Durga Saptasati Parayana Kramah
Durgasaptashati or Devimahatmyam, is a section in the Markandeya purana, consisting of seven hundred mantras, representing one of the highest forms of Devi worship. Even though the primary text has thirteen chapters/adhyayas, the Kavacha, Argala and Keelaka encompass the preliminary section and the Rahasyatrya forms the concluding portion of saptashati. These mantras are used to perform the highly revered “Chandi Homa”. These sections also contain certain practical tips such as the special days of krshnashtami and chathurdasi for chanting this text as prescribed in the keelaka and offering sweet porridge mixed with sesame during the Chandi Homa as instructed in the Vaikrtika Rahasya.
Though Saptashati seems like depicting the valour and greatness of Devi in the form of stories, it essentially is a text imparting the highest form of Vedanta gnana which is validated by Devi herself in the verses “Ekaivaaham jagatyatra dviteeya kaa mamaaparaa”. This statement is more direct in conveying the highest spiritual truth than the Mahavakyas themselves as Devi herself declares her unitary status as the supreme existence in the world. Further in the phalastutihi, Devi states, “Ebhihi stavaishcha maam nityam stoshyate yaha samaahitaha”. “Ebhihistavaihi” denotes the four stutis namely Brahma stuti in the prathamacharithra, Aparajitastuti and Devistuti in the madhyamacharithra and the Narayanistuti in the utharacharithra.
One who recites the above mentioned stutis with single-mindedness is blessed with a life devoid of worldly miseries resulting in athmasakshatkara as indicated by devi in the phrase “nachaiva istaviyojanam”. This is further reiterated in Vaikrutikam – Rahasyam in the sloka
एवंयः पूजयेद् भक्त्या प्रत्यहं परमेश्वरीम् ।
भुक्त्वा भोगान् यथा-कामं देवी-सायुज्यम् आप्नुयात् ॥
This book is a humble attempt to fulfill the vision of my beloved guru to whom spreading saptashati to deserving seekers was of paramount importance. This divine text being very dear to her is evident in her upasana deity being Simhavahini. I submit this work to the Avichinna Guruparampara.
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः
Author: Guru Sri Sahajanandanatha (Ar.Avinash G)
