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bhavAnI bhAratI - A Sanskrit Poem on Mother India by Sri Aurobindo

Bhavani Bharati is a 100-verse sanskrit poem (called Satakam) written by Sri Aurobindo sometime during India's struggle for independence from British rule. Here is our little introduction to this great poem:

<i>
aravi.nda praNItamidam shatakaM     paripIDita bhaarata maatR^i-ravam |<br>
tamasAvR^ita chetasi vajra-samaM,  nava jAgaraNAya prachodakaram ||
</i>

It means: "This Sataka (100-versed poem) written by Aravinda is the cry of an intensely tortured/harassed Mother India. It is like a thunderbolt to lethargy-enveloped minds (i.e., it suddenly shakes them up to their foundations), and is the call/command for a new awakening).". It is in toTaka metre.

The english translation of the poem below is also by Sri Aurobindo himself, but all typographical errors are ours. Please let us know if you find any.

The poem is available in devanagari script with meanings as a PDF file for easy printing. It can also be viewed as an HTML file in devanagari using the Xdvng font. If you can't see the font properly, visit the Sanskrit Documents website for further instructions.

This poem is written in a metre that is a mixture of two Sanskrit poetic metres: indra vajram and upendra vajram.

Their rhythm/gait is like this:

indra vajram: U U I - U U I - I U I - U U
tAnAna tAnAna tanAna tAnA -- tAnAna tAnAna tanAna tAnA
tAnAna tAnAna tanAna tAnA -- tAnAna tAnAna tanAna tAnA

upendra vajram: I U I - U U I - I U I - U U
tanAna tAnAna tanAna tAnA -- tanAna tAnAna tanAna tAnA
tanAna tAnAna tanAna tAnA -- tanAna tAnAna tanAna tAnA

- Sarada & Sai Susarla


<h2>bhavAnI bhAratI</h2>

bhavAnI bhAratI

Slokas Thumbnail: 1, 11, 21, 31, 41, 51, 61, 71, 81, 91.

sukhe nimagnaH shayane yadAsaM madhoshcha rathyAsu manaschachAra |
sa chintayAmAsa kulAni kAvyaM dArAMshcha bhogAMshcha sukhaM dhanAni || 1||

l. As I lay sunk in the comfort of my couch and my mind wandered on the roads of Spring, 1 thought of my people, of poetry, of wife and enjoyments, pleasure and possessions.

kAntaishcha shR^i~NgArayutaishcha hR^iShTo gAnaiH sa Chando lalitaM babandha |
jagau cha kAntAvadanaM sahAsyaM pUjye cha mAtushcharaNe gariShThe || 2||

2. I shaped my delight into elegant verse in lyrical stanzas of sensuous passion; I sang of the smile on my beloved's face and of the revered and most sacred feet of the Mother.

chakranda bhUmiH parito madIyA khalo hi putrAnasuro mamarda |
svArthena nIto.ahamanarcha pAde durAtmano bhrAtR^ivadhena lipte || 3||

3. My country wept all around me, for a villainous Titan oppressed her children. Led by self-interest, I paid homage to the feet of the evil one stained with the blood of my brothers.

sukhaM mR^idAvAstaraNe shayAnaM sukhAni bhogAnvasu chintayantam |
pasparsha bhImena kareNa vakShaH pratyakShamakShNoshcha babhUva kAlI || 4||

4. Lying at ease on a soft couch and dreaming of pleasures, enjoyments and wealth, I felt on my chest the touch of a dreadful hand and to my eyes grew visible the shape of Kali.

narAsthimAlAM nR^ikapAlakA~nchIM vR^ikodarAkShIM kShudhitAM daridrAm |
pR^iShTe vraNA~NkAmasurapratodaiH siMhIM nadantImiva hantukAmAm || 5||

5. Garlanded with the bones of men and girdled with human skulls, with, belly and eyes like a wolf's, hungry and poor, scarred on her back by the 'Titan's lashes, roaring like a lioness who lusts for kill,

krUraiH kShudhArtairnayanairjvaladbhi- rvidyotayantIM bhuvanAni vishvA |
hu~NkArarUpeNa kaTunA svareNa vidArayantIM hR^idayaM surANAm || 6||

6. with her fierce, hungry, blazing eyes irradiating all the worlds, rending the hearts of the gods with the piercing ring of her war-cry,

ApUrya vishvaM pashuvadvirAvai- rlelihyamAnAshcha hanU karAle |
krUrA~ncha nagnAM tamasIva chakShu- rhisrasya jantorjananIM dadarsha || 7||

7. filling the world with bestial sounds and licking her terrible jaws, fierce and naked, like the eyes of a savage beast in the dark-thus did I see the Mother.

AlolakeshaiH shikharAnnigR^ihya karAladaMShTraishcha visArya sindhUn |
shvAsena dudrAva nabho vidIrNa nyAsena pAdasya cha bhUshchakampe || 8||

8. The mountain-tops cowered beneath her dangling locks and the seas drew back from her awful fangs; her breath scattered the torn clouds and earth trembled at the fall of her feet.

uttiShTha dehIti pipAsurambA dadhvAna rAtrau nagare vitAre |
seyaM stanantI rajanIM tamisrAM babhau samApUrya manAMsi chAryA || 9||

9. "Arise! Give!" The Mother's thirsting call resounded through the night in the starless city. Thundering, the noble goddess filled with her presence the night's blackness and the hearts of men.

bhItaH samudvignamanAshcha talpA- dutthAya paprachchha tamo namasyam |
kA bhAsi naktaM hR^idaye karAli kurvANi kiM brUhi namo.astu bhIme || 10||

10. Alarmed and shaken in mind, I sprang from my couch and questioned that shape of darkness which compelled worship: "Who art thou who appearest to my heart in the night in thy terrible splendour? What must I do? Speak! Salutation to thee, O dreadful goddess!"

siMhasya sArAvamudIrayantI krUrasya ku~nje bhramato vadhArtham |
sasarja vAkyAni karAlamUrti- ryathA samudrastanitaM shilAyAm || 11||

11. Uttering a sound like the lion's roar when it roams ferocious in the jungle in search of prey, the goddess in her form of terror loosed forth words like the thundering of ocean upon the rocks.

mAtAsmi bhoH putraka bhAratAnAM sanAtanAnAM tridashapriyANAm |
shakto na yAnputra vidhirvipakShaH kAlo.api no nAshayituM yamo vA || 12||

12. "I am the mother, O child, of the Bharatas, the eternal people beloved of the gods, whom neither hostile Fate nor Time nor Death has power to destroy.

te brahmacharyeNa vishuddhavIryA j~nAnena te bhImatapobhirAryAH |
sahasrasUryA iva bhAsurAste samR^iddhimatyAM shushubhurdharitryAm || 13||

13. Their strength purified by their continence, rendered noble by selfknowledge and severe austerities, resplendent like a thousand suns they shone on a prosperous earth.

shUrAH pragalbhAshcha hi shAtravANAM spardhAlavaM soDhumamarShaNAste |
pUjAM jananyA ripubhiH samApya rejU raNAnte rudhirAktadehAH || 14||

14. Heroic and bold, they would brook no hint of defiance from their foes. Worshipping the Mother with the sacrifice of her enemies, at battle's end they stood radiant, their limbs anointed with blood.

dInAH ka ete ghR^iNino daridrAH shAntiM jaghanyAM gaNikAmibAndhAH |
bhajanti bhoH kApuruShAH kubuddhya Ali~Ngya ye modatha mR^ityumeva || 15||

15. But who are these pitiful and indigent wretches who in their blindness embrace a degrading peace like a prostitute? O you unmanly and weakminded men! Do you not know that it is Death you clasp?

klIvAH kiyantyevamasUndinAni dhariShyathArtAH prahR^itA vR^ithaiva |
hasantyamitrA apamAnarAshiM krINIya shAntyA dhanashoShaNa~ncha || 16||

16. How long will you thus impotently bear your lives in suffering, wantonly beaten by your oppressors'? Your haters laugh at you; you buy with peace a heap of dishonour and the depletion of your wealth.

mlechchhasya pUtashcharaNAmR^itena garvaM dvijo.asmIti karoti ko.ayam |
shUdrAdanAryatarosi shUdro vrataiH kimetairnarakasya pAnthe || 17||

17. Who is this, sanctified by the nectarous touch of the feet of foreign barbarians, who prides himself on being a Brahmin? You are a Shudra less Aryan then the Shudras! Of what use are these vows for the traveller on the path to Hell?

uttiShTha bho jAgR^ihi sarjayAgnIn sAkShAddhi tejo.asi parasya shaureH |
vakShaHsthitena sanAtanena shatrUnhutAshanena dahannaTasva || 18||

18. Arise! Awake! Leave your ritual fires, for you are the incarnate lustre of Krishna, the Supreme. Go forth consuming your enemies with the fire that dwells eternal in your breast.

kaH kShatrabandhurbhavaneShu gUDho madyena kaTAkShaishcha vilAsinInAm |
dharmAnyasho durbala vismR^ito.asi yudhyasva bho va~nchaka rakSha dharmAn || 19||

19. Who is this relative of Kshatriyas hiding in his palace with wine and the darting glances of voluptuous women? Your duty and honour have you forgotten in your weakness? Fight, hypocrite, and preserve the Dharma!

astyeva lohaM nishitashcha kha~NgaH krUrA shataghnI nadatIha mattA |
kathaM nirastro.asi mR^ito.asi sheShe rakSha svajAtiM parahA bhavAryaH || 20||

20. Iron there is and the sword is sharp; the cruel cannon bellows here in a drunken fury. How is it that you are unarmed? You lie as if dead! Protect your race, be Aryan and a slayer of your foes.

vaishyo.asi kashcheha vishaH samR^iddhyai dhanaM kimetadvipaNIShu sajjam |
mlechCharddhireShA kuruShe daridrAM mAmeva kAlIM khala mAtR^idrohin || 21||

21. And what kind of Vaishya are you here? What goods are these arrayed in the market-places for the prospering of the people? This is the wealth of the foreign exploiter! You impoverish me, Kali, O vile traitor to your Mother!

mlechCharddhimetAM jvalanAya dehi roShAgninA kiM na bibheShi kAlyAH |
devIM bhavAnIM hR^idi pUjayitvA yatasva lakShmyai bhava janmabhUmyAH || 22||

22. Give to the flames this wealth of the foreigner. Do you not fear the burning wrath of Kali? Worshipping the goddess Bhavani in your heart, strive and enrich your motherland.

bho bho avantyo magadhAshcha va~NgA a~NgAH kali~NgAH kuravashcha sindho |
bho dAkShiNAtyAH shR^iNutAndhracholA vasanti ye pa~nchanadeShu shUrAH || 23||

23. You and you, O peoples of Avanti and Magadha, Vanga, Anga and Kalinga, O Kurus and men of' Sind: hear me! O southerners, you of Andhra and the Chola country, and you heroes of the land of the five rivers;

ye ke trimUrti bhajataikamIshaM ye chaikamUrti yavanA madIyAH |
mAtAhvaye vastanayAnhi sarvAn nidrAM vimu~nchadhvamaye shR^iNudhvam || 24||

24. you who adore the triple form of the one Lord and you, my Mohammedan sons, who worship Him in His uniqueness: I, the Mother, call all of you, for all are my children. Shake off your slumber! Oh, hear!

kAlasya bherIM shR^iNutAdrishR^i~Nge raudraM kR^itAntaM mama dUtarUpam |
durbhikShametAnatha bhUmikampAn nibodhatAdhIshatamAgatAsmi || 25||

25. Listen to the drum of Time on the mountain-tops. Behold pitiless Death, my messenger. Famine and earthquake announce that I have come in the fullness of my might.

dehi kratUndehi pipAsurasmi jAnIhi dR^iShTvA bhaja shaktimAdyAm |
shirAMsi rAj~nAM mahatAM tanUshcha bhoktuM nadantI charatIha kAlI || 26||

26. Offer sacrifice to me; give, for I am thirsty. Seeing me, know and adore the original Power, ranging here as Kali who roars aloud and hungers to enjoy the heads and bodies of mighty rulers.

raktapravAhairapi nAsmi tR^iptA shataiH sahasrairayutairajAnAm |
pradatta bhittvA hR^idayAni raktaM sampUjayantyevamajAM karAlIm || 27||

27. Not by torrents of blood from hundreds and thousands and tens of thousands of goats am I satisfied. Break open your hearts and offer that blood to me, for so do they worship the unborn and dreadful Goddess.

yeShAM sadaivAtmabalipravR^ittAH shUrA mahAntaH pramukhAH kulArthe |
saumyA karAlI bhavati prajAnAM raktena puShTA vinihanti shatrUn || 28||

28. Wheresoever are great heroes and leaders engaged in continual selfsacrifice for the good of their race, towards those nations does Kali grow gracious, nourished with blood, and they crush their enemies.

kaM bibhyatAryA rudhirasya sindhau nimajjAtAsminbhavatAryasattvAH |
trishUli bhoH pashyata tatra pAre jyotirhyudetIdamabhinnatejaH || 29||

29. Whom do you fear, O Aryans? Plunge into this sea of blood; show that you are made of Aryan stuff indeed! Lo, there on the further shore see a light arise, inviolable in brilliance and armed with the trident.

kave vilAsi~nshR^iNu mAtR^ivAkyaM kAlIM karAlIM bhaja putra chaNDIm |
drAShTAsi vai bhAratamAtaraM tAM ghnatImarAtInbhR^ishamAjimadhye || 30||

30. O poet and sensualist, hear the word of the Mother: adore Kali the Terrible, my son, the fierce Chandi. Verily you shall see her, the mother of the Bharatas, striking down her foes mightily in the thick of the fight.

sanAtanAnyAhvaya bhAratAnAM kulAni yuddhAya jyo.astu mA bhaiH |
bho jAgR^itAsmi kva dhanuH kva khaDga uttiShThatottiShThata suptasiMhAH || 31||

31. Summon forth to battle the ancient tribes of the Bharatas. Let there be victory; fear not. Lo, I have awakened! Where is the bow, where the sword? Arise, arise, O sleeping lions!"

imAni vAkyAni nishamya rAtrau tejashcha bhImaM timire vilokya |
chittaM nanartAshu vihAya sadma bhogAnvinirdhUya cha nirjagAma || 32||

32. Hearing these words in the night and beholding in the darkness a dreadful splendour, my heart danced and leaving my house, shaking off my pleasures, I quickly went forth.

sAndraM tamisrAvR^itamArtamandhaM dadarsha tadbhAratamAryakhaNDam |
gUDhA rajanyAmaribhirvinaShTA mAtA bhR^ishaM krandati bhAratAnAm || 33||

33. I saw then this land of India, the Aryan country, wrapped thickly in darkness, suffering, blinded; hidden in the night, ruined by her enemies, the mother of the Bharatas wept aloud.

sa bhrAmayAmasa dR^ishaM rajanyAM bhrAtR^insa taptastimire vichinvan |
ka~NkAlasArANi dadarsha tAni shavAni teShAM karuNAni bhUmau || 34||

34. I cast my glance about in the night, grieved, searching out my brothers in the shadows. Their corpses I saw on the ground, pitiable, reduced to skeletons.

tadA dadarshAsuramekamIshaM kirITinaM vajradharaM mahAntam |
ashrUNi raktaughashatAni mAtuH saMgR^ihya puShNantamapatyasaMghAn || 35||

35. Then did I see a lordly Titan, crowned, gigantic, bearing a thunderbolt, feeding the hordes of his offspring with the tears of the Mother mixed with a hundred streams of her blood.

padA tuShArAdrimadInasattvaM mR^idnantamandhrAnitareNa pauNDrAn |
prasArayantaM karavAlamugraM chInAvanau pahlavabhUmikhaNDe || 36||

36. Oppressing with one foot the invincible Himalaya, with the other the plains of Andhra and Paundra, he brandished a harsh sword over China and the land of the Pahlavas (Persia).

khalaM vishAlaM balagarvitaM taM vikatthamAnaM dharmamadharmabuddhim |
dR^iShTvA tvabhUchchittamivAgnikuNDaM krodhena jajvAla hi shAshvatena || 37||

37. As I looked on him, huge and vile, inflated with the pride of his strength, unrighteous and boasting of righteousness, my heart became like a fire-pit and burned with an undying wrath.

kulAni suptAni sanAtanAni hvAtuM jagau jAgaraNAya bhImA |
krUraM virAvaughamudIrayantI pArshve mamAyAdrajanIva ghorA || 38||

38. The dread voice of the goddess was raised to call out of their sleep the imperishable tribes. Then, uttering a fierce flood of cries, she came to my side, formidable like the night.

bhImaiH karAlairdharaNI vachobhi- shchAla sindhushcha nabho jagarja |
bhImaiH saroShaishcha vilokanaistai- rbrahmANDamuttaptamivAgnivR^iShTyA || 39||

39. Earth and sea shook with the awful violence of her words and the heavens thundered back. The terror of her angry looks afflicted the creation like a deluge of fire.

trailokyamunmAdakaraiH karAlyA AvAhanaiH pUrNamabhUchcha sarvam |
jvAlAmukhI dAruNavahnigarbhA kaNThAdudakrAmadajasrashabdA || 40||

40. All the three worlds were filled with the maddening summons of Kali. A volcano of devastating flame issued from the throat in immortal words.

kShobheNa tIvreNa charAcharasya kShubdhAnyapashyaM pR^itanAni tatra |
svapnotthinAnIva vachaH suraudraM bho hanyatAM duShTa itIrayanti || 41||

41. Now 1 saw armies as if roused from sleep, agitated by the intense agitation that had seized the world, shouting fiercely, "Death to the villain!"

j~nAtvA hi mAtU ruditaM kShatAni vidyuddharANIkShaNashatAnyabhUvan |
krodhaiH sahasrANi tato mukhAni bhImAni bhImaM danujeshamAyan || 42||

42. Growing aware of the Mother's weeping and her wounds, hundreds of eyes darted lightning. Then thousands of faces turned, dire with rage, upon the dread lord of Titans.

supteShu putreShu raNotsukeShu nishAcharaH shoNitamAryamAtuH |
pibanvinardasyabalAnbalI ko vahaMsi chANDAla kR^itAntabhakShya || 43||

43. "Who are you Aho, while her sons slept who are now eager for battle, have drunk the blood of the mother of the Aryans like a Rakshasa, bellowing in the night? Who are you who, strong, oppress the weak, O fallen one, food for Death?"

itIrayantI vachanAni ruShTA shastraM gR^ihItvA dhanuragnigarbham |
abhyadravadbhImamarAtimugrA pashchAtpurastAchcha jagarja kAlI || 44||

44. As she uttered these words, incensed, the violent goddess lifted a weapon, a fire-hurling bow, and rushed at her fearsome opponent. Before her and behind her Kali roared.

jvAlAkarAlA dharaNI babhUva krodhairjvaladbhirgagana~ncha tUrNaiH |
hreShAravairdundubhinA~ncha nAdai- rjagadvitrastaM danujasya yuddhe || 45||

45. Tile earth grew lurid with flame and swift tongues of flaming wrath licked the sky. Sounds of neighing and the rumble of drums frightened the world as Kali fought with the Titan.

raktAktameghA nabhasIva tepuH papAta chorvyAM rudhirogravR^iShTiH |
raktodadhau rejira adrisaMghA vasundharA raktamayA babhAse || 46||

46. Clouds stained with blood seemed to burn in the heavens and a fierce rain of blood fell upon the earth. The mountains rose up from a bloodred sea. All the land was as if turned to blood.

bhImo rajanyAmasuro balIyAn mamarda sainyAni surapriyANAm |
jagarja chonmattamanAH surAriH ko me samaH puMsviti rUDhagarvaH || 47||

47. The mighty Titan, terrible in the night, was crushing the armies of the people beloved of the gods. Intoxicated with pride, the enemy of the gods thundered, "Who is there in the world who is equal to me?"

tadA tamisrAmapasArayantaM raktaprakAshaM divi bAlasUryam |
sharopamairghnanantamivAMshubhistaM prIto dadarshAhamudagrarashmim || 48||

48. Then, repelling the darkness and piercing the adversary with beams like arrows, 1 saw with a thrill of gladness a rising sun that shed a ruddy glow in the heavens, casting its rays aloft.

samAkulaM bhAvibhirAsyavaryai- rbrahmANamapashyamathAbhrarUpam |
sahasranetrANi dadarsha tasmin pratIkShamANAnyabhayaM jananyAH || 49||

49. Crowded with glorious faces of the future, I beheld now the creator Brahma in the shape of a cloud whence looked forth a thousand eyes that foresaw the Mother's deliverance from fear.

dvikoTibhAsvadvarasUryabhAsaM jyotistadA saumyamarAtinAshI |
nArIsharIra ramaNIyakAnti dUrAdudIchyAmudiyAya shubhram || 50||

50. Then, far off in the north, there arose, gracious, annihilating all enemies, a white light in the form of 'a Woman delightful in beauty, as radiant as twenty million dazzling suns.

tAM hlAditA dIptajagatsu devA- stAmantarIkShe madhuraM vayAMsi |
jagurmanuShyAH praNipatya chorvyAM vishvaM vinaShTAdhi yadAvivesha || 51||

51. Enraptured, the gods in the luminous realms sang her praises; the birds in the mid-region sang sweetly of her, and men prostrating themselves on the earth sang of her as she entered the world dispelling its anguish.

samAdhidhIrA himabhUtadehA yugAnyanekAni himAdrikUTe |
ye yogino bhAratagoptR^irUpA- ste tuShTuvustAM muditA mahAntaH || 52||

52. On the Himalayan summits, steadfast in meditation, their bodies turned to ice, the great Yogis who through numberless ages have guarded India's destiny praised her with joy.

j~nAnAkarebhyo hi vilochanebhyo himAni mandaM yugasa~nchitAni |
utsArya devImatha bhImakAntiM mahApratApA balinImagAyan || 53||

53. Brushing slowly from eyes fathomless with wisdom the snow the ages had heaped there, they chanted in their puissance to the mighty Goddess terrible in radiant beauty:

tubhyaM namo devi vishAlashaktyai namAmi bhImAM balinIM kR^ipAlum |
tvameva vai tArayasIha jAtI- rUrjasvalAyai nama Adidevyai || 54||

54. "Salutation to thee, O Goddess omnipotent! To thee I bow who art terrible and mighty and compassionate. Thou alone preservest these peoples. Salutation to the Forceful One, the primeval Goddess!

kaste balaM varNayituM samartho devi prachaNDe karapallavena |
ekena hi bhrAmayase ruNatsi vishvaM satArArkamanantavIrye || 55||

55. Who is there who can describe thy might, O Goddess impetuous in thy ways? With one delicate hand thou settest whirling or arrestest in its motion the universe with all its stars and suns, O infinite in energy.

Ajau yadA nR^ityasi chaNDi ghore shR^igAlaghuShTe dadhatI trishUlam |
sparshena kampanta ivAyudhasya mahAnti tArAniyutAni nAke || 56||

56. When, wielding the trident, thou dancest, O Chandi, on the gruesome battlefield noisy with jackals, the vast multitudes of stars seem to tremble in the firmament at the touch of thy weapon.

dayArdrachittA ruditena puMsAM haMsi prajApIDakamastakeShu |
yo mR^ityurattA bhuvanasya raudraiH sa kiMkaraste vasati trishUle || 57||

57. Thy heart melting with pity for the weeping of men, thou smitest the heads of the oppressors of the people. Ravenous Death, the eater of the world, is thy servant who rides on the prongs of thy trident.

shaktiH parA koTiShu mAnavAnAM saMmanyunAM tvaM bhavasi prabuddhA |
AryAnvipannAnavatIrya pAsi yuge yuge yudhyasa AryamAtaH || 58||

58. Thou art the supreme Power awakening in millions of impassioned men. Incarnating thyself, thou preservest this noble people when it is fallen into distress. From age to age thou fightest, O Mother of the Aryans.

sadyo.api pashyAmi girAvudIchyAM dedIpyamAnaM dhavalaM vapuste |
tvaM bhrAjase jyotirudeShi saumye prakAshayantI bhuvanAni kAntyA || 59||

59. Today again I behold thy dazzling white form on the mountains of the north; effulgent thy light arises, O gracious one, illumining the worlds with beauty.

dhenau samArUDhamanoj~nakAntI raNonmadAyAM charasIyamAryA |
shailA ivottu~NgashikhAH samUlAH patanti saMghAH parito.asurANAm || 60||

60. Thou rangest here, noble goddess, with thy lovely limbs of radiance mounted on a cow drunk with the zest of battle, and all around thee the Titan hosts tumble like lofty peaks uprooted.

sA shubhravarNAsitavR^ittashR^i~NgA himasya rAshishchalatIva tUrNam |
devapriyA bhAratabhUmirAryA dhenusvarUpeNa vihanti shatrUn || 61||

61. Bright of hue and with round black horns, she romps about like a swiftmoving mass of snow: it is the Aryan land of India, dear to the gods, who tramples her enemies in this shape of a cow.

vyUhAstavakasmAjjitadaivatAnAM bhayena te pANDuravaktrakAntyaH |
vAriprapAtA iva parvatebhyo dhAvantyadho vegaparAH sashabdAH || 62||

62. The legions of those who had defeated the gods, the lustre of their faces turning pale with fear, flee suddenly like cataracts down the mountainsides, clamorous and intent on speed.

shR^iNomi te pA~nchanadeShu bhIme svarAnudArA~njayanAdamugram |
nihanyamAnasya ravaM balasya bhaya~Nkare tArataraM shR^iNomi || 63||

63. I hear, O formidable goddess, the noble tones of thy fierce cry of victory echoed by the people of Punjab. Louder still, O fearsome warrior, is heard the uproar of the opposing forces as they are slaughtered.

kR^iShNasya saiShA yamunA sravantI raktena nIlaM visasarja varNam |
ba~NgeShvasR^ikkardamameva pashya digdakShiNA bhAti sulohiteva || 64||

64. Yonder Jumna, whose stream witnessed the sports of Krishna, has lost its sapphire hue, turning red with blood. Behold the soil of Bengal turned to a bloody mire, while the southern quarter gleams blood-red.

spR^iShTAstrishUlena vihAyasImAH sulohitA bhAnti dishaH samantAt |
abhrANi te raktamayAni bhIme vibhAnti yuddhena sudAruNena || 65||

65. Touched by thy trident, the regions of the sky seem to bleed, diffusing a reddish light everywhere. Due to the exceeding violence of thy warfare, O dreadful one, the clouds that bore water have become carriers of blood.

sndhostaTeShUpalakarkasheShu devImapashyaM yudhi sheShitArIn |
niHsheShayantImadayAM sakopAM shivAM trishUlena shivasya shatrUn || 66||

66. On the rocky sea-beaches 1 have seen the Goddess annihilating in battle her remaining adversaries. Merciless, wrathful and beneficent, she cuts down with her trident the enemies of Shiva, the beneficent Lord.

kharaiH suniShpiShTamidaM surabhyA ghoraM kimevApi sukR^iShNavarNam |
mAMsasya piMNDaM hyavanau nirIkShe sheSho.ayamastyeva tavAhitAnAm || 67||

67. What is this, hideous and black, trampled by the hooves of the cow of the gods'? It is a lump of flesh which I see on the ground: this is all that is left of those who were hostile to thee.

bhagnAni tasminnichaye virUpe praniHsarantIva shirAMsi kAni |
pAdAH karAshchApi hi tatra tatra krUrAsi rudrANi karAlakR^ityA || 68||

68. From that disfigured heap what broken heads seem to emerge! Feet and hands lie here and there. Cruel art thou, O Rudrani, in thy savage deeds!

krUrAsi rudrANyathavA jaghanye krUre prajApIDanarUDhagarve |
dayeva bhUteyamalaM yadAryaM svargapradaM mR^ityumavApa yuddhe || 69||

69. Cruel art thou, O Rudrani; or rather is this mercy, as it were, towards the base and cruel tyrant priding himself on the affliction of the people, that he should receive in battle a noble death leading to heaven.

eko gatAsorapi rudrashatro- rdhatte karaH pAvakagarbhamastram |
pluShTashcha chIrNashcha tathApi dagdhA- nasUnbhavAnyAM kShipatIva daityaH || 70||

70. Though his life has departed, one hand of this enemy of Rudra still holds a fire-spitting weapon. Charred and mangled, it is as if the demon .yet hurls at Bhavani his burnt life-force.

srotAMsi pashyAmi mahAyudhAsyA- dudgIryamANAni hutAshanasya |
dhR^iShTo.api so nAlabhate tu chaNDIM tiShThanprabhAmaNDalamUrtimagre || 71||

71. I see currents of flame spewing from the mouth of the deadly weapon; but for all his insolence, and though he lies before her, he cannot reach the form of Chandi wrapped in an aura of splendour.

khaDgaH prakShiptastu viShANamadhye viShTambhayatyantimacheShTitantat |
samAptametattava tarkayAmi mahAvrataM devi vishAlavIrye || 72||

72. A sword thrust between his horns paralyses that parting gesture. Thus I deem thee to have fulfilled thy mighty vow, O Goddess of immense energy.

tubhyaM namo devi vishAlashaktyai bhImavrate tAriNi kaShTasAdhye |
tvaM bhAratI rAjasi bhAratAnAM tvamIshvarI bhAsi charAcharasya || 73||

73. Salutation to thee, O Goddess vast in thy power, to thee of terrible vows who carriest us through our difficult labour. Thou reignest as Bharati over the Bharatas; as the supreme Goddess thou rulest all this universe of animate and inanimate things.

tvAmIshvarI tvaM jananI prajAnAM ko.anyaH prabhurdAnamidaM tavADhye |
svAmitvamaishvaryamanindyatejo dadAsi yA sApi nihaMsi ruShTA || 74||

74. Thou art the supreme -Goddess, thou the Mother of creatures; who else has power? Mastery, supremacy and blameless lustre are gifts from thee, O opulent one, thou who givest these smitest also when thou art angered.

namo namo vAhanametadArye himAbhakAntaM madhurAyatAkShi |
tallA~NgulAgreNa sukR^iShNabhAsA dhvajaM karotIva tavochChitena || 75||

75. Salutation, salutation, O noble goddess with thy large eyes of sweetness! This thy vehicle with its lovely hue of snow raises thy flag, as it were, in the black, glossy tip of its uplifted tail.

namo namo devi tavAlakAlI raNashrameNa prasabhaM vimuktA |
uDDIyamAnA nabhasIva megho veNichyutA bhAti sudIrghavakrA || 76||

76. Salutation, salutation, O Goddess! Forcibly loosened by the exertion of battle, the array of thy unbraided tresses flying about, long and wavy, appears to float like a cloud in the sky.

shvetAnane vidyudivAsi bhUmau ruShA pradIpte hi vilochane te |
krIDantyapA~NgeShu karAlahAsAH shatahradeva stanayitnumadhye || 77||

77. When thy eyes flash with anger, O white-faced goddess, thou art like a streak of lightning fallen to earth; like lightning amid the thunderclouds thv dreadful laughter plays in the corners of thy eyes.

draShTuM ripUMstAnpatitAngatAsUn grIveyamIShannamitA cha shuklA |
sajAnuvaryaM charaNaM bhavAnyAH stambho himasyeva vibhAti shubhram || 78||

78. This white neck of thine is bent slightly to look at thy fallen and lifeless foemen. The white legs of Bhavani, from the feet to the beautiful knees, gleam like pillars of snow.

shuklaM pravAtairanilopamaM te saMkShobhitaM bhAsuratoyadAbham |
vAtIva vAso ruchirANi madhye bhrAjanta a~NgAni shashiprabheva || 79||

79. Fluttering in the breeze, thy bright and airy robe is a luminous cloud from whose midst thy radiant firnbs shine forth like moonlight.

udIrNaphenaH payasastara~NgaH kShIrAbdhimadhye stanamekametat |
tvaM durnirIkShyAsi yada~NgakAnte- stviShArkShiramba pratihanyate me || 80||

80. This breast of thine is a foaming wave of milk swelling in the Milky Ocean. Difficult art thou to discern, O Mother, when my gale falls back from tire splendour of thv body of beauty.

sanAtanI devi shivasya pUrvaM vapustvidaM dhArayase yuvatyAH |
tubhyaM namastubhyamanAdimAtaH saumyA bhavAmba praNateShu bhIme || 81||

81. Thou art ancient, t) Goddess -before Shiva thou wart--yet thou wearest this form of a maiden. Salutation to thee, O beginningless Mother! Be graci,)us, O terrible One. to those who prostrate themselves before thee.

uddishya bhUmiM drumarAjinIlAM shailAntarAleShu mahatsu dR^ishyAm |
kAruNyamayyAH prasUtaH karaste dadAsi rudrANyabhayaM prajAnAm || 82||

82. Pointing to a land dark with trees visible in the vast spaces between the mountains, thy hand is extended, O compassionate one, O Rudrani, granting freedom from fear to the peoples.

tatsaMj~nayA te karapallavasya tamo vidhUtaM bhuvi bhAratAnAm |
raktasya meghA nabhaso.apadhUtA achintyavIryAsi shubhAsi saumyA || 83||

83. By that sign of thy flowerlike hand the darkness is expelled from the land of the Bharatas. -h he clouds of blood vanish from the skies. Unthinkable is thy strength; beautiful thou art and gracious.

saumyaM vapuste himavarNamAryaM saumyaM bhavAnyA vadanaM hyudAram |
shuklAmbarAM yauvanashubhrakAntiM snehArdranetrAM balinIM namAmi || 84||

84. Gracious is thy noble form white as snow, gracious the exalted countenance of Bhavani; I bow to the Mighty One robed in white, radiant with the bright beauty of youth, her eyes moist with compassion.

narAsthimAlA nR^ikapAlakA~nchI kva sA karAlI |
nagnA cha ghorA vivR^itAsyabhImA yasyA virAvaiH sahasotthito.asmi || 85||

85. Where now is that terrible figure, garlanded with the bones of men and girdled with skulls, naked and fierce, dreadful with her gaping mouth, by whose cries I was suddenly roused?

raktasya yo.ayaM vahatIha sindhu- shChAyA shubhAyA hasatIva tasmin |
khaDgaM paribhrAmayati stanantI nagnA sughorA cha namAmi kAlIm || 86||

86. In the river of blood which flows yonder laughs the shadow of the beautiful One, brandishing a sword, thundering, naked and hideous: I bow to Kali!

kAlI tvamevAsi suniShThurAsi tvamannapUrNA sadayA cha saumyA |
namAmi raudrAM bhuvanAntakatriM premAkulAmeva namAmi rAdhe || 87||

87. Thou indeed art Kali and utterly ruthless thou art; thou art Annapurna, the merciful and gracious. I bow to thee as the Violent One, O ender of the worlds; I bow to thee, O Radha, in thy ecstasy of love.

anantashaktyR^iddhimasheshamUrtiM ko vakShyatImAM tava sarvashakte |
tejastvametadvalinAM bala~ncha tvaM komalAnAmapi komalAsi || 88||

88. Who can support in himself thy plenitude of infinite Power in which all thy forms are manifest, O Goddess omnipotent? Thou art this blazing might and thou art the strength of the strong; thou art also the gentlest of the gentle.

saumyAmahantvAM dvibhujAM namAmi trishUlinIM tvAmabhayaM vahantIm |
tvAmamba sAvitri shubhe trinetre shuklA~NgavastrAM vR^iSharUDhakAntim || 89||

89. Two-armed in thy gracious aspect I bow to thee, and again with trident uplifted bringing deliverance from fear; to thee I bow, O Mother, O radiant Savitri, O three-eyed one, thy white-limbed, white-robed loveliness mounted on a bull.

dashAyudhADhyA dashadikShvagamyA pAtAsi mAtardashabAhurAryAn |
sahasrahastairupaguhya putrA- nAsse jagadyonirachintyavIryA || 90||

90. Ten-armed with all thy ten weapons thou protectest the Aryans, O Mother unattainable in the ten directions; as the womb of' the world thou sitst with a thousand arms embracing thy children, unthinkable in thy energy.

prakAshayantIM gahanAni bhAsai- rbhImAM jvalatparvatamUrtimagryAm |
pashyAmi devIM nagareShu saumyAM dvAri sthitAmAryabhuvaH sakhaDgAm || 91||

91. Illumining with her rays the impenetrable depths of the forests, her form like a mountain of fire, terrible and sublime, I see the gracious Goddess standing, sword in hand, at the gates of the cities of the Aryan country.

kaliM damitvA jananI prajAnAM sattvAdhikA [ portion missing ] |
svAdhInavR^ittIni punashcharanti pashyAmi tAnyAgamamArgagANi || 92||

92. The mighty Mother of creatures has vanquished the Age of Strife. Once again the movements of freedom are abroad; I observe them following the paths of the ancient scriptures.

punaH shR^iNomImamaraNyabhUmau vedasya ghoShaM hR^idayAmR^itotsam |
suj~nAninAmAshramagA munInAM kulyeva puMsAM vahati prapUrNA || 93||

93. Once again 1 hear in the forests the chanting of the Veda which is a fountain of immortalising nectar to the heart. An overflowing river of humanity streams to the hermitages of the sages perfected in selfknowledge.

sanAtanAn rakShati dharmamArgAn punaH sahasrAMshukulAryajanmA |
lakShmIH punaH sApyachalA smitAsyA samujjvalA rAjati bhArateShu || 94||

94. Once again the eternal ways of the Dharma are guarded by one nobly born in the Solar Race. And once again resplendent Lakshmi, a smile on her lips, reigns steadfast among the Bharatas.

purAtanIM mAtaramAgamAnA- mAgachChatA~ncha stuvatA~ncha bhUmim |
prAchyAM pratIchyAM jagato.akhilasya kolAhalaM vegaravA~nshruNomi || 95||

95. In East and West I hear the cry and stir of the whole world hastening with praise on its tongue to this country, the ancient Mother of the Vedas.

saddharmagarbheti mahAvrateti stuvanti saimyA~ncha bhaya~NkarA~ncha |
devyAH priyAM bhUmimanAdishaktyA- stIrthasvarUpeNa cha pUjayanti || 96||

96. Praising the gracious and awe-inspiring Mother as the source of the true Law, the fulfiller of mighty vows, they revere as a place of pilgrimage this land dear to the Goddess beginningless in her power.

shivasya kAshyAM nivasanti ye ke muktAH shivasparshena bhavanti devyAH |
pAdArpaNenaiva tu pAvanena sarvAryabhUmirjagato.api kAshI || 97||

97. As those who dwell in Shiva's sacred city of Kashi are liberated by the auspicious touch of the Lord, so all this Aryan country where the Goddess has set her purifying feet shall be the Kashi of the world.

prItirdayA dhairyamadamyashauryaM shraddhA titikShA vividhAshcha vidyAH |
anantarUpe tvamasi prasIda chiraM vasArye hR^idi bhAratAnAm || 98||

98. O infinite in thy forms, thou art contentment, compassion, patience and indomitable heroism, faith and endurance and knowledge of every kind. Be gracious, noble goddess; dwell long in the hearts of the Indian people!

sindhUnhimAdri~ncha susaumyabhAsA prakAshayantI sudR^iDhapratiShThA |
tiShTha prasannA chiramAryabhUmau mahApratApe jagato hitAya || 99||

99. Illumining these rivers and snowy mountains with a mosti gentle lustre, be firmly established in the Aryan country. Abide forever gracious in this land, 0 Mighty One, for the good of the world!"


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