Devi Mahatmya or Sapthashati

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Dear Members,

 

A lot of confusion has been created over Devi Mahatmya in the last few days.

Hence I providing the real essence of the devi Mahatmya, its three charitra

parts and the devata to which each are attributed. Some texts may not have these

verses or even if is there, the readers may not understand its implications.

 

As we know there are many methods of reciting / doing sadhana with devi

charitra. It also containes maximum number of Mantraaksharas than most of other

similar works or sahasranama's or ashtoraras, stotras etc. That is why it is

considered most sacred and revered and contended that it should not recited just

like any other geetha. Special ways of recitation has been advocated to create a

resonance so that the mantraakasharas does not get diluted or modified.

 

There are also may paramparic / tantric methods attributing the charitras to the

forms of devi to suite the purpose. However the most common & general form any

ordinary person (grahastha included) can adopt is the following.

 

Devi Charitra has been given in many tantras like rudra yamala tantra,

kathyayani tantra etc with slight variations. However, the commonly followed is

as provided by Markandeya Purana.

 

Prathama charitra – Chapter 1

Prathama charitrasya brahma rishi: mahakaalee devataa gaayatri chanda: nandaa

shakti: raktadantikaa beejam agnistatvam rigveda svaroopam shree mahaa kaali

preetyarthe prathama charitre jape viniyoga:

 

The first charitra is thus attributed to Maha kalee, the fierce form of devi.

Its beeja is rakta dandika, tatva is agni and veda is rigveda.

 

 

Madhyama Charitra – Chapters 2, 3, 4

Madhyama charitrasya vishnur rishi: maha lakshmirdevata ushNik chanda:

shaakambarii shakti: durgaa beejam vaayustastvam yejurveda svaroopam shree maha

lakshmee preetyarthe jape viniyoga:

 

The second charitra starting from second chapter to fourth chapter is attributed

to Maha Lakshmi, beeja is durga and is swaroopa is yejurveda.

 

 

Uttara Charitra – Chapters 5 to 13

Asya shree uttara charitrasya rudra rishi: mahaa saraswati devata anushtup

chanda: bheemaa shakti: bhraamaree beejam suuryastatvam saamaveda svaroopam

mahaa saravatee preetyarthe uttara charitra paaTe viniyoga:

 

The rest of the chapter is called Uttara charitra and is attributed to Maha

Saraswati. It beeja is Brahmari, and is Sama veda swaroopa.

 

So you can see that the three charitras attributed to Mahaa kalee, Mahaa Lakshmi

& Maha saraswati respectively. One should keep this in mind when reciting the

saptha sathi.

 

Hope this helps in better understanding of Sapthasathi.

 

A.G.Suresh Babu Shenoy.