8.
श्री अम्बा पञ्चरत्न स्तोत्रम् - Amba Pancharatna Stotram
Introduction:
Amba means mother. Pancharatnam is fives gems. These five Shlokas in this Stotram are five gems on
Amba.
1.अम्बाशम्बरवैररतातभगिनी श्रीचन्द्रगिम्बानना गिम्बोष्ठी स्मितभागिणी शुभकरी कादम्बवाट्यागश्रता ।
ह्रीङ्काराक्षरमन्त्रमध्यसुभिा श्रोणीगनतम्बागङ्कता मामम्बापु रवागसनी भिवती हेरम्बमातावतु ॥
1.ambāśambaravairitātabhaginī śrīcandrabimbānanā bimbōṣṭhī smitabhāṣiṇī śubhakarī
kādambavāṭyāśritā |
hrīṅkārākṣaramantramadhyasubhagā śrōṇīnitambāṅkitā māmambāpuravāsinī bhagavatī
hērambamātāvatu ||
Meaning & Explanation:
अम्बाशम्बरवैररतातभगिनी श्रीचन्द्रगिम्बानना - ambāśambaravairitātabhaginī
śrīcandrabimbānanā
अम्बा – ambā- mother; शम्बर – śambara – Sambara (a demon); वैरर – vairi - enemy ; तात – tāta
– father; भगिनी - bhaginī – sister; श्रीचन्द्र – śrīChandra - moon with glory and splendour ;
गिम्ब –bimba - form ; आनना – ānanā – with face;
Amba has become Amma in southern languages. Devi, the sister of Krishna (who is the father
of Pradyumna, the enemy of Shambara) has the face of the moon, in all its splendor and glory.
The moon is round and cool and so is Mother's face.
Note: Shambara is a Rakshasa, whose name comes in Devi Bhagavatham and Shrimad
Bhagavatham and the story goes like this. Krishna’s first son with Rukmini was Pradyumna. As
soon as Pradyumna was born in the royal palace of Krishna, he was kidnapped from the delivery
room. Krishna was worried and prayed to Devi who appeared and said not to worry, he has
been kidnapped by Shambara and that he will return when he attains the age of 14 after killing
Shambara.
गिम्बोष्ठी स्मितभागिणी शुभकरी कादम्बवाट्यागश्रता । - bimbōṣṭhī smitabhāṣiṇī śubhakarī
kādambavāṭyāśritā |
गिम्बोष्ठी – bimbōṣṭhī- Lips like Bimba fruit (oshta – lips); स्मित भागिणी – smitabhāṣiṇī - speaks
with a gentle smile; शुभकरी – śubhakarī - brings auspiciousness; कादम्ब – kādamba –
Kadamba flower; वाटी - vāṭee - garden; आगश्रता - āśritā – residing in
She has lips looking like Bimba fruit and always speaks with gentle smile. She always brings
auspiciousness to her devotees. She lives in Chintamani Gruham, which is located in the middle
of the garden, called Kadamba Vanam (garden full of kadamba flowers) located in Sripuram.
ह्रीङ्काराक्षरमन्त्रमध्यसुभिा श्रोणीगनतम्बागङ्कता - hrīṅkārākṣaramantramadhyasubhagā
śrōṇīnitambāṅkitā
ह्रीङ्कार अक्षर - hrīṅkāra ākṣara – Beejakshara called ‘Hreemkara’ ; मन्त्र – mantra – mantra; मध्य
– madhya - centre ; सुभिा – subhagā – having good fortune (Bhaga – fortune); श्रोणी - śrōṇī –
hip; गनतम्ब - nitamba – posterior; अगङ्कता - aṅkitā – marked;
‘Hreem’ is a beejakshara associated with Devi. She resides in the centre of Hreem. She is the
embodiment of good fortune. Her form is described here as very pretty in a poetic way.
‘Hreem’ represents the state, beyond the three shareeras (bodies), viz, Gross body (Sthoola
shareera), Subtle body (Sookshma Shareera) and Causal body (Karana shareera)
The letter ‘Ha’ kaara – represents the Gross body, (Sthoola shareera) ‘Ra’ kaara – represents
the Subtle body (Sookshma shareera), ‘Ee’ kaara represents the Causal body (Karana shareera).
The Anuswaram (the last letter ‘m’ ardha matra) is beyond the three states.
These three states (Gross body, Sublte body & Causal body) belong to human beings, Jiva,
which transmigrates from one birth to the other. This is not like any other normal akshara, but
a beeja mantra and Devi is in the centre of that matntra. Her power is vested in that mantra.
That is why we find in puranas ‘hreem’ beejakshara is chanted in crores by saints who do
penance (tapas).
Nara and Narayana in Badrikasrama chanted Hreem in crores for many years and Devi
appeared before them as mentioned in Devi Bhagavatha. Devi is full of good fortune and
blesses us with good fortune. Then, her form is described in a poetic way.
मामम्बापुरवागसनी भिवती हेरम्बमातावतु - māmambāpuravāsinī bhagavatī hērambamātāvatu
माम – mām – me; अम्बापुर –ambāpura – Sripuram; वागसनी vāsini - residing; भिवती –
bhagavatī - having six qualities; हे रम्ब - hēramba - refers to form of Ganapathi; माता mātā
- Mother; अवतु - avatu – let her protect;
Bhagavathi is residing in Sripuram (Amba puram). She is called so, as she possesses six
opulences. May the mother of Ganapathi (also known as Heramba) protect me.
Note:
Sripura is described in Brahmanda Purana, Devi Bhagavatham, and few other puranas, in a
glorious way. There are three chapters in Devi bhagavatham, that exclusively describe Sripuram
that is situated in peak of Meru mountain.
Bhagavathi or Bhagavan is Paramatman who possesses bhaga, i.e., that constitute six aspects/
qualities which are explained in the shloka below:
ऐश्वर्यस्य समग्रस्य धमयस्य र्शसः गश्रर्ः । ज्ञान वैराग्यर्ोश्चैव िण्ाां भि इतीरणा ॥ (गवष्णु पु0
6।5।74)
aiśvaryasya samagrasya dharmsya yaśasaḥ śriyaḥ
gñāna-vairāgyayoścaiva ṣaṇṇāṁ bhaga itīranā (Viṣṇu Purāṇa 6.5.74)
aiśvaryasya, (lordship – being Eshwari of the universe); samagrasya – possesor of entire aishvarya of
all universes put together); dharmsya – from her all dharma / knowledge of Dharma emanates;
yaśasaḥ: śriyaḥ: --holds all everlasting fame Sri refers to many auspicious aspects viz, wealth,
glory, splendor etc.
She also has two other qualities, in abundance, which are very difficult to see in human beings,
viz, ‘gñāna- knowledge of supreme / paramatma; and vairāgya – detachment from worldy
possessions. Only if we are detached, we can go to Pramatma. She is the embodiment of gnana.
Heramba, one of the 32 forms of Ganesha, is a five headed form with a vehicle as lion which was
given to him by his mother. Hence she is called Heramba Mata. Heramba is important in tantric
worship, which is mentioned in Brahma Vaivartha Purana. This strange word (not a normal
Samskrit word) is available in puranas only. Heramba - ’he’ (हे ) means weakness; ‘Ramba’ (रम्ब)
means protection - One who protects us from weakness. Human life is marked only by
weakness. We are unable to follow Dharma, unable to follow any of the restrictions, constraints
imposed by Dharma, nor can we be consistent in our Bhakti due to mundane attractions. All
these are associated with mental weakness. If we worship Heramba, he will remove all these
mental weanesses.
Summary:
Let the Mother of Heramba, who lives in Sripura, who is the sister of Krishna, (father of
Pradyumna, who killed his enemy, Shambara), having face like a moon, reddish lips like Bimba
fruit, talks with gentle smile, embodiment of auspiciousness, lives in Kadamba garden, and who
stays at the centre of the Mantra ‘hreem’ protect me.
2.कल्याणी कमनीर्सुन्दरवपुः कात्यार्नी कागिका कािा श्यामिमे चकद् र्ुगतमती कागदगत्रपञ्चाक्षरी
कामाक्षी करुणागनगधः कगिमिारण्यागतदावानिा मामम्बापु रवागसनी भिवती हेरम्बमातावतु ॥
2.kalyāṇī kamanīyasundaravapuḥ kātyāyanī kālikā kālā śyāmalamēcakadyutimatī
kāditripañcākṣarī |
kāmākṣī karuṇānidhiḥ kalimalāraṇyātidāvānalā māmambāpuravāsinī bhagavatī
hērambamātāvatu ||
Meaning & Explanation:
कल्याणी कमनीर्सुन्दरवपुः कात्यार्नी कागिका - kalyāṇī kamanīyasundaravapuḥ kātyāyanī
kālikā
कल्याणी - kalyāṇī - form of auspiciousness; कमनीय - kamanīya – attractive; सुन्दर – sundara –
beautiful; वपुुः - vapuḥ - body ; कात्यायनी – kātyāyanī – one of the Vedic names of Bhagavati;
कागिका – kālikā – power of Shiva during destruction;
She is the very form of auspiciousness, attractive and beautiful. She is known as Kathyayani
(daughter of Kathyayana). She blessed Shiva with the power during destruction.
Notes:
Kalyani represents the very form of auspiciousness who blesses us with that. She is known as
Nithyakalyani in a place called Ilayathangudi, which is associated with Srimatam,
Kancheeepuram. A sacred place where Maha periyava had stayed. In kamakoti.org website, the
book Ilayathangudi mahatmyam’ (from Brahmanda Purana), recently published in English, is
made available.
Kathyayani, one of the Vedic names of Bhagavathi comes in Durga Sooktham. Kathyayani is
interpreted as Mahishasuramardhini, one of the three great incarnations (avataras), described
in Durga Sapthasathi. This form was conglomerate of all Devas’ power put together.
Another interpretation is, she is the daughter of a Rishi called Kathyayana who did intense
penance and got her as daughter. Young girls worship Kathyayani for getting a good husband.
This is described in Srimad Bhagavatham, where Krishna kidnaps Rukmini when she goes to
Kathyayani temple. All Gopikas perform Kathyayani Pooja every day, during the month of
Margasheersha (Margazhi in Tamil), that is where Krishna meets them.
Kalika is the ‘Power of Shiva’ during destruction. Kali is destroyer. Shiva’s function is to destroy,
and she blesses Shiva with this power.
काि: श्यामिमे चकद् र्ु गतमती कागदगत्रपञ्चाक्षरी । - kālā śyāmalamēcakadyutimatī
kāditripañcākṣarī |
काि : श्यामि – kālā śyāmala - dark complexioned (like Yama); मेचक - mēcaka – Eye in the
centre of peacock’s tail,(dark blue); द् युगतमती - dyutimatī – shines; कागद – kādi – mantra
starting with ‘ka’ (Ka adi) गिपञ्चाक्षरी - tripañcākṣarī – refers to Panchadashakshari mantra – (Tri
3 X Pancha 5 = 15)
She is dark complexioned, and represents Time; shinies like the eye in the centre of peacock’s
tail; who is embedded in the 15 lettered powerful mantra, (Panchadashakshari) starting with
’ka’. kāditripañcākṣarī - Mantra called Panchadashakshari (also known as Panchadashi)
mantra has 15 letters. This mantra starts with the letter ‘ka’ (‘Ka’ adi). This mantra is said to be
the most powerful mantra, of Devi and we need to take this Mantra from competent Guru to
chant. After this, there is a mantra called ‘Shodashi’ which has one more letter in addition, and
this is the highest. This Panchadashakshari mantra is divided into three groups called as
‘Kootahs’.
First group (five letters) is called Vakbhava koota - associated with gnana shakti; second group
(six letters) is called Madhya Kootah representing Iccha Shakthi, and the third group (four
letters) is called Shakti kootah which represents Kriya Shakti.
Each of these groups, ends with letter ‘Hreem’ thereby appearing thrice in this mantra. That
shows importance of ‘Hreem’ mantra.
कामाक्षी करुणागनगधः कगिमिारण्यागतदावानिा - kāmākṣī karuṇānidhiḥ
kalimalāraṇyātidāvānalā
कामाक्षी - kāmākṣī – Kamakshi ; करुणागनग ुः- karuṇānidhiḥ - wealth of compassion; कगि– kali –
refers to ‘Kali yuga’ time; मि - mala -blemish; अरण्य - araṇyā – forest; अगत - āti very ; दाव –
dāva – forest fire; अनिा – analā - heat
Kamakshi, who shines in Kancheepuram is full of compassion. She is like a forest fire to destroy
the blemish of Kali which is in our mind, as dense as forest.
Notes: Kamakshi – who shines in Kancheepuram, is Adi Parashakthi. In Saaktham, she is the
supreme, primeval Goddess. Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva are her children created by her to run
the samsara. That is Kamakshi, in Adi Parashakthi’s form. There is no sannidhi at all for Devi in
Shiva temples in Kancheepuram as all powers are attracted by Kamakshi and she is the
supreme. Kamakshi who is Ekamreshwara‘s consort is an aspect of Adi Parashakthi.
We need to understand the difference between the supreme Kamakshi and Kamakshi who is the
consort of Ekamreshwara.
Supreme Kamakshi is the mother of Ekamreshwara. This consort of Ekamreshwara is an aspect
of that Kamakshi (Adiparashakthi). That Adi Parashakti has given her powers to Brahma,
Vishnu, Shiva, as Mahasaraswati, Mahalakshmi, and Mahakaali or Maha Gowri as they were
unable to perform Srishti, Stiti and Samharam (Layam) respectively. This is described in great
detail in Devi Bhagavatham of how these Devatas go to Sripuram to have her darshan and are
blessed with three Shakthis in the form of three Devis.
Kamakshi - ‘Kama’ means desire. ‘Akshi’ means eyes; through her side glance, she can grant all
desires, including moksha, which is the highest desire one should attain.
Kamakshi – by merely looking, she blesses one with even the highest desire, ‘moksha’. There are
many ways in which Deeksha is given as mentioned in our shastras. One of the accepted forms
of deeksha is called Nayana deeksha, by merely looking, disciple is initiated into a mantra by
Guru; another one is sparsha deeksha, where Guru touches the disciple to initiate; yet another is
Smarana deeksha where a disciple need not be physically present in front of Guru, but by simply
remembering the disciple, Guru initiates the disciple into mantra. Here, Kamakshi blesses her
devotees with the highest of all desires, with just her side glance.
If we need to get out of impurity of kali (which is as dense as forest), we need her grace. She is
like a powerful forest fire (which decimates the entire forest in no time), who, with her
compassion decimates the impurities (mala) of kali, which is in our mind. She is like the forest
fire, to make our mind pure.
In Lalitha Sahasranamam, we come across the verse below,
Bhavadava sudha vrushti: paaparanya davanala -
Here, “the cycle of birth and death” (samsara) is described as forest fire and she is said to
quench the fire with the nectar. She is the forest fire for the sins which are as dense as forest.
मामम्बापु रवागसनी भिवती हेरम्बमातावतु ॥ - māmambāpuravāsinī bhagavatī
hērambamātāvatu ||
मामम्बापु रवागसनी भिवती हे रम्बमातावतु ॥ - māmambāpuravāsinī bhagavatī hērambamātāvatu
माम – mām – me; अम्बापुर –ambāpura – Sripuram; वागसनी vāsini - residing; भिवती –
bhagavatī - having six qualities; हे रम्ब - hēramba - refers to form of Ganapathi; माता mātā
- Mother; अवतु - avatu – let her protect;
Bhagavathi is residing in Sripuram (Amba puram). She is called so, as she possesses six
opulences. May the mother of Ganapathi (also known as Heramba) protect me.
Summary:
Let the Mother, who is the form of Auspiciousness, daughter of Kathyayana, dark complexioned,
like Kala (yama), shines like the eyes in peacock’s tail, is embedded in 15 lettered mantra
starting with ‘Ka’, fulfilling desires of devotees, having wealth of compassion and who is the
forest fire that decimates our impurities, protect me.
3.काञ्चीकङ्कणहारकुण्डिवती कोटीगकरीटास्मिता कन्दपय द्र्ु गतकोगटकोगटसदना पीर्ू िकुम्भस्तना ।
कौसुम्भारुणकाञ्चनाम्बरवृता कैिासवासगिर्ा मामम्बापु रवागसनी भिवती हेरम्बमातावतु ॥
3. kāñcīkaṅkaṇahārakuṇḍalavatī kōṭīkirīṭānvitā kandarpadyutikōṭikōṭisadanā
pīyūṣakumbhastanā |
kausumbhāruṇakāñcanāmbaravr̥tā kailāsavāsapriyā māmambāpuravāsinī bhagavatī
hērambamātāvatu ||
In the first two shlokas, we went into great heights of Vedanta, viz, Supreme gnana, power,
aishwarya, blessings of Devi etc. Having described various powers, Adi Shankara goes into
beautiful description of Devi’s enticing form, on which we must meditate. We always need a
form to meditate. Names and forms (Naama and roopa) are two distinguishing features of
creation, without which, our mind cannot focus on any aspect. That is why the forms of various
Devatas are described in great detail by many poets.
Meaning & Explanation:
काञ्चीकङ्कणहारकुण्डिवती कोटीगकरीटास्मिता - kāñcīkaṅkaṇahārakuṇḍalavatī kōṭīkirīṭānvitā
काञ्ची - kāñcī - waist band (Odyanam) ; कङ्कण - kaṅkaṇa - bracelet; हार hāra –
necklace/garland; कुण्डिवती - kuṇḍalavatī -ear ring; कोटी - kōṭī - crest / head; गकरीट– kirīṭa
– crown; अस्मिता - anvitā – possessing;
She is having a beautiful waist band, bracelet, necklace, ear ring and the head is adorned with a
beautiful crown
Notes: Kamakhya is known as ‘Odyana’ peeta (Place) of the 51 shakthi peetas. Few claim that
Kancheepuram is the Odyana peeta. According to many Vidwans, Kancheepuram is known as
Naabhi peetam.
कन्दपयद्र्ुगतकोगटकोगटसदना पीर्ू िकुम्भस्तना । - kandarpadyutikōṭikōṭisadanā
pīyūṣakumbhastanā |
कन्दपप - Kandarpa - (refers to) Manmata; द् युगत - dyuti – shine; कोगटकोगट - kōṭikōṭi - crores
and crores; सदना - sadanā - house; पीयूि - pīyūṣa - nectar; कुम्भ – kumbha – pot; स्तना –
stanā – bosom;
Devi's Residence is described here. The shine of her residence is equivalent to crores and crores
of Manmatas’shine. Her bosom, looking like a pot is filled with nectar.
Devi resides in Sripura in the Chintamani Gruha which is studded with Chintamani gems. The
Chintamani Gruha is described beautifully in many shlokas of Devi Bhagavatham. One
Chintamani is sufficient to grant what one desires. The whole house is studded with
Chintramani gems.
Her Bosom is filled with nectar and hence whoever was partaking that Amrutha viz,
Subramanya, Ganapathy, Gnanasambandar, they are full of gnana.
कौसुम्भारुणकाञ्चनाम्बरवृता कैिासवासगिर्ा - kausumbhāruṇakāñcanāmbaravr̥tā
kailāsavāsapriyā
कौसुम्भ - kausumbha - orangish red color; अरुण - aruṇa-reddish brown (before
arunodhayam); काञ्चना – kāñcanā-golden color; अम्बर - āmbara - dress ; वृता - vr̥tā-enclosed
in; कैिास Kailsa – Kailasa ; वासगिया – vāsapriyā-like to stay (at Kailasa)
Her clothing is described as, being in three colors, viz, orangish red, reddish brown and golden
color. She likes to reside in Kailasa.
मामम्बापु रवागसनी भिवती हेरम्बमातावतु ॥ - māmambāpuravāsinī bhagavatī
hērambamātāvatu ||
माम – mām – me; अम्बापुर –ambāpura – Sripuram; वागसनी vāsini - residing; भिवती –
bhagavatī - having six qualities; हे रम्ब - hēramba - refers to form of Ganapathi; माता mātā
- Mother; अवतु - avatu – let her protect;
Bhagavathi is residing in Sripuram (Amba puram). She is called so, as she possesses six
opulences. May the mother of Ganapathi (also known as Heramba) protect me.
4 र्ा सा शुम्भगनशुम्भदै त्यशमनी र्ा रक्तिीजाशनी र्ा श्री गवष्णुसरोजनेत्रभवना र्ा
ब्रह्मगवद्याऽऽसनी ।
र्ा दे वी मधुकैटभासुरररपुर्ाय मागहिध्वांगसनी मामम्बापुरवागसनी भिवती हेरम्बमातावतु ॥
4.yā sā śumbhaniśumbhadaityaśamanī yā raktabījāśanī yā śrī viṣṇusarōjanētrabhavanā yā
brahmavidyā:’:’sanī |
yā dēvī madhukaiṭabhāsuraripuryā māhiṣadhvaṁsinī māmambāpuravāsinī bhagavatī
hērambamātāvatu ||
Meaning & Explanation:
Having described her form, we are going into some of her Leelas, where she appeared on earth,
to get rid of heavy loads of Rakshasas, to protect sadhus.
र्ा सा शुम्भगनशुम्भदै त्यशमनी र्ा रक्तिीजाशनी - yā sā śumbhaniśumbhadaityaśamanī yā
raktabījāśanī
या – yā - the one (that devi); सा – sā – that; शुम्भ - Śumbha - Shumbha; गनशुम्भ -
niśumbha - Nishumbha; दै त्य- daitya – demons (son of ditis); शमनी - śamanī - subdued
(killing); या – yā - the one; रक्त िीजा - raktabījā - Rakta Beeja – a demon –( lieutinent of
Shumbha and Nishumbha) ; अशगन -Aśanī – she consumed (ashanam -food)
She is the one who killed the demons Shumbha and Nishumbha, (sons of Ditis). She also killed
Raktabeeja, who was a lieutinent of Shumbha and Nishumbha.
Notes: Devi had to physically consume Raktabeeja as her food. She also brought Matrika devis,
Sapta Matrikas, viz, Brahmi, Vaishnavi, Indrani, Chamunda, Maheshwari, Koumari & Varahi
(described in various puranas). They killed Raktabeeja. When one drop of Raktabeeja’s blood
falls on battleground, another Raktabeeja is created. This is the boon granted to him, by Shiva.
The killing operation, resulted in Raktabeejas multiplying exponentially (lakhs and crores) in the
battlefield. All the devas were worried and then, Chandika produced Kaali from her forehead,
asked her to extend her broad tongue and consume each drop of blood to ensure, no drop of
blood falls on the ground as she kills each of Raktabeeja. Kali is the form of Devi again. That is
why she is described as ‘Raktabeeja Ashani’, who consumed all the blood of Raktabeeja.
र्ा श्री गवष्णुसरोजनेत्रभवना र्ा ब्रह्मगवद्याऽऽसनी । - yā śrī viṣṇusarōjanētrabhavanā yā
brahmavidyā: asanī |
या - yā – the one ; श्रीगवष्णु - śrīViṣṇu – Sri Vishnu; सरोज – Sarōja – lotus; नेि- Nētra - eye ;
भवना– bhavanā - residence; या- yā: - the one; ब्रह्मगवद्या - Brahmavidyā - Knowledge of
Parabrahmam; - आसनी – asanī –seat;
She is residing in the lotus eyes of Vishnu; she is seated on Brahmavidya.
She is residing in the lotus eyes of Vishnu. That is why Vishnu is described as Pundarikaksha. We
worship to seek his blessing (Kataksha), because all grandeur / power of Vishnu’s eyes is
granted by Devi herself. Vishnu and Shiva cannot exist without Sri’s (Devi) blessing.
She is seated on Brahmavidya, the Vidya which tells us about Parabrahmam as distinct from
Jeeva / Jagat. There are three concepts, in Vedanta, namely, Jeeva, Jagat and Brahman. Jagat is
unreal, which does not exist. Jeeva is none different from Brahman as per Adi Shankara. The
knowledge / description of three entities, and more so of Brahman, leading Jeeva to Brahman
is called Brahmavidya. Devi is the possessor of Brahmavidya.
Some books mention as ‘Brahmavidya Sati’. She is very personification of Brahmavidya. Sati
means the establisher of pativrata drama (dharma of the wife) by herself adopting it, when she
was on earth. Sati was the name given by Daksha. She was also known as Dhakshayani because
she was the daughter of Dhaksha. Kamakshi, when she did penance to attain Ekamreshwara /
Shiva etc, displayed her pativrata dharma.
र्ा दे वी मधुकैटभासुरररपुर्ाय मागहिध्वांगसनी - yā dēvī madhukaiṭabhāsuraripuryā
māhiṣadhvaṁsinī
या - yā - the one ; दे वी - dēvī - Devi ; म ुकैटभ - madhukaiṭabhā - Madhu Kaiṭabha; असुर
āsura – demon (asura); ररपु : - ripuah – Enemy; या - yā - the one; मागहिध्वंगसनी-
Māhiṣadhvaṁsinī - who killed the demon, Mahisha.
She is the one who killed the enemies, Madhu, Kaitabha and also Mahisha
Notes:
Madhu and Kaitabha, were two demons who could not be killed by Vishnu even after fighting
for 5,000 long years. Vishnu, then prayed to Devi who appeared before him and gave the power
to kill them. Devi also said, she will stay in sky and ensure they are distracted by her beauty so
that he can kill them.
This is described in Durga Saptasathi and in greater detail in Devi Bhagavatham. Durga
saptasati is only the essence taken from Devi Bhagavatam.
मामम्बापु रवागसनी भिवती हेरम्बमातावतु ॥ - māmambāpuravāsinī bhagavatī
hērambamātāvatu ||
माम – mām – me; अम्बापुर –ambāpura – Sripuram; वागसनी vāsini - residing; भिवती –
bhagavatī - having six qualities; हे रम्ब - hēramba - refers to form of Ganapathi; माता mātā
- Mother; अवतु - avatu – let her protect;
Bhagavathi is residing in Sripuram (Amba puram). She is called so, as she possesses six
opulences. May the mother of Ganapathi (also known as Heramba) protect me.
Notes: In this shloka, all the three important stories, connected with Devis, which are described
in Devi Bhagavatam and Devi Mahatmyam, are mentioned viz, Shumbha-Nishumbha; Madhu-
Kaitabha, Mahishasura; Raktabeeja, in addition, who is very powerful demon and a lieutenant
of Shumbha-Nishumbha.
One basic aspect of these three -
Madhu-Kaitabha are known for Tamo (laziness) guna (quality). That is why Vishnu took 5,000
years. If you allow Tamo guna to develop in great measure, then you will need significant effort.
That is the learning.
Mahisha, - attracted by Devi’s form and he wanted to get her as his wife (mentioned in Devi
Bhagavatam, but not in Durga Saptasati). Rajo (always very active) and Tamo guna
combination was in dense form in him. That is why huge power of so many Devas was required.
That is how Mahishasuramardhini’s form evolved. One needs lot of Shakti to fight Rajo guna
and Tamo guna.
Raktabeejas are connected to our desires. Desires are unending. One desire leads to another,
multiplies exponentially, making it difficult to eliminate. If we have to kill Raktabeeja, we have
to kill the basic desire of samsara (cycle of birth and death). This is the lesson.
Shumbha Nishumbha – represent more intense forms of Rajo and Tamo Guna. They multiply,
making it difficult to kill. We need to mobilize lot of fighting forces if we allow Rajo and Tamo
gunas to multiply.
We, definitely need these two qualities (Rajo and Tamo) for our human life. However, we always
need to watch and keep them under control, by developing Satva guna (goodness and
calmness). If we are always in Satva guna, Devi will bless us.
5.श्रीगवद्या परदे वताऽऽगदजननी दु िाय जर्ा चस्मण्डका िािा श्रीगत्रपुरेश्वरी गशवसती श्रीराजराजेश्वरी ।
श्रीराज्ञी गशवदू गतका श्रुगतनुता शृङ्गाारचूाामगणः मामम्बापु रवागसनी भिवती हेरम्बमातावतु ॥
5.śrīvidyā paradēvatā:’:’dijananī durgā jayācaṇḍikā bālā śrītripurēśvarī śivasatī
śrīrājarājēśvarī |
śrīrājñī śivadūtikā śrutinutā śr̥ṅgāracūḍāmaṇiḥ māmambāpuravāsinī bhagavatī
hērambamātāvatu ||
Meaning & Explanation:
श्रीगवद्या परदे वताऽऽगदजननी दु िाय जर्ा चस्मण्डका - śrīvidyā paradēvatā dijananī durgā
jayācaṇḍikā
श्रीगवद्या - śrīvidyā – Srividya (same as Brahmavidya); परदे वता - paradēvatā -Surpeme Devata ;
आगद – ādi-first (Primeval); जननी – jananī - Mother; दु िाप - Durgā-another name of Parvati; जया
- jayā -form of victory; चस्मण्डका - caṇḍikā – fierce form
She represents the supreme knowledge, she is the primeval Goddess, (there was nobody before
her) Durga, very form of victory and having a fierce form.
We saw Brahmavidya in last shloka. Srividya is same as Brahmavidya. Brahmavidya is Vedanta
Vidya which one has to go through, by following gnana maarga through the teaching of ‘nethi
nethi’. (Elimination process). This means, nothing other than Brahman exists. Hence we need
to attain Brahman which is not simple.
Though Srividya & Brahmavidya are same, the path is different. Upasana, Pooja, and meditation
go together in Srividya. It is to be noted that Navavarana Pooja is done by Srividya Upasakas. All
these are part of broad spectrum of Srividya. They need to get mantras / Pooja paddhathi
initiated by competent Guru.
Bhavanopanishad describes how to do the meditation and how each part of your body can lead
you into thinking of Devi. This is part of Srividya. She is the supreme Devata and the first
Mother. In Saaktham, we believe Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva are the three children whom she
created.
Durga is another aspect of Parvathi (Adi Prarashakti). Veda talks about Durga Sooktham.
Etymologically, Durga means one who is difficult to attain. Brahmavidya and Srividya are not
easy paths; moksha is not easy to attain. She will make it easy if we take refuge in her. One of
the other meanings for Durga is she killed demon, Durgamasura. She is the very form of victory.
Failure is unknown to her. So, she is Jaya. Always she is hailed (in Chandi homam etc) by the cry
of Jaya Jaya.
When she went to battlefield, she took the fierce form Chandika to kill Shumbha and
Nishumbha.
िािा श्रीगत्रपुरेश्वरी गशवसती श्रीराजराजेश्वरी । - bālā śrītripurēśvarī śivasatī śrīrājarājēśvarī
िािा - bālā - Child form of Devi; श्रीगिपुरेश्वरी -śrītripurēśvarī - Eshwari of three cities; गशवसती -
śivasatī - consort of Shiva; श्रीराजराजेश्वरी -śrīrājarājēśvarī – Supreme queen of all King of Kings;
Bala represents child form. Devi appears in so many forms based on how we invoke her. Bala is
also a mantra, through which one gets initiated into Saaktham, Devi worship.
Panchadashakshari mantra is the most powerful mantra, but before getting that initiated, one
is initiated into Bala mantra first. This mantra is very form of Bala Devi.
Thripureshwari
She is the Eshwari of three cities; there is a story where three demons were killed by Shiva
who were located in the form of three cities. She is the power behind Shiva.
Tripura also refers to three states – waking state, dream state, and state of deep sleep
through which we pass every day. She is the guiding force, who will lead us to the fourth
state, viz the Samadhi state, (state of higher consciousness) which is beyond the three
states.
Further, there are three bodies (Shareeras), also known as Tripura, viz, Gross body, subtle
body and causal body (Stoola / Sookshma/ karana shareera) and she will take us to the state
beyond the three bodies, which is bodiless state, the subtle state, which is her own state..
She is the consort of Shiva and supreme queen of King of Kings who rule Bhulokha (earth), Deva
loka and Patala loka etc
श्रीराज्ञी गशवदू गतका श्रुगतनुता शृङ्गाारचूाामगणः - śrīrājñī śivadūtikā śrutinutā śr̥ṅgāracūḍāmaṇiḥ
श्रीराज्ञी - śrīrājñī - Supreme queen; गशव दू गतका - śiva dūtikā – Shiva’s emissary; श्रुगतनुता -
śrutinutā - worshiped by Vedas; . शृङ्गार - śr̥ṅgāra – love ; चूडामगणुः cūḍāmaṇiḥ - crest jewel
She is the supreme queen. Here ‘supreme’ is associated with her form in Sripuram, in
Chintamani Gruham where she is shining as Rajarajeshwari. Lalitha Sahasranamam starts with
“Srimatha Srimaharagni”.
She is the one who took the form of Shivadoothi, who sent Shiva as emissary to Shumbha and
Nishumbha. (However, the mission failed, because demons did not want to heed his advice).
She is worshipped by Vedas. She is the Choodamani (crest jewel) of love and enjoyment.
Choodamani is a jewel worn by women on top of the head. Choodamani is mentioned in
Ramayana also. She is the crest jewel of all Shringaras, we find anywhere in Universe.
मामम्बापु रवागसनी भिवती हेरम्बमातावतु ॥ māmambāpuravāsinī bhagavatī hērambamātāvatu
माम – mām – me; अम्बापुर –ambāpura – Sripuram; वागसनी vāsini - residing; भिवती –
bhagavatī - having six qualities; हे रम्ब - hēramba - refers to form of Ganapathi; माता mātā
- Mother; अवतु - avatu – let her protect;
Bhagavathi is residing in Sripuram (Amba puram). She is called so, as she possesses six
opulences. May the mother of Ganapathi (also known as Heramba) protect me.
6.अम्बापञ्चकमद् भुतां पठगत चे द्यो वा िभातेऽगनशां गदव्यैश्वर्यशतार्ुरुत्तमगमदां गवद्याां गश्रर्ां शाश्वतम् ।
िब्ध्वा भूगमतिे स्वधमयगनरताां श्रीसुन्दरी ां भागमनी ां अन्ते स्वियफिां िभेत्स गविुधैः सांस्तूर्मानो नरः ॥
6.ambāpañcakamadbhutaṁ paṭhati cēdyō vā prabhātē:’niśaṁ
divyaiśvaryaśatāyuruttamamatiṁ vidyāṁ śriyaṁ śāśvatam |
labdhvā bhūmitalē svadharmaniratāṁ śrīsundarīṁ bhāminīṁ antē svargaphalaṁ labhētsa
vibudhaiḥ saṁstūyamānō naraḥ ||
Meaning & Explanation:
अम्बापञ्चकमद् भु तां पठगत चे द्यो वा िभातेऽगनशां - ambāpañcakamadbhutaṁ paṭhati cēdyō vā
prabhātē:’niśaṁ
अम्बा पञ्चकम – ambāpañcakam; five gems on Amba; अद् भुतं - adbhutaṁ - wonderful; पठगतचेत्
paṭhaticēth - if one reads; योवा – yōvā - whoever reads it; िभाते – prabhātē morning; अगनशं –
aniśaṁ every day
A person who reads this wonderful five gems of Amba, every morning, gets the following
benefits.
गदव्यैश्वर्यशतार्ुरुत्तमगमदां गवद्याां गश्रर्ां शाश्वतम् । - divyaiśvaryaśatāyuruttamamatiṁ vidyāṁ
śriyaṁ śāśvatam |
गदव्य - Divya – divine; ऐश्वयप – aiśvarya – wealth; शत आयु: – śatā ayu: – 100 years of life; उत्तमम्
– superior; इदं - idam – this; गवद्यां - vidyāṁ - knowledge / education; गश्रयं - śriyaṁ - glory,
splendor, auspiciousness, wealth; शाश्वतम् – śāśvatam – eternal;
One gets divine wealth, (different from ordinary wealth), long life (100 years of life), superior
knowledge, and eternal glory.
If Devi blesses us, there is nothing unattainable. One gets eternal glory which continues from
one birth to another. However, if this is the last birth by attaining gnana, one merges with Devi.
िब्ध्वा भूगमतिे स्वधमयगनरताां श्रीसुन्दरी ां भागमनी ां - labdhvā bhūmitalē svadharmaniratāṁ
śrīsundarīṁ bhāminīṁ
िब्ध्वा - labdhvā - having attained; भूगमतिे – bhūmitalē - on the face of earth; स्व मप –
svadharma - own Dharma; गनरतां - niratāṁ very much attached to; (rata – attached) श्रीसुन्दरी ं -
śrīsundarīṁ - beautiful – (inner beauty); भागमनीं – bhāminīṁ - very beautiful / attractive –
(external beauty is referred here).
A man who reads this, gets wife having these three qualities –
one who is always attached to / engaged in Swadharma, i.e., sahadharma charini –
helping husband in performing swadharma, (not para dharma);
a beautiful wife (refers to inner beauty) who has all desirable qualities; and
one who is attractive with special beauty (external beauty)
Notes: Whenever Devi is described in stotras, (ex. Soundarya Lahari), they refer to inner beauty,
i.e., qualities like, freedom from impurities, ever blessed with auspicious qualities, compassion,
love of all human beings, devotion to Bhagavan etc.
On swadharma, Bhagavad Gita says – (3- 35)
श्रेर्ान्स्स्वधमो गविुण: परधमायत्स्वनुगष्ठतात् |
स्वधमे गनधनां श्रेर्: परधमो भर्ावह:
śhreyān swa-dharmo viguṇaḥ para-dharmāt sv-anuṣhṭhitāt
swa-dharme nidhanaṁ śhreyaḥ para-dharmo bhayāvahaḥ
It is far better to perform one’s natural prescribed duty (Varnashrama Dharma), though may be
with faults, than to perform another’s prescribed duty, though perfectly. In fact, it is preferable
to die in the discharge of one’s duty, rather than to follow the path of another, which is filled
with danger.
अन्ते स्वियफिां िभे त्स गविुधैः सांस्तूर्मानो नरः ॥ - antē svargaphalaṁ labhētsa vibudhaiḥ
saṁstūyamānō naraḥ ||
अन्ते – ante – at the end; स्विप फिं svarga phalaṁ - fruit of heaven (Swarga); िभेत् – labhēt –
obtain; स sa – that; गविु ैुः - vibudhaiḥ - very specially knowledgeable; संस्तूयमानो -
saṁstūyamano - praised by; नरुः naraḥ - human;
One who reads this every day, gets Swarga. He becomes knowledgeable. He is praised by the
Devas in heaven.
But Swarga (heaven) is not eternal. As soon as his religious merit (Punya) gets exhausted he has
to come down from heaven, to take the next birth. This is the rule of Shastras. In Vedas,
heaven is referred to frequently and there are many such injunctions. If one does yagna with
the desire to attain Swarga or moksha (liberation), he will get that respectively. Devi is ready to
give moksha to qualified people
As mentioned in Devi Bhagavatham, Devi is sitting in Chintamani gruha and dividing herself into
four aspects, sitting in four rooms. One room is meant only for giving moksha provided we
deserve it.
Devas are the ones who are very specially knowledgeable, intelligent, because they are vested
with great power / knowledge which humans do not have. They are residing in every human
being. Surya is residing in our eye, and Chandra in our mind, and so on.
He is praised by Devas. One may reach Heaven (Swarga) because of one’s religious merit, but
he will be reluctantly admitted into heaven. Like it happened with Trishanku, (Viswamitra’s
disciple) who was pushed down by Indra, after he reached heaven. So Vishwamitra created
another heaven, and then Indra had to come down and take him reluctantly. But, here, one is
surrounded by Devas and specially welcomed in Swarga Loka, as he is a devotee of Devi.
Note: All stotras generally appear to have a reference to man. It is to be understood that man
includes woman. It should be understood that if a woman reads this she will get good husband.
Summary:
One who reads this every morning, gets, divine wealth, long life, superior knowledge and eternal
glory. He gets beautiful (refers to Internal and external beauty) wife, who is always attached to
and follows own Dharma. At the end, he goes to heaven where he is welcomed specially by all
Devatas.
इति अम्बापञ्चरत्नस्िोत्रं समाप्िम ् ॥
