Sharatkale Mahapuja — Word-by-Word Meaning
शरत्काले महापूजा
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
शरत्काले महापूजा वार्षिकी
śaratkāle mahāpūjā vārṣikī
the great annual worship performed in the autumn season (Navaratri)
तस्यां मम एतत् माहात्म्यं श्रुत्वा
tasyāṃ mama etat māhātmyaṃ śrutvā
having heard this my Mahatmya at that (worship)
भक्तिसमन्वितः
bhaktisamanvitaḥ
(one who is) full of devotion
सर्वाबाधाविनिर्मुक्तः
sarvābādhāvinirmuktaḥ
freed from all calamities
धनधान्यसमन्वितः
dhanadhānyasamanvitaḥ
endowed with wealth and grain
मत्प्रसादेन भविष्यति
matprasādena bhaviṣyati
shall become, by my grace
पराक्रमं च युद्धेषु जायते निर्भयः पुमान्
parākramaṃ ca yuddheṣu jāyate nirbhayaḥ pumān
hearing of my prowess in battles, a man becomes fearless
रिपवः सङ्क्षयं यान्ति
ripavaḥ saṅkṣayaṃ yānti
his enemies go to destruction
कल्याणं च उपपद्यते
kalyāṇaṃ ca upapadyate
and welfare accrues
नन्दते च कुलं
nandate ca kulaṃ
and the family rejoices
शान्तिकर्मणि दुःस्वप्नदर्शने
śāntikarmaṇi duḥsvapnadarśane
in the rite of propitiation, and at the seeing of evil dreams
ग्रहपीडासु च उग्रासु
grahapīḍāsu ca ugrāsu
and amid fierce planetary afflictions
उपसर्गाः शमं यान्ति
upasargāḥ śamaṃ yānti
the calamities subside
दुःस्वप्नं सुस्वप्नम् उपजायते
duḥsvapnaṃ susvapnam upajāyate
the evil dream turns into a good dream
बालग्रहाभिभूतानां बालानां शान्तिकारकम्
bālagrahābhibhūtānāṃ bālānāṃ śāntikārakam
it brings peace to children possessed by child-seizing spirits
सङ्घातभेदे मैत्रीकरणम् उत्तमम्
saṅghātabhede maitrīkaraṇam uttamam
where there is a breach, it is the best maker of friendship
दुर्वृत्तानां बलहानिकरं परम्
durvṛttānāṃ balahānikaraṃ param
the supreme reducer of the strength of all the wicked
रक्षोभूतपिशाचानां पठनात् एव नाशनम्
rakṣobhūtapiśācānāṃ paṭhanāt eva nāśanam
by its mere recitation comes the destruction of rakshasas, bhutas and pishachas
Complete Translation
Whoever, full of devotion, has heard this my Mahatmya at the great annual worship performed in the autumn season — that person shall, by my grace, become freed from all calamities and endowed with wealth and grain; of this there is no doubt.
Having heard this my Mahatmya, and likewise my auspicious manifestations and my prowess in battles, a man becomes fearless. His enemies go to destruction, welfare accrues, and the family of those who listen to my Mahatmya rejoices.
Everywhere — in the rite of propitiation, at the seeing of evil dreams, and amid fierce planetary afflictions — let one listen to my Mahatmya. The calamities subside, and the dreadful planetary afflictions; and the evil dream seen by men turns into a good dream.
It brings peace to children possessed by child-seizing spirits; it is the best maker of friendship among men where there is a breach. It is the supreme reducer of the strength of all the wicked; by its mere recitation comes the destruction of rakshasas, bhutas and pishachas.
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. In Chapter 12, after the Narayani Stuti, the Goddess speaks the phalashruti — the declaration of the blessings of her worship. Here she singles out the 'sharatkale mahapuja,' the great annual autumn Navaratri, promising that those who hear her Mahatmya then will be freed from every calamity and blessed with abundance. She further describes its power in rites of peace and amid bad dreams, planetary afflictions, child-seizing spirits, broken friendships and malign beings — declaring her glory to be a refuge in every trouble.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 'Sharatkale Mahapuja'?▼
It refers to verses 11–18 of Chapter 12 of the Devi Mahatmya (Durga Saptashati), where the Goddess praises the great annual autumn worship — Navaratri — and describes the many blessings of hearing her Mahatmya at that time.
Why is autumn worship of the Goddess so important?▼
The 'sharatkale mahapuja' is the great annual Navaratri worship of the Devi in autumn. The Goddess herself declares that those who hear her Mahatmya then are freed from all calamities and blessed with wealth, grain and welfare by her grace.
Can these verses help with bad dreams or planetary afflictions?▼
Yes. The verses state that hearing the Devi Mahatmya in rites of peace, after evil dreams, or amid fierce planetary afflictions causes calamities to subside, turns bad dreams into good ones, and reduces the power of all malign influences.
Ready to start chanting?
See Benefits & How to Chant →