Paraśurāma’s Stotra to Bhadrakālī

This is a short stotra that Paraśurāma sang to Devī Bhadrakālī before he fought the warrior Sucandra. Sucandra was one of the strong generals in the army that stood with Kārtavīrya Arjuna. The stotra is found in the Brahmāṇḍa Mahā Purāṇa, Madhyama Bhāga, chapter 39. It calls on Bhadrakālī as the fierce Devī who gives victory in battle, destroys enemies and protects those who are devoted to her.

The setting

In chapter 39 of the Madhyama Bhāga of the Brahmāṇḍa Purāṇa, Paraśurāma is fighting the forces of Kārtavīrya Arjuna. He faces Sucandra, a powerful fighter in Kārtavīrya’s army. Before the deciding fight, Paraśurāma calls on Bhadrakālī, the fierce and auspicious form of Devī, who is the great power behind victory in a righteous battle.

Bhadrakālī

Her name joins Kālī, who ends time and the foes of her devotees, with bhadra, which means auspicious and kind. She is fierce to the enemies of her devotee. To those who take shelter in her she is a kind and auspicious protector.

The invocation

In his stotra Paraśurāma addresses Bhadrakālī as:

• Mahābhayā-nāśinī, destroyer of great fears
• the form of Devī who stands on the battlefield as the śakti behind every weapon
• the one who gives victory (vijaya-dāyinī) to warriors who fight for dharma
• the protector of brāhmaṇa-dharma and the destroyer of those who oppress it

What came after

After he had offered this stotra, Paraśurāma fought Sucandra in battle and won.

Sources

• Brahmāṇḍa Mahā Purāṇa, Madhyama Bhāga, Chapter 39