Maha Devi Stuti
In one high voice, all the Devas glorified Maha Devi as follows: ‘We greet with reverence that Ambika Devi, whose capability is spread all over the moving and non-moving objects of the universe, whose Supreme Energy enables all the Deva Murthis to be on their own; whose Origin or Qualities defy description by Brahma, Vishnu or Mahendra, let alone illustrious Maharshis; and whose unparalelled kindness and consideration is ever-fulfilling and never failing to humanity. We salute Devi Chandika who would ever neglect nor ignore those who have unqualified faith and commitment in that Punya Swarupa (Embodiment of Propitious-ness) and also never spare those who persist in evil deeds and never have the psyche of remorse nor any sense of guilt.
Ya Shreeh Swayam Sukrutinaam Bhavaneshwa Lakshmih Paapaatmanaam Krutadiyaam hrudayeshu buddhhih, Shraddhaa sataam kulajanaprabhavasya lajjaataam twa natah sma paripaalaya Devi Viswam/
(We greet Her who is present in the form of Wealth in the houses of the Virtuous; who disappears in the form of poverty in the residences of the vily and the vicious; who is present with those who are well read and of clean conscience as also of practitioners of Shraddha or diligence, Buddhi or Composure and Lazza or Modesty.) How are we competent to describe your Achinthya Rupa? Devas further exclaimed:
Hethuh Samasta jagataam Trigunaapi Devairna Jnaayase Hariharaadibhi rapyapara, Sarvaashraya akhilamidam Jagadamsha bhutamavyakrutaa hi paramaa prakrutistwama adya
(Hey Devi, You are the Adya Prakruti devoid of ‘Vikaras’ of Satva, Raja and Tamo gunatmika and thus the Cause of the Universe; Even Vishnu and Maha Deva who are subject to ‘Raga Dveshas’ would not be able to realise Your ‘Tatva’; You are the nucleus of all the Materialistic Manifestations).
Yasya Samastasurathah Samudeeranena Truptim Prayaanti Sakaleshu makheshu Devi, Swaahaasi vai Pitruganasya cha trupti hethuru chaaryase twam eva janaihi swadhacha
(Devi, in all the ‘Yagnas’, taking your mere name would satisfy all the Devas, since the two Expressions of Swaha and Swadha signify your own Swarupas or Forms.
Ya muktiheturavichinthya mahaavrataa twamabhayasyasey suniyaten -driaya tatwa saaraih, Mokshaardibhirmuni bharista samasta doshai vidhvaamsi saa Bhagavati Paramaa Devi
( Devi, the Subject matter of ‘Upaasana’ or concentrated meditation of Munis targetted to you is stated to be the Moksha Vidya, which is Yourself as that is devoid of sins and impurities of any kind).
Shabdaatmika suvimalargya jushaam nidhaana mudreetatha ramya pada paathavataam cha samnaam, Devi trayee Bhagavati bhava bhaavanaaya vaartaasi sarva jagataam paramaarti hantreem/
Medhasi Devi viditakhila shastra saraa Durgasi Durga bhava saagaranaurasangah, Sreehi Kaitabhaarithrudayaika krutaadhivasaa Gauri thvameva Shashi mouli kruta prathishtha
( Devi! You are the ‘Shabdamaya Tri Veda Swarupi’ or the Complete Form of Three Vedas with intonation; the nucleus-like Pranava Swarup of Ruk, Yajur and Sama Vedas; the embodiment of Opulence, the Life Providing Security and the destroyer of all difficulties and physical ailments. Devi! You are the Buddhi Swarupa because You are the unique Ship which alone could pass through the Ocean of ‘Samsara’ and Devi Lakshmi, the heart-throb of Vishnu- the destroyer of Madhu Kaitabha demons-as well as Devi Gauri firmly installed on the left thigh of Bhagavan Sashisekhara! )
Devi Prasada parama Bhagavati Bhavaaya Sadyo vinaayashayasi kopavati kuleeni, Vignatameta –dauardhunaiva yadastametadreentam Balam savipulam Mahishasurasya / the sammataa janapadeshu dhanaani teshaam Yashaamsi na cha seedati bandhuvargah, Dhanyaasta eva nibhrutatmajabhrutya daaraa eshaam sadaabhyudayadaa bhavati prasanna /
(Devi! Kindly be free from anger as You must bestow on us peace, prosperityand propitiousness; if You are irritated due to Mahishasura and army which you had already destroyed, Your normal composure gets disturbed and hence should please regain and soon recover Your complete ‘Kalaas’ (features); when You are cooled and inspirational, then only our worship gets maximum advantages, since only in those Regions where Pujas are performed sincerely that the persons concerned become wealthy, famous, and contented with good progeny, family and servants. It is with Your kindness that human beings preform Dharmic acts, leave behind the fears of death and disease and reach the goals of attaining ‘Swarga’ thus providing the benefits of the Three Lokas).
Trailokyametadakhilam ripunaashanena traatham twaya samaramardani thepi hatwa, neetaa divam ripuganaa bhayamapya paastmasmaa kamunmada suraari bhavam Namasthey/
Shulena Paahi no Devi Paahi khadgena chaambike, Ghantaaswanena nah Paahi chaapajyaanih swanenacha/
Praachyam raksha prateetyancha Chandike raksha Dakshiney/ Bhraamanenaathma shulasya urraraayam tatheswari / Soumyani yaani Ruupaani Trailokye vicharitanti they, yaani chaathyanta ghoraani thy rakshaasmantatha bhuvam/
khadga shula gadaadeeni yaani chaastraani thembikey karapallava sangeenithair -asmaanthraksha sarvatah/
(Devi, You have killed all the enemies, saved the Tree Lokas, bestowed Swarga to them all and demolished our fears and saved us; do protect us with your Shula, Khadga, Ghanta, Dhanush and its ‘tankaara’ or sound; Chandika! Eswari! Do protect us by circling our East, West, South and North directions; You have as many frightening Forms as benign Forms which move about all over the Three Worlds; do save us with all Your varied Forms and always guard us with Your arms and armoury). [Essence of Markandeya Purana]