The Srimad Devi Bhagavatam, also known as Devi Purana, was composed into 12 chapters, containing 18000 verses by the great Veda Vyasa. Though classified as an upa-purana it is the only purana Vedavyasa called Maha Purana meaning the great purana. At the end of each chapter of the 18 main puranas or the upa puranas is the verse This is the end of the fifth section of the Vishnu Purana , or Thus ends the first chapter of Ganesha Purana Upasanakhanda called The Description of Somakanta . Where as in the Devi Bhagavatam it is clearly – Thus ends the eighth chapter of the first Skandha in the Mahapurana Srimad Devi Bhagavatam of 18,000 verses by Maharsi Vedavyasa . The choice of words by the great rishis is obvious as Divine Mother is described in all major sastras as the one beyond and above the trinities and all Gods.
The S’rimad Dev Bhagawatam (Devi Purana)
Translated by Swami Vijnanananda [1921-22]
NOTICE OF ATTRIBUTION
Scanned, and proofed by Sahaji, 2004-5. Additional formatting at sacred-texts.com. This text is in the public domain. These files may be used for any non-commercial purpose, provided this notice of attribution is left intact.
FOREWORD
What is S’rimad Bhagavat is to the Vaisnavas, the Devi Bhagavatam is to the S’aktas. The question of the priority of the two Bhagavatas has been often discussed more in the spirit of partisans rather than that of sober scholars. We reserve our opinion on the subject till the publication of the complete translation of this work.
This translation has been inscribed to the sacred memory of my friend the late Rai Bahadur S’ris’ Chandra Vidyarnava who induced me to undertake the translation of this work. He had thoroughly read the two Bhagavatas and it was his opinion that the priority of composition belonged to the Devi Bhagavatam. The other Bhagavat, according to him, is a modern compilation attributed to Bopadeva – the author of Mugdhabodha Vyakaranam.
CONTENTS
THE FIRST BOOK
Chapter I – On the questions by S’aunaka and other Risis.
II – On the question by S’aunaka and other Risis.
III – On praising the Puranas and on each Vyasa of every Dvapara Yuga
IV – On the excellency of the Devi
V – On the narrative of Hayagriva
Chapter VI – On the preparation for war by Madhu Kaitabha
VII – On the praise of the Devi
VIII – On deciding who is to be worshipped
IX – On the killing of Madhu Kaitabha
X – On S’iva’s granting boons
Chapter XI – On the birth of Budha
XII – On the birth of Pururava
XIII – On Urvas’i and Pururava
XIV – On the birth of S’uka Deva and on the duties of householders
XV – On the dispassion of S’uka and the instructions of Bhagavati to Hari
Chapter XVI – On S’uka’s desiring to go to Mithila to see Janaka
XVII – On S’uka’s self-control
XVIII – On Janaka’s instructions to S’uka Deva
XIX – On S’uka’s marriage
XX – On Vyasa doing his duties
THE SECOND BOOK
Chapter I – On the birth of Matsyagandha
II – On the birth of Vyasa Deva
III – On the curse on the river Ganga
IV – On the birth of the Vasus
V – On the marriage of Satyavati
Chapter VI – On the birth of the Pandavas
VII – On shewing the departed ones
VIII – On the extinction of the family of Yadu and on the anecdote of Pariksit
IX – On the account of Kuru
X – On the death of Pariksit
Chapter XI – On the Sarpa Yajna
XII – On the birth of Astika
THE THIRD BOOK
Chapter I – On the questions put by Janamejaya
II – On Rudras going towards the heavens on the celestial car
III – On seeing the Devi
IV – On the hymns to the Devi
V – On chanting hymns by Hara and Brahma
Chapter VI – On the powers of the Devi
VII – On creation
VIII – On Gunas
IX – On the characteristics of the Gunas
X – On the anecdote of S’atyavrata
Chapter XI – On the Devi in the anecdote of S’atyavrata
XII – On the Amba Yajna
XIII – On the Devi Yajna
XIV – On the glories of the Devi
XV – On the fight between Yudhajit and Virasena
Chapter XVI – On Yudhajit’s going to the hermitage of Bharadvaja
XVII – On the story of Visvamitra
XVIII – On Svayambara of the daughter of the king of Benares
XIX – On the marriage
XX – On the Svayambara Hall
Chapter XXI – On the king of Benares fulfilling the advice of his daughter
XXII – On S’udarsana’s marriage
XXIII – On killing the enemy of S’udars’an
XXIV — On the installation of Durga Devi in Benares
XXV – On the installation of the Devi in Ayodha and Benares
Chapter XXVI – On the Navaratri
XXVII – On worshipping the virgins
XXVIII – On incidents connected with Navaratri
XXIX – On the stealing of Sita
XXX – On Rama’s performing the Navaratra ceremony
FORTH BOOK
Chapter I – On the questions put by Janamejaya regarding Krisna’s incarnation
II – On the supremacy of the effects of Karma
III – On the previous curse of Vasudeva
IV – On Adharma
V – On the dialogues of Nara Narayana
Chapter VI – On the origin of Urvas’i
VII – On Ahamkara
VIII – On going to the Tirthas
IX – On the fight between the Risis and Prahlada
X – On the curse on Visnu by Bhrigu
Chapter XI – On S’ukra’s going to Mahadeva to get the Mantra
XII – On Bhrigu’s curse and the dialogue between S’ukracharya and the Daityas
XIII – On cheating the Daityas
XIV – On the Daitya’s getting back their Sukracharya
XV – On the truce between the Daityas and the Devas
Chapter XVI – On the birth of the several Avataras of Visnu
XVII – On the the questions asked by Janamejaya
XVIII – On the Devi Earth’s going to the Heavens
XIX – On chanting the hymns to the Devi
XX – On Devaki’s marriage
Chapter XXI – On the killing of the sons of Devaki
XXII – On the part incarnations of the several Devas
XXIII – On the birth of S’ri Krisna
XXIV — On the stealing away of Pradyumna
XXV – On the Devi’s Highest Supremacy
THE FIFTH BOOK
Chapter I – On the superiority of Rudra over Visnu
II – On the birth of the Danava Mahisa
III – On the Daitya armies getting ready
IV – On the war counsels given by Indra
V – On the defeat of the Danava forces of Mahisa
Chapter VI – On the Deva Danava fight
VII – On the going of the Devas to Kailasa
VIII – On the description of the origin and the Form of the Devi
IX – On the worship by the gods to the Devi
X – On the messenger’s news to Mahisa
Chapter XI – On Tamra’s fighting with the Devi
XII – On the cabinet held by Mahisa
XIII – On the killing of Vaskala and Durmukha
XIV – On the killing of Tamra and Chiksura
XV – On the slaying of Vidalaksa and Asiloma
Chapter XVI – On the conversation between the Devi and Mahisa
XVII – On Mandodari’s accounts
XVIII – On the killing of Mahisa
XIX – On the hymns to the Devi
XX – On the peace of the world
Chapter XXI – On the conquest of the Heavens by S’umba and Nis’umbha
XXII – On praising the Devi
XXIII – On the prowess of Kaus’iki
XXIV — On Dhûmralochana
XXV – On Dhûmralochana killed
Chapter XXVI – On Chanda Munda killed
XXVII – On the fight of Raktabija
XXVIII – On the Devi’s fighting
XXIX – On the killing of Raktabija
XXX – On the killing of Nis’umbha
Chapter XXXI – On the death of S’umbha
XXXII – On the king Suratha’s going to the forest
XXXIII – On the greatness of the Devi
XXXIV – On the worship of the Devi
XXXV – On the King Suratha’s getting the boons and on the Vais’ya’s Samadhi
THE SIXTH BOOK
Chapter I – On Tris’ira’s austerities
II – On the birth Vritrasura
III – On the Deva defeat and on Vritra’s tapasya
IV – On the defeat of the Devas by Vritra
V – On praising the Devi
Chapter VI – On Vritrasura slain
VII – On Indra’s disguise in the Manas Lake
VIII – On S’achi’s praising the Devi
IX – On Indra’s getting the fruits of Brahmahatya and on the downfall of king Nahusa
X – On the phase of Karma
Chapter XI – On the Dharma
XII – On the war between Adi and Baka
XIII – On the above fight
XIV – On the birth of Vas’istha from Mitra Varuna
XV – On Nimi’s getting another body and on the Haihayas
Chapter XVI – On the Haihaya and the Bhargavas
XVII – On the continuance of Bhrigu’s family
XVIII – On the origin of the Haihayas
XIX – On the Haihayas born of a mare
XX – On the son born of a mare by Hari
Chapter XXI – On the installation of Ekavira
XXII – On stealing away Ekavali
XXIII – On the war between Haihaya and Kalaketu
XXIV — On Viksepa S’akti
XXV – On the cause of Moha of Vyasa
Chapter XXVI – On Narada’s Moha
XXVII – On Narada’s marriage
XXVIII – On Narada, a woman
XXIX – On Narada again a man
XXX – On the glory of Maha Maya
XXXI – On Maha Maya
THE SEVENTH BOOK
Chapter I – On the Solar and Lunar Kings
II – On the piercing of the eyes of Chyavana Muni
III – The King S’aryavati’s giving his daughter in marriage to Chyavana Muni
IV – On Sukanya and the As’vins
V – On Chyavana’s getting his youth
Chapter VI – On the As’vins getting the right to drink Soma
VII – On the As’vins drinking the Soma cup
VIII – On the King Revata and the Solar Dynasty
IX – On the story of Kakutstha and on Mandhata
X – On Satyavrata
Chapter XI – On Tris’anku
XII – On Vas’istha’s curse on Tris’anku
XIII – Vis’vamitra helping Tris’anku
XIV – On Tris’anku going to the Heavens
XV – On the King Haris’chandra
Chapter XVI – On S’unahs’epha
XVII – On S’unahs’epha freed and Haris’chandra cured
XVIII – On the quarrel between Haris’chandra and Vis’vamitra
XIX – On Haris’chandra’s kingdom taken
XX – On Haris’chandra paying his Daksina
Chapter XXI – On the sorrows of Haris’chandra
XXII – On selling Haris’chandra’s wife
XXIII – On Haris’chandra as a slave of theChandala
XXIV — On Haris’chandra in the burning Ghat of Kas’i
XXV – On the quarrels between Haris’chandra and Vis’vamitra
Chapter XXVI – On the sorrows of Haris’chandra
XXVII – On Haris’chandra’s going to the Heavens
XXVIII – On the glory of S’ataksi Devi
XXIX – On the Devi’s birth in the Daksa’s house
XXX – On the birth of Gauri and S’iva’s distraction
Chapter XXXI – On the birth of Parvati
XXXII – On Self Realisation spoken by the Devi
XXXIII – On the Devi’s Virat Rûpa
XXXIV – On the Final Emancipation
XXXV – On the Yoga and Mantra Siddhi
Chapter XXXVI – On the knowledge of Brahman
XXXVII – On Bhakti
XXXVIII – On the vows and the sacred places of the Devi
XXXIX – On the worship of the Devi
XL – On the outer worship of the Devi
THE EIGHTH BOOK
Chapter I – On the description of the worlds
II – On the Earth raised by the Boar
III – On Manu’s family
IV – On the family of Priyavrata
V – On the mountains and on the origin of rivers
Chapter VI – On the rivers and the mountains Sumeru and others
VII – On the Ganges and the Varsas
VIII – On Ilavrita
IX – On the divisions of the continent
X – On Bhuvanakosa
Chapter XI – On the continents and Bharatavarsa
XII – On the narration of Plaksa, S’almala, and Kus’a Dvipas
XIII – On the description of the remaining Dvipas
XIV – On the Lokaloka
XV – On the motion of the Sun
Chapter XVI – On the motion of the Planets
XVII – On the Dhruvva Mandalam
XVIII – On the Rahu
XIX – On the nether regions
XX – On the narrative of Talatala
Chapter XXI – On the narrative of hells
XXII – On the sins
XXIII – On the remaining hells
XXIV — On the Devi Pûja
THE NINTH BOOK
Chapter I – On the description of Prakriti
II – On the origin of Prakriti and Purusa
III – On the origin of Brahma, Visnu, Mahes’a and others
IV – On the hymn, worship and Kavacha of Sarasvati
V – On Sarasvati Stotra
Chapter VI – On the coming in this world of Laksmi, Ganga and Sarasvati
VII – On the curses on Ganga, Sarasvati and Laksmi
VIII – On the greatness of Kali
IX – On the origin of the S’akti of the Earth
X – On the offences caused to the Earth and punishments thereof
Chapter XI – On the origin of the Ganges
XII – On the origin of Ganga
XIII – On the anecdote of Ganga
XIV – On Ganga, as the wife of Narayana
XV – On the question of the anecdote of Tulasi
Chapter XVI – On the incarnation of Maha Laksmi in the house of Kus’adhvaja
XVII – On the anecdote of Tulasi
XVIII – On the union of S’ankhachûda with Tulasi
XIX – On the going of the Devas to Vaikuntha after Tulasi’s marriage
XX – On the war preparations of S’ankhachûda
Chapter XXI – On the war between the Maha Deva and S’ankhachûda
XXII – On the fight between the Devas and S’ankhachûda
XXIII – On the killing of S’ankhachûda
XXIV — On the glory of Tulasi
XXV – On the worship of Tulasi
Chapter XXVI – On Savitri
XXVII – On the birth, etc., of Savitri
XXVIII – On Savitri
XXIX – On Savitri, on gifts, and on Karmas
XXX – On the conversation between Savitri and Yama
Chapter XXXI – On Yama’s giving the Sakti Mantra to Savitri
XXXII – On the enumeration of various hells for sinners
XXXIII – On the destinies of the sinners
XXXIV – On the description of the various hells
XXXV – On the description of the various hells for the various sinners
Chapter XXXVI – On having no fear of Yama of those who are the Panchopasakas
XXXVII – On the eighty-six Kundas
XXXVIII – On the glories of the Devi
XXXIX – On Maha Laksmi
XL – On the birth of Laksmi
Chapter XLI – On the churning of the ocean
XLII – On the stotram of Maha Laksmi
XLIII – On Svaha
XLIV – On Svadha
XLV – On Daksina
Chapter XLVI – On Sasthi Devi
XLVII – On Manasa’s story
XLVIII – On the anecdote of Manasa
XLIX – On Surabhi
L – On the glory of S’akti
Notes on S’akti and the S’aktas
THE TENTH BOOK
Chapter I – On Svayambhuva Manu
II – On the conversation between Narada and the Bindhya Mountain
III – On Bindhya’s obstructing the Sun’s course in the Heavens
IV – On the Devas’ going to Maha Deva
V – On the Devas’ going to Visnu
Chapter VI – On the Devas’ praying to the Muni Agastya
VII – On the checking of the rise of Bindhya
VIII – On the origin of Manu
IX – On the anecdote of Chaksusa Manu
X – On the history of the king Suratha
Chapter XI – On Madhu Kaitabha killed
XII – On Savarni Manu
XIII – On Bhramari Devi
THE ELEVENTH BOOK
Chapter I – On the Morning Duties
II – On cleaning the body
III – On the glories of the Rudraksa beads
IV – On the greatness of the Rudraksam
V – On the Rudrasam rosaries
Chapter VI – On the greatness of Rudraksam
VII – On the different numbers of facets of Rudraksam
VIII – On Bhuta Suddhi
IX – On the rules of Sirovrata
X – On Gauna Bhasma
Chapter XI – On the three kinds of Bhasmas
XII – On holding the Tripundrams
XIII – On the greatness of Bhasma
XIV – On holding the Bibhuti
XV – On using the Tripundra and Urdhapundra
Chapter XVI – On the Sandhya Upasana
XVII – On the Sandhya and other daily practices
XVIII – On the greatness of the Devi Pûja
XIX – On the mid-day Sandhya
XX – On the Brahma Yajna, Sandhyas, etc.
Chapter XXI – On the Gayatri Puras’charnam
XXII – On the Vais’adeva
XXIII – On the Tapta Krichchhra Vrata
XXIV — On Sadachara
THE TWELFTH BOOK
Chapter I – On the description of the Gayatri
II – On the description of the S’aktis of the Gayatri
III – On the Gayatri Kavacham
IV – On the Gayatri Hridayam
V – On the Gayatri Stotram
VI – On the one thousand and eight names of Gayatri
VII – On the Diksa vidhi (initiation)
Chapter VIII – On the appearance of the Highest S’akti
IX – On the cause of faith in the other Devas than the Devi Gayatri
X – On the description of the Mani Dvipa
XI – On the enclosure walls of the Mani Dvipa
XII – On the description of the Mani Dvipa
XIII – On Janamejaya’s Devi Yajna
XIV – On the fruits of hearing, etc., this Puranam