just because some are blind at night or day or not blind either at night or day, their passion and desire does not change.]
37. Gnanino manuja sathyam kinnathe nahi kevalam,
Yatho hi gnanina sarve pasu pakshi mrugadhaya.
It is truth that men are wise but they are not the only wise ones. Even cow, birds and wild animals are also wise.
[The sage tries to tell that wisdom is always mixed with wrong knowledge or ignorance. This is true in all cases including man.]
38. Gnanancha than manushyanam yathesham mruga pakshinaam,
Manushyanancha yathesham thulyamanya thadho bhayo.
Whatever wisdom an animal or bird has, that wisdom a human being also has. Similarly whatever special knowledge a human being has for his needs, the bird and animal also have just sufficient to their needs. Except this special knowledge, other knowledge [about food, sleep and making love] are same for human beings and animals and birds.
39. Gnaneapi sathi pasyaithan pathangamchaava changushu,
Kana moksha druthan mohad peedyamannanapi Kshudha
Though they know that their hunger will be quenched only if they eat and though they suffer due to hunger, observe that the birds due to their attachment keep pieces of food on the beaks for their little ones.
40. Manushya manuja vyagra, saabilaaksha suthaan prathi,
Lobhaath pratyupakaraya nanvethaan kim na pasyasi.
Hey, lion among men, man shows affection to their sons with a hope that they would help them in their need. Are you not seeing these birds?
[The sage points out those birds do this action without any expectation.]
41. Thadapi mamathaavarthe mohagarthe nipaathitha,
Mahamaya prabhavena samsara sthidhikarrina.
In spite of that, due to the power of the great enchantress, man is pushed in to the whirlpool of attachment and the pit of affection and observes the rules of human life.
42. Thannathra vismaya karyo yoga nidhra Jagatpathe,
mahamaya harescaithathaya sammohyathe jagat.
The great enchantress is but the Yogic sleep of Vishnu, the Lord of the universe. That enchantress enchants the entire world and so you need not wonder about your reaction.
[Devas do not sleep but take away their senses from happenings and forget about the world. This is the yogic sleep.]
43. Gnaneenam aapi chethamsi devi bhagawathi hi sa,
Baladakrushya mohaya mahamaya prayachadhi.
Maha Maya [Great Enchantress], who is personification of all riches, draws the minds of even those who have special knowledge and make them behave with baser instinct of affection.
[When she can draw the instincts of those blessed with special knowledge, she can do it easily in case of people like you.]
44. Thaya visrujyathe viswam trilokyam sa characharam,
Saisha prasanna varada nrunaam bhavathi mukthaye.
She creates the three worlds with its movable and immovable things and though she is the cause of this attachment, if she becomes pleased, she grants salvation to human beings.
45. Saa vidhya parama mukther hethu bhootha sanathani,
Samsara bandha hethuscha saiva sarveshwareshwari.
She is the greatest knowledge, which is the cause of salvation, and she also is the ignorance that leads to attachment with the mundane world. Also she is the Goddess of all gods.
46. Rajovacha:-
Bhagawan kaa hi saa devi, mahamayethi yaam bhavan,
Braveethi kadamuthpanna saa karmasyasscha kim dwija.
The King told:-
Hey Godly person, who is this holy lady, whom was mentioned by you as the Great enchantress? Where from was she born? Hey twice born, what are her duties?
47. Yath prabhava cha saa devi yath swaroopa yaduthbhava,
Thath sarvam srothumichami twatho Braavidhamvara.
Hey, one of the chiefs among those who know Brahman [Ultimate Truth], what are the powers of that holy lady, how does she look like and where from was she born? Be pleased to tell me all these.
48. Rishir Uvacha:-
Nithyaiva saa Jagat moorthisthaya sarvamidham thatham,
Thadapi that Samudpathir bahudha sruyatham mama.
The sage told:-
That holy lady, who is of the form of the universe, is permanent and she has created this entire world. But be pleased to hear from me how she took form in several cases.
49. Devaanam karya sidhyartham Aavirbhavathi saa yadha,
Uthpannethi thada loke saa nithyaapyabhidheeyathe.
Though that holy lady exists permanently, whenever she appears in the world for helping the Devas, it is told that she was born at that time.
50. Yoganidhraam Yada Vishnur jagathyakaarnavikruthe,
Aastheerya seshamabhajath kalpanthe bhagwan Prabhu
51. Thadha dwavasuraou ghorou vikhyatho Madhu Kaidabhou,
Vishnu karna maloth bhoothou hanthum brahmanamudhyathou.
When the great Lord Vishnu entered in to his Yogic Slumber* on the bed of Sesha, the great snake which was lying over the single ocean [the earth and sea transformed thus at the end of the world [deluge], out of the ear wax of Vishnu two famous and terrible Asuras called Madhu and Kaidabha rose with an intention of troubling Brahma.
* Yoga Nidhra is a Thamasic Power.
[Sesha also indicates that it was the only thing remaining after the deluge.]
52. Drushtwa Thavasurou Chogrou prasuptham cha Janardhanam,
Thushtava yoganidhram thamekagra Hrudya Sthitha
53. Vibhodhanarthaya Harer hari nethra kruthalayam
Visweswareem Jagad dathreem Sthithi Samhara karineem
54. Nidhram Bhagawathim Vishnor athulam Thejasa Prabhu
Lord Brahma, who is the lord of all beings, sitting on the lotus flower originating from the belly of Vishnu, seeing those two Rakshasas and also seeing that Lord Vishnu was in deep Yogic Slumber prayed to that "Yoga Nidhra," who is omnipresent, who creates, looks after and destroys people, who is incomparable and who lives within the eyes of Vishnu, with an intention of waking up Vishnu.
55. Brahma Uvacha:-
Twam Swaha, twam Swadha, Twam hi Vashatkara swarathmika,
Sudha Twam Akshare Nithya, tridhamathrathmika sthidha.
Brahma Told:
You are the one who satisfies Gods [Swaha is also the name of the wife of Fire God], you are the one who satisfies our manes, [Swadha is the food of manes], you are the sound Vashat [the sound of fire sacrifice], you are the personification of heaven, you are Amrutha [Nectar] and you are half syllable of the three letters AA, UU and MA.
56. Ardha Mathra Sthitha, Nithya, Yanucharya, viseshatha,
Twameva Saa, thwam Savithree, Twam Devi, janani para,
You live in the half syllable "OM"; you are ever living, specially you are the one whose name cannot be told. You are Gayathri and holy lady; you are the great mother of us all.
57. Twayaithat Dharyathe Viswam, twaithat srujyathe Jagat,
Twaiythat palyathe Devi, twamatsyanthe cha sarvadha.
Hey, Holy Goddess, this universe is created by you, this universe is looked after by you and at the end you destroy this universe and thus this world is carried by you again and again.
58. Visrushtou Srushti roopa thwam, Sthithiroopa cha palane,
Thadha samhruthiroopanthe Jagathosya Jagan maye.
You are all pervasive in this universe, you are the creator in creating the universe, you are the administrator in looking after the universe and you are the personification of the destruction at the end.
59. Maha Vidhya, Maha Maya, Maha Medha, Maha Smruthi,
Maha moha cha Bhavathi Mahadevi Mahasuri.
You are the great knowledge, you are the great enchantress and you are the great power of knowing. You are the great knowledge of Vedas, you are the great passion, you are the great Goddess and you are the great power behind Gods.
60. Prakruthi sthwam, hi sarvasya gunathraya vibhavani,
Kala rathrir Maha Rathrir Moha Rathrischa Dharuna.
You are Mother Nature, which differentiates between the three qualities of Sathwa [spiritual], Rajasa [materialistic] and Thamo [baser] instincts. You are the final night of deluge, you are the last night of Brahma and you are the base darkness which makes one do that action which should not be done,
61. Thwam Srees thwam easwari, thwam hree sthwam budhir bhoda lakshana,
Lajja pushtisthadha thushtisthwam santhi kshanthireva cha.
You are Goddess Lakshmi, you are the wife of Lord Shiva, you are shyness, you are the intellect helping to take definite decision, you are the intellect which makes us hesitate to take decisions, and similarly you are happiness, solace and patience.
62. Gadgini, Soolni, Ghora, Gadhini, Chakrini, Thadha,
Sankhini, Chapini, bhanabhoosundi, parigayudha.
You are the one with sword, you are the one with spear, you are the one who carries a head in one hand, you are the one with mace, you are the one with a wheel, you are thr one with a conch, you are the one with a bow and similarly you are the one with arrow, with shield and with Bhoosundi.
[This indicates that she has ten hands.]
63. Sowmya sowmyathara sesha Sowmyestha Athisundari,
Paraparaanaam parama thwameva parameshwari.
You are the one with face full of grace and happiness, you are the one with more patience, you are the one most pretty among all pretty things, you are greater than all gods and you are the wife of Lord Shiva.
64. Yacha kinchith kwachidvasthu sadasadwaakhilaathmikhe,
Tasya sarvasya yaa shakthi sa twam kim sthuyase thada.
Soul of all that is in this world, I am praying to you because you are the power behind even the smallest living and also things without life.
65. Yayaa twayaa Jagat srushta jagat pathathi yo jagat,
Sopi nidhravasam neetha kasthwam sthothumiheswara.
You have made that Lord Vishnu, who creates, looks after and destroys, asleep. Because of that, there is none in this world who is greater than you.
66. Vishnu sareeragrahana maha meesana eva cha,
Kaarithastheyatho athasthwam ka sthothum sakthiman bhaveth.
You have taken over the body of Lord Vishnu, Lord Rudra and me. Because of this, there is none in this world who is greater than you.
67. Saa twamitham prabhavai swairudharai devi, samsthutha
Mohayaithou duradarshavasurou madhu kaidabhou.
Being thus prayed, with all your great qualities, please make the bad Asuras viz. Madhu and Kaidhabha in to senseless beings.
68. Prabhodamcha Jagat Swami niyatham achyutho laghu
Bhodascha kriyathamasya hanthumethou mahasurou.
Let Achyutha the lord of the entire world wake up quickly. He also should be given the enthusiasm and strength of wisdom to execute these great Asuras.
69. Rishir Uvacha:-
Evam sthutha thada devi thamasi thathra Vedasa,
Nethrasya Nasika Bahu hrudayebhya sthudhorasa.
70. Nirgamya darsane thasthou Brahamno avyaktha janmana.
The sage told:-
Thus being praised and prayed by Brahma sitting on the lotus originating from Vishnu’s belly, that holy lady who is the soul of sleep and who has baser qualities came before Brahma from the eyes, face, nose, hands, heart and the soul of Vishnu for the sake of waking up Vishnu and for executing Madhu and Kaidaba.
71. Ekarnave ahisayanathatha thatha sa daruse cha thou,
Madhu kaidabhou durathmanava athi veerya parakramaou.
72. Krodha Raktha Kshanou hanthum brahmanam janithodhyamou.
Woken [Freed] by her, that Lord of the Universe Vishnu, got up from the bed of serpent floating on the unified sea. Afterwards he saw the very valorous and cruel brained Madhu and Kaidaba, who were having very red eyes due to extreme anger and who were intent on killing Brahma.
[Though Devi as the great enchantress has externally baser qualities, in the inside she is filled with good qualities, she came out of Lord Vishnu with this external appearance of baser qualities. The Thanthric literature ascribes the executing of Madhu and Kaidabha to her instead of Vishnu. Since she had to do wrestling with these two Rakshasas, she took the form of Vishnu, according to them.]
73. Samuthaya thathasthabhyam yuyudhe bhagawan hari,
Pancha varsha sahasrani bahu praharano vibhu.
Afterwards that God Vishnu, who is everywhere, got up and fought using bare hands with Madhu and Kaidabha for five thousand years.
[They were not getting tired even after fighting 5000 years because they had taken a boon that they will die only according to their own will. Some texts have two slokas with this meaning.]
74. Thavapyathi balonmathou maha maya vimohithou,
Ukthavanthou varosmatho vryathamithi kesavam.
Those very strong Madhu and Kaidabha, losing their senses [by not losing the war] and being enchanted by the Goddess who was the great enchantress, told Vishnu that both of them are offering him a boon.
75. Sri Baghwan Uvacha
Bhavethamadhya me thushtou mama vadhyavubhavapi,
Kimanyena varenathra ethavadhi vrutham maya
The great God told:-
If both of you are happy, you should consent to be executed by me. What is the use of any other boon? I want only that boon.
76. Rishir Uvacha:-
Vanchithabhyamithi thada sarvamapomayam Jagath,
Vilokya thabhyam gadhitho Bhagwan Kamalekshana.
Avaam jahi na ya throrvi salilena pariplutha.
The sage told:-
Thus deceived by Lord Vishnu, who has lotus eyes and seeing that the whole world was full of water, they requested him to execute them in a place on earth, which was free of water.
77. Thadethyukthyo bhagawatha sanka chakra gadhabrudha,
Kruthva chakrena vay chinne jagane sirasi thayo.
He told, "let it be like that" and their heads were kept on his lap and were cut by the holy wheel of the Lord, who carries a conch, holy wheel and mace.
[There is a story that Lord Vishnu created the earth out of the fat [Medhas] of Madhu and Kaidabha and that is why one of the synonyms of earth in Sanskrit is Medhas. There is also a story that Lord Vishnu did penance for the sin of executing Madhu and Kaidabha and consecrated two Shiva Lingas called Mahukeswara and Kaidabheswara in the shore of the river Varadha. Please also note that sea water in deluge cannot rise above the feet of Lord Vishnu.]
78. Evam esha samuthpanna brahmana samsthutha swayam,
Prabhavamasya devyasthu bhooya srunu vadhami they.
Thus this great enchantress rose up as a result of great prayer of Brahma. I would further tell you about the greatness of this Goddess.
Ithi Sree Markandeya purane Savarnike manwathare,
Devi Mahatmye Madhu Kaidabha Vadho Nama
Prathamodhyaya.
This is the first chapter in Devi Mahatmya dealing with the executing of Madhu and Kaidabha occurring in the Savarnika period of Markandeya Purana.
Madhyama Charitham [Middle Story]
Chapter-2: Mahishasura Army Destruction
1. Rishir Uvacha:-
Devasuramabhoodhyudham poornama sabdhasatham pura,
Mahishe asuranamadhipe devanam cha purandare
The sage told:-
Long long ago, when Indra was the King of devas and Mahisha was the King of asuras, there was a fight between devas and asuras for about one hundred years.
[Mahishmati was the wife of an Asura called Vipra Chithi. She took the form of a buffalo and terrorized the sage Sindhu Deepa. He cursed her to really become a buffalo. She drank the semen of sage Sindhu Deepa and gave birth to Mahishasura. The place where Mahishasura ruled in the olden days was called Mahishasur and is the present Mysore City in the Karnataka State of India.]
2. Thathrasurai Maha Veeryair deva sainyam parajitham,
Jithwa sakalan devan indroabhoon Mahishasura.
In that war, the army of devas were defeated by the very valorous army of Asuras and after winning all devas, Mahishasura became Indra [King of Devas].
3. Thatha parajithaa deva padmayonim prajapathim,
Puraskruthya gathasthathra yathresa garuda dwaja.
Afterwards, the defeated Devas went to the place, where Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu are there, with Brahma, who was born out of the lotus, as their leader.
4. Yada vrutham thayosthadwan Mahishasura Cheshtitham,
Tridasa kadayamasur devabhi bhava vistharam.
Devas went to them and related to them about the action of Mahishasura and their great defeat as it had happened.
5. Suryendragnya Neelendunaam yamasya varunasya cha,
Anwesham cha adhikaraan swaya mevadhi thisthati.
That Mahishasura has usurped the powers of Sun, Indra, Fire, Wind God and Moon and is using their powers.
6. Swarga nirakrutha sarve thena devagana bhuvi,
Vicharanthi yadha marthya mahishena durathmana.
Driven out from heaven by the bad soul Mahishasura, all groups of Devas are traveling in the earth like human beings.
7. Ethadwa kaditham sarva amarari cheshtitham,
Saranam cha prapanna smo vadha sthasya vichinthyathaam.
We have told you all the actions of Mahishasura and are seeking your refuge. Please think about as to how he can be executed.
8. Iththam nisamya devaanaam vachamsi Madu soodhana,
Chakara kopam sambhooscha brukuti kuti lalanou.
Thus hearing the words of the devas, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva, with a face of eyebrows curved, became very angry.
9. Thatho kopa poor nasya chakrino vadanasthada,
Nischakrama mahathejo brahmana sankarasya cha.
Then from the angry and broad face of Vishnu and the faces of Lord Shiva and Lord Brahma, one lustrous power arose.
10. Anwesham chaiva devanam sakradheenam sareeratha,
Nirgatham samuhatheja thachaikyam samagachatha.
From the bodies of all devas, including Indra, large lustrous power arose and became united with this power.
11. Athheevathejasa kutam jwalanthamiva parvatham,
Dhadrususthe surasthathra jwala vyaptha digantharam.
Those devas saw that powerful fireball which was lighting all directions with its great flame and found it similar to a shining mountain.
12. Athulam thathra thatheja sarva deva sareerajam,
Ekastham thada bhoonari vyaptha lokathrayam twisha.
In that assembly of devas, that incomparable flame, which emerged from the bodies of all devas including Vishnu, became one and took the form of a lady whose power was shining in all the three worlds.
13. Yadabhooschambhavam thejasthena jayatha thanmkham,
Yamyena chabhavan kesa bahavo Vishnu thejasa.
From the power of Lord Shiva, the face of Goddess was formed, from that of Yama her hair was formed and from that of Vishnu her hands were formed.
[Her face was white as Shiva was white, her hair was black as Yama was black and her eighteen hands were blue because Vishnu was blue.]
14. Sowmyenas thanyor yugmam, madhyamaindrena cha bhavat,
vaarunena cha jangoru nithamba sthejasa buva.
From the power of moon her two busts were made, from the power of Indra her middle part, from the power of Varuna her calfs and thighs and from the power of earth her behind.
[Her busts were white because it was from moon and her middle part was red because it was from Indra]
15. Brahmana thejasa padhou thadangulyo arka thejasa,
Vasoonaam cha karangulyai koubherana cha nasika.
Her feet were made by the power from Brahma, her toes from the power of Sun, from the Ashta Vasus her fingers and from the power of Kubhera her nose were made.
[Her feet were red because they were made with the power of Brahma.]
16. Thasyasthu Dantha sambhootha prajapathyena thejasa,
Nayanathritayam jakjne thadha pavaka thejasa.
Her teeth were made with the power of Prajapathis like Daksha and her three eyes from the power of God of fire.
17. Broovou cha sandyoyostheja sravana vanilasya cha,
Anyeshaam chaiva devanaam sambhavasthejasam shiva.
From the power of dawn and dusk were made her eye brows, from the power of God of wind her ears and then power from all other Devas became one and she was formed.
18. Thatha samastha devaanaam thejo rasi samud bhavam,
Thaam vilokhya mudham prapuramara mahishardhitha.
All devas who were troubled by Mahishasura became happy seeing that Devi [Goddess] who was formed out of the powers of all devas.
19. Soolam sooladhwinishkrushya dhadhou thasyai pinaka druk,
Chakram cha Dhathawan Krushna samudpatya swachakratham.
Lord Shiva took the power of trident and gave it to her and similarly Lord Vishnu took the power of his holy wheel and mace and gave it to her.
["Chakram cha" meaning "also holy wheel" has been interpreted as Holy wheel and mace, because she holds the mace in one of her eighteen hands.]
20. Sankham cha Varuna, shakthim dadhou tasyai huthasana,
Maarutho dathavamschapam banapurne thadheshudhi.
Varuna [God of Rain] gave her the Conch, Fire God Spear and the God of Wind the quiver full [inexhaustible] of many arrows.
21. Vajramindra samudpatya kulisaadamaradipa,
Dadhou thasyai Sahasraksho Gandam Iravadath Jagath.
The thousand-eyed Indra, who was the King of Devas, took [attracted] the diamond from Vajrayudha [weapon made of diamond] and bell from his elephant Iravatha and gave it to her.
22. Kaladandadhyamo dandam paasam chambhu pathir dadhou,
Prajapathischaksha maalam dadhou Brahma kamandalum.
Yama, the God of death gave her a staff made from his death staff, Varuna his rope made from his rope and the creator Brahma gave bead chain for praying and pot for taking water.
23. Samastha roma koopeshu nija rasmin divakara,
Kaalascha dathavan Gadgam tasyascharma cha nirmalam.
The Sun God gave her all the rays taken from every hair pore of his body and the God of Time [also God of Death] gave her his sword and a sparkling shield.
24. Ksheerodaschamalam haaramajare cha thadambhare.
The sea of milk gave her the very clear garland of pearls and ever fresh and never destroying set of cloths.
25. Choodamanim thatha divyam kundale kadakani cha,
Arda chandram vimalou thadwath graiveyakamuthamam.
26. Noopuraou vimalou thadwath graiveyakamuthamam,
Angulyaka rathnani samasthaswamguleeshu cha.
27. Viswakarma Dhadou tasyai parasum cha athi nirmalam,
Asthanyaneka roopani thadha bedhyam cha damsanam.
Viswakarma, the architect and crafts specialist of Devas, gave her a jewel to wear on her head, studs, bangles, the holy crescent and shoulder armlets for all her hands and also very holy toe rings, very holy axe, several types of arrows and a shield which cannot be cut.
28. Adhadha Jaladhi thasyai pankajamchadi shobhanam,
Himavan vahanam simham, rathnani vividhani cha.
The God of Sea gave her garlands made of never fading flowers to wear over her head and neck and a very pretty lotus flower and the Himalaya Mountain gave her a Lion to ride and several type of gems.
29. Dadha vassoonyam suraya panapathram dhanadhipa,
Seshascha sarva nageso maha mani vibhooshitham.
30. Naga haram dadhou thasyai dathe ya prithwimimaam
Kubhera, the god of wealth, gave her a goblet full of Suraya. Anantha, who was the King of snakes and who bears the earth, gave her a snake garland decorated by precious jewels.
[One interpreter says Goblet filled with nectar. The above stanzas indicate that the Goddess had 18 hands and was the basic power behind all the Gods.]
31. Sammanitha nanadhochaisa attahasam muhur muhu,
Thasya nadena gorena kruthsnama pooritham nabha.
Thus presented by many other ornaments and weapons by other devas, she again and again shouted with powerful laugh and the entire sky was filled with her sound.
32. Amayathathi mahatha prathi sabhdho mahanabhooth,
Chukshubhu sakala loka samudhrascha chakambhire.
That great sound produced great echo and the entire earth and ocean shook because of that.
33. Chachala vasudha chelu, sakalascha mahidhara,
Jayethi devascha mudha thamoochu simha vahine.
The earth shook, all the mountains trembled and all the gods wished victory to that Goddess who was riding on a lion.
34. Thushtuvur munayaschainaam bhakthi namrathma moorthaya,
Drushtwa samastham samkshubdham trilokya amararaya.
35. Sanadhakhila sainyasthe samuthasthadhurudhayudha.
Sages praised with humility born of devotion and the enemies of devas [Mahisha and others] seeing the entire world is tumultuous rose up along with the ever-ready armies and with weapons held aloft.
36. Aa kimethadhithi krodhadhabhyashya mahishasura,
Abhyadavatha tham sabdham aseshair asurairvrutha.
Mahishasura with anger said, "What is this?" and surrounded by all asuras ran towards the origin of the sound.
[This shows the baser quality of the Asura, who did not first send an emissary to enquire about the source of the sound and started for a war himself.]
37. Sa dadarsa thatho devim vyaptha lokathrayam twisha,
Padakrathya natha bhuvam kiritolikithambharam.
38. Kshobhithasesha patalam dhanurjyani swanena tham,
Dhiso bhuja sahasrena samanthad vyapya samsthidham.
Afterwards, he saw her, spread all over the three worlds by her lustrous power, pushing down the earth by her feet, touching the skies with her crown, shaking the world including patala by the twang of her bow and occupying all the sides with her thousand arms.
39. Thatha prava vruthe yudham thaya devya suradwishaam,
Sashthrasthrair bahudha mukthiaraa depitha digandharam.
Then those Asuras had a Great War with Devi [Goddess] in which the differently sent weapons and arrows lighted all the different directions.
40. Mahishasura senani Chikshurakhyo mahasura,
Yuyudhe chamarschanyair schathuranga balanvidha,
Radhaana, mayuthair shadbhir udhagraghyo mahasura.
She fought with Chikshura, the great Asura who was the commander-in-chief of Mahishasura’s army, Chamara, who fought along with the four types of army [Infantry, Cavalry, Chariot Riders and Elephant Riders] and with Udagra, the great asura with sixty thousand chariots.
41. Ayudhyathayuthaanam cha sahasrena maha hanu,
Pancha shadbhischa niyuthair asiloma mahasura.
While Maha Hanu fought with one hundred million chariots, the great Asura called Asiloma fought with five hundred million chariots.
42. Ayuthanaam sathair Shadbhir bhashkalo yuyudhe rane,
Gaja vaji sahasrou ghair anekair parivaritha.
43. Vyatho radhaanam kotya cha yudhe tasminayudhyatha.
The Asura called Bhashkala fought with six million chariots and the Asura called Parivaritha fought surrounded by innumerable and uncountable groups of elephants and horses and one hundred million chariots.
44. Bidalakhyo ayuthanaam cha pancha sadbhi radayuthai,
Yuyudhe samyughe thathra radhaanam parivaritha.
Afterwards, Bidaala [cat eyed Asura] took part in that war with five hundred million chariots.
45. Anye cga thathr yuthaso ratha naagahayair vrutha,
Yuyudhu samyughe devya saha thathra mahasura.
All other asuras, who were not mentioned above, fought with the Goddess surrounded by ten thousand sets of chariots, elephants and horses.
46. Koti koti sahasraisthu rathaanaam dandhinaam thadha,
Hayanaam cha vyatho yudhe thathra bhoon mahishasura.
Similarly Mahishasura also was ready to fight in that battle surrounded by thousand million times thousand million sets of chariots, elephants and horses.
47. Thomarair bindhi palaischa shakthibhir musalisthadha,
Yuyudhu samyuge, devya gadagai parasu pattisai.
Those Rakshasas fought the war with javelins, elephant controlling spears, spears, pestles, axes and broad swords.
48. Kecicha chikshupu sakthi kechith pasa sthada pare,
Devim gadga praharaisthu they thaam hanthum prachakramu.
Some of them threw spears and some rope at her. And other great asuras tried to cut that Goddess by swords and kill her.
49. Sapi devi thathasthani sasthrayastharni chandika,
Leelayaiva prachicheda nija sasthranyasthani varshani.
Afterwards that Goddess Chandika by sending her weapons and arrows cut off the weapons and arrows sent by them as if she was playing.
50. Anayasthanana Devi sthyumana surarshibhi,
Mumocha sura deheshu Sasthrani asthrani cheswari.
Without sign of any tiredness in her face, that Goddess, who was being praised by devas and sages, also sent weapons and arrows towards the bodies of those asuras.
51. So api krudho, druhasato devya vahana kesari,
Chachara sura sainyeshu vaneshwiva huthasana.
The famous steed lion of the Goddess also became angry and with flowing manes traveled in the army of asuras like fire.
52. Niswasaaan mumuche yamscha yudhyamana rane ambhika,
They eva sadhya sambhootha ganaa satha sahasrasa.
Every deep breath of that Goddess Ambika, taken while fighting in the war with asuras, itself became into millions of Chandikas immediately.
53. Yuyudhusthe parsubhir bhindhi palasi pattisai,
Nasayantho asuraganan devi shakthyupa bramhitha.
Those soldiers [Chandikas], enthused by the great valour of the Goddess, waged war against the asuras with weapons like axes, swords, Bindhipala and Pattisa etc [last two weapons were weapons of that time.]
54. Aavadhayantha patahan gana sankhasthadhapare,
Mrudangascha thadaivanyai tasmin yudha mahotsave.
Those soldiers celebrated that festival of war by playing on huge drums or blowing conches or playing on Mrudangam [a type of drum].
55. Thatho devi trishulena gadhaya shakthi vrushtibhi
Gadgadhibischa sathaso nijagana mahasuran.
Afterwards that Goddess executed innumerable asuras by trident,, mace sword and shower of spears.
56. Pathayamasa chaivanyan gandaswana vimohithan,
Asuran bhuvi pasena bhadwa chanynakarshayath.
Some were made to swoon by production of huge clanging sound and some other asuras were tied by rope and dragged on the floor by the Goddess.
57. Vipodhitha nipathena gadhya bhuvi serathe,
Vemascha kechid rudhiram bhoomou musalena brusam hatha.
58. Kechith nipathitha bhoomou bhina soolena vakshasi.
Some great asuras were cut in to two by the severe strokes of the sword. Some others were beaten severely by the mace and fell on the floor. Some others vomited blood due to the beatings by the pestle. Others fell on the floor because the spears were driven on their chest.
59. Nirakrutha sarou gana krutha kechid rana jire,
Senanu karina pranaan mumuchu tridasardhana.
Some very valorous asuras gave up their life in the war by becoming hurt by crowds of arrows.
60. Siramsi pethur anyeshaamanye madhye vidharitha
Vichinna jangaasthwapare pethururvyam mahasura
In case of some, the hands were cut, similarly in case of some necks were cut, in case of some heads fell on the ground, in case of some they were cut in the middle and in case of some they fell on the earth having their legs broken.
61. Eka bhawakshi charana kechidivya dwidhakrutha,
Chinnepi chaanye shirasi pathitha punuruthidha.
62. Kabandhaa yuyudhur devya grahidha paramayudha.
Some of them were cut in to two pieces with each piece having one eye, one ear and one leg. Some others even though they were beheaded again and again got up and fought with the Goddess as headless body with several great weapons.
[It was believed once, when thousand heroes are beheaded in war one trunk without head gets up to fight. In this war it is believed that ten million times ten million trunks got up.]
63. Kabandha Chinna shirasa Gadga shakthyushti panaya,
Thishta thishtehi bhashantho devimanye mahasura.
Some other asuras danced to the balanced tune of orchestra. While some trunks fought with the two sided sharpened sword, some other asuras fought with shouting to her, "stop, stop."
64. Pathithairadha naga aswai asuraischa vasundhara,
Agamya sabhavat thathra yathradbutha maha rana.
That arena of war where the war took place became impossible to cross due to fallen chariots, elephants, horses and other fallen asuras.
65. Sonithougha maha nadhya sadya sththra visusruvu,
madhye chasura sainyasya varanasura vajinaam.
There in the midst of the Asura army, great rivers of blood in which elephants, horses and asuras were floating were seen.
66. Kshanena than maha sainyamasuranam thadhambhika,
Ninye kshayam yadha vahnis tharna dharu maha chayam.
That Goddess destroyed the huge Asura army as quickly as a huge fire destroys heaps of straw.
67. Sa cha simho maha nada musrujan dutha kesara.
Sarerebhyo amarareenamasuniva vichinwathi.
That lion with its flowing manes and with a great roar appeared as if it was interested in taking away souls from the Asura bodies.
68. Devya Ganaischa thaisthathra krutham yudham thadhasurai,
Yadhishaam thustuvur deva pushpa vrushti mucho dhivi.
While devas were singing her praise and causing rain of flowers, there was war between asuras and the army of the Goddess.
Ithi Markandeya purane savarnike manwanthare,
Devi Mahatmye,
Mahishasura sainya vadho nama,
Dwithiyo adhyaya,
This is the second chapter in Devi Mahatmya dealing with the Destruction of the Mahishasura Army occurring in the Savarnika period of Markandeya Purana.
Chapter-3: Mahishasura Execution
1. Rishir Uvacha:-
Nihanyamanam that sainyamavalokya mahasura,
senani chikshura kopadhyaou yodhumambikaam.
The sage said:-
Afterwards, seeing that the entire army of Mahishasura was destroyed, a commander of their army known as Chikshura started for war against the Goddess.
2. Saa deveem sara varshena va varsha samare asura,
Yadha meru gire srungam thoya varshena thoyadha.
In that war, Chikshura rained arrows at her similar to the torrential rain of water covering the peaks of Meru Mountain.
3. Thasya Chithwa thatho devi leelayeva saroth karaan,
Jagana thuragan banairyanthaaram chaiva vajinaam.
Afterwards the Goddess as if she was playing, cut off his crowd of arrows and executed his horses and horse men.
4. Chichedha cha dhanu sadhyo dwajam chaadhi samuchridham,
Vivyadha chaiva gathreshu chinna dhanwa namausugai.
Then the Goddess cut of his bow and flag post of his chariot and hit him in all his organs by arrows.
5. Sa Chinadhanwa, viradho, hathaswo hatha saradhi,
Abhyadavadha thaam devim gadga charmadharo asura.
That Asura, whose bow was cut, whose chariot was broken, whose horses were executed and whose chariot driver was executed ran towards her with a sword and a shield.
6. Simhamahathya gadgena, theeshna dharena moordhani,
Jajwalyamanam thejobhi ravi bhimbha mivambharan.
That Asura called Chikshura, who was a commander, wounded the lion on his head by the sword and hit the Goddess on her left hand.
7. Thasya Gadgo bhujam prapya paphala nrupa nandana,
thatho jagraha soolam sa kopadh aruna lochana.
Hey King, that sword reaching the arm of the Goddess broke in to pieces and he with red eyes due to extreme anger took the spear.
8. Chiksepa cha thathasthathu Bhadrakalyaam mahasura,
Jajwalyamanam thejobhi ravi bimbha mivambarath.
Afterwards, that great Asura reached the sky and like the shining sun of the sky threw that shining spear at the good giving Goddess.
9. Drushtwa thadapathascsulam devi soolamamunchadha,
Thena thaccha thadha neetham soolam sa cha mahasura.
Seeing the spear thrown by the Asura coming towards her, she sent her spear and split in to hundred of that spear as well as that great Asura.
10. Hathe thasmin maha veerye, mahishasya chamoopathou,
Aajagama gajarudaan Chamara tridasardhana
Seeing that strong commander in chief of Mahishasura was executed by her, one Asura called Chamara came riding on an elephant.
11. Sopi shakthim mumochadha devyasthamambika drutham,
Hungararibi hatham bhoomou pathayamasa nishprabham.
Afterwards, he too threw a spear at the Goddess. The Goddess after swiftly destroying it, made it loose the glitter and fall on to the earth.
12. Bhagnam shakthim nipathitham drusthwa krodha samanvitha,
Chikshepa chamara soolam ambanai sthadabhi saachinnath.
Chamara seeing that his spear was destroyed, threw the trident and the Goddess cut it off with her arrows.
13. Thatha simha samuthpathya gaja kumbhandhara sthidha,
Bahu yuddhena yuyudhe thenochai thridasaarina.
Afterwards that lion jumped up to a great height and standing on the forehead of the elephant fought with the Asura using its hands.
14. Yudhyamanou thathasthou thu tasmanaganmaheem gathou,
Yuyudhathe athi samrabdhou praharairathi darunai.
Afterwards they [Lion and Chamara], who were fighting, jumped to the earth from the elephant and with great anger continued the horrific fighting with slaps. [Note that in most of the places where wrestling is done, the Goddess does not take part.]
15. Thado vegath gamuthpathya nipathya cha mriagarina,,
Karapraharena siraschamarasya pradhakrutham.
Then they both jumped on to the sky and again fell down. Then by a hit of the hand, the lion separated the head of Chamara from his trunk.
16. Udagrascha rane devya Shila vrakshadhibhir hatha,
Danda mushti thalaischaiva karalascha nipathitha.
In the war, Udagra was also executed by stones and trees and Karala was executed by teeth, fist and palm.
[Some people interpret instead of "teeth, fist and palm", sword whose handle was made of ivory.]
17. Devi krudha gadha pathai choornayamasa chodhatham,
Bashkalam bindhipalena banaisthamram thadandhakam.
18. Ugrasya mugra veeryam cha thadiva cha Maha hanum,
Trinethra cha trishoolena jagana Parameshwari.
The Goddess with great anger powdered Udhatha with hits from her mace. The three eyed Goddess of every one executed Bashkala with her scythe, Thamra and Andhaka with her arrows and Ugrasya, Ugraveera and Maha Hanu with her trident.
19. Bidlasyaasina kayath pathayamasa vai sira,
Durdharam durmugam chobhou sarair ninye yama kshayam.
With sword she separated the head of Bidala from his body and made it fall and with arrows she sent Durdhara and Durmukha to the place of God of Death.
20. Evam Samksheeyamano thu swasainye Mahishasura,
Mahishena swaroopena trasayamasa thaan ganan.
When his army was thus being vanquished Mahishasura took the shape of a buffalo and scared the army of the Goddess.
21. Kaschit thunda praharena Khurakshepai sthadhaparaan,
Langula thadithamschanyan srungabhyam cha vidharithaan
22. Vegena kamschid aparan nadena bramanena cha,
Niswasa pavanonyan pathayamasa bhoothale.
Mahishasura hit some with his face, some others he stamped with his hoof, some others he beat with his tail, some by tearing with his horns, some fell on the ground because of his speed, some by sound, some by his movement and some by his breath.
23. Nipaathya pramadhaneeka mabhyadhavatha soasura,
Simham hanthum maha devya kopam chakre thathombika.
After felling her army, he ran towards the lion to kill it and this made the Goddess angry.
24. So api kopaan maha veerya Ghurakshanna mahee thala,
Srungabhyaam Parvathan uchamscchikshepa cha nanadha cha.
He, who is very strong, became very angry and by tearing the earth by his front hoof threw the mountains by his two horns and shrieked.
25. Vega bramana vikshunna mahii thasya vyaseeryatha,
Langulenahthaschabdhi plavayamasa sarvatha.
Due to his fast rotation, the earth was broken and the ocean which was beaten by his tail rose up and drowned every one.
26. Duthasrunga vibhinnascha Gandam Gandam yuyurghana,
Swasa anilastha sathaso nipethurnnabhaso achala.
The clouds, which were moved by his horns, broke in to pieces and the mountains, which were blown by his breath, fell into innumerable pieces.
27. Ithi krodha samadhmaatha maapadantham Mahasura,
Drushtwa saa chandika kopam thadwadhaya thadakaroth.
Seeing the Mahishasura, who was burning with anger and running towards her, Chandika became angry and decided to execute him.
28. Saa kshipthwa thasya vai paasam tham babandha mahasuram,
Thathyaja mahishamroopam so api bhadho mahamrudhe.
In that Great War, Goddess threw the famous Pasa [literally rope] and tied that great Asura. When he was tied, he gave up the form of the buffalo.
29. Thatha Simho abhavadsadhyo yavathambhika sira,
Chinnathi thavaht purusha Gadgapaniradhursyadha.
Afterwards, that Asura swiftly became lion and when she was cutting his head and then he was seen as a male who was holding a sword.
30. Thatha evasu purusham devi chichedha sayakai,
Tham gadga charmana saardham thatha so aboon maha gaja.
Afterwards, the Goddess cut the head of the man with a sword and shield by using swift arrows. Then from that man he became a very big elephant.
31. Karena cha maha simham tham chakarsha jagarja cha,
Karshathasthu karam devi gadgena nirakrunthatha.
He [with the form of an elephant] with his huge trunk pulled that great lion and trumpeted. But the Goddess cut off his pulling trunk using the sword.
32. Thatho mahasuro bhooyo maahisham vapurasthitha,
Thadiva Kshobhayamasa trilokyam sa characharam.
Afterwards that Great Asura again took the form of Buffalo and shook the entire world with all its beings.
33. Thatha Krudha Jaganmatha chandika panamuthamam,
Papow puna punaschaiwa jahasa aruna lochana.
Afterwards, that Goddess Chandika, who was the mother of the entire world, with great anger and with blood shot eyes, drank the nectar and again and again laughed.
34. Nanardha chaasura sopi bala veerya madhodadhada,
Varshanabhyam cha chiksepa chandikaam prathi bhoodaraan.
That Asura, who was ferociously agile due to his great strength, shouted at her and threw mountains at her with his horns.
35. Saa cha thaan prahithaamsthena choornayanthi saroth karai,
Uvacha tham Madhoduddha muga raga kulaksharam.
That Goddess made the mountains thrown at her in to powder and with reddish face and with unclear words told him.
36. Devyuvacha:-
Garja Garja kshanam mooda madhu yavath pibamyaham,
Maya twayi hathe athraiva garjishyanthyasu devatha.
The Goddess told:-
Hey idiot, you keep on roaring again and again for little more time till I drink this nectar. When I execute you quickly, these gods will roar with happiness.
37. Rishir Uvacha:-
Eva mukthwa samuth pathya saa rooda thaam mahasuram,
Paadenakramya kante cha soole maina mathadayath.
The sage told:-
After telling thus, that Goddess climbed on the Asura and by oppressing him by her feet, drove the spear in to him.
38. Thatha soapi padakraantha sthaya nija mukha thatha,
Ardha nishkantha evathi devya veeryena samvyatha.
Afterwards, he being pressed by the feet of the Goddess tried to lift half of his body and face but was kept immobile by her.
39. Ardha nishkantha eva sou yudhya mano mahasura,
Thaya mahasina devya siraschithwa nipathitha.
That great Asura, though he fought with half of his body, was felled down by the Goddess, who had cut his head by the big sword.
40. Thatho haha krutham sarvam dhaithya sainye nanasa thath,
Praharsham cha param jagmu sakala devatha gana.
Afterwards, that great Asura army ran away shouting, "Ha", "Ha" and all the Gods attained great happiness.
41. Thushtuvasthaam sura deveem saha divyair maharshibhi,
Jagur gandarwa pathayo nanyuthuschapsa saro gana.
The gods along with sages in the heaven prayed to that Goddess. The chiefs of Gandarwas [celestial singers] sang about her and crowds of Apsaras [Deva dancers] danced.
Ithi Markandeya purane savarnike manwanthare,
Devi Mahatmye,
Mahishasura vadho nama,
Trithiyo adhyaya,
This is the third chapter in Devi Mahatmya dealing with the execution of Mahishasura occurring in the Savarnika period of Markandeya Purana.
Chapter-4: Sakradi Devathas Prayer
1. Rishir Uvacha:-
Sakradhaya suragana nihathe athiveerya,
Thasmin durathmani surari bale cha devya,
Thaam thushtuvu pranathi namra siro daramsa,
Vagbhi praharsha pulgothgama charu deha.
The sage told:-
When the strong Asura army and very valorous and bad natured Mahishasura were executed by the Goddess, Indra, other gods and sages in his circle, with necks bending to her in salutation and with handsome body enthused by the great happiness, prayed to the Goddess.
2. Devya yaya thathamidham jagadathma shakthya,
Nissesha deva gana shakthi samooha moorthya,
Thaam ambikam akhila deva maharshi poojyam,
Bhakthya nathasma vidha dhahthu shubhani saa na.
We venerate with ultimate devotion before that Goddess Ambika, whose body has been made by the strength of the collection of all devas and from whose strength this entire world has been created and who merits to be venerated by all the Gods and sages. Let her do well to all of us.
3. Yasya prabhavam athulam bhagwan anantho,
Brahma harascha nahi vakthumalam balam cha,
Saa chandika akhila jagath paripalanaya,
Naasaya chaashubha bhayasya mathim karothu.
Let that Chandika whose incomparable strength and power cannot even be described fully by Brahma, the inexhaustible Vishnu and Lord Shiva, help us in proper upkeep of the entire universe and remove the fear that emanates from the unholy events.
4. Yaa sree swayam sukrtheenaam bhavaneshwa lakshmi,
Papathmaanam krutha dhiyaam hrudhayeshu budhi,
Sradhaa sathaam kula jana prabhavasya lajja,
Thaam thwaam nathaa sma paripalaya devi viswam.
We salute that Goddess, who is and will be in the form of wealth in the houses of holy people, who is and will be in the form of misfortune in the home of sinners, who is and will be in the form of wisdom in the heart of learned people, who is and will be in the form of good conduct in the hearts of good people and who is and will be in the form of shyness in the minds of those people born in good families. Oh Goddess, please save this world.
5. Kim varnayama thava roopa machinthya methath,
Kim chathi veeryamasura kshayakari bhoori,
Kim chahaveshu charithani thavathi yani,
Sarveshu devyasura deva ganadhikeshu.
How can one describe your present form which cannot be even thought by asuras and devas? How can we describe your great valour, which lead to the destruction of many asuras? How can we describe your skill, which was shown in this war?
6. Hethu samastha jagatham trigunaapi doshair,
Na Jnayase hariharadhibhirapyapaara,
Sarvasrayakhilamidam jagadamsa bhootha,
Mavyakyatha hi parama prakruthisthwamadhya.
You are the cause and root of everything in the world. Though you are having the three properties of Sathwa [holy], Rajas [vigorous] and Thamas [base], you are not affected by any type of passion. You are the one who is not even fully known to the trinity of Vishnu, Brahma and Rudra. You are the one on whom all beings depend. This entire world is part of you. Since the primeval force, which gave life to all Gods, you are bereft of any emotion.
7. Yasya samastha suratha samudheeranena,
Trupthim prayathi sakaleshu makheshu devi,
Swahasi vai pithru ganasya cha trupthihethu,
Rucharyasethwamatha eva janai swatha cha.
Hey Goddess, you are the "Swaha" by pronouncing which in all fire sacrifices the gods get satisfied and you are the "Swadha" which is the source of satisfaction of manes.
["While offering sacrifice to the Gods, fire is the mediator. He receives the offerings, which are put in to him with the word "Swaha" and given to the Gods. In worship of the manes, water is offered as "Swadha" to the manes.]
8. Yaa mukthihethu ravichinthyaw maha vrutha thwa,
Mabhysyase suniyathendriya thathwa sarai,
Moksharthibhir munibhirastha samastha doshair,
Vidhyasi saa bhagawathee parama he devi.
Hey Goddess, you are that knowledge which is the root cause of salvation, that knowledge which takes one to god by unthinkable great penance, you are being searched by those sages who have lost all bad wishes and conducts, who think that search of God is the essence of their life and who forever crave for methods of salvation.
9. Sabhathmika suvi malarghya jusham nidhana,
Mudhgedharamya padha patavatham cha samnaam,
Devi, thwayi bhagawathi bhava bhavanaya,
Vartha cha sarva jagatham paramarthi hanthree.
Oh, Goddess, your soul is the holy sound, you are the songs of Sama Veda which are made of Holy Verses and which are made up of Songs of Lovely Words, you are the desire, you are the personification of three Vedas, you are the essence of knowledge of the day to day life and you are the destroyer of the ills of all the world.
10. Medhasi devi, vidhithakhila sastra sara,
Durgasi durga bhava sagara naura sanga,
Sri kaida bhari hrudaika kruthadhivasa,
Gauri Thwameva sasi mouli krutha prathishta.
Hey Goddess, you are the wisdom which makes one capable of knowing all the knowledge so far known, you are the incomparable Durga who is a boat which helps one to cross the ocean of day to day life, you are Goddess Lakshmi living in the chest of Lord Vishnu and you are Goddess Gauri who lives in Lord Parameshwara as the crescent.
11. Ishath sahasam amalam paripoorna chandra,
Bhibanukari prahruthama kanthi kantham,
Athyathbutham prahruthamaatharusha thadhapi,
Vakthram vilokhya sahasa mahishasurena.
Though your face is pretty with a captivating smile and which is similar to the full moon and which is having the glitter of the purest gold, it was speedily hit by the very angry Mahishasura. This is indeed surprising.
12. Dhrushtwa thu devi, kupitham brukutikarala,
Mudrchcha sanka sadhya schavee yanna sadhya,
Pranaan mumocha mahishas thadeeva chithram,
Kair jeevithe he kupithanthaka darsanena.
Hey Goddess, in spite of seeing your angry face with sharply bent eye brows and which resembled the reddish full moon just when it is rising, Mahishasura did not choose to give up his life. This is indeed surprising because, which being would choose to live after seeing the very angry God of death.
13. Devi praseedha paramaa bhavathi bhavaya,
Sadhyo vinasayasi kopavathi kulani,
Vignanametha dhadhunaiva yadasthametha,
Nnetham bhalam suvipulam mahishasurasya.
Hey Goddess, be pleased with me. You are the most powerful Goddess Lakshmi. If you are pleased, the family is greatly enlarged and if you are angry, you destroy several generations of families. This is known now, because you destroyed the great and large army of Mahishasura.
14. Theey Sammatha jana padeshu dhanani theshaam,
Theshaam yasamsi na cha seedhathi dharma varga,
Dhanyastha eva nibrudhathmaja abhyathya dhara,
Yesham sadabhydayadha bhavathee prasanna.
Those to whom you always give progress and are happy with them, they are the people recognized by all. They would only get wealth and fame. For them the Dharma never goes away. They are the people with good sons, servants and wife.
15. Dharmyani devi, sakalani sadaiva karmaa,
Anyadhutha prathidhinam sukruthi karothi,
Swargam prayathi cha thatho bhavathi prasadath,
Loka thraye aapi phaladha nanu devi thena.
Hey Goddess, by your blessings, the blessed man always, with feelings of holiness, is able to do all his duties which are dictated by just conduct. Because of that he attains heaven and salvation. So it is definite that you give results in all the three worlds.
16. Durge smrutha harasi bheethimasesha jantho,
Swasthai smruthaa mathi matheeva shubha dhadhasi,
Daridrya dukha bhaya harini ka twadhanya,
Sarvopa kara karanaya sadardra chitha.
You destroy sorrow of all beings, who are sorrowful, you give great wisdom to those who are fearless and Oh Goddess, who destroys the fear of poverty, who is there in this world except you who has a melting heart with mercy.
17. Eapir hathair Jagathupaithi sukham thadaihe,
Kurvanthu nama narakaya chiraya papam,
Samgrama mruthyu madhigamya divam prayanthu,
Mathwethi noona mahithan vinihamsi devi.
Hey Goddess you execute your enemies thinking that this world should feel happiness. These asuras are executed, so that these asuras should not do more sins for several ages and so that they will not reach the hell, which is full of diseases and that they should travel towards heaven being executed in this war by you.
[This is an answer to the doubt of the sentiments expressed in the last stanza that though Goddess has a melting heart with mercy, she has executed several asuras.]
18. Dushtaiva kim bhavathi prakarothi bhasma,
Sarvasuranareeshu yal prahinoshi sasthram,
Lokaan prayanthu ripavo api hi sasthra puthra,
Itham mathir bhavathi theshwa hithesu swadhi.
Hey Goddess, do you not turn into ashes all the asuras just by your sight? It is definite, that you send your weapons at them only with a view to purify them by contact with your weapons and with a good intention that even your enemies should reach heaven.
19. Gadga prabha nikara vishuranai sthodhagrai,
Soolagra kanthi nivahena druso asuranam,
Yannagatha vilayamamsuma dindhu ganda,
Yogyananam thava vilokayatham thdethath.
The reason why the eyes of Asuras are staring at the glitter of the collection of your shining swords and the collective glitter of the ends of your spear is because they are staring at your holy face adorned with the cool crescent.
20. Dur vrutha vrutha samanam thava devi seelam,
Roopam thadiva thadha vicinthya mathulya manyai,
Veeryam cha hanthya hrutha deva parakramanam,
Vairishwapi prakatithaiva dhaya twayetham.
Holy Goddess, thy pristine character brings to an end the bad characteristics of base people and similarly your pretty mien can never be imagined by ordinary minds and also does not have similarity with all other pretty things. Also your valour executes all asuras and thus you show your mercy even towards thine enemies.
[They attain salvation executed by her.]
21. Kenopama bhavathu thesya parakramasya,
Roopam cha shathru bhaya karyadhi hari kuthra,
Chithe krupaa samara nishtooratha cha dushsta,
Twayeva devi, varade bhuvana trayepi.
Hey Goddess who showers all the requested blessings on your devotees, to which thing can we compare thine great valour? To which can we compare your looks which is pretty but creates fear among your enemies. In all the three worlds, only in you, we are able to see mercy in your mind and fierce cruelty in war.
22. Trilokya methad akilam ripu nasanena,
Tratham twaya samara murdhani the api hatwa,
Neetha divam ripu gana bhaya mapyapastha,
Masmaka munmadha surari bhavam namasthe.
Our salutations to thee mother, who has saved all the three worlds from the destruction of enemies, who has executed hoards of enemies in the war field and led them to heaven and who has completely cured our fear.
23. Soolena pahino devi, pahi gadgena chabhike,
Gandaswanena na pahi chapajyaniswanena cha.
Oh Goddess, please save us by your spear, Oh mother of all worlds, save us all by using your sword and also save us by the ringing of your bells and twang of your bow.
24. Prachyam raksha, pradeechyam cha chandike, Raksha dakshine,
Bramanenathma soolasya utharasyam thadeswai.
Oh Goddess, please save the eastern side by the rotation of your spear. Oh Goddess Chandika, similarly save the western, southern and northern sides.
25. Sowmyani yani roopani trolokye vicharanthi they,
Yani chatyartha ghorani thai rakshas maam sthadha bhuvam.
Let that aspect of you, which is peaceful [involved in creation and upkeep] and that aspect, which is fearful [that involved in destruction], which are travelling in all the three worlds, save us and those of the people in the earth by the same aspects.
26. Gadga soola gadhadheeni yani cha asthrani they ambike,
Kara pallava sangeeni thairasman raksha sarvatha.
Oh, mother Goddess, those swords, maces and spears held in your very soft hands [as soft as a young leaf] protect us from all over the universe.
27. Evam sthutha surair divyai kusumair nandanodbhavai,
Architha jagatham dhathri thadha gandhanulepanair.
Thus the Goddess, who ruled all over the universe, was praised by the devas and worshipped by holy flowers produced from great gardens and also several lotions and pastes made of sandal.
28. Bhaktha samasthair tridasair divyair dhoopair,
Praha prasada mukhi samasthan pranathan suraan.
Thus worshipped by all devas with holy and divine smokes, the Goddess told the devas with smiling face.
29. Devyuvacha:-
Vriyathaam tridasa sarve yadasmatho bi vanchitham.
Goddess told:-
Hey devas, who are spread all over, please tell me as to whatever you require from me.
30. Deva ouchu:-
Yadayam nihatha shatrur asmakam mahishasura,
Yadi vaapi varo deyatwasmakam maheswari.
31. Samsmrutha samsmrutha thwam no himsedha paramapadha.
Devas told:-
The reason why you have executed Mahishasura has led you to do all things required by us. There is nothing more remaining. Hey Goddess, if you want us to ask you for a boon, let the thought of you in us, always destroy all dangers that we may face later.
32. Tasya vithridhi vibhavair dhana dharadhi sampadham,
Vrudhaye asmat prasanna twam bhavadho sarvadhambhike.
Hey Mother of the universe, who is always happy, any human being who praises thee using these sthothras, you being pleased with us, let them be granted increase in intelligence, wealth and happiness as well as money and good consorts for ever.
33. Rishir Uvacha:-
Ithi prasathidha devair Jagatho artha thadathmana,
Thadethyukthwa bhadrakali babhuvandharhitha nrupa.
The sage told:-
Hey King, thus pleased by devas for protecting the three worlds as well as for helping the devas, the pleased Goddess said, "So be it" and became invisible.
34. Ithyethad kathidham Bhoopa, sambhootha saa yadha puraa,
Devi deva sarerebhyo Jagat thraya hithoushini.
Oh, King, I have told you about how Goddess who wishes for the welfare of all the three worlds came from the bodies of all devas.
35. Punascha gowri dehathsa samud bhootha yada bhavat,
Vadhaya dushta daithyanaam thada shumbha Nishumbhayo.
36. Rakshanaya cha lokanam devanaam upakarini,
Thachrunushwa mayaa khyadam yadavath kadayami they.
I am going to tell you further how that Goddess who wishes to help devas came from the body of Parvathy for executing bad Rakshasas as well as Shumbha and Nishumbha and for the protection of the world. Be pleased to hear this.
Ithi Markandeya purane savarnike manwanthare,
Devi Mahatmye,
Sakradhi sthuthir nama,
Chathurtho adhyaya,
This is the fourth chapter in Devi Mahatmya dealing with the prayer of Sakradhi Devathas occuring in the Savarnika period of Markandeya Purana.