Srimad Devi Bhagavata Purana

Introduction to Srimad Devi Bhagavata Purana

Structure of the Srimad Devi Bhagavata Purana

The Srimad Devi Bhagavata Purana consists of:

• 12 Skandhas (Books)
• 318 Adhyayas (Chapters)
• Approximately 18,000 Shlokas

It is one of the foundational texts in the Shakta tradition, describing the greatness of Devi and her incarnations.

Major Stories and Themes

1. First canto of mahapurana

The first canto of the Devi Bhagavata Purana, comprising 20 chapters, sets the foundation for the entire text and lays out important philosophical concepts and stories.

Recitation of the Devi Bhagavata Purana: The narrative opens in the Naimisha Forest, where the sages led by Shaunaka request Suta to recite the Purana. This is a common setting in Puranic literature, symbolizing a gathering of wisdom seekers. The Purana is referred to as the fifth among the Mahapuranas.

Concept of Nirguna Reality: Initially, the universe was in a state of nirguna—a formless, attribute-less state. This all-encompassing reality is described as a divine feminine power, Bhagavati, who manifests herself in three forms of Shaktis:

• Sattviki: Associated with truth and creative energy.
• Rajasi: Related to passion and aimless action.
• Tamasi: Linked to delusion and destruction.

Stories and Key Events:
Vishnu and the Form of Hayagriva: The Purana tells the story of Lord Vishnu taking the form of Hayagriva (horse-headed deity) through the grace of Devi, resulting from a curse by his consort, Lakshmi.
Vyasa’s Penance and Boon from Shiva: Sage Vyasa, after composing other Puranas, meditates and receives a boon from Shiva, inspiring the composition of the Devi Bhagavata.
Birth of Shukadeva and Vyasa’s Visit to Mithila: Shukadeva, Vyasa’s son, is born, and Shukadeva later visits King Janaka of Mithila, where he receives spiritual insight.
Birth of Budha and Story of Sudyumna: The birth of Budha (planet Mercury) from Tara and Soma is narrated. Additionally, Sudyumna, who transforms into the woman Ila, prays to the goddess, and the Devi grants her a place at her Lotus Feet.
Devi's Instruction to Vishnu: In a significant moment, Devi Bhagavati reveals her true identity to Vishnu, who is seen lying on a banyan leaf, and she instructs him on the cosmic order and her supreme power.

The first canto emphasizes the supreme role of Devi as the ultimate source of creation, preservation, and destruction. The idea of Mahamaya, or cosmic illusion, is also introduced, explaining how the goddess binds beings in the cycle of existence but also offers liberation.
This canto primarily sets up the philosophical framework, highlighting the supreme power of Devi and the significance of her worship. Through the various stories and conversations, the text reveals the many forms and powers of the goddess, preparing the reader for the deeper revelations and stories that will unfold in the later sections of the Purana.

2. Second canto of mahapurnaa

The second canto of the Devi-Bhagavata Purana consists of 12 chapters, relatively brief in comparison to other sections, but packed with historical narratives. This section introduces many of the prominent characters well known from the Mahabharata, establishing the foundation for their roles in the later books of the Purana.

Union of Parashara and Matsyagandha: This episode recounts the union of the sage Parashara with Matsyagandha, leading to the birth of Vyasa, who is considered a part of Lord Vishnu.

Marriage of Shantanu and Ganga: King Shantanu marries the river goddess Ganga, and together they have eight sons, the Vasus, who play key roles in later narratives.

Birth of Key Mahabharata Characters: This section also covers the birth of significant figures from the Mahabharata, including:

• Dhritarashtra, Pandu, and Vidura.
• Dhritarashtra’s marriage to Gandhari and Pandu’s marriages to Kunti and Madri.
• The birth of Karna and the five Pandavas.

Kurukshetra War: The canto briefly touches on the Kurukshetra War, which is a pivotal event in the Mahabharata.
Death of Parikshit: One of the concluding stories in this canto is the tale of Kasyapa and Takshaka, wherein the serpent Takshaka kills King Parikshit by entering a fruit, thus fulfilling the curse on the king.

3. Fifth canto of Mahapurana

The fifth canto of the Devi-Bhagavata Purana consists of 35 chapters, primarily focusing on the glory of the Goddess (Devi) and the various battles between her and powerful demons.
Devi Mahatmya and the Story of Mahishasura: The canto presents the famous tale of Mahishasura, a demon who conquers the heavens and terrorizes the universe. To defeat him, the goddess Mahalakshmi manifests and, after a fierce battle, slays Mahishasura. This marks a key episode in the Devi Mahatmya, a core text celebrating the power of the goddess.
Conquest by Shumbha and Nishumbha: The canto also describes the demonic brothers Shumbha and Nishumbha, who conquer the heavens and pose a great threat. In response, the Goddess manifests as Devi Kaushiki, born from the body of Goddess Parvati. She ultimately defeats the brothers, symbolizing the victory of good over evil.
King Suratha and the Vaishya: Another significant story in this canto is the tale of King Suratha and a Vaishya (merchant). After losing their kingdoms and wealth, they approach a sage who teaches them the Devi Mahatmya and gives them a nine-syllable mantra. The two men perform rigorous austerities and successfully worship Devi, who blesses them with the restoration of their fortunes.

4. The Story of Devi as Bhramari

Chapter: Skandha 10, Adhyaya 13
The story of Devi Bhramari, also known as Bhramari Devi, is one of the fascinating incarnations of Goddess Durga. The word "Bhramari" is derived from "Bhramara," meaning bees. This form of the goddess is associated with bees and their deadly swarm.

The tale of Devi Bhramari is primarily about the defeat of the demon Arunasura, who became invincible due to a boon that made him immune to death from any two- or four-legged creature. The legend showcases how the Goddess, in her form as Bhramari, used her divine power to summon bees and other flying insects to defeat the demon and his army.

Arunasura's Rise to Power
Arunasura was an arrogant and powerful demon who obtained a boon from Lord Brahma that no human, deity, or animal with two or four legs could kill him. Emboldened by this boon, he began terrorizing the universe, driving the gods away from heaven and wreaking havoc across the three worlds.

The Call for Help
As the gods struggled under the might of Arunasura, they turned to Goddess Parvati for help. The divine mother listened to their pleas and transformed herself into Bhramari Devi, the Goddess of Black Bees, and decided to destroy the demon in an unusual way to bypass his boon.

The Manifestation of Bhramari Devi and the defeat of Arunasura
Bhramari Devi manifested herself with thousands of bees, hornets, and other flying insects swarming around her. Each insect was a part of her divine energy. The goddess and her swarm descended upon Arunasura's army, and the powerful bees began to attack.
Despite his immense strength and the protection granted by his boon, Arunasura was powerless against these tiny, six-legged creatures. Bhramari Devi's bees attacked him, entering his body through his eyes, ears, and nose, eventually killing him. Thus, the goddess circumvented the condition of the boon and liberated the world from his tyranny.

Bhramari Devi's form as the bee goddess represents the power of nature and the feminine force in all its glory. Her victory illustrates that the divine can take any form, even one as small as a bee, to defeat evil. This also symbolizes how collective small forces (like bees) can overcome even the mightiest of evildoers.

5. The Navadurga Forms

Chapter: Skandha 10, Adhyaya 13-23
Shlokas: These chapters describe the nine forms of Durga worshipped during Nawaratri:

• Shailaputri (Daughter of the mountains/Skandha 5, Adhyaya 10)
• Brahmacharini (One who performs penance/Skandha 5, Adhyaya 11)
• Chandraghanta (One with a crescent moon/Skandha 6, Adhyaya 3)
• Kushmanda (Cosmic egg creator/Skandha 7, Adhyaya 12)
• Skandamata (Mother of Kartikeya/Skandha 7, Adhyaya 20)
• Katyayani (Born to the sage Katyayana/Skandha 8, Adhyaya 15)
• Kalaratri (Fierce and dark form/Skandha 9, Adhyaya 3)
• Mahagauri (Great radiant form/Skandha 9, Adhyaya 12)
• Siddhidatri (Bestower of boons and perfections/Skandha 10, Adhyaya 5)

Conclusion

The Srimad Devi Bhagavata Purana is a highly revered scripture in the Shakta tradition, containing approximately 18,000 shlokas across 318 chapters. The text covers various stories of Devi's incarnations, emphasizing her role as the ultimate cosmic power. This Purana serves as a foundation for Hindu festivals like Nawaratri and offers spiritual wisdom, devotion, and the path to liberation for its readers.

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Litterateur

Page article "Srimad Devi Bhagavata Purana" -by Dr. Kalinkaar Dipendra

References

• Srimad Devi Bhagavatam - English Translation, Swami Vijnanananda, opensource, 2016. URL: CLick here

Last updated on

October 6, 2024

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