Shakti Sadhana Programme for Navarathri [ Day Nine ]

[Guest guest]

CHAPTER 13 : The bestowing of boons to Suratha and Vaisya

 

The Rishi said:

1-2. I have now narrated to you, O King, this sublime

poem on the glory of the Devi.

 

3. The Devi is endowed with such majestic power. By her this world is

upheld. Knowledge is similarly conferred by her, the illusive power

of Bhagavan Vishnu.

 

4. By her, you, this merchant and other men of discrimination, are

being deluded; and others were deluded (in the past), and will be

deluded (in the future).

 

5. O great King, take refuge in her, the supremem Isvari. She indeed

when worshipped bestows on men enjoyment, heaven and final release

(from transmigration).

 

Markandeya said (to his disciple Bhaguri):

6-8. O great sage, King Suratha who had become despondent consequent

on his excessive attachment and the deprivation of his kingdom, and

the merchant, having heard this speech prostrated before the

illustrious Rishi of sever penances and immediately repaired to

perform austerities.

 

9. Both king and the merchant, in order to obtain a vision of Amba,

stationed themselves on the sand-bank of a river and practised

penances, chanting the supreme Devi-sukta (hymn to the Devi).

 

10. Having made an earthen image of the Devi on the sands of the

river, they both wroshipped her with flowers, incense, fire and

libation of water.

 

11. Now abstaining from food, and now restraining in their food, with

their minds on ther and with concentration, they both offered

sacrifices sprinkled with blood drawn from their own bodies.

 

12. When they, with controlled minds propitiated her thus for three

years, Chandika, the upholder of the world, was well pleased and

spoke to them in visible form.

 

The Devi said:

13-15. What you solicit, O King, and you, the delight of

your family, receive all that from me. Well-leased I bestow those to

you both.

 

Markandaya said:

16-17. Then the King chose a kingdom, imperishable even

in another life, and in this life itself, his own kingdom wherein the

power of his enemies is destroyed by force.

 

18. Then the wise merchant also, whose mind was full of dipassion for

the world, chose tha knowledge which removes the attachment (in the

form of) `mine' and `I'.

 

The Devi said:

19-21. O King, after slaying your foes in a few days, you

shall obtain your own kingodm and it shall last with you there.

 

22-23. `And, when you are dead, you shall gain another birth from the

Deva Vivasvat (Sun), and shall be a Manu on earth by name Savarni.

 

24-25. `and, O the best of merchants, I grant you the boon which you

have desired of me. (Supreme) knowledge shall be yours, for your

self-realization'.

 

Markandeya said:

26-27. Having thus granted them both the boon that wach

desired, the Devi disappeared forthwith, as they were extolling her

with devotion.

 

28-29. Having thus gained the boon from the Devi, Suratha, the

foremost of Ksatriyas, shall obtain a new birth through Surya (and

of his wife Savarna), and shall be the Manu(eighth) named Savarni,

shall be the Manu named Savarni.

 

Here ends the thirteenth chpater called `The bestowing of boons to

Suratha and Vaisya' of Devi-mahatmya in Markandeyapurana, during the

period of Savarni, the Manu.

 

Here ends the Devi-Mahatmya of 700 Mantras.

 

OM TAT SAT OM.

 

>From DEVI MAHATMYAM.

Glory of the Divine Mother.

700 Mantras on Sri Durga.

English Translation by Swami Jagadiswarananda.

Sri Ramakrishna Math, 11th Impression.

 

I pray to the Divine Mother to shower HER blessings on those who

read this MAhAtmaya.