Vaikritika Rahasyam

The Vaikritika Rahasyam is the second of the three Rahasyas of the Shri Saptashati. It describes the forms of Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasaraswati and the method of worshipping them.

Atha Vaikritikam Rahasyam (॥ अथ वैकृतिकं रहस्यम् ॥)

Rishir Uvacha (ऋषिरुवाच)

Verse 1

ॐ त्रिगुणा तामसी देवी सात्त्विकी या त्रिधोदिता।
सा शर्वा चण्डिका दुर्गा भद्रा भगवतीर्यते॥1॥

Om Triguna Tamasi Devi Sattviki Ya Tridhodita |
Sa Sharva Chandika Durga Bhadra Bhagavatir Yate || 1 ||

Meaning: The sage said: The Goddess has three gunas and appears in the forms of tamoguna, rajoguna and sattvaguna. She is known by names such as Sharva, Chandika, Durga, Bhadra and Bhagavati.

Verse 2

योगनिद्रा हरेरुक्ता महाकाली तमोगुणा।
मधुकैटभनाशार्थं यां तुष्टावाम्बुजासनः॥2॥

Yoganidra Harerukta Mahakali Tamoguna |
Madhu-Kaitabha-Nashartham Yam Tushtavambujasanah || 2 ||

Meaning: The yoganidra of Lord Vishnu is called Mahakali, who is of tamoguna. She is the very Mahakali whom Brahma, seated on the lotus, praised for the slaying of Madhu and Kaitabha.

Verse 3

दशवक्त्रा दशभुजा दशपादाञ्जनप्रभा।
विशालया राजमाना त्रिंशल्लोचनमालया॥3॥

Dashavaktra Dashabhuja Dashapadanjana-Prabha |
Vishalaya Rajamana Trimshal-Lochana-Malaya || 3 ||

Meaning: Mahakali has ten faces, ten arms and ten feet. Her body is as dark as kohl, and she appears adorned with a garland of thirty eyes.

Verse 4

स्फुरद्दशनदंष्ट्रा सा भीमरूपापि भूमिप।
रूपसौभाग्यकान्तीनां सा प्रतिष्ठा महाश्रियः॥4॥

Sphurad-Dashana-Damshtra Sa Bhimarupapi Bhumipa |
Rupa-Saubhagya-Kantinam Sa Pratishtha Mahashriyah || 4 ||

Meaning: O King! Her form is fearsome, and her gleaming teeth and tusks can be seen. Yet she is the great power of beauty, good fortune and radiance.

Verse 5

खड्गबाणगदाशूलचक्रशङ्खभुशुण्डिभृत्।
परिघं कार्मुकं शीर्षं निश्च्योतद्रुधिरं दधौ॥5॥

Khadga-Bana-Gada-Shula-Chakra-Shankha-Bhushundi-Bhrit |
Parigham Karmukam Shirsham Nishchyotad-Rudhiram Dadhau || 5 ||

Meaning: She holds a sword, arrows, a mace, a trident, a discus, a conch, a bhushundi, a parigha, a bow and a severed head dripping with blood.

Verse 6

एषा सा वैष्णवी माया महाकाली दुरत्यया।
आराधिता वशीकुर्यात् पूजाकर्तुश्चराचरम्॥6॥

Esha Sa Vaishnavi Maya Mahakali Duratyaya |
Aradhita Vashikuryat Pujakartush Characharam || 6 ||

Meaning: She is Vaishnavi Maya and Mahakali, who is very hard to understand and to overcome. For the practitioner who worships her, the moving and unmoving world comes under her power.

Verse 7

सर्वदेवशरीरेभ्यो याऽऽविर्भूतामितप्रभा।
त्रिगुणा सा महालक्ष्मीः साक्षान्महिषमर्दिनी॥7॥

Sarva-Deva-Sharirebhyo Ya''virbhutamita-Prabha |
Triguna Sa Mahalakshmih Sakshan Mahishamardini || 7 ||

Meaning: The Goddess of infinite light who appeared from the radiance that came forth from the bodies of all the gods is Mahalakshmi, endowed with the three gunas. She is the Goddess who herself slew Mahishasura.

Verse 8

श्वेतानना नीलभुजा सुश्वेतस्तनमण्डला।
रक्तमध्या रक्तपादा नीलजङ्घोरुरुन्मदा॥8॥

Shvetanana Nilabhuja Sushveta-Stanamandala |
Raktamadhya Raktapada Nila-Janghorur Unmada || 8 ||

Meaning: Mahalakshmi’s face is white, her arms are blue and her chest is bright. Her waist and feet are red, and her thighs are blue.

Verse 9

सुचित्रजघना चित्रमाल्याम्बरविभूषणा।
चित्रानुलेपना कान्तिरूपसौभाग्यशालिनी॥9॥

Suchitra-Jaghana Chitra-Malyambara-Vibhushana |
Chitranulepana Kanti-Rupa-Saubhagya-Shalini || 9 ||

Meaning: Her body is beautiful and captivating. She wears beautiful garlands, garments and ornaments and is adorned with various fragrances. She is endowed with radiance, beauty and good fortune.

Verse 10

अष्टादशभुजा पूज्या सा सहस्रभुजा सती।
आयुधान्यत्र वक्ष्यन्ते दक्षिणाधःकरक्रमात्॥10॥

Ashtadasha-Bhuja Pujya Sa Sahasrabhuja Sati |
Ayudhanyatra Vakshyante Dakshinadhah-Kara-Kramat || 10 ||

Meaning: Mahalakshmi is worshipped in her eighteen-armed form, though a thousand-armed form of hers is also recognised. Now the order of the weapons held in her arms is described.

Verse 11

अक्षमाला च कमलं बाणोऽसिः कुलिशं गदा।
चक्रं त्रिशूलं परशुः शङ्खो घण्टा च पाशकः॥11॥

Akshamala Cha Kamalam Bano'sih Kulisham Gada |
Chakram Trishulam Parashuh Shankho Ghanta Cha Pashakah || 11 ||

Meaning: In her hands are a rosary (akshamala), a lotus, an arrow, a sword, a thunderbolt, a mace, a discus, a trident, an axe, a conch, a bell and a noose.

Verse 12

शक्तिर्दण्डश्चर्म चापं पानपात्रं कमण्डलुः।
अलङ्कृतभुजामेभिरायुधैः कमलासनाम्॥12॥

Shaktir Dandash Charma Chapam Panapatram Kamandaluh |
Alankrita-Bhujam Ebhir Ayudhaih Kamalasanam || 12 ||

Meaning: In her hands are also a spear (shakti), a staff, a shield, a bow, a drinking vessel and a kamandalu. Equipped with all these weapons, Mahalakshmi is seated on a lotus.

Verse 13

सर्वदेवमयीमीशां महालक्ष्मीमिमां नृप।
पूजयेत्सर्वलोकानां स देवानां प्रभुर्भवेत्॥13॥

Sarvadevamayim Isham Mahalakshmim Imam Nripa |
Pujayet Sarvalokanam Sa Devanam Prabhur Bhavet || 13 ||

Meaning: O King! Mahalakshmi is the embodiment of the powers of all the gods. The person who worships her according to the proper method receives the grace of all the worlds and all the gods.

Verse 14

गौरीदेहात्समुद्भूता या सत्त्वैकगुणाश्रया।
साक्षात्सरस्वती प्रोक्ता शुम्भासुरनिबर्हिणी॥14॥

Gauri-Dehat Samudbhuta Ya Sattvaika-Gunashraya |
Sakshat Sarasvati Prokta Shumbhasura-Nibarhini || 14 ||

Meaning: The Goddess who emerged from the body of Gauri and is based on sattvaguna alone is called Mahasaraswati herself. She is the destroyer of the asura Shumbha.

Verse 15

दधौ चाष्टभुजा बाणमुसले शूलचक्रभृत्।
शङ्खं घण्टां लाङ्गलं च कार्मुकं वसुधाधिप॥15॥

Dadhau Chashtabhuja Banamusale Shula-Chakra-Bhrit |
Shankham Ghantam Langalam Cha Karmukam Vasudhadhipa || 15 ||

Meaning: O King! Mahasaraswati has eight arms. She holds an arrow, a pestle, a trident, a discus, a conch, a bell, a plough and a bow.

Verse 16

एषा सम्पूजिता भक्त्या सर्वज्ञत्वं प्रयच्छति।
निशुम्भमथिनी देवी शुम्भासुरनिबर्हिणी॥16॥

Esha Sampujita Bhaktya Sarvajnatvam Prayachchhati |
Nishumbha-Mathini Devi Shumbhasura-Nibarhini || 16 ||

Meaning: When worshipped with devotion, the Goddess bestows knowledge. It is this Goddess who destroyed Nishumbha and Shumbha.

Verse 17

इत्युक्तानि स्वरूपाणि मूर्तीनां तव पार्थिव।
उपासनं जगन्मातुः पृथगासां निशामय॥17॥

Ityuktani Svarupani Murtinam Tava Parthiva |
Upasanam Jaganmatuh Prithagasam Nishamaya || 17 ||

Meaning: O King! I have told you about these principal forms of the Goddess. Now hear the method of worshipping these different images (murtis) of the Mother of the world.

Verse 18

महालक्ष्मीर्यदा पूज्या महाकाली सरस्वती।
दक्षिणोत्तरयोः पूज्ये पृष्ठतो मिथुनत्रयम्॥18॥

Mahalakshmir Yada Pujya Mahakali Sarasvati |
Dakshinottarayoh Pujye Prishthato Mithuna-Trayam || 18 ||

Meaning: When Mahalakshmi is worshipped, Mahakali and Mahasaraswati should be worshipped to her south and north. Behind them, three divine couples are worshipped.

Verse 19

विरञ्चिः स्वरया मध्ये रुद्रो गौर्या च दक्षिणे।
वामे लक्ष्म्या हृषीकेशः पुरतो देवतात्रयम्॥19॥

Viranchih Svaraya Madhye Rudro Gaurya Cha Dakshine |
Vame Lakshmya Hrishikeshah Purato Devatatrayam || 19 ||

Meaning: Saraswati with Viranchi, that is, Brahma, should be worshipped in the middle; Gauri with Rudra on the right (south); and Lakshmi with Hrishikesha, that is, Vishnu, on the left. The three gods are worshipped in front.

Verse 20

अष्टादशभुजा मध्ये वामे चास्या दशानना।
दक्षिणेऽष्टभुजा लक्ष्मीर्महतीति समर्चयेत्॥20॥

Ashtadasha-Bhuja Madhye Vame Chasya Dashanana |
Dakshine'shtabhuja Lakshmir Mahatiti Samarchayet || 20 ||

Meaning: The eighteen-armed Mahalakshmi should be worshipped in the middle, the ten-faced Mahakali to her left and the eight-armed Mahasaraswati to her right.

Verse 21

अष्टादशभुजा चैषा यदा पूज्या नराधिप।
दशानना चाष्टभुजा दक्षिणोत्तरयोस्तदा॥21॥

Ashtadasha-Bhuja Chaisha Yada Pujya Naradhipa |
Dashanana Chashtabhuja Dakshinottarayos Tada || 21 ||

Meaning: O King! When the eighteen-armed Goddess is worshipped, the eight-armed and the ten-faced goddesses should also be worshipped, in order, to her south and north.

Verse 22

कालमृत्यू च सम्पूज्यौ सर्वारिष्टप्रशान्तये।
यदा चाष्टभुजा पूज्या शुम्भासुरनिबर्हिणी॥22॥

Kalamrityu Cha Sampujyau Sarvarishta-Prashantaye |
Yada Chashtabhuja Pujya Shumbhasura-Nibarhini || 22 ||

Meaning: To calm every kind of misfortune and danger, Kala (Time) and Mrityu (Death) should also be worshipped. When the eight-armed Goddess who destroyed the asura Shumbha is worshipped —

Verse 23

नवास्याः शक्तयः पूज्यास्तदा रुद्रविनायकौ।
नमो देव्या इति स्तोत्रैर्महालक्ष्मीं समर्चयेत्॥23॥

Navasyah Shaktayah Pujyastada Rudra-Vinayakau |
Namo Devya Iti Stotrair Mahalakshmim Samarchayet || 23 ||

Meaning: — then the nine Shaktis of the Goddess and Rudra-Vinayaka should be worshipped. Mahalakshmi should be worshipped with faith using hymns such as ‘Namo Devyai’.

Verse 24

अवतारत्रयार्चायां स्तोत्रमन्त्रास्तदाश्रयाः।
अष्टादशभुजा चैषा पूज्या महिषमर्दिनी॥24॥

Avataratrayarchayam Stotra-Mantras Tadashrayah |
Ashtadasha-Bhuja Chaisha Pujya Mahisha-Mardini || 24 ||

Meaning: While worshipping the three incarnations of the Goddess, the hymns and mantras related to each should be used. The eighteen-armed Goddess who slew Mahishasura should be worshipped.

Verse 25

महालक्ष्मीर्महाकाली सैव प्रोक्ता सरस्वती।
ईश्वरी पुण्यपापानां सर्वलोकमहेश्वरी॥25॥

Mahalakshmir Mahakali Saiva Prokta Sarasvati |
Ishvari Punyapapanam Sarvaloka-Maheshvari || 25 ||

Meaning: That same Goddess is spoken of as Mahalakshmi, Mahakali and Mahasaraswati. She governs the fruits of merit and sin and is the great ruler of all the worlds.

Verse 26

महिषान्तकरी येन पूजिता स जगत्प्रभुः।
पूजयेज्जगतां धात्रीं चण्डिकां भक्तवत्सलाम्॥26॥

Mahishantakari Yena Pujita Sa Jagatprabhuh |
Pujayej Jagatam Dhatrim Chandikam Bhakta-Vatsalam || 26 ||

Meaning: Whoever worships the Goddess who put an end to Mahishasura gains honour and power in the world. Therefore one should worship Chandika, who sustains the world and loves her devotees.

Verse 27

अर्घ्यादिभिरलङ्कारैर्गन्धपुष्पैस्तथाक्षतैः।
धूपैर्दीपैश्च नैवेद्यैर्नानाभक्ष्यसमन्वितैः॥27॥

Arghyadibhir Alankarair Gandha-Pushpais Tathakshataih |
Dhupair Dipaish Cha Naivedyair Nanabhakshya-Samanvitaih || 27 ||

Meaning: The Goddess should be worshipped with arghya (water offering), ornaments, fragrances, flowers, akshata (unbroken rice), incense, lamps and various kinds of naivedya (food offerings).

रुधिराक्तेन बलिना मांसेन सुरया नृप।
(बलिमांसादिपूजेयं विप्रवर्ज्या मयेरिता॥
तेषां किल सुरामांसैर्नोक्ता पूजा नृप क्वचित्।)

Rudhiraktena Balina Mamsena Suraya Nripa |
(Bali-Mamsadi-Pujeyam Vipravarjya Mayerita ||
Tesham Kila Sura-Mamsair Nokta Puja Nripa Kvachit |)

Meaning: O King! Here, worship with offerings (bali) involving blood, with meat and with sura (liquor) is mentioned. But the given text makes clear that such offerings of blood, meat and the like are not prescribed for Brahmins, and that for them there is no injunction to worship with liquor and meat.

Verse 28

प्रणामाचमनीयेन चन्दनेन सुगन्धिना॥28॥

Pranamachamaniyena Chandanena Sugandhina || 28 ||

Meaning: In the worship of the Goddess, one should also offer prostrations, water for achamana and fragrant sandalwood paste.

Verse 29

सकर्पूरैश्च ताम्बूलैर्भक्तिभावसमन्वितैः।
वामभागेऽग्रतो देव्याश्छिन्नशीर्षं महासुरम्॥29॥

Sakarpuraish Cha Tambulair Bhaktibhava-Samanvitaih |
Vamabhage'grato Devyash Chhinnashirsham Mahasuram || 29 ||

Meaning: Camphor, tambula (betel) and the like should be offered with devotion. In front of the Goddess, on her left, the symbol of the severed head of that great asura should be worshipped.

Verse 30

पूजयेन्महिषं येन प्राप्तं सायुज्यमीशया।
दक्षिणे पुरतः सिंहं समग्रं धर्ममीश्वरम्॥30॥

Pujayen Mahisham Yena Praptam Sayujyam Ishaya |
Dakshine Puratah Simham Samagram Dharmam Ishvaram || 30 ||

Meaning: Mahishasura is worshipped in the form by which he merged into the Goddess. In front of the Goddess, on the right, the lion should be worshipped, which is the symbol of dharma and of the Goddess’s power.

Verse 31

वाहनं पूजयेद्देव्या धृतं येन चराचरम्।
कुर्याच्च स्तवनं धीमांस्तस्या एकाग्रमानसः॥31॥

Vahanam Pujayeddevya Dhritam Yena Characharam |
Kuryachcha Stavanam Dhimamstasya Ekagra-Manasah || 31 ||

Meaning: The lion, the Goddess’s mount, through which the Goddess protects the moving and unmoving world, should be worshipped. After this, the wise practitioner should praise the Goddess with a focused mind.

Verse 32

ततः कृताञ्जलिर्भूत्वा स्तुवीत चरितैरिमैः।
एकेन वा मध्यमेन नैकेनेतरयोरिह॥32॥

Tatah Kritanjalir Bhutva Stuvita Charitair Imaih |
Ekena Va Madhyamena Naikenetarayor Iha || 32 ||

Meaning: After this, with folded hands, one should praise the Goddess with these charitras (episodes). For this, the middle charitra in particular may be recited, or all three charitras may be recited.

Verse 33

चरितार्धं तु न जपेज्जपञ्छिद्रमवाप्नुयात्।
प्रदक्षिणानमस्कारान् कृत्वा मूर्ध्नि कृताञ्जलिः॥33॥

Charitardham Tu Na Japej Japan Chhidram Avapnuyat |
Pradakshina-Namaskaran Kritva Murdhni Kritanjalih || 33 ||

Meaning: One should not recite any charitra only halfway, for then the recitation remains incomplete. After the recitation, one should circumambulate (pradakshina) the Goddess, bow to her and raise folded hands to the head.

Verse 34

क्षमापयेज्जगद्धात्रीं मुहुर्मुहुरतन्द्रितः।
प्रतिश्लोकं च जुहुयात्पायसं तिलसर्पिषा॥34॥

Kshamapayej Jagaddhatrim Muhur Muhur Atandritah |
Pratishlokam Cha Juhuyat Payasam Tilasarpisha || 34 ||

Meaning: One should ask the Mother of the world again and again for forgiveness of one’s mistakes. The practice of offering an oblation of kheer (sweet rice) and ghee mixed with sesame with each verse is also described.

Verse 35

जुहुयात्स्तोत्रमन्त्रैर्वा चण्डिकायै शुभं हविः।
भूयो नामपदैर्देवीं पूजयेत्सुसमाहितः॥35॥

Juhuyat Stotra-Mantrair Va Chandikayai Shubham Havih |
Bhuyo Namapadair Devim Pujayet Susamahitah || 35 ||

Meaning: With the mantras of the stotra too, auspicious oblations should be offered to Goddess Chandika. After this, one should worship the Goddess with a focused mind while uttering her names.

Verse 36

प्रयतः प्राञ्जलिः प्रह्वः प्रणम्यारोप्य चात्मनि।
सुचिरं भावयेदीशां चण्डिकां तन्मयो भवेत्॥36॥

Prayatah Pranjalih Prahvah Pranamyaropya Chatmani |
Suchiram Bhavayed Isham Chandikam Tanmayo Bhavet || 36 ||

Meaning: Becoming pure, with folded hands and in humility, one should bow to the Goddess. Then, meditating on Goddess Chandika for some time, one should fix the mind on her alone.

Verse 37

एवं यः पूजयेद्भक्त्या प्रत्यहं परमेश्वरीम्।
भुक्त्वा भोगान् यथाकामं देवीसायुज्यमाप्नुयात्॥37॥

Evam Yah Pujayed Bhaktya Pratyaham Parameshvarim |
Bhuktva Bhogan Yathakamam Devi-Sayujyam Apnuyat || 37 ||

Meaning: The person who worships the Supreme Goddess with devotion every day enjoys worldly happiness as he wishes and in the end attains the state of oneness with the Goddess.

Verse 38

यो न पूजयते नित्यं चण्डिकां भक्तवत्सलाम्।
भस्मीकृत्यास्य पुण्यानि निर्दहेत्परमेश्वरी॥38॥

Yo Na Pujayate Nityam Chandikam Bhakta-Vatsalam |
Bhasmikrityasya Punyani Nirdahet Parameshvari || 38 ||

Meaning: The Supreme Goddess may destroy the merit of the person who does not regularly worship Chandika, who loves her devotees.

Verse 39

तस्मात्पूजय भूपाल सर्वलोकमहेश्वरीम्।
यथोक्तेन विधानेन चण्डिकां सुखमाप्स्यसि॥39॥

Tasmatpujaya Bhupala Sarvaloka-Maheshvarim |
Yathoktena Vidhanena Chandikam Sukham Apsyasi || 39 ||

Meaning: Therefore, O King, worship Chandika, the great ruler of all the worlds, according to the method described. By doing so you will gain happiness and the Goddess’s grace.

Conclusion

॥ इति वैकृतिकं रहस्यं सम्पूर्णम् ॥

|| Iti Vaikritikam Rahasyam Sampurnam ||