Shloka 16

Adhyaya 88 — The Manifestation of the Matrikas and the Slaying of Raktabija

Sanskrit

कौमारी शक्तिहस्ता च मयूरवरवाहना ।

योद्धुमभ्याययौ दैत्यानम्बिका गुहरूपिणी ॥

Transliteration

kaumārī śaktihastā ca mayūravaravāhanā |

yoddhum abhyāyayau daityān ambikā guharūpiṇī ||

Translation

ശക്തി (ഭാലം) ധരിച്ചു, ഉത്തമ മയൂരത്തിൽ ആരൂഢയായി കൗമാരീ ദൈത്യരോടു യുദ്ധത്തിനായി സമീപിച്ചു—ഗുഹ (സ്കന്ദ) രൂപത്തിലുള്ള അംബിക।

Word by Word

• कौमारी: Kaumārī
• कौमारी: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कौमारी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; नाम (proper name)

• शक्तिहस्ता: holding a spear
• शक्तिहस्ता: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शक्ति-हस्त (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण; ‘शक्तिः हस्ते यस्याः’ (having a spear in hand)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय (conjunction)

• मयूरवरवाहना: whose mount is a splendid peacock
• मयूरवरवाहना: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मयूर-वर-वाहन (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण; ‘मयूरः वरः वाहनं यस्याः’ (whose excellent mount is a peacock)

• योद्धुम्: to fight
• योद्धुम्: Prayojana (प्रयोजन)
• Type: Verb
• Root: युध् (धातु) + तुमुन् (कृदन्त)
• Form: तुमुनन्त (infinitive), अव्ययवत्; प्रयोजन (purpose)

• अभ्याययौ: came forth/approached
• अभ्याययौ: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अभि-आ-या (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (perfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; ‘उपजगाम/आगच्छत्’ (came near)

• दैत्यान्: the demons (Daityas)
• दैत्यान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दैत्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), बहुवचन; कर्म (object)

• अम्बिका: Ambikā
• अम्बिका: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अम्बिका (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; नाम/विशेष्य (apposition)

• गुहरूपिणी: in the form of Guha (Skanda)
• गुहरूपिणी: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गुह-रूपिणी (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण; ‘गुहस्य रूपं यस्याः’ (having the form of Guha/Skanda)

Speakers

• Narrative voice within Devi Mahatmyam

Verse Rasa

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

Primary Deities

• Kaumārī
• Skanda (Guha)
• Ambikā (as title of Devi)

Shakti Aspects

• Kaumārī (Matrika)
• also identified as Ambikā in Guha’s form

Key Themes

• Shaktism
• Matrikas
• Martial iconography
• Protection of devas

FAQs

What is the philosophical or ethical takeaway?

Courage and disciplined force are sanctified when directed to protect the cosmic order. Kaumārī’s spear indicates focused intent—dharma is defended not by rage alone but by precision and resolve.

How does this fit the Pancalakshana (5 characteristics)?

A segment of sacred narrative (Vaṃśānucarita) detailing divine agencies; it aids transmission of Matrika theology and associated worship traditions.

What is the esoteric significance?

The spear symbolizes one-pointed penetration through ignorance; the peacock can signify mastery over poisons (inner toxins). ‘Ambikā as Guha’ shows the Mother as the source even of the ‘son-god’ warrior principle.