CELEBRATION OF MOTHER DURGA

Durga Stotram

(Verses on the Supreme Goddess Durga)

 According to Sayana's commentary, repetition of the following mantras, known as Durga Stotram, are undertaken to destroy the difficulties that beset the path of life, whether secular or spiritual. 

(1)  "May we offer oblations of soma-juice in the soma sacrifice to Durga Devi.  May the All-knowing One destroy all hostile forces - not only the external ones, but also the internal ones, such as passions and impulses which act against us when we progress towards our goal.  May the divine fire of the goddess Durga that leads all, protect us by taking us across all perils, even as a captain takes a boat across the sea.  May the Devi save us from all wrongs, suffering, and difficulties incidental to our mundane life."

(The word Jatavedas, interpreted physically as fire, stands for the all-knowing Divine Reality, goddess Durga, the repository of knowledge, who bestows knowledge to all living beings such as men, gods (Devatas), and so on.  The all-knowing Devi (goddess Durga) is worshipped with Vedic rituals (in the soma sacrifices).  The word "agnih"  is analyzed as "agram nayati agranih" -  that is to say, "He who leads one to higher levels - the Divinity dwelling as the Self of all creatures.")

(2) "We seek as our only refuge the goddess Durga, who is fiery in lustre and radiant with fervor.  Mantra Shastra speaks of you, oh Mother, as Nava-Durga.  Oh Durga Devi, You are the Supreme Universal Energy (Power) as perceived by the great god Mahadeva.  Oh Mother, You are beyond all thought.   You remove all difficulties from the path of your devotee.   Durga-Devi, you are the Divine Deity, who is the giver of the fruits of all actions, secular as well as spiritual.  When we are in troubles of mundane life, oh Mother Divine, You are our savior and bestower of the highest bliss.  Our salutations to you, oh Mother. "

(3)   "Oh Durga-Devi, we have come to learn that you are worthy of praise.  With your various means,  oh Mother Divine, remove all our difficulties and take us beyond this mundane existence.  May this plot of earth be suitable for our dwelling place, and be extensive and ample through your grace.  Further, oh Mother Divine, may you be pleased to grant us who are your children, joy that can reach up to the highest bliss."

(4)  "Oh All-knowing Divine Mother and Remover of all difficulties and troubles!  As the captain takes the boat across the sea safely, so may you take us beyond all troubles and protect us from all evils of life.  Oh Divine-Devi, just as the sage Atri always mentally repeats, "May everyone be whole and happy", in a similar way, may you mentally wish our welfare and recognize our devotion to you.  May you be the protector of our bodies- both gross and subtle."

(Sayana has here in the Upanishad commentary the following note on Atrivat:  There was a great sage who had attained supreme illumination and freedom in life, and so was known as Atri, that is to say, one who is free from the triple miseries, and has goodwill and compassion for all created beings - chief traits of such a sage.  Therefore people had always observed Atri in a state of mind in which he was constantly remembering in his prayers peace and safety for all creatures.  He became a byword for universal compassion. )

(5)  "Oh Devi, you are the charger and vanquisher of the hosts of enemies, therefore you are the Unconquerable One.  You are the finest and foremost principal which dominates the universal categories.  May we invoke You through our worship from your abode of the unthinkable, to take us across all our difficulties, wrongs, and all that is perishable, and to protect us."

(6)  "Oh Devi, the words of your praise are chanted in the sacrifices.  May you increase heavenly bliss in us.  May you give us the fruits of our sacrifice, and being praised by us, may you abide in the places of sacrifice...."

(According to Bhattabhaskara, the universe represents the body of God, and the individual souls of the universe are but different abodes of the Divine Spirit.  The second line consequently is an entreaty of the soul to God to grant those values which will elevate the sacrificer to the divine state.) 

"...Oh Devi, therefore, may you nourish your own body with the oblations offered by us, and then grant us from all sides good fortune."

(7)  "Oh Devi, in your all-pervading divine nature, you are taintless and unconnected with evils and sorrows,.  Being desirous of achieving good fortune in our life,  may we follow you and serve you with our cattle and whatever we may possess, and forever be delighted in the current of immortal bliss.  May the gods who abide in the highest  region of heaven have loving adoration for you and fulfill our desires on this earth, and thus delight us." 

With commentary by:

(1) Sayana

(2) Bhattabhaskara

Taken from Aitiriya Aranyak of Krishna - Jajur Veda ( also found in Rg. Veda 1.99.i  and Mahanarayan Upanishad)