Chapter I
On the description of Gâyatrî
1-7. Nârada said :– O Deva! The rules of Sadâchâra (right ways of living) and the all-sin-destroying unequalled Glories of the Devî Bhagavatî have been described by Thee. And I, too, have heard the nectar of the Glories of the Devî from Thy lotus mouth. The Chândrâyana and other Vratas; described by Thee, are very difficult to practise. So they are impracticable with the ordinary persons. Therefore, O Lord! Kindly describe those actions which can easily be carried out by common persons, at the same time, the Devî’s Grace and Siddhis can be obtained by those practices. Again what thou hast described about the Gâyatrî in connection with Sadâchâra kindly say which are the chief and foremost as well as those that are more meritorious. O Best of the Munis! Thou hast told that there are the twenty-four syllables in the Gâyatrî. Kindly describe now their Risis, Chhandas, Devatâs and other things that should be known regarding them and thus satisfy my longings.
8-27. S’rî Nârâyana said :– O Nârada! The twice-born would have done what they ought to do if they be engaged in repeating their Gâyatrî only, whether they be able or not able to practise the Chândrâyana and the other vratas. Whichever Brâhmin repeats the Gâyatrî three thousand times and offers Arghya to the Sun in the three Sandhyâ times, the Devas worship him; what to speak of other ordinary persons! Whether he practises Nyâsa or not, if anybody sincerely repeats the Gâyatrî Devî, Whose Nature is Existence, Intelligence, and Bliss and meditates on Her, even if he attains siddhi in one syllable even, then as a result of that, he can vie with the best of the Brâhmanas, the Moon, and the Sun; nay, with Brahmâ, Visnu, and Mahes’vara even! O Nârada! Now I will tell in due order the Risis, Chhandas, and the Devatâs of the twenty-four syllables of the Gâyatrî. The Risis, in due order, are (1) Vâma Deva, (2) Attri, (3) Vas’istha, (4) S’ukra, (5) Kanva, (6) Parâs’ara, (7) the very fiery Vis’vamitra, (8) Kapila, (9) S’aunaka, (10) Yâjñavalkya, (11) Bharadvâja, (12) the ascetic Jamadagni, (13) Gautama, (14) Mudgala, (15) Vedavyâsa, (16) Lomas’a, (17) Agastya, (18) Kaus’ika, (19) Vatsya, (20) Pulastya, (21) Mânduka, (22) the ascetic in chief Durvâsâ, (23) Nârada and (24) Kas’yapa.
Now about the chhandas :–
(1) Gâyatrî,
(2) Usnik,
(3) Anustup,
(4) Brihatî,
(5) Pankti,
(6) Trisnup,
(7) Jagatî,
(8) Atijagatî,
(9) S’akkarî,
(10) Ati S’akkarî,
(11) Dhriti,
(12) Ati Dhriti,
(13) Virât,
(14) Prastârapankti,
(15) Kriti,
(16) Prâkriti,
(17) Âkriti,
(18) Vikriti,
(19) Samkriti,
(20) Aksarapankti,
(21) Bhuh,
(22) Bhuvah,
(23) Svah and
(24) Jyotismatî.
The Devatâs of the several letters in due order, are :–
(1) Agni,
(2) Prajâpati,
(3) Soma,
(4) Îs’âna,
(5) Savitâ,
(6) Âditya,
(7) Brihaspati,
(8) Maitrâvaruna,
(9) Bhagadeva,
(10) Aryamâ,
(11) Ganes’a,
(12) Tvastrâ,
(13) Pûsâ,
(14) Indrâgnî,
(l5) Vâyu,
(16) Vâmadeva,
(17) Maitrâ varunî
(18) Vis’vadeva,
(19) Mâtrikâ,
(20) Visnu,
(21) Vasu,
(22) Rudra Deva,
(23) Kuvera, and
(24) the twin As’vinî Kumâras. O Nârada! Thus I have described to you about the the Devatâs of the twenty-four syllables. The hearing of this destroys all sins and yields the full results of repeating the mantra Gâyatrî. (Note :– The Devatâs, mentioned in the Gâyatrî Brahmâ Kalpa are different from those mentioned here.)
Here ends the first Chapter of the Twelfth Book on the description of Gâyatrî in the Mahâpurânam S’rî Mad Devî Bhâgavatam of 18,000 verses by Maharsi Veda Vyâsa.
Chapter II
On the description of the S’aktis, etc., of the syllables of Gâyatrî
1-18. Nârâyana said :– O Nârada! O Great Muni! Now hear which are the S’aktis in due order of the twenty four syllables of the Gâyatrî Devî:–
(1) Vâma Devî,
(2) Priyâ,
(3) Satyâ,
(4) Vis’vâ,
(5) Bhadravilâsinî,
(6) Prabhâ Vatî,
(7) Jayâ,
(8) S’ântâ,
(9) Kântâ,
(10) Durgâ,
(11) Sarasvatî,
(12) Vidrumâ,
(13) Vis’âle’sâ,
(14) Vyâpinî,
(15) Vimalâ,
(16) Tamopahârinî,
(17) Sûksmâ,
(18) Vis’vayoni,
(19) Jayâ,
(20) Vas’â,
(21) Padmâlayâ,
(22) Parâs’obhâ,
(23) Bhadrâ, and
(24) Tripadâ.
Now hear the respective colours of the several syllables of the Gâyatrî Devî :–
(1) like Champaka and Atasî flowers,
(2) like Vidruma,
(3) like crystal,
(4) like lotus;
(5) like the Rising Sun;
(6) white like conchshell;
(7) white like Kunda flower;
(8) like Prabâla and lotus leaves;
(9) like Padmarâga,
(10) like Indranîlamani;
(11) like pearls;
(12) like Saffron;
(13) like the black collyrium of the eye;
(14) red;
(15) like the Vaidûrya mani;
(16) like Ksaudra (Champaka tree, honey, water);
(17) like turmeric;
(18) like Kunda flower; and the milk
(19) like the rays of the Sun;
(20) like the tail of the bird S’uka;
(21) like S’atapatra;
(22) like Ketakî flower;
(23) like Mallikâ flower;
(24) like Karavîra flower.
Now about their Tattvas :–
(1) earth;
(2) water;
(3) fire;
(4) air;
(5) Âkâs’a (ether);
(6) smell;
(7) taste;
(8) form;
(9) sound;
(10) touch;
(11) male generative organ;
(12) anus;
(13) legs,
(14) hands;
(15) speech;
(16) Prâna (vital breath);
(17) tongue;
(18) eyes;
(19) skin;
(20) ears;
(21) Prâna (up going breath);
(22) Apâna;
(23) Vyâna,
(24) Sâmâna.
Now about the Mudrâs of the syllables:–
(l) Sammukha;
(2) Samputa;
(3) Vitata;
(4) Vistrita;
(5) Dvimukha,
(6) Trimukha;
(7) Chaturmukha;
(8) Pañchamukha;
(9) Sanmukha;
(10) Adhomukha;
(11) Vyâpakânjali
(12) S’akata;
(13) Yamapâs’a;
(14) Grathita;
(15) Sanmukhon mukha
(16) Vilamba;
(17) Mustika;
(18) Matsya;
(19) Kûrma;
(20) Varâhaka;
(21) Simhâkrânta,
(22) Mahâkrânta;
(23) Mudgara, and
(24) Pallava.
The Mahâmudrâs of the fourth foot of Gâyatrî are
(1) Trisûlayonî
(2) Surabhi;
(3) Aksa mâlâ;
(4) Linga; and
(5) Ambuja. O Nârada! Thus I have described to you all about the Mudras, etc., of the several syllables of the Gâyatrî. If during Japam, one thinks all these and at the same time repeats, all his sins are destroyed and his wealth gets increase and the fame attends on him.
Here ends the Second Chapter of the Twelfth Book on the description of the S’aktis, etc., of the syllables of Gâyatrî in the Mahâpurânam S’rî Mad Devî Bhâgavatam of 18,000 Verses by Maharsi Veda Vyâsa.
