Candipathah (Incorporating Sridurgasaptasati and The Associate Hymns) (Sanskrit Text with Transliteration and English Translation)

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Candipatha, a part of the Markandeya Purana, which is one of the eighteen major Puranas, is its most important segment. Apart from Sridurgasaptasati, 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 an integral totality, have to be recited as indicated in this book.

Candipatha celebrates the Feminine Power, Durga – Sakti – with her innumerable names, across in this sacred text, represents the quintessential woman. She is the source, substratum and ultimate Life Force. All the gods, men, birds, animal, even demons, all the elements, all moving and stationary objects are but Her fragmental particles. The universe is Her playground as well as Her play. At will, She creates, sustains and dissolves it. In Candipatha we see Her in Her full glory, majesty and splendor. As the Mother, She loves and protects Her children and as the invincible Kali, She decimates the forces of evil when they threaten righteousness, peace and Her devotees in the world.

The present publication includes, in addition to Sridurgasaptasati and the other associate hymns, a detailed Introductory Essay, which besides discussing the contents and importance of this work and its symbolism, provides a panoramic view of the Mother worship through the millennia. The four appendices include (i) Names, Adjectives, Incarnations, Epithets, etc., of the Mother Goddess (ii) Weapons mentioned in the text and their functions (iii) Glossary of important terms and (iv) the First-line index of Sanskrit verses, chapter-wise.

A.P.N. PANKAJ, an alumnus of D.A.V. College, Amritsar and St. Stephens College, Delhi, taught Sanskrit for some years in the former before joining State Bank of India where over a period of nearly thirty-five-years, he held a range of assignments and retired from its staff College at Hyderabad. These years gave him an opportunity to pursue his interest in the management and behavioural sciences. Since early days, he has been writing and giving lectures on the subjects related to the Indian culture, philosophy and religion and has deeply studied the Upanishads, Bhagavadgita, Pauranic literature and, especially, Sri Ramacaritamanasa of Gosvami Tulasidasa. He has translated more than half a dozen works from / into English / Hindi / Sanskrit. Besides writing a book on the asrama – system of the Hindu society and editing / writing nearly a dozen books on the medieval Hindi poets, he has also written and led discussions / symposia on the value – based system of education and the concept of development in Indian tradition.

BHAVANA PANKAJ, after studying English literature and Mass Communication at Punjab University, Chandigarh, spent some years as a journalist and television anchor. She currently pursues her love for the written word by writing, editing and translations on subjects ranging from Indian classical and dance to health care and education. An occasional film- maker, Bhavana has written books for children, on Vinoba Bhave and two books on a hospital in Jaipur. With equal felicity in Hindi and English, she also lends her voice as sutradhar on stage. Poetry is among her hobbies and she writes / translates poems in / from Hindi / English.