Durga Saptashati Chapter 10: The Slaying of Shumbha

The Durga Saptashati, also known as the Devi Mahatmya and the Chandi Path, is a sacred Hindu text of 700 verses in 13 chapters that celebrates the glory of Goddess Durga. The tenth chapter describes the slaying of Shumbha.

Dashamo'dhyaya (॥ दशमोऽध्यायः ॥)

Dhyanam (॥ ध्यानम् ॥)

ॐ उत्तप्तहेमरुचिरां रविचन्द्रवह्नि- नेत्रां धनुश्शरयुताङ्कुशपाशशूलम्। रम्यैर्भुजैश्च दधतीं शिवशक्तिरूपां कामेश्वरीं हृदि भजामि धृतेन्दुलेखाम्॥

Om Uttapta-Hema-Ruchiram Ravi-Chandra-Vahni- Netram Dhanush-Shara-Yutankusha-Pasha-Shulam | Ramyair Bhujaish Cha Dadhatim Shiva-Shakti-Rupam Kameshvarim Hridi Bhajami Dhritendu-Lekham ||

Meaning: I meditate in my heart on Goddess Kameshvari, whose body shines like molten gold. Her three eyes are like the sun, the moon and fire. In her hands are a bow, arrows, a goad, a noose and a trident. She is the very power of Lord Shiva and wears the crescent moon on her head.

Verses

Rishir Uvacha

Verse 1

"ॐ" ऋषिरुवाच॥1॥

"Om" Rishiruvacha || 1 ||

Meaning: The sage says:

Verse 2

निशुम्भं निहतं दृष्ट्वा भ्रातरं प्राणसम्मितम्। हन्यमानं बलं चैव शुम्भः क्रुद्धोऽब्रवीद्वचः॥2॥

Nishumbham Nihatam Drishtva Bhrataram Prana-Sammitam | Hanyamanam Balam Chaiva Shumbhah Kruddho'bravid Vachah || 2 ||

Meaning: Seeing his brother Nishumbha, as dear to him as his own life, slain and his army destroyed, Shumbha became very angry and spoke to the Goddess.

Verse 3

बलावलेपाद्दुष्टे त्वं मा दुर्गे गर्वमावह।* अन्यासां बलमाश्रित्य युद्ध्यसे यातिमानिनी॥3॥

Balavalepad Dushte Tvam Ma Durge Garvamavaha | Anyasam Balam Ashritya Yuddhyase Yatimanini || 3 ||

Meaning: Shumbha said: “O Durga! Do not be so proud of your strength. You are fighting with the strength of other powers and think yourself very mighty.”

Devyuvacha

Verse 4

देव्युवाच॥4॥

Devyuvacha || 4 ||

Meaning: The Goddess said:

Verse 5

एकैवाहं जगत्यत्र द्वितीया का ममापरा। पश्यैता दुष्ट मय्येव विशन्त्यो मद्विभूतयः॥5॥*

Ekaivaham Jagatyatra Dvitiya Ka Mamapara | Pashyaita Dushta Mayyeva Vishantyo Mad-Vibhutayah || 5 ||

Meaning: The Goddess said: “In this world I alone exist. Who else is there besides me? O wicked one! Look at all these powers — they are all now merging into my own form.”

Verse 6

ततः समस्तास्ता देव्यो ब्रह्माणीप्रमुखा लयम्। तस्या देव्यास्तनौ जग्मुरेकैवासीत्तदाम्बिका॥6॥

Tatah Samastasta Devyo Brahmani-Pramukha Layam | Tasya Devyastanau Jagmur Ekaivasit Tadambika || 6 ||

Meaning: Then Brahmani and all the other divine Shaktis merged into the Goddess’s body. Only Goddess Ambika remained there, alone.

Devyuvacha

Verse 7

देव्युवाच॥7॥

Devyuvacha || 7 ||

Meaning: The Goddess said:

Verse 8

अहं विभूत्या बहुभिरिह रूपैर्यदास्थिता। तत्संहृतं मयैकैव तिष्ठाम्याजौ स्थिरो भव॥8॥

Aham Vibhutya Bahubhiriha Rupair Yadasthita | Tatsamhritam Mayaikaiva Tishthamy Ajau Sthiro Bhava || 8 ||

Meaning: The Goddess said: “All the forms I had taken here as my many powers I have now drawn back into myself. Now I stand here alone. So make yourself ready for battle and stand firm.”

Rishir Uvacha

Verse 9

ऋषिरुवाच॥9॥

Rishiruvacha || 9 ||

Meaning: The sage says:

Verse 10

ततः प्रववृते युद्धं देव्याः शुम्भस्य चोभयोः। पश्यतां सर्वदेवानामसुराणां च दारुणम्॥10॥

Tatah Pravavrite Yuddham Devyah Shumbhasya Chobhayoh | Pashyatam Sarva-Devanam Asuranam Cha Darunam || 10 ||

Meaning: Then a terrible battle began between the Goddess and Shumbha. All the gods and asuras were watching this battle.

Verse 11

शरवर्षैः शितैः शस्त्रैस्तथास्त्रैश्चैव दारुणैः। तयोर्युद्धमभूद्भूयः सर्वलोकभयङ्करम्॥11॥

Shara-Varshaih Shitaih Shastrais Tathastraish Chaiva Darunaih | Tayor Yuddham Abhud Bhuyah Sarva-Loka-Bhayankaram || 11 ||

Meaning: The two fought with swift arrows, weapons and terrible missiles. This battle was very frightening for the three worlds.

Verse 12

दिव्यान्यस्त्राणि शतशो मुमुचे यान्यथाम्बिका। बभञ्ज तानि दैत्येन्द्रस्तत्प्रतीघातकर्तृभिः॥12॥

Divyany Astrani Shatasho Mumuche Yany Athambika | Babhanja Tani Daityendras Tat-Pratighata-Kartribhih || 12 ||

Meaning: Goddess Ambika hurled hundreds of divine weapons at Shumbha. Shumbha, the King of the demons, met them all with his own weapons and destroyed them.

Verse 13

मुक्तानि तेन चास्त्राणि दिव्यानि परमेश्वरी। बभञ्ज लीलयैवोग्रहु*ङ्कारोच्चारणादिभिः॥13॥

Muktani Tena Chastrani Divyani Parameshvari | Babhanja Lilayaivogra-Hunkarochcharanadibhih || 13 ||

Meaning: The divine weapons that Shumbha released at the Goddess, the Supreme Goddess easily destroyed with her power and her terrible roar (hunkara).

Verse 14

ततः शरशतैर्देवीमाच्छादयत सोऽसुरः। सापि तत्कुपिता देवी धनुश्चिच्छेद चेषुभिः॥14॥*

Tatah Sharashatair Devim Achchhadayata So'surah | Sapi Tatkupita Devi Dhanush Chichchheda Cheshubhih || 14 ||

Meaning: Then the demon covered the Goddess with hundreds of arrows. The Goddess too grew angry and cut down Shumbha’s bow with her arrows.

Verse 15

छिन्ने धनुषि दैत्येन्द्रस्तथा शक्तिमथाददे। चिच्छेद देवी चक्रेण तामप्यस्य करे स्थिताम्॥15॥

Chhinne Dhanushi Daityendras Tatha Shaktim Athadade | Chichchheda Devi Chakrena Tamapyasya Kare Sthitam || 15 ||

Meaning: After his bow was cut down, Shumbha, the King of the demons, took up the weapon called the shakti (spear). With her discus the Goddess cut down that spear too, while it was still in his hand.

Verse 16

ततः खड्गमुपादाय शतचन्द्रं च भानुमत्। अभ्यधावत्तदा देवी दैत्यानामधिपेश्वरः॥16॥*

Tatah Khadgam Upadaya Shata-Chandram Cha Bhanumat | Abhyadhavat Tada Devi Daityanam Adhipeshvarah || 16 ||

Meaning: Then Shumbha, the King of the demons, rushed swiftly at the Goddess with a sword and a shield bearing emblems that shone like a hundred moons.

Verse 17

तस्यापतत एवाशु खड्गं चिच्छेद चण्डिका। धनुर्मुक्तैः शितैर्बाणैश्चर्म चार्ककरामलम्॥17॥*

Tasyapatata Evashu Khadgam Chichchheda Chandika | Dhanur-Muktaih Shitair Banaish Charma Charka-Karamalam || 17 ||

Meaning: As soon as Shumbha came near, Goddess Chandika, with sharp arrows shot from her bow, cut down his sword and his shield, which gleamed like the rays of the sun.

Verse 18

हताश्वः स तदा दैत्यश्छिन्नधन्वा विसारथिः। जग्राह मुद्गरं घोरमम्बिकानिधनोद्यतः॥18॥

Hatashvah Sa Tada Daityash Chhinnadhanva Visarathih | Jagraha Mudgaram Ghoram Ambika-Nidhanodyatah || 18 ||

Meaning: His horses were killed, his bow was cut down and his charioteer was gone. Then, intending to kill the Goddess, the demon took up a terrible mudgara (club).

Verse 19

चिच्छेदापततस्तस्य मुद्गरं निशितैः शरैः। तथापि सोऽभ्यधावत्तां मुष्टिमुद्यम्य वेगवान्॥19॥

Chichchhedapatatas Tasya Mudgaram Nishitaih Sharaih | Tathapi So'bhyadhavat Tam Mushtim Udyamya Vegavan || 19 ||

Meaning: With sharp arrows the Goddess cut down the club too as it came towards her. Even so, Shumbha raised his fist and rushed swiftly at the Goddess.

Verse 20

स मुष्टिं पातयामास हृदये दैत्यपुङ्गवः। देव्यास्तं चापि सा देवी तलेनोरस्यताडयत्॥20॥

Sa Mushtim Patayamasa Hridaye Daitya-Pungavah | Devyastam Chapi Sa Devi Talenorasy Atadayat || 20 ||

Meaning: That foremost of demons struck the Goddess on the heart with his fist. The Goddess too struck him hard on the chest with the palm of her hand.

Verse 21

तलप्रहाराभिहतो निपपात महीतले। स दैत्यराजः सहसा पुनरेव तथोत्थितः॥21॥

Tala-Praharabhihato Nipapata Mahitale | Sa Daityarajah Sahasa Punareva Tathotthitah || 21 ||

Meaning: At the blow of the Goddess’s palm, Shumbha, the King of the demons, fell to the ground, but he at once stood up again.

Verse 22

उत्पत्य च प्रगृह्योच्चैर्देवीं गगनमास्थितः। तत्रापि सा निराधारा युयुधे तेन चण्डिका॥22॥

Utpatya Cha Pragrihyochchair Devim Gaganam Asthitah | Tatrapi Sa Niradhara Yuyudhe Tena Chandika || 22 ||

Meaning: Shumbha leapt up, seized the Goddess and carried her up into the sky. There too, Goddess Chandika went on fighting him without any support.

Verse 23

नियुद्धं खे तदा दैत्यश्चण्डिका च परस्परम्। चक्रतुः प्रथमं सिद्धमुनिविस्मयकारकम्॥23॥

Niyuddham Khe Tada Daityash Chandika Cha Parasparam | Chakratuh Prathamam Siddha-Muni-Vismaya-Karakam || 23 ||

Meaning: Then a hand-to-hand battle began in the sky between Shumbha and Chandika. This battle astonished even the siddhas and sages.

Verse 24

ततो नियुद्धं सुचिरं कृत्वा तेनाम्बिका सह। उत्पात्य भ्रामयामास चिक्षेप धरणीतले॥24॥

Tato Niyuddham Suchiram Kritva Tenambika Saha | Utpatya Bhramayamasa Chikshepa Dharanitale || 24 ||

Meaning: After fighting hand to hand for a long time, Goddess Ambika seized Shumbha, whirled him around and flung him to the earth.

Verse 25

स क्षिप्तो धरणीं प्राप्य मुष्टिमुद्यम्य वेगितः।* अभ्यधावत दुष्टात्मा चण्डिकानिधनेच्छया॥25॥

Sa Kshipto Dharanim Prapya Mushtim Udyamya Vegitah | Abhyadhavata Dushtatma Chandika-Nidhanechchhaya || 25 ||

Meaning: After falling to the earth, the wicked Shumbha at once stood up, raised his fist and rushed swiftly at Goddess Chandika, intending to kill her.

Verse 26

तमायान्तं ततो देवी सर्वदैत्यजनेश्वरम्। जगत्यां पातयामास भित्त्वा शूलेन वक्षसि॥26॥

Tamayantam Tato Devi Sarva-Daitya-Janeshvaram | Jagatyam Patayamasa Bhittva Shulena Vakshasi || 26 ||

Meaning: Seeing Shumbha, the lord of all the demons, coming towards her, the Goddess struck him in the chest with her trident and brought him down to the earth.

Verse 27

स गतासुः पपातोर्व्यां देवीशूलाग्रविक्षतः। चालयन् सकलां पृथ्वीं साब्धिद्वीपां सपर्वताम्॥27॥

Sa Gatasuh Papatorvyam Devi-Shulagra-Vikshatah | Chalayan Sakalam Prithvim Sabdhidvipam Saparvatam || 27 ||

Meaning: Wounded by the Goddess’s trident, Shumbha fell lifeless to the earth. With his fall, the whole earth, with its oceans, islands and mountains, shook.

Verse 28

ततः प्रसन्नमखिलं हते तस्मिन् दुरात्मनि। जगत्स्वास्थ्यमतीवाप निर्मलं चाभवन्नभः॥28॥

Tatah Prasannam Akhilam Hate Tasmin Duratmani | Jagat Svasthyam Ativapa Nirmalam Chabhavan Nabhah || 28 ||

Meaning: After the wicked Shumbha was slain, the whole world became peaceful and joyful. The sky too became clear and pure.

Verse 29

उत्पातमेघाः सोल्का ये प्रागासंस्ते शमं ययुः। सरितो मार्गवाहिन्यस्तथासंस्तत्र पातिते॥29॥

Utpatameghah Solka Ye Pragasamste Shamam Yayuh | Sarito Margavahinyas Tathasams Tatra Patite || 29 ||

Meaning: The inauspicious clouds and meteors that had been seen before grew calm. The rivers too began to flow in their natural courses.

Verse 30

ततो देवगणाः सर्वे हर्षनिर्भरमानसाः। बभूवुर्निहते तस्मिन् गन्धर्वा ललितं जगुः॥30॥

Tato Devaganah Sarve Harsha-Nirbhara-Manasah | Babhuvur Nihate Tasmin Gandharva Lalitam Jaguh || 30 ||

Meaning: When Shumbha was slain, all the gods were overjoyed. The gandharvas began to sing sweet songs.

Verse 31

अवादयंस्तथैवान्ये ननृतुश्चाप्सरोगणाः। ववुः पुण्यास्तथा वाताः सुप्रभोऽभूद्दिवाकरः॥31॥

Avadayams Tathaivanye Nanritush Chapsaroganah | Vavuh Punyastatha Vatah Suprabho'bhud Divakarah || 31 ||

Meaning: The other gods played musical instruments and the apsaras began to dance. Pure and pleasant breezes began to blow, and the sun appeared most beautiful and bright.

Verse 32

जज्वलुश्चाग्नयः शान्ताः शान्ता दिग्जनितस्वनाः॥ॐ॥32॥

Jajvalush Chagnayah Shantah Shanta Dig-Janita-Svanah || Om || 32 ||

Meaning: The sacred fires grew calm and began to burn properly, and the restless and terrible sounds in all the directions also fell silent.

Conclusion

॥ इति श्रीमार्कण्डेयपुराणे सावर्णिके मन्वन्तरे देवीमाहात्म्ये शुम्भवधो नाम दशमोऽध्यायः॥10॥

|| Iti Shri-Markandeya-Purane Savarnike Manvantare Devimahatmye Shumbhavadho Nama Dashamo'dhyayah || 10 ||

Meaning: Thus ends the tenth chapter, named ‘The Slaying of Shumbha’, in the Devi Mahatmya, within the account of the Savarnika manvantara in the Shri Markandeya Purana. ॥10॥