Shloka 1
Adhyaya 90 — The Slaying of Shumbha and the Reabsorption of the Goddesses into Ambika
ऋषिर्उवाच। निशुम्भं निहतं दृष्ट्वा भ्रातरं प्राणसम्मितम्। हन्यमानं बलं चैव शुम्भः क्रुद्धोऽब्रवीद्वचः॥
ṛṣiruvāca: niśumbhaṃ nihataṃ dṛṣṭvā bhrātaraṃ prāṇasaṃmitam / hanyamānaṃ balaṃ caiva śumbhaḥ kruddho 'bravīdvacaḥ
Le Ṛṣi dit : Voyant son frère Niśumbha, aussi cher que sa propre vie, gisant tué, et son armée en train d’être détruite, Śumbha, rempli de colère, prononça ces paroles.
FAQs
Shumbha's reaction highlights the binding nature of attachment (Moha). Describing Nishumbha as 'pranasammitam' (equal to life) indicates that the ego (Shumbha) is deeply attached to the sense of possession and action (Nishumbha). The destruction of this attachment triggers intense anger, propelling the ego toward its final confrontation with the Divine.
This verse belongs to the Manvantara characteristic of the Purana. Specifically, it is part of the narrative describing the events of the Savarnika Manvantara, where the Devi's intervention is required to restore cosmic balance.
This verse marks the beginning of the final phase of the battle. With the death of the younger brother Nishumbha (representing the 'mine-ness' or attachment to action), Shumbha (representing the 'I-ness' or ego) is now isolated and forced to face the Goddess directly.