Durga Saptashati Chapter 1 (Pratham Adhyay): Madhu Kaitabha Vadha, Sanskrit Path with Meaning

Durga Saptashati Chapter 1, the Pratham Adhyay, is where the Chandi Path begins. It opens the Prathama Charitra, the first of the three episodes of the Devi Mahatmya, whose presiding form is Mahakali. The chapter has 104 verses in the standard numbering. Below is the complete chapter: the viniyoga, the dhyana and every verse in Sanskrit, each followed by its meaning, so that it can be read as a paath or studied verse by verse.

The frame story also begins here. A king who has lost his kingdom and a merchant thrown out by his own family meet in a forest hermitage and ask the sage Medha a question that is still ours: why does the heart cling to what has hurt it? The sage answers with Mahamaya, and tells the first of her deeds, the waking of Vishnu to slay the demons Madhu and Kaitabha. The hymn Brahma sings to the Goddess in this chapter (verses 73 to 87) is one of the four great stutis of the Saptashati.

संक्षेप में: दुर्गा सप्तशती का पहला अध्याय (मधु-कैटभ वध) यहाँ पूरा दिया गया है: विनियोग, ध्यान और सभी 104 श्लोक संस्कृत में, हर श्लोक के हिंदी अर्थ के साथ। यह प्रथम चरित्र है, जिसकी अधिष्ठात्री महाकाली हैं। राजा सुरथ और वैश्य समाधि मेधा ऋषि से पूछते हैं कि मन उन्हीं से क्यों चिपका रहता है जिन्होंने ठुकराया, और ऋषि महामाया का परिचय देकर मधु-कैटभ वध की कथा सुनाते हैं। परंपरा में यह अध्याय हर प्रकार की चिंता दूर करने के लिए पढ़ा जाता है। लेख में पाठ-विधि और ज्योतिषीय संदर्भ भी हैं। पूरा लेख हिंदी में पढ़ें →

This chapter is part of the complete Durga Saptashati path, with all 13 chapters and the angas in reading order.

Chapter 1 at a glance

• Chapter: First of 13, "Madhu Kaitabha Vadha" (मधु-कैटभ वध)
• Charitra: Prathama Charitra (the first episode)
• Presiding deity: Mahakali
• Rishi: Brahma
• Chhanda: Gayatri
• Shakti · Bija · Tattva · Veda: Nanda · Raktadantika · Agni (fire) · Rigveda
• Verses: 104 in the standard numbering (uvacha lines counted)
• Traditional fruit of reading: Tradition reads the first chapter for freedom from every kind of worry and anxiety, and as the opening of any complete Saptashati path.

The story of Chapter 1 in brief

Markandeya begins by promising the story of Savarni, the eighth Manu, and how he reached that rank by the grace of Mahamaya. In the Svarochisha manvantara, King Suratha of the Chaitra line is defeated by the Kolavidhvamsis, robbed by his own ministers and rides alone into the forest, where he reaches the hermitage of the sage Medha. There he meets Samadhi, a merchant whose wife and sons have thrown him out for his wealth. Both are tormented by the same thing: they still love what has rejected them. The sage explains that this is the work of Mahamaya, the Yoganidra of Vishnu, who draws even the minds of the wise into attachment, and who, when pleased, is also the giver of liberation. Asked who she is, he tells her first deed. At the end of a kalpa, when all was one ocean and Vishnu slept, the demons Madhu and Kaitabha rose from the wax of his ears to kill Brahma. Brahma praised Yoganidra; she left Vishnu's body, he awoke, fought the pair for five thousand years, and when they, deluded, offered him a boon, he asked for their deaths. They asked to be killed where the earth was not covered by water; he laid them on his thigh and cut off their heads with his discus.

Durga Saptashati Chapter 1: Sanskrit text with meaning

The Sanskrit follows the standard text of the Devi Mahatmya; the numbering is the common 700-verse numbering, in which the uvacha lines are counted. Each verse is followed by its meaning in plain English.

Viniyoga

अस्य श्री प्रथमचरित्रस्य । ब्रह्मा ऋषिः ।
महाकाली देवता । गायत्री छन्दः । नन्दा शक्तिः ।
रक्तदन्तिका बीजम् । अग्निस्तत्त्वम् ।
ऋग्वेदः स्वरूपम् । श्रीमहाकालीप्रीत्यर्थे
प्रथमचरित्रजपे विनियोगः ।

Meaning: Of this first episode (Prathama Charitra), Brahma is the seer, Mahakali the deity, Gayatri the metre, Nanda the power, Raktadantika the seed, fire the element and the Rigveda the form. Its recitation is dedicated to pleasing Shri Mahakali.

Dhyanam

ॐ खड्गं चक्रगदेषुचापपरिघाञ्छूलं भुशुण्डीं शिरः
शङ्खं सन्दधतीं करैस्त्रिनयनां सर्वाङ्गभूषावृताम् ।
नीलाश्मद्युतिमास्यपाददशकां सेवे महाकालिकां
यामस्तौत्स्वपिते हरौ कमलजो हन्तुं मधुं कैटभम् ॥
ॐ नमश्चण्डिकायै ॥

Meaning: Om. I meditate on Mahakali, who holds in her ten hands the sword, discus, mace, arrow, bow, iron club, spear, sling, a severed head and the conch; who has three eyes, whose every limb is adorned with ornaments, whose radiance is that of blue sapphire, who has ten faces and ten feet, and whom the lotus-born Brahma praised so that Madhu and Kaitabha might be slain while Hari slept. Om, salutation to Chandika.

Verses 1 to 104

ॐ ऐं मार्कण्डेय उवाच ॥१॥

Meaning: Om Aim. Markandeya said:

सावर्णिः सूर्यतनयो यो मनुः कथ्यतेऽष्टमः ।
निशामय तदुत्पत्तिं विस्तराद्गदतो मम ॥२॥

Meaning: Savarni, the son of Surya, is called the eighth Manu. Listen as I tell in detail the story of his birth.

महामायानुभावेन यथा मन्वन्तराधिपः ।
स बभूव महाभागः सावर्णिस्तनयो रवेः ॥३॥

Meaning: Hear how that illustrious Savarni, son of the Sun, became the lord of a manvantara by the grace of Mahamaya.

स्वारोचिषेऽन्तरे पूर्वं चैत्रवंशसमुद्भवः ।
सुरथो नाम राजाभूत्समस्ते क्षितिमण्डले ॥४॥

Meaning: Long ago, in the Svarochisha manvantara, there was a king named Suratha, born in the line of Chaitra, who ruled the whole earth.

तस्य पालयतः सम्यक् प्रजाः पुत्रानिवौरसान् ।
बभूवुः शत्रवो भूपाः कोलाविध्वंसिनस्तदा ॥५॥

Meaning: While he protected his subjects justly, as if they were his own sons, certain kings known as the Kolavidhvamsis became his enemies.

तस्य तैरभवद् युद्धमतिप्रबलदण्डिनः ।
न्यूनैरपि स तैर्युद्धे कोलाविध्वंसिभिर्जितः ॥६॥

Meaning: He, whose rod of justice was very strong, fought with them; and though they were fewer, he was defeated in battle by those Kolavidhvamsis.

ततः स्वपुरमायातो निजदेशाधिपोऽभवत् ।
आक्रान्तः स महाभागस्तैस्तदा प्रबलारिभिः ॥७॥

Meaning: Then he returned to his own city and became the ruler of his own country alone; yet there too that illustrious king was attacked by those powerful enemies.

अमात्यैर्बलिभिर्दुष्टैर्दुर्बलस्य दुरात्मभिः ।
कोशो बलं चापहृतं तत्रापि स्वपुरे ततः ॥८॥

Meaning: Even in his own city, his powerful, wicked and evil-minded ministers seized the treasury and the army of the now weakened king.

ततो मृगयाव्याजेन हृतस्वाम्यः स भूपतिः ।
एकाकी हयमारुह्य जगाम गहनं वनम् ॥९॥

Meaning: Then the king, his sovereignty gone, rode out alone on horseback under the pretext of hunting and went into a dense forest.

स तत्राश्रममद्राक्षीद्द्विजवर्यस्य मेधसः ।
प्रशान्तश्वापदाकीर्णं मुनिशिष्योपशोभितम् ॥१०॥

Meaning: There he saw the hermitage of Medha, the best of brahmins, where wild beasts lived in peace and which was graced by the sage's disciples.

तस्थौ कञ्चित्स कालं च मुनिना तेन सत्कृतः ।
इतश्चेतश्च विचरंस्तस्मिन् मुनिवराश्रमे ॥११॥

Meaning: Honoured by that sage, he stayed there for some time, wandering here and there in that hermitage of the best of sages.

सोऽचिन्तयत्तदा तत्र ममत्वाकृष्टमानसः ।
मत्पूर्वैः पालितं पूर्वं मया हीनं पुरं हि तत् ॥१२॥

Meaning: There, his mind drawn by attachment, he thought: "That city, guarded by my ancestors, is now lost to me."

मद्भृत्यैस्तैरसद्वृत्तैर्धर्मतः पाल्यते न वा ।
न जाने स प्रधानो मे शूरो हस्ती सदामदः ॥१३॥

Meaning: "Is it being protected righteously by those ill-behaved servants of mine, or not? I do not know. My chief elephant, ever in rut and heroic..."

मम वैरिवशं यातः कान् भोगानुपलप्स्यते ।
ये ममानुगता नित्यं प्रसादधनभोजनैः ॥१४॥

Meaning: "...has fallen into the hands of my enemies; what comforts will he now enjoy? And those who followed me always, for my favours, wealth and food..."

अनुवृत्तिं ध्रुवं तेऽद्य कुर्वन्त्यन्यमहीभृताम् ।
असम्यग्व्ययशीलैस्तैः कुर्वद्भिः सततं व्ययम् ॥१५॥

Meaning: "...surely now serve other kings. By their ceaseless and reckless spending..."

सञ्चितः सोऽतिदुःखेन क्षयं कोशो गमिष्यति ।
एतच्चान्यच्च सततं चिन्तयामास पार्थिवः ॥१६॥

Meaning: "...the treasury that I gathered with such pain will be squandered." Of this and other things the king kept thinking.

तत्र विप्राश्रमाभ्याशे वैश्यमेकं ददर्श सः ।
स पृष्टस्तेन कस्त्वं भो हेतुश्चागमनेऽत्र कः ॥१७॥

Meaning: There, near the brahmin's hermitage, he saw a certain merchant and asked him: "Who are you, sir, and why have you come here?"

सशोक इव कस्मात्त्वं दुर्मना इव लक्ष्यसे ।
इत्याकर्ण्य वचस्तस्य भूपतेः प्रणयोदितम् ॥१८॥

Meaning: "Why do you look as if full of grief and sorrowful at heart?" Hearing these words of the king, spoken with affection...

प्रत्युवाच स तं वैश्यः प्रश्रयावनतो नृपम् ॥१९॥

Meaning: ...the merchant bowed humbly and replied to the king.

वैश्य उवाच ॥२०॥

Meaning: The merchant said:

समाधिर्नाम वैश्योऽहमुत्पन्नो धनिनां कुले ॥२१॥

Meaning: "I am a merchant named Samadhi, born in a family of the wealthy."

पुत्रदारैर्निरस्तश्च धनलोभादसाधुभिः ।
विहीनश्च धनैर्दारैः पुत्रैरादाय मे धनम् ॥२२॥

Meaning: "I have been cast out by my wicked sons and wife out of greed for wealth; they took my riches and left me without wealth, wife and sons."

वनमभ्यागतो दुःखी निरस्तश्चाप्तबन्धुभिः ।
सोऽहं न वेद्मि पुत्राणां कुशलाकुशलात्मिकाम् ॥२३॥

Meaning: "Thrown out by my own trusted kin, I have come grieving to the forest. Being here, I do not know whether my sons are well or ill..."

प्रवृत्तिं स्वजनानां च दाराणां चात्र संस्थितः ।
किं नु तेषां गृहे क्षेममक्षेमं किं नु साम्प्रतम् ॥२४॥

Meaning: "...nor how my family and my wife are faring. Is all well in their house now, or is it not?"

कथं ते किं नु सद्वृत्ता दुर्वृत्ताः किं नु मे सुताः ॥२५॥

Meaning: "How are they? Are my sons living rightly, or have they fallen into evil ways?"

राजोवाच ॥२६॥

Meaning: The king said:

यैर्निरस्तो भवाँल्लुब्धैः पुत्रदारादिभिर्धनैः ॥२७॥

Meaning: "Those greedy ones, your sons and wife and the rest, who threw you out for your wealth..."

तेषु किं भवतः स्नेहमनुबध्नाति मानसम् ॥२८॥

Meaning: "...why does your mind still bind itself in affection to them?"

वैश्य उवाच ॥२९॥

Meaning: The merchant said:

एवमेतद्यथा प्राह भवानस्मद्गतं वचः ॥३०॥

Meaning: "It is exactly as you have said about me."

किं करोमि न बध्नाति मम निष्ठुरतां मनः ।
यैः सन्त्यज्य पितृस्नेहं धनलुब्धैर्निराकृतः ॥३१॥

Meaning: "What can I do? My mind will not turn hard. Towards those who, greedy for wealth, abandoned a father's love and cast me out..."

पतिस्वजनहार्दं च हार्दितेष्वेव मे मनः ।
किमेतन्नाभिजानामि जानन्नपि महामते ॥३२॥

Meaning: "...and the affection due to a husband and a kinsman, towards them alone my heart is tender. O wise one, though I know this, I do not understand it."

यत्प्रेमप्रवणं चित्तं विगुणेष्वपि बन्धुषु ।
तेषां कृते मे निःश्वासो दौर्मनस्यं च जायते ॥३३॥

Meaning: "Why does my mind lean in love even to relatives who are without virtue? For their sake I sigh and my heart grows heavy."

करोमि किं यन्न मनस्तेष्वप्रीतिषु निष्ठुरम् ॥३४॥

Meaning: "What am I to do, when my mind does not become hard towards those who have no love for me?"

मार्कण्डेय उवाच ॥३५॥

Meaning: Markandeya said:

ततस्तौ सहितौ विप्र तं मुनिं समुपस्थितौ ॥३६॥

Meaning: Then, O brahmin, the two of them together, the merchant named Samadhi and that best of kings, approached the sage.

समाधिर्नाम वैश्योऽसौ स च पार्थिवसत्तमः ।
कृत्वा तु तौ यथान्यायं यथार्हं तेन संविदम् ॥३७॥

Meaning: Having greeted him with due courtesy and honour, the merchant and the king sat down and began to speak.

उपविष्टौ कथाः काश्चिच्चक्रतुर्वैश्यपार्थिवौ ॥३८॥

Meaning: Seated there, the merchant and the king spoke of various matters.

राजोवाच ॥३९॥

Meaning: The king said:

भगवंस्त्वामहं प्रष्टुमिच्छाम्येकं वदस्व तत् ॥४०॥

Meaning: "Revered sir, I wish to ask you one thing; please answer it."

दुःखाय यन्मे मनसः स्वचित्तायत्ततां विना ।
ममत्वं गतराज्यस्य राज्याङ्गेष्वखिलेष्वपि ॥४१॥

Meaning: "My mind is not in my own control, and this gives me pain. Though I have lost my kingdom, I still feel possessive of every part of it..."

जानतोऽपि यथाज्ञस्य किमेतन्मुनिसत्तम ।
अयं च निकृतः पुत्रैर्दारैर्भृत्यैस्तथोज्झितः ॥४२॥

Meaning: "...like an ignorant man, though I know better. How is this, O best of sages? And this man has been humiliated by his sons, wife and servants and abandoned..."

स्वजनेन च सन्त्यक्तस्तेषु हार्दी तथाप्यति ।
एवमेष तथाहं च द्वावप्यत्यन्तदुःखितौ ॥४३॥

Meaning: "...forsaken by his own people, and yet he is deeply attached to them. Thus he and I are both extremely unhappy..."

दृष्टदोषेऽपि विषये ममत्वाकृष्टमानसौ ।
तत्किमेतन्महाभाग यन्मोहो ज्ञानिनोरपि ॥४४॥

Meaning: "...our minds drawn by attachment to objects whose faults we have already seen. How is it, O great one, that this delusion comes even to those who know?"

ममास्य च भवत्येषा विवेकान्धस्य मूढता ॥४५॥

Meaning: "This folly, blind to discrimination, has come to both him and me."

ऋषिरुवाच ॥४६॥

Meaning: The sage said:

ज्ञानमस्ति समस्तस्य जन्तोर्विषयगोचरे ॥४७॥

Meaning: "Every creature has knowledge of the objects within reach of its senses."

विषयाश्च महाभाग यान्ति चैवं पृथक्पृथक् ।
दिवान्धाः प्राणिनः केचिद्रात्रावन्धास्तथापरे ॥४८॥

Meaning: "And the objects of sense, O great one, reach each creature differently. Some beings are blind by day, others blind by night..."

केचिद्दिवा तथा रात्रौ प्राणिनस्तुल्यदृष्टयः ।
ज्ञानिनो मनुजाः सत्यं किं तु ते न हि केवलम् ॥४९॥

Meaning: "...and some see equally well by day and by night. It is true that human beings have knowledge, but not they alone."

यतो हि ज्ञानिनः सर्वे पशुपक्षिमृगादयः ।
ज्ञानं च तन्मनुष्याणां यत्तेषां मृगपक्षिणाम् ॥५०॥

Meaning: "For all beasts, birds and animals also have knowledge; and the knowledge humans have, those birds and animals also have."

मनुष्याणां च यत्तेषां तुल्यमन्यत्तथोभयोः ।
ज्ञानेऽपि सति पश्यैतान् पतङ्गाञ्छावचञ्चुषु ॥५१॥

Meaning: "What they have, humans also have; the rest is alike in both. Even though they have knowledge, see how these birds..."

कणमोक्षादृतान् मोहात्पीड्यमानानपि क्षुधा ।
मानुषा मनुजव्याघ्र साभिलाषाः सुतान् प्रति ॥५२॥

Meaning: "...though themselves tormented by hunger, out of delusion drop grains into the beaks of their young. O tiger among men, do you not see that human beings long for their children..."

लोभात् प्रत्युपकाराय नन्वेतान् किं न पश्यसि ।
तथापि ममतावर्त्ते मोहगर्ते निपातिताः ॥५३॥

Meaning: "...out of greed, hoping for a return? Even so, they are thrown into the whirlpool of attachment, the pit of delusion..."

महामायाप्रभावेण संसारस्थितिकारिणा ।
तन्नात्र विस्मयः कार्यो योगनिद्रा जगत्पतेः ॥५४॥

Meaning: "...by the power of Mahamaya, who keeps the world going. Do not wonder at this. She is the Yoganidra of the Lord of the world..."

महामाया हरेश्चैषा तया सम्मोह्यते जगत् ।
ज्ञानिनामपि चेतांसि देवी भगवती हि सा ॥५५॥

Meaning: "...the Mahamaya of Hari, and by her the world is deluded. She, the blessed Goddess, forcibly draws even the minds of the wise..."

बलादाकृष्य मोहाय महामाया प्रयच्छति ।
तया विसृज्यते विश्वं जगदेतच्चराचरम् ॥५६॥

Meaning: "...and casts them into delusion. By her this universe, moving and unmoving, is created."

सैषा प्रसन्ना वरदा नृणां भवति मुक्तये ।
सा विद्या परमा मुक्तेर्हेतुभूता सनातनी ॥५७॥

Meaning: "When pleased, she grants boons and becomes the cause of liberation for human beings. She is the supreme, eternal knowledge, the cause of release..."

संसारबन्धहेतुश्च सैव सर्वेश्वरेश्वरी ॥५८॥

Meaning: "...and she is also the cause of the bondage of worldly existence; she is the sovereign of all the lords."

राजोवाच ॥५९॥

Meaning: The king said:

भगवन् का हि सा देवी महामायेति यां भवान् ॥६०॥

Meaning: "Revered sir, who is this Goddess whom you call Mahamaya?"

ब्रवीति कथमुत्पन्ना सा कर्मास्याश्च किं द्विज ।
यत्प्रभावा च सा देवी यत्स्वरूपा यदुद्भवा ॥६१॥

Meaning: "How was she born, and what is her work, O brahmin? What is her power, what is her nature, and whence did she arise?"

तत्सर्वं श्रोतुमिच्छामि त्वत्तो ब्रह्मविदां वर ॥६२॥

Meaning: "All this I wish to hear from you, O best among the knowers of Brahman."

ऋषिरुवाच ॥६३॥

Meaning: The sage said:

नित्यैव सा जगन्मूर्तिस्तया सर्वमिदं ततम् ॥६४॥

Meaning: "She is eternal, the very form of the universe; by her all this is pervaded."

तथापि तत्समुत्पत्तिर्बहुधा श्रूयतां मम ।
देवानां कार्यसिद्ध्यर्थमाविर्भवति सा यदा ॥६५॥

Meaning: "Even so, she manifests in many ways; hear it from me. When she appears to accomplish the purposes of the gods..."

उत्पन्नेति तदा लोके सा नित्याप्यभिधीयते ।
योगनिद्रां यदा विष्णुर्जगत्येकार्णवीकृते ॥६६॥

Meaning: "...then, though eternal, she is said in the world to be born. At the end of a kalpa, when the universe was one ocean, Vishnu lay in Yoganidra..."

आस्तीर्य शेषमभजत् कल्पान्ते भगवान् प्रभुः ।
तदा द्वावसुरौ घोरौ विख्यातौ मधुकैटभौ ॥६७॥

Meaning: "...having spread Shesha as his bed, the blessed Lord. Then two terrible asuras, the famous Madhu and Kaitabha..."

विष्णुकर्णमलोद्भूतौ हन्तुं ब्रह्माणमुद्यतौ ।
स नाभिकमले विष्णोः स्थितो ब्रह्मा प्रजापतिः ॥६८॥

Meaning: "...born from the wax of Vishnu's ears, rose up to kill Brahma. Brahma, the lord of creatures, who was seated on the lotus from Vishnu's navel..."

दृष्ट्वा तावसुरौ चोग्रौ प्रसुप्तं च जनार्दनम् ।
तुष्टाव योगनिद्रां तामेकाग्रहृदयः स्थितः ॥६९॥

Meaning: "...seeing those two fierce asuras and Janardana asleep, with one-pointed heart praised Yoganidra..."

विबोधनार्थाय हरेर्हरिनेत्रकृतालयाम् ।
विश्वेश्वरीं जगद्धात्रीं स्थितिसंहारकारिणीम् ॥७०॥

Meaning: "...so that Hari might awaken, she who dwelt in Hari's eyes, the sovereign of the universe, the sustainer of the world, the cause of its preservation and dissolution..."

निद्रां भगवतीं विष्णोरतुलां तेजसः प्रभुः ॥७१॥

Meaning: "...the blessed sleep of Vishnu, incomparable in splendour; thus the lord Brahma praised her."

ब्रह्मोवाच ॥७२॥

Meaning: Brahma said:

त्वं स्वाहा त्वं स्वधा त्वं हि वषट्कारः स्वरात्मिका ॥७३॥

Meaning: "You are Svaha, you are Svadha, you are indeed the Vashatkara, you are the very self of the sacred sound."

सुधा त्वमक्षरे नित्ये त्रिधा मात्रात्मिका स्थिता ।
अर्धमात्रा स्थिता नित्या यानुच्चार्याविशेषतः ॥७४॥

Meaning: "You are the nectar, O imperishable and eternal one; you abide as the threefold matra, and as the eternal half-matra that cannot be uttered distinctly."

त्वमेव सन्ध्या सावित्री त्वं देवि जननी परा ।
त्वयैतद्धार्यते विश्वं त्वयैतत् सृज्यते जगत् ॥७५॥

Meaning: "You alone are Sandhya, Savitri, and you, O Goddess, are the supreme Mother. By you this universe is supported, by you this world is created..."

त्वयैतत् पाल्यते देवि त्वमत्स्यन्ते च सर्वदा ।
विसृष्टौ सृष्टिरूपा त्वं स्थितिरूपा च पालने ॥७६॥

Meaning: "...by you it is protected, O Goddess, and you always consume it at the end. At creation you are the form of creation, in preservation the form of sustenance..."

तथा संहृतिरूपान्ते जगतोऽस्य जगन्मये ।
महाविद्या महामाया महामेधा महास्मृतिः ॥७७॥

Meaning: "...and at the end of this world you are the form of dissolution, O you who are the world itself. You are the great knowledge, the great illusion, the great intellect, the great memory..."

महामोहा च भवती महादेवी महेश्वरी ।
प्रकृतिस्त्वं च सर्वस्य गुणत्रयविभाविनी ॥७८॥

Meaning: "...the great delusion, the great Goddess, the great sovereign. You are the primordial nature of all, bringing forth the three gunas."

कालरात्रिर्महारात्रिर्मोहरात्रिश्च दारुणा ।
त्वं श्रीस्त्वमीश्वरी त्वं ह्रीस्त्वं बुद्धिर्बोधलक्षणा ॥७९॥

Meaning: "You are the night of time, the great night, the terrible night of delusion. You are prosperity, you are the sovereign, you are modesty, you are intelligence marked by awareness."

लज्जा पुष्टिस्तथा तुष्टिस्त्वं शान्तिः क्षान्तिरेव च ।
खड्गिनी शूलिनी घोरा गदिनी चक्रिणी तथा ॥८०॥

Meaning: "You are bashfulness, nourishment and contentment, you are peace and forbearance. Armed with the sword, the spear, the mace and the discus, you are terrible..."

शङ्खिनी चापिनी बाणभुशुण्डीपरिघायुधा ।
सौम्या सौम्यतराशेषसौम्येभ्यस्त्वतिसुन्दरी ॥८१॥

Meaning: "...bearing the conch, the bow, arrows, the sling and the iron club as weapons. You are gentle, gentler still, exceedingly beautiful beyond all gentle things."

परापराणां परमा त्वमेव परमेश्वरी ।
यच्च किञ्चित्क्वचिद्वस्तु सदसद्वाखिलात्मिके ॥८२॥

Meaning: "You are beyond the high and the low, the supreme sovereign. Whatever thing exists anywhere, real or unreal, O you who are the self of all..."

तस्य सर्वस्य या शक्तिः सा त्वं किं स्तूयसे मया ।
यया त्वया जगत्स्रष्टा जगत्पात्यत्ति यो जगत् ॥८३॥

Meaning: "...the power of all that is you; how then can I praise you? When even he who creates, protects and devours the world..."

सोऽपि निद्रावशं नीतः कस्त्वां स्तोतुमिहेश्वरः ।
विष्णुः शरीरग्रहणमहमीशान एव च ॥८४॥

Meaning: "...has been brought under the sway of sleep by you, who here is able to praise you? Vishnu, I and Shiva have been made to take bodies by you..."

कारितास्ते यतोऽतस्त्वां कः स्तोतुं शक्तिमान् भवेत् ।
सा त्वमित्थं प्रभावैः स्वैरुदारैर्देवि संस्तुता ॥८५॥

Meaning: "...so who could have the power to praise you? Being such, O Goddess, you who are praised by your own exalted powers..."

मोहयैतौ दुराधर्षावसुरौ मधुकैटभौ ।
प्रबोधं च जगत्स्वामी नीयतामच्युतो लघु ॥८६॥

Meaning: "...delude these two invincible asuras, Madhu and Kaitabha, and quickly bring the Lord of the world, Achyuta, back to wakefulness..."

बोधश्च क्रियतामस्य हन्तुमेतौ महासुरौ ॥८७॥

Meaning: "...and rouse in him the will to slay these two great asuras."

ऋषिरुवाच ॥८८॥

Meaning: The sage said:

एवं स्तुता तदा देवी तामसी तत्र वेधसा ॥८९॥

Meaning: "Thus praised by the creator, the Goddess of tamas, so that Vishnu might wake and slay Madhu and Kaitabha..."

विष्णोः प्रबोधनार्थाय निहन्तुं मधुकैटभौ ।
नेत्रास्यनासिकाबाहुहृदयेभ्यस्तथोरसः ॥९०॥

Meaning: "...came forth from his eyes, mouth, nostrils, arms, heart and chest..."

निर्गम्य दर्शने तस्थौ ब्रह्मणोऽव्यक्तजन्मनः ।
उत्तस्थौ च जगन्नाथस्तया मुक्तो जनार्दनः ॥९१॥

Meaning: "...and stood before Brahma, whose birth is from the unmanifest. Released by her, Janardana, the Lord of the world, rose..."

एकार्णवेऽहिशयनात्ततः स ददृशे च तौ ।
मधुकैटभौ दुरात्मानावतिवीर्यपराक्रमौ ॥९२॥

Meaning: "...from his serpent-bed on the single ocean, and saw those two, Madhu and Kaitabha, evil-minded, of excessive strength and valour..."

क्रोधरक्तेक्षणावत्तुं ब्रह्माणं जनितोद्यमौ ।
समुत्थाय ततस्ताभ्यां युयुधे भगवान् हरिः ॥९३॥

Meaning: "...their eyes red with anger, bent on devouring Brahma. Then the blessed Hari rose and fought with them..."

पञ्चवर्षसहस्राणि बाहुप्रहरणो विभुः ।
तावप्यतिबलोन्मत्तौ महामायाविमोहितौ ॥९४॥

Meaning: "...for five thousand years, the all-pervading Lord using his arms as weapons. And those two, maddened by their great strength and deluded by Mahamaya..."

उक्तवन्तौ वरोऽस्मत्तो व्रियतामिति केशवम् ॥९५॥

Meaning: "...said to Keshava: "Ask a boon of us.""

श्रीभगवानुवाच ॥९६॥

Meaning: The blessed Lord said:

भवेतामद्य मे तुष्टौ मम वध्यावुभावपि ॥९७॥

Meaning: "If you are pleased with me, then both of you must now be slain by me."

किमन्येन वरेणात्र एतावद्धि वृतं मया ॥९८॥

Meaning: "What need is there of any other boon? This much alone I choose."

ऋषिरुवाच ॥९९॥

Meaning: The sage said:

वञ्चिताभ्यामिति तदा सर्वमापोमयं जगत् ॥१००॥

Meaning: "Thus deceived, the two looked around and saw the whole world covered in water..."

विलोक्य ताभ्यां गदितो भगवान् कमलेक्षणः ।
आवां जहि न यत्रोर्वी सलिलेन परिप्लुता ॥१०१॥

Meaning: "...and said to the lotus-eyed Lord: "Slay us where the earth is not flooded with water.""

ऋषिरुवाच ॥१०२॥

Meaning: The sage said:

तथेत्युक्त्वा भगवता शङ्खचक्रगदाभृता ।
कृत्वा चक्रेण वै छिन्ने जघने शिरसी तयोः ॥१०३॥

Meaning: "So be it," said the Lord who bears the conch, discus and mace; and placing them on his thigh, he severed their heads with his discus."

एवमेषा समुत्पन्ना ब्रह्मणा संस्तुता स्वयम् ।
प्रभावमस्या देव्यास्तु भूयः श‍ृणु वदामि ते ॥१०४॥

Meaning: "Thus did she manifest, praised by Brahma himself. Now hear further as I tell you of this Goddess's power."

। ऐं ॐ ।
॥ स्वस्ति श्रीमार्कण्डेयपुराणे सावर्णिके मन्वन्तरे देवीमाहात्म्ये
मधुकैटभवधो नाम प्रथमोऽध्यायः ॥ १॥
उवाच १४, अर्धश्लोकाः २४, श्लोकाः ६६, एवमादितः ॥ १०४॥

Meaning: Thus ends the first chapter, named Madhu Kaitabha Vadha, of the Devi Mahatmya in the Markandeya Purana, in the Savarnika manvantara. Fourteen uvacha lines, twenty-four half-verses and sixty-six full verses: one hundred and four in all.

Significance and benefits of reading Chapter 1

In the practice of the Saptashati, the chapters are not only a story but a sequence of invocations, and tradition assigns each a fruit. The first chapter is read for relief from worry and anxiety of every kind, which fits its theme: the king and the merchant come to the sage precisely because their minds will not rest. It is also the natural beginning of a complete Chandi Path, a navahna (nine-day) paath in Navratri, and of the Prathama Charitra read by itself.

Two passages carry special weight. The sage's teaching on Mahamaya (verses 47 to 58) is the philosophical heart of the Saptashati: the same power that binds the world in attachment is the power that frees it. And the Brahma Stuti (verses 73 to 87), in which the Goddess is addressed as Svaha, Svadha, the half-matra of Om, Sandhya, Savitri, Mahavidya and Mahamaya, is recited on its own by many devotees as a hymn to the Mother as the ground of all sound and all being.

How to read Chapter 1 (vidhi)

In a complete Saptashati path the chapters are read in order after the three angas, Devi Kavach, Argala Stotram and Keelak Stotram, and the Ratri Suktam. Many traditions also do the Navarna mantra japa with nyasa before and after. If you are reading this chapter on its own, begin with its dhyana as given above, read the verses without hurry, and close with the Kshamapana or the Siddha Kunjika Stotram.

Sit facing east or north on a clean asana, light a ghee lamp, keep water in a kalash, and read from a printed or clearly displayed text rather than from memory. Do not break a chapter in the middle; if you must stop, finish the chapter first. A samput mantra can be added before and after each verse for a specific purpose, but a plain reading with attention is the foundation.

Astrological relevance

In the Jyotish tradition the Devi Mahatmya is read as a remedy of the widest kind: the Prathama Charitra is associated with Mahakali and with the pacification of Rahu, Ketu and Shani, the Madhyama Charitra with Mahalakshmi and the Sun and Jupiter, and the Uttara Charitra with Mahasaraswati and Mercury and Venus. Chapter 1 belongs to the Prathama Charitra, so it is read with the rest of that episode when those grahas are difficult in a chart, and during their dashas. Nothing here replaces reading your own chart; it is the devotional side of the same picture. Start with a free kundli or talk to an astrologer to see which dasha is running.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Durga Saptashati Chapter 1 about?
It opens the Devi Mahatmya. King Suratha and the merchant Samadhi, both abandoned by those they loved, ask the sage Medha why the mind clings to them. He explains Mahamaya and tells her first deed: Brahma praised Yoganidra, Vishnu woke, and the demons Madhu and Kaitabha were slain. The chapter has 104 verses.

Which charitra and which form of the Goddess does Chapter 1 belong to?
Chapter 1 is the whole of the Prathama Charitra, the first episode, whose presiding deity is Mahakali. Its viniyoga names Brahma as the seer, Gayatri as the metre, Nanda as the shakti and Raktadantika as the bija.

Why is the first chapter read for removing worry?
Tradition assigns a fruit to each chapter, and the first is read for freedom from every kind of anxiety. Its story is itself about two troubled minds that find peace through understanding the Goddess, which is why devotees take it up when the mind will not settle.

Should I read the Kavach, Argala and Keelak before Chapter 1?
In a full Saptashati path, yes. The usual order is Devi Kavach, Argala Stotram and Keelak Stotram, then the Ratri Suktam, then Chapter 1. If you are reading only this chapter as a daily practice, begin with the dhyana given here and end with the Kshama Prarthana or the Siddha Kunjika Stotram.

Can Chapter 1 be read in Hindi, or must it be in Sanskrit?
The paath is traditionally recited in Sanskrit, and the meaning is read alongside so that the recitation is understood. Reading the Hindi meaning alone, with devotion, is also an accepted practice when Sanskrit recitation is not possible.