Saptashati Nyasa

The Saptashati Nyasa is an important procedure performed just before the main recitation of the Durga Saptashati. Through the viniyoga, karanyasa, anganyasa and meditation on the Goddess, the practitioner remembers the power of the Goddess. In this nyasa, while meditating on the forms of Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasaraswati, the Goddess is invoked to protect the different parts of the body and the directions. It is believed that only after the nyasa is the recitation of the first chapter of the seven hundred verses of the Durga Saptashati begun.

Saptashati Nyasa (॥ सप्तशतीन्यासः ॥)

After this, the viniyoga, nyasa and meditation of the Saptashati should be performed. The method of nyasa is the same as before.

Viniyoga (॥ विनियोगः ॥)

प्रथममध्यमोत्तरचरित्राणां ब्रह्मविष्णुरुद्रा ऋषयः, श्रीमहाकालीमहालक्ष्मीमहासरस्वत्यो देवताः, गायत्र्युष्णिगनुष्टुभश्छन्दांसि, नन्दाशाकम्भरीभीमाः शक्तयः, रक्तदन्तिकादुर्गाभ्रामर्यो बीजानि, अग्निवायुसूर्यास्तत्त्वानि, ऋग्यजुःसामवेदा ध्यानानि, सकलकामनासिद्धये श्रीमहाकालीमहालक्ष्मीमहासरस्वतीदेवताप्रीत्यर्थे जपे विनियोगः।

Prathama-Madhyamottara-Charitranam Brahma-Vishnu-Rudra Rishayah, Shri-Mahakali-Mahalakshmi-Mahasarasvatyo Devatah, Gayatry-Ushnig-Anushtubhash Chhandamsi, Nanda-Shakambhari-Bhimah Shaktayah, Raktadantika-Durga-Bhramaryo Bijani, Agni-Vayu-Suryas Tattvani, Rig-Yajuh-Samaveda Dhyanani, Sakala-Kamana-Siddhaye Shri-Mahakali-Mahalakshmi-Mahasarasvati-Devata-Prityarthe Jape Viniyogah |

Meaning: The rishis of the first, middle and last charitras (episodes) of the Durga Saptashati are Brahma, Vishnu and Rudra respectively. The goddesses of these three charitras are Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasaraswati. Their metres are Gayatri, Ushnik and Anushtup respectively. Nanda, Shakambhari and Bhima are their shaktis. Raktadantika, Durga and Bhramari are regarded as their bijas. Agni (fire), Vayu (air) and Surya (the sun) are their tattvas (elements). The Rigveda, Yajurveda and Samaveda are connected with their meditation. This japa is performed (viniyoga) for the fulfilment of all wishes and to please Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasaraswati.

ॐ खड्गिनी शूलिनी घोरा गदिनी चक्रिणी तथा। शङ्खिनी चापिनी बाणभुशुण्डीपरिघायुधा॥ अङ्गुष्ठाभ्यां नमः।

Om Khadgini Shulini Ghora Gadini Chakrini Tatha | Shankhini Chapini Bana-Bhushundi-Parighayudha || Angushthabhyam Namah |

Meaning: O Goddess! You bear many weapons, such as the sword, trident, mace, discus, conch, bow and arrows, bhushundi and parigha. Salutations to such a Goddess with the thumbs.

ॐ शूलेन पाहि नो देवि पाहि खड्गेन चाम्बिके। घण्टास्वनेन नः पाहि चापज्यानिःस्वनेन च॥ तर्जनीभ्यां नमः।

Om Shulena Pahi No Devi Pahi Khadgena Chambike | Ghanta-Svanena Nah Pahi Chapa-Jya-Nihsvanena Cha || Tarjanibhyam Namah |

Meaning: O Goddess, protect us with your trident, and O Ambike, protect us with your sword. Protect us also with the sound of your bell and the twang of your bowstring. Salutations to such a Goddess with the index fingers.

ॐ प्राच्यां रक्ष प्रतीच्यां च चण्डिके रक्ष दक्षिणे। भ्रामणेनात्मशूलस्य उत्तरस्यां तथेश्वरि॥ मध्यमाभ्यां नमः।

Om Prachyam Raksha Pratichyam Cha Chandike Raksha Dakshine | Bhramanenatma-Shulasya Uttarasyam Tatheshvari || Madhyamabhyam Namah |

Meaning: O Goddess Chandika! Protect us in the east, in the west and in the south. O Ishvari, protect us in the north too by the power of your trident. Salutations to such a Goddess with the middle fingers.

ॐ सौम्यानि यानि रूपाणि त्रैलोक्ये विचरन्ति ते। यानि चात्यर्थघोराणि तै रक्षास्मांस्तथा भुवम्॥ अनामिकाभ्यां नमः।

Om Saumyani Yani Rupani Trailokye Vicharanti Te | Yani Chatyartha-Ghorani Tai Rakshasmams Tatha Bhuvam || Anamikabhyam Namah |

Meaning: O Goddess! With all your forms — the gentle and beautiful forms that move through the three worlds and your most terrifying forms — protect us and this earth. Salutations to such a Goddess with the ring fingers.

ॐ खड्गशूलगदादीनि यानि चास्त्राणि तेऽम्बिके। करपल्लवसङ्गीनि तैरस्मान् रक्ष सर्वतः॥ कनिष्ठिकाभ्यां नमः।

Om Khadga-Shula-Gadadini Yani Chastrani Te'mbike | Karapallava-Sangini Tairasman Raksha Sarvatah || Kanishthikabhyam Namah |

Meaning: O Ambike! With all the weapons in your tender hands — the sword, trident, mace and others — protect us on every side. Salutations to such a Goddess with the little fingers.

ॐ सर्वस्वरूपे सर्वेशे सर्वशक्तिसमन्विते। भयेभ्यस्त्राहि नो देवि दुर्गे देवि नमोऽस्तु ते॥ करतलकरपृष्ठाभ्यां।

Om Sarvasvarupe Sarveshe Sarva-Shakti-Samanvite | Bhayebhyas Trahi No Devi Durge Devi Namo'stu Te || Karatala-Karaprishthabhyam |

Meaning: O Goddess Durga! You are of all forms, the ruler of all and endowed with every power. Save us from every kind of fear. Salutations to you. Salutations to such a Goddess with the palms and backs of both hands.

ॐ खड्गिनी शूलिनी घोरा॰ - हृदयाय नमः।

Om Khadgini Shulini Ghora... - Hridayaya Namah |

Meaning: Placing in the heart the fierce Goddess who bears the sword, trident and other weapons — salutations (namah).

ॐ शूलेन पाहि नो देवि॰ - शिरसे स्वाहा।

Om Shulena Pahi No Devi... - Shirase Svaha |

Meaning: O Goddess, protect us with your trident. Placing such a Goddess on the head — svaha is offered.

ॐ प्राच्यां रक्ष प्रतीच्यां च॰ - शिखायै वषट्।

Om Prachyam Raksha Pratichyam Cha... - Shikhayai Vashat |

Meaning: O Goddess Chandika, protect us in all directions. Placing such a Goddess in the shikha — vashat is offered.

ॐ सौम्यानि यानि रूपाणि॰ - कवचाय हुम्।

Om Saumyani Yani Rupani... - Kavachaya Hum |

Meaning: May all the gentle and fierce forms of the Goddess protect us. Placing the Goddess as one’s armour (kavacha) — hum is offered.

ॐ खड्गशूलगदादीनि॰ - नेत्रत्रयाय वौषट्।

Om Khadga-Shula-Gadadini... - Netratrayaya Vaushat |

Meaning: May all the divine weapons of the Goddess protect us. Placing such a Goddess in the three eyes — vaushat is offered.

ॐ सर्वस्वरूपे सर्वेशे॰ - अस्त्राय फट्।

Om Sarvasvarupe Sarveshe... - Astraya Phat |

Meaning: O Goddess, you who are of all forms and the ruler of all, protect us with your power. Establishing the divine weapon (astra) of the Goddess — phat is offered.

Dhyanam (॥ ध्यानम् ॥)

ॐ विद्युद्दामसमप्रभां मृगपतिस्कन्धस्थितां भीषणां कन्याभिः करवालखेटविलसद्धस्ताभिरासेविताम्। हस्तैश्चक्रगदासिखेटविशिखांश्चापं गुणं तर्जनीं बिभ्राणामनलात्मिकां शशिधरां दुर्गां त्रिनेत्रां भजे॥

Om Vidyuddama-Samaprabham Mrigapati-Skandha-Sthitam Bhishanam Kanyabhih Karavala-Kheta-Vilasad-Dhastabhir Asevitam | Hastaish Chakra-Gadasi-Kheta-Vishikhamsh Chapam Gunam Tarjanim Bibhranam Analatmikam Shashidharam Durgam Trinetram Bhaje ||

Meaning: I meditate on Goddess Durga, whose radiance is as brilliant as a flash of lightning. She is seated on the shoulder of a lion, and her form is fearsome. Many maidens holding swords and shields in their hands attend upon her.

In her hands the Goddess holds a discus, a mace, a sword, a shield, arrows, a bow and its string. She is radiant like fire, wears the moon on her head and has three eyes. I meditate on such a valiant and protecting Mother Durga.