चामुण्डे विस्तीर्णं वदनं कुरु (रक्तबीज-वध) — Word-by-Word Meaning
चामुण्डे विस्तीर्णं वदनं कुरु (रक्तबीज-वध)
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
रक्तबिन्दुः यदा भूमौ पतति
rakta-binduḥ yadā bhūmau patati
Whenever a drop of blood falls to the ground
अस्य शरीरतः
asya śarīrataḥ
From his (Raktabija's) body
समुत्पतति मेदिन्याम्
samutpatati medinyām
There springs up from the earth
तत्प्रमाणः महासुरः
tat-pramāṇaḥ mahāsuraḥ
A great asura of equal stature
तान् विषण्णान् सुरान् दृष्ट्वा
tān viṣaṇṇān surān dṛṣṭvā
Seeing the gods dejected
चण्डिका प्राहसत् त्वरम्
caṇḍikā prāhasat tvaram
Chandika laughed and quickly (said)
उवाच कालीं चामुण्डे
uvāca kālīṃ cāmuṇḍe
Said to Kali: 'O Chamunda'
विस्तीर्णं वदनं कुरु
vistīrṇaṃ vadanaṃ kuru
Open wide your mouth
मच्छस्त्रपातसम्भूतान्
mat-śastra-pāta-sambhūtān
Born from the fall of my weapon
रक्तबिन्दून् महासुरान्
rakta-bindūn mahāsurān
The drops of blood and the great asuras (from them)
प्रतीच्छ त्वं वक्त्रेण अनेन वेगिना
pratīccha tvaṃ vaktreṇa anena veginā
Receive with this swift mouth of yours
भक्षयन्ती चरन् रणे
bhakṣayantī caran raṇe
Roaming the battlefield, devouring (them)
क्षीणरक्तः गमिष्यति क्षयम्
kṣīṇa-raktaḥ gamiṣyati kṣayam
His blood drained, he shall go to destruction
Complete Translation
जब-जब उसके शरीर से रक्त की एक बूँद भूमि पर गिरती, तब-तब पृथ्वी से उसी के बराबर का एक महान् असुर उत्पन्न हो जाता। देवताओं को विषण्ण देख चण्डिका ने हँसकर शीघ्र ही काली से कहा: 'हे चामुण्डे! अपना मुख विस्तृत करो! मेरे शस्त्र-प्रहार से उत्पन्न रक्त की बूँदों को, और रक्त की बूँदों से उत्पन्न महान् असुरों को, इस अपने वेगवान् मुख से ग्रहण करो। उससे उत्पन्न महान् असुरों को खाती हुई रणभूमि में विचरो; इस प्रकार यह दैत्य रक्तहीन होकर नाश को प्राप्त होगा।'
Origin & History
Source: Durga Saptashati Chapter 8
Author: Sage Markandeya (Markandeya Purana)
Period: c. 400–600 CE (Markandeya Purana)
In the war against Shumbha and Nishumbha, the band of Mother-goddesses (Matrikas) routed the demon armies until Raktabija advanced. Because every drop of his blood spawned a new demon of equal might, the battlefield filled with countless asuras and the gods despaired. Chandika then commanded Chamunda to drink his blood while she struck him, and the bloodless Raktabija was destroyed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Raktabija and why was he so hard to kill?▼
Raktabija ('blood-seed') was a demon who had a boon: from every drop of his blood that fell to the ground, a new demon of equal strength would arise. So striking him only created more enemies, making him seem invincible until the Goddess found the way to drain his blood.
How was Raktabija finally defeated?▼
Chandika commanded Chamunda (Kali) to open her mouth wide and drink every drop of blood while the Goddess struck him with her weapons. With Chamunda catching the blood before it touched the earth, no new demons could arise, and the bloodless Raktabija fell.
What is the spiritual meaning of the Raktabija episode?▼
Raktabija is often understood as the multiplying nature of desire and negative tendencies — each indulgence breeds more. The teaching is that such forces cannot be fought one by one; they must be consumed at the root, as Chamunda drinks the blood before it can multiply.
Ready to start chanting?
See Benefits & How to Chant →