यस्माच्चण्डं च मुण्डं च (चामुण्डा नामकरण) — Word-by-Word Meaning
यस्माच्चण्डं च मुण्डं च (चामुण्डा नामकरण)
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
मया तव अत्र उपहृतौ
mayā tava atra upahṛtau
By me, here, are brought to you as offerings
चण्डमुण्डौ महापशू
caṇḍa-muṇḍau mahā-paśū
Chanda and Munda, the two great beasts (sacrificial victims)
युद्धयज्ञे
yuddha-yajñe
In this sacrifice of battle
स्वयं शुम्भं निशुम्भं च हनिष्यसि
svayaṃ śumbhaṃ niśumbhaṃ ca haniṣyasi
Shumbha and Nishumbha you shall slay yourself
ऋषिरुवाच
ṛṣiruvāca
The Rishi (sage) said
तौ आनीतौ ततः दृष्ट्वा
tau ānītau tataḥ dṛṣṭvā
Then, seeing the two brought before her
चण्डमुण्डौ महासुरौ
caṇḍa-muṇḍau mahāsurau
Chanda and Munda, the two great asuras
उवाच कालीं कल्याणी
uvāca kālīṃ kalyāṇī
The auspicious one (Chandika) said to Kali
ललितं चण्डिका वचः
lalitaṃ caṇḍikā vacaḥ
This graceful word, Chandika (spoke)
यस्मात् चण्डं च मुण्डं च
yasmāt caṇḍaṃ ca muṇḍaṃ ca
Because Chanda and Munda
गृहीत्वा त्वम् उपागता
gṛhītvā tvam upāgatā
Having seized (them), you have come
चामुण्डा इति ततः लोके
cāmuṇḍā iti tataḥ loke
Therefore, by the name Chamunda, in the world
ख्याता देवी भविष्यसि
khyātā devī bhaviṣyasi
You, O Devi, shall be renowned
Complete Translation
काली बोलीं — 'मैं आपके लिए यहाँ चण्ड और मुण्ड — इन दो महापशुओं को — (बलि रूप में) ले आई हूँ; इस युद्ध-यज्ञ में शुम्भ और निशुम्भ का वध आप स्वयं करेंगी।' ऋषि बोले — तब चण्ड और मुण्ड — इन दोनों महान् असुरों को लाया हुआ देखकर कल्याणी चण्डिका ने काली से यह मधुर वचन कहा: 'चूँकि तुम चण्ड और मुण्ड को पकड़कर आई हो, इसलिए हे देवी! तुम संसार में 'चामुण्डा' नाम से विख्यात होगी।'
Origin & History
Source: Durga Saptashati Chapter 7
Author: Sage Markandeya (Markandeya Purana)
Period: c. 400–600 CE (Markandeya Purana)
The demon-king Shumbha sent his generals Chanda and Munda to seize the Goddess. From Ambika's brow sprang Kali, who routed their army and beheaded both demons. Carrying their heads, Kali approached Chandika and offered them in the 'sacrifice of battle', declaring that the Goddess herself would slay Shumbha and Nishumbha. Pleased, Chandika blessed Kali with the immortal name Chamunda.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did the Goddess get the name Chamunda?▼
When Kali seized and beheaded the demon generals Chanda (Chanda) and Munda and offered their heads to the Goddess, Chandika blessed her: because she had captured Chanda and Munda, she would be renowned in the world as 'Chamunda' — a name combining the two demons she slew.
Who were Chanda and Munda?▼
Chanda and Munda were two great asura generals sent by the demon-king Shumbha to seize the Goddess. They are called 'mahapashu' (great sacrificial beasts), and Kali offered them as oblations in the 'sacrifice of battle' before the Goddess named herself Chamunda.
Why is the name Chamunda so important?▼
Chamunda is one of the most powerful and widely worshipped forms of the Devi, also counted among the Sapta-Matrikas. The Saptashati's own seed mantra ends with 'Chamundayai Vichche', so this naming verse is at the very heart of Devi worship.
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