Killing of Raktabija

Shumbha sent Chanda and Munda with a huge army. They came to capture Devi. Devi was enraged. A fierce form appeared from her forehead. It was Kali. She was terrifying. She rushed into battle. She crushed the asuras. She ate warriors. She smashed elephants. She bit through weapons.

Chanda and Munda attacked. Kali struck them down. She cut off their heads. She took them to Devi Chandika. Chandika was pleased. She said, ‘You will be called Chamunda.’ The asuras saw the destruction. They ran in fear. Devi had won.

Now, the eighth chapter -

Shloka nos. 1 to 2 -

ॐ ऋषिरुवाच ॥

चण्डे च निहते दैत्ये मुण्डे च विनिपातिते ।

बहुलेषु च सैन्येषु क्षयितेष्वसुरेश्वरः ॥

ततः कोपपराधीनचेताः शुम्भः प्रतापवान् ।

उद्योगं सर्वसैन्यानां दैत्यानामादिदेश ह ॥

Om, the Rishi said: 

When the demon Chanda was slain and Munda was struck down, and many warriors in the army were destroyed, the lord of the Asura  overcome by anger, the mighty Shumbha ordered all the Daitya armies to prepare for battle 

Shloka nos. 4 and 5 -

अद्य सर्वबलैर्दैत्याः षडशीतिरुदायुधाः ।

कम्बूनां चतुरशीतिर्निर्यान्तु स्वबलैर्वृताः ॥

कोटिवीर्याणि पञ्चाशदसुराणां कुलानि वै ।

शतं कुलानि धौम्राणां निर्गच्छन्तु ममाज्ञया ॥

Today, eighty-six armed Daityas, and eighty-four Kambus, surrounded by their forces, shall march forth. Fifty crore powerful Asura clans, and a hundred clans of Dhaumras, shall advance by my command.

Shloka nos. 6 and 7 -

कालका दौर्हृदा मौर्वाः कालिकेयास्तथासुराः ।

युद्धाय सज्जा निर्यान्तु आज्ञया त्वरिता मम ॥

इत्याज्ञाप्यासुरपतिः शुम्भो भैरवशासनः ।

निर्जगाम महासैन्यसहस्रैर्बहुभिर्वृतः ॥

The Daityas Kalaka, Daurhrida, Maurva, and the Kalikeyas, let them swiftly prepare for battle and march forth by my command. Thus commanding, the Asura lord Shumbha, the fierce ruler, set out, surrounded by thousands of great armies.

Shloka no. 8

आयान्तं चण्डिका दृष्ट्वा तत्सैन्यमतिभीषणम् ।

ज्यास्वनैः पूरयामास धरणीगगनान्तरम् ॥

Seeing the approaching army of Shumbha, terrifying in appearance, Chandika filled the earth and sky with the sound of her bowstring.

Shloka no.9 -

ततः सिंहो महानादमतीव कृतवान्नृप ।

घण्टास्वनेन तान्नादानम्बिका चोपबृंहयत् ॥

Then the mighty lion roared loudly, O king, and Ambika intensified those sounds with the ringing of her bell.

Shloka no.10 -

धनुर्ज्यासिंहघण्टानां नादापूरितदिङ्मुखा ।

निनादैर्भीषणैः काली जिग्ये विस्तारितानना ॥

As the directions echoed with the sounds of the bowstring, lion, and bell, Kali, with her wide-open mouth, triumphed with her terrifying roars.

Shloka no.11 -

तं निनादमुपश्रुत्य दैत्यसैन्यैश्चतुर्दिशम् ।

देवी सिंहस्तथा काली सरोषैः परिवारिताः ॥

Hearing that thunderous sound, the Daitya armies from all directions surrounded Devi, her lion, and Kali in great fury.

Shloka no.12 -

एतस्मिन्नन्तरे भूप विनाशाय सुरद्विषाम् ।

भवायामरसिंहानामतिवीर्यबलान्विताः ॥

At that moment, O king, for the destruction of the enemies of the gods and for the well-being of the devas, mighty and powerful beings appeared.

Shloka no.13 -

ब्रह्मेशगुहविष्णूनां तथेन्द्रस्य च शक्तयः ।

शरीरेभ्यो विनिष्क्रम्य तद्रूपैश्चण्डिकां ययुः ॥

The Shaktis of Brahma, Shiva, Guha, Vishnu, and Indra emerged from their bodies and joined Chandika in similar forms.

Shloka no.14 -

यस्य देवस्य यद्रूपं यथा भूषणवाहनम् ।

तद्वदेव हि तच्छक्तिरसुरान्योद्धुमाययौ ॥

Each Shakti arrived to battle the Asuras in the same form, ornaments, and vehicle as the God from whom she emerged.

Shloka no.15 -

हंसयुक्तविमानाग्रे साक्षसूत्रकमण्डलुः ।

आयाता ब्रह्मणः शक्तिर्ब्रह्माणीत्यभिधीयते ॥

Seated at the front of a swan-drawn chariot, holding a rosary and a water pot, the Shakti of Brahma arrived, known as Brahmani.

Shloka no.16 -

माहेश्वरी वृषारूढा त्रिशूलवरधारिणी ।

महाहिवलया प्राप्ता चन्द्ररेखाविभूषणा ॥

Maheshwari arrived, riding a bull, holding a trident and a boon-giving hand, adorned with a great serpent and a crescent moon.

Shloka no.17 -

कौमारी शक्तिहस्ता च मयूरवरवाहना ।

योद्धुमभ्याययौ दैत्यानम्बिका गुहरूपिणी ॥

Kaumari, holding a spear in her hand, riding a majestic peacock, arrived to battle the Daityas, embodying the form of Ambika as Guha’s Shakti.

Shloka no.18 -

तथैव वैष्णवी शक्तिर्गरुडोपरि संस्थिता ।

शङ्खचक्रगदाशार्ङ्गखड्गहस्ताभ्युपाययौ ॥

Likewise, Vaishnavi Shakti, seated upon Garuda, arrived holding a conch, discus, mace, bow, and sword.

Shloka no.19 -

यज्ञवाराहमतुलं रूपं या बिभ्रतो हरेः ।

शक्तिः साप्याययौ तत्र वाराहीं बिभ्रती तनुम् ॥

The Shakti of Hari, who bore the incomparable form of Yajna-Varaha, also arrived there, assuming the form of Varahi.

Shloka no.20 -

नारसिंही नृसिंहस्य बिभ्रती सदृशं वपुः ।

प्राप्ता तत्र सटाक्षेपक्षिप्तनक्षत्रसंहतिः ॥

Narasimhi, bearing a form identical to Narasimha, arrived there, her mane (hair around the neck) shaking, scattering the stars.

Shloka no.21 -

वज्रहस्ता तथैवैन्द्री गजराजोपरि स्थिता ।

प्राप्ता सहस्रनयना यथा शक्रस्तथैव सा ॥

Indrani, holding a thunderbolt in her hand, arrived seated upon the king of elephants, bearing a thousand eyes, just as Indra himself.

Shloka no.22 -

ततः परिवृतस्ताभिरीशानो देवशक्तिभिः ।

हन्यन्तामसुराः शीघ्रं मम प्रीत्याह चण्डिकाम् ॥

Then, surrounded by those divine Shaktis, Ishana (Shiva) said to Chandika, 'Let the Asuras be swiftly destroyed by my grace.'

Shloka no.23 -

ततो देवीशरीरात्तु विनिष्क्रान्तातिभीषणा ।

चण्डिका शक्तिरत्युग्रा शिवाशतनिनादिनी ॥

Then, from Devi’s body, emerged a most terrifying Shakti, the fierce Chandika, roaring with the sound of a hundred jackals.

Shloka no.24 -

सा चाह धूम्रजटिलमीशानमपराजिता ।

दूत त्वं गच्छ भगवन् पार्श्वं शुम्भनिशुम्भयोः ॥

Then, the invincible goddess said to Ishana, 'O lord, go as a messenger to Shumbha and Nishumbha.'

Shloka no.25 -

ब्रूहि शुम्भं निशुम्भं च दानवावतिगर्वितौ ।

ये चान्ये दानवास्तत्र युद्धाय समुपस्थिताः ॥

Tell Shumbha and Nishumbha, the overly proud Danavas, and all the other demons assembled there for battle.

Shloka no.26 -

त्रैलोक्यमिन्द्रो लभतां देवाः सन्तु हविर्भुजः ।

यूयं प्रयात पातालं यदि जीवितुमिच्छथ ॥

Let Indra regain the three worlds, let the Devas partake of the yajna offerings. If you wish to live, depart to Pathala.

Shloka no.27 -

बलावलेपादथ चेद्भवन्तो युद्धकाङ्क्षिणः ।

तदागच्छत तृप्यन्तु मच्छिवाः पिशितेन वः ॥

But if, blinded by strength, you still desire battle, then come forth, let my jackals be satisfied with your flesh.

Shloka no.28 -

यतो नियुक्तो दौत्येन तया देव्या शिवः स्वयम् ।

शिवदूतीति लोकेऽस्मिंस्ततः सा ख्यातिमागता ॥

Since Shiva himself was appointed as a messenger by that Devi, she became known in this world as Shivadooti.

Shloka no.29 -

तेऽपि श्रुत्वा वचो देव्याः शर्वाख्यातं महासुराः ।

अमर्षापूरिता जग्मुर्यत्र कात्यायनी स्थिता ॥

Hearing Devi’s words spoken through Shiva, the great Asuras, filled with fury, rushed to the place where Katyayani stood.

Shloka no.30 -

ततः प्रथममेवाग्रे शरशक्त्यृष्टिवृष्टिभिः ।

ववर्षुरुद्धतामर्षास्तां देवीममरारयः ॥

Then, driven by intense rage, the enemies of the gods attacked first, showering Devi with arrows, spears, and javelins.

Shloka no.31 -

सा च तान् प्रहितान् बाणाञ्छूलशक्तिपरश्वधान् ।

चिच्छेद लीलयाध्मातधनुर्मुक्तैर्महेषुभिः ॥

With ease, she cut down the arrows, spears, axes, and javelins sent toward her, using mighty arrows released from her resounding bow.

Shloka no.32 -

तस्याग्रतस्तथा काली शूलपातविदारितान् ।

खट्वाङ्गपोथितांश्चारीन्कुर्वती व्यचरत्तदा ॥

In front of her, Kali moved about, tearing enemies apart with her spear strikes and crushing them with her skull-topped staff.

Shloka no.33 - 

कमण्डलुजलाक्षेपहतवीर्यान् हतौजसः ।

ब्रह्माणी चाकरोच्छत्रून्येन येन स्म धावति ॥

Brahmani rendered the enemies powerless and drained their strength by sprinkling water from her kamandalu, wherever she moved in battle.

Shloka no.34 -

माहेश्वरी त्रिशूलेन तथा चक्रेण वैष्णवी ।

दैत्याञ्जघान कौमारी तथा शक्त्यातिकोपना ॥

Maheshwari slew the Daityas with her trident, Vaishnavi with her discus, and Kaumari, filled with great rage, with her spear.

Shloka no.35 -

ऐन्द्री कुलिशपातेन शतशो दैत्यदानवाः ।

पेतुर्विदारिताः पृथ्व्यां रुधिरौघप्रवर्षिणः ॥

Indanii struck down hundreds of Daityas and Danavas with her thunderbolt, making them fall to the ground, pouring streams of blood like a heavy downpour.

Shloka no.36 -

तुण्डप्रहारविध्वस्ता दंष्ट्राग्रक्षतवक्षसः ।

वाराहमूर्त्या न्यपतंश्चक्रेण च विदारिताः ॥

Shattered by mighty blows of her snout, their chests torn by her sharp fangs, many fell to the ground,

while others were sliced apart by her discus in her Varaha form.

Shloka no.37 -

नखैर्विदारितांश्चान्यान् भक्षयन्ती महासुरान् ।

नारसिंही चचाराजौ नादापूर्णदिगम्बरा ॥

Narasimhi roamed the battlefield, devouring great Asuras, tearing others apart with her claws,

while her roars filled all directions.

Shloka no.38 -

चण्डाट्टहासैरसुराः शिवदूत्यभिदूषिताः ।

पेतुः पृथिव्यां पतितांस्तांश्चखादाथ सा तदा ॥

Shivadooti's terrible laughter bewildered the Asuras, making them fall to the ground, and she then devoured those who had fallen.

Shloka no.39 -

इति मातृगणं क्रुद्धं मर्दयन्तं महासुरान् ।

दृष्ट्वाभ्युपायैर्विविधैर्नेशुर्देवारिसैनिकाः ॥

Seeing the enraged Matruganas crushing the great Asuras, the armies of the enemies of the gods

fled in all directions, using various means of escape.

Shloka no.40 -

पलायनपरान्दृष्ट्वा दैत्यान्मातृगणार्दितान् ।

योद्धुमभ्याययौ क्रुद्धो रक्तबीजो महासुरः ॥

Seeing the Daityas fleeing, tormented by the Matruganas, the mighty Asura Raktabija, enraged,

advanced to fight.

Shloka no.41 -

रक्तबिन्दुर्यदा भूमौ पतत्यस्य शरीरतः ।

समुत्पतति मेदिन्यां तत्प्रमाणो महासुरः ॥

Whenever a drop of his blood fell to the ground from his body, a great Asura of the same size

would rise from the earth.

Shloka no.42 -

युयुधे स गदापाणिरिन्द्रशक्त्या महासुरः ।

ततश्चैन्द्री स्ववज्रेण रक्तबीजमताडयत् ॥

The mighty Asura fought, wielding a mace, battling with Indra’s Shakti. Then, Indrani struck Raktabija

with her own thunderbolt.

Shloka no.43 -

कुलिशेनाहतस्याशु बहु सुस्राव शोणितम् ।

समुत्तस्थुस्ततो योधास्तद्रूपास्तत्पराक्रमाः ॥

Struck by the thunderbolt, his blood flowed profusely. From it arose warriors, identical in form and strength to him.

Shloka no.44 -

यावन्तः पतितास्तस्य शरीराद्रक्तबिन्दवः ।

तावन्तः पुरुषा जातास्तद्वीर्यबलविक्रमाः ॥

As many drops of blood that fell from his body, that many warriors arose, equal in strength, valor, and might.

Shloka no.45 -

ते चापि युयुधुस्तत्र पुरुषा रक्तसम्भवाः ।

समं मातृभिरत्युग्रशस्त्रपातातिभीषणम् ॥

Those warriors born from his blood also fought there fiercely, engaging the Matruganas in a terrifying battle of deadly weapons.

Shloka no.46 -

पुनश्च वज्रपातेन क्षतमस्य शिरो यदा ।

ववाह रक्तं पुरुषास्ततो जाताः सहस्रशः ॥

Again, when his head was wounded by the strike of the thunderbolt, his blood gushed forth,

and thousands of warriors were born.

Shloka no.47 -

वैष्णवी समरे चैनं चक्रेणाभिजघान ह ।

गदया ताडयामास ऐन्द्री तमसुरेश्वरम् ॥

In battle, Vaishnavi struck him with her discus, while Indrani struck the lord of Asuras with her mace.

Shloka no.48 -

वैष्णवीचक्रभिन्नस्य रुधिरस्रावसम्भवैः ।

सहस्रशो जगद्व्याप्तं तत्प्रमाणैर्महासुरैः ॥

As Vaishnavi’s discus tore him apart, his blood flowed, giving rise to thousands of mighty Asuras,

filling the entire world.

Shloka no.49 -

शक्त्या जघान कौमारी वाराही च तथासिना ।

माहेश्वरी त्रिशूलेन रक्तबीजं महासुरम् ॥

Kaumari struck Raktabija with her spear, Varahi with her sword, and Maheshwari with her trident,

attacking the mighty Asura.

Shloka no.50 -

स चापि गदया दैत्यः सर्वा एवाहनत् पृथक् ।

मातॄः कोपसमाविष्टो रक्तबीजो महासुरः ॥

Filled with rage, the mighty Asura Raktabija struck each of the Matruganas separately with his mace.

Shloka no.51 -

तस्याहतस्य बहुधा शक्तिशूलादिभिर्भुवि ।

पपात यो वै रक्तौघस्तेनासञ्छतशोऽसुराः ॥

As he was struck repeatedly by spears, tridents, and other weapons, his blood poured onto the earth,

giving rise to hundreds of Asuras.

Shloka no.52 -

तैश्चासुरासृक्सम्भूतैरसुरैः सकलं जगत् ।

व्याप्तमासीत्ततो देवा भयमाजग्मुरुत्तमम् ॥

With those Asuras born from his blood, the entire world became filled. Seeing this, the gods

were overcome with great fear.

Shloka no.53 -

तान् विषण्णान् सुरान् दृष्ट्वा चण्डिका प्राहसत्वरम् ।

उवाच कालीं चामुण्डे विस्तीर्णं वदनं कुरु ॥

Seeing the gods distressed, Chandika spoke swiftly. She said to Kali, 'O Chamunda, widen your mouth!'

Shloka no.54 -

मच्छस्त्रपातसम्भूतान् रक्तबिन्दून् महासुरान् ।

रक्तबिन्दोः प्रतीच्छ त्वं वक्त्रेणानेन वेगिना ॥

With this swift mouth of yours, devour the mighty Asuras born from the drops of blood

that spill from my weapon strikes on Raktabija.

Shloka no.55 -

भक्षयन्ती चर रणे तदुत्पन्नान्महासुरान् ।

एवमेष क्षयं दैत्यः क्षेणरक्तो गमिष्यति ॥

Roam the battlefield, devouring the great Asuras born from his blood. In this way, this Daitya

will soon perish, drained of blood.

Shloka no.56 -

भक्ष्यमाणास्त्वया चोग्रा न चोत्पत्स्यन्ति चापरे ।

इत्युक्त्वा तां ततो देवी शूलेनाभिजघान तम् ॥

As you devour them, no more will arise. Saying this, Devi then struck him with her trident.

Shloka no.57 -

मुखेन काली जगृहे रक्तबीजस्य शोणितम् ।

ततोऽसावाजघानाथ गदया तत्र चण्डिकाम् ॥

Kali caught Raktabija’s blood in her mouth, preventing it from falling to the ground. Then, he struck Chandika with his mace in the battle.

Shloka no.58 -

न चास्या वेदनां चक्रे गदापातोऽल्पिकामपि ।

तस्याहतस्य देहात्तु बहु सुस्राव शोणितम् ॥

The mace strike caused her not even the slightest pain. But from his wounded body, blood gushed out in great streams.

Shloka no.59 -

यतस्ततस्तद्वक्त्रेण चामुण्डा सम्प्रतीच्छति ।

मुखे समुद्गता येऽस्या रक्तपातान्महासुराः ॥

Wherever his blood flowed, Chamunda swiftly caught it in her mouth. The great Asuras that emerged from it were swallowed the moment they appeared.

Shloka no.60 -

तांश्चखादाथ चामुण्डा पपौ तस्य च शोणितम् ।

देवी शूलेन वज्रेण बाणैरसिभिरृष्टिभिः ॥

Chamunda devoured them all and drank his blood. Devi struck him with her trident, thunderbolt, arrows, sword, and spear.

Shloka no.61 -

जघान रक्तबीजं तं चामुण्डापीतशोणितम् ।

स पपात महीपृष्ठे शस्त्रसङ्घसमाहतः ॥

Devi struck Raktabija, drained of blood by Chamunda. Struck by a multitude of weapons, he fell upon the earth.

Shloka no.62 -

नीरक्तश्च महीपाल रक्तबीजो महासुरः ।

ततस्ते हर्षमतुलमवापुस्त्रिदशा नृप ॥

O king, the mighty Asura Raktabija, drained of all blood, lay lifeless on the ground. Then, the gods attained immeasurable joy.

Shloka no.63 -

तेषां मातृगणो जातो ननर्तासृङ्मदोद्धतः ॥

The Matruganas, intoxicated by the scent of blood, began to dance in great exhilaration.

Summary

Raktabija, a mighty asura, entered the battlefield. He had a special boon. Whenever his blood touched the ground, new asuras would appear. He attacked Devi fiercely. She struck him, but his blood created more asuras. The battle became difficult. Devi called Kali. She told her to drink Raktabija’s blood before it touched the ground. Kali moved fast. She stretched out her tongue and caught every drop. Raktabija had no escape. He became weak. Devi struck him down with her weapon. He could not rise again. The devas were overjoyed. Another powerful asura had fallen. The final battle was near.

Ramaswamy Sastry and Vighnesh Ghanapaathi