Few years back, I happened to listen to Sri Sengalipuram Anantharama Dikshithar’s Devi Mahatmiyam lectures…One should listen to them – Dikshitar’s narration is out of the world and so inspiring for us to follow what he says. I, for some strange reason, picked up 1-liner from that lecture where he says that “தேவி கட்க மாலா ஸ்தோத்ரம் சொன்னா தேவீ நேர்ல வந்து நிக்க மாட்டாளோ?” (Devi will become pratyaksham for one who chants Sri Devi Khadgamala Stotram). Without proper initiation I started to chant from a book. Later I was told by my friend that it needs to be initiated.

Few months later, I was at Sri Kanchi Matam and wanted to confirm this with HH Pudhu Periyava. First He corrected the way how I said “khadgamala” – I said “katkamala”  – that shows my Sanskrit illiteracy 🙂  Unfortunately Periyava had to deal with folks like me!! Later He confirmed that it should be initiated by a guru as it has beeja mantras. He suggested me to chant in front of the adishtanam and get it initiated.As my luck would have it, neither I nor the small bookstore in the matam had the book at that time. Disappointed! I came back to US and after pestering our veda teacher for a long time, I along with others were initiated on this last year or so..It takes additional 2-3 mts to chant this.

I am sure most of you know that the power of this stotra….Someone recently shared a video that depicts how each mantra relates to the Chakra..Well-done video for newbie like me..Keep focusing on the center dot and you will be surprised at the end. I see devi with many hands as dots – do you?!

Sanskrit document download here

Categories: Bookshelf

Tags: slokas, sthuthi