Shloka 20
Adhyaya 84 — The Gods’ Hymn after the Slaying of Mahishasura and the Goddess’ Boon
खड्गप्रभानिकरविस्फुरणैस्तथोग्रैः शूलाग्रकान्तिनिवहेन दृशोऽसुराणाम् । यन्नागता विलयमंशुमदिन्दुखण्ड- योग्याननं तव विलोकयतां तदेतत् ॥
khaḍgaprabhānikaravisphuraṇaistathograiḥ śūlāgrakāntinivahena dṛśo 'surāṇām / yannāgatā vilayamaṃśumadindukhaṇḍa-yogyānanaṃ tava vilokayatāṃ tadetat
Si les yeux des Asuras ne furent pas détruits par les éclairs farouches de la masse de lumière de Ton épée et par l’éclat abondant de la pointe de Ton trident, c’est qu’ils fixaient Ton visage, semblable au croissant de lune resplendissant.
FAQs
This verse highlights the paradox of the Goddess's nature (Saumya-Raudra). While her weapons (Shakti as power/energy) emit blinding light capable of destroying vision (ego/ignorance), her face (Shakti as consciousness/bliss) provides the cooling grace that sustains the observer. It suggests that the demons were kept alive during the battle solely by the captivation of Her divine beauty, eventually leading to their purification through death by Her hand.
This text falls under the Manvantara characteristic of the Purana. Specifically, the Devi Mahatmyam is narrated within the context of the Savarni Manvantara to explain the origin and destiny of the 8th Manu.
The verse uses 'Virodhabhasa' (apparent contradiction) or a form of 'Kavyalinga' (poetic reason). It explains a physical impossibility (eyes not burning from intense light) by providing a poetic cause (the cooling effect of the moon-like face).