Shloka 10

Adhyaya 83 — The Slaying of Mahishasura’s Armies and the Final Death of Mahishasura

Sanskrit

हते तस्मिन्महावीर्ये महिषस्य चमूपतौ ।

आजगाम गजारूढश्चामरस्त्रिदशार्दनः ॥

Transliteration

hate tasmin mahāvīrye mahiṣasya camūpatau | ājagāma gajārūḍhaś cāmaraḥ tridaśārdanaḥ ||

Translation

മഹിഷന്റെ സേനാധിപനായ ആ മഹാബലവീരൻ വധിക്കപ്പെട്ടപ്പോൾ, ദേവമർദകൻ ചാമരൻ ആനമേറി അവിടെ എത്തി।

Word by Word

हतेwhen (he) was slain

तस्मिन्in/when that (one)

महावीर्येof great valor

महिषस्यof the Buffalo(-demon)

चमूपतौin the commander of the army

आजगामcame

गजारूढःmounted on an elephant

चामरःCāmara (name)

त्रिदशार्दनःslayer of the gods

Speakers

Narrative voice within Devi Mahatmyam

Primary Deities

Mahishasura (implied)Chamara (asura)

Shakti Aspects

Devi remains central though not named in this verse; enemy escalation continues

Key Themes

ShaktismAsuric hierarchyWar narrativeElephant symbolism (power/pride)

FAQs

What is the philosophical or ethical takeaway?

When one embodiment of adharma falls, another rises—suggesting that inner vices often appear in succession. The aspirant’s vigilance must be continuous, not episodic.

How does this fit the Pancalakshana (5 characteristics)?

Narrative theology; it does not enumerate manvantaras or genealogies but serves the Purana’s instructive aim through sacred history of Devi.

What is the esoteric significance?

The elephant mount can symbolize heavy, stubborn pride. The ‘crusher of gods’ motif indicates the mind’s tendency to overpower higher impulses unless checked by śakti.