Chapter 3 · Tṛtīyo’dhyāyaḥ (Third Chapter)
Verse 34
ततः क्रुद्धा जगन्माता चण्डिका पानमुत्तमम्। पपौ पुनः पुनश्चैव जहासारुणलोचना ॥ ३४ ॥
tataḥ kruddhā jaganmātā caṇḍikā pānamuttamam | papau punaḥ punaścaiva jahāsāruṇalōcanā || 34 ||
Translation
'Then the angry Mother of the Universe, Chandika, drank the excellent drink again and again. And she laughed with her red eyes.'
Word by word
- tataḥ
- then
- kruddhā
- angry
- jaganmātā
- the Mother of the Universe
- caṇḍikā
- Chandika
- pānam
- drink
- uttamam
- excellent
- papau
- drank
- punaḥ punaḥ
- again and again
- ca
- and
- eva
- indeed
- jahāsa
- laughed
- aruṇalocanā
- with red eyes
Meaning
This is a highly symbolic and powerful moment. The 'excellent drink' is widely interpreted as divine nectar (soma) or the intoxicating drink of the demon's blood, symbolizing her consuming his power and vitality. Drinking it again and again shows her relentless energy. Her laughter is not of joy but of terrifying fury and supreme confidence. Her red eyes signify her all-consuming wrath. She is fully energized and ready to deliver the final blow.