Shakti Sadhana Programme for Navarathri [ Day Sevan ]

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CHAPTER 6: The Slaying of Dhumralocana

 

The Rishi said:

1-2. The messenger, filled with indignation on hearing

the words the Devi, returned and related them in detail to the king

of the daityas.

 

3-4. Then the asura monarch, enraged on hearing that report from his

messenger, told Dhumralocana, a chieftain of the daityas: 'O

Dhumralocana, hasten together with your army and fetch here by force

that shrew, distressed when dragged by her hair.

 

5. 'Or if any one else stands up as her saviors, let him be slain,

be he a god, a yaksa or a gandharva.'

 

The Rishi said:

6-7. Then the asura Dhuralocana, commanded thus by

Sumbha, went forth quickly, accompanied by sixty thousand asuras.

 

8. On seeing the Devi stationed on the snowy mountain, he asked her

aloud, 'Come to the presence of Sumbha and Nisumbha.

 

9. 'If you will not go to my lord with pleasure now, here I take you

by force, distressed when dragged by your hair.'

 

The Devi said:

10-11. 'You are sent by the lord of the asuras, mighty

yourself and accompanied by an army. If you thus take me by force,

then what can I do to you?'

 

The Rishi said:

12-13. Thus told, the asura Dhumralocana rushed towards

her and thereupon Ambika reduced him to ashes with a mere heave of

the sound 'hum'[1]

 

14. Then the great army of asuras became enraged and showered on

Ambika sharp arrows, javelins, and axes.

 

15. Then the lion, vehicle of the Devi, shaking its mane in anger,

and making the most terrific roar, fell on the army of the asuras.

 

16. Some asuras, it slaughtered with a blow of its fore paw, others

with its mouth, and other great asuras, by treading over with its

hind legs.

 

17. The lion, with its claws, tore out the hearts of some and

severed heads with a blow of the paw.

 

18. And it severed arms and heads from others, and shaking its mane

drank the blood from the hearts of others.

 

19. In a moment all that army was destroyed by that high-spirited

and exceedingly enraged lion who bore the Devi.

 

20-21. When Sumbha, the lord of asuras, heard that asura

Dhumralocana was slain by the Devi and all his army was destroyed by

the lion of the Devi, he was infuriated, his lip quivered and he

commanded the two mighty asuras Chanda and Munda:

 

22-23. 'O Chanda, O Munda, go there with large forces, and bring her

here speedily, dragging her by her hair or binding her. But if you

have any doubt about doing that, then let the asuras strike (her) in

the fight with all their weapons.

 

24. 'When that shrew is wounded and her lion stricken down, seize

that Ambika, bind and bring her quickly.'

 

Here ends the sixth chapter called 'The Slaying of Dhumralocana' of

Devi-mahatmya in Markandeya purana during the period of Savarni, the

Manu.

 

 

Foot Note :

[1] HumkAra is the utterance of the sound `Hum' with which one shows

contempt or anger.

 

 

>From DEVI MAHATMYAM.

Glory of the Divine Mother.

700 Mantras on Sri Durga.

English Translation by Swami Jagadiswarananda.

Sri Ramakrishna Math, 11th Impression.

I pray to the Divine Mother to shower HER blessings on those who

read this MAhAtmaya.