Devi Bhagavatam 9.46.55 — Devotion & Grace of the Goddess, Skandha 9, Adhyaya 46, Shloka 55

Shashthi Upakhyana Varnanam: The Story of Goddess Shashthi

Devanagari script

अष्टाक्षरं महामन्त्रं यथाशक्ति जपेन्नरः । ततः स्तुत्वा च प्रणमेद्‍भक्तियुक्तः समाहितः

Transliteration

aṣṭākṣaraṃ mahāmantraṃ yathāśakti japennaraḥ . tataḥ stutvā ca praṇamed‍bhaktiyuktaḥ samāhitaḥ

Translation

Man sollte dieses achtsilbige Mahamantra nach seinen Fähigkeiten rezitieren. Dann sollte man sie mit Hingabe und konzentriertem Geist preisen und sich verneigen.

Word by Word

• aṣṭākṣaram: eight-syllabled
• aṣṭākṣaram: Attribute
• Type: Adjective
• Root: aṣṭākṣara
• Form: Masc. Acc. Sing.

• mahāmantram: great mantra
• mahāmantram: Object
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahāmantra
• Form: Masc. Acc. Sing.

• yathāśakti: as per capacity
• yathāśakti: null
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yathāśakti
• Form: null

• japet: should chant
• japet: Predicate
• Type: Verb
• Root: jap
• Form: 3rd Sing. Optative (vidhilin)

• naraḥ: a man
• naraḥ: Subject
• Type: Noun
• Root: nara
• Form: Masc. Nom. Sing.

• tataḥ: then
• tataḥ: null
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatas
• Form: null

• stutvā: having praised
• stutvā: null
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: stu
• Form: Gerund (ktvā)

• ca: and
• ca: null
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca
• Form: null

• praṇamet: should bow
• praṇamet: Predicate
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra-nam
• Form: 3rd Sing. Optative (vidhilin)

• bhaktiyuktaḥ: filled with devotion
• bhaktiyuktaḥ: Attribute
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bhaktiyukta
• Form: Masc. Nom. Sing.

• samāhitaḥ: composed
• samāhitaḥ: Attribute
• Type: Adjective
• Root: samāhita
• Form: Masc. Nom. Sing.

Speaker

Narayana

Shakti Theology

Devi Form: Shashthi

Mahavidya Connection: null

Shakti Manifestation: Mantra Swarupa

Tattva Discussed: Vidya

Devi Narrative

Demon Antagonist: null

Devi Weapon Used: null

Narrative Source: null

Story Arc Position: setup

Tantra Dimension

Mantra Referenced: Ashtakshara Mahamantra

Yantra Referenced: null

Kundalini Element: null

Chakra Referenced: null

Tantric Practice Type: Japa

Bhakti & Stuti

Stuti Type: Stotra

Recitation Occasion: Daily

Phala Shruti: null

Devotee Offering Stuti: Devotee

Cosmic Feminine

Maya Aspect: null

Creation Role: null

Shakti Philosophy: Bhakti

Relation To Brahman: null

Vyasa-Janamejaya Dialogue

Narrator: Narayana

Listener: Narada

Dialogue Context: Instructions on Shashthi Devi worship

Narrative Layer: embedded

Ritual Context

Text: Instructions for Japa (repetition of mantra) following the formal offerings.

Philosophical Significance

Text: Emphasizes that true worship requires both vocal repetition (Japa) and a concentrated, devoted mind (Samahita).

Characters & Entities

• Mahamantra

FAQs

How many syllables are in the Shashthi Mula Mantra?

The mantra 'Om Hrim Shashthi Devyai Svaha' is an Ashtakshara (eight-syllabled) Mahamantra.

What should a devotee do after chanting?

After chanting the mantra according to one's capacity, the devotee should offer prayers (Stuti) and bow down with deep devotion and concentration.