Monday 26 March 2012

Durgasaptasati canto 3 translated by Ramesh Chandra Mukhopadhyaya

THIRD CANTO OF THE DURGAASAPTASATI

Risiruvaacha


The sage said


Nihanyamaanam tat sainyam
Avalokya mahaasurah
Senaani chiksurah kopaad
Yayou yoddhumathaambikaam


Seeing the demon soldiers being mayhemmed the great demon Chiksurah
took fire and rushed to fight the Mother Ambica


Sa devim saravarsena
Vavarsa samare- surah
Yathaa merugireh sringam
Toyavarsena toyadah..


The demons rained a shower of sharpest shafts on the goddess in the
battle just as the clouds rain upon the crest of the mountain Meru


Tasya chcchhittvaa tato devi
Lilayaiva sarotkaraan
Jaghaana turagaan vaanair
Yantaaranchaiva vaajinaam


The goddess dispersed them with playful ease and killed with arrows
not only the horses but also those who rode them


Chichheda cha dhanuh sadyo
Dhvajanchaapi samuchhratam
Vivyaadha chaiva gaatresu
Chinna dhanvaanamaasugaih


She instantly tore the bows of her enemies. She tore the flag that
had been flying high. She presently hurt the bodies of those whose
bows were undone.


Sa chhina dhanvaa viratho
Hataasvo hatasaarathih
Abhyadhaavata taam devim
Khdgacharmadharo’surah..


Chiksura lost his bow. He lost his chariot. His horse was killed. His
chariot driver was killed. He now rushed at the goddess with his
scimitar and shield.


Sinhamaahatya khadgena
Tiksnadhaarena murdhani
Aajaghaana bhuje savye
Devimapyati vegavaan


He hit the lion on his head with the sharp edge of the scimitar. He
was very fast. He hit the left arm of the goddess.


Tasyah khadgo bhujam praapya
Pafaala Nripanandana
Tato jagraaha sulam sa
Kopaadarunalochana


The scimitar broke into pieces getting at her hand. The demon
immediately took a sula. His eyes were red with anger.


Chiksepa sa tatastattu
Bhadrakaalyam mahasurah
Jaajvalyamaanam tejobhi
Ravivimbamivaambaraat..


The fierce demon flung the sula at Bhadrakaali-one who eats Time for
the well being of the world.The sula rushed at her aburning with power
like the sunrays from the desert skies.


Dristvaa tada aapatatchhulam
Devi sulam amunchata
Tachhulam satadhaa tena
Neetam sa cha mahaasurah


Seeing the sula coming upon her the goddess released her sula. It
broke the sula rushing at her into hundred pieces. The demon himself
fell.


Hate tasmin mahaavirye
Mahisasya chamupatau
Aajagama gajaarudhas
Chaamarastridasardanah


With the fall of the great demon who led a chamu – a vast division of
army under the Buffalo demon, there came Chaamara who defeated the
gods. Chaamara came on elephant back.


So’pi saktim mumochaatha
Devyaastamambica drutam
Humkaarabhihataam bhumau
Paatayaamaasa nisprabhaam


He also shot sakti at the goddess, mother Ambica without delay.The
goddess roared at him and he fell on the earth reft of all lustre.


Bhagnaam saktim nipotitaam
Dristvaa krodhasamanvitah
Chiksepa Chaamarah sulam
Vaanaistadapi saachhinat


Seeing the sakti broken into pieces the demon Chamara was angered.
He flung sula at the goddess. The goddess broke it too with arrows.


Tatah sinhah samutpatya
Gajakumbhaantarasthitah
Baahuyuddhena yuyudhe
Tenoschaistridasarinaa


Then the lion leaped forth and fought hand to hand with the
demon ,from behind the head of the elephant.


Yudhyamaano tatastau tu
Tasmaannaagaan mahim gatau
Yuyudhaateti samrabdhau
Prahaarairatidaarunaih


While fighting, the demon alighted from the elephant. And they fought
fiercely hitting each other.


Tato vegaat khamutpatya
Nipatya cha mrigaarinaa
Karaprahaarena sirah
Chaamarasya prithak kritam..


Then with great speed the lion, the enemy of the animals,lifted up the
demon in the skies and then flung him onto the earth.The lion with his
hands chopped off the head of the demon Chaamara.


Udagrascha rane devyaa
Silaavriksaadibhirhatah
Dandamusthi talaschaiva
Karaalascha nipaatitah


In the fight with the goddess Udagra was killed with stones and trees.
She also killed the demon Kasraala by name hitting him with stick ,
fists and slaps


Devi Kruddhaa gadaa paatais
Churnayaamaasa choddhatam
Vaaskalam Bhindipaalena
Vaanaistamram tathaandhakam


The goddess , now angry,smashed the demon Uddhata also..She killed
Vaaskala with bhindipaala. She killed Andhaka and Taamra with arrows


Ugraasyamugraviryancha
Tathaiva cha mahaahanum
Trinetraa cha trisulena
Jaghaana parameswari


The goddess of gods, Parameswari, who has three eyes, killed
Ughraasya and Ugravirya as well as
Mahaahanu with trident


Bidaalasyasinaa kaayat
Paatayaamaasa vai sirah
Durdharam durmukhanchobhau
Sarairnirnye yamaksayam


She felled the head from the body of the demon Bidaalaasya. She sent
both Durdhara and Durmukh to the realm of Death.


Evam samkshiyamaane tu
Svasainye mahisaasurah
Maahisena swarupena
Traasayaamaasa tan ganaan


When the demons were thus being decimated , the Buffalo demon showed
up ,with his army in the shape of a buffalo and sent terror into the
hearts of the ganah, that constituted the army of the goddess.


Kaanschit tundaprahaarena
Ksurakshepaistathaaparaan
Laangulataaditaam schaanyaan
Sringaabhyancha vidaaritaan


He beat some with his mouth.He scared others with his hoofs flinging
at them.He drove away others with his tail.He pushed his horns into
others.


Vegena kangschidaparaan
Naadena bhraamanena cha
Niswasa pavanenaanyaan
Paatayaamaasa bhutale


He killed some with his speed.He put others to death by sheer lowing.
He moved others to death.He threw others onto the ground with the
force of his exhalation.


Nipaatya pramathaanikam
Abhyadhaavata so’surah
Sinham hantum mahaadevyah
Kopanchakre tato’mbica


Having ravaged the army of the pramathas or the army of the goddess
the demon now rushed to kill the lion.The goddess- the mother of all,
now got angry.


So’pi kopaan mahaaviryah
Ksurakshunna mahitalah
Sringaabhyaam parvataanuchchaan
Chiksepa cha nanaada cha..


The great warrior Buffalo demon also shook the earth with his hoofs
in a huff. He lifted up tall mountains with his horns and hurled them
at the goddess and shouted.


Vegabhramana viksunnaa
Mahi tasya vyasiryata
Laangulenaahataschaabdhih
Plaavayaamaasa sarvatah


Wounded by his fast movements the Earth trembled.The seas being
churned by his tail flooded in all directions.


Dhutasringavibhinnascha
Khandakhandam yayurghanaah
Shvasaanilaastah satasho
Nipeturnabhas’ochalah


The clouds went scattered being shattered by the excited horns. With
the wind of his breath mountains were flung from the skies.


Iti krodhasamaadhmaatam
Aapatantam mahaasuram
Dristvaa saa chandikaa kopam
Tadvadhaaya tadaakarot


The great demon rushed at her from the skies.Seeing this, goddess
Chandikaa was angry and acted to kill him.


Saa ksiptvaa tasya vai pasam
Tam vavandha mahaasuram
Tatyaja maahisam rupam
So’pi vaddho mahaamridhe


She threw a rope and chained the Buffalo demon.At once the demon gave
up his buffalo shape being roped in the fierce fight.


Tatah sinho’bhavat sadyo
Yavattasyaambikaa shirah
Chhinatti tavatpurusa
Khadgapaaniradrisyata


Instantly the demon became a lion. Ambica the mother goddess was about
to chop off his head. And at once he revealed himself as a man with
sabre in his hand.


Tata evaasu purusam
Devi chichcheda saayakaih
Tam khadga charmanaa sardham
Tata so’bhunmahaagaja


He was armed with the sabre and the shield. The goddess hit him with
arrows presently.At once he became a giant elephant.


Karena cha mahaasinham
Tanchakarsa jagarja cha
Karsatastu karam devi
khadgena nirakrintata


The elephant hit the lion with its trunk and shouted.The goddess cut
off the trunk with an axe while it was whipping the lion.


Tato mahaasuro bhuyo
Maahisam vapuraasthitah
Tathaiva ksobhayaamaasa
Trailokyamsacharaacharam


Then the fierce demon took refuge in the body of a buffalo again and
shook the three worlds with all their movables and immovables.


Tatah kruddhaa jaganmaataa
Chandikaa paanamuttamam
Papau punah punaschaiva
Jahaasaarunalochanaa


Then Chandikaa , the angry Mother of the existence, drank manna over
and over again and burst in rocking laughter. Her eyes were red.


Nanarda chaasurah so’pi
Balaviryamadoddhata
Visaanaabhyancha chiksepa
Chandikaan prati bhudharaan


The demon also danced intoxicated with strength,prowess and pride.
With great flourish he hurled mountains at Chandikaa


Saa cha taan prahitaams
Tena churnayanti sarotkaraih
Uvaacha tam madoddhuta
Mukharaagaa kulaksaram


She destroyed those missiles hurled at her with arrows. Her face was
red.She spoke to the vain demon-----


Devi Uvaaca


The goddess said


Garja garja ksanam mudha
Madhu yaavat pivaamyaham
Mayaa tvayi hate’traiva
Garjisyantyasu devatah


Oh you fool! Shout for the moment as long as I drink honey. Here
only you will be slain by me. The gods will roar presently.


Risiruvaacha
The sage said


Evamukta samutpatya
Saarudhaa tam mahaasuram
Paadenaakramya kanthe cha
Sulenainamataadayat


Saying this she stamped on the demon and pressed his neck with her
legs. She hit her with the trident.


Tatah so’ pi padaakraantas
Tayaa nijamukhaattatah
Ardhaniskraanta evaapi
Devya viryena samvritah


Then the demon also being stamped by the goddess came half way from
his mouth. But the prowess of the goddess made him inert there
Ardhaniskraanta evaasau
Yuddhamano mahaasurah
Tayaa mahaasinaa devyaa
Sira chhittvaa nipaatitah


Come half way out from its own mouth the great demon, still
flourishing ,was beheaded by the great sword of the goddess. Thus the
demon fell.


Tato haa haa kritam sarvam
Daityasainyam nanaasa tat
Praharsancha param jagmuh
Sakalaa devataa ganaah


The rest of the army of the demon was destroyed with Haa Haa. And
every one among the gods was exceedingly happy.


Tushtuvustaam suraa devim
saha divyairmaharsibhih
Jagu gandharvapatayor
Nanrituschaapsaroganah


The gods now propitiated the goddess The divine sages joined the gods.
The heavenly choir was loud. The divine damsels took to dance in
spright..


The canto three ends here. It dwells on how the Buffalo demon was
slai

Monday 19 March 2012

Durgasaptasati canto 2 translated by Ramesh Mukhopadhyaya

The Killing of the Buffalo-demon or Mahisasura----1 (canto 2 of
Durgasaptasati)

Risiruvaca
The sage said


Devaasuram abhud yuddham
Purnam abdasatam puraa .
Mahisesuraanamadhipe
Devanaaancha purandare..


Once upon a time there was a terrible fight between the gods and the
demons which continued for hundred years.The Buffalo was the lord of
the demons and Purandara Indra was the king of the gods at that time.


Tatraasuraih mahaaviryaih
Devasainyam paraajitam
Jitva tu sakalaan devaan
Indrobhut Mahisaasurah


In that hundred years’ war the mighty demons defeated the army of
gods. Having vanquished each and every god the Buffalo demon became
the Indra or the ruler of heaven


Tatah paraajitaa devah
Padmayonim prajaapatim.
Puraskritya gataastatra
Yatresagarudadhvajau..


Thereafter the Creator who was born in the lotus navel of Visnu led
the defeated gods ; they reached where Lord Siva and the god whose
emblem is Garuda were sitting together


Yathaavrittam tayostadvan
Mahisaasurachestitam
Tridashah kathayaamaasur
Devaabhibhavavistaram
The gods reported them the activities of the Buffalo demon as they
took place.They also reported the plight of the gods in detail


Suryendraagnyanilendunaam
Yamasya Varunasya cha
Anyesaanchaadhikaaraan sa
Swayamevadhitisthati


The Buffalo demon himself has assumed himself the powers of Surya-
Sun ,of Indra –the Lord of heaven , of Anila-the Wind god , of Varuna
– the god of the waters as well as of others


Svargaanniraakritaah sarve
Tena devaganaa bhuvi
Vicharanti yathaa martyaa
Mahisena duraatmanaa


Driven away from the heaven by the wicked Buffalo, the gods are
wandering in the earth like earthlings


Etadvah kathitam sarvam
Amaraarivichestitam
Saranam cha prapannah sma
Vadhastasya vichintyataam


So this is all that we have to tell you. We take refuge with you.
Think how the demon could be killed.


Ittham nisamya devaanaam
Vachaamsi madhusudanah
Chakaara kopam sambhuscha
Bhrukutikutilaananou


Having heard the speech of the gods the face of Madhusudana- the god
who killed the demon Madhu and the face of Lord Sambhu showed
curves in the eyebrow.Both of them were angry.


Tatoti kopapurnasya
Chakrino vadanattatah
Nischakraama mahattejo
Brahmanah sankarasya cha


Presently a great energy emitted from the fiercely angry face of the
god who wields the wheel. Also energy emitted from the faces of
Brahmaa and Sankara


Anyesaanchaiva devaanam
Sakraadinaam sariratah
Nirgatam sumahattejas
Tachchaikyam samagachhata


Great energy emitted from the bodies of Sakra and other gods. The
energy thus emitted from the different gods united.


Ateeva tejasah kutam
Jvalantam iva parvatam
Dadrisuste surastatra
Jvaalaavyapta digantaram


It was a mountain peak made of untold energy. It was a mountain
aburning as it were. The gods there were marveled at the sight of the
horizon aflame.


Atulam tatra tattejah
Sarvadeva sarirajam
Ekastham tadabhunnaari
Vyaptalokatrayam tvisa


That mass of energy gathered there had no peer anywhere. It was the
collective energy of all the gods.And lo! Yonder stood a woman.The
three worlds were plunged in her light.


Yadabhuchchamvavatejas
Tenaajaayata tanmukham.
Yaamyena chaabhavan kesaa
Vaahavo visnutejasaa..


Her face was made of the energy that emanated from Lord Sambhu. Her
hair was made of the energy of the Lord of Death or Control. Her hands
were forged by Visnu.


Saumyena stanayoryugmam
Madhyanchaindrena chaabhavat.
Baarunena cha janghoru
Nitambastejasaa bhuvah..


The Moon made her breasts. The middle portion of her body was
engineered by Indra the god who wields thunder. Her thighs were made
by Varuna the water god . Her heaps were created by the light come
from the Earth.


Brahmanastejasaa paadau
Tadangulyorka tejasaa
Basunaancha karaangulyah
Kauverena cha naasikaa


The legs were made of the energy of Brahmaa the Creator. Its fingers
were moulded by the energy from the Sun. The fingers of the hand were
made by the Basus. Her nose was made by Kuvera


Tasyaastu dantaah sambhutaah
Praajaapatyena tejasaa
Nayanatritayam yajne
Tathaa paavakatejasaa


Her teeth were created by the energies of god prajaapati. The energy
of the Fire god created the three eyes


Bhruvau sandhyayosteja
Sravanaavanilasya cha
Anyesaanchaiva devaanaam
Sambhavastejasaam sivaa


The Twilight Hours or Sandhya created her eyebrows. The energies of
the Windgod created the ears. The lady goddess who could be called the
goddess of wellbeing or Sivaa was thus created by all the other gods
and goddesses as well.


Tatah samasta devaanaam
Tejoraasim samudbhavaam
Taam vilokyamudam praapur
Amaraamahisaarditaa


Seeing her as the creation of the collective energy of all the gods
and goddesses , the joys of the gods and goddesses who were earlier
humiliated and dispossessed by their perennial enemies, knew no bound
now.


Shulam shulaat viniskrishya
Dadau tasmai pinaakadhrik
Chakrancha dattavaan Krisnah
Samutpaadya sva chakratah..


Lord Siva who wields the pinaak conjured a trident from his trident
and gave it to her, Krisna forged another whel from his own and
bestowed the same upon her.


Sankhancha varunah
Saktimdadau hutaasanah
Maarutah dattavaanschaapam
Vaanapurne tathesudhih


Varun gave the conch. Hutasanah or Fire god gave the weapon Sakti
Maaruta gave the bow and a basket full of arrow.


Vajramindra samutpaadya
Kulisaadamaraadhipah.
Dadau tasyai sahasraakso
Ghantaamairaavataad gajaat..


The lord of the gods Indra forged a thunder from his thunder and
gave it to her. Indra ,the thousand eyed god, also gave her a bell
forging it from the bell of his mount Airaavata, the elephant


Kaladandaad yamo dandam
Pasanchambupatirdadau
Prajaapatischaaksamaalaa
Dadau Brahmaa kamandalum


Yama the god of death made a stick from his own stick that is Time and
gave it to her.The lord of the waters gave her a chain that might bind
others. The creator of myriads of lives in the world, Prajaapati, gave
her a garland.Brahmaa the creator of the world gave her a water jug or
kamandalu.


Samastaromakupesu
Nija rashmin divaakarah
Kaalascha dattavaan khadgah
Tasyaascharma cha nirmalam


Sungod , the architect of day, put his own rays into every hair
follicle of the effulgent dame. Time gave her the scimitar as well as
the shield that was bright and dazzling.


Ksirodaschaamalam haaram
Ajare cha tathaamaambare
Chudamanim tathaa divyam
Kundale katakaani cha..


The sea of condensed milk gave her a dazzling necklace and clothes
that will remain ever new. The sea also gave an elysian gem to wear on
the head ,earrings and bangles.


Ardhachandram tathaa shubhram
Keyuraan sarvavaahusu.
Nupurau vimalau tadvad
Graiveyakamanuttamam..


The god of the seas bestowed the white crescent moon upon her. He
gave armlets to deck every hand.He gave stainless nupurs for the legs.
Besides he gave a bright ornament to adorn her chin.


Anguriyaka ratnaani
Samastaasvangalisu


He also gave gems to adorn every finger of hers.


Viswakarmaa dadau tasyai
Parasunchaatinirmalam
Astaanyanekarupaani
Tathaabhedyadamsanam..


Viswakarma the engineer god . gave a bright axe to her. He also
bestowed upon her various kinds of weapons as well as an armour that
baffles all attacks.


Amlaana pankajaam maalaam
Sirasyurasi chaaparaam
Adadaad jaladhistasyai
Pankajanachaati shobhanam..


The seas gave two garlands of lotus that will never pale or wither
away---one for the head and another for the breast. The seas also gave
her a lotus exceedingly beautiful.


Himavaan vaahanam simham
Ratnaani vividhaani cha.
Dadaavasunyam surayaa
Paanapaatram dhanaadhipah..


The snowcapped Himalayas gave her a lion that she should mount. The
Himalayas also blessed her with varied and variegated gems.Kuvera the
god of money gave her a drinking bowl brimming with the finest wine.


Seshascha sarvanaagesho
Mahaamani vibhushitam
Nagahaaram dadau tasyai
Dhatte yah prithivimimaam..


Seshnaag the king of the snakes who holds the world on his hoods and
who is decked in brightest diadems gave a necklace that the serpents
are wont to wear and that has the emblem of the snake on it


Anyairapi surairdevi
Bhusanairaayudhaistathaa.
Sammaanitaa nanaadochchaih
Saattahaasam muhurmuhuh..


Honoured with ornaments and weapons by other gods as well, she burst
into a thundering
shout accompanied with peals of ceaseless laughter.


Tasyaa naadena ghorena
Kritsnamaapuritam nabhah
Amaayataatimahataa
Pratishabdo mahanabhut..


The terrible shout that she gave filled up all the skies. The terrible
shout measureless to man had equally terrible echo.


Chuksubhuh sakalah lokah
Samudrascha chakampire
Chachaala vasudhaa cheluh
Sakalaaschamahidharah


It sent a tremor through all the worlds The countless oceans in the
countless worlds trembled . The earth rocked. The mountains quaked.


Jayeti devaascha mudaa
Taamuchaih simhavaahinim
Tustuvurmunayaschainaam
Bhaktinamraatmamurtayah..


Overjoyed the gods shouted at her mounted on the lion—Victory to thee.
The sages, animated busts of the bent down with devotion, propitiated
her.


Dristvaa samastam samksudhvam
Trailokyamamaraarayah
Sannadhaakhila sainyaaste
Samuttasthurudaayudhah..


The enemies of the gods saw all the three worlds astir. They
gathered all their army. They were up with arms.


Ahh! Kimetaditi krodhaad
Aabhasya mahisaasurah.
Abhyadhaavata tam sabdam
Aseshairasurairvritah..


Ahh! What is it! Exclaimed the Buffalo demon in a huff and followed
the sound . He was accompanied and surrounded by countless demons.


Sa dadarsa tato devim
Vyaaptalokatrayam tvisa
Paadaakraantya natabhuvam
Kiritollikhitaambaraam..


He saw the goddess enveloping all the worlds with her luster. The
earth was bent under the press of her feet. Her crest tore through the
skies.


Ksobhithaasesha pataalaam
Dhanurjyanisvanena taam
Dishobhujasahasrena
Samantaad vyapya samsthitaam.


She shook all the netherworlds with the twang of her bowstring. Yonder
she stood occupying the space in every direction with her thousand
hands.


Tatah pravavrite yuddham
Tayaa devyaa suradvisaam
Sastraastrairvahudhaa muktair
Aadipita digantaram..


Then the fight between the goddess and the demons took off. The
weapons released numerous explosives in numerous methods and lit up
the horizons.


Mahisaasurasenaanis
Chiksuraakhyo mahaasurah
Yuyudhe chaamaraschaanyais
Chaturangavalaanvitah..


The commanders of the army of Mahisaasura , Chiksuro and Chaamara
by name, along with other great army leaders fought the goddess.Each
one of the commanders was accompanied with countless
footarmy ,cavalry, soldiers riding elephants, and chariots.


Rathaanamayutaih sadbhih
Udagraakhyo mahaasurah
Ayudhyataayutaanancha
Sahasrena mahaahanuh..


The fierce demon Udagra by name was fighting with 60000 chariots on
his side. The demon Mahaahanu fought with 1 crore chariots on his side


Panchaasadbhischa niyutair
Asilomaa mahaasurah
Ayutaanaam sataih sadbhir
Vaaskalo yuyudhe rane..


The great demon Asilomaa fought accompanied with 5 crore chariots.
Another Vaaskala was fighting backed up by 60 lakhs of chariots.


Gajavaaji sahasraughair
Anekaih parivaaritah
Vrito rathaanam kotya cha
Yuddhe tasminnayudhyata
Encircled by thousands of horses and elephants, equipped with a crore
chariots an other demon was fighting in the fray.


Vidaalaaksoyutaanaancha
Panchaasadbhirathaayutaih
Yuyudhe samyuge tatra
Rathaanaam parivaaritah.


The demon Viddalaakshah entered into the battle circled by 500 crore
chariots


Anye cha tatraayutasho
Rathanaagahayairvritah
Yuddhe samyuge devyaa
Khadgam parasupattisaih


There were other commanders too. They were decked with millions of
chariots , elephants,and horses in the same way. And they took on the
goddess with scimitars axes and other deadly weapons.


Koti koti sahasraistu
Rathaanam dantinaam tathaa
Hayaanaancha vrito yuddhe
Tatraabhunmahisaasurah..


There was the Buffalo demon himself decked with thousand crores of
chariots, tuskers of elephants,and horses


Tomarairbhindipaalaischa
Saktibhirmusalaistathaa
Yuyudhuh samyuge devya
Khadgam parasu pattisaih


With weapons like tomara , bhindipaala, sakti,musala, khadga ,
parasu , pattisa and the like they fought the goddess in the battle.


Kechichcha chiksipuh saktih
Kechit pashanstathaapare
Devim khadgaprahaaraischa
Te tam hantum prachakramuh


Some of them flung missiles at the goddess. Others threw ropes at
her.They were about to kill her with scimitars.


Saapi devi tatastaani
Sastraanyastraani chandikaa
Lilayaiva prachichcheda
Nijasastraastravarsini.


The goddess also shattered all those weapons and missiles with
playful ease by flinging weapons and missiles at them.


Anaayastaananaa devi
stuyamaanaa surarshibhih
Mumochaasuradehesu
Sastraanyastraani cheswari


The face of the goddess was cool and fresh. There was no trace of
tiredness in it. The gods and sages were profusely praising her. She
let loose her weapons and missiles on the bodies of the demons.


Sopi kruddho dhuto sato
Devyaa vaahana kesari
Chachaaraa surasainyesu
Vaneshwiva hutaasanah


The mount of the goddess , the lion, his manes trembling in anger,
moved about among the enemies like wildfire in the forests.


Nihswaasaanmumuche yaanscha
Yudhyamaanaa ranembika
Ta eva sadyah sambhutaa
Ganah satasahasrashah


Plunged in war, the divine mother Ambikaa released her breath and at
once hundred thousands of ganaah were born


Yuyudhuste parasubhir
Bhindipaalaasipattisaih
Naasayantosuraganaan
Devisaktyupavrimhitaah


Charged with the energy of the goddess they fought with parasu,
bhindipala,asi, pattisa and other weapons and killed the demons.


Avaadayanta patahaan ganah
Sankhaanstathaapare Avaadayanta
Mridangaanscha tathaivaanye
Tasmin yuddhamahotsave


In that great festivity of war some of the ganah sounded pataha.
Others blew the conch.There were still others among the ganaah who
played on the mridanga.


Tato devi trisulena
Gadayaa saktivristibhih
Khadgaadibhischa satasho
Nijaghaana mahaasuraan..


The goddess rained sakti upon the enemies and killed the fiercest
demons with tridents , clubs and scimitars.


Paatayamaasa chaivaanyan
Ghantaasvana vimohitaan.
Asuraan bhuvi paasena
Vaddhvaachaanyaanakarshata..


Others fell in front of her being dazed with the mortal sound of the
bell. She hooked others with ropes and pulled them to death here on
earth.


Kechiddvidhaakritaastiksnaih
Khadgapaataistathaapare
Vipotthitaa nipaatena
Gadayaa bhuvi serate


Some were cut into pieces with sharp swords.Some others werehit hard
with the club and lay on the earth


Vemuscha kechidrudhiram
Musalena bhrisam hataah
Kechinnipaatitaa bhumau
Bhinnah shulena vaksasi


Some vomited blood being terribly hurt by musala. Some were flung
on the ground their chests being torn with the trident.


Nirantarah saraughena
Kritaah kechidranaajire.
Senaanukaarinah praanaan
Mumuchustridsaardanah


Some of the enemies of gods accompanied with their soldiers kicked
the bucket being hurt with ceaseless shower of arrows.


Kesaanchid baahavaschhinnaa
Chhinnagreevaa tathaapare
Siraamsi peturanyesaam
Anye madhye vidaaritaah


The arms of some of them were torn off from their bodies. The cheeks
of some of them were chopped off from the body. The heads of some of
them fell onto the ground. Others were broken in the middle of their
body.


Vichchinna janghaastvapare
Petururvyaam mahaasuraah
Ekabaahvaksicharanaah
Kechiddevyaa dvidhaa kritaah..


Some demons had their thighs separated from the body. The goddess
cut some other demons vertically from head to foot. They fell on
the earth with one arm one eye and one foot.


Chinnepi chaanye sirasi
Patitah punarutthitah
Kabandhaa yuyudhur devyaa
Grihitaparamaayudhah


Many of them fell beheaded. Still a few of them –the torsos- leaped
forth and fought with the goddess wielding sharp weapons


Nanrituschaapare tatra
Yuddhe turyalayaashritah


Others danced there to dizzily fast beats of the war.


Kavandhaa chhinnasirasah
Khadgasaktryistipaanayah
Tistha tistheti bhaasanto
Devimanye mahasuraah


The torsos sans heads wielded scimitar and sakti in their palms.
Other great demons told the goddess—Tarry a while


Paatitai rathanaagaasvair
Asuraischa vasundhara
Agamyaa saabhavat tatra
Yatraabhut sa maharanah


The earth is known as the reservoir of immense wealth. She however
became inaccessible where the great war took place due to the corpses
of the demons and carcasses of the horses and elephants flung on the
ground. Also there were the ruins of the chariots upturned.


Sonitaughaa mahaanadyah
Sadyastatravisusruvuh
Madhye chaasurasainyasya
Vaaranaasuravaajinaam


Great rivers instantly were born laden with the flow of blood that
sprang from the demons and elephants and horses.


Ksanena tanmahaasainyam
Asuraanaam tathambica
Ninye swayam yatha vahnis
Trinadaarumahaachayam


In a moment Ambica –the great mother-herself destroyed the vast army
of the demons just as fire burns the vast accumulation of grass and
wood


Sa cha Sinho mahaanaadah
Utsrijan dhutakesarah
Sarirebhyo amaraarinam
Asuniva vichinvati


The lion also burst into loud roars . His manes were trembling. He
drank in the bodies of the enemies of gods


Devyaa ganaischa taistatra
Kritam yuddham tathasuraih
Tathaisaam tutusurdevah
Puspavristimucho divi


The ganah that were created by the goddess continued their fight
with the demons. The gods were so pleased that they showered flowers
on them from the skies.


Thus ends the second canto of Durgasaptasati. It dwells on the
massmassacre of the army of the Buffalo

Thursday 8 March 2012

The Interpretation of Politics

From: Rajannya
Subject: The Interpretation Of Politics In Democracy

Politics, it seems to me to be over the years, is that aspect of human
living which expresses the collective will of all individuals. When a
vision finds no place in this broad and complex collective, it is
either all-encompassing and transcendental, or eccentric and
misguided. The immediately succeeding meaning of the word (politics)
is the play involved in authority; in acquiring, mobilizing, and
holding on to it; and the very word, authority, implies the act of
policymaking. Interlinked these both meanings are, for where the
expression of collective will is so tangible, there creeps the concept
of power.
For many among us, politics is synonymous with democracy: indeed so,
from the way the world is actively saturated with the idea. Close
home, Indian democracy has undergone frequent renovations which have
finally enabled us, post approximately six decades of independence, to
boast of a stabler system of democracy that is brilliantly giving
birth to even higher questions. That there should be so many debates
upon democracy, proves the very fundamental success of the same.
Indian politics hence is especially fertile.
In this light, are we disposed to judge the dual import of Celia Green
when she states the following, "In an autocracy, one person has his
way; in an aristocracy, a few people have their way; in a democracy,
no one has his way."? Green might have been taken to hint that one
never realizes their desire fully in such a system of administration
as one gradually discovers their opinion's promiscuity. Even if it is
the other way round, can democratic politics transcend itself, or can
it otherwize stagnate?

As for me, I find it hard to follow our politics; not that I lack
discretion, or even a hot opinion, with regard to what transpires in
and around my state. Whenever I consider the action of those people
who shall vote for the political party I personally appreciate (I can
only consider: I am two years shorter than the lot of legal voters, as
of now), I cannot help but imagine the considerable percentage of
their counterparts who would vote for the party that is wrong in my
opinion. I want my preferred party to rule over all of us, without any
stir of inhibition on either side: with what conviction should I cast
a vote for solely myself, for I do not constitute on my own the
tiniest quantity of voters?
This is where friction creeps into my interpretations. Democracy
prioritizes quantity over quality. It hardly represents the collective
will. Not that I accuse democracy, as is popular, of facilitating
corruption; everything inclusively facilitates corruption, for it is a
habit too deep-seated to be accrued to anything but itself. I envision
a pristine entity which is at once stable and potential; which has the
sincerity and profundity of actively representing collective human
essence. Are our democratic political parties liberal enough to
manifest this idea? I desire that a strong stem sprouts branches in
order to form a tree; whereas, democracy is all about a number of
branches' coming together to form a stem and a tree's being thus
formed.
I detest having to subscribe to the practice of expressing my choice
and then letting it go to the devil of heads-o'-tails. Notwithstanding
the characteristic offshoots of democracy, vote-banking on targeted
susceptible groups and widespread meal-and-money promises, what does
democracy propagate - the importance accorded to the individual, or
the activation of purely selfish interests? Democracy narrows down the
implications of the words, majority and minority. There is always a
right way and a wrong to do things, and basic opinions into the thing
can turn out to be distortions; democracy advocates that might is
right.


(Postscript) I look forward to being enlightened in this subject by my
seniors at Sefirah.

Monday 5 March 2012

DURGASAPTASATI CANTO 1 TEXT AND ENGLISH TRANSLATION

Dr. Rameshchandra Mukhopadhyaya


* *


*Om Namaschandikayai*
It is not me but Goddess Chandika ---the angry goddess alone exists


*Markandeya uvacha*
Markandeya said 1


*Savarnih suryatanayo yo manuh kathyatestamah
Nisamaya tadupayttim vistarad gadato mama
*


The Manu or the invisible Ruler of the mankind
Who is eighth in the line of the Manus
Was the son of the Sungod
Listen to the story of his birth 2


*Mahamayanubhavena yatha manvantarabhavat
Sa vabhuva mahabhaga savarnistanayo raveh*


I will tell you how the great soul-son of the Sol
Became the Ruler of the universe for the long time span called manvantara
Through the grace of Mahamaya 3


*Svarochisentare purvam chaitravamsa samudbhavah
Suratho nama rajabhut samaste ksitimandale*


In ancient times during the reign of Svarochisa Manu
There was a king named Surath
He belonged to the royal line of the Chaitras
He became the master of the whole earth 4


*Tasya palayatah samyak prajah putranivaurasan
Vabhuvuh satravo bhupah kolavidhvangsinastada*


While he was ruling properly
His subjects were as it were his own children
The kings in fealty to him became his enemies
And destroyed the Kola district 5


*Tasya tairabhavad yuddhamati pravala dandinah
Nyunairapi sa tairyuddhe kolavidhvamsibhihr jitah*


A battle ensued between him and the rebel kings
Both were equipped with fierce arms
Though the marauders of Kola
Were less in military power and military arts
Yet it were they who vanquished the king of kings


In the battle 6


*Tatah svapuramayato nijadesadhipobhavat
Akrantah sa mahabhagahstaistada pravalaribhih 7
*
Then Surath returned to his home district
And ruled it
Presently the great heart was attacked
By fierce enemies 7


*Amatyairbalibhihrdustaihdurvalasya duratmabhih
Koshoivalanchapahritam tatrapi svapure tatah
*
The wicked powerful and notorious ministers
Looted his coffers and hijacked his army
In his own principality as well 8


Then the dispossessed king
Feigned that he would go ahunting
He rode a horse
And entered the deep forests all alone 9


*Sa tatrashramamadrakshid dvijavaryasya medhasah
Prasantasvapadakirnam munisishyopashobhitam*


There he saw a retreat
Where the great brhmin Medhas
Was plunged in meditation
It was infested with peaceful beasts
And decked with the sages and their disciples 10


*Tasthau kanchit sa kalancha munina tena satkritah
Itaschetascha vicharamstasmin munivarashrame*


The sage Medhas welcomed him
And he spent sometime there
Wandering to and fro
In that retreat of the sage 11


*
Sochintayad tada tatra mamatvakrista chetanah
Matpurvaih palitam purvam mayahinam puram hi tat*


Engrossed with longing he then reflected---


The city was ruled by me earlier
Right now it is without me 12


*Madbhrityaih asadvrittairdharmatah palyate na va
Na jane sa pradhano me surahasti sadamadah
Mama vairivasam yatah kan bhogan upalapsyate
Ye mamanugata nityam prasada dhana bhojanaih
Anuvrittim dhruvam tedyakurvantyanya mahibhritam
Asamyag vyayasilaistaih kurvadbhih satatam vyayam
Sanchitah soti dukkhen ksayam kosho gamishyayi
Etachanyaccha satatam chintayamasa parthivah
*
Who knows whether my erstwhile employees
Who are corrupt in their practice
Rule the city as per law or not
I do not know how does the valiant elephant
Whose head is ever fragrant with secretions
Fare now that he is under my enemies
Those who were always obedient to me
Because of the gifts wealth and parties thrown at them
Are now taking orders from other kings surely
They are spendthrifts
They always spend
The coffers saved earlier with great frugality
Will be drained away
The king was always reflecting this
And on likely other issues 13-16


*Tatra viprashramabhyase vaishyamekam dadarsha sah
Sa pristastena kastvam bho hetuschagamanetra kah*


There in the retreats of the Brahmin sage Medhas
The king saw a Vaisya- merchantman
The king asked ;---Who are you ?
Why have you come here? 17
*
Sashoka iva kasmattvam durmana iva laksyase
Ityakarnya vachastasya bhupateh pranayoditam
Pratyuvacha sa tam Vaishyah prashrayavanata nripam
*


Why do you look sad and absentminded?
Hearing such words of the king imbued with love
The Vaisya being touched by his sympathy answered him 18 -19


*Vaishya uvacha*
The vaishya said 20


*Samadhirnama vaishyoham utpanno dhaninam kule


*I* *am a Vaisya Samadhi by name
I am born of a rich family 21


*Putrairdarairnirastascha dhanalobhadasadhubhih
Vihinascha dhanairdaraih putrairadaya me dhanam
Vanamabhyagato duhkhi nirastaschaptavandhubhih
Soham na vedmi putranam kusalakusalatmikam
*
I am driven away by my dishonest wives and children
Who coveted my wealth
My children have usurped me of my wealth
Dispossessed of wife and wealth abandoned by friends and relatives
I have come to the forest with a sorrowladen heart
That me cannot learn what good or bad befalls on my children 22-23


*Pravrittim swajanancha darananchatra samsthitah
Kinnu tesham grihe kshemam akshemam kinnu sampratam
Kathante kinnu sadvrittah durvrittah kinnu me sutah


*I cannot learn what my wives and relatives are doing
Whether there is good fortune or misfortune in their household
Whether my children are pursuing honest or dishonest practice 24-25


* *


*Tatra viprashramabhyase vaishyamekam dadarsha sah*


*Sa pristastena kastvam bho hetuschagamanetra kah*


There in the retreats of the Brahmin sage Medhas


The king saw a Vaisya- merchantman


The king asked ;---Who are you ?


Why have you come here? 17


*Sashoka iva kasmattvam durmana iva laksyase*


*Ityakarnya vachastasya bhupateh pranayoditam*


*Pratyuvacha sa tam Vaishyah prashrayavanata nripam*


Why do you look sad and absentminded?


Hearing such words of the king imbued with love


The Vaisya being touched by his sympathy answered him 18 -19


*Vaishya uvacha*


The vaishya said 20


*Samadhirnama vaishyoham utpanno dhaninam kule*


I am a Vaisya Samadhi by name


I am born of a rich family 21


*Putrairdarairnirastascha dhanalobhadasadhubhih*


*Vihinascha dhanairdaraih putrairadaya me dhanam*


*Vanamabhyagato duhkhi nirastaschaptavandhubhih*


*Soham na vedmi putranam kusalakusalatmikam*


* *


I am driven away by my dishonest wives and children


Who coveted my wealth


My children have usurped me of my wealth


Dispossessed of wife and wealth abandoned by friends and relatives


I have come to the forest with a sorrowladen heart


That me cannot learn what good or bad befalls on my children 22-23


*Pravrittim swajanancha darananchatra samsthitah*


*Kinnu tesham grihe kshemam akshemam kinnu sampratam*


*Kathante kinnu sadvrittah durvrittah kinnu me sutah*


I cannot learn what my wives and relatives are doing


Whether there is good fortune or misfortune in their household


Whether my children are pursuing honest or dishonest practice
24-25


* *


*Rajovacha*


The king said 26


*Yairnirasto bhavan luvdhaih putradaradibhirdhanaih*


*Teshu kim bhavatah snehamanuvadhnati manasam*


Why do you pine for the wives and children


Who have driven you away


Greedy of wealth 27-28


* *


*Vaishya uvacha*


The Vaishya said 29


*Evametad yatha praha bhavan asmadgatam vachah*


*Kim karomi na vadhnati mama nisthuratam manah*


* *


What you say about me is true


But cruelty doesnot bind my mind


What can I do? 30


*Yaih santajya pitrisneham dhanalubdhair nirakritah*


*Patiswajana hardancha hardi teshveva me manah*


*Kimetannabhijanami jananapi mahamate*


*Yat prema pravanam chittam viguneshvapi bandhushu*


*Karomi kim yanna manastesvapritisu nisthuram*


* *


My mind is hankering for them only


Who have dispensed with filial love conjugal love and love for the near
ones


And turned me out for wealth


The loving heart is drawn to the near ones


Despite the fact that they are bereft of good qualities


Oh Sir I understand it and still I do not understand


What it is


They have no love


Still I cannot be cruel to them


What shall I do?


*Markandeya uvacha*


Markandeya said 35


*Tatastau sahitau vipra tam munim samupasthitau*


*Samadhirnam vaishhyosao sa cha parthiva sattamah*


*Kritva tu tou yatha nyayam yatharham tena samvidam*


*Upavistau katha kaschichchakratuvaishya parthivau*


* *


Oh Brahmin The great king Surath and the Vaishya Samadhi by name


Went together to the sage presently


After offering due regards to him


They sat there and began a dialogue 36-38


* *


* Rajovacha*


The king said 39


*Bhagavan tvaam aham prastumichchamyekam vadasva tat*


Oh Lord I want to ask you a question


Would you please answer that? 40


*Duhkkhaya yanme manasah svachittaayattataam vina*


*Mamatvam gata rajyasya rajyangesvakhileswapi*


*Janatopi yathajnasya kimetanmunisattama*


*Ayancha nikritam putrairdaarairbhrityaistathojjhitah*


*Swajanena santyaktastesu haardi tathaapyati*


*Evamesha tathahancha dvavaapyatyanta duhkkhitau*


My mind is not within my control and hence sorrow


Springs from my lingering attachment to the kingdom and its paraphernalia


Which are lost I know This is foolish


What is this Qh you sage of sages


And this gentleman has been turned out and insulted


By his children and wives and employees


Although he has been driven away by his near and dear ones


Still he is pining for them


Thus this man and me- both of us


Are terribly unhappy 41-43


*Dristadoshepi vishaye mamatvaakristamanasau*


*Tat kimetanmahabhaga yanmoho jnaninorapi*


* *


Though we see into the hollowness of material possessions


Still we are drawn to them by attachment


We are aware and still there is the engrossment


What is this Oh Lord 44


*Mamaasya bhavatyeshaa vivekaandhasya mudhataa*


Such foolishness becomes those who are


Blind to their sensibilities


Why should it be there in me and in him ?


*Rishiruvacha*


The sage replied 46


*Jnanamasti samastasya jantorvishayagochare*


* *


Every beast has knowledge and the cognizance of the world 47


*Visayascha mahabhagah yati chaivam prithak prithak*


*Divandhah praninah kechit ratravandhastathapare*


Oh sir This is how the reality becomes fragmented


Some animals are blind in the day time


Some others are blind during night 48


*Kechiddiva tatha ratrau praaninahstulya dristayoh*


*Jnanino manujah satyam kintu ten a hi kevalam*


Day and night are all the same to some animals


True that men have knowledge


But they are not the only knowledgeable beings 49


*Yato hi jnani nah sarve pashu pakshimrigaadayah*


*Jnanancha tadmanushyanam yattesam mrigapakshinam*


Since the beasts the birds and the deer –everyone has knowledge


Just as those deer and birds have knowledge so do humans have 50


*Manushyanancha yatteshaam tulyamanyat tathobhayoh*


*Jnanepi sati pashyaitan patangaanchhava chanchushu*


*Kanamoksaadritan mohat pidyamananapi ksudhaa*


*Manusha manujavyaghrah sabhilasah sutan prati*


* *


Men have as much knowledge as others have


So the knowledge of one could be compared with that of another


Even when they are aware of their own hunger


See the birds feed the mouths of their youngs


With grains impelled by infatuation only


Listen Oh tiger among men


Man has expectations from their children 51-52


* *


* *


*Lobhat pratyupakaraya nanvetat kim na pashyasi*


*Tathapi mamatavarte mohagarte nipaatitaah*


*Mahamayaprabhavena samsaara sthitikaarinaa*


*Tannaatra vismayah kaaryo yoganidraa jagatpateh*


They desire children expecting greedily some return from them


Don't you see that?


Despite such knowledge they are fallen in the whirlpool of attachment


In the ditch of delusion


This is all due to the spell of Mahamaya


It is she who maintains the worldly life


You need not wonder at it


She lulls the lord of the existence into trance


*Mahaamaayaa hareschaishaa tayaa sngmohyate jagat*


*Jnaani naamapi chetaangsi devi bhagavati hi sa*


*Valaadaakrishya mohaaya mahaamaayaa prayachchhati*


*Tayaa visrijyate vishwam jagadetachcharaacharam*


She is the cosmic charm of Hari who steals away everything


The world is engrossed by her


She is the goddess possessing untold treasure


It is she who pulls the consciousness of the wise even by foce


And flings into delusion


Whatever is there at rest or motion in this restless world


The universe itself is being created by her 54-56


*Saishaa prasanna varadaa nrinaam bhavati muktaye*


*Saa vidyaa paramaa mukterhetubhutaa sanaatani*


If she is pleased she bestows boons on men


And bcomes the cause of their freedom


She is the supraknowledge she is eternal


She is the cause of supreme liberation


**


*Samsaaravandhahetuscha saiva sarvshwareshwari*


It is she only who is the cause of our worldly bondage


It is she who lords over all the gods who rule everything 58


*Raajovacha*


The king said 59


*Bhagavan kaa hi saa devi mahaamaayeti yam bhavaan*


*Vraviti kahamutpanna saa karmaasyascha kim dvija*


*Yat prabhaava cha saa devi yatsvarupa yadudbhava*


*Tat sarvam shrotumichchhaami tvatto brahmavidaam varah*


Oh Lord Who is that goddess whom you call by the name Mahaamaaya


Oh Brahmin How is she born ? What are his activities?


I want to hear from you Oh thou the wisest among those


Who know the infinitude


What might that goddess has?


What her self is like


What her origin is 60—62


*Nityaiva saa jaganmurtistaya sarvamidam tat*


She is eternal


She is the image of the world


Everything whatever is caused by her


And everything whatever is she 64


*Tathaapi tat samutpattir vahudhaa shruyataam mama*


*Devaanaam kaaryasidhyartham aavirbhavati saa yadaa*


*Utpannetit ada loke saa nityaapyabhidhiyate*


*Yoganidraam yada visnurjagatyekaarnavikrite*


Despite that hear from me her many kinds of origin


When she appears to help the gods in their activities


She is born in the world


But she is said to be sans birth and sans death—eternal


When that which covers everything


That which permeates everything


Lord Visnu was plunged in trance


When the existence was turned into one blue deep 64-66


*Aastrya shesamabhajat kalpaante bhagavaan prabhuh*


*Tada dvavasurau ghorau vikhyatau madhukaitabhau*


*Visnukarnamalodbhtau hantum brahmanamudyatau*


*Sa nabhi kamale vishnorsthito brahma prajaapatih*


Stretching the thousand hooded snake Shesa


The lord of untold wealth and the master Visnu


Worshipped the trance at the hour of the destruction of the world


When longevity of the world ran out in due course of time


At that time the two fierce demons


Famed as Madhu and Kaitabha


Sprang from the ear holes of Visnu


And were about to kill Brahmaa


Brahmaa the creator was seated in the lotus


Of the navel of Vishnu 57-68


*Dristvaa taavasurau chograu prasuptancha Janaardanam*


*Tushtava yoganidraam taamekaagrahridayasthitah*


*Vivodhanaarthaaya harerharinetrakritaalayaam*


*Visweshvarim jagaddhaatrim sthiti samhara kaarinim*


*Nidraam bhagavatim vishnoratulaam tejasah prabhuh*


Seeing those fierce demons ready to attack


And Janaardana Visnu fast asleep


Brahmaa praised with all his heart


The goddess of trance


Who nestled in the eyes of Visnu


To awaken him – the thief who steals away everything


Brahma prayed to the goddess of the universe


The nurse mother of the world


The preserver and the destroyer


The sleep of Visnu the master of peerless prowess


*Brahmovacha*


Brahma said 72


* *


*Tvam svaha tvam svadha tvam hi vasatkarah svaratmika*


*Sudha tvamakshare nitye tridha matratmika sthita*


You are svaha the offerings to the gods


You are svadha the offerings to the ancestors


You are indeed vasat the offerings to the sages


You are the honey you never wear out


You are ever present


You exist in the shape of the three phonemes *Aum*


You are eternal in the shape of the seed of the phoneme especially


Which baffles utterance 74


*Tvameva sandhya savitri tvam devi janani para*


*Tvayaitad dharyate viswam tvayaitat srijyate jagat*


* *


You are sandhya the hymns of the twilight


You are the savitri the prowess of the sun


Oh luminous goddess you are the mother of mothers


It is you who carries the world


It is you who creates the world 75


*Tvayaitat paalyate devi tvamatsyante cha sarvada*


*Visristau sristirupa sthitirupa cha paalane*


It is you who looks after the world


You are always destroying it


When created you are in the shape of the creation


When looked after you are in the shape of stability 76


*Tatha samhritirupaante jagatosya jaganmaye*


*Mahaavidyaa mahaamayaa mahaa medhaa mahaasmritih*


In the same way you are in the shape of destruction


During the end of the world


Oh you who is the world itself


You are the cosmic knowledge


You are supreme charm


You are the cosmic intellect


You are the cosmic memory 77


*Mahaamohaa cha bhavati mahaadevi mhaasuri*


*Prakritistvancha sarvasya gunatrayavibhaavini*


You are the cosmic illusion


You are the most luminous of the gods


You are the mysterium trmendum


You are the primordial matter prakriti


You are the cre atrix of the three gunas


You are sattvaguna that is light and and that which illuminates


You are the rajaguna that is ever restless


Moving from one pole to another


From tamoguna to sattvaguna to and fro


You are the tamoguna that is dark and heavy


That hides everything from the eye 78


*Kaalaratri maharaatrir moharatrischa darunaa*


*Tvam shristvam hristvam buddhirvodhalaksana*


*You are the night of annihilation kaalaratri*


*You are the cosmic night mahaaratri*


You are the night of illusion and ignorance


You are the terrible


You the most graceful sri


You are the goddess


You are shyness and courtesy


You are the intelligence


Understanding and wisdom are your indicators 79


*Lajja pustistathaatushtistvam shantih ksaantireva cha*


*Khadgini shulini ghoraa gadini chakrini tathaa*


*Shankhini chapini vaana bhushundi parighaayudhaa*


*Soumyaa soumyataraa soumyebhyastvatisundari*


Shyness is you


You are nutrition


Satisfaction is you


You are peace


Endurance is you


You wield khadga or the scimitar


You wield shula or the lance


You are terrible


You wield the club or the gadaa


You wield the wheel


You carry the conch to give the war cry


You wield weapons like


* chaapa vaana bhushundi and parigha*


You are full of grace


You are more graceful


Y ou are more beautiful than


The myriads of grace ful things 80 81


*Paraa paraanaam paramaa tvameva parameswari*


*Yachcha kinchit kvachidvastu sadasadvaakhilatmike*


*Tasya sarvasya yaa shaktih saa tvam kim stuyase sadaa*


*Yayaa tvayaa jagatsrashtaa jagatpaataatti yo jagat*


*Sopi nidravasam nitah kastvaam stotumihesvarah*


*Visnuh sariragrahanamahamishaana eva cha*


*Kaaritaaste yatotastvaam kah stotum shaktimaan bhavet*


*Saa tvamittham prabhaavaih svairudaarair devi samstutaa*


* *


You are the beyond


You are beyonder than that


You are the inscrutable Absolute


You are the goddess of gods


You are the mistress of the mundane


And the supramundane


You are the power


That impels whatever is there in this whole world


Perennial or evanescent


So how can you be praised


He who creates the world


Preserves the world


And destroys the world


Is also made to sleep by you


What god can praise you then?


Since you have caused Visnu the preserver


To incarnate along with me the creator


And Ishaana the destroyer


Who has the power to praise you?


Oh Goddess you are praised on your own


By the bounty of your own impact 82-85


*Mohayaitau duraadharsau asurau madhukaitabhau*


*Pravodhancha jagatswaami niyataamachyuto lagu*


*Vodhascha kriyataamasya hantumetau mahaasurau*


Confuse these two demons who are invincible


Make the lord of the multiverse


Who never vacillates


And who is weighed down with deep slumber


Light and aware


Motivate him to kill these great demons


*Risiruvacha*


The sage continued 89


*Evam stutaa tadaa devi taamasi tatra vedhasaa*


*Vishnoh pravodhanaarthaaya nihantum madhukaitabhau*


*Netraasya naasikaa vaahauhridayebhyastathorasah*


*Nirgamya darsane tasthau brahmanoavyakta janmanah*


*Uttasthau cha jaggannathastayaa mukto janaardana*


Thus praised by the Creator the goddess


Who incarnated as darkness personified


Then and there came out from the eyes mouth nose


Arms and heart of Visnu


To awaken Visnu and to kill Madhu and Kaitabha


And stood before the eyes


The signified without a signifier


She stood before the eyes


And Janaardana who excites all beings


The lord of the world woke up


Being freed by her


*Ekaarnave hi sayanattatah sa dadrishe cha tau*


*Madhukaitabhau duratmanavativiryaparaakramau*


*Krodharaktekshanaavattum brahmaanam janitodyamau*


*Samutthayastatahstaabhyam yuyudhe bhagavaan harih*


*Panchavarsasahasraani bahupraharano vibhuh*


*Taavapyativalonmattau mahamayavimohitau*


*Uktavantau varosmatto vriyataamiti Kesavam 92-95*


From the bed of the one undifferentiated sea


(When entropy takes place there is the one undifferentiated sea}


Visnu saw them


He saw the evil souls Madhu and Kaitabha


Who were great in strength and prowess


With angry bloodshot eyes they were about to devour up Brahmaa


Getting up the Lord who steals away everything whatever


Fought with them


Visnu the allpervading struck them


With his hands for five thousand years


Mad with great strength they were also fooled


By the godess whose charms are inscrutable


They vaunted before the Lord who later incarnated as Krisna


Saying ----Ask for a boon


*Sribhagavanuvaacha*


The Lord said 96


*Bhavetaamadya me tustau mama vadhyavubhaavapi*


If you have been pleased with me


Then be killed at my hands 97


*Kimanyenavarenaatra etavaddhi vritam mama*


What other boon do I need till now ? 98


*Risiruvacha*


The sage said 99


*Vanchitaabhyam iti tadaa sarvamaapomayam jagat*


*Vilokya taabhyaam gadito bhagavaan kamaleksanah*


*Aavaam jahi na yatrorvi salilena pariplutaa*


Thus being outwitted when they found the world


Flooded with water


They replied-Conquer us where the earth


Is not flooded with water 100 ---101


*Risiruvaacha*


The sage said 102


*Tathetyuktvaa bhagavata sankhachakragadabhritaa*


*Kritvachakrena vai chhinne jaghane sirasi tayoh*


Let that be---said the lord


And being decked with the conch


The wheel the club and the lotus


He cut off their heads with the wheel


Planting them on his thighs 103


* *


*Evameshaa samutpannaa brahmanaa samstutaa swayam*


*Prabhaavamasyaa devyaastu bhuyah vadaami te*


Thus she was born being worshipped by Brahmaa


I shall tell you again about her protean genius 104


*The canto one of the Durgasaptasati ends here*