The Rules for Worship of the Goddess

Verse 1 (devibhagavatam.5.34.1)

राजोवाच । भगवन्ब्रूहि मे सम्यक्तस्या आराधने विधिम् । पूजाविधिञ्च मन्त्रांश्च तथा होमविधिं वद

rājovāca | bhagavanbrūhi me samyaktasyā ārādhane vidhim | pūjāvidhiñca mantrāṁśca tathā homavidhiṁ vada

The king said: "O venerable one, tell me fully the proper method of her worship — the rite of her puja, her mantras, and also the procedure of the fire-offering."

Verse 2 (devibhagavatam.5.34.2)

ऋषिरुवाच । शृणु राजन्प्रवक्ष्यामि तस्याः पूजाविधिं शुभम् । कामदं मोक्षदं नॄणां ज्ञानदं दुःखनाशनम्

ṛṣiruvāca | śṛṇu rājanpravakṣyāmi tasyāḥ pūjāvidhiṁ śubham | kāmadaṁ mokṣadaṁ nṝṇāṁ jñānadaṁ duḥkhanāśanam

The sage said: "Listen, O king, I shall now tell you the auspicious method of her worship, which grants desires and liberation to men, bestows knowledge, and destroys all sorrow."

Verse 3 (devibhagavatam.5.34.3)

आदौ स्नानविधिं कृत्वा शुचिः शुक्लाम्बरो नरः । आचम्य प्रयतः कृत्वा शुभमायतनं निजम्

ādau snānavidhiṁ kṛtvā śuciḥ śuklāmbaro naraḥ | ācamya prayataḥ kṛtvā śubhamāyatanaṁ nijam

"First, a man should perform his bath according to rite, and, purified, clad in white garments, sip water for ritual purification, and prepare his own auspicious place of worship, with full self-restraint."

Verse 4 (devibhagavatam.5.34.4)

ततोऽवलिप्तभूम्यां तु संस्थाप्यासनमुत्तमम् । तत्रोपविश्य विधिवत् त्रिराचम्य मुदान्वितः

tato'valiptabhūmyāṁ tu saṁsthāpyāsanamuttamam | tatropaviśya vidhivat trirācamya mudānvitaḥ

"Then, upon ground that has been properly smeared and purified, he should set out an excellent seat, and, seated there according to rite, sip water three times, filled with joy."

Verse 5 (devibhagavatam.5.34.5)

पूजाद्रव्यं सुसंस्थाप्य यथाशक्त्यनुसारतः । प्राणायामं ततः कृत्वा भूतशुद्धिं विधाय च

pūjādravyaṁ susaṁsthāpya yathāśaktyanusārataḥ | prāṇāyāmaṁ tataḥ kṛtvā bhūtaśuddhiṁ vidhāya ca

"— having duly arranged the materials for worship according to his own means, he should then perform breath-control, and carry out the purification of the elements of the body."

Verse 6 (devibhagavatam.5.34.6)

कुर्यात्प्राणप्रतिष्ठां तु सम्भारं प्रोक्ष्य मन्त्रतः । कालज्ञानं ततः कृत्वा न्यासं कुर्याद्यथाविधि

kuryātprāṇapratiṣṭhāṁ tu sambhāraṁ prokṣya mantrataḥ | kālajñānaṁ tataḥ kṛtvā nyāsaṁ kuryādyathāvidhi

"He should perform the establishing of life-breath, sprinkling the ritual materials with mantras; then, having determined the proper time, he should perform the placing of the mantras upon the body, according to rite."

Verse 7 (devibhagavatam.5.34.7)

शुभे ताम्रमये पात्रे चन्दनेन सितेन च । षट्कोणं विलिखेद्यन्त्रं चाष्टकोणं ततो बहिः

śubhe tāmramaye pātre candanena sitena ca | ṣaṭkoṇaṁ vilikhedyantraṁ cāṣṭakoṇaṁ tato bahiḥ

"Upon an auspicious vessel made of copper, with white sandal-paste, he should draw the hexagram yantra, and around it, on the outside, an octagon."

Verse 8 (devibhagavatam.5.34.8)

नवाक्षरस्य मन्त्रस्य बीजानि विलिखेत्ततः । कृत्वा यन्त्रप्रतिष्ठाञ्च वेदोक्ता संविधाय च

navākṣarasya mantrasya bījāni vilikhettataḥ | kṛtvā yantrapratiṣṭhāñca vedoktā saṁvidhāya ca

"He should then inscribe the seed-syllables of the nine-syllabled mantra, and perform the consecration of the yantra, carrying out the rites prescribed by the Veda."

Verse 9 (devibhagavatam.5.34.9)

अर्चां वा धातवीं कुर्यात्पूजामन्त्रैः शिवोदितैः । पूजनं पृथिवीपाल भगवत्याः प्रयत्नतः

arcāṁ vā dhātavīṁ kuryātpūjāmantraiḥ śivoditaiḥ | pūjanaṁ pṛthivīpāla bhagavatyāḥ prayatnataḥ

"— or else, O lord of the earth, he may worship an image made of metal, with the worship-mantras taught by Shiva, offering diligent worship to the Goddess."

Verse 10 (devibhagavatam.5.34.10)

कृत्वा वा विधिवत्पूजामागमोक्तां समाहितः । जपेन्नवाक्षरं मन्त्रं सततं ध्यानपूर्वकम्

kṛtvā vā vidhivatpūjāmāgamoktāṁ samāhitaḥ | japennavākṣaraṁ mantraṁ satataṁ dhyānapūrvakam

"Or, having performed the worship according to rite as taught in the Agamas, with a composed mind, he should ceaselessly repeat the nine-syllabled mantra, preceded always by meditation."

Verse 11 (devibhagavatam.5.34.11)

होमं दशांशतः कुर्याद्दशांशेन च तर्पणम् । भोजनं ब्राह्मणानाञ्च तद्दशांशेन कारयेत्

homaṁ daśāṁśataḥ kuryāddaśāṁśena ca tarpaṇam | bhojanaṁ brāhmaṇānāñca taddaśāṁśena kārayet

"He should perform a fire-offering equal to a tenth of the number of mantras recited, a libation equal to a tenth of that fire-offering, and should have brahmins fed with a tenth of that again."

Verse 12 (devibhagavatam.5.34.12)

चरित्रत्रयपाठञ्च नित्यं कुर्याद्विसर्जयेत् । नवरात्रव्रतं चैव विधेयं विधिपूर्वकम्

caritratrayapāṭhañca nityaṁ kuryādvisarjayet | navarātravrataṁ caiva vidheyaṁ vidhipūrvakam

"He should also daily recite the three deeds of the Goddess, and conclude the rite with the ceremony of dismissal; the vow of Navaratri, too, should be duly observed according to rite."

Verse 13 (devibhagavatam.5.34.13)

आश्विने च तथा चैत्रे शुक्ले पक्षे नराधिप । नवरात्रोपवासो वै कर्तव्यः शुभमिच्छता

āśvine ca tathā caitre śukle pakṣe narādhipa | navarātropavāso vai kartavyaḥ śubhamicchatā

"O lord of men, one who desires auspiciousness should observe the nine-night fast in the bright fortnight of both Ashvina and Chaitra."

Verse 14 (devibhagavatam.5.34.14)

होमः सुविपुलः कार्यो जप्यमन्त्रैः सुपायसैः । शर्कराघृतमिश्रैश्च मधुयुक्तैः सुसंस्कृतैः

homaḥ suvipulaḥ kāryo japyamantraiḥ supāyasaiḥ | śarkarāghṛtamiśraiśca madhuyuktaiḥ susaṁskṛtaiḥ

"A most abundant fire-offering should be performed, with the mantras being recited, using fine rice-pudding, mixed with sugar and ghee, sweetened with honey, and well prepared."

Verse 15 (devibhagavatam.5.34.15)

छागमांसेन वा कार्यो बिल्वपत्रैस्तथा शुभैः । हयारिकुसुमै रक्तैस्तिलैर्वा शर्करायुतैः

chāgamāṁsena vā kāryo bilvapatraistathā śubhaiḥ | hayārikusumai raktaistilairvā śarkarāyutaiḥ

"Or it may be performed with goat's flesh, or with fine bilva leaves, or with red hibiscus flowers, or with sesame seeds mixed with sugar."

Verse 16 (devibhagavatam.5.34.16)

अष्टम्याञ्च चतुर्दश्यां नवम्याञ्च विशेषतः । कर्तव्यं पूजनं देव्या ब्राह्मणानाञ्च भोजनम्

aṣṭamyāñca caturdaśyāṁ navamyāñca viśeṣataḥ | kartavyaṁ pūjanaṁ devyā brāhmaṇānāñca bhojanam

"On the eighth, fourteenth, and especially the ninth lunar day, the worship of the Goddess should be performed, along with the feeding of brahmins."

Verse 17 (devibhagavatam.5.34.17)

निर्धनो धनमाप्नोति रोगी रोगात्प्रमुच्यते । अपुत्रो लभते पुत्राञ्छुभांश्च वशवर्तिनः

nirdhano dhanamāpnoti rogī rogātpramucyate | aputro labhate putrāñchubhāṁśca vaśavartinaḥ

"The poor man obtains wealth, the sick man is freed from his illness; the childless obtains sons, auspicious and obedient."

Verse 18 (devibhagavatam.5.34.18)

राज्यभ्रष्टो नृपो राज्यं प्राप्नोति सार्वभौमिकम् । शत्रुभिः पीडितो हन्ति रिपुं मायाप्रसादतः

rājyabhraṣṭo nṛpo rājyaṁ prāpnoti sārvabhaumikam | śatrubhiḥ pīḍito hanti ripuṁ māyāprasādataḥ

"A king who has lost his kingdom regains sovereignty over the whole earth; one afflicted by enemies slays his foe through the grace of Maya."

Verse 19 (devibhagavatam.5.34.19)

विद्यार्थी पूजनं यस्तु करोति नियतेन्द्रियः । अनवद्यां शुभा विद्यां विन्दते नात्र संशयः

vidyārthī pūjanaṁ yastu karoti niyatendriyaḥ | anavadyāṁ śubhā vidyāṁ vindate nātra saṁśayaḥ

"Whoever, seeking knowledge, performs this worship with senses fully restrained, obtains flawless and auspicious learning — of this there is no doubt."

Verse 20 (devibhagavatam.5.34.20)

ब्राह्मणः क्षत्रियो वैश्यः शूद्रो वा भक्तिसंयुतः । पूजयेज्जगतां धात्रीं स सर्वसुखभाग्भवेत्

brāhmaṇaḥ kṣatriyo vaiśyaḥ śūdro vā bhaktisaṁyutaḥ | pūjayejjagatāṁ dhātrīṁ sa sarvasukhabhāgbhavet

"Whether a brahmin, a kshatriya, a vaishya, or a shudra, whoever worships the Sustainer of the worlds with devotion becomes one who partakes of every happiness."

Verse 21 (devibhagavatam.5.34.21)

नवरात्रव्रतं कुर्यान्नरनारीगणश्च यः । वाञ्छितं फलमाप्नोति सर्वदा भक्तितत्परः

navarātravrataṁ kuryānnaranārīgaṇaśca yaḥ | vāñchitaṁ phalamāpnoti sarvadā bhaktitatparaḥ

"Whatever men and women observe the Navaratri vow, devoted always with true devotion, they obtain the fruit they desire."

Verse 22 (devibhagavatam.5.34.22)

आश्विने शुक्लपक्षे तु नवरात्रव्रतं शुभम् । करोति भावसंयुक्तः सर्वान्कामानवाप्नुयात्

āśvine śuklapakṣe tu navarātravrataṁ śubham | karoti bhāvasaṁyuktaḥ sarvānkāmānavāpnuyāt

"Whoever performs the auspicious Navaratri vow in the bright fortnight of Ashvina, with true feeling, obtains all his desires."

Verse 23 (devibhagavatam.5.34.23)

विधिवन्मण्डलं कृत्वा पूजास्थानं प्रकल्पयेत् । कलशं स्थापयेत्तत्र वेदमन्त्रविधानतः

vidhivanmaṇḍalaṁ kṛtvā pūjāsthānaṁ prakalpayet | kalaśaṁ sthāpayettatra vedamantravidhānataḥ

"He should draw the ritual diagram according to rite, and prepare the place of worship. There he should set up the water-vessel, following the prescriptions of the Vedic mantras."

Verse 24 (devibhagavatam.5.34.24)

यन्त्रं सुरुचिरं कृत्वा स्थापयेत्कलशोपरि । वापयित्वा यवांश्चारून्पार्श्वतः परिवर्तितान्

yantraṁ suruciraṁ kṛtvā sthāpayetkalaśopari | vāpayitvā yavāṁścārūnpārśvataḥ parivartitān

"Having made a most beautiful yantra, he should place it atop the vessel, and, having sown fine barley seeds, arrange them turned round about on every side."

Verse 25 (devibhagavatam.5.34.25)

कृत्वोपरि वितानञ्च पुष्पमालासमावृतम् । धूपदीपसुसंयुक्तं कर्तव्यं चण्डिकागृहम्

kṛtvopari vitānañca puṣpamālāsamāvṛtam | dhūpadīpasusaṁyuktaṁ kartavyaṁ caṇḍikāgṛham

"Above it he should raise a canopy, adorned all around with garlands of flowers; and the shrine of Chandika should be furnished with incense and lamps."

Verse 26 (devibhagavatam.5.34.26)

त्रिकालं तत्र कर्तव्या पूजा शक्त्यनुसारतः । वित्तशाठ्यं न कर्तव्यं चण्डिकायाश्च पूजने

trikālaṁ tatra kartavyā pūjā śaktyanusārataḥ | vittaśāṭhyaṁ na kartavyaṁ caṇḍikāyāśca pūjane

"Worship there should be performed three times a day, according to one's means; and no stinginess with one's wealth should ever be shown in the worship of Chandika."

Verse 27 (devibhagavatam.5.34.27)

धूपैर्दीपैः सुनैवेद्यैः फलपुष्पैरनेकशः । गीतवाद्यैः स्तोत्रपाठैर्वेदपारायणैस्तथा

dhūpairdīpaiḥ sunaivedyaiḥ phalapuṣpairanekaśaḥ | gītavādyaiḥ stotrapāṭhairvedapārāyaṇaistathā

"With incense, lamps, fine food-offerings, an abundance of fruits and flowers, with song and music, the recitation of hymns of praise, and the continuous chanting of the Vedas —"

Verse 28 (devibhagavatam.5.34.28)

उत्सवस्तत्र कर्तव्यो नानावादित्रसंयुतैः । कन्यकानां पूजनञ्च विधेयं विधिपूर्वकम्

utsavastatra kartavyo nānāvāditrasaṁyutaiḥ | kanyakānāṁ pūjanañca vidheyaṁ vidhipūrvakam

"— a festival should be held there, with instruments of every kind; and the worship of young unmarried girls should also be duly performed, according to rite."

Verse 29 (devibhagavatam.5.34.29)

चन्दनैर्भूषणैर्वस्त्रैर्भक्ष्यैश्च विविधैस्तथा । सुगन्धतैलमाल्यैश्च मनसो रुचिकारकैः

candanairbhūṣaṇairvastrairbhakṣyaiśca vividhaistathā | sugandhatailamālyaiśca manaso rucikārakaiḥ

"With sandal-paste, ornaments, garments, various kinds of food, fragrant oils, and garlands — with all things pleasing to the mind —"

Verse 30 (devibhagavatam.5.34.30)

एवं सम्पूजनं कृत्वा होमं मन्त्रविधानतः । अष्टम्यां वा नवम्यां वा कारयेद्विधिपूर्वकम्

evaṁ sampūjanaṁ kṛtvā homaṁ mantravidhānataḥ | aṣṭamyāṁ vā navamyāṁ vā kārayedvidhipūrvakam

"— having thus performed the worship, one should have the fire-offering carried out according to the prescribed mantras, either on the eighth or on the ninth lunar day, according to rite."

Verse 31 (devibhagavatam.5.34.31)

ब्राह्मणान्भोजयेत्पश्चात्पारणं दशमीदिने । कर्तव्यं शक्तितो दानं देयं भक्तिपरैर्नृपैः

brāhmaṇānbhojayetpaścātpāraṇaṁ daśamīdine | kartavyaṁ śaktito dānaṁ deyaṁ bhaktiparairnṛpaiḥ

"He should then feed the brahmins, and break his fast on the tenth day. Gifts should be given according to one's means, and kings devoted to her should be especially generous in giving."

Verse 32 (devibhagavatam.5.34.32)

एवं यः कुरुते भक्त्या नवरात्रव्रतं नरः । नारी वा सधवा भक्त्या विधवा वा पतिव्रता

evaṁ yaḥ kurute bhaktyā navarātravrataṁ naraḥ | nārī vā sadhavā bhaktyā vidhavā vā pativratā

"Whoever, man or woman — whether a wife with her husband living, devoutly, or a widow faithful to her vow — performs the Navaratri observance with devotion in this way —"

Verse 33 (devibhagavatam.5.34.33)

इह लोके सुखं भोगान्प्राप्नोति मनसेप्सितान् । देहान्ते परमं स्थानं प्राप्नोति व्रततत्परः

iha loke sukhaṁ bhogānprāpnoti manasepsitān | dehānte paramaṁ sthānaṁ prāpnoti vratatatparaḥ

"— obtains, in this world, happiness and every enjoyment desired in the mind; and, devoted to the vow, attains the supreme abode at the end of the body."

Verse 34 (devibhagavatam.5.34.34)

जन्मान्तरेऽम्बिकाभक्तिर्भवत्यव्यभिचारिणी । जन्मोत्तमकुले प्राप्य सदाचारो भवेद्धि सः

janmāntare'mbikābhaktirbhavatyavyabhicāriṇī | janmottamakule prāpya sadācāro bhaveddhi saḥ

"In a future birth, devotion to Ambika arises in such a person, unwavering; born into a most excellent family, he becomes one of good conduct."

Verse 35 (devibhagavatam.5.34.35)

नवरात्रव्रतं प्रोक्तं व्रतानामुत्तमं व्रतम् । आराधनं शिवायास्तु सर्वसौख्यकरं परम्

navarātravrataṁ proktaṁ vratānāmuttamaṁ vratam | ārādhanaṁ śivāyāstu sarvasaukhyakaraṁ param

"The Navaratri vow is declared to be the highest of all vows; the worship of Shiva's own consort is the supreme bestower of all happiness."

Verse 36 (devibhagavatam.5.34.36)

अनेन विधिना राजन् समाराधय चण्डिकाम् । जित्वा रिपूनस्खलितं राज्यं प्राप्स्यस्यनुत्तमम्

anena vidhinā rājan samārādhaya caṇḍikām | jitvā ripūnaskhalitaṁ rājyaṁ prāpsyasyanuttamam

"By this very method, O king, worship Chandika. Having conquered your enemies, you shall obtain a supreme and unbroken kingdom —"

Verse 37 (devibhagavatam.5.34.37)

सुखञ्च परमं भूप देहेऽस्मिन्स्वगृहे पुनः । पुत्रदारान्समासाद्य लप्स्यसे नात्र संशयः

sukhañca paramaṁ bhūpa dehe'sminsvagṛhe punaḥ | putradārānsamāsādya lapsyase nātra saṁśayaḥ

"— and, O king, you shall obtain the highest happiness, in this very body, back in your own home, reunited with your sons and wife — of this there is no doubt."

Verse 38 (devibhagavatam.5.34.38)

वैश्योत्तम त्वमेवाद्य समाराधय कामदाम् । देवीं विश्वेश्वरीं मायां सृष्टिसंहारकारिणीम्

vaiśyottama tvamevādya samārādhaya kāmadām | devīṁ viśveśvarīṁ māyāṁ sṛṣṭisaṁhārakāriṇīm

"And you too, O finest of merchants, worship this very day the wish-granting Goddess, the sovereign of the universe, Maya, who both creates and destroys —"

Verse 39 (devibhagavatam.5.34.39)

स्वजनानां च मान्यस्त्वं भविष्यसि गृहे गतः । सुखं सांसारिकं प्राप्य यथाभिलषितं पुनः

svajanānāṁ ca mānyastvaṁ bhaviṣyasi gṛhe gataḥ | sukhaṁ sāṁsārikaṁ prāpya yathābhilaṣitaṁ punaḥ

"— and, returning home, you shall become honored among your own kin, and shall obtain, once more, worldly happiness exactly as you desire."

Verse 40 (devibhagavatam.5.34.40)

देवीलोके शुभे वासो भविता ते न संशयः । नाराधिता भगवती यैस्ते नरकभागिनः

devīloke śubhe vāso bhavitā te na saṁśayaḥ | nārādhitā bhagavatī yaiste narakabhāginaḥ

"Dwelling in the auspicious world of the Goddess shall be yours without doubt. Those by whom the Goddess is not worshipped become bound for hell."

Verse 41 (devibhagavatam.5.34.41)

इह लोकेऽतिदुःखार्ता नानारोगैः प्रपीडिताः । भवन्ति मानवा राजञ्छत्रुभिश्च पराजिताः

iha loke'tiduḥkhārtā nānārogaiḥ prapīḍitāḥ | bhavanti mānavā rājañchatrubhiśca parājitāḥ

"In this world, such men become afflicted with utmost suffering, tormented by various diseases, O king, and are defeated by their enemies."

Verse 42 (devibhagavatam.5.34.42)

निष्कलत्रा ह्यपुत्राश्च तृष्णार्ताः स्तब्धबुद्धयः । बिल्वीदलैः करवीरैः शतपत्रैश्च चम्पकैः

niṣkalatrā hyaputrāśca tṛṣṇārtāḥ stabdhabuddhayaḥ | bilvīdalaiḥ karavīraiḥ śatapatraiśca campakaiḥ

"They remain without wives and without sons, tormented by craving, dull of understanding — those who fail to worship her with bilva leaves, oleander, hundred-petalled lotuses, and champak flowers —"

Verse 43 (devibhagavatam.5.34.43)

अर्चिता जगतां धात्री यैस्तेऽतीव विलासिनः । भवन्ति कृतपुण्यास्ते शक्तिभक्तिपरायणाः

arcitā jagatāṁ dhātrī yaiste'tīva vilāsinaḥ | bhavanti kṛtapuṇyāste śaktibhaktiparāyaṇāḥ

"— whereas those by whom the Sustainer of the worlds is duly worshipped become exceedingly prosperous; they are men of accumulated merit, wholly devoted to the Shakti."

Verse 44 (devibhagavatam.5.34.44)

धनविभवसुखाढ्या मानवा मानवन्तः सकलगुणगणानां भाजनं भारतीशाः । निगमपठितमन्त्रैः पूजिता यैर्भवानी नृपतितिलकमुख्यास्ते भवन्तीह लोके

dhanavibhavasukhāḍhyā mānavā mānavantaḥ sakalaguṇagaṇānāṁ bhājanaṁ bhāratīśāḥ | nigamapaṭhitamantraiḥ pūjitā yairbhavānī nṛpatitilakamukhyāste bhavantīha loke

"Men rich in wealth, prosperity, and happiness, held in honor, vessels of every kind of virtue, become themselves lords of the earth — those by whom Bhavani has been worshipped with the mantras recited from the Vedas become, in this very world, the foremost ornaments among kings."