The Glory of the Goddess-Devi Mahatmyam

Any of the above methods can be adopted in reciting the Chandi. Those who are not initiated
but still wish to benefit from Chandi sadhana can follow the same procedure except that they
may read the translated story in English or any other language as a spiritual practice. Even
the myth itself is very powerful and therapeutic. Those who are not initiated can devoutly
read the myth and chant the Saptashloki. The Goddess will shower Her grace on those who
do this with faith. Those who wish to do complete parayana of Chandi can pray to the
Goddess as it is only Her grace that can lead them to an accomplished Guru who can initiate
them into a full-fledged parayana.
Sri Sri Chandi should be read with firm faith, devotion and correct pronunciation. Tuesday,
Friday and Saturday are auspicious week days for the reading of Sri Sri Chandi. The 8 th day
(Ashtami), 9 th day (Navami) and 14 th day (Chaturdasi) are the best lunar days for reciting the
text. The nine days of Durga puja during Autumnal equinox (Sharad Navaratri) and Spring
equinox (Vasanta Navaratri) are very auspicious times of the year. Those who cannot do
regular parayana can read the Chandi at least on selected auspicious weekdays, lunar days or
the Nine nights.
The traditional way of reciting the Devi Mahatmyam has been given below. Obviously those
who are not initiated are not required to follow it. They may just follow the remaining
guidelines except for reciting the whole text in Sanskrit. They can just read the translation of
the thirteen chapters without the navakshari japa, purvabhaga and uttara bhaga. The whole
text has to be audibly recited. It should not be silently read. During the time of reading, one
should not talk, think, sleep, sneeze, yawn or spit, but read with full concentration on Devi.
One should not stop in the middle of a chapter and the book should be placed on a stand,
preferably a copper plate. At the beginning and end of each chapter bells are to be rung.
Before reciting the text, it is necessary to do the Sankalpa and Sri Devi Puja.
The place where the text is recited becomes flooded with waves of vibration, purifying the
whole place, and invoking the presence of the very Devi. Though initially it is unconscious,
through regular sadhana a conscious dialogue starts between the Goddess and the devotee.
Her Grace protects the devotee and guides him through his own prarabdha, fulfilling the
immediate wants in life as and when necessary and eventually the supreme goal of life.
The recitation should be in the following order:
• Kavacham
• Argala Stotra
• Keelakam
• Navakshari japam
• Ratri Suktam
• Devi Mahatmyam
• Navakshari mantra japam
• Devi Suktam
• Rahasya trayam
• Kshama Prarthana
The order of recitation is slightly different in different traditions. Moreover the Devi Suktam
and Ratri suktam have alternate tantric/pauranic versions apart from the vedic suktas. Apart
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