UTTAMA CHARITRA · MAHASARASWATI
Chapter 6 of 13
Dhumralochana Vadha
धूम्रलोचनवधः
Burning the smoky vision
KEY SHLOKA
इत्युक्तः सोऽभ्यधावत्तामसुरो धूम्रलोचनः । हुंकारेणैव तं भस्म सा चकाराम्बिका ततः ॥
ityuktaḥ so'bhyadhāvattāmasuro dhūmralocanaḥ | huṃkāreṇaiva taṃ bhasma sā cakārāmbikā tataḥ ||
So addressed, the demon Dhumralochana rushed at her; with merely the sound 'Hum', Ambika reduced him to ashes.
Sanskrit recitation
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FULL TRANSCRIPT
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The Story
Enraged, Shumbha sends Dhumralochana — 'smoke-eyed' — with sixty thousand soldiers to drag the Devi by her hair. As he rushes at her, she simply utters 'Hum!' and he is reduced to ashes. Her lion destroys his army.
Teachings
- ✦Clouded perception cannot touch the truth.
- ✦Sometimes one syllable of clarity is enough.
- ✦The lion — dharma — finishes what the Devi begins.
TODAY'S SADHANA
When a confused or 'smoky' thought arises today, mentally say 'Hum' and return to the breath.
Reflect & Remember
1. How does the Devi destroy Dhumralochana?
2. 'Dhumralochana' means…
3. Who destroyed his army?