Seventh Skandha · Chapter 30
Sourceव्यास उवाच - ततस्ते तु वनोद्देशे हिमाचलतटाश्रयाः । मायाबीजजपासक्तास्तपश्चेरुः समाहिताः ॥ १ ॥ ध्यायतां परमां शक्तिं लक्षवर्षाण्यभून्नृप । ततः प्रसन्ना देवी सा प्रत्यक्ष्यं दर्शनं ददौ ॥ २ ॥ पाशाङ्कुशवराभीतिचतुर्बाहुस्त्रिलोचना । करुणारससम्पूर्णा सच्चिदानन्दरूपिणी ॥ ३ ॥ दृष्ट्वा तां सर्वजननीं तुष्टुवुर्मुनयोऽमलाः । नमस्ते विश्वरूपायै वैश्वानरसुमूर्तये ॥ ४ ॥ नमस्तेजसरूपायै सुत्रात्मवपुषे नमः । यस्मिन्सर्वे लिङ्गदेहा ओतप्रोता व्यवस्थिताः ॥ ५ ॥ नमः प्राज्ञस्वरूपायै नमोऽव्याकृतमूर्तये । नमः प्रत्यक्स्वरूपायै नमस्ते ब्रह्ममूर्तये ॥ ६ ॥ नमस्ते सर्वरूपायै सर्व लक्ष्यात्ममूर्तये । इति स्तुत्वा जगद्धात्रीं भक्तिगद्गदया गिरा ॥ ७ ॥ प्रणेमुश्चरणांभोजं दक्षाद्या मुनयोऽमलाः । ततः प्रसन्ना सा देवी प्रोवाच पिकभाषिणी ॥ ८ ॥ वरं ब्रूत महाभागा वरदाहं सदा मता । तस्यास्तु वचनं श्रुत्वा हरविष्ण्वोस्तनोः शमम् ॥ ९ ॥ तयोस्तच्छक्तिलाभं च वव्रिरे नृपसत्तम । दक्षोऽथ पुनरप्याह जन्म देवि कुले मम ॥ १० ॥ भवेत्तवाम्ब येनाहं कृतकृत्यो भवे इति । जपं ध्यानं तथा पूजां स्थानानि विविधानि च ॥ ११ ॥ वद मे परमेशानि स्वमुखेनैव केवलम् । देव्युवाच - मच्छक्त्योरवमानाच्च जातावस्था तयोर्द्वयोः ॥ १२ ॥ नैतादृशः प्रकर्तव्यो मेऽपराधः कदाचन । अधुना मत्कृपालेशाच्छरीरे स्वस्थता तयोः ॥ १३ ॥ भविष्यति च ते शक्ती त्वद्गृहे क्षीरसागरे । जनिष्यतस्तत्र ताभ्यां प्राप्स्यतः प्रेरिते मया ॥ १४ ॥ मायाबीजं हि मन्त्रो मे मुख्यः प्रियकरः सदा । ध्यानं विराट्स्वरूपं मेऽथवा त्वत्पुरतः स्थितम् ॥ १५ ॥ सच्चिदानंदरूपं वा स्थानं सर्वं जगन्मम । युष्माभिः सर्वदा चाहं पूज्या ध्येया च सर्वदा ॥ १६ ॥ व्यास उवाच - इत्युक्त्वान्तर्दधे देवी मणिद्वीपाधिवासिनी । दक्षाद्या मुनयः सर्वे ब्रह्माणं पुनराययुः ॥ १७ ॥ ब्रह्मणे सर्ववृतान्तं कथयामासुरादरात् । हरो हरिश्च स्वस्थौ तौ स्वस्वकार्यक्षमौ नृप ॥ १८ ॥ जातौ पराम्बाकृपया गर्वेण रहितौ तदा । कदाचितदथ काले तु महः शाक्तमवातरत् ॥ १९ ॥ दक्षदेहे महाराज त्रैलोक्येऽप्युत्सवोऽभवत् । देवाः प्रमुदिताः सर्वे पुष्पवृष्टिं च चक्रिरे ॥ २० ॥ नेदुर्दुन्दुभयः स्वर्गे करकोणाहता नृप । मनांस्यासन्प्रसन्नानि साधूनाममलात्मनाम् ॥ २१ ॥ सरितो मार्गवाहिन्यः सुप्रभोऽभूद्दिवाकरः । मङ्गलायां तु जातायां जातं सर्वत्र मङ्गलम् ॥ २२ ॥ तस्या नाम सतीं चक्रे सत्यत्वात्परसंविदः । ददौ पुनः शिवायाथ तस्य शक्तिस्तु याभवत् ॥ २३ ॥ सा पुनर्ज्वलने दग्धा दैवयोगान्मनोर्नृप । जनमेजय उवाच - अनर्थकरमेतत्ते श्रावितं वचनं मुने ॥ २४ ॥ एतादृशं महद्वस्तु कथं दग्धं हुताशने । यन्नामस्मरणान्नृणां संसाराग्निभयं न हि ॥ २५ ॥ केन कर्मविपाकेन मनोर्दग्धं तदेव हि । व्यास उवाच - शृणु राजन् पुरा वृत्तं सतीदायस्य कारणम् ॥ २६ ॥ कदाचिदथ दुर्वासा गतो जाम्बूनदेश्वरीम् । ददर्श देवीं तत्रासौ मायाबीजं जजाप सः ॥ २७ ॥ ततः प्रसन्ना देवेशी निजकण्ठगतां स्रजम् । भ्रमद्भ्रमरसंसक्तां मकरन्दमदाकुलाम् ॥ २८ ॥ ददौ प्रसादभूतां तां जग्राह शिरसा मुनिः । ततो निर्गत्य तरसा व्योममार्गेण तापसः ॥ २९ ॥ आजगाम स यत्रास्ते दक्षः साक्षात्सतीपिता । सन्दर्शनार्थमम्बाया ननाम च सतीपदे ॥ ३० ॥ पृष्टो दक्षेण स मुनिर्माला कस्यास्त्यलौकिकी । कथं लब्धा त्वया नाथ दुर्लभा भुवि मानवैः ॥ ३१ ॥ तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं तस्य प्रोवाचाश्रुयुतेक्षणः । देव्याः प्रसादमतुलं प्रेमगद्गदितान्तरः ॥ ३२ ॥ प्रार्थयामास तां मालां तं मुनिं स सतीपिता । अदेयं शक्तिभक्ताय नास्ति त्रैलोक्यमण्डले ॥ ३३ ॥ इति बुद्ध्या तु तां मालां मनवे स समर्पयत् । गृहीता शिरसा माला मनुना निजमन्दिरे ॥ ३४ ॥ स्थापिता शयनं यत्र दम्पत्योरतिसुन्दरम् । पशुकर्मरतो रात्रौ मालागन्धेन मोदितः ॥ ३५ ॥ अभवत्स महीपालस्तेन पापेन शङ्करे । शिवे द्वेषमतिर्जातो देव्यां सत्यां तथा नृप ॥ ३६ ॥ राजंस्तेनापराधेन तज्जन्यो देह एव च । सत्या योगाग्निना दग्धः सतीधर्मदिदृक्षया ॥ ३७ ॥ पुनश्च हिमवत्पृष्ठे प्रादुरासीत्तु तन्महः । जनमेजय उवाच - दह्यमाने सतीदेहे जाते किमकरोच्छिवः ॥ ३८ ॥ प्राणाधिका सती तस्य तद्वियोगेन कातरः । व्यास उवाच - ततः परं तु यज्जातां मया वक्तुं न शक्यते ॥ ३९ ॥ त्रैलोक्यप्रलयो जातः शिवकोपाग्निना नृप । वीरभद्रः समुत्पन्नो भद्रकालीगणान्वितः ॥ ४० ॥ त्रैलोक्यनाशनोद्युक्तो वीरभद्रो यदाभवत् । ब्रह्मादयस्तदा देवां शङ्करं शरणं ययुः ॥ ४१ ॥ जाते सर्वस्वनाशेऽपि करुणानिधिरीश्वरः । अभयं दत्तवांस्तेभ्यो बस्तवक्रेण तं मनुम् ॥ ४२ ॥ अजीवयन्महात्मासौ ततः खिन्नो महेश्वरः । यज्ञवाटमुपागम्य रुरोद भृशदुःखितः ॥ ४३ ॥ अपश्यत्तां सतीं वह्नौ दह्यमानां तु चित्कलाम् । स्कन्धेऽप्यारोपयामास हा सतीति वदन्मुहुः ॥ ४४ ॥ बभ्राम भ्रान्तचित्तः सन्नानादेशेषु शङ्करः । तदा ब्रह्मादयो देवाश्चिन्तामापुरनुत्तमाम् ॥ ४५ ॥ विष्णुस्तु त्वरया तत्र धनुरुद्यम्य मार्गणैः । चिच्छेदावयवान्सत्यास्तत्तत्स्थानेषु तेऽपतन् ॥ ४६ ॥ तत्तत्स्थानेषु तत्रासीन्नानामूर्तिधरो हरः । उवाच च ततो देवान्स्थानेष्वेतेषु ये शिवाम् ॥ ४७ ॥ भजन्ति परया भक्त्या तेषां किञ्चिन्न दुर्लभम् । नित्यं सन्निहिता यत्र निजाङ्गेषु पराम्बिका ॥ ४८ ॥ स्थानेष्वेतेषु ये मर्त्याः पुरश्चरणकर्मिणः । तेषां मन्त्राः प्रसिद्ध्यन्ति मायाबीजं विशेषतः ॥ ४९ ॥ इत्युक्त्वा शङ्करस्तेषु स्थानेषु विरहातुरः । कालं निन्ये नृपश्रेष्ठ जपध्यानसमाधिभिः ॥ ५० ॥ जनमेजय उवाच - कानि स्थानानि तानि स्युः सिद्धपीठानि चानघ । कति संख्यानि नामानि कानि तेषां च मे वद ॥ ५१ ॥ तत्र स्थितानां देवीनां नामानि च कृपाकर । कृतार्थोऽहं भवे येन तद्वदाशु महामुने ॥ ५२ ॥ व्यास उवाच - शृणु राजन्प्रवक्ष्यामि देवेपीठानि साम्प्ततम् । येषां श्रवणमात्रेण पापहीनो भवेन्नरः ॥ ५३ ॥ येषु येषु च पीठेषूपास्येयं सिद्धिकाङ्क्षिभिः । भूतिकामैरभिध्येया तानि वक्ष्यामि तत्त्वतः ॥ ५४ ॥ वाराणस्यां विशालाक्षी गौरीमुखनिवासिनी । क्षेत्रे वै नैमिषारण्ये प्रोक्ता सा लिङ्गधारिणी ॥ ५५ ॥ प्रयागे ललिता प्रोक्ता कामुकी गन्धमादने । मानसे कुमुदा प्रोक्ता दक्षिणे चोत्तरे तथा ॥ ५६ ॥ विश्वकामा भगवती विश्वकामप्रपूरणी । गोमन्ते गोमती देवी मन्दरे कामचारिणी ॥ ५७ ॥ मदोत्कटा चैत्ररथे जयन्ती हस्तिनापुरे । गौरी प्रोक्ता कान्यकुब्जे रम्भा तु मलयाचले ॥ ५८ ॥ एकाम्रपीठे सम्प्रोक्ता देवी सा कीर्तिमत्यपि । विश्वे विश्वेश्वरीं प्राहुः पुरुहूतां च पुष्करे ॥ ५९ ॥ केदारपीठे सम्प्रोक्ता देवी सन्मार्गदायिनी । मन्दा हिमवतः पृष्ठे गोकर्णे भद्रकर्णिका ॥ ६० ॥ स्थानेश्वरे भवानी तु बिल्वले बिल्वपत्रिका । श्रीशैले माधवी प्रोक्ता भद्रा भद्रेश्वरे तथा ॥ ६१ ॥ वराहशैले तु जया कमला कमलालये । रुद्राणी रुद्रकोट्यां तु काली कालञ्जरे तथा ॥ ६२ ॥ शालग्रामे महादेवी शिवलिङ्गे जलप्रिया । महालिङ्गे तु कपिला माकोटे मुकुटेश्वरी ॥ ६३ ॥ मायापुर्यां कुमारी स्यात्सन्ताने ललिताम्बिका । गंयायां मङ्गला प्रोक्ता विमला पुरुषोत्तमे ॥ ६४ ॥ उत्पलाषी सहस्राक्षे हिरण्याक्षे महोत्पला । विपाशायाममोघाक्षी पाडला पुण्ड्रवर्धने ॥ ६५ ॥ नारायणी सुपार्श्वे तु त्रिकुटे रुद्रसुन्दरी । विपुले विपुला देवी कल्याणी मलयाचले ॥ ६६ ॥ सह्याद्रावकवीरा तु हरिश्चन्द्रे तु चन्द्रिका । रमणा रामतीर्थे तु यमुनायां मृगावती ॥ ६७ ॥ कोटवी कोटतीर्थे तु सुगन्धा माधवे वने । गोदावर्यां त्रिसन्ध्या तु गङ्गाद्वारे रतिप्रिया ॥ ६८ ॥ शिवकुण्डे शुभानन्दा नन्दिनी देविकातटे । रुक्मिणी द्वारवयां तु राधा वृन्दावने वने ॥ ६९ ॥ देवकी मथुरायां तु पाताले परमेश्वरी । चित्रकूटे तथा सीता विन्ध्ये विन्ध्याधिवासिनी ॥ ७० ॥ करवीरे महालक्षीरुमा देवी विनायके । आरोग्या वैद्यनाथे तु महाकाले महेश्वरी ॥ ७१ ॥ अभयेत्युष्णतीर्थेषु नितम्बा विन्ध्यपर्वते । माण्डव्ये माण्डवी नाम स्वाहा माहेश्वरीपुरे ॥ ७२ ॥ छगलण्डे प्रचण्डा तु चण्डीकामरकण्टके । सोमेश्वरे वरारोहा प्रभासे पुष्करावती ॥ ७३ ॥ देवमाता सरस्वत्यां पारावारा तटे स्मृता । महालये महाभागा पयोष्ण्यां पिङ्गलेश्वरी ॥ ७४ ॥ सिंहिका कृतशौचे तु कार्तिके त्वतिशाङ्करी । उत्पलावर्तके लोला सुभद्रा शोणसङ्गमे ॥ ७५ ॥ माता सिद्धवने लक्ष्मीरनङ्गा भरताश्रमे । जालन्धरे विश्वमुखी तारा किष्किन्धपर्वते ॥ ७६ ॥ देवदारुवने पुष्टिर्मेधा काश्मीरमण्डले । भीमा देवी हिमाद्रौ तु तुष्टिर्विश्वेश्वरे तथा ॥ ७७ ॥ कपालमोचने शुद्धिर्माता कामावरोहणे । शङ्खोद्धारे धरा नाम धृतिः पिण्डारके तथा ॥ ७८ ॥ कला तु चन्द्रभागायामच्छोदे शिवधारिणी । वेणायाममृता नाम बदर्यामुर्वशी तथा ॥ ७९ ॥ औषधिश्चोत्तरकुरौ कुशद्वीपे कुशोदका । मन्मथा हेमकूटे तु कुमुदे सत्यवादिनी ॥ ८० ॥ अश्वत्थे वन्दनीया तु निधिर्वैश्रवणालये । गायत्री वेदवदने पार्वती शिवसन्निधौ ॥ ८१ ॥ देवलोके तथेन्द्राणी ब्रह्मास्येषु सरस्वती । सूर्यबिम्बे प्रभा नाम मातॄणां वैष्णवी मता ॥ ८२ ॥ अरुन्धती सतीनां तु रामासु च तिलोत्तमा । चित्ते ब्रह्मकला नाम शक्तिः सर्वशरीरिणाम् ॥ ८३ ॥ इमान्यष्ट शतानि स्युः पीठानि जनमेजय । तत्संख्याकायस्तदीशान्यो देव्यश्च परिकीर्तिताः ॥ ८४ ॥ सतीदेव्यङ्गभूतानि पीठानि कथितानि च । अन्यान्यपि प्रसङ्गेन यानि मुख्यानि भूतले ॥ ८५ ॥ यः स्मरेच्छृणुयाद्वापि नामाष्टशतमुत्तमम् । सर्वपापविनिर्मुक्तो देवीलोकं परं व्रजेत् ॥ ८६ ॥ एतेषु सर्वपीठेषु गच्छेद्यात्राविधानतः । सन्तर्पयेच्च पित्रादीञ्छ्राद्धादीनि विधाय च ॥ ८७ ॥ कुर्याच्च महतीं पूजां भगवत्या विधानतः । क्षमापयेज्जगधात्रीं जगदम्बां मुहुर्मुहुः ॥ ८८ ॥ कृतकृत्यं स्वमात्मानं जानीयाज्जनमेजय । भक्ष्यभोज्यादिभिः सर्वान्ब्राह्मणान्भोजयेत्ततः ॥ ८९ ॥ सुवासिनीः कुमारीश्च बटुकादींस्तथा नृप । तस्मिन्क्षेत्रे स्थिता ये तु चाण्डालाद्या अपि प्रभो ॥ ९० ॥ देवीरूपाः स्मृताः सर्वे पूजनीयास्ततो हि ते । प्रतिग्रहादिकं सर्वं तेषु क्षेत्रेषु वर्जयेत् ॥ ९१ ॥ यथाशक्ति पुरश्चर्यां कुर्यान्मन्त्रस्य सत्तमः । मायाबीजेन देवेशीं तत्तत्पीठाधिवासिनीम् ॥ ९२ ॥ पूजयेदनिशं राजन् पुरश्चरणकृद्भवेत् । वित्तशाठ्यं न कुर्वीत देवीभक्तिपरो नरः ॥ ९३ ॥ य एवं कुरुते यात्रां श्रीदेव्याः प्रीतमानसः । सहस्रकल्पपर्यन्तं ब्रह्मलोके महत्तरे ॥ ९४ ॥ वसन्ति पितरस्तस्य सोऽपि देवीपुरे तथा । अन्ते लब्ध्वा परं ज्ञानं भवेन्मुक्तो भवाम्बुधेः ॥ ९५ ॥ नामाष्टशतजापेन बहवः सिद्धतां गताः । यत्रैतल्लिखितं साक्षात्पुस्तके वापि तिष्ठति ॥ ९६ ॥ ग्रहमारीभयादीनि तत्र नैव भवन्ति हि । सौभाग्यं वर्धते नित्यं यथा पर्वणि वारिधिः ॥ ९७ ॥ न तस्य दुर्लभं किञ्चिन्नामाष्टशतजापिनः । कृतकृत्यो भवेन्नूनं देवीभक्तिपरायणः ॥ ९८ ॥ नमन्ति देवतास्तं वै देवीरूपो हि स स्मृतः । सर्वथा पूज्यन्ते देवैः किं पुनर्मनुजोत्तमैः ॥ ९९ ॥ श्राद्धकाले पठेदेतन्नामाष्टशतमुत्तमम् । तृप्तास्तत्पितरः सर्वे प्रयान्ति परमां गतिम् ॥ १०० ॥ इमानि मुक्तिक्षेत्राणि साक्षात्संविन्मयानि च । सिद्धपीठानि राजेन्द्र संश्रयेन्मतिमान्नरः ॥ १०१ ॥ पृष्टं यत्तत्त्वया राजन्नुक्तं सर्वं महेशितुः । रहस्यातिरहस्यं च किं भूयः सह्रोतुमिच्छसि ॥ १०२ ॥
vyāsa uvāca - tataste tu vanoddeśe himācalataṭāśrayāḥ | māyābījajapāsaktāstapaśceruḥ samāhitāḥ || 1 || dhyāyatāṃ paramāṃ śaktiṃ lakṣavarṣāṇyabhūnnṛpa | tataḥ prasannā devī sā pratyakṣyaṃ darśanaṃ dadau || 2 || pāśāṅkuśavarābhīticaturbāhustrilocanā | karuṇārasasampūrṇā saccidānandarūpiṇī || 3 || dṛṣṭvā tāṃ sarvajananīṃ tuṣṭuvurmunayo'malāḥ | namaste viśvarūpāyai vaiśvānarasumūrtaye || 4 || namastejasarūpāyai sutrātmavapuṣe namaḥ | yasminsarve liṅgadehā otaprotā vyavasthitāḥ || 5 || namaḥ prājñasvarūpāyai namo'vyākṛtamūrtaye | namaḥ pratyaksvarūpāyai namaste brahmamūrtaye || 6 || namaste sarvarūpāyai sarva lakṣyātmamūrtaye | iti stutvā jagaddhātrīṃ bhaktigadgadayā girā || 7 || praṇemuścaraṇāṃbhojaṃ dakṣādyā munayo'malāḥ | tataḥ prasannā sā devī provāca pikabhāṣiṇī || 8 || varaṃ brūta mahābhāgā varadāhaṃ sadā matā | tasyāstu vacanaṃ śrutvā haraviṣṇvostanoḥ śamam || 9 || tayostacchaktilābhaṃ ca vavrire nṛpasattama | dakṣo'tha punarapyāha janma devi kule mama || 10 || bhavettavāmba yenāhaṃ kṛtakṛtyo bhave iti | japaṃ dhyānaṃ tathā pūjāṃ sthānāni vividhāni ca || 11 || vada me parameśāni svamukhenaiva kevalam | devyuvāca - macchaktyoravamānācca jātāvasthā tayordvayoḥ || 12 || naitādṛśaḥ prakartavyo me'parādhaḥ kadācana | adhunā matkṛpāleśāccharīre svasthatā tayoḥ || 13 || bhaviṣyati ca te śaktī tvadgṛhe kṣīrasāgare | janiṣyatastatra tābhyāṃ prāpsyataḥ prerite mayā || 14 || māyābījaṃ hi mantro me mukhyaḥ priyakaraḥ sadā | dhyānaṃ virāṭsvarūpaṃ me'thavā tvatpurataḥ sthitam || 15 || saccidānaṃdarūpaṃ vā sthānaṃ sarvaṃ jaganmama | yuṣmābhiḥ sarvadā cāhaṃ pūjyā dhyeyā ca sarvadā || 16 || vyāsa uvāca - ityuktvāntardadhe devī maṇidvīpādhivāsinī | dakṣādyā munayaḥ sarve brahmāṇaṃ punarāyayuḥ || 17 || brahmaṇe sarvavṛtāntaṃ kathayāmāsurādarāt | haro hariśca svasthau tau svasvakāryakṣamau nṛpa || 18 || jātau parāmbākṛpayā garveṇa rahitau tadā | kadācitadatha kāle tu mahaḥ śāktamavātarat || 19 || dakṣadehe mahārāja trailokye'pyutsavo'bhavat | devāḥ pramuditāḥ sarve puṣpavṛṣṭiṃ ca cakrire || 20 || nedurdundubhayaḥ svarge karakoṇāhatā nṛpa | manāṃsyāsanprasannāni sādhūnāmamalātmanām || 21 || sarito mārgavāhinyaḥ suprabho'bhūddivākaraḥ | maṅgalāyāṃ tu jātāyāṃ jātaṃ sarvatra maṅgalam || 22 || tasyā nāma satīṃ cakre satyatvātparasaṃvidaḥ | dadau punaḥ śivāyātha tasya śaktistu yābhavat || 23 || sā punarjvalane dagdhā daivayogānmanornṛpa | janamejaya uvāca - anarthakarametatte śrāvitaṃ vacanaṃ mune || 24 || etādṛśaṃ mahadvastu kathaṃ dagdhaṃ hutāśane | yannāmasmaraṇānnṛṇāṃ saṃsārāgnibhayaṃ na hi || 25 || kena karmavipākena manordagdhaṃ tadeva hi | vyāsa uvāca - śṛṇu rājan purā vṛttaṃ satīdāyasya kāraṇam || 26 || kadācidatha durvāsā gato jāmbūnadeśvarīm | dadarśa devīṃ tatrāsau māyābījaṃ jajāpa saḥ || 27 || tataḥ prasannā deveśī nijakaṇṭhagatāṃ srajam | bhramadbhramarasaṃsaktāṃ makarandamadākulām || 28 || dadau prasādabhūtāṃ tāṃ jagrāha śirasā muniḥ | tato nirgatya tarasā vyomamārgeṇa tāpasaḥ || 29 || ājagāma sa yatrāste dakṣaḥ sākṣātsatīpitā | sandarśanārthamambāyā nanāma ca satīpade || 30 || pṛṣṭo dakṣeṇa sa munirmālā kasyāstyalaukikī | kathaṃ labdhā tvayā nātha durlabhā bhuvi mānavaiḥ || 31 || tacchrutvā vacanaṃ tasya provācāśruyutekṣaṇaḥ | devyāḥ prasādamatulaṃ premagadgaditāntaraḥ || 32 || prārthayāmāsa tāṃ mālāṃ taṃ muniṃ sa satīpitā | adeyaṃ śaktibhaktāya nāsti trailokyamaṇḍale || 33 || iti buddhyā tu tāṃ mālāṃ manave sa samarpayat | gṛhītā śirasā mālā manunā nijamandire || 34 || sthāpitā śayanaṃ yatra dampatyoratisundaram | paśukarmarato rātrau mālāgandhena moditaḥ || 35 || abhavatsa mahīpālastena pāpena śaṅkare | śive dveṣamatirjāto devyāṃ satyāṃ tathā nṛpa || 36 || rājaṃstenāparādhena tajjanyo deha eva ca | satyā yogāgninā dagdhaḥ satīdharmadidṛkṣayā || 37 || punaśca himavatpṛṣṭhe prādurāsīttu tanmahaḥ | janamejaya uvāca - dahyamāne satīdehe jāte kimakarocchivaḥ || 38 || prāṇādhikā satī tasya tadviyogena kātaraḥ | vyāsa uvāca - tataḥ paraṃ tu yajjātāṃ mayā vaktuṃ na śakyate || 39 || trailokyapralayo jātaḥ śivakopāgninā nṛpa | vīrabhadraḥ samutpanno bhadrakālīgaṇānvitaḥ || 40 || trailokyanāśanodyukto vīrabhadro yadābhavat | brahmādayastadā devāṃ śaṅkaraṃ śaraṇaṃ yayuḥ || 41 || jāte sarvasvanāśe'pi karuṇānidhirīśvaraḥ | abhayaṃ dattavāṃstebhyo bastavakreṇa taṃ manum || 42 || ajīvayanmahātmāsau tataḥ khinno maheśvaraḥ | yajñavāṭamupāgamya ruroda bhṛśaduḥkhitaḥ || 43 || apaśyattāṃ satīṃ vahnau dahyamānāṃ tu citkalām | skandhe'pyāropayāmāsa hā satīti vadanmuhuḥ || 44 || babhrāma bhrāntacittaḥ sannānādeśeṣu śaṅkaraḥ | tadā brahmādayo devāścintāmāpuranuttamām || 45 || viṣṇustu tvarayā tatra dhanurudyamya mārgaṇaiḥ | cicchedāvayavānsatyāstattatsthāneṣu te'patan || 46 || tattatsthāneṣu tatrāsīnnānāmūrtidharo haraḥ | uvāca ca tato devānsthāneṣveteṣu ye śivām || 47 || bhajanti parayā bhaktyā teṣāṃ kiñcinna durlabham | nityaṃ sannihitā yatra nijāṅgeṣu parāmbikā || 48 || sthāneṣveteṣu ye martyāḥ puraścaraṇakarmiṇaḥ | teṣāṃ mantrāḥ prasiddhyanti māyābījaṃ viśeṣataḥ || 49 || ityuktvā śaṅkarasteṣu sthāneṣu virahāturaḥ | kālaṃ ninye nṛpaśreṣṭha japadhyānasamādhibhiḥ || 50 || janamejaya uvāca - kāni sthānāni tāni syuḥ siddhapīṭhāni cānagha | kati saṃkhyāni nāmāni kāni teṣāṃ ca me vada || 51 || tatra sthitānāṃ devīnāṃ nāmāni ca kṛpākara | kṛtārtho'haṃ bhave yena tadvadāśu mahāmune || 52 || vyāsa uvāca - śṛṇu rājanpravakṣyāmi devepīṭhāni sāmptatam | yeṣāṃ śravaṇamātreṇa pāpahīno bhavennaraḥ || 53 || yeṣu yeṣu ca pīṭheṣūpāsyeyaṃ siddhikāṅkṣibhiḥ | bhūtikāmairabhidhyeyā tāni vakṣyāmi tattvataḥ || 54 || vārāṇasyāṃ viśālākṣī gaurīmukhanivāsinī | kṣetre vai naimiṣāraṇye proktā sā liṅgadhāriṇī || 55 || prayāge lalitā proktā kāmukī gandhamādane | mānase kumudā proktā dakṣiṇe cottare tathā || 56 || viśvakāmā bhagavatī viśvakāmaprapūraṇī | gomante gomatī devī mandare kāmacāriṇī || 57 || madotkaṭā caitrarathe jayantī hastināpure | gaurī proktā kānyakubje rambhā tu malayācale || 58 || ekāmrapīṭhe samproktā devī sā kīrtimatyapi | viśve viśveśvarīṃ prāhuḥ puruhūtāṃ ca puṣkare || 59 || kedārapīṭhe samproktā devī sanmārgadāyinī | mandā himavataḥ pṛṣṭhe gokarṇe bhadrakarṇikā || 60 || sthāneśvare bhavānī tu bilvale bilvapatrikā | śrīśaile mādhavī proktā bhadrā bhadreśvare tathā || 61 || varāhaśaile tu jayā kamalā kamalālaye | rudrāṇī rudrakoṭyāṃ tu kālī kālañjare tathā || 62 || śālagrāme mahādevī śivaliṅge jalapriyā | mahāliṅge tu kapilā mākoṭe mukuṭeśvarī || 63 || māyāpuryāṃ kumārī syātsantāne lalitāmbikā | gaṃyāyāṃ maṅgalā proktā vimalā puruṣottame || 64 || utpalāṣī sahasrākṣe hiraṇyākṣe mahotpalā | vipāśāyāmamoghākṣī pāḍalā puṇḍravardhane || 65 || nārāyaṇī supārśve tu trikuṭe rudrasundarī | vipule vipulā devī kalyāṇī malayācale || 66 || sahyādrāvakavīrā tu hariścandre tu candrikā | ramaṇā rāmatīrthe tu yamunāyāṃ mṛgāvatī || 67 || koṭavī koṭatīrthe tu sugandhā mādhave vane | godāvaryāṃ trisandhyā tu gaṅgādvāre ratipriyā || 68 || śivakuṇḍe śubhānandā nandinī devikātaṭe | rukmiṇī dvāravayāṃ tu rādhā vṛndāvane vane || 69 || devakī mathurāyāṃ tu pātāle parameśvarī | citrakūṭe tathā sītā vindhye vindhyādhivāsinī || 70 || karavīre mahālakṣīrumā devī vināyake | ārogyā vaidyanāthe tu mahākāle maheśvarī || 71 || abhayetyuṣṇatīrtheṣu nitambā vindhyaparvate | māṇḍavye māṇḍavī nāma svāhā māheśvarīpure || 72 || chagalaṇḍe pracaṇḍā tu caṇḍīkāmarakaṇṭake | someśvare varārohā prabhāse puṣkarāvatī || 73 || devamātā sarasvatyāṃ pārāvārā taṭe smṛtā | mahālaye mahābhāgā payoṣṇyāṃ piṅgaleśvarī || 74 || siṃhikā kṛtaśauce tu kārtike tvatiśāṅkarī | utpalāvartake lolā subhadrā śoṇasaṅgame || 75 || mātā siddhavane lakṣmīranaṅgā bharatāśrame | jālandhare viśvamukhī tārā kiṣkindhaparvate || 76 || devadāruvane puṣṭirmedhā kāśmīramaṇḍale | bhīmā devī himādrau tu tuṣṭirviśveśvare tathā || 77 || kapālamocane śuddhirmātā kāmāvarohaṇe | śaṅkhoddhāre dharā nāma dhṛtiḥ piṇḍārake tathā || 78 || kalā tu candrabhāgāyāmacchode śivadhāriṇī | veṇāyāmamṛtā nāma badaryāmurvaśī tathā || 79 || auṣadhiścottarakurau kuśadvīpe kuśodakā | manmathā hemakūṭe tu kumude satyavādinī || 80 || aśvatthe vandanīyā tu nidhirvaiśravaṇālaye | gāyatrī vedavadane pārvatī śivasannidhau || 81 || devaloke tathendrāṇī brahmāsyeṣu sarasvatī | sūryabimbe prabhā nāma mātṝṇāṃ vaiṣṇavī matā || 82 || arundhatī satīnāṃ tu rāmāsu ca tilottamā | citte brahmakalā nāma śaktiḥ sarvaśarīriṇām || 83 || imānyaṣṭa śatāni syuḥ pīṭhāni janamejaya | tatsaṃkhyākāyastadīśānyo devyaśca parikīrtitāḥ || 84 || satīdevyaṅgabhūtāni pīṭhāni kathitāni ca | anyānyapi prasaṅgena yāni mukhyāni bhūtale || 85 || yaḥ smarecchṛṇuyādvāpi nāmāṣṭaśatamuttamam | sarvapāpavinirmukto devīlokaṃ paraṃ vrajet || 86 || eteṣu sarvapīṭheṣu gacchedyātrāvidhānataḥ | santarpayecca pitrādīñchrāddhādīni vidhāya ca || 87 || kuryācca mahatīṃ pūjāṃ bhagavatyā vidhānataḥ | kṣamāpayejjagadhātrīṃ jagadambāṃ muhurmuhuḥ || 88 || kṛtakṛtyaṃ svamātmānaṃ jānīyājjanamejaya | bhakṣyabhojyādibhiḥ sarvānbrāhmaṇānbhojayettataḥ || 89 || suvāsinīḥ kumārīśca baṭukādīṃstathā nṛpa | tasminkṣetre sthitā ye tu cāṇḍālādyā api prabho || 90 || devīrūpāḥ smṛtāḥ sarve pūjanīyāstato hi te | pratigrahādikaṃ sarvaṃ teṣu kṣetreṣu varjayet || 91 || yathāśakti puraścaryāṃ kuryānmantrasya sattamaḥ | māyābījena deveśīṃ tattatpīṭhādhivāsinīm || 92 || pūjayedaniśaṃ rājan puraścaraṇakṛdbhavet | vittaśāṭhyaṃ na kurvīta devībhaktiparo naraḥ || 93 || ya evaṃ kurute yātrāṃ śrīdevyāḥ prītamānasaḥ | sahasrakalpaparyantaṃ brahmaloke mahattare || 94 || vasanti pitarastasya so'pi devīpure tathā | ante labdhvā paraṃ jñānaṃ bhavenmukto bhavāmbudheḥ || 95 || nāmāṣṭaśatajāpena bahavaḥ siddhatāṃ gatāḥ | yatraitallikhitaṃ sākṣātpustake vāpi tiṣṭhati || 96 || grahamārībhayādīni tatra naiva bhavanti hi | saubhāgyaṃ vardhate nityaṃ yathā parvaṇi vāridhiḥ || 97 || na tasya durlabhaṃ kiñcinnāmāṣṭaśatajāpinaḥ | kṛtakṛtyo bhavennūnaṃ devībhaktiparāyaṇaḥ || 98 || namanti devatāstaṃ vai devīrūpo hi sa smṛtaḥ | sarvathā pūjyante devaiḥ kiṃ punarmanujottamaiḥ || 99 || śrāddhakāle paṭhedetannāmāṣṭaśatamuttamam | tṛptāstatpitaraḥ sarve prayānti paramāṃ gatim || 100 || imāni muktikṣetrāṇi sākṣātsaṃvinmayāni ca | siddhapīṭhāni rājendra saṃśrayenmatimānnaraḥ || 101 || pṛṣṭaṃ yattattvayā rājannuktaṃ sarvaṃ maheśituḥ | rahasyātirahasyaṃ ca kiṃ bhūyaḥ sahrotumicchasi || 102 ||
English translation
1-12. Vyasa said:-0 King! They went to the forest and fixed their seats on the slope of the Himalayan mountain and engaged themselves in repeating silently the seed Mantra of Maha Maya and thus practised their austerities. O King! One hundred thousand years passed in the meditation of the Para S’akti. The Devi, pleased, became visible to them. Her form was three-eyed, and of the form of Existence, Intelligence and Bliss (Sachhidananda); She was filled with mercy. In Her one hand there was the noose, in another hand, goad; in another hand there was the sign bidding her devotees discard all fear, and in the other hand She was ready to offer boons. The good-natured Munis, seeing this Form of the World Mother began to praise Her. “O Devi! Thou art existing separately in every gross body; we bow down to Thee. Thou art existing wholly (cosmically) in all the gross bodies; we bow down to Thee. O ParamesVari! Thou art existing separately in every subtle body; we bow down to Thee; Thou art existing universally in all the subtle bodies; we bow down to Thee, Thou art existing separately in all the causal bodies wherein all the Linga Dehas (subtle bodies) are interwoven; we bow down to Thee. Thou art existing universally in all the causal bodies; we bow down to Thee. Thou art of the nature of the unchangeable Brahma, the receptacle of all the Jivas and thus residest in all the bodies; so we bow down to Thee. Thou art of the nature of Atman, the Goal of all the beings; we bow again and spin to Thee.” Thus the pure-natured Daksa and the other Munis praised Her with voice, choked with feelings of intense devotion and bowed down to Her feet. Then the Devi, pleased, spoke to them in a cuckoo voice. “O Highly Fortunate Ones! I am ever ready to grant boons; so ask what you desire.” O King! Hearing thus, they asked that Hah and Hara both regain their former natural states and be united respectively with their S’aktis, Laksmi and Gauri. Daksa again asked “O Devi! Let your birth be in my family. O Mother! I will, no doubt.
consider myself as having then realised the fulfilment of my life. So,
O ParamesVari! Speak by Thy own mouth how Thy worship, Japam, meditation will be conducted as well the various fit places where they would be performed.”
13-16. The Devi said “The insult shown towards my S’aktis has led to this calamitous state of Hah and Hara. So they should not repeat such crime. Now, by My favour, they will regain their health and, of the two S’aktis, one will be born in your family and the other will take Her birth in the Ksiroda Sagara, the ocean of milk. Hah and Hara will get back their S’aktis, when I will send them the chief Mantra. The chief Mantra of Mine is the said Mantra of Maya; this is always sweet to Me; so worship this Mantra and make Japam of this. The Form that you are seeing before you, this is My Bhuvanes’vari form (that of the Goddess of the Universe), or worship My Virat (cosmic) form; or Sachchidananda form. The whole world is my place of worship; so you can meditate on Me and worship Me always and in all places.”
17-23. Vyasa said When the Bhuvanes’vari Devi living in the Mani Dvipa thus giving Her reply, went away, Daksa and other Munis all went to Brahma and informed him with great earnestness of everything that happened. O King! Thus Hah and Hara both became devoid of their haughtiness and got back their previous natures by the Grace of the Supreme Deity and were thus enabled to perform their functions as before. Then, on a certain time, the Devi Bhagavati, the Fiery Nature of the Para S’akti, took Her birth in the house of the Prajapati Daksa. O King! Everywhere in the Trilokas, great festivities were held. All the Devas became glad and showered flowers. The Dundubhis of the Devas were sounded by the hands and made very grave sounds. The pure-minded saints were gladdened; the Sun’s rays looked purer and cleaner; the rivers were elated with joy and began to flow in their channels. When the World-
auspicious Devi, the Destroyer of the birth and death of the Jivas took Her birth, everything looked propitious. The wise Munis named Her “Sati” as She was of the nature of Para Brahma and Truth Herself. The Prajapati Daksa handed over the Devi, who was before the S’akti of Mahadeva, to that Deva of the Devas, Mahadeva. Due to the misfortune of Daksa, the daughter of Daksa burnt Herself in a blazing fire.
24-25. Janamejaya said “O Munis! You have made me now hear a very inauspicious word. How can such a great thing of the nature of the Highest Intelligence come to be burnt up in a fire! The mere recollecting of Whose Name dispels the terrible danger of the burning up by the fire of Samsara, how can She be burnt up by fire, I am extremely eager to hear; kindly describe that to me in detail.”
26-37. Vyasa said:-- O King! Hear. I am describing to you the ancient history of the burning of Sati. Once on a time, the famous Risi Durvasa went to the bank of the river Jambu and saw the Devi there. There he remained with his senses controlled and began to repeat silently the root Mantra of Maya. Then the Goddess of the Immortals, the Bhagavati was pleased and gave the Muni a beautiful garland as Her Prasada that was on Her neck, that emitted the sweet fragrance of Makaranda (juice of flowers; Jasamine). Whereon the bees were about to cluster. The Maharsi took it quickly and placed it on his head. He then hurriedly went to see the Mother to the place where Sati’s Father, the Prajapati Daksa was staying and bowed down to the feet of the Sati. The Prajapati then asked him “O Lord! Whose extraordinary garland is this? How have you got this enchanting garland, rare to the mortals on this earth!” The eloquent Maharsi Durvasa then spoke to him with tears of love flowing from his eyes “O Prajapati! I have got this beautiful garland that has no equal, as the Prasada (favour) of the Devi.” The Prajapati asked that garland then from him. He, too, thinking that there was nothing in the
three worlds that cannot be given to the devotee of the S’akti, gave that garland to the Prajapati. He took that on his head; then placed it on the nice bed that was prepared in the bed-room of the couple. Being excited by the sweet fragrant smell of that garland in the night, the Prajapati engaged in a sexual intercourse! O King! Due to that animal action, the bitter enmity arose in his mind towards S’ankara and His Sati. He then began to abuse S’iva. O King! For that offence, the Sati resolved to quit her body that was born of Daksa, to preserve the prestige of the Sanatan Darma of devotion to Her Husband and burnt Her body by the fire arising out of Yoga.
38. Janamejaya said “O Muni! What did Maha Deva do, thus pained by the bereavement from His consort dearer than His life, when the Sati’s body was thus consumed.”
39-50. Vyasa said O King! I am unable to describe what happened afterwards. O King! Out of the fire of anger of S’iva, the Pralaya seemed to threaten the three worlds. Virabhadra came into existence with hosts of Bhadra Kalis, ready to destroy the three worlds. Brahma and the other Devas took refuge to S’ankara.
Though Mahadeva lost everything on Sati’s departure. He, the Ocean of Mercy, destroyed the sacrifice of Daksa, cut off his head and instead placed the head of a goat, brought him back to life and thus made the Gods free from all fears. He, the Deva of the Devas, then became very much distressed and going to the place of sacrifice, began to weep in great sorrow. He saw that the body of the Intelligent Sati was being burnt in the fire of the Chita. He cried aloud Oh my Sati! Oh My Sati! And taking Her body on His neck, began to roam in different countries, like a mad man. Seeing that, Brahma and the other Devas became very anxious and Bhagavan Visnu cut off the body to pieces by His arrows. Wherever the parts fell, S’ankara remained there in so many different forms. He then said to the Devas Whoever will worship, with deep devotion in these
places, the Bhagavati, will have nothing left unattained. The Highest Mother will remain close to them there. The persons that will make Puras’charana (the repetition) of the Mantrams, especially the Maya Vija (the root Mantra of Maya), their Mantrams will become, no doubt, fructified and become incarnate. O King! Thus saying, the Mahadeva, being very much distressed for Sati’s departure, passed His time in those places, making Japam, Dhyanam and taking to Samadhi.
51-52. Janamejaya said Where, in what places the several parts of the Sati fell? What are the names of those Siddhapithas? And what is their number? Kindly describe these in detail, O Great Muni! No doubt I will highly consider myself blessed by hearing these words from your blessed mouth.
53-102. Vyasa said O King! I will now describe those Pithas (Sacred places), the mere hearing of which destroys all the sins of men. Hear. I describe duly those places where the persons desiring to get lordly powers and to attain success ought to worship and meditate on the Devi. O Maharaja! The face of Gauri fell in Kas’i; She is well known there by the name Vis’alaksi; that which fell in Naimisaranya became known by the name of Linga Dharini. This Maha Maya is known in Prayag (Allahabad) by the name of Lalita Devi; in Gandha Madan, by the name of Kamuki; in the southern Manasa, by Kumuda; in the northern Manasa, by Visvakama, the Yielder of all desires; in Gomanta, by Gomati and in the mountain of Mandara, She became known by the name of Kamacharini. The Devi is known in Chaitraratha, by the name of of Madotkata; in Hastinapura, by Jayanti; in Kanyakubja by the name of Gauri; in the Malaya Mountain, by Rambha; in the Ekamrapitha, by Kirtimati, in VisVe, by the name of VisVesVari; in Puskara, by the name of Puruhuta. She is known as Sanmarga Dayini in the Kedara Pitha; as Manda, in the top of the Himalayas; and as Bhadrakarnika in
Gokarna. She is known as Bhavani in SthanesVara, as Vilvapatrika in Vilvake; as Madhavi in S’ns’aila; as Bhadra in BhadresVara. She is known as Jara in Varaha S’aila; as Kamala in Kamalalaya; as Rudrani in Rudra Koti; as Kali in Kalanjara; She is known as Maha Devi in S’alagrama, as Jalapriya in S’ivalingam; as Kapila in Mahalingam, as MukutesVan in Makota. As Kuman in Mayapuri, as Lalitambika in Santana; as Mangala in Gaya Ksetra, as Vimala in Purusottama. As Utpalaksi in Sahasraksa; as Mahotpala in Hiranyaksa; as Amoghaksi in the Vipasa river; as Patala in Pundra Vardhana. As Narayani in SuparsVa, as Rudra Sundari in Trikuta; as Vipula Devi in Vipula; as Kalyani in Malayachala. As Ekavira, in Sahyadri; as Chandrika in Haris’chandra; as Ramana in Rama Tirtha; as Mrigavati in the Yamuna. As Kotivi in Kotatirtha; as Sugandha in Madhavavana; as Trisandhya in the Godavari; as Ratipriya in Gangadvara. As S’ubhananda in S’iva Kundam, as Nandini in Devikatata; as Rukmini in Dvaravati; as Radha in Brindavana. As Devaki in Mathura; as ParamesVari in Patala; as Sita in Chitrakuta; as Vindhyadhivasini in the Vindhya range. O King! As Mahalaksmi in the sacred place of Karavira, as Lima Devi in Vinayaka; as Arogya in Vaidyanatha; as MahesVari in Mahakala. As Abhaya in all the Usna tirthas, as Nitamba in the Vindhya mountain; as MandavT in Mandavya; as Svaha in MahesVaripura. As Prachanda in Chhagalanda, as Chandika in Amarakantaka; as Vararoha in SomesVara; as Puskaravati in Prabhasa. As Devamata in Sarasvati; as Paravara in Samudrtata; as Mahabhaga in Mahalaya, as PingalesVari in Payosni. As Simhika in Kritas’aucha; as Atis’ankari in Kartika; as Lola in Utpalavartaka; as Subhadra in S'ona Sangam. As the Mother Laksmi in Siddhavana; as Ananga in Bharatas’rama; as VisVamukhi in Jalandhara; as Tara in the Kiskindhya mountain. As Pusti in Devadaru Vana; as Medha in Kas’miramandalam; as Bhima in Himadri; as Tustii in VisVesVara Ksetra. As S’uddhi in Kapalamochana; as Mata in Kayavarohana; as Dhara in S’ankhoddhara; as Dhriti in Pindaraka; as Kala in Chandrabhaga river; as S’ivadharini in Achchoda; as Amrita in Vena; as Urvas’i in Vadari. As medicines in Uttara Kuru; as Kus’odaka in Kus’advipa; as Manmatha in Hemakuta; as Satyavadini in Kumuda.
As Vandaniya in AsVattha; as Nidhi in the Vais’ravanalaya; as Gayatn in the mouth of the Vedas; as Parvati near to S’iva. As Indrani in the Devalokas; as Sarasvati in the face of Brahma; as Prabha (lustre) in the Solar disc; as VaisnavT with the Matrikas. She is celebrated as Arundhati amongst the Satis, the chaste women and as Tilottama in the midst of the Ramas. Again this MahadevT of the nature of the Great Intelligence (Samvid) is always existent in the form of S’akti named Brahmakala in the hearts of all the embodied beings. O Janamejaya! Thus I have mentioned to you the one hundred and eight pithas (sacred places or seats of the Deity) and as many Devis. Thus are mentioned all the seats of the Devis and along with that, the chief places in India (the world). He who hears these excellent one hundred and eight names of the Devi as well as Her seats, gets himself freed from all sins and goes to the Loka of the Devi. O Janamejaya! His heart gets purified and is rendered blessed, no doubt, who duly makes jatra (sojourn) to all these seats of the Deity, performs S’raddhas, offers peace-offerings to the Pitris and worships with the highest devotion the Goddess and asks frequently the pardon of the World Mother. O King! After worship, one should feed the Brahmanas, well dressed virgins (Kumaris) and Vatukas with good eatables. All the tribes whether they be Chandalas, know them all to be of the nature of the Devi and therefore they should be worshipped. Never one is to accept any donation or gifts (Pratigrahas) in these seats of the Devi. The saintly persons should make Purascharanas (repeat the names of their own deities, attended with burnt offerings, oblations, etc.) of their own Mantrams with all their might in all these places and should never be miserly in their expenses on this account. He who starts to these sacred places, with devoted hearts filled with love, finds his Pitris in the higher and greater Brahma Loka for one thousand Kalpas and he gets the highest knowledge, crosses the ocean of the world and becomes free. Many a people have attained success by repeating these one hundred and eight names of the Deity. Any place wherein are kept those names, embodied in a book, becomes free from such dangers as plague, cholera or any misapprehensions from planetary Deities and so forth. Nothing remains to be attained by these
persons who repeat these one hundred and eight names. That man, devoted to the Devi, certainly attains blessedness. That saintly person becomes of the nature of the Devi. The Devas bow down and worship him when they behold him! What then need be said that the saints would worship him! The Piths become pleased and get their good ends when these one hundred and eight names are read with devotion. These places are, as it were. Intelligence personified (Chinmaya) and places ready to yield freedom from bondage. Therefore, O King! Intelligent men should take their shelter in these places. O King! Whatever secrets and other deeper secrets about the Great Goddess you asked to know from me, I described to you. What more do you want to hear. Say.
Here ends the Thirtieth Chapter of the Seventh Book on the birth of Gauri, the seats of the Deity, and the distraction of S’iva in the Mahapuranam S’ri Mad Devi Bhagavatam, of 18,000 verses, by Maharsi Veda Vyasa.
Note The number one hundred and eight is a holy number, got by taking the half of 216,000, the number of breaths inhaled by a child in the womb who promises to take the name of God at his every breath or by taking one-eighth of 864,000, the number of seconds in a day. The two zeros are then dropped. Thus the number signifies the one who fulfils one’s promise.
Complete chapter-aligned witnesses. Sanskrit Wikisource page 19944, revision 352034 (2022-09-23T23:36:58Z). English is Swami Vijñanananda’s complete 1921–23 public-domain translation, controlled against the archival OCR and its chapter page at https://sacred-texts.com/hin/db/bk07ch30.htm. Historic spelling and transliteration are lightly normalized; no verse-by-verse alignment is asserted.