Description of the Goddess In the Thirteen Chapters of Durga Saptashati

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[ Seven Hundred Verses ]

 

First Canto

Khargang Chakragadeshu Chapaparidhanchoolam Bhushundi Shirah

Shankh sandadhati karestrinyam sarvangbhushavritam

Neelashma dyutimasyapad dashkan seve Mahakalikan

Yamstausvapite harau kamal jo hantum Madhu-Kaitabham

 

I meditate on Mahakali Devi who was worshipped by Brahmaji to slay

the demons. Madhu and Kaitabh who surfaced when Lord Vishnu had

fallen asleep. She wields in her ten hands a sword, a chakra (

disc ), a mace, and arrow, a bow, a scimitar, a spear, bhushundi, a

head and a conch-shell. She has three eyes and her entire person is

bedight with divine ornaments. Her body hue is like that of a blue

sapphire and she has ten mouths and ten legs.

 

Second Canto

Om akshastrak parasham gadeshu kulisha padman Dhanushkundika

Dadam shakti masich charma jalajam ghanta surabhajanam

Shoolam pash sudarshane cha dadhanti hastai prasannanam

Seve sauribh mardini mih Mahalakshmi Saroja sthithitam

 

I remember and meditate on the cheerful visage of Bhagwati

Mahalakshmi, the slayer of the demon Mahishasur, seated on a white

lotus whose soft hands wield a garland, an axe, a mace, an arrow, a

thunderbolt, a lotus, a bow, a begging bowl, a stick, a spear, a

dagger, a shield, a conch-shell, a bell, a wine-cup, a trident, a

noose and a discuss. Bedight with these objects she looks elegant and

charming.

 

Third Canto

Om udyabdhanusahastrakanti maruna khshauma shiromalikam,

Raktalipta payodharam japwatim vidyamjbheetim varam

Hastabjairdhatim trinetravilas dwakjaraphindshriyam,

Dvi badha himanshu ratna mukutam vandearvindaskitam

 

All the body-organs of the Goddess are as resplendent as the sun

rising in the east. Her radiance is incomparable. The red-blood like

hue of her cloths is very soothing to the eye. A lace of the hacked-

off heads adorns her neck. Her breasts are anointed with red-sandal

paste. Mudras like Japamalika, Vidya, Abhaya and Var adorn her hands.

Her intoxicated eyes enhance the beauty of her charming visage. A

crown and the moon adorn her head. I bow to that Goddess Mother,

seated on a lotus and who possesses such ineffable glory.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fourth Canto

Om kalabhramam kataksherarikula bhayadam maulibaddhendu rekham,

Shankham Chakram kripanam trishikhamapi karairudhahantim trinetram.

Sinhaskandhadhiroodha tribhuvanamakhilam tejasa poorayanti

Dhyayed-Durga jayakhyam tridashaparivritam sevitam siddhakamaih

 

Those who render service unto the Goddess Durga with some carnal

desire and those gods who heartily chant her name surrounding her

should worship her Jaya form. Her huge body is radiant like the rain

laden clouds. Her frown pulverise all enemies. The shine of moon and

its rays reflects on her visage. She wields in her hands a conch-

shell, a disc ( chakra ) , a dagger and a trident. Astride on a lion,

she is illuminating all the three realms with her splendour. Her

glory cannot be described in words.

 

Fifth Canto

Om Ghantashoolahalani Shankhamusale Chakram dhanuha sayakam

Hastabjairdadhatin Ghanantvilasachitanshutulya prabham

Gauridehsamudbhavam trijagatamadharbhootam

Mahapoorvamatra Saraswatimanubhaje Shumbhadi daityardineem

 

Goddess who wields in her beautiful soft hands a bell , a spear, a

plough, a conch-shell, a pounder, a disc, a bow and an arrow, whose

splendour, like the Autumn moon is enchanting; the chosen deity in

the entire three realms and known to be the slayer of demons like

Shumbha, who came from Gauri; I bow in reverence to that Great

Saraswati.

 

Sixth Canto

Om Nagadheeshwaravishtharam phaniphanotamso rooratnavali

Bhaswad dehlatam Diwakarnibham Netratrayodbhasitam

Mala Kumbha kapal neerajakaram Chandrardha Chooda paran

Sarvagyeshwar bhiravankanilayan Padmavati Chintaye

 

Adored by all and reposing in the lap of Bhairav, that Padmavati

Goddess is revered by me. Perched atop the king of the mounts, she

dons a large lace interlaced with the gems which look like the hoods

of the snakes and add to her glow. Her three eyes as radiant as the

sun, enhance her beauty. She wields in her hands a lace, a pitcher, a

cupel and a white lotus. The second day moon adorns her head like a

dazzling crown.

 

Seventh Canton

OM dhyayeyam ratnapeethe shukakalapathitam shrinvatim shyamlangi

Nyastaikanghrim saroje shashishakaladharam vallakim vadayanteem

Kahlarabaddhamalam niyamitavilasachholikam rakta vastram

Matangi shankhapatram madhurmadhumadam chitrakobhdhasibhalam

 

I meditate on the Goddess Matangi. Seated on a jeweled throne she is

listening to the sweet prattle of a parrot. Her body hue is

glaucuous. Her one foot is resting on a lotus and a dazzling moon is

adorning her head. Playing upon the lute she looks enchanting wearing

an anadem of Kalhar ( red ) flowers. A taut bodice adorns her bosom.

Clad in sari of red colour, she has a conch-receptacle in her hand.

Her visage gives an intoxicated look as if she is under the influence

of sweet wine and her forehed gleams with a bindiya.

 

 

Eight canton

Om Arunam karunatarangitakshin dhritapashaankushban chap hastam

Animadibiravrittam mayookhairahamityeva vibhavaye Bhavanim

 

I meditate on Goddess Bhavani enveloped by the divine hallows like

Anima and others. The hue of her body is red; her eyes have a kind

look and her hands wield a noose, a hamulus, an arrow and a bow.

 

Ninth Canto

Om bandhook kanchananibham ruchirakshamalam

Pashankushocha vardam nijabahudandaih

Vibranamindushakalabharanam trinetra-

Mardhaambikeshamanisham vapurashryaami

 

I ever seek refuge in the holy image of the Ardhanareeshwara ( half

woman, half man ) whose colour is like that of the Bandhooka, a

flower with a golden hue and whose arms have beautiful lace of beads,

a noose, a hamulus and one hand raised to ward off all troubles, he

is ornamented with a crescent-like moon and is three-eyed.

 

Tenth Canto

Om uttapthemruchiram ravichandravahi

Netram dhanushsharyutaanjush pash shoolam

Ramyerbhujaishcha dadhatin Shivashakti roopam

Kameshwarim hridibhajam dhritendulekham

 

I meditate on Mother Goddess Kameshwari in my heart, who adorn a

crescent moon upon her head and her form represents the dual image of

Lord Shiva and His spouse. Her glow is like that of the heated gold.

Her three eyes represent the sun, the moon and the fire and she

wields in her hands a set of bow and arrow, a hamulus, a noose and a

trident.

 

Eleventh Canto

Om balaravidyutimindu kireetam tungakucha Nayantrayayuktam

Smeermukheen vardankushapashabheetikaram prabhje Bhuvanesheem

 

I meditate on Goddess Bhuvaneshwari Devi; whose body-hue is like the

glow of the morning sun. The moon is like the crown on her head and

her breasts are firm and protruded. An ever present smile gleams on

her face and she holds a hamulus, a noose, and one hand is raised in

a benedictive pose which ensures welfare for all.

 

 

 

 

Twelfth Canto

Om vidyuddamasaprabham mrigapati skandhashitan bheeshanam

Kanyabhi karval kheta vilasadhasthamire sevitam

Hastaishchakra gada sikhetavishijanshrehapam guna tarjani

Vibhranamanlatmikam shashidharan Durga trinetran bhaje

 

I meditate on the Goddess Durga who has three eyes. Her body-glow is

like the flash of lightning. Astride upon the lion, she looks

terrible. Many girls surround her, ready to render any service unto

her. The girls have swords and shields in their hands while the

Goddess holds discus, mace, sword, arrow, bow, the noose, she stands

raising her index finger. Her body gives out the glow of the burning

fire and the crown of moon adorns her forehead.

 

Thirteenth Canto

Om bala karmandalabhasam chaturbahum trilochanam

Pashankusha varabheetir dharayantim Shivam bhaje

 

The Goddess whose glow is like the rising sun; who is three eyed; has

four arms, one posed in the posture of benediction, the other raised

to give blessings and others holding noose and hamulus and who

ensures the welfare of all – I bow in reverence before that

Goddess

Shiva.

[Guest guest]

dear nora, thank you so much for reproducing these beautiful

verses... this translation is superb ,,, i have not seen anything

quite like this, could you please give us the source of this

 

thank you also for the devotional verses from vindyeshweri chalisa.

 

love and best wishes

[Guest guest]

How unbecoming of me for not quoting the sources. Thank you for

reminding me. Its from a book I have been using as reference

entittled :

 

THE SUPREME MOTHER : GODDESS DURGA

Mythological references. Tales of Glory

Hymns, Orisons and Devotional Songs

 

 

by B K Chaturvedi

Diamond Pocket Books

[Guest guest]

Nora! Thanks for such a beautiful post! (I know I'm late; but I'm

playing catch-up little by little!)