Adhyaya 83 — The Slaying of Mahishasura’s Armies and the Final Death of Mahishasura
सिंहमाहत्य खड्गेन तीक्ष्णधारेण मूर्धनि ।
आजघान भुजे सव्ये देवीमप्यतिवेगवान् ॥
siṃhamāhatya khaḍgena tīkṣṇadhāreṇa mūrdhani | ājaghāna bhuje savye devīm apy ativegavān ||
అత్యంత వేగవంతుడైన అతడు పదునైన ధారగల ఖడ్గంతో సింహం తలపై కొట్టాడు; అలాగే దేవి ఎడమ భుజంపై కూడా దెబ్బకొట్టాడు.
Adharma attacks both the ‘vehicle’ (the supporting powers and instincts) and the ‘ruler’ (the guiding consciousness). The narrative stresses that even when struck, Devi’s sovereignty is not diminished—steadfastness in righteousness is the model.
Primarily vamśānucarita-style narrative material is not in view here; this is a devotional-ethical episode (stuti/śaurya-kathā) embedded in the Purana’s broader structure.
The lion often signifies valor and controlled ferocity. The asura’s blow symbolizes disruptive passion striking at both courage (siṃha) and discernment/agency (Devi’s arm—capacity to act).