Devi Mahatmyam (also known as Durga Saptashati and Chandi) describes the story
and glory of Parashakti in the form of Chandika. Devi Mahatmyam consisting of 700 verses (Slokas) is found in Markandeya
Purana, one of the Maha Puranas. Devi Mahatmyam is
considered to be the crown jewel of Markandeya Puranam in the same way as Bhagavat
Gita, also consisting of 700 verses, is considered the crown jewel of the greatest epic
Mahabharata.
The greatness of and importance attached to Devi Mahatmyam can be easily
understood by the sheer amount of Puranas and Tantras that refer to it – e.g. Katyayani
Tantram, Kataka Tantram, Kroda Tantram, Damara Tantram, Meru Tantram, Rudra
Yamalam, Marichi Kalpam, Chidambara Rahasyam, Bhuvaneshwari Samhita etc.
Damara Tantra declares that Devi Mahatmyam is the best of Stutis in the same way
as Ashwamedha Yaga is hailed as the quintessence of Kratu (Yaga/Yajna) and Hari
(Vishnu) is hailed as the quintessence of Devas. Bhuvaneshwari Samhita declares that
Saptashati is as beginningless as Vedas. Brahma Vidya and Sri Vidya are considered to be
one and the same in that the latter concerns with the experiential aspect of Brahma Vidya
expounded in the Vedantas.
Devi Mahatmyam also commands numerous commentary works such as Santanavi,
Pushpanjali, Ramashrami, Nagesi, Guptavati, Damhoddharam, Saptasahati Sarvasvam, etc.
There are also several books available on Durga Saptashati – in all languages.
Devi Mahatmyam describes the story of Parashakti (Devi) conquering the evil forces
(Asuras) such as Madhu, Kaitabha, Mahishasura, Dhumralochana, Chanda, Munda,
Raktabija, Nishumbha, and Shumbha.
It is with great pleasure we announce that Devi Mahatmyam will be chanted at 3.00 pm on every second saturday of the month at Sringeri Sharadamba Temple (SVBF).
Please arrive a 15 minutes earlier to the time of chanting so that everyone can settle in comfortably and be ready to start on time. It is expected that chanting will be completed in 2.30 hours.
Chanting will be at MEDIUM speed to facilitate joining in of as many chanters as possible ! It is believed that listening to the Devi Mahatmyam will be as beneficial as chanting the same. We encourage devotees to take this opportunity to listen to the divine shlokas even if they are unable to join the chanting.
The chanting will be in the following order
1) Siddha Kunjika Stothram
2) Devi Kavacham
3) Argala Stothram
4) Keelakam
5) Tantrokta Ratri Suktam (Shloka 70-87 of 1st Chapter)
6) Navakshari Karanyasam/Anganyasam and Mahakali/Mahalakshmi/Mahasaraswati Dhyanam and Navakshari Japam (108 times) and Panchopacharam
7) Saptashati Opening Nyasam and Durga Devi Dhyanam
8) Chapters 01-13
9) Saptashati Hridaya nyasam, Durga Devi Dhyanam and Panchopacharam
10) Navakshari Japam (108 times) and Hridaya Nyasam only and Mahakali/ Mahalakshmi/ Mahasaraswati Dhyanam and Panchopacharam
11) Tantroka Devi Sooktam (Shloka 09-82 of 5th Chapter)
12) Rahasya Trayam
13) Kshama Prarthna
The Devi Mahatmyam chanting will be led by Sri. Ramesh Natarajan and his group.
We can aslo provide copies of the shlokas for interested devotees. Please email us at info@svbfcanada,com and we will send you the text required to participate in the chanting.
For more details please email info@svbfcanada,com.
Dates of future Devi Mahathmyam chanting - 2nd Saturday of every month at 3.00 pm
| 09 JANUARY 2016 |
| 13 FEBRUARY 2016 |
| 12 MARCH 2016 |
| 09 APRIL 2016 |
| 14 MAY 2016 |
| 11 JUNE 2016 |
| 09 JULY 2016 |
| 13 AUGUST 2016 |
| 10 SEPTEMBER 2016 |
| 08 OCTOBER 2016 |
| 12 NOVEMBER 2016 |
| 10 DECEMBER 2016 |
