Meditation of Mahasaraswati

I meditate on the incomparable Mahasaraswati who holds in her (eight) lotus-like hands bell, trident, plough, conch, mace, discus, bow and arrow; who is effulgent like destroyer of Sumbha and other asuras, who issued forth from Parvati’s body and is the substratum of the three worlds.

The Rishi said:

1-2. Of yore Indra’s (sovereignty) over the three worlds and his portions of the sacrifices were taken away by the asuras, Sumbha and Nisumbha, by force of their pride and strength.

3. The two, themselves, took over likewise, the offices of the sun, the moon, Kubera, Yama, and Varuna.

4. They themselves exercised Vayu’s authority and Agni’s duty. Deprived of their lordships and sovereignties, the devas were defeated.

5. Deprived of their functions and expelled by these two great asuras, all the devas thought of the invincible Devi.

6. ‘She had granted us the boon, ”Whenever in calamities you think of me, that very moment I will put an end to all your worst calamities.”’

7. Resolving thus, the devas went to Himavat, lord of the mountains, and there extolled the Devi, who is the illusive power of Vishnu.

The devas said:

8-9. ‘Salutation to the Devi, to the Mahadevi. Salutation always to her who is ever auspicious. Salutation to her who is the primordial cause and the sustaining power. With attention, we have made obeisance to her.

10. ‘Salutation to her who is terrible, to her who is eternal. Salutation to Gauri, the supporter (of the Universe). salutation always to her who’s is of the form of the moon and moon-light and happiness itself.

11. ‘We bow to her who is welfare; we make salutations to her who is prosperity and success. Salutation to the consort of Shiva who is herself the good fortune as well as misfortune of kings.

12. ‘Salutations always to Durga who takes one across in difficulties, who is essence, who is the authority of everything; who is knowledge of discrimination and who is blue-black as also smoke-like in complexion.

13. ‘We prostrate before her who is at once most gentle and most terrible; we salute her again and again. Salutation to her who is the support of the world. Salutation to the devi who is the form of volition.

14-16. ‘Salutations again and again to the Devi who in all beings is called Vishnumaya.

17-19. ‘Salutations again and again to the Devi who abides in all beings as consciousness;

20-22. ‘Salutations again and again to the Devi who abides in all beings in the form of intelligence;

23-25. ‘Salutations again and again to the Devi who abides in all beings in the form of sleep;

26-28. ‘Salutations again and again to the Devi who abides in all beings in the form of hunger:

29-31. ‘Salutations again and again to the Devi who abides in all beings in the form of reflection;

32-34. ‘Salutations again and again to the Devi who abides in all beings in the form of power.

35-37. ‘Salutations again and again to the Devi who abides in all beings in the form of thirst;

38-40. ‘Salutations again and again to the Devi who abides in all beings in the form of forgiveness;

41-43. ‘Salutations again and again to the Devi who abides in all beings in the form of genus;

44-46. ‘Salutations again and again to the Devi who abides in all beings in the form of modesty;

47-49. ‘Salutations again and again to the Devi who abides in all beings in the form of peace;

50-52. ‘Salutations again and again to the Devi who abides in all beings in the form of faith;

53-55. ‘Salutations again and again to the Devi who abides in all beings in the form of loveliness;

56-58. ‘Salutations again and again to the Devi who abides in all beings in the form of good fortune;

59-61. ‘Salutations again and again to the Devi who abides in all beings in the form of activity;

62-64. ‘Salutations again and again to the Devi who abides in all beings in the form of memory;

65-67. ‘Salutations again and again to the Devi who abides in all beings in the form of compassion;

68-70. ‘Salutations again and again to the Devi who abides in all beings in the form of contentment;

71-73. ‘Salutations again and again to the Devi who abides in all beings in the form of mother;

74-76. ‘Salutations again and again to the Devi who abides in all beings in the form of error;

77. ‘Salutations again and again to the all-pervading Devi who constantly

presides over the senses of all beings and (governs) all the elements;

78-80. ‘Salutations again and again to her who, pervading the entire world, abides in the form of consciousness.

81. ‘Invoked of yore by the devas for the sake of their desired object, and adored by the lord of the devas every day, may she, the Isvari, the source of all good, accomplish for us all auspicious things and put an end to our calamities!

82. ‘And who is now again, reverenced by us, devas, tormented by arrogant asuras and who, called to mind by us obeisant with devotion, destroys this very moment all our calamities.’

The Rishi said:

83-84. O Prince, while the devas were thus engaged in praises and (other acts of adoration), Parvathi came there to bathe in the waters of the Ganga.

85.She, the lovely-browed, said to those devas, ’Who is praised by you here?’ An auspicious goddess, sprung forth from her physical sheath, gave the reply:

86. ‘This hymn is addressed to me by the assembled devas set at naught by the asura Sumbha and routed in battle by Nisumbha.

87. Because that Ambika came out of Parvati’s physical sheath (Kosa), she is glorified as Kaushiki in all the worlds.

88. After she had issued forth, Parvati became dark and was called Kalika and stationed on mount Himalaya.

89. Then, Canda, and Munda, two servants of Sumbha and Nisumbha, saw that Ambika (Kausiki) bearing a surpassingly charming form.

They both told Sumbha:

90. ‘O King, a certain woman, most surpassingly

beautiful, dwells there shedding lustre on mount Himalaya.

91. ‘Such supreme beauty was never seen by any one anywhere. Ascertain who that Goddess is and take possession of her, O Lord of the asuras!

92. ‘A gem among women, of exquisitely beautiful limbs, illuminating the quarters with her lustre there she is, O Lord of the daityas. You should see her.

93. ‘O Lord, whatever jewels, precious stones, elephants, horses and others there are in the three worlds, they are all now in your house.

94. ‘Airavata, gem among elephants, has been brought away from Indra and so also this Parijata tree and the horse Uccaihsravas.

95. ‘Here stands in your courtyard the wonderful chariot yoked with swans, a wonderful gem (of its class). It has been brought here from Brahma to whom it originally belonged.

96. ‘Here is the treasure named Mahapadma brought from the lord of wealth. And the ocean gave a garland named Kinjalkini made of unfading lotus flowers.

97. ‘In your house stands the gold-showering umbrella of Varuna. And here is the excellent chariot that was formerly Prajapati’s.

98. By you, O Lord, Death’s shakti weapon named Utkrantida has been carried off. the noose of the ocean-king is among your brother’s possessions.

99. ‘Nishumbha has every kind of gem produced in the sea. Fire also gave you two garments which are purified by fire.

100. ‘Thus, O Lord of asuras, all gems have been brought by you. Why this beautiful lady-jewel is not seized by you?

The Rishi said:

101-102. On hearing these words of Chanda and Munda, Sumbha sent the great asura Sugriva as messenger to the Devi.

He said:

103. ‘Go and tell her thus in my words and do the thing in such a manner that she may quickly come to me in love.’

104. He went there where the Devi was staying in a very beautiful spot on the mountain and spoke to her in fine and sweet words.

The messenger said:

105-106. ‘O Devi, Sumbha, lord of asuras, is the supreme sovereign of three worlds. Sent by him as messenger, I have come here to your presence.

107. ‘Hearken to what has been said by him whose command is never resisted among the devas and who has vanquished all the foes of the

asuras:

108. ‘(He says), “All the three worlds are mine and the devas are obedient to me. I enjoy all their hares in sacrifices separately.

109-110. ”All the choicest gems in the three worlds are in my possession; and so is the gem of elephants, Airavata, the vehicle of the king of devas carried away be me. The devas themselves offered to me

with salutations that gem of horses named Uccaisravas which arose at the churning of milk-ocean.

111. ”O beautiful lady, whatever other rare objects there existed among the devas, the gandharvas and nagas are now with me.

112. ”We look upon you, O Devi, as the jewel of womankind in the world.

You who are such, come to me, since we are the enjoyers of the best objects.

113. Take to me or to my younger brother Nisumbha of great prowess, O unsteady-eyed lady, for you are in truth a jewel.

114. ”Wealth, great and beyond compare, you will get by marrying me. Think over this in your mind, and become my wife.”’

The Rishi said:

115-116. Thus told, Durga the adorable and auspicious, by whom this universe is supported, then became serene and said. The Devi said:

117-118. You have spoken truth; nothing false has been uttered by you in this matter. Sumbha is indeed the sovereign of the three worlds an likewise is also Nisumbha.

119. ’But in this matter, how can that which has been promised be made false? Hear what promise I had made already out of foolishness.

120. ”He who conquers me in battle, removes my pride and is my match is strength in the world shall be my husband.”

121. ’So let Sumbha come here then, or Nisumbha the great asura. Vanquishing me here, let him soon take my hand in marriage. Why delay?’

The messenger said:

122. ’O Devi, you are haughty. Talk not so before

me. Which man in the three worlds will stand before Sumbha and Nisumbha?

124. ’All the devas verily cannot stand face to face with even the other asuras in battle. Why mention you, O Devi, a single woman?

125. ’Indra and all other devas could not stand in battle against Sumbha and other demons, how will you, a woman, face them?

126. ’On my word itself, you go to Sumbha and Nisumbha. Let it not be that you go to them with your dignity lost be being dragged by your hair.’

The Devi said:

127-128. ’Yes, it is; Sumbha is strong and so is Nisumbha exceedingly heroic! What can I do since there stands my ill-considered vow taken long ago?

129. ’Go back, and tell the lord of asuras carefully all this that I have said; let him do whatever he considers proper.’

Here ends the fifth chapter called ’Devi’s conversation with the

messenger’ of the Devi-mahatmya in Markandeya-purana during the period of Savarni, the Manu.

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