Author: Allahabadia Pran Nath Pankaj
Translator(s)/ Editors(s): Bhavana Pankaj
Publisher: Motilal Banarsidass
Year: 2013
Language: English
Pages: 461
ISBN/UPC (if available): 9788120836198
Description
This volume carries text in Devanagari and Roman, with English translation and an intrductory essay. Candipatha, a part of the Markandeya Purana, which is one of the eighteen major Puranas, is its most important segment.
Apart from Sridurgasaptasati, which forms the core of Candipatha, there are, preceding and succeeding it, several hymns of equal importance and, in the course of its ritual performance, all these hymns, as an integral totality, have to be recited as indicated in this book.
Candipatha celebrates the Feminine Power, Durga-Sakti-with her innumerable names, across in this sacred text, represents the quintessential woman. She is the source, substratum and ultimate Life Force.
All the gods, men, birds, animals, even demons, all the elements, all moving and stationary objects are but Her fragmental particles. The universe is Her playground as well as Her play. At will, She creates, sustains and dissolves it. In Candipatha we see Her in Her full glory majesty and splendour. As the Mother, She loves and protects Her children and as the invincible Kali, She decimates the forces of evil when they threaten righteousness, peace and Her devotees in the world.
The present publication includes, in addition to Sridurgasaptasati and the other associate hymns, a detailed Introductory Essay, which besides discussing the contents and importance of this work and its symbolism, provides a panoramic view of the Mother worship through the millennia.
The four appendices include (i) Names, Adjectives, Incarnations, Epithets, etc., of the Mother Goddess (ii) Weapons mentioned in the text and their functions (iii) Glossary of important terms and (iv) the First-line index of Sanskrit verses, chapter-wise.
Contents
(i) Scheme of Transliteration
(ii) Dedication
(iii) Invocation from the Vinaya Patrika
(iv) A Personal Statement
(v) Important Instructions / Suggestions
(vi) Prakrti and Purusa
Introduction Essay
1. Saptasloki Durga (Hymn of Seven Verses to Durga)
2. Sridurgastottarasatanamastotram (Hymn of one Hundred and Eight Names of Sridurga)
3. Devyah Kavacam (Armour of the Goddess)
4. Argalastotram (Hymn of the Bolt)
5. Kilakam (Hymn of the Pin)
6. Vedoktam Ratrisuktam (Vedic Hymn of the Night)
7. Tantroktam Ratrisuktam (Hymn of the Night from Tantra)
8. Sridevyatharvasirsam (The Highest Meaning of the Goddess according to the Atharvaveda)
9. Navarnavidhih (The System of Worship)
10. Saptasatinyasah (Assigning the Saptasati)
11. Sridurgasaptasati (Seven Hundred Verses to Durga)
I. Prathama Carita (First Act)
Chapter One
II. Madhyama Carita (Middle Act)
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
III. Ultara (Ultrama) Carita (Final or Foremost Act)
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
12. Upasamharah (Conclusion) (Repetition of Navarnavidhih)
13. Rgvedoktam Devisuktam (Rgvedic Hymn of the Goddess)
14. Tantroktam Devisuktam (Hymn to the Goddess from Tantra)
15. Srisaptasatirahasyatrayam (Trilogy of Secrets of the Saptasati)
i. Pradhanikam Rahasyam (The Pre-eminent Secret)
ii. Vaikrtikam Rahasyam (The Modified Secret)
iii. Murti Rahasyam (The Secret of Personifications)
16. Durgadvatrimsannamamala (Rosary of Thirty-two Names of Durga)
17. Devyaparadhaksamapanastotram (Hymn Seeking Pardon of the Goddess for Committing Offences)
18. Siddhakunjikastotram (Hymn of the Key to Accomplishment)
19. Ksama-Prarthana (Seeking Forgiveness)
20. Arati
21. And Finally, this prayer…
Appendices I to IV
i. Names, Adjectives, Epithets, Incarnations and Associates of the Mother Goddess Appearing in the Text
ii. Weapons Mentioned in the Saptasati
iii. Glossary
iv. First-line Index of Sanskrit Verses