283 BHAGABATI GITA Under this law, the silk-worm self instinctive Weaves its cocoon of Death, whence it bursts forth A many-color'd butterfly, again And yet again t'assume still higher forms Of Being till the highest is attained, When it becomes a portion of mine own.", All heaven rang with joy at Durga's words, And thus the gods in chorus hymn'd her praise Victory to Thee, Almighty Goddess, Pow'r Supreme! Humbly, Mother, do we raise to Thee this grateful hymn I For Thy hands deliver'd us, in peril's fearful hour, From the rule of Rakshasas and ruthless demons' power! From Mahishasúra, Sumbha, and Nisumbha* dread, Who had ravag'd earth and unto heav'n their terrors spread,. From these scourges still Thou keepest all the regions free, Salutation, Salutation, ever unto Thee ! Victory to Thee, Adyasakti, Primeval Force! Of all things and beings Thou art Mother-Sire and source! Energy eternal! Thou art life and Thou art death, Which are but the rythmic variations of Thy breath! Countless Brahmas, Vishnus, Shivas at Thy breast are fed, Countless orbs of light Thy beams, O mighty Goddess, shed ! Thine this universe, Thy law its full string'd harmony! Salutation, Salutation, ever unto Thee Absolute Perfection ! Fulness Thou beyond all thought ! Self-existent, Omnipotent, Everlasting Sat! PS. -Thou, and Sat since Yugas first began, killed by Durga. {
