1. Durga Saptasati or Devi Mahatmya English Translation (anandamayi.org)

-- Translation -- I bow to Thee Gouri Narayani, Who art the cause of the welfare of the world. Who art good, who grants every wish, in whom one takes refuge, Who art three-eyed.

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-- Translation -- Brahmā said:

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-- Translation -- You are svāhā and svadhā. You are verily the vasat-karah (vedic sacrifice) and embodiment of svara You are the nectar of immortality, oh eternal and imperishable One You are the embodiment of the threefold mātra, the Om sound.

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-- Translation -- You are half a mātra, though eternal You are verily that which cannot be uttered specifically. You are sāvitri, You are the Supreme Goddess, the Mother of the Gods.

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-- Translation -- By you this universe is born, By you this universe is created, By you it is protected oh Devi And you always consume it at the end

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-- Translation -- Oh you who are of the form of the whole world, at the time of creation You are the form of the creative force, at the time of the sustentation You are the form of the protective power, and at the time of dissolution of the world, You are the form of the destructive power.

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-- Translation -- You are the supreme knowledge as well as the great nescience, The great intellect and contemplation, As also the great delusion, The great goddess as also the great demon

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-- Translation -- You are the primordial cause of everything Bringing into force the three qualities (sattva, rajas and tamas) You are the dark might of periodic dissolution You are the great night of final dissolution and the terrible night of delusion

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-- Translation -- Mother, I bow to Thee again and again, destroyer of worldly sufferings, embodiment of bliss, dispenser of wisdom and devotion.

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-- Translation -- I bow to Thee Gauri Narayani, Who art the cause of the welfare of the world. Who art good, who grants every wish, in whom one takes refuge, Who art three-eyed.

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-- Translation -- The Rishi said:

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-- Translation -- When that most valiant but evil-natured Mahisasura and the army of that foe of the devas were destroyed by the Devi, Indra and the hosts of devas uttered their words of praise, their ecks and shoulders reverently bent, and bodies rendered beautiful with horripulation and exulatation.

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-- Translation -- To that Ambika who is worthy of worship by all devas and sages and pervades this world by Her power and who is the embodiment of the entire powers of all the hosts of devas, we bow in devotion. May She grant us auspicious things!

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-- Translation -- May Chandika, whose incomparable greatness and power Bhagavan Vishnu, Brahma and Hara are unable to describe , bestow Her mind on protecting the entire world and on destroying the fear of evil.

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-- Translation -- O Devi, we bow before You, who are Yourself good fortune in the dwellings of the virtuous, and ill-fortune in those of the vicious, intelligence in the hearts of the learned, faith in the hearts of the good, and modesty in the hearts of the high-born. May You protect the universe!

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-- Translation -- O Devi, how can we describe Your inconceivable form, or Your abundant surpassing valour that destroys the asuras, or Your wonderful feats displayed in battles among all the hosts of gods, asuras and others?

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-- Translation -- You are the soul of Sabda-Brahman. You are the repository of the very pur Rk and Yajus hymns, and of Samans, the recital of whose words is beautiful with the Udgitha! You are Bhagavati, embodying the three Vedas. And You are the sustenance whereby life is maintained. You are the Supreme Destroyer of the pain of all the worlds.

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-- Translation -- O Devi, You are the Intellect, by which the essence of all scriptures is comprehended. You are Durga, the boat the takes men across the difficult ocean of worldly existence, devoid of attachments. You are Sri who has invariably taken Her abode in the heart of Vishnu. You are indeed Gauri who has established Herself with Siva.

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-- Translation -- Gently smiling, pure, resembling the full moon's orb, beautiful like the splendour of excellent gold was Your face! Yet it was very strange that, being swayed by anger, Mahiasura suddenly struck Your face when he saw it.

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-- Translation -- O Devi, be propitious. You are Supreme. If enraged, You forthwith destroy the (asura) families for the welfare (of the world). This was known the very moment when the extensive forces of Mahisasura were brought to their end.

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-- Translation -- You who are always bounteous, with whom You are well pleased, those (fortunate ones) are indeed the object of esteem in the country, theirs are riches, theirs are glories, and their acts of righteousness perish not; they are indeed blessed and possessed of devoted children, servants and wives.

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-- Translation -- By Your Grace, O Devi, the blessed individual does daily all righteous deeds with utmost care and thereby attains to heaven. Are You not, therefore, O Devi, the bestower of reward in all the three worlds?

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-- Translation -- Oh Devi, protect us with Your spear. O Ambika, protect us with Your sword, protect us by the sound of Your gong and by the twang of Your bow-string.

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-- Translation -- O Candika, guard us in the east, in the west, in the north and in the south by the brandishing of Your spear, O Ishwari!

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-- Translation -- Protect us and the earth with those lovely forms of Yours moving about in the three worlds, as also with Your exceedingly terrible forms.

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-- Translation -- O Ambika, protect us on every side with Your sword, spear and club and whatever other weapons Your sprout-like (soft) hand has touched.

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-- Translation -- If there be any missing letter or meter, let this be completed, O Supreme Goddess (Maheswari), by Thy grace.

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-- Translation -- I bow to Thee Gouri Narayani, Who art the cause of the welfare of the world. Who art good, who grants every wish, in whom one takes refuge, Who art three-eyed.

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-- Translation -- Salutations to the Divine Mother who is ever auspicious. Salutations to Her who is the primordial cause and the sustaining power With deference, we make obeisance to Her.

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-- Translation -- Salutations to Her who is terrible, to Her who is eternal. Salutation to Gauri, the supporter (of the universe). Salutation always to Her who is of the form of the moon and moon-light

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-- Translation -- And happiness itself.

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-- Translation -- We bow to Her who is welfare Salutations to Her who is prosperity and success. Salutation to the consort of Shiva who is Herself the good fortune As well as misfortune of kings.

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-- Translation -- Salutation always to Durga who takes one across in difficulties, Who is essence, who is the author of everything; Who is knowledge of discrimination; And who is blue-black and also smoke like in complexion.

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-- Translation -- We prostrate before Her Who is at once most gentle and most terrible; Salutation to Her who is the supporter of the world. Salutation to the Devi who is of the form of volition.

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-- Translation -- Salutation again and again to the Devi Who abides in all beings and is called Vishnumaya.

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-- Translation -- Salutation again and again to the Devi Who abides in all beings as awareness.

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-- Translation -- Salutation again and again to the Devi Who abides in all beings in the form of intellect.

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-- Translation -- Salutation again and again to the Devi Who abides in all beings in the form of sleep.

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-- Translation -- Salutation again and again to the Devi Who abides in all beings in the form of hunger.

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-- Translation -- Salutation again and again to the Devi Who abides in all beings in the form of shadow.

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-- Translation -- Salutation again and again to the Devi Who abides in all beings in the form of vigour.

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-- Translation -- Salutation again and again to the Devi Who abides in all beings in the form of craving.

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-- Translation -- Salutation again and again to the Devi Who abides in all beings in the form of forbearance.

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-- Translation -- Salutation again and again to the Devi Who abides in all beings in the form of class.

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-- Translation -- Salutation again and again to the Devi Who abides in all beings in the form of shyness.

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-- Translation -- Salutation again and again to the Devi Who abides in all beings in the form of peace.

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-- Translation -- Salutation again and again to the Devi Who abides in all beings in the form of faith.

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-- Translation -- Salutation again and again to the Devi Who abides in all beings in the form of brilliance.

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-- Translation -- Salutation again and again to the Devi Who abides in all beings in the form of affluence.

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-- Translation -- Salutation again and again to the Devi Who abides in all beings in the form of thought-movement.

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-- Translation -- Salutation again and again to the Devi Who abides in all beings in the form of memory.

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-- Translation -- Salutation again and again to the Devi Who abides in all beings in the form of compassion.

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-- Translation -- Salutation again and again to the Devi

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-- Translation -- Salutation again and again to the Devi Who abides in all beings in the form of mother.

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-- Translation -- Salutation again and again to the Devi Who abides in all beings in the form of delusion. (Truth and error are both obverse and reverse forms of the goddess).

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-- Translation -- Salutation again and again to the all-pervading Devi Who constantly presides over the senses of all beings and (governs) all the elements.

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-- Translation -- Salutations again and again to Her Who pervading the entire world abides in the form of consciousness.

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-- Translation -- Invoked of yore by the devas for the sake of their desired object, And adored by the lord of the devas every day, May she, the Ishvari, the source of all good,

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-- Translation -- Accomplish for us all auspicious things and put an end to our calamities!

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-- Translation -- (from the Fifth Chapter called 'Devi's conversation with the messenger' of Devi Mahatmya in Markandeya-purana during the period of Savarni, the Manu).

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-- Translation -- Closing slokam:

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-- Translation -- If there be any missing letter or meter, let this be completed, O Supreme Goddess (Maheswari), by Thy grace.

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-- Translation -- Oh Queen of all, You who exist in the form of all and possess every might Save us from error, Oh Devi Salutation be to You, Devi Durga!

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-- Translation -- Mother, I bow to Thee again and again, destroyer of worldly sufferings, embodiment of bliss, dispenser of wisdom and devotion.

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-- Translation -- I bow to Thee Gouri Narayani, Who art the cause of the welfare of the world. Who art good, who grants every wish, in whom one takes refuge, Who art three-eyed.

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-- Translation -- The Rishi said:

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-- Translation -- When Shumbha, the chief of all great asuras was killed, The devas including Indra were lead by the fire god, and with very happy faces resembling fully opened lotus flowers, prayed Goddess Kathyayni (Goddess Chandika) as follows. (Parvathy was born as a daughter to Sage Kathyayana and was hence known as Kathayayani.)

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-- Translation -- O Devi, You who remove the sufferings of Your suppliants, be gracious. Be propitious, O Mother of the whole world. Be gracious, O Mother of the universe. Protect the universe. You are, O Devi, the ruler of all that is moving and unmoving.

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-- Translation -- You are the sole substratum of the world, because You subsist in the form of the earth. By You, who exist in the shape of water, all this (universe) is gratified, O Devi of inviolable valour!

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-- Translation -- O Devi, You are that power of Lord Vishnu, and have endless valour. You are the primeval maya, which is the source of the entire universe;by You all this universe has been thrown into an illusion, O Devi. If You become gracious, You become the cause of final emancipation in this world.

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-- Translation -- All lores are Your aspects, O Devi; so are all women in the world, endowed with various attributes. By You alone, the Mother, this world is filled. What praise can there be for You who are of the nature of primary and secondary expression regarding (objects) worthy of praise?

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-- Translation -- When You are being praised as the embodiment of all beings, the Devi, the effulgent One, and the bestower of enjoyment and liberation, what words however excellent, can praise You?

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-- Translation -- Salutation be to You, O Devi Narayani, O You who abide as intelligence in the hearts of all creatures, and bestow enjoyment and liberation.

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-- Translation -- Salutations be to you, O Narayani, O You who, in the form of minutes, moments and other divisions of time, bring about change in things, and have thus the power to destroy the universe.

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-- Translation -- Salutations be to You, O Narayani, O You who are the good of all good O auspicious Devi, who accomplish every object, the giver of refuge, O three-eyed Gauri!

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-- Translation -- Salutation be to You, O Narayani, You who have the power of creation, sustentation and destruction and are eternal. You are the substratum and embodiment of the three gunas.

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-- Translation -- Salutation be to You, O Narayani, O You are intent on saving the dejected and distressed that take refuge under You. O You, Devi, who remove the sufferings of all!

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-- Translation -- Salutation be to You, O Narayani, O You who ride in the heavenly chariot yoked with swans and assume the form of Brahmani, O Devi who sprinkle water with Kus'a grass.

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-- Translation -- Salutation be to You, O Narayani, O You who bear the trident, the moon and the serpent and ride a big bull, and have the form of Mahesvari.

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-- Translation -- Salutation be to You, O Narayani, O You who are attended by peacock and cock, and bear a great spear. O You, who are sinless and take the form of Kaumari.

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-- Translation -- Salutation be to You, O Narayani, O You who wield the conch, the discus, the mace and other weapons and are pleased to take the form of Vaishnavi.

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-- Translation -- tusks, and are adorned with a garland of heads, Camunda, O slayer of Munda!

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-- Translation -- Salutation be to You, O Narayani, O You who are good fortune, modesty, great wisdom, faith, nourishment and Svadha. O You who are immovable O You, great Night and Great Illusion.

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-- Translation -- Salutation be to You, O Narayani, O You who are intelligence and Sarasvati, O best One, prosperity, consort of Vishnu, Dark One, nature, be propitious.

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-- Translation -- O Queen of all, You who exist in the form of all, and possess every might, save us from terror, O Devi. Salutation be to You, Devi Durga!

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-- Translation -- May this benign countenance of Yours adorned with three eyes, protect us from all fears. Salutation be to You, O Katyayani!

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-- Translation -- O Bhādrakāli, salutation to You, let Your horrifying trident surrounded by flames, which is very angry and is being kept to trouble all asuras, protect us from fear.

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-- Translation -- Who is there except You in the sciences, in the scriptures, and in the Vedic sayings that light the lap of discrimination? (Still) You cause this universe to whirl about again and again within the dense darkness of the depths of attachment.

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-- Translation -- Where Rakshasas and snakes of virulent poison (are), where forest conflagrations (occur), there and in the mid-sea, You stand and save the world.

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-- Translation -- O Queen of the Universe, You protect the Universe. As the Self of the universe, You support the Universe. You are the (goddess) worthy to be adored by the Lord of the Universe. Those who bow in devotion to You themselves become the refuge of the Universe.

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-- Translation -- O Devi, be pleased an dprotect us always from fear of foes, as You have done just now by the slaughter of asuras. And destroy quickly the sins of all the worlds and the great calamities which have sprung from the maturing of evil portents.

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-- Translation -- O Devi You who remove the afflictions of the universe, be gracious to us who have bowed to You. O You worthy of adoration by the dwellers of the three worlds, beboon-giver to the worlds.

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-- Translation -- If there be any missing letter or meter, let this be completed, O Supreme Goddess (Maheswari), by Thy grace.

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-- Translation -- Oh Queen of all, You who exist in the form of all and possess every might Save us from error, Oh Devi Salutation be to You, Devi Durga!

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-- Translation -- Mother, I bow to Thee again and again, destroyer of worldly sufferings, embodiment of bliss, dispenser of wisdom and devotion.