Mārkandeya Mahā Purana
85 - The Devi-mahatmya.
The goddess’ conversation with the Asura’s messenger.
The Asuras Sumhha and Nishumbha conquered the gods and drove them from heaven. —The gods invoiced Ch’andika at Himavat in a hymn, appealing to her by all her attributes to help them. —Parvati came there and Ch’andika sprang forth from her body.—The servants of Shumbha and Nishumbha saw her and extolled her perfect beauty to Shumbha.—He sent a messenger to invite her to marry him. —She explained that by a vow she could marry no one who did not conquer her in fight.
The rishi spoke:
Of yore the Asuras Sh’umbha and Nishumbha, trusting in their pridre and strength, robbed Sh’achi’s lord of the three
2 worlds* and of his portions of the sacrifices; they both usurped likewise the sun’s dignity and the moon’s dominion,
* For traikokyam read trailokyam.
3 and Kuvera’s and Yama’s and Varuna’s; and they both exercised Vayu’s authority and Agni’s sphere of action † Thereby the gods were scattered, deprived of their sover
† The Bombay edition inserts a line here —
anyesham ch’adhikaran sah svayam evadhitishthati
and reads the first three words with the preceding words, but does not explain the last four in its commentary. I would suggest that the line should ran thus-
anyeshdm adhikaramsch’a svayam evadhitashthatuh
“and they themselves dominated the lordships of the other gods.”
4 eignties and put to rout. The thirty gods, bereft of their donainion and set at nought by those two great Asuras, all
5 recall to mind that never-vanquished goddess, — “Thou didst grant us the boon,†† ‘As ye when in calamities shall call me to mind,§ that very moment will I put an end to all your direst
†† See canto lxxxiv, verse 31.
§ Smritahhilah, i.e., smrita, and akhilah agreeing with pararndpadah.
6 calamities.’ “Making this resolve the gods went to Himavat, lord among mountains, and there raised their hymn to the goddess, who is Vishnu’s illusive power. ||
||Vishnu- maya.
The gods spoke:
7 Reverence to the goddess, to the great goddess!
To her who is auspicious reverence perpettially!
Reverence to Prakriti the good!
Submissive we fall prostrate before her! ¶
¶ Pranatah sma tam; sma is used here with a past participle,
8 Reverence to her who is terrible, to her who is constant!
To Gauri, to Dhatri reverence, yea reverence!
And to the Moon-light,** to her who has the moon’s form.
** Jyotsnayai.
To her who is happy, reverence continually!
9 Falling prostrate, lo her who is propitious, to Prosperity,* To Perfection let us pay † reverence, yea reverence!
* For Vridvyai read Vriddhyai, But the Bombay edition reads mridvyai “to her who is gentle.’’
† Kurmo; the Bombay edition reads Kurmyai, “to the female Tortoise.”
To Nirriti,†† to the goddess of Good-Fortune of kings. To thee, Sh’arvani, reverence, yea revference
††” Dissolution.”
10 To Durga, to her who is a further shore difficult to be reached’,§
§ Durga-parayai.
To her who is essential, to her who works all things, ||
||Sharva-karinyai; this violates the metre. The Bombay edition reads better, sarva-karini, “O thou who Workest all things” “
And to Fame also, to her who is bine-black, ¶
¶ Krishnayai.
To her who is smoke-dark reverence continually!
11 Before her who is at once most gentle and most harsh We fall prostrate; to her reverence, yea reverence!
Reverence to her who is the foundation of the world!
To the goddess who is Action reverence, yea reverence!
12 To the goddess who among all created things Is called Vishnu’s illusive power.
Reverence to her, yea reverence to her!
Reverence to her, reverence, yea reverence!
13 To the goddess who among all created beings
Bears the name Consciousness,**
** Ch’etana.
Reverence to her, yea reverence to her!
Reverence to her, reverence, yea reverence!
14 To the goddess who among all created beings
Stands firm †† with the form of Intellect, ††††
†† Samsthita; or “abides.” The commentary explains it as samyak sthita.
†††† Buddhi-rupena,
Reverence to her, yea reverence to her!
Reverence to her, reverence, yea reverence!
15 To the goddess who among all created beings Stands firm with the form of Sleep,
Reverence to her, yea reverence to her!
Reverence to her, reverence, yea reverence!
16 To the goddess who among all created beings
Stands firm with the form of Hanger,
Reverence to her, yea reverence to her!
Reverence to her, reverence, yea reverence,
17 To the goddess who among all created beings
Stands firm with the form of Shadow,
Reverence to her, reverence to her!
Reverence to her, reverence, yea reverence!
18 To the goddess who among all created beings
Stands firm with the form of Energy,*
* Shakti-rupena.
Reverence to her, yea reverence to her!
Reverence to her, reverence, yea reverence!
19 To the goddess who among all created beings
Stands firm with the form of Thirst,
Reverence to her, yea reverence to her!
Reverence to her, reverence, yea reverence!
20 To the goddess who among all created beings
Stands firm with the form of Patience,
Reverence to her, yeq. reverence to her!
Reverence to her, reverence, yea reverence!
21 To the goddess who among all created beings
Stands firm with the form of Speciality,†
†Jati. The commentary explaina it as nityaikanugata-pratyaya-heturaneka-samavayini.
Reverence to her, yea reverence to her!
Reverence to her, reverence, yea reverence!
22 To the goddess who among all created beings Stands firm with the form of Modesty,
Reverence to her, yea reverence to her!
Reverence to her, reverence, yea reverence!
23 To the goddess who among all created beings
stands firm with the form of Peaceableness,
Reverence to her, yea reverence to her
Reverence to her, reverence, yea reverence!
24 To the goddess who among all created beings
Stands firm with the form of Faith,
Reverence to her, yea, reverence to her!
Reverence to her, reverence, yea reverence!
25 To the goddess who among all created beings
Stands firm with the form of Loveliness,
Reverence to her, yea reverence to her!
Reverence to her, reverence, yea reverence!
26 To the goddess who among all created beings
Stands firm with the form of Good-Fortune,
Reverence to her, yea reverence to her!
Reverence to her, reverence, yea reverence! *
* The Bombay edition inserts here a similar verse, invoking the goddess in the form of Steadfastness (dhriti).
27 To the goddess who among all created beings
Stands firm with the form of Activity,
Reverence to her, yea reverence to her!
Reverence to her, reverence, yea reverence!
28 To the goddess who among all created beings Stands firm with the form of Memory,
Reverence to her, yea reverence to her!
Reverence to her, reverence, yea reverence!
29 To the goddess who among all created beings Stands firm with the form of Mercy,
Reverence to her, yea reverence to her!
Reverence to her, reverence, yea reverence! †
† After this verse and after verse 30 the Bombay edition inserts two similar verses, invoking the goddess in the form of Good Policy (niti) and Nourialiment (pushti) respectively.
30 To the goddess who among all created beings
Stands firm with the form of Contentment,
Reverence to her, yea reverence to her!
Reverence to her, reverence, yea reverence!
31 To the goddess who among all created beings
Stands firm with the form of Mother,
Reverence to her, yea reverence to her
Heverence to her, reverence, yea reverence!
32 To the goddess who among all created beings
Stands firm with the form of Error,
Reverence to her, yea reverence to her!
Reverence to her, reverence, yea reverence!
33 To her who both governs the organs of sense
Of created beings, and rules among all
Created beings perpetually, —to her
The goddess of Pervasiveness reverence, yea reverence
34 To her who exists pervading this entire
World with the form of Thinking Mind,
Reverence to her, yea reverence to her!
Reverence to her, reverence, yea reverence!
35 Praised by the gods afore-time because of eagerly-desired
protection.
And waited upon by the lord of the gods many days.
May she, the goddess, the origin of brightness, accomplish for us
Bright things, yea good things, and ward off calamities
36 And she, who is both reverenced as queen by us gods,
Who are tormented now by the arrogant Daityas,
And whom we called to mind as we bow our bodies in faith,* She this very moment destroys f all our calamities!
* Bhakti-vinamra-murttibhih, must be taken with asmabhir, though it is ill-placed aa the verse stands. It wonld be better to read the second half of the verse thus-
Ya ch’a smrita bkakti-vinamra-murttibhih,
Sarvapadas tat-kshanam eva hanti nah,
†Hantu, “may she destroy,” would be better than hanti.
The rishi spoke:
37 While the gods were thus engaged in offering hymns and other reverential acts, Parvati came there to bathe in the water
38 of the Ganges, O prince. She, the beautiful-browed, said to those gods, — “Whom do ye, lords, hymn here? “And springing forth from the treasure-house of her body the auspicious 39 goddess spoke—” For me this hymn is uttered by the assembled gods, who have beeu set at nought by the Daitya
40 Sh’umbha and routed in battle by Nishumbha.” Because Ambika issued forth from the treasure-house* of Parvati’s body, she is therefore named in song as Kaushiki †
* Kosha; but kosha is better.
† Kaushiki is better. The derivation is of oonrse absurd.
41 among all the worlds. Now after she had issued forth, the other also, even Parvati, became Krishna; she is celebrated as Kalika; she fixed her abode on Mount Hima-vat.
42 Thereafter Ch’anda, and Munda, the two servants of Sh’umbha and Nishumbha, saw Ambika displaying her sublime and most
43 captivating form; and both spake out unto Sh’umbha;-“What woman then, most surpassingly captivating, dwells
44 here, illuminating Mount Hima-vat, great king? Such sublime beauty was never in sooth seen by anyone anywhere; let it be ascertained if she is any goddess, and let her be taken
45 possession of, O lord of the Asuras. A gem among women, surpassingly beautiful in body, illuminating the regions of the sky with her lustre, there she is then, O lord of the
46 Daityas; deign. Sir, to look at her. Moreover, whatever gems, precious stones, elephants, horses and other valuable things indeed exist in the three worlds, O lord, all those display their splendour at this present time in thy house.
47 Airavata, gem among elephants, has been captured from Purandara; and this Parijata tree and also the horse Ucchaihsravas.
48 Here stands the heavenly chariot yoked with swans in thy court-yard; it has been brought here, the wonderful chariot composed of gems, which belonged to Brahma.
49 Here is the Nidhi Maha-padma,†† captured from the Lord of wealth. And the Ocean gave a garland made of filaments
††See canto lxvii, verse 12.
50 and of undying lotus flowers. In thy house stands Varuna’s umbrella, which streams with gold. And here is the choice
51 chariot that belonged to Praja-pati formerly. Thou, O lord, hast carried off Death’s power which is named Utkranti-da.* The noose of the Ocean-king is in thy brother’s possession.
* “Giving an exit,” “granting departure.”
52 And Nishumbha has every kind of gem which is produced in the sea. Agni also gave thee two garments which are
53 purified by fire. Thus, O lord of the Daityas, all gems have been captured by thee; why dost thou not seize this auspicious lady, this gem of womankind? “
The rishi spoke:
54 Sh’umbha, on hearing this speech then from Ch’anda and Munda, sent the great Asura Su-griva as messenger to the
55 goddess, saying—” Go and address her thus and thus according to my words, and lightly conduct the matter so that she may come to me of her own good pleasure.” He went to
56 where the goddess sat on a very bright spot in the mountain and spoke gently with mellifluous voice.
The messenger spoke:
57 goddess! Sh’umbha; lord of the Daityas, is supreme lord, over the three worlds. A messenger am I, sent by him; to
58 thy presence here I have come. Hearken to what he has said, whose command is never resisted among all beings of divine origin, and who has vanquished every foe of the
59 Daityas— “Mine are all the three worlds; obedient to my authority are the gods, I eat every portion of the sacrifices
60 separately. The choicest gems in the three worlds are altogether under my power; and so are the finest elephants and the chariot of the lord of the gods, since I have captured
61 them. That gem among horses, named Ucchaih-sravasa, which came forth at the churning of the sea of milk, was presented to me by the immortals who prostrated themselves before me.
62 And whatever other created things in the shape of gems existed among the gods, Gandharvas and Nagas, they were presented even to me, brilliant lady. I esteem thee
63 O goddess, to be the gem of womankind in the world; do thou, who art such, approach unto me, since I am an enjoyer 64 of gems. Either to me, or to my younger brother Nishumbha of wide-reaching prowess, approach thou, O lady of quick
65 side-glances, since thou art in truth a gem. Supreme dominion beyond compare thou shalt gain by wedding me. Understand and consider this, and come unto wedlock with me!”
The rishi spoke:
66 Thus accosted the goddess, smiling deeply within herself, she, Durga the adorable and good, who supports this world, sang this reply then.
The goddess spoke:
67 Truly hast thou spoken; nought hast thou uttered falsely herein. Sovereign of the three worlds is Sh’umbha, and like
68 unto him is Nishumbha also! But how can that which has been promised concerning this myself be fulfilled falsely? Hearken, what vow I made formerly by reason of my small
69 understanding at that time,— ‘He who vanquishes me in fight, who forces my pride from me, and who is my match in
70 strength in the world, he shall be my husband.’ Let Sh’umbha come here then, or Nishumbha the great Asura; let him vanquish me—what need of delay here? aud let him lightly take my hand in marriage!
The messenger spoke:
71 Proud art thou! Talk not so before me, O goddess! What male in the three worlds may stand front to front with
72 Shumbha and Nishumbha? All the gods verily stand not face to face with even the other Daityas in battle, O goddess; how much less canst thou so stand, a woman single-handed!
73 With Sh’umbha and those other Daityas, against whom Indra and all the other gods stood not in battle, how shalt thou
74 a woman, venture face to face? Do thou, heing such, to whom I have in sooth delivered my message, go near unto Sh’umbha and Nishumbha; let it not he that thou shalt go with thy dignity shattered in that thou wilt be dragged thither by thy hair!
The goddess spoke:
75 So strong as this is Sh’umbha! and so exceedingly heroic is Nishumbha! What can I do, since there stands my ill-considered
76 promise of long ago? Go thou thyself; make known respectfully to the lord of the Asnras all this that I have said to thee, and let him do whatever is fitting.
Summary of chapter 85 of the Mārkandeya Mahā Purana is as follows:
In subsequent ages, when demonic brothers Śumbha and Niśumbha seized the divine shares of sacrifices and banished the devas to Earth, the devas assembled on the Himalayan peaks to recite the glorious Aparājitā Stuti. Responding to their devotion, Goddess Pārvatī shed Her dark sheath, manifesting as radiant Ambikā, while Her dark form became Goddess Kālikā. Seeing Her divine beauty, the demonic messengers Caṇḍa and Muṇḍa reported to Śumbha, who sent his envoy Sugrīva with an arrogant marriage proposal, which the Goddess firmly rejected by declaring Her solemn vow to wed only him who conquers Her in battle.