Devya Yaya Tatam Idam Jagad (Opening of the Shakradi Stuti) — Word-by-Word Meaning
देव्या यया ततमिदं जगत् (शक्रादि स्तुति का प्रारम्भ)
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
शक्रादयः सुरगणा
śakrādayaḥ suragaṇā
The hosts of gods led by Shakra (Indra)
निहते ... दुरात्मनि
nihate ... durātmani
When that evil-souled one (Mahishasura) had been slain
सुरारिबले
surāribale
And the army of the foes of the gods (destroyed)
प्रणतिनम्रशिरोधरांसा
praṇatinamraśirodharāṃsā
Their heads, necks and shoulders bowed in reverence
प्रहर्षपुलकोद्गम
praharṣapulakodgama
Bodies thrilled with the rising horripilation of great joy
देव्या यया ततमिदं जगत्
devyā yayā tatamidaṃ jagat
By which Devi this whole world is pervaded
आत्मशक्त्या
ātmaśaktyā
By her own power
निःशेषदेवगणशक्तिसमूहमूर्त्या
niḥśeṣadevagaṇaśaktisamūhamūrtyā
Who is the embodied sum of the powers of all the hosts of gods
अम्बिकाम्
ambikām
Ambika, the Mother
अखिलदेवमहर्षिपूज्यां
akhiladevamaharṣipūjyāṃ
Worthy of worship by every god and great sage
विदधातु शुभानि सा नः
vidadhātu śubhāni sā naḥ
May she ordain blessings for us
प्रभावमतुलं
prabhāvamatulaṃ
Peerless, incomparable majesty/power
भगवाननन्तो ब्रह्मा हरश्च
bhagavānananto brahmā haraśca
The blessed Ananta (Vishnu), Brahma and Hara (Shiva)
न हि वक्तुमलं
na hi vaktumalaṃ
Are not able to describe (it)
चण्डिका
caṇḍikā
Chandika (the fierce protective Goddess)
अखिलजगत्परिपालनाय
akhilajagatparipālanāya
For the protection of the whole world
अशुभभयस्य नाशाय
aśubhabhayasya nāśāya
For destroying the fear of all that is inauspicious
मतिं करोतु
matiṃ karotu
May she set her mind / resolve (upon it)
Complete Translation
The Rishi said: When that most valiant, evil-souled Mahishasura and the army of the foes of the gods had been destroyed by the Devi, the gods led by Indra extolled her, their necks and shoulders bowed in reverence, their bodies thrilled and beautiful with rising joy: 'To that Ambika, who pervades this world by her own power, who is the embodied sum of the powers of all the hosts of gods, and who is worthy of worship by every god and great sage — to her we bow in devotion; may she ordain blessings for us. May that Chandika — whose peerless majesty and might the blessed Ananta (Vishnu), Brahma and Hara are unable to describe — set her mind upon the protection of the whole world and upon destroying the fear of all evil.'
Origin & History
Source: Durga Saptashati Chapter 4
Author: Sage Markandeya (Markandeya Purana)
Period: Ancient (part of the Markandeya Purana, c. 400–600 CE)
In the Madhyama Charita of the Devi Mahatmya, the Goddess — formed of the combined radiance of all the gods — slays the buffalo-demon Mahishasura and his vast army. Overjoyed, Indra and the gods, with bowed heads and bodies thrilled with delight, extol her in the Shakradi Stuti. Its opening verses salute Ambika as the all-pervading power and the embodiment of every god's energy, and pray to Chandika, whose glory surpasses even Vishnu, Brahma and Shiva, to protect the world and destroy the fear of all that is inauspicious.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Shakradi Stuti?▼
The Shakradi Stuti ('praise beginning with Shakra/Indra') is the hymn the gods offer to the Goddess in Chapter 4 of the Durga Saptashati after she slays Mahishasura. It is one of the four principal hymns of the Devi Mahatmya and is treasured for its devotional depth.
Where does 'Devya Yaya Tatam Idam Jagad' occur?▼
It is the second verse of Chapter 4 (the Shakradi Stuti), immediately following the Rishi's introduction of the gods' praise. It declares that the Goddess pervades the whole world by her own power and is the sum of all the gods' energies.
Why do the gods say even Vishnu, Brahma and Shiva cannot describe her?▼
Because the Goddess is the supreme Shakti from whom the very powers of the Trimurti arise; her majesty (prabhava) and might (bala) exceed all description, so even the highest gods can only bow and pray for her protective grace.
Can these opening verses be chanted on their own?▼
Yes. Although they begin the full Shakradi Stuti, devotees often recite these verses as a short, complete prayer to Ambika/Chandika for blessings, auspiciousness and protection from evil.
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