Durga Saptashati summary: Durga Saptashati is a sacred Hindu text comprising 700 verses (hence the name "Saptashati") dedicated to Goddess Durga. Also known as the Devi Mahatmyam or Chandi Path, it is part of the Markandeya Purana and narrates the stories of the Goddess in her various forms as she battles and triumphs over evil forces like Mahishasura, Shumbha, and Nishumbha.
Durga Saptashati summary | Durga Saptashati Short Version
The text is divided into three sections symbolizing the three aspects of the Divine Mother—Mahakali, Mahalakshmi, and Mahasaraswati—and each section represents her power to create, sustain, and destroy.
Reciting the Durga Saptashati is believed to bring divine blessings, protection from negativity, and spiritual growth. It is especially revered during the festival of Navratri, where devotees seek the Goddess's grace to overcome obstacles and achieve success in life. Each chapter of the text glorifies the Goddess's unparalleled strength, compassion, and ability to restore cosmic order, making it a profound spiritual tool for devotees.
1. First Chapter (Madhu-Kaitabha Vadh)
This chapter describes the creation of the universe and how Lord Vishnu falls into deep slumber during a cosmic deluge. The two demons, Madhu and Kaitabha, emerge from Vishnu's ear wax and attempt to destroy Brahma. To save creation, Brahma prays to Maha Shakti (Goddess Durga) to awaken Vishnu. With her divine help, Vishnu kills both demons.
2. Second Chapter (Mahishasura Vadh)
The second chapter focuses on the demon Mahishasura, who, after conquering the heavens, drives the gods out of their abode. The gods unite and create Goddess Durga from their combined powers to fight him. Durga, with her radiant form and powerful weapons, begins the battle against Mahishasura's army.
3. Third Chapter (The Battle Against Mahishasura)
In this chapter, a detailed description of the fierce battle between Durga and Mahishasura is given. After a long struggle, Mahishasura changes many forms (buffalo, lion, elephant), but Durga eventually slays him, restoring peace to the heavens.
4. Fourth to Seventh Chapters (The Story of Shumbha and Nishumbha)
These chapters narrate the tale of the Shumbha-Nishumbha brothers. After defeating Mahishasura, Durga is called to battle again when the demons Shumbha and Nishumbha conquer the heavens. Goddess Durga (also appearing as Chandika and Kali) destroys their armies and eventually kills both brothers in a fierce battle, bringing victory to the gods.
8. Eighth Chapter (The Slayer of Raktabija)
In this chapter, Goddess Kali appears to defeat the demon Raktabija, whose blood creates more demons every time it falls on the ground. Kali drinks his blood before it touches the ground and slays him, ending his menace.
9. Ninth to Thirteenth Chapters (Prayers and Liberation)
These chapters consist of hymns and prayers praising the Goddess, especially the Devi Stuti and Aparajita Stotra. The gods offer their gratitude to the Goddess for her divine interventions. The final chapters also include promises from Durga to protect her devotees in times of distress and danger.
Essence of Durga Saptashati
The Durga Saptashati conveys the message of the ultimate victory of good over evil and the supreme power of Shakti. It emphasizes that the Goddess is both the creator and the destroyer, who protects her devotees from all dangers. Reciting even small portions of this sacred text during Navratri or difficult times is believed to bring blessings, courage, and divine protection.
Here’s a selection of important and shorter prayers/excerpts from the Durga Saptashati, which can be recited daily or during special occasions like Navratri:
1. Devi Kavacham (Protective Shield Prayer)
The Devi Kavacham is a protective prayer found at the beginning of the Durga Saptashati. It invokes the Goddess to shield different parts of the body from harm.
Durga saptashati mantra in Sanskrit:
ॐ यशो देहि धनं देहि सर्वकामांश्च देहि मे।
रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि॥
English Transliteration:
Om Yasho Dehi Dhanam Dehi Sarva Kamanścha Dehi Me।
Rūpam Dehi Jayam Dehi Yasho Dehi Dviśho Jahi॥
Meaning in English:
"O Goddess! Grant me fame, wealth, and fulfillment of all desires. Bless me with beauty, victory, and remove my enemies."
2. Argala Stotram (Hymn for Blessings)
The Argala Stotram is a prayer asking the Goddess for material and spiritual prosperity.
Durga saptashati mantra in Sanskrit:
जय त्वं देवि चामुण्डे जय भूतापहारिणि।
जय सर्वगते देवि कालरात्रि नमोऽस्तु ते॥
Durga saptashati mantra English Transliteration:
Jaya Tvam Devi Chamunde Jaya Bhutapaharini।
Jaya Sarvagate Devi Kalaratri Namo'stu Te॥
Durga saptashati mantra Meaning in English:
"Victory to you, O Devi Chamunda, remover of all suffering. O omnipresent Goddess, victory to you, salutations to you, O Kalaratri (one who brings death to darkness)!"
3. Devi Stuti (Praise of the Goddess)
This section is part of the hymn sung by the gods after Mahishasura's defeat.
Durga saptashati mantra in Sanskrit:
या देवी सर्वभूतेषु मातृरूपेण संस्थिता।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥
Durga saptashati mantra English Transliteration:
Yā Devi Sarva Bhuteshu Mātṛ Rūpeṇa Saṃsthitā।
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah॥
Durga saptashati mantra Meaning in English:
"To the Goddess who resides in all beings in the form of the mother, I offer my salutations again and again."
4. Narayani Stuti (Prayer to Narayani)
This is a prayer sung in praise of the Goddess after her victory over Shumbha and Nishumbha.
Durga saptashati mantra in Sanskrit:
सर्वमङ्गलमाङ्गल्ये शिवे सर्वार्थसाधिके।
शरण्ये त्र्यम्बके गौरी नारायणि नमोऽस्तु ते॥
Durga saptashati mantra English Transliteration:
Sarva Mangala Māngalye Shive Sarvārtha Sādhike।
Sharanye Tryambake Gauri Nārāyaṇi Namo'stu Te॥
Durga saptashati mantra Meaning in English:
"Salutations to you, O Narayani, who is the most auspicious, the embodiment of all good, the fulfiller of all objectives, and the source of refuge."
5. Kshama Prarthana (Prayer for Forgiveness)
At the end of Durga Saptashati, a prayer for forgiveness is offered to the Goddess for any mistakes made during the recitation.
Durga saptashati mantra in Sanskrit:
अपराधसहस्राणि क्रियन्तेऽहर्निशं मया।
दासोऽयं इति मां मत्वा क्षमस्व परमेश्वरी॥
Durga saptashati mantra English Transliteration:
Aparādha Sahasrāṇi Kriyante'harniśaṃ Mayā।
Dāso'yaṃ Iti Māṃ Matvā Kṣamasva Parameśvarī॥
Durga saptashati mantra Meaning in English:
"I commit thousands of offenses day and night. O Supreme Goddess, consider me your servant and kindly forgive me."
