Devi Mahatmya

From Sahaja Yoga Encyclopedia
Revision as of 07:06, 21 July 2016 by John (talk | contribs) (Brief description and bibliographical note)
(diff) ← Older revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)
The printable version is no longer supported and may have rendering errors. Please update your browser bookmarks and please use the default browser print function instead.

Part of the larger Markandeya Purana (4th century CE?), in this Sanskrit text the Devi is extolled as the all-powerful protector of the universe. Also known as Chandi.

The Devas said: ‘O Devi, you who remove the sufferings of those who take refuge in thee, be gracious! Be gracious, O Mother of the whole world; Be gracious, O Mother of the universe; Protect the universe! You are, O Devi, the ruler of all that is movable and immovable!’ (11:2-3)

Bibliographical notes

The standard English translation and commentary is by Thomas B.Coburn: Encountering the Goddess: a translation of the Devi-Mahatmya and a study of its intepretation (Albany, NY: State University of New York Press, 1991). See also Coburn's chapters: ‘Devi: the great Goddess’, in Devi: Goddesses of India, edited by John Stratton Hawley and Donna M.Wulff (Berkeley: University of California Press, 1996), pp31-48; ‘The threefold vision of the Devi mahatmya’ in Devi: the great Goddess, edited by Vidya Dehejia (Washington, DC: Smithsonian Institution, 1999), pp37-57. Also Coburn’s earlier Devi-Mahatmya: the crystallization of the Goddess tradition (Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, 1984). Another English translation: The Devi-Mahatmyam or Sri Durga-Saptasati (700 mantras on Sri Durga) by Swami Jagadisvarananda (Madras: Sri Ramakrihna Math, 4th ed., 1972).

A French translation: Celebration de la Grande Deesse (Devi Mahatmya) par Jean Varennif (Paris: Societe D’Editions “Les Belles Lettres”, 1975).

This text is also known as Sri Candi, for which see Rajikishore Mishra, ‘A peep into the Candi text’ Orissa Review October 2004, pp34-36 [1] which includes a brief discussion of the Devi Mahatmya in other puranas.

[from Visions and Prophecies of the Divine Feminine]

Cookies help us deliver our services. By using our services, you agree to our use of cookies.