Durga Saptashati Chapter 3: Mahishasura-Vadha

Durga Saptashati Chapter 3, known as Tritiya Adhyaya or Mahishasura-Vadha, is the heart of the Madhyama Charitra of the Devi Mahatmya. It describes how the Goddess slew Mahishasura's generals one by one and then Mahishasura himself – the deed that gives her the name Mahishasura-Mardini.

The demon-king changes form as he fights: a buffalo, a lion, a swordsman, an elephant, and a buffalo again. The Goddess binds him with her noose, drinks the divine drink, laughs, sets her foot on his neck, strikes him with her trident and, as he struggles half-way out of the buffalo's mouth, cuts off his head. The chapter ends with the gods, sages, gandharvas and apsaras praising her.

The chapter contains 44 textual units, traditionally counted as 3 uvacha lines and 41 full verses. Every one of them is given below in Sanskrit, with transliteration and a simple English meaning.

Durga Saptashati Chapter 3 at a Glance

Particular	Details
Chapter	Tritiya Adhyaya (Third Chapter)
Traditional Name	Mahishasura-Vadha – The Slaying of Mahishasura
Charitra	Madhyama Charitra – Chapters 2, 3 and 4
Presiding Deity	Mahalakshmi
Rishi · Metre · Shakti · Bija · Tattva · Veda	Vishnu · Ushnik · Shakambhari · Durga · Vayu · Yajurveda – from the Viniyoga of the Madhyama Charitra, recited at Chapter 2; Chapter 3 has no separate Viniyoga
Main Theme	The slaying of Mahishasura's generals and of Mahishasura himself
Narrator	Sage Medha ("Rishir Uvacha"), within Sage Markandeya's narration
Principal Figures	The Goddess (Chandika, Ambika, Bhadrakali), her lion, her ganas, Mahishasura, and the asura generals Chikshura, Chamara, Udagra, Karala, Uddhata, Bashkala, Tamra, Andhaka, Ugrasya, Ugravirya, Mahahanu, Bidala, Durdhara and Durmukha
Traditional Count	44 textual units (217 from the beginning of the text)
Source	Markandeya Purana – Devi Mahatmya
Navratri	Read on Day 2 (with Chapters 2 and 4 in the nine-day schedule)

Story of Durga Saptashati Chapter 3

The chapter opens where Chapter 2 ended: the asura army is being destroyed. Mahishasura's commander Chikshura attacks the Goddess, raining arrows on her like a cloud on Mount Meru. She cuts his arrows to pieces as if in play, kills his horses and charioteer, breaks his bow and banner, and wounds him. He rushes at her with sword and shield, strikes her lion on the head and her on the left arm – and his sword shatters on her arm. His trident, hurled at Bhadrakali, is smashed by hers, and he falls.

Chamara comes next on an elephant. His spear drops powerless at a single roar from Ambika, his trident is cut down by her arrows, and the Goddess's lion leaps onto the elephant's head, grapples with him, and finally tears off his head with a blow of its paw. The other generals follow in quick succession: Udagra killed with rocks and trees, Karala with teeth, fists and slaps, Uddhata crushed by the mace, Bashkala by the bhindipala, Tamra and Andhaka by arrows, Ugrasya, Ugravirya and Mahahanu by the trident, Bidala beheaded by the sword, Durdhara and Durmukha sent to Yama's realm by arrows.

With his army gone, Mahishasura takes his buffalo form and attacks the Goddess's ganas – goring, trampling, lashing with his tail, knocking them down with the blast of his breath. When he rushes at her lion, Ambika's anger rises. He tramples the earth, tosses mountains with his horns, splits clouds, floods the shores with his tail. Chandika throws her noose over him and binds him. He drops the buffalo form and becomes a lion; as she raises her sword he becomes a man with a sword; she cuts the man down and he becomes a great elephant that seizes her lion with its trunk; she severs the trunk, and he is a buffalo once more, shaking the three worlds.

Then the Mother of the world grows angry. She drinks the divine drink again and again, her eyes red, and laughs. Mahishasura roars and hurls mountains at her; she shatters them with her arrows and speaks: "Roar on, fool, while I drink. When I have killed you here, it is the gods who will roar."

She leaps onto him, presses his neck under her foot and strikes him with her trident. Pinned, he tries to come out of the buffalo's mouth, but by her power can emerge only halfway – and half-emerged, still fighting, he is beheaded by her great sword. The demon army breaks with a cry; the gods rejoice, the sages praise her, the gandharvas sing and the apsaras dance.

Who Appears in Chapter 3?

Figure	Role in the Chapter
Sage Medha	Narrates the chapter to King Suratha and the merchant Samadhi
The Goddess (Chandika, Ambika, Bhadrakali)	Slays the generals and Mahishasura; Mahalakshmi is the presiding form of this Charitra
The lion	Fights Chamara hand to hand and tears off his head; attacked by Mahishasura
The ganas	The Goddess's attendant warriors, scattered by Mahishasura in his buffalo form
Chikshura	Mahishasura's commander; the first general slain
Chamara	Fights from an elephant; killed by the lion
Udagra, Karala, Uddhata, Bashkala, Tamra, Andhaka	Generals slain by rocks and trees, by hand, by mace, bhindipala and arrows
Ugrasya, Ugravirya, Mahahanu	Generals slain by the trident
Bidala, Durdhara, Durmukha	Generals slain by sword and arrows
Mahishasura	The buffalo-demon who changes form four times before the Goddess beheads him

Structure of Chapter 3

The chapter can be understood in five parts:

1. The fall of Chikshura – Verses 1–10
2. The fall of Chamara – Verses 11–16
3. The other generals slain – Verses 17–20
4. Mahishasura's changing forms and the Goddess's wrath – Verses 21–36
5. The slaying of Mahishasura and the joy of the gods – Verses 37–44

Durga Saptashati Chapter 3 Sanskrit with Meaning

॥ श्रीदुर्गासप्तशती – तृतीयोऽध्यायः ॥

Dhyana

ॐ उद्यद्भानुसहस्रकान्तिमरुणक्षौमां शिरोमालिकां रक्तालिप्तपयोधरां जपवटीं विद्यामभीतिं वरम्।

हस्ताब्जैर्दधतीं त्रिनेत्रविलसद्वक्त्रारविन्दश्रियं देवीं बद्धहिमांशुरत्नमुकुटां वन्देऽरविन्दस्थिताम्॥

Om Udyad-Bhanu-Sahasra-Kantim Aruna-Kshaumam Shiromalikam Rakta-Lipta-Payodharam Japavatim Vidyam Abhitim Varam |

Hastabjair Dadhatim Trinetra-Vilasad-Vaktraravinda-Shriyam Devim Baddha-Himamshu-Ratna-Mukutam Vande'ravinda-Sthitam ||

Meaning: I bow to the Goddess seated on a lotus, radiant as a thousand rising suns, dressed in red silk, with a garland of heads on her brow and her breasts smeared with red. In her lotus-hands she holds a rosary and the book of knowledge, and shows the gestures of fearlessness and of granting boons. Her lotus face shines with three eyes, and her jewelled crown bears the crescent moon.

Verse 1 – Rishir Uvacha

"ॐ" ऋषिरुवाच॥१॥

"Om" Rishir Uvacha || 1 ||

Meaning: With "Om", the sage Medha said:

Verse 2

निहन्यमानं तत्सैन्यमवलोक्य महासुरः। सेनानीश्चिक्षुरः कोपाद्ययौ योद्धुमथाम्बिकाम्॥२॥

Nihanyamanam Tat Sainyam Avalokya Mahasurah | Senanish Chikshurah Kopadyayau Yoddhum Athambikam || 2 ||

Meaning: "Seeing that army being destroyed, the great asura Chikshura, Mahishasura's commander, went in anger to fight Ambika."

Verse 3

स देवीं शरवर्षेण ववर्ष समरेऽसुरः। यथा मेरुगिरेः शृङ्गं तोयवर्षेण तोयदः॥३॥

Sa Devim Shara-Varshena Vavarsha Samare'surah | Yatha Merugireh Shringam Toyavarshena Toyadah || 3 ||

Meaning: "In the battle that asura rained arrows on the Goddess, as a cloud pours rain on the peak of Mount Meru."

Verse 4

तस्यच्छित्त्वा ततो देवी लीलयैव शरोत्करान्। जघान तुरगान् बाणैर्यन्तारं चैव वाजिनाम्॥४॥

Tasyach Chhittva Tato Devi Lilayaiva Sharotkaran | Jaghana Turagan Banair Yantaram Chaiva Vajinam || 4 ||

Meaning: "The Goddess cut his showers of arrows to pieces as if in play, and with her own arrows killed his horses and the man who drove them."

Verse 5

चिच्छेद च धनुः सद्यो ध्वजं चातिसमुच्छ्रितम्। विव्याध चैव गात्रेषु छिन्नधन्वानमाशुगैः॥५॥

Chichchheda Cha Dhanuh Sadyo Dhvajam Chatisamuchchhritam | Vivyadha Chaiva Gatreshu Chhinna-Dhanvanam Ashugaih || 5 ||

Meaning: "At once she cut down his bow and his tall banner, and when his bow was broken she pierced his body with swift arrows."

Verse 6

सच्छिन्नधन्वा विरथो हताश्वो हतसारथिः। अभ्यधावत तां देवीं खड्गचर्मधरोऽसुरः॥६॥

Sach Chhinnadhanva Viratho Hatashvo Hatasarathih | Abhyadhavata Tam Devim Khadga-Charma-Dharo'surah || 6 ||

Meaning: "His bow broken, his chariot gone, his horses and charioteer killed, the asura rushed at the Goddess with sword and shield in hand."

Verse 7

सिंहमाहत्य खड्गेन तीक्ष्णधारेण मूर्धनि। आजघान भुजे सव्ये देवीमप्यतिवेगवान्॥७॥

Simhamahatya Khadgena Tikshna-Dharena Murdhani | Ajaghana Bhuje Savye Devim Apy Ativegavan || 7 ||

Meaning: "He struck the lion on the head with his sharp-edged sword, and then, moving very fast, struck the Goddess too, on her left arm."

Verse 8

तस्याः खड्गो भुजं प्राप्य पफाल नृपनन्दन। ततो जग्राह शूलं स कोपादरुणलोचनः॥८॥

Tasyah Khadgo Bhujam Prapya Paphala Nripanandana | Tato Jagraha Shulam Sa Kopad Aruna-Lochanah || 8 ||

Meaning: "O prince, the sword shattered the moment it touched her arm. Then, his eyes red with anger, he seized a trident."

Verse 9

चिक्षेप च ततस्तत्तु भद्रकाल्यां महासुरः। जाज्वल्यमानं तेजोभी रविबिम्बमिवाम्बरात्॥९॥

Chikshepa Cha Tatastattu Bhadrakalyam Mahasurah | Jajvalyamanam Tejobhi Ravi-Bimbam Ivambarat || 9 ||

Meaning: "The great asura hurled it at Bhadrakali; it blazed with light like the disc of the sun falling from the sky."

Verse 10

दृष्ट्वा तदापतच्छूलं देवी शूलममुञ्चत। तच्छूलं शतधा तेन नीतं स च महासुरः॥१०॥

Drishtva Tad Apatach Chhulam Devi Shulam Amunchata | Tachchhulam Shatadha Tena Nitam Sa Cha Mahasurah || 10 ||

Meaning: "Seeing the trident coming, the Goddess let fly her own. It broke his trident into a hundred pieces – and the great asura with it."

Verse 11

हते तस्मिन्महावीर्ये महिषस्य चमूपतौ। आजगाम गजारूढश्चामरस्त्रिदशार्दनः॥११॥

Hate Tasmin Mahavirye Mahishasya Chamupatau | Ajagama Gajarudhash Chamaras Tridashardanah || 11 ||

Meaning: "When that mighty commander of Mahisha was slain, Chamara, tormentor of the gods, came forward riding an elephant."

Verse 12

सोऽपि शक्तिं मुमोचाथ देव्यास्तामम्बिका द्रुतम्। हुंकाराभिहतां भूमौ पातयामास निष्प्रभाम्॥१२॥

So'pi Shaktim Mumochatha Devyas Tam Ambika Drutam | Hunkarabhihatam Bhumau Patayamasa Nishprabham || 12 ||

Meaning: "He too hurled a spear at the Goddess, but Ambika struck it with a single roar, and it fell to the ground, its light gone."

Verse 13

भग्नां शक्तिं निपतितां दृष्ट्वा क्रोधसमन्वितः। चिक्षेप चामरः शूलं बाणैस्तदपि साच्छिनत्॥१३॥

Bhagnam Shaktim Nipatitam Drishtva Krodha-Samanvitah | Chikshepa Chamarah Shulam Banaistadapi Sachchhinat || 13 ||

Meaning: "Seeing his spear broken and fallen, Chamara was filled with anger and hurled a trident. She cut that down too with her arrows."

Verse 14

ततः सिंहः समुत्पत्य गजकुम्भान्तरे स्थितः। बाहुयुद्धेन युयुधे तेनोच्चैस्त्रिदशारिणा॥१४॥

Tatah Simhah Samutpatya Gaja-Kumbhantare Sthitah | Bahuyuddhena Yuyudhe Tenochchais Tridasharina || 14 ||

Meaning: "Then the lion leapt up, planted itself between the elephant's temples, and fought that enemy of the gods hand to hand."

Verse 15

युद्ध्यमानौ ततस्तौ तु तस्मान्नागान्महीं गतौ। युयुधातेऽतिसंरब्धौ प्रहारैरतिदारुणैः॥१५॥

Yuddhyamanau Tatastau Tu Tasman Nagan Mahim Gatau | Yuyudhate'tisamrabdhau Praharair Atidarunaih || 15 ||

Meaning: "As they fought, both fell from the elephant to the ground, and there, in a great fury, they fought on with terrible blows."

Verse 16

ततो वेगात् खमुत्पत्य निपत्य च मृगारिणा। करप्रहारेण शिरश्चामरस्य पृथक्कृतम्॥१६॥

Tato Vegat Khamutpatya Nipatya Cha Mrigarina | Kara-Praharena Shirash Chamarasya Prithak-Kritam || 16 ||

Meaning: "Then the lion sprang swiftly into the air, came down upon Chamara, and with a blow of its paw tore his head from his body."

Verse 17

उदग्रश्च रणे देव्या शिलावृक्षादिभिर्हतः। दन्तमुष्टितलैश्चैव करालश्च निपातितः॥१७॥

Udagrashcha Rane Devya Shila-Vrikshadibhir Hatah | Danta-Mushti-Talaish Chaiva Karalashcha Nipatitah || 17 ||

Meaning: "Udagra was killed in the battle by the Goddess with rocks, trees and the like; Karala was struck down with her teeth, her fists and the slaps of her palm."

Verse 18

देवी क्रुद्धा गदापातैश्चूर्णयामास चोद्धतम्। बाष्कलं भिन्दिपालेन बाणैस्ताम्रं तथान्धकम्॥१८॥

Devi Kruddha Gada-Pataish Churnayamasa Choddhatam | Bashkalam Bhindipalena Banaistamram Tathandhakam || 18 ||

Meaning: "The enraged Goddess crushed Uddhata with blows of her mace, killed Bashkala with her bhindipala, and Tamra and Andhaka with her arrows."

Verse 19

उग्रास्यमुग्रवीर्यं च तथैव च महाहनुम्। त्रिनेत्रा च त्रिशूलेन जघान परमेश्वरी॥१९॥

Ugrasyam Ugraviryam Cha Tathaiva Cha Mahahanum | Trinetra Cha Trishulena Jaghana Parameshvari || 19 ||

Meaning: "The three-eyed Supreme Goddess slew Ugrasya, Ugravirya and Mahahanu with her trident."

Verse 20

बिडालस्यासिना कायात्पातयामास वै शिरः। दुर्धरं दुर्मुखं चोभौ शरैर्निन्ये यमक्षयम्॥२०॥

Bidalasyasina Kayat Patayamasa Vai Shirah | Durdharam Durmukham Chobhau Sharairninye Yamakshayam || 20 ||

Meaning: "With her sword she struck Bidala's head from his body, and with her arrows she sent both Durdhara and Durmukha to the abode of Yama."

Verse 21

एवं संक्षीयमाणे तु स्वसैन्ये महिषासुरः। माहिषेण स्वरूपेण त्रासयामास तान् गणान्॥२१॥

Evam Sankshiyamane Tu Svasainye Mahishasurah | Mahishena Svarupena Trasayamasa Tan Ganan || 21 ||

Meaning: "As his army was being destroyed in this way, Mahishasura, in his own form of a buffalo, began to terrify the Goddess's ganas."

Verse 22

कांश्चित्तुण्डप्रहारेण खुरक्षेपैस्तथापरान्। लाङ्गूलताडितांश्चान्याञ्छृङ्गाभ्यां च विदारितान्॥२२॥

Kamshchit Tunda-Praharena Khura-Kshepais Tathaparan | Langula-Taditamsh Chanyan Chhringabhyam Cha Vidaritan || 22 ||

Meaning: "Some he struck with his muzzle, some with kicks of his hooves; some he lashed with his tail, and others he tore open with his horns."

Verse 23

वेगेन कांश्चिदपरान्नादेन भ्रमणेन च। निःश्वासपवनेनान्यान् पातयामास भूतले॥२३॥

Vegena Kamshchid Aparan Nadena Bhramanena Cha | Nihshvasa-Pavanenanyan Patayamasa Bhutale || 23 ||

Meaning: "Some he threw to the ground with his speed, some with his bellowing, some with his whirling, and others with the blast of his breath."

Verse 24

निपात्य प्रमथानीकमभ्यधावत सोऽसुरः। सिंहं हन्तुं महादेव्याः कोपं चक्रे ततोऽम्बिका॥२४॥

Nipatya Pramathanikam Abhyadhavata So'surah | Simham Hantum Mahadevyah Kopam Chakre Tato'mbika || 24 ||

Meaning: "Having scattered the host of ganas, the asura rushed to kill the great Goddess's lion. At that, Ambika grew angry."

Verse 25

सोऽपि कोपान्महावीर्यः खुरक्षुण्णमहीतलः। शृङ्गाभ्यां पर्वतानुच्चांश्चिक्षेप च ननाद च॥२५॥

So'pi Kopan Mahaviryah Khura-Kshunna-Mahitalah | Shringabhyam Parvatan Uchchamsh Chikshepa Cha Nanada Cha || 25 ||

Meaning: "He too, mighty and furious, pounded the earth with his hooves, tossed high mountains with his horns, and bellowed."

Verse 26

वेगभ्रमणविक्षुण्णा मही तस्य व्यशीर्यत। लाङ्गूलेनाहतश्चाब्धिः प्लावयामास सर्वतः॥२६॥

Vega-Bhramana-Vikshunna Mahi Tasya Vyashiryata | Langulenahatash Chabdhih Plavayamasa Sarvatah || 26 ||

Meaning: "Crushed by his rushing and whirling, the earth broke apart; lashed by his tail, the ocean flooded over on every side."

Verse 27

धुतशृङ्गविभिन्नाश्च खण्डं खण्डं ययुर्घनाः। श्वासानिलास्ताः शतशो निपेतुर्नभसोऽचलाः॥२७॥

Dhuta-Shringa-Vibhinnash Cha Khandam Khandam Yayurghanah | Shvasanilastah Shatasho Nipetur Nabhaso'chalah || 27 ||

Meaning: "Torn by his tossing horns, the clouds broke into pieces; and mountains, flung up by the wind of his breath, fell from the sky by the hundreds."

Verse 28

इति क्रोधसमाध्मातमापतन्तं महासुरम्। दृष्ट्वा सा चण्डिका कोपं तद्वधाय तदाकरोत्॥२८॥

Iti Krodha-Samadhmatam Apatantam Mahasuram | Drishtva Sa Chandika Kopam Tadvadhaya Tadakarot || 28 ||

Meaning: "Seeing the great asura swollen with rage and charging at her, Chandika then let her own anger rise, in order to slay him."

Verse 29

सा क्षिप्त्वा तस्य वै पाशं तं बबन्ध महासुरम्। तत्याज माहिषं रूपं सोऽपि बद्धो महामृधे॥२९॥

Sa Kshiptva Tasya Vai Pasham Tam Babandha Mahasuram | Tatyaja Mahisham Rupam So'pi Baddho Mahamridhe || 29 ||

Meaning: "She threw her noose over the great asura and bound him. Bound in that great battle, he gave up the buffalo form."

Verse 30

ततः सिंहोऽभवत्सद्यो यावत्तस्याम्बिका शिरः। छिनत्ति तावत्पुरुषः खड्गपाणिरदृश्यत॥३०॥

Tatah Simho'bhavat Sadyo Yavat Tasyambika Shirah | Chhinatti Tavat Purushah Khadgapanir Adrishyata || 30 ||

Meaning: "At once he became a lion. But just as Ambika was cutting off the lion's head, a man with a sword in his hand appeared."

Verse 31

तत एवाशु पुरुषं देवी चिच्छेद सायकैः। तं खड्गचर्मणा सार्धं ततः सोऽभून्महागजः॥३१॥

Tata Evashu Purusham Devi Chichchheda Sayakaih | Tam Khadga-Charmana Sardham Tatah So'bhun Mahagajah || 31 ||

Meaning: "The Goddess at once cut the man down with her arrows, sword and shield and all. Then he became a huge elephant."

Verse 32

करेण च महासिंहं तं चकर्ष जगर्ज च। कर्षतस्तु करं देवी खड्गेन निरकृन्तत॥३२॥

Karena Cha Mahasimham Tam Chakarsha Jagarja Cha | Karshatastu Karam Devi Khadgena Nirakrintata || 32 ||

Meaning: "The elephant seized her great lion with its trunk and dragged it, trumpeting. As it dragged, the Goddess cut off the trunk with her sword."

Verse 33

ततो महासुरो भूयो माहिषं वपुरास्थितः। तथैव क्षोभयामास त्रैलोक्यं सचराचरम्॥३३॥

Tato Mahasuro Bhuyo Mahisham Vapur Asthitah | Tathaiva Kshobhayamasa Trailokyam Sacharacharam || 33 ||

Meaning: "Then the great asura took the buffalo's body once more, and as before threw the three worlds, with all that moves and does not move, into turmoil."

Verse 34

ततः क्रुद्धा जगन्माता चण्डिका पानमुत्तमम्। पपौ पुनः पुनश्चैव जहासारुणलोचना॥३४॥

Tatah Kruddha Jaganmata Chandika Panamuttamam | Papau Punah Punashchaiva Jahasaruna-Lochana || 34 ||

Meaning: "Then Chandika, the Mother of the world, grew angry. She drank the excellent drink again and again, and with her eyes red she laughed."

Verse 35

ननर्द चासुरः सोऽपि बलवीर्यमदोद्धतः। विषाणाभ्यां च चिक्षेप चण्डिकां प्रति भूधरान्॥३५॥

Nanarda Chasurah So'pi Bala-Virya-Madoddhatah | Vishanabhyam Cha Chikshepa Chandikam Prati Bhudharan || 35 ||

Meaning: "The asura too, drunk with pride in his strength and valour, bellowed, and with his horns hurled mountains at Chandika."

Verse 36

सा च तान् प्रहितांस्तेन चूर्णयन्ती शरोत्करैः। उवाच तं मदोद्धूतमुखरागाकुलाक्षरम्॥३६॥

Sa Cha Tan Prahitams Tena Churnayanti Sharotkaraih | Uvacha Tam Madoddhuta-Mukharagakulaksharam || 36 ||

Meaning: "Smashing the mountains he hurled with her showers of arrows, she spoke to him, her words thick with the flush of the drink on her face."

Verse 37 – Devyuvacha

देव्युवाच॥३७॥

Devyuvacha || 37 ||

Meaning: The Goddess said:

Verse 38

गर्ज गर्ज क्षणं मूढ मधु यावत्पिबाम्यहम्। मया त्वयि हतेऽत्रैव गर्जिष्यन्त्याशु देवताः॥३८॥

Garja Garja Kshanam Mudha Madhu Yavat Pibamy Aham | Maya Tvayi Hate'traiva Garjishyanty Ashu Devatah || 38 ||

Meaning: "Roar, roar for a moment, fool, while I drink this wine. When I have slain you here, it is the gods who will soon roar."

Verse 39 – Rishir Uvacha

ऋषिरुवाच॥३९॥

Rishir Uvacha || 39 ||

Meaning: The sage said:

Verse 40

एवमुक्त्वा समुत्पत्य साऽऽरूढा तं महासुरम्। पादेनाक्रम्य कण्ठे च शूलेनैनमताडयत्॥४०॥

Evamuktva Samutpatya Sa''rudha Tam Mahasuram | Padenakramya Kanthe Cha Shulenainam Atadayat || 40 ||

Meaning: "Saying this, she leapt up and mounted the great asura. She pressed his neck down with her foot and struck him with her trident."

Verse 41

ततः सोऽपि पदाऽऽक्रान्तस्तया निजमुखात्ततः। अर्धनिष्क्रान्त एवासीद् देव्या वीर्येण संवृतः॥४१॥

Tatah So'pi Pada''krantas Taya Nija-Mukhat Tatah | Ardha-Nishkranta Evasid Devya Viryena Samvritah || 41 ||

Meaning: "Pinned under her foot, he began to come out of the buffalo's own mouth – but held back by the Goddess's power, he could emerge only halfway."

Verse 42

अर्धनिष्क्रान्त एवासौ युध्यमानो महासुरः। तया महासिना देव्या शिरश्छित्त्वा निपातितः॥४२॥

Ardha-Nishkranta Evasau Yudhyamano Mahasurah | Taya Mahasina Devya Shirash Chhittva Nipatitah || 42 ||

Meaning: "Half-emerged and still fighting, the great asura was beheaded by the Goddess with her great sword, and fell."

Verse 43

ततो हाहाकृतं सर्वं दैत्यसैन्यं ननाश तत्। प्रहर्षं च परं जग्मुः सकला देवतागणाः॥४३॥

Tato Hahakritam Sarvam Daitya-Sainyam Nanasha Tat | Praharsham Cha Param Jagmuh Sakala Devataganah || 43 ||

Meaning: "Then the whole demon army, crying out in terror, perished; and all the hosts of the gods were filled with the greatest joy."

Verse 44

तुष्टुवुस्तां सुरा देवीं सह दिव्यैर्महर्षिभिः। जगुर्गन्धर्वपतयो ननृतुश्चाप्सरोगणाः॥ॐ॥४४॥

Tushtuvustam Sura Devim Saha Divyair Maharshibhih | Jagur Gandharva-Patayo Nanritush Chapsaroganah || Om || 44 ||

Meaning: "The gods, with the divine great sages, praised the Goddess; the lords of the gandharvas sang, and the hosts of apsaras danced." Om.

Chapter Colophon

॥ इति श्रीमार्कण्डेयपुराणे सावर्णिके मन्वन्तरे देवीमाहात्म्ये महिषासुरवधो नाम तृतीयोऽध्यायः॥३॥

|| Iti Shri-Markandeya-Purane Savarnike Manvantare Devimahatmye Mahishasura-Vadho Nama Tritiyo'dhyayah || 3 ||

Meaning: Thus ends the third chapter, named "The Slaying of Mahishasura", of the Devi Mahatmya in the account of the Savarnika manvantara in the Shri Markandeya Purana.

उवाच ३, श्लोकाः ४१, एवम् ४४, एवमादितः॥२१७॥

Uvacha 3, Shlokah 41, Evam 44, Evamaditah || 217 ||

Meaning: Three uvacha lines and 41 verses – 44 textual units in this chapter, and 217 from the beginning of the text.

Significance of Durga Saptashati Chapter 3

Durga Saptashati Chapter 3 gives the Goddess the name by which she is best known: Mahishasura-Mardini, the slayer of Mahishasura. Chapter 2 showed her birth and the destruction of an army; Chapter 3 shows her meeting the demon-king himself.

The chapter is built on a contrast. Mahishasura's power is the power of changing shape – buffalo, lion, man, elephant, buffalo again – and of brute force that cracks the earth and floods the seas. The Goddess meets every form without hurry: she cuts his weapons "as if in play", answers a hurled spear with a roar, and, at the climax, drinks and laughs before she strikes. The demon who could become anything is finally killed halfway between two forms, unable to finish even his own escape.

The chapter also shows the Goddess's companions at work. Her lion kills Chamara with its own paw; her ganas bear the brunt of Mahishasura's attack; the gods and sages praise her as she fights. Shakti acts through all of them.

Main Teachings of Chapter 3

• Evil changes shape; the Goddess does not need to: Mahishasura becomes four different creatures and is slain in the fifth (Verses 29–42).
• The Goddess's strength is unhurried play: she cuts a rain of arrows "as if in play" and a sword shatters on her arm (Verses 4 and 8).
• Pride roars; power acts: Mahishasura bellows and hurls mountains; the Goddess tells him to roar while she drinks, and then kills him (Verses 35–42).
• The Goddess's anger is a response, not a mood: she grows angry only when her lion and her ganas are attacked (Verses 24 and 28).
• Victory belongs to the gods through her: the chapter ends not with her triumph but with the gods, sages, gandharvas and apsaras rejoicing (Verses 43–44).

Mahishasura's Changing Forms

Verses 29–42 describe how the demon changed form and how the Goddess answered each one.

Mahishasura's Form	What the Goddess Did
Buffalo	Threw her noose over him and bound him (Verse 29)
Lion	Raised her sword to cut off its head (Verse 30)
Man with a sword	Cut him down with her arrows, sword and shield and all (Verse 31)
Great elephant	Severed the trunk that had seized her lion (Verse 32)
Buffalo again	Drank, laughed, pinned his neck under her foot, struck him with her trident, and beheaded him as he struggled halfway out of the buffalo's mouth (Verses 34–42)

The Generals Slain in Chapter 3

General	How he was slain	Verse
Chikshura, the commander	Her trident shattered his and struck him down	2–10
Chamara	The lion tore off his head with its paw	11–16
Udagra	With rocks, trees and the like	17
Karala	With her teeth, fists and slaps	17
Uddhata	Crushed by her mace	18
Bashkala	With the bhindipala	18
Tamra and Andhaka	With arrows	18
Ugrasya, Ugravirya, Mahahanu	With the trident	19
Bidala	Beheaded with the sword	20
Durdhara and Durmukha	With arrows	20

Why Is Chapter 3 Called Mahishasura Vadha?

The third chapter is traditionally known as Mahishasura-Vadha because it describes the slaying (vadha) of Mahishasura himself, after the destruction of his army in Chapter 2. The deed is the source of the Goddess's title Mahishasura-Mardini and of the image of Durga standing on the buffalo-demon that is worshipped during Navratri and Durga Puja.

Traditional Recitation of Chapter 3

Chapter 3 belongs to the Madhyama Charitra of the Devi Mahatmya, which runs through Chapters 2, 3 and 4 under Mahalakshmi. It has no separate Viniyoga; the Viniyoga of the Madhyama Charitra is recited at the start of Chapter 2, and Chapter 3 opens with its own Dhyana, given above. In every schedule of the Path it is read on the second day.

Schedule	Day 2	Context
3-day Path (by Charitra)	Chapters 2–4	Day 1: Chapter 1 · Day 3: Chapters 5–13
7-day Path	Chapters 2–3	Day 1: 1 · Day 3: 4 · Day 4: 5–8 · Day 5: 9–10 · Day 6: 11 · Day 7: 12–13
9-day Navratri Path	Chapters 2–4	Day 1: 1 · Day 3: 5–6 · Day 4: 7 · Day 5: 8 · Day 6: 9–10 · Day 7: 11 · Day 8: 12 · Day 9: 13

The chapter is read through to its colophon in one sitting; a chapter is never left unfinished. The exact procedure varies by tradition, lineage and method, and devotees should follow the method prescribed by their Guru or family tradition.

Traditional Spiritual Significance

In the chapter-wise tradition of the Path, the third chapter is read for freedom from enemies and opponents – the chapter in which every general and the demon-king himself fall before the Goddess. Devotees traditionally approach it for:

• Devotion towards Goddess Mahalakshmi and Chandika as Mahishasura-Mardini
• Courage against hostile forces, after the pattern of the demon's defeat
• Reflection on the Goddess's unhurried, playful strength in the face of rage and pride
• Remembrance of the Goddess in the form worshipped during Navratri and Durga Puja
• Gratitude, after the pattern of the gods, sages, gandharvas and apsaras who rejoice at the end of the chapter
• These are traditional devotional associations and should not be understood as guaranteed worldly or medical outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Durga Saptashati Chapter 3 called?

Durga Saptashati Chapter 3 is called Tritiya Adhyaya and is traditionally known as Mahishasura-Vadha, "The Slaying of Mahishasura". It is the second chapter of the Madhyama Charitra.

What happens in Chapter 3 of Durga Saptashati?

The Goddess slays Mahishasura's generals one after another – Chikshura, Chamara and the rest – and then faces Mahishasura himself. He changes form from buffalo to lion to swordsman to elephant and back to buffalo; she binds him, drinks the divine drink, laughs, pins his neck under her foot, strikes him with her trident and beheads him as he struggles halfway out of the buffalo's body.

Who is the main Goddess in Durga Saptashati Chapter 3?

The presiding deity of the Madhyama Charitra is Mahalakshmi. In the verses the Goddess is called Chandika, Ambika and Bhadrakali, and the Dhyana at the head of the chapter describes her seated on a lotus, radiant as a thousand rising suns.

How did the Goddess kill Mahishasura?

She bound him with her noose, cut down each form he took, and when he returned to his buffalo form she mounted him, pressed his neck under her foot and struck him with her trident. As he tried to come out of the buffalo's mouth, her power held him halfway, and she cut off his head with her great sword (Verses 29–42).

Why does the Goddess drink before killing Mahishasura?

Verses 34–38 show Chandika drinking the "excellent drink", laughing with red eyes, and telling Mahishasura to roar "while I drink this wine". The text presents it as the Goddess's fierce, sovereign play: she is in no hurry, the demon's rage cannot touch her, and the drinking and laughter mark the moment his end is decided. Traditional commentators read it as an expression of her complete freedom and of the terrible aspect of Chandika.

Why is the Goddess called Mahishasura-Mardini?

Because of this chapter. Mardini means "she who crushes"; the name belongs to her from the slaying of Mahishasura described here, and the Mahalakshmi Dhyana at the head of Chapter 2 already calls her Sairibha-Mardini, "slayer of the buffalo".

How many verses are there in Durga Saptashati Chapter 3?

The traditional count gives 44 textual units: 3 uvacha lines and 41 full verses, as the count line after the colophon states. Together with Chapters 1 and 2 this makes 217 units from the beginning of the text.

Can Chapter 3 be recited on its own?

Chapter 3 is part of the Madhyama Charitra and shares the Viniyoga recited at Chapter 2, so it is normally read together with Chapters 2 and 4. If read by itself, its own Dhyana is recited first, and the preliminaries of the Path Vidhi are performed before it as for the whole Path.

Continue Reading Durga Saptashati

After Chapter 3, the gods praise the Goddess for her victory.

Next: Durga Saptashati Chapter 4 – Devi Stuti, the Hymn of the Gods

Previous: Durga Saptashati Chapter 2 – Mahishasura-Sainya-Vadha

• Durga Saptashati Chapter 1 – Madhu-Kaitabha Vadha
• Durga Saptashati Path Vidhi
• Devi Kavacham · Argala Stotram · Keelakam Stotram
• Vedoktam Ratri Suktam · Tantroktam Ratri Suktam
• Shri Devi Atharvashirsham · Navarna Vidhi · Saptashati Nyasa

For the complete Durga Saptashati, readers can continue through all 13 chapters of the Devi Mahatmya.