Devi in the Devi Bhagavatam

Om. We meditate upon that Primordial Knowledge, the embodiment of all universal consciousness. May She inspire our intellect.

O Brahmanas! Having bowed to Her beautiful lotus feet, which grant liberation to yogis, are served by Brahma and others, and are always meditated upon by great sages engaged in praise, I shall now narrate in detail with devotion this…

May that Bhagavati always grant us perfection—She who is called 'Vidya' in the Vedas, the eternal supreme Primordial Power (Adya Shakti), omniscient, expert in cutting the bonds of worldly existence, residing in all hearts, unknowable to…

Reveal that Purana bearing the name of Bhagavati, which is the sole repository of all multitudes of virtues, which is pure, which is as wonderful as the dance of the Mother of all worlds, which destroys all multitudes of impurities, and…

Even a great sinner, devoid of Vedic dharma and lacking good conduct, who listens to this supreme and excellent Srimad Purana even on a pretext, will enjoy abundant pleasures here and, at the end of the body, attain the beautiful, eternal…

O Deva! Those two wicked, pride-intoxicated Danavas born from my ear-wax, Madhu and Kaitabha, were ultimately killed only by the grace of the Goddess.

...Without a doubt, worship the lotus feet of the Goddess in the lotus of your heart. That Goddess will grant everything, whatever you may desire.

"Meditate upon Mahamaya, the eternal Goddess of Knowledge (Vidyadevi). She, who is the Supreme attribute-less Prakriti, will accomplish our purpose."

Brahma said: "Praise the Supreme Goddess, the eternal Brahmavidya, the hidden Mahamaya, who is the accomplisher of all purposes and tasks."

Hearing his words, the Vedas, possessing beautiful limbs in their embodied forms, praised that Mahamaya who is the support of the universe and attainable only through knowledge.

The Vedas said: "Salutations to You, O Goddess Mahamaya, the auspicious creator of the universe! O attributeless Mother, the Lord of all beings, who fulfills the desires of Shankara!"

"O Bhagavati! Among the gods, not even one knows Your infinite glory. You alone are the Mother of the universe here. How is it that You alone create this entire universe which is ultimately illusory (Mithya)? In this matter, O Goddess, the…

"You are desireless, yet You are the cause of all the worlds! Oh! Your character is wondrous, O Bhagavati, and it bewilders our minds. How can Your glory and attributes, which are beyond the reach of all the Vedas, be described, since even…

"O Bhagavati! Or is it that the Daityas, defeated in battle, performed severe penance in a beautiful holy place and obtained a boon from You, by which Vishnu's head has now been made to disappear? Or, O Bhavani, is it a mere amusement for…

'Then, assuming that Tamasic form exactly as he had meditated upon, I appeared there before him to grant him a vision.'

'Seated upon a lion, filled with compassion, I said to him: O highly fortunate one! Ask for a boon, O observer of good vows, I shall grant it to you.'

Hearing these words of the Goddess, the demon, filled with love, immediately circumambulated and bowed down to Her.

Seeing My form, with his eyes wide open in devotion and filled with tears of joy, he then praised Me.

Hayagriva said: Salutations to the Goddess Mahamaya, the cause of creation, preservation, and destruction! O clever one in blessing devotees, granter of desires and liberation, O auspicious Shivaa!

The Goddess said: What is your desired boon? Speak what you wish, and I shall grant it. I am highly pleased with your devotion and your wonderful penance.