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Aradhita Saiva Nrinam (Refuge in the Devi — The Closing Phala Verses) — Word-by-Word Meaning

आराधिता सैव नृणाम् (देवी की शरण — फल-श्लोक)

Every Sanskrit word explained in English

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Word-by-Word Breakdown

एतत्ते कथितं भूप
etatte kathitaṃ bhūpa
This has been related to you, O King
देवीमाहात्म्यमुत्तमम्
devīmāhātmyamuttamam
The supreme glory of the Devi (Devi Mahatmya)
ययेदं धार्यते जगत्
yayedaṃ dhāryate jagat
By whom this world is upheld
विद्या ... विष्णुमायया
vidyā ... viṣṇumāyayā
Knowledge too is brought about by the Maya of Lord Vishnu
विवेकिनः
vivekinaḥ
The discerning / wise ones
मोह्यन्ते
mohyante
Are deluded (by her Maya)
तामुपैहि ... शरणं
tāmupaihi ... śaraṇaṃ
Approach her for refuge
परमेश्वरीम्
parameśvarīm
The supreme Sovereign Goddess
आराधिता सैव नृणां
ārādhitā saiva nṛṇāṃ
She herself, when worshipped, becomes for men
भोगस्वर्गापवर्गदा
bhogasvargāpavargadā
The giver of enjoyment (bhoga), heaven (svarga) and liberation (apavarga)
परितुष्टा जगद्धात्री
parituṣṭā jagaddhātrī
Well pleased, the Supporter of the world
प्रत्यक्षं प्राह चण्डिका
pratyakṣaṃ prāha caṇḍikā
Chandika spoke in her visible (manifest) presence
यत्प्रार्थ्यते त्वया
yatprārthyate tvayā
What is prayed for by you
कुलनन्दन
kulanandana
O delight of your family (the merchant Samadhi)
मत्तस्तत्प्राप्यतां सर्वं
mattastatprāpyatāṃ sarvaṃ
Receive all that from me
परितुष्टा ददामि ते
parituṣṭā dadāmi te
Well pleased, I grant it to you

Complete Translation

The Rishi said: 'This supreme glory of the Devi (Devi Mahatmya) has been related to you, O King. Such is the power of that Devi by whom this world is upheld. And knowledge too is likewise brought about by the Maya of the Lord Vishnu. By her, you, and this merchant, and likewise others, the discerning, are deluded; others have been deluded, and yet others shall come to delusion. O great king, approach her, the supreme Ishwari, for refuge. She herself, when worshipped, becomes the giver to men of enjoyment, heaven and liberation (bhoga, svarga and apavarga).' (Then, after the king and the merchant worship her for three years,) Chandika, the Supporter of the world, well pleased, spoke to them in her visible presence. The Devi said: 'What is prayed for by you, O King, and by you, O delight of your family — receive all that from me; well pleased, I grant it to you.'

Origin & History

Source: Durga Saptashati Chapter 13

Author: Sage Markandeya (Markandeya Purana)

Period: Ancient (part of the Markandeya Purana, c. 400–600 CE)

The closing chapter of the Devi Mahatmya returns to its frame story. King Suratha, robbed of his kingdom, and the merchant Samadhi, cast out by his family, have heard the sage Medhas narrate the whole glory of the Goddess. The sage now urges the king to take refuge in the supreme Devi, who deludes all by her Maya yet grants enjoyment, heaven and liberation when worshipped. The two go to a riverbank, fashion an earthen image of the Devi, and worship her with flowers, fire and self-restraint for three years. Pleased, Chandika appears in person and offers each the boon he desires — Suratha his kingdom and future Manuhood, Samadhi the liberating knowledge — and then vanishes, bringing the scripture to its close.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 'bhoga-svarga-apavarga-da' mean?▼
It means the Goddess, when worshipped, is the giver of bhoga (worldly enjoyment), svarga (heaven) and apavarga (final liberation/moksha) — that is, she fulfils every legitimate aim, from prosperity in this life to release from rebirth.
Where do these verses occur in the Durga Saptashati?▼
They are in Chapter 13 (the granting of boons to Suratha and the merchant), the closing chapter, which completes the Saptashati at exactly seven hundred verses. The sage Medhas counsels refuge in the Devi, and Chandika then appears to grant boons.
What boons did the king and the merchant choose?▼
King Suratha, still attached to the world, chose the return of his kingdom and, in a future life, to become the Savarni Manu born of the Sun. The merchant Samadhi, free of attachment, chose the knowledge (jnana) that dissolves all sense of 'I' and 'mine.' The Goddess granted both.
Why are these called phala verses?▼
Because they declare the phala (fruit or result) of devotion to the Goddess and of reciting her Mahatmya — that she grants enjoyment, heaven and liberation. They are recited to conclude the paath and to dedicate its merit.

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