Bhagavati Durga Durgartinashini (Durga, Destroyer of Distress, Slays Nishumbha) — Word-by-Word Meaning
भगवती दुर्गा दुर्गार्तिनाशिनी (निशुम्भ-वध)
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
ततः भगवती क्रुद्धा
tataḥ bhagavatī kruddhā
Then the Bhagavati (Goddess), enraged
दुर्गा
durgā
Durga (the inaccessible, invincible one)
दुर्गार्तिनाशिनी
durga-ārti-nāśinī
Destroyer of distress and of evils hard to overcome
चिच्छेद देवी चक्राणि
ciccheda devī cakrāṇi
The Devi cut those discuses
स्वशरैः सायकान् च तान्
sva-śaraiḥ sāyakān ca tān
And those arrows, with her own arrows
शूलहस्तं समायान्तम्
śūla-hastaṃ samāyāntam
Coming on, pike in hand
निशुम्भम् अमरार्दनम्
niśumbham amar-ārdanam
Nishumbha, tormentor of the gods (immortals)
हृदि विव्याध शूलेन
hṛdi vivyādha śūlena
Pierced him in the heart with her pike
वेगाविद्धेन चण्डिका
vegāviddhena caṇḍikā
Hurled with force, Chandika (did so)
भिन्नस्य तस्य शूलेन हृदयात्
bhinnasya tasya śūlena hṛdayāt
From his heart, cleft by the pike
निःसृतः अपरः
niḥsṛtaḥ aparaḥ
There issued forth another being
तिष्ठ इति पुरुषः वदन्
tiṣṭha iti puruṣaḥ vadan
A being (purusha) crying 'Stop!'
देवी प्रहस्य शिरः चिच्छेद खड्गेन
devī prahasya śiraḥ ciccheda khaḍgena
The Devi, laughing aloud, severed his head with her sword
ततः असौ अपतत् भुवि
tataḥ asau apatat bhuvi
Thereupon he fell to the ground
Complete Translation
Then the Bhagavati Durga, enraged — the destroyer of distress and of evils hard to overcome — cut those discuses and arrows with her own arrows. As Nishumbha, tormentor of the gods, came on, pike in hand, Chandika pierced him in the heart with her pike, hurled with force. From the heart of him, cleft by the pike, there issued forth another being, of great strength and valour, crying 'Stop!' As he came forth, the Devi, laughing aloud, then severed his head with her sword; thereupon he fell to the ground.
Origin & History
Source: Durga Saptashati Chapter 9
Author: Sage Markandeya (Markandeya Purana)
Period: c. 400–600 CE (Markandeya Purana)
After Raktabija was slain, the demon-brothers Shumbha and Nishumbha gave way to measureless wrath and attacked the Goddess together. In the fierce duel, Nishumbha repeatedly assailed Chandika with sword, spear, pike and mace, each shattered by the Devi. Finally she pierced his heart with her pike, beheaded the second warrior who sprang from it, and laid Nishumbha low, leaving Shumbha to face her alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'Durgartinashini' mean?▼
Durgartinashini means 'the destroyer of durga-arti' — that is, the remover of distress, pain and dangers that are hard to overcome (durga means both 'difficult' and a name of the Goddess). It is one of the most beloved epithets of the Goddess in the Saptashati.
What happens when Chandika strikes Nishumbha?▼
Chandika hurls her pike with force into Nishumbha's heart. From the cleft heart a second mighty warrior emerges, crying 'Stop!' — but the Goddess laughs aloud and severs his head with her sword, ending Nishumbha completely.
Which chapter of the Durga Saptashati is this from?▼
These are verses 29 and 32 to 34 of the ninth chapter (Nishumbha-Vadha) of the Durga Saptashati, part of the Uttama Charita presided over by the Goddess Mahasaraswati.
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