The Devi Prapannārti Mantra is Verse 3 from Chapter 11 of the Chaṇḍī Pāṭhaḥ. Shree Maa often asks us to chant this mantra daily as a prayer for peace.
“Devi Prapannārti Hare” means, “Oh Goddess, you who remove the distress of all who take refuge in You.”
“Devi” means Goddess. “Prapanna” refers to one who takes refuge in God, one who has surrendered. “Arti” is suffering or distress, and “Hare” means removes or takes away.
When we take refuge in Her and trust Her completely, She removes all our suffering and distress. To hear Swamiji speak about taking refuge, click here: What Is Taking Refuge?
“Prasīda Prasīda Mātar Jagato Khilasya”means, “Be pleased, be pleased, Oh Mother of the entire Perceivable World.” Prasīda means “be pleased.” “Māta” is Mother. “Jagat” is the perceivable world, and “Akhila” is entire or all of.
“Prasīda Viśveśvari Pāhi Viśvaṃ” means, “Be pleased, Oh Supreme of the Universe; protect the universe.” “Prasīda” means be pleased. “Viśveśvari” means Supreme of the Universe. “Pāhi” is protect, and “viśvaṃ” is the Universe.
“Tvamīśvarī Devi Carācarasya” means, ” Oh Goddess, you are Supreme over all that moves and does not move.” “Twamīśvarī” means You are Supreme. “Devi” means Goddess. “Carācarasya” means over all that moves and does not move (chara means that which moves, and achara is that which does not move).
Shree Maa says, “When you see that everything is in flux, you will see that “I” am not. Consciousness does not change, because it is always the same. The objects of awareness change.” In our saṇkalpa mantra, Mother is praised as one who presides over all that moves and that does not move. She is both consciousness and the objects perceived by consciousness that are constantly changing.”
Swamiji expresses this beautifully in His introduction to the Chaṇḍī: “I dance, and all that you perceive are its manifestations. If you like you can watch me dance, or if you like you can make me stop. He who can make me stop, I make him a seer, a being of wisdom, one of Intuitive vision, my husband, Lord Śiva, the consciousness of Infinite Goodness”
May She grant us that intuitive vision!
To hear Shree Maa chant this mantra, please click devi_prapannarti_maa
To hear Swamiji chant this mantra, please click devi_prapannarti_swamiji