यो मां जयति सङ्ग्रामे (देवी की प्रतिज्ञा)

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Word-by-Word Breakdown

देव्युवाच

devyuvāca

The Devi (Ambika/Kaushiki) said

सत्यमुक्तं त्वया

satyamuktaṃ tvayā

What you have said is true

मिथ्या किञ्चित्

mithyā kiñcit

Anything false / untrue

त्रैलोक्याधिपतिः

trailokyādhipatiḥ

Lord/sovereign of the three worlds

शुम्भो निशुम्भः

śumbho niśumbhaḥ

Shumbha and Nishumbha (the two asura brothers)

प्रतिज्ञातं

pratijñātaṃ

That which has been vowed/promised

अल्पबुद्धित्वात्

alpabuddhitvāt

Out of little wisdom / girlish simplicity

प्रतिज्ञा ... पुरा

pratijñā ... purā

The vow that was made long ago

यो मां जयति सङ्ग्रामे

yo māṃ jayati saṅgrāme

He who conquers me in battle

यो मे दर्पं व्यपोहति

yo me darpaṃ vyapohati

He who removes/dispels my pride

यो मे प्रतिबलो लोके

yo me pratibalo loke

He who is my equal in strength in the world

स मे भर्ता भविष्यति

sa me bhartā bhaviṣyati

He alone shall become my husband

तदागच्छतु

tadāgacchatu

So let (him) come here

महाबलः

mahābalaḥ

The mighty one (Nishumbha)

मां जित्वा

māṃ jitvā

Having conquered me

पाणिं गृह्णातु मे लघु

pāṇiṃ gṛhṇātu me laghu

Let him take my hand at once — why delay?

Complete Translation

देवी बोलीं — तुमने सत्य कहा, इसमें तुमने कुछ भी असत्य नहीं कहा। शुम्भ सचमुच त्रैलोक्य का अधिपति है, और वैसा ही निशुम्भ भी। किन्तु इस विषय में जो प्रतिज्ञा की गई है, वह मिथ्या कैसे की जाए? अल्पबुद्धिवश पहले मैंने जो प्रतिज्ञा की थी, उसे सुनो — 'जो मुझे युद्ध में जीत ले, जो मेरे दर्प को दूर कर दे, जो संसार में मेरे बराबर बल वाला हो — वही मेरा पति होगा।' अतः शुम्भ यहाँ आ जाए, अथवा महाबली निशुम्भ; मुझे जीतकर वह शीघ्र मेरा पाणिग्रहण कर ले — विलम्ब से क्या?

Origin & History

Source: Durga Saptashati Chapter 5

Author: Sage Markandeya (Markandeya Purana)

Period: Ancient (part of the Markandeya Purana, c. 400–600 CE)

In the Uttama Charita, the asuras Shumbha and Nishumbha have driven the gods from heaven. The Goddess Ambika (Kaushiki), sprung from Parvati's body, dwells radiant upon the Himalaya. The demon-servants Chanda and Munda report her unmatched beauty to Shumbha, who sends the messenger Sugriva to win her with promises of supreme sovereignty. Smiling deeply, the Devi answers with her vow that only the one who defeats her in battle may have her hand — challenging Shumbha or Nishumbha to come and conquer her first, and thereby igniting the great war that ends in their destruction.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Devi's vow in this passage?▼

Ambika declares: 'He who conquers me in battle, who removes my pride, who is my equal in strength in the world — he alone shall be my husband.' It is both a challenge to Shumbha and Nishumbha and a declaration of her absolute self-sovereignty.

Where does 'Yo Mam Jayati Sangrame' occur?▼

It appears in Chapter 5 of the Durga Saptashati (Devi's Dialogue with the Messenger), verses 67–70, when the asura-messenger Sugriva conveys Shumbha's proposal and the Devi gives her smiling reply.

Why does the Devi call her vow one of 'little wisdom'?▼

She speaks with playful irony, calling it a vow made 'alpabuddhitvat' (out of girlish simplicity) — yet it is precisely this vow that forces the demons into the battle in which they are destroyed, revealing her supreme power.

What spiritual lesson does this verse teach?▼

It teaches fearless dignity: the divine Mother cannot be won by wealth, flattery or threats, but only by rightful strength and truth. Devotees draw on it for courage to remain unshaken before arrogance and coercion.

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