Shloka 13

Adhyaya 83 — The Slaying of Mahishasura’s Armies and the Final Death of Mahishasura

Sanskrit

ततः सिंहः समुत्पत्य गजकुम्भान्तरे स्थितः ।

बाहुयुद्धेन युयुधे तेनोच्चैस्त्रिदशारिणा ॥

Transliteration

tataḥ siṃhaḥ samutpatya gajakumbhāntare sthitaḥ | bāhuyuddhena yuyudhe tenoccais tridaśāriṇā ||

Translation

Dann sprang der Löwe empor, stellte sich zwischen die Schläfen des Elefanten und kämpfte mit ihm—Chamara, dem hochmütigen Feind der Götter—im Nahkampf.

Word by Word

ततःthen

सिंहःthe lion

समुत्पत्यhaving leapt up

गजकुम्भान्तरेinside the elephant’s temple-region

स्थितःstanding/positioned

बाहुयुद्धेनby hand-to-hand combat

युयुधेfought

तेनwith him

उच्चैःfiercely, loudly

त्रिदशारिणाwith the enemy of the gods

Speakers

Narrative voice within Devi Mahatmyam

Primary Deities

Devi (implied)Simha (lion)Chamara (asura)

Shakti Aspects

Devi’s lion (vahana/emanation of her valor)

Key Themes

ShaktismVahana as active forceHand-to-hand combatSubduing pride (elephant)

FAQs

What is the philosophical or ethical takeaway?

Dharma is defended not only by the sovereign (Devi) but also by her aligned faculties (the lion). Courage, when yoked to righteous purpose, becomes an independent force that confronts oppression directly.

How does this fit the Pancalakshana (5 characteristics)?

This is mythic-heroic narration serving devotional instruction; it is ancillary to pancalakṣaṇa categories and primarily supports dharma through exemplum.

What is the esoteric significance?

The lion stationed at the elephant’s temples suggests prajñā (sharp courage) confronting the seat of pride and momentum. It is the ‘counter-instinct’ trained to restrain the heavy force of tamas/ahaṅkāra.