#devi mahatmyam

[majestativa]

You, O Devī, […] are the sole substratum of the world.

THE DEVI MAHATMYAM — cited in Fierce Feminine Divinities of Eurasia and Latin America: Baba Yaga, Kālī, Pombagira, and Santa Muerte [Ed. Małgorzata Oleszkiewicz-Peralba], (2015)

[jukti-torko-golpo]

Lalitha Tripura Sundari

Sindhuraruna vigraham trinayanam manikya mouli spurath Thara Nayaga sekaram smitha mukhi mapina vakshoruham, Panibhayam alipoorna ratna chashakam rakthothpalam vibhrathim, Soumyam ratna gatastha raktha charanam, dhyayeth paramambikam.

[raat-jaaga-paakhi]

If You Like Baahubali, You Will Also Like These Indian Literary Works.

1. Valmiki Ramayana

This goes without saying, of course. Many before me have said it already (looking at Shubhra Di and others), and I am not adding anything new. What I can say, however, is that Baahubali is something of a fix-it universe for Ramayana, not in the sense of the plot (where Amarendra dies – damn it), but in the sense of the characterisation, not only of Amarendra/Rama, but many other characters. That being said, considering Baahubali as a fix-it for Ramayana may have a few unsettling (and ignorant) connotations too. Ones not as familiar with both the works as most people in the Baahubali fandom are, might see Baahu’s act of standing with his wife as leading to his downfall. This is not me blindly conjecturing; an acquaintance (not part of the ‘organised’ fandom) made this speculation, and I couldn’t talk them out of it even after a 20-minute (mostly one-sided, namely mine) debate.

To sum it up, it would be interesting for fans not yet familiar with Ramayana (which is quite unlikely) to go through it, if only for the sake of eyes-go-round moments where you notice the parallels and can’t help but compare between Rama and Amarendra (the fix-it characterisation that jumps out the most).

2. Adbhuta Ramayana 

I know, I know – but with the many versions floating around, I find it imperative to give credit and proper mention to each. Nothing is canon in my head, so this becomes even more important. Don’t read the entirety of it – just try to catch lines of where Sita laughs seeing Rama helpless on the battlefield and fights Sahastra Ravana himself and imagine Devasena in Sita’s place, Bhallaladeva in Ravana’s and...wait for it, Mahendra in Rama’s place. 

Seriously, whenever Mahendra was being beaten up by Bhalla, half of me was cheering for a crack AU where nice! Bhalla gives his errant, long-lost nephew a proper lesson on how to court women---‘Seriously, boy, you have my damned genes, work that charm to some use!’---in the absence of his soft-hearted father, while the other half of me wished Devasena would just snatch up a bow and an arrow from somewhere, pin Bhallaladeva to the pyre in Arjuna-style, and light him up... blast the damned Agni-prasthana.) *pants*

Thanks for coming to my TED talk. :D

3. Vyasa’s Mahabharata 

Do I have to say this? But oh, well, I said Indian literary works, so what is better than Mahabharata? As @mayavanavihariniharini aptly pointed out, we Bengalis grow up with the ‘Ja nei Bharate, ta nei Bharate’ proverb, translating to ‘That which isn’t in Bharata (Mahabharata), isn’t in Bharata (India)’. Any work – film, book, music, whatsoever – with India-centric themes will always, always, find Mahabharata to be its mother. And while (in my head) Baahubali is something of a Ramayana fix-it, it owes its spice, flavour, aroma and character (somewhat) archetypes to Mahabharata. I cannot say more; everything will pale in comparison to reading the actual text – to those who haven’t yet (again unlikely). (Also, there is the teeny-tiny fact that this has been said before.)

4. Silapaddikaram 

Repeating Shubhra Di’s rec, because this needs to be repeated. Want more of all that southern charisma and magnificence? Go for it! Ethics and doctrine are central to this story, as they are to Ramayana, Mahabharata and Baahubali itself, and you’ll find yourself in deep contemplation at times. Very thought-evoking on concepts such as relationships and governments like the monarchy. 

I would suggest Manimekalai for the lovers of sequels, but Silapaddikaram is more suited to my tastes and perception and is more relevant in the present context. Kannagi resonates strongly with Devasena, and oh, this is to fantastic, grievous courtroom scenes.

5. Rajatarangini 

I don’t know why exactly this came to my head. But there’s a lot of lineage game going on, and monarchy things, so... 

It can be monotonous, but Kalhana (the alleged writer) stresses on the exploits of a certain king Lalitaditya, who, I think, resonates a lot with the princely side of Amarendra Baahubali. There is that charismatic privilege, the gait of a king who is meant to be, the surrounding miracles... Hm. *shrugs* You may like it if you are into the fantastical side of Baahubali.

6. Devi Mahatmyam 

This list cannot be complete without the mention of this. While Devi Mahatmyam is more popular in Eastern India, especially Bengal, it is a major part of the all-India Shakti culture, and one of the first expressions of organised worship of the Female Supreme. Given Baahubali’s feminist undertones, and how most of us love it solely for Devasena and Sivagami, both of whom resonate as warrior goddesses, you will enjoy a read-through. I would suggest taking the over-reverent prayers (the least interesting parts, according to yours truly) with a pinch of salt – I personally imagine laughing at the eulogies with the Goddess to wave off the humdrum of it. Just imagine Devasena and her entirely unimpressed looks at the disguised Kattappa. *chokes*  

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Tagging @teambaahubali and @teammahishmati for Fandom Entry - Milana - Summertime Challenge. 

[vedsutras]

Durga saptashati: Vaikrutik Rahasyam (अथ वैकृतिकं रहस्यम्)

Durga saptashati Vaikrutik rahasyam ऋषिरुवाचॐ त्रिगुणा तामसी देवी सात्त्विकी या त्रिधोदिता।सा शर्वा चण्डिका दुर्गा भद्रा भगवतीर्यते॥१॥ ऋषि कहते हैं – राजन् ! पहले जिन सत्त्वप्रधाना त्रिगुणमयी महालक्ष्मी के तामसी आदि भेद से तीन स्वरूप बतलाये गये , वे ही शर्वा , चण्डिका , दुर्गा , भद्रा और भगवती आदि नामों से कही जाती हैं ॥१॥ योगनिद्रा हरेरुक्ता महाकाली तमोगुणा।मधुकैटभनाशार्थं यां…

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[vedsutras]

Durga Saptashati; Pradhanik Rahasyam-प्राधानिकं रहस्यम्

Durga Saptashati Pradhanik Rahsyam प्राधानिकं रहस्यम्

॥ Atha Pradhanikam Rahasyam ॥ ॥ अथ प्राधानिकं रहस्यम् ॥॥ विनियोगः ॥ॐ अस्य श्रीसप्तशतीरहस्यत्रयस्यनारायण ऋषिरनुष्टुप्छन्दः, महाकालीमहालक्ष्मीमहासरस्वत्यो देवतायथोक्तफलावाप्त्यर्थं जपे विनियोगः। Listen Pradhanik Rahasyam in Sanskrit राजोवाचभगवन्नवतारा मेचण्डिकायास्त्वयोदिताः। एतेषां प्रकृतिं ब्रह्मन्प्रधानं वक्तुमर्हसि॥1॥ आराध्यं यन्मया देव्याःस्वरूपं येन च द्विज। विधिना ब्रूहि…

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[jukti-torko-golpo]

Started reading Devi Mahatmyam finally....that too with Chandramukhi, my beloved.

[authorkoushik]

A talk on sarvamangala mangalye by Mantra Talks • A podcast on Anchor

A talk on meaning and explanation of sarvamangala mangalye. A shloka from devi mahathmyam ( durga saptashati) and a shloka from durga saptashloki stotra. This is a very powerful mantra praising devi and is recited to attain good fortune, luck and blessings of the goddess. follow me on facebook http://www.facebook.com/authorkoushik Follow me on my blog for related books. http://authorkoushik.tumblr.com

[auditorytrauma]

@bluesagebois