Shloka 1
Śumbha–Niśumbha-pīḍā and Devastuti to Durgā/Śivā
Names and Forms of the Devī
ऋषिरुवाच । आसीच्छुम्भासुरो दैत्यो निशुंभश्च प्रतापवान् । त्रैलोक्यमोजसा क्रान्तं भ्रातृभ्यां सचराचरम्
ṛṣiruvāca | āsīcchumbhāsuro daityo niśuṃbhaśca pratāpavān | trailokyamojasā krāntaṃ bhrātṛbhyāṃ sacarācaram
ઋષિએ કહ્યું— “શુમ્ભ નામનો એક દૈત્ય હતો અને તેનો પરાક્રમી ભાઈ નિશુમ્ભ. તે બંને ભાઈઓએ પોતાના બળ-તેજથી ચરાચર સહિત ત્રિલોકને કબજે કરી લીધું હતું।”
A rishi (sage narrator within the Umāsaṃhitā dialogue)
Tattva Level: pasha
FAQs
It sets the scene of adharma: worldly power (ojas) can overwhelm the three worlds, yet such domination is ultimately unstable before the higher governance of Pati (Śiva) and the restoration of cosmic order through divine will and grace.
By contrasting demonic sovereignty over the worlds with the true Lordship of Śiva, it implicitly points the devotee from fear and worldly control toward refuge in Saguna Śiva (as the compassionate Lord) and the Linga as the stable symbol of the Supreme beyond changing political or cosmic fortunes.
A practical takeaway is śaraṇāgati (taking refuge) through japa of the Pañcākṣarī—“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—to steady the mind when confronted by forces of oppression, along with simple daily remembrance of Śiva as the inner ruler (Pati) rather than external power.