Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Chandika Story from Devi Bhagavatam

Srīmad Devi Bhagavatam, Book 9, Chapter 47.

1-25 Nārāyaṇa said :-- O Nārada! Now hear the story of Mangala Chaṇḍī, approved of by the Vedas and respected by the literary persons. The Chaṇḍī, that is very skilled in all auspicious works and who is the most auspicious of all good things, is Mangal Chaṇḍīkā. Or the Chaṇḍī who is an object of worship of Mangala (Mars), the son of earth and the bestower of desires is Mangala Chaṇḍīkā. Or the Chaṇḍī who is an object of worship of Mangala of the family of Manu who was the ruler of the whole world composed of seven islands and the bestower of all desires is Mangala Chaṇḍī. Or it may be that the Mūla Prakriti, the Governess, the Ever Gracious Durgā assumed the form of Mangala Chaṇḍī and has become the Iṣṭa Devatā of women. When there was the fight with Tripurāsura, this Mangala Chaṇḍī, higher than the highest was first worshipped by Mahādeva, stimulated by Viṣṇu, on a critical moment. O Brāhmiṇ! While the fighting was going on, a Daitya threw out of anger one car on Mahādeva and as that car was about to fall on Him, Brahmā and Viṣṇu gave a good advice when Mahādeva began to praise Durgā Devī at once. Durgā Devī that time assuming the form of Mangala Chaṇḍī appeared and said “no fear no fear” Bhagavān Viṣṇu will be Thy Carrier buffalo. I will be also Thy Śakti in the action and Hari, full of Māyā, will also help Thee. Thou better slayest the enemy that dispossessed the Devas. O Child! Thus saying, the Devī Mangala Chandī disappeared and She became the Śakti of Mahā Deva. Then with the help of the weapon given by Viṣṇu, the Lord of Umā killed the Asura. When the Daitya fell, the Devas and Riṣis began to chant hymns to Mahādeva with devotion and with their heads bent low. From the sky, a shower of flowers fell instantaneously on Mahā Deva’s head. Brahmā and Viṣṇu became glad and gave their best wishes to Him. Then ordered by Brahmā and Viṣṇu, Śankara bathed joyously. Then He began to worship with devotion the Devī Mangala Chaṇḍī with pādya, Arghya, Āchamanīya and various clothings. Flowers, sandal paste, various goats, sheep, buffaloes, bisons, birds, garments, ornaments, garlands, Pāyasa (a preparation of rice, ghee, milk and sugar), Piṣṭaka, honey, wine, and various fruits were offered in the worship. Dancing, music, with instruments and the chanting of Her name and other festivals commenced. Reciting the Dhyān as in Mādhyandina, Mahādeva offered everything, pronouncing the principal Radical Mantra, “Om Hrīm Śrīm Klīm Sarvapujye Devī Mangala Chaṇḍīke Hum Phaṭ Svāhā” is the twenty-one lettered Mantra of Mangala Chaṇḍī. During worship, the Kalpa Vrikṣa, the tree yielding all desires, must be worshipped. O Nārada! By repeating the Mantra ten lakhs of times, the Mantra Siddhi (success in realising the Deity inherent in the Mantra) comes. Now I am saying about the Dhyānam of Mangal Chaṇḍī as stated in the Vedas and as approved by all. Listen. “O Devī Mangala Chaṇḍīke! Thou art sixteen years old; Thou art ever youthful; Thy lips are like Bimba fruits, Thou art of good teeth and pure. Thy face looks like autumnal lotus; Thy colour is like white champakas; Thy eyes resemble blue lilies; Thou art the Preserver of the world and thou bestowest all sorts of prosperity. Thou art the Light in this dark ocean of the world. So I meditate on Thee.” This is the Dhyānam. Now hear the stotra, which Mahādeva recited before Her.
26-37. Mahādeva said :-- Protect me, Protect me, O Mother! O Devī Mangal Chaṇḍīke! Thou, the Destroyer of difficulties! Thou givest joy and good. Thou art clever in giving delight and fortune. Thou the bestower of all bliss and prosperity! Thou, the auspicious, Thou art Mangala Chaṇḍīkā. Thou art Mangalā, worthy of all good, Thou art the auspicious of all auspicious; Thou bestowest good to the good persons. Thou art worthy to be worshipped on Tuesday (the Mangala day); Thou art the Deity, desired by all. The King Mangala, born of Manu family always worships Thee. Thou, the presiding Devī of Mangala; Thou art the repository of all the good that are in this world. Thou, the Bestower of the auspicious Mokṣa. Thou, the best of all; Thou, the respository of all good; Thou makest one cross all the Karmas; the people worship Thee on every Tuesday; Thou bestowest abundance of Bliss to all. Thus praising Mangala Chaṇḍīkā with this stotra, and worshipping on every Tuesday, Śambhu departed. The Devī Sarva Mangalā was first worshipped by Mahādeva. Next she was worsh ipped by the planet Mars; then by the King Mangala; then on every Tuesday by the ladies of every household. Fifthly she was worshipped by all men, desirous of their welfare. So in every universe Mangal Chaṇḍīkā, first worshipped by Mahādeva, came to be worshipped by all. Next she came to be worshipped everywhere, by the Devas, Munis, Mānavas, Manus. O Muni! He who hears with undivided attention this stotra of the Devī Mangala Chaṇḍīkā, finds no evils anywhere. Rather all good comes to him. Day after day he gets sons and grandsons and so his prosperity gets increased, yea, verily increased!

Om Chandikaya namaha

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