Durga Saptasathi (Chandipaath) is one of the most important Hindu Scriptures. It is the confluence of Karma, Bhakti and Gyaan. Devotees can achieve both material and spiritual gains by performing this. Chandipaath is a popular religious ceremony that is done when people face extreme adversities in life. It is elaborate worship of Maa Durga where strict adherence to rituals is important. It is better to have the guidance of a knowledgeable priest. But if someone does not have the means, pure faith and devotion are enough to please her.
The Durga Saptasati was narrated by Rishi Markandey. The son of Sun, Sawarni who is known as the 8th Manu. Rishi Markandey narrated the origin of Manu. In ancient times there was a king named ‘Surath’ who ruled during ‘Swarochis Manwantar’. He was born in the lineage of Chaitra Vansh. He had ruled the entire earth. He considered the subjects as his own children. His punishment laws were very strong.
Once the Kola Vidhwanshi cult attacked his kingdom. They won even though their army was smaller than King Surath. He then returned to his kingdom and peacefully ruled over his kingdom but the enemies attacked even there. The power of the king was diminishing. Seeing this as an opportunity the corrupt ministers took away the wealth and the army. He had no authority left, so he left to the forest on the pretext of hunting.
There he saw the ‘ashram’ of Medha muni where even the lion and deer lived together peacefully. His austerity was so severe and pious that even violent animals like lions leave their natural tendency of killing. The Muni welcomed him and he spent some time there. But soon he remembered the condition of his kingdom and became worried.
One day King Surath saw a ‘vaishya’ (businessman) in the forest who was engrossed in some thoughts. He asked him who he was, why he was disturbed.
The Vaishya said- “I am a businessman born in a rich family. My name is ‘Samadhi’. My greedy wife and sons have banished me from home for wealth. I am bereaved of wealth, wife, and children. My trusted relatives have backstabbed me and took away everything. So I have come to the forest to get peace of mind. I am worried about their well-being.”
King Surath: “why are you worried about such a wife and children who left you for wealth?”
Vaishya Samadhi: I understand your words oh king. Even though they fulfilled their selfish desires and left me I cannot stop thinking about them. Even though they lack compassion, I cannot ignore them.
Both of them then went to Maharishi Medha. They narrated everything to the rishi and asked him to enlighten them with his wisdom.
Maharishi Medha: “O gentlemen, every living being is aware of their material needs and desires. But their external behaviour varies. For example, some living beings cannot see during the day while some can’t during the night. Some can see equally both the time. The food habits, way of reproduction, habitat differs for different species. But four things are always the same for all the species on Earth i.e. Food, Sleep, Fear, and Reproduction.
Human Beings are blessed with the highest intellect of them all. But even after knowing about the cycles of birth and death, he still falls into the trap of Bhagwati Mahamaaya (Illusion). He is engrossed with fear and attachment for material objects. A man desires a child, brings him up with all the care and protection with the expectation that the child will take care of him during his old age. This way he remains engulfed in fear and expectation.
The ‘Yoga Nidra’ (divine sleep) of Lord Vishnu is the ‘Maaya’. The whole world is hypnotized due to this ‘Maaya’. Even wise rishis with years of austerities fall into the trap of ‘Maaya’. Bhagwati Mahamaaya is the cause of both worldly illusion and salvation. She on being satisfied blesses a soul to come out of the cycles of birth and death.
King Surarth: “Who is Bhagwati Mahamaaya? What are her various forms and attributes?”
Maharishi Medha: O king actually she is the eternal female energy and the whole creation is her form. She manifests herself from time to time in different forms to fulfil various purposes.
Maharishi Medha then goes on to narrate the complete story of her origin, purpose, and various forms.
“At the end of a ‘Kalpa’ (aeon) where the whole world went into the water deluge (जल प्रलय), two demons emerge from the dirt of Lord Vishnu’s ear named Madhu and Kaitabh. They wanted to kill Lord Brahma. When the two demons approached Lord Brahma, he centred his energy and prayed to Bhagwati Mahamaaya whose abode is in the eyes of Lord Vishnu. Mahamaaya answers his prayers and Lord Vishnu wakes up from his Yoga Nidra. Lord Vishnu and the demons continued arm wrestling for 5000 years.
Then Bhagwati Mahamaaya starts her ‘Leela’ (divine play). She traps the two demons in her illusion. Because of this, the two demons tell Lord Vishnu “I am impressed by your fighting skills. Ask for a boon.” Lord Vishnu asks the demons to die at his hands. Since the whole world was submerged in water because of the deluge, two demons cunningly ask Lord Vishnu to kill them at a dry place. Lord Vishnu then places them in his thigh and severs their head with the ‘Sudarshan Chakra’. This way Bhagwati Mahamaaya answered the prayer of Lord Brahma.
Maharishi Medha further narrates about her forms and powers which will be continued in Chapters 2 & 3. Read Chapters 2 & 3 here-Chandipaath Series (Chapter-2 & Chapter-3) - Mahisasura Vadh.
Source: Durga Saptasathi
Also Read:
 --- Story of Madhu Kaitabh Vadh (killing)){kind=link}
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