Vanadurga Saptashati is also known as the Mahavidya Saptashati, and the recitation of the Saptashati is referred to as the Mahavidya Parayana (Recitation of the Great Wisdom). The Vanadurga Mahavidya Parayanam is a protection-oriented spiritual practice that harmoniously weaves together 700 Vedic and Tantric mantras into a single, comprehensive system of worship, protection, and spiritual empowerment.
This
sacred compilation consists of 700 mantras, divided into three major
sections (Khandas):
- First Khanda – 108 Mantras
- Second Khanda – 397 Mantras
- Third Khanda – 195 Mantras
1.
First Khanda
The
recitation begins as a dialogue between Bhagavan Subrahmanya (Skanda) and
Purandara (Vidyananda).
This
section contains questions and answers on the essence of all mantras and the
rare Digbandhana Mahavidya (the sacred ritual of spiritual protection by
sealing the ten directions).
It
includes:
- Short Nyasas (ritual
placements)
- Around 18 rare meditation
verses (Dhyana Shlokas)
- About 9 principal Mula
Mantras
- Durga Gayatri
- Durga Sukta Mantra
- Chandi Mala Mantras
- Indrakshi Stotram
- Vatuka Bhairava and
Sharabheshwara Mantras
- Digbandhana procedures for protecting all ten directions
2.
Second Khanda
This is
the largest and most comprehensive section of the Vana Durga Saptashati.
It contains numerous deities, along with their associated mantras, tantric
practices, and ritual applications.
It
includes:
Purvanga
and Pitha Shaktis
- Twelve Purvanga names
- Pitha Shaktis associated with
the seven islands (Dvipas) and nine regions (Varshas)
- Twenty-four principal
Pitha-residing goddesses, including:
- Kamakshi of Kanchi
- Mookambika (Mahalakshmi) of
Kollur
- Annapurneshwari of Kashi
- Meenakshi of Madurai
- and others
Other
important contents include:
- Bhramari Mala Mantras
- Rakta Chamundi Mala Mantra
- Kartaviryarjuna Mantras
- Digbandhana Mantras for the
ten directions
- Sudarshana Chakra Mantras
- Mahashulini Mantra
- Pratikriya Shulini Mantras and
Digbandhana
- Dakshina Kalika Mantra
- Matrika Nyasa Mantras
- Varahi (Vartali) Mantras
- Varahi Nigraha Stotram
- Bagalamukhi Ugra Stotram and
Kavacham
- Bagalamukhi Hridayam
- Brahmastra Mantra
- Baglamukhi
Kavacha from the Ekaveera Tantra
- Bagalamukhi Mahatmyam
It also
contains:
- Vedic Mantras, Mula Mantras,
and Gayatri Mantras of Rudra and the Ten Guardians of the
Directions (Dikpalas):
- Indra
- Agni
- Yama
- Nirriti
- Varuna
- Vayu
- Kubera
- Ishana
- Brahma
- Vasuki
- Vishnu
Additionally,
it includes:
- Digbandhana Mantras of the Ten
Asura Directional Lords (such as Shulaka and Marichika)
- Panchavaktra Hanuman Mantras
- Hanumad Bhairava Mantras
- Meditation verses and
Digbandhana Mantras of the Bhairavas, including:
- Asitanga
- Ruru
- Krodha
- Unmatta
- Kapala
- Bhishana
- Prachanda (Chanda)
- Samhara
- Sammohana
- Kala
- Tandava Bhairava
3.
Third Khanda
This
section includes the meditation and Vedic-style hymns dedicated to the Ashta
Matrikas (Eight Divine Mothers):
- Brahmi
- Maheshwari
- Varahi
- Aindri
- Chamunda
- Kaumari
- Vaishnavi
- Mahalakshmi
It also
contains:
- Vanadurga Kavacham
- Bhuvaneshwari Mala Mantra
- Sarvato Raksha (Complete
Protection) Mantras dedicated to around 23 deities
- Durga Sukta
- Ganapati Sukta
- Saraswati Mantras
- Vedic Mantras and Mala Mantras
of the Nine Planets (Navagrahas), from Surya to Ketu
- Mantras for protection against
untimely death and diseases (Apamrityu and Roga Shanti)
- Various devotional prayers to
different deities
- Around 12 Gayatri Mantras
dedicated to different deities
The
concluding portion includes:
- Mahapratyangira Mantras
- Kritya Nivarana (Removal of
Black Magic and Malevolent Influences) Mantras
- Atharva Veda ritual
applications
- Mantras for removing the
effects of harmful occult practices (Abhichara Dosha Hara)
Thus, the recitation concludes.