Ch 31 Verse 1 Verse

Sanskrit Text

५.३१ एकत्रिंशोऽध्यायः । शुम्भवधः । व्यास उवाच । इति तेषां वचः श्रुत्वा शुम्भो दैत्यपतिस्तथा । उवाच सैनिकानाशु कोपाकुलितलोचनः ॥ १ ॥

English Translation

Vyāsa said :-- O King! Śumbha, the Lord of the Daityas, hearing the words of the soldiers, began to say, then, with eyes rolling with anger.

Ch 31 Verse 2 Verse

Sanskrit Text

शुम्भ उवाच । जाल्माः किं श्रूत दुर्वाच्यं कृत्वा जीवितुमुत्सहे । निहत्य सचिवान्भ्रातॄन्निर्लज्जो विचरामि किम् ॥ २ ॥

English Translation

Śumbha said :-- “O Fools! What are you saying all this? How can I do this unspeakably mean act and then hope to live? How shall I be able to roam in this world when I have become the cause the slaying of my brothers and ministers?

Ch 31 Verse 3 Verse

Sanskrit Text

कालः कर्ता शुभानां वाशुभानां बलवत्तरः । का चिन्ता मम दुर्वारे तस्मिन्नीशेऽप्यरूपके ॥ ३ ॥

English Translation

Time is the more powerful cause of all that takes place, good or bad; so when this formless Time is the Supreme Ruler, what use is there in my brooding over the result?

Ch 31 Verse 4 Verse

Sanskrit Text

यद्भवति तद्भवतु यत्करोति करोतु तत् । न मे चिन्तास्ति कुत्रापि मरणाज्जीवनात्तथा ॥ ४ ॥

English Translation

Let whatever come that is inevitable, let whatever be done that is destined to take place; death or life, I do not think of either.

Ch 31 Verse 5 Verse

Sanskrit Text

स कालोऽप्यन्यथाकर्तुं भावितो नेशते क्वचित् । न वर्षति च पर्जन्यः श्रावणे मासि सर्वथा ॥ ५ ॥

English Translation

The more so when Time is never able, even when worshipped, to thwart off death or life when their proper moment arrives.

Ch 31 Verse 6 Verse

Sanskrit Text

कदाचिन्मार्गशीर्षे वा पौषे माघेऽथ फाल्गुने । अकाले वर्षतीवाशु तस्मान्मुख्यो न चास्त्वयम् ॥ ६ ॥

English Translation

See! The God of rain gives us rain in the rainy season; but, it is seen that sometimes it does not rain in the month of Śrāvan (the rainy season); whereas it rains sometimes in the month Agrahāyana, Pauṣa, Māgha, or Phālguna (not the rainy season).

Ch 31 Verse 7 Verse

Sanskrit Text

कालो निमित्मात्रां तु दैवं हि बलवतस्म। दैवेन निर्मितं सर्वे नान्यथा घबतीत्वः ॥ 7 ॥

English Translation

Therefore it is evident that Time is not the chief factor. Fate is stronger than Time; Time is merely the instrumental cause.

Ch 31 Verse 8 Verse

Sanskrit Text

दैवमेव परं मन्ये चित्यभीरमवर्गकम् । जेता यः सर्वदेवानां निर्याम्योउपन्यथा हतः ॥ 8 ॥

English Translation

It is this Fate that has created all this universe; it cannot be rendered otherwise. I consider Fate Supreme; Fie on this one’s own exertion! For, Lo! Niśumbha, who had before conquered all the Devas, is slain today by an ordinary woman!

Ch 31 Verse 9 Verse

Sanskrit Text

कालो निमित्तमात्रं तु दैवं हि बलवत्तरम् । दैवेन निर्मितं सर्वं नान्यथा भवतीत्यदः ॥ ७ दैवमेव परं मन्ये धिक्पौरुषमनर्थकम् । जेता यः सर्वदेवानां निशुम्भोऽप्यनया हतः ॥ ८ रक्तबीजो महाशूरः सोऽपि नाशं गतो यदा । तदाहं कीर्तिमुत्सृज्य जीविताशां करोमि किम् ॥ ९ ॥

English Translation

Alas! When Raktabīja, too, had been slain, how can I desire to hold on to my life, foregoing all my name and fame!

Ch 31 Verse 10 Verse

Sanskrit Text

प्राप्ते काले स्वयं ब्रह्मा परार्धद्वयसम्मिते । निधनं याति तरसा जगत्कर्ता स्वयं प्रभुः ॥ १० ॥

English Translation

Even Brahmā, who has created all this universe, will not sooner come to an end than his longevity expires.

Ch 31 Verse 11-12 Verse

Sanskrit Text

चतुर्युगसहस्रं तु ब्रह्मणो दिवसे किल । पतन्ति भवनात्पञ्च नव चेन्द्रास्तथा पुनः ॥ ११ ॥ तथैव द्विगुणे विष्णुर्मरणायोपकल्पते । तथैव द्विगुणे काले शङ्करः शान्तिमेति च ॥ १२ ॥

English Translation

Four thousand Yugas constitute one day of Brahmā; and in that one day fourteen Indras perished; so twice the life of Brahmā constitute the life of Viṣṇu; similarly twice the life period of Viṣṇu constitute the life period of Maheśa; and when their longevities expire, they come to an end.

Ch 31 Verse 13 Verse

Sanskrit Text

का चिन्ता मरणे मूढा निश्चले दैवनिर्मिते । मही महीधराणाञ्च नाशः सूर्यशशाङ्कयोः ॥ १३ ॥

English Translation

This visible earth, mountains, sun and moon all will perish; so it has been specially ordained by the Destiny; therefore, O Fools! I do not care a bit for the death.

Ch 31 Verse 14 Verse

Sanskrit Text

जातस्य हि ध्रुवं मृत्युर्धुवं जन्म मृतस्य च । अध्रुवेऽस्मिञ्छरीरे तु रक्षणीयं यशः स्थिरम् ॥ १४ ॥

English Translation

When a being is born, he must die; and when anyone dies, he will be born again, there is no doubt in this.

Ch 31 Verse 15 Verse

Sanskrit Text

रथो मे कल्प्यतां शीघ्रं गमिष्यामि रणाजिरे । जयो वा मरणं वापि भवत्वद्यैव दैवतः ॥ १५ ॥

English Translation

So one ought to preserve one’s name and fame which is more permanent in this transitory body. Prepare my chariot; I will go today to the battlefield; let victory or defeat come what it may, as Fate has ordained. I will soon go to fight.”

Ch 31 Verse 16 Verse

Sanskrit Text

इत्युक्त्वा सैनिकाञ्छुम्भो रथमास्थाय सत्वरः । प्रययावम्बिका यत्र संस्थिता तु हिमाचले ॥ १६ ॥

English Translation

Thus saying, Śumbha mounted on the chariot quickly and went where the Devī Ambikā was staying. Then the four-fold army, cavalry, infantry, chariots, horses and elephants and innumerable soldiers, followed him with weapons in their hands.

Ch 31 Verse 17 Verse

Sanskrit Text

सैन्यं प्रचलितं तस्य सङ्गे तत्र चतुर्विधम् । हस्त्यश्वरथपादातिसंयुतं सायुधं बहु ॥ १७ ॥

English Translation

Going there to the Himālayā mountain, he saw the Divine Mother sitting on Her Lion. She appeared so very lovely as to enchant the three worlds.

Ch 31 Verse 18-19 Verse

Sanskrit Text

तत्र गत्वाचले शुम्भः संस्थितां जगदम्बिकाम् । त्रैलोक्यमोहिनीं कान्तामपश्यत्सिंहवाहिनीम् ॥ १८ ॥ सर्वाभरणभूषाढ्यां सर्वलक्षणसंवृताम् । स्तूयमानां सुरैः खस्थैर्गन्धर्वयक्षकिन्नरैः ॥ १९ ॥

English Translation

Her body was decorated with various ornaments, all the auspicious gems were manifest; the Devas, Gandarbhas, Yakṣas and Kinnaras in the heavens were all worshipping Her with hymns and Pārijāta flowers; and the Devī was making beautiful sounds with bells and conches, indicative of Her victory.

Ch 31 Verse 20-21 Verse

Sanskrit Text

पुष्पैश्च पूज्यमानाञ्च मन्दारपादपोद्भवैः । कुर्वाणां शङ्खनिनदं घण्टानादं मनोहरम् ॥ २० ॥ दृष्ट्वा तां मोहमगमच्छुम्भः कामविमोहितः । पञ्चबाणाहतः कामं मनसा समचिन्तयत् ॥ २१ ॥

English Translation

Seeing Her Śumbha was very much enchanted with passionate love and struck with, the five arrows of cupid, thought thus :-- How wonderful is Her lovely countenance! See! How wonderful and amazing is Her skilfulness! Delicacy and capability to endure the hardships of war, though quite contrary to each other, are both in Her.

Ch 31 Verse 22 Verse

Sanskrit Text

अहो रूपमिदं सम्यगहो चातुर्यमद्भुतम् । सौकुमार्यञ्ज धैर्यञ्च परस्परविरोधि यत् ॥ २२ ॥

English Translation

What a wonder is this! Her bodies are extremely delicate and limbs are lean and thin; besides She is lately blooming into womanhood; still She does not feel any passion; this is undoubtedly very wonderful!

Ch 31 Verse 23-24 Verse

Sanskrit Text

सुकुमारातितन्वङ्गी सद्यः प्रकटयौवना । चित्रमेतदसौ बाला कामभावविवर्जिता ॥ २३ ॥ कामकान्तासमा रूपे सर्वलक्षणलक्षिता । अम्बिकेयं किमेतत्तु हन्ति सर्वान्महाबलान् ॥ २४ ॥

English Translation

She is exquisitely beautiful that can be desired of in one’s mind; and though She is endowed with all the auspicious signs, yet She has no inclinations for all the pleasures and allurements of the world and is now slaying the powerful Asuras; this is wonderful indeed!

Ch 31 Verse 25 Verse

Sanskrit Text

उपायः कोऽत्र कर्तव्यो येन मे वशगा भवेत् । न मन्त्रा वा मरालाक्षीसाधने सन्निधौ मम ॥ २५ ॥

English Translation

Now what steps are to be taken so that this Lady comes under my control? All the Mantrams also are not with me now to bring over this Swan-eyed Lady unto me.

Ch 31 Verse 26-27 Verse

Sanskrit Text

सर्वमन्त्रमयी ह्येषा मोहिनी मदगर्विता । सुन्दरीयं कथं मे स्याद्वशगा वरवर्णिनी ॥ २६ ॥ पातालगमनं मेऽद्य न युक्तं समराङ्गणात् । सामदानविभेदैश्च नेयं साध्या महाबला ॥ २७ ॥

English Translation

This proud lovely Lady is the incarnate of all Mantrams; how will She come under my control? This heroic Lady cannot be controlled by conciliatory words, allurements, dissensions; it is not advisable, too, to fly away from the battlefield and to go to Pātāla.

Ch 31 Verse 28-29 Verse

Sanskrit Text

किं कर्तव्यं च गन्तव्यं विषमे समुपस्थिते । मरणं नोत्तमं चात्र स्त्रीकृतं तु यशोऽपहृत् ॥ २८ ॥ मरणमृषिभिः प्रोक्तं सङ्गरे मङ्गलास्पदम् । यत्तत्समानबलयोर्योधयोर्युध्यतोः किल ॥ २९ ॥

English Translation

What am I to do? Where shall I go in this critical moment? And if I die at the hands of this Lady, that death is not a glorious one; it will take away my fame. The death in a battlefield is conducive to one’s well being, so the sages say, when both the parties are equally strong.

Ch 31 Verse 30-31 Verse

Sanskrit Text

प्राप्तेयं दैवरचिता नारी नरशतोत्तमा । नाशायास्मत्कुलस्येह सर्वथातिबलाबला ॥ ३० ॥ वृथा किं सामवाक्यानि मया योज्यानि साम्प्रतम् । हननायागता ह्येषा किं नु साम्ना प्रसीदति ॥ ३१ ॥

English Translation

The Devas have created this Lady stronger than even hundred strong men; She is a woman merely in name. This Lady is very powerful and has come here to destroy the Dānavas; there is no doubt in this. What effect will conciliatory words now produce on Her; She has come to slay us; Will She be appeased with good words?

Ch 31 Verse 32 Verse

Sanskrit Text

न दानैश्चालितुं योग्या नानाशस्त्रविभूषिता । भेदस्तु विफलः कामं सर्वदेववशानुगा ॥ ३२ ॥

English Translation

Neither will allurements of precious things be of any avail, for She is decked with various arms and weapons; nor will it be of any use to sow dissensions between the Devas and Her. Further all the Devas are under Her control.

Ch 31 Verse 33 Verse

Sanskrit Text

तस्मात्तु मरणं श्रेयो न सङ्ग्रामे पलायनम् । जयो वा मरणं वाद्य भवत्वेव यथाविधि ॥ ३३ ॥

English Translation

Therefore it is far better to die than to fly; victory or death would come unto me today as Fate has ordained.

Ch 31 Verse 34-35 Verse

Sanskrit Text

व्यास उवाच । इति सञ्चिन्त्य मनसा शुम्भः सत्त्वाश्रितोऽभवत् । युद्धाय सुस्थिरो भूत्वा तामुवाच पुरःस्थिताम् ॥ ३४ ॥ देवि युध्यस्व कान्तेऽद्य मृथायं ते परिश्रमः । मूर्खासि किल नारीणां नायं धर्मः कदाचन ॥ ३५ ॥

English Translation

Vyāsa said :-- O King! Thus thinking in his mind, Śumbha became ready to shew his strength; and firmly resolved to fight, he said to the Devī before him :-- Devī! Fight. But, O One of delicate limbs! Thy so much toil is in vain. Thou hast no sense at all; for Thou art doing contrary to the doings of woman-kind.

Ch 31 Verse 36-37 Verse

Sanskrit Text

नारीणां लोचने बाणा भ्रुवावेव शरासनम् । हावभावास्तु शस्त्राणि पुमाँल्लक्ष्यं विचक्षणः ॥ ३६ ॥ सन्नाहश्चाङ्गरागोऽत्र रथश्चापि मनोरथः । मन्दप्रजल्पितं भेरीशब्दो नान्यः कदाचन ॥ ३७ ॥

English Translation

The pair of eyes of women are their arrows; the eyebrows are their bows; their gestures and postures are their weapons and their hits are those persons who are skilled in amorous love sentiments. The dyes used in painting the bodies are their armours, their mental desires are their chariots, so sweet soft words and conversations are their trumpet sounds; women have no other things for their war preparations.

Ch 31 Verse 38 Verse

Sanskrit Text

अन्यास्त्रधारणं स्त्रीणां विडम्बनमसंशयम् । लज्जैव भूषणं कान्ते न च धार्ष्ट्यं कदाचन ॥ ३८ ॥

English Translation

Therefore, O Beloved! Any other weapons are mere mockeries and ridiculous; their modesty is their ornament; impudence can never grace them.

Ch 31 Verse 39 Verse

Sanskrit Text

युध्यमाना वरा नारी कर्कशेवाभिदृश्यते । स्तनौ सङ्गोपनीयौ वा धनुषः कर्षणे कथम् ॥ ३९ ॥

English Translation

An exquisitely beautiful woman, if engaged in a fight will look harsh; especially when Thou wilt draw Thy bow, how wilt Thou be able to hide Thy breasts?

Ch 31 Verse 40 Verse

Sanskrit Text

क्व मन्दगमनं कुत्र गदामादाय धावनम् । बुद्धिदा कालिका तेऽत्र चामुण्डा परनायिका ॥ ४० ॥

English Translation

When Thou wilt run with Thy club, where will Thy gentle treadings go? O Beautiful! Thy councillors are this Kālikā and the stupid Cāmuṇḍā.

Ch 31 Verse 41 Verse

Sanskrit Text

चण्डिका मन्त्रमध्यस्था लालनेऽसुस्वरा शिवा । वाहनं मृगराडास्ते सर्वसत्त्वभयङ्करः ॥ ४१ ॥

English Translation

Caṇḍikā is Thy adviser; her voice is very hoarse; how can then she be able to nurse Thee? Again this Lion, the terror of all the beings, is Thy carrier. Therefore,

Ch 31 Verse 42 Verse

Sanskrit Text

वीणानादं परित्यज्य घण्टानादं करोषि यत् । रूपयौवनयोः सर्वं विरोधि वरवर्णिनि ॥ ४२ ॥

English Translation

O Dear! Leave aside all these and come over unto me. O Beautiful One! That Thou art ringing Thy bells and dost not sound. Thy lute goes quite against Thy beauty and youth.

Ch 31 Verse 43 Verse

Sanskrit Text

यदि ते सङ्गरेच्छास्ति कुरूपा भव भामिनि । लम्बोष्ठी कुनखी क्रूरा ध्वाङ्क्षवर्णा विलोचना ॥ ४३ ॥

English Translation

O Sensitive One! If Thou likest to fight, better assume an ugly appearance, let Thy nature be ferocious and cruel; let Thy colour be black like a crow; lips elongated, legs long, nails ugly, teeth horrible, and let Thy eyes be ugly or yellow like those of a cat.

Ch 31 Verse 44-45 Verse

Sanskrit Text

लम्बपादा कुदन्ती च मार्जारनयनाकृतिः । ईदृशं रूपमास्थाय तिष्ठ युद्धे स्थिरा भव ॥ ४४ ॥ कर्कशं वचनं ब्रूहि ततो युद्धं करोम्यहम् । ईदृशीं सुदतीं दृष्ट्वा न मे पाणिः प्रसीदति ॥ ४५ ॥

English Translation

O Devī! Assume such an ugly appearance and stand firmly for the fight. O Deer-eyed One! Speak first harsh words unto me; then I will fight with Thee; my hand does not get up to strike Thee with handsome teeth, in the battlefield, Who art like a second Rati.

Ch 31 Verse 46 Verse

Sanskrit Text

हन्तुं त्वां मृगशावाक्षि कामकान्तोपमे मृधे । व्यास उवाच । इति ब्रुवाणं कामार्तं वीक्ष्य तं जगदम्बिका ॥ ४६ ॥

English Translation

Vyāsa said :-- O Best of the descendants of Bhārata! When Śumbha said thus, the Divine Mother, seeing him passionate, smiled and said :--

Ch 31 Verse 47-48 Verse

Sanskrit Text

स्मितपूर्वमिदं वाक्यमुवाच भरतोत्तम । देव्युवाच । किं विषीदसि मन्दात्मन् कामबाणविमोहितः ॥ ४७ ॥ प्रेक्षिकाहं स्थिता मूढ कुरु कालिकया मृधम् । चामुण्डया वा कुर्वेते तव योग्ये रणाङ्गणे ॥ ४८ ॥

English Translation

O Stupid One! Why are you so much distressed with passion? O Fool! If your hand does not come forward to strike weapons at Me, then fight with this ugly Kālikā or Cāmuṇḍā; they are your best compeers in the battlefield; they will fight with you; I will stand as a mere Witness.

Ch 31 Verse 49 Verse

Sanskrit Text

प्रहरस्व यथाकामं नाहं त्वां योद्धमुत्सहे । इत्युक्त्वा कालिकां प्राह देवी मधुरया गिरा ॥ ४९ ॥

English Translation

Thus saying, the Devī Bhagavatī said to Kālikā, in sweet words :-- “O Kālikā! Your nature is fierce; this Śumbha likes also the fierce; so kill him.”

Ch 31 Verse 50 Verse

Sanskrit Text

जह्येनं कालिके क्रूरे कुरूपप्रियमाहवे । व्यास उवाच । इत्युक्ता कालिका कालप्रेरिता कालरूपिणी ॥ ५० ॥

English Translation

Vyāsa said :-- O King! That Kālikā, the incarnate of Death, thus ordered, took up Her club immediately and became ready to fight, as if sent there direct by the God of Death.

Ch 31 Verse 51 Verse

Sanskrit Text

गदां प्रगृह्य तरसा तस्थावाजौ कृतोद्यमा । तयोः परस्परं युद्धं बभूवातिभयानकम् ॥ ५१ ॥

English Translation

A dreadful fight then ensued between the two; and the highsouled Munis and the Devas were present there and witnessed the great event.

Ch 31 Verse 52-53 Verse

Sanskrit Text

पश्यतां सर्वदेवानां मुनीनाञ्च महात्मनाम् । गदामुद्यम्य शुम्भोऽथ जघान कालिकां रणे ॥ ५२ ॥ कालिका दैत्यराजानं गदया न्यहनद् भृशम् । बभञ्जास्य रथं चण्डी गदया कनकोज्ज्वलम् ॥ ५३ ॥

English Translation

Śumbha first struck at Kālikā, raising his club. Kālikā, then, struck Śumbha in return with her club violently. Instantly she made a dreadful sound, broke down his chariot, glittering like gold, into pieces, killed the horses of the chariot and slew the charioteer.

Ch 31 Verse 54 Verse

Sanskrit Text

खरान्हत्वा जघानाशु दारुकं दारुणस्वना । स पदातिर्गदां गुर्वीं समादाय क्रुधान्वितः ॥ ५४ ॥

English Translation

Walking, then, on foot with a very heavy club in his hand, Śumbha struck with great anger on the breast of Kālikā and began to laugh.

Ch 31 Verse 55 Verse

Sanskrit Text

कालिकाभुजयोर्मध्ये प्रहसन्नहनत्तदा । वञ्चयित्वा गदाघातं खड्गमादाय सत्वरा ॥ ५५ ॥

English Translation

Kālikā, in the meanwhile, rendering his stroke useless, soon took up Her axe and cut off his left hand, pasted with sandal and decked with arms and weapons.

Ch 31 Verse 56 Verse

Sanskrit Text

चिच्छेदास्य भुजं सव्यं सायुधं चन्दनार्चितम् । स छिन्नबाहुर्विरथो गदापाणिः परिप्लुतः ॥ ५६ ॥

English Translation

His left hand thus out off, his whole body was drenched with torrents of blood; yet he came up with club in his hand and struck Kālikā with it.

Ch 31 Verse 57 Verse

Sanskrit Text

अचिरेण समागम्य कालिकामहनत्तदा । काली च करवालेन भुजं तस्याथ दक्षिणम् ॥ ५७ ॥

English Translation

Kālikā, too, laughed and with Her scimitar cut off his right arm holding the club and ornamented with armlet.

Ch 31 Verse 58 Verse

Sanskrit Text

चिच्छेद प्रहसन्ती सा सगदं किल साङ्गदम् । कर्तुं पादप्रहारं स कुपितः प्रययौ जवात् ॥ ५८ ॥

English Translation

Śumbha became angry and came up violently to kick Her when Kālikā quickly cut off his two legs.

Ch 31 Verse 59 Verse

Sanskrit Text

काली चिच्छेद चरणौ खड्गेनास्य त्वरान्विता । सच्छिन्नकरपादोऽपि तिष्ठ तिष्ठेति च ब्रुवन् ॥ ५९ ॥

English Translation

His arms and legs thus severed from his body, the Demon frightened Kālikā and told Her, “Wait, wait.” And soon he came up before Her.

Ch 31 Verse 60 Verse

Sanskrit Text

धावमानो ययावाशु कालिकां भीषयन्निव । तमागच्छन्तमालोक्य कालिका कमलोपमम् ॥ ६० ॥

English Translation

Seeing the Demon coming, Kālikā severed his neck from his body like a lotus; blood began to gush out in continuous streams.

Ch 31 Verse 61 Verse

Sanskrit Text

चकर्त मस्तकं कण्ठाद्रुधिरौघवहं भृशम् । छिन्नेऽसौ मस्तके भूमौ पपात गिरिसन्निभः ॥ ६१ ॥

English Translation

O King! The head of Śumbha, thus severed from his body, fell on the ground like a mountain. Immediately the life left the body.

Ch 31 Verse 62 Verse

Sanskrit Text

प्राणा विनिर्ययुस्तस्य देहादुत्क्रम्य सत्वरम् । गतासुं पतितं दैत्यं दृष्ट्वा देवाः सवासवाः ॥ ६२ ॥

English Translation

Seeing the Dānava fall down lifeless, Indra and the other hosts of Devas began to worship the Devī Bhagavatī, Cāmuṇḍā, and Kālikā and chanted lovely hymns to them.

Ch 31 Verse 63 Verse

Sanskrit Text

तुष्टुवुस्तां तदा देवीं चामुण्डां कालिकां तथा । ववुर्वाताः शिवास्तत्र दिशश्च विमला भृशम् ॥ ६३ ॥

English Translation

The winds then began to blow pleasantly; all the quarters looked very clear and Fire in sacrificial altars, being circumambulated, became very propitious.

Ch 31 Verse 64 Verse

Sanskrit Text

बभूवुश्चाग्नयो होमे प्रदक्षिणशिखाः शुभाः । हतशेषाश्च ये दैत्याः प्रणम्य जगदम्बिकाम् ॥ ६४ ॥

English Translation

On the other hand, those Daityas that remained alive quitted their arms and weapons, bowed down to the Divine Mother, and fled away one and all to the Pātāla.

Ch 31 Verse 65 Verse

Sanskrit Text

त्यक्त्वाऽऽयुधानि ते सर्वे पातालं प्रययुर्नृप । एतत्ते सर्वमाख्यातं देव्याश्चरितमुत्तमम् ॥ ६५ ॥

English Translation

O King! I have now described in regular order to you how the Devī protected the Devas and destroyed Śumbha and other Asuras.

Ch 31 Verse 66 Verse

Sanskrit Text

शुम्भादीनां वधं चैव सुराणां रक्षणं तथा । एतदाख्यानकं सर्वं पठन्ति भुवि मानवाः ॥ ६६ ॥

English Translation

Those human beings on the surface of the earth that read this anecdote from the beginning to the very end or hear it constantly, get all their desires fulfilled; there is no doubt in this.

Ch 31 Verse 67 Verse

Sanskrit Text

शृण्वन्ति च सदा भक्त्या ते कृतार्था भवन्ति हि । अपुत्रो लभते पुत्रान्निर्धनश्च धनं बहु ॥ ६७ ॥

English Translation

O King! Verily he gets a son who has not got any son; he gets abundance of wealth who is without any wealth; the diseased become cured of their diseases; what more can be said than the fact that he who hears this glorious deed of the Devī in its entirety, gets all that he desires.

Ch 31 Verse 68-69 Verse

Sanskrit Text

रोगी च मुच्यते रोगात्सर्वान्कामानवाप्नुयात् । शत्रुतो न भयं तस्य य इदं चरितं शुभम् । शृणोति पठते नित्यं मुक्तिमाञ्जायते नरः ॥ ६८ ॥

Sanskrit Colophon

इति श्रीमद्देवीभागवते महापुराणेऽष्टादशसाहस्र्यां संहितायां पञ्चमस्कन्धे शुम्भवधो नामेकत्रिंशोऽध्यायः ॥ ५.३१॥

English Translation

O King! That man who reads daily this holy anecdote or hears it, has never to fear from his enemies; in addition be gets liberation after leaving his this body. Here ends the Thirty-first Chapter of the Fifth Book on the death of Śumbha in the Mahā Purāṇam Śrī Mad Devī Bhāgavatam of 18,000 verses by Maharṣi Veda Vyāsa.