Thousands of years ago, a young woman is believed to have started dancing in ecstasy after a realization changed her life forever: that her life originated from the infinite consciousness that is formless and present in every form. What emerged was a spontaneous expression of this ecstasy in praise of that Consciousness which we today know as ‘Ya Devi Sarva Bhuteshu’.
Sage Vak, the composer, has captured every aspect of human existence and attributed it to the Mother Divine. This chant, which originates in the Rig Veda, is an integral part of all the sacred chantings done during Navratri. A simple yet profound chant, let us learn about its significance and the meaning of the verses.
Significance of ‘Ya Devi Sarva Bhuteshu’
Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar beautifully explains, “There are 64 divine mother impulses which govern the subtle creation. These are responsible for restoring all earthly and spiritual benefits. They are simply part of one’s awakened consciousness. These nine nights are celebrated to rekindle those divine impulses and celebrate the innermost depth of our lives.”
When we chant the Durga Saptashati (referring to the 700 verses of the Devi Mahatmayam from the Markandeya Purana, dedicated to praising the Mother Divine), “there is a verse which says, ‘Ya Devi sarva-bhuteshu bhranti rupena samstitha; Namastasye namastasye namastasye namo namaha’ (meaning: O Divine Mother! I bow down to You who are manifest as Bhranti – the element of delusion in all living beings). It is very interesting. You cannot find this anywhere else in the world. Mother Divine is worshipped as not just beauty and grace but she is also hunger, illusion, or anger!” Gurudev shares.
“How is Devi present in us?” Gurudev explains. “She is present in many forms, and as many emotions. When you see a certain brightness in someone, that is the manifestation of Devi. When you see total peace, peace in the heart, not just temporary peace, total fulfilment, and satisfaction, that is Devi. And when you feel restlessness, that is also Devi. So if someone is agitated, you stand back and you say ‘Oh, Devi has manifested as agitation in this person!’ Similarly, hunger, delusion, confusion-these qualities too are a manifestation of Devi! This mind that is stuck in duality, rises above it with these chants to the Mother divine. When we see the divine beyond the duality of good and bad, right and wrong, we can go beyond it and connect with the one consciousness. Then we find deep unshakable peace.”
Gurudev describes Devi as being omnipresent, timeless as well as ever-new.
- Omnipresent: Devi is present as consciousness in everyone. There is no place where the Devi is not present.
- Ancient and new: Every moment is alive with consciousness. Our consciousness is ‘nith nutan’ (ancient and new) at the same time. Objects are either old or new, but in nature, you will find the old and the new exist together. The sun is old and new too. A river has fresh water flowing in it, every moment but yet is old. In the same way, human life is very ancient but it is new at the same time. So, is Mother Divine-she is timeless and new too!
Ya Devi Sarva Bhuteshu mantra by Smt. Bhanumathi Narasimhan
Lyrics and meaning of the chant
Yaa Devi Sarva-Bhutessu Vishnumaayeti Shabditaa |
Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namo Namah ||
To that Devi Who in All Beings is Called Vishnumaya,
Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations again and again.
Yaa Devi Sarva-Bhutessu Chetanety-Abhidhiiyate |
Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namo Namah ||
To that Devi Who in All Beings is Reflected as Consciousness,
Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations again and again.
Yaa Devi Sarva-Bhutessu Buddhi-Ruupenna Samsthitaa |
Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namo Namah ||
To that Devi Who in All Beings is Abiding in the Form of Intelligence,
Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations again and again.
Yaa Devi Sarva-Bhutessu Nidra-Ruupenna Samsthitaa |
Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namo Namah ||
To that Devi Who in All Beings is Abiding in the Form of Sleep,
Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations again and again.
Yaa Devi Sarva-Bhutessu Kssudhaa-Ruupenna Samsthitaa |
Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namo Namah ||
To that Devi Who in All Beings is Abiding in the Form of Hunger,
Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations again and again.
Yaa Devi Sarva-Bhutessu Chaayaa-Ruupenna Samsthitaa |
Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namo Namah ||
To that Devi Who in All Beings is Abiding in the Form of Shadow (of Higher Self),
Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations again and again.
Yaa Devi Sarva-Bhutessu Shakti-Ruupenna Samsthitaa |
Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namo Namah ||
To that Devi Who in All Beings is Abiding in the Form of Power,
Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations again and again.
Yaa Devi Sarva-Bhutessu Trshnnaa-Ruupenna Samsthitaa |
Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namo Namah ||
To that Devi Who in All Beings is Abiding in the Form of Thirst,
Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations again and again.
Yaa Devi Sarva-Bhutessu Kshaanti-Ruupenna Samsthitaa |
Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namo Namah ||
To that Devi Who in All Beings is Abiding in the Form of Forbearance,
Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations again and again.
Yaa Devi Sarva-Bhutessu Jaati-Ruupenna Samsthitaa |
Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namo Namah ||
To that Devi Who in All Beings is Abiding in the Form of Genus (Original Cause of Everything),
Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations again and again.
Yaa Devi Sarva-Bhutessu Lajjaa-Ruupenna Samsthitaa |
Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namo Namah ||
To that Devi Who in All Beings is Abiding in the Form of Modesty,
Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations again and again.
Yaa Devi Sarva-Bhutessu Shaanti-Ruupenna Samsthitaa |
Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namo Namah ||
To that Devi Who in All Beings is Abiding in the Form of Peace,
Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations again and again.
Yaa Devi Sarva-Bhutessu Shraddhaa-Ruupenna Samsthitaa |
Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namo Namah ||
To that Devi Who in All Beings is Abiding in the Form of Faith,
Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations again and again.
Yaa Devii Sarva-Bhutessu Kaanti-Ruupenna Samsthitaa |
Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namo Namah ||
To that Devi Who in All Beings is Abiding in the Form of Loveliness and Beauty,
Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations again and again.
Yaa Devi Sarva-Bhutessu Lakshmii-Ruupenna Samsthitaa |
Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namo Namah ||
To that Devi Who in All Beings is Abiding in the Form of Good Fortune,
Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations again and again.
Yaa Devi Sarva-Bhutessu Vrtti-Ruupenna Samsthitaa |
Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namo Namah ||
To that Devi Who in All Beings is Abiding in the Form of Activity,
Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations again and again.
Yaa Devi Sarva-Bhutessu Smrti-Ruupenna Samsthitaa |
Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namo Namah ||
To that Devi Who in All Beings is Abiding in the Form of Memory,
Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations again and again.
Yaa Devi Sarva-Bhutessu Dayaa-Ruupenna Samsthitaa |
Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namo Namah ||
To that Devi Who in All Beings is Abiding in the Form of Kindness,
Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations again and again.
Yaa Devi Sarva-Bhutessu Tushtti-Ruupenna Samsthitaa |
Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namo Namah ||
To that Devi Who in All Beings is Abiding in the Form of Contentment,
Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations again and again.
Yaa Devi Sarva-Bhutessu Maatr-Ruupenna Samsthitaa |
Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namo Namah ||
To that Devi Who in All Beings is Abiding in the Form of Mother,
Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations again and again.
Yaa Devi Sarva-Bhutessu Bhraanti-Ruupenna Samsthitaa |
Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namo Namah ||
To that Devi Who in All Beings is Abiding in the Form of Delusion,
Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations again and again.
Indriyaannaam-Adhisstthaatrii Bhutaanaam Ca-Akhilessu |
Yaa Bhuutessu Satatam Tasyai Vyaapti-Devyai Namo Namah ||
(Salutations) To that Devi Who Governs the Faculty of Senses of Beings in All the Worlds,
Salutations to Her Who is the Devi Who Always Pervades all Beings.
Citi-Ruupenna Yaa Krtsnam-Etad-Vyaapya Sthitaa Jagat |
Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namo Namah ||
(Salutations to Her) Who in the Form of Consciousness Pervades This Universe and Abides in It,
Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations again and again.
