Devi Mahishasura Mardini 2

The shouts of ‘Jaya' ‘Jaya' The sound that echoes and boomerangs - ‘Hail, Hail, Mother Goddess'! As Devi dances the nritta, nritya and natya The ankle bells jingle ‘Jhana-Jhana' - She dances with gusto - the eternal dance of victory! Victory and glory unto You! O Mahishasura-mardini! The powerful annihilator of the evil Asura With lustrous tresses cascading down; You are the beautiful daughter of the mountain! O Devi! Most powerful and gorgeous like a ‘parijata' flower, A rare bloom that sprouts only in the garden of virtuous people, A bright countenance, as pretty as a milk white moon, Eyes shining like a brilliant star, Adorned with flowers that attract A swarm of buzzing bees! Victory and glory unto You! O Mahishasura-mardini! The powerful annihilator of the evil Asura With lustrous tresses cascading down; You are the beautiful daughter of the mountain! O Devi! You appear like a delicate jasmine creeper, Yet, as strong as a wrestler! Ever flanked and surrounded by damsels, Bedecked with white jasmine flowers, Bees hovering around these scented blooms, O Devi! You are as fresh as a tender reddish pink sprout! Victory and glory unto You! O Mahishasura-mardini! The powerful annihilator of the evil Asura With lustrous tresses cascading down; You are the beautiful daughter of the mountain! Free Verse