महाविद्या महामाया स्तुति — Word-by-Word Meaning
महाविद्या महामाया स्तुति
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
संहृतिरूपा
saṃhṛtirūpā
in the form of dissolution / withdrawal
अन्ते
ante
at the end (of the world)
जगतः अस्य
jagataḥ asya
of this world
जगन्मये
jaganmaye
O you who are the world itself, who pervade all
महाविद्या
mahāvidyā
the great Knowledge (supreme liberating wisdom)
महामाया
mahāmāyā
the great cosmic illusion / creative power
महामेधा
mahāmedhā
the great intellect
महास्मृतिः
mahāsmṛtiḥ
the great memory / recollection
महामोहा
mahāmohā
the great delusion (that veils beings)
भवती
bhavatī
you are (respectful 'you')
महादेवी
mahādevī
the great Goddess
महेश्वरी
maheśvarī
the supreme Sovereign Goddess
प्रकृतिः त्वम् च सर्वस्य
prakṛtiḥ tvam ca sarvasya
and you are the Prakriti (Nature) of all
गुणत्रयविभाविनी
guṇatrayavibhāvinī
the one who evolves and manifests the three gunas
Complete Translation
और जगत् के अंत में आप संहाररूपा होती हैं, हे जगन्मयी! आप महाविद्या, महामाया, महामेधा और महास्मृति हैं; आप महामोह, महादेवी और महेश्वरी भी हैं। आप सबकी प्रकृति हैं और तीनों गुणों को प्रकट करने वाली हैं।
Origin & History
Source: Durga Saptashati Chapter 1
Author: Sage Markandeya (Rishi Markandeya)
Period: Ancient (c. 400–600 CE, Markandeya Purana)
At the opening of the Devi Mahatmya, while Vishnu lies in the yogic sleep of Yoganidra upon the cosmic waters, the demons Madhu and Kaitabha threaten Brahma seated on the lotus from Vishnu's navel. Brahma sings the Brahma Stuti to the Goddess of that sleep, extolling her by these supreme names so that she may withdraw from Vishnu and let him awaken to destroy the demons.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the 'Mahavidya Mahamaya' verse from?▼
It is from the Brahma Stuti (also called the Tantric Ratri Sukta) in Chapter 1 of the Durga Saptashati, sung by Brahma to the Goddess Yoganidra so that she would release Vishnu to slay the demons Madhu and Kaitabha.
What do the names Mahavidya, Mahamaya, Mahamedha and Mahasmriti mean?▼
They mean the great Knowledge, the great Illusion, the great Intellect and the great Memory. Together they show the Goddess as the power that both veils the world as Maya and liberates it as Vidya, while sustaining intellect and memory in all beings.
Why is the Goddess called Prakriti here?▼
The verse names her the Prakriti of all and 'guna-traya-vibhavini' — the one who evolves the three gunas (sattva, rajas, tamas). She is thus the primordial Nature from whom the entire manifest world unfolds.
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