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October – December 2024

Shri Devi Bhagavatham – 1 by P.R. Kannan

Shri Devi Bhagavatha Mahatmyam

Shri Skanda Puranam, Manasa Khandam, explains in five chapters the Shri Devi Bhagavatha Mahatmyam (the glory of Shri Devi Bhagavatham). Suta Pouranika brings this out in Naimisharanyam to the assembly of Maharishis, Sounaka and others, in the middle of a Dirghasatra (Yaga extending over many years). The very first shloka is a beautiful prayer to Devi.

“May that Supreme Shakti, who performs the functions of creation, sustenance and absorption of the universe through appropriate forms at the right time, for whom this entire world is sporting ground, who is the cause of production of sound in the four stages of Para, Pashyanti, Madhyama and Vaikhari, who is worshipped by Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, become pleased and adorn my speech.” It is Devi’s grace which enables sound to develop in our human frame as Para in navel, rising up as Pashyanti and Madhyama and culminating in throat as sound, which can be deciphered.

Suta says: Shri Devi Bhagavatham is the essence of all Shastras; the axe for the thorny trees in the forest of sins; the supreme medicine for all afflictions. When King Parikshit, bitten by a serpent, met with untimely death as a result of a brahmana’s curse, and was in miserable state, his son King Janamejaya listened to this Purana, sitting at the holy feet of no less a sage than Bhagavan Veda Vyasa. As instructed by the sage, he performed Devi yajna with devotion during Sharad Navaratri, listened to Devi Bhagavatham and thus enabled his father to travel to Manidvipa and take refuge in the lotus feet of Parashakti. Is anything more required to be said of the glory of Shri Devi Bhagavatham?

This Purana, one of the eighteen Mahapuranas of Veda Vyasa, bestows on the listener all the four Purusharthas (goals of life), viz. Dharma, Artha (wealth), Kama (desire) and Moksha (Liberation). By partaking of Amrita, one leads a very long life, free of old age; but, by listening with faith and devotion to Devi Bhagavatham, his entire lineage is blessed with the fruit of drinking Amrita. Devi is pleased with one who reads one or even half a verse with devotion.

Shri Krishna returns

During Shri Krishna’s rule from Dwaraka, one Satrajit of Bhoja lineage performed severe austerities to please Surya; he was able to go to Suryaloka and obtained from Surya a priceless divine gem called Syamantakamani; its lustre rivalled Surya’s. That gem granted every day eight measures of gold to the owner. Once when Krishna said to him that such an invaluable gem should better be in the hands of the king, which would then be profitable to the kingdom, Satrajit did not pay heed to his advice. One day, Prasena, the younger brother of Satrajit, wore the gem on his neck and went to the forest for hunting. As Prasena did not return for long, Satrajit thought that someone had killed Prasena for the sake of Syamantakamani and that it was Krishna who was at the back of this tragedy. As this rumour spread among the people of Dwaraka, Krishna wished to get his name cleared; he went to the forest along with some of the townsfolk. He found Prasena’s dead body in the forest and followed the trail of the blood drops on the ground. He reached a cave, where, by chance, he heard Jambavan’s daughter singing a lullaby to her baby brother.

“The lion killed Prasena; the lion got killed by Jambavan. Dear baby, weep not, this Syamantaka is yours.” This was followed by Krishna asking for the gem from Jambavan, which led to a bitter fight. The wrestling lasted 27 days, night and day. The Dwaraka townsfolk, who were waiting for Krishna outside the cave, were greatly worried; they rushed back to Dwaraka and conveyed the news to Vasudeva. All were anxious about Krishna’s safety. Sage Narada, who happened to come there, assuaged Vasudeva’s misery and asked him to perform Devi yajna and listen to Devi Bhagavatham as laid down in Navaratri procedure. Narada said:

“Devi is the cause of bondage of Samsara (repeated births and deaths); She alone grants Mukti (Liberation); She is Vidya; She is the supreme Devi; She is the Iswari of all Iswaras.”

Vasudeva felt very relieved; he recalled happily how Krishna was born only by the grace of Devi. When he was in Kamsa’s prison, after six of his children were put to death by Kamsa, he requested sage Garga to meet him in the prison. Garga advised him to pray to Devi; Vasudeva expressed his inability to do proper worship while in prison and beseeched the Maharishi to offer worship to Devi on his behalf. Garga went to the Vindhyas and prayed intensely to Vindhyavasini. Devi spoke incorporeally: “I am pleased. It is time now for Vishnu to incarnate on earth on my bidding as Vasudeva’s child. Vasudeva will leave that child with Yasoda in Gokulam out of fear for Kamsa. He will in turn bring the female child of Yasoda; that child, who will be part of me, will escape from Kamsa.” Garga informed Vasudeva and both were moved by Devi’s compassion. Recalling this past account, Vasudeva felt happy now and, with Narada himself as Guru, he performed Devi Yajna and listened to Devi Bhagavatham from him.

In the forest cave, the fight between Krishna and Jambavan lasted for the duration of three Navaratris, says Vyasa, i.e. 27 days. Then Jambavan realized that Krishna was none other than Rama, fell at his feet, s o u g h t h i s p a r d o n a n d h a n d e d Syamantakamni to him. He also gave his daughter Jambavathi in marriage to Krishna. At the time when Vasudeva completed the nine day worship rituals and had just completed Brahmana bhojanam and Dakshina, Krishna entered the hall with Syamantakamani and Jambavathi. All were delighted beyond measure. Thus Vasudeva regained Krishna for a second time only by listening to Devi Bhagavatham. Shrimad Bhagavatham also mentions that Krishna’s rejoining Vasudeva happened only by the latter’s intense Devi worship. Shastras also explain the greatness of Devi upasana.

“During time of danger, what should be done? One should meditate on the twin feet of Amba. What will that meditation achieve? It will render even Brahma and others to be his attendants.”

Sudyumna blessed

Once Subrahmanya, while dwelling upon the glory of Devi to sage Agastya, said:

“Who can explain the greatness of Devi Bhagavatham in detail? O Brahmarishi, let me tell you now in brief. Devi Bhagavatham is in fact the very form of Devi herself. There is nothing, difficult of attainment, for one who reads or listens to it.” Subrahmanya then recounted the story of Vaivasvata Manu, in whose tenure we live presently. He had no children and he performed yaga with sage Vasishtha at the head. A female baby was born in time; the baby was named Ila. Vasishtha realized that the baby was born a female because Manu’s wife had requested the Hota of the yaga in secret to pray for a daughter. Now as per the pleading of Manu, Vasishtha prayed to Parameshwara, who blessed Ila to become a male baby; the child was named Sudyumna. When Sudyumna grew into a youth, he once entered a forest. And, lo! he and all his attendants turned into females. This was owing to a condition, which had been imposed by Shiva, who happened to sojourn in that forest with Parvathi at that time. Sudyumna, turned into a female now, beseeched Vasishtha for help. Vasishtha prayed to Shiva, who granted a boon that Sudyumna would be male for a month and a female in the succeeding month alternately. Dejected that this state would not be suitable for a king, Vasishtha prayed to Devi, who was beside Shiva and who appeared inclined to give a favourable boon. He praised Devi in a beautiful Stotra:

“O Devi, whose lotus feet act as a boat for crossing the ocean of Samsara.” Devi, out of compassion, instructed: “In the ensuing Sharad Navaratri, let Sudyumna worship Devi as per procedure and listen to Devi Bhagavatham.” Vasishtha himself gave Upadesa of Devi Bhagavatham accordingly to Sudyumna and made him perform Devi yajna. Ila became Sudyumna and was king for long; later he retired to the forest, secured upadesa of Devi’s Navakshari mantra from Narada, performed austerities and proceeded to Deviloka. Subrahmanya added that mere listening of this story would bestow all mundane comforts and finally attainment of Deviloka.

Raivata became Manu

Subrahmanya continued with his narration. There was a Muni called Ritavak (meaning one who speaks truth), who was blessed with progeny after many years. His son developed evil habits, which saddened Ritavak very much. He felt:

“By evil son is the lineage destroyed; fame is lost; misery here and in naraka hereafter result.” From Maharishi Garga, he came to know that the reason for the evil propensity of his son was that he was born in the last part of Revathi star (called Gandanth in astrology), though the Muni stuck always firmly to the path of Dharma. As per Garga’s advice, Ritavak prayed to Durga and attained peace of mind. But still he cursed star Revathi out of anger. The star fell down on Kumuda mountain and turned into a beautiful maiden. Brahmarishi Pramucha happened to notice the maiden and brought her up in his ashram. When the maid Revathi attained marriageable age, the Rishi prayed to Bhagavan Agni for a suitable match. At that very moment, a king called Durdama happened to arrive at the ashram. As advised by Agni, the Rishi wished to give Revathi in marriage to Durdama. But Revathi insisted that the star Revathi should be reestablished in space and that her marriage should take place in Revathi star only. Pramucha did accordingly and performed the marriage. Durdama said to Pramucha that he was from the lineage of Svayambhuva Manu and prayed that the son to be born of him and Revathi should become the head of a Manvantara. Pramucha  told him to listen  to  Devi Bhagavatham five times. Durdama accordingly listened to the Purana from Maharishi Lomasa. His son born to Revathi became the fifth Manu called Raivata. Raivata was celebrated for distinguished valour and firm adherence to Dharma by himself and ensuring the same of his citizens.

Glory of Listening to Purana

Vasudeva, who listened one time with faith got back his son Krishna himself. Sudyumna too turned into a male by listening one time to the Purana and finally attained to Mukti by Devi’s grace. King Durdama listened five times and his son became the fifth Manu Raivata, earning remarkable name and fame.

One who listens to the Purana nine times with faith and devotion, will become Jivanmukta (Liberated even while in body) by Devi’s grace.

Suta Pouranika then described the procedure of performing Navaha yajna. Selecting an auspicious day by examining stars, yogas etc., one should start the Puja with chant of Navakshara mantra and pray to Devi:

“Katyayani! Mahamaya! Bhavani! Bhuvaneswari! Compassion incarnate! Please save me; I am immersed in the ocean of Samsara. Jagadambika! One who is worshipped by Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva! Please bless me.” Every day the performer should take minimum food; do as laid down Kumari Puja, Suvasini Puja, Gayatri Japa and Parayanam of Vishnu Sahasranamam, and, finally perform Devi Mahatmya homam or Gayatri homam.

One, who tells the story of Devi Bhagavatham and the one who listens, should both be filled with great faith and devotion. One, who creates obstacles to the story-telling, will be subject to Devi’s wrath. Shrimad Devi Bhagavatham is the most glorious of the 18 Mahapuranas, like Ganga among r ivers; Shiva among Devas; Ramayana among epics; Surya among luminous objects; Chandra among objects of delight; fame among objects of wealth; Earth among those known for forbearance; Ocean among the unfathomable; Gayatri among Mantras; remembrance of Vishnu among means of getting rid of sins. Devi Bhagavatham expounds all dharmas; Devi Gita, taught by Devi herself to Himavan is the essence of Vedanta; the glory of Gayatri mantra has been dwelt upon in detail. Many sports of Devi have been narrated; Manidvipa, the abode of Devi, described.

(to be continued)