శాకంభరీ (శతాక్షీ) మాహాత్మ్యమ్

Janmejaya Said: Wonderful is the Story of Harischandra,...... who is a Devotee of the Lotus Feet of Devi Satakshi, as well as a Dharmic (Righteous) Rajarshi (a Rishi who is also a King), Why is She, the Devi Bhagavati Shivaa (the Auspicious Goddess and the consort of Shiva) known as Satakshi (literally meaning Hundred Eyes)?...... Tell me the Reason, O Muni, and make my Birth Meaningful (by the Divine touch of this Story). 3 & 4. Sage Vyasa said: O King, I will tell you the whole story

Who can become Satisfied after listening to the Glory of the Devi, once his Mind become Pure ? (i.e. more one listens, more one wants to listen) Each Step of the Story gives the Undecaying Fruit of Ashwamedha Yajna. Vyasa said: O King, Listen to the Auspicious Story I am telling, about the origin of the name Shatakshi, There is nothing to withhold from you; there is nothing which cannot be made known to a Devi Bhakta (Devotee) like you. 5 & 6. Once there was a great demon known as Durgama who was very wicked

Long ago there was a Great Daitya (Demon) known as Durgama, who became very Powerful and Dreadful, He was Born in the Lineage of Hiranyaksha and was the Son of Ruru; he was very Wicked, He thought: The Power of Devas is because of the Vedas, whose destruction is indeed the destruction of the Devas, By Attaining that (i.e. the Vedas) will indeed make me like them (i.e. the Devas); there is no doubt in this. 7 & 8. To get the Vedas, he did penance in the Himalayas and meditated on Sri Brahma for thousand years

Reflecting thus, he went to the Himalayas for performing Tapas, Meditating on Sri Brahma in his mind, he continued his meditation by intaking air only, For Thousand years he performed Intense Tapas (Penance). The Energy that emanated from his Tapas greatly Heated the Worlds of both the Devas and the Asuras (Demons). 9 & 10. Pleased with his penance, Sri Brahma came to him

Pleased with his Tapas, the Four-Faced Bhagavan (i.e. Sri Brahma) mounted on His Swan,...... and with a Gracious Countenance like a Lotus came to him to grant Boon, The Four-Faced Lord gently opened His Eyes and casted His glance on the Asura whose Eyes were closed in meditation, Sri Brahma said: Choose a Boon, let all be Auspicious with you; Speak out the wish which is there in your mind. 11 & 12. Durgama asked as boon the Vedas which were with the Brahmins and the Devas

From that time onwards, the Brahmins forgot the Vedas,...... and consequently Ablutions, Sandhya Vandanams, regular Homas (sacrificial oblations), Sraddha ceremonies (the rites of the deceased), Yajnas (Sacrifices, Oblations), Japas (repetitions of God's name) etc...... disappeared from the surface of the Earth, and the earth became filled with great Cries, "How has this happenned?", "How has this happenned?", said the Brahmins among each other. 17 & 18. Without their part of havis from sacrificial oblations the Devas became weak; the asuras attacked

The Brahmins said: "Due to the absence of the Vedas, how are we to discharge our Highest Duties ?" Thus on the Earth, when a Great Calamity arose which was exceedingly Harsh,...... when the Devas who are Nirjara (i.e who do not become old, signifying immortal) became like old (i.e got weakened) due to the absence of their part of Havis (i.e. sacrificial oblations allotted to them),...... then, the Daityas (Demons) attacked the City of Amaravati (the capital of Swarga Loka or Heaven). 19 & 20. The Devas bereft of strength were defeated; they fled and hid in remote mountain caves

The Devas who were bereft of Strength by It (i.e. by absence of Havis), were unable to fight against the Asuras whose bodies were strong like Thunderbolts, They (the Nirjara Devas) fled being driven out from the city,...... and took Shelter in the Mountain Caves of Mount Meru which are difficult of access...... and Abiding there Meditated on the Highest Shakti, the Parambika (the Supreme Mother). 21 & 22. Without sacrificial oblations there were no rains and a great draught ensued

Due to the absence of Agni (Sacrificial Fire) and Homa (Oblations), there was absence of Rains, O King, Due to the absence of Rains, the Earth became completely dried up and waterless, The Wells, Ponds, Tanks and Rivers became Dry, The Lack of Rains (i.e. Draught), O King, which existed for Hundred Years,... 23 & 24. Many people and animals died; the Brahmins left for Himalayas to meditate on the Divine Mother

... led to the Death of many People and lot of Cows, Buffaloes and other animals, In all the Houses, the Dead Bodies of People got accumulated, as there did not exist anyone to perform the final rites, In this Calamity, the Brahmins who indeed are born with Traquil Minds,...... went near the Himalaya mountains and attempted to propitiate the Shivaa (i.e. the Auspicious Mother who is the consort of Shiva) 25 & 26. The Brahmins meditated and worshipped without taking any food; they cried "Have mercy on us O Mother"

By Meditation and Worship they tried to please the Devi day after day, By Fasting and Zealously pursuing their practices, they took Refuge in the Devi, They prayed: "O Maheshani, have Mercy on us, the People who are lowly ", "Even with all our Faults, it is not praise-worthy for You, O Mother to hold Your Grace". 27 & 28. The Brahmins cried: "Remove Your anger O Mother, there is no other refuge for us"

" Remove Your Anger, O Deveshi (the Lord of Gods), You are present as Antaryami (knower and regulator of our inner feelings) of everyone ", " In what manner you Impel, in that manner People Act ", "There is no other Refuge for us, for we people; what are You looking again and again ?" "You have the Power to do whatever You wish, O Maheswari." 29 & 30. The Brahmins prayed: "Save us O Mother, from this great calamity, You are the Lord of innumerable universes"

" Save us, O Maheshani, Save us from this Critical Condition which has arisen ", " Without Water, How shall we be able to continue our life, O Ambika ?" " Please be Gracious, O Maheshani, Please be Gracious, O Jagadambika? " "We Bow to You again and again, You Who are the Lord of innumerable Millions of Universes." 31 & 32. The Brahmins praised: "O Mother, You are the Pure Consciousness and the cause behind everything"

Salutations to You, Who is of the Form of Kutashtha (Consciousness Meditated between Eyebrows), Salutations, Salutations to You Who is of the Form of Pure Consciousness, Salutations to You, Who is Known through Vedanta, Salutations, Salutations to You, Who is Bhuvaneshwari (the Goddess of the Universe), Salutations to You, Who is made Known by all the Agamas with the word expressions of Neti Neti (Not this, Not this), O Devi, You are the Cause behind Everything, all Bhavas (devotional feelings) Bow down to You. 33 & 34. The Devi manifested Herself with a Divine Form with innumerable eyes"

She was holding an Arrow with one hand, a Lotus with the second hand; and Flowers, Sprouts, Roots,...... Green Vegetables, Fruits etc consisting of abundance of Juice...... which can remove Hunger, Thirst and Weakness, She was holding with Her third hand; and with Her fourth hand She was holding a Great Bow, That Form was the Essence of all Beauties, and adorned with Loveliness and Charm. 37 & 38. She, resplendant like million suns and with nectar-like compassion, shed tears of rain for nine nights"

Seeing the Distress of the people, She was Pained and Showered Tears from all Her Eyes, Those Tears Satisfied (i.e. removed the pains of) all the People and the Plants, And by It, O King, the Rivers were filled with Water and started Flowing, The Devas who were Hiding before, came out of their caves. 41 & 42. The Devas united with the Brahmins and together they began to praise the Devi"

The Devas united themselves with the Brahmins and together they began to Praise the Devi, Salutations to You, Who is Known through the Vedanta, Salutations to You, Who is of the Nature of Brahman, Salutations, Salutations to You Who has Created all the Worlds through Her Own Power of Maya, O Devi, You are the Wish-Fulfilling Tree of the Devotee, and for the sake of the Devotees, You have assumed a Form. 43 & 44. They said: "Because You have manifested innumerable Eyes, O Devi, You will be known as Shatakshi"

43,1: Salutations to You, Who is Eternally Satisfied, Who is Beyond any Comparison and Who is the Goddess of the Universe, You have assumed Thousand Eyes for bringing Incomparable Peace, Because You have Manifested in this Form with innumerable Eyes, O Devi, Therefore You will be known as "Shatakshi" (literally means hundred eyes), We are afflicted by Hunger, O Mother, and do not have further strength to Extol You. 45 & 46. Seeing their hunger, the Divine Mother gave them tasteful Fruits and Vegetables from Her own hands

Please be Gracious, O Maheshani, and bring back the Vedas, O Ambika (Mother), Vyasa said: Thus Listening to their Words - (She) from the Vegetables and Fruits She was Holding in Her Own Hands...... She, the Shivaa, gave Tasteful Fruits and Vegetables to them for Eating,...... and also gave various other Food which were eatables for Animals. 47 & 48. Because She gave freshly produced Fruits and Vegetables filled with abundant juices, She was known as Shakambhari

Because She gave Freshly Produced Fruits and Vegetables which were filled with Abundant Juices when prayed for...... from that Day, O King, She was called Shakambhari (literally meaning the bearer of vegetation) throughout the World, Coming to know of this (i.e. the Devas have assembled) from the words of the Messenger, due to the Noise that arose,...... the Asura called Durgama set out to wage a Battle fully Armed and with a huge Army. 49 & 50. Coming to know of this, the demon Durgama encircled them with a huge army; the Devas and Brahmins cried in fear

He (i.e. Durgama), accompanied by an army of thousand Aksauhini (one Aksauhini consists of 21,870 elephants, 21,870 chariots, 65,610 horses and 1,09350 foot soldiers) marched forward hastily releasing arrows,...... and obstructing the Army of the Devas, stationed himself in Front of the Devi like a fortress,... and in like manner encircled (i.e. beseiged) the Brahmins from all sides, Then there arose the sound of Cries (of fear) from the Devas. 51 & 52. The Divine Mother protected the Devas and the Brahmins by creating a protective circle of light around them

"Please Protect us, Please Protect us", cried all the Brahmins and the Devas, Then, She, the Shivaa, created a Circle of Light around the Devas and the Brahmins,...... for their Protection, She Herself Stood outside that Circle (to fight), Then, a terrible Battle ensued between the Devi and the Daityas (i.e Demons). 53 & 54. A terrible battle ensued between the Devi and Daityas where the rain of arrows covered the sky and emitted fire

The Rain of Arrows covered the Orb of the Sun; such was the extraordinary intensity of the battle, The clashes between the Arrows of both sides produced Fire, which flared up and filled the battle field with bright light, The Hard Sound of the Bow-Strings made all the Directions of the Horizon Deaf. And then, from the Body of the Devi came out terrible Maha Shaktis. 55 & 56. Then the Divine Mother manifested from Her Body the great Maha Shaktis

The Maha Shaktis are: Devi Kalika, Devi Tarini, Devi Tripura Bala, Devi Tripura Bhairavi, Devi Ramaa,...... Devi Bagala and Devi Matangi, as well as Devi Tripura Sundari...... and also Devi Kamakshi, Devi Tulaja, Devi Jambhini, Devi Mohini,...... and Devi Chinnamastha; also Guhya Kalis with ten-thousand arms emerged from the body of Devi Shakambhari. 57 & 58. The battle field resounded with various musical instruments; the Maha Shaktis started rapidly destroying the army of Durgama

Then Thirty Two Shaktis and other Sixty Four Shaktis emerged from there,... the body of the Supreme Devi,...... and this is followed by innumerable Devis emerging from there, Who were well Armed, The Battle Field resounded with the sounds of Mridanga (a type of drum), Shankha (Conch-Shell), Veena (a stringed musical instrument) and other musical instruments, And by the Maha Shaktis, hundred Aksauhini army of the Daitya was destroyed. 59 & 60. Seeing this Durgama came forward to fight; by the tenth day all army of Durgama was destroyed

Seeing the destruction of his army, Durgama, the chief of the Demon army, came forward, He, who is the enemy of the Devas, first faught with the Maha Shaktis, The fight became an intense Battle wherein the Army of the Shaktis Who emerged from the body of the Mahadevi,...... destroyed all the Aksauhini army of the demon by the Tenth Day. 61 & 62. On the eleventh day, Durgama showed great valour and subdued the Maha Shaktis to have a direct encounter with the Maha Devi

The Battle continued and the Eleventh day arrived, a day which was extremely dreadful, (On that day the) Demon Durgama wearing a Big Red Garland and smearing his body with Red Fragrant Paste...... performed great Festivity and then mounted his Chariot for the great Battle, With Great Roar of Valour he subdued all the Shaktis (to meet the Mahadevi for a direct encounter). 63 & 64. A terrible fight ensued between the Devi and Durgama which lasted for two praharas; then Devi released 15 exceedingly powerful arrows

He (i.e. Demon Durgama) placed his Chariot in Front of the Chariot of Mahadevi, Then ensued a Great Fight between the Devi and the Daitya, The Fight continued till two Praharas (one Prahara is approximately three hours) and the intensity of the fight created terror in the hearts of all, Then the Devi released fifteen exceedingly Powerful Arrows. 65 & 66. The arrows pierced Durgama; he fell down, vomitted blood and died

By Four Arrows Devi pierced the four Vahanas of his Chariot (i.e. the four Horses); by One Arrow the Sarathi (i.e. Charioteer), By Two Arrows the two Eyes; by another Two Arrows his two Arms; by One Arrow Devi Felled the Flag of the Chariot, And with Five Arrows Jagadambika pierced his Heart, Then vomitting blood died the master of the city. 67 & 68. The spirit of Durgama merged with Devi; peace ensued in the three worlds, and the Gods praised the Devi with voice choked with emotion

Then his Spirit came out in the form of light and merged with the form of Devi, The Powerful Mighty demon being Killed, Peace prevailed in the Three Worlds, Then Sri Brahma and all other Devas started Eulogizing the Jagadambika, Standing in Front of the Devi, Who is the Bearer and Ruler of all, they Praised Her with great Devotion and voice choked with Emotion. 69 & 70. The Devas eulogized: "Salutations to the auspicious Shakambhari, Salutations to Shatakshi with hundred eyes"

He Who takes My Name "Durga", which is given because I slayed Asura Durgama,...... and My Name "Shatakshi", which is given because I manifested Hundred Eyes, will Pierce through My Maya, and Walk Free, With what utterances can I Speak about the Real Essence (of Me) behind the Multiplicity,...... (Know that) I am the only God (being the essence underlying everything) Who is always Worshipped by the Suras (Devas) and the Asuras (Demons). 81 & 82. Thus saying the Devi disappeared filling the hearts of all with great joy and contentment

Vyasa said: Thus Saying, the Devi disappeared before the Eyes of the Devas,...... filling the Hearts of the Jana (People) with great Joy and Contentment; She Herself being the Embodiment of Sat-Cit-Ananda (Existence-Consciousness-Bliss), This Great Supreme Secret I told you fully, O king, Please keep this Secret, this great Story which is the source of All Auspiciousness. 83. He who listens to this Mahatmyam with earnest devotion with attain all wishes and finally be blissful in the Devi Loka

He Who Listens to this Chapter regularly with Earnest Devotion,...... will Attain all according to his wishes and finally be Blissful in the Devi Loka (the World of the Devi).