Durga Saptashati · Chapter 13
Durga Saptashati Chapter 13 (Boons to Suratha and the Merchant) in Sanskrit with Hindi and English meaning
The story that began in chapter 1 comes home. The sage tells King Suratha and the merchant to take refuge in the Goddess. They worship her on a river bank for three years until she appears. The king asks for his kingdom and a lasting one in his next life; the merchant asks only for the knowledge that frees him from “mine” and “I”. Both receive what they asked.
What chapter 13 is about
Chapter 13 closes the frame story that opened the Saptashati. In chapter 1, King Suratha, who had lost his kingdom, and the merchant Samadhi, who had been turned out by his own family, met in the forest hermitage of the sage Medhas. Both asked the same question: why does my mind still cling to what has hurt me? In answer the sage told them the three stories of the Goddess. Now he finishes (13.2–13.5): it is her Maya that holds you, this merchant and all the wise in attachment, and it is she who gives true knowledge; go to her for refuge.
The two go to a river bank, make an image of the Goddess out of earth and worship her for three years with flowers, incense, fire offerings and fasting, even offering blood from their own bodies (13.10–13.12). Pleased, she appears and offers them whatever they ask (13.15). Their choices are the heart of the chapter. The king asks for his kingdom back in this life and a kingdom that cannot be lost in the next (13.17). The merchant, the same man who could not stop loving the family that rejected him, now asks only for the knowledge that frees one from “mine” and “I” (13.18).
The Goddess grants both (13.20–13.25): the king will rule again and, in a later birth from the Sun, become Savarni, the eighth Manu, which is why every colophon of the text says “in the Savarni Manvantara”; the merchant will gain knowledge for his final freedom. The text ends with the last verse repeated, as is customary, and with it the 700 mantras are complete. In a full reading it is usually followed by closing prayers such as the Devi Sukta and a prayer asking forgiveness for any mistakes. Reading the chapter with the meanings takes about 12 minutes.
Verses 13.1–13.13: take refuge in her
The sage ends his teaching, and the king and the merchant worship the Goddess for three years.
Verse 13.1
ऋषिरुवाच॥
Rishir uvacha
अर्थ: ऋषि (मेधा मुनि) ने कहा:
Meaning: The sage (Medhas) said:
Verse 13.2
एतत्ते कथितं भूप देवीमाहात्म्यमुत्तमम्।
एवंप्रभावा सा देवी ययेदं धार्यते जगत्॥
Etat te kathitam bhupa devi-mahatmyam uttamam,
evam-prabhava sa devi yayedam dharyate jagat.
अर्थ: हे राजन, मैंने तुम्हें देवी का यह उत्तम माहात्म्य सुना दिया। वह देवी, जिनसे यह जगत धारण किया जाता है, ऐसे प्रभाव वाली हैं।
Meaning: O king, I have told you this excellent account of the Goddess’s greatness. Such is the power of the Goddess by whom this world is upheld.
Verse 13.3
विद्या तथैव क्रियते भगवद्विष्णुमायया।
तया त्वमेष वैश्यश्च तथैवान्ये विवेकिनः॥
Vidya tathaiva kriyate bhagavad-vishnu-mayaya,
taya tvam esha vaishyash cha tathaivanye vivekinah.
अर्थ: सच्चा ज्ञान भी वही भगवान विष्णु की माया रूपी देवी देती हैं। उन्हीं से तुम, यह वैश्य, और इसी तरह दूसरे समझदार लोग भी
Meaning: And true knowledge too is given by her, the Maya of Lord Vishnu. By her you, this merchant, and other discerning people as well
Verse 13.4
मोह्यन्ते मोहिताश्चैव मोहमेष्यन्ति चापरे।
तामुपैहि महाराज शरणं परमेश्वरीम्॥
Mohyante mohitash chaiva moham eshyanti chapare,
tam upaihi maharaja sharanam parameshvarim.
अर्थ: मोह में पड़ते हैं, पहले भी मोह में पड़े थे, और आगे भी दूसरे मोह में पड़ेंगे। हे महाराज, उन्हीं परमेश्वरी की शरण में जाओ।
Meaning: are deluded, have been deluded, and others will be deluded in time to come. Go to her for refuge, great king, to the Supreme Goddess.
Verse 13.5
आराधिता सैव नृणां भोगस्वर्गापवर्गदा॥
Aradhita saiva nrinam bhoga-svargapavarga-da.
अर्थ: आराधना करने पर वही मनुष्यों को सुख-भोग, स्वर्ग और मोक्ष देती हैं।
Meaning: When worshipped, she herself grants people the joys of life, heaven and final freedom.
Verse 13.6
मार्कण्डेय उवाच॥
Markandeya uvacha
अर्थ: मार्कण्डेय जी ने कहा:
Meaning: Markandeya said:
Verse 13.7
इति तस्य वचः श्रुत्वा सुरथः स नराधिपः॥
Iti tasya vachah shrutva surathah sa naradhipah.
अर्थ: ऋषि के ये वचन सुनकर वह राजा सुरथ
Meaning: Hearing these words of his, King Suratha
Verse 13.8
प्रणिपत्य महाभागं तमृषिं शंसितव्रतम्।
निर्विण्णोऽतिममत्वेन राज्यापहरणेन च॥
Pranipatya mahabhagam tam rishim shamsita-vratam,
nirvinno 'ti-mamatvena rajyapaharanena cha.
अर्थ: उन महाभाग, उत्तम व्रत वाले ऋषि को प्रणाम करके, अपनी गहरी ममता से और राज्य छिन जाने से उदास होकर,
Meaning: bowed to that noble sage of praiseworthy vows. Weary of his deep attachment and of the loss of his kingdom,
Verse 13.9
जगाम सद्यस्तपसे स च वैश्यो महामुने।
सन्दर्शनार्थमम्बाया नदीपुलिनसंस्थितः॥
Jagama sadyas tapase sa cha vaishyo mahamune,
sandarshanartham ambaya nadi-pulina-samsthitah.
अर्थ: हे महामुनि, वह तुरंत तपस्या के लिए चला गया, और वह वैश्य भी। माँ अम्बा के दर्शन के लिए वे एक नदी के रेतीले तट पर जाकर रहने लगे।
Meaning: he went at once to practise austerity, O great sage, and so did the merchant. Seeking a vision of the Mother, they settled on the sandy bank of a river.
Verse 13.10
स च वैश्यस्तपस्तेपे देवीसूक्तं परं जपन्।
तौ तस्मिन् पुलिने देव्याः कृत्वा मूर्तिं महीमयीम्॥
Sa cha vaishyas tapas tepe devi-suktam param japan,
tau tasmin puline devyah kritva murtim mahimayim.
अर्थ: वह वैश्य (राजा के साथ) उत्तम देवी सूक्त का जप करते हुए तपस्या करने लगा। उस तट पर उन दोनों ने मिट्टी से देवी की मूर्ति बनाई
Meaning: The merchant, with the king, practised austerity, chanting the supreme Devi Sukta. On that river bank the two made an image of the Goddess out of earth
Verse 13.11
अर्हणां चक्रतुस्तस्याः पुष्पधूपाग्नितर्पणैः।
निराहारौ यताहारौ तन्मनस्कौ समाहितौ॥
Arhanam chakratus tasyah pushpa-dhupagni-tarpanaih,
niraharau yataharau tan-manaskau samahitau.
अर्थ: और फूल, धूप, अग्नि (हवन) और जल-तर्पण से उसकी पूजा की। कभी बिना भोजन के, कभी बहुत थोड़े भोजन पर, मन देवी में लगाकर, एकाग्र होकर रहे।
Meaning: and worshipped it with flowers, incense, fire offerings and libations of water. Sometimes fasting, sometimes eating very little, their minds on her alone, they stayed collected.
Verse 13.12
ददतुस्तौ बलिं चैव निजगात्रासृगुक्षितम्।
एवं समाराधयतोस्त्रिभिर्वर्षैर्यतात्मनोः॥
Dadatus tau balim chaiva nija-gatrasrig-ukshitam,
evam samaradhayatos tribhir varshair yatatmanoh.
अर्थ: उन्होंने अपने ही शरीर के रक्त से छिड़की हुई भेंट (बलि) भी चढ़ाई। इस तरह संयम से आराधना करते हुए जब तीन वर्ष बीत गए,
Meaning: They also made an offering sprinkled with blood from their own bodies. When the two, self-controlled, had worshipped her in this way for three years,
Verse 13.13
परितुष्टा जगद्धात्री प्रत्यक्षं प्राह चण्डिका॥
Paritushta jagad-dhatri pratyaksham praha chandika.
अर्थ: तब जगत का पालन करने वाली चण्डिका प्रसन्न होकर उनके सामने प्रकट हुईं और बोलीं।
Meaning: Chandika, who sustains the world, was well pleased, appeared before them and spoke.
Verses 13.14–13.29: two boons
The king asks for a kingdom, the merchant for freedom from “mine” and “I”, and the Goddess grants both.
Verse 13.14
देव्युवाच॥
Devy uvacha
अर्थ: देवी ने कहा:
Meaning: The Goddess said:
Verse 13.15
यत्प्रार्थ्यते त्वया भूप त्वया च कुलनन्दन।
मत्तस्तत्प्राप्यतां सर्वं परितुष्टा ददामि तत्॥
Yat prarthyate tvaya bhupa tvaya cha kula-nandana,
mattas tat prapyatam sarvam paritushta dadami tat.
अर्थ: “हे राजन, और हे अपने कुल को आनंद देने वाले (वैश्य), तुम दोनों जो माँगते हो, वह सब मुझसे पाओ। मैं प्रसन्न हूँ, वह मैं देती हूँ।”
Meaning: “O king, and you, joy of your family, whatever you ask for, receive it all from me. I am well pleased, and I grant it.”
Verse 13.16
मार्कण्डेय उवाच॥
Markandeya uvacha
अर्थ: मार्कण्डेय जी ने कहा:
Meaning: Markandeya said:
Verse 13.17
ततो वव्रे नृपो राज्यमविभ्रंश्यन्यजन्मनि।
अत्रैव च निजं राज्यं हतशत्रुबलं बलात्॥
Tato vavre nripo rajyam avibhramshy anya-janmani,
atraiva cha nijam rajyam hata-shatru-balam balat.
अर्थ: तब राजा ने अगले जन्म में ऐसा राज्य माँगा जो कभी न छिने, और इसी जन्म में अपना राज्य, जिसमें शत्रुओं का बल अपने बल से नष्ट हो चुका हो।
Meaning: Then the king chose a kingdom that would never be lost, in another birth, and in this very life his own kingdom back, with the power of his enemies broken by his own strength.
Verse 13.18
सोऽपि वैश्यस्ततो ज्ञानं वव्रे निर्विण्णमानसः।
ममेत्यहमिति प्राज्ञः सङ्गविच्युतिकारकम्॥
So 'pi vaishyas tato jnanam vavre nirvinna-manasah,
mamety aham iti prajnah sanga-vichyuti-karakam.
अर्थ: और संसार से विरक्त मन वाले उस समझदार वैश्य ने वह ज्ञान माँगा जो “मेरा” और “मैं” की आसक्ति को छुड़ा देता है।
Meaning: And the merchant, wise, his mind turned away from the world, chose the knowledge that frees one from clinging to “mine” and “I”.
Verse 13.19
देव्युवाच॥
Devy uvacha
अर्थ: देवी ने कहा:
Meaning: The Goddess said:
Verse 13.20
स्वल्पैरहोभिर्नृपते स्वं राज्यं प्राप्स्यते भवान्॥
Svalpair ahobhir nripate svam rajyam prapsyate bhavan.
अर्थ: “हे राजन, कुछ ही दिनों में तुम अपना राज्य पा लोगे।”
Meaning: “O king, in a few days you will regain your own kingdom.”
Verse 13.21
हत्वा रिपूनस्खलितं तव तत्र भविष्यति॥
Hatva ripun askhalitam tava tatra bhavishyati.
अर्थ: “शत्रुओं को हराकर वहाँ तुम्हारा राज्य अटल रहेगा।”
Meaning: “Having defeated your enemies, your rule there will stand firm.”
Verse 13.22
मृतश्च भूयः सम्प्राप्य जन्म देवाद्विवस्वतः॥
Mritash cha bhuyah samprapya janma devad vivasvatah.
अर्थ: “और देह छोड़ने के बाद, सूर्यदेव विवस्वान से फिर जन्म पाकर”
Meaning: “And after death, being born again from the god Vivasvat, the Sun,”
Verse 13.23
सावर्णिको नाम मनुर्भवान् भुवि भविष्यति॥
Savarniko nama manur bhavan bhuvi bhavishyati.
अर्थ: “तुम पृथ्वी पर सावर्णिक नाम के मनु बनोगे।”
Meaning: “you will be on earth the Manu named Savarnika.”
Verse 13.24
वैश्यवर्य त्वया यश्च वरोऽस्मत्तोऽभिवाञ्छितः॥
Vaishya-varya tvaya yash cha varo 'smatto 'bhivanchhitah.
अर्थ: “और हे श्रेष्ठ वैश्य, तुमने मुझसे जो वर चाहा है,”
Meaning: “And, best of merchants, the boon you have wished for from me,”
Verse 13.25
तं प्रयच्छामि संसिद्ध्यै तव ज्ञानं भविष्यति॥
Tam prayachchhami samsiddhyai tava jnanam bhavishyati.
अर्थ: “वह मैं देती हूँ: परम सिद्धि (मुक्ति) के लिए तुम्हें ज्ञान प्राप्त होगा।”
Meaning: “that I grant: for your final fulfilment, knowledge will be yours.”
Verse 13.26
मार्कण्डेय उवाच॥
Markandeya uvacha
अर्थ: मार्कण्डेय जी ने कहा:
Meaning: Markandeya said:
Verse 13.27
इति दत्त्वा तयोर्देवी यथाभिलषितं वरम्॥
Iti dattva tayor devi yathabhilashitam varam.
अर्थ: इस तरह दोनों को उनकी इच्छा के अनुसार वर देकर देवी,
Meaning: Having given the two of them the boons they desired, the Goddess,
Verse 13.28
बभूवान्तर्हिता सद्यो भक्त्या ताभ्यामभिष्टुता।
एवं देव्या वरं लब्ध्वा सुरथः क्षत्रियर्षभः॥
Babhuvantarhita sadyo bhaktya tabhyam abhishtuta,
evam devya varam labdhva surathah kshatriyarshabhah.
अर्थ: जिनकी उन दोनों ने भक्ति से स्तुति की थी, तुरंत अंतर्धान हो गईं। इस तरह देवी से वर पाकर क्षत्रियों में श्रेष्ठ सुरथ
Meaning: praised by them both with devotion, vanished at once. Having thus received the boon from the Goddess, Suratha, the best of warriors,
Verse 13.29
सूर्याज्जन्म समासाद्य सावर्णिर्भविता मनुः॥
Suryaj janma samasadya savarnir bhavita manuh.
अर्थ: सूर्य से जन्म पाकर सावर्णि मनु होंगे।
Meaning: will be born of the Sun and become Savarni, the Manu.
Chapter colophon
एवं देव्या वरं लब्ध्वा सुरथः क्षत्रियर्षभः।
सूर्याज्जन्म समासाद्य सावर्णिर्भविता मनुः॥
इति श्रीमार्कण्डेयपुराणे सावर्णिके मन्वन्तरे देवीमाहात्म्ये
सुरथवैश्ययोर्वरप्रदानं नाम त्रयोदशोऽध्यायः॥
Evam devya varam labdhva surathah kshatriyarshabhah,
suryaj janma samasadya savarnir bhavita manuh.
Iti shri-markandeya-purane savarnike manvantare devi-mahatmye
suratha-vaishyayor vara-pradanam nama trayodasho 'dhyayah.
अर्थ: परंपरा के अनुसार अंतिम श्लोक एक बार फिर पढ़ा जाता है: इस तरह देवी से वर पाकर क्षत्रियों में श्रेष्ठ सुरथ सूर्य से जन्म पाकर सावर्णि मनु होंगे। इस प्रकार श्री मार्कण्डेय पुराण में, सावर्णिक मन्वंतर की कथा के अंतर्गत देवी माहात्म्य में “सुरथ और वैश्य को वरदान” नाम का तेरहवाँ अध्याय पूरा हुआ।
Meaning: By custom the last verse is read once more: having thus received the boon from the Goddess, Suratha, the best of warriors, will be born of the Sun and become Savarni, the Manu. Thus ends the thirteenth chapter, called “the boons to Suratha and the merchant”, in the Devi Mahatmya, part of the account of the Savarni Manvantara in the Shri Markandeya Purana.
Questions
What boons did Suratha and the merchant receive?
King Suratha asked for his own kingdom back in this life and a kingdom that would never be lost in his next birth (13.17). The Goddess promised that he would regain his kingdom in a few days and later be born from the Sun as Savarni, the eighth Manu (13.20–13.23). The merchant Samadhi asked for the knowledge that removes attachment to “mine” and “I” (13.18), and she promised him that knowledge for his final freedom (13.24–13.25).
Why do the two ask for such different things?
Many teachers see in them two kinds of seekers. Verse 13.5 says the Goddess grants worldly enjoyment, heaven and liberation, and the chapter shows her granting each person what they truly want: the king still wants his life in the world, and receives it; the merchant has seen through his attachment, and receives freedom from it. Neither choice is criticised. Some readers add that the merchant’s wish is the higher one, since it answers the very question both men asked in chapter 1.
Which “Devi Sukta” did the merchant chant (13.10)?
The text does not say. Many commentators take it to be the Vedic Devi Sukta of the Rigveda (10.125, “aham rudrebhih…”), in which the Goddess speaks of herself; others take it to mean the hymns of the Saptashati itself, such as the hymn of chapter 5. This is also why the Vedic Devi Sukta is often recited after a full reading of the Saptashati.
Text and sources
The Sanskrit text is public domain. We checked all 29 mantras and the colophon one by one against three sources, comparing them by program after normalising punctuation and spelling conventions: the complete Saptashati (“durga700”) on sanskritdocuments.org, chapter 93 of the Markandeya Purana on Sanskrit Wikisource, and the archive.org scan of the Gita Press “Shri Durga Saptashati” (mula bhaga). We follow the Gita Press reading and numbering, which counts the four speaker lines and eleven half-verses as separate mantras: Wikisource prints the same text as 17 verses, and the total of 29 brings the whole text to 700. Readings chosen with Gita Press and Wikisource against sanskritdocuments: “shamsita-vratam” (13.8), “nadi-pulina-samsthitah” (13.9), “dadami tat” (13.15) and “savarniko nama manur bhavan” (13.23; Gita Press notes “manur nama” as a variant). In 13.3 Gita Press and sanskritdocuments read “taya” (by her), Wikisource “tatha”. In 13.11 Gita Press reads “niraharau yataharau” (fasting, or eating little), where the other two read “niraharau yatatmanau” (fasting and self-controlled). As in Gita Press and sanskritdocuments, the last verse is repeated at the end, shown here with the colophon; sanskritdocuments adds the seed syllables “klim om” after it. Gita Press and sanskritdocuments print a meditation verse (dhyana) at the head of the chapter; it is not counted among the 700 mantras, and on these pages the dhyana verses are given only at the head of the three parts of the text (chapters 1, 2 and 5). The transliteration and meanings are our own.