Chatuh Prashna samopetam Puraanam shrutvapunascha they paapam kalpakoti shathai krutam/ Brahmahatyaadi paapaani yaanyaayaanya shubhaanicha, taani sarvaani nashyantitrunaam vaatahatam yathaa/ pushkarey daanamjo punyam shravanaasya jaayatey, Sarva Vedaadhika phalam samaapthyaachadh gacchati /
(Listening to this highly virtuous Markandeya Purana with Four Questions of Maha Bharata, would abrogate sins committed through hundred crore ‘Kalpas’! Even Brahmahatya and such other serious ‘Pancha Patakas’ or the worst listed Five Major Sins would fly away as mere straws with the forceful velocity of winds. Substantial ‘Punya’or fruits of high meritorious deeds would be earned in the same manner as of ‘Daan’ or charity at Pushkara Tirtha and of reciting all the Four Vedas with sincerity and devotion.)
Puranashravanaa devaparam yogamavaapnuyaat,naastikaaya na daatavyam vrushaley Vedanindakey/
Gurudwijaati nindaaya tatha bhagna vrataayacha, Maataapitro nindakaaya Vedashastradinindaney/
bhinnamaryaadiney chaiva tatha vai jnaati kopiney, yetheshaam naiva daatavyam Praanaih
kanthagatairapi/
(Listening to Markandeya Purana even once would bestow high merits, but do not be instrumental to give the Purana to ‘Nastikas’ (Non-believers), Shudras, Critics of Vedas and Gurus, those who failed to complete performing Vratas and abandon half way, those who discard their parents, close relatives and normal courtesies etc. Do avoid giving this Sacred Purana, even if such persons demand and try to read it by hook or crook).
Markandeya Vuvaacha/
Yetatsarvamupaakhyaanam Dharmai Swargaapavargadam,
Yah Shrunoti pathedvaapi sidhham tasya sameehitam/
Aaadhivyaadhija duhkhena kadaa chhinnaabhiyujyatey,
Brahmahatyaabhi paapebhyomuchyatey naathra samshayah/
Samtah swajana mitraani bhavanti hita buddhayah,
Naarayah sambhavishyanti dasyavo vaa kadaachana/
sadartho mishtabhogi chadhurbhikshairnaarvaseedati,
paradara para- dravya parahimsaadikilbishaih/
muchyateyneka duhkebhyo nityam chaiva Dwijottama,
Ruddhivruddhih smritih shantihi Shreeh Pushtistrushtirevacha/
Nithyam tasya bhavodvipra yah shrunoti kathaamimam/
(Mahatma Markandeya said: This complete exposition in the Purana bestows Dharma, Swarga and Apavarga or Fulfillment; whoever reads or hears shall achieve their inner desires; such persons shall never be victims of physical ailments, worldly difficultes and complexities, or of any kind of mental troubles or natural calamities; their failings and indulgences including the worst kind of sins are washed out; their relatives, friends and well-wishers get more intimate and helpful; they shall have no enemies; they shall never be troubled by robbers; they attain prosperity; they enjoy excellent food; they shall never be bothered or involved by other women, other’s money, and other’s actions of violence and their fears; they shall get rid of sorrows of any description; and they enjoy Ruddhi or prosperity, Buddhi or intellect, Smriti or memory, Shanti or Peace, Lakshmi or Wealth / propitiousness, Pushti or physical well-being, and Tushti or contentment.)
Shri Durga Sapta Shloki
Om Jnaaninaamapi chetaamsi Devi Bhagavati hi sa,
Baladaakrushya mohaaya Maha Maya prayacchati/
(Bhagavati Maha Maya! You pull the minds of even
‘ Gyaanis’ with force towards obsession!)
Om Durgey smritaa harasi bheeti masesha jantoh,
Swasthaih smritaa mati mateeva shubhaam dadaasi/
(Devi Durga! A mere thought of Yours demolishes fright
among ‘Praanis’ or Beings, while You provide auspiciousness
in response to the meditation by sensible humans)
Daaridra duhkha bhaya haarini ka twadanya,
Sarvopakaara karanaaya sadaardra Chitta/
(Who else is there but You that is readily prepared with
extreme benevolence to ward off our sorrows, fears and adversities?)
Om Sarva Mangala Maangalyey Shivey sarvaartha saadhakey,
Sharanyey Thriabikey Devi! Narayani Namostuthey/
(Devi! Narayani! You are the embodiment and Provider of
Auspiciousness to one and all; You are Shiva Swarupa or the
Form of Propitiousness fulfilling all our wishes; You are Traimbika
or the composite personification of Lakshmi, Saraswati and Parvati;
We seek shelter from You, as we bend down and greet! )
Om Sharanaagata deenaarta paritraana parayaney,
Sarvasyaarti harey Devi! Narayani Namostutey/
(Our greetings to You Narayani! Devi! We seek refuge and safety
from You as we are helpless and harassed).
Om Sarva Swarupey Sarvesey Sarva Shakti samanvitey,
Bhayebhyastraahino Devi! Durga Devi Namostutey/
(Devi! You are the all-comprehensive Form, the Supreme Sovereign,
and the all- Powerful; kindly shield us from diverse types of fears and
apprehensions; our earnest salutations to You, Durga Devi!
Om rogaanaseshaa napahamsi Tushtaa,
Rushtaa tu kaamaan sakasaa nabhishtaan/
(As You assume compassion, all our diseases disappear; but if indignant,
all our wishes get to nought)
Twam ashritaanaam na vipannaraanaam,
Twam ashritaa hyashrayataam prayaanti /
(Those who have already taken asylum from You would never face
difficulties any way; on the other hand, such persons saved by You
could as well provide protection to others too in their turn!)
Om Sarva baadhaa prashamanam Thrailokya syaakhileswari,
Evameva twayaa kaarya masadvairi vinaashanam/
(Sarveswari! Do continue to alleviate the tribulations of one and all
among the Three Lokas and destroy the enemy elements everywhere)
Ya yetatsaramam guhyam Sarva Rakshaa vishaaradam,
Devya sambhaashitam Stotram sadaa Saamraajya daayakam/
(This Sapta Shloki is at once striking yet classified but bestowing
protection; this is a Sacred Hymn related to the Supreme Mother
yielding immense benefits including ‘Samraajya’ or Empires!
Shrunuyaadwaa pathedyaapi paathayeydwaapi yatnatah,
Parivaara yutho Bhuutwaa Trailokya Vijayeebhavet!
(Hearing, reading or narrating the Sapta Shloki with sincere
efforts along with family and friends would secure accomplishments in
all the Three Lokas!)
