Durga Saptashati Chapter 6: Dhumralochana-Vadha

Durga Saptashati Chapter 6, known as Shashtha Adhyaya or Dhumralochana-Vadha – "The Slaying of Dhumralochana" – is the shortest chapter of the Devi Mahatmya. It belongs to the Uttama Charitra, presided over by Mahasaraswati, and tells how Shumbha's first general came to drag the Goddess away by the hair and was reduced to ashes by a single sound from her.

The chapter opens where Chapter 5 ended. The messenger Sugriva returns with the Goddess's answer; Shumbha, enraged, sends Dhumralochana with sixty thousand asuras to bring her by force. Dhumralochana rushes at her and Ambika burns him to ashes with one "Hum". Her lion then destroys the whole army on its own – with paws, jaws, claws and hind legs – and Shumbha, hearing of it, orders Chanda and Munda to go next.

The chapter contains 24 textual units, traditionally counted as 4 uvacha lines and 20 full verses. Every one of them is given below in Sanskrit, with transliteration and a simple English meaning.

Durga Saptashati Chapter 6 at a Glance

Particular	Details
Chapter	Shashtha Adhyaya (Sixth Chapter)
Traditional Name	Dhumralochana-Vadha – The Slaying of Dhumralochana; in full, Shumbha-Nishumbha-Senani-Dhumralochana-Vadha, "the slaying of Dhumralochana, the general of Shumbha and Nishumbha"
Charitra	Uttama Charitra – Chapters 5 to 13
Presiding Deity	Mahasaraswati
Rishi · Metre · Shakti · Bija · Tattva · Veda	Rudra · Anushtup · Bhima · Bhramari · Surya · Samaveda – from the Viniyoga of the Uttama Charitra, recited at Chapter 5; Chapter 6 has no separate Viniyoga
Dhyana	Padmavati – seated on the king of serpents, crowned with serpent hoods, in the lap of Bhairava
Main Theme	Dhumralochana burnt to ashes by the Goddess's "Hum"; his army destroyed by her lion
Narrator	Sage Medha ("Rishir Uvacha"), within Sage Markandeya's narration
Principal Figures	Shumbha, the messenger Sugriva, Dhumralochana and his sixty thousand asuras, the Goddess as Ambika, her lion, Chanda and Munda
Traditional Count	24 textual units (412 from the beginning of the text)
Source	Markandeya Purana – Devi Mahatmya
Navratri	Read on Day 3 with Chapter 5 in the nine-day schedule

Story of Durga Saptashati Chapter 6

The messenger returns to Shumbha burning with indignation and reports every word the Goddess said. Shumbha, furious, summons Dhumralochana, a chief of the demons, and gives his order: go with your army, bring that wicked woman here by force, dragged by the hair – and if any god, yaksha or gandharva stands up for her, kill him too.

Dhumralochana sets out at once with sixty thousand asuras. He finds the Goddess seated on the snowy mountain and shouts at her to come to Shumbha and Nishumbha: if she will not come gladly, he will take her by the hair. The Goddess answers mildly – you are strong, you have been sent by the demon-king, you have an army behind you; if you take me by force like this, what can I do to you?

At that he rushes at her. Ambika utters a single sound – "Hum" – and Dhumralochana is a heap of ashes. She then rains arrows, spears and axes on his enraged army, and her lion, shaking its mane and roaring in fury, falls upon the asuras. It strikes some down with its paws, seizes some in its jaws, crushes some beneath its hind legs, tears open the bellies of others with its claws, strikes off heads with a blow, and drinks the blood of the fallen. In a moment the whole army of sixty thousand is gone.

When the news reaches Shumbha – Dhumralochana slain by the Goddess, his army destroyed by her lion – his lips tremble with rage. He turns to the two great asuras Chanda and Munda: go with a large army; bring her dragged by the hair or bound; if you doubt you can win, let every asura strike her with every weapon; and when she and her lion are down, seize Ambika and bring her to me.

Who Appears in Chapter 6?

Figure	Role in the Chapter
Sage Medha	Narrates the chapter to King Suratha and the merchant Samadhi
Sugriva, the messenger	Returns from the Goddess and reports her answer to Shumbha
Shumbha	The demon-king who orders the Goddess seized by force
Dhumralochana	Shumbha's general, "the smoky-eyed", sent with sixty thousand asuras; reduced to ashes
The Goddess (Ambika)	Burns Dhumralochana with a single "Hum" and attacks his army
The lion	The Goddess's mount, which destroys the entire asura army on its own
Chanda and Munda	The two great asuras Shumbha orders to go next

Structure of Chapter 6

The chapter can be understood in four parts:

Shumbha's anger and his order to Dhumralochana – Verses 1–5
Dhumralochana's challenge and the Goddess's reply – Verses 6–11
Dhumralochana burnt to ashes; the lion destroys the army – Verses 12–19
Shumbha orders Chanda and Munda – Verses 20–24

Durga Saptashati Chapter 6 Sanskrit with Meaning

॥ श्रीदुर्गासप्तशती – षष्ठोऽध्यायः ॥

Dhyana

ॐ नागाधीश्वरविष्टरां फणिफणोत्तंसोरुरत्नावली- भास्वद्देहलतां दिवाकरनिभां नेत्रत्रयोद्भासिताम्।

मालाकुम्भकपालनीरजकरां चन्द्रार्धचूडां परां सर्वज्ञेश्वरभैरवाङ्कनिलयां पद्मावतीं चिन्तये॥

Om Nagadhishvara-Vishtaram Phani-Phanottamsoru-Ratnavali- Bhasvad-Dehalatam Divakara-Nibham Netratrayodbhasitam |

Mala-Kumbha-Kapala-Niraja-Karam Chandrardha-Chudam Param Sarvajneshvara-Bhairavanka-Nilayam Padmavatim Chintaye ||

Meaning: I meditate on the supreme Goddess Padmavati, whose seat is the king of serpents and whose slender body shines with the great rows of gems on the serpent hoods that crown her; radiant as the sun, her face lit by three eyes; holding in her hands a rosary, a pot, a skull and a lotus; wearing the half-moon on her head; and seated in the lap of Bhairava, the all-knowing Lord.

Verse 1 – Rishir Uvacha

"ॐ" ऋषिरुवाच॥१॥

"Om" Rishir Uvacha || 1 ||

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

Verse 2

इत्याकर्ण्य वचो देव्याः स दूतोऽमर्षपूरितः। समाचष्ट समागम्य दैत्यराजाय विस्तरात्॥२॥

Ityakarnya Vacho Devyah Sa Duto'marsha-Puritah | Samachashta Samagamya Daityarajaya Vistarat || 2 ||

Meaning: "Hearing the Goddess's words, the messenger was filled with indignation. He went back to the king of the demons and reported everything in detail."

Verse 3

तस्य दूतस्य तद्वाक्यमाकर्ण्यासुरराट् ततः। सक्रोधः प्राह दैत्यानामधिपं धूम्रलोचनम्॥३॥

Tasya Dutasya Tad Vakyam Akarnyasurarat Tatah | Sakrodhah Praha Daityanam Adhipam Dhumralochanam || 3 ||

Meaning: "Hearing the messenger's report, the king of the asuras was enraged, and he spoke to Dhumralochana, a chief of the demons:"

Verse 4

हे धूम्रलोचनाशु त्वं स्वसैन्यपरिवारितः। तामानय बलाद् दुष्टां केशाकर्षणविह्वलाम्॥४॥

He Dhumralochanashu Tvam Svasainya-Parivaritah | Tamanaya Balad Dushtam Keshakarshana-Vihvalam || 4 ||

Meaning: "'Dhumralochana, go at once with your army around you, and bring that wicked woman here by force – dragged by the hair and helpless.'"

Verse 5

तत्परित्राणदः कश्चिद्यदि वोत्तिष्ठतेऽपरः। स हन्तव्योऽमरो वापि यक्षो गन्धर्व एव वा॥५॥

Tat-Paritranadah Kashchidyadi Vottishthate'parah | Sa Hantavyo'maro Vapi Yaksho Gandharva Eva Va || 5 ||

Meaning: "'And if anyone else rises to protect her – a god, a yaksha or a gandharva – let him be killed.'"

Verse 6 – Rishir Uvacha

ऋषिरुवाच॥६॥

Rishir Uvacha || 6 ||

Meaning: The sage said:

Verse 7

तेनाज्ञप्तस्ततः शीघ्रं स दैत्यो धूम्रलोचनः। वृतः षष्ट्या सहस्राणामसुराणां द्रुतं ययौ॥७॥

Tenajnaptas Tatah Shighram Sa Daityo Dhumralochanah | Vritah Shashtya Sahasranam Asuranam Drutam Yayau || 7 ||

Meaning: "Ordered by Shumbha, the demon Dhumralochana set out quickly, with sixty thousand asuras around him."

Verse 8

स दृष्ट्वा तां ततो देवीं तुहिनाचलसंस्थिताम्। जगादोच्चैः प्रयाहीति मूलं शुम्भनिशुम्भयोः॥८॥

Sa Drishtva Tam Tato Devim Tuhinachala-Samsthitam | Jagadochchaih Prayahiti Mulam Shumbha-Nishumbhayoh || 8 ||

Meaning: "Seeing the Goddess seated on the snowy mountain, he called out loudly: 'Go to Shumbha and Nishumbha!'"

Verse 9

न चेत्प्रीत्याद्य भवती मद्भर्तारमुपैष्यति। ततो बलान्नयाम्येष केशाकर्षणविह्वलाम्॥९॥

Na Chet Prityadya Bhavati Mad-Bhartaram Upaishyati | Tato Balan Nayamy Esha Keshakarshana-Vihvalam || 9 ||

Meaning: "'If you will not go gladly to my master today, then I shall take you by force – dragged by the hair and helpless.'"

Verse 10 – Devyuvacha

देव्युवाच॥१०॥

Devyuvacha || 10 ||

Meaning: The Goddess said:

Verse 11

दैत्येश्वरेण प्रहितो बलवान् बलसंवृतः। बलान्नयसि मामेवं ततः किं ते करोम्यहम्॥११॥

Daityeshvarena Prahito Balavan Bala-Samvritah | Balannayasi Mamevam Tatah Kim Te Karomyaham || 11 ||

Meaning: "'You have been sent by the lord of the demons; you are strong, and you have an army around you. If you take me by force like this, what can I do to you?'"

Verse 12 – Rishir Uvacha

ऋषिरुवाच॥१२॥

Rishir Uvacha || 12 ||

Meaning: The sage said:

Verse 13

इत्युक्तः सोऽभ्यधावत्तामसुरो धूम्रलोचनः। हुंकारेणैव तं भस्म सा चकाराम्बिका ततः॥१३॥

Ityuktah So'bhyadhavat Tam Asuro Dhumralochanah | Hunkarenaiva Tam Bhasma Sa Chakarambika Tatah || 13 ||

Meaning: "At these words the asura Dhumralochana rushed at her – and Ambika, with a single sound of 'Hum', reduced him to ashes."

Verse 14

अथ क्रुद्धं महासैन्यमसुराणां तथाम्बिका। ववर्ष सायकैस्तीक्ष्णैस्तथा शक्तिपरश्वधैः॥१४॥

Atha Kruddham Mahasainyam Asuranam Tathambika | Vavarsha Sayakais Tikshnais Tatha Shakti-Parashvadhaih || 14 ||

Meaning: "Then Ambika rained sharp arrows, spears and axes on the great army of the asuras, which had flown into a rage."

Verse 15

ततो धुतसटः कोपात्कृत्वा नादं सुभैरवम्। पपातासुरसेनायां सिंहो देव्याः स्ववाहनः॥१५॥

Tato Dhutasatah Kopatkritva Nadam Subhairavam | Papatasura-Senayam Simho Devyah Svavahanah || 15 ||

Meaning: "Then the Goddess's own mount, the lion, shaking its mane and roaring most terribly in fury, fell upon the army of the asuras."

Verse 16

कांश्चित् करप्रहारेण दैत्यानास्येन चापरान्। आक्रम्य चाधरेणान्यान् स जघान महासुरान्॥१६॥

Kamshchit Kara-Praharena Daityan Asyena Chaparan | Akramya Chadharenanyan Sa Jaghana Mahasuran || 16 ||

Meaning: "Some demons it struck down with blows of its paws, some with its jaws, and other great asuras it crushed beneath its hind legs."

Verse 17

केषाञ्चित्पाटयामास नखैः कोष्ठानि केसरी। तथा तलप्रहारेण शिरांसि कृतवान् पृथक्॥१७॥

Keshanchit Patayamasa Nakhaih Koshthani Kesari | Tatha Tala-Praharena Shiramsi Kritavan Prithak || 17 ||

Meaning: "With its claws the lion tore open the bellies of some, and with blows of its paws it struck the heads off others."

Verse 18

विच्छिन्नबाहुशिरसः कृतास्तेन तथापरे। पपौ च रुधिरं कोष्ठादन्येषां धुतकेसरः॥१८॥

Vichchhinna-Bahu-Shirasah Kritastena Tathapare | Papau Cha Rudhiram Koshthad Anyesham Dhutakesarah || 18 ||

Meaning: "It left others with their arms and heads cut off, and, shaking its mane, it drank the blood from the bellies of yet others."

Verse 19

क्षणेन तद्बलं सर्वं क्षयं नीतं महात्मना। तेन केसरिणा देव्या वाहनेनातिकोपिना॥१९॥

Kshanena Tadbalam Sarvam Kshayam Nitam Mahatmana | Tena Kesarina Devya Vahanenatikopina || 19 ||

Meaning: "In a moment that whole army was destroyed by that great-souled lion, the Goddess's mount, in its fury."

Verse 20

श्रुत्वा तमसुरं देव्या निहतं धूम्रलोचनम्। बलं च क्षयितं कृत्स्नं देवीकेसरिणा ततः॥२०॥

Shrutva Tamasuram Devya Nihatam Dhumralochanam | Balam Cha Kshayitam Kritsnam Devikesarina Tatah || 20 ||

Meaning: "When Shumbha heard that the asura Dhumralochana had been slain by the Goddess and his whole army destroyed by the Goddess's lion,"

Verse 21

चुकोप दैत्याधिपतिः शुम्भः प्रस्फुरिताधरः। आज्ञापयामास च तौ चण्डमुण्डौ महासुरौ॥२१॥

Chukopa Daityadhipatih Shumbhah Prasphuritadharah | Ajnapayamasa Cha Tau Chandamundau Mahasurau || 21 ||

Meaning: "the lord of the demons was enraged, his lips trembling, and he gave his orders to the two great asuras Chanda and Munda:"

Verse 22

हे चण्ड हे मुण्ड बलैर्बहुभिः परिवारितौ। तत्र गच्छत गत्वा च सा समानीयतां लघु॥२२॥

He Chanda He Munda Balair Bahubhih Parivaritau | Tatra Gachchhata Gatva Cha Sa Samaniyatam Laghu || 22 ||

Meaning: "'Chanda! Munda! Go there with a large army around you, and bring her here quickly.'"

Verse 23

केशेष्वाकृष्य बद्ध्वा वा यदि वः संशयो युधि। तदाशेषायुधैः सर्वैरसुरैर्विनिहन्यताम्॥२३॥

Kesheshv Akrishya Baddhva Va Yadi Vah Samshayo Yudhi | Tad Asheshayudhaih Sarvair Asurair Vinihanyatam || 23 ||

Meaning: "'Bring her dragged by the hair, or bound. And if you have any doubt of success in battle, then let all the asuras slay her with all their weapons.'"

Verse 24

तस्यां हतायां दुष्टायां सिंहे च विनिपातिते। शीघ्रमागम्यतां बद्ध्वा गृहीत्वा तामथाम्बिकाम्॥ॐ॥२४॥

Tasyam Hatayam Dushtayam Simhe Cha Vinipatite | Shighram Agamyatam Baddhva Grihitva Tam Athambikam || Om || 24 ||

Meaning: "'When that wicked woman has been struck down and her lion felled, seize Ambika, bind her, and come back quickly.'" Om.

Chapter Colophon

॥ इति श्रीमार्कण्डेयपुराणे सावर्णिके मन्वन्तरे देवीमाहात्म्ये शुम्भनिशुम्भसेनानीधूम्रलोचनवधो नाम षष्ठोऽध्यायः॥६॥

|| Iti Shri-Markandeya-Purane Savarnike Manvantare Devimahatmye Shumbha-Nishumbha-Senani-Dhumralochana-Vadho Nama Shashtho'dhyayah || 6 ||

Meaning: Thus ends the sixth chapter, named "The Slaying of Dhumralochana, the General of Shumbha and Nishumbha", of the Devi Mahatmya in the account of the Savarnika manvantara in the Shri Markandeya Purana.

उवाच ४, श्लोकाः २०, एवम् २४, एवमादितः॥४१२॥

Uvacha 4, Shlokah 20, Evam 24, Evamaditah || 412 ||

Meaning: Four uvacha lines and 20 full verses – 24 textual units in this chapter, and 412 from the beginning of the text.

Significance of Durga Saptashati Chapter 6

Durga Saptashati Chapter 6 is the shortest chapter of the Devi Mahatmya, and the only one in which the Goddess does not lift a weapon against the general sent to her. Dhumralochana is destroyed by a sound – the syllable "Hum" – and his sixty thousand asuras by her lion alone. The Goddess herself only rains arrows on the army after its leader is already ash.

The chapter is the first test of the vow of Chapter 5. Shumbha has heard that the Goddess will be won only in battle, and his answer is to send force: an army, an order to drag her by the hair, and permission to kill any god who protects her. The Goddess meets it with a question – "if you take me by force, what can I do?" – and then with a single sound. The contrast between the demon's violence and the Goddess's ease is the whole point of the chapter.

It also shows the lion in full. In the earlier battles the lion fought beside the Goddess; here it destroys an entire army by itself, and the text dwells on its paws, jaws, claws and hind legs for five verses. The Goddess's companions share her power.

Main Teachings of Chapter 6

Force cannot take what belongs to the Goddess: Dhumralochana comes to drag her away and is burnt by a sound (Verses 4, 9 and 13).
Her mildness is not weakness: "What can I do to you?" is followed by the "Hum" that ends him (Verses 11–13).
Sound itself is her weapon: as in Chapter 3, where Chamara's spear fell at her roar, here a single syllable is enough (Verse 13).
Her companions carry her power: the lion alone destroys sixty thousand asuras (Verses 15–19).
Each defeat only hardens the demon: Shumbha answers the loss of one army by sending a larger one with crueller orders (Verses 20–24).

The "Hum" That Burnt Dhumralochana

Verse 13 tells the slaying in a single line: हुंकारेणैव तं भस्म सा चकाराम्बिका – "Ambika reduced him to ashes with a Hunkara alone." The Hunkara is the sound "Hum", the syllable of the Goddess's wrath. In Chapter 3 her Hunkara knocked Chamara's spear powerless to the ground; here it destroys a demon outright. The Devi Mahatmya treats the Goddess's sound as a weapon in its own right: her roar shook the three worlds at her birth (Chapter 2), her bell dazes armies (Chapters 2 and 4), and here her "Hum" kills.

The Lion in Chapter 6

Verses 15–19 are the longest description of the Goddess's lion in the Devi Mahatmya.

What the lion did	Verse
Shook its mane, roared in fury and fell on the army	15
Struck down demons with its paws	16
Seized demons in its jaws	16
Crushed demons beneath its hind legs	16
Tore open bellies with its claws	17
Struck off heads with blows of its paws	17
Cut off arms and heads	18
Drank the blood of the fallen	18
Destroyed the whole army of sixty thousand in a moment	19

Why Is Chapter 6 Called Dhumralochana-Vadha?

The sixth chapter is traditionally known as Dhumralochana-Vadha – "the slaying (vadha) of Dhumralochana" – after the general of Shumbha and Nishumbha who is destroyed in it. The colophon gives the full name, Shumbha-Nishumbha-Senani-Dhumralochana-Vadha. Dhumralochana's own name means "the smoky-eyed".

Traditional Recitation of Chapter 6

Chapter 6 belongs to the Uttama Charitra of the Devi Mahatmya, which runs from Chapter 5 to Chapter 13 under Mahasaraswati. It has no separate Viniyoga; the Viniyoga of the Uttama Charitra is recited at the start of Chapter 5, and Chapter 6 opens with its own Dhyana of Padmavati, given above.

Schedule	When Chapter 6 is read	Context
3-day Path (by Charitra)	Day 3, with Chapters 5 and 7–13	Day 1: Chapter 1 · Day 2: Chapters 2–4
7-day Path	Day 4, with Chapters 5, 7 and 8	Day 1: 1 · Day 2: 2–3 · Day 3: 4 · Day 5: 9–10 · Day 6: 11 · Day 7: 12–13
9-day Navratri Path	Day 3, with Chapter 5	Day 1: 1 · Day 2: 2–4 · 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 sixth chapter is read for freedom from every kind of fear and doubt and from the influence of evil forces, and it is especially recommended for those who feel afraid without any cause. The chapter in which a demon army is destroyed by a single syllable is read, fittingly, to still fear. Devotees traditionally approach it for:

Devotion towards Goddess Mahasaraswati, the presiding deity of the Uttama Charitra
Freedom from fear, anxiety and doubt
Protection from hostile and evil influences
Confidence that force and threat cannot prevail against the Goddess
Remembrance of the Goddess as Padmavati, in the form of the chapter's Dhyana

These are traditional devotional associations and should not be understood as guaranteed worldly or medical outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Durga Saptashati Chapter 6 called?

Durga Saptashati Chapter 6 is called Shashtha Adhyaya and is traditionally known as Dhumralochana-Vadha, "The Slaying of Dhumralochana". Its full name in the colophon is Shumbha-Nishumbha-Senani-Dhumralochana-Vadha.

What happens in Chapter 6 of Durga Saptashati?

Shumbha, enraged by the Goddess's reply, sends his general Dhumralochana with sixty thousand asuras to drag her away by the hair. When Dhumralochana rushes at her, Ambika reduces him to ashes with a single "Hum"; her lion then destroys his whole army. Shumbha orders Chanda and Munda to go next.

Who is the main Goddess in Durga Saptashati Chapter 6?

The presiding deity of the Uttama Charitra is Mahasaraswati. In the verses the Goddess is called Ambika and "the Goddess seated on the snowy mountain", and the Dhyana at the head of the chapter meditates on her as Padmavati, seated on the king of serpents in the lap of Bhairava.

Who was Dhumralochana?

A chief of the demons and the general (senani) of Shumbha and Nishumbha, the first commander sent to seize the Goddess by force. His name means "the smoky-eyed". He came with sixty thousand asuras and was burnt to ashes by the Goddess's "Hum" (Verses 3–13).

How did the Goddess kill Dhumralochana?

With a Hunkara – the single sound "Hum" – and nothing else (Verse 13). She did not raise a weapon against him; her lion then destroyed his army.

Why is Chapter 6 so short?

It tells a single episode: one general sent, one sound, one army destroyed, and the next order given. With 24 units it is the shortest chapter of the Devi Mahatmya, which is why the nine-day Navratri schedule pairs it with Chapter 5 on the third day.

How many verses are there in Durga Saptashati Chapter 6?

The traditional count gives 24 textual units: 4 uvacha lines and 20 full verses. Together with Chapters 1 to 5 this makes 412 units from the beginning of the text.

Can Chapter 6 be recited on its own?

Chapter 6 is part of the Uttama Charitra and shares the Viniyoga recited at Chapter 5; its own Dhyana of Padmavati is recited first. It is normally read with Chapter 5, and in the chapter-wise tradition it is also read by itself for freedom from fear. The preliminaries of the Path Vidhi are performed before it as for the whole Path.