Table of Contents
Main Benefits of Durga Apaduddharaka Stotram
- Relief from material dangers.
- Overcoming Karmic Suffering.
- Inner peace and optimism.
- Self-discovery and emotional strength.
- Support for spiritual liberation.
What is the Durga Apaduddharaka Stotram
The Durga Apaduddharaka Stotram consists of 12 Sanskrit verses. It is a part of the Siddheshwari Tantra, a Tantrik Literature whose roots trace back to antiquity. Parama Shiva Himself uttered this hymn in praise of his consort, Sri Durga, an expansion of Uma Devi.
The Universal Father thus glorifies the Universal Mother for our Supreme Benefit. This also shows Lord Shiva’s humility in acknowledging Sri Parvati’s greatness.Being the male and female counterparts, they revere each other, merging individual egos and identities. Thus, Ardhanareeswarar reflects their unification at the Atmic level.
Lord Shiva represents the static source, who gives life to an idea representing Shakti. Thus,a wonderful spiritual work originates. Lord Shiva’s Soulful conversations with Parvati Ji have revealed the majority of esoteric stotrams and mantras of our Sanatana Dharma treasure.
One such esoteric hymn is the Durga Apaduddharaka Stotram. Today’s Video Post is a humble attempt to unveil the benefits and significance of the Durga Apaduddharaka Stotram.
Meaning of Apaduddharaka
While Durga refers to Shakti, Apaduddharaka can be understood in two parts. Apada is the Sanskrit word for danger while Uddharaka means to uplift or redeem. Hence Durga Apaduddharaka Stotram unfailingly relieves the troubles of its reciter.
The Mood Behind the Stotram
In many different ways, the reciter seeks the protection of Jagadamba, the universal mother.The stotram ends with the refrain नमस्ते जगत्तारिणि त्राहि दुर्गे indicating the reciter’s urgency for help.
While reciting the stotram in a flow, one may not remember the meaning. Hence, kindly remember to recite the prayer keeping this mood towards Sri Durga in mind-
“As your child, I have always been selfish. I have neglected my responsibilities towards you and have always taken care of my needs. That is why nature is punishing me like this. I deserve this. But in times of pain, who else can I remember, but you Oh mother!
Now while I am suffering endlessly, how can you remain indifferent to me? Sri Durga, Take me under your soothing care and relieve me of all bondages!”
7/8 Questions from Sanatana Dharma
The scores generated in this Quiz may or may not be absolute. There may be right or wrong answers to each Question. A percentage towards 100 indicates that you are more aligned to the overall subject matter.
How Should the Reciter Develop his Mood?
The reciter should feel every word of this little prayer and then begin with the recitation. A sincere and innocent call can pull Sri Durga towards one like a magnet. Remember not to ask anything from Devi, instead allow her to take the call. Once the responsibility is given one should not interfere with Her divine ways.
More than focussing on solving a particular problem, the sadhaka should strive to form a personal connection with Devi. The world can be a very dreary place to live in. A certain pleasure of life brings with it an exponential range of troubles.
The World of Karma is Devi’s Play Park
Take, Marriage for example. Though Marriage brings the ideal image of romance and children, it also comes with a heavy risk of an incompatible spouse, disobedient children and hostile in-laws. Now, the intensity of the problem depends on Karma.
Same goes with every aspect of life. A person may have health issues, heavy debts. job insecurity, disobedient children, face unfair treatment and what not. In today’s complex world, the problems too are complex. Durga Devi has created this magical worldly Park because we wanted it. Fascinated by her creation, we left her side and entertained ourselves.
Cry For Devi Durga’s Help
But, now, when the scary creatures are out to attack us, we run back to her for help. The Durga Apaduddharaka Stotram is thus a heart-wrenching cry for help, mercy and forgiveness. After exhausting all options, the reciter seeks the warmth of Sri Durga, who still loves us for we are her eternal children.
Durga Devi verily represents the material world. A non spiritual person may not understand the gravity of the statement, But Sadhana gives the ability to see this truth like the back of one’s hand.
Benefits of Durga Apaduddharaka Stotram
Since the Durga Apaduddharaka Stotram is a Tantrik text from the Siddheswari Tantra, one needs a guru. I do not recommend chanting Tantrika stotrams without initiation. Durga Apaduddharaka Stotram can be recited to attain material and spiritual ends.
Lord Shiva proclaims in the 10th and 11th verse- By reciting this Stotra three times a day or even once in the evening), one gets liberated from great Dangers. He then adds- the Devotee who recites the full Stotram or even one Sloka, meditating on Devi, gets liberated from all Dangers.
The Durga Apaduddharaka Stotram is similar to the Bajrang Baan in its efficacy. Only, in extreme conditions should we invoke the energetic goddess Durga. Her energy is sure to cause an upsurge in one’s present life conditions.
The Two types of Suffering
While the Durga Apaduddharaka Stotram promises to relieve suffering, we should know that there are two types of troubles-
1) Nature-Imposed: Nature-Imposed suffering is the hopeless category, one’s emancipation is in nature’s hand. Past bad Karma, forces the individual to live in hellish conditions. Such individuals desire to break free, but are bound by Maya Devi. Such suffering souls cannot do much to relieve their pain. Thus they seek the mercy of Sri Durga Devi, wanting her to take action in their lives.
The Stotram thus proves effective in relieving suffering caused by natural calamities, toxic relatives, enemies, fighting a law-suit, imprisonment, abusive spouse, body pain, emotional hurt, disobedient or challenged children, sudden deaths in the family, etc.
The stotram is sure to help such distressed souls, stuck in the Karmic web.
Reciting the stotram helps reduce anxiety. One cries less often, radiates joy, becomes more optimistic and begins to trust in divine will. The reciter also learns to let go of situations and initiates the process of inner decluttering. A lot of self-discovery,
2) Self-Imposed: Desire is the root cause of suffering- as the wise say. Self Imposed Suffering stems from unfulfilled desires. It is trouble created by self-will.
For instance, desiring a dream job, an attractive spouse, unlimited wealth, a high status in society etc. When these desires do not manifest in life, the individual sinks into depression and suffers. Fulfillment of desires depends on past Karma.
The Stotram cannot help much here. Nothing manifests out of thin air. Only if you have sown the seed in the past, shall you reap the benefits in the future. The solution to self-imposed misery is entirely in our hands (i,e) simply discarding the desire.It may not be as easy as it sounds.
However, the Durga Apaduddharaka Stotram gives us strength to overcome the Vasanas that pinch the soul.
How To Attain Liberation ?
The wonderful stotram grants deliverance from the bindings of the material world. However, The seeker should be sincere in his spiritual pursuit.
For instance, When a mother sees her son absorbed in studies, she does not disturb him and does his chores herself, without letting him know. Durga Devi too is a doting mother, who considers the spiritual path a form of higher studies.
When convinced of a seeker’s sincerity, she clears his path allowing him to do full time sadhana. Srimati Durga Devi thus executes his material responsibilities letting him concentrate on the divine.
Devi relieves a spiritualist from all duties and responsibilities that an ordinary man is bound to follow. However, One cannot superficially deem to have reached that exalted stage.
However grave the problem is, this tantrik work grants the discussed benefits provided one is initiated, by a capable, self-realized master.
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