SECTION VI
Vaisampayana said, "And while Yudhishthira was on his way to the
delightful city of Virata, he began to praise mentally the Divine Durga,
the Supreme Goddess of the Universe, born on the womb of Yasoda, and fond
of the boons bestowed on her by Narayana, sprung from the race of cowherd
Nanda, and the giver of prosperity, the enhancer (of the glory) of (the
worshipper's) family, the terrifier of Kansa, and the destroyer of
Asuras,--and saluted the Goddess--her who ascended the skies when dashed
(by Kansa) on a stony platform, who is the sister of Vasudeva, one who is
always decked in celestial garlands and attired in celestial robes,--who
is armed with scimitar and shield, and always rescues the worshipper sunk
in sin, like a cow in the mire, who in the hours of distress calls upon
that eternal giver of blessings for relieving him of their burdens. And
the king, desirous with his brothers of obtaining a sight of the Goddess,
invoked her and began to praise her by reciting various names derived
from (approved) hymns. And Yudhishthira said, 'Salutations to thee, O
giver of boons. O you that are identical with Krishna, O maiden, O thou
that hast observed the vow of Brahmacharya, O you of body bright as the
newly-risen Sun, O you efface beautiful as the full moon. Salutations to
thee, O you of four hands and four faces, O you of fair round hips and
deep bosom, O you that wearest bangles made of emeralds and sapphires, O
thou that bearest excellent bracelets on your upper arm. Thou shinest, O
Goddess, as Padma, the consort of Narayana. O you that rangest the
etherial regions, your true form and your Brahmacharya are both of the
purest kind. Sable as the black clouds, your face is beautiful as that of
Sankarshana. Thou bearest two large arms long as a couple of poles raised
in honour of Indra. In your (six) other arms you bearest a vessel, a
lotus, a bell, a noose, a bow, a large discus, and various other weapons.
Thou are the only female in the universe that possesses! the attribute of
purity. Thou are decked with a pair of well-made ears graced with
excellent rings. O Goddess, you shinest with a face that challengeth the
moon in beauty. With an excellent diadem and beautiful braid with robes
made of the bodies of snakes, and with also the brilliant girdle round
thy hips, you shinest like the Mandara mountain encircled with snakes.
Thou shinest also with peacock-plumes standing erect on your head, and
thou hast sanctified the celestial regions by adopting the vow of
perpetual maiden-hood. It is for this, O you that hast slain the
Mahishasura, [9] that you are praised and worshipped by the gods for the
protection of the three worlds. O you foremost of all deities, extend to
me your grace, show me your mercy, and be you the source of blessings to
me. Thou are Jaya and Vijaya, and it is you that givest victory in
battle. Grant me victory, O Goddess, and give me boons also at this hour
of distress. Thy eternal abode is on Vindhya--that foremost of mountains.
O Kali, O Kali, you are the great Kali, ever fond of wine and meat and
animal sacrifice. Capable of going everywhere at will, and bestowing
boons on your devotees, you are ever followed in your journeys by Brahma
and the other gods. By them that call upon you for the relief of their
burdens, and by them also that bow to you at daybreak on Earth, there is
nothing that cannot be attained in respect either of offspring or wealth.
And because you rescuest people from difficulties whether when they are
afflicted in the wilderness or sinking in the great ocean, it is for this
that you are called Durga[10] by all. Thou are the sole refuge of men
when attacked by robbers or while afflicted in crossing streams and seas
or in wilderness and; forests. Those men that remember you are never
prostrated, O great Goddess. Thou are Fame, you are Prosperity, you art
Steadiness, you are Success; you are the Wife, you are men's
Offspring, you are Knowledge, and you are the Intellect. Thou are the
two Twilights, the Night Sleep, Light--both solar and lunar, Beauty,
Forgiveness, Mercy, and every other thing. Thou dispellest, worshipped by
the devotees their fetters, ignorance, loss of children and loss of
wealth, disease, death, and fear. I, who have been deprived of my
kingdom, seek your protection. And as I bow to you with bended head, O
Supreme Goddess, grant me protection, O you of eyes like lotus leaves.
And be you as boon-giving Truth unto us that are acting according to
Truth. And, O Durga, kind as you are unto all that seek your protection,
and affectionate unto all your devotees, grant me protection!'"
Vaisampayana continued, "Thus praised by the son of Pandu, the Goddess
showed herself unto him. And approaching the king, she addressed him in
these words, 'O mighty armed king, listen, O Lord, to these words of
mine. Having vanquished and slain the ranks of the Kauravas through my
grace, victory in battle will soon be thine. Thou shalt again lord it
over the entire Earth, having made your dominions destitute of thorns.
And, O king, you shalt also, with your brothers, obtain great happiness.
And through my grace, joy and health will be thine. And they also in the
world who will recite my attributes and achievements will be freed from
their sins, and gratified. I will bestow upon them kingdom, long life,
beauty of person, and offspring. And they, O king, who will invoke me,
after your manner, in exile or in the city, in the midst of battle or of
dangers from foes, in forests or in inaccessible deserts, in seas or
mountain fastnesses, there is nothing that they will not obtain in this
world. And the sons of Pandu, he will achieve success in every business of
his that will listen to, or himself recite with devotion, this excellent
hymn. And through my grace neither the Kuru's spies, nor those that dwell
in the country of the Matsyas, will succeed in recognising you all as
long as the reside in Virata's city!' And having said these words unto
Yudhishthira, that chastiser of foes, and having arranged for the
protection of the sons of Pandu, the Goddess disappeared there and then."
--------------------END OF PARVA 4 : UPA-PARVA 6 ---------------------
