20 - The Deities on the Kirichakraratha 

Hayagriva said: 

1. "O intelligent one, listen to the deities stationed in the five steps ofthe prominent chariot Kirichakra¹ (Boar-wheeled). Victory to those who listen to their names. 

1. This is a description of the chariot of the commander-in-chief, Danda-nāthā, the boar-faced deity (Potrini). The chariot has five steps, but the distribution of deities etc. is rather confused. May be due to some textual confusion. Whatever is precise is recorded in the following outline. 

Seat of Potrijfi 

I                      Centre of the Chariot-Bindu (Vide VV. 2-5) 

Step

II                    Centre of the Chariot: 3 deities–Jrumbhini,

 Step Mohini, Stambhini                                 [Vide VV. 6-8]

III                   5 deities such as Andhini [Vide VV. 9-12a) 

Step 

IV                   6 deities out of Mātrus, Mothers with exception of

Step               Chandida or Mahālaksmi, Vārāhi, six are stationed here.

Prob.             7 deities Dhātunāthās e.g. Yakshinī, Shañkhini so

IV                   called as these deities consume 7 dhātus of the

                        body, bestowers of eight siddhis. 

Step               Other side of the step: 2 chowrie-bearing deities

                        And Dandanāthā's Lion.                      (Vide VV. 12b-33)

VI                   v.l. states that this chariot has 5 steps but without

Step               specifically mentioning the V step, this is called the

6th step in the text.       

Prob. 8 deities e.g. Vārtāli, Vārāhi etc are stationed here.

On their left Dandanāthā's buffalo.

V                     Below them 8 guardians of quarters, gods, demi-

Gods, Nāgas etc. are 

Step               stationed (Vide W. 34-55)

On the wheel 3 deities: Jrumbhini, Stambhini, Mohini [The same deities as on the II step of this kiri-chakra-ratha vide W 6-8 above and Kshetrapāla at the extremity of this step. Below the VI Step: 1000 deities and 10 Bhairavas          [Vide W. 56-86] 

2-5. Dandanāyikā (leader ofthe Army) was stationed on the first step named Bindu. She, the destroyer ofthe haughty and wicked thorns of worlds appeared to make Jayairi (glory of victory) dance there by means of different kinds of flames. She had torn and pierced the haughty Dānavas with the terrific blow of her snout. She appeared to be the night for the clear perception of the rays of her curved teeth resembling the crescent moon. Her creeper-like tender body was dark in complexion like the clusters of clouds in the rainy season. She was a permanent ornament to the leading chariot Kirichakra. She was the Potrini (Boar-formed Deity) who had made all the revolving worlds her adopted children. 

6-8. Three deities viz.: Jrumbhini, Mohihi and Stambhini had occupied the second step at the same centre of that chariot. It resembled a full-blown pomegranate flower. The deities who were competent to suppress Dānavas, held the pestle, plough and liquor pot studded with many precious stones and jewels by means of their sprout-like hands where bangles set with rubies dazzled brilliantly. These deities had very sharp and dreadful eyes. They wished to burn Daitya soldiers by means of the fiery flames (emanating from the eyes) without hesitation. They continued to serve the Boar-faced goddess (Sūkarānanā). 

9-12a. Five deities beginning with Andhini were stationed on the third step of the excellent leading chariot Kirichakra. They had fixed their base in the Deviyantra. They appeared to split the three worlds by means of their boisterous laughter. They appeared like the flames of fire which burns the universe at the end of the world and which had assumed the guise of woman. With their tongues lolling and licking the sides, they were desirous of lapping up the flowing blood of all the soldiers of Bhandāsura. They were dazzling in their brilliance. Thus they used to serve Danarshāthā of terrific exploits, continuously. 

12b-14. Six deities were stationed on the fourth step of the leading chariot Kirichakra. They were Brāhmi and others excepting the fifth one (i.e. Vārāhi) and the eighth one (Le. Chandikā or Mahālakshmī). Their bodies appeared to discharge blazing flames from the Shatchakra (six mystical nerve plexuses in the body). They appeared ready to drink (i.e. to destroy) Dānavas by means of great many series of exploits. It was at the behest of Dandanātha that they resorted to that region. 

15-19a. Seven deities called Dhātunāthās were stationed in their respective places beneath the same step. They were Yakshinī, Shańkhini, Lākinī, Hākinī, Shākinī, Dākinī and another) Hākini who had the united (and combined) forms of all of them. All these demonstrated the exploits of their mighty arms. They appeared ready to drink (i.e. destroy) all living beings and the Earth. They drank and consumed the seven Dhātus, essential ingredients, of the body (viz. the blood), skin, flesh, fat, bones, morrow and the semen of enemies. They had hideous faces. With their harsh leonine roars they filled ten quarters. They were called Dhātunāthās and they were the bestowers of eight Siddhis beginning with Animā (minuteness). 

196-21a. They were experts in deluding, slaying, paralysing (stupefying), striking, swallowing, and exterminating the wicked Daityas. In regard to those who are habitually devout, they were competent to annihilate all adversities. They were called Dhātunāthās (since) they were present in all Dhātus (essential secretions of the body). 

21b-22a. They were adventurous enough to drink within half a moment all the oceans that appeared to kiss the sky by the series of waves. 

22b-24. They had cart-shaped teeth and terrible eyes. They were equally ready to swallow those who acted maliciously against their mistress, those who transgressed conventional rules and established practices, those who engaged themselves in mischief by injuring the followers of Vedic injunctions maliciously, those who were inimical to heroes and the Wicked Daityas who spoiled and obstructed Yajñas. They used to serve continuously Dandanāyikā in the form of Potrini. 

25-26, On the other side of the same step in a divine temple were stationed two deities well-known as Krodhini and. Stambhini. They fanned with two Chamaras (Chowries) as the bangles round their tender creeper-like hands moved to and fro. They were excessively proud after drinking liquor and the blood <»f soldiers in the army of demons. They had perpetual laughter in their faces and their eyes rolled about, continuously. 

27-30. Two excellent weapons, ploughshare and pestle, assuming the form of deities, took up their residence on either side of the leading chariot Kirichakra. 

They held the bodies of their own weapons at the place of their own crown. They were remembered by the Devas as the destroyers of everyone antagonistic to the universe. It was with these two weapons that Lalitā Dandanāyikā would cut off and kill Dānava named Visañga, in the battle. 

31-33. There was an exceedingly terrible lion well-known as Chandocchanda at the same step in front of Dandanāthā. The sky echoed with his roaring sound and the cardinal points were deafened by the sounds produced by it while gnashing its teeth. It had four hands and three eyes. It held trident, sword and nooses sewn and tied. Its body was brilliant. By seeing alone and observing everything), it served Goddess Potrini continuously. 

34-36. Eight deities beginning with Vārtālī were station ed on the sixth step of the leading chariot Kirichakra. They were renowned in the eight quarters. Their voices were as loud as the sound produced when eight mountains clashed with one another or fell over one another. Eight serpents served the purpose of their shining ornaments. Their strength and splend ours was never ruined or eliminated. They had sacrificed crores of Danavas in the fire of the prowess of their mighty arms. They used to serve Dandanāthā Lalitā day and night. 

37-38. Their names are also well known. O Pot-born sage, Listen: 

Vārtālī, Vārāhī, Vārāhamukhi, Andhinī, Rodhinī, Jrumbhinī, Mohini and Stambhinī.'They were competent in agitating, paralysing and exterminating enemies. 

39. The royal vehicle of Dandanāthā, a buffalo of dusky white colour, was always stationed on the left side of those deities on the same step. 

40-43. Its two horns were half a Krośha apart (1 Krośha = 3 kilometres) and its body was a Krośha long. Its body was covered with many hairs hard and sharp-edged like swords. It was dreadful with its formidable tail resembling the baton of the god of death. It had the lustre of the dark mountain of colly rium or blue antimony. It was furious, lofty and hideous. All the parts of that (buffalo) were stout and excellent like the massive mountain of antimony. Its deep and hot breath issuing forth and spreading everywhere stirred up the oceans. It seemed to laugh derisively at the buffalo of Kāla (God of death) by means of its crackling and rattling grunt. The cloud Pushkarāvarta was scattered about by its hoofs. 

44-47. On the same step but beneath were stationed Indra and others-the eight guardian deities of cardinal points. They had fixed their abodes in different ways at different places. They had come there to inform Lalitā about the fulfilment of tasks. There were Indra, the sixtyfour crores of celestial damsels, Siddhas, Agni, Fire god, Sādhyas, other Viśhvedevas, Viśhvakarmā, Maya, mothers of exalted state and strength, Rudras, the attendants and dreadful Piśhāchas. The leaders of Rākshasas and many Rākshasas used to wail there. 

48-53a. Mitras, Gandharvas, who were always experts in singing and whose wellknown leaders were Viśhvāvasu and others; other Bhūtaganas (groups of goblins), Varuna, Vasus, Vidyādharas, Kinnaras, Māruteśhvara (wind-god), Chitraratha, chariot-makers, artisans, Tumburu, Nārada, Yaksha, Soma, Yakseśhvara (Kubera), lord Govinda the consort of Kamalā, along with Devas, īśhana who is terrible due to his trident and who is the devourer of the universe, Brahma, Ashvinīputras who were efficient in the science of Medicine, lord Dhanvantari and other Gananāyakas (leaders of Ganas) who had gratified bees by means of ichor exuding from their excellent temples (were stationed there). 

53b-55. Ananta, Vāsuki, Taksha, Karkofa, Padma, Mahāpadma, Shankhapāla, Gulika, Subala-these leading serpents surrounded by crores of other serpents were stationed there. In this manner, many deities were stationed there on active duty. They had fixed their mansions all round beginning with the eastern quarter etc. 

56-60. There itself on the wheel were stationed three deities: Jrumbhini, Stambhini and Mohini. They were the presiding deities of Northwest and resorting to that quarter they stationed themselves in the form of a wheel. 

In the extremity of the same step of the resplendent chariot Kirichakra, Kshetrapāla shone continuously serving Kirtīśhvarī. He held a skull and a mace. He had a huge body with the hair standing upright. He had dark complexion and features like the dust and moss at the bottom of Pātāla. He appeared to rend through the sphere of the cosmic egg by means of his boisterous laughter as though by means of a thunderbolt. By means of sound from his Damani (a kind of drum), he split the hollow space between heaven and earth. He held in his hand a Phanipasha (A serpent in the form of noose) which had three hissing hoods. 

61. Very near him was stationed the goddess's vehicle, a lion. It was seated on this, that she began her activity when desirous of slaying Bhandāsura. 

62-65. The characteristics of the lion, the Vehicle of the goddess of Devas, have been described before. 

Beneath the same step (were stationed a thousand deities). They had lustre similar to that of Dandanāthā. They were adorned with all sorts of ornaments and weapons similar to those of Dandini. They were dark in complexion. They were Boar-faced. They kept their tresses embellished with the crest by means of the digit (i.e. crescent) of the Moon. They whirled the ploughshare and the pestle with their hands frequently. They filled skulls by means of overflowing currents of blood of those who plotted against Lalitā, who wrought mischief against Shyāmā and who maliciously treated the Mistress. They wore the intestines of those who hurt and assailed their devotees. 

66-68. They used to wear on their breasts garlands by a number of shaven skulls of those who protested against their own religious cults or conventional com munity. There was a continuous flow of blood from those heads. The deities who served Kīrtīśhvarī are said to be a thousand. The names of all those deities will be mentioned in the chapter (?) on the thousand names of Dandinī, O Pot-born saint. Note now again here. 

69-72a. Then, near those boar-faced deities was stationed the vehicle of Dandini, a black antelope. It was as a conventional custom (that the antelope stood there). The (space between) the horns were a quarter of a Krośha, the length of its face was a quarter of that. The length of legs was a Krośha. It always used to keep its tail upright. Its belly had a white lustrous patch. By means of a loud grunting sound, it laughed derisively at the exploits of the deer that was the vehicle of wind-god. This excellent vehicle was stationed in a part ofthe same step. 

72b-74. The ocean of liquor, assuming the form of a deity, was stationed there on the same step of the leading chariot Kirichakra. It held in its hand a lump of meat, red like a ruby mountain. Its eyes rolled. It wore a garland of golden lotuses. It was embraced by Madaśhakti (Deity presiding over the power of intoxication) that held a red lotus. 

75-77. (Later on) whenever Daitya Bhanda became active in the battle, Shaktis had perspired profusely and became thirsty, on those occasions. Surāsindhu (Ocean of Liquor) would scatter himself in various places and dispel the fatigue of deities in the course of war. That miracle will undoubtedly take place, O sage, then when the battle (is being described). You will hear it being recounted by me joyously. 

78. It is remembered that beneath the same step in all the eight quarters and above as well as below, ten (male deities) beginning with Hetuka had fixed their residences. 

79. They were the excellent and great Bhairavas wellknown for their profound exploits. By the enkindled splendour of their weapons, they surpassed even the sun by day. 

80-83. At the end of Kalpa, at the behest of Dandinī they destroyed the entire universe. They were of fearful nature. Gnashing their teeth and biting the lips with them (in anger), they used to pierce and scatter the clouds with the tips of their tridents. 

They were Hetuka, Tripurāri, the third one Agnibhairava, Yamajihva, Ekapāda, Kāla, Karālaka, Bhimarūpa, Hātakeśha as well as the one with the name Achala. These ten well-known (Bhairavas) stayed at the extremities of the chariot Kirichakra along with ten crores of soldiers. 

84. Thus the deities of (the chariot) Kirichakra of Dandanāthā beginning with Jrumbhini and ending with Achalendra have been enumerated. They sanctify the three worlds. 

85. There in the battle, many Dānavas would be killed by the groups of deities stationed there. Showers of blood would be drunk by them. 

86. Thus Kirichakra the excellent chariot of Dandanetrī, with diverse protective devices through the groups of deities stationed on the steps, moved ahead. 

87. Wherever the chariot Chakrarāja went the excellent chariot Goya also went; wherever the chariot Geya (proceeded) the excellent chariot Kirichakra also accompanied it. 

88. In the midst of thousands of the armies of Śhakti, these three splendid chariots that appeared like the three worlds set in motion, proceeded on and on. 

89. It appeared as though (the mountains) Meru, Mandara and Vindhya had joined together as one unit. 

There was a loud tumultuous sound in the groups of armies of Shaktis. The entire earth shook on being rent (as it were) by the creaking sound of their wheels. 

90-94a.* There were six charioteers in the leading chariot of Lalitā, named Chakrarāja (and other chariots). They were glorified as experts in holding the bridle and keeping the staff (whip) raised. The first is Irādevī, then Tripura-bhairavi, another is Samhāra-bhairava, the next is Raktayoginivallabha, the fifth is Sārasa, the next (sixth) is Chāmundā. These deities are remembered as charioteers. The charioteer of the leading chariot Geyachakra was Hasantikā. Stambhinī is remembered as the charioteer of the prominent chariot Kirichakra. 

• The lines are jumblea up in print. I follow the text N which is consistent.

94b-95. The excellent chariot of Lalitā had a height of ten Yojanas. The excellent chariot Gītachakra had a height of seven Yojanas. 

96. A great umbrella studded with pearls and having an extent of ten Yojanas was present only in the chariot of Laliteśhānī and nowhere else (not in the other chariots). 

97. This alone has been glorified as indicative of the imperial power of Shakti. Ordinary umbrellas were provided in the other two chariots. 

98-99a. Then that imperial deity Lalitā, the great goddess of all Śhaktis, the sovereign Deity who had ascended the rulership of a great empire advanced against demon Bhanda with a desire to accomplish his death. 

99b-100. At that time the cardinal points reverberated with the sounds; the earth quaked and all the living beings became excited and agitated at the departure of Laliteśhā. The divine drums (Dundubhis) sounded and showers of flowers fell on everyone. 

101-106. The celestial musicians viz. the Gandharvas beginning with Viśhvāvasu, Tumburu and Nārada and Sarasvatī herself began to recite auspicious verses of victory along with excellent songs. Their faces beamed with delight. Hairs standing on their ends over their bodies served as ornaments. They repeatedly eulogised Laliteśhvarī adding "Be victorious, be victorious". 

Delighted, proud and elated, they began to dance at every step. The seven sages beginning with Vasishtha repeated hymns and verses from Ruk, Yajur, Saman and Atharva Vedas increasing their good wishes for her victory and glory in the same manner as when the sacrificial fires of great purity are made to blaze forth by means of Havis offerings. Excellent persons added their benedictions of great power. Being eulogised by them and shining in her excellent chariot, Lalitā set off along with the soldiers in order to conquer the Asura Bhanda.