Shloka 18

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

Sanskrit

उग्रास्यमुग्रवीर्यञ्च तथैव च महाहनुम् ।

त्रिनेत्रा च त्रिशूलेन जघान परमेश्वरी ॥

Transliteration

ugrāsyam ugravīryaṃ ca tathaiva ca mahāhanum | trinetrā ca triśūlena jaghāna parameśvarī ||

Translation

परमेश्वरी त्रिनेत्रा देवी शूलेन उग्रास्यमुग्रवीर्यं महाहनुं च जघान।

Word by Word

• ugrāsyam: Ugrāsya (a demon)
• ugrāsyam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ugrāsya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• ugravīryam: Ugravīrya (a demon)
• ugravīryam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ugravīrya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya (अव्यय), conjunction (समुच्चयबोधक)

• tathā: likewise
• tathā: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tathā (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya (अव्यय), adverb (क्रियाविशेषण)

• eva: indeed
• eva: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya (अव्यय), particle (निपात), emphasis

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya (अव्यय), conjunction (समुच्चयबोधक)

• mahāhanum: Mahāhanu (great-jawed one; a demon)
• mahāhanum: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahāhanu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Karmadhāraya (कर्मधारय) ‘mahā-hanu’ = ‘great-jawed’; Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• trinetrā: the three-eyed (Goddess)
• trinetrā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tri (प्रातिपदिक) + netra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Bahuvrīhi (बहुव्रीहि) ‘having three eyes’; Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya (अव्यय), conjunction (समुच्चयबोधक)

• triśūlena: with a trident
• triśūlena: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tri (प्रातिपदिक) + śūla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Dvigu (द्विगु) ‘three-pronged spear’; Neuter/masculine usage; here Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• jaghāna: slew, struck down
• jaghāna: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √han (धातु)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन)

• parameśvarī: the Supreme Goddess
• parameśvarī: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: parameśvarī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन), apposition to trinetrā/devī

Speakers

• Narrative voice within the Devi Mahatmyam frame

Primary Deities

• Mahādevī (Parameśvarī)

Shakti Aspects

• Parameśvarī / Trinetrā (Śaiva-Śākta synthesis; Goddess bearing trident)

Key Themes

• Shaktism
• Śākta-Śaiva iconography
• Destruction of demonic power

FAQs

What is the philosophical or ethical takeaway?

Supreme power (parameśvarī) is portrayed as purposeful and discriminating—ending violence that threatens the world. The ‘three-eyed’ epithet underscores awakened insight guiding action.

How does this fit the Pancalakshana (5 characteristics)?

Narrative dharma-restoration episode; ancillary to pancalakṣaṇa rather than constitutive.

What is the esoteric significance?

Trident symbolism commonly maps to triads (guṇas; waking-dream-sleep; past-present-future). The Goddess ‘piercing’ demons with triśūla signifies mastery over these triads and liberation from their binding distortions.