Devi Bhagavata Purana — Skandha 12 — Chapter 8
DB 12 8.1
पराशक्तेराविर्भाववर्णनम् जनमेजय उवाच भगवन्सर्वधर्मज्ञ सर्वशास्त्रवतांवर । द्विजातीनां तु सर्वेषां शक्त्युपास्तिः श्रुतीरिता
parāśakterāvirbhāvavarṇanam janamejaya uvāca bhagavansarvadharmajña sarvaśāstravatāṃvara | dvijātīnāṃ tu sarveṣāṃ śaktyupāstiḥ śrutīritā
Description of the manifestation of the Supreme Power. Janamejaya said: O lord, knower of all duties, best of those who possess all the scriptures! For all the twice-born the worship of the Śakti is enjoined by the Vedas,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 12 8.2
सन्ध्याकालत्रयेऽन्यस्मिन् काले नित्यतया विभो । तां विहाय द्विजाः कस्माद्गृह्णीयुश्चान्यदेवताः
sandhyākālatraye'nyasmin kāle nityatayā vibho | tāṃ vihāya dvijāḥ kasmādgṛhṇīyuścānyadevatāḥ
at the three times of the (daily) junctures and at other times too, as a perpetual (obligation), O mighty one. Why then do the twice-born abandon her and take up other deities?
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 12 8.3
दृश्यन्ते वैष्णवाः केचिद्गाणपत्यास्तथापरे । कापालिकाश्चीनमार्गरता वल्कलधारिणः
dṛśyante vaiṣṇavāḥ kecidgāṇapatyāstathāpare | kāpālikāścīnamārgaratā valkaladhāriṇaḥ
Some are seen as Vaiṣṇavas, and others as Gāṇapatyas, and Kāpālikas, devotees of the Chinese path, wearers of bark garments,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 12 8.4
दिगम्बरास्तथा बौद्धाश्चार्वार्का एवमादयः । दृश्यन्ते बहवो लोके वेदश्रद्धाविवर्जिताः
digambarāstathā bauddhāścārvārkā evamādayaḥ | dṛśyante bahavo loke vedaśraddhāvivarjitāḥ
and likewise the naked ones (Digambaras), the Buddhists, the Cārvākas, and such as these — many are seen in the world, devoid of faith in the Vedas.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 12 8.5
किमत्र कारणं ब्रह्मंस्तद्भवान् वक्तुमर्हति । बुद्धिमन्तः पण्डिताश्च नानातर्कविचक्षणाः
kimatra kāraṇaṃ brahmaṃstadbhavān vaktumarhati | buddhimantaḥ paṇḍitāśca nānātarkavicakṣaṇāḥ
What is the reason for this, O brahmin? You ought to tell it. Even intelligent men and learned scholars, skilled in the various modes of reasoning,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 12 8.6
अपि सन्त्येव वेदेषु श्रद्धया तु विवर्जिताः । न हि कश्चित्स्वकल्याणं बुद्ध्या हातुमिहेच्छति
api santyeva vedeṣu śraddhayā tu vivarjitāḥ | na hi kaścitsvakalyāṇaṃ buddhyā hātumihecchati
do indeed exist who are devoid of faith in the Vedas. For no one here wishes deliberately to abandon his own welfare.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 12 8.7
किमत्र कारणं तस्माद्वद वेदविदांवर । मणिद्वीपस्य महिमा वर्णितो भवता पुरा
kimatra kāraṇaṃ tasmādvada vedavidāṃvara | maṇidvīpasya mahimā varṇito bhavatā purā
So what is the reason for this? Tell it, O best of the knowers of the Vedas. The greatness of Maṇidvīpa was described by you before;
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 12 8.8
कीदृक् तदस्ति यद्देव्याः परं स्थानं महत्तरम् । तच्चापि वद भक्ताय श्रद्दधानाय मेऽनघ द्वादशस्कन्धे पराशक्तेराविर्भाववर्णनं नामाष्टमोऽध्यायः
kīdṛk tadasti yaddevyāḥ paraṃ sthānaṃ mahattaram | taccāpi vada bhaktāya śraddadhānāya me'nagha dvādaśaskandhe parāśakterāvirbhāvavarṇanaṃ nāmāṣṭamo'dhyāyaḥ
of what sort is that supreme, still greater abode of the Goddess? That too tell to me, your devotee, who has faith, O sinless one. — (Thus) in the twelfth book, the eighth chapter, called "The Description of the Manifestation of the Supreme Power."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 12 8.9
प्रसन्नास्तु वदन्त्येव गुरवो गुह्यमप्युत । सूत उवाच इति राज्ञो वचः श्रुत्वा भगवान् बादरायणः
prasannāstu vadantyeva guravo guhyamapyuta | sūta uvāca iti rājño vacaḥ śrutvā bhagavān bādarāyaṇaḥ
For teachers, when pleased, do tell even what is secret. Sūta said: Having heard the king's words thus, the venerable son of Badara (Vyāsa)
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 12 8.10
निजगाद ततः सर्वं क्रमेणैव मुनीश्वराः । यच्छ्रुत्वा तु द्विजातीनां वेदश्रद्धा विवर्धते
nijagāda tataḥ sarvaṃ krameṇaiva munīśvarāḥ | yacchrutvā tu dvijātīnāṃ vedaśraddhā vivardhate
then told it all in due order, O lords among sages — hearing which the faith of the twice-born in the Vedas increases.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 12 8.11
व्यास उवाच सम्यक्पृष्टं त्वया राजन् समये समयोचितम् । वुद्धिमानसि वेदेषु श्रद्धावांश्चैव लक्ष्यसे
vyāsa uvāca samyakpṛṣṭaṃ tvayā rājan samaye samayocitam | vuddhimānasi vedeṣu śraddhāvāṃścaiva lakṣyase
Vyāsa said: Well have you asked, O king, at the right time and fittingly to the occasion. You are intelligent, and you are seen to have faith in the Vedas.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 12 8.12
पूर्वं मदोद्धता दैत्या देवैर्युद्धं तु चक्रिरे । शतवर्षं महाराज महाविस्मयकारकम्
pūrvaṃ madoddhatā daityā devairyuddhaṃ tu cakrire | śatavarṣaṃ mahārāja mahāvismayakārakam
Formerly the demons, arrogant with pride, made war with the gods for a hundred years, O great king — (a war) that caused great amazement,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 12 8.13
नानाशस्त्रप्रहरणं नानामायाविचित्रितम् । जगत्क्षयकरं नूनं तेषां युद्धमभून्नृप
nānāśastrapraharaṇaṃ nānāmāyāvicitritam | jagatkṣayakaraṃ nūnaṃ teṣāṃ yuddhamabhūnnṛpa
with the striking of many weapons, variegated by many magical illusions; their battle, O king, was indeed such as to destroy the world.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 12 8.14
पराशक्तिकृपावेशाद्देवैर्दैत्या जिता युधि । भुवं स्वर्गं परित्यज्य गताः पातालवेश्मनि
parāśaktikṛpāveśāddevairdaityā jitā yudhi | bhuvaṃ svargaṃ parityajya gatāḥ pātālaveśmani
Through the entry of the grace of the Supreme Power, the demons were conquered in battle by the gods; abandoning the earth and heaven, they went to their dwelling in the underworld.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 12 8.15
ततः प्रहर्षिता देवाः स्वपराक्रमवर्णनम् । चक्रुः परस्परं मोहात्साभिमानाः समन्ततः
tataḥ praharṣitā devāḥ svaparākramavarṇanam | cakruḥ parasparaṃ mohātsābhimānāḥ samantataḥ
Then the gods, greatly delighted, out of delusion made description of their own valour to one another everywhere, filled with self-conceit:
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 12 8.16
जयोऽस्माकं कुतो न स्यादस्माकं महिमा यतः । सर्वोत्तरः कुत्र दैत्याः पामरा निष्पराक्रमाः
jayo'smākaṃ kuto na syādasmākaṃ mahimā yataḥ | sarvottaraḥ kutra daityāḥ pāmarā niṣparākramāḥ
"How should victory not be ours, since our greatness is supreme over all? What are the demons — vulgar wretches, without valour?
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 12 8.17
सृष्टिस्थितिक्षयकरा वयं सर्वे यशस्विनः । अस्मदग्रे पामराणां दैत्यानां चैव का कथा
sṛṣṭisthitikṣayakarā vayaṃ sarve yaśasvinaḥ | asmadagre pāmarāṇāṃ daityānāṃ caiva kā kathā
We are all the glorious ones who bring about creation, maintenance and destruction. Before us, what talk can there be of the vulgar demons?"
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 12 8.18
पराशक्तिप्रभावं ते न ज्ञात्वा मोहमागताः । तेषामनुग्रहं कर्तुं तदैव जगदम्बिका
parāśaktiprabhāvaṃ te na jñātvā mohamāgatāḥ | teṣāmanugrahaṃ kartuṃ tadaiva jagadambikā
Not knowing the might of the Supreme Power, they fell into delusion. Then, to show favour to them, the Mother of the world
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 12 8.19
प्रादुरासीत्कृपापूर्णा यक्षरूपेण भूमिप । कोटिसूर्यप्रतीकाशं चन्द्रकोटिसुशीतलम्
prādurāsītkṛpāpūrṇā yakṣarūpeṇa bhūmipa | koṭisūryapratīkāśaṃ candrakoṭisuśītalam
appeared, full of compassion, in the form of a Yakṣa, O king: (a light) resembling ten million suns, cool as ten million moons,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 12 8.20
विद्युत्कोटिसमानाभं हस्तपादादिवर्जितम् । अदृष्टपूर्वं तद्दृष्ट्वा तेजः परमसुन्दरम्
vidyutkoṭisamānābhaṃ hastapādādivarjitam | adṛṣṭapūrvaṃ taddṛṣṭvā tejaḥ paramasundaram
with a radiance equal to ten million lightnings, devoid of hands, feet and the rest. Having seen that never-before-seen, supremely beautiful radiance,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 12 8.21
सविस्मयास्तदा प्रोचुः किमिदं किमिदं त्विति । दैत्यानां चेष्टितं किं वा माया कापि महीयसी
savismayāstadā procuḥ kimidaṃ kimidaṃ tviti | daityānāṃ ceṣṭitaṃ kiṃ vā māyā kāpi mahīyasī
Then, filled with amazement, they said, "What is this? What is this?" "Is it some doing of the demons, or some very great magical illusion?"
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 12 8.22
केनचिन्निर्मिता वाथ देवानां स्मयकारिणी । सम्भूय ते तदा सर्वे विचारं चक्रुरुत्तमम्
kenacinnirmitā vātha devānāṃ smayakāriṇī | sambhūya te tadā sarve vicāraṃ cakruruttamam
"Or has it been fashioned by someone, to astonish the gods?" Then they all came together and held an excellent deliberation.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 12 8.23
यक्षस्य निकटे गत्वा प्रष्टव्यं कस्त्वमित्यपि । बलाबलं ततो ज्ञात्वा कर्तव्या तु प्रतिक्रिया
yakṣasya nikaṭe gatvā praṣṭavyaṃ kastvamityapi | balābalaṃ tato jñātvā kartavyā tu pratikriyā
"One should go near the Yakṣa and ask, 'Who are you?' Then, having learned (his) strength or weakness, the counter-measure should be taken."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 12 8.24
ततो वह्निं समाहूय प्रोवाचेन्द्रः सुराधिपः । गच्छ वह्ने त्वमस्माकं यतोऽसि मुखमुत्तमम्
tato vahniṃ samāhūya provācendraḥ surādhipaḥ | gaccha vahne tvamasmākaṃ yato'si mukhamuttamam
Then Indra, lord of the gods, summoned Fire and said: "Go, O Fire, since you are our foremost mouth.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 12 8.25
ततो गत्वा तु जानीहि किमिदं यक्षमित्यपि । सहस्राक्षवचः श्रुत्वा स्वपराक्रमगर्भितम्
tato gatvā tu jānīhi kimidaṃ yakṣamityapi | sahasrākṣavacaḥ śrutvā svaparākramagarbhitam
So go and find out what this Yakṣa is." Hearing the words of the Thousand-eyed one, pregnant with (praise of) his own prowess—
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 12 8.26
वेगात्स निर्गतो वह्निर्ययौ यक्षस्य सन्निधौ । तदा प्रोवाच यक्षस्तं त्वं कोऽसीति हुताशनम्
vegātsa nirgato vahniryayau yakṣasya sannidhau | tadā provāca yakṣastaṃ tvaṃ ko'sīti hutāśanam
—Fire set out swiftly and went into the presence of the Yakṣa. Then the Yakṣa said to him, to the fire-eater, "Who are you?
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 12 8.27
वीर्यं च त्वयि किं यत्तद्वद सर्वं ममाग्रतः । अग्निरस्मि तथा जातवेदा अस्मीति सोऽब्रवीत्
vīryaṃ ca tvayi kiṃ yattadvada sarvaṃ mamāgrataḥ | agnirasmi tathā jātavedā asmīti so'bravīt
And what power is there in you? Tell it all before me." He said, "I am Agni, and I am Jātavedas.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 12 8.28
सर्वस्य दहने शक्तिर्मयि विश्वस्य तिष्ठति । तदा यक्षं परं तेजस्तदग्रे निदधौ तृणम्
sarvasya dahane śaktirmayi viśvasya tiṣṭhati | tadā yakṣaṃ paraṃ tejastadagre nidadhau tṛṇam
The power to burn everything, the whole universe, rests in me." Then the Yakṣa, the supreme radiance, set a blade of grass before him:
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 12 8.29
दहैनं यदि ते शक्तिर्विश्वस्य दहनेऽस्ति हि । तदा सर्वबलेनैवाकरोद्यत्नं हुताशनः
dahainaṃ yadi te śaktirviśvasya dahane'sti hi | tadā sarvabalenaivākarodyatnaṃ hutāśanaḥ
"Burn this, if indeed you have the power to burn the universe." Then the fire-eater made an effort with all his strength.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 12 8.30
न शशाक तृणं दग्धुं लज्जितोऽगात्सुरान्प्रति । पृष्टे देवैस्तु वृत्तान्ते सर्वं प्रोवाच हव्यभुक्
na śaśāka tṛṇaṃ dagdhuṃ lajjito'gātsurānprati | pṛṣṭe devaistu vṛttānte sarvaṃ provāca havyabhuk
He was unable to burn the blade of grass; ashamed, he went back to the gods. When the gods asked about what had happened, the oblation-eater told it all.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 12 8.31
वृथाभिमानो ह्यस्माकं सर्वेशत्वादिके सुराः । ततस्तु वृत्रहा वायुं समाहूयेदमब्रवीत्
vṛthābhimāno hyasmākaṃ sarveśatvādike surāḥ | tatastu vṛtrahā vāyuṃ samāhūyedamabravīt
"Our pride, O gods, in being lords of all and the rest, is in vain." Then the slayer of Vṛtra summoned Wind and said this:
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 12 8.32
त्वयि प्रोतं जगत्सर्वं त्वच्चेष्टाभिस्तु चेष्टितम् । त्वं प्राणरूपः सर्वेषां सर्वशक्तिविधारकः
tvayi protaṃ jagatsarvaṃ tvacceṣṭābhistu ceṣṭitam | tvaṃ prāṇarūpaḥ sarveṣāṃ sarvaśaktividhārakaḥ
"The whole world is strung upon you, and it is set in motion by your motions. You are the life-breath of all, the upholder of all powers.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 12 8.33
त्वमेव गत्वा जानीहि किमिदं यक्षमित्यपि । नान्यः कोऽपि समर्थोऽस्ति ज्ञातुं यक्षं परं महः
tvameva gatvā jānīhi kimidaṃ yakṣamityapi | nānyaḥ ko'pi samartho'sti jñātuṃ yakṣaṃ paraṃ mahaḥ
You yourself go and find out what this Yakṣa is. No one else is able to know the Yakṣa, the supreme radiance."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 12 8.34
सहस्राक्षवचः श्रुत्वा गुणगौरवगुम्फितम् । साभिमानो जगामाशु यत्र यक्षं विराजते
sahasrākṣavacaḥ śrutvā guṇagauravagumphitam | sābhimāno jagāmāśu yatra yakṣaṃ virājate
Hearing the words of the Thousand-eyed one, woven with (praise of his) qualities and greatness, he went at once, full of pride, to where the Yakṣa was shining.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 12 8.35
यक्षं दृष्ट्वा ततो वायुं प्रोवाच मृदुभाषया । कोऽसि त्वं त्वयि का शक्तिर्वद सर्वं ममाग्रतः
yakṣaṃ dṛṣṭvā tato vāyuṃ provāca mṛdubhāṣayā | ko'si tvaṃ tvayi kā śaktirvada sarvaṃ mamāgrataḥ
Then, seeing the Yakṣa, (the Yakṣa) said to Wind in a gentle speech: "Who are you? What power is in you? Tell it all before me."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 12 8.36
ततो यक्षवचः श्रुत्वा गर्वेण मरुदब्रवीत् । मातरिश्वाहमस्मीति वायुरस्मीति चाब्रवीत्
tato yakṣavacaḥ śrutvā garveṇa marudabravīt | mātariśvāhamasmīti vāyurasmīti cābravīt
Then, hearing the Yakṣa's words, Wind spoke with pride: "I am Mātariśvan," he said, "and I am Vāyu.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 12 8.37
वीर्यं तु मयि सर्वस्य चालने ग्रहणेऽस्ति हि । मच्चेष्टया जगत्सर्वं सर्वव्यापारवद्भवेत्
vīryaṃ tu mayi sarvasya cālane grahaṇe'sti hi | macceṣṭayā jagatsarvaṃ sarvavyāpāravadbhavet
And in me there is the power to move and to seize everything. By my activity the whole world comes to have all its activities."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 12 8.38
इति श्रुत्वा वायुवाणीं निजगाद परं महः । तृणमेतत्तवाग्रे यत्तच्चालय यथेप्सितम्
iti śrutvā vāyuvāṇīṃ nijagāda paraṃ mahaḥ | tṛṇametattavāgre yattaccālaya yathepsitam
Hearing Wind's speech, the supreme radiance said: "This blade of grass that is before you—move it as you wish.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 12 8.39
नोचेद्गर्वं विहायैनं लज्जितो गच्छ वासवम् । श्रुत्वा यक्षवचो वायुः सर्वशक्तिसमन्वितः
nocedgarvaṃ vihāyainaṃ lajjito gaccha vāsavam | śrutvā yakṣavaco vāyuḥ sarvaśaktisamanvitaḥ
If not, abandon this pride and go back ashamed to Vāsava." Hearing the Yakṣa's words, Wind, endowed with all power,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 12 8.40
उद्योगमकरोत्तच्च स्वस्थानान्न चचाल ह । लज्जितोऽगाद्देवपार्श्वे हित्वा गर्वं स चानिलः
udyogamakarottacca svasthānānna cacāla ha | lajjito'gāddevapārśve hitvā garvaṃ sa cānilaḥ
made the effort, and it did not stir from its place. Ashamed, and abandoning his pride, that wind went to the gods' side.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 12 8.41
वृत्तान्तमवदत्सर्वं गर्वनिर्वापकारणम् । नैतञ्ज्ञातुं समर्थाः स्म मिथ्यागर्वाभिमानिनः
vṛttāntamavadatsarvaṃ garvanirvāpakāraṇam | naitañjñātuṃ samarthāḥ sma mithyāgarvābhimāninaḥ
He (Vāyu) told the whole affair, the cause of the extinguishing of (his) pride: "We are not able to know this, we who take pride in a false conceit."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 12 8.42
अलौकिकं भाति यक्षं तेजः परमदारुणम् । ततः सर्वे सुरगणाः सहस्राक्षं समूचिरे
alaukikaṃ bhāti yakṣaṃ tejaḥ paramadāruṇam | tataḥ sarve suragaṇāḥ sahasrākṣaṃ samūcire
The Yakṣa's radiance, unearthly and exceedingly terrible, shines forth. Then all the hosts of gods said to the Thousand-eyed One:
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 12 8.43
देवराडसि यस्मात्त्वं यक्षं जानीहि तत्त्वतः । तत इन्द्रो महागर्वात्तद्यक्षं समुपाद्रवत्
devarāḍasi yasmāttvaṃ yakṣaṃ jānīhi tattvataḥ | tata indro mahāgarvāttadyakṣaṃ samupādravat
"Since you are the king of the gods, find out truly what this Yakṣa is." Then Indra, out of great pride, rushed up to that Yakṣa.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 12 8.44
प्राद्रवच्च परं तेजो यक्षरूपं परात्परम् । अन्तर्धानं ततः प्राप तद्यक्षं वासवाग्रतः
prādravacca paraṃ tejo yakṣarūpaṃ parātparam | antardhānaṃ tataḥ prāpa tadyakṣaṃ vāsavāgrataḥ
And the supreme radiance, higher than the highest, in the form of a Yakṣa, ran off; then that Yakṣa vanished before Vāsava.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 12 8.45
अतीव लज्जितो जातो वासवो देवराडपि । यक्षसम्भाषणाभावाल्लघुत्वं प्राप चेतसि
atīva lajjito jāto vāsavo devarāḍapi | yakṣasambhāṣaṇābhāvāllaghutvaṃ prāpa cetasi
Vāsava, king of the gods though he was, became exceedingly ashamed; because the Yakṣa did not speak with him, he felt himself diminished in his mind.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 12 8.46
अतः परं न गन्तव्यं मया तु सुरसंसदि । किं मया तत्र वक्तव्यं स्वलघुत्वं सुरान्प्रति
ataḥ paraṃ na gantavyaṃ mayā tu surasaṃsadi | kiṃ mayā tatra vaktavyaṃ svalaghutvaṃ surānprati
"Henceforth I must not go into the assembly of the gods. What should I say there to the gods about my own humiliation?
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 12 8.47
देहत्यागो वरस्तस्मान्मानो हि महतां धनम् । माने नष्टे जीवितं तु मृतितुल्यं न संशयः
dehatyāgo varastasmānmāno hi mahatāṃ dhanam | māne naṣṭe jīvitaṃ tu mṛtitulyaṃ na saṃśayaḥ
Therefore giving up the body is better, for honour is the wealth of the great; when honour is lost, life is surely equal to death—there is no doubt.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 12 8.48
इति निश्चित्य तत्रैव गर्वं हित्वा सुरेश्वरः । चरित्रमीदृशं यस्य तमेव शरणं गतः
iti niścitya tatraiva garvaṃ hitvā sureśvaraḥ | caritramīdṛśaṃ yasya tameva śaraṇaṃ gataḥ
Having so resolved, the lord of the gods, right there abandoning his pride, went for refuge to that very one whose conduct was such.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 12 8.49
तस्मिन्नेव क्षणे जाता व्योमवाणी नभस्तले । मायाबीजं सहस्राक्ष जप तेन सुखी भव
tasminneva kṣaṇe jātā vyomavāṇī nabhastale | māyābījaṃ sahasrākṣa japa tena sukhī bhava
At that very moment a voice from the sky arose in the firmament: "O Thousand-eyed One, recite the Māyā seed-syllable; by that be happy."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 12 8.50
ततो जजाप परमं मायाबीजं परात्परम् । लक्षवर्षं निराहारो ध्यानमीलितलोचनः
tato jajāpa paramaṃ māyābījaṃ parātparam | lakṣavarṣaṃ nirāhāro dhyānamīlitalocanaḥ
Then he recited the supreme Māyā seed-syllable, higher than the highest, for a hundred thousand years, without food, his eyes closed in meditation.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 12 8.51
अकस्माच्चैत्रमासीयनवम्यां मध्यगे रवौ । तदेवाविरभूत्तेजस्तस्मिन्नेव स्थले पुनः
akasmāccaitramāsīyanavamyāṃ madhyage ravau | tadevāvirabhūttejastasminneva sthale punaḥ
Suddenly, on the ninth day of the month of Caitra, when the sun was at midheaven, that same radiance appeared again in that very place.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 12 8.52
तेजोमण्डलमध्ये तु कुमारीं नवयौवनाम् । भास्वज्जपाप्रसूनाभां बालकोटिरविप्रभाम्
tejomaṇḍalamadhye tu kumārīṃ navayauvanām | bhāsvajjapāprasūnābhāṃ bālakoṭiraviprabhām
And in the midst of the orb of radiance (he saw) a maiden in fresh youth, with the sheen of a shining japā blossom, with the brilliance of ten million young suns,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 12 8.53
बालशीतांशमुकुटां वस्त्रान्तर्व्यञ्जितस्तनीम् । चतुर्भिर्वरहस्तैस्तु वरपाशाङ्कुशाभयान्
bālaśītāṃśamukuṭāṃ vastrāntarvyañjitastanīm | caturbhirvarahastaistu varapāśāṅkuśābhayān
crowned with the young crescent moon, her breasts showing beneath her garment, holding with four graceful hands the boon-gesture, the noose, the goad and the gesture of fearlessness,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 12 8.54
दधानां रमणीयाङ्गीं कोमलाङ्गलतां शिवाम् । भक्तकल्पद्रुमामम्बां नानाभूषणभूषिताम्
dadhānāṃ ramaṇīyāṅgīṃ komalāṅgalatāṃ śivām | bhaktakalpadrumāmambāṃ nānābhūṣaṇabhūṣitām
holding (these), with delightful limbs, her body a tender creeper, auspicious, the Mother who is a wish-granting tree for her devotees, adorned with various ornaments,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 12 8.55
त्रिनेत्रां मल्लिकामालाकबरीजूटशोभिताम् । चतुर्दिक्षु चतुर्वेदैर्मूर्तिमद्भिरभिष्टुताम्
trinetrāṃ mallikāmālākabarījūṭaśobhitām | caturdikṣu caturvedairmūrtimadbhirabhiṣṭutām
three-eyed, resplendent with a jasmine garland on her braided coil of hair, praised on all four sides by the four Vedas in embodied form,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 12 8.56
दन्तच्छटाभिरभितः पद्मरागीकृतक्षमाम् । प्रसन्तस्मेरवदनां कोटिकन्दर्पसुन्दराम्
dantacchaṭābhirabhitaḥ padmarāgīkṛtakṣamām | prasantasmeravadanāṃ koṭikandarpasundarām
who by the flashes of her teeth made the earth all around ruby-red, with a serene, smiling face, lovely as ten million Kāmadevas,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 12 8.57
रक्ताम्बरपरीधानां रक्तचन्दनचर्चिताम् । उमाभिधानां पुरतो देवीं हैमवतीं शिवाम्
raktāmbaraparīdhānāṃ raktacandanacarcitām | umābhidhānāṃ purato devīṃ haimavatīṃ śivām
clad in red garments, smeared with red sandal paste—the goddess named Umā, daughter of Himavat, the auspicious one, before him:
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 12 8.58
निर्व्याजकरुणामूर्तिं सर्वकारणकारणाम् । ददर्श वासवस्तत्र प्रेमगद्गदितान्तरः
nirvyājakaruṇāmūrtiṃ sarvakāraṇakāraṇām | dadarśa vāsavastatra premagadgaditāntaraḥ
the embodiment of unfeigned compassion, the cause of all causes—Vāsava saw her there, his inner being choked with love.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 12 8.59
प्रेमाश्रुपूर्णनयनो रोमाञ्चिततनुस्ततः । दण्डवत्प्रणनामाथ पादयोर्जगदीशितुः
premāśrupūrṇanayano romāñcitatanustataḥ | daṇḍavatpraṇanāmātha pādayorjagadīśituḥ
Then, his eyes filled with tears of love, his body thrilled with horripilation, he bowed like a staff at the feet of the Ruler of the world.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 12 8.60
तुष्टाव विविधैः स्तोत्रैर्भक्तिसन्नतकन्धरः । उवाच परमप्रीतः किमिदं यक्षमित्यपि
tuṣṭāva vividhaiḥ stotrairbhaktisannatakandharaḥ | uvāca paramaprītaḥ kimidaṃ yakṣamityapi
He praised (her) with various hymns, his neck bent in devotion, and, supremely delighted, he also said: "What was this Yakṣa,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 12 8.61
प्रादुर्भूतं च कस्मात्तद्वद सर्वं सुशोभने । इति तस्य वचः श्रुत्वा प्रोवाच करुणार्णवा
prādurbhūtaṃ ca kasmāttadvada sarvaṃ suśobhane | iti tasya vacaḥ śrutvā provāca karuṇārṇavā
"And from what did it appear? Tell all of that, O lovely one." Hearing his words, she, an ocean of compassion, spoke:
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 12 8.62
रूपं मदीयं ब्रह्मैतत्सर्वकारणकारणम् । मायाधिष्ठानभूतं तु सर्वसाक्षि निरामयम्
rūpaṃ madīyaṃ brahmaitatsarvakāraṇakāraṇam | māyādhiṣṭhānabhūtaṃ tu sarvasākṣi nirāmayam
"This form of mine is Brahman, the cause of all causes; it is the substratum of Māyā, the witness of all, free from affliction.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 12 8.63
सर्वे वेदा यत्पदमामनन्ति तपांसि सर्वाणि च यद्वदन्ति । यदिच्छन्तो ब्रह्मचर्यं चरन्ति तत्ते पदं संग्रहेण ब्रवीमि
sarve vedā yatpadamāmananti tapāṃsi sarvāṇi ca yadvadanti | yadicchanto brahmacaryaṃ caranti tatte padaṃ saṃgraheṇa bravīmi
That state which all the Vedas declare, and which all austerities speak of, seeking which (men) practise chastity — that state I tell you in brief.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 12 8.64
ओमित्येकाक्षरं ब्रह्म तदेवाहुश्च ह्रींमयम् । द्वे बीजे मम मन्त्रौ स्तो मुख्यत्वेन सुरोत्तम
omityekākṣaraṃ brahma tadevāhuśca hrīṃmayam | dve bīje mama mantrau sto mukhyatvena surottama
Om, the single syllable, is Brahman; and that same they call composed of Hrīṃ. These two seed-syllables are my mantras, principally, O best of gods.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 12 8.65
भागद्वयवती यस्मात्सृजामि सकलं जगत् । तत्रैकभागः सम्प्रोक्तः सच्चिदानन्दनामकः
bhāgadvayavatī yasmātsṛjāmi sakalaṃ jagat | tatraikabhāgaḥ samproktaḥ saccidānandanāmakaḥ
Since (I am) possessed of two portions, I create the whole world. Of these, one portion is declared to be named Being-Consciousness-Bliss;
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 12 8.66
मायाप्रकृतिसंज्ञस्तु द्वितीयो भाग ईरितः । सा च माया परा शक्तिः शक्तिमत्यहमीश्वरी
māyāprakṛtisaṃjñastu dvitīyo bhāga īritaḥ | sā ca māyā parā śaktiḥ śaktimatyahamīśvarī
and the second portion is said to be that designated Māyā or Prakṛti. And that Māyā is the supreme power, while I, the possessor of the power, am the Sovereign Lady.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 12 8.67
चन्द्रस्य चन्द्रिकेवेयं ममाभिन्नत्वमागता । साम्यावस्थात्मिका चैषा माया मम सुरोत्तम
candrasya candrikeveyaṃ mamābhinnatvamāgatā | sāmyāvasthātmikā caiṣā māyā mama surottama
Like the moonlight of the moon, she has come to be non-different from me. And this Māyā of mine, O best of gods, consists in the state of equilibrium.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 12 8.68
प्रलये सर्वजगतो मदभिन्नैव तिष्ठति । प्राणिकर्मपरीपाकवशतः पुनरेव हि
pralaye sarvajagato madabhinnaiva tiṣṭhati | prāṇikarmaparīpākavaśataḥ punareva hi
At the dissolution of the whole world she abides as not different from me; but again, by force of the ripening of the deeds of living beings,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 12 8.69
रूपं तदेवमव्यक्तं व्यक्तीभावमुपैति च । अन्तर्मुखा तु यावस्था सा मायेत्यभिधीयते
rūpaṃ tadevamavyaktaṃ vyaktībhāvamupaiti ca | antarmukhā tu yāvasthā sā māyetyabhidhīyate
that same form, thus unmanifest, comes to manifestation. The condition that is inward-turned is called Māyā;
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 12 8.70
बहिर्मुखा तु या माया तमःशब्देन सोच्यते । बहिर्मुखात्तमोरूपाज्जायते सत्त्वसम्भवः
bahirmukhā tu yā māyā tamaḥśabdena socyate | bahirmukhāttamorūpājjāyate sattvasambhavaḥ
but the Māyā that is outward-turned is spoken of by the word 'darkness' (tamas). From the outward-turned form of darkness arises the appearance of sattva;
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 12 8.71
रजोगुणस्तदैव स्यात्सर्गादौ सुरसत्तम । गुणत्रयात्मकाः प्रोक्ता ब्रह्मविष्णुमहेश्वराः
rajoguṇastadaiva syātsargādau surasattama | guṇatrayātmakāḥ proktā brahmaviṣṇumaheśvarāḥ
and at that very moment, at the beginning of creation, the quality rajas comes to be, O best of gods. Brahmā, Viṣṇu and Maheśvara are said to consist of the three qualities:
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 12 8.72
रजोगुणाधिको ब्रह्मा विष्णुः सत्त्वाधिको भवेत् । तमोगुणाधिको रुद्रः सर्वकारणरूपधृक्
rajoguṇādhiko brahmā viṣṇuḥ sattvādhiko bhavet | tamoguṇādhiko rudraḥ sarvakāraṇarūpadhṛk
Brahmā has rajas predominant, Viṣṇu has sattva predominant, and Rudra, who bears the form of the cause of all, has tamas predominant.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 12 8.73
स्थूलदेहो भवेद्ब्रह्मा लिङ्गदेहो हरिः स्मृतः । रुद्रस्तु कारणो देहस्तुरीया त्वहमेव हि
sthūladeho bhavedbrahmā liṅgadeho hariḥ smṛtaḥ | rudrastu kāraṇo dehasturīyā tvahameva hi
Brahmā would be the gross body, Hari is held to be the subtle body, Rudra is the causal body, and I alone am the fourth.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 12 8.74
साम्यावस्था तु या प्रोक्ता सर्वान्तर्यामिरूपिणी । अत ऊर्ध्वं परं ब्रह्म मद्रूपं रूपवर्जितम्
sāmyāvasthā tu yā proktā sarvāntaryāmirūpiṇī | ata ūrdhvaṃ paraṃ brahma madrūpaṃ rūpavarjitam
And that which is called the state of equilibrium is of the form of the inner controller of all; above this is the supreme Brahman, my form, devoid of form.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 12 8.75
निर्गुणं सगुणं चेति द्विधा मद्रूपमुच्यते । निर्गुणं मायया हीनं सगुणं मायया युतम्
nirguṇaṃ saguṇaṃ ceti dvidhā madrūpamucyate | nirguṇaṃ māyayā hīnaṃ saguṇaṃ māyayā yutam
My form is said to be twofold: without qualities and with qualities. The quality-less is free of Māyā, the qualified is joined with Māyā.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 12 8.76
साहं सर्वं जगत्सृष्ट्वा तदन्तः सम्प्रविश्य च । प्रेरयाम्यनिशं जीवं यथाकर्म यथाश्रुतम्
sāhaṃ sarvaṃ jagatsṛṣṭvā tadantaḥ sampraviśya ca | prerayāmyaniśaṃ jīvaṃ yathākarma yathāśrutam
I, being such, having created the whole world and entered within it, ceaselessly impel the living being according to its deeds and according to what it has learned.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 12 8.77
सृष्टिस्थितितिरोधाने प्रेरयाम्यहमेव हि । ब्रह्माणं च तथा विष्णुं रुद्रं वै कारणात्मकम्
sṛṣṭisthititirodhāne prerayāmyahameva hi | brahmāṇaṃ ca tathā viṣṇuṃ rudraṃ vai kāraṇātmakam
In creation, maintenance and withdrawal it is I alone who impel Brahmā, and Viṣṇu, and Rudra who is of the nature of the cause.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 12 8.78
मद्भयाद्वाति पवनो भीत्या सूर्यश्च गच्छति । इन्द्राग्निमृत्यवस्तद्वत्साहं सर्वोत्तमा स्मृता
madbhayādvāti pavano bhītyā sūryaśca gacchati | indrāgnimṛtyavastadvatsāhaṃ sarvottamā smṛtā
Out of fear of me the wind blows, and out of fear the sun moves; likewise Indra, Fire and Death — and so I am held to be highest of all.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 12 8.79
मत्प्रसादाद्भवद्भिस्तु जयो लब्धोऽस्ति सर्वथा । युष्मानहं नर्तयामि काष्ठपुत्तलिकोपमान्
matprasādādbhavadbhistu jayo labdho'sti sarvathā | yuṣmānahaṃ nartayāmi kāṣṭhaputtalikopamān
By my grace alone has victory been won by you in every way; I make you dance, like puppets of wood.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 12 8.80
कदाचिद्देवविजयं दैत्यानां विजयं क्वचित् । स्वतन्त्रा स्वेच्छया सर्वं कुर्वे कर्मानुरोधतः
kadāciddevavijayaṃ daityānāṃ vijayaṃ kvacit | svatantrā svecchayā sarvaṃ kurve karmānurodhataḥ
Sometimes victory for the gods, sometimes victory for the demons — being independent, I do all by my own will, in accordance with (their) deeds.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 12 8.81
तां मां सर्वात्मिकां यूयं विस्मृत्य निजगर्वतः । अहङ्कारावृतात्मानो मोहमाप्ता दुरन्तकम्
tāṃ māṃ sarvātmikāṃ yūyaṃ vismṛtya nijagarvataḥ | ahaṅkārāvṛtātmāno mohamāptā durantakam
Forgetting me, who am the Self of all, out of your own pride, your selves enveloped in egoism, you fell into a delusion hard to end.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 12 8.82
अनुग्रहं ततः कर्तुं युष्मद्देहादनुत्तमम् । निःसृतं सहसा तेजो मदीयं यक्षमित्यपि
anugrahaṃ tataḥ kartuṃ yuṣmaddehādanuttamam | niḥsṛtaṃ sahasā tejo madīyaṃ yakṣamityapi
Therefore, to show (you) grace, my unsurpassed radiance suddenly went forth from your bodies — as the Yakṣa too.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 12 8.83
अतः परं सर्वभावैर्हित्वा गर्वं तु देहजम् । मामेव शरणं यात सच्चिदानन्दरूपिणीम्
ataḥ paraṃ sarvabhāvairhitvā garvaṃ tu dehajam | māmeva śaraṇaṃ yāta saccidānandarūpiṇīm
Henceforth, abandoning with all your being the pride born of the body, come for refuge to me alone, whose form is being, consciousness and bliss.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 12 8.84
व्यास उवाच इत्युक्त्या च महादेवी मूलप्रकृतिरीश्वरी । अन्तर्धानं गता सद्यो भक्त्या देवैरभिष्टुता
vyāsa uvāca ityuktyā ca mahādevī mūlaprakṛtirīśvarī | antardhānaṃ gatā sadyo bhaktyā devairabhiṣṭutā
Vyāsa said: And having spoken thus, the Great Goddess, the root Nature, the sovereign, at once vanished, hymned with devotion by the gods.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 12 8.85
ततः सर्वे स्वगर्वं तु विहाय पदपङ्कजम् । सम्यगाराधयामासुर्भगवत्याः परात्परम्
tataḥ sarve svagarvaṃ tu vihāya padapaṅkajam | samyagārādhayāmāsurbhagavatyāḥ parātparam
Then all of them, casting off their own pride, duly worshipped the lotus feet of the Bhagavatī, higher than the highest.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 12 8.86
त्रिसन्ध्यं सर्वदा सर्वे गायत्रीजपतत्पराः । यज्ञभागादिभिः सर्वे देवीं नित्यं सिषेविरे
trisandhyaṃ sarvadā sarve gāyatrījapatatparāḥ | yajñabhāgādibhiḥ sarve devīṃ nityaṃ siṣevire
At the three junctures (of the day), always, all of them intent upon the muttering of the Gāyatrī, all of them constantly served the Goddess with shares of the sacrifice and the rest.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 12 8.87
एवं सत्ययुगे सर्वे गायत्रीजपतत्पराः । तारहृल्लेखयोश्चापि जपे निष्णातमानसाः
evaṃ satyayuge sarve gāyatrījapatatparāḥ | tārahṛllekhayoścāpi jape niṣṇātamānasāḥ
Thus in the Satya age all were intent upon the muttering of the Gāyatrī, and their minds were also expert in the muttering of the Tāra and the Hṛllekhā (mantras).
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 12 8.88
न विष्णूपासना नित्या वेदेनोक्ता तु कुत्रचित् । न विष्णुदीक्षा नित्यास्ति शिवस्यापि तथैव च
na viṣṇūpāsanā nityā vedenoktā tu kutracit | na viṣṇudīkṣā nityāsti śivasyāpi tathaiva ca
The worship of Viṣṇu is nowhere declared by the Veda to be obligatory; nor is initiation into Viṣṇu obligatory, and just so with Śiva as well.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 12 8.89
गायत्र्युपासना नित्या सर्ववेदैः समीरिता । यया विना त्वधःपातो ब्राह्मणस्यास्ति सर्वथा
gāyatryupāsanā nityā sarvavedaiḥ samīritā | yayā vinā tvadhaḥpāto brāhmaṇasyāsti sarvathā
The worship of the Gāyatrī is obligatory, proclaimed by all the Vedas; without it a brahmin's fall is certain in every way.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 12 8.90
तावता कृतकृत्यत्वं नान्यापेक्षा द्विजस्य हि । गायत्रीमात्रनिष्णातो द्विजो मोक्षमवाप्नुयात्
tāvatā kṛtakṛtyatvaṃ nānyāpekṣā dvijasya hi | gāyatrīmātraniṣṇāto dvijo mokṣamavāpnuyāt
By that much comes the state of having done all that is to be done; for a twice-born has no need of anything else. A twice-born expert in the Gāyatrī alone would attain liberation.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 12 8.91
कुर्यादन्यन्न वा कुर्यादिति प्राह मनुः स्वयम् । विहाय तां तु गायत्रीं विष्णूपास्तिपरायणः
kuryādanyanna vā kuryāditi prāha manuḥ svayam | vihāya tāṃ tu gāyatrīṃ viṣṇūpāstiparāyaṇaḥ
"He may do other (rites) or may not do them" — so Manu himself said. But abandoning that Gāyatrī, one devoted to the worship of Viṣṇu,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 12 8.92
शिवोपास्तिरतो विप्रो नरकं याति सर्वथा । तस्मादाद्ययुगे राजन् गायत्रीजपतत्पराः । देवीपदाम्बुजरता आसन्सर्वे द्विजोत्तमाः
śivopāstirato vipro narakaṃ yāti sarvathā | tasmādādyayuge rājan gāyatrījapatatparāḥ | devīpadāmbujaratā āsansarve dvijottamāḥ
(or) a brahmin attached to the worship of Śiva, goes in every case to hell. Therefore, O king, in the first age all the best of the twice-born were intent upon the muttering of the Gāyatrī and delighted in the lotus feet of the Goddess.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition