Ch 11 Verse 1 Verse

Sanskrit Text

४.११ एकादशोऽध्यायः । शुक्रमातुर्वधवर्णनम् । व्यास उवाच । तथा गतेषु देवेषु काव्यस्तान्प्रत्युवाच ह । ब्रह्मणा पूर्वमुक्तं यच्छ्रुणुध्वं दानवोत्तमाः ॥ १ ॥

English Translation

Vyāsa said :-- When the Devas retired from the battlefield, Śukrācārya addressed the Demons thus :-- O best of the Demons! Please hear, what had been told to me by Brahmā in days of yore.

Ch 11 Verse 2-3 Verse

Sanskrit Text

विष्णुर्दैत्यवधे युक्तो हनिष्यति जनार्दनः । वाराहरूपं संस्थाय हिरण्याक्षो यथा हतः ॥ २ ॥ यथा नृसिंहरूपेण हिरण्यकशिपुर्हतः । तथा सर्वान्कृतोत्साहो हनिष्यति न चान्यथा ॥ ३ ॥

English Translation

Janārdan Viṣṇu is coming here to slay all the Demons, He killed before Hiraṇyākṣa, the king of the Asuras, in His Boar incarnation. He killed Hiraṇyakasipu by assuming His Man-Lion appearance; now too, he will kill all the Daityas, no doubt, with great enthusiasm.

Ch 11 Verse 4-5 Verse

Sanskrit Text

न मे मन्त्रबलं सम्यक्प्रतिभाति यथा हरिम् । जेतुं यूयं समर्थाः स्थ मया त्राताः सुरानथ ॥ ४ ॥ तस्मात्कालं प्रतीक्षध्वं कियन्तं दानवोत्तमाः । अहमद्य महादेवं मन्त्रार्थं प्रव्रजामि वै ॥ ५ ॥

English Translation

Now my mantra force will not be of any avail before Śrī Hari. And without my help you will not be able to conquer the Devas. Therefore, O Demons, wait for some time for me; I will start today to the presence of Śiva Mahādeva to obtain from him the Mantra Śakti.

Ch 11 Verse 6 Verse

Sanskrit Text

प्राप्य मन्त्रान्महादेवादागमिष्यामि साम्प्रतम् । युष्मभ्यं तान्प्रदास्यामि यथार्थं दानवोत्तमाः ॥ ६ ॥

English Translation

I will return, as early as possible, getting the Mantra from Śrī Mahādeva; and with the help of the power of those great Mantras I will be able to protect you thoroughly.

Ch 11 Verse 7 Verse

Sanskrit Text

दैत्या ऊचुः । पराजिताः कथं स्थातुं पृथिव्यां मुनिसत्तम । शक्ता भवामोऽप्यबलास्तावत्कालं प्रतीक्षितुम् ॥ ७ ॥

English Translation

The Daityas said :-- O best of the Munis! We are now defeated and our forces are well nigh exhausted; how will we be able to stay on this earth and expect your return for so long a time?

Ch 11 Verse 8 Verse

Sanskrit Text

निहता बलिनः सर्वे केचिच्छिष्टाश्च दानवाः । नाद्य युक्ताश्च सङ्ग्रामे स्थातुमेवं सुखावहाः ॥ ८ ॥

English Translation

Those who were of great strength amongst us, they all are slain; now we are left very few in number. In this crisis it is not advisable and auspicious for us to remain here in this battlefield.

Ch 11 Verse 9 Verse

Sanskrit Text

शुक्र उवाच । यावदहं मन्त्रविद्यामानयिष्यामि शङ्करात् । तावद्भवद्भिः स्थातव्यं तपोयुक्तैः शमान्वितैः ॥ ९ ॥

English Translation

Śukrācārya said :-- Better you all stay here until I return, getting the requisite Mantra; remain peaceful and engaged in asceticism.

Ch 11 Verse 10 Verse

Sanskrit Text

सामदानादयः प्रोक्ता विद्वद्भिः समयोचिताः । देशं कालं बलं वीरैर्ज्ञात्वा शक्तिं बलं बुधैः ॥ १० ॥

English Translation

The heroes apply one or other of the following four measures :-- conciliation, alliance, gifts and bribery, partitions and sowing dissensions and punishment or open attack according to the conditions of time, place strength and circumstances.

Ch 11 Verse 11 Verse

Sanskrit Text

सेवाथ समये कार्या शत्रूणां शुभकाम्यया । स्वशक्त्युपचये काले हन्तव्यास्ते मनीषिभिः ॥ ११ ॥

English Translation

Intelligent and well wishing persons do serve their enemies even in time of distress; but no sooner they find that their strength and army have increased, than they try at once to kill all their enemies.

Ch 11 Verse 12 Verse

Sanskrit Text

तदद्य विनयं कृत्वा सामपूर्वं छलेन वै । तिष्ठध्वं स्वनिकेतेषु मदागमनकाङ्क्षया ॥ १२ ॥

English Translation

Now, therefore, pretend your meekness and allegiance and adopt peace and remain in your own place until my arrival.

Ch 11 Verse 13 Verse

Sanskrit Text

प्राप्य मन्त्रान्महादेवादागमिष्यामि दानवाः । युध्यामहे पुनर्देवान्मान्त्रमास्थाय वै बलम् ॥ १३ ॥

English Translation

O Demons! I will come back with the Mantra from Mahādeva. I will fight again with the Devas, by that veritable mantra power.

Ch 11 Verse 14 Verse

Sanskrit Text

इत्युक्त्वाथ भृगुस्तेभ्यो जगाम कृतनिश्चयः । महादेवं महाराज मन्त्रार्थं मुनिसत्तमः ॥ १४ ॥

English Translation

O king! Thus firmly making up his mind to have the Mantra, Śukrācārya went to Mahādeva.

Ch 11 Verse 15 Verse

Sanskrit Text

दानवाः प्रेषयामासुः प्रह्लादं सुरसन्निधौ । सत्यवादिनमव्यग्रं सुराणां प्रत्ययप्रदम् ॥ १५ ॥

English Translation

The Dānavas sent Prahlāda to the Devas for conciliation. The Devas regarded Prahlāda truthful and they all trusted on him.

Ch 11 Verse 16 Verse

Sanskrit Text

प्रह्लादस्तु सुरान्प्राह प्रश्रयावनतो नृपः । असुरैः सहितस्तत्र वचनं नम्रतायुतम् ॥ १६ ॥

English Translation

Prahlāda with Asuras addressed thus the Devas with gentleness and humility.

Ch 11 Verse 17 Verse

Sanskrit Text

न्यस्तशस्त्रा वयं सर्वे निःसन्नाहास्तथैव च । देवास्तपश्चरिष्यामः संवृता वल्कलैर्युताः ॥ १७ ॥

English Translation

O Immortals! We all have abandoned our weapons and armour. Now we desire to wear barks of trees and practise asceticism.

Ch 11 Verse 18 Verse

Sanskrit Text

प्रह्लादस्य वचः श्रुत्वा सत्याभिव्याहृतं तु तत् । ततो देवा न्यवर्तन्त विज्वरा मुदिताश्च ते ॥ १८ ॥

English Translation

The Devās took Prahlāda’s words to be true and deserted from further fight; were freed of anxiety and felt all delighted.

Ch 11 Verse 19 Verse

Sanskrit Text

न्यस्तशस्त्रेषु दैत्येषु विनिवृत्तास्तदा सुराः । विश्रब्धाः स्वगृहान्गत्वा क्रीडासक्ताः सुसंस्थिताः ॥ १९ ॥

English Translation

On the Daitya’s leaving their weapons, the Gods desisted from battle, went to their respective places and freely gave themselves up to pleasure and amusements.

Ch 11 Verse 20 Verse

Sanskrit Text

दैत्या दम्भं समालम्ब्य तापसास्तपिसंयुताः । कश्यपस्याश्रमे वासं चक्रुः काव्यागमेच्छया ॥ २० ॥

English Translation

The Daityas controlled themselves and practised asceticism in the Kaśyapa’s hermitage, expecting the return of Śukrācārya.

Ch 11 Verse 21 Verse

Sanskrit Text

काव्यो गत्वाथ कैलासं महादेवं प्रणम्य च । उवाच विभुना पृष्टः किं ते कार्यमिति प्रभुः ॥ २१ ॥

English Translation

Śukrācārya went to Kailāsa and made respectful obeisance to the God Mahādeva. Mahādeva enquired of the cause of his coming.

Ch 11 Verse 22 Verse

Sanskrit Text

मन्त्रानिच्छाम्यहं देव ये न सन्ति बृहस्पतौ । पराजयाय देवानामसुराणां जयाय च ॥ २२ ॥

English Translation

Śukrācārya said :-- I ask for Mantras, O Deva! from you that are not possessed by Bṛhaspati, for the defeat of the Devas, and the victory of the Asuras.

Ch 11 Verse 23 Verse

Sanskrit Text

व्यास उवाच । तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं तस्य सर्वज्ञः शङ्करः शिवः । चिन्तयामास मनसा किं कर्तव्यमतः परम् ॥ २३ ॥

English Translation

Vyāsa said :-- On hearing his words, the all-knowing Śaṅkara Śiva began to think what He would do in this matter.

Ch 11 Verse 24 Verse

Sanskrit Text

सुरेषु द्रोहबुद्ध्यासौ मन्त्रार्थमिह साम्प्रतम् । प्राप्तः काव्यो गुरुस्तेषां दैत्यानां विजयाय च ॥ २४ ॥

English Translation

Certainly, this is with the revengeful object of attacking the Devas, for their defeat and for the victory of the Asuras that this Muni has come.

Ch 11 Verse 25 Verse

Sanskrit Text

रक्षणीया मया देवा इति सञ्चिन्त्य शङ्करः । दुष्करं व्रतमत्युग्रं तमुवाच महेश्वरः ॥ २५ ॥

English Translation

The Devas ought to be protected by me; thus thinking, Śaṅkara Maheśvara advised him an entirely difficult tapasyā to practise.

Ch 11 Verse 26 Verse

Sanskrit Text

पूर्णं वर्षसहस्रं तु कणधूममवाक्छिराः । यदि पास्यसि भद्रं ते ततो मन्त्रानवाप्स्यसि ॥ २६ ॥

English Translation

Full one thousand years he would practise tapasyā with feet upwards and head downwards, he will have to inhale the smoke of burnt husk. Then he will get the Mantra and his desires will be fulfilled.

Ch 11 Verse 27 Verse

Sanskrit Text

इत्युक्तोऽसौ प्रणम्येशं बाढमित्यब्रवीद्वचः । व्रतं चराम्यहं देव त्वयाज्ञप्तः सुरेश्वर ॥ २७ ॥

English Translation

That would be done; thus saying to Śaṅkara, Śukrācārya practised that excellent vow, peaceful and inhaling the smoke of husk to get that Mantra.

Ch 11 Verse 28-29 Verse

Sanskrit Text

व्यास उवाच । इत्युक्त्वा शङ्करं काव्यश्चकार व्रतमुत्तमम् । धूमपानरतः शान्तो मन्त्रार्थं कृतनिश्चयः ॥ २८ ॥ ततो देवाः परिज्ञाय काव्यं व्रतरतं तदा । दैत्यान्दम्भरतांश्चैव बभूवुर्मन्त्रतत्पराः ॥ २९ ॥

English Translation

The Devas came to know that Śukrācārya is practising his vow and the Daityas have become arrogant. They then counselled.

Ch 11 Verse 30 Verse

Sanskrit Text

विचार्य मनसा सर्वे सङ्ग्रामायोद्यता नृप । ययुर्धृतायुधास्तत्र यत्र ते दानवोत्तमाः ॥ ३० ॥

English Translation

And came to the conclusion, took up weapons and arms and went to the Daityas, ready to fight.

Ch 11 Verse 31 Verse

Sanskrit Text

तानागतान्समीक्ष्याथ सायुधान्दंशितांस्तथा । आसंस्ते भयसंविग्ना दैत्या देवान्समन्ततः ॥ ३१ ॥

English Translation

The Daityas, seeing the Devas dressed in armour and holding weapons and coming from all sides, became very much afraid and anxious.

Ch 11 Verse 32 Verse

Sanskrit Text

उत्पेतुः सहसा ते वै सन्नद्धान्भयकर्शिताः । अब्रुवन्वचनं तथ्यं ते देवान्वलदर्पितान् ॥ ३२ ॥

English Translation

The Daityas, seeing this all on a sudden, were attacked with fear and began to address the Devas, proud with their army, in words, full of good meanings and morals.

Ch 11 Verse 33 Verse

Sanskrit Text

न्यस्तशस्त्रे भयवति आचार्ये व्रतमास्थिते । दत्त्वाभयं पुरा देवाः सम्प्राप्ता नो जिघांसया ॥ ३३ ॥

English Translation

O Devas! We have abandoned our arms; we are now armless; our spiritual guide is in his tapasyā, you gave us words of fearlessness; why then you have come now dressed in full armour and with armies to kill us.

Ch 11 Verse 34 Verse

Sanskrit Text

सत्यं वः क्व गतं देवा धर्मश्च श्रुतिनोदितः । न्यस्तशस्त्रा न हन्तव्या भीताश्च शरणं गताः ॥ ३४ ॥

English Translation

O Devas! Where is your truth. And where is your religion acccording to Śruti? It is stated in Śruti never to kill the weaponless, the fear stricken, and the refugees.

Ch 11 Verse 35 Verse

Sanskrit Text

देवा ऊचुः । भवद्भिः प्रेषितः काव्यो मन्त्रार्थं कुहकेन च । तपो ज्ञातं हि युष्माकं तेन युध्याम एव हि ॥ ३५ ॥

English Translation

The Devas said :-- You sent your good Śukrācārya, out of pretence to acquire the Mantras; your asceticism is veiled under a deceitful object. Therefore we will fight with you certainly.

Ch 11 Verse 36 Verse

Sanskrit Text

सज्जा भवन्तु युद्धाय संरब्धाः शस्त्रपाणयः । शत्रुश्छिद्रेण हन्तव्य एष धर्मः सनातनः ॥ ३६ ॥

English Translation

Be ready now and dress yourself with your arms and ammunitions, “Lo! Whenever you get any loop hole in your enemies, catch hold of it and kill your enemy.” This is the eternal religion.

Ch 11 Verse 37 Verse

Sanskrit Text

व्यास उवाच । तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं दैत्या विचार्य च परस्परम् । पलायनपराः सर्वे निर्गता भयविह्वलाः ॥ ३७ ॥

English Translation

Vyāsa said :-- On thus hearing the reply from the Devas, the Daityas after consideration quitted that place and fled away with terror.

Ch 11 Verse 38 Verse

Sanskrit Text

शरणं दानवा जग्मुर्भीतास्ते काव्यमातरम् । दृष्ट्वा तानतिसन्तप्तानभयं च ददावथ ॥ ३८ ॥

English Translation

And they took refuge under the Śukrācārya’s mother. She saw the Daityas very much fearstricken and at once guaranteed to them protection from fear.

Ch 11 Verse 39 Verse

Sanskrit Text

काव्यमातोवाच । न भेतव्यं न भेतव्यं भयं त्यजत दानवाः । मत्सन्निधौ वर्तमानान्न भीर्भवितुमर्हति ॥ ३९ ॥

English Translation

The mother of Kāvya Śukrācārya said :-- Don’t fear; don’t fear; cast away fear. O Dānavas! In my presence, no fear can overtake you.

Ch 11 Verse 40 Verse

Sanskrit Text

तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं दैत्याः स्थितास्तत्र गतव्यथाः । निरायुधा ह्यसम्भ्रान्तास्तत्राश्रमवरेऽसुराः ॥ ४० ॥

English Translation

The Asuras on hearing her words were free from anxiety and pain and remained in that hermitage, in no way now bewildered or agitated, though they had no arms.

Ch 11 Verse 41-42 Verse

Sanskrit Text

देवास्तान्विद्रुतान्वीक्ष्य दानवास्ते पदानुगाः । अभिजग्मुः प्रसह्यैतानविचार्य बलाबलम् ॥ ४१ ॥ तत्रागताः सुराः सर्वे हन्तुं दैत्यान्समुद्यताः । वारिताः काव्यमात्रापि जघ्नुस्तानाश्रमस्थितान् ॥ ४२ ॥

English Translation

Here the Devas, seeing the Daityas flying away, pursued them and entering the hermitage were ready to kill the Daityas, not taking into account what strength they gained there. The mother of Śukrā warned the Devas not to kill; but, inspite of her hindrance, they began to slay the Daityas.

Ch 11 Verse 43 Verse

Sanskrit Text

हन्यमानान्सुरैर्दृष्ट्वा काव्यमातातिवेपिता । उवाच सर्वान्सनिद्रांस्तपसा वै करोम्यहम् ॥ ४३ ॥

English Translation

Seeing the Daityas thus attacked, the mother was furiously irritated and told them she would make all of them overpowered by sleep by her tapas strength, clarified intellectual force. Note :--Is it by the asphyxiating gas? Or, by poisonous vapours or liquids?

Ch 11 Verse 44 Verse

Sanskrit Text

इत्युक्त्वा प्रेरिता निद्रा तानागत्य पपात च । सेन्द्रा निद्रावशं याता देवा मूकवदास्थिताः ॥ ४४ ॥

English Translation

So saying she sent the Goddess of sleep who at once overpowered the Gods and made them all lie down on the grounds senseless. Indra with the other Devas lay there dumb, and miserable.

Ch 11 Verse 45 Verse

Sanskrit Text

इन्द्रं निद्राजितं दृष्ट्वा दीनं विष्णुरभाषत । मां त्वं प्रविश भद्रं ते नये त्वां च सुरोत्तम ॥ ४५ ॥

English Translation

On seeing Indra thus stupefied by sleep, the Bhagavān Viṣṇu told Indra to enter into His body. He would then carry him to another place and he will be better.

Ch 11 Verse 46-47 Verse

Sanskrit Text

एवमुक्तस्ततो विष्णुं प्रविवेश पुरन्दरः । निर्भयो गतनिद्रश्च बभूव हरिरक्षितः ॥ ४६ ॥ रक्षितं हरिणा दृष्ट्वा शक्रं तत्र गतव्यथम् । काव्यमाता ततः क्रुद्धा वचनं चेदमब्रवीत् ॥ ४७ ॥

English Translation

Indra entered into the Viṣṇu’s body; and, under His protection, he became free from sleep and fear. On seeing Indra thus sheltered by Viṣṇu and fearless, the mother of Kāvya spoke.

Ch 11 Verse 48 Verse

Sanskrit Text

मघवंस्त्वां भक्षयामि सविष्णुं वै तपोबलात् । पश्यतां सर्वदेवानामीदृशं मे तपोबलम् ॥ ४८ ॥

English Translation

O Indra! I will devour you with Viṣṇu today by my Tapas force. All the Devas will presently see all this and my extraordinary power. N.B.: Is it by making the earth go down, causing a fissure, thus engulfing the whole army? Or by blowing them up? Or by showering jets of poisonous gas or hot water or vapour from all sides.

Ch 11 Verse 49 Verse

Sanskrit Text

व्यास उवाच । इत्युक्तौ तु तया देवौ विष्ण्विन्द्रौ योगविद्यया । अभिभूतौ महात्मानौ स्तब्धौ तौ सम्बभूवतुः ॥ ४९ ॥

English Translation

Vyāsa said :-- O king! No sooner the mother spoke thus, than both Indra and Viṣṇu were both stupefied under her magical spell, superior thought power, and a thorough learning of the art of warfare.

Ch 11 Verse 50 Verse

Sanskrit Text

विस्मितास्तु तदा देवा दृष्ट्वा तावतिबाधितौ । चक्रुः किलकिलाशब्दं ततस्ते दीनमानसाः ॥ ५० ॥

English Translation

The Devas, seeing them very much overpowered and bewildered, were greatly struck with wonder; they became desperate and began to cry aloud.

Ch 11 Verse 51 Verse

Sanskrit Text

क्रोशमानान्सुरान्दृष्ट्वा विष्णुं प्राह शचीपतिः । विशेषेणाभिभूतोऽस्मि त्वत्तोऽहं मधुसूदन ॥ ५१ ॥

English Translation

Indra, on hearing the Devas cry aloud, told Viṣṇu, O Madhusūdana! I am more bewildered in particular than yourself.

Ch 11 Verse 52 Verse

Sanskrit Text

जह्येनां तरसा विष्णो यावन्नौ न दहेत्प्रभो । तपसा दर्पितां दुष्टां मा विचारय माधव ॥ ५२ ॥

English Translation

O Mādhava! No need of any further consideration. Before this wretch, inflated with pride by her tapasyā, burns us, better cause her death as early as possible.

Ch 11 Verse 53 Verse

Sanskrit Text

इत्युक्तो भगवान्विष्णुः शक्रेण प्रथितेन च । चक्रं सस्मार तरसा घृणां त्यक्त्वाथ माधवः ॥ ५३ ॥

English Translation

When thus requested by Indra who was very much perplexed, Bhagavān Viṣṇu quickly remembered his Sudarśana disc, casting aside the thought that it is hateful to kill a woman.

Ch 11 Verse 54-55 Verse

Sanskrit Text

स्मृतमात्रं तु सम्प्राप्तं चक्रं विष्णुवशानुगम् । दधार च करे क्रुद्धो वधार्थं शक्रनोदितः ॥ ५४ ॥ गृहीत्वा तत्करे चक्रं शिरश्चिच्छेद रंहसा । हतां दृष्ट्वा तु तां शक्रो मुदितश्चाभवत्तदा ॥ ५५ ॥

English Translation

The disc, the ever obedient weapon of Viṣṇu appeared instantly at his remembrance; and Viṣṇu, becoming angry as prompted by Indra held the disc in His hand, and, hurling it off on the Śukrā’s mother, severed off her head quickly. The god Indra became very glad at this.

Ch 11 Verse 56 Verse

Sanskrit Text

देवाश्चातीव सन्तुष्टा हरिं जय जयेति च । तुष्टुवुर्मुदिताः सर्वे सञ्जाता विगतज्वराः ॥ ५६ ॥

English Translation

The Devas became free from sorrow, got very much pleased and heartily exclaimed victory to Hari and worshipped Him and began to chant His praises.

Ch 11 Verse 57 Verse

Sanskrit Text

इन्द्रविष्णू तु सञ्जातौ तत्क्षणाद्धृदयव्यथौ । स्त्रीवधाच्छङ्कमानौ तु भृगोः शापं दुरत्ययम् ॥ ५७ ॥

Sanskrit Colophon

इति श्रीमद्देवीभागवते महापुराणेऽष्टादशसाहस्र्यां संहितायां चतुर्थस्कन्धे शुक्रमातुर्वधवर्णनं नामेकादशोऽध्यायः ॥ ४.११॥

English Translation

Indra and Viṣṇu then became free from all troubles; but they began to fear that Bhṛgu (Śukrā’s father) would curse them terribly and without fail. Here ends the Eleventh Chapter in the Fourth Book of Śrī mad Devī Bhāgavatam, the Mahā Purāṇam of 18,000 verses by Maharṣi Veda Vyāsa, on Śukrā’s going to Mahādeva to get the Mantra.