Sri Durga Saptashati - The Whole

Sri Durga Saptashati 

Durga Saptashati as called in North which is also known as Devi Mahatmya in South and Chandi Path in east, is a Hindu religious text describing the victory of the Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura. It is part of the Markandeya Purana, one of the 18 major Puranas written by sage Markandeya and compiled by Ved Vyasa (he is considered the compiler of all puranas.)

The text contains Saptashata i.e. 700 verses and because of that the whole composition is known as Durga Saptashati. The seven hundred verses are arranged into 13 chapters. For ritual reading purposes several subsidiary texts are appended before and after 700 verses. A ritualistic reading of Durga Saptashati is part of the Navratri celebrations in the honor of the Goddess Durga.

Durga Saptashati is significant composition to perform Chandi Homa which is one of the most significant Homa(s) done to gain health and to conquer over enemies. Chandi Homa is performed while chanting verses from Durga Saptashati. Total 700 Ahuti, i.e. offerings to Goddess Durga through sacred fire are made during Chandi Homa.

Procedure of reciting Durga Saptashati:

1. Method of Sacred Reading/ Chanting
2. Sri Chandika Prayer
3. Saptashloki Durga
4. Durgashtottara Shatanama Stotram
5. Durga Saptashati Patha Vidhi
1. Devi Kavacham
2. Argala Stotram
3. Keelakam
4. Vedoktam Ratri Suktam
5. Tantroktam Ratri Suktam
6. Sri Devi Atharvashirsham
7. Navarna Vidhi
8. Saptashati Nyasah

After reciting the above prayers, the chapters of Durga Saptashati are read.

6. Sri Durga Saptashati

1. First Chapter - Medha Rishi ka Raja Suratha aur Samadhi ko Bhagawati ki Mahima Batate hue Madhu-Kaitabha-Vadhaka-Prasanga sunana
2. Second Chapter - Devataon ke Teja se Devi ka Pradurbhava aur Mahishasura ki Sena ka Vadha
3. Third Chapter - Senapatiyon sahit Mahishasura ka Vadha
4. Fourth Chapter - Indradi Devataon dwara Devi ki Stuti
5. Fifth Chapter - Devataon dwara Devi ki Stuti, Chanda-Munda ke Mukha se Ambika ke Rupa ki prashansha sunkara Shumbha ka unke pasa Duta bhejana aur Duta ka nirasha lautana
6. Sixth Chapter - Dhumralochana Vadha
7. Seventh Chapter - Chanda aur Munda ka Vadha
8. Eighth Chapter - Raktabija Vadha
9. Ninth Chapter - Nishumbha Vadha
10. Tenth Chapter - Shumbha Vadha
11. Eleventh Chapter - Devataon dwara Devi ki Stuti tatha Devi dwara Devataon ko Vardana
12. Twelfth Chapter - Devi Charitron ke patha ka Mahatmya
13. Thirteenth Chapter - Suratha aur Vaishya ko Devi ka Vardana
6. Upasamhara
1. Rigvedoktam Devi Suktam
2. Tantroktam Devi Suktam
3. Pradhanikam Rahasyam
4. Vaikritikam Rahasyam
5. Murti Rahasyam
7. Kshama Prarthana
8. Sri Durga Manasa Puja
9. Durga Dwatrimsha Namamala
10. Devi Aparadha Kshamapana Stotram
11. Siddha Kunjika Stotram
12. Sri Deviji Ki Aarti
13. Sri Ambaji Ki Aarti
14. Devimayi

 

Benefits of reading Durga Saptashati:

The 12th chapter of Durga Saptashati is Pahala Shruti, which speaks about the benefits of reciting this sacred text, as revealed by Devi Herself to the gods.

1. Manifestation of Devi’s presence at the place of recitation
2. Removal of all troubles
3. Prevention of calamities
4. Removal of Poverty
5. Protection from enemies, fire and flood
6. Protection from planetary influences
7. Protection from evil spirits
8. Bestowal of wealth, grains and children

The tales of Devi symbolize the power of good over evil. Maybe to remind oneself of this eternal truth, people recite the Durga Saptashati at their homes during the nine days of Navratri. Listening to the glories of the Goddess, the devotee revels in the realization of her omnipotence.

The information in this section has been lovingly shared from DrikPanchang.com Since these details are sacred and precise, we have not altered them in any way. All credit and gratitude go to DrikPanchang for preserving and presenting this knowledge so beautifully.