Starting this article with a clarification for readers’ benefit differentiation between the Devi Suktam or Vaak Suktam or Vaagambhrini Sukta of Rigveda and that we often confuse with the Devi Suktam of Durga Saptashati of Markandeya Purana. The Article is about the latter i.e. Devi Suktam of Durga Saptashati of Markandeya Purana.

Rigvediya Devi Suktam or Vak Suktam (Vaagambhirini Suktam), is the oldest sukta dedicated to Universal Mother Divine. A Hymn of 8 verses (mantras) from Rig Veda. It is the 125th sukta in the 10th mandala of the Rig Veda. This is much older to the Markandeya purana and also believed to pre-date even Tridevi concept (three principal female Deities – Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasaraswati). One of the unique feature of Rigvediya Devi Suktam is that the suktas (or the hymns) are not composed by Poet in praise of Mother Divine, but her own elucidation of Her Glory (called Atmastuti in Samskrutam). Texts further indicate that Rigvediya Devi Suktam was composed and sung by the Rishika Vaak Ambhrini, in a state of supreme bliss upon uniting with Mother Divine – Vaak, which means Primordial sound of Speech. Thus it is considered as a composition of the Mother Goddess in Glory of Herself. (Will write about this after thorough reading of the scripture and consulting experts of the Text) Please note that many websites wrongly describe the History attributing it to Rishika Vaagambhrigi breaking into a dance after a realization that her life originated from a single source of infinite consciousness that had no perceptable form and it was omnipresent. It is also wrong attributed to the superlative praising the ultimate source of consciousness Ya Devi Sarva Bhuteshu whereas it is Rigvediya Devi Suktam (Vaagambhrigi Suktam) that has this history.

One of the chants that is prevalent during Navaratris is the Tantroktam Devi Suktam – the Slokas from 9 through 82, in the 5th Chapter of Durga Saptashati, which is a part of Devi Mahatmyam. More popular are the 21 verses (6 to 26) that begins with “ya devi sarva bhuteshu‘. Tantroktam Devi Suktam is a part of Markandeya Purana.

Namo Devyai Mahadevyai Shivayai Satatam Namaha
Namaha Prakrityai Bhadrayai Niyataah Pranataah Sma Taam |1|

Roudrayai Namo Nityayi Gouryayai Dhatrayai Namo Namaha |
Jyothsnayayai Chendurupinyayai Sukhayayai Satatam Namaha |2|

Kalyannyai Pranatam Vridhyayai Sidhyayai Kurmo Namo Namah |
Nairutyayai Bhybritaam Lakshmyai Sharvanyayai Tey Namo Namah |3|

Durgayai Durgapaaraayai, Saaraayai Sarvakaarine |
Khyatyai Tadhiva Krishnayai Dhumrayai Satatam Namaha |4|

Ati Soumyati Roudrayai, Nataastastastyai Namo Namaha |
Namo Jagatpratishtayai, Devyayai Krityayai Namo Namah |5|

Yaa Devi Sarva-Bhutessu Vishnumaayeti Shabditaa |
Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namo Namah |6|

Yaa Devi Sarva-Bhutessu Chetanety-Abhidhiiyate |
Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namo Namah |7|

Yaa Devi Sarva-Bhutessu Buddhi-Ruupenna Samsthitaa |
Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namo Namah |8|

Yaa Devi Sarva-Bhutessu Nidra-Ruupenna Samsthitaa |
Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namo Namah |9|

Yaa Devi Sarva-Bhutessu Kssudhaa-Ruupenna Samsthitaa |
Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namo Namah |10|

Yaa Devi Sarva-Bhutessu Chaayaa-Ruupenna Samsthitaa |
Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namo Namah |11|

Yaa Devi Sarva-Bhutessu Shakti-Ruupenna Samsthitaa |
Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namo Namah |12|

Yaa Devi Sarva-Bhutessu Trshnnaa-Ruupenna Samsthitaa |
Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namo Namah |13|

Yaa Devi Sarva-Bhutessu Kshaanti-Ruupenna Samsthitaa |
Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namo Namah |14|

Yaa Devi Sarva-Bhutessu Jaati-Ruupenna Samsthitaa |
Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namo Namah |15|

Yaa Devi Sarva-Bhutessu Lajjaa-Ruupenna Samsthitaa |
Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namo Namah |16|

Yaa Devi Sarva-Bhutessu Shaanti-Ruupenna Samsthitaa |
Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namo Namah |17|

Yaa Devi Sarva-Bhutessu Shraddhaa-Ruupenna Samsthitaa |
Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namo Namah |18|

Yaa Devii Sarva-Bhutessu Kaanti-Ruupenna Samsthitaa |
Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namo Namah |19|

Yaa Devi Sarva-Bhutessu Lakshmii-Ruupenna Samsthitaa |
Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namo Namah |20|

Yaa Devi Sarva-Bhutessu Vrtti-Ruupenna Samsthitaa |
Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namo Namah |21|

Yaa Devi Sarva-Bhutessu Smrti-Ruupenna Samsthitaa |
Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namo Namah |22|

Yaa Devi Sarva-Bhutessu Dayaa-Ruupenna Samsthitaa |
Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namo Namah |23|

Yaa Devi Sarva-Bhutessu Tushtti-Ruupenna Samsthitaa |
Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namo Namah |24|

Yaa Devi Sarva-Bhutessu Maatr-Ruupenna Samsthitaa |
Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namo Namah |25|

Yaa Devi Sarva-Bhutessu Bhraanti-Ruupenna Samsthitaa |
Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namo Namah |26|

Indriyaannaam-Adhisstthaatrii Bhutaanaam Ca-Akhilessu |
Yaa Bhuutessu Satatam Tasyai Vyaapti-Devyai Namo Namah |27|

Citi-Ruupenna Yaa Krtsnam-Etad-Vyaapya Sthitaa Jagat |
Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namo Namah |28|

Significance of the Chant

As Pujya Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji, Spiritual Guru and Founder of The Art of Living Foundation says, “The chant shows the deeper facets of the Devi which are often missed. It represents the Devi’s presence across universe and time. With Devi’s presence in the things, people, and situations we dislike and like both, the chant is meant to evoke irrevocable equanimity in a devotee. Let us understand how the Devi is present everywhere and at all times.

Omnipresent: Devi is present as consciousness in everyone. There is no place where the Devi is not present.
In all forms: Nature and its distortions are all forms of the Devi. Beauty, peace are all forms of the Devi. Even if you get angry, that too is the Devi. If you fight, that too is the Devi.
Ancient & new: Every moment is alive with consciousness. Our consciousness is ‘Nith nutan’ ancient and new at the same time. Objects are either old or new, but in nature you will find the old and the new existing together. The sun is old and new too. A river has fresh water flowing in it, every moment but yet is very old. In the same way, human life is very ancient but it is new at the same time. Your mind is the same.

Happy Navaratri to you & all your near ones. May Nava Durgas bestow Her choicest blessings on you.

Jai Mata Di