Ch 14 Verse 1-2 Verse

Sanskrit Text

५.१४ चतुर्दशोऽध्यायः । ताम्रचिक्षुराख्यवधवर्णनम् । व्यास उवाच । दुर्मुखं निहतं श्रुत्वा महिषः क्रोधमूर्च्छितः । उवाच दानवान्सर्वान्किं जातमिति चासकृत् ॥ १ ॥ निहतौ दानवौ शूरौ रणे दुर्मुखबाष्कलौ । तन्व्या तत्परमाश्चर्यं पश्यन्तु दैवचेष्टितम् ॥ २ ॥

English Translation

Vyāsā said :-- Hearing the death news of Durmukha, Mahisāṣura became blind with anger and began to utter repeatedly to the Dānavas, “O! What is this? What is this? Alas! That delicate woman has slain in battle the two heroes Durmukha and Vāskala! Lo! Now look at the wonderful workings of the Daiva (Fate).

Ch 14 Verse 3 Verse

Sanskrit Text

कालो हि बलवान्कर्ता सततं सुखदुःखयोः । नराणां परतन्त्राणां पुण्यपापानुयोगतः ॥ ३ ॥

English Translation

It is the acts virtuous, or otherwise that make men dependent; and the powerful Time awards pleasure or pain accordingly.

Ch 14 Verse 4 Verse

Sanskrit Text

निहतौ दानवश्रेष्ठौ किं कर्तव्यमतः परम् । ब्रुवन्तु मिलिताः सर्वे यद्युक्तं कार्यसङ्कटे ॥ ४ ॥

English Translation

The two powerful Demons are killed; what are we to do hereafter? You all judge and say what is reasonable at this critical juncture.”

Ch 14 Verse 5 Verse

Sanskrit Text

व्यास उवाच । एवं ब्रुवति राजेन्द्र महिषेऽतिबलान्विते । चिक्षुराख्यस्तु सेनानीस्तमुवाच महारथः ॥ ५ ॥

English Translation

Vyāsa said :-- When the powerful Mahiṣa said thus, his general Cikṣura, the great warrior spoke as follows :--

Ch 14 Verse 6 Verse

Sanskrit Text

राजन्नहं हनिष्यामि का चिन्ता स्त्रीविहिंसने । इत्युक्त्वा स्वबलैर्युक्तः प्रययौ रथसंयुतः ॥ ६ ॥

English Translation

“O King! Why are you so anxious as to take away the life of a delicate woman? I will kill Her;” thus saying he departed for battle, mounted on his chariot and accompanied by his own army.

Ch 14 Verse 7 Verse

Sanskrit Text

द्वितीयं पार्ष्णिरक्षं तु कृत्वा ताम्रं महाबलम् । महता सैन्यघोषेण पूरयन्गगनं दिशः ॥ ७ ॥

English Translation

The powerful Tāmra accompanied him as his attendant; the sky and all the quarters became filled with the clamour of their vast army.

Ch 14 Verse 8-9 Verse

Sanskrit Text

तमागच्छन्तमालोक्य देवी भगवती शिवा । चकार शङ्खज्याघोषं घण्टानादं महाद्भुतम् ॥ ८ ॥ तत्रसुस्तेन शब्देन ते च सर्वे सुरारयः । किमेतदिति भाषन्तो दुद्रुवुर्भयकम्पिताः ॥ ९ ॥

English Translation

The auspicious Devī Bhagavatī saw them before Her and She made an extraordinary wonderful sound with Her conchshell, with Her bow string and with Her great bell. The Asuras heard that and trembled and fled, speaking amongst each other, “What is this?”

Ch 14 Verse 10 Verse

Sanskrit Text

चिक्षुराख्यस्तु तान्दृष्ट्वा पलायनपरायणान् । उवाचातीव सङ्कुद्धः किं भयं वः समागतम् ॥ १० ॥

English Translation

The Cikṣurākṣa seeing them turning their backs, told them very angrily, “O Dānavas! What fear has now overcome you?

Ch 14 Verse 11 Verse

Sanskrit Text

अद्यैवाहं हनिष्यामि बाणैर्बालां मदोन्नताम् । तिष्ठन्त्वत्र भयं त्यक्त्वा दैत्याः समरमूर्धनि ॥ ११ ॥

English Translation

I will slay today this vain woman in the battle with arrows; so you should quit your fear and remain steady in battle.”

Ch 14 Verse 12 Verse

Sanskrit Text

इत्युक्त्वा दानवश्रेष्ठश्चापपाणिर्बलान्वितः । आगत्य सङ्गरे देवीमित्युवाच गतव्यथः ॥ १२ ॥

English Translation

Thus saying, the Dānava Chieftain Cikṣura came fearlessly before the Devī with bows and arrows in his hands and, accompanied by his army, angrily spoke thus :--

Ch 14 Verse 13-14 Verse

Sanskrit Text

किं गर्जसि विशालाक्षि भीषयन्तीतरान्नरान् । नाहं बिभेमि तन्वङ्गि श्रुत्वा तेऽद्य विचेष्टितम् ॥ १३ ॥ स्त्रीवधे दूषणं ज्ञात्वा तथैवाकीर्तिसम्भवम् । उपेक्षां कुरुते चित्तं मदीयं वामलोचने ॥ १४ ॥

English Translation

“O Thou of large and broad eyes! Why are you roaring to terrify the weak persons! O the Soft limbed One! I have heard all about your deeds but I am not a bit afraid of You. O One of beautiful eyes! It is a matter of disgrace, rather sin, to kill a woman; knowing this my heart wants to pass over this act (does not like to do it, if my purpose be served without it).

Ch 14 Verse 15 Verse

Sanskrit Text

स्त्रीणां युद्धं कटाक्षैश्च तथा हावैश्च सुन्दरि । न शस्त्रैर्विहितं क्वापि त्वादृशीनां कदाचन ॥ १५ ॥

English Translation

O Beautiful One! The women fight with their side glances and amorous gestures; but I have never heard a woman like you coming to fight with arms and weapons.

Ch 14 Verse 16 Verse

Sanskrit Text

पुष्पैरपि न योद्धव्यं किं पुनर्निशितैः शरैः । भवादृशीनां देहेषु दुनोति मालतीदलम् ॥ १६ ॥

English Translation

Even the delicate flowers, Mālati, etc., cause pain on the bodies of beautiful women like you; so it is not advisable to fight against you with flowers even; what to speak of sharpened arrows!

Ch 14 Verse 17 Verse

Sanskrit Text

धिग्जन्म मानुषे लोके क्षात्रधर्मानुजीविनाम् । लालितोऽयं प्रियो देहः कृन्तनीयः शितैः शरैः ॥ १७ ॥

English Translation

Fie on those who spend their lives according to the Kṣatriya Dharma! Oh! Who can praise that Dharma which allows this dear body of ours to be pierced by sharpened arrows?

Ch 14 Verse 18 Verse

Sanskrit Text

तैलाभ्यङ्गैः पुष्पवातैस्तथा मिष्टान्नभोजनैः । पोषितोऽयं प्रियो देहो घातनीयः परेषुभिः ॥ १८ ॥

English Translation

This dear body is nourished by sweet food, by being smeared with oil, and by smelling the scents of beautiful flowers.

Ch 14 Verse 19 Verse

Sanskrit Text

देहं छित्त्वासिधाराभिर्धनभृज्जायते नरः । धिग्धनं दुःखदं पूर्वं पश्चात्किं सुखदं भवेत् ॥ १९ ॥

English Translation

Ought, then, one to destroy it by arrows from an enemy? Men get their bodies pierced by arrows and then become rich. Now is it possible for the riches to give pleasure afterwards when they caused such pains in the beginning?

Ch 14 Verse 20-21 Verse

Sanskrit Text

त्वमप्यज्ञैव वामोरु युद्धमाकाङ्क्षसे यतः । सुखं सम्भोगजं त्यक्त्वा कं गुणं वेत्सि सङ्गरे ॥ २० ॥ खड्गपातं गदाघातं भेदनञ्ज शिलीमुखैः । मरणान्ते तु संस्कारो गोमायुमुखकर्षणम् ॥ २१ ॥

English Translation

Where you see the action of the axes and spears, striking each other with clubs, and hurling of sharpened arrows and weapons and where, when death comes, jackals come and feed upon the dead bodies, what merits have you been able to trace out in these things!

Ch 14 Verse 22 Verse

Sanskrit Text

तस्यैव कविभिर्धूर्तैः कृतं चातीव शंसनम् । रणे मृतानां स्वःप्राप्तिरर्थवादोऽस्ति केवलः ॥ २२ ॥

English Translation

It is only those cunning poets that praise these; they say that those who die in battle go to heaven! O Beautiful! Those sayings are, no doubt, mere flatteries.

Ch 14 Verse 23 Verse

Sanskrit Text

तस्माद् गच्छ वरारोहे यत्र ते रमते मनः । भज वा भूपतिं नाथं हयारिं सुरमर्दनम् ॥ २३ ॥

English Translation

Therefore, O Excellent One! Go away anywhere else you like; or accept this king Mahiṣa, the tormentor of the Devas, as your husband.”

Ch 14 Verse 24 Verse

Sanskrit Text

व्यास उवाच । एवं ब्रुवाणं तं दैत्यं प्रोवाच जगदम्बिका । किं मृषा भाषसे मूढ बुद्धिमानिव पण्डितः ॥ २४ ॥

English Translation

Vyāsa said :-- O King! The Dānava Cikṣura speaking thus, the Divine Mother addressed him thus :-- O Stupid! Why are you speaking false words, having no significance, like a literary man giving out mere words only?

Ch 14 Verse 25-26 Verse

Sanskrit Text

नीतिशास्त्रं न जानासि विद्यां चान्वीक्षिकीं तथा । न सेवितास्त्वया वृद्धा न धर्मे मतिरस्ति ते ॥ २५ ॥ मूर्खसेवापरो यस्मात्तस्मात्त्वं मूर्ख एव हि । राजधर्मं न जानासि किं ब्रवीषि ममाग्रतः ॥ २६ ॥

English Translation

You do not know anything of politics, ethics, metaphysics; you serve the illiterate and stupid; therefore, you are also a first class illiterate; you do not know what are the royal duties; then what are you speaking before me?

Ch 14 Verse 27-28 Verse

Sanskrit Text

सङ्ग्रामे महिषं हत्वा कृत्वा रुधिरकर्दमम् । यशःस्तम्भं स्थिरं कृत्वा गमिष्यामि यथासुखम् ॥ २७ ॥ देवानां दुःखदातारं दानवं मदगर्वितम् । हनिष्येऽहं दुराचारं युद्धं कुरु स्थिरो भव ॥ २८ ॥

English Translation

I will kill that Mahiṣāsura in battle make the soil muddy with his blood, thus establish firmly My pillar of Fame and then go happily to My abode. Surely will I slay that vain vicious demon, the tormentor of the Devas. Better fight steadily.

Ch 14 Verse 29-30 Verse

Sanskrit Text

जीवितेच्छास्ति चेन्मूढ महिषस्य तथा तव । तदा गच्छन्तु पातालं दानवाः सर्व एव ते ॥ २९ ॥ मुमूर्षा यदि वश्चित्ते युद्धं कुर्वन्तु सत्वराः । सर्वानेव वधिष्यामि निश्चयोऽयं ममाधुना ॥ ३० ॥

English Translation

O Stupid! Better go to Pātāla with all the Dānavas, if you and Mahiṣa desire to live any longer. And if you like to go unto death, then be ready and fight without any delay; I will slay you all; this is My firm resolve.

Ch 14 Verse 31 Verse

Sanskrit Text

व्यास उवाच । तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं तस्या दानवो बलदर्पितः । मुमोच बाणवृष्टिं तां घनवृष्टिमिवापराम् ॥ ३१ ॥

English Translation

Vyāsa said :-- O King! Hearing the Devī’s words, the Dānava, proud of his own strength, began to hurl instantly on Her showers of arrows, as if another shower of rain burst upon Her.

Ch 14 Verse 32 Verse

Sanskrit Text

चिच्छेद तस्य सा बाणान्स्वबाणैर्निशितैस्तदा । जघान तं तथा घोरैराशीविषसमैः शरैः ॥ ३२ ॥

English Translation

The Devī cut off those arrows into pieces by Her sharp arrows and shot at him dreadful arrows like poisonous snakes.

Ch 14 Verse 33 Verse

Sanskrit Text

युद्धं परस्परं तत्र बभूव विस्मयप्रदम् । गदया घातयामास तं रथाज्जगदम्बिका ॥ ३३ ॥

English Translation

Then their fight became astounding to the public; the Divine Mother, then, struck him with Her club so much that he fell down from his chariot.

Ch 14 Verse 34 Verse

Sanskrit Text

मूर्च्छां प्राप स दुष्टात्मा गदयाभिहतो भृशम् । मुहूर्तद्वयमात्रं तु रथोपस्थ इवाचलः ॥ ३४ ॥

English Translation

That vicious demon, thus struck by the club, remained senseless near to his chariot for two muhūrtas, fixed like a mountain.

Ch 14 Verse 35-36 Verse

Sanskrit Text

तं तथा मूर्च्छितं दृष्ट्वा ताम्रः परबलार्दनः । आजगाम रणे योद्धुं चण्डिकां प्रति चापलात् ॥ ३५ ॥ आगच्छन्तं तु तं वीक्ष्य हसन्ती प्राह चण्डिका । एह्येहि दानवश्रेष्ठ यमलोकं नयाम्यहम् ॥ ३६ ॥

English Translation

Tāmra, the tormentor of the foes, seeing him thus, could not remain steady and came forward to fight with Caṇḍikā. The Devī seeing him laughed and said, “O Dānava! Come, Come, I will instantly send you unto death.

Ch 14 Verse 37 Verse

Sanskrit Text

किं भवद्भिः समायातैरबलैश्च गतायुषैः । महिषः किं गृहे मूढः करोति जीवनोद्यमम् ॥ ३७ ॥

English Translation

Or, what is the use of your coming? You are so weak that you can be called lifeless. What is that stupid Mahiṣa doing now? Is he thinking out the way to save his life?

Ch 14 Verse 38 Verse

Sanskrit Text

किं भवद्भिर्हतैर्मन्दैर्ममापि विफलः श्रमः । अहते महिषे पापे सुरशत्रौ दुरात्मनि ॥ ३८ ॥

English Translation

You all are too weak; no use in killing you, all my labours will go in vain, if that wicked Mahiṣa, the enemy of the gods, be not slain.

Ch 14 Verse 39 Verse

Sanskrit Text

तस्माद्यूयं गृहं गत्वा महिषं प्रेषयन्त्विह । पश्येन्मां सोऽपि मन्दात्मा यादृशीं तादृशीं स्थिताम् ॥ ३९ ॥

English Translation

Therefore, do you go to your home and send here your king Mahiṣa. I am staying here in that form in which that wicked one likes very much to see Me.”

Ch 14 Verse 40 Verse

Sanskrit Text

ताम्रस्तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा बाणवृष्टिं चकार ह । चण्डिकां प्रति कोपेन कर्णाकृष्टशरासनः ॥ ४० ॥

English Translation

Hearing Her words, Tāmra became very angry and drawing his bow up to his ear, began to hurl arrows after arrows on Caṇḍikā Devī.

Ch 14 Verse 41 Verse

Sanskrit Text

भगवत्यपि ताम्राक्षी समाकृष्य शरासनम् । बाणान्मुमोच तरसा हन्तुकामा सुराहितम् ॥ ४१ ॥

English Translation

The Bhagavatī, too, had her eyes reddened with anger and drawing Her bow began to shoot arrows quickly at the demon, wishing to kill, as early as possible, the enemy of the gods.

Ch 14 Verse 42 Verse

Sanskrit Text

चिक्षुराख्योऽपिबलवान्मूर्च्छां त्यक्त्वोत्थितः पुनः । गृहीत्वा सशरं चापं तस्थौ तत्सम्मुखः क्षणात् ॥ ४२ ॥

English Translation

In the meanwhile, Cikṣura regained his senses, and taking up again his bow in an instant, came before the Devī.

Ch 14 Verse 43 Verse

Sanskrit Text

चिक्षुराख्यश्च ताम्रश्च द्वावप्यतिबलोत्कटौ । युयुधाते महावीरौ सह देव्या रणाङ्गणे ॥ ४३ ॥

English Translation

Then Cikṣura and Tāmra, the two valiant warriors, began to fight dreadfully with the Devī.

Ch 14 Verse 44 Verse

Sanskrit Text

कुपिता च महामाया ववर्ष शरसन्ततिम् । चकार दानवान् सर्वान् बाणक्षततनुच्छदान् ॥ ४४ ॥

English Translation

Mahā Māyā then, became very angry and began to hurl arrows after arrows so incessantly that all the armours of all the Dānavas became pierced and were cut down to pieces.

Ch 14 Verse 45 Verse

Sanskrit Text

असुराः क्रोधसम्मूढा बभूवुः शरताडिताः । चिक्षिपुः शरजालानि देवीं प्रति रुषान्विताः ॥ ४५ ॥

English Translation

The Asuras, thus pierced by arrows, became infuriated with anger and hurled angrily a network of arrows upon the Devī.

Ch 14 Verse 46 Verse

Sanskrit Text

बभुस्ते राक्षसास्तत्र किंशुका इव पुष्पिणः । शिलीमुखक्षताः सर्वे वसन्ते च वने रणे ॥ ४६ ॥

English Translation

The Dānavas, thus struck with sharp arrows and filled with cuts and wounds looked like the red Kiṃśuka flowers in the spring.

Ch 14 Verse 47 Verse

Sanskrit Text

बभूव तुमुलं युद्धं ताम्रेण सह संयुगे । विस्मयं परमं जग्मुर्देवा ये प्रेक्षकाः स्थिताः ॥ ४७ ॥

English Translation

The fight then grew so severe between Tāmra and Bhagavatī that the seers, the Devas, were all struck with wonder.

Ch 14 Verse 48-49 Verse

Sanskrit Text

ताम्रो मुसलमादाय लोहजं दारुणं दृढम् । जघान मस्तके सिंहं जहास च ननर्द च ॥ ४८ ॥ नर्दमानं तदा तं तु दृष्ट्वा देवी रुषान्विता । खड्गेन शितधारेण शिरश्चिच्छेद सत्वरा ॥ ४९ ॥

English Translation

Tāmra struck on the head of the lion with his dreadful hard Muṣala (club), made of iron, and laughed and shouted aloud. Seeing him thus vociferating, the Devī became angry and cut off his head by her sharp axes in no time.

Ch 14 Verse 50-52 Verse

Sanskrit Text

छिन्ने शिरसि ताम्रस्तु विशीर्षो मुसली बली । बभ्राम क्षणमात्रं तु पपात रणमस्तके ॥ ५० ॥ पतितं ताम्रमालोक्य चिक्षुराख्यो महाबलः । खड्गमादाय तरसा दुद्राव चण्डिकां प्रति ॥ ५१ ॥ भगवत्यपि तं दृष्ट्वा खड्गपाणिमुपागतम् । दानवं पञ्चभिर्बाणैर्जघान तरसा रणे ॥ ५२ ॥

English Translation

The powerful Cikṣura, seeing Tāmra thus falling down, instantly took up his axe and ran after Caṇḍikā. Seeing Cikṣura with axe in his hand, the Bhagavatī quickly shot at him five arrows.

Ch 14 Verse 53 Verse

Sanskrit Text

एकेन पातितं खड्गं द्वितीयेन तु तत्करः । कण्ठाच्च मस्तकं तस्य कृन्तितं चापरैः शरैः ॥ ५३ ॥

English Translation

With one arrow, his axe was cut down, with the second arrow his hands were cut and with the remaining ones his head was severed from his body.

Ch 14 Verse 54 Verse

Sanskrit Text

एवं तौ निहतौ कूरौ राक्षसौ रणदुर्मदौ । भग्नं सैन्यं तयोस्तूर्णं दिक्षु सन्त्रस्तमानसम् ॥ ५४ ॥

English Translation

Thus when the two cruel warriors were slain, their soldiers soon fled away in terror in all directions.

Ch 14 Verse 55 Verse

Sanskrit Text

देवाश्च मुदिताः सर्वे दृष्ट्वा तौ निहतौ रणे । पुष्पवृष्टिं मुदा चक्रुर्जयशब्दं नभःस्थिताः ॥ ५५ ॥

English Translation

The Devas were exceedingly glad at their downfall and showered gladly flowers from the sky and uttered shouts of Victory to the Devī.

Ch 14 Verse 56-57 Verse

Sanskrit Text

ऋषयो देवगन्धर्वा वेतालाः सिद्धचारणाः । ऊचुस्ते जय देवीति चाम्बिकेति पुनः पुनः ॥ ५६ ॥

Sanskrit Colophon

इति श्रीमद्देवीभागवते महापुराणेऽष्टादशसाहस्र्यां संहितायां पञ्चमस्कन्धे ताम्रचिक्षुराख्यवधवर्णनं नाम चतुर्दशोऽध्यायः ॥ ५.१४॥

English Translation

The Ṛṣis, Gandarbhas, the Vetālas, the Siddhas and Cāraṇas were all very glad and began to utter repeated, “O Goddess! Victory, victory be Yours.” Here ends the Fourteenth Chapter of the Fifth Skandha on the killing of Tāmra and Cikṣura in Śrī Mad Devī Bhāgavatam, the Mahā Purāṇam, of 18,000 verses by Maharṣi Veda Vyāsa.