Chandi Charitra is a poem on Goddess Chandi in Sikh literature. It is part of Dasam Granth in Sikhism. Dasam Granth, also known as Dasven Padshah Ka Granth (Book of the Tenth Emperor) or Bachitar Natak Granth, contains texts composed by the 10th Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh.
There are two Chandi Charitra in Dasam Granth.
- The first one is titled Chandi Charitra Ukati Bilas
- The second one is titled Chandi Charitra.
Chandi Charitara Ukati Bilas
Chandi Charitar Ukati Bilas begins with the supplication of the poet for the Goddess with the words: Illumine me with good intellect, so that I may compose Thy wonderful deeds. There are 233 stanzas in this poem, composed mostly in dohas and savayyas. The narration is distributed in eight cantos.
Chandi Charitra Ukati Bilas ends with words hailing the victory of the Goddess and Indra, this clearly suggests that this poem is the adaptation of Durga Saptasati of Markandeya Purana.
The Charitra ends with the noteworthy stanza: “O Goddess! Grant me this boon that I may not hesitate to perform good actions, I may not fear the enemy, when I to go fight and assuredly I may become victorious – And I may give the instructions to my mind and have this temptation that I may ever utter Thy Praises; when the end of my life comes, then may I die fighting on the battlefield” (231).
Chandi Charitra
The second Chandi Charitra also contains eight cantos, but the narration runs into 262 stanzas.
In this charitra, several forms of versification have been used including doha, chaupai, bhajan prayat and rasaval.
The poet adopts different expressions, while dilating upon the same story and theme.
The exploits of Goddess Durga against ferocious demons like Madhu, Kaitabha, Mahishasura, Shumbha, Nishumbha, Chanda, Munda, Raktabija etc have been narrated with poetic vigor, which reflects the continuing war between good and inauspicious forces.
Source – Sri Dasam Granth Sahaba : Text and Translation Vol I – II by Dharam Singh and Jodh Sigh – Heritage Publication Patiala.
The poetry of the Dasam Granth (1959) by Dharam Pal – Arun Prakashan Delhi