Markandeya Purana — Adhyaya 90, Shloka 22

Adhyaya 90 — The Slaying of Shumbha and the Reabsorption of the Goddesses into Ambika

Sanskrit

तमायान्तं ततो देवी सर्वदैत्यजनेश्वरम् ।

जगत्यां पातयामास भित्त्वा शूलेन वक्षसि ॥

Transliteration

tam āyāntaṃ tato devī sarva-daitya-janeśvaram /

jagatyāṃ pātayāmāsa bhittvā śūlena vakṣasi

Translation

Then the Goddess struck down upon the earth that approaching lord of all the Daitya hosts, piercing his chest with her spear.

Speakers

• Narrative voice within Devī Māhātmyam

Primary Deities

• Devī (Caṇḍikā/Ambikā)

Shakti Aspects

• Devī as Caṇḍikā/Ambikā wielding śūla

Key Themes

• Daitya-nigraha
• Protection of cosmic order
• Triumph of Śakti

FAQs

What is the philosophical or ethical takeaway?

When destructive intent becomes irredeemable, the righteous response is decisive and proportionate; Devī’s act is not cruelty but the restoration of safety for the world.

How does this fit the Pancalakṣaṇa (5 characteristics)?

An exemplary episode (vaṃśānucarita/itihāsa mode) embedded in Manvantara narration—showing how divine agency stabilizes an age.

What is the esoteric significance?

Piercing the ‘chest’ indicates breaking the seat of hardened self-assertion; the śūla signifies penetrating discriminative power that ends inner tyranny.