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THE CANDĪŠATAKA OF BĀŅA
 
Not only was her lotus foot <upraised> in anger, but also the great
thorn in [the side of] the gods was <extracted> ;
 
Not only was her anklet <set tinkling>, but the universe was
<set talking>, extolling her victory.
 
May that Parvati (Candi) protect you!
 
280
 
Notes. 1. For convenience, I have translated the fourth pada first. 2,
Lit. 'because of his strength being equaled.' 3. The commentary says:
'For the gods regarded Mahişa as a thorn [sticking] in [them].' Cf.
Mahabharata, 3. 231. 106: so 'yam tvaya mahabaho samito devakantakaḥ,
'this thorn of the gods has been tamed by thee, O Strong-armed (Skanda),'
addressed to Skanda (Kärttikeya) after he had killed Mahişa. In the
Epic, Skanda, and not Caṇḍī, is recognized as the conqueror of the buffalo-
demon; cf. Introd., p. 248. In stanza 56 also, Mahişa is called a 'thorn.'
Reference to the tinkling of the anklet is made also in stanzas 6, 43 and 44.
 
14
 
niryan nānāstraśastrāvali valati balam kevalam dānavānām
drän nite dirghanidrām dviṣati na mahişī 'ty ucyase prayaso
 
'dya
 
astrisambhāvyavīryā tvam asi khalu mayā nāivam ākāraṇīyā
kātyāyany āttakelāv iti hasati hare hrīmati hantv arīn vaḥ
 
'The army of the Dänavas,¹ which advanced with its ranks
[equipped with] various arms and missile weapons, is hasten-
ing away, leaderless,²
 
And since thy foe (Mahişa) has been quickly despatched [by
thee] to his long sleep, thou art not called "Mahişi" by me
today, [as] generally,³
 
Nor indeed art thou, who hast strength not to be expected in a
woman, to be thus summoned hither by me.'*
 
As Hara (Siva) was laughing at his jest" made in those words,
Katyayani (Candi) [became] embarrassed.
 
May Katyayani (Caṇḍī) slay your foes!
 
Notes. 1. The army of Mahişa, who was lord of the Dānavas. 2.
The word kevalam literally means 'alone,' but the commentary glosses by
svamisanyam, 'without a leader.' 3. There is a pun here which it is
difficult to bring out in the translation, mahişt meaning both 'consort
queen' and 'female buffalo.' It would not be proper to address Caṇḍī as