Ch 7 Verse 1-2 Verse

Sanskrit Text

५.७ सप्तमोऽध्यायः । शङ्करशरणगमनवर्णनम् । व्यास उवाच । असुरान्महिषो दृष्ट्वा विषण्णमनसस्तदा । त्यक्त्वा तन्माहिषं रूपं बभूव मृगराडसौ ॥ १ ॥ कृत्वा नादं महाघोरं विस्तार्य च महासटाम् । पपात सुरसेनायां त्रासयन्नखदर्शनैः ॥ २ ॥

English Translation

Vyāsa said :-- O King! Mahiṣa seeing the Dānavas afflicted with grief, quitted his buffalo appearance, assumed a lion form and spreading this long manes began to roar aloud and fell amidst the Deva forces; then the Devas were terrified on seeing his sharp nails.

Ch 7 Verse 3 Verse

Sanskrit Text

गरुडञ्च नखाघातैः कृत्वा रुधिरविप्लुतम् । जघान च भुजे विष्णुं नखाघातेन केसरी ॥ ३ ॥

English Translation

That lion-form Mahiṣa first attacked so severely the Garuḍa with his nails, that his whole body was besmeared with blood; then he attacked Viṣṇu’s arms with his nails.

Ch 7 Verse 4 Verse

Sanskrit Text

वासुदेवोऽपि तं दृष्ट्वा चक्रमुद्यम्य वेगवान् । हन्तुकामो हरिः काममवापाशु क्रुधान्वितः ॥ ४ ॥

English Translation

Seeing the Dānava, Vāsudeva Hari raised his discus in anger and attacked him with great force to kill him.

Ch 7 Verse 5 Verse

Sanskrit Text

यावद्धयरिपुं वेगाच्चक्रेणाभिजघान तम् । तावत्सोऽतिबलः शृङ्गी शृङ्गाभ्यां न्यहनद्धरिम् ॥ ५ ॥

English Translation

Just when Hari struck the Dānava violently with his Cakra, the powerful Dānava quitted immediately his lion-form, assumed the buffalo form and struck Hari with his two horns.

Ch 7 Verse 6 Verse

Sanskrit Text

वासुदेवो विषाणाभ्यां ताडितोरसि विह्वलः । पलायनपरो वेगाज्जगाम भुवनं निजम् ॥ ६ ॥

English Translation

Vāsudeva, thus pierced in his breast with the horns, became confounded and fled away as best as he could till he reached his own abode, Vaikunṭha.

Ch 7 Verse 7 Verse

Sanskrit Text

गतं दृष्ट्वा हरिं कामं शङ्करोऽपि भयान्वितः । अवध्यं तं परं मत्वा ययौ कैलासपर्वतम् ॥ ७ ॥

English Translation

Seeing Hari thus fleeing away, Śaṅkara, too, thought him invulnerable and fled to his Kailāśa mountain with fear.

Ch 7 Verse 8 Verse

Sanskrit Text

ब्रह्मापि च निजं धाम त्वरितः प्रययौ भयात् । मघवा वज्रमालम्ब्य तस्थावाजौ महाबलः ॥ ८ ॥

English Translation

Brahmā, too, fled to his own abode with terror; but the powerful Vāsava took patience and remained steady in the battle.

Ch 7 Verse 9 Verse

Sanskrit Text

वरुणः शक्तिमालम्ब्य धैर्यमालम्ब्य संस्थितः । यमोऽपि दण्डमादाय यत्तः समरतत्परः ॥ ९ ॥

English Translation

Varuṇa taking his Śakti waited patiently for battle. Yama, too, with his staff remained there ready to fight.

Ch 7 Verse 10 Verse

Sanskrit Text

ततो यक्षाधिपः कामं बभूव रणतत्परः । पावकः शक्तिमादाय तत्राभूद्युद्धमानसः ॥ १० ॥

English Translation

Kuvera, the Lord of the Yakṣas, remained very busy in close fighting with the Dānavas; Fire, taking Śakti, also waited.

Ch 7 Verse 11 Verse

Sanskrit Text

नक्षत्राधिपतिः सूर्यः समवेतौ स्थितावुभौ । वीक्ष्य तं दानवश्रेष्ठं युद्धाय कृतनिश्चयौ ॥ ११ ॥

English Translation

The Sun and Moon, the Lord of the stars, both remained in firm resolve to fight with Mahiṣa, Lord of the Dānavas.

Ch 7 Verse 12 Verse

Sanskrit Text

एतस्मिन्नन्तरे क्रुद्धं दैत्यसैन्यं समभ्यगात् । विसृजन्बाणजालानि क्रूराहिसदृशानि च ॥ १२ ॥

English Translation

O King! In the meanwhile, the Dānava forces got angry and attacked them on all sides, shooting at the enemies a mass of dangerous serpent-like arrows.

Ch 7 Verse 13 Verse

Sanskrit Text

कृत्वा हि माहिषं रूपं भूपतिः संस्थितस्तदा । देवदानवयोधानां निनादस्तुमुलोऽभवत् ॥ १३ ॥

English Translation

The Lord of the Dānavas, Mahiṣa, too, assuming the buffalo appearance, reigned supreme in the middle.

Ch 7 Verse 14 Verse

Sanskrit Text

ज्याघातश्च तलाघातो मेघनादसमोऽभवत् । सङ्ग्रामे सुमहाघोरे देवदानवसेनयोः ॥ १४ ॥

English Translation

At this moment fierce sounds of the warriors on both the sides were heard. During the sharp contest of the Devas and Dānavas, the sounds from the bowstrings and the clappings of the hands were heard like the roarings of thunder.

Ch 7 Verse 15 Verse

Sanskrit Text

शृङ्गाभ्यां पार्वताञ्छृङ्गांश्चिक्षेप च महाबलः । जघान सुरसङ्घांश्च दानवो मदगर्वितः ॥ १५ ॥

English Translation

The powerful Dānava, then, swelled with pride, began to hurl the mountain tops with his horns, thus killing the Deva forces.

Ch 7 Verse 16 Verse

Sanskrit Text

खुराघातैस्तथा देवान्पुच्छस्य भ्रमणेन च । स जघान रुषाविष्टो महिषः परमाद्भुतः ॥ १६ ॥

English Translation

Some by hoofs and some by the lashing of the tail, that angry Mahiṣa, very wonderful to behold, sent to the region of Death.

Ch 7 Verse 17 Verse

Sanskrit Text

ततो देवाः सगन्धर्वा भयमाजग्मुरुद्यताः । मघवा महिषं दृष्ट्वा पलायनपरोऽभवत् ॥ १७ ॥

English Translation

Then the Devas and Gandarbhas became very much frightened; so much so, that Indra fled away at once on the sight of Mahiṣa.

Ch 7 Verse 18-20 Verse

Sanskrit Text

सङ्गरं सम्परित्यज्य गते शक्रे शचीपतौ । यमो धनाधिपः पाशी जग्मुः सर्वे भयातुराः ॥ १८ ॥ महिषोऽपि जयं मत्वा जगाम स्वगृहं ततः । ऐरावतं गजं प्राप्य त्यक्तमिन्द्रेण गच्छता ॥ १९ ॥ तथोच्चैःश्रवसं भानोः कामधेनुं पयस्विनीम् । स्वसैन्यसंवृतस्तूर्णं स्वर्गं गन्तुं मनो दधे ॥ २० ॥

English Translation

Indra thus retreating from the field, Yama, Kuvera, and Varuṇa all quitted the battle-ground with fear. Indra fled away quitting his Airāvata elephant and Uccaiśravā horse; so Mahiṣa got the possession of the elephant and the horse, as well the heavenly cow of the Sun. So the Dānavas considered themselves pre-eminently victorious and returned to their abodes.

Ch 7 Verse 21 Verse

Sanskrit Text

तरसा देवसदनं गत्वा स महिषासुरः । जग्राह सुरराज्यं वै त्यक्तं देवैर्भयातुरैः ॥ २१ ॥

English Translation

Next they wanted to go, as early as possible, to the Heavens, with all their forces. In no time Mahiṣa went to the abode of Indra, deserted by all the terror-stricken Devas and got the possession thereof.

Ch 7 Verse 22 Verse

Sanskrit Text

इन्द्रासने तथा रम्ये दानवः समुपाविशत् । दानवान्स्थापयामास देवानां स्थानकेषु सः ॥ २२ ॥

English Translation

Then taking his seat on the beautiful throne of Indra, he made the other Dānavas occupy the several seats of the other Devas.

Ch 7 Verse 23 Verse

Sanskrit Text

एवं वर्षशतं पूर्णं कृत्वा युद्धं सुदारुणम् । अवापैन्द्रपदं कामं दानवो मदगर्वितः ॥ २३ ॥

English Translation

Thus fighting full one hundred years, the Dānava Mahiṣa, puffed up with pride, acquired the seat of Indra, his desired object.

Ch 7 Verse 24 Verse

Sanskrit Text

निर्जरा निर्गता नाकात्तेन सर्वेऽतिपीडिताः । एवं बहूनि वर्षाणि बभ्रमुर्गिरिगह्वरे ॥ २४ ॥

English Translation

He banished the Devas from the Heavens; the Devas, thus tormented began to wander in the caves of hills and dales for a period of good many years.

Ch 7 Verse 25 Verse

Sanskrit Text

श्रान्ताः सर्वे तदा राजन् ब्रह्माणं शरणं ययुः । प्रजापतिं जगन्नाथं रजोरूपं चतुर्मुखम् ॥ २५ ॥

English Translation

O King! The Devas, at last, were quite tired and took the four-faced Brahmā, the Creator’s refuge.

Ch 7 Verse 26-27 Verse

Sanskrit Text

पद्मासनं वेदगर्भं सेवितं मुनिभिः स्वजैः । मरीचिप्रमुखैः शान्तैर्वेदवेदाङ्गपारगैः ॥ २६ ॥ किन्नरैः सिद्धगन्धर्वैश्चारणोरगपन्नगैः । तुष्टुवुर्भयभीतास्ते देवदेवं जगद्गुरुम् ॥ २७ ॥

English Translation

At that instant, the Lord of the world, the Rajas incarnate, the Originator of the Vedas, was seated on His lotus seat; surrounding Him were standing his mortal sons Marīci, etc., with their passions subdued, mind calm and beyond the sphere of the Vedas and Vedāṅgas; there were there also Siddhas, Gandarbhas, Kinnaras, Cāranas, Uragas, and Pannagas. The terrified Devas then began to praise and chant hymns to Brahmā, the Lord of the world.

Ch 7 Verse 28 Verse

Sanskrit Text

देवा ऊचुः । धातः किमेतदखिलार्तिहराम्बुजन्म जन्माभिवीक्ष्य न दयां कुरुषे सुरान् यत् । सम्पीडितान् रणजितानसुराधिपेन स्थानच्युतान् गिरिगुहाकृतसन्निवासान् ॥ २८ ॥

English Translation

The Devas said :-- “O Creator! O Lotus-born! O Thou, the Remover of the pains and afflictions of all this world! How is it that you are not moved with pity towards the Devas, seeing that we are defeated by the lord of the Dānavas and have been banished from our abode; what more shall we say, our troubles are now indescribable, as we are living in the caves of hills and dales.

Ch 7 Verse 29 Verse

Sanskrit Text

पुत्रान्पिता किमपराधशतैः समेता- न्सन्त्यज्य लोभरहितः कुरुतेऽतिदुःस्थान् । यस्त्वं सुरांस्तव पदाम्बुजभक्तियुक्ता- न्दैत्यार्दितांश्च कृपणान् यदुपेक्षसेऽद्य ॥ २९ ॥

English Translation

O Creator! A son may be a hundred times guilty of offence; is it, then, that the father, devoid of any feeling of covetousness, deserts his sons and gives them trouble! We are oppressed by the Dānavas, we who are wholly devoted to your lotus-feet, why are you today showing signs of indifference towards us!

Ch 7 Verse 30 Verse

Sanskrit Text

अमरभुवनराज्यं तेन भुक्तं नितान्तं मखहविरपि योग्यं ब्राह्मणैराददाति । सुरतरुवरपुष्पं सेवतेऽसौ दुरात्मा जलनिधिनिधिभूतां गामसौ सेवते ताम् ॥ ३० ॥

English Translation

That wicked Dānava is thoroughly enjoying to-day the Heavens of the Devas, is forcibly taking their share of the oblations of clarified butter in the Yajñas (sacrifices) from the Brāhmaṇas; is enjoying the Pārijāta tree and also the heavenly milching cow, the jewel of the ocean.

Ch 7 Verse 31 Verse

Sanskrit Text

किं वा गृणीमः सुरकार्यमद्भुतं जानासि देवेश सुरारिचेष्टितम् । ज्ञानेन सर्वं त्वमशेषकार्यवि- त्तस्मात्प्रभो ते प्रणताः स्म पादयोः ॥ ३१ ॥

English Translation

What more shall we describe to you the strange doings of the Asuras; O Lord of the Devas! You are perfectly aware of all that they strive and execute; for, by your knowledge, you know everything of this world; therefore, O Lord! We lie prostrate at your feet.

Ch 7 Verse 32 Verse

Sanskrit Text

यत्रापि कुत्रापि गतान्सुरानसौ नानाचरित्रः खलु पापमानसः । पीडां करोत्येव स दुष्टचेष्टित- स्त्रातासि देवेश विधेहि शं विभो ॥ ३२ ॥

English Translation

That vicious Dānava, of wicked character and full of mischievous actions, gives us troubles in various ways wherever we go; O Lord of the Devas! Thou art our only Protector; therefore, O Lord! Do what is good to us.

Ch 7 Verse 33 Verse

Sanskrit Text

नो चेद्वयं दावमहाग्निपीडिताः कं शान्तिकर्तारमनन्ततेजसम् । यामः प्रजेशं शरणं सुरेष्टं धातारमाद्यं परिमुच्य कं शिवम् ॥ ३३ ॥

English Translation

Thou art the Awarder of the desires of the Devas. Thou art the First Creator of the world, and Preserver; therefore if Thou dost not do us our good, to whom else shall we take refuge, when we are so severely oppressed as if we are burnt in a forest conflagration! Who else is more lustrous, more beneficent and more peace-giving Governor?

Ch 7 Verse 34-35 Verse

Sanskrit Text

व्यास उवाच । इति स्तुत्वा सुराः सर्वे प्रणेमुस्तं प्रजापतिम् । बद्धाञ्जलिपुटाः सर्वे विषण्णवदना भृशम् ॥ ३४ ॥ तांस्तथा पीडितान्दृष्ट्वा तदा लोकपितामहः । उवाच श्लक्ष्णया वाचा सुखं सञ्जनयन्निव ॥ ३५ ॥

English Translation

Vyāsa said :-- O king! All the Devas, praising Him thus, bowed down to the Lord of creation with folded hands and saluted him, with their faces very heavy, overladen with deep sorrow. The Grand Sire of all the Lokas, seeing the plight of the Devas, consoled them with sweet words and made them happy.

Ch 7 Verse 36 Verse

Sanskrit Text

ब्रह्मोवाच । किं करोमि सुराः कामं दानवो वरदर्पितः । स्त्रीवध्योऽसौ न पुंवध्यो विधेयं तत्र किं पुनः ॥ ३६ ॥

English Translation

O Suras! What shall I do? The Dānava has become exceedingly haughty on account of his getting boons; he can be killed by females only; He is invulnerable by any male.

Ch 7 Verse 37-38 Verse

Sanskrit Text

व्रजामोऽद्य सुराः सर्वे कैलासं पर्वतोत्तमम् । शङ्करं पुरतः कृत्वा सर्वकार्यविशारदम् ॥ ३७ ॥ ततो व्रजाम वैकुण्ठं यत्र देवो जनार्दनः । मिलित्वा देवकार्यञ्च विमृशामो विशेषतः ॥ ३८ ॥

English Translation

What remedy is there now? Therefore, O Suras! Let us all go to Kailāsa, the best of all the mountains; thence we will take Śaṅkara, the expert in doing the works of Gods, and go to Vaikunṭha, where Viṣṇu, the Deva of the Devas resides. There we all will unite and hold a counsel and decide what is best to do, to serve the purpose of the gods.

Ch 7 Verse 39-40 Verse

Sanskrit Text

इत्युक्त्वा हंसमारुह्य ब्रह्मा कार्यसमुच्चये । देवांश्च पृष्ठतः कृत्वा कैलासाभिमुखो ययौ ॥ ३९ ॥ तावच्छिवोऽपि तरसा ज्ञात्वा ध्यानेन पद्मजम् । आगच्छन्तं सुरैः सार्धं निर्गतः स्वगृहाद्बहिः ॥ ४० ॥

English Translation

Thus making out the programme, Brahmā riding on his Hamsa went to Kailāsa, accompanied by all the Devas. At the same time Śiva came to know out of his introspection about the coming of Brahmā and the other Devas and soon came out of his dwelling abode.

Ch 7 Verse 41 Verse

Sanskrit Text

दृष्ट्वा परस्परं तौ तु कृताभिवादनौ भृशम् । प्रणतौ च सुरैः सर्वैः सन्तुष्टौ सम्बभूवतुः ॥ ४१ ॥

English Translation

When they met each other, they saluted each other and felt very glad. The Devas then bowed down to them.

Ch 7 Verse 42 Verse

Sanskrit Text

आसनानि पृथग्दत्त्वा देवेभ्यो गिरिजापतिः । उपविष्टेषु तेष्वेव निषसादासने स्वके ॥ ४२ ॥

English Translation

Seats were given to the Devas; and when they sat respectively on their Āsanas, the Lord of Pārvatī also took his own seat.

Ch 7 Verse 43 Verse

Sanskrit Text

कृत्वा तु कुशलप्रश्नं ब्रह्माणं वृषभध्वजः । पप्रच्छ कारणं देवान्कैलासागमने विभुः ॥ ४३ ॥

English Translation

Śiva asked the welfare of Brahmā and the Devas and asked the reasons of their coming to Kailāsa.

Ch 7 Verse 44 Verse

Sanskrit Text

शिव उवाच । किमत्रागमनं ब्रह्मन् कृतं देवैः सवासवैः । भवता च महाभाग ब्रूहि तत्कारणं किल ॥ ४४ ॥

English Translation

O Brahmā! What has caused you to come here along with Indra and the other Devas? O highly fortunate one! Please mention it.

Ch 7 Verse 45 Verse

Sanskrit Text

ब्रह्मोवाच । महिषेण सुरेशान पीडिताः स्वर्निवासिनः । भ्रमन्ति गिरिदुर्गेषु भयत्रस्ताः सवासवाः ॥ ४५ ॥

English Translation

Brahmā said :-- O Deva of the Devas! The Dānava Mahiṣa is oppressing all the Devas in the Heavens; they therefore terrified are wandering hither and thither in the caves and hills with Indra.

Ch 7 Verse 46 Verse

Sanskrit Text

यज्ञभुग्महिषो जातस्तथान्ये सुरशत्रवः । पीडिता लोकपालाश्च त्वामद्य शरणं गताः ॥ ४६ ॥

English Translation

Mahiṣa and the other Dānavas are now accepting their share of Yajñas; the Lokopālas, being oppressed, have come to-day and are now taking shelter of Thee.

Ch 7 Verse 47 Verse

Sanskrit Text

मया ते भवनं शम्भो प्रापिताः कार्यगौरवात् । यद्युक्तं तद्विधत्स्वाद्य सुरकार्यं सुरेश्वर ॥ ४७ ॥

English Translation

O Śambhu! Considering the situation serious, I have taken them with me here; therefore, O Deva, do that which is reasonable and by which the purpose of the Devas can be carried out. O Bhūta Bhāvana! (The creator of the world) The whole charge and responsibility of all the Devas devolves on Thee.

Ch 7 Verse 48 Verse

Sanskrit Text

त्वयि भारोऽस्ति सर्वेषां देवानां भूतभावन । व्यास उवाच । इति तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा शङ्करः प्रहसन्निव ॥ ४८ ॥

English Translation

Vyāsa said :-- O King! Hearing thus, Śaṅkara smiled a little and spoke charming words to the Lotus-born in the following manner :--

Ch 7 Verse 49-50 Verse

Sanskrit Text

वचनं श्लक्ष्णया वाचा प्रोवाच पद्मजं प्रति । शिव उवाच । भवतैव कृतं कार्यं वरदानात्पुरा विभो ॥ ४९ ॥ अनर्थदञ्च देवानां किं कर्तव्यमतः परम् । ईदृशो बलवाञ्छूरः सर्वदेवभयप्रदः ॥ ५० ॥

English Translation

O Bibhu! It is You that gave before this boon to Mahiṣa; and therefore it is you that have wrought this mischief. The Dānava has become so strong a hero that he has caused terror to all the Devas even.

Ch 7 Verse 51 Verse

Sanskrit Text

का समर्था वरा नारी तं हन्तुं मददर्पितम् । न मे भार्या न ते भार्या सङ्ग्रामं गन्तुमर्हति ॥ ५१ ॥

English Translation

Now where can we get such a noble woman who becomes able to kill that Dānava, elated with pride. My wife nor your wife ought to go to battle; even if they, the good ladies go, how will they be able to fight?

Ch 7 Verse 52 Verse

Sanskrit Text

गत्वैव ते महाभागे युयुधाते कथं पुनः । इन्द्राणी च महाभागा न युद्धकुशलास्ति हि ॥ ५२ ॥

English Translation

The fortunate wife of Indra, too, is not expert in the art of warfare; where else there is another lady who can kill this demon, blinded with pride.

Ch 7 Verse 53 Verse

Sanskrit Text

कान्या हन्तुं समर्थास्ति तं पापं मददर्पितम् । ममेदं मतमद्यैव गत्वा देवं जनार्दनम् ॥ ५३ ॥

English Translation

I, therefore, propose this; let us all go today to Viṣṇu and, praising him with hymns, engage him quickly to this cause of the gods.

Ch 7 Verse 54-55 Verse

Sanskrit Text

स्तुत्वा तं देवकार्याय प्रेरयामः सुसत्वरम् । सोऽतिबुद्धिमतां श्रेष्ठो विष्णुः सर्वार्थसाधने ॥ ५४ ॥ मिलित्वा वासुदेवं वै कर्तव्यं कार्यचिन्तनम् । प्रपञ्चेन च बुद्ध्या स संविधास्यति साधनम् ॥ ५५ ॥

English Translation

Viṣṇu is foremost amongst the intelligent; therefore it is highly advisable to execute all actions after duly consulting with him. He, by dint of his high intelligence, will find out means and effect our purpose.

Ch 7 Verse 56 Verse

Sanskrit Text

व्यास उवाच । इति रुद्रवचः श्रुत्वा ब्रह्माद्याः सुरसत्तमाः । उत्थितास्ते तथेत्युक्त्वा शिवेन सह सत्वराः ॥ ५६ ॥

English Translation

Vyāsa said :-- O King! Brahmā and the other Devas heard Rudra and approved heartily and saying, “Be it so” instantly rose up.

Ch 7 Verse 57 Verse

Sanskrit Text

स्वकीयैर्वाहनैः सर्वे ययुविष्णपुरं प्रति । मुदिताः शकुनान्दृष्ट्वा कार्यसिद्धिकराञ्छुभान् ॥ ५७ ॥

English Translation

At the time, seeing all the auspicious signs concerning the success of the gods, they all became glad; and, riding on their respective vehicles, drove towards the abode of Viṣṇu.

Ch 7 Verse 58 Verse

Sanskrit Text

ववुर्वाताः शुभाः शान्ताः सुगन्धाः शुभशंसिनः । पक्षिणश्च शिवा वाचस्तत्रोचुः पथि सर्वशः ॥ ५८ ॥

English Translation

Favourable fragrant winds, pleasant to touch, began to blow gently, birds began to chant hymns of praise and signs of success were seen all along their way.

Ch 7 Verse 59-60 Verse

Sanskrit Text

निर्मलं चाभवद्व्योम दिशश्च विमलास्तथा । गमने तत्र देवानां सर्वं शुभमिवाभवत् ॥ ५९ ॥

Sanskrit Colophon

इति श्रीमद्देवीभागवते महापुराणेऽष्टादशसाहस्र्यां संहितायां पञ्चमस्कन्धे पराजितदेवतानां शङ्करशरणगमनवर्णनं नाम सप्तमोऽध्यायः ॥ ५.७॥

English Translation

The sky was clear and the quarters became free; in short, everything showed favourable all along their way. Here ends the Seventh Chapter on the going of the Devas to Kailāsa in the Fifth Skandha of Śrī Mad Devī Bhāgavatam, the Mahā Purāṇam of 18,000 verses by Maharṣi Veda Vyāsa.