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

Mặt Trời (Divākara) đặt chính những tia sáng của Ngài lên khắp các lỗ chân lông của Nàng như một lớp áo rực quang. Và Thời Gian (Kāla) ban cho Nàng một thanh kiếm cùng một tấm khiên tinh sạch không tì vết.

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.