Ch 23 Verse 1 Verse

Sanskrit Text

३.२३ त्रयोविंशोऽध्यायः । सुबाहुकृतदेवीस्तुतिवर्णनम् । व्यास उवाच । तस्मै गौरवभोज्यानि विधाय विधिवत्तदा । वासराणि च षड्राजा भोजयामास भक्तितः ॥ १ ॥

English Translation

Vyāsa said :-- After paying due respects to his new son-in-law, the king Subāhu cheerfully entertained him for six days with variety of good dishes.

Ch 23 Verse 2 Verse

Sanskrit Text

एवं विवाहकार्याणि कृत्वा सर्वाणि पार्थिवः । पारिबर्हं प्रदत्वाऽथ मन्त्रयन्सचिवैः सह ॥ २ ॥

English Translation

Thus finishing off the marriage ceremony, the king after consulting with his ministers, presented the bridegroom and the bride various jewels and ornaments and other things given naturally on marriage occasions.

Ch 23 Verse 3 Verse

Sanskrit Text

दूतैस्तु कथितं श्रुत्वा मार्गसंरोधनं कृतम् । बभूव विमना राजा सुबाहुरमितद्युतिः ॥ ३ ॥

English Translation

Then the king of Benares, of brilliant splendour, heard from his messengers that the kings had obstructed the way back of Sudarśana and became very absent minded.

Ch 23 Verse 4 Verse

Sanskrit Text

सुदर्शनस्तदोवाच श्वशुरं संशितव्रतः । अस्मान्विसर्जयाशु त्वं गमिष्यामो ह्यशङ्किताः ॥ ४ ॥

English Translation

Then Sudarśana, of firm resolve, told his father-in-law “O king! better now give us order that we may depart. We will go without any fear.

Ch 23 Verse 5 Verse

Sanskrit Text

भारद्वाजाश्रमं पुण्यं गत्वा तत्र समाहिताः । निवासाय विचारो वै कर्तव्यः सर्वथा नृप ॥ ५ ॥

English Translation

O king! First we will halt at the holy hermitage of Bhāradvāja Muni; and next we will, after due considerations, settle where we would go.

Ch 23 Verse 6 Verse

Sanskrit Text

नृपेभ्यश्च न कर्तव्यं भयं किञ्चित्त्वयाऽनघ । जगन्माता भवानी मे साहाय्यं वै करिष्यति ॥ ६ ॥

English Translation

O pure one! You need not fear a bit from these kings; the Mother of the Universe, the Bhagavatī Bhavānī will surely protect us.”

Ch 23 Verse 7 Verse

Sanskrit Text

व्यास उवाच । तस्येति मतमाज्ञाय जामातुर्नुपसत्तमः । विससर्ज धनं दत्वा प्रतस्थे सोऽपि सत्वरः ॥ ७ ॥

English Translation

Vyāsa said :-- O king Janamejaya! Hearing thus his son-in-law’s orders, the king Subāhu gave him a vast amount of wealth and bade good-bye to him. Sudarśana, too, quickly departed.

Ch 23 Verse 8 Verse

Sanskrit Text

बलेन महताऽऽविष्टो ययावनु नृपोत्तमः । सुदर्शनो वृतस्तत्र चचाल पथि निर्भयः ॥ ८ ॥

English Translation

The king Subāhu followed him with a Iong train of soldiers. Thus Sudarśana went on, in his journey, fearless.

Ch 23 Verse 9 Verse

Sanskrit Text

रथैः परिवृतः शूरः सदारो रथसंस्थितः । गच्छन्ददर्श सैन्यानि नृपाणां रघुनन्दनः ॥ ९ ॥

English Translation

The great hero Sudarśana, the descendant of Raghu, with his new consort in the chariot and followed by many other chariots, saw the soldiers of the several kings.

Ch 23 Verse 10 Verse

Sanskrit Text

सुबाहुरपि तान्वीक्ष्य चिन्ताविष्टो बभूव ह । विधिवत्स शिवां चित्ते जगाम शरणं मुदा ॥ १० ॥

English Translation

The king Subāhu, seeing them, became anxious. But Sudarśana, gladly took refuge, with his whole heart, of the all-auspicious Goddess Śaṅkarī.

Ch 23 Verse 11 Verse

Sanskrit Text

जजापैकाक्षरं मन्त्रं कामराजमनुत्तमम् । निर्भयो वीतशोकश्च पत्न्या सह नवोढया ॥ ११ ॥

English Translation

Sudarśana began to recite silently the excellent one word seed mantra of the King of Desires (Kāmarāja) and, out of its power, he and his wife remained in the chariot without any fear and sorrow.

Ch 23 Verse 12 Verse

Sanskrit Text

ततः सर्वे महीपालाः कृत्वा कोलाहलं तदा । उत्थिताः सैन्यसंयुक्ता हन्तुकामास्तु कन्यकाम् ॥ १२ ॥

English Translation

Then all the kings came there with their soldiers to fight with Sudarśana and to carry away by force the bride. Thus a loud uproar arose.

Ch 23 Verse 13 Verse

Sanskrit Text

काशिराजस्तु तान्दृष्ट्वा हन्तुकामो बभूव ह । निवारितस्तदाऽत्यर्थं राघवेण जिगीषता ॥ १३ ॥

English Translation

The king of Benares seeing them wanted to kill them. But Sudarśana, the descent of Raghu, desirous of victory, repeatedly asked him not do so.

Ch 23 Verse 14 Verse

Sanskrit Text

तत्रापि नेदुः शङ्खाश्च भेर्यश्चानकदुन्दुभिः । सुबाहोश्च नृपाणाञ्च परस्परजिघांसताम् ॥ १४ ॥

English Translation

Loud arose, then, the uproar, caused by the sounds of conchshells, bherri, and war drums of the kings on one side and Subāhu on the other, each of the two parties determining to extirpate the other.

Ch 23 Verse 15 Verse

Sanskrit Text

शत्रुजित्तु सुसंवृत्तः स्थितस्तत्र जिघांसया । युधाजित्तत्सहायार्थं सन्नद्धः प्रबभूव ह ॥ १५ ॥

English Translation

Śatrujit prepared himself for the war to destroy his enemy. Yudhājit came there for his help, well equipped with army, etc.

Ch 23 Verse 16-17 Verse

Sanskrit Text

केचिच्च प्रेक्षकास्तस्य सहानीकैः स्थितास्तदा । युधाजिदग्रतो गत्वा सुदर्शनमुपस्थितः ॥ १६ ॥ शत्रुजित्तेन सहितो हन्तुं भ्रातरमानुजः । परस्परं ते बाणौघैस्ततक्षुः क्रोधमूर्छिताः ॥ १७ ॥

English Translation

Some warrior kings remained there as witnesses with their soldiers. Then Yudhājit went in front of Sudarśana. His younger brother Śatrujit, too, attended Yudhājit to kill his brother in the battle field. Then the warriors, overpowered with anger, shot each other with arrows.

Ch 23 Verse 18 Verse

Sanskrit Text

सम्मर्दः सुमहांस्तत्र सम्प्रवृत्तः सुमार्गणैः । काशीपतिस्तदा तूर्णं सैन्येन बहुना वृतः ॥ १८ ॥

English Translation

A great encounter then ensued in the battle field with sharp arrows. The king of Benares hurriedly advanced there, with a great body of army, to relieve his son-in-law.

Ch 23 Verse 19 Verse

Sanskrit Text

साहाय्यार्थं जगामाशु जामातरमनिन्दितम् । एवं प्रवृत्ते सङ्ग्रामे दारुणे लोमहर्षणे ॥ १९ ॥

English Translation

Thus when the dreadful war began to grow more and more horrible, the Goddess Bhagavatī suddenly appeared there, mounted on Her lion.

Ch 23 Verse 20-21 Verse

Sanskrit Text

प्रादुर्बभूव सहसा देवी सिंहोपरि स्थिता । नानायुधधरा रम्या वराभूषणभूषिता ॥ २० ॥ दिव्याम्बरपरीधाना मन्दारस्रक्सुसंयुता । तां दृष्ट्वा तेऽथ भूपाला विस्मयं परमं गताः ॥ २१ ॥

English Translation

The beauty of Her body was exceedingly lovely; She was adorned with various excellent ornaments and She held various weapons. She wore divine clothings and the beautiful Mandāra garland suspended from Her neck up to Her knees. The kings were greatly astonished to see Her. They began to argue “Who in this Lady, mounted on a lion? Whence has She so suddenly come?”

Ch 23 Verse 22-23 Verse

Sanskrit Text

केयं सिंहसमारूढा कुतो वेति समुत्थिता । सुदर्शनस्तु तां वीक्ष्य सुबाहुमिति चाब्रवीत् ॥ २२ ॥ पश्य राजन्महादेवीमागतां दिव्यदर्शनाम् । अनुग्रहाय मे नूनं प्रादुर्भूता दयान्विता ॥ २३ ॥

English Translation

Beholding Her, Sudarśana told the king of Benares “O king! Behold! The Divine Mahā Devī has come here to favour us. She is very merciful. Now I am completely fearless.”

Ch 23 Verse 24 Verse

Sanskrit Text

निर्भयोऽहं महाराज जातोऽस्मि निर्भयादपि । सुदर्शनः सुबाहुश्च तामालोक्य वराननाम् ॥ २४ ॥

English Translation

Sudarśana and Subāhu were highly delighted to see the Beautiful Goddess and bowed down to Her feet with great devotion.

Ch 23 Verse 25 Verse

Sanskrit Text

प्रणामं चक्रतुस्तस्या मुदितौ दर्शनेन च । ननाद च तदा सिंहो गजास्त्रस्ताश्चकम्पिरे ॥ २५ ॥

English Translation

Then the lion, the vehicle of the Goddess, roared, making tremendous noise. Hearing the roaring of the lion, all the elephants trembled. At that time, the winds began to blow violently and the four quarters assumed an awful appearance.

Ch 23 Verse 26-27 Verse

Sanskrit Text

ववुर्वाता महाघोरा दिशश्चासन्सुदारुणाः । सुदर्शनस्तदा प्राह निजं सेनापतिं प्रति ॥ २६ ॥ मार्गे व्रज त्वं तरसा भूपाला यत्र संस्थिताः । किं करिष्यन्ति राजानः कुपिता दुष्टचेतसः ॥ २७ ॥

English Translation

Then Sudarśana told his general to carry soon his forces where the kings were staying, blocking his way. “What could the vicious kings do now, though they had become very angry? The Goddess Bhagavatī had come there to save us.

Ch 23 Verse 28 Verse

Sanskrit Text

शरणार्थञ्च सम्प्राप्ता देवी भगवती हि नः । निरातङ्कैश्च गन्तव्यं मार्गेऽस्मिन्भूपसङ्कुले ॥ २८ ॥

English Translation

Now you all go safely and calmly through the midst of the kings. See! At my remembering Her, She has come here mercifully to save us.”

Ch 23 Verse 29-30 Verse

Sanskrit Text

स्मृता मया महादेवी रक्षणार्थमुपागता । तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं सेनापतिस्तेन पथाऽव्रजत् ॥ २९ ॥ युधाजित्तु सुसङ्क्रुद्धस्तानुवाच महीपतीन् । किं स्थिता भयसन्त्रस्ता निघ्नन्तु कन्यकान्वितम् ॥ ३० ॥

English Translation

The general, on hearing these words, became ready to march by that route. Then Yudhājit, very much infuriated with anger, said to all the kings :-- “Why are you all so much fear stricken? Kill this Sudarśana, stealing away this girl.

Ch 23 Verse 31 Verse

Sanskrit Text

अवमन्य च नः सर्वान्बलहीनो बलाधिकान् । कन्यां गृहीत्वा संयाति निर्भयस्तरसा शिशुः ॥ ३१ ॥

English Translation

This lad, weak and without any support, will carry away by force and fearlessly the girl, spiting all the kings; and won’t you be able to do anything? This is very strange!

Ch 23 Verse 32 Verse

Sanskrit Text

किं भीताः कामिनीं वीक्ष्य सिंहोपरि सुसंस्थिताम् । नोपेक्ष्यो हि महाभागा हन्तव्योऽत्र समाहितैः ॥ ३२ ॥

English Translation

Are you afraid to see this one lady on a lion? O high minded kings! Never trifle away this boy; kill him with all attention.

Ch 23 Verse 33 Verse

Sanskrit Text

हत्वैनं सङ्ग्रहीष्यामः कन्यां चारुविभूषणाम् । नायं केसरिणादत्तां छेत्तुमर्हति जम्बुकः ॥ ३३ ॥

English Translation

Killing him, we will then take away this girl. The jackal can never snatch away the lady under the grasp of a lion.”

Ch 23 Verse 34 Verse

Sanskrit Text

इत्युक्त्वा सैन्यसंयुक्तः शत्रुजित्सहितस्तदा । योद्धुकामः सुसम्प्राप्तो युधाजित्क्रोधसंवृतः ॥ ३४ ॥

English Translation

Thus saying, the king Yudhājit, filled with anger, came to the battle field with Śatrujit and all his forces.

Ch 23 Verse 35-36 Verse

Sanskrit Text

मुमोच विशिखांस्तूर्णं समपुङ्खाञ्छिलाशितान् । धनुराकृष्य कर्णान्तं कर्मारपरिमार्जितान् ॥ ३५ ॥ हन्तुकामः सुदुर्मेधाः सुदर्शनमथोपरि । सुदर्शनस्तु तान्बाणैश्चिच्छेदापततः क्षणात् ॥ ३६ ॥

English Translation

That wicked king, drew his bow string well nigh to his ear and shot arrows after arrows, sharpened under stone and by blacksmith at Sudarśana, with the object of killing him. Sudarśana cut off all those arrows quickly with his own quick going arrows.

Ch 23 Verse 37 Verse

Sanskrit Text

एवं युद्धे प्रवृत्तेऽथ चुकोप चण्डिका भृशम् । दुर्गादेवी मुमोचाथ बाणान् युधाजितं प्रति ॥ ३७ ॥

English Translation

Thus when the fight grew intense, the Goddess Candikā became very mach enraged and shot arrows at Yudhājit.

Ch 23 Verse 38-39 Verse

Sanskrit Text

नानारूपा तदा जाता नानाशस्रधरा शिवा । सम्प्राप्ता तुमुलं तत्र चकार जगदम्बिका ॥ ३८ ॥ शत्रुजिन्निहतस्तत्र युधाजिदपि पार्थिवः । पतितौ तौ रथाभ्यां तु जयशब्दस्तदाऽभवत् ॥ ३९ ॥

English Translation

Assuming diverse forms, the Goddess Durgā, holding various weapons the auspicious Mother of the Universe, began to fight terribly in the battle field. 39. Śatrujit and the king Yudhājit were killed in that terrible battle. Both of them fell dead from their chariots; and a shout of victory arose from the side of Sudarśan.

Ch 23 Verse 40 Verse

Sanskrit Text

विस्मयं परमं प्राप्ता भूपाः सर्वे विलोक्य ताम् । निधनं मातुलस्यापि भागिनेयस्य संयुगे ॥ ४० ॥

English Translation

The uncle and cousin of the king Subāhu were on the side of Yudhājit and were killed. The kings were very much astonished to see them thus lying dead.

Ch 23 Verse 41 Verse

Sanskrit Text

सुबाहुरपि तद्दृष्ट्वा निधनं संयुगे तयोः । तुष्टाव परमप्रीतो दुर्गां दुर्गार्तिनाशिनीम् ॥ ४१ ॥

English Translation

The king Subāhu, seeing them dead in the battlefield became very glad and began to praise and sing hymns in honour of Durgā Devī the Destroyer of all difficulties.

Ch 23 Verse 42-43 Verse

Sanskrit Text

सुबाहुरुवाच । नमौ देव्यै जगद्धात्र्यै शिवायै सततं नमः । दुर्गायै भगवत्यै ते कामदायै नमो नमः ॥ ४२ ॥ नमः शिवायै शान्त्यै ते विद्यायै मोक्षदे नमः । विश्वव्याप्त्यै जगन्मातर्जगद्धात्र्यै नमः शिवे ॥ ४३ ॥

English Translation

I bow to the auspicious Goddess Jagaddhātrī, again and again; I bow to the Bhagavatī Durgā the bestower of all desires; I always bow down to Her Who is auspicious, peace giving, and the Higher Vidyā. O Mother! O Giver of salvation! O Auspicious One! You are pervading the whole Universe, O World Mother! and Upholder of the Universe! I bow down to Thee.

Ch 23 Verse 44 Verse

Sanskrit Text

नाहं गतिं तव धिया परिचिन्तयन् वै जानामि देवि सगुणः किल निर्गुणायाः । किं स्तौमि विश्वजननीं प्रकटप्रभावां भक्तार्तिनाशनपरां परमाञ्च शक्तिम् ॥ ४४ ॥

English Translation

O World-mother! O Devī! you are devoid of Prākritic qualities; you are full of qualities; beyond mind and speech; one cannot think out your prowess, etc., by one’s mind. Mother! you are the Highest Force; ever willing to destroy the miseries of your devoted persons. Your influence is manifest everywhere; what eulogy can I sing of Thee.

Ch 23 Verse 45 Verse

Sanskrit Text

वाग्देवता त्वमसि सर्वगतैव बुद्धि- र्विद्या मतिश्च गतिरप्यसि सर्वजन्तोः । त्वां स्तौमि किं त्वमसि सर्वमनोनियन्त्री किं स्तूयते हि सततं खलु चात्मरूपम् ॥ ४५ ॥

English Translation

O Devī! You are the Goddess of Vāk (speech) of all beings; you are the all pervading intelligence, mind, effort, and movements; you are the controller of the minds of all; therefore how can I praise You? O Goddess; You are the Self of all; how can I sing eulogies to You, who are beyond speech and mind, and to the Universal Self.

Ch 23 Verse 46 Verse

Sanskrit Text

ब्रह्मा हरश्च हरिरप्यनिशं स्तुवन्तो नान्तं गताः सुरवराः किल ते गुणानाम् । क्वाहं विभेदमतिरम्ब गुणैर्वृतो वै वक्तुं क्षमस्तव चरित्रमहोऽप्रसिद्धः ॥ ४६ ॥

English Translation

Brahmā, Hari and Hara and other higher Devas have not been able to find the limits of your qualities, though they are incessantly chanting your praises; O Goddess! I am the small of the smallest, I am without qualification, and bound by Prākritic qualities; I am ignorant as regards Jīva and Brahmā. O Mother! I will never be able to describe Your characteristics that are unfathomable.

Ch 23 Verse 47 Verse

Sanskrit Text

सत्सङ्गतिः कथमहो न करोति कामं प्रासङ्गिकापि विहिता खलु चित्तशुद्धिः । जामातुरस्य विहितेन समागमेन प्राप्तं मयाऽद्भुतमिदं तव दर्शनं वै ॥ ४७ ॥

English Translation

O Mother! why not good companionships effect the fulfilment of one’s desires. The purification of my heart has been effected incidentally. O Mother! my son-in-law is wholly devoted to you; accidentally there has arisen the connection between him and me and it is on account of his connection that I have been able to see You.

Ch 23 Verse 48 Verse

Sanskrit Text

ब्रह्माऽपि वाञ्छति सदैव हरो हरिश्च सेन्द्राः सुराश्च मुनयो विदितार्थतत्त्वाः । यद्दर्शनं जननि तेऽद्य मया दुरापं प्राप्तं विना दमशमादिसमाधिभिश्च ॥ ४८ ॥

English Translation

O Mother! Today I have got without any restraint and control of passions, and samādhi, the rare vision of You, who is wanted to be seen even by Brahmā, Hari and Hara, Indra and the other Devas and by the Munis, who have attained their realisation. Therefore who is there in this Trilokī, that is so fortunate as I am.

Ch 23 Verse 49 Verse

Sanskrit Text

क्वाहं सुमन्दमतिराशु तवावलोकं क्वेदं भवानि भवभेषजमद्वितीयम् । ज्ञाताऽसि देवि सततं किल भावयुक्ता भक्तानुकम्पनपरामरवर्गपूज्या ॥ ४९ ॥

English Translation

O Bhavānī! Where am I, void of intelligence and where is the rare vision of You, Who is the only medicine of this disease of the ocean of world? Still, O Mother! Who is worshipped by the Devas, I have got Your vision. Now I have come to know that You always show mercy to Your Bhaktas, who are in their Bhavas (mental images of your Self).

Ch 23 Verse 50 Verse

Sanskrit Text

किं वर्णयामि तव देवि चरित्रमेतद् यद्रक्षितोऽस्ति विषमेऽत्र सुदर्शनोऽयम् । शत्रू हतौ सुबलिनौ तरसा त्वयाद्य भक्तानुकम्पि चरितं परमं पवित्रम् ॥ ५० ॥

English Translation

O Goddess! You have saved Sudarśan in this great war crisis and You have slain these two powerful enemies. How can I describe your prowess in this matter? This I have understood that Your Holy Character ever shows mercy on Your devotees.

Ch 23 Verse 51 Verse

Sanskrit Text

नाश्चर्यमेतदिति देवि विचारितेऽर्थे त्वं पासि सर्वमखिलं स्थिरजङ्गमं वै । त्रातस्त्वया च विनिहत्य रिपुर्दयातः संरक्षितोऽयमधुना ध्रुवसन्धिसूनुः ॥ ५१ ॥

English Translation

O Goddess! Again this is not a matter to be wondered at, if one considers; for You are protecting this whole universe, moving and unmoving; and accordingly You have now protected, out of Your mercy, your Bhakta Sudarśana, the son of Dhruvasandhi, by killing his enemy.

Ch 23 Verse 52 Verse

Sanskrit Text

भक्तस्य सेवनपरस्य स्वयशोऽतिदीप्तं कर्तुं भवानि रचितं चरितं त्वयैतत् । नोचेत्कथं सुपरिगृह्य सुतां मदीयां युद्धे भवेत्कुशलवाननवद्यशीलः ॥ ५२ ॥

English Translation

O Bhavānī! It is not merely for the protection of your Bhaktas, engaged in Your service, that You shew this favour but also to extol the meritorious deeds of your Bhaktas that You do such things; otherwise how is it that this Bhakta saintlike Sudarśana, by marrying my daughter, has got victory in this battle field?

Ch 23 Verse 53 Verse

Sanskrit Text

शक्ताऽसि जन्ममरणादिभयान्विहन्तुं किं चित्रमत्र किल भक्तजनस्य कामम् । त्वं गीयसे जननि भक्तजनैरपारा त्वं पापपुण्यरहिता सगुणाऽगुणा च ॥ ५३ ॥

English Translation

O Mother! You are fully capable to destroy the fear of birth and death. What wonder is there that you fulfill the desires of your Bhaktas? The Bhaktas extol You by characterising You as Saguṇa (full of qualities), Nirguṇa (devoid of any quality) and Apārā, beyond all merits and demerits.

Ch 23 Verse 54 Verse

Sanskrit Text

त्वद्दर्शनादहमहो सुकृती कृतार्थो जातोऽस्मि देवि भुवनेश्वरि धन्यजन्मा । बीजं न ते न भजनं किल वेद्मि मात- र्ज्ञातस्तवाद्य महिमा प्रकटप्रभावः ॥ ५४ ॥

English Translation

O Goddess! O Bhuvaneśvarī! I am fortunate that I have been able to see You, and thus all my duties have become crowned with success. O Mother! I have no practices in the shape of Your meditation, etc. nor do I know any seed mantras of Yours; today I have fully seen Your glory manifested.

Ch 23 Verse 55 Verse

Sanskrit Text

व्यास उवाच । एवं स्तुता तदा देवी प्रसन्नवदना शिवा । उवाच च नृपं देवी वरं वरय सुव्रत ॥ ५५ ॥

Sanskrit Colophon

इति श्रीमद्देवीभागवते महापुराणेऽष्टादशसाहस्र्यां संहितायां तृतीयस्कन्धे सुबाहुकृतदेवीस्तुतिवर्णनं नाम त्रयोविंशोऽध्यायः ॥ ३.२३॥

English Translation

Vyāsa said :-- Thus extolled by the king Subāhu, the Goddess Bhagavatī, the Bestower of the Absolute Freedom, was pleased and said “O thou, practiser of good vows! Ask boon from Me.” Thus ends the twenty third chapter on the killing of the enemy of Sudarśana in the great war, in Śrīmad Devī Bhāgavatam of 18,000 verses by Maharṣi Veda Vyāsa.