Markandeya Purana 89.32 — Adhyaya 89, Shloka 32

Adhyaya 89 — The Wrath of Shumbha and Nishumbha and the Fall of Nishumbha

Sanskrit

शूलहस्तं समायान्तं निशुम्भममरार्दनम् ।

हृदि विव्याध शूलेन वेगाविद्धेन चण्डिका ॥

Transliteration

śūlahastaṃ samāyāntaṃ niśumbham amarārdanam | hṛdi vivyādha śūlena vegāviddhena caṇḍikā ||

Translation

ಶೂಲವನ್ನು ಕೈಯಲ್ಲಿ ಹಿಡಿದು ದೇವರನ್ನು ಪೀಡಿಸಿದ ನಿಶುಂಬನು ಸಮೀಪಿಸಿದಾಗ, ಚಂಡಿಕೆಯು ಬಲದಿಂದ ಎಸೆದ ಶೂಲದಿಂದ ಅವನ ಹೃದಯವನ್ನು ಭೇದಿಸಿದಳು।

Word by Word

• शूलहस्तम्: having a spear in hand
• शूलहस्तम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शूल (प्रातिपदिक) + हस्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास: शूलं हस्ते यस्य; पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण (of niśumbham)

• समायान्तम्: approaching
• समायान्तम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सम् + आ + या (धातु)
• Form: शतृ-प्रत्ययान्त वर्तमानकृदन्त, पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण

• निशुम्भम्: Niśumbha
• निशुम्भम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: निशुम्भ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• अमरार्दनम्: crusher of the gods
• अमरार्दनम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अमर (प्रातिपदिक) + अर्दन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास: अमराणाम् अर्दनः; पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण

• हृदि: in the heart/chest
• हृदि: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हृद् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/locative), एकवचन

• विव्याध: pierced
• विव्याध: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: व्यध्/विध् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (perfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• शूलेन: with a spear
• शूलेन: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शूल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन

• वेगाविद्धेन: hurled with force
• वेगाविद्धेन: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वेग (प्रातिपदिक) + अविद्ध (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास: वेगेन अविद्धः (वेग-प्रेरित/वेग-क्षिप्त); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; विशेषण (of śūla)

• चण्डिका: Caṇḍikā
• चण्डिका: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चण्डिका (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

Speakers

• Narrative within the Devi Mahatmyam

Verse Rasa

{ "primaryRasa": "vira", "secondaryRasa": "raudra", "rasaIntensity": 0, "emotionalArcPosition": "", "moodDescriptors": [] }

Primary Deities

• Caṇḍikā/Durgā
• Niśumbha

Shakti Aspects

• Caṇḍikā

Key Themes

• Shaktism
• Removal of oppression
• Decisive divine intervention
• Protection of devas

FAQs

What is the philosophical or ethical takeaway?

Oppression of the noble (amaras) ultimately collapses from within—symbolized by the heart being struck. Dharma’s defense is not mere retaliation; it is the removal of the root capacity to harm.

How does this fit the Pancalakshana (5 characteristics)?

Carita: a climactic act in the demon-slaying narrative, serving the Purāṇic purpose of dharma-protection through sacred history.

What is the esoteric significance?

The ‘heart’ is the core identity-knot (ahaṃkāra-granthi). Devi’s spear is direct insight that pierces the central delusion rather than battling peripheral thoughts.