The Devi Mahatmya

About the Author Sri Swami Sivananda

Born on the 8th September, 1887, in the illustrious family of Sage Appayya Dikshitar and several other renowned saints and savants, Sri Swami Sivananda had a natural flair for a life devoted to the study and practice of Vedanta. Added to this were an inborn eagerness to serve all and an innate feeling of unity with all mankind.

His passion for service drew him to the medical career; and soon he gravitated to where he thought that his service was most needed. Malaya claimed him. He had earlier been editing a health journal and wrote extensively on health problems. He discovered that people needed right knowledge most of all; dissemination of that knowledge he espoused as his own mission.

It was divine dispensation and the blessing of God upon mankind that the doctor of body and mind renounced his career and took to a life of renunciation to qualify for ministering to the soul of man. He settled down at Rishikesh in 1924, practiced intense austerities and shone as a great Yogi, saint, sage and Jivanmukta.

In 1932 Swami Sivananda started the Sivanandashram. In 1936 was born The Divine Life Society. In 1948 the Yoga-Vedanta Forest Academy was organized. Dissemination of spiritual knowledge and training of people in Yoga and Vedanta were their aim and object. In 1950 Swami undertook a lightning tour of India and Ceylon. In 1953 Swami convened a `World Parliament of Religions'. Swami is the author of over 300 volumes and has disciples all over the world, belonging to all nationalities, religions and creeds. To read Swahili’s works is to drink at the Fountain of Wisdom Supreme. On 14th July, 1963 Swami entered Mahasamadhi.

Introduction The Devi Mahatmya or the Durga Saptasati is a unique book in this world. It is the base and the root of the religion of the Saktas. It is a Kamadhenu for one and all; it gives whatever man wants. It gives Bhakti in this world and Mukti afterwards. It is a powerful reservoir of Mantras from the beginning to the end. Every verse of this text is a dynamic force which acts powerfully in overhauling the nature of man.

The first verse of the text implies that the whole book is an explanation of the root of the Devi-Mantra, viz., "Hreem". There are many commentaries on this text which explain it either in a mystical way or in the ordinary manner. Whatever be the case, the Mantras of the Saptasati are not to be neglected by one who wishes to lead a good and peaceful life in this world.

The conception of the Infinite as Mother is not an altogether meaningless one. The Rigveda bears testimony to the fact that even in such ancient times, there was the persistent belief that the Ruler is the All-compassionate Mother. Further, Mother is the personality that appeals most to the human heart, not so much the Father who is considered a hard task-master. Moreover the conception of the Divinity as Devi, Durga or Sri, is not merely a theory but a practical way of life. It is a particular view which cannot be set aside. It is as important as any school of religious belief, and is one of the most important reigning branches of Hindu religion-Vaishnavism, Saivism and Saktaism. Even a subtle philosopher cannot dispense with the conception of Sakti, for he is essentially an embodiment of Power, and he has love for power. The highest Intelligence and the most speculative metaphysics is only a manifestation of Jnana-Sakti and are not outside the range of Saktaism. Let us Since the dawn of civilization in a matriarchal society, the word into practice. Later on, as matriarchal pattern gradually far the head of the family unit, when authority and to whom every approval. Consequently there God as such; the Fatherhood Mother-worship persisted same was psychologically more appeal being nearest in filial affection sympathetic harmony between it of God was developed by that worshipped Sita and Rama, or Ramayana The concept of the human experience. Subjective idealism, takes the aid of objective and rel limited to abstract or concrete establish a conscious relationship of benevolent fatherhood or reflect than by the concept of an unfaith qualities, in reality, but a rarely positive ideals of goodness self-culture and spiritual progress Mother is very kind to her chili mother than with anybody else.

therefore adore and worship the Glorious Mother for the purpose of attaining Wisdom or Self-realization!

The Saptasati may be read with any motive in the mind, and that shall be fulfilled. Read it for any purpose in life, and that you shall have. Read it for the sake of Spiritual Knowledge, and you will be blessed with it. Since Sakti is the basis for all Ichchha (Desire), Jnana (Knowledge) and Karina (Action), man cannot fall outside the realm or the kingdom of Sakti. The whole man is but Sakti, and hence he shall have everything through worship of Sakti.

May the blessings of Devi Durga be upon you all! May She bless you all with spiritual illumination and Self-realization!

Book's Contents and Sample Pages