Vaishampayana said While Yudhishthira was about to enter the beautiful city of Virata, he mentally hymned the divine Durga, the goddess of the three worlds, born of the womb of Yashoda, very dear to Narayana, born in the family of Nandagopa, bestower of prosperity capable of enhancing a family, the terror of Kansa, slayer of Asuras, the goddess who ascended the welkin when dashed on a stone slate. Vasudeva's sister, adorned with celestial garlands, attired in celestial apparel and holding sword and scimitar capable of rescuing worshippers, like a cow in the mire, who for the purpose of getting themselves released of the burden, invoke the aid of that giver of eternal blessing.
वैशम्पायन उवाच विराटनगरं रम्यं गच्छमानो युधिष्ठिरः। अस्तुवन्मनसा देवी दुर्गा त्रिभुवनेश्वरीम्॥ यशोदागर्भसम्भूतां नारायणवरप्रियाम्। नन्दगोपकुले जातां मङ्गल्यां कुलवर्धिनीम्॥ कंसविद्रावणकरीमसुराणां क्षयंकरीम्। शिलातटविनिक्षिप्तामाकाशं प्रति गामिनीम्॥ वासुदेवस्य भगिनी दिव्यमाल्यविभूषिताम्। दिव्याम्बरधरां देवी खड्गखेटकधारिणीम्॥ भारावतरणे पुण्ये ये स्मरन्ति सदाशिवाम्। तान् वै तारयसे पापात् पङ्के गामिव दुर्बलाम्॥