या देवी सर्वभूतेषु चेतनेत्यभिधीयते।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥
To the Goddess who in all beings is called consciousness, to her salutations,
to her salutations, to her salutations, salutations, salutations.
(Devī Māhātmyam)
Mother Durga! Rider on the lion, giver of all strength, Mother, beloved of Shiva! We, born from thy parts of Power, we the youth of India, are seated here in thy temple. Listen, O Mother, descend upon earth, make thyself manifest in this land of India.
(Hymn to Durga by Sri Aurobindo)
As a mark of celebrating Vijayā Daśamī, Sri Aurobindo Society launched a Web Portal on ‘Devī Māhātmyam: Glory of the Divine Mother’ on 2nd October, 2025. The Website can be accessed here.
Devī Māhātmya, commonly referred to as Śrī Durgā Saptaśati, is a revered scripture from the Mārkaṇḍeya Purāṇa that celebrates the triumph of Goddess Durgā over evil forces such as Mahiṣāsura. Emphasizing the importance of the Mārkaṇḍeya Purāṇa, Sri Aurobindo remarked, “....মার্কণ্ডেয় পুরাণের মত পণ্ডিত অধ্যাত্মবিদ্যাপরায়ণ লেখকের রচনাকে শিব বা অগ্নিপুরাণ অপেক্ষা গভীর জ্ঞানপূর্ণ বলিয়া চিনিতে হয় ।"
“….the Markandeya Purana written by a sage devoted to spiritual pursuits is more profound in Knowledge than either the Shiva or the Agni Purana.”). Sri Aurobindo has specifically mentioned the four powers of the Mother as Māheśvarī, Mahākālī, Mahāsarasvatī, and Mahālakṣmī. This scripture symbolizes the victory of divine feminine energy (Śakti), promotes courage, and highlights themes of protection, prosperity, and spiritual advancement, inspiring devotees through their faith, strength, and ethical values.
Glory of the Divine Mother- Devī Māhātmya, the work of Shri S. Shankaranarayanan interprets the confrontations of the Goddess—against Madhu-Kaiṭabha, Mahiṣāsura, and Śumbha-Niśumbha—not merely as external cosmic battles but as symbolic representations of the seeker’s inner transformation. Each demon represents a psychological obstacle: ignorance, arrogance, doubt, and duality, while the Goddess personifies Śakti, the unstoppable force of awakening. Thus, Devī is not only remote or transcendental; she is also Kundalinī Śakti residing within each individual, guiding the soul from chaos to clarity.
Shri S. Shankaranarayanan has noted that "this presentation of Devī Māhātmya has been primarily undertaken to share the spiritual benefits derived from this revered text with fellow seekers who possess similar interests." In this endeavor, Shri S. Shankaranarayanan has referenced various experiences and dialogues with Shri Kapali Sastriar and has cited numerous references from the writings of Sri Aurobindo concerning the fundamental inquiries regarding the four auspicious manifestations of the Divine Mother as Māheśvarī, Mahākālī, Mahālakṣmī, and Mahāsarasvatī.
The digital portal 'Devīmāhātmyam - Glory of the Divine Mother' provides deep spiritual, philosophical, and literary insights that are essential to Indian cultural heritage, emphasizing its importance in understanding the Śakttattvam. This portal showcases the sacred text along with chants and translations by the esteemed scholar Shri S. Shankaranarayanan, who has interpreted the entire Devīmāhātmyam through the lens of Sri Aurobindo's teachings.
The initiative seeks to spread awareness about the rich and vibrant traditions of the Śaktitattvam. The thoughts of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother regarding Śaktitattvam, which includes a hymn to Durgā, the Worship of Devi by T V Kapali Sastri, along with several other references, are presented here as an interconnected text to link the ideas of Sri Aurobindo.
All the shlokas have been meticulously recorded in accordance with the text of Devīmāhātmyam. The verses are provided in Sanskrit, followed by transliteration and English translation, allowing listeners to appreciate the beautiful mantras while also grasping the meaning of the verses. On this significant occasion, we are delighted to introduce this portal as a tribute to the Divine Mother.
Immerse yourself in the sacred chanting and the rhythmic sound vibrations of Devi Mahatmya, which harmonize emotions and elevate positive energy. This practice purifies the environment and elevates consciousness, fostering peace, mental clarity, and spiritual connection. Regular chanting strengthens inner stability and improves overall well-being.
On this significant occasion, we are delighted to introduce this portal as an offering to the Supreme Mother.
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