Hymn - Argala Stotram-From Devi Mahatmyam of Markandeya Purana (M. Venkataraman)

<p>Before completing the Durga Saptasati (Devi Mahatmyam), in the first place, Goddess’s devotees generally chant this Stotram. Here Sage Markandeya is telling his disciples in 27 inspiring slokas on the greatness of Devi. She has been described in all aspects and names and at the end of each Sloka, prayer is offered to Devi for material prosperity, physical fitness, fame and victory.</p> <p>Devi Mahatmyam is a portion of the Markandeya Purana authored by Sage Markandeya. It is also known as Durga Saptashati and Sri Chandi. It is a text which describes the victory of the good in the form of Goddess Durga over the evil represented by the demons Mahishasura and others. The text contains 700 verses (Saptashata) and because of that the whole composition is known as Durga Saptashati. The seven hundred verses are arranged in 13 chapters. For ritual reading purposes a number of subsidiary texts are appended before and after these 700 verses. A ritualistic reading of Durga Saptashati is part of the Navratri celebrations in honour of Goddess Durga.</p> <p>It is popularly known as Chandi because it describes the glory of the Goddess as Chandika, the terrible. The Goddess has two forms- a malevolent form and a benevolent form. In her terrible form she destroys the evil demons. Yet in her form, one can see the light of a benevolent regeneration too. This benevolent form is her compassionate form as the Mother of the Universe.</p> <p>Lalita sahasranamam and Devi Mahatmyam are the two famous sacred texts that laud the glory of the Mother. Both are considered to be extremely auspicious and powerful as tools of transformation. Both can be recited daily.</p> <p>In this stotram the devotees of the Goddess ask her blessings for both the material and spiritual prosperity. The devotees pray to the Goddess to fulfil all the worldly needs first because we know that she is the Mother of the Universe and her merciful nature is to grant us and provide us with our basic needs first.</p> <p>The Stotram can make one strong enough to overcome