Devi Mahatmyam

Devi Mahatmyam

Traditionally the ‘Devi Mahatmyam’ is a portion of the Markandeya Mahapurana

The Devi Mahatmya is variously known as Sri Durga Saptashati, Sri Chandi or Saptashati. It is referred to as Saptashati as it comprises of seven hundred mantras. It is more popularly known as Chandi because it describes the glory of the Goddess as Chandika, the terrible. Like the god Rudra, the Goddess too has two forms- a malevolent form and another benevolent form. In Her terrible form She destroys the evil demons. Yet in Her destruction, one can see the light of a resplendent regeneration too. This resplendent and benevolent form is Her compassionate form as the Mother of the Universe. Among the sacred texts that laud the glory of the Mother, Lalita sahasranamam and Devi Mahatmyamare most popular. Both are considered to be extremely auspicious and powerful as tools of transformation. Both can be recited daily. Whilst Lalita sahasranamam describes the victory of the Goddess over Bhandasura, the Devi Mahatmyam describes the victory of the Goddess over the asuras Madhu-Kaitabha, Mahishasura and Shumbha-Nishumbha.

‘Devi Mahatmyam’ literally means ‘Glory of the Goddess’. Simply put the word ‘Devi’ means ‘Goddess’. While the word ‘devi’ may be used to refer to any goddess, here it is used to denote the Supreme Goddess adored as the Divine Mother of the entire universe. The Devi mahatmyam is a highly occult text. “Only those who have inner eyes will perceive the hidden truths; others know not”. It is held that Markandeya the seer of this myth had seen the ever-existent glory of the goddess with the inner eye. Sri Bhaskararaya named his commentary on the Devi Mahatmyam as ‘Guptavati’ thus denoting the hidden and highly occult nature of Devi mahatmyam.

The Meru tantra proclaims that even Vishnu knows only three-quarters of the inner sense, Brahma knows half, Vyasa knows only a quarter while others know only a fraction of the true significance of the Devi mahatmyam. Part myth and part philosophy, the text addresses some very important existential questions that have plagued mankind since time immemorial. Whilst its stories can be taken as metaphors relating to our own psycho-spiritual landscape as well the challenges we face in life, there isn’t a single approach to the Devi Mahatmyam or the Chandi. The various hymns to the Goddess in theDevi Mahatmyam inspire us to devotion for the personal forms of God as Mother while “its deeper, philosophical and esoteric interpretation leads us to the realization of God as the impersonal supreme reality”.

(to be contd…..)

Why do we have Bells in Temples

Why do we have Bells in Temples ?

People who are visiting the temple should and will Ring the bell before entering the inner sanctum or Garbha Griha where the main deity is placed. According to Agama Sastra, the bell is used to give sound for keeping evil forces away and the ring of the bell is pleasant to God. However, the scientific reason behind bells is that their ring clears our mind and helps us stay sharp and keep our full concentration on devotional purpose. These bells are made in such a way that when they produce a sound it creates a unity in the Left and Right parts of our brains. The moment we ring the bell, it produces a sharp and enduring sound which lasts for minimum of 7 seconds in echo mode. The duration of echo is good enough to activate all the seven healing centres in our body. This results in emptying our brain from all negative thoughts. Hence  bells are used in the Poojas performed at home too.

Sree Lalitha Sahasranamam - Phalasruti

Sree Lalitha Sahasranamam - Phalasruti

Thasmai kupyanthi yoginya, sonartha sumahaan smruth,

Rahasya nama saahasran thsmad sangopyedhidham., 81

The Yogis would be very angry with them,
For this would lead them to problems,
And that is why these secret thousand names,
Are kept as great secret from every one.

Swathanthrena mayaa noktham thavapi kalasee bhava,

Lalitha preranaa deva mayoktham stotramuthamam., 82

Of Sage Agasthya, I would not have told them to you independently.
But for the advice given to me by Goddess Lalitha to tell you these.

Keerthaneeya midham bhakthyaa Kumbhayone nirantharam,

Thena thushtaa Maha devi thavabheeshtam pradasyathi., 83

Please recite these with devotion, Oh sage Agasthya,
And the goddess will be pleased and fulfill your wishes.

Sootha Uvacha:

Sootha said:

Yithyukthwa Sri Hayagreevo dhyathwa Sri Lalithambikaam,

Aananda magna hrudaya sadhya pulakitho bhaved., 84

After telling thus, sage Hayagreeva meditated on Goddess Lalitha,
Was drowned in happiness and became enraptured.

Ithi Sri Brahmanda purane Uthara Kande,

Sri Hayagrrevagasthya samvade, Sri Lalitha sahasra nama stotra,

Phala srutheernama uthara Bhaga.

Thus ends the telling of effect of reciting Lalitha Sahasra Namam
Called The portion after,
Which is in Brahmanda Purana in the Uthara Kanda,
In the discussion between Sage Hayagreeva and Sage Agasthya.

Sree Lalitha Sahasranamam - Phalasruti

Sree Lalitha Sahasranamam - Phalashruti

Rahasya nama saahasram thyakthwaa ya sidhi kaamuka,

Sa Bhojanam vinaa noonam Kshunnivarthi mabheepsathi., 76

Forsaking the thousand names and trying to get occult powers,
Is like satiating hunger after forsaking all meals.

Yo Bhakthaa Lalitha devya sa nithyam Keertheyadhidham,

Nanyadhaa preeyathe Devi kalpa koti shathair api., 77

That devotee who sings these names of Lalitha Devi,
Need not sing any other for she will be pleased,
Only by singing of this even for hundreds of eons.

Thasmad rahasya naamani, Sri Mathu prayatha padeth,

Yithi they kaditham Stotram rahasyam, Kumbha sambhava., 78

These thousand names are to be read for making the mother happy,
But this prayer which I told is a secret, Oh sage Agasthya.

Na vidhyaavedhinebrooya nnama bhakthaya kadachana.,

Yadhaiva gopyaa Sri Vidhya thadha gopyamidham mune., 79

The learned in vedas, if they do not recite these names at least once,
The Sri Vidhya would be kept secret from them, Oh sage.

Pasu thulyeshu na broyajjaneshu sthotramuthamam,

Yo dadhadhi vimoodathma Sri vidhya rahithaya thu., 80

People who do not tell this prayer are like animals,
If they give Sri Vidhya to the foolish without this prayer.

(to be contd…..)