Essence Of Devi Bhagavatha Purana

Devi Bhagavata ‘Phala Sruti’ ( Benefits of Reading and Hearing)

While Devi Bhagavati gave half a ‘Sloka’ or Stanza to Maha Vishnu  converted as a toddler on a banyan leaf floating on water at Pralaya) that ‘all being witnessed was Her Maya and nothing else is eternal. , Lord Brahma Himself expanded the other half of the Stanza into Koti (Crore) Stanzas and to teach his Son Suka Muni, Veda Vyasa transcripted a condensed version of Devi Bhagavata as a Maha Purana into Eighteen Thousand Stanzas in Twelve Cantos.

At the ‘Phalasruti’ at the end of Devi Bhagavata Vyasa blessed those who read, hear or cogitate (Pathanam, Sravanam and Mananam) with excellent guidance, prosperity, contentment,. Vyasa said that the readers of Devi Bhagavata were eligible for success in life, good offspring, knowledge and expansion of outlook in life. He assured that Devis Lakshmi, Sarasvati and Parvati symbolising wealth, wisdom and Energy respectively would stay together in the house of that person who would read Devi Bhagavata. No evil spirit could dare enter the premise of that devotee. Even small fevers and indispositions, let alone longstanding and nagging diseases would be ever suffered by such readers. Even a few pages of the Glories of Devi Bhagavati by reading or hearing Devi Bhagavata would certainly ensure purity of blood and digestive system, warding off blood pressure and diabetes among others. Indeed during the Navarathras, one’s own reading or hearing from a good Brahmana would yield  excellent well being and happiness.

‘Na mantram no yantram thadapi cha na jane stutimaho /
 na cha-ahvaanam dhyanam tadapi cha na jane stuti kadha /
na jane mudraasthe tadapi cha na jane vilapanam /
param jane Matha thwad- anusaranam klesa haranam.’
            
( From Devyaparadha Kshamapana Stotram by Sri Adi Sankaracharya)

            I am not conversant with Mantras, Yantras, Hymns of Praise, Invocations, Meditation,
            Stories of  Your Glories, ‘Mudras’( Signs) and implorations ; yet I know that if I  follow You,
            I will certainly overcome my tribulations.