Scriptures

Śrīmad Devī Bhāgavatam

BOOK 7 • CHAPTER 40
Ch 40 Verse 1-3 Verse
Sanskrit Text
७.४० चत्वारिंशोऽध्यायः । देवीगीतायां बाह्यपूजाविधिवर्णनम् । श्री देव्युवाच । प्रातरुत्थाय शिरसि संस्मरेत्पद्ममुज्ज्वलम् । कर्पूराभं स्मरेत्तत्र श्रीगुरुं निजरूपिणम् ॥ १ ॥ सुप्रसन्नं लसद्भूषाभूषितं शक्तिसंयुतम् । नमस्कृत्य ततो देवीं कुण्डलीं संस्मरेद्बुधः ॥ २ ॥ प्रकाशमानां प्रथमे प्रयाणे प्रतिप्रयाणेऽप्यमृतायमानाम् । अन्तः पदव्यामनुसञ्चरन्ती- मानन्दरूपामबलां प्रपद्ये ॥ ३ ॥
English Translation
The Devī said:--Getting up from the bed early in the morning, one is to meditate on the thousand petalled lotus, bright, of the colour of camphor, in the top part his brain on the head. On this he should remember his Śrī Guru, very gracious looking, well decorated with ornaments, with His Consort Śakti and bow down to Him and within Him he should meditate the Kuṇḍalinī Devī thus --"I take refuge unto that Highest Śakti Kuṇḍalinī, of the nature of the Supreme Consciousness, Who is manifest as Caityana while up-going to the Brahmarandhra (the aperture supposed to be at the crown of the head, through which the soul takes its flight at death) and Who is of the nature of nectar while returning back in the Suṣumnā canal.
Ch 40 Verse 4 Verse
Sanskrit Text
ध्यात्वैवं तच्छिखामध्ये सच्चिदानन्दरूपिणीम् । मां ध्यायेदथ शौचादिक्रियाः सर्वाः समापयेत् ॥ ४ ॥
English Translation
After meditating thus, he should meditate on the Blissful Form of Mine within the Kuṇḍalinī Fire situated in the Mulādhāra Lotus (coccygeal lotus). Then he should rise up to go for the calls of nature, etc., and complete Sandhyā Bandanams and other duties.
Ch 40 Verse 5 Verse
Sanskrit Text
अग्निहोत्रं ततो हूत्वा मत्प्रीत्यर्थं द्विजोत्तमः । होमान्ते स्वासने स्थित्वा पूजासङ्कल्पमाचरेत् ॥ ५ ॥
English Translation
The best of the Brāhmins, then, should for My satisfaction perform the Agnihotra Homa and sitting in his Āsana make Saṅkalap (determination) to do My Pūjā (Worship). N. B.--The brain has three divisions, the lower, the middle and the higher, or top-most part which is very pure.
Ch 40 Verse 6-7 Verse
Sanskrit Text
भूतशुद्धिं पुरा कृत्वा मातृकान्यासमेव च । हृल्लेखामातृकान्यासं नित्यमेव समाचरेत् ॥ ६ ॥ मूलाधारे हकारं च हृदये च रकारकम् । भ्रूमध्ये तद्वदीकारं ह्रीङ्कारं मस्तके न्यसेत् ॥ ७ ॥
English Translation
Next he is to make Bhūta Śuddhi (purification of elements of the body by respiratory attraction and replacement) and then the Mātrikā Nyāsa, Then he should arrange the letters of the root Mantra of Māyā and execute the Hrīllekhā Mātrikā Nyāsa. In this he is to place the letter "Ha" in the Mulādhāra, the letter "Ra" in his heart and the vowel "ī" in the middle of his brows aud, Hrīm on the top part of his head.
Ch 40 Verse 8 Verse
Sanskrit Text
तत्तन्मन्त्रोदितानन्यान्न्यासान्सर्वान्समाचरेत् । कल्पयेत्स्वात्मनो देहे पीठं धर्मादिभिः पुनः ॥ ८ ॥
English Translation
Finishing then all the other Nyāsas according to that Mantra, he should think within his body Dharma, Jñāna, Vairāgyam, and Prosperity as the four legs of the seat and Adharma, Ajñāna, Avairāgyam and non-prosperity, these four as the body of the seat on the four quarters East, South, West and North.
Ch 40 Verse 9-10 Verse
Sanskrit Text
ततो ध्यायेन्महादेवीं प्राणायामैर्विजृम्भिते । हृदम्भोजे मम स्थाने पञ्चप्रेतासने बुधः ॥ ९ ॥ ब्रह्मा विष्णुश्च रुद्रश्च ईश्वरश्च सदाशिवः । एते पञ्च महाप्रेताः पादमूले मम स्थिताः ॥ १० ॥
English Translation
Then he should meditate on the Great Devī in the lotus of his heart blewn by Prāṇāyāma, situated on the five seats of the Pretas. O Mountain! Brahmā, Viṣṇu, Rudra, Sadāśiva and Īśvara are the five Pretas situated under My feet.
Ch 40 Verse 11 Verse
Sanskrit Text
पञ्चभूतात्मका ह्येते पञ्चावस्थात्मका अपि । अहं त्वव्यक्तचिद्रूपा तदतीतास्ति सर्वथा ॥ ११ ॥
English Translation
These are of the nature of earth, water, fire, air, and ether, the five elements and also of the nature of Jāgrat (waking), Svapna (dreaming) Suṣupti (deep sleep state) Turiyā (the fourth state) and Atīta Rūpa, the (the fifth state) excluding the 4 states, corresponding to the five states. But I, who am of the nature of Brahma, am over and above the five elements and the five states; therefore My Seat is always on the top of these five forces.
Ch 40 Verse 12 Verse
Sanskrit Text
ततो विष्टरतां याताः शक्तितन्त्रेषु सर्वदा । ध्यात्वैवं मानसैर्भोगैः पूजयेन्मां जपेदपि ॥ १२ ॥
English Translation
Meditating on Me thus and worshipping Me with his mind concentrated, he is next to make Japam (reciting My name slowly). After Japam he is to make over the fruits of Japam to Me. He should then place the Arghya for the external worship.
Ch 40 Verse 13 Verse
Sanskrit Text
जपं समर्प्य श्रीदेव्यै ततोऽर्घ्यस्थापनं चरेत् । पात्रासादनकं कृत्वा पूजाद्रव्याणि शोधयेत् ॥ १३ ॥
English Translation
Then the worshipper is to sprinkle with the Astra mantra ’Phaṭ’, all the articles of worship that are placed in front of him and purify them.
Ch 40 Verse 14-18 Verse
Sanskrit Text
जलेन तेन मनुना चास्त्रमन्त्रेण देशिकः । दिग्बन्धं च पुरा कृत्वा गुरून्नत्वा ततः परम् ॥ १४ ॥ तदनुज्ञां समादाय बाह्यपीठे ततः परम् । हृदिस्थां भवितां मूर्तिं मम दिव्यां मनोहराम् ॥ १५ ॥ आवाहयेत्ततः पीठे प्राणस्थापनविद्यया । असनावाहने चार्घ्यं पाद्याद्याचमनं तथा ॥ १६ ॥ स्नानं वासोद्वयं चैव भूषणानि च सर्वशः । गन्धपुष्पं यथायोग्यं दत्त्वा देव्यै स्वभक्तितः ॥ १७ ॥ यन्त्रस्थानामावृतीनां पूजनं सम्यगाचरेत् । प्रतिवारमशक्तानां शुक्रवारो नियम्यते ॥ १८ ॥
English Translation
He should close the ten quarters with the Coṭikā Mudrā and bow down to his Guru. Taking his permission, he should meditate on the outside seat, the beauiful divine form of his heart lotus and invoke the Deity outside and place Her on the seat by Prāṇa Pratiṣṭhā and perforn Āvāhana, and present to Her Arghya (an offer of green grass, rice, etc., made in worshipping a god), Pādya (water for washing legs and feet), Ācaman, water for bath, a couple of clothes, all sorts of ornaments, or scents, flowers and the necessary articles with due devotion and he should worship the attendant deities of the Yantra. If one be unable to worship daily the attendant deities, one must worship them on Friday.
Ch 40 Verse 19 Verse
Sanskrit Text
मूलदेवीप्रभारूपाः स्मर्तव्या अङ्गदेवताः । तत्प्रभापटलव्याप्तं त्रैलोक्यं च विचिन्तयेत् ॥ १९ ॥
English Translation
Of the attendant deities, one must meditate the principal deity of the nature of Prabhā (illumination) and think that by Her rays the three worlds are pervaded.
Ch 40 Verse 20 Verse
Sanskrit Text
पुनरावृत्तिसहितां मूलदेवीं च पूजयेत् । गन्धादिभिः सुगन्धैस्तु तथा पुष्पैः सुवासितैः ॥ २० ॥
English Translation
Next he should worship again the Bhuvaneśvari Devī, the Chief Deity along with other attendant deities with scent, good smelling flowers; and Naivedya and various other tasteful dishes.
Ch 40 Verse 21-22 Verse
Sanskrit Text
नैवेद्यैस्तर्पणैश्चैव ताम्बूलैर्दक्षिणादिभिः । तोषयेन्मां त्वत्कृतेन नाम्नां साहस्रकेण च ॥ २१ ॥ कवचेन च सूक्तेनाहं रुद्रेभिरिति प्रभो । देव्यथर्वशिरोमन्त्रैर्हृल्लेखोपनिषद्भवैः ॥ २२ ॥
English Translation
He should then recite the Sahasranāma (thousand names) stotra and the Devī Sūkta Mantra "Aham Rudrebhih, etc.," and "Sarve vai Devā Devīmupatasthuḥ, etc.," the Devī Atharva Śiro Mantra and the Upaniṣadś Mantra of Bhuvaneśvarī, the famous mantras, repeatedly and thus bring My satisfaction.
Ch 40 Verse 23-24 Verse
Sanskrit Text
महाविद्यामहामन्त्रैस्तोषयेन्मां मुहुर्मुहुः । क्षमापयेज्जगद्धात्रीं प्रेमार्द्रहृदयो नरः ॥ २३ ॥ पुलकाङ्कितसर्वाङ्गैर्बाष्परुद्धाक्षिनिःस्वनः । नृत्यगीतादिघोषेण तोषयेन्मां मुहुर्मुहुः ॥ २४ ॥
English Translation
With hearts filled with love and with hairs standing on their ends all should satisfy Me frequently with tears of love flowing from their eyes and with voice choked with feelings and with dancing music and singing and with his whole body filled with joy.
Ch 40 Verse 25 Verse
Sanskrit Text
वेदपारायणैश्चैव पुराणैः सकलैरपि । प्रतिपाद्या यतोऽहं वै तस्मात्तैस्तोषयेत्तु माम् ॥ २५ ॥
English Translation
My glory is well established in the Veda Pārāyana and in all the Purāṇas. So for My satisfaction, one should offer daily to Me one’s everything with one’s body and recite the readings from the Vedas.
Ch 40 Verse 26-27 Verse
Sanskrit Text
निजं सर्वस्वमपि मे सदेहं नित्यशोऽर्पयेत् । नित्यहोमं ततः कुर्याद्ब्राह्मणांश्च सुवासिनीः ॥ २६ ॥ बटुकान्पामरानन्यान्देवीबुद्ध्या तु भोजयेत् । नत्वा पुनः स्वहृदये व्युत्क्रमेण विसर्जयेत् ॥ २७ ॥
English Translation
Next, after completing the Homa offerings, he should feed the Brāhmaṇas, tha young virgins well clothed, the boys and the public and the poor, thinking all of them to be so many forms of the Devī. Than he should bow before the Devī that resides in his heart and finally by Samhāra Mudrā take leave of the Deity invoked.
Ch 40 Verse 28 Verse
Sanskrit Text
सर्वं हृल्लेखया कुर्यात् पूजनं मम सुब्रत । हृल्लेखा सर्वमन्त्राणां नायिका परमा स्मृता ॥ २८ ॥
English Translation
O One of good vows! The Hrīllekhā Mantra (Hrīm) is the chief of all mantrams; so My worship and all other actions ought to be performed with this Hrīllekhā Mantram.
Ch 40 Verse 29 Verse
Sanskrit Text
हृल्लेखादर्पणे नित्यमहं तत्प्रतिबिम्बिता । तस्माद्धृल्लेखया दत्तं सर्वमन्त्रैः समर्पितम् ॥ २९ ॥
English Translation
I am always reflected in this Mirror of Hrīllekhā form; so anything offered in this Hrīllekhā Mantra of Mine is offered as it were with all the Mantras. Then one should worship the Guru with ornaments, etc., and think oneself blessed.
Ch 40 Verse 30-31 Verse
Sanskrit Text
गुरुं सम्पूज्य भूषाद्यैः कृतकृत्यत्वमावहेत् । य एवं पूजयेद्देवीं श्रीमद्भुवनसुन्दरीम् ॥ ३० ॥ न तस्य दुर्लभं किञ्चित्कदाचित्क्वचिदस्ति हि । देहान्ते तु मणिद्वीपं मम यात्येव सर्वथा ॥ ३१ ॥
English Translation
O Himavan! Nothing remains at any time unavailable to him who worships thus the Bhuvaneśvarī Devī. After quitting his body, he goes to theMaṇi Dvīpa, My Place. He gets the form of the Devī; and the Devas constantly bow down to him.
Ch 40 Verse 32-33 Verse
Sanskrit Text
ज्ञेयो देवीस्वरूपोऽसौ देवा नित्यं नमन्ति तम् । इति ते कथितं राजन् महादेव्याः प्रपूजनम् ॥ ३२ ॥ विमृश्यैतदशेषेणाप्यधिकारानुरूपतः । कुरु मे पूजनं तेन कृतार्थस्त्वं भविष्यसि ॥ ३३ ॥
English Translation
O Mahīdhara! Thus I have described to you the rules of worshipping the Great Devī; consider this in all the aspects and worship Me according to your Adhikāra (claim) and you will attain your Goal. There is no doubt in this.
Ch 40 Verse 34-35 Verse
Sanskrit Text
इदं तु गीताशास्त्रं मे नाशिष्याय वदेत् क्वचित् । नाभक्ताय प्रदातव्यं न धूर्ताय च दुर्हृदे ॥ ३४ ॥ एतत्प्रकाशनं मातुरुद्घाटनमुरोजयोः । तस्मादवश्यं यत्नेन गोपनीयमिदं सदा ॥ ३५ ॥
English Translation
O Best of mountains! This Śāstra Devigītā you are not to tell to those who are not the devotees, to those who are enemies, and to those who are cunning. If one gives out this secret of Gītā, it is like taking off the covering from the breast of the mother; so carefully keep it secret and think that this is very necessary.
Ch 40 Verse 36-37 Verse
Sanskrit Text
देयं भक्ताय शिष्याय ज्येष्ठपुत्राय चैव हि । सुशीलाय सुवेषाय देवीभक्तियुताय च ॥ ३६ ॥ श्राद्धकाले पठेदेतद्ब्राह्मणानां समीपतः । तृप्तास्तत्पितरः सर्वे प्रयान्ति परमं पदम् ॥ ३७ ॥
English Translation
This Devī Gītā ought to be given to a disciple, a Bhakta, the eldest son, and to one who is good natured, and well dressed and devoted to the Devī. O Mountain! In the time of Śrāddha (solemn obsequies performed in honour of the manes of deceased ancestors) he gets the highest place of the Pitris who reads this Devī Gītā before the Brāhmaṇas.
Ch 40 Verse 38-39 Verse
Sanskrit Text
व्यास उवाच । इत्युक्त्वा सा भगवती तत्रैवान्तरधीयत । देवाश्च मुदिताः सर्वे देवीदर्शनतोऽभवन् ॥ ३८ ॥ ततो हिमालये जज्ञे देवी हैमवती तु सा । या गौरीति प्रसिद्धासीद्दत्ता सा शङ्कराय च ॥ ३९ ॥
English Translation
Vyāsa said:-- The Devī vanished there after describing all these. The Devas were glad and considered themselves blessed by the sight of the Devī. O Janamejaya! The Haimavatī next took Her birth in the house of the Himālayā and was known by the name of Gaurī. Śāṅkara, the Deva of the Devas, marricd Her. Ṣaḍānana (Kārtika) was born of them. He killed the Tārakāśura.
Ch 40 Verse 40-41 Verse
Sanskrit Text
ततः स्कन्दः समुद्भूतस्तारकस्तेन पातितः । समुद्रमन्थने पूर्वं रत्नान्यासुर्नराधिप ॥ ४० ॥ तत्र देवैः स्तुता देवी लक्ष्मीप्राप्त्यर्थमादरात् । तेषामनुग्रहार्थाय निर्गता तु रमा ततः ॥ ४१ ॥
English Translation
O King! In ancient times, when the ocean was churned, many gems were obtained. At that time the Devas chanted hymns to the Devī with a concentrated mind to get Lakṣmī Devī. To show favour to the Devas, Ramā Devī got out of the ocean. The Devas gave Laksmi to Viṣṇu, the Lord of the Vaikuṇṭha. Viṣṇu was very glad at this.
Ch 40 Verse 42-56 Verse
Sanskrit Text
वैकुण्ठाय सुरैर्दत्ता तेन तस्य शमोऽभवत् । इति ते कथितं राजन् देवीमाहात्म्यमुत्तमम् ॥ ४२ ॥ गौरीलक्ष्म्योः समुद्भूतिविषयं सर्वकामदम् । न वाच्यं त्वेतदन्यस्मै रहस्यं कथितं यतः ॥ ४३ ॥ गीता रहस्यभूतेयं गोपनीया प्रयत्नतः । सर्वमुक्तं स्मसेन यत्पृष्टं तत्त्वयानघ । पवित्रं पावनं दिव्यं किं भूयः श्रोतुमिच्छसि ॥ ४४ ॥
Sanskrit Colophon
इति श्रीमद्देवीभागवते महापुराणेऽष्टादशसाहस्र्यां संहितायां सप्तमस्कन्धे देवीगीतायां बाह्यपूजाविधिवर्णनं नाम चत्वारिंशोऽध्यायः ॥ ७.४०॥
English Translation
O King! Thus I have described to you the Greatness of the Devī and the birth of Gaurī and Lakṣmī. One’s desires are all fulfilled when one hears this. O King! This secret I have described to you. Take care not to divulge it to any other body. This is the secret of the Gītā; so carefully conceal it. O One of pure heart! I have told to you this Divine and Sin-destroying narration, that you asked. What more do you want to hear? Say. Here ends the Fortieth Chapter of the Seventh Book on the External Worship of the Devī in the Mahāpurāṇam, Śrī Mad Devī Bhāgavatam, of 18,000 verses, by Maharṣi Veda Vyāsa.