Shloka 24

Adhyaya 82 — The Rise of Mahishasura and the Manifestation of the Goddess from the Gods’ Tejas

Sanskrit

समस्तरोमकूपेषु निजरश्मीन् दिवाकरः ।

कालश्च दत्तवान् खड्गं तस्याश्चर्म च निर्मलम् ॥

Transliteration

samasta-roma-kūpeṣu nija-raśmīn divākaraḥ |

kālaś ca dattavān khaḍgaṃ tasyāś carma ca nirmalam ||

Translation

O Sol (Divākara) colocou os seus próprios raios sobre todos os poros dela, como um revestimento radiante. E o Tempo (Kāla) deu-lhe uma espada e um escudo imaculado.

Word by Word

• samasta-roma-kūpeṣu: in all the hair-pores
• samasta-roma-kūpeṣu: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: samasta + roma + kūpa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Plural (बहुवचन); बहुपद-तत्पुरुष: ‘in all hair-pores’

• nija-raśmīn: his own rays
• nija-raśmīn: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nija + raśmi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural (बहुवचन); कर्मधारय: ‘nijaḥ raśmiḥ’

• divākaraḥ: the Sun
• divākaraḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: divā + kara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); उपपद-तत्पुरुष: ‘divāyāḥ karaḥ’ = sun

• kālaḥ: Time/Death (Kāla)
• kālaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kāla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction/particle (समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय)

• dattavān: gave
• dattavān: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: dā (धातु) + kta-vat (कृत् प्रत्यय)
• Form: Past active participle (क्तवत्), Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• khaḍgam: sword
• khaḍgam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: khaḍga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• tasyāḥ: of her
• tasyāḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular (एकवचन)

• carma: shield/leather (hide)
• carma: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: carma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction/particle (समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय)

• nirmalam: spotless/pure
• nirmalam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: nirmala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); agrees with carma

Speakers

• Devi Mahatmyam narrator (within Markandeya Purana’s frame narration)

Primary Deities

• Sūrya (Divākara)
• Kāla (Time, personified)
• Devī

Shakti Aspects

• Devī as invincible
• time-transcending warrior (radiant armor; Kāla’s weapon)

Key Themes

• Shaktism
• Radiance as protection
• Time and mortality subdued
• Martial iconography

FAQs

What is the philosophical or ethical takeaway?

The Devi is protected not merely by metal but by luminosity and purity; true protection arises from inner clarity (nirmalatā) and alignment with cosmic order—even Time becomes her ally, not her master.

How does this fit the Pancalakshana (5 characteristics)?

A divine-episode (carita) segment within the Devi Mahatmyam narrative, supporting the Purāṇic aim of illustrating dharma’s restoration.

What is the esoteric significance?

Sun-rays in the pores suggest an aura-body (tejas as subtle armor). Kāla’s sword indicates that the Devi wields the principle that ends all things—so the demon’s ‘time’ is cut short by the very law of impermanence.