Chapter 4 · Caturtho’dhyāyaḥ (Fourth Chapter)
Verse 1–2
ॐ ऋषिरुवाच ॥ १ ॥ शक्रादयः सुरगणा निहतेऽतिवीर्ये तस्मिन्दुरात्मनि सुरारिबले च देव्या। तां तुष्टुवुः प्रणतिनम्रशिरोधरांसा वाग्भिः प्रहर्षपुलकोद्गमचारुदेहाः ॥ २ ॥
ōṁ ṛṣiruvāca || 1 || śakrādayaḥ suragaṇā nihatē’tivīryē tasmindurātmani surāribalē ca dēvyā | tāṁ tuṣṭuvuḥ praṇatinamraśirōdharāṁsā vāgbhiḥ praharṣapulakōdgamacārudēhāḥ || 2 ||
Translation
The sage said: 'When that evil-souled one of exceeding strength was slain, and the army of the enemies of the gods was (destroyed) by the Goddess, then Indra and the other groups of gods, with their heads, necks, and shoulders bowed in obeisance, their beautiful bodies covered with goosebumps of joy, praised her with words.'
Word by word
- śakrādayaḥ
- Indra and others
- suragaṇāḥ
- the groups of gods
- nihate
- was slain
- ativīrye
- of exceeding strength
- tasmin
- that
- durātmani
- evil-souled one
- surāribale
- the army of the enemies of the gods
- ca
- and
- devyā
- by the Goddess
- tām
- her
- tuṣṭuvuḥ
- they praised
- praṇati
- with obeisance
- namra
- bowed
- śirodharāṁsāḥ
- with heads, necks, and shoulders
- vāgbhiḥ
- with words
- praharṣa
- with joy
- pulaka
- with horripilation (goosebumps)
- udgama
- arising
- cārudehāḥ
- their beautiful bodies
Meaning
This verse sets the scene for the hymns of praise. The gods, led by Indra, are overwhelmed with relief, joy, and reverence. Their physical posture—bowed heads and shoulders—shows deep humility. Their goosebumps (pulaka) are a physical manifestation of their ecstatic devotion and awe in the presence of the Divine Mother's glory.