Markandeya Purana — Adhyaya 89, Shloka 38

Adhyaya 89 — The Wrath of Shumbha and Nishumbha and the Fall of Nishumbha

Sanskrit

खण्डं खण्डं च चक्रेण वैष्णव्या दानवाः कृताः । वज्रेण चैन्द्रीहस्ताग्रविमुक्तेन तथापरे ॥

Transliteration

khaṇḍaṃ khaṇḍaṃ ca cakreṇa vaiṣṇavyā dānavāḥ kṛtāḥ / vajreṇa caindrīhastāgravimuktena tathāpare

Translation

The Dānavas were hewn into fragments by Vaiṣṇavī’s discus, and others were destroyed by the thunderbolt (vajra) that Aindrī released from her fingertips.

Word by Word

• खण्डम्: into pieces / a piece
• खण्डम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: खण्ड (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन; adverbial accusative (क्रियाविशेषणवत्)

• खण्डम्: piece by piece
• खण्डम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: खण्ड (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; पुनरुक्ति (reduplication) for distributive sense

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• चक्रेण: with the discus
• चक्रेण: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चक्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), एकवचन

• वैष्णव्या: by Vaiṣṇavī
• वैष्णव्या: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वैष्णवी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण/कर्तृसाधन), एकवचन; (देवी-शक्ति)

• दानवाः: the demons (Dānavas)
• दानवाः: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दानव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• कृताः: were made / were rendered
• कृताः: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु) + कृत (कृदन्त, क्त-प्रत्यय)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle, क्त), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; कर्मणि-प्रयोगे विधेय (predicate)

• वज्रेण: with the thunderbolt
• वज्रेण: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वज्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• ऐन्द्री-हस्त-अग्र-विमुक्तेन: released from Indrāṇī’s fingertips
• ऐन्द्री-हस्त-अग्र-विमुक्तेन: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ऐन्द्री (प्रातिपदिक) + हस्त (प्रातिपदिक) + अग्र (प्रातिपदिक) + विमुक्त (कृदन्त, क्त)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (षष्ठी/सप्तमी-सम्बन्धार्थः): 'ऐन्द्र्याः हस्ताग्रात् विमुक्तः' इति; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; वज्रस्य विशेषणम्

• तथा: thus / likewise
• तथा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: क्रियाविशेषण-अव्यय (adverb)

• अपरे: others (were so)
• अपरे: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अपर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; 'अन्ये' इत्यर्थे

Speakers

• Rishi Medhas to King Suratha and Samadhi Vaishya

Primary Deities

• Vaishnavi
• Aindri
• Chandika

Shakti Aspects

• Vaishnavi
• Aindri (Indrani)

Key Themes

• Shaktism
• Divine Battle
• Matrikas
• Destruction of Evil

FAQs

What is the significance of the specific weapons mentioned?

The verse highlights that the Matrikas (Mother Goddesses) wield the signature weapons of their male counterparts (Vishnu's Sudarshana Chakra and Indra's Vajra), yet they act as independent manifestations of the Supreme Devi's power to uphold Dharma.

How does this fit the Pancalakshana (5 characteristics)?

This verse belongs to the Manvantara characteristic. The Devi Mahatmyam is inserted within the Markandeya Purana as a narrative explaining the origin and justification of the Savarni Manvantara.

What is the esoteric significance of the battle description?

The cutting of demons into 'khanda' (fragments) symbolizes the disintegration of the ego-complex. Vaishnavi represents the preservation aspect turning into destruction of adharma, while Aindri represents the sovereignty of the will (Indra) striking down chaotic impulses.