Durga Saptashati Path: Significances and Vidhi

Durga Saptashati Path is chanted to appease the Goddess Durga during Navratri days. There are a total of 13 chapters in the Durga Saptashati path. The Hindu religious scripture known as the Durga Saptashati path, also known as the Durga Mahatmya and chandi path, describes how Goddess Durga defeated the demon Mahishasura.

Durga Saptashati Path is written by Sage Markandeya which is part of Markandeya Purana. The chapters of Durga Saptashati Path contain 700 text verses and that is why this composition is called Durga Saptashati.

The 700 text verses come in these 13 chapters. Many supplementary texts are attached before and after the 700 verses for ritual reading purposes. The ceremonies of Navratri, which are held in honour of the goddess Durga, include a ritualistic reading of Durga Saptashati.

Chandi Homa is one of the most significant Homa(s) performed to improve health and defeat adversaries, and Durga Saptashati is an important component to execute this Homa. Chanting Durga Saptashati hymns is conducted during Chandi Homa. At Chandi Homa, a total of 700 Ahuti, or offerings to Goddess Durga through the sacred fire, are made.

Description Of Goddess Durga

The devi Mahatmaya explains how Goddess Durga considers many aspects as per the tasks performed by her, sometimes it could be tender and sweet and sometimes it may be terrible and devouring. Goddess Durga is the one of deluding power who connects the devotees with the relentlessly moving wheel of samsara, even she deludes the wisest man. 

But, she is the one who grants emancipation to a devotee who earns her approval. She has concealed the truth from us and constrained us to samsara as Avidya-Maya for the sake of continuing her divine pastime.

Similarly, she is known as Vidya-Maya, removes the veil and makes it possible for us to see the truth when she is appeased by the practice of real devotion and self-surrender. She is known by the names Mahavidya, Mahamaya, Mahamedha, Mahasmriti, Mahamoha, Mahadevi, and Maheshwari according to the Saptashati. 

She is Parabrahma-Mahishi, the supreme ruler of everything that exists. Her compassion manifests in the aspirant’s ambition, the sadhaka’s sadhana, and the siddha’s siddhi. She is the real essence of intention, desire, emotion, comprehension, action, name, and form. According to (11:6).

“Vidyassamastastava Devi bhedah | Striyassamastah sakala jagatsu ||
Tvayaikaya puritamambayaitat | Kaa te stutih stavyapara paroktih” ||

The above-mentioned mantra describes the meaning Goddess Durga is the mother of the universe, arts & science, and source of knowledge, and all the women in the world are the manifestation of her. You are the one and only who pervade the entire universe.

Introduction Of Durga Saptashati Path

It is not useless to think of the Infinite as a mother. The Rig Veda provides evidence that the idea that the All-Compassionate Mother is the Supreme Ruler has existed since antiquity. The idea of divinity as represented by Devi, Durga, or Sri is not just a doctrine; it is also a way of life. 

In contrast to the father, who is viewed as a strict taskmaster, the mother is the personality that most appeal to human hearts. Shakti is a concept that no philosopher, no matter how sophisticated, can do without because he is fundamentally the personification of power and loves power. Shaktism encompasses all levels of intelligence including the most speculative metaphysics because they are simply expressions of jnana shakti.

The sacred Durga Saptashati Path is said to be a significant component to conduct the chandi homam to attain good health and overcome enemies. Durga saptashati path is performed along with chandi homam. A total of 700 verses of texts offer devotion to Goddess Durga through sacred fire during Chandi homam.

Significance Of Durga Saptashati Path

Durga saptashati path is a very powerful reading and this has contributed to its popularity. During the 9-day Navratri celebration chanting the saptashati path is a very essential part of it.

For performing the potent Chandi Homa, which is performed to ensure good health and victory over adversaries, reciting words from Durga Saptashati is required.

We think that Durga Saptashati would give us courage and shield us from any harmful forces. When faced with significant obstacles in life, people frequently sing Durga Saptashati to help them overcome those obstacles.

Durga Saptashati Path Vidhi

To start the recitation of the Durga saptashati path at home, first, the native who is going to chant the path should take a bath in the morning, complete daily worship rituals, should sit on asan facing north and east, and try to invoke the mind of concentration and devotion.

If someone is chanting the Durga Saptashati Path with full devotion, dedication, and the right pronunciation, the effects of this path would be more effective. During chanting the saptashati path the native should not speak, talk, sleep, sneeze, yawn, or spit but should recite with complete concentration on Goddess in an appealing form. 

The paath of Durga Saptashati is best performed during Navratri, although in the other months, Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday are seen as lucky days of the week to start the reading. One can read the Saptashati every day and finish it in seven days in the division of chapters in the following ways:

• Day One: first chapter.
• Day Two: Second and Third.
• Day Three: fourth.
• Day Four: fifth, sixth, seventh, and Eighth. Day Five: Ninth and Tenth.
• Day Six: eleventh.
• Day Seven: twelfth and thirteenth.

One is believed to say that whoever takes an oath before starting to read the Durga saptashati path will fulfill it. As Goddess Durga is the source of shakti (power). One can obtain everything by worshipping Shakti because each individual is nothing more than Shakti. The order of the reading should be as follows:

• Devi Suktam
• Devi Kavacham
• Argala Stotram
• Keelakam
• Ratri Suktam
• Devi Mahatmya
• Kshama Prarthana

Let’s go to discuss these important points of the Durga Saptashati Path in detail.

1. Devi suktam

Sage Vak, the daughter of maharishi ambharin composed the eight verses of Devi suktam which is from rig veda (10th mandala, 10th anuvaka, 125th sukta). These shlokas convey the truth that Vak, who identifies as Brahma Shakti and manifests as eleven Rudras, eight Vasus, twelve Adityas, and all the devas who are maintained by her, has come to comprehend. She is the source, foundation, and support of the entire universe.

2. Devi kavacham

The second reading path before the Durga saptashati path is devi kavacham which consists of 61 verses from markandeya purana. This kavacham (armour) protects the reader in all areas of the body, in all locations, and in all situations. People mention every bodily component and worship Devi in a variety of forms.

3. Argala Stotram

Here, Rishi Markandeya extols the virtues of Devi in twenty-seven uplifting couplets for the benefit of his followers. After each shloka, devotees make a petition to Devi for material success, physical fitness, fame, and triumph. People have described her in all of her guises and names.

4. Keelakam

In this, Rishi markandeya describes to his pupils the sixteen shlokas ways and meaning of reducing the obstacles suffered by devotees during Durga saptashati path reading. Reading this section of devi mahatmya brings peace of mind, spiritual energy, and success in all endeavours.

5. Ratri suktam

The Rig Veda is where these eight shlokas come from (10th mandala, 10th anuvaka, 127th sukta). The universe’s all-pervasive Supreme Lord characterizes Devi, manifesting as Omkara. Ratri translates as “she who answers our prayers.”

6. Devi Mahatmya

The devi mahatmya section includes three parts which are:

1. Prathama (first)
2. Madhyama (middle)
3. Uttara (final)

The first chapter of the Durga saptashati path describes the glory of the goddess Kali, the second, third, and fourth chapters signify the glory of the goddess Lakshmi whereas the last chapters from the fifth to the thirteenth signify about goddess Saraswati.

7. Kshama prathrana

This section contains the forgiveness from Goddess Durga if it happened during the path reading. The devotee seeks pardon for any mistakes that happen during path or puja.

Benefits Of Reading Durga Saptashati Path

There are numerous advantages to reciting Durga Saptashati. These are them:

• As you recite Durga Saptashati, the negative impacts of unfavourable planetary placement in your birth chart are lessened.
• Chanters might win Durga’s blessings and her defence against their adversaries.
• Chanting the Durga Saptashati brings happiness and contentment.
• Goddess Durga gives great importance to Chandi Path, thus anyone who chants it will receive her blessings.
• Both good health and abundant wealth are possible.
• You are not powerless over debt or money issues.
• You can fulfill your sincere desires.
• It will shield you from black magic.
• You may have the courage to confront life’s difficulties as a result of it.
• You might meet a nice life partner and produce good offspring.
• Reciting the Durga saptashati path regularly brings different benefits.

Pandit For Durga Saptashati Path

If you are going to celebrate Navratri Puja at your home and you could not read the Durga saptashati path during 9 days of Durga puja. With 99Pandit you can book a pandit for the Durga saptashati path and also you can find a Pandit for Durga Puja in Mumbai and other major cities.

By reciting Devi Aparadha Kshama Prarthana Stotram beforehand on the ninth day, one can also complete the Durga Saptashati recital. Please don’t forget to complete each chapter by reciting the Siddha Kunjika Stotram.

Book a pandit for the Durga saptashati path online or find a Pandit Near Me. Contact us in case of any queries.

Frequently Asked Question

Q. What is Durga Saptashati path?

A.Durga Saptashati path is chanted to appease the Goddess Durga during Navratri days. There are a total of 13 chapters in the Durga saptashati path.

Q. Who wrote the Durga Saptashati path and where is it mentioned?

A.Durga Saptashati Path is written by Sage Markandeya which is part of Markandeya purana. The chapters of Durga saptashati path contain 700 text verses and that is why this composition is called Durga saptashati.

Q. What is the characteristic of Goddess Durga?

A. She is Parabrahma-Mahishi, the supreme ruler of everything that exists. Her compassion manifests in the aspirant’s ambition, the sadhaka’s sadhana, and the siddha’s siddhi.

Q. What is the right order to read the Durga saptashati path?

A. One can obtain everything by worshiping Shakti because each individual is nothing more than Shakti. The order of the reading should be as follows:

• Devi Suktam
• Devi Kavacham
• Argala Stotram
• Keelakam
• Ratri Suktam
• Devi Mahatmya
• Kshama Prarthana

Q. What does argala stotram signify?

A.Rishi Markandeya extols the virtues of Devi in twenty-seven uplifting couplets for the benefit of his followers. After each shloka, a petition is made to Devi for material success, physical fitness, fame, and triumph.

Q. How can we divide the chapters of Durga saptashati into seven days?

A.The division of Durga saptashati path can be divided as

• Day One: first chapter.
• Day Two: Second and Third.
• Day Three: fourth.
• Day Four: fifth, sixth, seventh, and Eighth. Day Five: Ninth and Tenth.
• Day Six: eleventh
• Day Seven: twelfth and thirteenth.

Q. When can we read the Durga saptashati path?

A.The paath of Durga Saptashati is best performed during Navratri, although in the other months, Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday are seen as lucky days of the week to start the reading.