Devi Mahathyam talks the glories of the Divine Mother in her manifestation as Devi or Chandika. This is a wonderful literature present in Markandeya Puranam. This is also called as Chandi Patam or Saptha Shathi (700 versed one).There are lots of sites where we get other Granthas like Ramayanam... But, with the graces of Sri Matha, I wanted to do a small Kainkaryam to her by doing a brief translation of the divine Grantha or literature, Devi Mahathyam, which is all in simple Sanskrit as a conversation between a lay man(a trader named Samadhi) & Markadeya Maharishi.
The theme of the whole work is to pave way for the salvation of sinful souls by following the path of Shakthi worship or Shaktham. The greatness of Devi Mahathmyam is that in addition to narrating Matha's glories all the 700 verses are being used as Manthras for Sri Chandi Homam or fire sacrifice for Chandi. None of the other Puranas have this status!! Right from Kashmir to Kanyakumari at the time of Sardha Navrathry or Vasantha Navarathry Saptha Shathee is chanted by her devotees with lot of purity & devotion. Navrathry, actually was the time when Devi,(Sri Durga) did penance for the Shiva Danush or Pinakam or the bow of LordShiva & finally destroyed the buffalo-faced demon,Mahishasura. It is in the month of Chaithram (the 8 days before Sri Rama Navami) after the nomoon day(AmaVasya). But the greatness of Sarada Navrathry is that Lord Rama himself did pooja to Devi before destroying Ravana & others to get Matha's blessings. Nowadays Sarada Navrathry is more famous throughout India.
Let's start the tour of the contents & Devi Mahathmyam by prostrating the lotus feet of Ganeshwara & Sri Matha. As in all other slokas & Purana this has three parts or "bhagas".
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