Adhyaya 43

Verse 1

स्वाहोपाख्यानवर्णनम् नारद उवाच नारायण महाभाग नारायण महाप्रभो । रूपेणैव गुणेनैव यशसा तेजसा त्विषा

The Description of the Story of Swaha. Narada said: O highly fortunate Narayana! O great Lord Narayana! By your form, qualities, fame, brilliance, and splendor...

Verse 2

त्वमेव ज्ञानिनां श्रेष्ठः सिद्धानां योगिनां मुने । तपस्विनां मुनीनां च परो वेदविदांवर

O Sage! You alone are the foremost among the wise, the Siddhas, the Yogis, the ascetics, the sages, and the greatest among the knowers of the Vedas.

Verse 3

महालक्ष्म्या उपाख्यानं विज्ञातं महदद्‍भुतम् । अन्यत्किञ्चिदुपाख्यानं निगूढं वद साम्प्रतम्

The immensely wonderful story of Mahalakshmi has been understood. Now, please narrate some other deeply secret and profound story.

Verse 4

अतीव गोपनीयं यदुपयुक्तं च सर्वतः । अप्रकाश्यं पुराणेषु वेदोक्तं धर्मसंयुतम्

(Tell me that which is) extremely confidential, useful in all respects, unrevealed in the Puranas, rooted in the Vedas, and endowed with Dharma.

Verse 5

श्रीनारायण उवाच नानाप्रकारमाख्यानमप्रकाश्यं पुराणतः । श्रुतं कतिविधं गूढमास्ते ब्रह्मन् सुदुर्लभम्

Sri Narayana said: O Brahman! There are various kinds of unpublished stories from the Puranas that I have heard, which are extremely secret and very difficult to attain.

Verse 6

तेषु यत्सारभूतं च श्रोतुं किं वा त्वमिच्छसि । तन्मे ब्रूहि महाभाग पश्चाद्वक्ष्यामि तत्पुनः

Among those, which essential one do you wish to hear? Tell me that, O highly fortunate one, and then I shall narrate it to you.

Verse 7

नारद उवाच स्वाहा देवी हविर्दाने प्रशस्ता सर्वकर्मसु । पितृदाने स्वधा शस्ता दक्षिणा सर्वतो वरा

Narada said: Goddess Swaha is praised in the offering of oblations (havis) in all rituals; Swadha is praised in offerings to the ancestors (Pitris), and Dakshina is supreme everywhere.

Verse 8

एतासां चरितं जन्मफलं प्राधान्यमेव च । श्रोतुमिच्छामि त्वद्वक्त्राद्‌वद वेदविदांवर

I wish to hear from your mouth their life stories, the fruits of their births, and their primary importance. Please speak, O best among the knowers of the Vedas.

Verse 9

सूत उवाच नारदस्य वचः श्रुत्वा प्रहस्य मुनिसत्तमः । कथां कथितुमारेभे पुराणोक्तां पुरातनीम्

Suta said: Hearing Narada's words, the best of sages (Narayana) smiled and began to narrate the ancient story described in the Puranas.

Verse 10

श्रीनारायण उवाच सृष्टेः प्रथमतो देवाः स्वाहारार्थं ययुः पुरा । ब्रह्मलोकं ब्रह्मसभामाजग्मुः सुमनोहराम्

Sri Narayana said: In the very beginning of creation, the gods, for the sake of their own sustenance, went to Brahmaloka and arrived at the highly beautiful assembly of Brahma.

Verse 11

गत्वा निवेदनं चक्रुराहारहेतुकं मुने । ब्रह्मा श्रुत्वा प्रतिज्ञाय निषेवे श्रीहरिं परम्

O Sage! Having gone there, they made a petition regarding their food. Hearing this, Brahma made a promise and then worshipped the Supreme Sri Hari.

Verse 12

नारद उवाच यज्ञरूपो हि भगवान् कलया च बभूव ह । यज्ञे यद्यद्धविर्दानं दत्तं तेभ्यश्च ब्राह्मणैः

Narada said: The Lord indeed manifested as Yajna through His partial expansion. Whatever oblations are given to them in the sacrifice by the Brahmanas...

Verse 13

श्रीनारायण उवाच हविर्ददति विप्राश्च भक्त्या च क्षत्रियादयः । सुरा नैव प्राप्नुवन्ति तद्दानं मुनिपुङ्‌गव

Sri Narayana said: (Though) Brahmanas, Kshatriyas, and others offer oblations with devotion, the gods do not receive those offerings, O best of sages!

Verse 14

देवा विषण्णास्ते सर्वे तत्सभां च ययुः पुनः । गत्वा निवेदनं चक्रुराहाराभावहेतुकम्

All the gods became dejected and went back to his (Brahma's) assembly. Having gone there, they petitioned him regarding the lack of their food.

Verse 15

ब्रह्मा श्रुत्वा तु ध्यानेन श्रीकृष्णं शरणं ययौ । पूजाञ्चकार प्रकृतेध्यानेनैव तदाज्ञया

Hearing this, Brahma took refuge in Sri Krishna through meditation. By His command, he then worshipped Prakriti (the Supreme Goddess) through meditation.

Verse 16

प्रकृतेः कलया चैव सर्वशक्तिस्वरूपिणी । अतीव सुन्दरी श्यामा रमणीया मनोहरा

From a portion of Prakriti, a Goddess who is the embodiment of all powers, extremely beautiful, dark-complexioned (Shyama), delightful, and captivating...

Verse 17

ईषद्धास्यप्रसन्नास्या भक्तानुग्रहकातरा । उवाचेति विधेरग्रे पद्मयोने वरं वृणु

...with a face pleased by a gentle smile, and eagerly compassionate to bless her devotees, appeared before Brahma and said: "O Lotus-born! Ask for a boon."

Verse 18

विधिस्तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा सम्भ्रमात्समुवाच ताम् । प्रजापतिरुवाच त्वमग्नेर्दाहिका शक्तिर्भव यातीव सुन्दरी

Hearing her words, Brahma respectfully said to her. Prajapati said: "O extremely beautiful one! May you become the burning power (Dahika Shakti) of Agni (Fire)."

Verse 19

दग्धुं न शक्तः प्रकृतीर्हुताशश्च त्वया विना । त्वन्नामोच्चार्य मन्त्रान्ते यो दास्यति हविर्नरः

"Without you, Agni (Hutasha) is unable to consume the oblations. A person who offers oblations while pronouncing your name at the end of the mantra..."

Verse 20

सुरेभ्यस्तत्प्राप्नुवन्ति सुराः सानन्दपूर्वकम् । अग्नेः सम्पत्स्वरूपा च श्रीरूपा सा गृहेश्वरी

The gods shall receive it with joy. You shall be the very essence of Agni's wealth, the embodiment of Sri, and the mistress of his home.

Verse 21

देवानां पूजिता शश्वन्नरादीनां भवाम्बिके । ब्रह्मणश्च वचः श्रुत्वा सा विषण्णा बभूव ह

O Mother Ambika! May you be eternally worshipped by gods and men alike. Hearing Brahma's words, she became despondent.

Verse 22

तमुवाच ततो देवी स्वाभिप्रायं स्वयम्भुवम् । स्वाहोवाच अहं कृष्णं भजिष्यामि तपसा सुचिरेण च

Then the Goddess revealed her intent to the self-born Brahma. Swaha said: 'I shall worship Krishna through long and arduous penance.'

Verse 23

ब्रह्मंस्तदन्यं यत्किञ्चित्स्वप्नवद्‌ भ्रममेव च । विधाता जगतस्त्वं च शम्भुर्मृत्युञ्जयो विभुः

O Brahma! Everything else is but a fleeting illusion, like a dream. You are the creator of the world, and the all-pervading Shambhu is the conqueror of death.

Verse 24

बिभर्ति शेषो विश्वं च धर्मः साक्षी च धर्मिणाम् । सर्वाद्यपूज्यो देवानां गणेषु च गणेश्वरः

Shesha supports the universe, Dharma is the witness of the righteous, and Ganesha is the first to be worshipped among all the gods and Ganas.

Verse 25

प्रकृतिः सर्वसम्पूज्या यत्प्रसादात्पुराभवत् । ऋषयो मुनयश्चैव पूजिता यन्निषेवया

By whose grace Prakriti became worthy of universal worship, and by whose service the Rishis and Munis attain their revered status...

Verse 26

तत्पादपद्मं नियतं भावेन चिन्तयाम्यहम् । पद्मास्या पाद्यमित्युक्त्वा पद्मनाभानुसारतः

...I constantly meditate upon His lotus feet with devotion. Having said this, the lotus-faced Goddess, following the path of Padmanabha...

Verse 27

जगाम तपसे देवी ध्यात्वा कृष्णं निरामयम् । तपस्तेपे वर्षलक्षमेकपादेन पद्मजा

...went to perform penance, meditating on the flawless Krishna. The lotus-born Goddess performed austerities for a hundred thousand years standing on one foot.

Verse 28

तदा ददर्श श्रीकृष्णं निर्गुणं प्रकृतेः परम् । अतीव कमनीयं च रूपं दृष्ट्वा च रूपिणी

Then she beheld Sri Krishna, who is beyond the Gunas and superior to Prakriti. Seeing His exceedingly attractive form, the beautiful Goddess...

Verse 29

मूर्च्छां सम्प्राप कालेन कामेशस्य च कामुकी । विज्ञाय तदभिप्रायं सर्वज्ञस्तामुवाच ह

...overcome with desire for the Lord of Love, eventually fainted. Knowing her heart's desire, the omniscient Lord spoke to her.

Verse 30

समुत्थाप्य च तां क्रोडे क्षीणाङ्‌गीं तपसा चिरम् । श्रीभगवानुवाच वाराहे वै त्वमंशेन मम पत्‍नी भविष्यसि

Lifting her, whose body was emaciated by long penance, onto His lap, the Supreme Lord said: "In the Varaha Kalpa, you shall become my wife by a part of your expansion."

Verse 31

नाम्ना नाग्नजिती कन्या कान्ते नग्नजितस्य च । अधुनाग्नेर्दाहिका त्वं भव पत्‍नी च भामिनी

"O beloved! You will be the daughter of Nagnajit, named Nagnajiti. For now, O beautiful one, become the burning power (Dahika) and the wife of Agni."

Verse 32

मन्त्राङ्‌गरूपा पूज्या च मत्प्रसादाद्‌ भविष्यसि । वह्निस्त्वां भक्तिभावेन सम्पूज्य च गृहेश्वरीम्

"By My grace, you will become an essential part of the mantras and be worshipped. Agni will worship you with devotion as the mistress of his house..."

Verse 33

रमिष्यति त्वया सार्धं रामया रमणीयया । इत्युक्त्वान्तर्दधे देवो देवीं सम्भाष्य नारद

"...and will rejoice with you, a delightful and beautiful woman." O Narada, having spoken thus to the Goddess, the Lord disappeared.

Verse 34

तत्राजगाम सन्त्रस्तो वह्निर्ब्रह्मनिदेशतः । सामवेदोक्तध्यानेन ध्यात्वा तां जगदम्बिकाम्

Then, by the command of Brahma, the frightened Agni came there. Meditating on that Mother of the Universe according to the Dhyana prescribed in the Sama Veda...

Verse 35

सम्पूज्य परितुष्टाव पाणिं जग्राह मन्त्रतः । तदा दिव्यं वर्षशतं स रेमे रामया सह

...he worshipped and pleased her, and took her hand in marriage with Vedic mantras. Then he rejoiced with that beautiful woman for a hundred divine years.

Verse 36

अतीव निर्जने देशे सम्भोगसुखदे सदा । बभूव गर्भस्तस्यां च हुताशस्य च तेजसा

In an extremely secluded place that always yielded the pleasure of union, she conceived a child through the vital seed (tejas) of Agni.

Verse 37

तं दधार च सा देवी दिव्यं द्वादशवत्सरम् । ततः सुषाव पुत्रांश्च रमणीयान्मनोहरान्

The Goddess carried that fetus for twelve divine years. Then she gave birth to delightful and charming sons.

Verse 38

दक्षिणाग्निगार्हपत्याहवनीयान् क्रमेण च । ऋषयो मुनयश्चैव ब्राह्मणाः क्षत्रियादयः

They were Dakshinagni, Garhapatya, and Ahavaniya in order. Rishis, Munis, Brahmanas, Kshatriyas, and others...

Verse 39

स्वाहान्तं मन्त्रमुच्चार्य हविर्दानं च चक्रिरे । स्वाहायुक्तं च मन्त्रं च यो गृह्णाति प्रशस्तकम्

...offered oblations while pronouncing the mantra ending with 'Swaha'. Whoever receives an excellent mantra appended with 'Swaha'...

Verse 40

सर्वसिद्धिर्भवेत्तस्य मन्त्रग्रहणमात्रतः । विषहीनो यथा सर्पो वेदहीनो यथा द्विजः

One attains all perfections merely by receiving that mantra. Just as a snake without venom, or a twice-born (Brahmana) without the Vedas...

Verse 41

पतिसेवाविहीना स्त्री विद्याहीनो यथा पुमान् । फलशाखाविहीनश्च यथा वृक्षो हि निन्दितः

...or a woman devoid of service to her husband, or a man devoid of knowledge, or a tree devoid of fruits and branches is indeed condemned...

Verse 42

स्वाहाहीनस्तथा मन्त्रो न हुतः फलदायकः । परितुष्टा द्विजाः सर्वे देवाः सम्प्रापुराहुतीः

...similarly, a mantra without 'Swaha' does not yield fruit when offered as an oblation. All the twice-born were highly satisfied, and the gods received their oblations.

Verse 43

स्वाहान्तेनैव मन्त्रेण सफलं सर्वमेव च । इत्येवं कथितं सर्वं स्वाहोपाख्यानमुत्तमम्

Only with the mantra ending in 'Svaha' does everything become fruitful. Thus, the excellent story of Svaha has been narrated in its entirety.

Verse 44

सुखदं मोक्षदं सारं किं भूयः श्रोतुमिच्छसि । नारद उवाच स्वाहापूजाविधानं च ध्यानं स्तोत्रं मुनीश्वर

Narayana asked: This is the essence, bestowing happiness and liberation. What more do you wish to hear? Narada replied: O Lord of Munis, tell me the rules of worship, meditation, and the hymn (stotra) of Svaha.

Verse 45

सम्पूज्य वह्निस्तुष्टाव येन तद्वद मे प्रभो । श्रीनारायण उवाच ध्यानं च सामवेदोक्तं स्तोत्रपूजाविधानकम्

Narada continued: O Lord, tell me how Agni (Fire) worshipped and praised her. Sri Narayana said: I shall tell you the meditation mentioned in the Sama Veda, along with the rules for her stotra and worship.

Verse 46

वदामि श्रूयतां ब्रह्मन् सावधानो मुनीश्वर । सर्वयज्ञारम्भकाले शालग्रामे घटेऽथवा

Narayana said: I am speaking, listen carefully, O Brahman, O Lord of Munis! At the beginning of all Yagyas (sacrifices), either in a Shalagrama stone or in a Kalasha (water pot)...

Verse 47

स्वाहां सम्पूज्य यत्‍नेन यज्ञं कुर्यात्कलाप्तये । स्वाहां मन्त्राङ्‌गयुक्तां च मन्त्रसिद्धिस्वरूपिणीम्

...one should worship Svaha with great effort to attain the full fruits of the sacrifice. Svaha is integral to the parts of the mantra and is the very embodiment of mantra-siddhi (perfection of mantras).

Verse 48

सिद्धां च सिद्धिदां नॄणां कर्मणां फलदां शुभाम् । इति ध्यात्वा च मूलेन दत्त्वा पाद्यादिकं नरः

She is perfected (Siddha), the bestower of success to humans, the giver of the fruits of actions, and highly auspicious. Meditating on her thus, offering water for feet (Padya) and other articles using the Mula Mantra, a person...

Verse 49

सर्वसिद्धिं लभेत्स्तुत्वा मूलमन्त्रं मुने शृणु । ॐ ह्रीं श्रीं वह्निजायायै देव्यै स्वाहेत्यनेन च

...attains all perfections by praising her. Listen to the Mula Mantra, O Sage: 'Om Hrim Shrim Vahnijayayai Devyai Svaha'.

Verse 50

यः पूजयेच्च तां भक्त्या सर्वेष्टं सम्भवेद्‌ ध्रुवम् । वह्निरुवाच स्वाहा वह्निप्रिया वह्निजाया सन्तोषकारिणी

He who worships her with devotion using this mantra will certainly have all his desires fulfilled. Agni said: 'Svaha, the beloved of Fire, the wife of Fire, the cause of satisfaction...'

Verse 51

शक्तिः क्रिया कालदात्री परिपाककरी ध्रुवा । गतिः सदा नराणां च दाहिका दहनक्षमा

She is Shakti, Kriya, the giver of time, the one who brings things to maturity, eternal, the constant refuge of men, the burning power, and capable of burning.

Verse 52

संसारसाररूपा च घोरसंसारतारिणी । देवजीवनरूपा च देवपोषणकारिणी

She is the essence of the world, the deliverer from the terrible ocean of Samsara, the life-force of the gods, and the nourisher of the gods.

Verse 53

षोडशैतानि नामानि यः पठेद्‍भक्तिसंयुतः । सर्वसिद्धिर्भवेत्तस्य इह लोके परत्र च

He who reads these sixteen names with devotion achieves all perfections (siddhis) both in this world and in the next.

Verse 54

नाङ्‌गहीनं भवेत्तस्य सर्वं कर्म सुशोभनम् । अपुत्रो लभते पुत्रं भार्याहीनो लभेत्प्रियाम्

None of his actions will remain defective or incomplete; all his deeds will become highly auspicious. A sonless man obtains a son, and a wifeless man obtains a beloved wife.

Verse 55

रम्भोपमां स्वकान्तां च सम्प्राप्य सुखमाप्नुयात्

Obtaining a beautiful wife resembling the celestial nymph Rambha, he attains great happiness.

Verse 999

इति श्रीमद्देवीभागवते महापुराणेऽष्टादशसाहस्र्यां संहितायां नवमस्कन्धे नारायणनारदसंवादे स्वाहोपाख्यानवर्णनं नाम त्रिचत्वारिंशोऽध्यायः

Thus ends the forty-third chapter titled 'The Narration of the Story of Svaha' in the dialogue between Narayana and Narada in the ninth Skandha of the Srimad Devi Bhagavatam, the Mahapurana of 18,000 verses.