Pradhanika Rahasyam

The Pradhanika Rahasyam is the first of the three Rahasyas (secret teachings) of the Shri Saptashati. In it, the sage explains to King Suratha the root nature and principal form of the Goddess.

Atha Pradhanikam Rahasyam (॥ अथ प्राधानिकं रहस्यम् ॥)

Viniyoga (॥ विनियोगः ॥)

ॐ अस्य श्रीसप्तशतीरहस्यत्रयस्य नारायण ऋषिरनुष्टुप्छन्दः, महाकालीमहालक्ष्मीमहासरस्वत्यो देवता यथोक्तफलावाप्त्यर्थं जपे विनियोगः।

Om Asya Shri-Saptashati-Rahasyatrayasya Narayana Rishir Anushtup Chhandah, Mahakali-Mahalakshmi-Mahasarasvatyo Devata Yathokta-Phalavaptyartham Jape Viniyogah |

Meaning: Of the three Rahasyas of the Shri Saptashati, the rishi of this Pradhanika Rahasya is Lord Narayana and its metre is Anushtup. Its deities are Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasaraswati. The resolve to chant it is made in order to obtain the fruits described.

Verses

Raja Uvacha

राजोवाच

Verse 1

भगवन्नवतारा मे चण्डिकायास्त्वयोदिताः। एतेषां प्रकृतिं ब्रह्मन् प्रधानं वक्तुमर्हसि॥1॥

Bhagavann Avatara Me Chandikayas Tvayoditah | Etesham Prakritim Brahman Pradhanam Vaktumarhasi || 1 ||

Meaning: The king said: “O revered one! You have told me of the many incarnations of Goddess Chandika. O Brahmin, now kindly tell me about the root nature and the principal form of all these forms.”

Verse 2

आराध्यं यन्मया देव्याः स्वरूपं येन च द्विज। विधिना ब्रूहि सकलं यथावत्प्रणतस्य मे॥2॥

Aradhyam Yanmaya Devyah Svarupam Yena Cha Dvija | Vidhina Bruhi Sakalam Yathavat Pranatasya Me || 2 ||

Meaning: “O twice-born one! Tell me properly which form of the Goddess I should worship and by what method I should adore her. I have come to take refuge in you.”

Rishir Uvacha

ऋषिरुवाच

Verse 3

इदं रहस्यं परममनाख्येयं प्रचक्षते। भक्तोऽसीति न मे किञ्चित्तवावाच्यं नराधिप॥3॥

Idam Rahasyam Paramam Anakhyeyam Prachakshate | Bhakto'siti Na Me Kinchit Tavavachyam Naradhipa || 3 ||

Meaning: The sage said: “O King! This is a very deep and secret mystery that is not ordinarily revealed. But you are my devotee, so there is no need to hide anything from you.”

Verse 4

सर्वस्याद्या महालक्ष्मीस्त्रिगुणा परमेश्वरी। लक्ष्यालक्ष्यस्वरूपा सा व्याप्य कृत्स्नं व्यवस्थिता॥4॥

Sarvasyadya Mahalakshmis Triguna Parameshvari | Lakshyalakshya-Svarupa Sa Vyapya Kritsnam Vyavasthita || 4 ||

Meaning: “Mahalakshmi alone is the primordial power of all and the Supreme Goddess. She is endowed with the three gunas and pervades the whole world in all forms, both visible and invisible.”

Verse 5

मातुलुङ्गं गदां खेटं पानपात्रं च बिभ्रती। नागं लिङ्गं च योनिं च बिभ्रती नृप मूर्धनि॥5॥

Matulungam Gadam Khetam Panapatram Cha Bibhrati | Nagam Lingam Cha Yonim Cha Bibhrati Nripa Murdhani || 5 ||

Meaning: “O King! Mahalakshmi holds in her hands a matulunga fruit (citron), a mace, a shield and a vessel. On her head are also the signs of the serpent, the linga and the yoni.”

Verse 6

तप्तकाञ्चनवर्णाभा तप्तकाञ्चनभूषणा। शून्यं तदखिलं स्वेन पूरयामास तेजसा॥6॥

Tapta-Kanchana-Varnabha Tapta-Kanchana-Bhushana | Shunyam Tadakhilam Svena Purayamasa Tejasa || 6 ||

Meaning: “Her body shines like molten gold, and her ornaments too are radiant like gold. She filled that whole empty universe with her radiance.”

Verse 7

शून्यं तदखिलं लोकं विलोक्य परमेश्वरी। बभार परमं रूपं तमसा केवलेन हि॥7॥

Shunyam Tadakhilam Lokam Vilokya Parameshvari | Babhara Paramam Rupam Tamasa Kevalena Hi || 7 ||

Meaning: “Seeing the whole universe empty at that time, the Supreme Goddess took on a special form endowed with tamoguna alone.”

Verse 8

सा भिन्नाञ्जनसङ्काशा दंष्ट्राङ्कितवरानना। विशाललोचना नारी बभूव तनुमध्यमा॥8॥

Sa Bhinnanjana-Sankasha Damshtrankita-Varanana | Vishala-Lochana Nari Babhuva Tanumadhyama || 8 ||

Meaning: “That Goddess looked as dark as deep kohl. Fearsome teeth showed in her beautiful face, her eyes were large and her body was well formed.”

Verse 9

खड्गपात्रशिरःखेटैरलङ्कृतचतुर्भुजा। कबन्धहारं शिरसा बिभ्राणा हि शिरःस्रजम्॥9॥

Khadga-Patra-Shirah-Khetair Alankrita-Chaturbhuja | Kabandha-Haram Shirasa Bibhrana Hi Shirahsrajam || 9 ||

Meaning: “She had four arms and held a sword, a vessel, a severed head and a shield. A garland of headless trunks adorned her neck and a garland of severed heads her head.”

Verse 10

सा प्रोवाच महालक्ष्मीं तामसी प्रमदोत्तमा। नाम कर्म च मे मातर्देहि तुभ्यं नमो नमः॥10॥

Sa Provacha Mahalakshmim Tamasi Pramadottama | Nama Karma Cha Me Matardehi Tubhyam Namo Namah || 10 ||

Meaning: “That Goddess of tamoguna said to Mahalakshmi: ‘O Mother! Tell me my names and my tasks. Salutations to you again and again.’”

Verse 11

तां प्रोवाच महालक्ष्मीस्तामसीं प्रमदोत्तमाम्। ददामि तव नामानि यानि कर्माणि तानि ते॥11॥

Tam Provacha Mahalakshmis Tamasim Pramadottamam | Dadami Tava Namani Yani Karmani Tani Te || 11 ||

Meaning: “Mahalakshmi said to the Goddess of tamoguna: ‘I shall tell you your names and your tasks.’”

Verse 12

महामाया महाकाली महामारी क्षुधा तृषा। निद्रा तृष्णा चैकवीरा कालरात्रिर्दुरत्यया॥12॥

Mahamaya Mahakali Mahamari Kshudha Trisha | Nidra Trishna Chaikavira Kalaratrir Duratyaya || 12 ||

Meaning: “ ‘Your names will be Mahamaya, Mahakali, Mahamari, Kshudha (hunger), Trisha (thirst), Nidra (sleep), Trishna (craving), Ekavira and Kalaratri. You are a power that is very hard to overcome.’”

Verse 13

इमानि तव नामानि प्रतिपाद्यानि कर्मभिः। एभिः कर्माणि ते ज्ञात्वा योऽधीते सोऽश्नुते सुखम्॥13॥

Imani Tava Namani Pratipadyani Karmabhih | Ebhih Karmani Te Jnatva Yo'dhite So'shnute Sukham || 13 ||

Meaning: “ ‘All these names of yours are given according to your tasks. Whoever recites them understanding their meaning and your tasks attains happiness.’”

Verse 14

तामित्युक्त्वा महालक्ष्मीः स्वरूपमपरं नृप। सत्त्वाख्येनातिशुद्धेन गुणेनेन्दुप्रभं दधौ॥14॥

Tamityuktva Mahalakshmih Svarupam Aparam Nripa | Sattvakhyenatishuddhena Gunenenduprabham Dadhau || 14 ||

Meaning: “O King! Having said this, Mahalakshmi then took another form, endowed with the purest sattvaguna and shining like the moon.”

Verse 15

अक्षमालाङ्कुशधरा वीणापुस्तकधारिणी। सा बभूव वरा नारी नामान्यस्यै च सा ददौ॥15॥

Akshamalankusha-Dhara Vina-Pustaka-Dharini | Sa Babhuva Vara Nari Namanyasyai Cha Sa Dadau || 15 ||

Meaning: “In that Goddess’s hands were a rosary and a goad, and she held a veena and a book. She became a Goddess of supremely beautiful and excellent form, and Mahalakshmi gave her her names.”

Verse 16

महाविद्या महावाणी भारती वाक् सरस्वती। आर्या ब्राह्मी कामधेनुर्वेदगर्भा च धीश्वरी॥16॥

Mahavidya Mahavani Bharati Vak Sarasvati | Arya Brahmi Kamadhenur Vedagarbha Cha Dhishvari || 16 ||

Meaning: “Her names are Mahavidya, Mahavani, Bharati, Vani, Saraswati, Arya, Brahmi, Kamadhenu, Vedagarbha and Dhishvari. She is the power of knowledge, speech and intellect.”

Verse 17

अथोवाच महालक्ष्मीर्महाकालीं सरस्वतीम्। युवां जनयतां देव्यौ मिथुने स्वानुरूपतः॥17॥

Athovacha Mahalakshmir Mahakalim Sarasvatim | Yuvam Janayatam Devyau Mithune Svanurupatah || 17 ||

Meaning: “After this, Mahalakshmi said to Mahakali and Saraswati: ‘O goddesses! Each of you, according to your own nature, bring forth a pair — a woman and a man.’”

Verse 18

इत्युक्त्वा ते महालक्ष्मीः ससर्ज मिथुनं स्वयम्। हिरण्यगर्भौ रुचिरौ स्त्रीपुंसौ कमलासनौ॥18॥

Ityuktva Te Mahalakshmih Sasarja Mithunam Svayam | Hiranyagarbhau Ruchirau Stripumsau Kamalasanau || 18 ||

Meaning: “Having said this, Mahalakshmi herself brought forth a beautiful pair, a woman and a man. Both were seated on a lotus, and their forms were most beautiful.”

Verse 19

ब्रह्मन् विधे विरिञ्चेति धातरित्याह तं नरम्। श्रीः पद्मे कमले लक्ष्मीत्याह माता च तां स्त्रियम्॥19॥

Brahman Vidhe Virincheti Dhatarityaha Tam Naram | Shrih Padme Kamale Lakshmityaha Mata Cha Tam Striyam || 19 ||

Meaning: “The man was given names such as Brahma, Vidhata, Viranchi and Dhata. The woman was given the names Shri, Padma, Kamala and Lakshmi.”

Verse 20

महाकाली भारती च मिथुने सृजतः सह। एतयोरपि रूपाणि नामानि च वदामि ते॥20॥

Mahakali Bharati Cha Mithune Srijatah Saha | Etayorapi Rupani Namani Cha Vadami Te || 20 ||

Meaning: “After this, Mahakali and Bharati also each brought forth a pair, a woman and a man. Now I shall tell you their forms and names too.”

Verse 21

नीलकण्ठं रक्तबाहुं श्वेताङ्गं चन्द्रशेखरम्। जनयामास पुरुषं महाकाली सितां स्त्रियम्॥21॥

Nilakantham Raktabahum Shvetangam Chandrashekharam | Janayamasa Purusham Mahakali Sitam Striyam || 21 ||

Meaning: “Mahakali brought forth a man whose throat was blue, whose arms were red and whose body was bright, with the moon adorning his head. She also brought forth a fair woman.”

Verse 22

स रुद्रः शङ्करः स्थाणुः कपर्दी च त्रिलोचनः। त्रयी विद्या कामधेनुः सा स्त्री भाषाक्षरा स्वरा॥22॥

Sa Rudrah Shankarah Sthanuh Kapardi Cha Trilochanah | Trayi Vidya Kamadhenuh Sa Stri Bhashakshara Svara || 22 ||

Meaning: “The names of that man are Rudra, Shankara, Sthanu, Kapardi and Trilochana. The names of that woman are Trayi, Vidya and Kamadhenu. She is the form of the power of speech, of the syllable and of sound.”

Verse 23

सरस्वती स्त्रियं गौरीं कृष्णं च पुरुषं नृप। जनयामास नामानि तयोरपि वदामि ते॥23॥

Sarasvati Striyam Gaurim Krishnam Cha Purusham Nripa | Janayamasa Namani Tayorapi Vadami Te || 23 ||

Meaning: “O King! Saraswati brought forth a woman, Gauri, and a man, Krishna. Now I shall tell you their names too.”

Verse 24

विष्णुः कृष्णो हृषीकेशो वासुदेवो जनार्दनः। उमा गौरी सती चण्डी सुन्दरी सुभगा शिवा॥24॥

Vishnuh Krishno Hrishikesho Vasudevo Janardanah | Uma Gauri Sati Chandi Sundari Subhaga Shiva || 24 ||

Meaning: “The names of that man are Vishnu, Krishna, Hrishikesha, Vasudeva and Janardana. The names of that woman are Uma, Gauri, Sati, Chandi, Sundari, Subhaga and Shiva.”

Verse 25

एवं युवतयः सद्यः पुरुषत्वं प्रपेदिरे। चक्षुष्मन्तो नु पश्यन्ति नेतरेऽतद्विदो जनाः॥25॥

Evam Yuvatayah Sadyah Purushatvam Prapedire | Chakshushmanto Nu Pashyanti Netare'tadvido Janah || 25 ||

Meaning: “The goddesses born in this way later appeared in male forms as well. Those who have the vision of true knowledge can understand and see this mystery; others cannot understand it.”

Verse 26

ब्रह्मणे प्रददौ पत्नीं महालक्ष्मीर्नृप त्रयीम्। रुद्राय गौरीं वरदां वासुदेवाय च श्रियम्॥26॥

Brahmane Pradadau Patnim Mahalakshmir Nripa Trayim | Rudraya Gaurim Varadam Vasudevaya Cha Shriyam || 26 ||

Meaning: “O King! Mahalakshmi made Trayi the wife of Brahma, the boon-giving Gauri the wife of Rudra, and Shri, that is, Lakshmi, the wife of Vasudeva.”

Verse 27

स्वरया सह सम्भूय विरिञ्चोऽण्डमजीजनत्। बिभेद भगवान् रुद्रस्तद् गौर्या सह वीर्यवान्॥27॥

Svaraya Saha Sambhuya Virincho'ndam Ajijanat | Bibheda Bhagavan Rudrastad Gaurya Saha Viryavan || 27 ||

Meaning: “Brahma, together with Saraswati, created the cosmic egg (brahmanda). The mighty Lord Rudra, together with Gauri, split open that cosmic egg.”

Verse 28

अण्डमध्ये प्रधानादि कार्यजातमभून्नृप। महाभूतात्मकं सर्वं जगत्स्थावरजङ्गमम्॥28॥

Andamadhye Pradhanadi Karyajatam Abhun Nripa | Mahabhutatmakam Sarvam Jagat Sthavara-Jangamam || 28 ||

Meaning: “O King! Within that cosmic egg arose all the effects of creation, beginning with Pradhana (primordial matter). This whole world of the moving and the unmoving, made of the five great elements, also came forth from there.”

Verse 29

पुपोष पालयामास तल्लक्ष्म्या सह केशवः। सञ्जहार जगत्सर्वं सह गौर्या महेश्वरः॥29॥

Puposha Palayamasa Tallakshmya Saha Keshavah | Sanjahara Jagatsarvam Saha Gaurya Maheshvarah || 29 ||

Meaning: “Keshava, Lord Vishnu, together with Lakshmi, nourished and sustained that world. Maheshvara, Lord Shiva, together with Gauri, dissolved the whole world when the time came.”

Verse 30

महालक्ष्मीर्महाराज सर्वसत्त्वमयीश्वरी। निराकारा च साकारा सैव नानाभिधानभृत्॥30॥

Mahalakshmir Maharaja Sarvasattvamayishvari | Nirakara Cha Sakara Saiva Nanabhidhana-Bhrit || 30 ||

Meaning: “O great King! Mahalakshmi is the supreme power that pervades all beings. She is formless, and she also appears in many forms. She takes on different names and forms.”