92 - The Devi-mahatmya.

The slaying of Shumbha and Nishumbha concluded.

The goddess descants on the merits of this poem and the beneficent results of reading and listening to it. —The gods regained their rights and the Daityas departed to Patala.—Her attributes and beneficence are extolled. 

The goddess spoke:

1 And whoever with mind composed shall praise me constantly with these hymns, I will quiet down every trouble for him

2 assuredly. And those who shall celebrate the destruction of Madhu and Kaitabha, the slaughter of the Asura Mahisha,

3 and the slaying of Shumbha and Nishumbha likewise; and those also who shall listen* in faith to this poem of my sublime majesty on the eighth day of the lunar fortnight, on

* The Bombay edition reads stoshyanti, “shall celebrate in song.”

4 the fourteenth and on the ninth, with intent mind, to them shall happen no wrong-doing whatever, nor calamities that arise from wrong-doing, nor poverty, nor indeed deprivation of

5 their desires.† Never shall he experience fear from enemies, from robbers, nor from kings, nor from weapon or fire or

† Ishta-viyojana; or “separation from loved ones.”  Viyojana is not in the dictionary. 

6 water-flood. Hence this poem of my majesty must be read by men of composed minds and listened to by them always

7 with faith, for it is the supreme course of blessings. Now may this poem of my majesty quell all kinds of calamities, which arise from grievous pestilence,†† and the three-fold

†† Maha-mari; or “cholera.”

8 portent. Where this poem is duly read constantly at my sanctuary, I will never forsake that place, and there my

9 presence is fixed. At the offering of the bali, and during worship, in the ceremonies with fire, and at a great festival, all this story of my exploits must verily be proclaimed and

10 listened to. I will accept with kindliness both the bali worship that is paid, and the oblation by fire that is offered, by

11 him who understands or him who understands not. And at the great annual worship that is performed in autumn time, the man, who listens filled with faith to this poem of my

12 majesty, shall assaredly through my favour be delivered from every trouble, and be blessed with riches, grain and children.

13 From listening to this poem of my majesty Moreover, come splendid issues and prowess in battles, and a man becomes 

14 fearless.* When men listen to this poem of my majesty, enemies pass to destruction, and prosperity accrues and their

* The text as it stands is incorrect, for parakrama is masc, and parakramam, aoc, has no verb. I have read therefore parakramash ch’a for parakramam ch’a. The Bombay edition reads tathotpattih prithak Subhah parakramamsh ch’a, and the commentary translates the verse thns— “From listening ta this poem of my majesty, and to my splendid diverse appearances in the- forms of the Energies, and to my feats of prowess in battles, a man becomes fearless.” 

15 family rejoices. Let a man listen to this poem of my majesty everywhere, at a ceremony for securing tranquillity, and after seeing an ill-dream and when planets are greatly eclipsed.

16 Thereby portents turn into calm, and also dreadful eclipses of the planets, and also an ill-dream which men have seen; and

17 a sweet dream appears. It produces peacefulness in children who have been possessed by the demon that seizes children,† and it is the best promoter of friendship among men when union† Bala-graha; see canto li. 

† Bala-graha; see canto li. 

18 is dissolved; it is the most potent diminisher of the power of all men of ill livelihood; verily through reading it, comes

19 the destruction of Rakshasas, goblins and Pishachas. All this poem of my majesty briags a man near unto me. And by means of cattle, flowers, arghya offerings and incenses, and

20 by the finest perfumes and lamps, by feasts given to brahmans, by oblations, by sprinkled water day and night, and by various other objects of enjoyment, by gifts yearly - the

21 favour which comes hy such means, such favour is won from me when this story of my noble exploits is once heard. When

22 heard it takes away sins and confers perfect health. This celebration of me preserves created beings from future births, even this story of my exploits in battles, the annibilation of

23 the wicked Daityas. When it is heard, no fear, that is caused by enmity, springs up among men. And the hymns which ye have composed, and those composed by brahman

24 rishis, and those composed by Brahma bestow a splendid mind.†† He who is surrounded by a raging fire in a forest 

†† Or gatim, “course” or “issue.”

25 or on a lonesome road, or. who is encompassed by robbers in a desolate spot, or who is captured by enemies, or who is prowled after by a lion or tiger or by wild elephants in a

26 forest, or who ig under the command of an enraged King, or who is sentenced to death, or who has fallen into bonds, or who is whirled around by the wind, or who stands in a

27 ship- in the wide sea, or, who is in the most dreadfal battle with, weapons- falling upon him, or who is afficted with pain

28 amidst all kinds of terrible troubles - such a man’- on calling 

to mind this story of my exploits is delivered from his strait. Through my power lions and other dangerous beasts, robbers and enemies, from- a distance indeed, flee from him who calls to mind’ this- story of my exploits. 

The rishi spoke:

29 Having, spoken thus the adorable Chandika, who is fierce in prowess, vanished there, while the gods were gazing indeed

30 on her. The gods also relieved from fear, their foes being slain, all resumed their own- dominions as- before, participating in their shares of sacrifices. 

31. And the Daityas—when- Shumbha that most fierce foe of the gods, who brought ruin on the world and -who was’peerless

32 in prowess, had been slain by the goddess in fight, and Nishumbha also- great in valour was slain—all came to Patala.

Thus- that adorable goddess, although, everlasting-, yet

33 taking birth again and againj accomplishes; the safeguarding of the world, O king; By her this universe is bewitched; she

34 verily gives birth to the universe. And when besought, she bestows knowledge; when gratified, she bestows prosperity.

35 All this egg of Brahma, O king, is pervaded by her, who is Mahakali at Mahakala,* andwho has the nature of the Great Destroying Goddess.†  She indeed is Maha-mari at the fated

*A shrine sacred to Shiva, at Ujjain; see Raghu-Vamsha, vi, 32-34. and. Megha-Duta i. 34. 

† Maha-mari; see verse 7 above. 

36 time; she indeed is creation, the Unborn; she indeed the Eternal gives stabilfty to created’ beings at their fated time. She indeed is Lakshmi, bestowing prosperity on the houses of men while

37 she abides with them; and she indeed when she is absent becomes the goddess of Ill Fortune* unto their destruction. When hymned and worshipped with flowers, and with incense, perfumes and other offerings, she bestows wealth and sons, and a mind brilliant in righteousness. 

* A-lakshmi.