In Hinduism, the epithet ‘Devi’/‘Mahadevi’ represents One Goddess encompassing all female divinities as the penultimate Divine Mother or Goddess Shakti, the Cosmic Energy. Scriptures such as the Devi Bhagavata Purana, Devi Gita, Devi Upanishad, Devi Mahatmya, Lalita Sahasranama, Soundarya Lahiri, Shakta Upanishads and Tantras; all celebrate ‘Devi’ as the powerful, active, creative, transcendental principle of the Ultimate Reality (Brahman). This post attempts to capture the essence of the Devi Atharvashirsha Upanishad and Devi Mantras like the Beej Mantra Hrim, the Navarna Mantra and Srividya Panchadasi Mahamantra
Introduction to the Devi Atharvashirsha Upanishad
Devi Atharvashirsha Upanishad (composed between the 9th – 14th century) is one of the 19 Upanishads attached to the Atharvaveda. It is also one of the 5 Atharvashirsha Upanishads (others being Rudra, Ganapati, Skanda and Narayana upanishads) and one of the 8 key Shakta Upanishads.
Listed as 81st in the Muktika canon of 108 upanishads, Devi Upanishad is a crisp composition with 32 verses plus the invocation.
The foundation for this Upanishad lies in the Devi Suktam of Rigveda (mandala 10, Sukta 125, verses 1-8) that highlights the feminine principle of creative force revealing that all goddesses like Goddess Saraswati, Lakshmi, Parvati, Kali etc as manifestations of the Devi.
It is a tradition to recite this Upanishad before the Durga Saptashati/ Devi Mahatmya particularly during Navratri Puja.
The verses 8-12 of this text is a part of the Devi Stuti (from Devi Gita 1.44-1.48, which is further a part of the Devi Bhagvata purana)
Role of the Devi Atharvashirsha in the Shakta philosophy
This Upanishad reiterates that the Devi is the Ultimate Reality (Brahman), from her rise Prakriti, Purusha, Bliss, Non-Bliss,Veda- non Vedas and everything above, below around us. It reiterates what V.R. Ramchandra says, ‘Brahman is static Shakti/ Devi and Shakti is dynamic Brahman.’
This is an important scripture for the Shakta denomination of Hindus. As it is one of the eight Shakta Upanishads which stresses on the Vaidika – veda-cara or samaya-cara (right hand way) of reaching union with Self.
The others belonging to this group are Tripuratapini Upanishad (Atharva Veda), Tripura Upanishad (Rigveda), Saubhaghylaxmi Upanishad (Rigveda), Saraswatirahasya Upanishad (Krishna Yajurveda), Bhavna Upanishad (Atharvaveda), Sita Upanishad (Atharvaveda) Bahvricha Upanishad (Rigveda)
In Samaya-cara, Goddess Shakti achieves five-fold equality with Shiva in the following aspects:
(well explained in Lakshmidhara’s commentary on Soundarya Lahiri- verse 41)
- Equality of abode: Adhisthana
- Equality of condition: Avasthana
- Equality of practice: Anusthana
- Equality of form: Rupa
- Equality of name: Naman.
The objective of the Samaya-in worshipper is to attain the status of Brahman exactly like in Advaita Vedanta. Bhavna Upanishad declares that “satyam ekam lalitakhyam vastu tad advitiyam akhandartham param brahma” meaning truth is one and the various divine embodiments of Goddess Shakti like Saraswati, Lakshmi, Tripuratapini, Durga all mean the same Param Brahma.
A Samaya-in Shakta worshipper visualizes the Cosmic parents (Shiv-Shakti) in the Sahasrara chakra (Crown Chakra- Thousand petalled) above the Ajna chakra (mystic centre between the eyebrows).
Important Devi Mantra in Devi upanishad: Beej Hrim, Srividya Panchadasi & Navarna Mantra.
Devi Mantra : Srividya Panchadasi (Verse 14)
The literal translation of this verse is obstruse, as the meaning is codified. A literal, word to word explanation is further ahead where all verses are listed
For now, we need to know this:
This mystic verse refers to the Adividya, the all-important Srividya Panchadashi (15 lettered) Mahamantra
‘Kaeilahrim, Hasakahalahrim, Sakalahrim’
This is the most important mantra in Shakta tantra. But as in all mantras needs to be learnt from a Spiritual teacher who has the power to pass on the lineage and the energy related to the mantra.
Tripura Rahasya, Bhavna Upanishad, Soundarya Lahiri have presented a detailed explanation on the Srividya Panchadashi Mantra
Devi Mantra, Mono syllable Beej Hrim, (Verse 22)
The famous Devi Mantra, the Navarna (9syllabled) (Verses 24, 25)
This verse too, needs decoding to reveal the famous Chandi or Maha Chandi mantra, chanted for joy, prosperity and faster spiritual evolution.
‘Aim Hrim Klim Chamunda yai vicce’
Meaning:
Om : the Pranava; the mantra maybe prefixed with an Om.
Aim : Vak/Speech syllable (Saraswati Bija Mantra) representing the Shakti (Energy) of Desire, creation
Hrim: Maya syllable (Mahalakshmi Bija mantra) representing Action, preservation
Klim : Kama syllable (Kali Bija Mantra) representing destruction, tamo guna, energy of wisdom
Camunda: Slayer of the demons, Chanda and Munda
Yai: wish fulfiller
Vicce: perception of consciousness, in the body of knowledge.
The Complete Devi Atharvashirsha Upanishad (all verses from 1-32)
Devi Atharvashirsha Upanishad Verse 1
Um sarve vai deva devimupatasthuh kasi tvam mahadeviti.
Translation: All the Gods waited upon the Goddess and asked, “Who are you, O Mahadevi.”
Devi Atharvashirsha Upanishad Verse 2
Sabravit aham brahmaswaroopini. Matta prakritipurushatmakam jagat.
Sunyam casunyam ca. Ahamanandananandau. Aham vijnanavijnane. Aham brahmabrahmini veditavye. Itya haatharvanni Shruti.
Translation:
‘I am quintessentially Brahman. The world comprising of Prakriti, Purusha, Shunya (void) and Plenum (non-void) have emanated out of me. The Atharvan scriptures says I am all manifestations of both Bliss and Non Bliss, Knowledge and Ignorance, Brahman and Non Brahman’
Meaning: Prakriti is the primary material out of which the world of objects evolves. Purusha the Spirit as a static spectator of Prakriti.
Devi Atharvashirsha Upanishad Verse 3
Aham pancabhutanyapanchabhutani. Ahamakhilam jagat. Vedo hamavedo ha. Vidyahamavidyaham. Ajahamanajaham. Adhascordhvam ca tiryakcaham.
Translation:
‘I am the five elements and everything besides them. I am the whole world. I am the Vedas and everything besides it. I am the born as well as the unborn. I am above, below, all around (omnipresent).
Meaning : Panchabhuta means the five elements of earth, water, fire, air and akasa (space)
Devi Atharvashirsha Upanishad Verse 4
Aham rudrebhirvasubhiscarami. Ahamadityaairuta visvadevaih. Aham mitravarunavubhau bibharmi. Ahamindragni. Ahamasvinavubhau.
Translation:
I move with the Rudras and Vasus, the Adityas and Vishwadevas.
I support Mitra and Varuna, Indra and Agni and the two Ashvins.
Meaning of various Gods:
Mitra: Hindu Vedic God initially as the protector of truth/order then representing light of dawn and now as a divinity of friendship
Varuna: Hindu Vedic deity associated with the sky and the oceans also with truth and justice.
Indra: Hindu Vedic King of heavens and deities associated with thunder, rains, wars etc
Agni: Hindu Vedic God of Fire
Rudras: the eleven Rudras, forms of the Hindu Vedic god Rudra
Vasus: The eight Vasus are a group of Hindu Vedic deities associated with fire and light.
Adityas: A group of 12 deities upholding Dharma, each said to represent a month of the year
Vishwadevas: represent the Hindu Vedic gods as a whole.
Asvins: Twin Hindu Vedic deities associated with Health and medicine.
Devi Atharvashirsha Upanishad Verse 5
Aham somam tvastaram pusanam bhagam dadhami. Aham visnumurukramam brahmanamuta prajapatim dadhami.
Translation:
I uphold Soma, Tvastir, Pusan and Bhaga, Vishnu with his wide steps, Brahma and Prajapati.
Meaning : Soma: a famed heavenly drink pressed out of a plant
Tvashtr: a Hindu Vedic skillful artisan God who makes heavenly implements such as Indra’s Thunderbolt.
Pusan : an Aditya, a Hindu Vedic Solar deity, God of meetings and marriages
Bhaga:: an Aditya, a Hindu vedic God of wealth
Prajapati : Hindu Vedic deity of Creation equated with the metaphysical concept of Brahman. Sometimes als o equated to Lord Brahma.
Devi Atharvashirsha Upanishad Verse 6
Aham dadhami dravinam havismate supravya u yajamanaya sunvate.
Aham rastri sangamani vasunam cikitusi prathama yajniyanam.
Aham suve pitaramasya murdhan
Translation:
I reward those who enthusiastically offer the best oblations including the Soma, with wealth. I am the Queen, the goddess of Fortune. I place the protector above all this.
Devi Atharvashirsha Upanishad Verse 7
Mama yonirapsvantah samudre. Ya evam ved. Sa devim sampadamapnoti
Translation:
The one who understands my essence in the waters of the inner sea, he attains to my abode.
Meaning : samudre – Inner sea has been associated with the lotus of the heart present in each of us, this has been associated with the essence of the Goddess – mama yoni
Devi Atharvashirsha Upanishad Verse 8
Te deva abruvan- namo devyai mahadevyai sivayai satatam namah.
Namah prakrtyai bhadrayai niyatah pranatah sma tam.
Translation:
Then the Gods said, “Namaha (salutation) to the Devi, the Mahadevi (Great Goddess), Namaha to the propitious Shiva, for eternity, Namaha to the Prakriti, the blessed one, we bow to her eternally.
Devi Atharvashirsha Upanishad Verse 9
Tamagnivarnam tapasa jvalantim vairocanim karmaphalesu jitustam.
Durgam devim saranam prapadyamahe surannasayitryai te namah.
Translation:
Translation: Salutations to Her who is the colour of Agni, burning brightly with the fire of knowledge and ascetic austerities, prayed to for the fruits of action and protection. Oh Devi Durga, dispeller of evil (gloom and ignorance), salutations to you.
Devi Atharvashirsha Upanishad Verse 10
Devim vacamajanayanta devastam visvarupah pasavo vadanti.
Sa no mandresamurjam duhana dhenurvagasmanupa sustutaitu.
Translation: The Gods Created the radiant Devi Vak (Goddess of Speech), that the animals of the world speak. She (generously like the Kamdhenu, cow) gives us sweet foods, vigour etc, may she be pleased with our prayers and come to us.
Meaning : the cow is a metaphor here used to identify with Goddess Saraswati.
Devi Atharvashirsha Upanishad Verse 11
Kalaratrim brahmastutam vaisnavim skandamataram. Sarasvatimaditim dakshaduhitaram namamah pavanam sivam
Translation: Our salutions to Kala Ratrim (the Dark night) praised by Brahma, To Vishnus power, to Skandas mother (Parvati), To Mata Saraswati and Aditi, To Dakshas daughter (Sati) and to Holy Siva.
Meaning: Kalaratri means the night of death and destruction. Kalaratri is the name of the goddess, an avatar of Durga Devi who destroys darkness by banishing duality.
Devi Atharvashirsha Upanishad Verse 12
Mahalakshmi ca vidmahe sarvasaktyai ca dhimahi. Tanno devi pracodayat
Translation: We know the powerful Mahalaxmi, goddess of good fortune. We meditate on her, may she guide us in the right direction.
Devi Atharvashirsha Upanishad Verse 13
Aditirhyajanista daksa ya duhita tava tam deva anvajayanta bhadra amrtabandhavah
Translation: O Daksha, through you, your daughter Aditi was born, After her were born the divine Gods, friends of immortality, worthy of worship
Devi Atharvashirsha Upanishad Verse 14, Devi Mantra , Srividya Panchadasi mantra.
Kamo yonih kamala vajrapanirguha hasa matarisvabhramindrah. Punarguha sakala mayaya ca purucyaisa visvamatadividyom
Translation:
Love, yoni, kamala, bearer of the vajra (thunderbolt), cave, ha-sa, wind, cloud, Indra.
Again, cave sa-ka-la with Maya, the ancient science of the begetting of the world
Meaning: This cryptic verse refers to the Srividya Panchadashi mantra – the 15 letter Mahamantra with the syllables, ka-e-i-la-hrim. ha-sa-ka-ha-la-hrim, sa-ka-la-hrim for meditation. This is the most important mantra in Shakta tantra. But as in all mantras needs to be learnt from a Spiritual teacher who has the power to pass on the lineage and the energy related to the mantra.
When we decode what each word stands for we get the Devi mantra, Srividya Panchadasi mantra
Kama(love) stands for ‘ka’, yoni(womb) for ‘e’, kamala by ‘I’, bearer of vajra(thunderbolt) by ‘la’, guha (cave) by ‘hrim’, Matarisvan (wind) by ‘ka’, abhra (cloud) by ‘ha’, Indra by ‘la’, maya by ‘hrim’,
Thus, the Adividya referred to here can be constructed as ‘ka-e-i-la-hrim. ha-sa-ka-ha-la-hrim, sa-ka-la-hrim’
Devi Atharvashirsha Upanishad Verse 15
Esa Visvamohini. Pasankusadhanurbanadhara. Esa Srimahavidya.
Translation : This is the Shakti of the Self (Atman/Brahman), This is the world enchantress. Armed with the goad, noose, bow and arrow, this is the Sri-Mahavidya, the great holy science.
Devi Atharvashirsha Upanishad Verse 16
Ya evam veda sa sokam tarati.
Translation: This is the (vedic) knowledge of transcending grief
Devi Atharvashirsha Upanishad Verse 17
Astu bhagavati matarasman pahi sarvatah.
Translation: Salutations to you, O Bhagavati, protect us always.
Devi Atharvashirsha Upanishad Verse 18
Saisastau vasavah. Saisakadasarudrah. Saisa Dvadasadityah. Saisa Visvedevah somapa asomapasca. Saisa yatudhana asura raksamsi pisaca yaksah siddha. Saisa sattvarajastamamsi. Saisa brahmavisnurudrarupini Saisa prajapatindramanavah. Saisa grahanakshatrajyotimsi. Kala kasthadikalarupini. Taamaham pranaumi nityam.
Translation: She is the eight Vasus, 11 Rudras and the 12 Adityas. She is all the Gods , Soma drinking or not. She is (the entire range of being from demonic to divine) Yatudhan, Asura, Rakshasa, Pisaca, Yaksha, Siddha. She is Sattva Rajas Tamas, She is the Trinity of Brahma-Vishnu-Rudra. She is Prajapati, Indra and Manu. She is the planets, nakshatras and luminous stars. Salutations to her who is the many forms and many aspects of Time. She is the annihilator of sins. She is the keeper of tIme and its divisions and ancient forms. Eternal salutations to her.
Devi Atharvashirsha Upanishad Verse 19
Ta Papaharinim Devim Bhuktimuktipradayanim. Anantam Vijayam suddham saranyam sivadam sivam.
Translation:
You are the Devi who delivers from Evil, grants Bhukti (worldly joys) as well as Mukti (Liberation) who grants eternal victory (against worldly distractions), who is pure, Siva, our Refuge and giver of good.
Devi Atharvashirsha Upanishad, Devi Beej mantra Hrim, Verse 20
Viyadikarasamyuktam vitihotrasamanvitam. Ardhendulasitam devya bijam sarvarthasadhakam
Translation: The wish fulfilling Goddess mantra is syllable of Aksa/Sky(Ha) attached to the syllable ‘I’ and added to Agni/Fire (ra”) and joined to the crescent moon (am) gives the Bija mantra (seed syllable) of the Goddess “HRIM’
Devi Atharvashirsha Upanishad Verse 21
Evamekaksaram brahma yatayah suddhacetasah dhyayanti paramanandamaya jnanamburasayah
Translation: The ones who are pure (in mind and heart) meditate on this single syllable of Brahman and gain boundless joy and oceans of knowledge.
Devi Atharvashirsha Upanishad, Devi mantra Verse 22&23; The Navarna Mantra
Vanmaya brahmasustasmat sastham vaktrasamanvitam.
Suryo vamasrotrabindusamyuktastattrtiyakam
Narayanena sammisro vayuscadhararayuk tatah vicce navarnako rnah syanmahadanandadayakah
Mystic translation: Moulded by speech, born of Brahma, the sixth.
With face equipped, the sun, theleft ear where the point is, the eighth and the third conjoint.
The air with Narayana United, and with the lip, voice , nine lettered, the letter shall delight the lofty ones.
Decoded Meaning : Vak (Bija Aim for MahaSaraswati) born of Brahma, Maya (Bija Hrim for Mahalakshmi), Kama bija Klim for Mahakali the sixth consonant ca with vaktra a, surya ma, right ear u, bindu am, the third from t i.e d, With Narayana a, Vayu ya and lips ai, and vicce at the end (Aim Hrim Klim Chamundayai Vicce).
This Navarna (9 syllabled) mantra is chanted for joy, prosperity and proximity with Brahman.
Om : the Pranava
Aim : Vak/Speech syllable (Saraswati Bija Mantra) representing the Shakti (Energy) of Desire
Hrim: Maya syllable (Mahalakshmi Bija mantra) representing Action
Klim : Kama syllable (Kali Bija Mantra)
Camunda: Slayer of the demons, Chanda and Munda
Yai: wish fulfiller
Vicce: perception of consciousness, in the body of knowledge.
Devi Atharvashirsha Upanishad Verse 24
Hrtpundarikamadhyastham pratah suryasamaprabham pasankusadharam saumyam varadabhayahastakam. Trinetraom raktavasanam bhaktakamadugham bhaje
Translation: I pray to the Goddess Seated in the middle of me in the lotus heart (heart chakra), effulgent as the Sun, beautiful, red clothed, three eyed, holding a Paasha (noose) and an Ankusha (goad), with her hands in the Varad (blessing) and Abhaya mudra (protection), granting the wishes of her devotees.
Devi Atharvashirsha Upanishad Verse 25
Namami tvam mahadevim mahabhayavinasinim mahadurgaprasamanim mahakarunyararupinim
Translation: Salutations to you O Mahadevi, who annihilates the greatest fears (troubles) and is Mahadurga as in eliminating all obstacles and Mahakaruna as in endlessly compassionate.
Devi Atharvashirsha Upanishad Verse 26
Yasyah svarupam brahmadayo na jananti tasmaducyateajneya. Yasya anto na labhyate tasmaducyate Ananta . Yasya laksyam nopalaksyate tasmaducyate alaksya. Yasya jananam nopalabhyate tasmaducyte aja. Ekaiva sarvatra vartate tasmaducyate eka. Ekaiva visvarupini tasmaducyate naika. Atha Evocyate ajneyanantalaksyajaika naika.
Translation: She is called Ajneya, the Unknowable as Her True essence is unknown even to Brahma or other Gods, She is called Ananta as she limitless/endless. She is called Alakshya, Incomprehensible as Her true meaning is not known. She is called Aja, Unborn as nothing is known about her birth. She is omnipresent hence called Eka, The One. She is omniformed hence called Naika, The Many.
Thus, She is The Unknowable, The Endless, The Incomprehensible, The Unborn, The One and The Many.
Devi Atharvashirsha Upanishad Verse 27
Mantram matrka devi sabdanam jnanarupini. Jnananam cinmayatita sunyanam sunyasaksini.
Translation: Devi is the Source of all mantras, the primal of all sounds, the essence of all wisdom. Her form is beyond all cognition and she is the meditative witness to state of Shunya (void).
Devi Atharvashirsha Upanishad Verse 28
Yasyah parataram nasti saisa durga prakirtita.
Tam durgam durgamam devim duracaravighatinim. Namami bhavabhito ham samsararnavatarinim
Translation : She is renowned as Durga and there is nothing beyond Her. Fearful of (samsara) life, I bow down to the inaccessible One, the destroyer of Sins to help me steer across the sea of Samsara
Devi Atharvashirsha Upanishad Verse 29
Idamatharvasirsam yo dhite sa pancatharvasirsajapaphalamapnoti. Idamatharvasirsamajnatva yo rcam sthapayati.
Translation: The one who recites this Atharvashirsa gains the advantage of reciting five other Atharvashirsha Upanishads. Having mastered this Upanishad, one gets established in the spirit of worship.
Devi Atharvashirsha Upanishad Verse 30
Satalaksam prajaptva pi so rcasiddim na vindati. Satamastottaram casya purascaryavidhih smrtah.
Translation: One will get no credit even with 1 lac chants and consecrating an image if one does so without the knowledge of this Atharvashirsha. For Purascharana repeat this (Upanishad) 108 times.
Devi Atharvashirsha Upanishad Verse 31
Dasavaram pathedyastu sadyah papaih pramucyate. Mahadurgani tarati mahadevyah prasadatah
Translation: The one who reads this ten times is released of all sins by the grace of Maha Durga.
Devi Atharvashirsha Upanishad Verse 32
Prataradhiyano ratrikrtam papam nasayati Sayamadhiyano divasakrtam papam nasayati. Tat Sayam pratah prayunjano apapo bhavati.
Nisithe Turiyasandhyayam japtva vaksiddhibhavati.
Nutanayam pratimayam japtva devatasannidhyam bhavati.Pranapratishthayam japtva prananam pratishtha bhavati.
Bhaumasvinyam mahadevisannidhau japtva mahamrtyum tarata. ya evam vedetyupanishat.
Translation: Reading this Upanishad by the morning destroys sins of the night, reading by evening destroys sins of the morning. Reading both morning and night makes one sinless. Reading it in the midnight during Turiya gives one the powers of speech (Vak siddhi). Chanting it before a new image activates the presence of the deity. Chanting this while newly consecrating an image energizes it. Chanting this Upanishad on a Tuesday under Ashwini, one overcomes death. This is the great secret.
References:
a) The Sakta Upanishads with the commentary of Sri UpanisadBrahmayogin, The Adyar Library
b)Krishna Warrier’ translation on the Sakta Upanishads. (Devi Upanishad)
