Candipathah Incorporating Sridurgasaptasati (Devimahatmyam) And The Associate Hymns

Candipatha, a part of the Markandeya Purana, which is one of theeighteen major Puranas, is its most important segment. Apart fromSridurgasaptasati, which forms the core of Candipatha, there are,preceding and succeeding it, several hymns of equal importance and,in the course of its ritual performance, all these hymns, as anintegral totality, have to be recited as indicated in this book. Candipatha celebrates the Feminine Power, Durga-Sakti-withher innumerable names, across in this sacred text, represents thequintessential woman. She is the source, substratum and ultimateLife Force. All the gods, men, birds, animals, even demons, all theelements, all moving and stationary objects are but Her fragmentalparticles. The universe is Her playground as well as Her play. Atwill, She creates, sustains and dissolves it. In Candipatha we seeHer in Her full glory majesty and splendour. As the Mother, Sheloves and protects Her children and as the invincible Kali, Shedecimates the forces of evil when they threaten righteousness,peace and Her devotees in the world. The present publication includes, in addition toSridurgasaptasati and the other associate hymns, a detailedIntroductory Essay, which besides discussing the contents andimportance of this work and its symbolism, provides a panoramicview of the Mother worship through the millennia. The fourappendices include (i) Names, Adjectives, Incarnations, Epithets,etc., of the Mother Goddess (ii) Weapons mentioned in the text andtheir functions (iii) Glossary of important terms and (iv) theFirst-line index of Sanskrit verses, chapter-wise.