Devi Mahatmya Chapter 2: The Army of Mahishasura, All 70 Verses with Meaning

देवासुरमभूद् युद्धं पूर्णमब्दशतं पुरा
महिषेऽसुराणामधिपे देवानां च पुरन्दरे ॥ २.१ ॥

Devasuramabhud yuddham purnamabdashatam pura
Mahishe'suranamadhipe devanam cha purandare

MeaningThe sage says: Long ago there was a war between the gods and the demons that lasted a full hundred years. Mahishasura was lord of the demons and Indra, who destroys cities, was lord of the gods.

तत्रासुरैर्महावीर्यैर्देवसैन्यं पराजितम्
जित्वा च सकलान् देवानिन्द्रोऽभून्महिषासुरः ॥ २.२ ॥

Tatrasurairmahaviryairdevasainyam parajitam
Jitva cha sakalan devanindro'bhunmahishasurah

MeaningIn that war the mighty demons defeated the army of the gods. Having conquered all the gods, Mahishasura became the Indra of heaven.

ततः पराजिता देवाः पद्मयोनिं प्रजापतिम्
पुरस्कृत्य गतास्तत्र यत्रेशगरुडध्वजौ ॥ २.३ ॥

Tatah parajita devah padmayonim prajapatim
Puraskritya gatastatra yatreshagarudadhvajau

MeaningBeaten, the gods put Brahma, the lord of creatures, born from the lotus, at their head and went to where Shiva and Vishnu, the one with Garuda on his banner, were.

यथावृत्तं तयोस्तद्वन्महिषासुरचेष्टितम्
त्रिदशाः कथयामासुर्देवाभिभवविस्तरम् ॥ २.४ ॥

Yathavrittam tayostadvanmahishasuracheshtitam
Tridashah kathayamasurdevabhibhavavistaram

MeaningThey told the two gods exactly what had happened, and described in full how Mahishasura had acted and how the gods had been overcome.

सूर्येन्द्राग्न्यनिलेन्दूनां यमस्य वरुणस्य च
अन्येषां चाधिकारान् स स्वयमेवाधितिष्ठति ॥ २.५ ॥

Suryendragnyanilendunam yamasya varunasya cha
Anyesham chadhikaran sa svayamevadhitishthati

MeaningHe has taken over the offices of the Sun, Indra, Fire, Wind, the Moon, Yama and Varuna, and of others too, and he rules in their places himself.

स्वर्गान्निराकृताः सर्वे तेन देवगणा भुवि
विचरन्ति यथा मर्त्या महिषेण दुरात्मना ॥ २.६ ॥

Svargannirakritah sarve tena devagana bhuvi
Vicharanti yatha martya mahishena duratmana

MeaningAll the gods, thrown out of heaven by the wicked Mahishasura, now wander the earth like mortals.

एतद्वः कथितं सर्वममरारिविचेष्टितम्
शरणं च प्रपन्नाः स्मो वधस्तस्य विचिन्त्यताम् ॥ २.७ ॥

Etadvah kathitam sarvamamararivicheshtitam
Sharanam cha prapannah smo vadhastasya vichintyatam

MeaningWe have told you all that the enemy of the gods has done. And we have come for shelter. Please think of how he may be killed.

इत्थं निशम्य देवानां वचांसि मधुसूदनः
चकार कोपं शम्भुश्च भ्रुकुटीकुटिलाननौ ॥ २.८ ॥

Ittham nishamya devanam vachamsi madhusudanah
Chakara kopam shambhushcha bhrukutikutilananau

MeaningHearing these words of the gods, Vishnu, the destroyer of Madhu, was furious, and so was Shiva, whose face twisted in a frown.

ततोऽतिकोपपूर्णस्य चक्रिणो वदनात्ततः
निश्चक्राम महत्तेजो ब्रह्मणः शङ्करस्य च ॥ २.९ ॥

Tato'tikopapurnasya chakrino vadanattatah
Nishchakrama mahattejo brahmanah shankarasya cha

MeaningThen, from the face of Vishnu, full of rage, a great blaze of light came out, and also from Brahma and Shiva.

अन्येषाञ्चैव देवानां शक्रादीनां शरीरतः
निर्गतं सुमहत्तेजस्तच्चैक्यं समगच्छत ॥ २.१० ॥

Anyeshanchaiva devanam shakradinam shariratah
Nirgatam sumahattejastachchaikyam samagachchhata

MeaningA very great radiance also came out from the bodies of Indra and the other gods, and all of it came together in one.

अतीव तेजसः कूटं ज्वलन्तमिव पर्वतम्
ददृशुस्ते सुरास्तत्र ज्वालाव्याप्तदिगन्तरम् ॥ २.११ ॥

Ativa tejasah kutam jvalantamiva parvatam
Dadrishuste surastatra jvalavyaptadigantaram

MeaningThe gods saw there an enormous mass of light, like a mountain on fire, whose flames filled all the quarters of the sky.

अतुलं तत्र तत्तेजः सर्वदेवशरीरजम्
एकस्थं तदभून्नारी व्याप्तलोकत्रयं त्विषा ॥ २.१२ ॥

Atulam tatra tattejah sarvadevasharirajam
Ekastham tadabhunnari vyaptalokatrayam tvisha

MeaningThat matchless light, born from the bodies of all the gods, gathered in one place and became a woman, whose brilliance filled the three worlds.

NoteThe goddess is not born from a womb here. She forms from light that has gathered into one place, which is how the text shows her as the joint power of all the gods.

यदभूच्छाम्भवं तेजस्तेनाजायत तन्मुखम्
याम्येन चाभवन् केशा बाहवो विष्णुतेजसा ॥ २.१३ ॥

Yadabhuchchhambhavam tejastenajayata tanmukham
Yamyena chabhavan kesha bahavo vishnutejasa

MeaningFrom the light of Shiva her face was formed, from Yama's light her hair, and from Vishnu's light her many arms.

सौम्येन स्तनयोर्युग्मं मध्यं चैन्द्रेण चाभवत्
वारुणेन च जङ्घोरू नितम्बस्तेजसा भुवः ॥ २.१४ ॥

Saumyena stanayoryugmam madhyam chaindrena chabhavat
Varunena cha janghoru nitambastejasa bhuvah

MeaningFrom the Moon's light came her two breasts, from Indra's light her waist, from Varuna's light her thighs and calves, and from the Earth's light her hips.

ब्रह्मणस्तेजसा पादौ तदङ्गुल्योऽर्कतेजसा
वसूनाञ्च कराङ्गुल्यः कौबेरेण च नासिका ॥ २.१५ ॥

Brahmanastejasa padau tadangulyo'rkatejasa
Vasunancha karangulyah kauberena cha nasika

MeaningFrom Brahma's light came her feet, from the Sun's light her toes, from the Vasus her fingers, and from Kubera her nose.

तस्यास्तु दन्ताः सम्भूताः प्राजापत्येन तेजसा
नयनत्रितयं जज्ञे तथा पावकतेजसा ॥ २.१६ ॥

Tasyastu dantah sambhutah prajapatyena tejasa
Nayanatritayam jajne tatha pavakatejasa

MeaningHer teeth came from the light of Prajapati, and her three eyes from the light of Fire.

भ्रुवौ च सन्ध्ययोस्तेजः श्रवणावनिलस्य च
अन्येषां चैव देवानां सम्भवस्तेजसां शिवा ॥ २.१७ ॥

Bhruvau cha sandhyayostejah shravanavanilasya cha
Anyesham chaiva devanam sambhavastejasam shiva

MeaningHer eyebrows came from the light of the two twilights, her ears from the light of the Wind, and her other features from the lights of the remaining gods. So the gentle goddess came to be.

ततः समस्तदेवानां तेजोराशिसमुद्भवाम्
तां विलोक्य मुदं प्रापुरमरा महिषार्दिताः ॥ २.१८ ॥

Tatah samastadevanam tejorashisamudbhavam
Tam vilokya mudam prapuramara mahisharditah

MeaningWhen the gods, harassed by Mahishasura, saw her, born from the mass of light of all the gods, they were glad.

ततो देवा ददुस्तस्यै स्वानि स्वान्यायुधानि च ॥ २.१९ ॥

Tato deva dadustasyai svani svanyayudhani cha

MeaningThen each god gave her his own weapon.

शूलं शूलाद्विनिष्कृष्य ददौ तस्यै पिनाकधृक्
चक्रं च दत्तवान् कृष्णः समुत्पाट्य स्वचक्रतः ॥ २.२० ॥

Shulam shuladvinishkrishya dadau tasyai pinakadhrik
Chakram cha dattavan krishnah samutpatya svachakratah

MeaningShiva, who carries the Pinaka bow, drew a trident out of his own trident and gave it to her, and Krishna drew a discus out of his own discus.

NoteNotice that Shiva and Vishnu make a copy from their own weapon. They give her what they carry without losing it, which is how the text shows power being shared and not handed over.

शङ्खञ्च वरुणः शक्तिं ददौ तस्यै हुताशनः
मारुतो दत्तवांश्चापं बाणपूर्णे तथेषुधी ॥ २.२१ ॥

Shankhancha varunah shaktim dadau tasyai hutashanah
Maruto dattavamshchapam banapurne tatheshudhi

MeaningVaruna gave a conch, Fire gave a spear, the Wind gave a bow and two quivers full of arrows.

वज्रमिन्द्रः समुत्पाट्य कुलिशादमराधिपः
ददौ तस्यै सहस्राक्षो घण्टामैरावताद् गजात् ॥ २.२२ ॥

Vajramindrah samutpatya kulishadamaradhipah
Dadau tasyai sahasraksho ghantamairavatad gajat

MeaningIndra, king of the gods, took a thunderbolt out of his own thunderbolt and gave it, and from his elephant Airavata he gave a bell.

कालदण्डाद्यमो दण्डं पाशं चाम्बुपतिर्ददौ
प्रजापतिश्चाक्षमालां ददौ ब्रह्मा कमण्डलुम् ॥ २.२३ ॥

Kaladandadyamo dandam pasham chambupatirdadau
Prajapatishchakshamalam dadau brahma kamandalum

MeaningYama gave a rod from his staff of time, Varuna the lord of waters gave a noose, and Brahma, lord of creatures, gave a string of beads and a water pot.

समस्तरोमकूपेषु निजरश्मीन् दिवाकरः
कालश्च दत्तवान् खड्गं तस्यै चर्म च निर्मलम् ॥ २.२४ ॥

Samastaromakupeshu nijarashmin divakarah
Kalashcha dattavan khadgam tasyai charma cha nirmalam

MeaningThe Sun put his own rays into all the pores of her skin. Time gave her a sword and a spotless shield.

क्षीरोदश्चामलं हारमजरे च तथाम्बरे
चूडामणिं तथा दिव्यं कुण्डले कटकानि च ॥ २.२५ ॥

Kshirodashchamalam haramajare cha tathambare
Chudamanim tatha divyam kundale katakani cha

MeaningThe Ocean of milk gave her a pure necklace, and clothes that never wear out or fade, a divine jewel for her crest, earrings and bracelets.

अर्धचन्द्रं तथा शुभ्रं केयूरान् सर्वबाहुषु
नूपुरौ विमलौ तद्वद् ग्रैवेयकमनुत्तमम्
अङ्गुलीयकरत्नानि समस्तास्वङ्गुलीषु च ॥ २.२६ ॥

Ardhachandram tatha shubhram keyuran sarvabahushu
Nupurau vimalau tadvad graiveyakamanuttamam
Anguliyakaratnani samastasvangulishu cha

MeaningHe gave a bright half-moon, bracelets for all her arms, two spotless anklets, a necklace of the finest kind, and jewelled rings for all her fingers.

विश्वकर्मा ददौ तस्यै परशुञ्चातिनिर्मलम्
अस्त्राण्यनेकरूपाणि तथाभेद्यं च दंशनम् ॥ २.२७ ॥

Vishvakarma dadau tasyai parashunchatinirmalam
Astranyanekarupani tathabhedyam cha damshanam

MeaningVishvakarma gave her a spotless axe, many kinds of missile weapons, and an armour that nothing could pierce.

अम्लानपङ्कजां मालां शिरस्युरसि चापराम्
अददज्जलधिस्तस्यै पङ्कजं चातिशोभनम् ॥ २.२८ ॥

Amlanapankajam malam shirasyurasi chaparam
Adadajjaladhistasyai pankajam chatishobhanam

MeaningThe Ocean gave her a garland of lotuses that never fade for her head, another for her chest, and a beautiful lotus.

हिमवान् वाहनं सिंहं रत्नानि विविधानि च
ददावशून्यं सुरया पानपात्रं धनाधिपः ॥ २.२९ ॥

Himavan vahanam simham ratnani vividhani cha
Dadavashunyam suraya panapatram dhanadhipah

MeaningThe Himalaya gave her a lion to ride and many kinds of jewels, and the lord of wealth, Kubera, gave her a drinking cup that never runs empty of wine.

शेषश्च सर्वनागेशो महामणिविभूषितम्
नागहारं ददौ तस्यै धत्ते यः पृथिवीमिमाम् ॥ २.३० ॥

Sheshashcha sarvanagesho mahamanivibhushitam
Nagaharam dadau tasyai dhatte yah prithivimimam

MeaningShesha, the king of serpents, who carries this earth, gave her a serpent necklace set with large gems.

अन्यैरपि सुरैर्देवी भूषणैरायुधैस्तथा
संमानिता ननादोच्चैः साट्टहासं मुहुर्मुहुः ॥ २.३१ ॥

Anyairapi surairdevi bhushanairayudhaistatha
Sammanita nanadochchaih sattahasam muhurmuhuh

MeaningOther gods too honoured the goddess with ornaments and weapons. She roared loudly again and again, laughing aloud.

तस्या नादेन घोरेण कृत्स्नमापूरितं नभः
अमायतातिमहता प्रतिशब्दो महानभूत् ॥ २.३२ ॥

Tasya nadena ghorena kritsnamapuritam nabhah
Amayatatimahata pratishabdo mahanabhut

MeaningBy her terrible roar the whole sky was filled, and the very great echo that came back was enormous.

NoteHer roar shakes the worlds, which is the first sign in the text that her power is on a different scale from the demons'.

चुक्षुभुः सकला लोकाः समुद्राश्च चकम्पिरे
चचाल वसुधा चेलुः सकलाश्च महीधराः ॥ २.३३ ॥

Chukshubhuh sakala lokah samudrashcha chakampire
Chachala vasudha cheluh sakalashcha mahidharah

MeaningAll the worlds were shaken, the oceans trembled, the earth quaked and all the mountains moved.

जयेति देवाश्च मुदा तामूचुः सिंहवाहिनीम्
तुष्टुवुर्मुनयश्चैनां भक्तिनम्रात्ममूर्तयः ॥ २.३४ ॥

Jayeti devashcha muda tamuchuh simhavahinim
Tushtuvurmunayashchainam bhaktinamratmamurtayah

MeaningThe gods, glad, said to her, as she sat on the lion, Victory. The sages, their bodies bent in devotion, praised her.

दृष्ट्वा समस्तं संक्षुब्धं त्रैलोक्यममरारयः
सन्नद्धाखिलसैन्यास्ते समुत्तस्थुरुदायुधाः ॥ २.३५ ॥

Drishtva samastam sankshubdham trailokyamamararayah
Sannaddhakhilasainyaste samuttasthurudayudhah

MeaningSeeing the three worlds shaken, the enemies of the gods gathered their whole armies and rose up with weapons raised.

आः किमेतदिति क्रोधादाभाष्य महिषासुरः
अभ्यधावत तं शब्दमशेषैरसुरैर्वृतः ॥ २.३६ ॥

Ah kimetaditi krodhadabhashya mahishasurah
Abhyadhavata tam shabdamasheshairasurairvritah

MeaningMahishasura cried in anger, What is that? and ran towards the sound, surrounded by all the demons.

स ददर्श ततो देवीं व्याप्तलोकत्रयां त्विषा
पादाक्रान्त्या नतभुवं किरीटोल्लिखिताम्बराम् ॥ २.३७ ॥

Sa dadarsha tato devim vyaptalokatrayam tvisha
Padakrantya natabhuvam kiritollikhitambaram

MeaningThen he saw the goddess. Her brilliance filled the three worlds, the earth bent under her feet, her crown scratched the sky,

क्षोभिताशेषपातालां धनुर्ज्यानिः स्वनेन ताम्
दिशो भुजसहस्रेण समन्ताद् व्याप्य संस्थिताम् ॥ २.३८ ॥

Kshobhitasheshapatalam dhanurjyanih svanena tam
Disho bhujasahasrena samantad vyapya samsthitam

Meaningthe sound of her bowstring shook all the underworlds, and she stood filling every direction with her thousand arms.

ततः प्रववृते युद्धं तया देव्या सुरद्विषाम्
शस्त्रास्त्रैर्बहुधा मुक्तैरादीपितदिगन्तरम् ॥ २.३९ ॥

Tatah pravavrite yuddham taya devya suradvisham
Shastrastrairbahudha muktairadipitadigantaram

MeaningThen the battle began between the goddess and the enemies of the gods, with weapons and missiles of every kind thrown, lighting up the sky in all directions.

महिषासुरसेनानीश्चिक्षुराख्यो महासुरः
युयुधे चामरश्चान्यैश्चतुरङ्गबलान्वितः ॥ २.४० ॥

Mahishasurasenanishchikshurakhyo mahasurah
Yuyudhe chamarashchanyaishchaturangabalanvitah

MeaningThe great demon Chikshura, commander of Mahishasura's army, fought, and so did Chamara, with other demons and with fourfold armies.

रथानामयुतैः षड्भिरुदग्राख्यो महासुरः
अयुध्यतायुतानाञ्च सहस्रेण महाहनुः ॥ २.४१ ॥

Rathanamayutaih shadbhirudagrakhyo mahasurah
Ayudhyatayutanancha sahasrena mahahanuh

MeaningThe great demon Udagra fought with sixty thousand chariots, and Mahahanu fought with a thousand times ten thousand.

पञ्चाशद्भिश्च नियुतैरसिलोमा महासुरः
अयुतानां शतैः षड्भिर्वाष्कलो युयुधे रणे ॥ २.४२ ॥

Panchashadbhishcha niyutairasiloma mahasurah
Ayutanam shataih shadbhirvashkalo yuyudhe rane

MeaningThe great demon Asiloma fought with fifty niyutas of chariots (a niyuta is a very large number, usually reckoned at a hundred thousand), and Vaskala fought in the battle with six hundred times ten thousand.

गजवाजिसहस्रौघैरनेकैः परिवारितः
वृतो रथानां कोट्या च युद्धे तस्मिन्नयुध्यत ॥ २.४३ ॥

Gajavajisahasraughairanekaih parivaritah
Vrito rathanam kotya cha yuddhe tasminnayudhyata

MeaningSurrounded by many thousands of elephants and horses, and by ten million chariots, the demon fought in that battle.

बिडालाक्षोऽयुतानाञ्च पञ्चाशद्भिरथायुतैः
युयुधे संयुगे तत्र रथानां परिवारितः ॥ २.४४ ॥

Bidalaksho'yutanancha panchashadbhirathayutaih
Yuyudhe samyuge tatra rathanam parivaritah

MeaningBidalaksha, surrounded by fifty times ten thousand chariots, fought in the battle there.

Not in the printThe Nirnaya Sagar print does not have this verse. The GRETIL e-text and Sanskrit Wikisource do: वृतः कालो रथानाञ्च रणे पञ्चाशतायुतैः; युयुधे संयुगे तत्र तावद्भिः परिवारितः We keep the verse number so that the numbering of the other verses stays the same as on the rest of this site. For reference, the verse means: Kala, surrounded by five hundred thousand chariots, fought in the battle with as many again around him.

अन्ये च तत्रायुतशो रथनागहयैर्वृताः
युयुधुः संयुगे देव्या सह तत्र महासुराः ॥ २.४६ ॥

Anye cha tatrayutasho rathanagahayairvritah
Yuyudhuh samyuge devya saha tatra mahasurah

MeaningMany other great demons, surrounded by chariots, elephants and horses in tens of thousands, fought the goddess in that battle.

कोटिकोटिसहस्रैस्तु रथानां दन्तिनां तथा
हयानाञ्च वृतो युद्धे तत्राभून्महिषासुरः ॥ २.४७ ॥

Kotikotisahasraistu rathanam dantinam tatha
Hayanancha vrito yuddhe tatrabhunmahishasurah

MeaningMahishasura himself was in that battle, surrounded by thousands upon thousands of crores of chariots, elephants and horses.

तोमरैर्भिन्दिपालैश्च शक्तिभिर्मुसलैस्तथा
युयुधुः संयुगे देव्या खड्गैः परशुपट्टिशैः ॥ २.४८ ॥

Tomarairbhindipalaishcha shaktibhirmusalaistatha
Yuyudhuh samyuge devya khadgaih parashupattishaih

MeaningThey fought the goddess in the battle with javelins, spears, spiked clubs, lances and pestles, with swords, axes and double-edged swords.

केचिच्च चिक्षिपुः शक्तीः केचित् पाशांस्तथापरे
देवीं खड्गप्रहारैस्तु ते तां हन्तुं प्रचक्रमुः ॥ २.४९ ॥

Kechichcha chikshipuh shaktih kechit pashamstathapare
Devim khadgapraharaistu te tam hantum prachakramuh

MeaningSome hurled lances, some nooses, and others, with strokes of their swords, set out to kill her.

सापि देवी ततस्तानि शस्त्राण्यस्त्राणि चण्डिका
लीलयैव प्रचिच्छेद निजशस्त्रास्त्रवर्षिणी ॥ २.५० ॥

Sapi devi tatastani shastranyastrani chandika
Lilayaiva prachichchheda nijashastrastravarshini

MeaningBut the goddess Chandika, as if in play, cut all those weapons and missiles to pieces, scattering her own weapons and missiles.

अनायस्तानना देवी स्तूयमाना सुरर्षिभिः
मुमोचासुरदेहेषु शस्त्राण्यस्त्राणि चेश्वरी ॥ २.५१ ॥

Anayastanana devi stuyamana surarshibhih
Mumochasuradeheshu shastranyastrani cheshvari

MeaningWith an unruffled face, praised by gods and sages, the sovereign goddess shot weapons and missiles into the demons' bodies.

सोऽपि क्रुद्धो धुतसटो देव्या वाहनकेशरी
चचारासुरसैन्येषु वनेष्विव हुताशनः ॥ २.५२ ॥

So'pi kruddho dhutasato devya vahanakeshari
Chacharasurasainyeshu vaneshviva hutashanah

MeaningHer mount the lion, angry, with mane tossed, moved among the demon armies like a fire in the forests.

निःश्वासान् मुमुचे यांश्च युध्यमाना रणेऽम्बिका
त एव सद्यः सम्भूता गणाः शतसहस्रशः ॥ २.५३ ॥

Nihshvasan mumuche yamshcha yudhyamana rane'mbika
Ta eva sadyah sambhuta ganah shatasahasrashah

MeaningThe breaths that the goddess Ambika let out as she fought became hundreds of thousands of her attendants at once.

NoteThe attendants (ganas) that come from her breath fight on her side. The text sees them as an extension of her own power and not as separate fighters.

युयुधुस्ते परशुभिर्भिन्दिपालासिपट्टिशैः
नाशयन्तोऽसुरगणान् देवीशक्त्युपबृंहिताः ॥ २.५४ ॥

Yuyudhuste parashubhirbhindipalasipattishaih
Nashayanto'suraganan devishaktyupabrimhitah

MeaningThey fought with axes, spears, swords and lances, and, strengthened by the goddess's power, destroyed the hosts of the demons.

अवादयन्त पटहान् गणाः शङ्खांस्तथापरे
मृदङ्गांश्च तथैवान्ये तस्मिन् युद्धमहोत्सवे ॥ २.५५ ॥

Avadayanta patahan ganah shankhamstathapare
Mridangamshcha tathaivanye tasmin yuddhamahotsave

MeaningSome of the attendants sounded drums, others conches, and others tabors, in that great festival of battle.

ततो देवी त्रिशूलेन गदया शक्तिवृष्टिभिः
खड्गादिभिश्च शतशो निजघान महासुरान् ॥ २.५६ ॥

Tato devi trishulena gadaya shaktivrishtibhih
Khadgadibhishcha shatasho nijaghana mahasuran

MeaningThen the goddess killed great demons by the hundred with her trident, club, showers of spears and swords.

पातयामास चैवान्यान् घण्टास्वनविमोहितान्
असुरान् भुवि पाशेन बद्ध्वा चान्यानकर्षयत् ॥ २.५७ ॥

Patayamasa chaivanyan ghantasvanavimohitan
Asuran bhuvi pashena baddhva chanyanakarshayat

MeaningSome she felled, dazed by the sound of her bell, and others she bound with her noose and dragged along the ground.

केचिद् द्विधा कृतास्तीक्ष्णैः खड्गपातैस्तथापरे
विपोथिता निपातेन गदया भुवि शेरते ॥ २.५८ ॥

Kechid dvidha kritastikshnaih khadgapataistathapare
Vipothita nipatena gadaya bhuvi sherate

MeaningSome were cut in two by sharp sword blows, others were battered by the club and lay on the ground.

वेमुश्च केचिद्रुधिरं मुसलेन भृशं हताः
केचिन्नपातिता भूमौ भिन्नाः शूलेन वक्षसि ॥ २.५९ ॥

Vemushcha kechidrudhiram musalena bhrisham hatah
Kechinnapatita bhumau bhinnah shulena vakshasi

MeaningSome, beaten hard by the pestle, vomited blood, and some, pierced in the chest by the spear, fell to the ground.

निरन्तराः शरौघेण कृताः केचिद्रणाजिरे
सेनानुकारिणः प्राणान् मुमुचुस्त्रिदशार्दनाः ॥ २.६० ॥

Nirantarah sharaughena kritah kechidranajire
Senanukarinah pranan mumuchustridashardanah

MeaningSome, packed together, were stuck with showers of arrows on the field. The tormentors of the gods who followed the army gave up their lives.

केषाञ्चिद्बाहवश्छिन्नाश्छिन्नग्रीवास्तथापरे
शिरांसि पेतुरन्येषामन्ये मध्ये विदारिताः ॥ २.६१ ॥

Keshanchidbahavashchhinnashchhinnagrivastathapare
Shiramsi peturanyeshamanye madhye vidaritah

MeaningSome had their arms cut off, some their necks, the heads of others fell, and others were split down the middle.

विच्छिन्नजङ्घास्त्वपरे पेतुरुर्व्यां महासुराः
एकबाह्वक्षिचरणाः केचिद्देव्या द्विधा कृताः ॥ २.६२ ॥

Vichchhinnajanghastvapare petururvyam mahasurah
Ekabahvakshicharanah kechiddevya dvidha kritah

MeaningOther great demons fell to the ground with their legs cut off, and some had one arm, one eye and one foot left after the goddess had cut them in two.

छिन्नेऽपि चान्ये शिरसि पतिताः पुनरुत्थिताः ॥ २.६३ ॥

Chhinne'pi chanye shirasi patitah punarutthitah

MeaningSome, though their heads had been cut off, got up again, and as headless trunks fought the goddess, taking up the best weapons.

ननृतुश्चापरे तत्र युद्धे तूर्यलयाश्रिताः
कबन्धाश्छिन्नशिरसः खड्गशक्त्यृष्टिपाणयः ॥ २.६४ ॥

Nanritushchapare tatra yuddhe turyalayashritah
Kabandhashchhinnashirasah khadgashaktyrishtipanayah

MeaningOther headless trunks danced in the battle to the rhythm of the music, holding swords, lances and spears.

तिष्ठ तिष्ठेति भाषन्तो देवीमन्ये महासुराः ॥ २.६५ ॥

Tishtha tishtheti bhashanto devimanye mahasurah

MeaningOther great demons called out to the goddess, Stop, stop.

पातितै रथनागाश्वैरसुरैश्च वसुन्धरा
अगम्या साभवत् तत्र यत्राभूत् स महारणः ॥ २.६६ ॥

Patitai rathanagashvairasuraishcha vasundhara
Agamya sabhavat tatra yatrabhut sa maharanah

MeaningThe earth, strewn with fallen chariots, elephants, horses and demons, became impassable wherever that great battle had been.

शोणितौघा महानद्यः सद्यस्तत्र प्रसुस्रुवुः
मध्ये चासुरसैन्यस्य वारणासुरवाजिनाम् ॥ २.६७ ॥

Shonitaugha mahanadyah sadyastatra prasusruvuh
Madhye chasurasainyasya varanasuravajinam

MeaningGreat rivers of blood flowed there at once, through the middle of the demon army, among elephants, demons and horses.

क्षणेन तन्महासैन्यमसुराणां तथाम्बिका
निन्ये क्षयं यथा वह्निस्तृणदारुमहाचयम् ॥ २.६८ ॥

Kshanena tanmahasainyamasuranam tathambika
Ninye kshayam yatha vahnistrinadarumahachayam

MeaningIn an instant the goddess Ambika brought that great army of demons to its end, as a fire consumes a huge heap of grass and wood.

स च सिंहो महानादमुत्सृजन् धुतकेसरः
शरीरेभ्योऽमरारीणामसूनिव विचिन्वति ॥ २.६९ ॥

Sa cha simho mahanadamutsrijan dhutakesarah
Sharirebhyo'mararinamasuniva vichinvati

MeaningAnd the lion, roaring loudly, his mane tossed, went about as though searching out the lives in the demons' bodies.

देव्या गणैश्च तैस्तत्र कृतं युद्धं तथासुरैः
यथैषां तुतुषुर्देवाः पुष्पवृष्टिमुचो दिवि ॥ २.७० ॥

Devya ganaishcha taistatra kritam yuddham tathasuraih
Yathaisham tutushurdevah pushpavrishtimucho divi

MeaningThe fighting that the goddess's attendants carried out there against the demons was such that the gods were pleased and rained flowers from the sky.

NoteThe chapter ends in victory for the gods' side but not yet in the death of Mahishasura. That comes in chapter 3.