Markandeya Purana — Adhyaya 82, Shloka 51
Adhyaya 82 — The Rise of Mahishasura and the Manifestation of the Goddess from the Gods’ Tejas
अनायस्तानना देवी स्तूयमाना सुरर्षिभिः ।
मुमोचासुरदेहेषु शस्त्राण्यस्त्राणि चेश्वरी ॥
anāyastānanā devī stūyamānā surarṣibhiḥ / mumocāsuradeheṣu śastrāṇyastrāṇi ceśvarī
The Goddess, effortless in her action, praised by the gods and seers, released her weapons and missiles into the bodies of the asuras—the Sovereign Lady.
FAQs
The verse pairs action with praise: righteous struggle is not mere violence but restoration, witnessed and affirmed by higher insight (ṛṣis) and cosmic administration (devas).
It is narrative theology (devī-māhātmya) used to cultivate bhakti and courage; not a direct pancalakṣaṇa passage.
‘Effortless’ suggests action from the center (ātma-śakti) rather than reactive compulsion. Praise by sages indicates alignment with satya (truth) and ṛta (cosmic order).