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Hindu mythology talks about the daring exploits of the Divine Mother who waged war against evil demons who posed threats to the universe. When the devas were unable to overthrow the demons, they sought the help of a higher power. Goddess Durga manifested from the combined energies of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, and saved the universe from destruction by killing the demons. The stories of this powerful Warrior Goddess contine to enthrall and inspire her devotees to fight and overcome their own inner demons and external enemies. These stories comprise the Durga Saptashati for people in the North. It is called Devi Mahatmya in South India and Chandi Path in West Bengal. Compiled and written by Sage Ved Vyasa (who wrote the Mahabharata epic) the Durga Saptashati is found in the Markandeya Purana. It has 13 chapters and 700 stanzas. The verses recount the Goddess’ adventures and tales of valor. The Goddess takes many avatars to defeat and kill the demons. Her avatars have different qualities. For instance, Goddess Vishnu Maya is a Tamasic avatar, while Goddess Lakshmi is a Rajasic avatar. Goddess Saraswati is a Sattvik avatar.   How to recite Durga Saptashati? Durga Saptashati can be recited in two ways. 1. Trayangam In this procedure, devotees recite the Devi Kavacham, Argala Stotram and Devi Keelakam, along with the Navakshari Mantra. Then they recite the 13 chapters of Durga Saptashati. 2. Navangam In this procedure, nine prayers are recited, before reciting the Saptashati. These are as follows: · Devi Nyasa · Devi Avahana · Devi Namami · Argali Stotram · Keelaka Stotram · Devi Hrudaya · Dhala · Devi Dhyana · Devi Kavacha When the devotees finish reciting the above prayers, they read the chapters of Durga Saptashati. During Navratri, Durga Saptashati Mantra is recited without fail. The chapters are divided among the nine days. 1st day – Chapter 1 – Madhu Kaithabha Samhar 2nd day – Chapters 2, 3, 4 – Mahishasura Samhar 3rd day – Chapters 5 and 6 – Dhumralochan Vadh 4th day – Chapter 7 – Chanda Munda Vadh 5th day – Chapter 8 – Raktabij Samhar 6th day – Chapters 9 and 10 – Shumbha Nishumbha Vadh 7th day – Chapter 11 –Narayani Stuti 8th day – Chapter 12 – Phala Shruti – benefits of recital 9th day – Chapter 13 – Goddess blesses King Suratha and Vaishya (merchant) On the 10th day, Devi Aparadha kshama stotram is recited. It is the day of Vijayadashami or Dussehra. The Durga Saptashati is also recited during Chandi Homa, which is performed on the 8th day (ashtami) of Navratri.   Durga Saptashati Benefits Pahala Shruti, which is the 12th chapter of Durga Saptashati describes the benefits of reciting this sacred text. The Goddess herself revealed the benefits to the gods. 1. Manifestation of Devi at the place of recitation 2. Removal of all problems 3. Prevention of calamities 4. Removal of Poverty 5. Protection from enemies, fire and flood 6. Protection from adverse planetary influences 7. Protection from evil spirits 8. Blessings of wealth, grains and children The stories and exploits of Devi remind us that good will eventually triumph over evil. By reciting the Durga Saptashati and listening to the glories of Devi during the 9 days of Navratri, devotees recall this eternal truth. Awe and wonder fill our hearts when we realize her might and valor in battling evil as well as her compassion and love for her true devotees. Durga Saptashati’s battlefields symbolize human consciousness. The demons she slays are the obstacles in our journey towards self-realization. To achieve self-realization, we need to conquer the demons. We have to go beyond them so that these obstacles in the form of anger, hate, ego, lust, envy, etc., have no power over our mind and thoughts. The Demons (Obstacles) in Durga Saptashati Madhu And Kaitabha (Sweet and Bitter Taste) The first hurdle in our journey to self-realization is represented by the demons, ‘Madhu and Kaitabha’(sweet and sour). As a spiritual seeker, we need to remain unaffected by the duality of things like sweet or sour in the case of taste. It simply means that what others say about us, whether it’s good or bad, should not affect us. Mahishasura (Rage And Lust) After conquering ‘Madhu and Kaitabha’, the next obstacle is ‘Mahishasura’ – rage and lust. We cannot destroy these energies completely. But we can channelize and transform them, like Durga does. Dhumralochan (Dhumra: Smoke, Lochan: Eyes/ Sight) The eyes provide us information and distraction simultaneously. Conquering Dhumralochan means being able to remain undistracted and unaffected by these illusions when we are on the path of self-realization. Chanda And Munda (Passion, Inner Conflict And Violence) Your passion might be a stumbling block in achieving self-realization. Passion, be it good or bad, and inner conflict can distract us. Ignore them, and focus on your real goal. Raktabija (Desires) After the Goddess defeated all the demons, she faced the fiercest demon, Raktabija. From every drop of blood shed by Raktabija, arose another demon as it falls on the earth. To kill this demon, she became Goddess Kali and sucked Raktabija’s blood with her huge mouth and enormous tongue, so that not a drop spilled on the ground. Raktabija represents desires, they keep multiplying endlessly. Shumbha And Nishumbha (Pleasant And Unpleasant) Shumbha and Nishumbha were brothers. Life comprises both pleasant and unpleasant things. These demons suggest that we have to stop seeing things as good or bad and being affected by them. We should rise above them, so that only love and compassion remain. Surath And Samadhi (Good Path And Oneness) Once we have conquered all the demons, the ultimate reward that awaits us is Samadhi. Surat stands for wisdom and intellect that guide us towards the ultimate truth. In Samadhi, we achieve oneness with the divine.   All the demons fall under 3 categories: · Brahm Granthi (creating thoughts/ desires) · Vishnu Granthi (sustaining desires) · Rudra Granthi (compelling one to fulfil the desires)