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Chandi Path

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Though I am posting this review under the title "Chandi Path," it really applies to all of the wonderful books of Swami Satyananda Saraswati of Napa, California (as distinguished from the identically named Swami who wrote many books on yoga -- which are also great books, by the way). These books will probably appeal most to those who perform traditional Hindu ceremonial worship, called puja. However, this review is to call attention to another aspect of these books which is worth noting, and is indeed highly praiseworthy. Personally, I do not perform formal pujas, but I love Sanskrit and all the wonderful traditional mantras and hymns of that sacred language. I repeat mantras and recite hymns in my own informal way. As a source for Sanskrit mantras and hymns, there is nothing better than the books of Swami Satyananda Saraswati. I have taught myself to read Devanagari script, so I greatly appreciate its inclusion in these books. Above all, the script is large, clear, and easy to read. These books are typeset to allow easy reading of either the Devanagari script, or the transliterated text, while performing puja. A great deal of attention has obviously been paid to making the script easily readable, even while holding the book at arm's length. This is a huge advantage. I'm not so great at reading Devanagari that I enjoy working my way through the tiny, blurred script found in so many other books, especially Indian publications. These books, by contrast, are a pleasure to read.

The transliterations of the Sanskrit mantras and hymns follow the precision international system which uses diacritical marks. This system, originally developed by European scholars in the nineteenth century, has long been the "gold standard" for transliteration of Sanskrit texts due to the direct one-to-one correspondence with the Sanskrit alphabet. (I have been glad to see that this system has become more and more universally used for transliteration of Sanskrit.) It is here employed with great accuracy, and in a typeface of unsurpassed readability. I have many versions of some of the Sanskrit hymns and mantras in this book, and in the many other books of Swami Satyananda Saraswati, but I always choose to read the versions in Swami Satyananda Saraswati's books because I can always count on them to be the most accurate and readable versions available.

Besides the Sanskrit texts in both Devanagari script and in Romanized transliteration using the international system, one is also treated to Swami Satyananda Saraswati's highly accurate, but also energetic and enthusiastic English translations. Without deviating from the precise meanings of the texts, the Swami manages to include and convey his own love and enthusiasm for this ancient and sacred literature. I rarely look elsewhere for definitive translations.

Also, when perusing the catalog of Swami Satyananda Saraswati's books, don't be misled by the titles into thinking that they convey the full range of the contents. The books are always crammed with "extras," often mantras only peripherally related to the main topic, but in this way one gets a spectacular collection of the greatest Sanskrit mantras in existence.

For those dedicated to the performance of puja, these books are indispensible. For those who just love Sanskrit and all the wonderful hymns and mantras, these books are a treasure trove. I don't recite every mantra in ever book -- not by any means -- but there are some in every book that I love to sing and recite. And I buy all the books also just as a way of saying "thank you" to Swami Satyananda Saraswati for rendering this wonderful service to all Sanskrit lovers, and doing so in such a conscious and conscientious way. Thank you, Swamiji! We've never met, but I'm one of your silent (until now!) fans and admirers.

The Chandi Path is not a book to be picked up casually. It is a roadmap to the Divine, within and without. It should be approached as one would approach the Goddess Herself, with a sacred attitude and a deeply sincere effort. This work comes down to us from milleniums past through the dedication of Markandeya and the spiritual teachers who followed him, originally passed down through the oral tradition, then through written versions in Sanskrit and now in this English translation by an American Hindu who is both a scholar and a devout sadhu. Swami Satyananda Saraswati has worshipped the Goddess most of his life. He describes the Chandi Path as a training manual. I see it more as a roadmap to the Divine. It helps us to discover Divine Reality in the form of the Goddess who is Herself created from the combined light of all the gods and goddesses. It helps us to examine our own thoughts and motivations and to see how they prevent us from seeing the divine in ourselves and others. To perform the Chandi according to the ancient tradition takes great self discipline. It is in itself a purifying austerity, a deep sadhana. But the Goddess wants us to start where we are, not to judge ourselves. Learn to sit correctly and comfortably, to pay attention to the text and start the grand adventure of going step by step towards union with Her.

Chandi is the Goddess who tears apart our inner demons (asuras). The most formidable of these is the Great Ego who attempts, at every turn, to enslave the potential divinity within us all. The Great Ego has an entire retinue of followers including Self Conceit, Self Deprecation, Hypocrisy, Too Much, Too Little, and Want of Resolution, who aid him in stymieing our spiritual aspirations. The Chandi Path is literally the Path to recognizing our own spark of divinity. It is the story of how the great Goddess manifests in the lives of Her devotees to teach them to live life with devotion, love, respect and meaning. Swamiji's meticulous and lucid translation brings the very essence of the Goddess to life.

This thoughtful and profound rendering of a foremost ancient classic of Divine Mother must be approached with reverence, and indeed, love. Swami Satyananda gives any person with sincere love of God and devotion to spiritual practice a true gift--a way to the heart of God, and therefore to the heart of our true selves.

First of all, Swami Satyandanda's deep grasp of Sanskrit, and his wonderful translations, (with clear and useful transliterations in the roman script), gives us in the West a greater clarity of the path of the Divine Mother than perhaps we have ever had. Our task, then, with our teachers, is pure devotion to the deeper meaning of the text of Chandi Path: discovered through reading of the text, through chanting the transliteration (and one day, perhaps, the actual Sanskrit), and through study and meditation upon text and meaning.

The grace comes through these actions of pure devotion to this practice: an awakening and surrender to the Divine and to balance in our lives, destruction of the illusions of ego and attachments in this world, uncovering of Truth or True Knowledge, stillness beyond thought, and union with the Divine. She becomes our very own. This is the path of Divine Mother, ancient and eternal. The Chandi Path is the story of Divine Mother, and that then becomes our own story.

Deep thanks to Swami Satyananda for this knowledgeable and loving gift, definitely of work of pure devotion in itself.

The Chandi Path shows us how to be close to God by cultivating a relationship with the Divine Mother Chandi and purifying ourselves to be able to see and accept Her infinite blessings. Ancient Rishis chanted the mantras of the Chandi and gained self realization, and it will work for us as well if we are sincere in our desire to know and love the Goddess. Swami Satyananda says the one who understands it completely is Lord Shiva. When we regularly recite the mantras with devotion we become Shiva--"the consciousness of infinte goodness". It is truly a divine gift to have a translation of this timeless scripture. The more you study the English and practice the Sanskrit mantras the more you become absorbed in the bliss of Divine Union. You begin to fall in love with that which has the capacity to offer unconditional love in return. In this world of chaos and darkness we can call on our Mother and she will come and carry us towards the light. The Chandi Path is like the arms of Divine Mother. I am sincere in my desire to know and love God and from my own experience I would be lost without the Chandi Path. Swamiji has also translated many other books and Pujas to help us along our path. Find what touches your heart and go all out for God. Om Shanti Shanti Shanti.

Swami Satyananda Saraswati of Napa Valley, CA is both a scholar and a true son of his beloved Divine Mother. He and Shree Maa have brought the traditions of puja (ceremonial worship) and path (recitation of Sanskrit scriptures) to the West in a big way.

The Chandi Path, also called the Durga Saptashati, part of the Markendaya Purana, holds a central position in the Shakta tradition, though it is relatively unknown to Western yoga practitioners and those interested in Hindu practices.

In this Story, Divine Mother manifests in various forms to do battle with ashuras (demons) like lust, anger, passion, too much, and too little. Of course, she wins in the end and there is great celebration.

The magic of chandi recitation (at the very least), is that as one chants the mantras of the text the activity of the mantra shakti corresponds to what occurs in the story -- so the story of the Chandi is really the story of you (and me).

This book contains the original sanskrit in devanagiri, an English transliteration (Sanskrit in English alphabet), and an English translation.

Though the sheer size of the text is daunting at first, if one is serious about experiencing its profound nature, one may begin small and work up to the full text. It does get easier over time.

One of my very favorite scriptures is The Chandi Path!
In Bengal [and many other places, as well,] the Chandi Path [also known as "Devi Mahatmyam", And "Durga Saptasati"], is considered the "Bible" of many Mother Worshipers.

My very favorite translation of it is by Swamiji Satyananda Saraswati of the Devi Mandir. He describes all the "Armies of the Great Ego" and names them, since knowing who our "enemies" are is half the battle. Some of them have names like, "Too Much" and "Too Little"; "Self-Conceit" and "Self-Deprecation"; "MEMORIES"! Do these asuras sound familiar" They should... As Swamiji Satyananda says in his introduction, "Every character mentioned in the Chandi is within us: the forces which impel us to realize our own divinity, filling our lives with Love and Joy, and a sense of meaningful purpose; as well as the forces which incline to diminish that perception."

Describing the Goddess, the Mother of the Universe, He says: "In one sense She resides in the image, the photo or idol of worship. In another application, She manifested in the body of the Worshiper. And again, 'Her feet cover the earth, and Her crown extends to the farthest reaches of the atmosphere.' On every level the scripture is a commentary on the evolution of consciousness."

Towards the end of his wonderful intro to the Chandi Path, Swamiji Satyananda says:
"Saptasati is a Way. Daily reciting the verses, we offer to Mother all our troubles, afflictions, and all manner of thoughts and perturbations -- even the very Ego itself; and one by one She cuts them down, purifies them with the vibrations of Her mantras, until we, too, become the 'One of Intuitive Vision [Known in the Chandi as Samadhi]' who only desires the Highest Wisdom which removes the attachments of the Ego."

i consider the Chandi Path, translated by Swamiji Satyananda Saraswati, one of the greatest spritual tools that any devotee of the Goddess could possibly have. i cannot praise this wonderful scripture, enough; and especially this particular translation. i had read other translations, but it wasn't until reading this particular translation, that i really FELT it...deeply and profoundly, and absolutely knew i had a spiritual tool that i would carry with me and practice throughout my life! Jai Maa! Blessings to all who read this!

Chandi is the Goddess who tears apart thought. When the thoughts are gone, the mind is still and in that we experience our true state of being as perfect bliss. The Chandi Path (also called the Durga Saptashati and the Devi Mahatmyam) is more than a translation of an ancient Hindu text, it is the story of our lives. From an intellectual standpoint, it is a practicle guide to spritual transformation as we can offer all our diffuculties to her and one by one, she will take care of them all. She brings Too Much and Too Little into balance, cuts down the generals in the great army of the Ego, destroys Self-Conceit and Self-Deprication, makes us free from desire and offers endless blessings of pure love. She is Durga, Kali, Saraswati, Lakshmi and all the Goddesses waging a battle against the forces of duality to bring us into union with the divine. Along with the Sanskrit mantras, Swami Satyananda offeres a beautiful English translation of this magical scripture. To even be inspired to study the Chandi Path is the blessing of the Goddess.

The Chandi path, by Swami Satyananda Saraswati of the Devi Mandir Ashram in Napa Valley, is both an incredible story and a path of discovery of and worhship to the Divine Mother. The story is an incredible epic of how the Goddess in numerous forms battles the "Great Ego" and his forces of negative thoughts, such as "Too Much" and "Too Little," "Self Conceit" and "Self Deprecation," Pride, Confusion, etc. ~ all negative thoughts.

It is a fearsome battle that takes place over many chapters, but eventually, the Goddess wins and a great celebration ensues. But the Chandi Path is more than an epic story; it is also a path of worship and discovery. I found much to identify with in the negative thoughts and much to be greatful for because, though they were defeated, they were ultimately accepted by the Goddess and taken up to the heavenly realms.

One chapter in particular, Chapter 11, identifies many of the qualities of the Goddess such as "the instrinsic nature of earth," "the Energy of Consciousness Which Pervades All," the "Source of Refuge," "the Eternal Energy of Creation," "Faith," "Self-sustenance," "Constancy," "She Who is Beyond all Time," and others. What is given through this ancient sacred text is a method of achieving clarity through the removal of negative thoughts and replacing them, as we identify with the Goddess in all Her forms, with positive qualities most of us would seek to achieve.

Each time I chant the Chandi Path, my experience of it becomes deeper and richer; I discover more meaning ~ nuances that become clearer with each chanting; and my love for the Goddess, in all Her forms, becomes greater. What Swami Satyananda Saraswati has done in his translation of this and other ancient texts is made them fresh and new for the present. This is tremendous gift, that the Chandi Path is made accessible to all, including westerners, in the present time.

godsend -even better if you can find a cd with original chanting and follow both together as even if you do not know the meaning the energy creates a truly a remarkable unique experience!