Durga Saptashati Upasamhara: The Concluding Procedure

The Upasamhara – "the conclusion" – is the procedure recited after the thirteenth chapter of the Durga Saptashati. The Sankalpa made at the start of the Path prescribes the Navarna japa twice, once before the thirteen chapters and once after them, and the Upasamhara is that second performance: the Navarna mantra's Viniyoga, Nyasa, Dhyana and japa, repeated exactly as before, followed by the Saptashati Nyasa and the Dhyana of Durga, after which the Devi Sukta is recited.

The text says it in one sentence: "When the recitation of the Saptashati is completed in this way, the prescribed method is first to chant the Navarna mantra and then to recite the Devi Sukta; therefore the Navarna procedure is quoted here again. Everything is to be done just as before."

Everything in it is given below in Sanskrit, with transliteration, a simple English meaning, and the place on the body where each Nyasa is made.

Durga Saptashati Upasamhara at a Glance

Particular	Details
Name	Upasamhara – The Conclusion
Position in the Path	After Chapter 13; before the Devi Sukta and the three Rahasyas
What it contains	The Navarna procedure repeated in full; the Saptashati Nyasa; the Dhyana of Durga
Mantra	The Navarna mantra, ॐ ऐं ह्रीं क्लीं चामुण्डायै विच्चे
Rishis	Brahma, Vishnu and Rudra
Metres	Gayatri, Ushnik and Anushtup
Deities	Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasaraswati
Bija · Shakti · Kilaka	Aim · Hreem · Kleem
Japa	108 or 1008 repetitions of the Navarna mantra
Nyasa performed	Rishyadi, Kara, Hridayadi, Akshara, Vyapaka and Dik Nyasa of the Navarna; then Kara and Hridayadi Nyasa of the Saptashati
Dhyanas	Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasaraswati; then three-eyed Durga on her lion
Verses placed on the body	Six verses from the Saptashati itself – from Chapters 1, 4 and 11
Source	The Durga Saptashati as printed in the traditional Path editions

What the Upasamhara Is

The Durga Saptashati Path is framed by the Navarna mantra. Before the first chapter the reciter performs the Navarna Vidhi – the nine-syllable mantra placed on the hands, limbs, face and directions, the three Goddesses meditated upon, and the mantra repeated 108 times – and then the Saptashati Nyasa, which places the Saptashati itself on the body. After the thirteenth chapter the same two procedures are performed again. The opening Navarna fixes the Goddess in the reciter before the text is read; the closing Navarna gathers the recitation up and offers it back.

The Upasamhara therefore contains nothing new. Its instruction is "everything just as before", and its value lies in the repetition: the Path ends as it began, with the Goddess's own mantra, and the recitation is sealed between the two.

Order of the Upasamhara

Shri Ganapatir Jayati and the Viniyoga of the Navarna mantra
Rishyadi Nyasa – the Rishis, metres, deities, Bija, Shakti and Kilaka placed on the body
Purification of the hands with the root mantra
Karanyasa – the mantra placed on the fingers and hands
Hridayadi Nyasa – the mantra placed on heart, head, crown, arms, eyes and weapon
Akshara Nyasa – the nine syllables placed on the face and body
Vyapaka Nyasa – the whole body, eight times, with the root mantra
Dik Nyasa – the ten directions
Dhyana of Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasaraswati
Mental worship, the worship of the rosary, and the japa of 108 or 1008
The japa offered to the Goddess
The Saptashati Nyasa – Karanyasa and Hridayadi Nyasa with the six verses – and the Dhyana of Durga

After this the Devi Sukta is recited.

Durga Saptashati Upasamhara Sanskrit with Meaning

॥ उपसंहारः ॥

Viniyoga

श्रीगणपतिर्जयति।

Shri-Ganapatir Jayati |

Meaning: Victory to Shri Ganapati.

ॐ अस्य श्रीनवार्णमन्त्रस्य ब्रह्मविष्णुरुद्रा ऋषयः, गायत्र्युष्णिगनुष्टुभश्छन्दांसि, श्रीमहाकालीमहालक्ष्मीमहासरस्वत्यो देवताः, ऐं बीजम्, ह्रीं शक्तिः, क्लीं कीलकम्, श्रीमहाकालीमहालक्ष्मीमहासरस्वतीप्रीत्यर्थे जपे विनियोगः।

Om Asya Shri-Navarna-Mantrasya Brahma-Vishnu-Rudra Rishayah, Gayatry-Ushnig-Anushtubhash Chhandamsi, Shri-Mahakali-Mahalakshmi-Mahasarasvatyo Devatah, Aim Bijam, Hreem Shaktih, Kleem Kilakam, Shri-Mahakali-Mahalakshmi-Mahasarasvati-Prityarthe Jape Viniyogah |

Meaning: Of this Navarna mantra, the Rishis are Brahma, Vishnu and Rudra; the metres are Gayatri, Ushnik and Anushtup; the deities are Shri Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasaraswati; Aim is the Bija, Hreem the Shakti and Kleem the Kilaka. This japa is undertaken to please Shri Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasaraswati.

Rishyadi Nyasa

ब्रह्मविष्णुरुद्रऋषिभ्यो नमः, शिरसि।

Brahma-Vishnu-Rudra-Rishibhyo Namah, Shirasi |

Meaning: Salutations to the Rishis Brahma, Vishnu and Rudra – on the head.

गायत्र्युष्णिगनुष्टुप्छन्दोभ्यो नमः, मुखे।

Gayatry-Ushnig-Anushtup-Chhandobhyo Namah, Mukhe |

Meaning: Salutations to the metres Gayatri, Ushnik and Anushtup – on the mouth.

महाकालीमहालक्ष्मीमहासरस्वतीदेवताभ्यो नमः, हृदि।

Mahakali-Mahalakshmi-Mahasarasvati-Devatabhyo Namah, Hridi |

Meaning: Salutations to the deities Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasaraswati – on the heart.

ऐं बीजाय नमः, गुह्ये।

Aim Bijaya Namah, Guhye |

Meaning: Salutations to the Bija Aim – on the private part.

ह्रीं शक्तये नमः, पादयोः।

Hreem Shaktaye Namah, Padayoh |

Meaning: Salutations to the Shakti Hreem – on the two feet.

क्लीं कीलकाय नमः, नाभौ।

Kleem Kilakaya Namah, Nabhau |

Meaning: Salutations to the Kilaka Kleem – on the navel.

Each salutation is made with the right hand touching the part named.

Purification of the Hands

"ॐ ऐं ह्रीं क्लीं चामुण्डायै विच्चे" – इति मूलेन करौ संशोध्य –

"Om Aim Hreem Kleem Chamundayai Vichche" – Iti Mulena Karau Samshodhya –

Meaning: Having purified both hands with this root mantra, "Om Aim Hreem Kleem Chamundayai Vichche" –

The mantra is recited while the hands are rubbed together; the Nyasa then follows.

Karanyasa

ॐ ऐं अङ्गुष्ठाभ्यां नमः।

Om Aim Angushthabhyam Namah |

Meaning: Om Aim – salutations, with the two thumbs.

ॐ ह्रीं तर्जनीभ्यां नमः।

Om Hreem Tarjanibhyam Namah |

Meaning: Om Hreem – salutations, with the two index fingers.

ॐ क्लीं मध्यमाभ्यां नमः।

Om Kleem Madhyamabhyam Namah |

Meaning: Om Kleem – salutations, with the two middle fingers.

ॐ चामुण्डायै अनामिकाभ्यां नमः।

Om Chamundayai Anamikabhyam Namah |

Meaning: Om Chamundayai – salutations, with the two ring fingers.

ॐ विच्चे कनिष्ठिकाभ्यां नमः।

Om Vichche Kanishthikabhyam Namah |

Meaning: Om Vichche – salutations, with the two little fingers.

ॐ ऐं ह्रीं क्लीं चामुण्डायै विच्चे करतलकरपृष्ठाभ्यां नमः।

Om Aim Hreem Kleem Chamundayai Vichche Karatala-Karaprishthabhyam Namah |

Meaning: Om Aim Hreem Kleem Chamundayai Vichche – salutations, with the palms and the backs of the hands.

Each part of the mantra is recited while the two fingers named are touched together; for the last line the palms are joined and then the backs of the hands.

Hridayadi Nyasa

ॐ ऐं हृदयाय नमः।

Om Aim Hridayaya Namah |

Meaning: Om Aim – salutations to the heart. The fingers of the right hand touch the heart.

ॐ ह्रीं शिरसे स्वाहा।

Om Hreem Shirase Svaha |

Meaning: Om Hreem – Svaha to the head. The fingers touch the top of the head.

ॐ क्लीं शिखायै वषट्।

Om Kleem Shikhayai Vashat |

Meaning: Om Kleem – Vashat to the crown-tuft. The fingers touch the crown.

ॐ चामुण्डायै कवचाय हुम्।

Om Chamundayai Kavachaya Hum |

Meaning: Om Chamundayai – Hum to the armour. The arms are crossed over the chest, each hand touching the opposite shoulder.

ॐ विच्चे नेत्रत्रयाय वौषट्।

Om Vichche Netratrayaya Vaushat |

Meaning: Om Vichche – Vaushat to the three eyes. The fingertips touch the two eyes and the centre of the brow.

ॐ ऐं ह्रीं क्लीं चामुण्डायै विच्चे अस्त्राय फट्।

Om Aim Hreem Kleem Chamundayai Vichche Astraya Phat |

Meaning: Om Aim Hreem Kleem Chamundayai Vichche – Phat to the weapon. The right hand is brought round the head and clapped against the left palm.

Akshara Nyasa

The nine syllables of the mantra are placed one by one on the face and body.

ॐ ऐं नमः, शिखायाम्।

Om Aim Namah, Shikhayam |

Meaning: Om Aim – salutations, on the crown-tuft.

ॐ ह्रीं नमः, दक्षिणनेत्रे।

Om Hreem Namah, Dakshina-Netre |

Meaning: Om Hreem – salutations, on the right eye.

ॐ क्लीं नमः, वामनेत्रे।

Om Kleem Namah, Vamanetre |

Meaning: Om Kleem – salutations, on the left eye.

ॐ चां नमः, दक्षिणकर्णे।

Om Cham Namah, Dakshina-Karne |

Meaning: Om Cham – salutations, on the right ear.

ॐ मुं नमः, वामकर्णे।

Om Mum Namah, Vamakarne |

Meaning: Om Mum – salutations, on the left ear.

ॐ डां नमः, दक्षिणनासापुटे।

Om Dam Namah, Dakshina-Nasapute |

Meaning: Om Dam – salutations, on the right nostril.

ॐ यैं नमः, वामनासापुटे।

Om Yaim Namah, Vamanasapute |

Meaning: Om Yaim – salutations, on the left nostril.

ॐ विं नमः, मुखे।

Om Vim Namah, Mukhe |

Meaning: Om Vim – salutations, on the mouth.

ॐ च्चें नमः, गुह्ये।

Om Chchem Namah, Guhye |

Meaning: Om Chchem – salutations, on the private part.

Vyapaka Nyasa

एवं विन्यस्याष्टवारं मूलेन व्यापकं कुर्यात्।

Evam Vinyasyashta-Varam Mulena Vyapakam Kuryat |

Meaning: Having placed the syllables in this way, one should perform the pervading Nyasa eight times with the root mantra.

The root mantra is recited eight times while both hands are passed over the whole body, from the head down to the feet.

Dik Nyasa

ॐ ऐं प्राच्यै नमः।

Om Aim Prachyai Namah |

Meaning: Om Aim – salutations to the east.

ॐ ऐं आग्नेय्यै नमः।

Om Aim Agneyyai Namah |

Meaning: Om Aim – salutations to the south-east.

ॐ ह्रीं दक्षिणायै नमः।

Om Hreem Dakshinayai Namah |

Meaning: Om Hreem – salutations to the south.

ॐ ह्रीं नैर्ऋत्यै नमः।

Om Hreem Nairrityai Namah |

Meaning: Om Hreem – salutations to the south-west.

ॐ क्लीं प्रतीच्यै नमः।

Om Kleem Pratichyai Namah |

Meaning: Om Kleem – salutations to the west.

ॐ क्लीं वायव्यै नमः।

Om Kleem Vayavyai Namah |

Meaning: Om Kleem – salutations to the north-west.

ॐ चामुण्डायै उदीच्यै नमः।

Om Chamundayai Udichyai Namah |

Meaning: Om Chamundayai – salutations to the north.

ॐ चामुण्डायै ऐशान्यै नमः।

Om Chamundayai Aishanyai Namah |

Meaning: Om Chamundayai – salutations to the north-east.

ॐ ऐं ह्रीं क्लीं चामुण्डायै विच्चे ऊर्ध्वायै नमः।

Om Aim Hreem Kleem Chamundayai Vichche Urdhvayai Namah |

Meaning: Om Aim Hreem Kleem Chamundayai Vichche – salutations to the direction above.

ॐ ऐं ह्रीं क्लीं चामुण्डायै विच्चे भूम्यै नमः।

Om Aim Hreem Kleem Chamundayai Vichche Bhumyai Namah |

Meaning: Om Aim Hreem Kleem Chamundayai Vichche – salutations to the earth below.

Each salutation is made facing, or with the fingers snapped towards, the direction named.

Dhyana

खड्गं चक्रगदेषुचापपरिघाञ्छूलं भुशुण्डीं शिरः शङ्खं संदधतीं करैस्त्रिनयनां सर्वाङ्गभूषावृताम्।

नीलाश्मद्युतिमास्यपाददशकां सेवे महाकालिकां यामस्तौत्स्वपिते हरौ कमलजो हन्तुं मधुं कैटभम्॥१॥

Khadgam Chakra-Gadeshu-Chapa-Parighan Chhulam Bhushundim Shirah Shankham Sandadhatim Karais Trinayanam Sarvanga-Bhushavritam |

Nilashma-Dyutim Asya-Pada-Dashakam Seve Mahakalikam Yam Astaut Svapite Harau Kamalajo Hantum Madhum Kaitabham || 1 ||

Meaning: I serve Mahakali – who holds in her hands the sword, the discus, the mace, the arrow, the bow, the iron club, the trident, the bhushundi, a severed head and the conch; three-eyed, adorned with ornaments on every limb, with the lustre of a blue gem, with ten faces and ten feet – whom the lotus-born Brahma praised, while Hari slept, for the slaying of Madhu and Kaitabha.

अक्षस्रक्परशुं गदेषुकुलिशं पद्मं धनुष्कुण्डिकां दण्डं शक्तिमसिं च चर्म जलजं घण्टां सुराभाजनम्।

शूलं पाशसुदर्शने च दधतीं हस्तैः प्रसन्नाननां सेवे सैरिभमर्दिनीमिह महालक्ष्मीं सरोजस्थिताम्॥२॥

Akshasrak-Parashum Gadeshu-Kulisham Padmam Dhanush-Kundikam Dandam Shaktim Asim Cha Charma Jalajam Ghantam Surabhajanam |

Shulam Pasha-Sudarshane Cha Dadhatim Hastaih Prasannananam Seve Sairibha-Mardinim Iha Mahalakshmim Saroja-Sthitam || 2 ||

Meaning: I serve Mahalakshmi, seated on a lotus, with a serene and joyful face, the slayer of Mahishasura – who holds in her eighteen hands a rosary, an axe, a mace, an arrow, a thunderbolt, a lotus, a bow, a water pot, a staff, a spear, a sword, a shield, a conch, a bell, a cup of divine drink, a trident, a noose and the Sudarshana discus.

घण्टाशूलहलानि शङ्खमुसले चक्रं धनुः सायकं हस्ताब्जैर्दधतीं घनान्तविलसच्छीतांशुतुल्यप्रभाम्।

गौरीदेहसमुद्भवां त्रिजगतामाधारभूतां महा- पूर्वामत्र सरस्वतीमनुभजे शुम्भादिदैत्यार्दिनीम्॥३॥

Ghanta-Shula-Halani Shankha-Musale Chakram Dhanuh Sayakam Hastabjair Dadhatim Ghananta-Vilasach-Chhitamshu-Tulya-Prabham |

Gauri-Deha-Samudbhavam Trijagatam Adharabhutam Maha- Purvam Atra Sarasvatim Anubhaje Shumbhadi-Daityardinim || 3 ||

Meaning: I worship Mahasaraswati – who holds in her eight lotus-hands a bell, a trident, a plough, a conch, a pestle, a discus, a bow and an arrow; whose radiance is that of the cool-rayed moon shining when the clouds have cleared; who arose from the body of Gauri; the support of the three worlds; the slayer of Shumbha and the other demons.

Mental Worship and the Japa

Having performed the Nyasa and the Dhyana in this way, one worships the Goddess with mental offerings. Then the Navarna mantra is chanted 108 or 1008 times. Before beginning the japa, the rosary is worshipped with the mantra ऐं ह्रीं अक्षमालिकायै नमः – "Aim Hreem, salutations to the rosary" – and the following prayers are made.

Prayers to the Rosary

ॐ मां माले महामाये सर्वशक्तिस्वरूपिणि। चतुर्वर्गस्त्वयि न्यस्तस्तस्मान्मे सिद्धिदा भव॥

Om Mam Male Mahamaye Sarva-Shakti-Svarupini | Chaturvargas Tvayi Nyastas Tasman Me Siddhida Bhava ||

Meaning: Om. O rosary, O Mahamaya, embodiment of all powers – the four aims of life are placed in you; therefore be the giver of success to me.

ॐ अविघ्नं कुरु माले त्वं गृह्णामि दक्षिणे करे। जपकाले च सिद्ध्यर्थं प्रसीद मम सिद्धये॥

Om Avighnam Kuru Male Tvam Grihnami Dakshine Kare | Japakale Cha Siddhyartham Prasida Mama Siddhaye ||

Meaning: Om. O rosary, remove all obstacles; I take you in my right hand. At the time of japa be gracious, for the sake of success, that I may attain siddhi.

ॐ अक्षमालाधिपतये सुसिद्धिं देहि देहि सर्वमन्त्रार्थसाधिनि साधय साधय सर्वसिद्धिं परिकल्पय परिकल्पय मे स्वाहा।

Om Akshamaladhipataye Susiddhim Dehi Dehi Sarva-Mantrartha-Sadhini Sadhaya Sadhaya Sarvasiddhim Parikalpaya Parikalpaya Me Svaha |

Meaning: Om. To the lord of the rosary: give, give good success; O you who accomplish the purpose of every mantra, accomplish, accomplish; bring about, bring about every siddhi for me. Svaha.

Having prayed in this way, one begins the japa.

Offering the Japa

When the japa is complete, it is offered to the Goddess with this verse:

गुह्यातिगुह्यगोप्त्री त्वं गृहाणास्मत्कृतं जपम्। सिद्धिर्भवतु मे देवि त्वत्प्रसादान्महेश्वरि॥

Guhyatiguhya-Goptri Tvam Grihanasmat-Kritam Japam | Siddhir Bhavatu Me Devi Tvat-Prasadan Maheshvari ||

Meaning: You are the guardian of the secret of secrets; accept this japa that I have done. May siddhi be mine, O Goddess, by your grace, O Maheshvari.

The Saptashati Nyasa

After the Navarna japa, the Saptashati itself is placed on the body once more, as it was before the first chapter. The Karanyasa uses the syllables of the mantra ॐ ह्रीं चण्डिकायै – Hreem, Cham, Dim, Kam, Yaim – and the Hridayadi Nyasa uses six verses from the Saptashati.

Karanyasa

ॐ ह्रीं अङ्गुष्ठाभ्यां नमः।

Om Hreem Angushthabhyam Namah |

Meaning: Om Hreem – salutations, with the two thumbs.

ॐ चं तर्जनीभ्यां नमः।

Om Cham Tarjanibhyam Namah |

Meaning: Om Cham – salutations, with the two index fingers.

ॐ डिं मध्यमाभ्यां नमः।

Om Dim Madhyamabhyam Namah |

Meaning: Om Dim – salutations, with the two middle fingers.

ॐ कां अनामिकाभ्यां नमः।

Om Kam Anamikabhyam Namah |

Meaning: Om Kam – salutations, with the two ring fingers.

ॐ यैं कनिष्ठिकाभ्यां नमः।

Om Yaim Kanishthikabhyam Namah |

Meaning: Om Yaim – salutations, with the two little fingers.

ॐ ह्रीं चण्डिकायै करतलकरपृष्ठाभ्यां नमः।

Om Hreem Chandikayai Karatala-Karaprishthabhyam Namah |

Meaning: Om Hreem Chandikayai – salutations, with the palms and the backs of the hands.

Hridayadi Nyasa

Each verse is recited in full and the part of the body named at its end is touched.

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

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

Meaning: Om. She who bears the sword, the trident, the terrible one, who bears the mace and the discus, the conch and the bow, armed with arrows, the bhushundi and the iron club – salutations to the heart. The fingers of the right hand touch the heart.

ॐ शूलेन पाहि नो देवि पाहि खड्गेन चाम्बिके। घण्टास्वनेन नः पाहि चापज्यानिःस्वनेन च॥ शिरसे स्वाहा।

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

Meaning: Om. Protect us with your trident, O Goddess; protect us with your sword, O Ambika; protect us with the sound of your bell and with the twang of your bowstring – Svaha to the head. The fingers touch the top of the head.

ॐ प्राच्यां रक्ष प्रतीच्यां च चण्डिके रक्ष दक्षिणे। भ्रामणेनात्मशूलस्य उत्तरस्यां तथेश्वरि॥ शिखायै वषट्।

Om Prachyam Raksha Pratichyam Cha Chandike Raksha Dakshine | Bhramanenatma-Shulasya Uttarasyam Tatheshvari || Shikhayai Vashat |

Meaning: Om. Protect us in the east, in the west and in the south, O Chandika; and in the north too, O Ishvari, by whirling your trident – Vashat to the crown-tuft. The fingers touch the crown.

ॐ सौम्यानि यानि रूपाणि त्रैलोक्ये विचरन्ति ते। यानि चात्यर्थघोराणि तै रक्षास्मांस्तथा भुवम्॥ कवचाय हुम्।

Om Saumyani Yani Rupani Trailokye Vicharanti Te | Yani Chatyartha-Ghorani Tai Rakshasmams Tatha Bhuvam || Kavachaya Hum |

Meaning: Om. With your gentle forms that move through the three worlds, and with those that are exceedingly terrible, protect us and the earth – Hum to the armour. The arms are crossed over the chest, each hand touching the opposite shoulder.

ॐ खड्गशूलगदादीनि यानि चास्त्राणि तेऽम्बिके। करपल्लवसङ्गीनि तैरस्मान् रक्ष सर्वतः॥ नेत्रत्रयाय वौषट्।

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

Meaning: Om. With the sword, the trident, the mace and all the other weapons that rest in your tender hands, O Ambika, protect us on every side – Vaushat to the three eyes. The fingertips touch the two eyes and the centre of the brow.

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

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

Meaning: Om. O Goddess who are the form of all, the ruler of all, endowed with every power – save us from fears; O Goddess Durga, salutations to you – Phat to the weapon. The right hand is brought round the head and clapped against the left palm.

Dhyana

ॐ विद्युद्दामसमप्रभां मृगपतिस्कन्धस्थितां भीषणां कन्याभिः करवालखेटविलसद्धस्ताभिरासेविताम्।

हस्तैश्चक्रगदासिखेटविशिखांश्चापं गुणं तर्जनीं बिभ्राणामनलात्मिकां शशिधरां दुर्गां त्रिनेत्रां भजे॥

Om Vidyud-Dama-Samaprabham Mrigapati-Skandha-Sthitam Bhishanam Kanyabhih Karavala-Kheta-Vilasad-Hastabhir Asevitam |

Hastaish Chakra-Gada-Asi-Kheta-Vishikhamsh Chapam Gunam Tarjanim Bibhranam Analatmikam Shashidharam Durgam Trinetram Bhaje ||

Meaning: I worship three-eyed Durga – radiant as a garland of lightning, seated on the shoulder of the lion, fearsome to behold, attended by maidens whose hands flash with swords and shields; who holds in her hands the discus, the mace, the sword, the shield, arrows, the bow, the bowstring and the raised finger of warning; who is of the nature of fire and bears the crescent moon.

With this Dhyana the Upasamhara is complete, and the Devi Sukta follows.

Why the Navarna Is Repeated After the Path

The Sankalpa of the Path prescribes the Navarna japa before and after the thirteen chapters, and the Upasamhara exists to carry out the second. Three reasons are traditionally given.

The Navarna is the Saptashati's own mantra. Its nine syllables – Aim, Hreem, Kleem, Cha, Mun, Da, Yai, Vi, Chche – invoke Mahasaraswati, Mahalakshmi and Mahakali, the three Goddesses of the three Charitras, and the name Chamunda that the Goddess earned in Chapter 7. To end with it is to end with the text's essence.

The Nyasa is a seal. Before the Path the mantra and the Saptashati were placed on the reciter's body so that the recitation would be made by a body filled with the Goddess; after the Path they are placed again so that what has been recited stays. The text's instruction – "everything just as before" – makes the two ends of the Path identical.

The japa is an offering. The closing verse, "accept this japa that I have done", hands the whole recitation back to the Goddess, as the Navarna Vidhi's japa is placed in her left hand at the start.

The Six Verses of the Saptashati Nyasa

Verse	Where it comes from	Placed on
Khadgini Shulini Ghora	Chapter 1, Brahma's hymn to Yoganidra (Verse 80; Tantrokta Ratri Suktam, Verse 9)	Heart
Shulena Pahi No Devi	Chapter 4, Verse 24	Head
Prachyam Raksha Pratichyam	Chapter 4, Verse 25	Crown-tuft
Saumyani Yani Rupani	Chapter 4, Verse 26	Armour – the crossed arms
Khadga-Shula-Gadadini	Chapter 4, Verse 27	The three eyes
Sarvasvarupe Sarveshe	Chapter 11, Verse 24	Weapon – the clap

All six are prayers for protection taken from the Saptashati itself; the reciter closes the Path with the text's own words placed on his body.

Touch Points at a Glance

Nyasa	What is recited	Where
Rishyadi	Rishis · metres · deities · Bija · Shakti · Kilaka	Head · mouth · heart · private part · feet · navel
Kara	Aim · Hreem · Kleem · Chamundayai · Vichche · whole mantra	Thumbs · index · middle · ring · little fingers · palms and backs
Hridayadi	Aim · Hreem · Kleem · Chamundayai · Vichche · whole mantra	Heart · head · crown · crossed arms · three eyes · clap
Akshara	Aim · Hreem · Kleem · Cham · Mum · Dam · Yaim · Vim · Chchem	Crown · right eye · left eye · right ear · left ear · right nostril · left nostril · mouth · private part
Vyapaka	The whole mantra, eight times	The whole body, head to feet
Dik	Aim · Aim · Hreem · Hreem · Kleem · Kleem · Chamundayai · Chamundayai · whole mantra · whole mantra	East · south-east · south · south-west · west · north-west · north · north-east · above · below
Saptashati Kara	Hreem · Cham · Dim · Kam · Yaim · Hreem Chandikayai	Thumbs · index · middle · ring · little fingers · palms and backs
Saptashati Hridayadi	The six verses	Heart · head · crown · crossed arms · three eyes · clap

Significance of the Upasamhara

The Upasamhara shows how the Durga Saptashati understands itself. It is not read as a story is read and then closed; it is entered through the Goddess's mantra and left through it. The thirteen chapters stand inside a frame of Nyasa and japa, and the Upasamhara is the second half of that frame.

Its three Dhyanas also gather the whole text into one meditation. Mahakali, whom Brahma praised for the slaying of Madhu and Kaitabha, is the Goddess of Chapter 1; Mahalakshmi, the slayer of Mahishasura, is the Goddess of Chapters 2–4; Mahasaraswati, born from Gauri's body, the slayer of Shumbha, is the Goddess of Chapters 5–13. To meditate on the three at the close is to recall the three Charitras just recited, and the Durga of the final Dhyana – on her lion, with every weapon in her hands – is the one Goddess they are.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Upasamhara of the Durga Saptashati?

The concluding procedure recited after Chapter 13: the Navarna mantra's Viniyoga, Nyasa, Dhyana and japa performed again exactly as at the start of the Path, followed by the Saptashati Nyasa and the Dhyana of Durga. After it the Devi Sukta is recited.

Why is the Navarna Vidhi repeated at the end?

Because the Sankalpa prescribes the Navarna japa both before and after the thirteen chapters. The opening Navarna places the Goddess in the reciter before the text is read; the closing Navarna seals the recitation and offers it back to her. The text's own instruction is "everything just as before".

How many times is the Navarna mantra chanted in the Upasamhara?

108 or 1008 times, after the rosary has been worshipped with "Aim Hreem Akshamalikayai Namah" and the three prayers to it have been made.

What are the six verses placed on the body in the Saptashati Nyasa?

Khadgini Shulini Ghora from Chapter 1, the four protective verses Shulena Pahi No Devi, Prachyam Raksha, Saumyani Yani Rupani and Khadga-Shula-Gadadini from Chapter 4, and Sarvasvarupe Sarveshe from Chapter 11 – placed on the heart, head, crown, crossed arms, three eyes and the clap of the weapon.

Is anything in the Upasamhara different from the Navarna Vidhi at the start?

No. The Viniyoga, the six Nyasas, the three Dhyanas, the rosary prayers, the japa and the offering are the same, and the text says so. What follows them – the Saptashati Nyasa and the Durga Dhyana – is likewise the same as before the first chapter.

What comes after the Upasamhara?

The Devi Sukta – the Vedic hymn of Vak, "Aham Rudrebhir Vasubhish Charamy Aham" – and then the three Rahasyas (Pradhanika, Vaikritika and Murti), the Shapoddhara mantras and the closing prayers, as set out in the Durga Saptashati Path Vidhi.

Is the Upasamhara part of the Devi Mahatmya?

No. The Devi Mahatmya of the Markandeya Purana ends with Chapter 13 and its colophon. The Upasamhara, like the Navarna Vidhi and the Saptashati Nyasa before the first chapter, belongs to the Path – the traditional method of recitation – not to the Purana text.

Continue Reading Durga Saptashati

After the Upasamhara, the Path continues with the Devi Sukta.

Next: Devi Sukta – the Vedic hymn recited after the Path

Previous: Durga Saptashati Chapter 13 – Suratha-Vaishya Vara-Pradana

Durga Saptashati Path Vidhi
Navarna Vidhi · Saptashati Nyasa
Devi Kavacham · Argala Stotram · Keelakam Stotram
Vedoktam Ratri Suktam · Tantroktam Ratri Suktam
Shri Devi Atharvashirsham

All 13 chapters of the Durga Saptashati: Chapter 1 – Madhu-Kaitabha Vadha · Chapter 2 – Mahishasura-Sainya-Vadha · Chapter 3 – Mahishasura-Vadha · Chapter 4 – Shakradi Stuti · Chapter 5 – Devi-Duta Samvada · Chapter 6 – Dhumralochana-Vadha · Chapter 7 – Chanda-Munda Vadha · Chapter 8 – Raktabija-Vadha · Chapter 9 – Nishumbha-Vadha · Chapter 10 – Shumbha-Vadha · Chapter 11 – Narayani Stuti · Chapter 12 – Phala Stuti · Chapter 13 – Suratha-Vaishya Vara-Pradana