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मराठीहिंदीEN

Part of: श्रीदुर्गासप्तशती

अष्टमोऽध्यायः · रक्तबीजवध

Chapter 8 · The slaying of Raktabija

Durga Saptashati, chapter 8: Raktabija is slain

65 verses Audio will be added later

Source: Gita Press, Chapter 8 Scholar review pending
About this stotra

Raktabija-vadha, the slaying of Raktabija, is the eighth chapter of the Durga Saptashati, the Devi Mahatmya of the Markandeya Purana. Its colophon places it within the Savarni Manvantara section of that Purana. By tradition, chapters 5 to 13 form the final episode (uttama carita), and this chapter belongs to it.

With Chanda and Munda dead, Shumbha sends every daitya clan into battle. At that moment the powers (śaktis) of Brahma, Shiva, Kartikeya, Vishnu, Varaha, Narasimha and Indra come out in their gods' own forms to help the Devi. These are the Matrikas, the Mothers: Brahmani, Maheshvari, Kaumari, Vaishnavi, Varahi, Narasimhi and Aindri. Another fierce power emerges from the Devi herself and sends Shiva as her envoy, which is why she is called Shivaduti. Then Raktabija enters the fight. Every drop of his blood that touches the ground becomes a new asura. At Chandika's word, Chamunda catches his blood in her mouth, and Raktabija, drained, is killed.

How the chapter is laid out

It opens with a meditation verse on Bhavani. Then come 63 numbered mantras in the Gita Press count: one 'said' line, 61 verses and a closing half-verse, followed by the colophon. The references shown here (8.1, 8.2 …) follow the Gita Press edition.

If you are reading it for the first time

It is a long chapter; pausing partway is fine. Learn the Mothers' names first and the battle becomes easier to follow. A few words need care:

  • षडशीतिः: a retroflex ṣ at the start and a light visarga at the end.
  • शक्त्यृष्टिवृष्टिभिः, ऋष्टिभिः: ṛ is a vowel, close to a light 'ri', not 'ru'.
  • असृङ्मदोद्धतः: join the nasal ṅ to the m.
  • दंष्ट्राग्र: keep ṣṭr together and take it slowly.

The meaning on this page was written by our team directly from the Sanskrit. Whether a scholar has reviewed it is shown on the page.

ध्यानम्

ॐ अरुणां करुणातरङ्गिताक्षीं धृतपाशाङ्कुशबाणचापहस्ताम्। अणिमादिभिरावृतां मयूखैरहमित्येव विभावये भवानीम्॥

oṃ aruṇāṃ karuṇātaraṅgitākṣīṃ dhṛtapāśāṅkuśabāṇacāpahastām | aṇimādibhirāvṛtāṃ mayūkhairahamityeva vibhāvaye bhavānīm ||

I meditate on Bhavani with the thought 'I am she'. She is rosy red like the dawn, and waves of compassion move in her eyes. Her hands hold a noose, a goad, an arrow and a bow. The powers beginning with aṇimā surround her like rays of light.

ॐ ऋषिरुवाच॥

oṃ ṛṣiruvāca ||

Om. The sage said:

verse 8.2

चण्डे च निहते दैत्ये मुण्डे च विनिपातिते। बहुलेषु च सैन्येषु क्षयितेष्वसुरेश्वरः॥

caṇḍe ca nihate daitye muṇḍe ca vinipātite | bahuleṣu ca sainyeṣu kṣayiteṣvasureśvaraḥ ||

Chanda the daitya was slain, Munda was struck down, and much of the army was destroyed. Then the lord of the asuras…

verse 8.3

ततः कोपपराधीनचेताः शुम्भः प्रतापवान्। उद्योगं सर्वसैन्यानां दैत्यानामादिदेश ह॥

tataḥ kopaparādhīnacetāḥ śumbhaḥ pratāpavān | udyogaṃ sarvasainyānāṃ daityānāmādideśa ha ||

…the mighty Shumbha, his mind wholly in the grip of anger, ordered every daitya army to make ready for war.

verse 8.4

अद्य सर्वबलैर्दैत्याः षडशीतिरुदायुधाः। कम्बूनां चतुरशीतिर्निर्यान्तु स्वबलैर्वृताः॥

adya sarvabalairdaityāḥ ṣaḍaśītirudāyudhāḥ | kambūnāṃ caturaśītirniryāntu svabalairvṛtāḥ ||

“Today let eighty-six daityas march out with weapons raised and all their forces. Let eighty-four of the Kambus march too, each with his own army.

verse 8.5

कोटिवीर्याणि पञ्चाशदसुराणां कुलानि वै। शतं कुलानि धौम्राणां निर्गच्छन्तु ममाज्ञया॥

koṭivīryāṇi pañcāśadasurāṇāṃ kulāni vai | śataṃ kulāni dhaumrāṇāṃ nirgacchantu mamājñayā ||

At my command let the fifty asura clans called Kotivirya, of boundless strength, and the hundred clans of the Dhaumras go out.

verse 8.6

कालका दौर्हृदा मौर्याः कालकेयास्तथासुराः। युद्धाय सज्जा निर्यान्तु आज्ञया त्वरिता मम॥

kālakā daurhṛdā mauryāḥ kālakeyāstathāsurāḥ | yuddhāya sajjā niryāntu ājñayā tvaritā mama ||

Let the asuras of the Kalaka, Daurhrida, Maurya and Kalakeya clans make ready for battle and march out quickly at my command.”

verse 8.7

इत्याज्ञाप्यासुरपतिः शुम्भो भैरवशासनः। निर्जगाम महासैन्यसहस्रैर्बहुभिर्वृतः॥

ityājñāpyāsurapatiḥ śumbho bhairavaśāsanaḥ | nirjagāma mahāsainyasahasrairbahubhirvṛtaḥ ||

Having given these orders, Shumbha, the lord of the asuras, whose rule was harsh, set out himself, surrounded by many thousands of great armies.

verse 8.8

आयान्तं चण्डिका दृष्ट्वा तत्सैन्यमतिभीषणम्। ज्यास्वनैः पूरयामास धरणीगगनान्तरम्॥

āyāntaṃ caṇḍikā dṛṣṭvā tatsainyamatibhīṣaṇam | jyāsvanaiḥ pūrayāmāsa dharaṇīgaganāntaram ||

Seeing that terrifying army approach, Chandika twanged her bowstring, and the sound filled the whole space between earth and sky.

verse 8.9

ततः सिंहो महानादमतीव कृतवान् नृप। घण्टास्वनेन तन्नादमम्बिका चोपबृंहयत्॥

tataḥ siṃho mahānādamatīva kṛtavān nṛpa | ghaṇṭāsvanena tannādamambikā copabṛṃhayat ||

Then, O king, the lion gave a mighty roar, and Ambika swelled that roar with the ringing of her bell.

verse 8.10

धनुर्ज्यासिंहघण्टानां नादापूरितदिङ्मुखा। निनादैर्भीषणैः काली जिग्ये विस्तारितानना॥

dhanurjyāsiṃhaghaṇṭānāṃ nādāpūritadiṅmukhā | ninādairbhīṣaṇaiḥ kālī jigye vistāritānanā ||

The twang of the bow, the lion's roar and the bell had filled every direction. But Kali, opening her mouth wide, drowned them all with her terrible cries.

verse 8.11

तं निनादमुपश्रुत्य दैत्यसैन्यैश्चतुर्दिशम्। देवी सिंहस्तथा काली सरोषैः परिवारिताः॥

taṃ ninādamupaśrutya daityasainyaiścaturdiśam | devī siṃhastathā kālī saroṣaiḥ parivāritāḥ ||

Hearing that uproar, the angry daitya armies surrounded the Devi, the lion and Kali on all four sides.

verse 8.12

एतस्मिन्नन्तरे भूप विनाशाय सुरद्विषाम्। भवायामरसिंहानामतिवीर्यबलान्विताः॥

etasminnantare bhūpa vināśāya suradviṣām | bhavāyāmarasiṃhānāmativīryabalānvitāḥ ||

Just then, O king, to destroy the enemies of the gods and for the good of the foremost among the immortals…

verse 8.13

ब्रह्मेशगुहविष्णूनां तथेन्द्रस्य च शक्तयः। शरीरेभ्यो विनिष्क्रम्य तद्रूपैश्चण्डिकां ययुः॥

brahmeśaguhaviṣṇūnāṃ tathendrasya ca śaktayaḥ | śarīrebhyo viniṣkramya tadrūpaiścaṇḍikāṃ yayuḥ ||

…the powers (śaktis) of Brahma, Shiva, Kartikeya, Vishnu and Indra, full of great valour and strength, came out of their bodies and went to Chandika, each in the form of her god.

verse 8.14

यस्य देवस्य यद्रूपं यथाभूषणवाहनम्। तद्वदेव हि तच्छक्तिरसुरान् योद्धुमाययौ॥

yasya devasya yadrūpaṃ yathābhūṣaṇavāhanam | tadvadeva hi tacchaktirasurān yoddhumāyayau ||

Whatever form a god had, with his ornaments and his mount, his śakti came in exactly that way to fight the asuras.

verse 8.15

हंसयुक्तविमानाग्रे साक्षसूत्रकमण्डलुः। आयाता ब्रह्मणः शक्तिर्ब्रह्माणी साभिधीयते॥

haṃsayuktavimānāgre sākṣasūtrakamaṇḍaluḥ | āyātā brahmaṇaḥ śaktirbrahmāṇī sābhidhīyate ||

Brahma's śakti came riding in a celestial car drawn by swans, holding a rosary and a water pot. She is called Brahmani.

verse 8.16

माहेश्वरी वृषारूढा त्रिशूलवरधारिणी। महाहिवलया प्राप्ता चन्द्ररेखाविभूषणा॥

māheśvarī vṛṣārūḍhā triśūlavaradhāriṇī | mahāhivalayā prāptā candrarekhāvibhūṣaṇā ||

Maheshvari arrived riding a bull, holding a fine trident. Great serpents were her bracelets, and a crescent moon was her ornament.

verse 8.17

कौमारी शक्तिहस्ता च मयूरवरवाहना। योद्धुमभ्याययौ दैत्यानम्बिका गुहरूपिणी॥

kaumārī śaktihastā ca mayūravaravāhanā | yoddhumabhyāyayau daityānambikā guharūpiṇī ||

Kaumari, the Mother in the form of Kartikeya, came to fight the daityas, spear in hand, riding a splendid peacock.

verse 8.18

तथैव वैष्णवी शक्तिर्गरुडोपरि संस्थिता। शङ्खचक्रगदाशार्ङ्गखड्गहस्ताभ्युपाययौ॥

tathaiva vaiṣṇavī śaktirgaruḍopari saṃsthitā | śaṅkhacakragadāśārṅgakhaḍgahastābhyupāyayau ||

In the same way Vaishnavi came, seated on Garuda, with conch, discus, mace, the bow Sharnga and a sword in her hands.

verse 8.19

यज्ञवाराहमतुलं रूपं या बिभ्रतो हरेः। शक्तिः साप्याययौ तत्र वाराहीं बिभ्रती तनुम्॥

yajñavārāhamatulaṃ rūpaṃ yā bibhrato hareḥ | śaktiḥ sāpyāyayau tatra vārāhīṃ bibhratī tanum ||

The śakti of Hari, who takes the matchless form of the sacrificial boar, also came there in a boar's body. She is Varahi.

verse 8.20

नारसिंही नृसिंहस्य बिभ्रती सदृशं वपुः। प्राप्ता तत्र सटाक्षेपक्षिप्तनक्षत्रसंहतिः॥

nārasiṃhī nṛsiṃhasya bibhratī sadṛśaṃ vapuḥ | prāptā tatra saṭākṣepakṣiptanakṣatrasaṃhatiḥ ||

Narasimhi came there in a body like that of Narasimha. When she tossed her mane, the clusters of stars were scattered across the sky.

verse 8.21

वज्रहस्ता तथैवैन्द्री गजराजोपरि स्थिता। प्राप्ता सहस्रनयना यथा शक्रस्तथैव सा॥

vajrahastā tathaivaindrī gajarājopari sthitā | prāptā sahasranayanā yathā śakrastathaiva sā ||

Likewise Aindri came, thunderbolt in hand, seated on the king of elephants. She had a thousand eyes. She was exactly as Indra is.

verse 8.22

ततः परिवृतस्ताभिरीशानो देवशक्तिभिः। हन्यन्तामसुराः शीघ्रं मम प्रीत्याऽऽह चण्डिकाम्॥

tataḥ parivṛtastābhirīśāno devaśaktibhiḥ | hanyantāmasurāḥ śīghraṃ mama prītyā''ha caṇḍikām ||

Then Ishana, that is Shiva, surrounded by these powers of the gods, said to Chandika, “Kill the asuras quickly, for my sake.”

verse 8.23

ततो देवीशरीरात्तु विनिष्क्रान्तातिभीषणा। चण्डिकाशक्तिरत्युग्रा शिवाशतनिनादिनी॥

tato devīśarīrāttu viniṣkrāntātibhīṣaṇā | caṇḍikāśaktiratyugrā śivāśataninādinī ||

Then from the Devi's body came out Chandika's own śakti, terrifying and fierce. Her cry was like a hundred jackals howling.

verse 8.24

सा चाह धूम्रजटिलमीशानमपराजिता। दूत त्वं गच्छ भगवन् पार्श्वं शुम्भनिशुम्भयोः॥

sā cāha dhūmrajaṭilamīśānamaparājitā | dūta tvaṃ gaccha bhagavan pārśvaṃ śumbhaniśumbhayoḥ ||

That unconquered goddess said to Ishana, whose matted hair is smoke-grey, “Lord, go as my messenger to Shumbha and Nishumbha.

verse 8.25

ब्रूहि शुम्भं निशुम्भं च दानवावतिगर्वितौ। ये चान्ये दानवास्तत्र युद्धाय समुपस्थिताः॥

brūhi śumbhaṃ niśumbhaṃ ca dānavāvatigarvitau | ye cānye dānavāstatra yuddhāya samupasthitāḥ ||

Speak to those two arrogant danavas, Shumbha and Nishumbha, and to the other danavas gathered there for battle:

verse 8.26

त्रैलोक्यमिन्द्रो लभतां देवाः सन्तु हविर्भुजः। यूयं प्रयात पातालं यदि जीवितुमिच्छथ॥

trailokyamindro labhatāṃ devāḥ santu havirbhujaḥ | yūyaṃ prayāta pātālaṃ yadi jīvitumicchatha ||

‘Let Indra have the three worlds, and let the gods receive their share of the offerings. Go down to Patala if you want to live.

verse 8.27

बलावलेपादथ चेद्भवन्तो युद्धकाङ्क्षिणः। तदागच्छत तृप्यन्तु मच्छिवाः पिशितेन वः॥

balāvalepādatha cedbhavanto yuddhakāṅkṣiṇaḥ | tadāgacchata tṛpyantu macchivāḥ piśitena vaḥ ||

But if pride in your strength makes you want a fight, then come, and let my jackals feast on your flesh.’”

verse 8.28

यतो नियुक्तो दौत्येन तया देव्या शिवः स्वयम्। शिवदूतीति लोकेस्मिंस्ततः सा ख्यातिमागता॥

yato niyukto dautyena tayā devyā śivaḥ svayam | śivadūtīti lokesmiṃstataḥ sā khyātimāgatā ||

Because she sent Shiva himself as her messenger, she became known in this world as Shivaduti, 'she whose messenger is Shiva'.

verse 8.29

तेऽपि श्रुत्वा वचो देव्याः शर्वाख्यातं महासुराः। अमर्षापूरिता जग्मुर्यत्र कात्यायनी स्थिता॥

te'pi śrutvā vaco devyāḥ śarvākhyātaṃ mahāsurāḥ | amarṣāpūritā jagmuryatra kātyāyanī sthitā ||

When the great asuras heard the Devi's words as Sharva, that is Shiva, delivered them, they were filled with rage and went to where Katyayani stood.

verse 8.30

ततः प्रथममेवाग्रे शरशक्त्यृष्टिवृष्टिभिः। ववर्षुरुद्धतामर्षास्तां देवीममरारयः॥

tataḥ prathamamevāgre śaraśaktyṛṣṭivṛṣṭibhiḥ | vavarṣuruddhatāmarṣāstāṃ devīmamarārayaḥ ||

Then the enemies of the gods, their fury blazing, rained arrows, spears and double-edged swords on the Devi from the front, right at the start.

verse 8.31

सा च तान् प्रहितान् बाणाञ्छूलशक्तिपरश्वधान्। चिच्छेद लीलयाऽऽध्मातधनुर्मुक्तैर्महेषुभिः॥

sā ca tān prahitān bāṇāñchūlaśaktiparaśvadhān | ciccheda līlayā''dhmātadhanurmuktairmaheṣubhiḥ ||

With great arrows loosed from her full-drawn bow, the Devi cut down the arrows, pikes, spears and axes they hurled, as easily as if at play.

verse 8.32

तस्याग्रतस्तथा काली शूलपातविदारितान्। खट्वाङ्गपोथितांश्चारीन् कुर्वती व्यचरत्तदा॥

tasyāgratastathā kālī śūlapātavidāritān | khaṭvāṅgapothitāṃścārīn kurvatī vyacarattadā ||

In front of her Kali moved about, ripping enemies apart with blows of her trident and crushing them with her khaṭvāṅga.

verse 8.33

कमण्डलुजलाक्षेपहतवीर्यान् हतौजसः। ब्रह्माणी चाकरोच्छत्रून् येन येन स्म धावति॥

kamaṇḍalujalākṣepahatavīryān hataujasaḥ | brahmāṇī cākarocchatrūn yena yena sma dhāvati ||

Wherever Brahmani ran, she sprinkled water from her water pot on the enemy and left them without strength or spirit.

verse 8.34

माहेश्वरी त्रिशूलेन तथा चक्रेण वैष्णवी। दैत्याञ्जघान कौमारी तथा शक्त्यातिकोपना॥

māheśvarī triśūlena tathā cakreṇa vaiṣṇavī | daityāñjaghāna kaumārī tathā śaktyātikopanā ||

Maheshvari killed daityas with her trident, Vaishnavi with her discus, and Kaumari, in great fury, with her spear.

verse 8.35

ऐन्द्रीकुलिशपातेन शतशो दैत्यदानवाः। पेतुर्विदारिताः पृथ्व्यां रुधिरौघप्रवर्षिणः॥

aindrīkuliśapātena śataśo daityadānavāḥ | peturvidāritāḥ pṛthvyāṃ rudhiraughapravarṣiṇaḥ ||

Torn open by the blows of Aindri's thunderbolt, daityas and danavas fell to the earth in their hundreds, pouring out streams of blood.

verse 8.36

तुण्डप्रहारविध्वस्ता दंष्ट्राग्रक्षतवक्षसः। वाराहमूर्त्या न्यपतंश्चक्रेण च विदारिताः॥

tuṇḍaprahāravidhvastā daṃṣṭrāgrakṣatavakṣasaḥ | vārāhamūrtyā nyapataṃścakreṇa ca vidāritāḥ ||

Struck by the boar-formed Varahi, they fell. Some were smashed by blows of her snout, some had their chests ripped by the tips of her tusks, and some were cut apart by her discus.

verse 8.37

नखैर्विदारितांश्चान्यान् भक्षयन्ती महासुरान्। नारसिंही चचाराजौ नादापूर्णदिगम्बरा॥

nakhairvidāritāṃścānyān bhakṣayantī mahāsurān | nārasiṃhī cacārājau nādāpūrṇadigambarā ||

Narasimhi roamed the battlefield, devouring great asuras she had torn open with her claws, filling the directions and the sky with her roar.

verse 8.38

चण्डाट्टहासैरसुराः शिवदूत्यभिदूषिताः। पेतुः पृथिव्यां पतितांस्तांश्चखादाथ सा तदा॥

caṇḍāṭṭahāsairasurāḥ śivadūtyabhidūṣitāḥ | petuḥ pṛthivyāṃ patitāṃstāṃścakhādātha sā tadā ||

Shaken by Shivaduti's fierce, booming laughter, the asuras fell to the ground, and then she devoured them where they lay.

verse 8.39

इति मातृगणं क्रुद्धं मर्दयन्तं महासुरान्। दृष्ट्वाभ्युपायैर्विविधैर्नेशुर्देवारिसैनिकाः॥

iti mātṛgaṇaṃ kruddhaṃ mardayantaṃ mahāsurān | dṛṣṭvābhyupāyairvividhairneśurdevārisainikāḥ ||

Seeing the angry band of Mothers crushing the great asuras by every means, the soldiers of the gods' enemies took flight.

verse 8.40

पलायनपरान् दृष्ट्वा दैत्यान् मातृगणार्दितान्। योद्धुमभ्याययौ क्रुद्धो रक्तबीजो महासुरः॥

palāyanaparān dṛṣṭvā daityān mātṛgaṇārditān | yoddhumabhyāyayau kruddho raktabījo mahāsuraḥ ||

When the great asura Raktabija saw the daityas fleeing, harried by the Mothers, he came forward in anger to fight.

verse 8.41

रक्तबिन्दुर्यदा भूमौ पतत्यस्य शरीरतः। समुत्पतति मेदिन्यां तत्प्रमाणस्तदासुरः॥

raktabinduryadā bhūmau patatyasya śarīrataḥ | samutpatati medinyāṃ tatpramāṇastadāsuraḥ ||

Whenever a drop of blood fell from his body to the ground, an asura of his own size sprang up from the earth.

verse 8.42

युयुधे स गदापाणिरिन्द्रशक्त्या महासुरः। ततश्चैन्द्री स्ववज्रेण रक्तबीजमताडयत्॥

yuyudhe sa gadāpāṇirindraśaktyā mahāsuraḥ | tataścaindrī svavajreṇa raktabījamatāḍayat ||

Mace in hand, the great asura fought with Aindri, the śakti of Indra. Then Aindri struck Raktabija with her thunderbolt.

verse 8.43

कुलिशेनाहतस्याशु बहु सुस्राव शोणितम्। समुत्तस्थुस्ततो योधास्तद्रूपास्तत्पराक्रमाः॥

kuliśenāhatasyāśu bahu susrāva śoṇitam | samuttasthustato yodhāstadrūpāstatparākramāḥ ||

Struck by the thunderbolt, he bled heavily at once. From that blood rose warriors who looked like him and fought as fiercely as he did.

verse 8.44

यावन्तः पतितास्तस्य शरीराद्रक्तबिन्दवः। तावन्तः पुरुषा जातास्तद्वीर्यबलविक्रमाः॥

yāvantaḥ patitāstasya śarīrādraktabindavaḥ | tāvantaḥ puruṣā jātāstadvīryabalavikramāḥ ||

As many drops of blood fell from his body, so many men were born, each with his vigour, strength and courage.

verse 8.45

ते चापि युयुधुस्तत्र पुरुषा रक्तसम्भवाः। समं मातृभिरत्युग्रशस्त्रपातातिभीषणम्॥

te cāpi yuyudhustatra puruṣā raktasambhavāḥ | samaṃ mātṛbhiratyugraśastrapātātibhīṣaṇam ||

Those men born of blood fought the Mothers there too, and the battle grew terrible with the clash of savage weapons.

verse 8.46

पुनश्च वज्रपातेन क्षतमस्य शिरो यदा। ववाह रक्तं पुरुषास्ततो जाताः सहस्रशः॥

punaśca vajrapātena kṣatamasya śiro yadā | vavāha raktaṃ puruṣāstato jātāḥ sahasraśaḥ ||

When the thunderbolt struck again and wounded his head, blood poured out, and from it thousands of men were born.

verse 8.47

वैष्णवी समरे चैनं चक्रेणाभिजघान ह। गदया ताडयामास ऐन्द्री तमसुरेश्वरम्॥

vaiṣṇavī samare cainaṃ cakreṇābhijaghāna ha | gadayā tāḍayāmāsa aindrī tamasureśvaram ||

In the battle Vaishnavi struck him with her discus, and Aindri beat that lord of asuras with a mace.

verse 8.48

वैष्णवीचक्रभिन्नस्य रुधिरस्रावसम्भवैः। सहस्रशो जगद्व्याप्तं तत्प्रमाणैर्महासुरैः॥

vaiṣṇavīcakrabhinnasya rudhirasrāvasambhavaiḥ | sahasraśo jagadvyāptaṃ tatpramāṇairmahāsuraiḥ ||

Cut open by Vaishnavi's discus, he bled, and from the flowing blood thousands of great asuras of his size were born, until they filled the world.

verse 8.49

शक्त्या जघान कौमारी वाराही च तथासिना। माहेश्वरी त्रिशूलेन रक्तबीजं महासुरम्॥

śaktyā jaghāna kaumārī vārāhī ca tathāsinā | māheśvarī triśūlena raktabījaṃ mahāsuram ||

Kaumari struck the great asura Raktabija with her spear, Varahi with a sword and Maheshvari with her trident.

verse 8.50

स चापि गदया दैत्यः सर्वा एवाहनत् पृथक्। मातॄः कोपसमाविष्टो रक्तबीजो महासुरः॥

sa cāpi gadayā daityaḥ sarvā evāhanat pṛthak | mātṝḥ kopasamāviṣṭo raktabījo mahāsuraḥ ||

Raktabija, the great asura, filled with rage, struck each of the Mothers in turn with his mace.

verse 8.51

तस्याहतस्य बहुधा शक्तिशूलादिभिर्भुवि। पपात यो वै रक्तौघस्तेनासञ्छतशोऽसुराः॥

tasyāhatasya bahudhā śaktiśūlādibhirbhuvi | papāta yo vai raktaughastenāsañchataśo'surāḥ ||

He was wounded again and again by spears, tridents and other weapons. From the stream of blood that fell from him to the ground, asuras came into being by the hundred.

verse 8.52

तैश्चासुरासृक्सम्भूतैरसुरैः सकलं जगत्। व्याप्तमासीत्ततो देवा भयमाजग्मुरुत्तमम्॥

taiścāsurāsṛksambhūtairasuraiḥ sakalaṃ jagat | vyāptamāsīttato devā bhayamājagmuruttamam ||

The whole world was overrun by the asuras born of that asura's blood, and the gods were seized by the deepest fear.

verse 8.53

तान् विषण्णान् सुरान् दृष्ट्वा चण्डिका प्राहसत्वरा। उवाच कालीं चामुण्डे विस्तीर्णं वदनं कुरु॥

tān viṣaṇṇān surān dṛṣṭvā caṇḍikā prāhasatvarā | uvāca kālīṃ cāmuṇḍe vistīrṇaṃ vadanaṃ kuru ||

Seeing the gods in despair, Chandika spoke at once. She said to Kali, “Chamunda, open your mouth wide.

verse 8.54

मच्छस्त्रपातसम्भूतान् रक्तबिन्दून्महासुरान्। रक्तबिन्दोः प्रतीच्छ त्वं वक्त्रेणानेन वेगिना॥

macchastrapātasambhūtān raktabindūnmahāsurān | raktabindoḥ pratīccha tvaṃ vaktreṇānena veginā ||

When my weapons strike Raktabija, drops of blood fall from him, and great asuras spring from them. Catch them all in that quick mouth of yours.

verse 8.55

भक्षयन्ती चर रणे तदुत्पन्नान्महासुरान्। एवमेष क्षयं दैत्यः क्षीणरक्तो गमिष्यति॥

bhakṣayantī cara raṇe tadutpannānmahāsurān | evameṣa kṣayaṃ daityaḥ kṣīṇarakto gamiṣyati ||

Range over the battlefield devouring the great asuras that rise from it. That way, this daitya will run out of blood and perish.

verse 8.56

भक्ष्यमाणास्त्वया चोग्रा न चोत्पत्स्यन्ति चापरे। इत्युक्त्वा तां ततो देवी शूलेनाभिजघान तम्॥

bhakṣyamāṇāstvayā cogrā na cotpatsyanti cāpare | ityuktvā tāṃ tato devī śūlenābhijaghāna tam ||

As you eat those fierce ones, no more will be born.” Having said this to Kali, the Devi struck Raktabija with her trident.

verse 8.57

मुखेन काली जगृहे रक्तबीजस्य शोणितम्। ततोऽसावाजघानाथ गदया तत्र चण्डिकाम्॥

mukhena kālī jagṛhe raktabījasya śoṇitam | tato'sāvājaghānātha gadayā tatra caṇḍikām ||

Kali caught Raktabija's blood in her mouth. Then he struck Chandika there with his mace.

verse 8.58

न चास्या वेदनां चक्रे गदापातोऽल्पिकामपि। तस्याहतस्य देहात्तु बहु सुस्राव शोणितम्॥

na cāsyā vedanāṃ cakre gadāpāto'lpikāmapi | tasyāhatasya dehāttu bahu susrāva śoṇitam ||

The blow of the mace did not cause her the slightest pain. But from Raktabija's wounded body a great deal of blood poured out.

verse 8.59

यतस्ततस्तद्वक्त्रेण चामुण्डा सम्प्रतीच्छति। मुखे समुद्गता येऽस्या रक्तपातान्महासुराः॥

yatastatastadvaktreṇa cāmuṇḍā sampratīcchati | mukhe samudgatā ye'syā raktapātānmahāsurāḥ ||

Wherever the blood flowed from, Chamunda caught it in her mouth. The great asuras who sprang up from that blood inside her mouth…

verse 8.60

तांश्चखादाथ चामुण्डा पपौ तस्य च शोणितम्। देवी शूलेन वज्रेण बाणैरसिभिर्ऋष्टिभिः॥

tāṃścakhādātha cāmuṇḍā papau tasya ca śoṇitam | devī śūlena vajreṇa bāṇairasibhirṛṣṭibhiḥ ||

…Chamunda devoured, and she drank his blood. Then with trident, thunderbolt, arrows, swords and double-edged blades, the Devi…

verse 8.61

जघान रक्तबीजं तं चामुण्डापीतशोणितम्। स पपात महीपृष्ठे शस्त्रसङ्घसमाहतः॥

jaghāna raktabījaṃ taṃ cāmuṇḍāpītaśoṇitam | sa papāta mahīpṛṣṭhe śastrasaṅghasamāhataḥ ||

…struck down Raktabija, whose blood Chamunda had drunk. Battered by a host of weapons, he fell to the ground.

verse 8.62

नीरक्तश्च महीपाल रक्तबीजो महासुरः। ततस्ते हर्षमतुलमवापुस्त्रिदशा नृप॥

nīraktaśca mahīpāla raktabījo mahāsuraḥ | tataste harṣamatulamavāpustridaśā nṛpa ||

Drained of blood, O protector of the earth, the great asura Raktabija lay fallen. Then, O king, the gods felt a joy beyond measure.

verse 8.63

तेषां मातृगणो जातो ननर्तासृङ्मदोद्धतः॥ ॐ॥

teṣāṃ mātṛgaṇo jāto nanartāsṛṅmadoddhataḥ || oṃ ||

And the band of Mothers who had come forth from the gods danced, wild with the intoxication of blood. Om.

पुष्पिका

॥ इति श्रीमार्कण्डेयपुराणे सावर्णिके मन्वन्तरे देवीमाहात्म्ये रक्तबीजवधो नामाष्टमोऽध्यायः॥

|| iti śrīmārkaṇḍeyapurāṇe sāvarṇike manvantare devīmāhātmye raktabījavadho nāmāṣṭamo'dhyāyaḥ ||

Here ends the eighth chapter, called ‘The Slaying of Raktabija’, of the Devi Mahatmya, in the account of the Savarni Manvantara in the Shri Markandeya Purana.