The Glory of Reciting the Deeds of the Goddess
The Goddess said – O Devas, whoever praises Me with these hymns with a focused and devoted mind, I shall surely remove all their suffering. Those who recite the stories of the destruction of Madhu and Kaitabha, the slaying of Mahishasura, and the defeat of Shumbha and Nishumbha, and who listen with devotion and concentration to My Mahatmya on Ashtami, Navami or Chaturdashi, shall be freed from the effects of sin. Calamities arising from past wrongs will not trouble them, poverty will not enter their homes, and they will not suffer separation from those they love. They will also be freed from fear.
For this reason, everyone should regularly read and listen to this sacred and auspicious Mahatmya with devotion. My Mahatmya calms the suffering caused by epidemics and also protects against the different kinds of disturbances and calamities that afflict the world. Wherever this sacred account is recited properly — whether in a home, temple or other place of worship — I never abandon that place. My presence remains there.
My divine deeds should be recited and heard during worship, Havan and sacred celebrations. Whether a person performs such worship knowingly with full understanding or without knowing every detail of the ritual, I accept the offering when it is made with devotion.
During the great annual worship performed in the autumn season, whoever listens to My Mahatmya with devotion becomes free from difficulties and is blessed with prosperity, food, wealth and family well-being. By hearing My glory and these sacred stories, a person becomes fearless. The enemies of those who listen to this Mahatmya are overcome, their welfare increases and their family is filled with happiness.
Suffering is calmed, frightening dreams cease, and troubles within the home are removed. For children suffering from disturbing influences, My Mahatmya is said to bring great peace. When conflict arises between people, its recitation helps restore harmony and friendship.
This Mahatmya brings strength and spiritual support to those who hear it with devotion. A person may worship Me with flowers, Arghya, incense, fragrance, lamps and other offerings; feed Brahmins, perform Havan, carry out Abhishek regularly, offer many kinds of Bhog and give charity year after year. Yet the joy I receive from hearing this sacred account recited with devotion is equal to that received from such elaborate worship.
Listening to this Mahatmya removes the burden of wrongdoing and promotes well-being. The narration of My manifestations protects devotees from harmful beings, while the accounts of My battles describe the destruction of powerful Daityas. A person who listens to these sacred stories with faith becomes free from fear of enemies.
O Devas, the hymns with which you have praised Me, and the praise once offered to Me by Brahmaji, awaken auspicious understanding within those who recite or hear them.
If a person is lost in a forest or on a lonely road, surrounded by a forest fire, trapped by thieves, captured by enemies, pursued in the wilderness by lions, tigers or wild elephants, threatened with death by an angry ruler, caught in a boat tossed upon a stormy sea, trapped in a terrible battle, afflicted by severe suffering or overwhelmed by great danger — remembering these deeds of Mine gives them courage and protection in times of distress.
Through My grace, lions, thieves, enemies and other dangers are driven away and do not come near the devotee who remembers Me with faith.
Maharishi Medha said – After speaking these words, the immensely powerful Bhagavati Chandika disappeared before the eyes of all the Devas. With their enemies destroyed, the Devas regained their former positions and once again began receiving their rightful shares of the Yajnas. After Shumbha and Nishumbha, the enemies of the Devas, had been slain by the Goddess, the surviving Rakshasas withdrew to Patal.
O King, in this way Bhagavati Ambika, though eternal, manifests again and again for the protection of the universe. Through Her power the world comes into being, is sustained and may also become veiled in Maya; when worshipped with devotion, She grants prosperity and well-being.
O King, at the time of Mahapralaya, Bhagavati manifests as the great power of dissolution and pervades the entire universe. At different times She appears as Mahakali and in other powerful forms. Though Herself unborn, She manifests through creation.
The eternal Goddess sustains all beings. In times of prosperity She dwells within the home as Lakshmi, bringing abundance and well-being, while in times of decline She may appear as want and deprivation. When worshipped with flowers, incense, fragrance and devotion, and praised with sincerity, She grants prosperity, family blessings and an auspicious understanding of Dharma.