Shrimad Devi Bhagavata

First and Second Skandhas: The Lineage of Vyasa and the Origin Tales

Madhu, Kaitabha, and the Goddess YoganidraTwo demons are born from the wax of Vishnu’s ears as he sleeps under the spell of Yoganidra, and the moment the Goddess lifts her maya a war of five thousand years breaks out.

The birth and renunciation of ShukadevaBorn from the fire-kindling wood, the dispassionate Shukadeva refuses to marry, and King Janaka shows him how to stay free even while living as a householder.

The Birth of Matsyagandha, Parashara, and VyasaMatsyagandha is born from the womb of an apsara whom a curse had turned into a fish, and from her, with Parashara, comes the birth of Vyasa.

Third Skandha: The Tridevi, the Devotee Sudarshan, and Navaratra

The Tridevi: Mahakali, Mahalakshmi, and MahasaraswatiCarried on the Goddess's vimana, Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva meet another Brahma, another Shiva, and another Vishnu along the way, and Jagadamba entrusts to them Mahakali, Mahalakshmi, and Mahasaraswati.

Sudarshan the Devotee and ShashikalaThe Kamaraja seed-mantra that the forest boy Sudarshan picked up by chance as a small child bears fruit, and when the rival kings of the svayamvara block his road, Durga appears on her lion and destroys his enemies.

Rama’s Navaratra VowBroken by the abduction of Sita, Shri Rama is counseled by Narada to keep the Navaratra vow, and the pleased Goddess grants him the boon of victory.

Fourth and Fifth Skandhas: Nara-Narayana and the War Form of Shakti

Nara-Narayana and the Appearance of UrvashiWhen the apsaras Indra sends arrive to break the austerities of Nara and Narayana, Narayana shapes Urvashi from his own thigh, then is caught in his own pride until Nara calms him.

Durga Takes Form from the Radiance of the GodsThe radiance streaming from the bodies of the gods defeated by Mahishasura gathers into a single mass of light and appears as the many-armed Goddess.

The Slaying of MahishasuraMahishasura, wearing the shape of a buffalo, changes form again and again, yet in the end the Goddess’s thousand-spoked chakra cuts off his head.

The Slaying of Raktabija, Nishumbha, and ShumbhaFrom every drop of Raktabija’s blood a fresh demon rises, so Kali drinks his blood dry, and the end of Shumbha and Nishumbha draws near.

Sixth Skandha: Vritrasura and the Mysteries of Maya

The Slaying of Vritrasura and the Fall of NahushaThe sin of slaying Vritrasura by trickery closes in on Indra, and the arrogant Nahusha who takes his throne is cursed by Agastya into a serpent.

Narada Becomes a Woman: The Secret of MayaDetermined to understand Vishnu’s maya, Narada becomes a woman, keeps a household for years, and returns to his true form weeping in grief for his lost sons.

Seventh Skandha: Tales of the Royal Sages and the Devi Gita

Sukanya and ChyavanaThe princess Sukanya, who unknowingly pierced the eyes of the aged ascetic Chyavana, serves him in penance, and the Ashvini twins restore the sage’s youth.

The Trial of King HarishchandraHaving lost his kingdom, his wife, and his son, and now a slave to a chandala, Harishchandra is handed a sword at the cremation ground and told to kill a woman who proves to be his own queen, come to burn their son.

The Origin of the Shakti-pithasWhere the limbs of Sati fall, Shakti-pithas arise, and together with other principal places of the earth they make up the one hundred and eight seats of the Goddess.

The Devi GitaPromising to be born as the daughter of the Himalaya, the Goddess herself unveils her cosmic form, the method of yoga, and the secret of devotion, and delivers the Devi Gita.

Eighth and Ninth Skandhas: The Geography of Creation and the Legends of the Devi

The World-Sphere and the Descent of the GangaThe map of the world-sphere unfolds with its seven continents, its mountains, and its rivers, and the Ganga descends upon the peak of Sumeru.

The Descent of Ganga and the Anger of Shri RadhaIn Goloka, the Ganga, terrified by Radha’s fury, dissolves into the feet of Shri Krishna, then descends to earth and becomes the holy stream that washes away sins.

Tulsi, Shankhachud, and the ShalagramMade unkillable by the chastity of his devoted wife Tulsi, Shankhachud dies only when Hari takes his armor by a ruse, and from the curse of the deceived Tulsi the Shalagram comes into being.

Savitri and SatyavanFollowing close behind Yama as he carries away the life of her husband Satyavan, Savitri wins back his life through her reasoning and her devotion.

Mangalachandi and the Goddess ManasaFrom portions of Prakriti arise Mangalachandi and Manasa, mother of the serpents, and Manasa’s son Astika saves the serpents from burning in the snake-sacrifice.

Tenth to Twelfth Skandhas: The Manvantaras, Worship, and Manidvipa

Vindhya’s Pride and AgastyaAs the Vindhya mountain rises toward the sky to block the sun’s path, Agastya takes from it a promise to stay bowed until he returns, then crosses its lowered peak and goes on to the south.

Bhramari Devi and the Slaying of ArunasuraAgainst Arunasura, whom Brahma’s boon shielded from every two-footed and four-footed foe, the Goddess sends out countless bees and comes to be called Bhramari.

The Glory of the Rudraksha, and GunanidhiAmid the origin and glory of the rudraksha, the story of the wayward Gunanidhi shows how even a single rudraksha can carry a soul across.

Uma Haimavati and the Humbling of the GodsWhen the gods, drunk on the pride of victory, cannot so much as move a single blade of grass, Uma Haimavati appears and reveals that all the power was ever hers.

A Description of ManidvipaAbove all the worlds, past rampart after rampart of metal and jewel, Manidvipa opens onto the supreme abode of the Goddess from which the whole of creation is run.

Janamejaya’s Amba-yajna and the ConclusionKing Janamejaya performs the Amba-yajna, and Vyasa, recounting the glory of the Shrimad Devi Bhagavata, brings this Mahapurana to its close.