Chapter 5 · Pañcamo’dhyāyaḥ (Fifth Chapter)
Verse 127–128
देव्युवाच ॥ १२७ ॥ एवमेतद् बली शुम्भो निशुम्भश्चातिवीर्यवान्। किं करोमि प्रतिज्ञा मे यदनालोचिता पुरा ॥ १२८ ॥
dēvyuvāca || 127 || ēvamētad balī śumbhō niśumbhaścātivīryavān | kiṁ karōmi pratijñā mē yadanālōcitā purā || 128 ||
Translation
The Goddess said: Thus it is, Shumbha is powerful, and Nishumbha is exceedingly valorous. What shall I do, for my vow was made unconsidered formerly?
Word by word
- devī
- the Goddess
- uvāca
- said
- evam
- thus
- etad
- this
- balī
- powerful
- śubhbhaḥ
- Shumbha
- niśubhbaḥ
- Nishumbha
- ca
- and
- ativīryavān
- exceedingly valorous
- kiṁ
- what
- karomi
- shall I do
- pratijñā
- vow
- me
- my
- yat
- which
- anālocitā
- unconsidered
- purā
- formerly
Meaning
Ambika acknowledges the strength and valor of Shumbha and Nishumbha but rhetorically questions her options, citing her earlier vow as binding, subtly mocking Sugriva’s threats by reaffirming her unyielding commitment to her challenge.