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Devi Bhagavatam (Devi
Puranam)
Chapter XLI
On the churning of the ocean and on the appearing of Laksmī
1-2. Nārāyana said :-- O Twice-born! Indra then remembered Hari and took
Brihaspati, the Guru of the Devas, to the assembly of Brahmā, accompanied by
the other Devas. They soon reached the region of Brahmā and no sooner they
saw Him, than Indra and the other Devas and Bihaspati all bowed down to Him.
3-25. Brihaspati, the Āchārya of the Devas, then communicated all to Brahmā.
Hearing this, He smiled and spoke, addressing Indra :-- O Indra! You have
been born in My race; nay, you are My grandson; the Ārya Brihaspati is your
Guru; you yourself are the ruler of the Devas and you are very wise and
sagacious; the mother of your father is the powerful Daksa, a great Visnu
Bhakta. How is it, then that when the three sides of the family are pure,
one would turn out so haughty and arrogant! Whose mother is so much devoted
to her husband, whose father, mothers father and mothers brother are
self-controlled and of pure Sattva Guna, he is not expected to be so very
haughty! Every man may be guilty to Hari for the three faults :-- For some
fault due to that of his father, or of his mothers father, or of Guru, the
Spiritual Teacher. Bhagavān Nārāyana, resides in this great holy temple of
our this physical body controlling the hearts of all. At whatever moment,
Srī Nārāyana quits this temple-body, at that moment this body becomes dead.
I myself am the mind; Sankara is the Knowledge, Visnu is the vital breaths,
Bhagavatī Durgā is the intelligence (Buddhi), sleep, etc., the powers of
Prakriti; when these are being reflected on by the Ātman, Jīva is formed
with a body for enjoyment called Bhoga Sarīrabhrit. When a king departs,
his attendants also follow him; so when this Ātman departs from this temple
of body, his attendants mind, buddhi, etc., instantly depart from this body
and follow the Ātman. O Indra! We all, are verily, the parts of Srī Krisna.
I myself, Siva, Ananta Deva, Visnu, Dharma, Mahā Virāt, you all are His
parts and entirely devoted to Him. And you have shown contempt for His
flower. Bhagavān Sankara, the Lord of the Bhūtas, worshipped the lotus-feet
of Srī Krisna with that flower. The Risi Durvāsā gave you that flower. But
you showed disrespect to it. The flower, Pārijāta, after being offered at
the lotus-feet of Krisna, should be placed on the head of an Immortal; His
worship is to be done first; and it is the foremost amongst the Devas. So
you are now being afflicted by the inevitable course of Fate; Fate is the
most powerful of all. Who can save that unlucky man against whom Fate has
turned? Seeing that you have rejected the flower offered to Srī Krisna,
Srī Laksmī Devī has left you out of anger. Now come with Me and with your
family priest Brihaspati to Vaikuntha and worship the Lord of Laksmī; then
by His grace you may get back your Heavens. Thus saying, Brahmā with Indra
and all the other Devas, went to the Eternal Purusa, Bhagavān Nārāyana and
saw that He was full of Fire and Energy like one hundred koti summer midday
Suns, yet perfectly cool and calm. He has no beginning, and no end, nor any
middle. He is Infinite. The four-armed Pārisadas, Sarasvatī, the four Vedas,
and the Ganges, all were surrounding Him. Seeing Him, Brahmā and the other
Devas bowed down with devotion and began to chant hymns to Him with tears in
their eyes. Brahmā, then, informed Him of everything when all the Devas,
dispossessed of their places, began to weep before Him. Nārāyana saw that
the Devas were very afraid and much distressed. They had no jewel ornaments
as before, no vehicles (Vāhanas), nor the Daivic splendour as before, not
that brillance; always fearful. Then Nārāyana, the Destroyer of fear, seeing
the Devas in that state, addressed Brahmā and the other Devas :-- O Brāhman!
O Devas! Discard all fears. What fear can overcome you? I am here. I will
give you again the immoveable prosperous Rājya Laksmī (the Laksmī of the
kings).
26-47. But for the present, I give you some advice proper for this moment.
Listen. There are endless universes where exist innumerable persons. All of
them are under Me. So know verily, that I am under them also. My devotees
regard Me as the Highest. They know no other than Me; they are fearless; so
I do not remain in that house where My devotees are dissatisfied. I
instantly quit that house with Laksmī. Durvāsā Risi is born in part of
Sankara. He is highly devoted to Me. He is a pakkā Vaisnava. He cursed you
and, as a matter of fact, I and Laksmī instantly left your house.
Laksmī does not reside in that house where conch shells are not blown, where
there are no Tulasī trees, where there is no worship of Siva and Sivā,
where the Brāhmanas are not fed. O Brāhman! O Devas! Where I and My Bhaktas
are blamed, Mahā Laksmī becomes greatly displeased. She instantly goes away
out of that house. Laksmī does not stay even for a moment in that house
where the stupid person, without any devotion for me, takes his food on the
Harivāsara Ekādasī day (the eleventh day of the moons wane or increase) or
on My anniversary birthday. If anybody sells My name or his own daughter,
where the guests are not served, Laksmī quits that house instantly and goes
away.
(Note :-- That Guru is the Real Guru, who, being capable, imparts the name
of God to worthy persons without taking any fee at all.)
If the son of an unchaste woman be a Brāhmana, he and the husband of an
unchaste woman are great sinners. If anybody goes to such a persons house
or eats the food of a Sūdra during a Srāddha ceremony, Laksmī becomes very
angry and vacates that house. Being a Brāhmin, if one burns a Sūdras
corpse, one becomes very wretched and the vilest of the Brāhmins. Laksmī
never stays for a moment more in that house. Being a Brāhmin, if he be a
Sūdras cook and drives oxen, Laksmī fears to drink water there and quits
his house. Being a Brāhmin, if his heart be unholy, if he be cruel, envies
others and blames persons, if he officiates as a priest for the Sūdra,
Laksmī Devī never stays in his house. The World-Mother never stays even for
a moment in his house who eats at the house of one who marries an unmarried
girl twelve years old in whom menstruation has commenced. He who cuts grass
by his nails, or writes on the ground with his nails, or from whose house a
Brāhmana guest goes back disappointed, Laksmī never stays in his house. If
any Brāhmana eats food at the early sunrise, sleeps during the day or
engages in a sexual intercourse during the day, Laksmī never stays in his
house. Laksmī slips away from that Brāhmana who is devoid of Āchāra (rules
of conduct), who accepts gifts from Sūdras, from him who remains
uninitiated in his Mantram. The ignorant man who sleeps naked and with his
feet wet, who laughs always, and always talks at random on disconnected
subjects like a mad man, is forsaken at once by Laksmī. Laksmī becomes angry
and goes away from the house of that man who applies oil all over his body
first and then touches the bodies of others and always makes some sounding
noise on several parts of his body. If any Brāhmana forsakes observing vows,
fastings, the Sandhyā ceremony, purity and devotion to Visnu, Kamalā (Laksmī)
does not remain in his house any longer. If anybody blames always the
Brāhmanas and shews his hatred always towards the Brāhmanas, if he does
injury to the animals, and if he does not indulge in his heart anything of
pity, kindness, Laksmī, the Mother of the Worlds, quits him. O Lotus-born!
But where Hari is worshipped and Haris Name is chanted, Laksmī, the Mother
of all auspiciousness, remains there. Laksmī remains where the glories of
Srī Krisna and His Bhaktas are sung.
48-59. Laksmī always remains there with the greatest gladness where
conch-shells are blown, where there are conchsells, the Sālagrāma stone,
the Tulasī leaves and the service and meditation of Laksmī are daily done.
Where the phallic emblem of Siva is worshipped, and His glories sung, where
Srī Durgā is worshipped and Her glories are sung, Laksmī, the Dweller in
the Lotus, remains there. Where the Brāhmanas are honoured and they are
gladly feasted, where all the Devas are worshiped; the chaste Laksmī, the
Lotus-faced, remains there. Thus saying to the Devas, the Lord of Laksmī
said :-- O Devī! Go without any any delay to the Ksiroda Ocean and incarnate
there in part. He then addressed Brahmā and said :-- O Lotus-born! You also
better go there and churn the Ksiroda Ocean; when Laksmī will arise, give
her to the Devas. O Devarsi! Thus saying, the Lord Kamalā went to His inner
compartment. On the other hand the Devas, after a long time, reached the
shores of the Ksiroda Ocean. The Devas and the Daityas then made the Golden
Mountain (the Sumeru) the churning rod, the Deva Kurma (the tortoise), the
churning pot and Ananta Deva (the thousand headed serpent) the churning cord
and began to churn the ocean. While churning was going on, by and by arose
Dhanvantarī, Amrita (the nectar), the horse Uchchaihsravā, various other
invaluable jewels that were desired, the elephant Airāvata and the beautiful
eyed Laksmī. Visnupriyā, Srī Laksmī Devī, no sooner She got up from the
ocean, she, the chaste woman, presented on the neck of Nārāyana, of
beautiful appearance, the Lord of all, Who slept on the Ksiroda ocean the
garland (indicative of accepting Him for her bridegroom). Then Brahmā and
Mahesvara and the other Devas gladly worshipped Her and chanted hymns. At
this time Laksmī Devī being pleased, cast a favourable glance towards the
homes of the Devas, in order to free them from their curse. Then, by the
grace of Mahā Laksmī and by the granting of the boon by Brahmā, the Devas
got back their own possessions from the hands of the Daityas. O Nārada! Thus
I have described to you the story of Laksmī Devī, the Essence of all
Essences, and very pleasant to hear. Now what more do you want to hear? Say.
Here ends the Forty-first Chapter of the Ninth Book on the churning of the
ocean and on the appearing of Laksmī in the Mahā Purānam Srī Mad Devī
Bhāgavatam of 18,000 verses by Maharsi Veda Vyāsa.
Chapter XLII
On the Dhyānam and Stotra of Mahā Laksmī
1-50. Nārada said :-- O Bhagavān! I have heard about the glories of Hari,
about the Tattvajńānam (the True Knowledge) and the story of Laksmī. Now
tell me Her Dhyānam (meditation) and Stotram (recitation of hymns) of Her.
Nārāyana said :-- O Nārada! Indra then, bathed first in the Tīrath (holy
place) and, wearing a cleansed cloth, installed, first of all, an earthen
jar (ghata) on the beach of the Ksiroda Ocean. Then he worshipped with
devotion Ganesa, Sūrya, Fire, Visnu, Siva, and Sivā, the six deities with
scents and flowers. Next Indra invoked Mahā Laksmī, of the nature of the
highest powers and greatest prosperity, and began to worship Her as Brahmā,
who was acting as an officiating priest in the presence of the Munis,
Brāhmanas, Brihaspati, Hari and the other Devas, had dictated him. He first
smeared one Pārijāta flower with sandal paste and reciting the meditation
mantra of Mahā Laksmī offered it to Her feet. The meditation mantra that was
recited by Devendra, was what Bhagavān Hari first gave to Brahmā. I am now
telling you that. Listen.
O Mother! Thou residest on the thousand-petalled lotus. The beauty of Thy
face excels the beauty of koti autumnal Full Moons. Thou art shining with
Thy own splendour. Thou art very beautiful and lovely; Thy colour is like
the burnished gold; Thou art with form, chaste, ornamented all over with
jewel ornaments; Thou art wearing the yellow cloth and look! What beauty is
coming out of it! Always a sweet smile reigns on Thy lips. Thy beauty is
constant; Thou art the bestower of prosperity to all. O Mahā Laksmī! I
meditate on Thee. Thus meditating on Her endowed with various attributes
with this mantra, Indra worshipped devotedly with sixteen upachāras
(articles offered). Every upachāra (article) was offered with the repetition
of mantra. All the things were very excellent, right and commendable. O
Mahā Laksmī! Visvakarmā has made this invaluable Āsan (a carpet seat)
wonderfully decked with jewels; I am offering this Āsan to Thee. Accept. O
Thou residing in the Lotus! This holy Ganges water is considered with great
regard and desired by all. This is like the fire to burn the fuel in the
shape of the sins of the sinners. O Thou! The Dweller in the Lotus! This
Dūrbha grass, flowers, this Arghya (offering) of the Ganges water perfumed
with sandalpaste, I am offering to Thee. Accept. O Beloved of Hari! This
sweet scented flower oil and this sweet scented Āmalaki fruit lead to the
beauty of the body; therefore I present this to Thee. Accept. O Devī! I am
presenting this cloth made of silk to Thee; Accept. O Devī! This excellent
ornament made of gold and jewels, which increases the beauty, I am
presenting to Thee. Accept. O Beloved of Krisna! I am presenting this sweet
scented holy Dhūpa prepared from various herbs and plants, exquisitely nice
and the root of all beauty, to Thee. Accept. This sweet scented pleasant
sandalpaste I offer to Thee, O Devī! Accept. O Ruler of the Devas! I present
this pleasing holy Dīpa (lights) which is the eye of this world and by which
all the darkness is vanished; accept. O Devī! I present to Thee these very
delicious offerings of fruits, etc., very juicy and of various kinds.
Accept. O Deves'ī! This Anna (food) is Brahmā and the chief means to
preserve the life of living beings. By this the nourishment of the body and
the mental satisfaction are effected. Therefore I am presenting this food to
Thee. Accept. O Mahā Laksmī! I am presenting this most delicious Paramānna,
which is prepared out of rice, milk and sugar, to Thee. Accept. O Devī! I am
presenting this most delicious and pleasant svastika prepared of sugar and
clarified butter to Thee; accept. O Beloved of Achyuta! I am presenting to
Thee various beautiful Pakkānnas, ripe delicious fruits and clarified butter
out of cows milk; accept. O Devī! The sugarcane juice, when heated, yields
a syrup which again heated yields very delicious and nice thing called Gur.
I am presenting this Gur to Thee; accept. O Devī! I am presenting to Thee
the sweetmeats prepared out of the flour of Yava and and wheat and Gur and
clarified butter; accept. I am presenting with devotion the offering made of
Svastika and the flour of other grains; accept. O Kamale! I am presenting to
Thee this fan and white chāmara, which blows cool air and is very pleasant
when this body gets hot; accept. O Devī! I am presenting this betel scented
with camphor by which the inertness of the tongue is removed; accept. O Devī!
I am presenting this scented cool water, which will allay the thirst and
which is known as the life of this world; accept. O Devī! I am presenting
this cloth made of cotton and silk that increases the beauty and splendour
of the body. Accept. O Devī! I am presenting to Thee, the ornaments made of
gold and jewels which are the source of beauty and loveliness. Accept. O
Devī! I am presenting to Thee these pure garlands of flowers which blossom
in different seasons, which look very beautiful and which give satisfaction
to the Devas and to the kings. Accept. O Devī! I am presenting to Thee this
nice scent, this very holy thing to Thee by which both the body and mind
become pure, which is most auspicious and which is prepared of many fragrant
herbs and plants; accept. O Beloved of the God Krisna! I am presenting this
Āchamanīya water to Thee for rinsing the mouth, pure and holy, and brought
from holy places of pilgrimages; accept. O Devī! I am presenting to Thee,
this bed made of excellent gems and jewels and flowers, sandalpaste,
clothings and ornaments; accept. O Devī! I am presenting to Thee all those
things that are extraordinary, very rare in this earth and fit to be enjoyed
by the Devas and worthy of their ornaments; accept. O Devarsi! Uttering
those mantras, the Devendra offered those articles, with intense devotion
according to the rules. He, then, made Japam of the Mūla Mantra (the Radical
Seed Mantra) ten lakhs of times. Thus his Mantra revealed the Deity thereof
and thus came to a successful issue. The lotus born Brahmā gave this Mantra
Srīm Hrīm Klīm Aim Kamalāvāsinyai Svāhā to the Devendra. This is like a
Kalpavriksa (the tree in Indras garden yielding whatever may be desired).
This Vaidik mantra is the chief of the mantras. The word Svāhā is at the
end of the mantra. By virtue of this Mantra, Kuvera got his highest
prosperity. By the power of this Mantra, the King-Emperor Daksa Sāvarni Manu
and Mangala became the lords of the earth with seven islands. Priyavrata,
Uttānapāda, and Kedārarāja all these became Siddhas (were fructified with
success) and became King-Emperors. O Nārada! When Indra attained success in
this Mantra, there appeared before him Mahā Laksmī, seated in the celestial
car, decked with excellent gems and jewels. The Great Halo, coming out of
Her body made manifest the earth with seven islands. Her colour was white
like the white champaka flower and Her whole body was decked with ornaments.
Her face was always gracious and cheerful with sweet smiles. She was ever
ready to shew Her kindness to the Bhaktas. On Her neck there was a garland
of jewels and gems, bright as ten million Moons. O Devarsi! No sooner did
Indra see that World Mother Mahā Laksmī, of a peaceful appearance, than his
body was filled with joy and the hairs of the body stood on ends. His eyes
were filled with tears; and, with folded palms, he began to recite stotras
to Her, the Vaidik stotras, yielding all desires, that was communicated to
him by Brahmā.
51-75. Indra said :-- O Thou, the Dweller in the lotus! O Nārāyanī! O Dear
to Krisna! O Padmāsane! O Mahā Laksmī! Obeisance to Thee! O Padmadaleksane!
O Padmanibhānane! O Padmāsane! O Padme! O Vaisnavī! Obeisance to Thee! Thou
art the wealth of all; Thou art worshipped by all; Thou bestowest to all the
bliss and devotion to Srī Hari. I bow down to Thee. O Devī! Thou always
dwellest on the breast of Krisna and exercisest Thy powers over Him. Thou
art the beauty of the Moon; Thou takest Thy seat on the beautiful Jewel
Lotus. Obeisance to Thee! O Devī! Thou art the Presiding Deity of the
riches; Thou art the Great Devī; Thou increasest always Thy gifts and Thou
art the bestower of increments. So I bow down to Thee. O Devī! Thou art the
Mahā Laksmī of Vaikuntha, the Laksmī of the Ksiroda Ocean; Thou art Indras
Heavenly Laksmī; Thou art the Rāja Laksmī of the Kings; Thou art the Griha
Laksmī of the householders; Thou art the household Deity of them; Thou art
the Surabhī, born of the Ocean; Thou art the Daksinā, the wife of the
Sacrifices; Thou art Aditi, the Mother of the Devas; Thou art the Kamalā,
always dwelling in the Lotus; Thou art the Svāhā, in the offerings with
clarified butter in the sacrificial ceremonies; Thou art the Svadhā Mantra
in the Kāvyas (an offering of food to deceased ancestors). So obeisance to
Thee! O Mother Thou art of the nature of Visnu; Thou art the Earth that
supports all; Thou art of pure Suddha Sattva and Thou art devoted to
Nārāyana. Thou art void of anger, jealousy. Rather Thou grantest boons to
all. Thou art the auspicious Sāradā; Thou grantest the Highest Reality and
the devotional service to Hari. Without Thee all the worlds are quite stale,
to no purpose like ashes, always dead while existing. Thou art the Chief
Mother, the Chief Friend of all; Thou art the source of Dharma, Artha, Kāma
and Moksa! As a mother nourishes her infants with the milk of her breasts,
so Thou nourishest all as their mother! A child that sucks the milk might be
saved by the Daiva (Fate), when deprived of its mother; but men can never be
saved, if they be bereft of Thee! O Mother! Thou art always gracious. Please
be gracious unto me. O Eternal One! My possessions are now in the hands of
the enemies. Be kind enough to restore my kingdoms to me from my enemies
hands. O Beloved of Hari! Since Thou hast forsaken me, I am wandering
abroad, friendless, like a beggar, deprived of all prosperities. O Devī!
Give me Jńānam, Dharma, my desired fortune, power, influence and my
possessions. O Nārada! Indra and all the other Devas bowed down frequently
to Mahā Laksmī with their eyes filled with tears. Brahmā, Sankara, Ananta
Deva, Dharma and Kesava all asked pardon again and again from Mahā Laksmī.
Laksmī then granted boons to the Devas and before the assembly gladly gave
the garland of flowers on the neck of Kesava. The Devas, satisfied, went
back to their own places. The Devī, Laksmī, too, becoming very glad went to
Srī Hari sleeping in the Ksiroda Ocean. Brahmā and Mahesvara, both became
very glad and, blessing the Devas, went respectively to their own abodes.
Whoever recites this holy Stotra three times a day, becomes the King Emperor
and gets prosperity and wealth like the God Kuvera. Siddhi (success) comes
to him who recites this stotra five lakhs of times. If anybody reads
regularly and always this Siddha Stotra for one month, he becomes very happy
and he turns out a Rājarājendra.
Here ends the Forty-second Chapter of the Ninth Book on the Dhyānam and
Stotra of Mahā Laksmī in the Mahā Purānam Srī Mad Devī Bhāgavatam of 18,000
verses by Maharsi Veda Vyāsa.
Chapter XLIII
On the history of Svāhā
1-4. Nārada said :-- O Risi Nārāyana! O Highly Fortunate One! O Lord! Thou
art equal to Nārāyana whether in beauty or in qualities, or in fame or in
energy or in everything. Thou art equal to Nārāyana. Thou art the foremost
of the Jńānins; there cannot be found a second like Thee as a Siddha Yogī,
the ascetics and the Munis. And Thou art the crest of the knowers of the
Vedas. I have heard the wonderful anecdote of Mahā Laksmī that Thou hast
told me. Now tell me any other thing that is unknown, very good in everyway,
in accordance with Dharma, in the Vedas, and that which is not as yet
written in the Purānas.
5-6. Nārāyana said :-- There are many wonderful hidden anecdotes that are
not published as yet in the Purānas. What you have heard is very small in
fact. Please mention to me what you like to hear, what you think as best
amongst them and I will describe that to you.
7-8. Nārada said :-- When clarified butter is poured as libations in all
the sacrificial ceremonies to the gods, Svāhā is to be uttered everywhere as
excellent, and commendable; so Svadhā is to be repeated in the offerings
when the oblations are offered to the Pitris, the deceased ancestors. Then,
again, Daksinā (the sacrificial fee) is always to be paid as right and
excellent. So, O Knower of the Vedas! I like to hear the accounts of Svadhā,
and Daksinā and their merits. Please now tell me about them.
9. Sūta said :-- Hearing the words of Nārada, Nārāyana Risi smiled and
began to speak the very ancient words of the Purānas.
10-11. Nārāyana said :-- Before the creation, the Devas assembled in the
beautiful Brahmās Council to decide on their food question.
They all brought to the notice of Brahmā the scarcity about their food.
Brahmā promised to remove their food difficulties and began to chant hymns
to Hari.
12. Nārada said :-- O Lord! Bhagavān Nārāyana Himself incarnated in part as
Sacrifice. Are not the Devas satisfied when the Brāhmanas pour oblations of
ghee to the Devas in those sacrifices?
13-17. Nārāyana said :-- O Muni! The Devas, in fact, did not get the
offerings of the clarified butters that were poured in with devotion in
sacrificial acts by the Brāhmanas and Ksattriyas. So they were very much
depressed and went again to the council of Brahmā and informed Him that they
could not get any food for themselves. On hearing this, Brahmā at once
meditated and took refuge of Srī Krisna; Krisna advised them to worship
Mūla Prakriti. Brahmā then, by the command of Srī Krisna, began to meditate
on Prakriti, worship Her and chant hymns to Her. Then from the part of
Prakriti, an all-powerful Devī appeared. She was very beautiful, Shyāmā (of
a blue colour) and very lovely. This Devī was Svāhā. She looked always
gracious with smile in Her face; it seemed that She was always ready to show
favour towards the Bhaktas. She appeared before Brahmā and said :-- O Lotus
born! Want any boon you desire.
18-22. Hearing Her words, the Creator spoke reverentially :-- O Devī! Let
Thou be the burning power of Fire; without Thee Fire would not be able to
burn anything. At the conclusion of any Mantra, whoever taking Thy name,
will pour oblations in the Fire to the Gods, will cause those oblations to
go to the Gods and reach them. And then they will be very glad. O Mother!
Let Thou be the wealth of Fire, the beauty and housewife of Fire; let Thou
be incessantly worshipped in the regions of the Gods and amongst men and
other beings. Hearing these words of Brahmā, Svāhā Devī became very sad and
expressed Her own intentions :-- I will get Krisna as my husband; let me
perform Tapasyā as long as it takes. This is my object. All other things are
false as dreams.
23-28. I always meditate with devotion on the lotus-feet of Srī Krisna,
serving Which You have become the Creator of this world, Sambhu has become
the Conqueror of death, Ananta Deva is supporting this universe, Dharma is
the Witness of the virtuous, Ganesa is getting, first of all, the first
worship. Prakriti Devī has become the adorable of all and the Munis and the
Risis respected by all. O Child! Having spoken thus to the Lotus-born,
Padmā, with Her lotus-face, meditating incessantly on the Lotus-Feet of Srī
Krisna, free from any disease, started to perform tapasyā for attaining Him.
She, first of all, stood on one leg and practised austerities for one lakh
years. Then She saw the Highest Purusa Srī Krisna, Who is beyond Prakriti
and Her attributes. The beautiful amorous Svāhā, seeing the Lovely Form of
the Lord of Love, fainted.
29-43. The omniscient Bhagavān Krisna knowing Her intentions, took Her to
His lap, reduced very much in body by long continued Tapasyā, and He said
:-- O Devī! Thou shalt be My wife in the next Varāha Kalpa. Then Thou wilt
be the daughter of Nagnajit and wilt be known by the name of Nāgnajitī. O
Beloved! At present let Thou be the Energy of Fire and be His wife. By My
boon Thou wilt be worshipped by all. Fire will make Thee the Lady of His
house and take the utmost care of Thee. Thou wilt be able to enjoy easily
with Him. O Nārada! Thus saying to Svāhā, Bhagavān disappeared. On the
other hand, Fire came in there by the command of Brahmā, with a doubtful
mind and began to meditate on Her, the World Mother as per Sāma Veda and
worshipped Her. He then pleased and married Her with mantrams, etc. For one
hundred divine years they enjoyed each other. In a very solitary place while
they were enjoying each other, Svāhā Devī felt pregnant. For full twelve
divine years She retained Her pregnancy. Then She delivered gradually three
sons Daksināgni, Gārhyapatyāgnī, and Āhavanīyāgni. The Risis, Munis,
Brāhmanas, Ksattriyas poured oblations of clarified butter pronouncing the
terminal mantra Svahā. He who pronounces this excellent terminal Mantra
Svāhā gets immediate success in his actions. Then all the mantras without
Svāhā in the end became impotent as snakes become when void of poison, the
Brāhmanas when they are devoid of the knowledge of the Vedas, the wife when
she does not serve her husband, the men when they turn illiterate and the
trees, when void of fruits and branches. O Child! The Brāhmanas then became
satisfied. The Devas began to receive the oblations. With the Svāhā mantra
everything turned out fruitful. Thus I have described to you the anecdote of
'Svāhā. One who hears this essential anecdote gets his happiness enhanced
and the Moksa in his hands. What more do you want to hear ? Say.
44. Nārada said :-- I like to hear how Fire worshipped Svāhā and recited
stotras (hymns of praise) to Her. Kindly tell me the method of worship, the
Dhyānam and Stotra.
45-49. Nārāyana said :-- O Best of Brāhmanas! I now tell you the meditation
(Dhyānam) as per Sāma Veda, the method of worship and stotra. Listen
attentively. At the commencement of any sacrificial ceremony, one should
first of all worship whether on the Sālagrāma stone or in an earthen jar (ghata),
the Devī Svāhā and then commence the ceremony with the expectation of
getting the desired fruit. The following is the Dhyānam (meditation) of
Svāhā Devī :-- O Devī Svāhā! Thou art embodied of the Mantras; Thou art the
success of the Mantras; Thou art Thyself a Siddhā; Thou givest success and
the the fruits of actions to men; Thou dost good to all. Thus meditating,
one should offer Pādya (water for washing the feet), etc., uttering the
basic Mantra; success then comes to him. Now hear about the Radical Seed
Mantra. The said mantra (Mūla mantra) is this :-- Om Hrīm Srīm
Vahnijāyāyai Devyai Svāhā. If the Devī be worshipped with this Mantra, all
the desires come to a successful issue.
50-54. Fire recited the following stotra :-- Thou art Svāhā, Thou art the
Beloved of Fire, Thou art the wife of Fire; Thou pleasest all; Thou art the
Sakti, Thou art the action, Thou art the bestower of Kāla (time); Thou dost
digest the food; Thou art the Dhruvā; Thou art the resort of men; Thou art
the burning power; Thou canst burn everything, Thou art the essence of this
world; Thou art the deliverer from the terrible world; Thou art the life of
the gods and Thou nourishest the Gods. O Nārada! He who reads with devotion
these sixteen names, gets success both in this world as well as in the next.
None of his works become deficient in any way; rather all the works are
performed successfully and with a successful issue. Reading this stotra, one
who has no wife, gets wife. So much so that the man who recites the stotra
gets for his wife equal to Rambhā, the heavenly nymph, and passes his time
in greatest bliss.
Here ends the Forty-third Chapter of the Ninth Book on the history of Svāhā
in Srī Mad Devī Bhāgavatam, the Mahā Purānam, of 18,000 verses by Maharsi
Veda Vyāsa.
Chapter XLIV
On the story of Svadhā Devī in the discourse between Nārada and Nārāyana
1-18. Nārāyana said said :-- O Nārada! I will tell you now the excellent
anecdote of Svadhā, pleasing to the Pitris and enhancing the fruits of the
Srādh ceremony when foods are offered to the Pitris. Listen. Before the
creation, the Creator created seven Pitris. Four out of them are with forms
and the other three are of the nature of Teja (light).
Note :-- Kavyavāhoanalah Somo Yamaschaivāryamā tathā, Agnisvāttāh Barhisadah
Somapā Pitri Devatāh. These seven Pitris are according to the other Purānas.
Seeing the beautiful and lovely forms of the Pitris, He made arrangements
for their food in the form of Srāddhas and Tarpanas, etc. (funeral ceremony
and peace-offerings), etc. (Srādh, solemn obsequies performed in honour of
the manes of deceased ancestors.)
Taking bath, performing Srādh ceremony upto Tarpanam (peace-offerings),
worshipping the Devas and doing Sandhyā thrice a day; these are the daily
duties of the Brāhmanas. If any Brāhmana does not perform daily the
Trisandhyās, Srāddha, Tarpanam, worship and the reciting of the Vedas, he
becomes devoid of fire like a snake without any poison. He who does not
perform the devotional service of the Devī, who eats food not offered to
Srī Hari, who remains impure till death, is not entitled to do any karma
whatsoever. Thus, introducing the Srāddhas, etc., for the Pitris, Brahmā
went to His own abode. The Brāhmanas went on doing the Srāddhas for the
Pitris, but the Pitris could not enjoy them and so they remained without
food and were not satisfied. They all, being hungry and sad, went to the
Council of Brahmā and informed Him everything from beginning to end. Brahmā
then created out of His mind one daughter very beautiful, full of youth and
having a face lovely, as if equal to one hundred moons. That woman was best
in all respects whether in form, beauty, qualities or in learning. Her
colour was white like the white Champaka flower and her body was adorned all
over with jewel ornaments. This form was very pure, ready to grant boons,
auspicious and the part of Prakriti. Her face was beaming with smiles; her
teeth were very beautiful and her body showed signs of Laksmī (i.e., of
wealth and prosperity). Her name was Svadhā. Her lotus-feet were situated on
one hundred lotuses. She was the wife of the Pitris. Her face resembled that
of a lotus and Her eyes looked like water lilies. She was born of the lotus
born Brahmā. The Grand-father Brahmā made over that daughter of the nature
of Tusti (Contentment) to the hands of the Pitris and they were satisfied.
Brahmā advised the Brāhmanas privately that whenever they would offer
anything to the Pitris, they should offer duly with the mantra Svadhā
pronounced at the end. Since then the Brāhmanas are offering everything to
the Pitris, with the Mantra Svadhā uttered in the end. Svāhā is laudable,
when offerings are presented to the Gods and Svadhā is commendable when
offerings are made to the Pitris. But in both the cases, Daksinā is
essential. Without Daksinā (sacrificial fee), all sacrifices are useless and
worthless. The Pitris, Devatās, Brāhmanas, the Munis, the Manus worshipped
the peaceful Svadhā and chanted hymns to Her with great love. The Devas,
Pitris, Brāhmanas, all were pleased and felt their ends achieved when they
got the boon from Svadhā Devī. Thus I have told you everything about Svadhā.
It is pleasing to all. What more do you want to hear? Say. I will answer all
your questions.
19. Nārada said :-- O Thou, the Best of the knowers of the Vedas! O Muni
Sattama! I want now to hear the method of worship, the meditation and the
hymns of Svadhā Devī. Kindly tell me all about this.
20-27. Nārāyana said :-- You know everything about the all-auspicious Dhyān,
Stotra, as stated in the Vedas; then why do you ask me again? However I will
speak out this for the enhancement of knowledge. On the thirteenth day of
the Dark Fortnight in autumn when the Maghā asterism is with the Moon and on
the Srāddha day. One should worship with care Svadhā Devī; then one should
perform Srāddha. If, out of vanity, a Brāhmin performs Srādh without first
worshipping Svadhā Devī then he will never get the fruits of Tarpanam or
Srādh. O Devī Svadhe! Thou art the mind-born daughter of Brahmā, always
young and worshipped by the Pitris. Thou bestowest the fruits of Srāddh. So
I meditate on Thee. Thus meditating, the Brāhmin is to pronounce the motto
(mūla mantra) and offer the Pādyam, etc., on the Sālagrāma stone or on the
auspicious earthen jar. This is the ruling of the Vedas. The motto is Om
Hrīm, Srīm, Klīm, Svadhā Devyai Svāhā. She should be worshipped with this
Mantra. After reciting hymns to the Devī, one is to bow down to the Svadhā
Devī. O Son of Brahmā! O Best of Munis! O Skilled in hearing! I now describe
the stotra which Brahmā composed at the beginning for the bestowal of the
desired fruits to mankind. Listen.
Nārāyana said :-- The instant the Mantra Svadhā is pronounced, men get at
once the fruits of bathing in the holy places of pilgrimages. No trace of
sin exists in him at that time; rather the religious merits of performing
the Vājapeya sacrifice accrue to him.
28-36. Svadhā, Svadhā, Svadhā, thrice this word if one calls to mind,
one gets the fruits of Srādh, Tarpanam, and Bali (offering sacrifices). So
much so, if one hears with devotion during the Srādh time the recitation of
the hymn to Svadhā, one gets, no doubt, the fruit of Srādh. If one recites
the Svadhā mantra thrice every time in the morning, midday and evening,
every day, one gets an obedient, chaste wife begetting sons. The following
is the hymn (Stotra) to Svadhā :-- O Devī Svadhe! Thou art dear to the
Pitris as their vital breaths and thou art the lives of the Brāhmanas. Thou
art the Presiding Deity of the Srādh ceremonies and bestowest the fruits
thereof. O Thou of good vows! Thou art eternal, true, and of the nature of
religious merits. Thou appearest in creation and disappearest in
dissolution. And this appearing and disappearing go on forever. Thou art Om,
thou art Svasti, Thou art Namas Kāra (salutation); Thou art Svadhā, Thou art
Daksinā, Thou art the various works as designated in the Vedas. These the
Lord of the world has created for the success of actions. No sooner Brahmā,
seated in His assembly in the Brahmā Loka, reciting this stotra remained
silent, than Svadhā Devī appeared there all at once. When Brahmā handed over
the lotus-faced Svadhā Devī over to the hands of the Pitris, and they gladly
took Her to their own abodes. He who hears with devotion and attention this
stotra of Svadhā, gets all sorts of rich fruits that are desired and the
fruits of bathing in all the Tīrthas.
Here ends the Forty-fourth Chapter of the Ninth Book on the story of Svadhā
Devī in the discourse between Nārada and Nārāyana in the Mahā Purānam Srī
Mad Devī Bhāgavatam of 18,000 verses by Maharsi Veda Vyāsa.
Chapter XLV
On the anecdote of Daksinā
1-63. Nārāyana said :-- The excellent, most sweet stories of Svāhā and
Svadhā are told; now I will tell you the story of Daksinā; hear attentively.
In early days, in the region of Goloka, there was a good-natured Gopī named
Susīlā, beautiful, Rādhās companion and very dear to Srī Hari. She was
fortunate, respected, beautiful, lovely, prosperous, with good teeth,
learned, well qualified and of exquisitely handsome form. Her whole body was
tender and lovely like Kalāvatī (one versed in 64 arts; moon). She was
beautiful and her eyes were like water lilies. Her hips were good and
spacious; Her breasts were full; she was Shyāmā (a kind of women having
colour like melted gold; body being hot in cold and cool in summer; of
youthful beauty); as well She was of the Nyagrodha class of women (an
excellent woman. Stanau Sukathinau Yasyā Nitambe cha Visālatā. Madhye Ksīnā
bhavedyā Sānyagrodha parimandalā). Always a smile sweetened Her face; and
that looked always gracious. Her whole body was covered with jewel
ornaments. Her colour was white like the white champakas. Her lips were red
like the Bimba fruits; Her eyes were like those of a deer. Susīlā was very
clever in amorous sciences. Her gait was like a swan. She was specially
versed in what is called Prema Bhakti (love towards God). So She was the
dearest lady of Srī Krisna. And She was of intense emotional feelings. She
knows all the sentiments of love; she was witty, humorous, and ardent for
the love of Srī Krisna, the Lord of the Rāsa circle. She sat by the left
side of Srī Krisna in the presence of Rādhā. Srī Krisna, then cast His
glance on Rādhā, the Chief of the Gopīs and hung down His head through fear.
Rādhās face turned red; the two eyes looked like red lilies; all Her bodies
began to quiver out of anger and Her lips began to shake. Seeing that state
of Rādhā, Bhagavān Srī Krisna disappeared, fearing that a quarrel might
ensue. Susīlā and other Gopīs seeing that the peaceful Krisna of Sattvā
Guna and of lovely form had disappeared, began to tremble with fear. Then
one lakh Koti Gopīs seeing Krisna absent and Rādhā angry, became very much
afraid and bowing their heads down with devotion and with folded palms began
to say frequently, Rādhe! Protect us, protect us, and they took shelter at
Her feet. O Nārada! Three lakh Gopas also including Sudāmā and others took
shelter at the lotus feet of Srī Rādhā out of fear. Seeing, then, Krisna
absent and Her companion Susīlā running away, Rādhā cursed her thus :-- If
Susīlā comes again to this Goloka, she will be reduced to ashes. Thus
cursing Her companion Susīlā out of anger, Rādhā, the Darling of the Deva
of the Devas, and the Lady of the Rāsa circle went to the Rāsa circle and
called on Krisna, the Lord of the same. Not being able to find out Srī
Krisna, a minute appeared a yuga to Her and she began to say :-- O Lord of
Prānas! O Dearer than My life! O Presiding Deity of my life! O Krisna! My
life seems to depart from Thy absence! Come quickly and show Thyself to me.
O Lord! It is through the favour of ones husband that the pride of women
gets increased day by day. Womens safeguards of happiness are their
husbands. Therefore women, who are helpless creatures, ought always to serve
their husbands according to Dharma. The husband is the wifes friend,
presiding deity and the sole refuge and the chief wealth. It is through
husbands that women derive their pleasures, enjoyments, Dharma, happiness,
peace and contentment. If husbands are respected, wives are respected and if
husbands are dishonoured, women are dishonoured too. The husband is the
highest thing to a woman. He is the highest friend. There is no better
friend than him. The husband is called Bhartā because he supports his wife;
he is called Pati, because he preserves her; he is called Svāmī, because he
is the master of her body; he is called Kāntā because he bestows the desired
things to her; he is called Bandhu, because he increases her happiness; he
is called Priya, because he gives pleasure to her; he is called Isa,
because he bestows prosperity on her; he is called Prānesvara, because he
is the lord of her Prāna; and he is called Ramana, because he gives
enjoyment to her. There is no other thing dearer than husband. The son is
born of the husband; hence the son is so dear. The husband is dearer to a
family woman than one hundred sons. Those who are born in impure families,
cannot know what substance a husband is made up of. Taking Baths in all the
Tīrthas, giving Daksinās in all the Yajńas (sacrifice), circumambulating
round the whole earth, performing all austerities, observing all vows,
making all great gifts, holy fastings, all that are dictated in the Sāstras,
serving the Guru, the Brāhmanas and the Devas all cannot compare to even one
sixteenth part with serving faithfully the feet of the husband. The husband
is the highest; higher than the Spiritual Teacher (Guru), higher than the
Brāhmanas, higher than all the Devas. As to man, the Spiritual Teacher who
imparts the Spiritual Knowledge is the Best and Supreme, so to the women
their husbands are the best of all. Oh! I am not able to realise the glory
of my Dearest, by Whose favour I am the Sole Ruler of one lakh Koti Gopīs,
one lakh Koti Gopas, innumerable Brāhmandas, and all the things thereof, and
all the lokas (regions) from Bhu (earth) to Goloka. Oh! The womanly nature
is insurmountable. Thus saying, Rādhikā began to meditate with devotion on
Srī Krisna. Tears began to flow incessantly from Her eyes. She exclaimed,
O Lord! O Lord! O Ramana! Shew Thyself to me. I am very much weak and
distressed from Thy bereavement. Now the Daksinā Devī, driven out from
Goloka; practised Tapasyā for a long time when She entered into the body of
Kamalā. The Devas, on the other hand, performed a very difficult Yajńa; but
they could not derive any fruit therefrom. So they went to Brahmā, becoming
very sad. Hearing them, Brahmā meditated on Visnu for a long time with
devotion. At last Visnu gave Him a reply. Visnu got out of the body of Mahā
Laksmī a Martya Laksmī (Laksmī of the earth) and gave Her Daksinā to
Brahmā.Then with a view to yield to the Devas the as a fruits of their
Karmas, Brahmā made over to the Yajńa Deva (the Deva presiding the
sacrifice) the Devī Daksinā, offered by Nārāyana. Yajńa Deva, then,
worshipped Her duly and recited hymns to Her with great joy. Her colour was
like melted gold; her lustre equalled koti Moons; very lovely, beautiful,
fascinating; face resembling water lilies, of a gentle body; with eyes like
Padmā Palāsa, born of the body of Laksmī, worshipped by Brahmā, wearing
celestial silken garments, her lips resembling like Bimba fruits, chaste,
handsome; her braid of hair surrounded by Mālatī garlands; with a sweet
smiling face, ornamented with jewel ornaments, well dressed, bathed,
enchanting the minds of the Munis, below the hair of her forehead the dot of
musk and Sindūra scented with sandalpaste, of spacious hips, with full
breasts, smitten by the arrows of Kāma Deva (the God of Love). Such was the
Daksinā Devī. Seeing Her, the Yajńa Deva fainted. At last he married her
according to due rites and ceremonies. Taking her to a solitary place, he
enjoyed her for full divine one hundred years with great joy like Laksmī
Nārāyana. Gradually then Daksinā became pregnant. She remained so for twelve
divine years. Then she duly delivered a nice son as the fruit of Karma. When
any Karma becomes complete, this son delivers the fruits of that Karma.
Yajńa Deva with His wife Daksinā and the above named Karmaphala, the
bestower of the fruits of actions, gives the desired fruits to all their
sacrificial acts and Karmas. So the Pundits, the knowers of the Vedas, say.
Really he, henceforth, began to give fruits to all the persons of their
acts, with his wife Daksinā and son, the bestower of the fruits of the
actions. The Devas were all satisfied at this and went away respectively to
their own abodes. Therefore, the man who performs Karmas, generally known as
Karma Kartas, should pay the Daksinā (the Sacrificial fee) and so he
completes at once his actions. It is stated in the Vedas, that no sooner the
Karma Karta pays the Daksinā, than he obtains the fruits of his Karmas at
once. In case the Karma Karta, after he has completed his acts, does not pay
either through bad luck or through ignorance, any Daksinā to the Brāhmanas,
its amount is doubled if a Muhūrta passes away and if one night elapses, its
amount is increased, to one hundred times. If three nights pass away, and
the Daksinā not paid, the amount last brought forward, is increased again to
hundred times; if a week passes, the last amount is doubled, and if one
month passes away, the Daksinā is multiplied to one lakh times. If one year
passes away, that is increased to ten millions of times and the Karma, also,
bears no fruit. Such a Karma Karta is known as taking away unfairly a
Brāhmanas property and is regarded as impure. He has no right to any
further actions. For that sin, he becomes a pauper and diseased. Laksmī Devī
goes away from his house, leaves him, cursing him severely. So much so that
the Pitris do not accept the Srādh, Tarpanam offered by that wretched
fellow. So the Devas do not accept his worship, nor the Fire accepts the
oblations poured by him. If the person that performs sacrifices does not pay
the sacrificial fee that he resolves to pay and he who accepts the offer
does not demand the sum, both of them go to hell. But if the performer of
the sacrifices does not pay when the priests demand the fee, then the
Yajamāna (the performer of the sacrifices) only falls down to hell as the
jar, severed from the rope, falls down. The Yajamāna (pupil) is denominated
as a Brahmāsvapahārī (one who robs a Brāhmanas property); he goes
ultimately to the Kumbhīpāka hell. There he remains for one lakh years
punished and threatened by Yamas messengers. He is then reborn as a
Chāndāla, poor and diseased. So much so that his seven generations above and
his seven generations below go to hell.
64-65. O Nārada! Thus I have narrated to you the story of Daksinā. What more
do you want to hear? Say. Nārada said :-- O Best of Munis! Who bears the
fruits of that Karma where no Daksinā is paid. Describe the method of
worship that was offered to Daksinā by Yajńa Deva. Nārāyana said :-- Where
do you find the fruit of any sacrifice without Daksinā? (i.e., nowhere.)
That Karma only gets fruits where Daksinās are paid. And the fruits of the
acts void of any Daksinā, Bali who lives in the Pātāla only enjoys; and no
one else.
66-71. For, in olden times, it was ordained by Vāmana Deva that those fruits
would go to the king Vali. All those that pertain to Srādh not sanctioned
by the Vedas, the charities made without any regard or faith, the worship
offered by a Brāhmin who is the husband of a Vrisala (an unmarried girl
twelve years in whom menstruation has commenced), the fruits of sacrifices
done by an impure Brāhmana (a Brāhmana who fails in his duties), the worship
offered by impure persons, and the acts of a man devoid of any devotion to
his Guru, all these are reserved for the king Bali. He enjoys the fruits of
all these. O Child! I am now telling you the Dhyān Stotra, and the method of
worship as per Kanva Sākhā of Daksinā Devī. Hear. When Yajńa Deva, in
ancient times got Daksinā, skillful in action, he was very much fascinated
by her appearance and being love-stricken, began to praise her :-- O
Beautiful One! You were before the chief of the Gopīs in Goloka. You were
like Rādhā; you were Her companion; and you were loved by Srī Rādhā, the
beloved of Srī Krisna.
72-97. In the Rāsa circle, on the Full Moon night in the month of Kārtik, in
the great festival of Rādhā, you appeared from the right shoulder of Laksmī;
hence you were named Daksinā. O Beautiful One! You were of good nature
before; hence your name was Susīlā. Next you turned due to Rādhā's curse,
into Daksinā. It is to my great good luck that you were dislodged from
Goloka and have come here. O highly fortunate One! Now have mercy on me and
accept me as your husband. O Devī! You give to all the doers of actions, the
fruits of their works. Without you, their Karmas bear no fruit. So much so,
if you be not present in their action the works never shine forth in
brilliant glory. Without Thee, neither Brahmā, nor Visnu nor Mahesa nor the
Regents of the quarters, the ten Dikpālas, can award the fruits of actions.
Brahmā is the incarnate of Karma. Mahesvara is the incarnate of the fruits
of Karmas; and I Visnu myself is the incarnate of Yajńas. But Thou art the
Essence of all. Thou art the Parā Prakriti, without any attributes, the Parā
Brahmā incarnate, the bestower of the fruits of action. Bhagavān Srī Krisna
cannot award the fruits of actions without Thee. O Beloved! In every birth
let Thou be my Sakti. O Thou with excellent face! Without Thee, I am unable
to finish well any Karma. O Nārada! Thus praising Daksinā Devī, Yajńa Deva
stood before Her. She, born from the shoulder of Laksmī, became pleased with
His Stotra and accepted Him for Her bridegroom. If anybody recites this
Daksinā stotra during sacrifice, he gets all the results thereof.
If anybody recites this stotra in the Rājasūya sacrifice, Vājapaya, Gomedha
(cow sacrifice) Naramedha (man sacrifice), Asvamedha (horse sacrifice),
Lāngala Sacrifice, Visnu Yajńa tending to increase ones fame, in the act of
giving over wealth or pieces of lands, digging tanks or wells, or giving
fruits, in Gaja medha (elephant sacrifice), in Loha Yajńa (iron sacrifice),
Svarna Yajńa (gold sacrifice), Ratna Yajńa (making over jewels in
sacrifices), Tāmra Yajńa (copper), Siva Yajńa, Rudra Yajńa, Sakra Yajńa,
Bandhuka Yajńa, Varuna Yajńa (for rains), Kandaka Yajńa, for crushing the
enemies, Suchi Yajńa, Dharma Yajńa, Pāpa mochana Yajńa, Brahmānī Karma
Yajńa, the auspicious Prakriti Yāga, sacrifices, his work is achieved then
without any hitch or obstacle. There is no doubt in this. The stotra, thus,
is mentioned now; hear about the Dhyānam and the method of worship. First of
all, one should worship in the Sālagrāma stone, or in an earthen jar (Ghata)
Daksinā Devī. The Dhyānam runs thus :-- O Daksinā! Thou art sprung from the
right shoulder of Laksmī; Thou art a part of Kamalā; Thou art clever (Daksa)
in all the actions and Thou bestowest the fruits of all the actions. Thou
art the Sakti of Visnu, Thou art revered, worshipped. Thou bestowest all
that is auspicious; Thou art purity; Thou bestowest purity, Thou art good
natured. So I meditate on Thee. Thus meditating, the intelligent one should
worship Daksinā with the principal mantra. Then with the Vedic Mantras,
pādyas, etc. (offerings of various sorts) are to be offered. Now the mantra
as stated in the Vedas, runs thus :-- Om Srīm Klīm Hrīm Daksināyai Svāhā.
With this mantra, all the offerings, such as pādyas, arghyas, etc., are to
be given, and one should worship, as per rules, Daksinā Devī with devotion.
O Nārada! Thus I have stated to you the anecdote of Daksinā. Happiness,
pleasure, and the fruits of all karmas are obtained by this. Being engaged
in sacrificial acts, in this Bhāratavarsa, if one hears attentively this
Dhyānam of Daksinā, his sacrifice becomes defectless. So much so that the
man who has got no sons gets undoubtedly good and qualified sons; if he has
no wife, he gets a best wife, good natured, beautiful, of slender waist,
capable to give many sons, sweet speaking, humble, chaste, pure, and Kulīna;
if he be void of learning, he gets learning; if he be poor he gets wealth;
if he be without any land, he gets land and if he has no attendants, he gets
attendants. If a man hears for one month this stotra of Daksinā Devī, he
gets over all difficulties and dangers, bereavements from friends, troubles,
inprisonments, and all other calamities.
Here ends the Forty-fifth Chapter of the Ninth Book on the anecdote of
Daksinā in the Mahā Purānam Srī Mad Devī Bhāgavatam of 18,000 verses by
Maharsi Veda Vyāsa.
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