The Chandi Path is the recitation of the adventures of She Who Tears Apart Thoughts. Also called the Durga Saptasati, the Seven Hundred Verses in Praise of She Who Removes all Difficulties, and Devi Mahatmyam, the Glory of the Goddess, the Chandi Path is a scripture found in the ancient Markandeya Purana.
It is a practical training manual which helps us to transition from the night of duality to the dawn of light, in which we see that the Goddess is One and all has emanated from Her.
The Chandi is a story about our own lives and all the characters within it. In studying the Chandi Path we learn how to create a balance between Too Much and Too Little, how to surrender the arrogance of the Great Ego, and how to cut through the selfishness of Self Conceit and Self Deprecation.
Chandi Path Video Class 1: Introduction
Overview of the Chandi Path
This video class introduces the Chandi Path by explaining the origins, purpose and contents of the scripture. It also overviews the various limbs of the Chandi Path which are chants recited before and after the body of the text. In overviewing the contents of the book this video class also introduces us to the meanings behind many of the different demons found throughout the episodes that represent various negativity qualities in our lives that the Divine Mother destroys and purifies.
Chandi Path Video Class 2: Introduction
continued
Beginning Worship
This video class shows us the method to begin worship and the mantras which are chanted prior to the beginning the recitation of the Chandi Path. The meanings and translation of the mantras are also explained. Most importantly, as this video class reminds us, these mantras are a way to express our gratitude for being given the privilege to sit and perform worship. Before the start of any worship we will always want to say, “Thank you for the privilege of being able to sit in Your presence and offer my devotion”.
Chandi Path Video Class 3: Atha Sapta Sloki Durga
The Seven Verses That Express the Essence of Durga
This video class explains how to take the Sankalpa (the resolve) to perform the Chandi Path and gives an explanation of the meaning behind taking the Sankalpa vow. It also explains and demonstrates the mantras recited after taking the Sankalpa. The class also explains and translates the Sapta Sloki Durga, the Seven Verses That Express the Essence of Durga, She Who Relieves all Difficulties.
Chandi Path Video Class 4: Sri Durgastottara Satanama Stotram
The 108 Names of Durga
This video class explains the Sri Durgastottara Satanama Stotram meaning and translation of The Song Containing the 108 names of the Respected Reliever of Difficulties. These 108 names are indicative of the 108 qualities that every devotee will want to inculcate and exemplify in their daily behaviors. Cleansing of the hands and mouth with water is demonstrated after as well. Then the Sapoddhara mantra, the mantra that removes the curses, Utkilana mantra, the mantra that opens the pin, Mrtasamjivani mantra, the mantra that bestows life from death and Sapavimocana mantra, the mantra that removes the curses are all explained in detail.
Chandi Path Video Class 5: Atha Brahmadi Sapa Vimocanam
Removal of the Curses
This video class explains the Brahmadi Sapa Vimocanam, The Removal of the Curses by Brahma and others. The video class first demonstrates the recitation of these mantras and then gives the translation and meaning behind the mantras. The brahmadi sapa vimocanam gives us an overview of the contents of the Chandi Path through its’ verses and gives us the proper understanding that the Chandi should be chanted for our own personal transformation, not for selfish gain and self-aggrandizement.
Chandi Path Video Class 6: Devyah Kavacam
The Armor of the Goddess
This video class explains the Devyah Kavacam, The Armor of the Goddess, it contains both the Sanskrit mantras and their translation. This video demonstrates and explains how we establish the energies of the Goddesses all throughout our bodies and how we establish her vibration inside us like a suit of armor. By the application of these mantras we become centered in oneness with the Goddess.
Chandi Path Video Class 7: Athargala Stotram
The Praise that Unfastens the Bolt
This video class explains the Argala Stotram, The Praise that Unfastens the Bolt; it contains the Sanskrit mantras as well as their translation. The door to the secret of the Goddess is locked with a deadbolt and we open it by remembering these mantras. This video also demonstrates how to use count mantras on using the digits of the finger, which is known as the kara mala, as well as the basics of how to chant the anustup meter (32 syllables to a verse).
Chandi Path Video Class 8: Atha Kilakam
The Praise Which Removes the Pin
This video class explains the Kilka Stotram, The Praise Which Removes the Pin; it contains the Sanskrit mantras as well as their translation. To open the pin is very clearly written, “Just as we give, so shall we receive.” This is the form of the pin with which the door to the secret is closed and secured. And that means if we give a lot, we will get a lot. If we give a little, we get a little. That’s the pin.
Chandi Path Video Class 9: Vedoktam & Tantroktam Ratri Suktams
The Vedic and Tantric Praise of the Night of Duality
This video class explains the Vedoktam and Tantroktam Ratri Suktams, The Vedic and Tantric Praise of the Night of Duality; it contains the Sanskrit mantras as well as their translation. These mantras say here we are in the field of duality. There is more than one. There is me, you, and all this world. Now, we want to move from the darkness of duality to the perception of the Goddess who is unity. This is the journey of the Chandi.
Chandi Path Video Class 10: Sri Devyatharvashirsham
The Highest Meaning of the Goddess
This class video explains the Sri Devyatharvasshirsham, The Highest Meaning of the Goddess, which is also known as the Devi Upanishad. This Upanishad is the philosophy of the Goddess. It combines the Rgvedoktam Devi Suktam with the Tantroktam Devi Suktam. It takes all the unity of the Goddess and explains the Navarna mantra and the Kali Vidya of the Sri Vidya mantra. It also explains the meaning of the bija (seed) mantra hrim. Let’s look inside.
Chandi Path Video Class 11: Atha
Navarna Vidhih
The System of Worship of the Nine-Lettered Mantra
This video class demonstrates Navarna Vidhih, The System of Worship with the Nine Lettered Mantra. The navarna mantra, Om Aim Hrim Klim Camundayai Vicce, is the moola (root) mantra of the Chandi. Navarna Vidhih shows us how to perform the various nyasas to establish the mantra in the body and directions. The video class explains in great depth both the Sanskrit mantras and their translation.
Chandi Path Video Class 12: Chapter 1
Verses 1 to 25
In verses 1 to 25 of the first chapter of the Chandi Path Markandeya begins to tell the story of the origins of the Manu known as Savarni, He Who Belongs to All Colors Tribes and Castes. Markandeya tells us how the King Surath, whose name means Good Thoughts, was driven out of his kingdom by the Destroyers of Worship and took refuge in the ashram of Medhas Muni where he meets the businessman Samadhi, whose name means Pure Intuitive Vision. Even though they are in a peaceful ashram their contemplations continue to be afflicted by attachment to their family and kingdom.
Chandi Path Video Class 13: Chapter 1 continued
Verses 26 to 58
This video class continues the explanation of chapter one of the Chandi Path. The video class includes the Sanskrit mantras and their translation and explanation. In verses 26 to 58 Surath and Samadhi seek out Medhas Muni and ask him, “Why are we afflicted by egotism and attachment? How can we make our minds sit still so that it does not contemplate these attachments?” Medhas Muni’s response is the subject of the rest of the Chandi.
Chandi Path Video Class 14: Chapter 1 continued
Verses 59 to 104
This video class discusses verses 59 to 104 of the first chapter of the Chandi Path. In these verses the king Surath asks Medhas Muni to tell him about the Goddess Mahamaya. Medhas Muni describes how the two thoughts Madhu and Kaitabha, whose names means Too Much and Too Little, attacked Lord Brahma and how they were slain by Lord Vishnu after a long battle, with the aid of the Divine Mother. The first step to sitting still is having the right amount. If you have too much you can’t sit still, if you have too little you can’t sit still. That’s the story of Chapter 1; it is the beginning of our spiritual discipline.
Chandi Path Video Class 15: Chapter 2
Verses 1 to 35
This video class begins the discussion of Chapter 2 of the Chandi Path. Chapter 2 is The Slaying of the Armies of the Great Ego and introduces us to many of the negative qualities and thoughts we pray to Divine Mother to purify. In verses 1 to 35 we are blessed with the vision of the manifestation of the Divine Mother from the collected light of all the Gods. As with all the video class in this series the mantras are chanted in Sanskrit and then translated and explained in English.
Chandi Path Video Class 16: Chapter 2 continued
Verses 36 to 69
This video class continues the discussion of chapter 2 of the Chandi Path. In these verses the thoughts try to strike and kill the Goddess, but She simply playfully destroys their weapons. And soon all the thoughts meet their demise in Her hands just like grass and timber are reduced to ashes by a forest conflagration. The mantras are chanted in Sanskrit and then translated and explained in English.
Chandi Path Video Class 17: Chapter 3
Verses 1 to 44
This video class explains chapter 3 of the Chandi Path. In this chapter many more generals in the army of the Great Ego arise and are slain. Divine Mother ultimately slays the Great Ego in this chapter thereby giving us freedom from egotistical attachment and making us divine. The mantras of the third chapter are first chanted in Sanskrit and then explained in depth in English. The meanings of the names of each general in the army of the Great Ego are also translated and explained.
Chandi Path Video Class 18: Chapter 4
Verses 1 to 42
This video class discusses chapter 4 of the Chandi Path. In this chapter all the Gods led by Indra sing a hymn of praise to the Mother Goddess for freeing them from the rule of the Great Ego. In contains many beautiful verses of worship and devotion to the Divine Mother. At the end of the chapter the Goddess promises to grant the Gods the fulfillment of their desire to which they request that whenever anyone remembers Her, then and there, she will give them intuitive vision and remove their distress.
Chandi Path Video Class 19: Chapter 5
Verses 1 to 82
This video class begins the explanation of chapter 5 of the Chandi Path. In verses 1 to 82 of this chapter all the Gods are oppressed by the two great thoughts Shumbha and Nishumbha, Self-Conceit and Self-Deprecation, and remember the Divine Mother Goddess and pray to relieve their distress. The mantras are first chanted in Sanskrit and then translated and explained in English.
Chandi Path Video Class 20: Chapter 5 continued
Verses 83 to 129
This video class continues the discussion of chapter 5 of the Chandi Path. In verses 83 to 129 the Mother Goddess responds to the prayers of the Gods and manifests from within the Goddess of Nature. When Self-Conceit hears of the incomparable beauty of the Goddess he sends his ambassador to tell her to come and serve him. The mantras of these verses are first chanted and Sanskrit and then translated into and English and explained.
Chandi Path Video Class 21: Chapter 6
Verses 1 to 24
This video class explains chapter 6 of the Chandi Path. In these verses after Self-Conceit hears that the Goddess has refused his request to join him he sends the great thought Sinful Eyes to take her by force. The Goddess turns him to ashes with a single utterance of the mantra “Hum” and her Lion, who represents Dharma, quickly destroys his army. The mantras of this chapter are chanted in Sanskrit and then are translated and explained.
Chandi Path Video Class 22: Chapter 7
Verses 1 to 27
This video class discusses Chapter 7 of the Chandi Path. Self-Conceit sends Passion and Anger to do battle with the Divine Mother, and from her frowning forehead Kali, the Remover of Darkness becomes manifest. After the slaying of Passion and Anger by the Goddess, Kali takes their heads and presents them to the Divine Mother and gains and is given the name of Chamunda, The Slayer of Passion and Anger.
Chandi Path Video Class 23: Chapter 8
Verses 1 to 63
This video class explains chapter 8 of the Chandi Path. In these verses we witness the various manifestations of the Divine Mother coming forth as well as the slaying of Raktabija, The Seed of Desire. The energies of the Divine Mother which battle with her in this chapter are Brahmani, (Creative Energy) Narayani, (Exposer of Consciousness) Maheshvari, (Energy of the Seer of All) Chamunda, (Slayer of Passion and Meanness) Kaumari, (the Ever Pure One) Aparajita, (The Unconquerable) Varahi, (The Boar of Sacrifice) and Narasimhi (The Energy of the Man-Lion of Courage.
Chandi Path Video Class 24: Chapter 9
Verses 1 to 41
This video class discusses chapter 9 of the Chandi Path. The Goddess slays Self-Deprecation and her various manifestation continue to destroy the army of Self-Conceit. Self-Deprecation strikes the Lion, Dharma on His head. This means, every time we say, “I can’t”, “I’m not good enough”, Dharma is injured and so we pray to the Divine Mother to slay Self-Deprecation. First the Sanskrit mantras are chanted and then the translation and explanation of the chapter is given.
Chandi Path Video Class 25: Chapter 10
Verses 1 to 32
This video class explains chapter 10 of the Chandi Path. In these verses the Goddess withdraws all of her manifestations into herself reminding us that she is the One Goddess who exists in many forms. She battles Self-Conceit on behalf of the Gods and slays him as well. The mantras of this chapter are chanted in Sanskrit and then translated and explained in English.
Chandi Path Video Class 26: Chapter 11
Verses 1 to 35
This video class begins the discussion of Chapter 11 of the Chandi Path.In these verses, all the Gods sing a hymn of praise to the Divine Mother out of their delight of being freed from the oppression of Self-Conceit.In this chapter, the refrain is, “Exposer of Consciousness, we bow to you”. Narayana is the All Pervading Consciousness. Narayani exposes us to this perception. The Gods praise the Goddess as well as her divine form and characteristics. After the beautiful song, the Goddess is pleased, and she fulfills their wishes.The mantras are first chanted in Sanskrit and then translated and explained in English.
Chandi Path Video Class 27: Chapter 11 continued
Verses 36 to 55
This video class begins with the Goddess granting the Gods a blessing. The Gods ask the Divine Mother Goddess to terminate all disturbance and remove hostility from the three worlds. She then tells them how she will manifest in the future to fulfill their wish.
The mantras are first chanted in Sanskrit and then translated and explained in English.
The mantras are first chanted in Sanskrit and then translated and explained in English.
Chandi Path Video Class 28: Chapter 12
Verses 1 to 41
This video class explains Chapter 12, called the “Phalshruti” which enumerates the fruits of reciting the Chandi Path.Chapter 12 begins with the Goddess describing the effects of reciting and listening to “the Glory of the Goddess”. She also elucidates particularly auspicious times to recite the Chandi, and other details that are pleasing to Her.
The mantras are first chanted in Sanskrit and then translated and explained in English.
The mantras are first chanted in Sanskrit and then translated and explained in English.
Chandi Path Video Class 29: Chapter 13
Verses 1 to 30
This video class explains the 13th and final Chapter of the Chandi Path.The Rishi tells Surath the King and Samadhi the businessman to take refuge in the Goddess if they want to overcome their delusion. Consequently, Surath and Samadhi began to worship Chandi with all of their capacity, and after 3 years of severe penance, the Goddess appeared before them. She granted them their heart’s desire, and this marks the end of the 700 verses of the Chandi Path.The mantras are first chanted in Sanskrit and then translated and explained in English.
Chandi Path Video Class 30: Navarna Vidhih, Rigvedoktam Devi Suktam and Tantroktam Devi Suktam
The System of Worship with the Nine Lettered Mantra, the Vedic Praise of the Goddess and the Tantric Praise of the Goddess
The Navarna Vidhih establishes the syllables of the Navarna mantra in the body and the 10 directions. The Vedic and Tantric Praise of the Goddess are famous suktams that are beloved to the Goddess.
The mantras are first chanted in Sanskrit and then translated and explained in English.
The mantras are first chanted in Sanskrit and then translated and explained in English.
Chandi Path Video Class 31: Atha Pradhanikam Rahasyam
The Most Preeminent Secret
The Most Preeminent Secret describes how Maha Lakshmi produced the qualities of nature and their male counterparts. The mantras are first chanted in Sanskrit and then translated and explained in English.
Chandi Path Video Class 32: Atha
Vaikrtikam Rahasyam
The Modified Secret
The Modified Secret describes the placement of the Deities on the Cosmic Altar, and gives proscriptions for the recitation of the Chandi Path, as well as injunctions designed to please the Goddess. The mantras are first chanted in Sanskrit and then translated and explained in English.
Chandi Path Video Class 33: Atha
Murti Rahasyam
The Secret of the Manifestations
The Murti Rahasyam video class describes the Secret of the Manifestations of the Goddess. She is described in detail according to the activities that she performs.The mantras are first chanted in Sanskrit and then translated and explained in English.
Chandi Path Video Class 34: Kshama Prarthanam, Durga Dvatrimsanama Mala and Devyaparadha Kshamapana Stotram
Prayer for Forgiveness, the Rosary of 32 Names of Durga and A Song Seeking Forgiveness from the Goddess for the Commission of Offenses
This video class discusses mantras that ask for forgiveness. Forgiveness for any offenses we may have committed in our day to day lives as well as any mistakes made during the recitation of the Chandi Path. The Divine Mother is always ready to forgive anyone who asks sincerely.
Chandi Path Video Class 35:
Siddha Kunjika Stotram
The Song Which Gives the Key to Perfection
This video teaches the Siddha Kunjika Stotram, which is recited to attain success in the perfect recitation of the Chandi Path.