SRI DEVI MAHATMYAMU - SRI CHANDI NAVASATHI MANTRAMALA
SRI DEVI MAHATMYAMU appearing in Sri Markandeya Mahapurana is narrated by Rishi Sumedhasa to king Suratha and Samadhi, the Vysya. It extolls the greatness of Devi, the Mother Supreme, glorifying Her manifestations to rescue Devathas from the clutches of Rakshasas.
Hymns to Devi appearing in the story are considered equivalent to Vedas. A devotional reading of Her achievements would relieve the person from all types of difficulties and confer everything desired, said Devi Herself in the Purana.
"SRI DEVI MAHATMYAMU SRI CHANDI NAVASATHI MANTRAMALA"- a garland of nine hundred and twenty one sloka-mantras adorning the Mother. In this the tantrik features were completely removed and Sri Devi is identified as the Supreme Mother, Brahma Vidya, glorifying Her achievements in one single story as in the purana.
SRI DEVI MAHATMYAM , is the story of SAVARNI, who by the grace of DEVI, attained the status of MANU in the next birth. His story indirectly unfolds the various manifestations of DEVI and HER achievements in killing Madhu, Kaitabha, Mahishasura, Chanda, Munda, Rakthabija, Sumbha, Nisumbha and a host of Rakshasas to rescue the Universe from the clutches of the evil forces.
Savarni was King Suratha in his previous birth. Unable to digest his defeat at the hands of his enemies, he goes to the Ashram of Rishi Sumedhasa. There he was joined by a vysya named Samadhi who was deserted by his close relatives.
Rishi Sumedhasa was the best among the knowledgeable persons and was praised as “BRAHMA VIDAM VARA,” by the Rishis. A staunch follower of the vedic dharma, his Ashram was a peaceful abode for the cruel as well as mild animals which freely move about there forgetting their inborn enmity. This absolute command over nature could be attributed to his AHIMSA DHARMA.
The King Suratha and Samadhi, the vysya, request the Rishi to let them know the cause for their attachment towards their people who deceived and deserted them. Rishi stated that the reason for their attachment was DEVI MAHAMAYA, the Supreme Mother, who throws spell on people making them drift around in the whirlpool of SAMSARA. If she is pleased then people will get relief from the bonds of life. Hence they should pray Her to overcome their problems - advised Rishi Sumedhasa.
As suggested by the Rishi, they both meditate upon Her and by Her grace SURATHA regained his lost kingdom defeating his enemies and in his next birth as the son of SURYA (SUN), attained the status of MANU. SAMADHI attained BRAHMA GNANA, the ultimate goal of human beings.
SRI DEVI MAHATMYAM is a sacred text adored by the people of Bharat. During the days of NAVARATRI and when calamities occur, Homas are performed propitiating SRI DEVI to remove the difficulties and to confer peace to all. The text is considered equivalent to VEDAS and a devotional reading of it would remove all difficulties - said DEVI HERSELF in the Purana.
Incidentally it is appropriate to know about the greatness of the Vedic tradition as reflected in SRI DEVI MAHATMYAM - CHANDI NAVASATHI, highlighting the importance of Number “NINE” as the very form of DEVI. A comparative study of this book with the popular text SAPTASHATI, in the light of the ARSHA SAMPRADAYA, rejuvenated in the teachings of JAGADGURU ADI SANKARACHARYA and many GURUS in the PARAMPARA will enlighten us more on the subject.
Hymns to Devi appearing in the story are considered equivalent to Vedas. A devotional reading of Her achievements would relieve the person from all types of difficulties and confer everything desired, said Devi Herself in the Purana.
"SRI DEVI MAHATMYAMU SRI CHANDI NAVASATHI MANTRAMALA"- a garland of nine hundred and twenty one sloka-mantras adorning the Mother. In this the tantrik features were completely removed and Sri Devi is identified as the Supreme Mother, Brahma Vidya, glorifying Her achievements in one single story as in the purana.
SRI DEVI MAHATMYAM , is the story of SAVARNI, who by the grace of DEVI, attained the status of MANU in the next birth. His story indirectly unfolds the various manifestations of DEVI and HER achievements in killing Madhu, Kaitabha, Mahishasura, Chanda, Munda, Rakthabija, Sumbha, Nisumbha and a host of Rakshasas to rescue the Universe from the clutches of the evil forces.
Savarni was King Suratha in his previous birth. Unable to digest his defeat at the hands of his enemies, he goes to the Ashram of Rishi Sumedhasa. There he was joined by a vysya named Samadhi who was deserted by his close relatives.
Rishi Sumedhasa was the best among the knowledgeable persons and was praised as “BRAHMA VIDAM VARA,” by the Rishis. A staunch follower of the vedic dharma, his Ashram was a peaceful abode for the cruel as well as mild animals which freely move about there forgetting their inborn enmity. This absolute command over nature could be attributed to his AHIMSA DHARMA.
The King Suratha and Samadhi, the vysya, request the Rishi to let them know the cause for their attachment towards their people who deceived and deserted them. Rishi stated that the reason for their attachment was DEVI MAHAMAYA, the Supreme Mother, who throws spell on people making them drift around in the whirlpool of SAMSARA. If she is pleased then people will get relief from the bonds of life. Hence they should pray Her to overcome their problems - advised Rishi Sumedhasa.
As suggested by the Rishi, they both meditate upon Her and by Her grace SURATHA regained his lost kingdom defeating his enemies and in his next birth as the son of SURYA (SUN), attained the status of MANU. SAMADHI attained BRAHMA GNANA, the ultimate goal of human beings.
SRI DEVI MAHATMYAM is a sacred text adored by the people of Bharat. During the days of NAVARATRI and when calamities occur, Homas are performed propitiating SRI DEVI to remove the difficulties and to confer peace to all. The text is considered equivalent to VEDAS and a devotional reading of it would remove all difficulties - said DEVI HERSELF in the Purana.
Incidentally it is appropriate to know about the greatness of the Vedic tradition as reflected in SRI DEVI MAHATMYAM - CHANDI NAVASATHI, highlighting the importance of Number “NINE” as the very form of DEVI. A comparative study of this book with the popular text SAPTASHATI, in the light of the ARSHA SAMPRADAYA, rejuvenated in the teachings of JAGADGURU ADI SANKARACHARYA and many GURUS in the PARAMPARA will enlighten us more on the subject.
Currently we are in the FIRST PADA of KALI YUGA. The SANKALPAM quotes :ADYA BRAHMANAHA - DWITIYA PARARDHE - SWETHA VARAHA KALPE - VYVASWATHA MANVANTHARE - KALI YUGE PRADHAMA PADE etc.
In every DWAPARA YUGA SRI MAHAVISHNU assumes the AVATHAR of VYASA and writes PURANAS. The first VYASA in the first DWAPARA YUGA was BRAHMA. In the latest DWAPARA YUGA, KRISHNA DAIPAYANA NAMA VYASA is the twenty eight VYASA in the PARAMPARA who wrote the eighteen MAHA PURANAS. SRI MARKANDEYA MAHA PURANA is one among the eighteen wherein the story of SRI DEVI MAHATMYAM is narrated.
While the story of SRI DEVI MAHATMYAM is ageless, a reference in ' VAMAKESWARA TANTRA' denotes that it was being adored in the form of 'NAVASATHI' since the beginning of KALPA. This could be PADMA KALPA, the actual starting period of UNIVERSE, or subsequent ones. However since no mention of time is made, we can conclude that NAVASATHI was being adored since TIME-IMMEMORIAL. Further the reference also laid emphasis on the sanctity attached to NAVASATHI under the Vedic tradition that it should be given only to the deserving disciple.
Some references describe the form of NAVASATHI as consisting of 900 slokas. However no one knows its original form. It could be from a PURANA written by some VYASA in the earlier DWAPARA YUGA before KRISHNA DWAIPAYANA. It is impossible now for anyone to either imagine or rewrite those same slokas as they existed at that time.
However the above reference paved the way for the RE-INCARNATION OF NAVASATHI MANTRAMALA, highlighting the greatness of NUMBER Nine as the very form of DEVI and in relation to VEDIC ARSHA SAMPRADAYA.
In every DWAPARA YUGA SRI MAHAVISHNU assumes the AVATHAR of VYASA and writes PURANAS. The first VYASA in the first DWAPARA YUGA was BRAHMA. In the latest DWAPARA YUGA, KRISHNA DAIPAYANA NAMA VYASA is the twenty eight VYASA in the PARAMPARA who wrote the eighteen MAHA PURANAS. SRI MARKANDEYA MAHA PURANA is one among the eighteen wherein the story of SRI DEVI MAHATMYAM is narrated.
While the story of SRI DEVI MAHATMYAM is ageless, a reference in ' VAMAKESWARA TANTRA' denotes that it was being adored in the form of 'NAVASATHI' since the beginning of KALPA. This could be PADMA KALPA, the actual starting period of UNIVERSE, or subsequent ones. However since no mention of time is made, we can conclude that NAVASATHI was being adored since TIME-IMMEMORIAL. Further the reference also laid emphasis on the sanctity attached to NAVASATHI under the Vedic tradition that it should be given only to the deserving disciple.
Some references describe the form of NAVASATHI as consisting of 900 slokas. However no one knows its original form. It could be from a PURANA written by some VYASA in the earlier DWAPARA YUGA before KRISHNA DWAIPAYANA. It is impossible now for anyone to either imagine or rewrite those same slokas as they existed at that time.
However the above reference paved the way for the RE-INCARNATION OF NAVASATHI MANTRAMALA, highlighting the greatness of NUMBER Nine as the very form of DEVI and in relation to VEDIC ARSHA SAMPRADAYA.
LET THE GRACE OF SUPREME MOTHER RULE THIS UNIVERSE.
- SRI GOPANANDANATHA
- SRI GOPANANDANATHA
