Durga Saptashati Chapter 5 (Panchama Adhyay): Devi Duta Samvada and Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu, with Meaning

Durga Saptashati Chapter 5, the Panchama Adhyay, opens the Uttara Charitra, the last and longest episode of the Devi Mahatmya, presided over by Mahasaraswati. It is the longest chapter of the Saptashati, 129 verses in the standard numbering, and it contains the passage most people know by heart: the Aparajita Stuti, the hymn of the gods that begins namo devyai mahadevyai and runs through the twenty-one invocations ya devi sarvabhuteshu, "to the Goddess who abides in all beings as consciousness, intellect, sleep, hunger, power, forbearance, peace, faith, Lakshmi, memory, compassion, mother..."

The story that follows sets up the rest of the Saptashati. Kaushiki emerges from the body of Parvati, who herself turns dark and becomes Kalika. The asura servants Chanda and Munda see the Goddess and describe her to Shumbha as the one jewel his treasury lacks. His messenger Sugriva brings the proposal, and the Goddess answers with her vow: only the one who defeats her in battle may be her husband. Every verse is given below in Sanskrit with its meaning.

संक्षेप में: दुर्गा सप्तशती का पाँचवाँ अध्याय (देवी-दूत संवाद) यहाँ पूरा दिया गया है: विनियोग, ध्यान और सभी 129 श्लोक संस्कृत में, हर श्लोक के हिंदी अर्थ के साथ। इससे उत्तर चरित्र शुरू होता है, जिसकी अधिष्ठात्री महासरस्वती हैं। इसी अध्याय में अपराजिता स्तुति और या देवी सर्वभूतेषु के इक्कीस नमस्कार हैं; कौशिकी पार्वती के शरीर से प्रकट होती हैं, और शुम्भ के दूत को देवी अपनी प्रतिज्ञा सुनाती हैं। परंपरा में यह अध्याय भय, बुरे स्वप्नों और ग्रह-पीड़ा से मुक्ति के लिए पढ़ा जाता है। 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 5 at a glance

• Chapter: Fifth of 13, "Devi Duta Samvada" (देवी-दूत संवाद)
• Charitra: Uttara Charitra (the last episode)
• Presiding deity: Mahasaraswati
• Rishi: Rudra
• Chhanda: Anushtup
• Shakti · Bija · Tattva · Veda: Bhima · Bhramari · Surya (the sun) · Samaveda
• Verses: 129 in the standard numbering (uvacha lines counted)
• Traditional fruit of reading: Tradition reads the fifth chapter for freedom from fear, bad dreams and planetary affliction; its Aparajita Stuti is the most recited passage of the whole Saptashati.

The story of Chapter 5 in brief

The asuras Shumbha and Nishumbha seize the three worlds and the offices of Surya, Chandra, Kubera, Yama, Varuna, Vayu and Agni. The gods remember the boon of Chapter 4, go to the Himalaya and sing the hymn of the Goddess as Vishnumaya in all beings. As they sing, Parvati comes to bathe in the Ganga and asks whom they praise; from the sheath of her body a Goddess emerges and answers that the hymn is to her. She is Kaushiki; Parvati, left dark, becomes Kalika. Shumbha's servants Chanda and Munda see Kaushiki and tell their king that a woman of unmatched beauty lights up the mountain, listing the treasures he has already gathered, Airavata, the Parijata, Uchchaihshravas, Brahma's swan chariot, the Mahapadma treasure, Varuna's umbrella, and asking why this jewel too is not his. Shumbha sends Sugriva as messenger with his proposal: the three worlds are mine, every jewel is mine, so you, the jewel among women, should accept me or my brother. The Goddess smiles and replies that all this is true, but she once vowed that only the one who defeats her in battle and humbles her pride can be her husband; let Shumbha or Nishumbha come and win her. The messenger threatens that she will be dragged by the hair; she sends him back with the same answer.

Durga Saptashati Chapter 5: 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 उत्तरचरित्रस्य रुद्र ऋषिः ।
श्रीमहासरस्वती देवता ।
अनुष्टुप् छन्दः । भीमा शक्तिः । भ्रामरी बीजम् ।
सूर्यस्तत्त्वम् ।
सामवेदः स्वरूपम् । श्रीमहासरस्वतीप्रीत्यर्थे
उत्तरचरित्रपाठे विनियोगः ।

Meaning: Of this last episode (Uttara Charitra), Rudra is the seer, Shri Mahasaraswati the deity, Anushtup the metre, Bhima the power, Bhramari the seed, the sun the element and the Samaveda the form. Its recitation is dedicated to pleasing Shri Mahasaraswati.

Dhyanam

घण्टाशूलहलानि शङ्खमुसले चक्रं धनुः सायकं
हस्ताब्जैर्दधतीं घनान्तविलसच्छीतांशुतुल्यप्रभाम् ।
गौरीदेहसमुद्भवां त्रिजगतामाधारभूतां महा-
पूर्वामत्र सरस्वतीमनुभजे शुम्भादिदैत्यार्दिनीम् ॥

Meaning: I worship Mahasaraswati, who holds in her lotus hands the bell, the trident, the plough, the conch, the pestle, the discus, the bow and the arrow; whose radiance is like that of the moon shining at the end of the rains; who arose from the body of Gauri; who is the support of the three worlds; who is the foremost here, and who crushed Shumbha and the other daityas.

Verses 1 to 129

ॐ क्लीं ऋषिरुवाच ॥१॥

Meaning: Om Kleem. The sage said:

पुरा शुम्भनिशुम्भाभ्यामसुराभ्यां शचीपतेः ।
त्रैलोक्यं यज्ञभागाश्च हृता मदबलाश्रयात् ॥२॥

Meaning: Long ago the asuras Shumbha and Nishumbha, relying on the strength of their pride, took from Indra, the lord of Shachi, the three worlds and the shares of the sacrifices.

तावेव सूर्यतां तद्वदधिकारं तथैन्दवम् ।
कौबेरमथ याम्यं च चक्राते वरुणस्य च ॥३॥

Meaning: They themselves took on the office of the Sun, and likewise that of the Moon, of Kubera, of Yama and of Varuna.

तावेव पवनर्द्धिं च चक्रतुर्वह्निकर्म च ।
ततो देवा विनिर्धूता भ्रष्टराज्याः पराजिताः ॥४॥

Meaning: They took over the power of Vayu and the work of Agni. Then the gods, driven out, deprived of their kingdom and defeated...

हृताधिकारास्त्रिदशास्ताभ्यां सर्वे निराकृताः ।
महासुराभ्यां तां देवीं संस्मरन्त्यपराजिताम् ॥५॥

Meaning: ...all the gods, robbed of their offices and cast out by those two great asuras, remembered the invincible Goddess:

तयास्माकं वरो दत्तो यथापत्सु स्मृताखिलाः ।
भवतां नाशयिष्यामि तत्क्षणात्परमापदः ॥६॥

Meaning: "She gave us a boon: 'Whenever you remember me in calamity, I shall at that very moment destroy your greatest misfortunes.'"

इति कृत्वा मतिं देवा हिमवन्तं नगेश्वरम् ।
जग्मुस्तत्र ततो देवीं विष्णुमायां प्रतुष्टुवुः ॥७॥

Meaning: Resolving thus, the gods went to Himavan, lord of mountains, and there praised the Goddess who is Vishnumaya.

देवा ऊचुः ॥८॥

Meaning: The gods said:

नमो देव्यै महादेव्यै शिवायै सततं नमः ।
नमः प्रकृत्यै भद्रायै नियताः प्रणताः स्म ताम् ॥९॥

Meaning: "Salutation to the Goddess, to the great Goddess; salutation always to her who is Shiva. Salutation to Prakriti, to the auspicious one; disciplined, we bow to her."

रौद्रायै नमो नित्यायै गौर्यै धात्र्यै नमो नमः ।
ज्योत्स्नायै चेन्दुरूपिण्यै सुखायै सततं नमः ॥१०॥

Meaning: "Salutation to the fierce one, to the eternal one; to Gauri, to the sustainer, salutation again and again. To her who is moonlight and the form of the moon, to her who is happiness, salutation always."

कल्याण्यै प्रणतां वृद्ध्यै सिद्ध्यै कुर्मो नमो नमः ।
नैरृत्यै भूभृतां लक्ष्म्यै शर्वाण्यै ते नमो नमः ॥११॥

Meaning: "To the auspicious one we bow; to prosperity and attainment we bow again and again. To Nairriti, to the Lakshmi of kings, to Sharvani, salutation again and again."

दुर्गायै दुर्गपारायै सारायै सर्वकारिण्यै ।
ख्यात्यै तथैव कृष्णायै धूम्रायै सततं नमः ॥१२॥

Meaning: "To Durga, to her who carries across difficulty, to the essence, to the maker of all; to fame, and likewise to the dark one and the smoke-hued one, salutation always."

अतिसौम्यातिरौद्रायै नतास्तस्यै नमो नमः ।
नमो जगत्प्रतिष्ठायै देव्यै कृत्यै नमो नमः ॥१३॥

Meaning: "To her who is most gentle and most terrible we bow, salutation again and again. Salutation to the support of the world; to the Goddess who is action, salutation again and again."

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु विष्णुमायेति शब्दिता ।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥१४-१६॥

Meaning: To the Goddess who abides in all beings as the one called Vishnumaya: salutation to her, salutation to her, salutation to her, salutation again and again.

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु चेतनेत्यभिधीयते ।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥१७-१९॥

Meaning: To the Goddess who abides in all beings as consciousness: salutation to her, salutation to her, salutation to her, salutation again and again.

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु बुद्धिरूपेण संस्थिता ।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥२०-२२॥

Meaning: To the Goddess who abides in all beings as intellect: salutation to her, salutation to her, salutation to her, salutation again and again.

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु निद्रारूपेण संस्थिता ।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥२३-२५॥

Meaning: To the Goddess who abides in all beings as sleep: salutation to her, salutation to her, salutation to her, salutation again and again.

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु क्षुधारूपेण संस्थिता ।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥२६-२८॥

Meaning: To the Goddess who abides in all beings as hunger: salutation to her, salutation to her, salutation to her, salutation again and again.

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु छायारूपेण संस्थिता ।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥२९-३१॥

Meaning: To the Goddess who abides in all beings as shadow (reflection): salutation to her, salutation to her, salutation to her, salutation again and again.

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु शक्तिरूपेण संस्थिता ।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥३२-३४॥

Meaning: To the Goddess who abides in all beings as power: salutation to her, salutation to her, salutation to her, salutation again and again.

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु तृष्णारूपेण संस्थिता ।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥३५-३७॥

Meaning: To the Goddess who abides in all beings as thirst (craving): salutation to her, salutation to her, salutation to her, salutation again and again.

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु क्षान्तिरूपेण संस्थिता ।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥३८-४०॥

Meaning: To the Goddess who abides in all beings as forbearance: salutation to her, salutation to her, salutation to her, salutation again and again.

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु जातिरूपेण संस्थिता ।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥४१-४३॥

Meaning: To the Goddess who abides in all beings as genus (the kind to which each thing belongs): salutation to her, salutation to her, salutation to her, salutation again and again.

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु लज्जारूपेण संस्थिता ।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥४४-४६॥

Meaning: To the Goddess who abides in all beings as modesty: salutation to her, salutation to her, salutation to her, salutation again and again.

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु शान्तिरूपेण संस्थिता ।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥४७-४९॥

Meaning: To the Goddess who abides in all beings as peace: salutation to her, salutation to her, salutation to her, salutation again and again.

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु श्रद्धारूपेण संस्थिता ।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥५०-५२॥

Meaning: To the Goddess who abides in all beings as faith: salutation to her, salutation to her, salutation to her, salutation again and again.

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु कान्तिरूपेण संस्थिता ।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥५३-५५॥

Meaning: To the Goddess who abides in all beings as lustre: salutation to her, salutation to her, salutation to her, salutation again and again.

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु लक्ष्मीरूपेण संस्थिता ।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥५६-५८॥

Meaning: To the Goddess who abides in all beings as Lakshmi (fortune): salutation to her, salutation to her, salutation to her, salutation again and again.

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु वृत्तिरूपेण संस्थिता ।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥५९-६१॥

Meaning: To the Goddess who abides in all beings as activity (livelihood): salutation to her, salutation to her, salutation to her, salutation again and again.

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु स्मृतिरूपेण संस्थिता ।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥६२-६४॥

Meaning: To the Goddess who abides in all beings as memory: salutation to her, salutation to her, salutation to her, salutation again and again.

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु दयारूपेण संस्थिता ।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥६५-६७॥

Meaning: To the Goddess who abides in all beings as compassion: salutation to her, salutation to her, salutation to her, salutation again and again.

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु तुष्टिरूपेण संस्थिता ।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥६८-७०॥

Meaning: To the Goddess who abides in all beings as contentment: salutation to her, salutation to her, salutation to her, salutation again and again.

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु मातृरूपेण संस्थिता ।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥७१-७३॥

Meaning: To the Goddess who abides in all beings as mother: salutation to her, salutation to her, salutation to her, salutation again and again.

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु भ्रान्तिरूपेण संस्थिता ।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥७४-७६॥

Meaning: To the Goddess who abides in all beings as error (delusion): salutation to her, salutation to her, salutation to her, salutation again and again.

इन्द्रियाणामधिष्ठात्री भूतानां चाखिलेषु या ।
भूतेषु सततं तस्यै व्याप्त्यै देव्यै नमो नमः ॥७७॥

Meaning: To the Goddess who presides over the senses of all beings, and who is ever pervading all the elements: salutation to her, salutation again and again.

चितिरूपेण या कृत्स्नमेतद् व्याप्य स्थिता जगत् ।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥७८-८०॥

Meaning: To her who, in the form of consciousness, pervades and abides in this whole world: salutation to her, salutation to her, salutation to her, salutation again and again.

स्तुता सुरैः पूर्वमभीष्टसंश्रया-
त्तथा सुरेन्द्रेण दिनेषु सेविता ।
करोतु सा नः शुभहेतुरीश्वरी
शुभानि भद्राण्यभिहन्तु चापदः ॥८१॥

Meaning: "She who was praised by the gods of old for the fulfilment of their wishes, and served by the lord of the gods for days on end: may that sovereign Goddess, the cause of all that is good, bring us good and blessings, and destroy our calamities."

या साम्प्रतं चोद्धतदैत्यतापितै-
रस्माभिरीशा च सुरैर्नमस्यते ।
या च स्मृता तत्क्षणमेव हन्ति नः
सर्वापदो भक्तिविनम्रमूर्तिभिः ॥८२॥

Meaning: "She who is now saluted by us gods, tormented by the arrogant daityas, the sovereign who, remembered with bodies bowed in devotion, at that very moment destroys all our calamities."

ऋषिरुवाच ॥८३॥

Meaning: The sage said:

एवं स्तवाभियुक्तानां देवानां तत्र पार्वती ।
स्नातुमभ्याययौ तोये जाह्नव्या नृपनन्दन ॥८४॥

Meaning: O prince, while the gods were thus engaged in praise, Parvati came there to bathe in the waters of the Ganga.

साब्रवीत्तान् सुरान् सुभ्रूर्भवद्भिः स्तूयतेऽत्र का ।
शरीरकोशतश्चास्याः समुद्भूताब्रवीच्छिवा ॥८५॥

Meaning: She of the beautiful brows said to those gods, "Who is being praised here by you?" And from the sheath of her body an auspicious Goddess came forth and replied:

स्तोत्रं ममैतत्क्रियते शुम्भदैत्यनिराकृतैः ।
देवैः समेतैः समरे निशुम्भेन पराजितैः ॥८६॥

Meaning: "This hymn is being offered to me by the assembled gods, driven off by the daitya Shumbha and defeated in battle by Nishumbha."

शरीरकोशाद्यत्तस्याः पार्वत्या निःसृताम्बिका ।
कौशिकीति समस्तेषु ततो लोकेषु गीयते ॥८७॥

Meaning: Because Ambika came forth from the sheath of Parvati's body, she is sung of in all the worlds as Kaushiki.

तस्यां विनिर्गतायां तु कृष्णाभूत्सापि पार्वती ।
कालिकेति समाख्याता हिमाचलकृताश्रया ॥८८॥

Meaning: When she had come out, Parvati too became dark, and dwelling on the Himalaya she is known as Kalika.

ततोऽम्बिकां परं रूपं बिभ्राणां सुमनोहरम् ।
ददर्श चण्डो मुण्डश्च भृत्यौ शुम्भनिशुम्भयोः ॥८९॥

Meaning: Then Chanda and Munda, the servants of Shumbha and Nishumbha, saw Ambika wearing her supreme and most enchanting form.

ताभ्यां शुम्भाय चाख्याता सातीव सुमनोहरा ।
काप्यास्ते स्त्री महाराज भासयन्ती हिमाचलम् ॥९०॥

Meaning: The two told Shumbha: "O great king, a certain woman of surpassing beauty is dwelling there, lighting up the Himalaya."

नैव तादृक् क्वचिद्रूपं दृष्टं केनचिदुत्तमम् ।
ज्ञायतां काप्यसौ देवी गृह्यतां चासुरेश्वर ॥९१॥

Meaning: "Such a supreme form has never been seen anywhere by anyone. Find out who that Goddess is, and take her, O lord of the asuras."

स्त्रीरत्नमतिचार्वङ्गी द्योतयन्ती दिशस्त्विषा ।
सा तु तिष्ठति दैत्येन्द्र तां भवान् द्रष्टुमर्हति ॥९२॥

Meaning: "A jewel among women, with exquisite limbs, lighting up the directions with her radiance, she stands there, O lord of the daityas; you should see her."

यानि रत्नानि मणयो गजाश्वादीनि वै प्रभो ।
त्रैलोक्ये तु समस्तानि साम्प्रतं भान्ति ते गृहे ॥९३॥

Meaning: "Whatever gems, jewels, elephants, horses and the like there are in the three worlds, O lord, all of them now shine in your house."

ऐरावतः समानीतो गजरत्नं पुरन्दरात् ।
पारिजाततरुश्चायं तथैवोच्चैःश्रवा हयः ॥९४॥

Meaning: "Airavata, the jewel of elephants, has been brought from Indra; so have the Parijata tree and the horse Uchchaihshravas."

विमानं हंससंयुक्तमेतत्तिष्ठति तेऽङ्गणे ।
रत्नभूतमिहानीतं यदासीद्वेधसोऽद्भुतम् ॥९५॥

Meaning: "This chariot yoked with swans stands in your courtyard, a wondrous jewel that belonged to Brahma, brought here."

निधिरेष महापद्मः समानीतो धनेश्वरात् ।
किञ्जल्किनीं ददौ चाब्धिर्मालामम्लानपङ्कजाम् ॥९६॥

Meaning: "This treasure Mahapadma has been brought from Kubera, lord of wealth; and the ocean gave you the Kinjalkini garland of unfading lotuses."

छत्रं ते वारुणं गेहे काञ्चनस्रावि तिष्ठति ।
तथायं स्यन्दनवरो यः पुरासीत्प्रजापतेः ॥९७॥

Meaning: "Varuna's umbrella, which rains gold, stands in your house; and so does this best of chariots that once belonged to Prajapati."

मृत्योरुत्क्रान्तिदा नाम शक्तिरीश त्वया हृता ।
पाशः सलिलराजस्य भ्रातुस्तव परिग्रहे ॥९८॥

Meaning: "O lord, you have seized from Death the power called Utkrantida, and the noose of the lord of waters is in the possession of your brother."

निशुम्भस्याब्धिजाताश्च समस्ता रत्नजातयः ।
वह्निरपि ददौ तुभ्यमग्निशौचे च वाससी ॥९९॥

Meaning: "Nishumbha holds all the kinds of jewels born of the ocean; and Agni too gave you two garments purified by fire."

एवं दैत्येन्द्र रत्नानि समस्तान्याहृतानि ते ।
स्त्रीरत्नमेषा कल्याणी त्वया कस्मान्न गृह्यते ॥१००॥

Meaning: "Thus, O lord of the daityas, every jewel has been gathered by you. Why then is this auspicious jewel among women not taken by you?"

ऋषिरुवाच ॥१०१॥

Meaning: The sage said:

निशम्येति वचः शुम्भः स तदा चण्डमुण्डयोः ।
प्रेषयामास सुग्रीवं दूतं देव्या महासुरम् ॥१०२॥

Meaning: Hearing these words of Chanda and Munda, Shumbha then sent the great asura Sugriva as a messenger to the Goddess:

इति चेति च वक्तव्या सा गत्वा वचनान्मम ।
यथा चाभ्येति सम्प्रीत्या तथा कार्यं त्वया लघु ॥१०३॥

Meaning: "Go and tell her this and this in my words, and act quickly so that she comes to me of her own good will."

स तत्र गत्वा यत्रास्ते शैलोद्देशेऽतिशोभने ।
तां च देवीं ततः प्राह श्लक्ष्णं मधुरया गिरा ॥१०४॥

Meaning: He went to where the Goddess stayed, on a most beautiful stretch of the mountain, and spoke to her in soft and sweet words.

दूत उवाच ॥१०५॥

Meaning: The messenger said:

देवि दैत्येश्वरः शुम्भस्त्रैलोक्ये परमेश्वरः ।
दूतोऽहं प्रेषितस्तेन त्वत्सकाशमिहागतः ॥१०६॥

Meaning: "O Goddess, Shumbha, lord of the daityas, is the supreme lord of the three worlds. I am a messenger sent by him and have come here to you."

अव्याहताज्ञः सर्वासु यः सदा देवयोनिषु ।
निर्जिताखिलदैत्यारिः स यदाह श‍ृणुष्व तत् ॥१०७॥

Meaning: "His command is never opposed among all the races of the gods, and he has conquered every enemy of the daityas. Hear what he says:"

मम त्रैलोक्यमखिलं मम देवा वशानुगाः ।
यज्ञभागानहं सर्वानुपाश्नामि पृथक् पृथक् ॥१०८॥

Meaning: "'All the three worlds are mine; the gods obey my will; I alone enjoy all the shares of the sacrifices, each separately.'"

त्रैलोक्ये वररत्नानि मम वश्यान्यशेषतः ।
तथैव गजरत्नं च हृतं देवेन्द्रवाहनम् ॥१०९॥

Meaning: "'The finest jewels of the three worlds are entirely under my control; so too the jewel of elephants, the mount of the king of the gods, has been taken.'"

क्षीरोदमथनोद्भूतमश्वरत्नं ममामरैः ।
उच्चैःश्रवससंज्ञं तत्प्रणिपत्य समर्पितम् ॥११०॥

Meaning: "'The jewel of horses, born of the churning of the milk ocean, named Uchchaihshravas, was offered to me by the gods with bowed heads.'"

यानि चान्यानि देवेषु गन्धर्वेषूरगेषु च ।
रत्नभूतानि भूतानि तानि मय्येव शोभने ॥१११॥

Meaning: "'And whatever other precious things there were among the gods, gandharvas and serpents, they are all with me, O beautiful one.'"

स्त्रीरत्नभूतां त्वां देवि लोके मन्यामहे वयम् ।
सा त्वमस्मानुपागच्छ यतो रत्नभुजो वयम् ॥११२॥

Meaning: "'We regard you, O Goddess, as the jewel among women in the world. Come to us, then, for we are the enjoyers of jewels.'"

मां वा ममानुजं वापि निशुम्भमुरुविक्रमम् ।
भज त्वं चञ्चलापाङ्गि रत्नभूतासि वै यतः ॥११३॥

Meaning: "'Accept me, or my younger brother Nishumbha of great valour, O you of the darting glances, for you are indeed a jewel.'"

परमैश्वर्यमतुलं प्राप्स्यसे मत्परिग्रहात् ।
एतद्बुद्ध्या समालोच्य मत्परिग्रहतां व्रज ॥११४॥

Meaning: "'By accepting me you will gain supreme and unequalled sovereignty. Consider this with your intelligence and become my wife.'"

ऋषिरुवाच ॥११५॥

Meaning: The sage said:

इत्युक्ता सा तदा देवी गम्भीरान्तःस्मिता जगौ ।
दुर्गा भगवती भद्रा ययेदं धार्यते जगत् ॥११६॥

Meaning: Thus addressed, the Goddess, the blessed and auspicious Durga by whom this world is upheld, smiled deep within and spoke.

देव्युवाच ॥११७॥

Meaning: The Goddess said:

सत्यमुक्तं त्वया नात्र मिथ्या किञ्चित्त्वयोदितम् ।
त्रैलोक्याधिपतिः शुम्भो निशुम्भश्चापि तादृशः ॥११८॥

Meaning: "You have spoken the truth; nothing you have said is false. Shumbha is lord of the three worlds, and Nishumbha is his equal."

किं त्वत्र यत्प्रतिज्ञातं मिथ्या तत्क्रियते कथम् ।
श्रूयतामल्पबुद्धित्वात्प्रतिज्ञा या कृता पुरा ॥११९॥

Meaning: "But how can what has been promised in this matter be made false? Hear the vow I made long ago, out of my little understanding:"

यो मां जयति सङ्ग्रामे यो मे दर्पं व्यपोहति ।
यो मे प्रतिबलो लोके स मे भर्ता भविष्यति ॥१२०॥

Meaning: "'He who conquers me in battle, who takes away my pride, who is my match in strength in this world, he alone shall be my husband.'"

तदागच्छतु शुम्भोऽत्र निशुम्भो वा महाबलः ।
मां जित्वा किं चिरेणात्र पाणिं गृह्णातु मे लघु ॥१२१॥

Meaning: "So let Shumbha come here, or the mighty Nishumbha; let him conquer me, and then, why delay, let him quickly take my hand."

दूत उवाच ॥१२२॥

Meaning: The messenger said:

अवलिप्तासि मैवं त्वं देवि ब्रूहि ममाग्रतः ।
त्रैलोक्ये कः पुमांस्तिष्ठेदग्रे शुम्भनिशुम्भयोः ॥१२३॥

Meaning: "You are arrogant, O Goddess; do not speak so before me. What man in the three worlds can stand before Shumbha and Nishumbha?"

अन्येषामपि दैत्यानां सर्वे देवा न वै युधि ।
तिष्ठन्ति सम्मुखे देवि किं पुनः स्त्री त्वमेकिका ॥१२४॥

Meaning: "Not even all the gods can stand face to face in battle with the other daityas, O Goddess; how much less you, a woman, and alone."

इन्द्राद्याः सकला देवास्तस्थुर्येषां न संयुगे ।
शुम्भादीनां कथं तेषां स्त्री प्रयास्यसि सम्मुखम् ॥१२५॥

Meaning: "Indra and all the other gods could not stand in battle against Shumbha and the rest; how will you, a woman, go to face them?"

सा त्वं गच्छ मयैवोक्ता पार्श्वं शुम्भनिशुम्भयोः ।
केशाकर्षणनिर्धूतगौरवा मा गमिष्यसि ॥१२६॥

Meaning: "Go, then, as I tell you, to Shumbha and Nishumbha; otherwise you will go dragged by the hair, your dignity cast away."

देव्युवाच ॥१२७॥

Meaning: The Goddess said:

एवमेतद् बली शुम्भो निशुम्भश्चापितादृशः ।
किं करोमि प्रतिज्ञा मे यदनालोचिता पुरा ॥१२८॥

Meaning: "It is as you say: Shumbha is strong, and Nishumbha is just as strong. What can I do? My vow was made without thinking, long ago."

स त्वं गच्छ मयोक्तं ते यदेतत्सर्वमादृतः ।
तदाचक्ष्वासुरेन्द्राय स च युक्तं करोतु यत् ॥१२९॥

Meaning: "Go, then, and tell the lord of the asuras with due respect all that I have said to you; and let him do what is fitting."

॥ स्वस्ति श्रीमार्कण्डेयपुराणे सावर्णिके मन्वन्तरे देवीमाहात्म्ये
देव्या दूतसंवादो नाम पञ्चमोऽध्यायः ॥ ५॥
उवाच ९, त्रिपान्मन्त्राः ६६, श्लोकाः ५४, एवमादितः ॥ ३८८॥

Meaning: Thus ends the fifth chapter, named Devi Duta Samvada, of the Devi Mahatmya in the Markandeya Purana, in the Savarnika manvantara. Nine uvacha lines, sixty-six three-footed mantras and fifty-four full verses: three hundred and eighty-eight from the beginning.

Significance and benefits of reading Chapter 5

Tradition assigns a fruit to each chapter, and the fifth chapter is read for freedom from fear, from bad dreams and from the affliction of the grahas. Its hymn, verses 9 to 82, is recited on its own more than any other part of the Saptashati: in Navratri gatherings, in daily puja, at the start of a Chandi Homa, and set to music in countless recordings. The twenty-one ya devi sarvabhuteshu verses are also the Saptashati's clearest statement of its philosophy: the Goddess is not elsewhere but is the consciousness, intellect, sleep, hunger, strength, patience, faith, memory, compassion and motherhood present in every living being.

The chapter is also where the Saptashati's great names arise. Kaushiki, "she of the sheath", because she came from Parvati's body; Kalika, because Parvati turned dark when she left; and the Goddess as Aparajita, the invincible one, whose vow in verse 120 makes the war with Shumbha inevitable. Devotees read the Goddess's calm reply to the messenger as the model for meeting intimidation: no anger, no concession, only the truth of her word.

How to read Chapter 5 (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 5 belongs to the Uttara 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 "Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu" and where does it come from?
It is the refrain of the Aparajita Stuti in Chapter 5 of the Durga Saptashati, verses 14 to 80: twenty-one invocations to the Goddess who abides in all beings as Vishnumaya, consciousness, intellect, sleep, hunger, shadow, power, craving, forbearance, genus, modesty, peace, faith, lustre, Lakshmi, activity, memory, compassion, contentment, mother and delusion, each followed by "namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namah".

Why does the chapter count 129 verses when there are fewer stanzas?
In the standard numbering each "ya devi sarvabhuteshu" stanza counts as three verses (its three "namastasyai" feet are counted as three mantras), so verses 14 to 16 are one stanza, 17 to 19 the next, and so on. The colophon says so: nine uvacha lines, sixty-six three-footed mantras and fifty-four full verses.

Who are Kaushiki and Kalika?
Both names arise in this chapter. When the gods praise the Goddess, she emerges from the sheath (kosha) of Parvati's body and is therefore called Kaushiki. Parvati, left dark when Kaushiki comes out, is called Kalika, and she dwells on the Himalaya.

What vow does the Goddess state in Chapter 5?
Verse 120: "He who conquers me in battle, who takes away my pride, who is my match in strength in this world, he alone shall be my husband." She tells Shumbha's messenger that Shumbha or Nishumbha may come, defeat her, and then take her hand.

When is Chapter 5 read on its own?
Tradition reads it for release from fear, bad dreams and the affliction of the grahas. Its hymn (verses 9 to 82) is recited daily by many devotees, at the start of a Chandi Homa, and during Navratri; the full chapter is read as the opening of the Uttara Charitra.