Saturday 16 July 2011

INTRODUCTION TO THE DEVI MAHATHMYA

The Devi Mahathmya or the Durga Saptasati is a unique book in this world. It is the base and the root of the religion of the Saktas.
This Sacred Book is known by various names in Bharata Bhumi as Devi Mahathmyam in South , Chandi Paath in East , Devi Bhagvat in West and as Durga Saptashati in the Northern & Central parts of the country including Varanasi.
One of the eighteen Puraanas ” The Devi Puraana”composed by Bhagvan Shri veda Vyasa is also called Sreemad Devi Bhagavad.The Srimad Devi Bhagavatam, also known as Devi Purana, was composed into 12 chapters, containing 18000 verses by the great Veda Vyasa.
Shri Devi Mahathmyam is a Kamadhenu for one and all; it gives whatever man wants. It gives Bhakti in this world and Mukti afterwards. It is a powerful reservoir of Mantras from the beginning to the end. Every verse of this text is a dynamic force which acts powerfully in overhauling the nature of man.
The first verse of the text implies that the whole book is an explanation of the root of the Devi-Mantra, viz., —Hreem. The nine forms of Durga – Shailputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayni, Mahagauri, Siddhadhatri,and Kalratri, are envisioned with the great goddess. She assumes these manifold forms of Shakti .
There are many commentaries on this text which explain it in a mystical way . These Powerfull Mantras of the Saptasati are not to be neglected by one who wishes to lead a good and peaceful life in this world.
The conception of the Infinite as Mother is not an altogether meaningless one. The Rigveda bears testimony to the fact that even in such ancient times, there was the persistent belief that the Ruler is the All-compassionate Mother. Further, Mother is the personality that appeals most to the human heart. Moreover the conception of the Divinity as Devi, Durga or Sri, is not merely a theory but a practical way of life. It is a particular view which cannot be set aside. It is as important as any school of religious belief, and is one of the most important reigning branches of Hindu religion—Vaishnavism, Saivism and Saktaism. Even a subtle philosopher cannot dispense with the conception of Sakti, for he is essentially an embodiment of Power, and he has love for power. The highest Intelligence and the most speculative metaphysics is only a manifestation of Jnana-Sakti and is not outside the range of Saktaism. Let us therefore adore and worship the Glorious Mother for the purpose of attaining Wisdom or Self-realisation!
May the blessings of Devi shower on all of us…Om ShivaShakti.

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