Essence Of Devi Bhagavatha Purana

Worship of Devi Radha and Devi Durga

The highest manifestaions of Mula Prakriti are Devis Radha and Durga, told Sage Narayana to Narada Muni. Radha ( Maha Lakshmi) represents ‘Prana’ or Life while Durga provides ‘Buddhi’ or Awareness ( Jnana). The entire Universe is originated and guided by these two Shakties. The Mula Mantra  to invoke Devi Radha-Radhinoti or the Fulfiller of Desires- is Om Sri Radhayi Svaha is indeed a powerful one, handed over from Krishna (Maha Vishnu) Himself to Brahma downwards.

First and foremost, the ‘Ashta dala’ ( eight-petalled) Lotus be arranged to accommodate the eight forms of Radha Shakti be invoked one by one: clock-wise East of the petal be seated Malavati with Devi Radha in the Center, Madhavi on South East corner, Ratna Mala in South, Susila on South West, Sasikala on West, Devi Parijata on North West, Parvati on North and Sundari on North East. Outside this Region be seated the Sapta Matrikas Viz. Brahmi, Mahesi, Vishnavi, Indrani, Kaumari, Varahi and Chamundi.On the Bhupuras –the Entry points of the ‘Yantra’ be placed the ‘Ashta Dikpalas’ Indra in the East, Agni in South East, Yama in South, Niruti in South West, Varuna West, Kubera North and Easana in North East, besides the Armoury of Devi be also accomodated in the outside region. Then each of the Sevas like Avahana, Asana and so on to the Devi Radha and the various Deities arranged in the Yantra be performed by reciting the Mula Mantra at each of the Sixteen Services be executed. Therafter, recitation of Thousand Names ( Sahasra Namas) of Devi be performed diligently as also the Radha Stotra.
As regards worship to Durga, another part of Mula Prakrti, Maha Deva and Maha Vishnu lead the list and whoever is faced even with highly insurmountable problems are successful in their overcoming these, provided the prayers are sincere and truthful. The Mula Mantra of Devi Durga states: Om Aim Hrim Klim Chamundayai Vicchhe. Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesa are the Rishis of this Mantra; Gayatri, Usnik and Anushthup are the ‘Chhandas’; Maha Kali, Maha Lakshmi and Sarasvati are the Deities; Raktadantika, Durga and Bhramari are the Seeds ( Bijas); Nanda, Sakambhari and Bhramari are the Shaktis; Dharma ( Virtue), Artha ( Prospertity) and Kama ( Desires) are the application prospects; consider the devotee’s head represents the Rishis of the Mantra, mouth as the Chhandas, and the heart as the Deities; Shaktis as the right part of the devotee’s body and the left part as the Bija of the Mantra. Thus fixing the above, the devotee must perform ‘Kara Nyasa’ as follows:

Aim Hridayaya Namah, Hrim Sirase Svaha, Klim Sikhayam  Vasat, Chamundayai Kavachayi Hum, Vichhe Netrabhyam  Voushat, Aim Hrim Klim Chamundayai Karatalaprushthabhya Phut. Then Anga Nyasam be performed by touching the body parts concerned as follows: Aim Namah Sikhaya, ( touch the tuft), Hrim Namah ( touch the right eye), Klim Namah ( left eye), Cha Namah ( right ear), Mum Namah ( left ear), ndam (nostrils), Vim Namah ( on the face),Chhe(Prushtha), then, Aim Hrim Klim Chamundayai Vicche( the whole body) Dhyanam to Durga should follow to say that She as Chamundi with ten hands and ten weapons,viz. Khadga (Axe), Chakra (discus), Gada ( Mace), Bana ( Arrows), Chapa ( Bow), Parigha, Sula ( Spear), Sword, and Kapala; that She is three eyed Maha Kaliwith black colour, frightening to Rakshasas,with ten faces and ten feet. In case of  Maha Lakshmi, She  has twenty hands with a thunderbolt, water pot, Kamandalu, Padma ( lotus), Pasa (noose), Surapatra ( pot for liquour), Ghanta( Bell), Sudarsana (Cutting wheel), Shakti ( Weapon) and a Danda ( rod) in addition to those of  Chamundi’s ten hands and accompaniments; and as  Sarasvathi with ten hands and armoury as of Chamundi. All the Deities be thus  worshipped as per Yantra of a Triangle with an eight petal lotus format  and with twenty four leaves, placing Brahma and Sarasvati on the East, Vishnu and Lakshmi in Niruti, Sankara and Parvati in the Vayavya corner, Lion in the North of the Devi, on the left side of the Devi, as also Mahisha in a corner. In the Central place be seated the Deities viz. Jaya, Vijaya, Ajita, Aghra, Mangala and other Pita Shaktis; then worship Nandaja, Sakambhari, Raktadanta, Siva, Durga, Bhima, and Bhramari. Do worship later on the eight  petals with the following viz. Brahma, Mahesvari, Kaumari, Vaishnavi, Varahi, Narasimhi, Aindri and Chamundi. Further worship on the twenty four leaves be performed with:Vishnu Maya, Chetana, Buddhi , Nidra, Hunger, Shadow, Shakti, Thirst, Shanti, Species ( Jati), Modesty, Shanti, Faith, Lakshmi ( Wealth), Fortitude, Vriti, Sruti, Kirti, Smriti, Daya, Tusti, Pusthi (Nourishment) , Bhranti  and Matrikas. On the corners of Bhupura or entry points of the Yantra be worshipped Ganesha, Kshetrapalakas, Vatuka and Yoginis. Outside of the Yantra be worshippped to Indra and other Devas along with their weapons. Mula Prakriti be worshipped compositely according to Chandi Patha or Saptasati Stotra. Indeed this method, if followed, Mula Prakriti as Durga would indeed  be beneficial for the attainment of the ‘Chaturvidha’ or four types of ‘Paramarthas’ of Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha!