Chandi Parayanam- Guidelines for Recitation In Chandi sadhana parayana or the recital of the text is considered more important than the japa of any mantra. mantra. Though the navakshari navakshari mantra mantra is chanted, chanted, it is chanted as as an integral part part of the recital of the text. Traditionally the entire text of thirteen chapters is recited in Sanskrit. There is an obligatory prelude (purvabhaga) as well as a postlude (uttara bhaga) to the central text of thirteen chapters. The navakshari mantra is also an integral part of Chandi parayanam. Traditionally recitation of the Chandi is a serious and complete sadhana in itself and requires initiation from a Guru. Most people are content with chanting selected slokas of the text or chanting the Durga Saptashloki (seven verses) which contains the essence essence of Chandi, apart from a devout reading of the myth in a language that they are familiar with. Chanting selected slokas for specific results is a practice that is quite common. Swami Swami Sachchidananda who had initiated me in Chandi parayana had instructed me to t o prescribe certain slokas as remedies for problems. Accordingly I have been prescribing the chanting of certain slokas as remedies since the last ten years or so. The recitation of the entire text of 13 chapters can be done in several ways:
All 13 chapters continuously in one sitting In a span of three days as given below Day 1 - Chapter 1 Day 2 - Chapters 2, 3, 4 Day 3 – Chapters Chapters 5 to 13 In a span of nine days -One reading of the text in three days as above, followed by two more repetitions in the next six days thus completing three readings of the text in nine days In a span of 7 days as given below Day 1 - Chapter 1 Day 2 - Chapters 2 & 3 Day 3 - Chapter 4 Day 4 - Chapters 5, 6, 7 & 8 Day 5 - Chapters 9 & 10 Day 6 - Chapter 11 11 Day 7 - Chapters 12 & 13 If there is no time to read all thirteen, at least Madhyama Madhyama Charitra (chapters 2, 3, 4) can be recited. 7
Any of the above methods can be adopted in reciting the Chandi. Those who are not initiated but still wish to benefit from Chandi sadhana can follow the same procedure except except that they may read the translated story in English or any other language as a spiritual practice. Even the myth itself is very powerful and therapeutic. Those who are not initiated can devoutly read the myth and chant the Saptashloki. The Goddess will shower Her grace on those who do this with faith. Those who wish to do complete parayana parayana of Chandi can pray to the Goddess as it is only Her grace that can lead them to an accomplished Guru who can initiate them into a full-fledged parayana. Sri Sri Chandi should be read with firm faith, devotion and correct pronunciation. Tuesday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday are auspicious week days for the reading of Sri Sri Chandi. The 8th day (Ashtami), 9th day (Navami) and 14th day (Chaturdasi) are the best lunar days for reciting the text. The nine days of Durga puja during Autumnal equinox (Sharad Navaratri) and Spring equinox (Vasanta Navaratri) Navaratri) are very auspicious times of the year. Those who cannot do regular parayana can read the Chandi at least on selected auspicious weekdays, lunar days or the Nine nights. The traditional way of reciting the Devi Mahatmyam Mahatmyam has been given below. Obviously those who are not initiated are not required to follow it. They may just follow the remaining guidelines except for reciting the whole text in Sanskrit. They can just read the translation of the thirteen chapters without the navakshari japa, purvabhaga and uttara bhaga. The whole
text has to be audibly recited. It should not be silently read. During the time of reading, one should not talk, think, sleep, sneeze, yawn or spit, but read with full concentration on Devi. One should not stop in the middle of a chapter and the book should be placed on a stand, preferably a copper plate. At the beginning and end of each chapter bells are to be rung. Before reciting the text, it is necessary to do the Sankalpa and Sri Devi Puja. The place where the text is recited becomes flooded with waves of vibration, purifying the whole place, and invoking the presence of the very Devi. Though initially it is unconscious, through regular sadhana a conscious dialogue starts between the Goddess and the devotee. Her Grace protects the devotee and guides him through his own prarabdha, fulfilling the immediate wants in life as and when necessary and eventually the supreme goal of life. The recitation should be in the following order: Kavacham Argala Stotra Keelakam Navakshari japam Ratri Suktam Devi Mahatmyam Navakshari mantra japam Devi Suktam Rahasya trayam Kshama Prarthana The order of recitation is slightly different in different traditions. Moreover the Devi Suktam and Ratri suktam have alternate tantric/pauranic versions apart from the vedic suktas. Apart 8
from regular recitation of the text there is another practice of following a fixed number of recitations by a Chandi Homam. Like any other rit ual this will require trained priests to conduct it. For instance during the Sata Chandi Yajnam, the first four days are devoted for 100 Chandi Parayana by ten priests as per the following schedule, followed by Chandi Homam on the final day. Day 12345 Total/ Priest Grand Total Parayana Navakshari Japa Once 4,000 Twice 3,000 Thrice 2,000 Four times Chandi Homan 10 times 100 times 1,000 10,000 100,000
