Adhyaya 89 — The Wrath of Shumbha and Nishumbha and the Fall of Nishumbha
ऋषिरुवाच
चकāर कोपमतुलं रक्तबीजे निपातिते ।
शुम्भासुरो निशुम्भश्च हतेष्वन्येषु चाऽहवे ॥
ṛṣir uvāca cakāra kopam atulaṃ raktabīje nipātite | śumbhāsuro niśumbhaś ca hateṣv anyeṣu cāhave ||
The sage said: When Raktabīja was slain, the asuras Śumbha and Niśumbha were filled with incomparable wrath, for other warriors too were being killed in the battle.
Adharmic power reacts to loss with intensified aggression; the teaching is that resistance may spike when entrenched wrongdoing is challenged—steadfastness is required.
Episode-based dharma protection within manvantara narration (Manvantara/vaṃśānucarita style), illustrating divine governance over cosmic order.
The ‘atula kopa’ represents the last surge of ego when its supports are collapsing—an inner psychology mirrored as outer mythic warfare.