Durga Saptashati — श्रीदुर्गासप्तशती (Devi Mahatmyam)
The Devi Mahatmyam or Chandi Path — 700 verses in 13 chapters from the Markandeya Purana, glorifying the Divine Mother as the supreme Shakti who slays every demon and protects the universe. The supreme scripture of Goddess worship, recited above all during Navratri.
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The Three Charitas
Prathama Charita (Chapter 1)
Presiding Devi: Mahakali
The First Episode — presided over by Mahakali. The rishi Brahma is its seer, and it tells the Madhu-Kaitabha story revealing the Goddess as Yoganidra.
Madhyama Charita (Chapters 2–4)
Presiding Devi: Mahalakshmi
The Middle Episode — presided over by Mahalakshmi. It narrates the rise and destruction of Mahishasura and the hymns of the gods.
Uttama Charita (Chapters 5–13)
Presiding Devi: Mahasaraswati
The Final Episode — presided over by Mahasaraswati. It tells of Shumbha, Nishumbha, Raktabija and the great hymns to the Goddess.
The Parayan Set (Angas)
The three preliminary hymns recited, in order, before the Saptashati path.
The 13 Chapters
Tap any chapter to read all its verses in Sanskrit, with transliteration and meaning.
Madhu-Kaiṭabha Vadha
90 versesThe slaying of Madhu and Kaitabha — Yoganidra (Mahamaya) wakes Vishnu to destroy the two demons born of his ear-wax.
Mahiṣāsura-Sainya Vadha
68 versesThe destruction of Mahishasura's armies by the radiant Goddess formed from the gods' combined energy.
Mahiṣāsura Vadha
41 versesThe slaying of the buffalo-demon Mahishasura himself by Goddess Durga.
Śakrādi Stuti
37 versesIndra and the gods praise the Goddess with the Shakradi Stuti after the victory.
Devī-Dūta Saṃvāda
76 versesThe Goddess's dialogue with Shumbha's messenger — contains the famous 'Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu' hymn.
Dhūmralocana Vadha
20 versesThe slaying of the demon-general Dhumralochana.
Caṇḍa-Muṇḍa Vadha
25 versesKali (Chamunda) springs from the Goddess and slays Chanda and Munda.
Raktabīja Vadha
62 versesThe slaying of Raktabija, every drop of whose blood became a new demon.
Niśumbha Vadha
39 versesThe slaying of the demon Nishumbha.
Śumbha Vadha
28 versesThe slaying of Shumbha, the last great demon-king.
Nārāyaṇī Stuti
51 versesThe gods praise the Goddess as Narayani; she foretells her future incarnations.
Phalaśruti
39 versesThe Goddess proclaims the fruits and merits of reciting the Devi Mahatmyam.
Suratha-Vaiśya Varapradāna
23 versesThe Goddess grants boons to King Suratha and the merchant Samadhi.