Mysticism of the Devi Mahatmya: Worship of the Divine Mother

Introduction

This extraordinary book has been long awaited by many devotees. It contains the essence of the well known scripture-Devi Mahatmya or Durga Shaptashati, also known as Chandi Path. It is a portion from the Markandeya Purana written by Sage Vyasa.

Devi Mahatmya is a unique scripture that views God as Mother, and presents highly mystical stories depicting the journey of the soul from darkness to Light-from the misery of bondage to the Bliss of Liberation.

Many a battle must be fought, many an illusion must be broken, many rare qualities of head and heart must unfold, in order that the soul may reach its ultimate destination. In this process. An aspirant turns to the Goddess for guidance, support, removal of obstacles, endowment of divine virtues, and enlightenment.

As Durga, She destroys gross impurities urging the aspirant to develop purity of heart. As Lakshmi, Shi brings about the blossoming of divine qualities such as humility, truthfulness and fearlessness and frees the mind of distractions. As Saraswati, She destroys ignorance and egoism, and leads the soul to the heights of spiritual enlightenment.

In every manifestation, the Devi wages war against the forces of darkness. These stories yield fascinating insights into the mystery of life and the art of attaining spiritual evolution. Swami Jyotirmayananda, with his unique intuitive insight, has presented the mystical meanings of these stories, bringing to light the profound treasure that lies hidden in this great scripture.

The very concept of worshipping God as Mother has captured head and heart of countless devotees not only in India, but in various parts of the world. In fact the Divine Self is sweeter than a thousand mothers, and mightier than a thousand fathers.

Every year, Navaratri Puja is performed in our ashram under the guidance of Swami Jyotirmayananda. During the serene hours of the morning, when the ashram garden softly emerges out of the blanket of darkness and is awakened by the song of birds, Swamiji conducts the most inspiring puja (worship). Each day Swamiji gives mystic insight into the stories of the Devi and their applications in daily life. Aspirants listen to the teachings, hear the inspiring songs and kirtans in praise of Devi, receive blessings from the Guru, and partake of delicious Prasad (holy food). The present book contains the gems of teachings culled from these wonderful talks by Swamiji.

We are thankful to our ashram staff for their diligent work in doing all that is needed in bringing out this precious book-composing, proof-reading, graphic artistry, masking, preparing plates, printing and binding.

May the Goddess bestow Her blessings on the readers of this excellent book!

Back of the Book

The Devi Mahatmya is a unique scripture that inspires the worship of God as Mother through its highly mystical stories depicting the journey of the soul from darkness to Light-from the misery of intuitive insight, Swami Jyotirmayananda has probed the philosophical meaning of these fascinating stories, bringing to light the mystical treasure that lies hidden in the exploits of the Devi.

For the soul to reach its ultimate destination-Liberation-many a battle must be fought, many an illusion must be broken, and many a rare quality of head and heart must unfold. In this extraordinary book, Swamiji reveals the divine art by which an aspirant can turn to the Goddess for guidance and support in this great project. Through Her compassionate Grace, spiritual movement becomes dynamic and joyous, culminating in the highest attainment-Liberation!