The document describes the syllables, deities, energies/shaktis, colors, elements, and mudras associated with the 24 syllables of the Gayatri mantra. It provides these attributes in a systematic order for each syllable. The purpose is to convey the essential details about the Gayatri that one should be aware of.
The document describes the syllables, deities, energies/shaktis, colors, elements, and mudras associated with the 24 syllables of the Gayatri mantra. It provides these attributes in a systematic order for each syllable. The purpose is to convey the essential details about the Gayatri that one should be aware of.
The document describes the syllables, deities, energies/shaktis, colors, elements, and mudras associated with the 24 syllables of the Gayatri mantra. It provides these attributes in a systematic order for each syllable. The purpose is to convey the essential details about the Gayatri that one should be aware of.
The document describes the syllables, deities, energies/shaktis, colors, elements, and mudras associated with the 24 syllables of the Gayatri mantra. It provides these attributes in a systematic order for each syllable. The purpose is to convey the essential details about the Gayatri that one should be aware of.
Translated by Swami Vijanananda Part I & II [1921-22] BOOK 12 NOTICE OF ATTRIBUTION Scanned, and proofed by Sahaji, 2004-5. Additional formatting at www.devi-durga.com This text is in the public domain. These files may be used for any non-commercial purpose, provided this notice of attribution is left intact.
Shrimad Devi Bhagavatam
www.sacred-texts.com www.devi-durga.com Inscribed To The sacred memory Of Rai Bahadur Srisa Chandra Vidayarnava
By the translator Swami Vijanananda
What is Srmad Bhgavat is to the Vaisnavas, the Dev Bhgavatam is to the Sktas. The question of the priority of the two Bhgavatas has been often discussed more in the spirit of partisans rather than that of sober scholars. We reserve our opinion on the subject till the publication of the complete translation of this work. This translation has been inscribed to the sacred memory of my friend the late Ri Bhdur Srs Chandra Vidyrnava who induced me to undertake the translation of this work. He had thoroughly read the two Bhgavatas and it was his opinion that the priority of composition belonged to the Dev Bhgavatam. The other Bhgavat, according to him, is a modern compilation attributed to Bopadeva the author of Mugdhabodha Vykaranam.
Note: (Due to the nature of translation, page numbers corresponding to the specific verses as they appeared in the original literature are rendered above the verses.denoted as (p.1p.2.etc.) These page numbers may not correspond to the logical page count).
Shrimad Devi Bhagavatam
www.sacred-texts.com www.devi-durga.com THE TWELFTH BOOK CHAPTER Page I On the description of the Gyatr 1139 II On the description of the Saktis of the Gyatr 1140 III On the Gyatri Kavacham 1141 IV On the Gyatr Hridayam 1143 V On the Gyatri Stotram 1145 VI On the one thousand and eight names of Gyatr 1146 VII On the Dks vidhi (initiation) 1154 VIII On the appearance of the Highest Sakti 1163 IX On the cause of faith in the other Devas than the Dev Gyatr 1169 X On the description of the Mani Dvpa 1174 XI On the enclosure walls of the Mani Dvpa 1179 XII On the description of the Mani Dvpa 1185 XIII On Janamejayas Dev Yaja 1189 XIV On the fruits of hearing, etc., this Purnam 1190
Shrimad Devi Bhagavatam
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Chapter I
On the description of Gyatr
p. 1139
1-7. Nrada said :-- O Deva! The rules of Sadchra (right ways of living) and the all-sin- destroying unequalled Glories of the Dev Bhagavat have been described by Thee. And I, too, have heard the nectar of the Glories of the Dev from Thy lotus mouth. The Chndryana and other Vratas; described by Thee, are very difficult to practise. So they are impracticable with the ordinary persons. Therefore, O Lord! Kindly describe those actions which can easily be carried out by common persons, at the same time, the Dev's Grace and Siddhis can be obtained by those practices. Again what thou hast described about the Gyatr in connection with Sadchra kindly say which are the chief and foremost as well as those that are more meritorious. O Best of the Munis! Thou hast told that there are the twenty-four syllables in the Gyatr. Kindly describe now their Risis, Chhandas, Devats and other things that should be known regarding them and thus satisfy my longings.
8-27. Sr Nryana said :-- O Nrada! The twice-born would have done what they ought to do if they be engaged in repeating their Gyatr only, whether they be able or not able to practise the Chndryana and the other vratas. Whichever Brhmin repeats the Gyatr three thousand times and offers Arghya to the Sun in the three Sandhy times, the Devas worship him; what to speak of other ordinary persons! Whether he practises Nysa or not, if anybody sincerely repeats the Gyatr Dev, Whose Nature is Existence, Intelligence, and Bliss and meditates on Her, even if he attains siddhi in one syllable even, then as a result of that, he can vie with the best of the Brhmanas, the Moon, and the Sun; nay, with Brahm, Visnu, and Mahes'vara even! O Nrada! Now I will tell in due order the Risis, Chhandas, and the Devats of the twenty-four syllables of the Gyatr. The Risis, in due order, are (1) Vma Deva, (2) Attri, (3) Vas'istha, (4) Sukra, (5) Kanva, (6) Pars'ara, (7) the very fiery Vis'vamitra, (8) Kapila, (9) Saunaka, (10) Yjavalkya, (11) Bharadvja, (12) the ascetic Jamadagni, (13) Gautama, (14) Mudgala, (15) Vedavysa, (16) Lomas'a, (17) Agastya, (18) Kaus'ika, (19) Vatsya, (20) Pulastya, (21) Mnduka, Shrimad Devi Bhagavatam
www.sacred-texts.com www.devi-durga.com (22) the ascetic in chief Durvs, (23) Nrada and (24) Kas'yapa.
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Now about the chhandas :-- (1) Gyatr, (2) Usnik, (3) Anustup, (4) Brihat, (5) Pankti, (6) Trisnup, (7) Jagat, (8) Atijagat, (9) Sakkar, (10) Ati Sakkar, (11) Dhriti, (12) Ati Dhriti, (13) Virt, (14) Prastrapankti, (15) Kriti, (16) Prkriti, (17) kriti, (18) Vikriti, (19) Samkriti, (20) Aksarapankti, (21) Bhuh, (22) Bhuvah, (23) Svah and (24) Jyotismat. The Devats of the several letters in due order, are :-- (1) Agni, (2) Prajpati, (3) Soma, (4) s'na, (5) Savit, (6) ditya, (7) Brihaspati, (8) Maitrvaruna, (9) Bhagadeva, (10) Aryam, (11) Ganes'a, (12) Tvastr, (13) Ps, (14) Indrgn, (l5) Vyu, (16) Vmadeva, (17) Maitr varun (18) Vis'vadeva, (19) Mtrik, (20) Visnu, (21) Vasu, (22) Rudra Deva, (23) Kuvera, and (24) the twin As'vin Kumras. O Nrada! Thus I have described to you about the the Devats of the twenty-four syllables. The hearing of this destroys all sins and yields the full results of repeating the mantra Gyatr. (Note :-- The Devats, mentioned in the Gyatr Brahm Kalpa are different from those mentioned here.)
Here ends the first Chapter of the Twelfth Book on the description of Gyatr in the Mahpurnam Sr Mad Dev Bhgavatam of 18,000 verses by Maharsi Veda Vysa.
Shrimad Devi Bhagavatam
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Chapter II
On the description of the Saktis, etc., of the syllables of Gyatr
p. 1140
1-18. Nryana said :-- O Nrada! O Great Muni! Now hear which are the Saktis in due order of the twenty four syllables of the Gyatr Dev:--
Now hear the respective colours of the several syllables of the Gyatr Dev :-- (1) like Champaka and Atas flowers, (2) like Vidruma, (3) like crystal, (4) like lotus; (5) like the Rising Sun; (6) white like conchshell; (7) white like Kunda flower; (8) like Prabla and lotus leaves; (9) like Padmarga, (10) like Indranlamani; (11) like pearls; (12) like Saffron; (13) like the black collyrium of the eye; (14) red; (15) like the Vaidrya mani; (16) like Ksaudra (Champaka tree, honey, water); (17) like turmeric; (18) like Kunda flower; and the milk (19) like the rays of the Sun; (20) like the tail of the bird Suka; (21) like Satapatra; (22) like Ketak flower; (23) like Mallik flower; (24) like Karavra flower.
Now about their Tattvas :-- (1) earth; (2) water; (3) fire; (4) air; (5) ks'a (ether); (6) smell; (7) taste; (8) form; (9) sound; (10)
Now about the Mudrs of the syllables:-- (l) Sammukha; (2) Samputa; (3) Vitata; (4) Vistrita; (5) Dvimukha, (6) Trimukha; (7) Chaturmukha; (8) Pachamukha; (9) Sanmukha; (10) Adhomukha; (11) Vypaknjali (12) Sakata; (13) Yamaps'a; (14) Grathita; (15) Sanmukhon mukha (16) Vilamba; (17) Mustika; (18) Matsya; (19) Krma; (20) Varhaka; (21) Simhkrnta, (22) Mahkrnta; (23) Mudgara, and (24) Pallava.
The Mahmudrs of the fourth foot of Gyatr are (1) Trislayon (2) Surabhi; (3) Aksa ml; (4) Linga; and (5) Ambuja. O Nrada! Thus I have described to you all about the Mudras, etc., of the several syllables of the Gyatr. If during Japam, one thinks all these and at the same time repeats, all his sins are destroyed and his wealth gets increase and the fame attends on him.
Here ends the Second Chapter of the Twelfth Book on the description of the Saktis, etc., of the syllables of Gyatr in the Mahpurnam Sr Mad Dev Bhgavatam of 18,000 Verses by Maharsi Veda Vysa.
Shrimad Devi Bhagavatam
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Chapter III
On the description of the Kavacha of Sr Gyatr Dev
p. 1141
1-3. Nrada spoke :-- O Bhagavn! Thou art the Lord of this world; Thou canst shew favour and disfavour both; Thou art specially versed in the sixty-four Kals (arts of learning); Thou art the chief of the Yogis. I therefore ask Thee to solve a doubt of mine. By what Punyam a man can become free from all his sins and limitations and he can realise and become of the nature of Brahm. O Lord! And what are duly the Risis, Chhandas, Devats, Dhyn, and Nysa, etc., of this meritorious act? I want to hear.
4-25. Nryana said :-- O Nrada! There is but one and the only one way to this and though that is very secret, I will disclose that to you. It is the Gyatr-Kavacha. It can destroy all sins. Therefore to recite or to hold it on one's body enables the man to become free from all his sins and to get all his desires fulfilled and he gets the Syuya Mukti with the Dev (be merged in the Dev-Body). Now hear the Risis, Chhandas, etc., of this Kavacha :-- Brahm, Visnu and Mahes'vara are the Risis; the Rik, Yajus, Sma and Atharva Vedas are the Chhandas; the Param Kal Gyatr of the nature of Brahm is the Devat; Tat in Gyatr is the Vja; Bharga is the Sakti; and Dhyah is the Klaka; and its viniyoga (application) is in getting the Moksa (liberation.). With the first four syllables touch the heart; with
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the next three letters touch the head; with the next four letters touch the tuft on the crown of the head; with the next three letters on the Kavacha; with the next four letters on the eyes and with the last four letters make the Nysa, all over the body repeating Astrya Phat, O Nrada! Shrimad Devi Bhagavatam
www.sacred-texts.com www.devi-durga.com Hear now the Dhynam of Gyatr, that grants all desires. The Gyatr Dev has five faces; one of which is of white colour; and the other four is of pearl, Vidruma, golden, and Nlakntamani colour respectively. Each face has got three eyes; on the head there is a crown of jewels and the digit of the Moon is shining there. Her body is composed of the twenty-four tattvas. She has ten hands :-- On the top right and left hands there are two lotuses; lower down, there are disc and conch shell; lower down, there are rope and skull; lower down, there are noose and goad; and on the bottom hands right and left she is making signs of No fear and ready to grant boons. Thus meditating on Sr Gyatr, one is to recite the Kavacha thus :-- Let the Gyatr Dev protect my front; Svitr Dev protect my right; the Sandhy Dev, my back and the Dev Sarasvat, my left. Let my Mother Prvat Dev protect my quarters. Let Jalas'yin protect the southeast; Ytudhna Bhayankar protect my South-west; Pavamnavilsin my north-west; Rudrarpin Rudrn protect my north-east. Let Brahmn protect my top and Vaisnav protect my nether regions. Let the word Tat in the Gyatr protect my legs; Savituh protect my Knees; Varenyam, protect my loins; Bhargah, my navel. Let Devasya protect my heart; Dhmah protect my neck; Dhyah, protect my eyes; Yah, protect my forehead; Nah protect my head; and Prachodayt protect the tuft on the crown of my head.
Again let the Tat of the twenty-four syllabled Gyatr protect my head; Sa, protect my forehead; Vi protect my eyes; Tu my cheeks; Va, protect my nostrils; Re, my mouth; ni protect my upper lip; Yah protect my lower lip; Bha within my face; rgo, protect my cheeks; De, my throat; Va my shoulders; Sya my right hand; Dhi my navel; ma, my heart, Hi, my belly; Dh, my navel; Yo my loins; Yo, my anus; nah, my thighs, Pra, my Knees; Cho my shanks Da my heels; Y my legs; and let at protect all my sides. O Nrada! This divine Kavacha of the Dev Gyatr can baffle hundreds and thousands of obstructions and evils; can grant sixty-four Kals and liberation. By the glory of this Kavacha, man can become free from all evils and can attain the state of Brahm. Moreover whoever reads or hears this acquires the fruits of making a gift of a thousand cows.
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Here ends the Third Chapter of the Twelfth Book on the description of the Kavacha of Sr Gyatr Dev in the Mahpurnam Sr Mad Dev Bhgavatam of 18,000 verses by Maharsi Veda Vysa.
Shrimad Devi Bhagavatam
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Chapter IV
On Gyatr Hridaya
p. 1143
1-2. Nrada said :-- O Bhagavn! I have heard from you all about the Kavacha and the Mantra of Sr Gyatr. O Deva Deva! O Thou, the Knower of the present, the past, and the future! Now tell about the Hridaya, the highest, the interior or esoteric Essence of the Gyatr, holding which, if one repeats the Gyatr, he acquires all the punyam (merits), I am desirous to hear this.
3-8. Nryana said :-- O Nrada! This subject on the Hridaya of Gyatr is explicitly written in the Atharva Veda. Now I will speak on that, the great secret, in detail. Listen. First, consider the Gyatr, the Dev, the Mother of the Vedas as of a Cosmic Form (Vir trup) and meditate all the Devas as residing on Her Body. Now in as much as the Pinda and Brahmnda are similar, consider yourself as of the form of the Dev and meditate within yourself on the Devats, thus :- - The Pundits, the Knowers of the Vedas, say this :-- He is not yet fit to worship the Deva and he is not an Adhikr as yet who has not been able to make himself a Deva; therefore to establish the knowledge of the oneness of the Deva and himself, he is to meditate the Devas within his body, thus :--
O Nrada! Now I will speak on the Hridaya of Gyatr, knowing which every man becomes able to become all the Devas. Listen. The Risi of this Gyatr Hridaya is Nryana; the Chhandas is Gyatr; and Sr Parames'var Gyatr is the Devat. Perform the Nysa of this as mentioned before and taking your seat in a lonely place, meditate intently on the Dev with your heart and head well collected. Now I am speaking of the Arthanysa. Hear. Meditate on the Devat Dyau on your head; the twin As'vins on the rows of the teeth; the two Sandhys on your upper and lower lips; the Agni, Fire, within your mouth; Sarasvat, on the tongue; Brihaspati on the neck; the eight Vasus on the two breasts; the Vyus, on the two arms; the Paryanya Deva on the heart; ks'a, on the belly; Antarksam (the middle space) on the navel; Indra and Agni, on the Shrimad Devi Bhagavatam
www.sacred-texts.com www.devi-durga.com loins; Prajpati, the condensed form, as it were, of Vijna, on the hip joints; the Kails'a and the Malaya mountains on the two thighs; the Visvedevs on the two knees; Vis'vmitra on the shanks; the Sun's northern and southern paths, the Uttaryana and Daksinyana p. 1144 on the anus; the Pitris on the thighs; the Earth on the legs; the Vanaspati on the fingers and toes; the Risis on the hairs of the body; the Muhrtas on the nails; the planets on the bones; the Ritus (seasons) on the blood and flesh; the Samvatsaras on the Nimisa (twinkling of eye) the Sun and the Moon on the day and night respectively. Thinking thus, repeat I take refuge of the Divine Holy Gyatr, the Chief and most Excellent One, the Thousand eyed and I take refuge wholly unto Her. Then repeat I bow down to Tat savitur varenyam, I bow down to the Rising Sun on the East, I bow down to the Morning Aditya, I bow down to the Gyatr, residing in the Morning Sun and I bow down to all. O Nrada! Whoever recites this Gyatr Hridaya in the morning finds all the sins committed in the night all destroyed! Whoever recites this in the evening gets his sins of the day all destroyed! Whoever recites this in the evening and in the morning can rest assured to have become free of sins; he gets the fruits of all the Trthas; he is acquainted with all the Devas; he is saved if he has spoken anything that ought not to have been spoken; if he has eaten anything that is not fit to be eaten; if he has chewn and sucked anything that ought not to have been chewn and sucked; if he has done anything that ought not to have been done and if he has accepted hundreds and thousands of gifts that ought never to have been accepted. The sins incurred by eating with the others in a line cannot touch him. If he speaks lies, he will not be touched by the sins thereof; even if a non-Brahmachri recites this, he will become a Brahmachr. O Nrada! What more shall I say to you of the results of Gyatr Hridaya than this :-- that whoever will study this will acquire the fruits of performing thousand sacrifices and repeating the Gyatr sixty thousand times. In fact, he will get Siddhi by this. The Brhmna, who daily reads this in the morning will be freed of all the sins and go upwards to the Brahm (Loka) and is glorified there. This has been uttered by Bhagavn Nryana Himself. Here ends the Fourth Chapter of the Twelfth Book on Gyatr Hridaya in the Mahpurnam Sr Mad Dev Bhgavatam of 18,000 verses by Maharsi Veda Vysa.
Shrimad Devi Bhagavatam
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Chapter V
On the Gyatr Stotra
p. 1145
1. Nrada said :-- O All knowing One! Thou showest Thy grace to Thy devotees! Thou hast described this sin-destroying Gyatr Hridaya. Now describe Her Stava (hymn of praise).
2-29. Nryana said :-- O World-Mother! O Thou, favouring Thy devotees! O Thou, the Prime Force, O Omnipresent! Infinite! Sr Sandhye! I bow down to Thee. Thou art the Sandhy; Thou art the Gyatr, Svitr and Sarasvat; Thou art Brhm, Vaisnav and Raudr and Thou art red, white, and black (the colours of Gyatr, Svitr and Sarasvat) that Thou assumest respectively. O Bhagavat! Thou art always meditated by the Munis as young in the morning, full of youth in the mid-day, and aged in the evening. I bow down to Thee. Thou art seen by the Tapasvis (ascetics) as Brahmn, riding on Hamsa (swan), Sarasvat riding on Garuda, and Svitr riding on Bull. Thou art seen within by the ascetics as manifesting the Rigveda (in the form of Svitr) in this world, as manifesting Yayurveda in the middle space (antariksam) and as manifesting Smaveda everywhere in the Rudra loka, thus roaming in the three worlds. I bow down to Thee. O Dev! Thou art Rudrn in the Rudra loka, Vaisnav in the Visnu loka, and Brahmn in the Brahm loka; thus Thou shewest Thy favour to the Immortals. O Dev! Thou art the Mother delighting the seven Risis (of the Great Bear); Thou art My. Thou grantest great many boons to Thy Bhaktas. Thou art sprung from the eyes and hands, tears and perspiration of Siva and Siv. Thou art the Mother of delights, Durg Dev, recited by the following ten names :-- Vareny, Varad, Varisth, Varavarnin, Garisth, Varh, Varroh, Nlagang, Sandhy and Bhoga Moksad. Thou art the Bhgirath (the river Ganges) in this world; the Bhogavat in the Ptla; and the Mandkin (the milky way) in the Heavens. Thou art in this world (Bhur loka) the all-enduring Prithv (earth); Thou art the Vyu Sakti (air power) in the middle space (Bhubhar Loka); Thou art the energy (the ocean of Tejas) in the Heavens (Svar loka); Thou art the Great Siddhi in the Mahar loka; Thou art Jan in the Janar Loka; Thou art Tapasvin in the Tapar loka; Thou art Truth (True Speech) in the Satya lokam. Thou art Kamal in Visnu loka; Gyatr in Brahm loka; and the other half of Hara as Gaur in the Rudra loka. O Dev! Thou art sung as Shrimad Devi Bhagavatam
www.sacred-texts.com www.devi-durga.com Prakriti Aham Om-Mahat tattva and beyond that the Highest Sarva
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Brahm rpin and Smyvasth Prakriti. Thou art the Par Sakti; Thou art the Param Sakti; O Dev! Thou art the Tri-Sakti :-- the Ichchh Sakti (the will power), the Kriy Sakti (power of action) and the Jna Sakti (the force of knowledge). Thou art the Gang, Yamun, Vips', Sarasvat, Sarayu, Devk, Sindhu; Narmad, rvat, Godvar, Satadru; Kver, Kaus'ik, Chandra Bhg, Vitast, Gandak, Tapin, Karatoy, Gomat, and Vetravat and other rivers; Thou art the Id, Pingal, and Susumn nerves; Thou art Gndhr, Hastajihv, Ps, Aps, Alambus, Kuh, Sankhin, Prnavhin and other nerves in the body; O Dev! Thou art the vital power in the lotus of the heart; Thou art Svapna nik in the throat; Thou art Saddhr in the palate; and Thou art the Vindumlin Sakti in the pituitary space between the eyebrows.
Thou art the Kundalin in the Mldhra (sacral plexus), the Vypin extending upto the roots of the hairs; Thou art Madhysan on the crown of the head, and Thou art Manonman in the Brahmrandhra. O Dev! What need there is in stating these? Suffice it to say that whatever there is seen in this universe, all art Thou; therefore, O Sr Sandhy Dev! I bow down to Thee. O Nrada! Thus I have spoken to you about the Gyatr-Stotra that gives all successes, destroys all sins, and yields all merits. He who reads this in the Sandhy times, with all attention, will get sons if he has no sons, will get wealth if he has no wealth. There is no doubt in this. Whoever reads this Stotra gets the fruits of all Trthas, all Tapasys, all gifts, all sacrifices and all Yogas. He enjoys happiness in this world and finally gets the Moksa. The Munis who are engaged in Tapasys read this Stotra. While bathing, if one reads this, merged under water, acquires the fruits of his being merged in the Sandhy. O Nrada! I speak this verily, verily, verily, unto you that there is no trace of any doubt in this statement. Whoever will hear with devotion this Sandhy stotra, the nectar-like thing, will be freed from all sins.
Here ends the Fifth Chapter of the Twelfth Book on the Gyatr Stotra in the Mahpurnam Sr Mad Dev Bhgavatam of 18,000 verses by Maharsi Veda Vysa.
Shrimad Devi Bhagavatam
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Chapter VI
On the one thousand and eight names of the Gyatr
p. 1146
1-3. Nrada said :-- O Bhagavn! O All-knowing One! O Thou versed in all the Sstras! I have heard from Thy mouth all the secrets of Srutis and Smritis. Now I ask Thee, O Deva! How can the knowledge of that Veda Vidy (Learning) be obtained by which all sins are rooted out and destroyed, how is Brahmajnam obtained and how can Moksa be obtained? How can death be conquered and how can
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the best results be obtained in this world and in the next. O Lotus-eyed One! Thou oughtst to describe fully all these to me.
4-9. Nryana said :-- O Nrada! O Highly Learned One! Sdhu! Sdhu! You have now put a nice question indeed! Now I will describe one thousand and eight names of the Gyatr Dev. Listen attentively. These all sin-destroying auspicious names were composed by Brahm and first recited by Him. Its Risi is Brahm; the Chhandas is Anustup; the Devat is Gyatr; its Vja is Halavarna (consonants) and its Sakti is Svaravarna (vowels). Perform the Anga Nysa and the Kara Nysa by the Mtrik varnas (that is, by the fifty syllables). Now hear its Dhynam, that will do good to the Sdhakas (the practisers). [N.B. :-- Amga Nysa - Touching the limbs of the body with the hand accompanied by appropriate Mantras. Kara Nysa - assignment of the various parts of fingers and hand to different deities which is usually accompanied with prayers and corresponding gesticulations.] I worship the Kumr (virgin) Gyatr Dev, the Lotus-eyed One, riding on the Swan (the Prnas), and seated on a lotus (creation); Who is three-eyed and of a Shrimad Devi Bhagavatam
www.sacred-texts.com www.devi-durga.com red colour; and Who is bright and decorated with gems and jewels of red, white, green, blue, yellow and other variegated colours; Who is holding in Her hands Kundik, the rosary, lotus and making signs as if ready to grant the desired boons and on whose neck is suspended the garland of red flowers. I worship the Dev Gyatr. [Note :-- The colours are the various emotions and feelings.]
10-16. Now I will recite the one thousand and eight names of the Gyatr, beginning with the syllable a and going on a, , i, , etc., in due order of the alphabets. Listen! Her ways and actions cannot be comprehended by intellect (Buddhi); She is therefore Achintya Laksan; She is Avyakt (unmanifested; unspeakable); She is Arthamtrimahesvar, (because She is the Controller of Brahm, etc.); She is Amritrnava madhyasth, Ajit and Aparjit. Thou art Animdigundhr, Arka mandalasamsthit, Ajar, Aj, Apar, Adharm (she has no dharma, caste, etc.), Aksastradhar, Adhar; Akrdaksakrnt (beginning with the syllable a and ending with the syllable ksa, thus comprising the fifty syllables), Arisadvargabhedin (destroying the five passions), Anjandripratks, Anjandrinivsin, Aditi, Ajap, Avidy, Aravindanibheksan, Antarvahihsthit, Avidydhvamsin, and Antartmik. Thou art Aj. Ajamukhvs (residing in the mouth of Brahm), Aravindanibhnan, (Vyanjanavarntmik, therefore called) Ardhamtr, Arthadnaj (because She grants all the Purusrthas.)
Arimandalamarddin, Asuraghn, Amvsy, Alaksghn, Antyajrchit. Thus end Her names beginning with A. Now the names with
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Thou art di Laksm, di Sakti, kriti, yatnan, dityapadavichr, dityaparisevit, chry, vartan; chr, and di Mrti nivsin.
17-18. Thou art gney, mar, dy, rdhy, sanasthit, dhra nilay (seated in the Muldhra), dhr (the Refuge of all), and ksnta nivsini (of the nature of Aham tattva; Thou art dyksara samyukt, ntarksarpin, dityamandalagat, ntaradhvntansin, (i.e., destroyer of the Moha of Jvas). Then come the names beginning with I.
Shrimad Devi Bhagavatam
www.sacred-texts.com www.devi-durga.com 19-25. Thou art Indir, Istad, Ist Indvaraniveksan, Irvat, Indrapad, Indrn, Indurpin, Iksukodandasamyukt, Isusandhnakrin, Indranlasamakr, Idpingalarpin, Indrks, svar, Dev htrayavivarjit. Thou art Um, Us, Udunibh, Urvrukaphalnan, Uduprabh, Udumat, Udup, Udumadhyag, rdha, rdhakes, rdhadhogatibhedin, rdhavhupriy, rmimlvggranthadyin. Thou art Rita, Risi, Ritumat (the Creatrix of the world), Risidevanamaskrit, Rigved, Rinahartr, Risimandala chrin, Riddhid, Rijumrgasth, Rijudharm, Rijuprad, Rigvedanilay, Rijv, Lupta dharma pravartin, Ltrivarasam bht, Ltdivisahrin.
26-30. Thou art Ekksar, Ekamtr, Ek, Ekaikanisthit, Aindr, Airvatrdh, Aihikmusmikaprad, Omkr, Osadh, Ot, Otaprotanivsin, Aurbb, Ausadhasampann, Aupsanaphalaprad, Andamadhyasthit, Ahkramanurpin. (Visargarpin). Thus end the names beginning with vowels.
Now begin the names beginning with consonants. Thou art Ktyyan, Klartri, Kmks, Kmasundar, Kamal,. Kmin, Knt, Kmad, Klakanthin, Karikumbha stana bhar, Karavra Suvsin, Kalyan, Kundalavat, Kuruksetranivsin, Kuruvinda, dalkr, Kundal, and Kumudlay.
31-32. Thou art Klajhibh, Karlsy, Klik, Klarpin, Kmanyagun, Knti, Kaldhr, Kumudvat, Kausik, Kamalkr, Kmachraprabhanjin. Thou art Kaumar, Karunpng, Kakubanta (as presiding over all the quarters), and Karipriy.
156-159. O Nrada! Thus I have described to you one thousand (and eight) names of Gyatr; the hearing of which yields merits and destroys all sins and gives all prosperity and wealth. Specially in the Astamtithi (eighth lunar day) if after ones meditation (dhynam) worship, Homa, and japam, one recites this in company with the Brahmnas, one gets all sorts of satisfactions. These one thousand and eight names of the Gyatr ought not to be given to anybody indiscriminately. Speak this out to him only who is very devoted, who is a Brahmna, and who is an obedient disciple. Even if any devotee, fallen from the observances of char (right way of living), be a great friend, still do not disclose this to him.
160-165. In whatever house, these names are kept written, no cause of fear can creep in there and Laksm, the Goddess of wealth, though unsteady, remains steady in that house.
This great secret yields merits to persons, gives wealth to the poor, yields moksa to those who are desirous of it, and grants all desires. If anybody reads this, he gets cured of his diseases, and becomes freed from bondages and imprisonment. All the Great Sins, for example, murdering Brhmanas, drinking wine, stealing gold, going to the wife of ones Guru, taking gifts from bad persons, and eating the uneatables, all are destroyed, yea, verily destroyed! O Nrada! Thus I have recited to you this Great Secret. All persons get, indeed, united with Brahm (Brahama syujya) by this. True. True. True. There is not the least trace of doubt here.
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Here ends the Sixth Chapter of the Twelfth Book on the one thousand and eight names of the Gyatr in the Mahpurnam Sr Mad Dev Bhgavatam of 18,000 verses by Maharsi Veda Vysa.
Shrimad Devi Bhagavatam
www.sacred-texts.com www.devi-durga.com THE TWELFTH BOOK
Chapter VII
On the Dks vidhi or on the rules of Initiation
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1-3. Nrada said :-- I have heard the one thousand names or nma stotras equivalent in its fruits to Sr Gyatr, highly potent in making a good fortune and tending to a splendid increase of the wealth and prosperity. Now I want to hear about how initiations in Mantrams are performed, without which nobody, be he a Brhmin, a Ksattriya, a Vaisya or a Sdra, is entitled to have the Dev Mantra. O Lord! Kindly describe the ordinary (Smnya) and the special (visesa) rules thereof.
4-41. Nryana said :-- O Nrada! Listen. I am now telling you about the rules of initiation (Dks) of the disciples, pure in heart. When they are initiated, they become entitled then and not before that, to worship the Devas, the Fire and the Guru. That method of instruction, and religious act and ceremony is called the Dks (initiation) by which the Divine Knowledge is imparted; and at once flashes in the heart and mind of the initiated that Knowledge and all his sins are then destroyed. So the Pundits of the Vedas and the Tantras, say. (The Divine Knowledge is like lightning, fire, arising and permeating the body, mind, and spirit.) This Dks ought to be taken by all means. This gives excellent merits and pure results. Both the Guru and the Sisya (disciple) ought to be very pure and true. (This is the first essential requisite. Then the results are instantaneous). First of all, the Guru is to perform all the morning duties, he is to take his bath and perform his Sandhy Vandanams. He is to return home from the banks of the river with his Kamandalu and observe maunam (silence). Then, in order to give Dks, he is to enter into the assigned room (Yga Mandapa) and take his seat on an sana that is excellent and calculated to please all. He is to perform chanara and do Prnyma. Then he should take water in his Arghya vessel and putting scents and flowers in that, charge that water with Phatkra mantra (that is, condense electricity Spirit in that). Then uttering the Phat mantra, he is to sprinkle the water on the doorways of the worshiproom and begin his Pj. Firstly, on the top of the door at one end invoke the Deity Gananth by His mantra, at the other end invoke Sarasvat by Her mantra and at the middle, invoke Laksm Dev by Her mantra duly and worship Shrimad Devi Bhagavatam
www.sacred-texts.com www.devi-durga.com them, with flowers. Then, on the right side worship Gang and Bighnesa; and on the left side worship Ksettrapla and Yamun, the daughter of the Sun. Similarly, on the bottom of the door, worship the Astra Devat by the
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Phat mantra. Then consider the whole Mandapa as inspired with the presence of the Dev, and see the whole place as pervaded by Her through and through. Then, repeat the Phat mantra and destroy the Celestial obstacles as well as those from the middle space (Antarksa); strike the ground thrice with the left heel and thus destroy the Terrene obstacles. Then touching the left branch on the left side of the choukt, put the right foot forward and enter into the Mandapa. Then instal the Snti Kumbha (the peace jar) and offer the ordinary Arghya (Smnyrgha). Next worship the Vstuntha and Padmayoni with flowers and tapa rice and the Arghya water, on the south-west and then purify the Pancha Gavya. Next sprinkle all the Mandapa and the entrance gate with that Arghya water. And, while sprinkling with Arghya water, consider the whole space right through as inspired with the presence of the Dev and repeat the Mla Mantra with devotion and sprinkle with Phat mantra. The Kart, then, uttering the mantra Phat, is to drive away all the evils from the Mandapa and uttering the mantra Hm sprinkle water, all around, thus pacifying the atmosphere and bringing peace into the hearts of all present.
Then burn the Dhpa incense inside and scatter Vikira (water, sandal-paste, yava, ashes, Durba grass with roots, and tapa rice). Then collect all these rice, etc., again with a broom made of Kusa grass to the north east corner of the Mandapa; making the Sankalpa and uttering Svasti vchana (invocation of good), distribute and satisfy the poor and orphans with feeding, clothing and money. Then he should bow down to his own Guru and take his seat humbly on the soft sanam allotted to him with his face eastwards and meditate on the Deity (sta Deva) of the mantra that is to be imparted to the disciple. After meditating thus, he is to do the Bhta sddhi (purification of elements) and perform Nysa, etc., of the Deya mantra (the mantra that is to be imparted to the disciple) according to the rules stated below, i.e., the Risi on the head; the chhandas in the mouth, the sta Devat in the heart, Bja on the anus and Sakti Nysa on the two legs. Then he is to make sound thrice by the clap of his palm and thus thwart off all the evils of the earth and the middle space and then make digbandhan (tieing up the quarters) by the mudr chhotik three times (snapping the thumb and forefinger together ). Then perform the Prnyma with the Mla mantra of the would-be-sta-Devat and do the Mtrik Nysa in ones own body, thus :-- Om Am namah sirasi, Om m namah on the face, Om Im namah on the right eye, Om m namah on the left eye, and so on, assign all the letters duly to their respective places. Then perform the Karnga Nysa on the fingers and the Sadanga Nysa thus Shrimad Devi Bhagavatam
www.sacred-texts.com www.devi-durga.com :-- Speak: Om Hridayya namah, touching on the heart, utter Om Sirase svh, touching the head; Om
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Sikhyai Vasat, touching the tuft; Om Kavachya Hm, touching on the Kavacha, Om netratrayya Vausat, touching the eye, and Om Astrya Phat touching both the sides of the hand, the palm and its back. Then finish the Naysa by doing the Varnanysa of the Mla mantra in those places that are said in the cognate kalpas (i.e., throat, heart, arms, legs, etc.).
O Nrada! Next consider within your body the seat of an auspicious sana (a seat) and make the Nysa of Dharma on the right side, Jnam on the left side, of Vairgyam (dispassion) on the left thigh, prosperity and wealth on the right thigh, of non-Dharma in the mouth and of Non-Jnam on the left side, Avairgyam (passion) on the navel, and poverty on the right side. Then think of the feet of the sana (the body) as Dharma, etc., and all the limbs as Adharma (non-Dharma). In the middle of the sana (body), i.e., in the heart consider Ananta Deva as a gentle bed and on that a pure lotus representing this universe of five elements. Then make Nysa of the Sun, Moon, and Fire on this lotus and think the Sun as composed of twelve Kals (digits) the Moon composed of sixteen Kals (digits) and the Fire as composed of ten Kals. Over this make Nysa of Sttva, Rja and Tmo Gunas, tm, Antartm, Paramtm and Jntm and then think of this as his stas altar where the devotee is to meditate on his sta Devat, the Highest Mother. Nysa-assignment of the various parts of the body to different deities which is usually accompanied with prayers and corresponding gesticulations. Next the devotee is to perform the mental worship of the Deya Mantra Devat according to the rules of his own Kalpa; next he is to show all the Mudrs, stated in the Kalpa for the satisfaction of the Deva. The Devas become very pleased when all these Mudrs are shown to them.
42-46. O Nrada! Now, on ones left side, erect an hectagon; inside it a circular figure; inside this again a square and then draw within that square a triangle and over it show the Sankha Mudr. After finishing the Pj of the Six Deities at the six corners of the hectagon, Fire, etc., take the tripod of the Sankha (conch-shell) and sprinkling it with Phat mantra, place it within the triangle. Utter, then, the Mantra Mam Vahniman dalya Dasa Kaltmane Amuka Devy Arghyaptrasthnya namah and thus worshipping the Snkhya vessel place it within the mandala. Then worship in the Sankha ptra, the ten Kals of Fire, beginning from the East, then south-east and so on. Sprinkle the Sankha, conchshell, with the Mla Mantra and meditating on it, place the Sankha (conch shell) on the tripod. Repeating the mantra Am Srya mandalya Shrimad Devi Bhagavatam
Arghyaptrya namah worship in the Arghyaptra Sankha, sprinkle water in the Sankha with the Mantra Sam Sankhya namah. Worship in due order the twelve Kals of the Sun Tapin, Tpin, Dhmr, etc., utter the fifty syllables of the Mtrik in an inverse order (i.e., beginning, see the Srad Tilaka, with Ksam, Ham, Sam, Sam, Sam, etc.,) and repeating the Mla Mantra also in an inverse order, fill the Sankha, three-fourths, with water. Next perform in it the Nysa of Chandrakal and uttering the Mantra Um Soma mandalya Sodasakaltmane Amukademty Arghy-mritya namah, worship in this conchshell. Next with Ankusa mudr, invoke all the trthas there, repeating the Mantra Gange Cha Yamune chaiva, etc., and repeat eight times the Mla Mantra (the basic Mantra). Then perform the Sadamga Nysa in the water and with the Mantra Hrid namah, etc., worship and, repeating eight times the Mla Mantra, cover it with Matsyamundr. Next place on the right side of the Sankha, the Proksan Ptra (the Kos vessel from which water is taken for sprinkling) and put a little water in it. By this water sprinkle and purify all the articles of worship as well as ones own body and consider ones tman as pure and holy.
47-81. After doing works thus far the until Visesrghya is placed, the devotee should erect Sarvato bhadra mandala within the altar and put the Sli rice within its pericarp. Next spread Kusa grass on that Mandala and put on one Kurcha, looking well and auspicious within it, made of twenty-seven Kusa grass knotted with Venyagra granthi. Worship here the dhra Sakti, Prakriti, Krma, Sesa, Ksam, Sudhsindhu, Manimandala, Kalpa vriksa and sta devat and the Ptha. (Durg Dev yoga pthya namah). Then have an entire kumbha (waterjar) having no defect, wash it inside with Phat mantra, and encircle it with the red thread thrice as symbolising the three Gunas. Place within this jar the Nava ratna (nine jewels) with Kurcha and worshipping it with scents and flowers put them in the jar repeating the Pranava, and place that on the Ptha (seat). Next consider the Ptha and Kumbha (waterjar) as one and the same and pour waters from the Trthas, repeating in an inverse order the Mtrik Varnas (from Ksa to Ka) and fill it, thinking of the sta Deva and repeating the basic mantra, put the new and fresh twigs (Pallavas) of Asvattha, Panasa and mango trees, etc., in the jar and cover its mouth and place over it fruits, rice, and chasaka (honey) and wrap it with two red cloths. Then perform the Prna- Pratisth and invoke the Spirit of the Dev by the Prnasthpana Mantra and show the Mudrs, vhana, etc., and thus satisfy the Dev. Then do the Sodasopachra Pj of the Dev after me-
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ditating on the Paramesvar according to the rules of the Kalpa.
First offer welcome in front of the Dev and then duly offer the Pdya, Arghya, chamanya water, Madhuparka, and oils, etc., for the bath. Then offer nice red silken clothes and various jewels, ornaments; repeating the Mtrik syllables electrified with the Deya Mantra, worship the whole body of the Dev with scents and flowers. Next offer to the Dev the sweet scent of Kalguru mixed with camphor and the Ksmri sandalpaste mixed with Kastr and various nice scented flowers, for example, the Kunda flowers, etc. Then offer the Dhpa prepared from Aguru, Guggula, Usra, sandalpaste, sugar, and honey and know that the Dhpa is very pleasing to the Dev. Next offer various lights and offerings of fruits, vegetables and fooding. Be particular to sprinkle everything with the water of the Kos, thus purifying, before it is offered to the Dev. Then complete the Anga Pj, and the varana-Pj of the Dev, then perform the duty of Vaisvadeva. On the right side of the Dev erect an altar (sthandila) six feet square and instal Agni (Fire) there. Invoke there the Deity, thinking of Her Form and worship Her with scents and flowers. Then with the Vyrhiti Mantra with Svh prefixed and Mla (Deya) Mantra perform the Homa ceremony with oblations, charu and ghee, twenty five times. Next perform Homa again with Vyrhiti. Next worship the Dev with scents, etc., and consider the Dev and Ptha Devat as one and the same. Then take leave of (visarjana) the Agni (Fire). Offer valis (sacrifices) all round to the Prsvadas of the Dev with the remnant charu of the Homa.
Now again worship the Dev with five offerings and offer betel, umbrella, chmara and others and repeat the Mla mantra thousand times. After finishing the Japam, place Karkar (a water- jar with small holes at the bottom, as in a sieve) on the rice in the north-eastern corner and invoke the Dev there and worship Her. Uttering the mantra Raksa Raksa moisten the place with water coming out of Karkar, and repeat the Phat mantra. After re-worshipping the Dev, place Karkar in due position. Thus the Guru finishes the Adhivsa (foregoing) ceremony and takes his meals with the disciple and sleeps that night on that altar.
82-106. O Nrada! Now I am describing briefly about the Homa Kunda (a round hole in the ground consecrated to the Deity) and the Samskra ceremony of the Sthandila (the sacrificial altar). Uttering, first, the Mla Mantra, see, fix your gaze on the Kunda; then sprinkle it with water and the Phat mantra and drive away the evil-spirits from there. Then with mantra Hm again sprinkle it with water. Shrimad Devi Bhagavatam
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Then draw within it three lines Prgagra and Udagagra (on the eastern and northern sides). Sprinkling it with water and the Pranava, worship within the Ptha, uttering the mantras from dhra Saktaye namah to Amuka Dev Yoga Pthya namah. Invoke, in that Ptha, the Highest One, Who is Siva Siv with all one-ness of heart and worship Her with scents and offerings. Then think for a moment the Dev as having taken bath and as one with Sankara. Bring then fire in a vessel and taking a flaming piece thereof throw that in the south-west corner. Then purifying it by the gaze and quitting the portions of Kravydah, impart the Chaitanya by Ram, the Vahnivja repeat Om over it seven times. Shew, then, the Dhenumudr and protect it by Phat Kra and cover, veil, it with the mantra Hm. Then turn the fire, thus worshipped with sandalpaste, etc., thrice over the Kunda and with both the knees on the ground and repeating the Pranava, consider the Agni as the Vrya of Siva and throw it on the yoni of the Dev in the Ptha. Then offer chamana, etc., to the Deva and the Dev and worship. Then light the flame with the mantra Chit Pingala Hana Hana Daha Daha Pacha Pacha Sarvaj Jpaya Svh. Then utter the stotra to the Agni Deva with great love, repeating the mantra Agnim Prajvalitam vande Jtavedam Hutsanam suvarna varnamamalam samiddham Visvatomukham. Then perform the Sadamganysa to the Agni Deva Om Sahasrrchchise namah, Om Svasti Prnya Svh, Om Uttistha purusya vasat, Om Dhma vypine Hm Om Sapta Jihvya vausat Om Dhanur dharya Phat. Repeating the above six mantras, perform the Nysa on the heart, etc., the six places. Now meditate on the Agni as of a golden colour, three-eyed, seated on a lotus and holding in His four hands signs of granting boons, Sakti, Svastika and sign of no fear, also meditate on Agni, as the seat of the greatest auspiciousness. Then moisten the Kunda on the top of the belt (mekhal) with water. Next spread the Kusa grass all around and draw the Agni yantra over it, i.e., triangle, hectagon, circle, eight-petalled figure and Bhpura; rather have this drawing before the Agnisthpan. Now meditate this only. Then, within the Yantra, recite Vaisvnara Jtaveda Lohitksa sarvakarmni Sdhaya Svh and worship Agni. Then worship in the centre and in the hectagon at the corners worship the Saptajihv (seven tongues Hiranya, Gagan, Rakt, Krisn, Suprabh, Bahurp, Atiraktik) and next worship within the pericarp of the lotus the Anga Devats. Then recite the following mantras within the eight petals :-- Om Agnaye Jtavedase namah, Om Agnaye Saptajihvya namah, Om Agnaye Havyavhanya
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namah, Om Agnaye Asvodarajya namah, Om Agnaye Vaisvnarya namah, Om Agnaye Shrimad Devi Bhagavatam
www.sacred-texts.com www.devi-durga.com Kaumra tejase namah, Om Agnaye Visvamukhya namah, Om Agnaye Devamukhya namah and considering the forms to hold Sakti and Svastik, worship them. Then consider Indra and the other Lokaplas (Regents of the several quarters) situated in the east, south-east, and so on together with their weapons, the thunderbolt and the other weapons, and thus worship them.
107-134. O Nrada! Next purify the sacrificial ladles, etc., sruk, sruva, etc., and ghee; then, taking ghee by sruva, go on with the Homa ceremony. Divide the ghee of the jyasthl (the vessel in which the ghee for the Homa purposes is kept) in three parts; take ghee from the right side and saying Om Agnaye Svh offer oblations on the right eye of the Agni; take ghee from the left side and saying Om Somye Svh offer oblations on the left eye of the Agni; take ghee from the centre and saying, Om Agnisombhym Svh, offer oblations on the central eye of the Agni. Take ghee again from the right side and saying Om Agnaye Svistakrite Svh offer oblations to the mouth of the Agni. Then the devotee is to repeat Om Bhuh Svh, Om Bhuvah Svh, Om Svah Svh and offer thrice the oblations; next he is to offer oblations thrice with the Agni mantra. After this, O Muni! for impregnation and each of the ten Samskras, natal-ceremony, tonsure, etc., he is to repeat the Pranava Mantra and offer the eight oblations of ghee on each occasion. Now hear of the tenfold Samskras :-- (1) Impregnation, (2) Pumsavan (a ceremony performed as soon as a woman perceives the foetus to be quick), (3) Smantonnayana (a ceremony observed by women in the fourth, sixth or the eighth month of pregnancy), (4) Jta Karma (ceremony at the birth of a child), (5) Nmakarana, (naming the child), (6) Niskrmana (a ceremony performed when a new-born child is first taken out of the house into the open air usually in the fourth month), (7) Annaprsana (when the rice is put in the mouth of the child), (8) Chdkarana (the ceremony of the first tonsure), (9) Upanayana (holding the sacrificial thread; (10) Godna and Udvha (gift of cows and marriage). These are stated in the Vedas. Next worship Siva Prvat, the Father and the Mother of Agni and take leave of them. Next in the name of Agni, offer five Samidhas (fuel) soaked in ghee and offer one oblation of ghee to each of the varana Devats.
Then take the ghee by the Sruk and covering it with the Sruva, offer ten oblations to Agni, and Mah Ganesa with mantras ending in Vausat,
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The Mah Ganesa mantras run as follows :-- (1) Om, Om Svh (2) Om Srm Svh, (3) Om Srm Hrm Svh, (4) Om Srm Hrm Klm Svh, (5) Om Srm Hrm Klm Glaum Svh, (6) Om Shrimad Devi Bhagavatam
www.sacred-texts.com www.devi-durga.com Srm Hrm Klm Glaum Gam Svh, (7) Om Srm Hrm Klm Glaum ityantah Gam Ganapataye Svh, (8) Om Vara Varada ityantah Svh, (9) Sarvajanam me Vasam ityanto Svh and (10) naya Svh ityantah.
Next perform in the Agni the Ptha Pj and meditate on the Deya stadeva and worship him. Next offer twenty-five oblations to his face, repeating the Mla Mantra. Then think of that and Agni Deva as one and the same, and then again as one with tman. Then offer oblations to each of the Sadamga Devats separately. Then search for the Ndis (veins) of Vahni and sta Devat and offer twenty one oblations. Then offer oblations to each of the two Devats separately. Next offer one thousand and eight oblations to the sta Deva with Til soaked in ghee or with the materials enumerated in the Kalpa. O Muni! Thus finishing the Homa ceremony, consider that the sta Deva (the Dev), Agni and the varana Deities are all satisfied. Then, by the command of the Guru, the disciple is to take his bath and perform his Sandhy, etc., and put on new clothes (cloth and chdar) and golden ornaments. He is to come then, to the Kunda with Kamandalu in his hand and with a pure heart. He is to bow down to the elders and superiors seated in the assembly and take his seat in his sana. Sr Guru Deva then would look at the disciple with kind eyes and think the Chaitanya of the disciple within his own (the Gurus) body. Then the Guru Deva would perform the Homa and look at the disciple with a divine gaze, so that the disciple becomes pure-hearted and able to get the favours of the Devas. Thus the Guru must purify all the Adhvas (the passages) of the body of the disciple.
Then the Guru is to touch respectively the feet, generative organ, navel, heart, forehead, and the head of the disciple with Krcha (a bundle of Kusa grass) and til soaked in ghee, in his left hand and offer at each touch eight oblations, repeating the mantra Om adya Sisyasya Kaldhvnam Sodhaymi Svh, etc. Thus the Guru would purify Kaldhva (in the feet) Tattvdhva (in the generative organ), Bhvandhva (in the navel), Varndhva (in the heart), Paddhva (in the fore-head) and Mantrdhva (on the head), the six Adhvs and think these all to be dissolved in Brahm (Brahmalna).
135-155. Then, again, the Guru would think all these to be re-born from Brahm and transfer the Chaitanya of the disciple that was in him to the disciple. Then the Guru must offer Prnhuti and consider
p. 1162 Shrimad Devi Bhagavatam
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the sta Devat, placed in the fire by the visarjana mantra for the Homa purposes, as entered into the water-jar. He is to perform again the Vyrhiti Homa and offer all the Amghutis (oblations to all the limbs) of the fire and take leave of the fire withdrawing the Deity from the jar, into his own body. Uttering then the Vausat Mantra he would tie the eyes of the disciple with a piece of cloth and would bring him from the Kunda to the mandala and make the disciple offer puspnjali (flowers in his palm) to the sta deva. Then he would take away the bandage or piece of cloth from his eyes and ask him to take his seat in the seat Kussana. Thus the Guru, after having purified the elements of the body of the disciple and performed the Nysa of the Deya Mantra, would make the disciple sit in another mandala. Then he would touch the head of the disciple with the twigs (Pallavas) of the Kunda and repeat the Mtrik Mantra and make him have his bath with the water of the jar which is considered as the seat of the sta Deva. Then, for the protection of the disciple, he would sprinkle (abhiseka) him with the water of the Vardhani vessel placed already in the north-east corner. Then the disciple would get up and put on the pair of new clothes and besmear his whole body with ashes and sit close by the Guru. When the merciful Guru would consider that the Siva Sakti has now passed out of his own body and that Divine Force, the Dev, has entered into the body of the disciple, i.e., charged the disciple with the pass. Thinking now the disciple and the Devat to be one and the same, the Guru would now worship the disciple with flowers and scents. The Guru would then place his right hand on the head of the disciple and repeat clearly in his right ear the Mah Mantra of the Mah Dev . The disciple is to repeat also the Mah Mantra one hundred and eight times and fall prostrate on the ground before the Guru and thus bow down to the Guru, whom the disciple now thinks as the incarnate of the Deva.
The disciple, the devotee of the Guru, would now give as a Daksin all his wealth and property for his whole life to the Guru. Then he would give Daksin to the priests and make charities to the virgins; the Brhmanas, the poor and the destitute and the orphans. Here he is not to be miserly in any way in the expenditure. O Nrada! Thus the disciple would consider himself blessed and he would daily remain engaged in repeating the Mah Mantra. Thus I have described to you above The most excellent Dks. Thinking all these, you are to remain ever engaged in worshipping the lotus feet of the Great Dev. There is no Dharma higher than this in this world for the Brhmanas. The followers of the Vedas would impart this Mantra according to the rules stated respectively in their own Grihya Stras; and the Tntrikas
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would also do the same according to their own Tantras. The Vaidiks should not follow the Tantra rules and the Tantriks are not to follow the Vaidik rules. Thus all the Sstras say. And this is the Santan Creed. Nryana said :-- O Nrada! I have described all about the ordinary Dks that you questioned me. Now the essence in brief is this that you would remain always merged in worshipping the Par Sakti, the Highest Force, the Mah Dev. What more shall I say than this that I have got the highest pleasure and the Nirvna, the peace, that passeth all understanding, from my daily worshipping That Lotus Feet duly. Vedavysa said :-- O Mahrja! O Janamejayan! After having said this Dkstattva, the highest Yogi Bhagavn Nryana, meditated by the Yogis, closed his eyes and remained merged in Samdhi, in the meditation of the Lotus Feet of the Dev.
Knowing this Highest Tattva, Nrada, the chief of the Risis, bowed down at the feet of the Great Guru Nryana and went away immediately to perform the tapasy so that he also might see the Mah Dev.
Here ends the Seventh Chapter of the Twelfth Book on the Dks vidhi or on the rules of Initiation in the Mahpurnam Sr Mad Dev Bhgavatam of 18,000 verses by Maharsi Veda Vysa.
Shrimad Devi Bhagavatam
www.sacred-texts.com www.devi-durga.com THE TWELFTH BOOK
Chapter VIII
On the appearance of the Highest Sakti
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1-8. Janamejaya spoke to Veda Vysa :-- O Bhagavn! Thou art the knower of all the Dharmas and Thou art the chief, the crown of the Pundits, knowing all the Sstras. Now I ask Thee how is it that the twice-born have ceased to worship the Highest Sakti, the Gyatr and they now worship the other Devats, on the face of the distinct command in the Srutis that the worship of the Gyatr is nity, that is, daily to be done at all times, especially during the three Sandhy times, by all those that are twice-born?
In this world some are the devotees of Visnu, some, the followers of Ganapat, some are Kplikas, some follow the doctrines prevalent in China; some are the followers of Buddha or Chrvka; some of them again wear the barks of trees and others roam naked. So various persons are seen having no trace of faith in the Vedas.
O Brhmana! What is the real cause underlying secretly here in this! Kindly mention this to me. Again there are seen many men, well versed in various metaphysics and logic, our B.A.s and M.A.s but then, again, they have no faith in the Vedas. How is this? Nobody wants anything ominous to him consciously. But how is it that these so-called learned men are p. 1164 fully aware and yet they are wonderfully void of any trace of faith in the Vedas? Kindly mention the cause underlying this, O Thou! The foremost of the knowers of the Vedas.
Shrimad Devi Bhagavatam
www.sacred-texts.com www.devi-durga.com There is, again, another question :-- Thou hadst described before the glories of Manidvpa, the highest and the best place of the Dev. Now I want to hear how is that Dvpa greater than the great. Satisfy this servant of thine by describing these. If the Guru be pleased, he reveals even the greatest and the highest esoteric secret to his disciple.
9-10. Sta spoke :-- Hearing the words of the King Janamejaya, the Bhagavn Veda Vysa began to answer the questions in due order. The hearing of this increases the faith of the twice-born in the Vedas.
11-30. Vysa said :-- Well has this been asked by you, O King! in due time and in an appropriate moment. You are intelligent and it seems that you have got the faith in the Vedas. I now answer. Listen. In ancient days, the Asuras, maddened with pride, fought against the Devas for one hundred years. The war was very extraordinary and remarkable. In this great war various weapons were used, variegated with numerous Mys or ingenious devices. It tended to destroy the whole world. By the mercy of the Highest and the Most Exalted Sakti, the Daityas were overcome by the Devas in that Great War. And they quitted the Heavens and the Earth and went to the nether regions, the Ptla. The Devas were all delighted and began to dwell on their own prowesses and became proud. They began to say :-- Why shall not victory be ours. Why are not our glories great? We are by far the best! Where are the Daityas? They are devils, powerless. We are the causes of creation, preservation and destruction. We all are glorious! Oh! What can be said before us in favour of the Asuras, the devils? Thus, not knowing the Highest Sakti, the Devas were deluded. At this moment, seeing this plight of the Devas, the World Mother took pity on the Devas and, to favour them, O King! She appeared before them in the form of the Most Worshipful, the Great Holy Light. It was resplendent like ten million Suns, and cool as well like ten million Moons. It was brilliant and dazzling like ten million lightning flashes, without hands and feet, and exceedingly beautiful! Never was this witnessed before! Seeing this Extraordinary Beautiful Lovely Light, the Devas were taken aback; they spoke amongst themselves, thus :-- What is this! What is this! Is this the work of the Daityas or some other great My (Mayic) played by them or is it the work of another for creating the surprise of the Devas! O King! Then they all assembled together and decided to approach towards that Adorable
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Light and to ask It what It was. They, then, would determine its strength and decide what to do afterwards. Thus, coming to this ultimate conclusion, Indra called Agni and said :-- O Agni! You Shrimad Devi Bhagavatam
www.sacred-texts.com www.devi-durga.com are the mouth-piece of the Devas. Therefore do you go first and ascertain distinctly what this Light is. Hearing thus the words of Indra, Agni, elated by his own prowess, set out immediately from the place and went to that Light. Seeing Agni coming, the Light addressed him thus :-- Who are you? What is your strength? State this before Me. At this Agni replied :-- I am Agni. All the yajs, ordained in the Vedas are performed through me. The power of burning everything in this universe resides in me. Then that adorable Light took up a straw of grass and said :-- O Agni! If you can burn everything in this universe, then do you burn this trifling straw. Agni tried his best to burn the straw but he could not burn it. He got ashamed and fast went back to the Devas. Asked by the Devas, Agni told them everything and said :-- O Devas! Know verily that the pride cherished by us that we are supreme, is entirely false.
31-50. Indra then asked Vyu (wind) and said :-- O Vyu! You are dwelling in this universe, through and through; by your efforts, all are moving; therefore you are the Prna of all; it is possible that all forces are concentrated within you. Go and ascertain what is this Light? Verily I do not see any other person here than you who can ascertain this great adorable Light. Hearing these commendable words of Indra, Vyu felt himself elated and went at once to that place where was that Light. Seeing the Vyu, the Light, the Yaksa, the demi-god, the Spirit asked in a gentle language :-- Who are you? What strength is there in you? Speak out all these to me. At this, Vyu spoke arrogantly, I am Mtarisvan, I am Vyu; about my strength, I can move anything and I hold everything. It is through the strength of mine, that this universe is, and is alive and brisk with movements and works. That Highest Mass of Light then replied :-- O Vyu! Move this straw that lies before you, and if you cannot, quit your pride and go back to Indra ashamed. At this Vyu tried all his might but, alas! He could not move the straw a bit from that place!
Vyu then gave up his pride and returned to the Devas and spoke to them all about the Yaksa (a sort of demi-god, a ghost). O Devas! Our pride is vain; in no way can we be able to ascertain the nature of that Light. It seems that that Holy Light, adorable by all, is extraordinary. Then all the Devas spoke with one voice to Indra :--
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When You are the King of the Devas, better go yourself and ascertain the reality of Its Nature. Indra, then, with great pride, went himself to the Light; the Light, too, began to disappear gradually from the place, and ultimately vanished from Indras sight. When Indra found that he could not even speak to That Light, he became greatly ashamed and began to Shrimad Devi Bhagavatam
www.sacred-texts.com www.devi-durga.com conceive of his own nothingness. He thought thus :-- I wont go back to the Devas. What shall I say to them? Never will I disclose to them my inferiority; one is better to die than do this. Ones self-honour is the only treasure of the great and honourable. If honour is gone, what use, then, is there in living? O King! Then Indra, the Lord of Devas, quitted his pride and took refuge unto That Great Light which exhibited, ere long, such a glorious character. At this moment, a celestial voice was heard from the Heavens :-- O Indra! Go on now and do the japam, the reciting of the My Vja Mantra, the basic Mantra of My. All your troubles will, then, be over. Hearing this celestial voice, Indra began to repeat the My Vja, the Seed Mantra of My, with rapt concentration and without any food.
51-61. Then on the ninth lunar day of the month of Chaitra when the Sun entered the meridian, suddenly there appeared in that place a Great Mass of Light as was seen before. Indra saw, then, within that Mass of Light, a Virgin Form in full youth. The lustre from Her body was like that of ten million Rising Suns; and the colour was rosy red like a full-blown Jav flower. On Her forehead was shining the digit of the Moon; Her breasts were full, and, though veiled under the cloth, they looked very beautiful. She was holding noose and a goad in Her two hands and Her other two hands indicated signs of favour and fearlessness.
Her body was decked with various ornaments and it looked auspicious and exceedingly lovely; nowhere can be seen a woman beautiful like Her. She was like a Kalpa Vriksa (celestial tree yielding all desires); she was three eyed and Her braid of hair was encircled with Mlat garlands. She was praised on Her four sides by the Four Vedas, Incarnate, in their respective Forms. The brilliancy of Her teeth shed lustre on the ground as if ornamented with Padmarga jewels. Her face looked smiling. Her clothing was red and Her body was covered with sandalpaste. She was the Cause of all causes. Oh! She was all Full of Mercy. O King Janamejaya! Thus Indra saw, then, the Um Parvat Mahesvar Bhagavat and the hairs of his body stood on ends with ecstasy. His eyes were filled with tears of love and deep devotion and he immediately fell prostrate before
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the feet of the Dev. Indra sang various hymns to Her and praised Her. He became very glad and asked Her, O Fair One! Art Thou that Great Mass of Light? If this be, kindly state the cause of Thy appearance. O King! Hearing this, the Bhagavat replied. Shrimad Devi Bhagavatam
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62-83. This My Form is Brahm, the Cause of all causes, the Seat of My, the Witness of all, infallible and free from all defects or blemishes. What all the Vedas and Upanisadas try to establish, what ought to be obtained, as declared by all the rules of austerity, and for which the Brhmanas practise Brahmacharyam, I am all that. I have told you about that Brahm, of the nature of the Great Holy Light. The sages declare that That Brhman is revealed by Om and Hrm, the two Vjas (mystic syllables) that are My two first and foremost Mantras wherein I remain hidden. I create this universe with My two parts (in My two aspects); therefore My Vja mantra is two. Om Vja is denominated as Sachchidnanda (everlasting existence, intelligence and bliss) and Hrm Vja is My Prakriti, the Undifferentiated Consciousness, made manifest. Know, then, That My as the Highest Sakti and know Me as that Omnipotent Goddess at present revealed before your eyes. As moonlight is not different from the Moon, so this My Sakti in the state of equilibrium is not different from Me. (The powerful man and the power he wields are not different. They are verily one and the same.) During Pralaya (the Great Latency period), this My lies latent in Me, without there being any difference. Again at the time of creation, this My appears as the fructification of the Karmas of the Jvas. When this My is potential and exists latent in Me, when My is Antarmukh, it is called Unmanifested and when the My becomes Kinetic, when the My is Bahirmukh, when She is in an active Kinetic state, it is said to be Manifested. There is no origin or beginning of this My. My is of the nature of Brahm in a state of equilibrium. But, during the beginning of the creation, Her form consisting of the several Gunas appears, when My is Bahir Mukh, She becomes Tmas, in Her Unmanifested state. O Indra! For this reason Her state of abstraction, and becoming introspective, this is Her Antarmukh state; it is known as My and Her looking outward is Her Bahirmukh state; it is denominated by Tmas and the other gunas. From this comes Sttva and then Rjas and Brahm, Visnu and Mahesa are of the nature of the three gunas. Brahm has the Rjo guna in Him preponderating; in Visnu, the Sttva guna preponderates and in Mahesa, the Cause of all Causes, is said to reside the Tmo guna. Brahm is known as of the Gross Body; Visnu is known as of the Subtle Body; and Rudra is known as of the Causal Body and I am known as Turya, transcending the Gunas.
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This Turya Form of Mine is called the state of equilibrium of the Gunas. It is the Inner Controller of all. Beyond this there is another state of Mine which is called the Formless Brahm (Brhman having no Forms). Know, verily, that my Forms are two, as they are with or without attributes (Saguna or Nirguna). That which is beyond My and the Myic qualities is called Nirguna (without Prkritic attributes) and that which is within My is called Saguna. O Indra! After creating this universe, I enter within that as the Inner Controller of all and it is I that impel all the Jvas always to their due efforts and actions. Know, verily, that It is I that engage Brahm, Shrimad Devi Bhagavatam
www.sacred-texts.com www.devi-durga.com Visnu and Rudra, the causes of the several works of creation, preservation and destruction of this universe (they are performing their functions by My Command). Through the terror from Me the wind blows; through my terror, the Sun moves in the sky; through My terror, Indra, Agni, and Yama do their respective duties. I am the Best and Superior to all. All fear Me. Through My Grace you have obtained victory in the battle. Know, verily, that it is I that make you all dance like inert wooden dolls as My mere instruments. You are merely My functions. I am the Integral Whole. I give sometimes victory to you and sometimes victory to the Daityas; Yea, I do everything as I will, keeping My independence duly and, according to the Karmas, justly. Oh! You all, have forgotten me though your pride and sheer nonsense. You have been carried deep into dire delusion by your vain egoism. And know now that to favour you, this My Adorable Light has issued suddenly. Hence forth banish ever from your heart all your vain boastings and idle pratings. Take refuge wholly unto Me with all your head, heart and soul, unto My Sachchidnanda Form and be safe. (At times the Devas forget and so fall into troubles).
84-93. Vysa said :-- Thus saying, the Mla Pakriti, the Great Dev, the Goddess of the Universe, vanished from their sight. The Devas, on the other hand, began to praise Her then and there, with rapt devotion. Since that day, all the Devas quitted their pride and engaged themselves in worshipping the Dev devotedly. They worshipped the Gyatr Dev daily during the three Sandhy times and performed various Yajs and thus they worshipped Bhagavat daily. Thus, in the Satya Yuga, everybody engaged themselves in repeating the Mantra Gyatr and worshipped the Goddess indwelling in the Pranava and Hrmkra. So, See now for yourself, that the worship of Visnu or Siva or initiation in the Visnu Mantra or in the Siva Mantra are not mentioned anywhere in the Vedas as to be done always and for ever. They are done for a while and not required any more when the objects are fulfilled; only the worship of Gyatr is always compul-
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sory, to be done at all times, as mentioned in the Vedas. O King! If a Brhmana does not worship the Gyatr, know, then, for certain, that in every way, he is sure to go down lower and lower. There is no doubt in this. A Brhmin is not to wait, no never, to do any other thing; he will have all his desires fulfilled if he worships only the Dev Gyatr. Bhagavn Manu says that a Brhmin, whether he does any other thing or not, can be saved if he worships only the Divine Mother Gyatr. (This worshipping the Gyatr is the highest, greatest, and most difficult of all the works in this universe). If any devotee of Siva or Visnu or of any other Deity worships his desired Deity without repeating the Gyatr, he is sure to suffer the torments of hell. (But this age of Kl deludes the people and draws away their minds from reciting this Gyatr save a few of them.) O King! For this reason, in the Satya Yuga, all the Brhmanas kept themselves fully Shrimad Devi Bhagavatam
www.sacred-texts.com www.devi-durga.com engaged in worshipping the Gyatr and the lotus feet of the Dev Bhagavat.
Here ends the Eighth Chapter in the Twelfth Book on the appearance of the Highest Sakti in the Mahpurnam Sr Mad Dev Bhgavatam of 18,000 verses by Maharsi Veda Vysa.
Shrimad Devi Bhagavatam
www.sacred-texts.com www.devi-durga.com THE TWELFTH BOOK
Chapter IX
On the cause of Srddha in other Devas than the Dev Gyatr
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1-20. Vysa said :-- O King Janamejaya! Once on a time, on account of an evil turn of Fate (Karma) of the human beings, Indra did not rain on this earth for fifteen years. Owing to want of rain, the famine appeared horribly; and almost all the beings lost their lives. No one could count in every house the number of the dead persons. Out of hunger the people began to eat horses; some began to eat bears and pigs, some began to eat the dead bodies while some others carried on any how their lives. The people were so much distressed with hunger that the mother did not refrain from eating her baby child and the husband did not refrain from eating his wife. O King! The Brhmanas then united and after due discussion, came to the conclusion that they would go to the hermit Gautama who would be able to remove their distress. So all of them wanted to go quickly to the hermitage of the Muni Gautama. They began to say :-- We hear that there is no famine in the hermitage of Gautama. Various persons are running there from various quarters. Thus coming to a conclusion, the Brhmanas went to the Gautamas srama with their cows, servants and relations. Some went from the east; some from the south; some from the west, and some from the north. Thus from various
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quarters the people flocked there. Seeing the Brhmanas coming there, the Risi Gautama bowed down to them and gave them a cordial welcome and served them with seats, etc. When all took their seats and became calm and quiet, Gautama enquired about their welfare and the cause of their arrival. They described everything about the dire famine and their own states and expressed their deep regret. Seeing them very much distressed, the Muni gave them word not to have any fear; he said :-- I am today become blessed by the arrival of the great ascetics and honourable persons like you. I am your servant. You consider all my houses as yours. Be quite Shrimad Devi Bhagavatam
www.sacred-texts.com www.devi-durga.com comfortable. Bear no uneasiness. When your servant is alive, what fear do your entertain and whom do you fear? When the demerits are transformed into good merits by your mere sight, and when you have blessed my house with the dust of your holy feet, then who is more blessed than me? O Vipras! Kindly perform your Sandhys, and Japams and rest here at ease. Vysa said :-- O King Janamejaya! Thus consoling the Brhmanas, the Risi Gautama began to worship the Gyatr Dev with rapt devotional trance. O Dev Gyatr! Obeisance to Thee! Thou art the Great Vidy, the Mother of the Vedas, Higher than the Highest; Thou art Vyrhiti represented by the Mantra Om Bhur Bhuvah Svah, O Mother! Thou art the state of equilibrium, i.e., the Turya; Thou art of of the Form of Hrm; Thou art Svh and Svadh; Thou grantest the desires of the Bhaktas. Thou art the Witness of the three states, Jgrat (waking), Svapna (dreaming) and Susupti (deep sleep). Thou art the Turya and Sachchidnanda Brahm. O Dev! Thou resident in the Solar Orb and appearest as a ruddy girl in the morning, an youthful maiden at noon and a black old woman in the evening. O Dev! Obeisance to Thee! Now shew favour on us at this severe famine time when all the beings are well nigh on the way to destruction.
21-40. Thus praised and worshipped, the World-Mother appeared and gave to the Risi one vessel (cup) full to the brim by which every one can he fed and nourished. The Mother told the Muni :-- This full vessel, given by me to you will yield whatever you wish. Thus saying, the Dev Gyatr, Higher than the Highest, vanished. Then, according to the wish of the Muni, came out from that cup, mountains of cooked rice, various curries and sweetmeats, lots of grass and fodder, silken clothings, various ornaments and various articles and vessels for sacrificial purposes. In fact whatever the Muni Gautama wished, that came out of the brimful cup, given by the Dev Gyatr. Then the Muni Gautama called the other Munis that came there and gave them wealth, grains, clothing, ornament, and the sacrificial ladles and spoons and cows and buffaloes for the sacrificial purposes. The
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Munis then assembled and performed various yajs. The place all round, then flourished and became so much prosperous that it looked like a second heaven. In fact whatever fair and beautiful there exist in the Trilokas, all came from the brimful cup given by the Dev Gyatr. At this time the Munis, with sandalpaste all over on their bodies, and decorated with very bright ornaments looked like the gods and their wives looked like goddesses. Daily utsabs began to be held in in the srama of Gautama. Nowhere were seen any diseases or dacoities and there was no fear from any such things. Gradually the sramas boundary extended to one hundred Yojanas (4 hundred miles). Hearing this greatness of Gautama, many persons came there from various quarters. And the Muni Gautama, too, gave them words, cast away fear and fed them. The Devas, on the other hand, became very much satisfied by the various Yajs and Shrimad Devi Bhagavatam
www.sacred-texts.com www.devi-durga.com extolled the Munis greatness. So much so, that the famous Indra, the Lord of the Devas, came in the midst of the assembly and extolled his greatness, thus :-- This Gautama has fulfilled all our wishes and has verily become a Kalpa Vriksa (celestial tree yielding all desires). If this man had not done such things, in this hard famine time, we would not have got the Havih offered in sacrifices and the prospect of our lives would have been at stake. O King Janamejaya! Thus the Muni Gautama fed and nourished for twelve years all the Munis, like his sons and that place came to be recognised as the chief centre (the Head Quarters) of the Gyatr Dev. Even today, all the Munis perform with devotion the Purasacharanams and worship thrice the Bhagavat Gyatr Dev. Even today the Dev is there seen as a girl in the morning, as a youthful maiden at noon, as an old woman in the evening. Then, once on a time, Nrada, of best conduct, came there playing on his great lute and singing in tune the highest glories of Gyatr and took his seat in the assembly of the Munis.
41-62. Seeing the tranquil hearted Nrada coming there, Gautama and the other Munis received him duly and worshipped him with the Pdya and Arghya. In course of conversation he began to describe the glories of Gautama and said :-- O Best of Munis! I have heard from the mouth of Indra, in the assembly of the Devas, your glories as to your supporting and feeding the pure-hearted Munis and I have come to see you. By the Grace of Sr Bhagavat Gyatr Dev, you have now become blessed. There is no doubt in this. Thus saying, the Devarsi Nrada entered into the temple of the Dev Gyatr and with eyes gladdened by love, saw the Dev there and offered due hymns in praise of Her and then ascended to the Heavens. Here, on the other hand, the Brhmanas that were fed by Gautama, became jealous at so much honour offered
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to Gautama and tried their best so that no further honour be paid to him. They further settled not to stay any longer in his srama, when the next good harvest season comes. (Thus his glories will wane). O King! Some days passed when good rains fell and there was an abundance of crops everywhere and the famine ended. Hearing this, all the Brhmins united, Alas! O King! to curse the Gautama. Oh! Their fathers and mothers are blessed in whom do not arise such feelings of jealousy! This all is the wonderful play of the powerful Time; it cannot be expressed by any person. O King! These Brhmins created, by My, an aged cow, who was to die and pushed her in the sacrificial hall of the Muni Gautama at the time of the Homa ceremony. Seeing that cow entering into the enclosure where the Homa was being performed, Gautama cried out Hoom Hoom when the cow fell there and died. And the other Brhmanas instantly cried out Look! Look! The wicked Gautama has killed the cow. Seeing this inconceivable event, Gautama was greatly nonplussed and, completing his Homa ceremony, entered into Shrimad Devi Bhagavatam
www.sacred-texts.com www.devi-durga.com Samdhi and began to think the cause of it. Then, coming to know that this has been concocted by the My of the Brhmins, he became angry like Rudra at the time of dissolution; his eyes were reddened and he cursed the Risis, thus :-- Oh vile Brhmins! When you are ready to cause mischief to me unjustly then let you be averse to meditate and do the japam of the Dev Gyatr, the Mother of the Vedas. For your this act, never you will be eager to perform any Vedic sacrificial acts or any action concerning thereof. There is no doubt in this. You will be always averse to the mantra of Siva or the Tantra of Siva. You will be always averse to Mla Prakriti Sr Dev, to Her Dhynam, mantra, to any conversation regarding Her; to the visiting of Her place or Temple, to do worship and other ceremonies to Her, to see the Grand Festivals of the Dev, to singing the names and glories of the Dev, to sit before the Dev and to adore Her.
63-81. O vile Brhmanas! You will be always averse to see the festivals of Siva, to worship Siva, to Rudrksa, to the Bel leaves, and to the holy Bhasma (ashes). You will be wholly indifferent to practise the right ways of living as presented in the Vedas and Smritis, to preserve your conduct good and to observe the path of knowledge to Advaita Jnam, to practise restraint of senses and continence, to the daily practices of Sandhy Bandanam, to performing the Agnihotra ceremonies, to the study of the Vedas according to ones own Skh or to the daily studies thereof as to teach those things or to give, as gifts, cows, etc., or to perform the Srddhas of the fathers, etc., or to perform Krichchra Chndryana and other penances. O Vile Brhmanas! As you are ready to do these mean things, you will have to suffer for this that you will desist from worshipping the Most
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Adorable Sr Bhagavat Dev and that you will worship the other Devas with faith and devotion and hold on your bodies Samkha, Chakra and other signs. You will follow the Kplikas, Bauddha Sstras and other heretics. You will sell your father, mother, brothers, sisters, sons and daughters and even your wives too!
You will sell the Vedas, Trthas, and your Dharma. You will not feel ashamed in any way to sell all these. You will certainly have faith in Kplika and Bauddha opinions, Pchartras and Kma Sstras. O vile Brhmanas! You will not hesitate to go to your mother, daughters or sisters and you will always be licentious with others wives and spend your time in that. This is not to you only but to the women and men, all that will come in your families. Let the Gyatr Dev be always indignant with you and let you all go in the end to the Andha Kpa hells, etc. Vysa said :-- O Janamejaya! Thus taking the water symbolising the true rules and laws of Shrimad Devi Bhagavatam
www.sacred-texts.com www.devi-durga.com creation, and cursing the Brhmanas, the Muni Gautama went hastily to see the Gyatr Dev and, on arriving at the temple there bowed down to Her. The Dev, too, became surprised to see their actions. O King! Even to day Her Lotus Face looks similarly astonished!
82-90. Then the Gyatr Dev told Gautama with amazement :-- O Gautama! The venom of the snake does not become less if you feed the serpents with milk; so never mind all these things; the Karmas take their peculiar turns; it is hard to say when will happen what things. Now be peaceful. Do not be sorry. Hearing these words of the Dev, Gautama bowed down to Her and went thence to his own srama. Here, on the other hand, the Brhmanas forgot everything due to the curse of Gautama, of the Vedas and the Gyatr Mantra. They then began to look at this event with wonder as unique and extraordinary. All united they afterwards repented and going before Gautama, fell prostrate at his feet. But they could not speak any word out of shame. Only they said frequently :-- Be pleased, be pleased with us. When all the assembly of the Brhmanas prayed to him for favour and grace, the Muni Gautama took pity on them and replied. My word will never turn out false. You will have to remain in Kumbhpka hell upto the time when Sr Krisna will take his incarnation. Then you will be born in the earth in the Kl age and whatever I have uttered will exactly come unto you. And if you are in earnest to avert my curse then go and worship the Lotus Feet of Sr Gyatr Dev. The is no other remedy.
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91-100. Vysa said :-- Thus dismissing the Brhmanas, Gautama Muni thought that all these occurred as a result of Prrabdha Karma and he became calm and quiet. For this reason, after Sr Krisna Mahrja ascended to the Heavens, when the Kl age came, those cursed Brhmanas got out of the Kumbhpka hell and took their births in this earth as Brhmins, devoid of the three Sandhys, devoid of the devotion to Gyatr, devoid of faith in the Vedas, advocating the heretics opinion and unwilling to perform Agnihotra and other religious sacrifices and duties and they were devoid of Svadh and Svh. They forgot entirely the Unmanifested Mla Prakriti Bhagavat. Some of them began to mark on their bodies various heretical signs, e.g., Taptamdr, etc.; some became Kplikas; some became Kaulas; some Bauddhas and some Jainas. Many of them, though learned, became lewd and addicted to others wives and engaged themselves in vain and bad disputations. For these, they will have to go again surely to the Kumbhpka hell. So O King! Worship with your heart and soul Sr Bhagavat Paramesvar Dev. The worship of Visnu or Siva is not constant (to be done everyday); only the worship of Sakti is to be constantly performed. For this reason whoever does not worship Sakti is sure to fall. Thus I have answered all your questions. Now I shall describe the highest and most beautiful place, Manidvpa of the Primal Force Bhagavat, the Shrimad Devi Bhagavatam
www.sacred-texts.com www.devi-durga.com Deliverer from this bondage of world. Listen.
Here ends the Ninth Chapter of the Twelfth Book on the cause of Srddha in other Devas than the Dev Gyatr in the Mahpurnam Sr Mad Dev Bhgavatam of 18,000 verses by Maharsi Veda Vysa.
Shrimad Devi Bhagavatam
www.sacred-texts.com www.devi-durga.com THE TWELFTH BOOK
Chapter X
On the description of Mani Dvpa
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1-20. Vysa said :-- O King Janamejaya! What is known in the Srutis, in the Subla Upanisada, as the Sarvaloka over the Brahmaloka, that is Manidvpa. Here the Dev resides. This region is superior to all the other regions. Hence it is named Sarvaloka. The Dev built this place of yore according to Her will. In the very beginning, the Dev Mla Prakriti Bhagavat built this place for Her residence, superior to Kailsa, Vaikuntha and Goloka. Verily no other place in this universe can stand before it. Hence it is called Manidvpa or Sarvaloka as superior to all the Lokas. This Manidvpa is situated at the top of all the regions,
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and resembles an umbrella. Its shadow falls on the Brahmnda and destroys the pains and sufferings of this world. Surrounding this Manidvpa exists an ocean called the Sudh Samudra, many yojanas wide and many yojanas deep. Many waves arise in it due to winds. Various fishes and conches and other aquatic animals play and here the beach is full of clear sand like gems. The sea-shores are kept always cool by the splashes of the waves of water striking the beach. Various ships decked with various nice flags are plying to and fro. Various trees bearing gems are adorning the beach. Across this ocean, there is an iron enclosure, very long and seven yojanas wide, very high so as to block the Heavens. Within this enclosure wall the military guards skilled in war and furnished with various weapons are running gladly to and fro. There are four gateways or entrances; at every gate there are hundreds of guards and various hosts of the devotees of the Dev. Whenever any Deva comes to pay a visit to the Jagadsvar, their Vhanas (carriers) and retinue are stopped here. O King! This place is being resounded with the chimings of the bells of hundreds of chariots of the Devas and the neighings of their horses and the sounds of their hoofs. The Devas walk here and there with canes in their hands and they are Shrimad Devi Bhagavatam
www.sacred-texts.com www.devi-durga.com chiding at intervals the attendants of the Devas. This place is so noisy that no one can hear clearly anothers word. Here are seen thousands of houses adorned with trees of gems and jewels and tanks filled with plenty of tasteful good sweet waters. O King! After this there is a second enclosure wall, very big and built of white copper metal (an amalgam of zinc or tin and copper); it is so very high that it almost touches the Heavens. It is hundred times more brilliant than the preceding enclosure wall; there are many principal entrance gates and various trees here. What to speak of the trees there more than this that all the trees that are found in this universe are found there and they bear always flowers, fruits and new leaves! All the quarters are scented with their sweet fragrance!
21-40. O King! Now hear, in brief, the names of some of the trees that are found in abundance there :-- Panasa, Vakula, Lodhra, Karnikra, Sinsapa, Deodra, Knchanra, mango, Sumeru, Likucha, Hingula, El, Labanga, Kat fruit tree, Ptala, Muchukunda, Tla, Tamla, Sla, Kankola, Ngabhdra, Punnga, Plu, Slvaka, Karpra, Asvakarna, Hastikarna, Tlaparna, Pomegranate, Ganik, Bandhujva, Jamvra, Kurandaka, Chmpeya, Bandhujva, Kanakavriksa, Klguru (usually coiled all over with cobras, very black poisonous snakes), Sandaltree, Datetree,Ythik, Tlaparn, Sugarcane, Ksra-tree,
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Khadira, Bhalltaka, Ruchaka, Kutaja, Bel tree and others, the Talas and Mallik and other forest plants. The place is interspersed with various forests and gardens. At intervals there are wells, tanks, etc., adding very much to the beauty of the place. The cuckoos are perching on every tree and they are cooing sweetly, the bees are drinking the honey and humming all around, the trees are emitting juices and sweet fragrance all around. The trees are casting cool nice shadows. The trees of all seasons are seen here; on the tops of these are sitting pigeons, parrots, female birds of the Mayan species and other birds of various other species. There are seen rivers flowing at intervals carrying many juicy liquids. The Flamingoes, swans, and other aquatic animals are playing in them. The breeze is stealing away the perfumes of flowers and carrying it all around. The deer are following this breeze. The wild mad peacocks are dancing with madness and the whole place looks very nice, lovely and charming. Next this Kmsya enclosure comes the third enclosure wall of copper. It is square shaped and seven yojanas high. Within this are forests of Kalpavriksas, bearing golden leaves and flowers and fruits like gems. Their perfumes spread ten yojanas and gladden things all around. The king of the seasons preserves always this place. The kings seat is made of flowers; his umbrella is of flowers; ornaments made of flowers; he drinks the honey of the flowers; and, with rolling eyes, he lives here always with his two wives named Madhu Sr and Mdhava Sr. The two wives of Spring have their faces always smiling. They play with bunches of flowers. This forest is very pleasant. Shrimad Devi Bhagavatam
www.sacred-texts.com www.devi-durga.com Oh! The honey of the flowers is seen here in abundance. The perfumes of the full blown flowers spread to a distance of ten yojanas. The Gandharbhas, the musicians, live here with their wives.
41-60. The places round this are filled with the beauties of the spring and with the cooing of cuckoos. No doubt this place intensifies the desires of the amorous persons! O King! Next comes the enclosure wall, made of lead. Its height is seven yojanas. Within this enclosure there is the garden of the Santnaka tree. The fragrance of its flowers extends to ten yojanas. The flowers look like gold and are always in full bloom. Its fruits are very sweet. They seem to be imbued with nectar drops. In this garden resides always the Summer Season with his two wives Sukra Sr and Suchi Sr. The inhabitants of this place always remain under trees; otherwise they will be scorched by summer rays. Various Siddhas and Devas inhabit this place. The female sensualists here get their bodies all anointed with sandal paste and all decked with flower
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garlands and they stalk to and fro with fans in their hands. There is water to be found here very cool and refreshing. And owing to heat all the people here use this water. Next to this lead enclosure comes the wall made of brass, the fifth enclosure wall. It is seven yojanas long. In the centre is situated the garden of Hari Chandana trees. Its ruler is the Rainy Season.
The lightnings are his auburn eyes; the clouds are his armour, the thunder is his voice and the rainbow is his arrow. Surrounded by his hosts he rains incessantly. He has twelve wives :-- (1) Nabhah Sr, (2) Nabhahsya Sr, (3) Svarasya, (4) Rasyaslin, (5) Amb, (6) Dul, (7) Niratni, (8) Abhramant, (9) Megha Yantik, (10) Varsayant, (11) Chivunik, and (12) Vridhr (some say Madamatt). All the trees here are always seen with new leaves and entwined with new creepers. The whole site is covered all over with fresh green leaves and twigs. The rivers here always flow full and the current is strong, indeed! The tanks here are very dirty like the minds of worldly persons attached to worldly things. The devotees of the Dev, the Siddhas and the Devas and those that consecrated in their life times tanks, wells, and reservoirs for the satisfaction of the Devas dwell here with their wives. O King! Next to this brass enclosure comes, the sixth enclosure wall made of five fold irons. It is seven yojanas long. In the centre is situated the Garden of Mandra trees. This garden is beautified by various creepers, flowers and leaves. The Autumn season lives here with his two wives Isalaksm and rjalaksm and he is the ruler. Various Siddha persons dwell here with their wives, well clothed. O King! Next to this comes the seventh enclosure wall, seven yojanas long and built of silver. Shrimad Devi Bhagavatam
www.sacred-texts.com www.devi-durga.com
61-80. In the centre is situated the garden of Prijta trees. They are filled with bunches of flowers. The fragrance of these Prijtas extend upto the ten Yojanas and gladden all the things all around. Those who are the Dev Bhaktas and who do the works of the Dev are delighted with this fragrance. The Hemanta (Dewy) season is the Regent of this place. He lives here with his two wives Saha Sr and Sahasya Sr and with his hosts. Those who are of a loving nature are pleased hereby. Those who have become perfect by performing the Vratas of the Dev live here also. O King! Next to this silver, there comes the eighth enclosure wall built of molten gold. It is seven Yojanas long. In the centre there is the garden of the Kadamba tree. The trees are always covered with fruits and flowers and the honey is coming out always from the trees from all the sides. The devotees of the Dev drink this honey always and feel intense delight; the Dewy Season is the Regent of this
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place. He resides here with his two wives Tapah Sr and Tapasy Sr and his various hosts, and enjoys gladly various objects of enjoyments. Those who had made various gifts for the Devs satisfaction, those great Siddha Purusas live here with their wives and relatives very gladly in various enjoyments. O King! Next to this golden enclosure well comes the ninth enclosure made of red Kum Kum like (saffron) Pusparga gems. The ground inside this enclosure, the ditches or the basins for water dug round their roots are all built of Pusparga gems. Next to this wall there are other enclosure walls built of various other gems and jewels; the sites, forests, trees, flowers birds, rivers, tanks, lotuses, mandapas (halls) and their pillars are all built respectively of those gems. Only this is to be remembered that those coming nearer and nearer to the centre are one lakh times more brilliant than the ones receding from them. This is the general rule observed in the construction of these enclosures and the articles contained therein. Here the Regents of the several quarters, the Dikplas, representing the sum total of the several Dikplas of every Brahmnda and their guardians reside. On the eastern quarter is situated the Amarvat city. Here the high-peaked mountains exist and various trees are seen. Indra, the Lord of the Devas, dwells here. Whatever beauty exists in the separate Heavens in the several places, one thousand times, rather more than that, exists in the Heaven of this cosmic Indra, the thousand-eyed, here. Here Indra mounting on the elephant Airvata, with thunderbolt in his hand, lives with Sach Dev and other immortal ladies and with the hosts of the Deva forces. On the Agni (south-eastern) corner is the city of Agni. This represents the sum total of the several cities of Agni in different Brahmndas.
81-100. Here resides the Agni Deva very gladly with his two wives Svh and Svadh and with Shrimad Devi Bhagavatam
www.sacred-texts.com www.devi-durga.com his Vhana and the other Devas. On the south is situated the city of Yama, the God of Death. Here lives Dharma Rja with rod in his hand and with Chitragupta and several other hosts. On the south-westen corner is the place of the Rksasas. Here resides Nirriti with his axe in his hand and with his wife and other Rksasas. On the west is the city of Varuna. Here Varuna rja resides with his wife Vrun and intoxicated with the drink of Vrun honey; his weapon is the noose, his Vhana is the King of fishes and his subjects are the aquatic animals. On the north- western corner dwells Vyudeva. Here Pavana Deva lives with his wife and with the Yogis perfect in the practice of Prnyma. He holds a flag in his hand.
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His Vhana, is deer and his family consists of the forty nine Vyus. On the north resides the Yaksas. The corpulent King of the Yaksas, Kuvera, lives here with his Saktis Vriddhi and Riddhi, and in possession of various gems and jewels. His generals Manibhadra, Purna bhadra, Manimn, Manikandhara, Manibhsa, Manisragv, Manikar-mukadhr, etc., live here. On the north eastern corner is situated the Rudra loka, decked with invaluable gems. Here dwells the Rudra Deva. On His back is kept the arrow-case and he holds a bow in his left hand. He looks very angry and his eyes are red with anger. There are other Rudras like him with bows and spears and other weapons, surrounding him. The faces of some of them are distorted; some are very horrible indeed! Fire is coming out from the mouths of some others. Some have ten hands; some have hundred hands and some have thousand hands; some have ten feet; some have ten heads whereas some others have three eyes. Those who roam in the intermediate spaces between the heaven and earth, those who move on the earth, or the Rudras mentioned in the Rudrdhyya all live here. O King! sna, the Regent of the north eastern quarter lives here with Bhadrakl and other Mtriganas, with Kotis and Kotis of Rudrns and with Dmars and Vra Bhadras and various other Saktis. On his neck there is a garland of skulls, on his hand there is a ring of snakes; he wears a tiger skin; his upper clothing is a tiger skin and his body is smeared with the ashes of the dead. He sounds frequently his Damaru; this sound reverberates on all sides, he makes big laughs called Attahsya, reverberating through the heavens. He remains always surrounded with Pramathas and Bhtas; they live here.
Here ends the Tenth Chapter of the Twelfth Book on the description of Mani Dvpa in the Mahpurnam Sr Mad Dev Bhgavatam of 18,000 verses by Maharsi Veda Vysa.
Shrimad Devi Bhagavatam
www.sacred-texts.com www.devi-durga.com THE TWELFTH BOOK
Chapter XI
On the description of the enclosure walls built of Padmarga mani, etc., of the Mani Dvpa
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1-30. Vysa said :-- O King Janamejaya! Next to this Pusparga mani enclosure wall comes the tenth enclosure wall, made of Padmarga mani, red like the red Kunkuma and the Rising Sun. It is ten yojanas high. All its ground, entrance gates and temples and arbours are all made of Padmarga mani. Within this reside the sixty four Kals or Sub-Saktis adorned with various ornaments and holding weapons in their hands. Each of them has a separate Loka (region) allotted and within this Loka he has get his own formidable weapons, Vhanas, families and their
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leaders or Governors. O King! Now hear the names of the sixty four Kals. They are :-- Pingalks, Vislks, Samriddhi, Vriddhi, Sraddh, Svh, Svadh, My, Sag, Vasundhar, Trlokadhtr, Svitr, Gyatr, Tridasesvsr, Surp, Bahurp, Skandamt, Achyutapriy, Vimal, Amal, Arun, run, Prakriti, Vikriti, Srsti, Sthiti, Samrhiti, Sandhy, Mt, Sat, Hams, Mardik, Vajrik, Par, Devamt, Bhagavat, Devak, Kamalsan, Trimukh, Saptamukh, Sursura vimardin, Lambosth, rdhakes, Bahusrs, Vrikodar Ratharekhhvay, Sasirek, Gaganaveg, Pavanaveg, Bhuvanapl, Madantur, Anang, Anangamathan, Anangamekhal, Anangakusum, Visvarp, Surdik, Ksayamkar, Aksyobhy, Satyavdin, Bahurp, Suchivrat, Udr and Vgis. These are the sixty four Kals. All of them have got luminous faces and long lolling tongues. Fire is always coming out from the faces of all of them. The eyes of all of them are red with anger. They are uttering :-- We will drink all the water and thus dry up the oceans; we will annihilate fire, we will stop the flow of air and control it. Today we will devour the whole universe and so forth. All of them have got bows and arrows in their hands; all are eager to fight. The four quarters are being reverberated with the clashing of their Shrimad Devi Bhagavatam
www.sacred-texts.com www.devi-durga.com teeth. The hairs on their heads are all tawny and they stand upwards. Each of them has one hundred Aksauhin forces under them. O King! What more to say than this that each of them has got power to destroy one lakh Brahmndas; and their one hundred Aksauhin forces also can do the same. There is nothing that is not impracticable with them. What they cannot do cannot be conceived by mind nor can be uttered in speech. All the war materials exist within their enclosures. Chariots, horses, elephants, weapons, and forces all are unlimited. All the war materials are ready at all times and in abundance. Next comes the eleventh enclosure wall built of Gomedamani. It is ten Yojanas high. Its colour is like the newly blown Jav flower. All the ground, trees, tanks, houses, pillars, birds and all other things are all red and built of Gomedamani. Here dwell the thirty-two Mah Saktis adorned with various ornament made of Gomedamani and furnished with various weapons. They are always eager to fight. Their eyes are always red with anger; their bees are like Pischas and their hands are like chakras (discs). Pierce him, Beat him, Cut him, Tear him asunder, Burn him down, are the words constantly uttered by them. The inhabitants of the place always worship them. Each of them has ten Aksauhin forces. These are inordinately powerful. It is impossible to describe that. It seems that each Sakti can easily destroy one lakh Brahmndas.
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Innumerable chariots, elephants, hordes, etc., and other vhanas are here. Verily all the war materials of the Dev Bhagavat are seen in this Gomedamani enclosure.
31-51. Now I am mentioning the auspicious, sin destroying names of these Saktis :-- Vidy, Hr, Pusti, Praj, Sin vl, Kuh, Rudr, Viry, Prabh, Nand, Posan, Riddhid, Subh, Klartri, Mahrtri, Bhadra KI, Kaparddin, Vikriti, Dandi, Mundin, Sendukhand, Sikhandin, Nisumbha sumbha mathan, Mahissura marddin, Indrn, Rudrn, Sankarrdha sarrin, Nr, Niryan Trislin, Plin, Ambik, and Hldin. (See the Daksin Mrti Samhit and other Tantras.)
Never there is any chance that they will be defeated anywhere. Hence if all those Saktis get angry at any time, this Brahmnda ceases to exist. Next to this Gomeda enclosure comes the enclosure made of diamonds. It is ten yojanas high; on all sides there are the entrance gates; the doors are hinged there with nice mechanisms. Nice new diamond trees exist here. All the roads, royal roads, trees, and the spaces for watering their roots, tanks, wells, reservoirs, Sranga and other musical instruments are all made of diamonds. Here dwells Sr Bhuvanesvar Dev with Her attendants. O King! Each of them has a lakh attendants. All of them Shrimad Devi Bhagavatam
www.sacred-texts.com www.devi-durga.com are proud of their beauty. Some of them are holding fans in their hands; some are holding cups for drinking water; some, betelnuts; some are holding umbrellas; some chowries; some are holding various clothings; some flowers; some, looking glasses; some, saffrons; some collyrium, whereas some others are holding Sindra (red lead). Some are ready to do the painting works; some are anxious to champoo the feet; some are eager to make Her wear ornaments; some are anxious to put garlands of flowers on Her neck. All of them are skilled in various arts of enjoyments and they are all young. To gain the Grace of the Dev, they consider the whole universe as trifling. Now I shall mention to you the names of the attendants of the Dev, proud of their possessing lots of amorous gestures and postures. Listen. They are :-- Anangarp, Anangamadan, Madantur, Bhuvanaveg, Bhuvanaplik, Sarvasisira, Anangavedan, Anangamekhal, these are the Eight Sakhs. Each of them is as fair as Vidyullat. Each is adorned with various ornaments and skilled in all actions. When they walk to and fro with canes and rods in their hands in the service of the Dev, they look as if the lightning flashes glimmer on all sides.
52-71 On the outer portion of the enclosure wall, on the eight sides are situated the dwelling houses of these eight Sakhs and they are always full of various vhanas and weapons. Next to this enclosure of diamond
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comes the thirteenth enclosure wall made of Vaidrya mani. Its height is ten yojanas. There are entrance gates and doorways on the four sides. The court inside, the houses, the big roads, wells, tanks, ponds, rivers and even the sands are all made of Vaidrya mani. On the eight sides reside the eight Mtriks Brhm, etc., with their hosts. These Mtriks represent the sum-total of the individual Mtriks in every Brahmnda. Now hear their names :-- (1) Brhm, (2) Mhesvar, (3) Kaumr, (4) Vaisnav, (5) Vrh, (6) Indrn, (7) Chmund, and (8) Mah Laksm. Their forms are like those of Brahm and Rudra and others. They are always engaged in doing good to the Universe and reside here with their own Vhanas and weapons.
At the four gates, the various Vhanas of Bhagavat remain always fully equipped. Somewhere there are Kotis and Kotis of elephants. At some places there are Kotis and Kotis of horses; at others there are camps, houses, at others there are swans, lions; at others there are Garudas; at other places there are peacocks, bulls and various other beings all fully equipped and arranged in due order. Similarly the above mentioned animals are yoked to Kotis and Kotis of chariots; there are coachmen (syces); at some places flags are fluttering high on them so as to Shrimad Devi Bhagavatam
www.sacred-texts.com www.devi-durga.com reach the heavens and thus they are adding beauty. At other places the aerial cars are arranged in rows, countless, with various sounding instruments in them, with flags soaring high in the Heavens and endowed with various ensigns and emblems. O King! Next to this Vaidrya enclosure, comes the fourteenth enclosure wall built of Indranlamani; its height is ten Yojanas. The court inside, houses, roads, wells, tanks and reservoirs, etc., all are built of Indranlamani. There is here a lotus consisting of sixteen petals extending to many Yojanas in width and shining like a second Sudarsana Chakra. On these sixteen petals reside the sixteen Saktis of Bhagavat, with their hosts. Now I am mentioning the names of these. Hear :-- Karl, Vikrl, Um, Sarasvat, Sr, Durg, s, Laksm, Sruti, Smriti, Dhriti, Sraddh, Medh, Mati, Knti, and ry. These are the 16 Saktis. They all are dark blue, of the colour of the fresh rain-cloud; they wield in their hands axes and shields. It seems they are ever eager to fight. O King! These Saktis are the Rulers of all the separate Saktis of the other Brahmndas. These are the forces of Sr Dev.
72-90. Being strengthened by the Devs strength, these are always surrounded by various chariots and forces, various other Saktis follow them. If they like, they can cause great agitation in the whole universe. Had I thousand faces, I would not have been able to describe what an
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amount of strength they wield. Now I describe the fifteenth enclosure wall. Listen. Next to this Indranlamani enclosure, comes the enclosure made of pearls (mukt), very wide and ten Yojanas high. The court inside, its space, trees, all are built of pearls. Within this enclosure there is a lotus with eight petals, all of pearls. On these petals reside the eight Saktis, the advisers and ministers of the Dev. Their appearances, weapons, dresses, enjoyments, everything is like those of Sr Dev. Their duty is to inform the Dev of what is going on in the Brahmndas. They are skilled in all sciences and arts and clever in all actions. They are very clever, skillful and clever in knowing beforehand the desires and intentions of Sr Dev and they perform those things accordingly. Each one of them has many other Saktis who also live here. By their Jna Sakti they know all the news concerning the Jvas in every Brahmnda. Now I mention the names of those eight Sakhs. Listen. Anangakusum, Anangakusum-tur, Anangamadan, Ananga madantur, Bhuvanapla, Gaganaveg, Sasirekh, and Gaganarekh. These are the eight Sakhs. They look red like the Rising Sun; and in their four hands they hold noose, goad, and signs of granting boons and no fear. At every instant they inform Sr Dev of all the events of the Brahmnda. Next to this comes the sixteenth enclosure wall made of emerald (marakata); it is ten Yojanas high; the court inside, its space, and houses and everything are built of emeralds (marakata mani). Here exist all the good objects of enjoyments. This is hexagonal, of the Yantra shape. And at every corner reside the Devas. On the eastern corner resides the four-faced Brahm; he lives with Gyatr Dev; he holds Kamandalu, rosary, signs Shrimad Devi Bhagavatam
www.sacred-texts.com www.devi-durga.com indicating no fear and Danda (rod). The Dev Gyatr is also decorated with these. Here all the Vedas, Smritis, the Purnas, and various weapons exist incarnate in their respective forms. All the Avatras of Brahm, Gyatr, and Vyhritis that exist in this Brahmnda, all live here. On the south-west corner Mah Visnu lives with Svitr; He holds conch shell, disc, club, and lotus. Svitr has got also all these. The Avatras of Visnu that exist in every Brahmnda Matsya, Krma, etc., and all the Avatras of Svitr that exist in every universe, all dwell in this place. On the north western corner exists Mah Rudra with Sarasvat. Both of them hold in their hands Parasu, rosary, signs granting boons and no fear.
91-110. All the Avatras of Rudra and Prvat (Gaur, etc.) facing south that exist in all the Brahmndas, dwell here. All the chief gamas, sixty four in number and all the other Tantras reside here, incarnate in their due forms. On the south-eastern corner, the Lord of wealth, Kuvera, of Bhagavat, surrounded by roads
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and shops resides here with Mah Laksm and his hosts holding the jar of jewels (Mani Karandik). On the western corner exists always Madana with Rati, holding noose, goad, bow and arrow. All his amorous attendants reside here, incarnate in their forms. On the north- eastern corner resides always the great hero Ganesa, the Remover of obstacles, holding noose and goad and with his Pusti Dev. O King! All the Vibhtis (manifestations) of Ganesa that exist in all the universes reside here. What more to say than this, that Brahm and the other Devas and Devs here represent the sum-total of all the Brahms and the Devas and the Devs that exist in all the Brahmndas. These all worship Sr Bhagavat, remaining in their own spheres respectively. O King! Next come the seventeenth enclosure wall made of Prabla. It is red like saffron and it is one hundred Yojanas high. As before, the court inside, the ground and the houses all are made of Prabla. The goddesses of the five elements, Hrillekh, Gagan, Rakt, Karlik, and Mahochchhusm reside here. The colours and lustres of the bodies of the goddessses resemble those of the elements over which they preside respectively. All of them are proud of their youth and hold in their four hands noose, goad and signs granting boons and no fear. They are dressed like Sr Dev and reside here always. Next to this comes the eighteenth enclosure wall built of Navaratna (the nine jewels). It is many yojanas wide. This enclosure wall is superior to all others and it is higher also. On the four sides there exist innumerable houses, tanks, reservoirs, all built of Navaratna; these belong to the Devs, the presiding Deities of mnyas (that which is to be studied or learnt by heart; the Vedas). The ten Mah Vidys, Kl, Tr, etc., of Sr Dev and the Mahbheds, that is, their all the Avatras all dwell here with their respective varanas, Vhanas and ornaments. All the Avatras of Sr Dev for the killing of the Daityas and for showing favour to the devotees live here. They are Shrimad Devi Bhagavatam
www.sacred-texts.com www.devi-durga.com Pasamkusesvar, Bhuvanesvar, Bhairav, Kapla Bhuvanesvar, Amkusa Bhuvanesvar, Pramda bhuvanesvar, Sr Krodha Bhuvanesvar, Triputsvrdh, Nityaklinn, Annapurn, Tvarit, and the other avatras of Bhuvanesvar, and Kl, Tr and the other Mahvidys are known as Mahvidys. They live here with their varana Devats, Vhanas, and ornaments respectively. (Note :-- The varana Deities are the attendant Deities.) Here live also the seven Kotis of Devs presiding over the Mah Mantras, all brilliant and fair like the Koti Suns. O King! Next to this enclosure wall comes the chief and crowning palace of Sr Dev, built of
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Chintmani gems. All the articles within this are built of Chintmani gems. Within this palace are seen hundreds and thousands of pillars. Some of these pillars are built of Sryakntamani, some are built of Chandraknta mani, and some are built of Vidyutknta mani. O King! The lustre and brilliance of these pillars is so strong that no articles within this palace are visible to the eye. (Note :-- The face of the Goddess Kl is so bright that it appears like a shadow, i.e., black.)
Here ends the Eleventh Chapter on the description of the enclosure walls built of Padmarga mani, etc., of the Mani Dvpa in the Mahpurnam Sr Mad Dev Bhgavatam of 18,000 verses by Maharsi Veda Vysa.
Shrimad Devi Bhagavatam
www.sacred-texts.com www.devi-durga.com THE TWELFTH BOOK
Chapter XII
On the description of Mani Dvpa
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1-17. Vysa said :-- O King Janamejaya! The Ratnagriha, above mentioned, is the Central, the Chief and the Crowning Place of Mla Prakriti. [The nine jewels are :-- (1) Mukt, (2) Mnikya, (3) Vaidrya, (4) Gomeda, (5) Vajra, (6) Vidruma, (7) Padmarga, (8) Marakata, and (9) Nla.] This is situated in the centre of all the enclosures. Within this there are the four Mandapas, i.e., halls built of one thousand (i.e., innumerable) pillars. These are the Sringra Mandapa, Mukti Mandapa, Jna Mandapa and Eknta Mandapa; on the top there are canopies of various colours; within are many scented articles scented by the Dhpas, etc. The brilliance of each of these is like that of one Koti Suns. On all sides of these four Mandapas there are nice groups of gardens of Kasmra, Mallik, and Kunda flowers. Various scents, and scented articles, for example, of musk, etc., are fully arranged in due order. There is a very big lotus tank here; the steps leading to it are built of jewels. Its water is nectar, on it are innumerable full-blown lotuses and the bees are humming always over them. Many birds, swans, Krandavas, etc., are swimming to and fro. The sweet scents of lotuses are playing all round. In fact, the whole Manidvpa is perfumed with various scented things. Within the Sringra Mandapa, the Dev Bhagavat is situated in the centre on an sana (seat) and She hears the songs sung in tune by the other Devs along with the other Devas. Similarly sitting on the Mukti Mandapa, She frees the Jvas from the bondages of the world. Sitting on the Jna Mandapa, She gives instructions on Jna, and sitting on the fourth Eknta Mandapa, She consults with Her ministers, the Sakhs, Ananga Kusuma, etc., on the creation, preservation, etc., of the universe. O King! Now I shall describe about the main, Khs, room of Sr Dev. Listen. The Khs Mahl palace of the Dev Bhagavat is named Sr Chintmani Griha. Within this is placed the raised
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www.sacred-texts.com www.devi-durga.com platform, the dais and sofa whereon the Dev taketh Her honourable seat. The ten Sakti-tattvas form the staircases. The four legs are (1) Brahm, (2) Visnu, (3) Rudra, and (4) Mahesvara. Sadsiva forms the upper covering plank. Over this Sr Bhuvanesvara Mah Deva or the Supreme Architect of the Universe is reigning. Now hear something about this Bhuvanesvara. Before creation while intending to sport, the Dev Bhagavat divided Her Body into two parts and from the right part created Bhuvanesvara. He has five faces and each face has three eyes. He has four hands and He is holding in each hand speer, signs indicating do not fear, axe, and signs granting boons. He looks sixteen years old. The lustre of of His Body is more beautiful then Koti Kandarpas and more fiery than thousand Suns; and at the same time cool like Koti Suns. His colour is crystal white, and on His left lap Sr Bhuvanesvar Dev is always sitting.
18-29. On the hip of Sr Bhuvanesvar, is shining the girdle with small tinkling bells, built of various jewels; the ornaments on the arms are made of burnished gold studded with Vaidryamanis; the Ttanka ornaments on Her ears are very beautiful like Srchakra and they enhance very much the beauty of Her lotus face. The beauty of Her forehead vies with, or defies the Moon of the eighth bright lunar day. Her lips challenge the fully ripened Bimba fruits. Her face is shining with the Tilaka mark made of musk and saffron. The divine crown on Her head is beautified with the Sun and Moon made of jewels; the nose ornaments are like the star Venus and built of transparent gems, looking exceedingly beautiful and shedding charming lustre all around. The neck is decorated with necklaces built of gems and jewels. Her breasts are nicely decorated with camphor and saffron. Her neck is shining like a conchshell decorated with artistic designs. Her teeth look like fully ripe pomegranate fruits. On Her head is shining the jewel crown. Her lotus face is beautified with alak as if these are mad bees. Her navel is beautiful like the whirls in the river Bhgirath; Her fingers are decorated with jewel rings; She has three eyes like lotus leaves; the lustre of Her body is bright like Padmargamani cut and carved and sharpened on stone. The bracelets are adorned with jewel tinkling bells; Her neck ornaments and medals are studded with gems and jewels. Her hands are resplendent with the lustre of the jewels on the fingers; the braid of hair on Her head is wreathed with a garland of Mallik flowers; Her bodice (short jacket) is studded with various jewels.
30-45. O King! Sr Dev is slightly bent down with the weight of Her very high hard breasts. She has four hands and She is holding noose, goad and signs granting boons and do not fear. The all beautiful all merciful Dev is full of love gestures and beauties. Her voice is sweeter than that of lute; the lustre of Her body is like Kotis and Kotis of Suns and
p. 1187 Shrimad Devi Bhagavatam
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Moons if they rise simultaneously on the sky. The Sakhs, attendants, the Devas and the Devs surround Her on all sides. Ichch Sakti, Jna Sakti, and Kriya Sakti all are present always before the Dev. Lajj, Tusti, Pusti, Krti, Knti, Ksam, Day, Buddhi, Medh, Smriti, and Laksm are always seen here incarnate in their due Forms. The nine Ptha Saktis, Jay, Vijay, Ajit, Aparjit, Nity, Vilsin, Dogdhr, Aghor, and Mangal reside here always and are in the service of the Dev Bhuvanesvar. On the side of the Dev are the two oceans of treasures; from these streams of Navaratna, gold, and seven Dhtus (elements) go out and assume the forms of rivers and fall into the ocean Sudh Sindhu. Because such a Dev Bhuvanesvar, resplendent with all powers and prosperities, sits on the left lap of Bhuvanesvara, that He has, no doubt acquired His omnipotence. O King! Now I will describe the dimensions of the Chintmani Griha. Listen. It is one thousand Yojanas wide; its centre is very big; the rooms situated further and further are twice those preceding them. It lies in Antarksa (the intervening space) without any support. At the times of dissolution and creation it contracts and expands like a cloth. The lustre of this Chintmani Griha is comparatively far more bright and beautiful than that of other enclosure walls. Sr Dev Bhagavat dwells always in this place. O King! All the great Bhaktas of the Dev in every Brahmnda, in the Devaloka, in Ngaloka, in the world of men or in any other loka, all those that were engaged in the meditation of the Dev in the sacred places of the Dev and died there, they all come here and reside with the Dev in great joy and festivity.
46-59. On all sides rivers are flowing; some of ghee, some of milk, curd, honey, nectar, pomegranate juice, jambu juice, and some of mango juice, sugarcane juices are flowing on all sides. The trees here yield fruits according to ones desires and the wells and tanks yield water also as people desire. Never is there any want felt here of anything. Never are seen here diseases, sorrow, old age, decrepitude, anxiety, anger, jealousy, and envy and other lower ideas. All the inhabitants of this place are full of youth and look like one thousand Suns. All enjoy with their wives and they worship Sr Bhuvanesvar. Some have attained Slokya, some Smpya, some Srpya and some have attained Srsti and pass their days in highest comfort. The Devas that are in every Brahmnda all live here and worship Sr Dev. The seven Koti Mah Mantras and Mah Vidys here assume forms and worship the Mah My Sr Bhagavat, Who is of the nature of Brahm. O King! Thus I have described to you all about this Manidvpa. The lustre of Sun, Moon and Kotis and Kotis of lightnings cannot be one Kotieth of one Koti part of Its lustre. At some places the lustre is like Vidrumamani; some places as are illumined like the lustre of Marakata Mani; some, like Srya Knta mani and some
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www.sacred-texts.com www.devi-durga.com places are rendered brilliant like Kotis and Kotis of lightnings. The light at some places is like Sindra; at some places like Indranlamani; at some places, like Mnikya, and at some places like diamond. Some places are blazing like the conflagration of fire; and some places look like molten gold; some places seem filled with the lustre of Chandrakntamani, and some places look brilliant like Sryakntamani.
60-73. The mountains here are all built of gems and jewels; the entrance gates and enclosures are built of gems and jewels; the trees and their leaves all are of gems; in fact all that exist here are all of gems and jewels. At some places numbers of peacocks are dancing; at some places cuckoos are captivating the minds of persons by cooing in the fifth tune and at others doves and pigeons and parrots are making sweet cackling sounds. Lakhs and lakhs of tanks are there with their pure crystal-like waters. The Red lotuses have blown fully and enhanced the beauty of the place. The captivating scents of these lotuses extend to a distance one hundred Yojanas all round and gladden the minds of people. The leaves are rustling with gentle breeze. The whole sky overhead is radiant with the lustre of Chintmani gems and jewels. All the sides are illuminated with the brilliancy of the gems and jewels. O King! These jewels act like lamps. And the sweet scented trees emit their flagrance and it is transmitted by breeze all around. Thus these trees serve the purpose of dhp (scent). The rays of these gems pierce through the openings of the jewel screens on the houses and fall on the mirrors inside, thus causing a nice brilliant appearance that captivates the mind and causes confusion. O King! And what shall I say of this place, more than this, that all the powers, and wealth, all the love sentiments, all the dress suited to amorous interviews, all the splendours, fire, energy, beauty and brilliance, the omniscience, the indomitable strength, all the excellent qualities and all mercy and kindness are present here! The All Comprehending Bliss and the Brahmnanda can always be witnessed here! O King! Thus I have described to you about the Manidvpa, the most exalted place of the Dev Bhagavat. At Her remembrance all the sins are instantly destroyed. The more so, if a man remembers the Dev and about this place at the time of death, He surely goes there. O King! He who daily reads the five Chapters, i.e., from the eighth to this twelfth chapter, is surely untouched by any obstacles due to the Bhtas, Pretas and Pischas. Especially the recitation of this at the time of building a new house and at the time of Vstuyga ensures all good and auspiciousness.
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Here ends the Twelfth Chapter of the Twelfth Book on the description of Mani Dvpa in the Mahpurnam Sr Mad Dev Bhgavatam of 18,000 verses by Maharsi Veda Vysa. Shrimad Devi Bhagavatam
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THE TWELFTH BOOK
Chapter XIII
On the description of Janamejayas Dev Yaj
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1-4. Vysa said :-- O King Janamejaya! Thus I have answered all your nice queries; also what Nryana spoke to the highsouled Nrada is also said by me. He who hears this greatly wonderful Purnam Sr Dev Bhgavatam certainly becomes dear to the Dev and all his actions become fructified with success. Now as regards your mental distress, how you prevent any evil falling to your late father in his future life, I advise you to do the Yaj in the name of Bhagavat; and certainly your father will be saved. And you also better take the Most Excellent Mantra of the Mah Dev duly, according to rules; and your human life will then be crowned with success; (your life will be saved; thus you as well as your father will be saved).
5-12. Sta said :-- O Risis! Hearing thus, the King asked Vysa Deva to initiate in the Great Dev Mantra and thus to become his Guru. He was then initiated duly according to rules with the Great Mantra of Bhagavat united with Pranava. When the Navartra period arrived, he called Dhaumya and other Brhmanas and performed the Navartra Vrata so very dear to the Dev, according to his state. At this time for the satisfaction of the Dev, he caused this Dev Bhgavata Purna to be read by the Brhmanas and fed innumerable Brhmanas and Kumrs (virgins) and gave in charity lots of things to the poor, orphans, and the Brhmin boys and thus finished the Vrata. O Risis! Thus completing the Devyaj, while the King was sitting on his seat, the fiery Devarsi Nrada came there from above playing with his lute. Seeing him there, all on a sudden, the King got up, and paid due respects to him by asking him to take his seat, with other necessary things. When the Devarsi became relieved of his labour of journey, the King asked him about his welfare and then enquired into the cause of his coming there.
Shrimad Devi Bhagavatam
www.sacred-texts.com www.devi-durga.com 13-19. O Devarsi! Whence and what for are you now coming? By your arrival here I am become blessed and feel that my Lord has come to me; now what can I serve to you; kindly command and oblige. Hearing this, the Devarsi Nrada said :-- O King! Today I saw in the Devaloka a very wonderful event. I wanted eagerly to inform that to you. Hence I have come here. Your father met with a bad turn of fate for his bad action. I saw today he assumed a divine form and he was going on a chariot. The Devas were praising him and the Apsars were encircling him. It seemed he p. 1190 was going in that dress to the Mani Dvpa. O King! You performed the Navartra Vrata and read the Dev Bhgavata; it seems, as a result of that, your father has now been rewarded with such a noble and good turn of fate. Now you have become blessed and your actions have borne fruits. You have delivered your father from the hell and so you have become an ornament in your family. Today your name and fame have extended to the Devaloka.
20-30. Sta said :-- O Risis! Hearing these words from the mouth of Nrada, the King Janamejaya became very much happy and delighted and fell prostrate at the feet of Vysa Deva of glorious deeds and said :-- O Best of Munis! By Thy Grace, today I have become blessed. Now what return can I pay to Thee save bowing down to Thee. I pray that Thou dost shew such favours to me ever and again. O Risis! Hearing these words of the King Janamejaya, Vdaryana Veda Vysa blessed him and spoke to him in sweet words :-- O King! Now leave all other actions. Read always the Dev Bhgavata and worship the Lotus Feet of Sr Dev. Leave off all laziness and now perform the Dev Yaj with great eclt. And you will surely be able to cross this bondage of the world. True there are various Purnas, the Visnu Purna, the Siva Purna, but those cannot compare with one sixteenth of this Dev Bhgavatam. In fact, this Purna is the Essence of all the Purnas. How can the other Purnas be compared with this, wherein is established the Dev Mla Prakriti? Reading this Purna from the beginning to the end yields the result of reading the Vedas. So the wise persons should try their best to study it always. Thus saying to Janamejaya, Veda Vysa departed. Then the pure minded Dhaumya and the other Brhmanas highly praised the Dev Bhgavatam and went to their desired places. And the King Janamejaya, on the other hand, began to read and hear always the Dev Bhgavatam and spent his days happily in governing his kingdom.
Here end the Thirteenth Chapter of the Twelfth Book on the description of Janamejayas Dev Yaj in the Mah Purnam Sr Mad Dev Bhgavatam of 18000 verses by Maharsi Veda Vysa.
Shrimad Devi Bhagavatam
www.sacred-texts.com www.devi-durga.com THE TWELFTH BOOK
Chapter XIV
On the recitation of the fruits of this Purnam
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1-17. Sta said :-- O Risis! In days of yore, from the Lotus Face of the Dev Bhgavata came out Sr Mad Bhgavatam in the form of half a Sloka, as the decided conclusion of the Vedas. About what She gave instructions to Visnu, sleeping on a leaf of a Banyan tree, that same thing, the seed of the Sr Mad Bhgavata, Brahm Himself expanded into
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one hundred Koti slokas. Then, Veda Vysa, in order to teach his own son Suka Deva, condensed them into eighteen thousand slokas, in Twelve Books and named it Sr Mad Dev Bhgavatam, the present volume. That voluminous book comprising one hundred Koti slokas compiled by Brahm are still extant in the Deva loka. There is no Purna like the Dev Bhgavatam, so merit-giving, holy and capable to destroy all the sins. The reading of every line yields the fruits of performing many Asvamedha sacrifices. Human beings addicted to worldly affairs will get the merit of giving lands to the Brhmanas and they will enjoy also all the pleasures of the world and in the end will go to the region of the Dev, if they can hear, after they have fasted and controlled their passions, the recitation of this Purnam from the mouth of a Paurnik Brhmana, who has been worshipped and given clothings and ornaments and is considered as a second Veda Vysa. Or, if anybody writes the whole of the Dev Bhgavatam with his own hand or gets it written by a writer from the beginning to the end and gives to a Paurnik Brhmin the book placed in a box of the form of a lion made up of gold and a cow yielding milk with her calf with gold as his sacrificial fee; or if he feeds as many Brhmanas as there are the number of chapters of the Dev Bhgavatam and worship as many Kumrs (virgin girls) with saffron, sandalpaste and ornaments and feeds them with Pysnna, he gets the merits of giving lands and enjoys all the pleasures of the world and goes in the end to the Shrimad Devi Bhagavatam
www.sacred-texts.com www.devi-durga.com region of the Dev. He has no want of anything who daily hears with rapt devotion this Dev Bhgavatam. One who has no wealth gets abundance of wealth, those who are students get knowledge, one who has no sons, gets sons if one hears this Dev Bhgavatam with true devotion. A barren woman, or one who bears still-born children or whose offsprings never live long or who bears only a single child, gets all her defects removed, if she hears this Dev Bhgavatam with a steadfast devotion. The house where this Purna is worshipped, Laksm and Sarasvat dwell there, leaving their animosities towards each other. By the influence of this Dev Bhgavatam the Dkins, Vetlas, Rksasas, and other ghosts cannot cast a glance even on its devotee. If anybody gets fever and if the Sr Dev Bhgavatam be read touching him with a concentrated attention, all the complaints disappear. By reading this Bhgavatam, one hundred times even more difficult than the severe disease pthisis is cured.
18-20. If after performing the Sandhy, one reads only one chapter of this Bhgavatam with a collected mind, he soon acquires the Real Knowledge. O Muni Saunaka! While going to read this Bhgavatam, first examine omens and then read. I have spoken already on this subject. If during the Sradya Pj (the autumnal Durg Pj), at the
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Navartra period, one reads with devotion this Bhgavatam, the Dev Bhagavat becomes greatly pleased and awards him results more than his desires.
21-31. During the Navartri period all can read well this book for the satisfaction of his sta Deva (his own deity) whether he be a Vaisnava, Saiva, Saura, Gnapatya or a Skta. All can read this for the satisfaction of Laksm, Um and other Saktis. The Vaidik Brhmanas are to recite this daily for the satisfaction of the Dev Gyatr. This Purnam is not contradictory to any sectarian belief. The reason of this being that to whatever deity he pays his worship, he must worship some Sakti or other, this is stated everywhere. So for the satisfaction of ones own Sakti, all can read this, without contradicting each other. Never any woman nor any Sdra, is to read this herself or himself, even out of ignorance; rather they should hear this from the mouth of a Brhmana. This is the rule of the Sstras. (The vibrations and the consequent results would be truer then.) O Risis! What more to say on this book than this, that this Purnam is the most excellent of all and yields great merits. It is the essence of the Vedas. This I tell you with great certainty. There is not the least doubt in this. Reading or hearing this yields results equivalent to reading or hearing the Vedas. I now bow to the Dev of the nature of Hrm and established by Gyatr, of the nature of Everlasting Existence, Intelligence and Bliss, Who Shrimad Devi Bhagavatam
www.sacred-texts.com www.devi-durga.com stimulates our activities to the understanding of various subjects. Thus hearing the excellent words of Sta, the great Paurnik, all the Munis of Naimisranya worshipped him specially and as the result of hearing this Purnam glady became the servants of the Lotus Feet of the Dev and they attained the Highest Rest. The Munis expressed their humility and gratitude to Sta frequently and bowed down to him again and again. And they said :-- O Sta! It is you that have saved us from this ocean of world. Thus (the great Bhgavata) Sta, the bee drinking the honey of the Lotus Feet of the Dev, recited before the assemblage of the best of the Munis this Purnam from the beginning to the end, the Secret of all the Nigamas and full of the Glories of the Dev Bhagavat. After this the Risis bowed down to him and he blessed and honoured them.
Then he went away to his desired place. Here the Dev Bhgavatam ends and is fully completed.
THE END.
Here ends the Fourteenth Chapter of the Twelfth Book on the recitation of the fruits of this Purnam in the Mah Purnam Sr Mad Dev Bhgavatam of 18,000 verses by Maharsi Veda Vysa.
Here ends as well the Full Treatise, Srmad Dev Bhgavatam. Om. Om. Om. Om Tat Sat. Om Hari Om Tat Sat.