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The oldest surviving manuscript of the Devi Māhātmya, on palm-leaf, in an early Bhujimol script, Bihar or Nepal, 11th century.
The oldest surviving manuscript of the Devi Māhātmya, on palm-leaf, in an early Bhujimol script, Bihar or Nepal, 11th century. Bhujimol is the name of the most ancient form of the Nepal script. Bihar ( Hindi:बिहार Urdu: بہار bɪhaːr) is a state in eastern India. Nepal (नेपाल) is a Landlocked country in South Asia.
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The Devi Mahatmya (Sanskrit: devīmāhātmyam, देवीमाहात्म्यम्), or "Glory of the Goddess") is a Hindu scripture written in Sanskrit by Markandeya Rishi as part of the Markandeya Purana. Hinduism is a religious tradition that originated in the Indian subcontinent. Hinduism is an umbrella term for a wide variety of related religious traditions native to India. Within Hinduism a large number of personalities or 'forms' are worshiped as Murtis. Hinduism comprises numerous Sects or denominations The main divisions in current Hinduism are Shaivism, Shaktism, Vaishnavism Hindu mythology is the large body of Mythology related to Hinduism, notably as contained in Sanskrit literature, such as the Sanskrit epics and Hindu philosophy is divided into six Sanskrit ''{{IAST|āstika}}'') schools of thought or darshanas (literally "views" Sankhya The Sanskrit term ( Devanāgarī: धर्म Pali transliteration dhamma) is an Indian spiritual and religious Artha ( Devanagari: अर्थ is a Sanskrit term meaning "purpose cause motive meaning notion" In Indian religions, Moksha ( Sanskrit: sa मोक्ष mokṣa) or Mukti ( Sanskrit: sa मुक्ति literally "release" Karma is a concept in Hinduism which explains Causality through a system where beneficial effects are derived from past beneficial actions Yoga ( Sanskrit: योग, IAST: yóga, joːgə refers to traditional physical and mental disciplines originating in India, to the Bhakti ( Devanāgarī: भक्ति) is a word of Sanskrit origin meaning devotion. Maya ( Sanskrit sa माया māyā) in Indian religions, has multiple meanings This article is about Hinduism. Puja or "pooja" may also refer to certain devotional practices performed by Balmikis Buddhists (see A Hindu temple or Mandir ( Sanskrit: मंदिर is a house of worship for Hindus followers of Hinduism. Literature regarded as central to the Hindu literary tradition was predominantly composed in Sanskrit, Indeed much of the morphology and linguistic "Veda" redirects here For other uses see Veda (disambiguation. The Upanishads ( Devanagari: उपनिषद् IAST: upaniṣad also spelled "Upanisad" are Hindu scriptures that constitute the core teachings The Rāmāyaṇa ( Devanāgarī: sa रामायण is an ancient Sanskrit epic attributed to the Hindu sage ( Maharishi) Valmiki For other meanings see Purana (disambiguation. The Puranas ( Sanskrit: sa पुराण purāṇa, "of ancient times" The following is a bibliography of Hindu scriptures and texts. The percentage of Hindu population of each country was taken from the US State Department's International Religious Freedom Report 2006. These are some of the most noteworthy Gurus and Saints of Hinduism (in alphabetical order A Hinduism is going through a phase of regeneration and reform through the vehicle of several contemporary movements collectively termed as Hindu reform movements. Ayurveda ( Devanāgarī: आयुर्वॆद the 'science of life' is a system of Traditional medicine native to India, and practiced in other The Hindu calendar used in ancient times has undergone many changes in the process of regionalization and today there are several regional Indian Calendars, as This article deals with social and cultural criticism of Hinduism The following is a glossary of terms and concepts in Hinduism. Jyotiṣa ( Sanskrit jyotiṣa, from jyótis- "light heavenly body" also spelled Jyotish and Jyotisha in English Sanskrit (sa संस्कृता वाक् saṃskṛtā vāk, for short sa संस्कृतम् saṃskṛtam) is a historical Devi ( Devanagari: देवी) is the Sanskrit word for Goddess, used mostly in Hinduism. Literature regarded as central to the Hindu literary tradition was predominantly composed in Sanskrit, Indeed much of the morphology and linguistic Sanskrit (sa संस्कृता वाक् saṃskṛtā vāk, for short sa संस्कृतम् saṃskṛtam) is a historical Markandeya ( Sanskrit: मार्कण्‍डेय is an ancient Rishi (sage from the Hindu tradition born in the clan of Brigu Rishi Markandeya Purana, one of the major eighteen Puranas, a Hindu religious text is in the style of a dialogue between the sage Jaimini, and the sage It was composed some 1,600 years ago, c. 400-500 CE.

Devi Mahatmya is also known as the Durgā Saptashatī (ढुर्गासप्तशती) or simply Saptashatī, Caṇḍī (चण्डी) or Caṇḍī Pāṭha (चण्डीपाठः) - where pāṭha – "reading" – refers to the act of ritual reading. Chandi ( Sanskrit: sa चण्डी Caṇḍī or Chandika (Caṇḍīka is the supreme Goddess of Devi Mahatmya (Sanskrit Devīmāhātmyam देवीमाहात्म्यम् The oral tradition of the Vedas ( Śrauta) consists of several pathas, "recitations" or ways of chanting the Vedic Mantras Such traditions The text contains 700 (saptashata - "seven hundred") verses, arranged into 13 chapters.

By far the most important text of Shaktism (it is sometimes referred to as the "Shakta Bible"[1]), the Devi Mahatmya is the first religious text to define the Supreme Reality (God) as a female principle. Shaktism ( Sanskrit: Śāktaṃ sa शाक्तं lit "doctrine of power" or "doctrine of the Goddess") is a denomination of The text is a compilation and synthesis of far older myths and legends, skillfully integrated into a single narrative. [2]

The significance of Devi Mahatmya among the Puranas is indicated by the early dates at which it was translated into European languages. It has also been translated into most Indian vernaculars.

Devi Mahatmya lies at the base and root of Shakta religion, and forms the center of the great Shakti traditions. Shaktism ( Sanskrit: Śāktaṃ sa शाक्तं lit "doctrine of power" or "doctrine of the Goddess") is a denomination of The Devi Mahatmya is treated as if it were a Vedic hymn. The oral tradition of the text plays an important role in the ritualistic traditions of Shakta Hindus. The entire text is considered one mantra. A mantra ( Devanāgarī मन्त्र (or mantram is a religious or mystical syllable or poem typically from the Sanskrit language

Devi Mahatmya is based on the Samkhya philosophy. Sankhya, also Samkhya, ( सांख्य, IAST: sānkhya - 'enumeration' is one of the six schools of classical Indian philosophy. It is a synthesis of the then prevailing local Mother goddess cults of Aryan and non-Aryan origin. In it the Goddess is Shakti, power itself, beyond the patriarchal relegation of consorting with any eclipsing male deity or patriarchal construct. The three episodes of the text may be considered allegories of outer and inner experience. An allegory (from αλλος allos "other" and el αγορευειν agoreuein "to speak in public" is a figurative mode of representation

The four hymns in the text are considered sweet and sublime. [3] For ritual reading purposes a number of subsidiary texts are appended before and after. A ritual reading of this text is part of the Navaratri celebrations in honour of the Goddess. Navratri ( Sanskrit: नवरात्रि is a Hindu Festival of worship and dance Devi Mahatmya is also the basis of the popular rite of Chandi yajna. In Hinduism, Yajna ( Devanagari यज्ञ IAST yajña; also anglicized as Yagna, Yagya or Yadnya

Contents

Etymology

Sanskrit māhātmya- "magnanimity, highmindedness, majesty" is a neuter abstract noun of māha-ātman- "great soul". Mahatma is Sanskrit for "Great Soul" (महात्मा mahātmā: महा mahā (great + आत्मं or आत्मन The title devīmāhātmyam is a tatpurusha compound, literally translating to "the magnanimity of the goddess". In Sanskrit grammar a tatpuruṣa (तत्पुरुष compound is a dependent determinative compound, i

The text is called Saptasati as it contains 700 shlokas. A Sanskrit term shloka (श्लोक also spelt sloka specifically denotes a metered and often rhymed poetic verse or phrase (sapta=7,shata=100) verses. This count includes even one line sentences which are not strictly verses. There is another opinion that the name should be Saptaśati as it deals with the story of seven Satis or "pious persons". The seven mothers are Brāhmi, Māheśwari, Kaumāri, Vaisṇavi, Vārāhi, Indrāṇi, and Cāmunḍa. Matrikas ( Sanskrit: mātṝkās sa मातृका lit "The Mothers" also called Matara (Sanskrit mātaraḥ sa मातरः and [4]

Caṇḍī or Caṇḍīka is the name by which the Supreme Goddess is referred to in Devī Māhātmya. Chandi ( Sanskrit: sa चण्डी Caṇḍī or Chandika (Caṇḍīka is the supreme Goddess of Devi Mahatmya (Sanskrit Devīmāhātmyam देवीमाहात्म्यम् According to Coburn, "Caṇḍīkā is "the violent and impetuous one", from the adjective caṇḍa "fierce, violent, cruel". The epithet is unprecedented in Vedic literature and is first found in a late insertion to the Mahabharata, where Chaṇḍā and Chaṇḍī appear as epithets. "[5]

Significance

The Devi Mahatmya was considered significant among the Puranas by Indologists. Indology refers to the academic study of the languages texts History and Cultures of the Indian subcontinent, and as such a subset of Asian studies This is indicated by the early dates at which it was translated into European languages. It was translated into English in 1823, followed by an analysis with excerpts in French in 1824. It was translated into Latin in 1831 and Greek in 1853. [6]

Devi Mahatmya has been translated into most of the Indian languages. There are also a number of commentaries and ritual manuals. The commentaries and ritual manual followed vary from region to region depending on the tradition.

Place in the Hindu canon

Devi Māhātmyam has been called the Testament of Shakta philosophy[7] It is the base and root of Shakta doctrine. Shaktism ( Sanskrit: Śāktaṃ sa शाक्तं lit "doctrine of power" or "doctrine of the Goddess") is a denomination of [8] It appears as the centre of the great Shakti cult. Shakti, meaning sacred force, power, or energy, is the Hindu concept or personification of the divine feminine aspect sometimes referred [9]

Devi portrayed as Mahishasura Mardini, Slayer of the Buffalo Demon – a central episode of the Devi Mahatmya
Devi portrayed as Mahishasura Mardini, Slayer of the Buffalo Demon – a central episode of the Devi Mahatmya

The Devi Mahatmya is not the earliest literary fragment attesting to the existence of devotion to a goddess figure, but it is surely the earliest in which the object of worship is conceptualized as Goddess, with a capital G. In Hinduism, Durga ("the inaccessible" or "the invincible" or Maa Durga (Mother Durga is a form of Devi, the supreme Goddess [10]

Here, for the first time, "the various mythic, cultic and theological elements relating to diverse female divinities were brought together in what has been called the 'crystallization of the Goddess tradition. "[11]

The unique feature of Devi Māhātmyam is the oral tradition. Though it is part of the devotional tradition, it is in the rites of the Hindus that it plays an important role. The entire text is considered as one single Mantra and a collection of 700 Mantras. A mantra ( Devanāgarī मन्त्र (or mantram is a religious or mystical syllable or poem typically from the Sanskrit language

The Devi Māhātmyam is treated in the cultic context as if it were a Vedic hymn or verse with sage(ṛṣi), meter, pradhnadevata, and viniyoga (for japa). Viniyoga is a Sanskrit word that has multiple meanings Literal meanings include "separation" "detachment" and "leaving" but the common meanings Japa ( Sanskrit: जप is a Spiritual discipline involving the meditative repetition of a Mantra or name of God. It has been approached, both by Hindus and Western scholars, as scripture in and by itself, where its significance is intrinsic, not derived from its Puranic context. [12]

According to Damara Tantra "Like Aswamedha in Yagnas, Hari in Devas, Sapthsati is in hymns. " "Like the Vedas; Saptasati is eternal" says Bhuvaneshwari Samhita. [13]

There are many commentaries on Devi Māhātmya. Santhanavi, Puspanjali, Ramashrami, Nagesi, Dhamsoddharam, Guptavati, and Durgapradeepam are some of them. [14] The significance of Devi Māhātmya has been explained in many Tantric and Puranic texts like Katyayani Tantra, Gataka Tantra, Krodha Tantra, Meru Tantram, Marisa Kalpam, Rudra Yamala, and Chidambara Rahasya. [15]A number of studies of Shaktism appreciate the seminal role of Devi Māhātmya in the development of the Shakta tradition. Shaktism ( Sanskrit: Śāktaṃ sa शाक्तं lit "doctrine of power" or "doctrine of the Goddess") is a denomination of Shaktism ( Sanskrit: Śāktaṃ sa शाक्तं lit "doctrine of power" or "doctrine of the Goddess") is a denomination of

Philosophy

Mahakali - Presiding Goddess of the first episode.
Mahakali - Presiding Goddess of the first episode.

Devi Mahatmya accepts the ancient Vedic tradition in the form of Vāk and Trayī Vidyā and the philosophical doctrine of the codified system of Samkhya (Prakriti manifesting as the three Gunas) and Vedānta as Paramavidyā, the cause of Mukti. Sankhya, also Samkhya, ( सांख्य, IAST: sānkhya - 'enumeration' is one of the six schools of classical Indian philosophy. Prakrti or Prakriti (from Sanskrit language प्रकृ्रति prakṛti is according to Vedanta philosophy the basic matter of which the The Sanskrit word guṇa has the basic meaning of "string" or "a single thread or strand of a cord or twine" Vedanta ( Devanagari: sa वेदान्त Vedānta) is a spiritual tradition explained in the Upanishads that is concerned with the Self-realisation In Indian religions, Moksha ( Sanskrit: sa मोक्ष mokṣa) or Mukti ( Sanskrit: sa मुक्ति literally "release" Further it synthesizes the then prevailing local Mother goddess cults of Aryan and non-Aryan origin. A mother goddess is a Goddess, often portrayed as the Earth Mother who serves as a general Fertility deity the bountiful embodiment of the Earth. Aryan is an English word derived from the Sanskrit " Ārya " meaning "noble" or "honorable" [16]

In the first chapter it is said "all lives are conscious, but that knowledge is connected with senses. That goddess Bhagavatī, granting all kinds of prosperity, makes even the wise attracted to worldly pleasures and things forcibly with her great power of attraction. This ever-changing world with all its animate and inanimate things, is created by her. As the cause of salvation she turns into supreme spiritual knowledge, and is thus eternal; and again as the cause of bondage to worldly things she turns into things mundane and is the mistress of all, including Gods. She is eternal (and is thus beyond our knowledge) and pervades the world which may accordingly be called her form. Yet for the assistance of the lustrous souls, she appears in different forms. "[17]

Though the figure of Shiva is known in Devī Māhātmya the goddess bears no special relationship to him. Shiva:(pronunciation; Sanskrit: शिव Śiva, lit "Auspicious one" One of the Trimurtis Shiva is the supreme God in the Shaiva In fact she bears no special relationship with anyone other than her devotees. While each God has a Sakti, Devī Māhātmya avoids characterizing such forms as consorts, for the Goddess is Shakti, power itself beyond the realm of being a consort to anyone. Shakti, meaning sacred force, power, or energy, is the Hindu concept or personification of the divine feminine aspect sometimes referred Devī Māhātmya does not know the conceptualization that Sakti is feminine and its possessor or vehicle masculine, for as it is seen, the Goddess herself can put forth a Sakti. [18]

Contents

The Devī Māhātmya consists of chapters 81-93 of the Mārkandeya Purana, one of the early Sanskrit Puranas, which is a set of stories being related by the sage Markandeya to Jaimini and his students (who are in the form of birds). Markandeya Purana, one of the major eighteen Puranas, a Hindu religious text is in the style of a dialogue between the sage Jaimini, and the sage The thirteen chapters of Devi Māhātmya are divided into three charitas or episodes. At the beginning of each episode a different presiding goddess is invoked, none of whom is mentioned in the text itself. [19]

The framing narrative of Devi Mahatmya presents a dispossessed king, a merchant betrayed by his family, and a sage whose teachings lead them both beyond existential suffering. The sage instructs by recounting three different epic battles between the Devi and various demonic adversaries (the three tales being governed by, respectively, Mahakali (Chapter 1), Mahalakshmi (Chapters 2-4) and Mahasaraswati (Chapters 5-13). Mahakali ( Sanskrit: Mahākālī, Devanagari: महाकाली literally translated as Great Kali, is a Hindu Goddess Lakshmi or Mahalakshmi (pronunciation; Sanskrit: लक्ष्मी lakṣmī) is the Hindu Goddess of Wealth Saraswati (pronounced as; Sanskrit: sa सरस्वती sarasvatī; Malay: Saraswati Thai: สุรัสวดี is the Most famous is the story of Mahishasura Mardini – Devi as "Slayer of the Buffalo Demon" – one of the most ubiquitous images in Hindu art and sculpture, and a tale known almost universally in India. Among the important goddess forms the Devi Mahatmyam introduced into the Sanskritic mainstream are Kali and the Sapta-Matrika ("Seven Mothers"). Kali redirects here See Kali (disambiguation for other uses Not to be confused with Kali (demon, the personification of Kali Yuga Matrikas ( Sanskrit: mātṝkās sa मातृका lit "The Mothers" also called Matara (Sanskrit mātaraḥ sa मातरः and [20]

First Episode

Vishnu killing Madhu-Kaitabh - a folio from Devi Mahatmya
Vishnu killing Madhu-Kaitabh - a folio from Devi Mahatmya

The first story of the Devi Mahatmya depicts Devi in her universal form as Shakti. Madhu ( Sanskrit:मधु and Kaitabh ( Sanskrit: कैटभ Asuras or demons of Hindu mythology,are associated with Hindu Shakti, meaning sacred force, power, or energy, is the Hindu concept or personification of the divine feminine aspect sometimes referred Here Devi is central and key to the creation myth; she is the power that induces Vishnu's deep slumber on the waters of the cosmic ocean prior to the manifestation of the Universe which is a continuous cycle of manifestation, destruction and re-manifestation. For other meanings see Vishnu (disambiguation. Vishnu ( IAST viṣṇu Devanagari विष्णु (honorific Vishnu reclines on the nāga shesha during yoganidra. Nāga ( नाग, IAST: nāgá, Indonesian: naga, Javanese: nogo, Khmer: neak) is In Hindu ( Vedic) tradition Shesha (Śeṣa in IAST transliteration Devanagari: शेष is the king of all nagas, one of the primal Yoga Nidra, may be rendered in English as "yogic sleep" or "sleep of the yogis" Two demons arise as thoughtforms from Vishnu's sleeping body and endeavour to vanquish Brahma who is preparing to create the next cycle of the Universe. A thoughtform is a manifestation of mental energy also known as a ' Tulpa ' in Tibetan Mysticism. Brahma is the Hindu god ( deva) of creation and one of the Trimurti, the others being Vishnu and Shiva. The Universe is defined as everything that Physically Exists: the entirety of Space and Time, all forms of Matter, Energy Brahma sings to the Great Goddess, asking her to withdraw from Vishnu so he may awaken and slay the demons. Devi agrees to withdraw and Vishnu awakens and vanquishes the demons. Here Devi serves as the agent who allows the cosmic order to be restored. [21]

Middle Episode

"Durga, the great Warrior Goddess, represents the lethal energy of divine anger when turned against evil. In Hinduism, Durga ("the inaccessible" or "the invincible" or Maa Durga (Mother Durga is a form of Devi, the supreme Goddess The world was under attack by Mahishasura, the most evil demon in the world, who took many different forms, including that of a buffalo. In Hindu mythology, Mahishasura was an Asura. Mahishasur's father Rambha was king of the Asura, and he once fell in love with a water buffalo The male gods, fearing total annihilation endowed Durga with their powers. Riding a lion into battle, Durga slew the buffalo by cutting off its head and then she destroyed the spirit of the demon as it emerged from the buffalo's severed neck. It is through this act that order was established in the world. "[22]

The Goddess Ambika or Durga Leading the Eight Matrikas in Battle Against the Demon Raktabija, Folio from a Devi Mahatmya - (top row, from the left) the Matrikas - Narashmi, Vaishnavi, Kumari, Maheshvari, Brahmi. (bottom row, from left) Varahi, Aindri, Chamunda or Kali(drinking the demon's blood), Ambika. on the right, demons arising from Raktabija's blood
The Goddess Ambika or Durga Leading the Eight Matrikas in Battle Against the Demon Raktabija, Folio from a Devi Mahatmya - (top row, from the left) the Matrikas - Narashmi, Vaishnavi, Kumari, Maheshvari, Brahmi. Matrikas ( Sanskrit: mātṝkās sa मातृका lit "The Mothers" also called Matara (Sanskrit mātaraḥ sa मातरः and Raktavīja was an Asura (loosely translated as demon who fought together with Shumbha and Nishumbha against Durga and Kali or (bottom row, from left) Varahi, Aindri, Chamunda or Kali(drinking the demon's blood), Ambika. In Hinduism, Chamunda ( Sanskrit: sa चामुण्डा Cāṃuṇḍā) also known as Chamundi and Charchika, is a fearsome Kali redirects here See Kali (disambiguation for other uses Not to be confused with Kali (demon, the personification of Kali Yuga on the right, demons arising from Raktabija's blood

Final Episode

Kali may be understood to represent or "aspect" the darker, chthonic, transformative qualites of Devi's power or Shakti. Kali redirects here See Kali (disambiguation for other uses Not to be confused with Kali (demon, the personification of Kali Yuga Chthonic (from Greek χθόνιος khthonios "of the earth" from khthōn "earth" pertaining to the Earth; earthy subterranean Kali's emergence is chronicled in the third story of the Devi Mahatmya. Kali emerges from Devi's third eye as a burst of psychic energy. The third eye (also known as the inner eye) is a mystical and esoteric concept referring in part to the Ajna (brow Chakra in Kali overpowers and beheads Chanda and Munda, and when she delivers their severed heads to Devi, she is dubbed Chamunda. In Hinduism, Chamunda ( Sanskrit: sa चामुण्डा Cāṃuṇḍā) also known as Chamundi and Charchika, is a fearsome

During a fierce battle in which the Great Goddess demonstrates her omnipotence by defeating powerful demons who terrify the devas, she encounters the fierce Raktabija. Deva (देव in Devanagari script pronounced as /'d̪evə/ is the Sanskrit word for "god Deity " Raktavīja was an Asura (loosely translated as demon who fought together with Shumbha and Nishumbha against Durga and Kali or Every drop of blood Raktabija sheds transforms into another demon as it touches the earth. A unique strategy has to be devised to vanquish him. A fiery burst of energy emerging from Devi's third eye takes the dark skeletal form of goddess Kali. With her huge mouth and enormous tongue she ferociously laps up Raktabija's blood, thus preventing the uprising of further demons.

The story continues in which Devi, Kali and a group of Matrikas destroy the demonic brothers Shumbha and Nishumbha. Matrikas ( Sanskrit: mātṝkās sa मातृका lit "The Mothers" also called Matara (Sanskrit mātaraḥ sa मातरः and In the final battle against Shumbha, Devi absorbs Kali and the matrikas and stands alone for the final battle. Devi ( Devanagari: देवी) is the Sanskrit word for Goddess, used mostly in Hinduism. [23]

Symbolism of the three episodes

Coburn says: "The sage's three tales are allegories of outer and inner experience, symbolized by the fierce battles the all-powerful Devi wages against throngs of demonic foes. Her adversaries represent the all-too-human impulses arising from the pursuit of power, possessions and pleasure, and from illusions of self-importance. Like the battlefield of the Bhagavad Gita, the Devi Mahatmya's killing grounds represent the field of human consciousness ... The Devi, personified as one supreme Goddess and many goddesses, confronts the demons of ego and dispels our mistaken idea of who we are, for – paradoxically – it is she who creates the misunderstanding in the first place, and she alone who awakens us to our true being. "[24]

Hymns

Mahalakshmi - The presiding Goddess of the Middle episode.
Mahalakshmi - The presiding Goddess of the Middle episode.

Coburn has said:

"While, in terms of quantity of verses, the Goddess's martial exploits are predominant, in terms of quality, these are surpassed by verses of another genre, viz. , the hymns to the Goddess. Much of the power of the Devī Māhātmya derives from the way in which the hymnic material is held in counterpoint to the discursive account of her salvific activity in the world, but to the reader-hearer it is clear that the devotional fervor of the text, and the synthetic work it is performing, emerge most intensely in the hymns. "[25]

The four Hymns are:

  1. Brahma-stuti also known as Tantrik Ratri Suktam (Chapter 1): In the first episode, when Brahma hymns Yoganidra, requesting her withdrawal from Vishnu so that he can slay Madhu and Kaitaba. Brahma is the Hindu god ( deva) of creation and one of the Trimurti, the others being Vishnu and Shiva. Maya ( Sanskrit sa माया māyā) in Indian religions, has multiple meanings For other meanings see Vishnu (disambiguation. Vishnu ( IAST viṣṇu Devanagari विष्णु (honorific Madhu ( Sanskrit:मधु and Kaitabh ( Sanskrit: कैटभ Asuras or demons of Hindu mythology,are associated with Hindu [26]
  2. Sakradi-stuti (Chapter 4): At the end of second episode, after the Goddess has vanquished demon Mahishasura and his hordes, the Gods with first god Indra , praise her. In Hindu mythology, Mahishasura was an Asura. Mahishasur's father Rambha was king of the Asura, and he once fell in love with a water buffalo Deva (देव in Devanagari script pronounced as /'d̪evə/ is the Sanskrit word for "god Deity " Indra ( Sanskrit: इन्द्र or इंद्र Indra, Malay: Indera, Thai: พระอินทร์ Phra-Intra [27]
  3. The "Ya Devi" Hymn also known as Aparajita-stuti or Tantrik Devi Suktam (Chapter 5): At the beginning of the third episode, when the beleaguered gods recall the Goddess's promise to assist them, they head to Mount Himavan and there offer a hymn to the Goddess. [28]
  4. Narayani-stuti (Chapter 11): At the conclusion of the third episode, after the Goddess has disposed of Sumbha and Nisumbha, she is hymned by the Gods. [29]

Angās (Appendages)

As an independent text, Devī Māhātmya has acquired a number of "limbs" or "subsidiary texts" or "appendages" (angas) over the years "fore and aft". According to Coburn "artistic evidence suggests that the angas have been associated with the text since the fourteenth century. " The angas are chiefly concerned with the ritual use of Devī Māhātmya and based on the assumption that the text will be recited aloud in the presence of images. [30]

Preceding subsidiary texts

Mahasaraswati - The presiding Goddess of the final episode.
Mahasaraswati - The presiding Goddess of the final episode.

Either the Ratri Suktam (Vedic) or Ratri Suktam (Tantrik) is read depending upon whether the ritual is Vaidic or Tantrik.

One of the texts recited by some traditions is the Devī-Atharva-Śirṣa-Upaniṣad (Devi Upaniṣad).

Succeeding subsidiary texts

The number and order of these depend on the Sampradaya (tradition). In Hinduism, a sampradaya ( IAST sampradāya) can be translated as ‘tradition’ or a ‘religious system’ although the word commands much more respect [36][37]

Either the Devi Suktam (Vedic) or Devi Suktam (Tantrik) is read depending upon whether the ritual is Vedic or Tantrik.

At the end of a traditional recitation of the text, a prayer craving pardon from the Goddess known as Aparadha Kshmapana Stotram is recited.

Mantra

Bhāskararāya in his commentary "Guptavatīi" has noted that, among the mantras related to the worship of Brahman cum Sakthi with attributes, the Navārna mantra and Saptasati are preeminent. Saptasati here is understood as constituting one very long mantra. Navārna mantra has been explained in Devī-Atharva-Śirṣa-Upaniṣad (Devi Upaniṣad). [38]

The Navārna Mantra is also known as Chandi or Navakshari (the one with nine-syllables).

The mantra is:

oṁ aiṁ hrīṁ klīṁ cāmuṇḍayāi vicce
ॐ ऐं ह्रीं क्लीं चामुण्डायै विच्चे

The Navārna mantra is recited before and after the recitation of Devī Māhātmya. A mantra ( Devanāgarī मन्त्र (or mantram is a religious or mystical syllable or poem typically from the Sanskrit language

Devi Mahatmya in popular tradition

The recitation of Devi Mahatmya is done during the Sharad Navaratri (Oct. Navratri ( Sanskrit: नवरात्रि is a Hindu Festival of worship and dance - Nov. ) in Bengal, Maharashtra, Gujarat and south India. The text is also recited during the Vasantha Navaratri (March - April) in Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and other states of north India. Navratri ( Sanskrit: नवरात्रि is a Hindu Festival of worship and dance [1][2]

Devi Mahatmya is the ritual text for performing Chandi Yajna . In Hinduism, Yajna ( Devanagari यज्ञ IAST yajña; also anglicized as Yagna, Yagya or Yadnya This is one of the most popular Yagnas conducted throughout India. This is performed for the general welfare of the people. [3]

Notes

  1. ^ Narayanan, Renuka, "To Devi, who abides in all beings as strength. . . ', Hindustan Times, October 13, 2007.
  2. ^ Kali, Davadatta
  3. ^ *Swami Jagadiswarananda, Devi Māhātmyam. p vi
  4. ^ Sankaranarayanan, p 7
  5. ^ Coburn, Thomas B. , Devī Māhātmya. p 95
  6. ^ Coburn, Thomas B. , Devī Māhātmya. p 52
  7. ^ Manna, Sibendu, p 92
  8. ^ Swami Sivananda p 5
  9. ^ Coburn, Thomas B. , Devī Māhātmya. p 55
  10. ^ Coburn, Thomas B. , Encountering the Goddess.
  11. ^ Brown, C. MacKenzie, The Triumph of the Goddess
  12. ^ Coburn, Thomas B. , Devī Māhātmya. p 51–55
  13. ^ Anna, p vii
  14. ^ Anna, p v
  15. ^ Anna, p v
  16. ^ Goyal S. R. , p 295
  17. ^ Goyal S. R. , p 297
  18. ^ Coburn, Thomas B. , Devī Māhātmya. p 308–309
  19. ^ Coburn, Thomas B. , Encountering the Goddess. p 100
  20. ^ Kali, Davadatta, p. xvii
  21. ^ Devi.
  22. ^ Devi.
  23. ^ Devi.
  24. ^ Coburn, Thomas B. , Encountering the Goddess
  25. ^ Coburn, Thomas B. , Devī Māhātmya. p 72
  26. ^ Coburn, Thomas B. , Devī Māhātmya. p 290
  27. ^ Coburn, Thomas B. , Devī Māhātmya. p 291
  28. ^ Coburn, Thomas B. , Devī Māhātmya. p 295
  29. ^ Coburn, Thomas B. , Devī Māhātmya. p 298
  30. ^ Coburn, Thomas B. , Encountering the Goddess. p 100–101
  31. ^ Coburn, Thomas B. , Encountering the Goddess. p 223
  32. ^ a b c d e Swami Sivananda, p 3
  33. ^ Swami Satyananda Saraswati, Chaṇḍī Pāṭh
  34. ^ a b c Sankaranarayanan. S. , p 271–273
  35. ^ Swami Satyananda Saraswati, Chaṇḍī Pāṭh
  36. ^ Sarma, Sarayu Prasad, Saptashatī Sarvasvam
  37. ^ Sri Durga Saptashatī, Gita Press
  38. ^ Coburn, Thomas B. , Encountering the Goddess, p 136

References

Further reading

See also

External links

In Hinduism, Mahadevi ( Sanskrit: Mahādevī, Devanagari: महादेवी or " Great Goddess " is a term used to denote A mother goddess is a Goddess, often portrayed as the Earth Mother who serves as a general Fertility deity the bountiful embodiment of the Earth. Chandi di Var, also known as Var Sri Bhagauti Ji is a composition by Guru Gobind Singh included in 5th Chapter of Dasam Granth.
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