Markandeya Purana — Adhyaya 83, Shloka 20
Adhyaya 83 — The Slaying of Mahishasura’s Armies and the Final Death of Mahishasura
अग्रदर्शनमत्युग्रैः खड्गपातैरताडयत् ।
असिनैवासिलोमानमच्छिदत् सा रणोत्सवे ।
गणैः सिंहॆन देव्याः च जयक्ष्वेडाकृतोत्सवैः ॥
agradārśanam atyugraiḥ khaḍgapātair atāḍayat | asinaiv āsilomānam acchidat sā raṇotsave | gaṇaiḥ siṃhena devyā ca jayakṣveḍākṛtotsavaiḥ ||
देवी ने अत्यन्त भयानक तलवार-प्रहारों से अग्रदर्शन का वध किया और उस रणोत्सव में तलवार से ही असिलोमा को भी काट गिराया; तब देवी के गण और उनका सिंह जय-जयकार करते हुए उत्सव मनाने लगे।
FAQs
The ‘victory-shouts’ reflect the restoration of confidence and order once oppressive forces are removed. Dharma is not passive; it can be triumphant and publicly affirmed.
A narrative segment (kathā) embedded in the Purāṇa; not directly sarga/pratisarga/manvantara/vaṃśa/vaṃśānucarita.
The ‘battle-festival’ hints that inner struggle against entrenched tendencies is not merely grim; it culminates in liberation-joy (ānanda) when the forces of confusion are cut down.