| Varahi - Lalitopakhyana (Lalita Mahatmya) |
| “Varahi name was mentioned as Daṇḍanāthā Daṇḍinī Potriṇī, Daṇḍanāyikā in Lalitopakhyana” |
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
| Chapter 28 - Viśukra and Viṣaṅga slain |
Hayagrīva said.: On hearing that his brother, the great Daitya, had been vanquished in the battle, and that his army was slaughtered, Bhaṇḍa, the Daitya, became extremely distressed with great anxiety.Bhaṇḍa, the Daitya, sent both of his brothers together to the battle along with all the soldiers.The two Daityas, Viṣaṅga and Viśukra became excessively angry and directed by Bhaṇḍa, the Daitya, they strained themselves to the utmost.An army that shook the three worlds followed Viśukra, the crown prince of great strength, accompanied by his younger brother. The crown prince surrounded by four hundred Akṣauhiṇīs of soldiers increased in great vigour.
Ten haughty nephews beginning with Ulūkajit, born of Dhūminī, the sister of Bhaṇḍa, swaggered on account of their valour. They had been trained in the use of weapons by Bhaṇḍa, their great uncle. As generals, they started on making ten directions reverberate on account of loud twanging sounds of their bows. These nephews increased the pleasure of both the maternal uncles (on account of these activities). They had their several vehicles which they got in full of pride. They kept their weighty bows ready drawn and followed Viśukra.
Viśukra reached the battle-field riding on his elephant. He was fully rendered splendid with the umbrella and chowries that constituted the symbol of glory of the status of being the Grown Prince. Thereupon, surrounded by the army making an uproarious tumultuous sound, Viśukra roared terrifically like a lion.Śaktis were excited within their hearts on account of their agitation. Proudly and excitedly, they went out of enclosure of fiery rampart-wall in rows.
Then the younger brothers of Bhaṇḍa, very, ferocious in fighting, had come (to the battle-field). Mantriṇī and Daṇḍanāyikā (Varahi) came to fight, seated in their excellent chariots Kiricakra as well as Jñeyacakra (Geyacakra) the crest-jewel of all chariots. They came there simultaneously with the circular (royal umbrella held aloft and being fanned by chowries. Their great victory was being sung by. the dancing celestial damsels. They set out to carry on war. At the bidding of Lalitā, an army of a hundred Akṣauhiṇīs had been placed by both of them for the purpose of protecting the glorious Cakraratharāja. Excepting this army, the entire-remaining divisions of the army set out eagerly for the battle.
Seated in her chariot, Daṇḍanāthā (Varahi) went ahead. With only a single finger of one hand, she was whirling her weapons of ploughshare and with the other hand she was brandishing the pestle frequently. Her lotus-like face resembling the snout of a boar, shone with the sparkling digit of the moon as its crest-jewel. In the battle, she was (genuinely) proud of her exploits. She was striking the enemy from the front.
Many things in Daṇḍinī were of the same nature as in the great queen, such as ornaments, dress etc., the characteristics of prowess and influence, possession of good qualities, according of protection to those who seek refuge, ability to kill Daityas, worthy of being worshipped by all and other powers. One thing specially to be mentioned in the case of Daṇḍinī was the signet ring of order held in her hand as a symbol of ministership granted by the great queen.
When the armies of Mantriṇī and Daṇḍanāthā moved on. thus, the earth reached a breaking point due to their burden and it heaved like a swing. Thereupon, a chaotic and uproarious battle ensued. It caused horripilation. The waters of the seven oceans turned into a slushy moss by the dust particles that rose up. The cavalry fought with those on horse-back. Those riding in the chariots fought with those stationed in chariots. The elephant-riders fought with those who rode on elephants. The infantry fought with swords.
An acute fever of thirst raged amidst Śaktis. It stirred up and agitated the sense organs. It made the root of the palate parched. It rendered the ear cavities rough and arid. It caused feebleness and fatigue all over the body. It caused their bodies fall flat on the ground with the weapons dropping off one by one. The army of Śaktis was excessively afflicted by a thirst that made them inactive in the battles and destroyed their enthusiasm. On seeing this, Mantriṇī and Potriṇī became extremely anxious.
Seated in her chariot (Mantriṇī said to Daṇḍanāthā who was also seated in her chariot and who was suspicious and afraid of great calamity. She wanted her to find a remedy for the same. She said “Dear friend Potriṇī, this missile of thirst of the wicked fellow weakens and impairs our army. Alas! the adverse activity of fate! The battle has been abandoned by the troops of Śaktis, the roots of whose palates have been parched up, whose refulgence has been dispelled and whose weapons have been dropped down. None of them is fighting nor even holding the weapon. Dear friend, they are incapable of even speaking since the (roots of their) palates have been dried up. What will Maheśvarī say on hearing about this miserable plight of ours. Injurious disservice has been done by the Daityas. Let the remedy be thought of.
Daṇḍanāthā who was extremely proud of her ability fought with Viṣaṅga, the great Daitya. She hit him with a dreadful iron club. That wicked Dānava raised with his hand a mace resembling the staff of Kāla and fought an extremely dreadful battle.
Engaged in fighting with maces, they shattered each other’s limbs. Their dreadful and boisterous laughter reverberated (in the battle-field). They went round and round (everywhere). They displayed different kinds of strategic movements. They heaved from side to side. They encircled each other quickly. By striking each other by means of batons and rods, they stupefied each other frequently. Both of them were equally proud and keenly observed the weak and vulnerable points in attacking each other. Their garments were stirred up when the great iron club and the tip of the rod came into a clash. Thus both of them equally unassailable fought with one another.
She fought with him till mid-night. Daṇḍanāyikā who became very furious began to strike at Viṣaṅga. She dragged her enemy with the ploughshare that pierced and went deep into his head. Potriṇī struck a hard blow with her iron club. On account of the blow from the iron club, the great Asura had to abandon his vital airs. With his body shattered into a hundred pieces he fell on the ground. After completing the great task thus, Mantriṇī and Daṇḍanāyikā spent the remaining part of the night there itself in the direction of the camp.
|
|
| |
|
|
