Shri Durga Saptashati - Second Chapter (Madhu-Kaitabha Vadha)
Complete lyrics with original text, transliteration, and meaning, 9 sections
Invocation
Original
ॐ नमः शिवाय । श्रीदुर्गासप्तशती ॥ द्वितीयं चरित्रम् ॥
Transliteration
Om Namah Shivaya. Shri Durga Saptashati. Dwitiyam Charitram.
Meaning / Translation
Salutations to Lord Shiva. The Shri Durga Saptashati. The Second Chapter.
The Sages' Inquiry
Original
ततो वै मेधस्विनां मुनीनां प्रश्नं प्रकुर्वन् । महर्षयः प्रश्नुवन् मुनीनां मन्मथं प्रपद्यन् ॥
Transliteration
Tato vai medhasvinam muninam prashnam prakurvan. Maharshayah prashnuvan muninam manmatham prapadyan.
Meaning / Translation
Then, the wise sages, seeking to understand the mystery of the Devi, turned to the Great Seer with their profound questions.
The Emergence of the Demons
Original
तस्मिन् क्षीरसिन्धौ महाविष्णुः सुप्तोऽसत् । कानत् श्रोत्रतः तस्मात् तस्यैव मदु-कैटभौ ॥
Transliteration
Tasmin kshirasindhau mahavishnuh supto'sat. Kanat shrotrah tasmat tasyaiva Madu-Kaitabhau.
Meaning / Translation
While Maha Vishnu lay sleeping in the Ocean of Milk, from his ears there emerged two demons, Madhu and Kaitabha.
The Nature of the Demons
Original
तेऽन्ये नरशार्दूलौ महाबलौ असुरौ । तद्वै वै सर्वदेवतानां संहारं कर्तुमिच्छताम् ॥
Transliteration
Te'nye narashardulau mahabhalau asurau. Tadvai vai sarvadevatanam samharam kartumichhatam.
Meaning / Translation
Those two, like lions among men, were mighty demons, intending to destroy all the Devas (gods).
The Battle and Vishnu's Sleep
Original
ततस्तैरभ्युद्धतैरभ्युद्धताभिरसुरैः । विष्णुः सुप्तोऽभ्युपद्यताम् ॥
Transliteration
Tatatstairabhyuddhatairabhyuddhatabhirasuraih. Vishnuh supto'bhyupadyatam.
Meaning / Translation
Then, the demons attacked, while Vishnu remained in a deep, yogic sleep, under the influence of Mahamaya.
The Intervention of Mahamaya
Original
तदा महामाया योगनिद्रा सति । तस्यै महामाया योगनिद्रा सति ॥
Transliteration
Tada Mahamaya Yoganidra sati. Tasyaiva Mahamaya Yoganidra sati.
Meaning / Translation
Then, when Mahamaya, the Yoga Nidra (Divine Sleep), was in her power, she held the Lord in slumber.
The Awakening of Vishnu
Original
ततः प्रबोधिते विष्णुः संहारं कर्तुमिच्छति । ततस्तैर्असुरैर्युक्तं युद्धं तस्य प्रपद्यताम् ॥
Transliteration
Tatah prabodhite Vishnuh samharam kartumichhati. Tatastairasurairyuktam yuddham tasya prapadyatam.
Meaning / Translation
Then, having been awakened, Vishnu desired to destroy the demons, and a great battle ensued between him and the demons.
The Deception of the Demons
Original
अहं मे सुप्रसन्नोऽस्मि युद्धे यत्त्वया प्रयुक्तम् । ततः प्रसाद्यते तौ तौ च तौ प्रसाद्यते ॥
Transliteration
Aham me suprasanno'smi yuddhe yattvaya prayuktam. Tatah prasadhyate tau tau cha prasadhyate.
Meaning / Translation
The demons said, 'We are pleased with your prowess in battle; we are satisfied with your strength.'
The Slaying of Madhu and Kaitabha
Original
ततः विष्णुस्तं तौ च तौ तस्यैव संहारम् । संहारं तौ च कर्तुं तौ च तस्यैव संहारम् ॥
Transliteration
Tatah Vishnustam tau cha tau tasyaiva samharam. Samharam tau cha kartum tau cha tasyaiva samharam.
Meaning / Translation
Then Vishnu, acting with the power of the Goddess, struck them down and slew the demons Madhu and Kaitabha.