Sarvam Mamaitan Mahatmyam — Word-by-Word Meaning

सर्वं ममैतन्माहात्म्यम्

Every Sanskrit word explained in English

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Word-by-Word Breakdown

सर्वं मम एतत् माहात्म्यं

sarvaṃ mama etat māhātmyaṃ

all this my Mahatmya

मम सन्निधिकारकम्

mama sannidhikārakam

brings my presence near

पशुपुष्पार्घ्यधूपैः च

paśupuṣpārghyadhūpaiḥ ca

and by (offerings of) cattle, flowers, arghya, incense

गन्धदीपैः तथा उत्तमैः

gandhadīpaiḥ tathā uttamaiḥ

and excellent perfumes and lamps

विप्राणां भोजनैः होमैः

viprāṇāṃ bhojanaiḥ homaiḥ

by the feeding of brahmanas, by oblations

प्रोक्षणीयैः अहर्निशम्

prokṣaṇīyaiḥ aharniśam

by sprinkling-rites, by day and night

अन्यैः च विविधैः भोगैः प्रदानैः वत्सरेण

anyaiḥ ca vividhaiḥ bhogaiḥ pradānaiḥ vatsareṇa

and by various other enjoyments and gifts, through a whole year

प्रीतिः मे क्रियते सा अस्मिन्

prītiḥ me kriyate sā asmin

the favour shown to me (over a year) is (won) by this

सकृत् उच्चरिते श्रुते

sakṛt uccarite śrute

being once recited or heard

श्रुतं हरति पापानि

śrutaṃ harati pāpāni

hearing it removes sins

तथा आरोग्यं प्रयच्छति

tathā ārogyaṃ prayacchati

and bestows health (arogya)

रक्षां करोति भूतेभ्यः

rakṣāṃ karoti bhūtebhyaḥ

(the recitation of my manifestations) makes protection from (evil) beings

जन्मनां कीर्तनं मम

janmanāṃ kīrtanaṃ mama

the recitation of (the account of) my births / manifestations

युद्धेषु चरितं यत् मे दुष्टदैत्यनिबर्हणम्

yuddheṣu caritaṃ yat me duṣṭadaityanibarhaṇam

that exploit of mine in battles, the crushing of the wicked daityas

तस्मिन् श्रुते वैरिकृतं भयं पुंसां न जायते

tasmin śrute vairikṛtaṃ bhayaṃ puṃsāṃ na jāyate

when that is heard, no fear caused by enemies arises in men

Complete Translation

All this my Mahatmya brings my presence near. And by offerings of cattle, flowers, arghya, incense, and excellent perfumes and lamps, by the feeding of brahmanas, by oblations and sprinkling-rites, by day and night, and by various other enjoyments and gifts, through a whole year — the favour that is thus shown to me is won by this being once recited or heard. Hearing it removes sins, and bestows health. The recitation of the account of my manifestations makes protection from evil beings. And that exploit of mine in battles, the crushing of the wicked daityas — when that is heard, no fear caused by enemies arises in men. And the hymns which were composed by you (gods), and those by the brahmarshis...

Origin & History

Source: Durga Saptashati Chapter 12

Author: Maharshi Markandeya (traditionally ascribed)

Period: Puranic period (c. 5th–6th century CE for the Devi Mahatmya)

The Devi Mahatmya (Durga Saptashati or Chandi), part of the Markandeya Purana, recounts the Divine Mother's victories over the demons and, in Chapter 12, the phalashruti of her worship. In these verses the Goddess reveals that the favour earned by a whole year of elaborate worship — offerings, lamps, incense, feeding of brahmanas, oblations and gifts day and night — is won simply by reciting or hearing her Mahatmya once. She declares that hearing it removes sins and grants health, that reciting her manifestations protects from evil beings, and that hearing her battle-exploits frees one from all fear of enemies — exalting the recitation of her glory as the supreme and most accessible worship.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this passage?▼

These are verses 19–23 of Chapter 12 of the Devi Mahatmya (Durga Saptashati), part of the phalashruti, where the Goddess declares the merit and blessings of reciting and hearing her glory.

Is it true that one recitation equals a year of worship?▼

Yes — the Goddess herself declares that the favour earned by a whole year of elaborate daily worship, with offerings, oblations, feeding of brahmanas and gifts, is won by reciting or hearing her Mahatmya even once. This shows the immense power of the Durga Saptashati.

Can these verses help with illness?▼

The text states that hearing the Devi Mahatmya removes sins and bestows health (arogya). Devotees therefore recite this passage as a prayer for healing, protection from harmful beings, and freedom from fear of enemies.

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