🔱 Durga Saptashati Path Vidhi
ॐ ऐं ह्रीं क्लीं चामुण्डायै विच्चे
Puja samagri
- A complete printed Shri Durga Saptashati (Devi Mahatmya) book — read the full Sanskrit text from a reliable printed edition
- Picture/idol of Maa Durga, red cloth on a chowki, kalash, coconut with red chunri
- Roli, kumkum, akshat, moli, red flowers (hibiscus/rose), garland, shringar items for the Devi
- Ghee lamp (akhand jyoti in Navratri), dhoop, camphor, fruits, sweets, paan-supari
- A clean asan (woollen/kusha) and a book-stand so the book is not kept on the floor
Step-by-step method
- Bathe, wear clean (preferably red/yellow) clothes, sit on the asan facing east or north.
- Worship Ganesh, the kalash and Maa Durga with roli, akshat, flowers, dhoop and deep; take sankalp for the path (how many chapters/days and the purpose).
- Worship the book itself with roli-akshat and flowers before opening it.
- Recite in this traditional order: Devi Kavach → Argala Stotra → Kilak Stotra (these three are the "angas" of the path).
- Chant the Navarna mantra 108 times (or at least 11) before the chapters.
- Read the 13 chapters clearly and without hurry; do not stop in the middle of a chapter. If you cannot finish in one sitting, follow a day-wise division (see below).
- After the chapters, chant the Navarna mantra again 108 times and recite the Devi Sukta ("Namo Devyai Mahadevyai…") if you can.
- Optional for experienced readers: Ratri Sukta before and the three Rahasyas (Pradhanika, Vaikritika, Murti) after the path.
- End with Siddha Kunjika Stotra (optional), Kshama prarthana, and the aarti "Jai Ambe Gauri".
- Offer prasad, keep the book wrapped in a red cloth in a clean high place.
The 13 chapters in brief (3 charitras)
- Pratham charitra (ch. 1) — deity Mahakali: King Suratha and the merchant Samadhi meet Rishi Medha; Vishnu, awakened by Yoganidra, slays Madhu and Kaitabh.
- Madhyam charitra (ch. 2–4) — deity Mahalakshmi: ch. 2 the Devi appears from the combined radiance of all gods and fights Mahishasura's army; ch. 3 slaying of Mahishasura; ch. 4 the gods' hymn of praise (Shakradi stuti).
- Uttam charitra (ch. 5–13) — deity Mahasaraswati: ch. 5 the gods' hymn "Ya Devi sarvabhuteshu…" and the Devi appears; ch. 6 Dhumralochan slain; ch. 7 Chanda-Munda slain by Kali (Chamunda); ch. 8 Raktabija slain; ch. 9 Nishumbha slain; ch. 10 Shumbha slain; ch. 11 Narayani stuti; ch. 12 the Devi describes the fruits of the path; ch. 13 Suratha and Samadhi receive their boons.
One common Navratri division (9 days)
- Day 1: ch. 1
- Day 2: ch. 2–3
- Day 3: ch. 4
- Day 4: ch. 5–6
- Day 5: ch. 7–8
- Day 6: ch. 9–10
- Day 7: ch. 11
- Day 8: ch. 12
- Day 9: ch. 13 — then Kshama prarthana, aarti and kanya pujan as per custom. (Kavach-Argala-Kilak every day before the chapters.)
Mantras
Navarna mantraॐ ऐं ह्रीं क्लीं चामुण्डायै विच्चे॥
From Argala stotraॐ जयन्ती मङ्गला काली भद्रकाली कपालिनी। दुर्गा क्षमा शिवा धात्री स्वाहा स्वधा नमोऽस्तु ते॥
From chapter 5या देवी सर्वभूतेषु शक्तिरूपेण संस्थिता। नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥
From chapter 11सर्वमङ्गलमाङ्गल्ये शिवे सर्वार्थसाधिके। शरण्ये त्र्यम्बके गौरि नारायणि नमोऽस्तु ते॥
From chapter 11शरणागतदीनार्तपरित्राणपरायणे। सर्वस्यार्तिहरे देवि नारायणि नमोऽस्तु ते॥
From chapter 12 (Devi's promise)सर्वबाधाविनिर्मुक्तो धनधान्यसुतान्वितः। मनुष्यो मत्प्रसादेन भविष्यति न संशयः॥
ℹ️ Durga Saptashati is the Devi Mahatmya of the Markandeya Purana (700 shlokas). Read the full Sanskrit text from a reliable printed book; if Sanskrit is difficult, reading a Hindi translation with devotion is also accepted in many traditions.