Ch 30 Verse 1 Verse

Sanskrit Text

५.३० त्रिंशोऽध्यायः । युद्धात्प्रत्यागतानां रक्षसां शुम्भाय वार्तावर्णनम् । व्यास उवाच । निशुम्भो निश्चयं कृत्वा मरणाय जयाय वा । सोद्यमः सबलः शूरो रणे देवीमुपाययौ ॥ १ ॥

English Translation

Vyāsa said :-- O King! Thus making a firm resolve that there would be either victory or death, the great warrior Niśumbha went to fight with the Devī, with great excitement and with all his forces.

Ch 30 Verse 2 Verse

Sanskrit Text

तमाजगाम शुम्भोऽपि स्वबलेन समावृतः । प्रेक्षकोऽभूद्रणे राजा सङ्ग्रामरसपण्डितः ॥ २ ॥

English Translation

Śumbha, too the Lord of the Daityas, accompanied by his forces, went after Niśumbha; Śumbha knew full well the rules of warfare; therefore he remained a witness there.

Ch 30 Verse 3 Verse

Sanskrit Text

गगने संस्थिता देवास्तदाभ्रपटलावृताः । दिदृक्षवस्तु सङ्ग्रामे सेन्द्रा यक्षगणास्तथा ॥ ३ ॥

English Translation

Indra and the other Devas and Yakṣas, all stationed themselves in the celestial space, eager to see that fight, covered with clouds.

Ch 30 Verse 4 Verse

Sanskrit Text

निशुम्भोऽथ रणे गत्वा धनुरादाय शार्ङ्गकम् । चकार शरवृष्टिं स भीषयञ्जगदम्बिकाम् ॥ ४ ॥

English Translation

Niśumbha came to the field, and, taking the strong bow made of horns, began to shoot arrows after arrows at the Divine Mother with the object of frightening Her.

Ch 30 Verse 5 Verse

Sanskrit Text

मुञ्चन्तं शरजालानि निशुम्भं चण्डिका रणे । वीक्ष्यादाय धनुः श्रेष्ठं जहास सुस्वरं मुहुः ॥ ५ ॥

English Translation

Seeing Niśumbha with his excellent bow, shooting arrows, Caṇḍikā began to laugh frequently.

Ch 30 Verse 6-7 Verse

Sanskrit Text

उवाच कालिकां देवी पश्य मूर्खत्वमेतयोः । मरणायागतौ कालि मत्समीपमिहाधुना ॥ ६ ॥ दृष्ट्वा दैत्यवधं घोरं रक्तबीजात्ययं तथा । जयाशां कुरुतस्त्वेतौ मोहितौ मम मायया ॥ ७ ॥

English Translation

With a soft slow voice She spoke to Kālikā :-- “O Kālī! See their foolishness! They have come before me, courting death. They are so much deluded by My Māyā, that they yet expect victory when they have already witnessed the death of Raktabīja and many Dānavas.

Ch 30 Verse 8-9 Verse

Sanskrit Text

आशा बलवती ह्येषा न जहाति नरं क्वचित् । भग्नं हृतबलं नष्टं गतपक्षं विचेतनम् ॥ ८ ॥ आशापाशनिबद्धौ द्वौ युद्धाय समुपागतौ । निहन्तव्यौ मया कालि रणे शुम्भनिशुम्भकौ ॥ ९ ॥

English Translation

Hope is so very strong that it never quits a man. How wonderful is this that some of their armies are destroyed, some are wounded, some are rendered senseless, some made powerless, some have fled; seeing all these, yet, they have come to fight, as it were, fastened by the cord of hope of victory. O Kālī! Today I will certainly slay Niśumbha and Śumbha.

Ch 30 Verse 10 Verse

Sanskrit Text

आसन्नमरणावेतौ सम्प्राप्तौ दैवमोहितौ । पश्यतां सर्वदेवानां हनिष्याम्यहमद्य तौ ॥ १० ॥

English Translation

Their death is nigh; deluded by the Daivī Māyā, they have come to Me. Therefore, in the face of all the Devas, I will kill them today.”

Ch 30 Verse 11-12 Verse

Sanskrit Text

व्यास उवाच । इत्युक्त्वा कालिकां चण्डी कर्णाकृष्टशरोत्करैः । छादयामास तरसा निशुम्भं पुरतः स्थितम् ॥ ११ ॥ दानवोऽपि शरांस्तस्याश्चिच्छेद निशितैः शरैः । तयोः परस्परं युद्धं बभूवातिभयानकम् ॥ १२ ॥

English Translation

Vyāsa said :-- O King! Thus saying, and suddenly drawing Her bow, Caṇḍī covered Niśumbha, in front, all over with a multitude of arrows. Niśumbha, too, cut off those arrows into pieces by his sharp arrows; thus the fight became more and more dreadful between them.

Ch 30 Verse 13 Verse

Sanskrit Text

केसरी केशजालानि धुन्वानः सैन्यसागरम् । गाहयामास बलवान्सरसीं वारणो यथा ॥ १३ ॥

English Translation

At this time, the lion of Bhagavatī, came down upon the forces, quivering his manes, like a powerful elephant going down into a lake.

Ch 30 Verse 14 Verse

Sanskrit Text

नखैर्दन्तप्रहारैस्तु दानवान्पुरतः स्थितान् । चखाद च विशीर्णाङ्गान् गजानिव मदोत्कटान् ॥ १४ ॥

English Translation

By his nails and teeth, he tore asunder the bodies of the Dānavas that fell before him and devoured them, as if they were infatuated elephants.

Ch 30 Verse 15-16 Verse

Sanskrit Text

एवं विमथ्यमाने तु सैन्ये केसरिणा तदा । अभ्यधावन्निशुम्भोऽथ विकृष्टवरकार्मुकः ॥ १५ ॥ अन्येऽपि क्रुद्धा दैत्येन्द्रा देवीं हन्तुमुपाययुः । सन्दष्टदन्तरसना रक्तनेत्रा ह्यनेकशः ॥ १६ ॥

English Translation

That lion thus crushing down the soldiers, Niśumbha came forward hurriedly, drawing his excellent bow. Hundreds of other generals of the Dānavas came up there to kill the Devī, biting their lips and with their eyes reddened with anger.

Ch 30 Verse 17 Verse

Sanskrit Text

तत्राजगाम तरसा शुम्भः सैन्यसमावृतः । निहत्य कालिकां कोपाद्ग्रहीतुं जगदम्बिकाम् ॥ १७ ॥

English Translation

In the meantime Śumbha killed Kālikā and came very hurriedly there with his forces to capture the Divine Mother.

Ch 30 Verse 18 Verse

Sanskrit Text

तत्रागत्य ददर्शाजावम्बिकाञ्च पुरःस्थिताम् । रौद्ररसयुतां कान्तां शृङ्गाररससंयुताम् ॥ १८ ॥

English Translation

Coming to the battlefield Śumbha saw that the Divine Mother was standing before him; though She was looking very beautiful, fit for love sentiment, yet She was filled also with the sentiment of fiery wrath.

Ch 30 Verse 19 Verse

Sanskrit Text

तां वीक्ष्य विपुलापाङ्गीं त्रैलोक्यवरसुन्दरीम् । सुरक्तनयनां रम्यां क्रोधरक्तेक्षणां तथा ॥ १९ ॥

English Translation

At that time the large eyes of Bhagavatī, the Beautiful in the three worlds, though naturally red, looked more red due to wrath.

Ch 30 Verse 20 Verse

Sanskrit Text

विवाहेच्छां परित्यज्य जयाशां दूरतस्तथा । मरणे निश्चयं कृत्वा तस्थावाहितकार्मुकः ॥ २० ॥

English Translation

When Śumbha saw Her lovely features, the desire to marry Her and the hope of victory all vanished away from his mind; and he stood there with bow in his hand, firmly holding in his mind that he would die.

Ch 30 Verse 21-22 Verse

Sanskrit Text

तं तथा दानवं देवी स्मितपूर्वमिदं वचः । बभाषे शृण्वतां तेषां दैत्यानां रणमस्तके ॥ २१ ॥ गच्छध्वं पामरा यूयं पातालं वा जलार्णवम् । जीविताशां स्थिरां कृत्वा त्यक्त्वात्रैवायुधानि च ॥ २२ ॥

English Translation

O Wretched Fools! If you all want to live, quit all your weapons here, go to the Pātāla or to the middle of the ocean.

Ch 30 Verse 23 Verse

Sanskrit Text

अथवा मच्छराघातहतप्राणा रणाजिरे । प्राप्य स्वर्गसुखं सर्वे क्रीडन्तु विगतज्वराः ॥ २३ ॥

English Translation

Or be slain in the battle by My arrows and go to heavens and enjoy there without any fear all the enjoyments and sports there.

Ch 30 Verse 24 Verse

Sanskrit Text

कातरत्वं च शूरत्वं न भवत्येव सर्वथा । ददाम्यभयदानं वै यान्तु सर्वे यथासुखम् ॥ २४ ॥

English Translation

Weakness and heroism, both cannot be expected at one and the same time and at the same individual; therefore I am ordering you to dispel your fears. Now go wherever you find your ease and happiness.

Ch 30 Verse 25-26 Verse

Sanskrit Text

व्यास उवाच । इत्याकर्ण्य वचस्तस्या निशुम्भो मदगर्वितः । निशितं खड्गमादाय चर्म चैवाष्टचन्द्रकम् ॥ २५ ॥ धावमानस्तु तरसासिना सिंहं मदोत्कटम् । जघानातिबलान्मूर्ध्नि भ्रामयञ्जगदम्बिकाम् ॥ २६ ॥

English Translation

Vyāsa said :-- O King! Hearing these words of the Devī, that haughty Niśumbha ran forward, holding in his hand the sharpened axe and shield adorned with eight Caṇḍras (embossed) and firstly struck with sword violently on the proud lion; then, whirling with great force that sword, hurled it upon the Divine Mother.

Ch 30 Verse 27 Verse

Sanskrit Text

ततो देवी स्वगदया वञ्चयित्वासिपातनम् । ताडयामास तं बाहोर्मूले परशुना तदा ॥ २७ ॥

English Translation

The Devī, then, thwarted off the blow of the sword by Her club and struck at his arm by Paraśu.

Ch 30 Verse 28 Verse

Sanskrit Text

खड्गेन निहतः सोऽपि बाहुमूले महामदः । संस्तभ्य वेदनां भूयो जघान चण्डिकां तदा ॥ २८ ॥

English Translation

The warrior Niśumbha, thus struck at his arm, patiently bore that hurt and struck at Caṇḍikā by his axe. The Devī then made such a terrible noise of bells that all the Daityas were struck with terror.

Ch 30 Verse 29-30 Verse

Sanskrit Text

सापि घण्टास्वनं घोरं चकार भयदं नृणाम् । पपौ पुनः पुनः पानं निशुम्भं हन्तुमिच्छती ॥ २९ ॥ एवं परस्परं युद्धं बभूवातिभयप्रदम् । देवानां दानवानाञ्च परस्परजयैषिणाम् ॥ ३० ॥

English Translation

Then She, desiring to kill Niśumbha, began to drink nectar frequently. O King! Thus the terrible fight went on between the Devas and Dānavas both trying to defeat the other party.

Ch 30 Verse 31-33 Verse

Sanskrit Text

पलादाः पक्षिणः क्रूराः सारमेयाश्च जम्बुकाः । ननृतुश्चातिसन्तुष्टा गृध्राः कङ्काश्च वायसाः ॥ ३१ ॥ रणभूर्भाति भूयिष्ठपतितासुरवर्ष्मकैः । रुधिरस्रावसंयुक्तैर्गजाश्वदेहसङ्कुला ॥ ३२ ॥ पतितान्दानवान्दृष्ट्वा निशुम्भोऽतिरुषान्वितः । प्रययौ चण्डिकां तूर्णं गदामादाय दारुणाम् ॥ ३३ ॥

English Translation

Then began to dance in the battlefield, the cruel voracious dogs, jackals, vultures, herons, crows and other birds, very much gladdened. The battlefield was drenched with blood and the dead carcasses of innumerable Dānavas, elephants, and horses. Niśumbha, then, seeing the Dānavas dead on the field, became very angry and ran forward with his terrible club before the Devī.

Ch 30 Verse 34-35 Verse

Sanskrit Text

सिंहं जघान गदया मस्तके मदगर्वितः । प्रहृत्य च स्मितं कृत्वा पुनर्देवीमताडयत् ॥ ३४ ॥ सापि तं कुपितातीव निशुम्भं पुरतः स्थितम् । प्रहरन्तं समीक्ष्याथ देवी वचनमब्रवीत् ॥ ३५ ॥

English Translation

That proud Asura struck first at the head of the lion with that club and laughed again and again and struck the Devī with that same club. The Devī, too, got very angry seeing Niśumbha before Her and striking at Her. She then spoke thus :--

Ch 30 Verse 36 Verse

Sanskrit Text

देव्युवाच । तिष्ठ मन्दमते तावद्यावत्खड्गमिदं तव । ग्रीवायां प्रेरयाम्यस्माद् गन्तासि यमसादनम् ॥ ३६ ॥

English Translation

O You Stupid! Wait till I sever your head from your body by this axe. Soon you will be sent unto death with your head severed off your body.

Ch 30 Verse 37 Verse

Sanskrit Text

व्यास उवाच । इत्युक्त्वा तरसा देवी कृपाणेन समाहिता । चिच्छेद मस्तकं तस्य निशुम्भस्याथ चण्डिका ॥ ३७ ॥

English Translation

Vyāsa said :-- O King! Thus saying the Caṇḍikā Devī instantly cut off the head of Niśumbha by Her axe with great caution.

Ch 30 Verse 38 Verse

Sanskrit Text

सच्छिन्नमस्तको देव्या कबन्धोऽतीव दारुणः । बभ्राम च गदापाणिस्त्रासयन्देवतागणान् ॥ ३८ ॥

English Translation

The head thus severed from the body by the blow of the Devī, the headless Demon began to roam there with great force with club in his hand. The Devas then got very much frightened;

Ch 30 Verse 39 Verse

Sanskrit Text

देवी तस्य शितैर्बाणैश्चिच्छेद चरणौ करौ । पपातोर्व्यां ततः पापी गतासुः पर्वतोपमः ॥ ३९ ॥

English Translation

The Devī, then, cut off the hands and feet of that headless Demon with sharpened arrows.

Ch 30 Verse 40 Verse

Sanskrit Text

तस्मिन्निपतिते दैत्ये निशुम्भे भीमविक्रमे । हाहाकारो महानासीत्तत्सैन्ये भयकम्पिते ॥ ४० ॥

English Translation

That vicious wretch fell down lifeless, on the ground like a mountain. The powerful Daitya Niśumbha being thus killed, a great uproar arose amidst his panic stricken forces.

Ch 30 Verse 41 Verse

Sanskrit Text

त्यक्त्वाऽऽयुधानि सर्वाणि सैनिकाः क्षतजाप्लुताः । जग्मुर्बुम्बारवं सर्वे कुर्वाणा राजमन्दिरम् ॥ ४१ ॥

English Translation

The soldiers, covered all over their bodies with blood, left all their weapons in the field, began to make Boombā sound (a piteous cry with mouth and hands as sign of danger) and fled away to the King Śumbha.

Ch 30 Verse 42 Verse

Sanskrit Text

तानागतानुसंप्रेक्ष्य शुभ्यः शज्ञिपृद्व्नः । प्रच्छ क्व निशुमोजसी कवं भग्न: पलायिता: ॥ 4 2 ॥

English Translation

He, the tormentor of the foes, then asked them coming :-- “Where is Niśumbha now? Why have you fled away from the field?”

Ch 30 Verse 43 Verse

Sanskrit Text

तानागतान्सुसम्प्रेक्ष्य शुम्भः शत्रुनिषूदनः । पप्रच्छ क्व निशुम्भोऽसौ कथं भग्नाः पलायिताः ॥ ४२ तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं राज्ञस्ते प्रोचुः प्रणता भृशम् । राजंस्ते निहतो भ्राता शेते समरमूर्धनि ॥ ४३ ॥

English Translation

Thus hearing the King’s words, they bowed down and said :-- O King! Your brother Niśumbha is lying dead on the battlefield.

Ch 30 Verse 44 Verse

Sanskrit Text

तया निपातिताः शूरा ये च तेऽप्यनुजानुगाः । वयं त्वां कथितुं सर्वं वृत्तान्तं समुपागताः ॥ ४४ ॥

English Translation

O King! The Devī killed all the Dānava warriors that attended your brother; only we are left and have come here to give you the information.

Ch 30 Verse 45 Verse

Sanskrit Text

निशुम्भो निहतस्तत्र तया चण्डिकयाधुना । न हि युद्धस्य कालोऽद्य तव राजन् रणाङ्गणे ॥ ४५ ॥

English Translation

O King! Niśumbha has been killed by the weapons of the Devī. So we think you ought not to go to the battle.

Ch 30 Verse 46 Verse

Sanskrit Text

देवकार्यं समुद्दिश्य कापीयं परमाङ्गना । हन्तुं दैत्यकुलं नूनं प्राप्तेति परिचिन्तय ॥ ४६ ॥

English Translation

Know this as certain that the Lady, the Highest Cause of this Universe has come here to destroy the Dānavas, the object being to serve the cause of the Gods.

Ch 30 Verse 47-48 Verse

Sanskrit Text

नैषा प्राकृतयोषैव देवी शक्तिरनुत्तमा । अचिन्त्यचरिता क्वापि दुर्ज्ञेया दैवतैरपि ॥ ४७ ॥ नानारूपधरातीव मायामूलविशारदा । विचित्रभूषणा देवी सर्वायुधधरा शुभा ॥ ४८ ॥

English Translation

This Lady is not an ordinary woman; She is the Supreme Force; Her doings are inconceivable; what more can be said than the fact that the Devas never can know Her! This Devī can assume various forms; She is the origin of Māyā; She is very clever; She is adorned with various ornaments and is holding various weapons in Her hands.

Ch 30 Verse 49 Verse

Sanskrit Text

गहना गूढचरिता कालरात्रिरिवापरा । अपारपारगा पूर्णा सर्वलक्षणसंयुता ॥ ४९ ॥

English Translation

Her doings are incomprehensible; She is like a Second Night of Dissolution (at the end of the world); She is Perfect, endowed with all auspicious signs, capable to go beyond the insurmountable.

Ch 30 Verse 50 Verse

Sanskrit Text

अन्तरिक्षस्थिता देवास्तां स्तुवन्त्यकुतोभयाः । देवकार्यञ्च कुर्वाणां श्रीदेवीं परमाद्भुताम् ॥ ५० ॥

English Translation

This wonderful Devī is serving the cause of the gods and the Devas from the sky are singing hymns to Her.

Ch 30 Verse 51 Verse

Sanskrit Text

पलायनं परो धर्मः सर्वथा देहरक्षणम् । रक्षिते किल देहेस्मिन्कालेऽस्मत्सुखताङ्गते ॥ ५१ ॥

English Translation

O King! It is now your paramount duty to fly away and save your life; if you live, you may have the chance for gaining the victory when time will turn out favourable; there is no doubt in this.

Ch 30 Verse 52 Verse

Sanskrit Text

सङ्ग्रामे विजयो राजन् भविता ते न संशयः । कालः करोति बलिनं समये निर्बलं क्वचित् ॥ ५२ ॥

English Translation

It is Time that makes a strong man weak; and it is that very Time that makes that weak man strong again and stimulates him for victory.

Ch 30 Verse 53-54 Verse

Sanskrit Text

तं पुनः सबलं कृत्वा जयायोपदधाति हि । दातारं याचकं कालः करोति समये क्वचित् ॥ ५३ ॥ भिक्षुकं धनदातारं करोति समयान्तरे । विष्णुः कालवशे नूनं ब्रह्मा वा पार्वतीपतिः ॥ ५४ ॥

English Translation

Time makes a generous donor a beggar and it is Time that makes the same beggar again a generous donor. Brahmā, Viṣṇu, Maheśa, Indra and other Devas are all under the sway of this Time; so Time is the Sovereign of all.

Ch 30 Verse 55 Verse

Sanskrit Text

इन्द्राद्या निर्जराः सर्वे काल एव प्रभुः स्वयम् । तस्मात्कालं प्रतीक्षस्व विपरीतं तवाधुना ॥ ५५ ॥

English Translation

Therefore, O King! Wait for this Time. Now Time is favourable to the Gods and inimical to you.

Ch 30 Verse 56 Verse

Sanskrit Text

सम्मुखो देवतानाञ्च दैत्यानां नाशहेतुकः । एकैव च गतिर्नास्ति कालस्य किल भूपते ॥ ५६ ॥

English Translation

Therefore Time is destroying now the Daityas. But the course of Time is not the same throughout. O King! The actions of Time are various no doubt.

Ch 30 Verse 57 Verse

Sanskrit Text

नानारूपधराप्यस्ति ज्ञातव्यं तस्य चेष्टितम् । कदाचित्सम्भवो नॄणां कदाचित्प्रलयस्तथा ॥ ५७ ॥

English Translation

Time creates men and Time destroys them. The time of creation is different from the time of destruction, this is evident to you before your eyes.

Ch 30 Verse 58-60 Verse

Sanskrit Text

उत्पत्तिहेतुः कालोऽन्यः क्षयहेतुस्तथापरः । प्रत्यक्षं ते महाराज देवाः सर्वे सवासवाः ॥ ५८ ॥ करदास्ते कृताः पूर्वं कालेन सम्मुखेन च । तेनैव विमुखेनाद्य बलिनोऽबलयासुराः ॥ ५९ ॥ निहता नितरां कालः करोति च शुभाशुभम् । नैवात्र कारणं काली नैव देवाः सनातनाः ॥ ६० ॥

English Translation

See! When Time was favourable to you, you subject Indra and all other Devas and made them pay taxes to you; and now Time is unfavourable to you; so an ordinary weak woman is killing the powerful Dānavas; Time, therefore, is doing favourable things and also unfavourable things. The host of Devas or the woman Kālī is not the cause thereof.

Ch 30 Verse 61-62 Verse

Sanskrit Text

यथा ते रोचते राजंस्तथा कुरु विमृश्य च । कालोऽयं नात्र हेतुस्ते दानवानां तथा पुनः ॥ ६१ ॥ त्वदग्रतो गतः शक्रो भग्नः सङ्ख्ये निरायुधः । तथा विष्णुस्तथा रुद्रो वरुणो धनदो यमः ॥ ६२ ॥

English Translation

O King! The present Time is not favourable to you and the Daityas; knowing this, do as you like. See! Indra, Viṣṇu, Varuṇa, Yama and other prominent Devas all fled before in battle, quitting the weapons.

Ch 30 Verse 63-64 Verse

Sanskrit Text

तथा त्वमपि राजेन्द्र वीक्ष्य कालवशं जगत् । पातालं गच्छ तरसा जीवन्भद्रमवाप्स्यसि ॥ ६३ ॥ मृते त्वयि महाराज शत्रवस्ते मुदान्विताः । मङ्गलानि प्रगायन्तो विचरिष्यन्ति सर्वतः ॥ ६४ ॥

Sanskrit Colophon

इति श्रीमद्देवीभागवते महापुराणेऽष्टादशसाहस्र्यां संहितायां पञ्चमस्कन्धे युद्धात्प्रत्यागतानां रक्षसां शुम्भाय वार्तावर्णनं नाम त्रिंशोऽध्यायः ॥ ५.३०॥

English Translation

So, knowing this world as subject to the control of Time, you can now fly away and go quickly to the Pātāla. For if you live, you will get in future all the pleasures; and if you be killed, your enemies will all be very glad and roam everywhere fearlessly, singing propitious songs. Here ends the Thirtieth Chapter of the Fifth Book on the killing of Niśumbha in Śrī Mad Devī Bhāgavatam, the Mahā Purāṇam, of 18,000 verses by Maharṣi Veda Vyāsa.