Scriptures

Śrīmad Devī Bhāgavatam

BOOK 5 • CHAPTER 24
Ch 24 Verse 1 Verse
Sanskrit Text
५.२४ चतुर्विंशोऽध्यायः । देवीमाहात्म्ये देवीपार्श्वे धूम्रलोचनदूतप्रेषणम् । व्यास उवाच । देव्यास्तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा स दूतः प्राह विस्मितः । किं ब्रूषे रुचिरापाङ्गि स्त्रीस्वभावाद्धि साहसात् ॥ १ ॥
English Translation
Vyāsa said :-- O King! The messenger was thunderstruck with Devī’s words and said :-- “O Beautiful Lady! What art Thou speaking? It seems that Thou dost not think on this matter, owing to Thy feminine nature.
Ch 24 Verse 2 Verse
Sanskrit Text
इन्द्राद्या निर्जिता येन देवा दैत्यास्तथापरे । तं कथं समरे देवि जेतुमिच्छसि भामिनि ॥ २ ॥
English Translation
O Devī! Thou art boasting in vain; how canst Thou expect to conquer Śumbha in a battle when he has conquered Indra and other Devas and many other Dānavas?
Ch 24 Verse 3 Verse
Sanskrit Text
त्रैलोक्ये तादृशो नास्ति यः शुम्भं समरे जयेत् । का त्वं कमलपत्राक्षि तस्याग्रे युधि साम्प्रतम् ॥ ३ ॥
English Translation
Lotus-eyed One! There is no hero in the three worlds that can conquer Śumbha in battle; Thou seemest to be a mere trifle before that King of Demons in a face-to-face fight.
Ch 24 Verse 4 Verse
Sanskrit Text
अविचार्य न वक्तव्यं वचनं चापि सुन्दरि । बलं स्वपरयोर्ज्ञात्वा वक्तव्यं समयोचितम् ॥ ४ ॥
English Translation
O Fair One! Nowhere ought to be said any words without being thought over; one must weigh one’s own and other’s might and then speak accordingly.
Ch 24 Verse 5 Verse
Sanskrit Text
त्रैलोक्याधिपतिः शुम्भस्तव रूपेण मोहितः । त्वाञ्च प्रार्थयते राजा कुरु तस्येप्सितं प्रिये ॥ ५ ॥
English Translation
The King Śumbha, the Lord of the three worlds, enchanted by Thy fascinating beauty, is desirous of Thee; therefore dost Thou fulfill his desires and become his beloved wife.
Ch 24 Verse 6 Verse
Sanskrit Text
त्यक्त्वा मूर्खस्वभावं त्वं सम्मान्य वचनं मम । भज शुम्भं निशुम्भं वा हितमेतद् ब्रवीमि ते ॥ ६ ॥
English Translation
Thou better now abandonest Thy illiterate nature and worhippest Śumbha or Niśumbha; I am speaking for Thy good; so keep my words.
Ch 24 Verse 7 Verse
Sanskrit Text
शृङ्गारः सर्वथा सर्वैः प्राणिभिः परया मुदा । सेवनीयो बुद्धिमद्भिर्नवानामुत्तमो यतः ॥ ७ ॥
English Translation
The amorous love sentiment is the best of nine prevailing sentiments. Therefore every intelligent being ought to cherish with gladness this amorous feeling.
Ch 24 Verse 8 Verse
Sanskrit Text
नागमिष्यसि चेद् बाले सङ्क्रुद्धः पृथिवीपतिः । अन्यानाज्ञाकरान्प्रेष्य बलान्नेष्यति साम्प्रतम् ॥ ८ ॥
English Translation
And if Thou, O Weak girl! dost not go to Śumbha, then that Lord of the Earth will become very angry and will order his servants to take Thee perforce before him.
Ch 24 Verse 9 Verse
Sanskrit Text
केशेष्वाकृष्य ते नूनं दानवा बलदर्पिताः । त्वां नयिष्यन्ति वामोरु तरसा शुम्भसन्तिधौ ॥ ९ ॥
English Translation
O Fair One! Those proud Demons will carry Thee by holding Thy hair before Śumbha; there is no doubt in this.
Ch 24 Verse 10 Verse
Sanskrit Text
स्वलज्जां रक्ष तन्वङ्गि साहसं सर्वथा त्यज । मानिता गच्छ तत्पार्श्वे मानपात्रं यतोऽसि वै ॥ १० ॥
English Translation
O thin bodied One! Better forego Thy boldness in every way and keep Thy self-respect. Thou art the object of respect and admiration and so should go before him.
Ch 24 Verse 11 Verse
Sanskrit Text
क्व युद्धं निशितैर्बाणैः क्व सुखं रतिसङ्गजम् । सारासारं परिच्छेद्य कुरु मे वचनं पटु ॥ ११ ॥
English Translation
What difference is there between the fight which makes one’s body liable to cuts and wounds by sharp arrows and pleasures that arise out of sexual intercourse! These are like the two opposite poles; therefore judge what is useless and what is useful and keep my good advice. Thou shalt be exceedingly happy if Thou servest Śumbha or Niśumbha.”
Ch 24 Verse 12-13 Verse
Sanskrit Text
भज शुम्भं निशुम्भं वा लब्धासि परमं सुखम् । देव्युवाच । सत्यं दूत महाभाग प्रवक्तुं निपुणो ह्यसि ॥ १२ ॥ निशुम्भशुम्भौ जानामि बलवन्ताविति ध्रुवम् । प्रतिज्ञा मे कृता बाल्यादन्यथा सा कथं भवेत् ॥ १३ ॥
English Translation
The Devī spoke :-- “O Messenger! You are fortunate; you are well trained to speak out truth; I know full well that Śumbha and Niśumbha are strong. Still out of My childish nature, the promise that I made before I cannot undo it.
Ch 24 Verse 14 Verse
Sanskrit Text
तस्माद् ब्रूहि निशुम्भञ्च शुम्भं वा बलवत्तरम् । विना युद्धं न मे भर्ता भविता कोऽपि सौष्ठवात् ॥ १४ ॥
English Translation
Therefore speak to the powerful Śumbha or Niśumbha that none can be my husband simply from his beauty without defeating Me in battle no one can marry Me.
Ch 24 Verse 15 Verse
Sanskrit Text
जित्वा मां तरसा कामं करं गृह्णातु साम्प्रतम् । युद्धेच्छया समायातां विद्धि मामबलां नृप ॥ १५ ॥
English Translation
So conquer Me soon and marry Me as you like. Though of a weaker sex, I have come here to fight; know this as certain.
Ch 24 Verse 16 Verse
Sanskrit Text
युद्धं देहि समर्थोऽसि वीरधर्मं समाचर । बिभेषि मम शूलाच्चेत्पातालं गच्छ मा चिरम् ॥ १६ ॥
English Translation
Therefore if you be capable, fight and do the duty of a warrior. And if you be terrified by seeing my trident or if you want your life, quit the Heavens and this earth and go down to Pātāla without any delay.
Ch 24 Verse 17 Verse
Sanskrit Text
त्रिदिवं च धरां त्यक्त्वा जीवितेच्छा यदस्ति ते । इति दूत वदाशु त्वं गत्वा स्वपतिमादरात् ॥ १७ ॥
English Translation
O Messenger! Go just now to your master and tell him sweetly these words. Then that powerful Lord of the Dānavas will judge what ought to be done.
Ch 24 Verse 18 Verse
Sanskrit Text
स विचार्य यथायुक्तं करिष्यति महाबलः । संसारे दूतधर्मोऽयं यत्सत्यं भाषणं किल ॥ १८ ॥
English Translation
O Knower of Dharma! To speak out truth before an enemy, before one’s own master is certainly the duty of a messenger in this world; therefore go quickly and tell him what are verily true.”
Ch 24 Verse 19-21 Verse
Sanskrit Text
शत्रौ पत्यौ च धर्मज्ञ तथा त्वं कुरु मा चिरम् । व्यास उवाच । अथ तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा नीतिमद्बलसंयुतम् ॥ १९ ॥ हेतुयुक्तं प्रगल्पञ्च विस्मितः प्रययौ तदा । गत्वा दैत्यपतिं दूतो विचार्य च पुनः पुनः ॥ २० ॥ प्रणम्य पादयोः प्रह्वः प्रत्युवाच नृपञ्ज तम् । राजनीतिकरं वाक्यं मृदुपूर्वं प्रियं वचः ॥ २१ ॥
English Translation
Vyāsa said :-- O King! The messenger was quite surprised to hear the bold words, though full of reason and morals, of the Devī, puffed up by the vanity of Her strength and departed. Coming to the Lord of the Daityas, the messenger bowed down before his feet and told him sweet words, full of morals, in a very humble way after pondering over and over again what he would say.
Ch 24 Verse 22 Verse
Sanskrit Text
दूत उवाच । सत्यं प्रियं च वक्तव्यं तेन चिन्तापरो ह्यहम् । सत्यं प्रियं च राजेन्द्र वचनं दुर्लभं किल ॥ २२ ॥
English Translation
The messenger said :-- O King! Words, true and the same time sweet, ought to be spoken before one’s master; but these are very rare in this world.
Ch 24 Verse 23 Verse
Sanskrit Text
अप्रियं वदतां कामं राजा कुप्यति सर्वथा । साक्षात्कुतः समायाता कस्य वा किम्बलाबला ॥ २३ ॥
English Translation
On the other hand, if unpleasant words be spoken, the King gets very angry. So I am very anxious now. O King! Whether that lady is weak or strong, whence has She come, whose wife is She, I have not been able to ascertain all these.
Ch 24 Verse 24 Verse
Sanskrit Text
न ज्ञानगोचरं किञ्चित्किं ब्रवीमि विचेष्टितम् । युद्धकामा मया दृष्टा गर्विता कटुभाषिणी ॥ २४ ॥
English Translation
How then can I say about Her conduct? But, on seeing that harsh speaking woman, I have come to understand this much that She is exceedingly haughty and has come to fight.
Ch 24 Verse 25 Verse
Sanskrit Text
तया यत्कथितं सम्यक् तच्छृणुष्व महामते । मया बाल्यात्प्रतिज्ञेयं कृता पूर्वं विनोदतः ॥ २५ ॥
English Translation
O King! You are very intelligent; therefore judge what ought to be done after hearing only what that lady has told me to speak to you.
Ch 24 Verse 26-27 Verse
Sanskrit Text
सखीनां पुरतः कामं विवाहं प्रति सर्वथा । यो मां युद्धे जयेदद्धा दर्पञ्च विधुनोति वै ॥ २६ ॥ तं वरिष्याम्यहं कामं पतिं समबलं किल । न मे प्रतिज्ञा मिथ्या सा कर्तव्या नृपसत्तम ॥ २७ ॥
English Translation
That Lady said :-- “In days of childhood, while I was playing, out of my childish nature, I promised before my comrades that I would marry that valiant warrior who would defeat me thoroughly in a battle and thus curb My pride. O best of kings! You are religious; so you ought to make My word turn out false.
Ch 24 Verse 28 Verse
Sanskrit Text
तस्माद्युध्यस्व धर्मज्ञ जित्वा मां स्ववशं कुरु । तयेति व्याहृतं वाक्यं श्रुत्वाहं समुपागतः ॥ २८ ॥
English Translation
Bring Me under your control by defeating Me in a battle.” O King! Hearing these words I have returned; now do whatever you like.
Ch 24 Verse 29 Verse
Sanskrit Text
यथेच्छसि महाराज तथा कुरु तव प्रियम् । सा युद्धार्थं कृतमतिः सायुधा सिंहगामिनी ॥ २९ ॥
English Translation
That Lady is determined to fight and is waiting there, firmly mounted on a lion, and with various weapons in Her hands. Now judge and do what is best.
Ch 24 Verse 30 Verse
Sanskrit Text
निश्चला वर्तते भूप यद्योग्यं तद्विधीयताम् । व्यास उवाच । इत्याकर्ण्य वचस्तस्य सुग्रीवस्य नराधिपः ॥ ३० ॥
English Translation
Vyāsa said :-- O King! Hearing thus the words of Sugrīva, the king Śumbha asked his hero brother Niśumbha who was close by.
Ch 24 Verse 31-32 Verse
Sanskrit Text
पप्रच्छ भ्रातरंशूरं समीपस्थं महाबलम् । शुम्भ उवाच । भ्रातः किमत्र कर्तव्यं ब्रूहि सत्यं महामते ॥ ३१ ॥ नार्येका योद्धुकामास्ति समाह्वयति साम्प्रतम् । अहं गच्छामि सङ्ग्रामे त्वं वा गच्छ बलान्वितः ॥ ३२ ॥
English Translation
O Brother! You are intelligent; speak out truly what ought to be done now? The lovely woman is challenging us to fight. Shall I go to fight or you would go with forces? I will do whatever you say.
Ch 24 Verse 33-35 Verse
Sanskrit Text
यद्रोचते निशुम्भात्र तत्कर्तव्यं मया किल । निशुम्भ उवाच । न मया न त्वया वीर गन्तव्यं रणमूर्धनि ॥ ३३ ॥ प्रेषयस्व महाराज त्वरितं धूम्रलोचनम् । स गत्वा तां रणे जित्वा गृहीत्वा चारुलोचनाम् ॥ ३४ ॥
English Translation
Vyāsa said :-- Hearing thus his younger brother’s words, Śumbha filled with anger, instantly sent Dhūmralocana who was close by to battle.
Ch 24 Verse 36-37 Verse
Sanskrit Text
आगमिष्यति शुम्भात्र विवाहः संविधीयताम् । व्यास उवाच । तन्निशम्य वचस्तस्य शुम्भो भ्रातुः कनीयसः ॥ ३५ कोपात्सम्प्रेषयामास पार्श्वस्थं धूम्रलोचनम् । शुम्भ उवाच । धूम्रलोचन गच्छाशु सैन्येन महताऽऽवृतः ॥ ३६ ॥ गृहीत्वाऽऽनय तां मुग्धां स्ववीर्यमदमोहिताम् । देवो वा दानवो वापि मनुष्यो वा महाबलः ॥ ३७ ॥
English Translation
Śumbha said :-- “O Dhūmralocana! Take a vast army and go at once to the battlefield and bring that stupid Lady, vainly boasting of Her strength. If any Deva, Dānava or any other powerful human being take Her side, kill him instantly.
Ch 24 Verse 38-39 Verse
Sanskrit Text
तत्पार्ष्णिग्राहतां प्राप्तो हन्तव्यस्तरसा त्वया । तत्पार्श्ववर्तिनीं कालीं हत्वा सङ्गृह्य तां पुनः ॥ ३८ ॥ शीघ्रमत्र समागच्छ कृत्वा कार्यमनुत्तमम् । रक्षणीया त्वया साध्वी मुञ्चन्ती मृदुमार्गणान् ॥ ३९ ॥
English Translation
Slay Her companion the Goddess Kālī and bring Her too. Do all these responsible duties and return quickly. That Chaste Lady is to be protected by all means. The body of that thin Lady is very delicate; so shoot arrows at Her very carefully and see that they are not sharp.
Ch 24 Verse 40 Verse
Sanskrit Text
यत्नेन महता वीर मृदुदेहा कृशोदरी । तत्सहायाश्च हन्तव्या ये रणे शस्त्रपाणयः ॥ ४० ॥
English Translation
But kill those that will help Her with weapons in their hands. Try your best to protect Her, never to kill Her.
Ch 24 Verse 41-42 Verse
Sanskrit Text
सर्वथा सा न हन्तव्या रक्षणीया प्रयत्नतः । व्यास उवाच । इत्यादिष्टस्तदा राज्ञा तरसा धूम्रलोचनः ॥ ४१ ॥ प्रणम्य शुम्भं सैन्येन भूतः शीघ्रं ययौ रणे । असाधूनां सहस्राणां षष्ट्या तेषां वृतस्तथा ॥ ४२ ॥
English Translation
Vyāsa said :-- O King! No sooner ordered thus by the king, Dhūmralocana bowed down to the king, and, accompanied by sixty thousand Dānava forces, quickly went to the battlefield and saw there that the Lady was sitting in a beautiful garden.
Ch 24 Verse 43-44 Verse
Sanskrit Text
स ददर्श ततो देवीं रम्योपवनसंस्थिताम् । दृष्ट्वा तां मृगशावाक्षीं विनयेन समन्वितः ॥ ४३ ॥ उवाच वचनं श्लक्ष्णं हेतुमद्रसभूषितम् । शृणु देवि महाभागे शुम्भस्त्वद्विरहातुरः ॥ ४४ ॥
English Translation
Seeing that deer-eyed Lady, Dhūmralocana began to address Her with great humility and in sweet words full of reason and goodness. O Devī! O highly Fortunate One! Hear! Śumbha is very much distressed owing to Thy absence.
Ch 24 Verse 45 Verse
Sanskrit Text
दूतं प्रेषितवान्पार्श्वे तव नीतिविशारदः । रसभङ्गभयोद्विग्नः सामपूर्वं त्वयि स्वयम् ॥ ४५ ॥
English Translation
Lest there be any break in the love sentiments, that King, a wise statesman, sent a messenger with instructions to speak Thee in sweet and suitable terms; but, O fair One! That messenger, on arriving before the King had told all the contrary words.
Ch 24 Verse 46 Verse
Sanskrit Text
तेनागत्य वचः प्रोक्तं विपरीतं वरानने । वचसा तेन मे भर्ता चिन्ताविष्टमना नृपः ॥ ४६ ॥
English Translation
O Knower of love sentiments! Hearing thus the messenger’s words, my lord Śumbha, sick with love, has become immersed in cares and anxieties. That messenger had not been able to realise the true meaning of Thy words.
Ch 24 Verse 47 Verse
Sanskrit Text
बभूव रसमार्गज्ञे शुम्भः कामविमोहितः । दूतेन तेन न ज्ञातं हेतुगर्भं वचस्तव ॥ ४७ ॥
English Translation
O honourable Lady! The sentence uttered by Thee, “He who will conquer me in battle” is full of deep meanings; he was stupid; hence he could not realise the meaning of the word “battle” intended by Thee.
Ch 24 Verse 48-51 Verse
Sanskrit Text
यो मां जयति सङ्ग्रामे यदुक्तं कठिनं वचः । न ज्ञातस्तेन सङ्ग्रामो द्विविधः खलु मानिनि ॥ ४८ ॥ रतिजोऽथोत्साहजश्च पात्रभेदे विवक्षितः । रतिजस्त्वयि वामोरु शत्रोरुत्साहजः स्मृतः ॥ ४९ ॥ सुखदः प्रथमः कान्ते दुःखदश्चारिजः स्मृतः । जानाम्यहं वरारोहे भवत्या मानसं किल ॥ ५० ॥ रतिसङ्ग्रामभावस्ते हृदये परिवर्तते । इति तज्ज्ञं विदित्वा मां त्वत्सकाशं नराधिपः ॥ ५१ ॥
English Translation
O Beautiful One! “Battle” means two different things according to persons for whom it is intended; it is of two kinds :-- One out of excitement and another out of sexual intercourse. With Thee, the sexual intercourse is intended; and with any other enemy, excitement in a real fight is meant. Out of these, the fight of sexual intercourse is full of sweetness and the fight with enemies is painful. O Beautiful One! I know Thy intentions fully. In Thy heart reigns that fight of sexual intercourse. Knowing me as expert in these affairs, the king Śumbha has sent me today to Thee with a vast army.
Ch 24 Verse 52-53 Verse
Sanskrit Text
प्रेषयामास शुम्भोऽद्य बलेन महताऽऽवृतम् । चतुरासि महाभागे शृणु मे वचनं मृदु ॥ ५२ ॥ भज शुम्भं त्रिलोकेशं देवदर्पनिबर्हणम् । पट्टराज्ञी प्रिया भूत्वा भुङ्क्ष्व भोगाननुत्तमान् ॥ ५३ ॥
English Translation
O highly Fortunate Lady! Thou art clever and shrewd; hear my gentle words; serve Śumbha, the lord of the three worlds, the destroyer of the Deva’s pride. Thou wilt be the dearest queen-consort and enjoy the best pleasures.
Ch 24 Verse 54 Verse
Sanskrit Text
जेष्यति त्वां महाबाहुः शुम्भः कामबलार्थवित् । विचित्रान्कुरु हावांस्त्वं सोऽपि भावान्करिष्यति ॥ ५४ ॥
English Translation
The powerful Śumbha knows the real meaning of the fight of sexual intercourse; so he will easily conquer Thee. When Thou wilt shew various amorous gestures, he will also show his feelings.
Ch 24 Verse 55-57 Verse
Sanskrit Text
भविष्यति कालिकेयं तत्र वै नर्मसाक्षिणी । एवं सङ्गरयोगेन पतिर्मे परमार्थवित् ॥ ५५ ॥ जित्वा त्वां सुखशय्यायां परिश्रान्तां करिष्यति । रक्तदेहां नखाघातैर्दन्तैश्च खण्डिताधराम् ॥ ५६ ॥ स्वेदक्लिन्नां प्रभग्नां त्वां संविधास्यति भूपतिः । भविता मानसः कामो रतिसङ्ग्रामजस्तव ॥ ५७ ॥
English Translation
And the Kālikā Devī, your companion will remain with Thee as a helping mate in your vital pleasures. The lord of the Daityas, expert in the science of love, will certainly conquer Thee engaged in amorous fight and will lay Thee stretched on a soft bedding and will make Thee tired; he will make Thy body covered with blood by striking with nails and he will bite Thy lips to pieces; then Thou wilt perspire profusely and wilt cease fighting. Thus Thy mental desire for fight - sexual intercourse - will be satisfied.
Ch 24 Verse 58 Verse
Sanskrit Text
दर्शनाद्वश एवास्ते शुम्भः सर्वात्मना प्रिये । वचनं कुरु मे पथ्यं हितकृच्चापि पेशलम् ॥ ५८ ॥
English Translation
O Beloved! At Thy mere sight Śumbha will be completely subject to Thee. Therefore dost Thou keep my sweet and beneficial words.
Ch 24 Verse 59 Verse
Sanskrit Text
भज शुम्भं गणाध्यक्षं माननीयातिमानिनी । मन्दभाग्याश्च ते नूनं ह्यस्त्रयुद्धप्रियाश्च ये ॥ ५९ ॥
English Translation
Thou art an honourable Lady; and Thou wilt be highly honoured by all if Thou marryest Śumbha. Those are certainly very unfortunate who like fighting with weapons. O Beloved! The sexual intercourse is always favourite to Thee; therefore it is not worthy of Thee to fight with weapons.
Ch 24 Verse 60-61 Verse
Sanskrit Text
न तदर्हासि कान्ते त्वं सदा सुरतवल्लभे । अशोकं कुरु राजानं पादाघातविकासितम् ॥ ६० ॥ बकुलं सीधुसेकेन तथा कुरबकं कुरु ॥ ६१ ॥
Sanskrit Colophon
इति श्रीमद्देवीभागवते महापुराणेऽष्टादशसाहस्र्यां संहितायां पञ्चमस्कन्धे देवीमाहात्म्ये देवीपार्श्वे धूम्रलोचनदूतप्रेषणं नाम चतुर्विंशोऽध्यायः ॥ ५.२४॥
English Translation
Therefore dost Thou make the king free of sorrows by pouring on him Thy mouth nectar and by making his heart bud forth by Thy kicking, as Bakula and Kurubaka trees blossom forth when drenched with mouth nectar and Asoka tree gets blossomed by the kicking of women. Here ends the Twenty-fourth Chapter of the Fifth Book on the description and Dhūmralocana giving the news in Śrī Mad Devī Bhāgavatam, the Mahā Purāṇam of 18,000 verses by Maharṣi Veda Vyāsa.