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SRI DURGA SAPTASHATI,
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The purpose of this writing is to introduce one of the most Sacred Hindu scriptures 'SRI DURGA SAPTASHATI' to Western people and to the new generation of this day. The majority of English speaking North Americans of Hindu roots are familiar with two most respected scriptures - 'RAMAYANA' and 'MAHABHARATA', due to their availability. The word DURGA is one of the many names of Divine Mother - God as Mother. This concept of feminine theology has been propagated in ancient Sanskrit text BRAHMA-VAI-VARTA-PURANA in 1500 AD SRI DURGA SAPTASHATI is based on the sound energy principle. Let us see how: One of the greatest contributors of Hinduism to mankind, especially to the modern world of materialism, stress and anxiety, was Patanjali. Five thousand yeas ago Patanjali wrote 'YOGA SUTRAS'. It is not the yoga of body postures. It is science of soul - ATMA and consciousness - CHIT. Patanjali says "Sound is the basic element of existence. Repeat and meditate on sound AUM". SRI DURGA SAPTASHATI is mantra energy. Recitation or listening to the mantras of SRI DURGA SAPTASHATI brings about changes in your body, in your mind and you transcend. You go beyond 'I am' and 'This is mine'. The word DURGA consists of five parts D+U+R+G+A. - The sound 'D' stands for DAITYA - ASURA or demon tendencies like anger, ego attachment, greed etc, destruction of these DAITYA VRITIes. - The sound 'U' stands for VIGHANA NASHAKA - destroyer of obstacles - The sound 'R' stands for ROGA NASHAKA - destroyer of diseases - The sound 'G' stands for PAAPA NASHAKA - destroyer of sins - The sound 'A' stands for BHAYA NASHAKA - destroyer of fears Thus, DURGA sound is destroyer of all malefics. When malefics are destroyed, happiness happens automatically and no effort is required. Simply listen or recite the mantras of this scripture. Next, the word 'SAPTA' means 'seven'. Then the word 'SHATI' means 'hundred'. SAPTASHATI means seven hundred. Thus SRI DURGA SAPTASHATI contains seven hundred mantras. The source of SRI DURGA SAPTASHATI is in Markandeya Purana (authored by Vaidvyas), during the period of Savarani the Manu. The structure of SRI DURGA SAPTASHATI is divided into three parts called CHRITs. The first CHRIT is the first chapter which deals with slaying of two Asuras - Madhu (love tendency) and Kaitabha (hate), by Vishnu, when Brahma (mind) prayed on Kali. Kali is center of meditation. She is Rig Veda. It contains Tamas Guna. The mantras of this chapter will saturate your body with energy in three months, or constant recitation, if done at the same time and the same place every day with an alert mind. Here is birth of Athma in the gross body. The energy level is sex center. Sex as sensual disappears. At this level your body has accumulated so much energy that anything said can come true. The second CHRIT consists of the second, third and fourth Chapter. Center of meditation is MAHA LAKSMI. Mahisha sur mardni (destroyer of mamta). Atma is born at heart center. Attachment disappears. Virag enters. Minimum period of recitation of mantras of second CHRIT is again three months. Atma energy is accumulated at heart center. At this stage you may minimize and choose your social contacts. The third CHRIT is composed of the fifth to the thirteen chapters. Center of meditation is MAHA SARASWATI, slayer of Asuras Shumba (ego, I) and Nishumba (mum = mine). She is Sama Veda. It contains Satvic Guna. Atma is born at the head center between the eyebrows. Meditator becomes parallel to DURGA DEVI and can predict past, present and future. At this stage both body and mind disappear and he goes beyond matter and I am. Finally, the Hymns to DURGA in the first chapter Ratri Sukta, the fourth chapter (when Devatas pray on her after slaying of Mahisha sur), fifth chapter Devi Sukta and eleventh chapter Narayani Sukta, are so sweet and extremely sublime. These four prayers should be recited in original Sanskrit text, because the meditator, while chanting these Hymns, feels drugged or drunk. In this scripture, there are certain specific mantras which are used for worldly benefits. Some Hindu translators have mentioned these mantras, but a proper guidance is extremely essential to utilize these for worldly benefits like accumulation of wealth, eradication of disease, success in education and carrier, even in liberation of soul, etc, because, chapter 13, mantra 5 says: "Surrender to her the supreme Goddess of Gods" She indeed, if worshipped, will shower: 1. Bhog - enjoyment of desire 2. Heaven 3. Moksha - the liberation from cycle of death and rebirth. NOTE: The devotees and worshipers of this scripture are advised to recite this strictly under the guidance of a spiritual teacher, a master or a guru! |
