TRanslation of Devi Mahatmya or Chandi

September 6, 2005

I have just completed theenglish translation of Devi Mahatmya(verse by

verse), I am looking forward to help from any web site to upload this so that

it would reach the devotees of Kali ma. I am giving below the part of my

introduction to this great work.Raja

Introduction

This book which relates the story of how the devi (mother Goddess) killed Madhu

and Kaidabha as Vishnu Maya (Thamasic-base), killed Mahishasura as Lakshmi

(Rajashic form-materialistic) and killed Shumbha and Nishumbha in the form of

Goddess Saraswathi (Sathvic-spiritual) is known as Devi Mahatmya in South

India, Chandi in West Bengal and as Durga Sapthasathi in the northern parts of

the country including Varanasi. It consists of Chapters 74 to 86 (13 chapters)

of the Markandeya Purana and has 700 stanzas. This Purana is also authored by

Veda Vyasa and is a medium sized Purana.

The stories of Devi Mahatmya are as told by Sage Markandeya to Sage Baguri. He

tells him that one king called Suradha, who was driven out of his kingdom by

his own people met one Vysya (businessman) called Samadhi who was driven out of

his home by his wife and sons, in the forest. They discover that though their

own people have driven them out, they are both worried about the welfare of

their people. It appears to them that this is unnatural. So they approach Sage

Sumedhas who was also living in the forest. The sage tells them that all this

is the illusion created by the great Goddess called Vishnu Maya. They became

curious and want to know about this great mother Goddess. He then relates to

them the story of Devi Mahatmya, which consists of three stories in all of

which the mother Goddess kills the enemies of Gods.

The first story is that of Madhu and Kaidabha. They take birth from the earwax

of Lord Vishnu while he was asleep and start troubling Lord Brahma who was

sitting on the lotus originating from the belly of Lord Vishnu. Lord Brahma

prays to the Goddess to help him continue his work of creation. The goddess

appears and takes the form of Lord Vishnu and kills both Asuras after wrestling

with them for thousands of years. Since both these Asuras were of Thamasic

origin, she also had a thamasic form.

The second story is of how the mother Goddess helped the devas by killing

Mahishasura. This Asura who had the form of buffalo, drove away the devas and

Indra from their homes. They all go and approach the holy trinity for the

redressal of their grievances. This made those three gods very angry and the

innate power of the Goddess in them came out and joined together. This goddess

was further strengthened by the powers of the various Gods. She was equipped

with arms by all devas. This goddess, mainly consisting of the anger-generated

power killed Mahishasura.

The third story is of how the Great Asura brothers Shumbha and Nishumbha were

killed by the goddess. This time the gods approach Goddess Uma who was

wandering in the Himalaya Mountains and told her of her sufferings. Out of the

body of the Goddess came Koushikhi or Chandika. She was black in colour. She

along with the powers generated by various Gods killed Shumbha and Nishumbha.

Sage Markandeya then tells of how, The king Suradha and Vysya Samadhi did

penance on the goddess and got the boons that they wanted.

In the twelfth chapter of this great book, the Goddess tells that for one, who

reads or hears, these three stories of her, there is nothing impossible to

obtain including salvation.

In my translation I am following the interpretation of this great book by

Brahmasri Kandiyur Mahadeva Sastrigal in malayalam, which is based on the text

given to him by Sri Hari Krishna Sharma of Aurangabad , based on the

commentaries on the book given in explanatory guides of the book viz. Durga

Pradeepa, Gupthavathi, Chathurdhari, Santhanavi, Nagoji bhatti, Damsodharam and

Jagat chandra chandrika.

It is believed that just possession of this book has helped many great people to

fight evil spirits as well as getting the blessings of the Goddess herself.

Several such folk stories abound all over India. One of those famous one in

Kerala was how one great Manthrika called Kalluru Namboodhiri was asked by a

king called Shakthan Thamburan, to enter the Kodungaloor Bhagawathi temple at

night after the festival and bring back his ring from the closed sanctum

sanctorum. He did this easily by taking with him a copy of Devi Mahatmya. This

book though it is a treasure house for all those trying for super natural

powers is also a book leading one to get his wishes fulfilled and also attain

salvation.

It is believed that reading of the book during Sharad and Vasantha Navarathris

is auspicious. In Appendix 1, summary of talk given by Swami Krishnanada on

"Esoteric significance of Devi Mahatmya " is given and Appendix 2 gives the

great Sthothra with meaning which summaries the story of Devi Mahatmya.

Parayana Krama or prescribed methods of reading

Devi Mahatmya is a story but each of its slokas is considered as mantras. There

are two methods of how to start reading Devi Mahatmya. The first one is called

Tryangam and consists of reading three prayers viz Devi Kavacham, Devi argalam

and Devi keelakam followed by meditation and chanting of the Navakshari manthra

given by

Om Iym hreem kleem Chamandayai , viche nama.

This manthra is of very great power and should not be chanted unless, it is taught by a Guru.

The other is Navangam, where nine prayers are recited before starting reading of

the book. They are chanting of 1.Nyasa 2.Avahana 3,Namani 4. Argala 5.Keelaga

6.Hrudhaya 7.Dhala 8.Dhyana and 9.Kavacha.

It is recommended that the entire Devi Mahatmya should be read in one sitting.

After completion of the reading it is necessary to chant the Devi Suktham

consisting of the slokas seven to 36 of chapter 8, is to be chanted. If the

Guru has taught the navakshari manthra, then it should also be meditated up on.

People who cannot do this should read the Pradhama charithra consisting of the

first chapter on the first day, the Madhyama Charithra consisting of the next

three chapters on the next day and the remaining Uthama Charitha consisting of

the next 9 chapters on the third day.

Another method of completing the full reading by seven days viz one chapter on

the first day, next two chapters on the second day, next one chapter on the

third day, next four chapters on the fourth day, next two chapters on the fifth

day, next one chapter on the sixth day and last two chapters on the seventh day.

It is important to know that daily the parayana should start with the trayanga

manthras, text of Devi Mahatmya followed by the chanting of Devi Suktham. It is

also essential not to stop in between while reading a chapter. If for some

reason, it is stopped, the entire chapter should be read again.

It has also been told that

"Geethi, seegri, sirakhambhi, hyakurvano vinasyathi,

Thatho jnathwaiva sampannamidham prabhyathe budhai,"

Those who sing it, those who read it fast, those who read with shaking of their

head, those who read from the text in their own handwriting , those who read

without understanding the import and those who read in a very feeble tone, do

not get the benefit of reading a work. It has also been told that any book,

which has less than one thousand slokas should be recited from memory to get

full benefit. Those who cannot should keep the book on a stand and read it

without touching it.

The benefit of reading Devi Mahatmya several times is given below:-

Three times-to get rid of black magic

Five times-to get rid of difficulties caused by planets

Seven times- to get rid of great fear.

Nine times –Peace,

Eleven times - to get over fear of death, attraction of the king

Twelve times -getting desires fulfilled and destruction of enemies

Fourteen times-to attract women as well as enemies

Fifteen times-Pleasant life and getting of wealth

Sixteen times-to get sons and grand sons

Seventeen times-to get rid of fear of the King

Eighteen times-to get occult powers

Twenty times-For war to end

Twenty-five times-To come out of prison

Hundred times –to get rid of great sorrow, banishment from caste, Loss of life, salvation

Hundred and eight times – Fulfilling any wanted desire

One thousand times-Goddess Mahalakshmi will visit him and he will get all wealth and

The kathyayani thanthra mentions various other methods of reading Devi Mahatmya. Some of them are: -

Chant before and after every sloka, the Navakshari manthra. This would make your

magical chants effective.

Chant Om Bhoor Buva swaha before every sloka and then chant Suva, bhuva, bhoo Om

after every sloka. Chanting one hundred times would get you occult powers.

Add "Jatha Vedase" before every sloka and chant. This would lead to fulfillment of all desires.

After every manthra chant thr tryambaka manthra viz.

"Tryambakam yajamahe

Sugandhim pushtivardhanam

Urvarurkamiva bhandhanam

Mrityor mukshiya ma -mrtat."

This would prevent untimely death.

5.Chant Tryambaka manthra one hundred times before and after reading Devi

Mahatmya and this will lead to avoidance of early death.

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September 7, 2005

We at kalima2 ( the next group ) would love to have this great seva . In fact ,

we would love to have you as moderator there . If it is ok with you pleaes mail

me at kanna_krishnan

so I can help with the adminsitration Sir

Once gain thank you for your great seva

a

Jai Kali !!!Raja Bangalore <chelakkara_raja > wrote:

Dear FRiends,