Sarvasya Buddhirupena — Narayani Namostute (Cosmic Forms of the Mother)
Sarvasya Buddhirupena — Narayani Namostute (Cosmic Forms of the Mother) in English · English
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✦ Meaning
These are the opening 'Narayani Namostute' verses of the Narayani Stuti from Chapter 11 of the Durga Saptashati, in which the gods salute the Goddess in her cosmic aspects. She dwells in every heart as intelligence and grants both heaven and liberation; she is time itself, working all change; she is the eternal power of creation, preservation and dissolution, and the abode and embodiment of the three gunas; and she is ever devoted to rescuing the lowly and suffering who take refuge in her. Each verse ends with the loving refrain 'Narayani Namostute.'
Origin & Story
Durga Saptashati Chapter 11 · Sage Markandeya (Markandeya Purana) · Ancient (part of the Markandeya Purana, c. 400–600 CE)
After the Goddess slays the great asura Shumbha, Indra and the gods — their faces beaming with joy — extol her in the Narayani Stuti. These opening 'Narayani Namostute' verses salute her cosmic and inner aspects: the intelligence dwelling in every heart that grants heaven and liberation, the power that is time and works all change, the eternal Shakti of creation, preservation and dissolution and the abode of the gunas, and the ever-compassionate protector of the lowly and suffering who take refuge in her.
✦ As told in scripture
Devotees hold that because the Goddess herself is the 'buddhi' seated in every heart, sincere recitation of these verses clears the mind, awakens right discernment and draws her compassion to the lowly and distressed — for she is 'ever devoted to rescuing those who take refuge in her,' turning even helpless seekers into recipients of heaven and liberation.
Complete Text with Meaning
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sarvasya buddhirūpeṇa janasya hṛdi saṃsthite svargāpavargade devi nārāyaṇi namo'stu te
Meaning:O you who abide in the heart of all people as intelligence (buddhi), O bestower of heaven and liberation, O Devi Narayani, salutation be to you! O you who, in the form of moments and divisions of time (kala, kashtha and the rest), bring about all transformations, O power capable of the dissolution of the universe, O Narayani, salutation be to you! O you who are the eternal power of creation, preservation and destruction, O abode of the gunas and embodiment of the gunas, O Narayani, salutation be to you! O you who are devoted to rescuing the distressed and suffering who take refuge in you, O remover of all afflictions, O Devi Narayani, salutation be to you!
kalākāṣṭhādirūpeṇa pariṇāmapradāyini viśvasyoparatau śakte nārāyaṇi namo'stu te
sṛṣṭisthitivināśānāṃ śaktibhūte sanātani guṇāśraye guṇamaye nārāyaṇi namo'stu te
śaraṇāgatadīnārtaparitrāṇaparāyaṇe sarvasyārtihare devi nārāyaṇi namo'stu te
Word-by-Word Meaning
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Benefits of Chanting Sarvasya Buddhirupena — Narayani Namostute (Cosmic Forms of the Mother)
Invokes the Goddess dwelling within as buddhi (intelligence), granting both worldly and spiritual progress
Salutes her as the bestower of heaven (svarga) and liberation (apavarga) — the highest goals of life
Recognises her as time, the three gunas and the power of creation, preservation and dissolution
A heartfelt refuge prayer — she is 'devoted to rescuing the distressed who take refuge in her'
Each 'Narayani Namostute' deepens surrender and devotion to the divine Mother
Forms the devotional heart of the Narayani Stuti, recited within the Durga Saptashati
How to Chant Sarvasya Buddhirupena — Narayani Namostute (Cosmic Forms of the Mother)
Recite before an image of the Devi after offering a lamp and incense. Chant each verse meditating on the named cosmic aspect of the Mother and bow inwardly at every 'Narayani Namostute.' These verses open the eleventh chapter (Narayani Stuti) and may also be recited as a short, complete devotional hymn for wisdom, refuge and the Mother's grace.
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