दुर्गा-स्तुति

Vaishampayana said While Yudhishthira was about to enter the beautiful city of Virata, he mentally hymned the divine Durga, the goddess of the three worlds, born of the womb of Yashoda, very dear to Narayana, born in the family of Nandagopa, bestower of prosperity capable of enhancing a family, the terror of Kansa, slayer of Asuras, the goddess who ascended the welkin when dashed on a stone slate. Vasudeva's sister, adorned with celestial garlands, attired in celestial apparel and holding sword and scimitar capable of rescuing worshippers, like a cow in the mire, who for the purpose of getting themselves released of the burden, invoke the aid of that giver of eternal blessing.

The king, with his brothers, desirous of obtaining a sight of the goddess, invoked her and began to sing praises by various hymns.

I salute you, O bestower of boons, O you that are the same as Krishna, O maiden ( your Chaya, O your that have a form bright as the newly risen sun, and a face as beautiful as the full moon itself.

I salute you, O you of four hands and four faces, O you that have large hips and a very high-boom, O you that wears bangles and bears arınlets.

O goddess you appear like Padma the consort of Narayana, O you ranger in the sky, your Brahmacharya and the real forms are both without a spot.

O goddess, you appear with a countenance that vies with the moon, vith a pair of well shaped ears decorated with excellent rings, having a pair of large arms like Indra's pole; you are the only female in the world endowed with the attributes of piety, purity-you are the one holding a vessel a lotus, a bell, a noose, a bow and a large discus and various other weapons.

With a beautiful crown and graceful tresses, with dresses made of the hoods of serpents and an ornament fascinating your hip, you appear to be like the mount Mandara girded with serpents; also you shine with peacock-plumes standing high on your crest.

Having accepted the vow of maiden hood you have sanctified the heaven; therefore, O goddess, you are praised and adorned by the gods.

For the protection of the three worlds, you have slain the demon Mahisha (buffalo); O foremost of deities, be propitious to me; give me your grace and be the cause of my wellbeing.

You are Jaya and Vijaya and capable of giving victory in battle, as you are also capable of granting boons, now be pleased to grant me victory.

O Kali, Kali, O Mahakali, fond of wine, meat and animal-sacrifice your eternal abode is on the Vindhya, the chief of the mountains

O giver of boon, capable of ranging every where at will, you are followed by celestials beings (in your journey). Persons who, for the purpose of shaking off their burdens, bow down to, or call upon, you in the morning on earth, attain all either in respect of children or riches. O Durga, as you rescue people from danger, you are called by them Durga.

You are the greatest refuge of people who are groping in the wilderness, getting drowned in the great ocean, and are taken captives by high-way-men.

0 great goddess, the persons who remember you in the crossing of waters and in the forest and wilderness are never afflicted with calamity.

O great fame, and prosperity, you are fortitude and success, you are modesty and knowledge, you are offspring and intellect, you are evening and night, you are light and sleep, you are lunar beam and beauty, and you are forgiveness and mercy.

When worshipped, you remove men's fetters ignorance, loss of sons, loss of wealth and disease, death and dread.

I have been deprived of my kingdom and seek your refuge. O supreme goddess, I make obeisance to you with bended head.

O possessor of eyes like the petals of lotuses, be truth to us who are seeking after truth. O Durga, O refuge of all, O affectionate to devotees, be pleased to grant me protection.

Thus praised the goddess showed herself to the Pandavas and having addressed him thus said.

O Lord endowed with massive arms, listen to my words; shortly you shall get victory in battle.

Having defeated and slaughtered the Kaurava forces through my benediction and rendered the kingdom destitute of thorns you shall enjoy the earth again.

O king, you shall with your brothers again enjoy an abundance through my grace, health and happiness.

I propitiated, will confer, kingdom longevity, goodly form and offspring on those stainless persons who will chant my attributes aloud to the world,

To persons who will remember me, as you have done, in exile, in the town in battle, in danger by foes, in forest, in unapproachable deserts, in seas or in mountains, there will be nothing unattainable in this world.

O sons of Pandu, he who will listen to, or recite with faith this excellent hymn, shall attain success in all his undertakings.

Through my grace neither the Kurus nor the people inhabiting the city of Virata, will be able to recognize you all during your stay in that city.

Having said this to Yudhishthira the repressor of foes and bestowed protection on the sons of Pandu the Goddess disappeared.