Shloka 3
Adhyaya 83 — The Slaying of Mahishasura’s Armies and the Final Death of Mahishasura
तस्य छित्त्वा ततो देवी लीलयैव शरोत्करान् ।
जघान तुरगान् बाणैर्यन्तारं चैव वाजिनाम् ॥
tasya cchittvā tato devī līlayaiva śarotkarān / jaghāna turagān bāṇairyantāraṃ caiva vājinām
Dann zerschnitt die Göttin, gleichsam spielerisch, seine Pfeilsalven; und mit ihren Pfeilen streckte sie die Pferde nieder—und ebenso den Wagenlenker der Rosse.
FAQs
What appears formidable to limited beings is ‘play’ to the Divine; the verse teaches humility and trust that dharma’s foundation is stronger than hostile force.
Anucarita in Manvantara narrative—martial episode illustrating protection of the cosmic order.
Cutting the arrow-volleys signifies neutralizing harmful saṅkalpas (intentions); striking horses and charioteer indicates mastery over the ‘vehicle’ of senses and its driver (mind).