Devi Mahatmyam

DEVI MAHATMYAM

Chapter 4: The prayer of Sakradi devathas.

1.    Rishir Uvacha:-

       Sakradhaya suragana nihathe athiveerya,

       Thasmin durathmani surari bale cha devya,

       Thaam thushtuvu pranathi namra siro daramsa,

       Vagbhi praharsha pulgothgama charu deha.

The sage told:-

When the very strong Asura army and very valorous and bad natured Mahishasura were killed by the Goddess, Indra and other gods and sages in his circle, With necks bending to her in salutation, and with handsome body enthused by the great happiness, prayed to the Goddess.

2.    Devya yaya thathamidham jagadathma shakthya,

       Nissesha deva gana shakthi samooha moorthya,

       Thaam ambikam akhila deva maharshi poojyam,

       Bhakthya nathasma vidha dhahthu shubhani saa na.

We venerate with ultimate devotion before that Goddess Ambika, whose body has been made by the strength of the collection of all devas and from whose strength this entire world has been created and who merits to be venerated by all the Gods and sages. Let her do well to all of us.

3.    Yasya prabhavam athulam bhagwan anantho,

       Brahma harascha nahi vakthumalam balam cha,

       Saa chandika akhila jagath paripalanaya,

       Naasaya chaashubha bhayasya mathim karothu.

Let that Chandika whose incomparable strength and power cannot even be described fully by Brahma, the inexhaustible Vishnu and Lord Shiva, help us in proper upkeep of the entire universe and remove the fear that emanates from the unholy events.

4.    Yaa sree swayam sukrtheenaam bhavaneshwa lakshmi,

       Papathmaanam krutha dhiyaam hrudhayeshu budhi,

       Sradhaa sathaam kula jana prabhavasya lajja,

       Thaam thwaam nathaa sma paripalaya devi viswam.

We salute that Goddess who is and will be in the form of wealth in the houses of holy people, who is and will be in the form of misfortune in the home of sinners, who is and will be in the form of wisdom in the heart of learned people, who is and will be in the form of good conduct in the hearts of goo people and who is and will be in the form of shyness in the minds of those people born in good families. Oh Goddess, please save this world.

5.    Kim varnayama thava roopa machinthya methath,

       Kim chathi veeryamasura kshayakari bhoori,

       Kim chahaveshu charithani thavathi yani,

       Sarveshu devyasura deva ganadhikeshu.

How can one describe your present form which cannot be even thought by asuras and devas? How can we describe your great valour, which lead to the destruction of many asuras? How can we describe your skill, which was shown in this war?

6.    Hethu samastha jagatham trigunaapi doshair,

       Na Jnayase hariharadhibhirapyapaara,

       Sarvasrayakhilamidam jagadamsa bhootha,

       Mavyakyatha hi parama prakruthisthwamadhya.

You are the cause and root of everything in the world. Though you are having the three properties of Sathwa(holy), Rajas(vigorous) and Thamas(base ), you are not affected by any type of passion. You are one who is not even fully known to the trinity of Vishnu, Brahma and Rudra. You are one on whom all beings depend. This entire world is a part of you. Since the primeval force, which gave life to all Gods, you are bereft of any emotion.

7.    Yasya samastha suratha samudheeranena,

       Trupthim prayathi sakaleshu makheshu devi,

       Swahasi vai pithru ganasya cha trupthihethu,

       Rucharyasethwamatha eva janai swatha cha.

Hey Goddess, You are the “Swaha” by pronouncing which in all fire sacrifices the gods get satisfied and you are the “Swadha” which is the source of satisfaction of manes.

(“While offering sacrifice to the Gods fire is the mediator. He receives the offerings, which are put in to him with the word “Swaha”, and gives to the Gods. In worship of the manes, water is offered as “Swadha” to the manes. )

8.    Yaa mukthihethu ravichinthyaw maha vrutha thwa,

       Mabhysyase suniyathendriya thathwa sarai,

       Moksharthibhir munibhirastha samastha doshair,

       Vidhyasi saa bhagawathee parama he devi.

Hey Goddess, You are that knowledge which is the root cause of salvation, that knowledge which takes one to god by unthinkable great penance, because you are being searched by those sages who have lost all bad wishes and conduct, who think that search of God is the essence of their life and who forever crave for methods of salvation.

9.    Sabhathmika suvi malarghya jusham nidhana,

       Mudhgedharamya padha patavatham cha samnaam,

       Devi, thwayi bhagawathi bhava bhavanaya,

       Vartha cha sarva jagatham paramarthi hanthree.

Oh, Goddess, your soul is the holy sound, you are the songs of sama Veda which are made of very holy verses and which are made up of songs of lovely words, you are the desire, you are the personification of three Vedas, you are the essence of knowledge of the day to day life, and you are the destroyer of the ills of all the world.

10.  Medhasi devi, vidhithakhila sastra sara,

       Durgasi durga bhava sagara naura sanga,

       Sri kaida bhari hrudaika kruthadhivasa,

       Gauri Thwameva sasi mouli krutha prathishta.

Hey Goddess, You are the wisdom which makes one capable of knowing all the knowledge so far known, You are the incomparable Durga who is a boat which helps one to cross the ocean of day to day life, You are the Goddess Lakshmi living in the chest of Lord Vishnu and you are the Goddess Gauri who lives in Lord Parameshwara who wears the crescent.

11.  Ishath sahasam amalam paripoorna chandra,

       Bhibanukari prahruthama kanthi kantham,

       Athyathbutham prahruthamaatharusha thadhapi,

       Vakthram vilokhya sahasa mahishasurena.

Though your face which is pretty with a captivating a smile and which is similar to the full moon and which is having the glitter of the purest gold, it was speedily hit by the very angry Mahishasura. This is indeed surprising.

12.  Dhrushtwa thu devi, kupitham brukutikarala,

       Mudrchcha sanka sadhya schavee yanna sadhya,

       Pranaan mumocha mahishas thadeeva chithram,

       Kair jeevithe he kupithanthaka darsanena.

Hey Goddess, in spite of seeing your very angry face with sharply bent eye brows and which resembled the reddish full moon just when it is rising, Mahishasura did not choose to give up his life. This is indeed surprising because, which being would choose to continue to live after seeing the very angry God of death.

13.  Devi praseedha paramaa bhavathi bhavaya,

       Sadhyo vinasayasi kopavathi kulani,

       Vignanametha dhadhunaiva yadasthametha,

       Nnetham bhalam suvipulam mahishasurasya.

Hey Goddess, be pleased with me. You are the most powerful goddess Lakshmi. If you are pleased the family is greatly enlarged and if you are angry, you destroy several generations of families. This is known now, because you destroyed the great and large army of Mahishasura.

14.  Theey Sammatha jana padeshu dhanani theshaam,

       Theshaam yasamsi na cha seedhathi dharma varga,

       Dhanyastha eva nibrudhathmaja abhyathya dhara,

       Yesham sadabhydayadha bhavathee prasanna.

Those to whom you always give progress and are happy with them, they are the people recognized by all. They would only get wealth and fame. For them the Dharma never goes away. They are the people with good sons, servants and wife.

15. Dharmyani devi, sakalani sadaiva karmaa,

       Anyadhutha prathidhinam sukruthi karothi,

       Swargam prayathi cha thatho bhavathi prasadath,

       Loka thraye aapi phaladha nanu devi thena.

Hey Goddess, by your blessings the blessed man always and with feelings of holiness is able to do all his duties which are dictated by just conduct. Because of that he attains heaven and salvation. So it is definite that you give results in all the three worlds.

16.  Durge smrutha harasi bheethimasesha jantho,

       Swasthai smruthaa mathi matheeva shubha dhadhasi,

       Daridrya dukha bhaya harini ka twadhanya,

       Sarvopa kara karanaya sadardra chitha.

You destroy sorrow of all beings who sorrow, you give great wisdom to those who are fearless and Oh Goddess who destroys the fear of poverty, who is there in this world except you who has a heart dripped in mercy.

17.  Eapir hathair Jagathupaithi sukham thadaihe,

       Kurvanthu nama narakaya chiraya papam,

       Samgrama mruthyu madhigamya divam prayanthu,

       Mathwethi noona mahithan vinihamsi devi.

Hey Goddess you kill your enemies thinking that this world should feel happiness. These asuras are killed, so that these asuras should not do more sins fore several ages and so that they will not reach the hell, which is full of diseases and that they should travel towards heaven being killed in this war by you.

(This is an answer to the doubt to the sentiments expressed in the last stanza that, though goddess has a melting heart with mercy, she has killed several asuras. )

18.  Dushtaiva kim bhavathi prakarothi bhasma,

       Sarvasuranareeshu yal prahinoshi sasthram,

       Lokaan prayanthu ripavo api hi sasthra puthra,

       Itham mathir bhavathi theshwa hithesu swadhi.

Hey goddess do you not turn into ash all asuras just by your sight? It is definite, that you send your weapons at them only with a view to purify them by contact with your weapons and with a good intention that even your enemies should reach heaven.

19.  Gadga prabha nikara vishuranai sthodhagrai,

       Soolagra kanthi nivahena druso asuranam,

       Yannagatha vilayamamsuma dindhu ganda,

       Yogyananam thava vilokayatham thdethath.

The reason why the eyes of Asuras are staring at the glitter of the collection of your shining swords and the collective glitter of the ends of your spear is because they are staring at your holy face adorned with the cool crescent.

20.  Dur vrutha vrutha samanam thava devi seelam,

       Roopam thadiva thadha vicinthya mathulya manyai,

       Veeryam cha hanthya hrutha deva parakramanam,

       Vairishwapi prakatithaiva dhaya twayetham.

Holy Goddess, thy pristine character brings to an end the bad characteristics of base people, and similarly your pretty mien can never be imagined by ordinary minds and also does not have similarity with all other pretty things. Also your valour kills all asuras and thus you show your mercy even towards thine enemies.

(killed by her they attain salvation)

21.  Kenopama bhavathu thesya parakramasya,

       Roopam cha shathru bhaya karyadhi hari kuthra,

       Chithe krupaa samara nishtooratha cha dushsta,

       Twayeva devi, varade bhuvana trayepi.

Hey Goddess who showers all the requested blessings on your devotees, to which thing can we compare thine great valour? To which can we compare your looks which is pretty but creates fear among your enemies. In all the three worlds only in you we are able to see mercy in your mind and fierce cruelty in war.

22.  Trilokya methad akilam ripu nasanena,

       Tratham twaya samara murdhani the api hatwa,

       Neetha divam ripu gana bhaya mapyapastha,

       Masmaka munmadha surari bhavam namasthe.

Our salutations to thee mother who has saved all the three worlds from the destruction of enemies, who has killed hoards of enemies in the war field and led to heaven and who has completely cured our fear.

23.  Soolena pahino devi, pahi gadgena chabhike,

       Gandaswanena na pahi chapajyaniswanena cha.

Oh goddess, please save us by your spear, Of mother of all worlds, save us all by using your sword and also save us bythe ringing of your bells and twang of your bow.

24.  Prachyam raksha, pradeechyam cha chandike, Raksha dakshine,

       Bramanenathma soolasya utharasyam thadeswai.

Oh Goddess, please save the eastern side by the rotation of your spear. Of goddess Chandika, similarly save the western, southern and northern sides.

25.  Sowmyani yani roopani trolokye vicharanthi they,

       Yani chatyartha ghorani thai rakshas maam sthadha bhuvam.

Let that aspect of you, which is peaceful (involved in creation and upkeep) and that aspect, which is fearful, (that involved in destruction) which are travelling in all the three worlds save us and those of the people in the earth by the same aspects.

26.  Gadga soola gadhadheeni yani cha asthrani they ambike,

       Kara pallava sangeeni thairasman raksha sarvatha.

Oh, mother Goddess those swords, maces and spears held in your very soft hands (as soft as a young leaf) protect us from all over the universe.

27.  Evam sthutha surair divyai kusumair nandanodbhavai,

       Architha jagatham dhathri thadha gandhanulepanair.

Thus the goddess who ruled all over the universe was praised by the devas, and worshipped by holy flowers produced from great gardens and also several potions and pastes made of sandal.

28.  Bhaktha samasthair tridasair divyair dhoopair,

       Praha prasada mukhi samasthan pranathan suraan.

Thus worshipped by all the devas by the holy and divine smokes, the goddess told the devas with smiling face.

29.  Devyuvacha:-

       Vriyathaam tridasa sarve yadasmatho bi vanchitham.

The goddess told:-

       Hey devas who are spread all over, please tell me whatever you want from me.

30.  Deva ouchu:-

       Yadayam nihatha shatrur asmakam mahishasura,

       Yadi vaapi varo deyatwasmakam maheswari.

Samsmrutha samsmrutha thwam no himsedha paramapadha.

The reason why you have killed Mahishasura has led you to do all things required by us. There is nothing more remaining. Hey Goddess, if you want us to ask you for a boon, let the thought of you in us, always destroy all dangers that we may face later.

32.  Tasya vithridhi vibhavair dhana dharadhi sampadham,

       Vrudhaye asmat prasanna twam bhavadho sarvadhambhike.

Hey Mother of the universe who is always happy, any human being who praises thee using these sthothras, you being pleased with us, let him be granted increase in intelligence, wealth and happiness as well as money and consorts for ever.

33.  Rishir Uvacha:-

       Ithi prasathidha devair Jagatho artha thadathmana,

       Thadethyukthwa bhadrakali babhuvandharhitha nrupa.

The sage told:-

Hey king, thus pleased by the devas for protecting the three worlds as well as for helping of devas, the pleased goddess said, “So be it” and became invisible.

34.  Ithyethad kathidham Bhoopa, sambhootha saa yadha puraa,

       Devi deva sarerebhyo Jagat thraya hithoushini.

Oh, king, I have told you about how Goddess who wishes for the welfare of all the three worlds came from the bodies of all devas.

35.  Punascha gowri dehathsa samud bhootha yada bhavat,

       Vadhaya dushta daithyanaam thada shumbha Nishumbhayo.

36.  Rakshanaya cha lokanam devanaam upakarini,

       Thachrunushwa mayaa khyadam yadavath kadayami they.

I am going to tell you further how that Goddess who wishes to help the devas came from the body of Parvathy for killing bad Rakshasas as well as Shumbha and Nishumbha and for the protection of the world. Be pleased to hear this.

Ithi Markandeya purane savarnike manwanthare,

       Devi Mahatmye,

       Sakradhi sthuthir nama,

       Chathurtho adhyaya,

This is the fourth chapter in Devi Mahatmya dealing with the prayer of Sakradhi devathas Occuring in the Savarnika period of Markandeya Purana.

(To be contd.....)