The Greatness of Shrimata

Verse 1 (skanda.3.69.1)

।। व्यास उवाच ।। दक्षिणे स्थापिता राजञ्छाँता देवी महाबला । सा विविधाम्बरधरा वनमालाविभूषिता ।

vyāsa uvāca dakṣiṇe sthāpitā rājañchāṁtā devī mahābalā sā vividhāmbaradharā vanamālāvibhūṣitā

Vyasa said: O king, in the southern direction was established the mighty goddess Shanta, clad in varied garments and adorned with a forest garland.

Verse 2 (skanda.3.69.2)

तामसी सा महाराज मधुकैटभनाशिनी । विष्णुना तत्र वै न्यस्ता शिवपत्नी नृपोत्तम ।

tāmasī sā mahārāja madhukaiṭabhanāśinī viṣṇunā tatra vai nyastā śivapatnī nṛpottama

O great king, she is the tamasic power that destroyed the demons Madhu and Kaitabha. O best of kings, it was Shiva's own consort who was thus placed there by Vishnu.

Verse 3 (skanda.3.69.3)

सा चैवाष्टभुजा रम्या मेघश्यामा मनोरमा । कृष्णांबरधरा देवी व्याघ्रवाहनसंस्थिता ।

sā caivāṣṭabhujā ramyā meghaśyāmā manoramā kṛṣṇāṁbaradharā devī vyāghravāhanasaṁsthitā

That lovely goddess has eight arms, is dark as a rain-cloud, beautiful, clad in black garments, and seated upon a tiger.

Verse 4 (skanda.3.69.4)

द्वीपिचर्मपरीधाना दिव्याभरणभूषिता । घंटात्रिशूलाक्षमालाकमंडलुधरा शुभा ।

dvīpicarmaparīdhānā divyābharaṇabhūṣitā ghaṁtātriśūlākṣamālākamaṁḍaludharā śubhā

She is draped in a leopard skin, adorned with divine ornaments, and, auspicious, bears a bell, a trident, a rosary, and a water-pot.

Verse 5 (skanda.3.69.5)

अलंकृतभुजा देवी सर्वदेवनमस्कृता । धनं धान्यं सुतान्भोगान्स्वभक्तेभ्यः प्रयच्छति ।

alaṁkṛtabhujā devī sarvadevanamaskṛtā dhanaṁ dhānyaṁ sutānbhogānsvabhaktebhyaḥ prayacchati

Her arms richly adorned, this goddess is honored by all the gods, and grants her devotees wealth, grain, offspring, and enjoyments.

Verse 6 (skanda.3.69.6)

पूजयेत्कमलैर्दिव्यैः कर्पूरागरुचंदनैः । तदुद्देशेन तत्रैव पूजयेद्द्विजसत्तमान् ।

pūjayetkamalairdivyaiḥ karpūrāgarucaṁdanaiḥ taduddeśena tatraiva pūjayeddvijasattamān

She should be worshipped with divine lotuses, camphor, agarwood, and sandalwood; and in her honor the finest brahmins should be worshipped there as well.

Verse 7 (skanda.3.69.7)

कुमारीर्भोजयेदन्नैर्विविधैर्भक्तिभावतः । धूपैर्दीपैः फलैरम्यैः पूजयेच्च सुरादिभिः ।

kumārīrbhojayedannairvividhairbhaktibhāvataḥ dhūpairdīpaiḥ phalairamyaiḥ pūjayecca surādibhiḥ

With devotion, young maidens should be fed a variety of foods, and she should be worshipped with incense, lamps, and lovely fruits, along with offerings to the gods.

Verse 8 (skanda.3.69.8)

मांसैस्तु विविधैर्दिव्यैरथवा धान्यपिष्टजैः । अन्यैश्च विविधैर्धान्यैः पायसैर्वटकैस्तथा ।

māṁsaistu vividhairdivyairathavā dhānyapiṣṭajaiḥ anyaiśca vividhairdhānyaiḥ pāyasairvaṭakaistathā

With various sacred meat-offerings, or with items made of grain-flour, and with other varied grains, milk-pudding, and fried cakes —

Verse 9 (skanda.3.69.9)

ओदनैः कृशरापूपैः पूजयेत्सुसमाहितः । स्तुतिपाठेन तत्रैव शक्तिस्तोत्रैर्मनोहरैः ।

odanaiḥ kṛśarāpūpaiḥ pūjayetsusamāhitaḥ stutipāṭhena tatraiva śaktistotrairmanoharaiḥ

— with cooked rice, khichdi, and sweet cakes, one should worship her with a focused mind, and offer praise there through the recitation of lovely hymns to the shakti.

Verse 10 (skanda.3.69.10)

रिपवस्तस्य नश्यंति सर्वत्र विजयी भवेत् । रणे राजकुले द्यूते लभते जयमंगलम् ।

ripavastasya naśyaṁti sarvatra vijayī bhavet raṇe rājakule dyūte labhate jayamaṁgalam

His enemies are destroyed, and he becomes victorious everywhere. In battle, in the royal court, and at gambling, he obtains auspicious victory.

Verse 11 (skanda.3.69.11)

सौम्या शांता महाराज स्थापिता कुलमातृका । श्रीमाता सा प्रसिद्धा च माहात्म्यं शृणु भूपते ।

saumyā śāṁtā mahārāja sthāpitā kulamātṛkā śrīmātā sā prasiddhā ca māhātmyaṁ śṛṇu bhūpate

O great king, the gentle Shanta was established as the guardian goddess of the lineage, and she is renowned by the name Shrimata. O king, hear her greatness.

Verse 12 (skanda.3.69.12)

कुलमाता महाशक्तिस्तत्रास्ते नृपसत्तम । कुमारी ब्रह्मपुत्री सा रक्षार्थं विधिना कृता ।

kulamātā mahāśaktistatrāste nṛpasattama kumārī brahmaputrī sā rakṣārthaṁ vidhinā kṛtā

O best of kings, that great shakti, mother of the lineage, dwells there; she is the maiden daughter of Brahma, fashioned by him for the purpose of protection.

Verse 13 (skanda.3.69.13)

स्थानमाता च सा देवी श्रीमाता साभिधानतः । त्रिरूपा सा द्विजातीनां निर्मिता रक्षणाय च ।

sthānamātā ca sā devī śrīmātā sābhidhānataḥ trirūpā sā dvijātīnāṁ nirmitā rakṣaṇāya ca

She is the mother-goddess of that place, and by name she is called Shrimata. She takes a threefold form, and was fashioned solely for the protection of the twice-born.

Verse 14 (skanda.3.69.14)

कमण्डलुधरा देवी घण्टाभरणभूषिता । अक्षमालायुता राजञ्छुभा सा शुभरूपिणी ।

kamaṇḍaludharā devī ghaṇṭābharaṇabhūṣitā akṣamālāyutā rājañchubhā sā śubharūpiṇī

That goddess bears a water-pot, and is adorned with a bell-ornament. O king, holding a rosary, she is auspicious, of an entirely auspicious form.

Verse 15 (skanda.3.69.15)

कुमारी चादिमाता च स्थानत्राणकरापि च । दैत्यघ्नी कामदा चैव महामोहविनाशिनी ।

kumārī cādimātā ca sthānatrāṇakarāpi ca daityaghnī kāmadā caiva mahāmohavināśinī

She is the eternal maiden, the primordial mother, and the protector of this sacred place. She is the slayer of daityas, the granter of desires, and the destroyer of great delusion.

Verse 16 (skanda.3.69.16)

भक्तिगम्या च सा देवी कुमारी ब्रह्मणः सुता । रक्तांबरधरा साधुरक्तचंदनचर्चिता ।

bhaktigamyā ca sā devī kumārī brahmaṇaḥ sutā raktāṁbaradharā sādhuraktacaṁdanacarcitā

That goddess is accessible only through devotion; she is the maiden daughter of Brahma, clad in red garments, beautifully anointed with red sandalwood.

Verse 17 (skanda.3.69.17)

रक्तमाल्या दशभुजा पंचवक्त्रा सुरेश्वरी । चंद्रावतंसिका माता सुरा सुरनमस्कृता ।

raktamālyā daśabhujā paṁcavaktrā sureśvarī caṁdrāvataṁsikā mātā surā suranamaskṛtā

Wearing a garland of red flowers, with ten arms and five faces, she is the goddess-ruler of the gods; bearing the moon as her crest-jewel, she is the divine mother, worshipped even by the gods.

Verse 18 (skanda.3.69.18)

साक्षात्सरस्वतीरूपा रक्षार्थं विधिना कृता । ॐकारा सा महापुण्या काजेशेन विनिर्मिता ।

sākṣātsarasvatīrūpā rakṣārthaṁ vidhinā kṛtā oṁkārā sā mahāpuṇyā kājeśena vinirmitā

She is Sarasvati herself in visible form, fashioned by Brahma for protection. She is the very embodiment of the syllable Om, most sacred, formed by the lord of Kaja.

Verse 19 (skanda.3.69.19)

ऋषिभिः सिद्धयक्षादिसुरपन्नगमानवैः । प्रणम्यांघ्रियुगा तेभ्यो ददाति मनसेप्सितम् ।

ṛṣibhiḥ siddhayakṣādisurapannagamānavaiḥ praṇamyāṁghriyugā tebhyo dadāti manasepsitam

Her two feet honored by sages, siddhas, yakshas, gods, serpents, and mortals alike, she grants to them all whatever their hearts desire.

Verse 20 (skanda.3.69.20)

पालयन्ती च संस्थानं द्विजातीनां हिताय वै । यथौरसान्सुतान्माता पालयन्तीह सद्गुणैः ।

pālayaṁtī ca saṁsthānaṁ dvijātīnāṁ hitāya vai yathaurasānsutānmātā pālayaṁtīha sadguṇaiḥ

She sustains that sacred place for the benefit of the twice-born, just as a mother, through her own virtues, nurtures her own children.

Verse 21 (skanda.3.69.21)

अथ पालयती देवी श्रीमाता कुलदेवता । उपद्रवाणि सर्वाणि नाशयेत्सततं स्तुता ।

atha pālayatī devī śrīmātā kuladevatā upadravāṇi sarvāṇi nāśayetsatataṁ stutā

Thus sustaining her devotees, Shrimata is the goddess of the lineage; ever praised, she destroys every calamity.

Verse 22 (skanda.3.69.22)

सर्वविघ्नोपशमनी श्रीमाता स्मरणेन हि । विवाहे चोपवीते च सीमंते शुभकर्मणि ।

sarvavighnopaśamanī śrīmātā smaraṇena hi vivāhe copavīte ca sīmaṁte śubhakarmaṇi

By her remembrance alone, Shrimata calms every obstacle. In marriage, in the sacred-thread ceremony, in the ritual of the parting of the hair, and in every auspicious rite —

Verse 23 (skanda.3.69.23)

सर्वेषु भक्तकार्येषु श्रीमाता पूज्यते सदा । यथा लंबोदरं देवं पूजयित्वा समारभेत् ।

sarveṣu bhaktakāryeṣu śrīmātā pūjyate sadā yathā laṁbodaraṁ devaṁ pūjayitvā samārabhet

— in all the undertakings of devotees, Shrimata is ever worshipped first, just as Lambodara (Ganesha) is worshipped before any task is begun.

Verse 24 (skanda.3.69.24)

कार्यं शुभं सर्वमपि श्रीमातरं तथा नृप । यत्किंचिद्भोजनं त्वत्र ब्राह्मणेभ्यः प्रयच्छति ।

kāryaṁ śubhaṁ sarvamapi śrīmātaraṁ tathā nṛpa yatkiṁcidbhojanaṁ tvatra brāhmaṇebhyaḥ prayacchati

O king, in the same way every auspicious undertaking should begin with an offering to Shrimata. Whatever food is given there to the brahmins —

Verse 25 (skanda.3.69.25)

अथवा विनिवेद्यं च क्रियते यत्परस्परम् । अनिवेद्य च तां राजन्कुर्वाणो विघ्नमेष्यति ।

athavā vinivedyaṁ ca kriyate yatparasparam anivedya ca tāṁ rājankurvāṇo vighnameṣyati

— or whatever else is exchanged between people, should likewise first be offered to her. O king, one who acts without so offering to her invites obstacles upon himself.

Verse 26 (skanda.3.69.26)

तस्मात्तस्यै निवेद्याथ ततः कर्म समारभेत् । तद्वरेणाखिलं कर्म अविघ्नेन हि सिद्धति । हेमंते शिशिरे प्राप्ते पूजयेद्धर्मपुत्रिकाम् ।

tasmāttasyai nivedyātha tataḥ karma samārabhet tadvareṇākhilaṁ karma avighnena hi siddhati hemaṁte śiśire prāpte pūjayeddharmaputrikām

Therefore one should first make the offering to her, and only then begin the task; by her blessing every undertaking is accomplished without hindrance. When the hemanta and shishira seasons arrive, this daughter of dharma should be worshipped.

Verse 27 (skanda.3.69.27)

हेमपत्रे समालिख्य राजते वाथ कारयेत् । पादुकां चोत्तमां राजञ्छ्रीमातायै निवेदयेत् ।

hemapatre samālikhya rājate vātha kārayet pādukāṁ cottamāṁ rājañchrīmātāyai nivedayet

An image of her should be drawn upon a leaf of gold or silver, and, O king, an excellent pair of sandals should be offered to Shrimata.

Verse 28 (skanda.3.69.28)

स्नात्वा चैव शुचिर्भूत्वा तिलामलकमिश्रितैः । वासोभिः सुमनोभिश्च दुकूलैः सुमनोहरैः ।

snātvā caiva śucirbhūtvā tilāmalakamiśritaiḥ vāsobhiḥ sumanobhiśca dukūlaiḥ sumanoharaiḥ

Having bathed and become pure, with a paste mixed with sesame and amla, and with sweet flowers and lovely fine garments —

Verse 29 (skanda.3.69.29)

लेपयेच्चंदनैः शुभ्रैः कुकुमैः सिंदुरासकैः । कर्पूरागुरुकस्तूरीमिश्रितैः कर्द्दमैस्तथा ।

lepayeccaṁdanaiḥ śubhraiḥ kukumaiḥ siṁdurāsakaiḥ karpūrāguruakastūrīmiśritaiḥ karddamaistathā

— she should be anointed with white sandalwood paste, kumkum, vermilion, and a paste blended with camphor, agarwood, and musk.

Verse 30 (skanda.3.69.30)

कर्णिकारैश्च कह्लारैः करवीरैः सितारुणैः । चंपकैः केतकीभिश्च जपा कुसुमकैस्तथा ।

karṇikāraiśca kahlāraiḥ karavīraiḥ sitāruṇaiḥ caṁpakaiḥ ketakībhiśca japā kusumakaistathā

With karnikara flowers, white water-lilies, white and red oleander, champaka blossoms, ketaki flowers, and hibiscus —

Verse 31 (skanda.3.69.31)

यक्षकर्द्दमकैश्चैव विल्वपत्रैरखंडितैः । पालाशजातिपुष्पैश्च वटकैर्माषसंभवैः । पूपभक्तादिदालीभिस्तोषयेच्छाकसंचयैः ।

yakṣakarddamakaiścaiva bilvapatrairakhaṁḍitaiḥ pālāśajātipuṣpaiśca vaṭakairmāṣasaṁbhavaiḥ pūpabhaktādidālībhistoṣayecchākasaṁcayaiḥ

— along with a fragrant yaksha-kardama paste, whole unbroken bilva leaves, palasha and jasmine flowers, black-gram fritters, sweet cakes, cooked rice, lentils, and a variety of vegetables, one should please her.

Verse 32 (skanda.3.69.32)

धूपदीपादिपूर्वं तु पूजयेज्जगदंबिकाम् । तद्धियैव कुमारीर्वै विप्रानपि च भोजयेत् । पायसैर्घृतयुक्तैश्च शर्करामिश्रितैर्नृप ।

dhūpadīpādipūrvaṁ tu pūjayejjagadaṁbikām taddhiyaiva kumārīrvai viprānapi ca bhojayet pāyasairghṛtayuktaiśca śarkarāmiśritairnṛpa

With incense, lamps, and the like, one should first worship the Mother of the Universe. In that same spirit, young maidens and brahmins too should be fed with milk-pudding mixed with ghee and sugar, O king.

Verse 33 (skanda.3.69.33)

पक्वान्नैर्मोदकाद्यैश्च तर्पयेद्भक्तिभावतः । तर्प्यमाणे द्विजैकस्मिन्सहस्रफलमश्नुते ।

pakvānnairmodakādyaiśca tarpayedbhaktibhāvataḥ tarpyamāṇe dvijaikasminsahasraphalamaśnute

With cooked delicacies and sweets such as modakas, one should satisfy them with devotion. In satisfying even a single brahmin thus, one obtains a thousandfold merit.

Verse 34 (skanda.3.69.34)

दैत्यानां घातकं स्तोत्रं वाचयेच्च पुनः पुनः । एकाग्रमानसो भूत्वा श्रीमातरं स्तुवीय यः ।

daityānāṁ ghātakaṁ stotraṁ vācayecca punaḥ punaḥ ekāgramānaso bhūtvā śrīmātaraṁ stuvīya yaḥ

The hymn that destroys the daityas should be recited again and again. One who, with a single-pointed mind, offers praise to Shrimata —

Verse 35 (skanda.3.69.35)

तस्य तुष्टा वरं दद्यात्स्नापिता पूजिता स्तुता । अनिष्टानि च सर्वाणि नाशयेद्धर्मपुत्रिका ।

tasya tuṣṭā varaṁ dadyātsnāpitā pūjitā stutā aniṣṭāni ca sarvāṇi nāśayeddharmaputrikā

— pleases her; and thus bathed, worshipped, and praised, she grants him a boon. This daughter of dharma destroys every misfortune of his.

Verse 36 (skanda.3.69.36)

अपुत्रो लभते पुत्रान्निर्धनो धनवान्भवेत् । राज्यार्थी लभते राज्यं विद्यार्थी लभते च ताम् ।

aputro labhate putrānnirdhano dhanavānbhavet rājyārthī labhate rājyaṁ vidyārthī labhate ca tām

The childless obtain children, the poor become wealthy; the one who desires a kingdom obtains a kingdom, and the one who desires learning obtains it.

Verse 37 (skanda.3.69.37)

श्रियोर्थी लभते लक्ष्मीं भार्यार्थी लभते च ताम् । प्रसादाच्च सरस्वत्या लभते नात्र संशयः ।

śriyorthī labhate lakṣmīṁ bhāryārthī labhate ca tām prasādācca sarasvatyā labhate nātra saṁśayaḥ

The one who desires prosperity obtains Lakshmi, the one who desires a wife obtains one; through Sarasvati's grace he obtains all this, without any doubt.

Verse 38 (skanda.3.69.38)

अन्ते च परमं स्थानं यत्सुरैरपि दुर्लभम् । प्राप्नोति पुरुषो नित्यं सरस्वत्याः प्रसादतः ।

aṁte ca paramaṁ sthānaṁ yatsurairapi durlabham prāpnoti puruṣo nityaṁ sarasvatyāḥ prasādataḥ

And in the end, that man attains the supreme abode, which is hard to reach even for the gods — this he obtains eternally, through the grace of Sarasvati.