Saptashati

Saptashati, also known as Durga Saptashati or Chandi Path, is a Sanskrit devotional text of 700 verses that forms the central portion of the Devi Mahatmya, within the Markandeya Purana. The verses praise the goddess Durga and present her as the supreme power, or Shakti, who creates, sustains, and destroys the cosmos.

The narrative recounts the goddess's origin and her battles against various demons who threaten cosmic order, culminating in the defeat of Mahishasura and the restoration of dharma. The text blends myth, hymn, and narrative, emphasizing the goddess as both a benevolent mother and a fierce warrior who protects devotees from evil.

Scholars generally date the Devi Mahatmya to the early medieval period, likely between the 5th and 8th centuries CE, though Saptashati exists in numerous manuscript traditions. It is widely studied and recited in Hindu practice, especially within Shakta traditions, and is commonly referred to as the Durga Saptashati or Chandi Path. Recitations are a common feature in Navaratri and Durga Puja rites and are often accompanied by ritual chants and worship of the goddess.

The Saptashati has influenced devotional literature, liturgical practice, and iconography across regions. It has been translated into several Indian languages and remains a focal point for discussions of the Goddess’s nature as both nurturing and supreme cosmic power in Hindu theology.