Tantroktam Ratrisuktam
These verses have been taken from the first chapter of Sri Durgasaptashati belonging to the Devi Mahatmya section of the Markandeya Puran. Salutations to the night deity also occur in the Rig Veda (127/10) which have been reproduced in the Durgasaptashati and also in its pure Vedic form which appears under the title Vedoktam Ratrisuktam. The two should be carefully differentiated.
In Tantroktam Ratrisuktam which appears serialized from verse 70 to verse 87 of the first chapter, Brahma is found offering his salutations to the Mahadevi. She is praised as the manifestation of the Universe as well as the manifestation of nidra / yognidra under the spell of which even Vishnu is sleeping. Chanting these mantras will be useful for those who are looking out for the attainment of some peace and peaceful sleep during the night.
The mantras in the original Sanskrit with their transliterations and explanations are available below.
ॐ विश्वेश्वरीं जगद्धात्रीं स्थितिसंहारकारिणीम् ।
निद्रां भगवतीं विष्णोरतुलां तेजसः प्रभुः ॥१॥
Om Vishweshvariim Jagad-Dhaatriim Sthiti-Samhaara-Kaarinniim |
Nidraam Bhagavatiim Vissnnor-Atulaam Tejasah Prabhuh ||1||
Meaning:
Om, the Goddess of the entire Universe (Vishweshwari), Who holds the Worlds (Jagatdhatri), Who is the underlying Cause behind the continuance of Existence (Sthiti) as well as Withdrawing of Creation (Samhara), Who is the Goddess with unparallel Tejas (Power) and is the Yoganidra of Vishnu.
ब्रह्मोवाच
त्वं स्वाहा त्वं स्वधा त्वं हि वषट्कारः स्वरात्मिका ।
सुधा त्वमक्षरे नित्ये त्रिधा मात्रात्मिका स्थिता ॥२॥
Brahmo[a-U]vaaca
Tvam Svaahaa Tvam Svadhaa Tvam Hi Vassattkaarah Svara-[A]atmikaa |
Sudhaa Tvam-Akssare Nitye Tridhaa Maatra-[A]atmikaa Sthitaa ||2||
Meaning:
Brahma said: You are Swaha (Sacrificial oblations to the gods), You are Swadha (Sacrificial oblations to the manes), You are indeed Vasatkara (Exclamation during sacrifice after which the oblation is poured); You are the essence behind these Swaras (Exclamations during sacrificial oblations) (and thus the One to Whom all Sacrificial Oblations go), You are the Nectar (of Bliss) within the Akshara (Om), residing eternally as the essence behind the three Maatras (A-U-M).
अर्धमात्रास्थिता नित्या यानुच्चार्या विशेषतः ।
त्वमेव सन्ध्या सावित्री त्वं देवि जननी परा ॥३॥
Ardha-Maatraa-Sthitaa Nityaa Ya-Anuccaaryaa Vishessatah |
Tvam-Eva Sandhyaa Saavitrii Tvam Devi Jananii Paraa ||3||
Meaning:
You eternally abide in the very subtle Bindu of the Omkara, which in particular, cannot be pronounced at all. You indeed are the Sandhya (The approaching calmness of the night and the essence of the Sandhya worship) and You indeed are the Savitri (The power of the Sun during the day and the essence of the Gayatri mantra); You are the Devi Who is the Supreme Mother.
त्वयैतद्धार्यते विश्वं त्वयैतत् सृज्यते जगत् ।
त्वयैतत् पाल्यते देवि ! त्वमत्स्यन्ते च सर्वदा ॥४॥
Tvayai[aa-E]tad-Dhaaryate Vishvam Tvayai[aa-E]tat Srjyate Jagat |
Tvayai[aa-E]tat Paalyate Devi ! Tvamatsy-Ante Ca Sarvadaa ||4||
Meaning:
You Bear this Universe, You Create this World (from Your Power), and You Sustain this Creation, O Devi (through Your Power), and finally You merge this Creation within You, always.
विसृष्टौ सृष्टिरूपा त्वं स्थितिरूपा च पालने ।
तथा संहृतिरूपान्ते जगतोऽस्य जगन्मये ॥५॥
Visrssttau Srsstti-Ruupaa Tvam Sthiti-Ruupaa Ca Paalane |
Tathaa Samhrti-Ruupa-Ante Jagato[ah-A]sya Jaganmaye ||5||
Meaning:
During Creation You are Sristhi-Rupa (of the form of the Creator of this World), during Sustaining You are Sthiti-Rupa (of the form of the Abider within the Creation for Nourishing it), and in like manner, during the End of the World. You assume the form of Samhriti (of the form of Withdrawer of Creation within Yourself); You are thus the Jaganmayi (Who contains the whole World within Herself).
महाविद्या महामाया महामेधा महास्मृतिः ।
महामोहा च भवती महादेवी महासुरी ॥६॥
Mahaa-Vidyaa Mahaa-Maayaa Mahaa-Medhaa Mahaa-Smrtih |
Mahaa-Mohaa Ca Bhavatii Mahaa-Devii Mahaa-Surii ||6||
Meaning:
You are Mahavidya (The great secret Knowledge beyond the Mind), You are Mahamaya (The Knowledge which enchants the Mind), You are Mahamedha (The great Intelligence beyond the Mind) and You are Mahasmriti (The Universal Memory which Knows everything), You are Mahamoha (The Knowledge which confounds the limited Mind); You are Mahadevi, the worshipful Great Goddess.
प्रकृतिस्त्वं च सर्वस्य गुणत्रयविभाविनी ।
कालरात्रिर्महारात्रिमोहरात्रिश्च दारुणा ॥७॥
Prakrtis-Tvam Ca Sarvasya Gunna-Traya-Vibhaavinii |
Kaalaraatrir-Mahaaraatri-Moharaatrish-Ca Daarunnaa ||7||
Meaning:
Through Your Three Gunas. You have given rise to the entire Prakriti (The Universal Nature), You are Kalaratri (The Great Night behind Prakriti which causes Dissolution), You are Maharatri (The Great Night behind Prakriti which is full of Mystery), You are Moharatri (The Great Night behind Prakriti which causes Delusion), You are (indeed) Very Very Deep.
त्वं श्रीस्त्वमीश्वरी त्वं ह्रीस्त्वं बुद्धिर्बोधलक्षणा ।
लज्जा पुष्टिस्तथा तुष्टिस्त्वं शान्तिः क्षन्तिरेव च ॥८॥
Tvam Shriis-Tvam-Iishvarii Tvam Hriis-Tvam Buddhir-Bodha-Lakssannaa |
Lajjaa Pussttis-Tathaa Tussttis-Tvam Shaantih Kssantir-Eva Ca ||8||
Meaning:
You are Sri (Srim, the Bija Mantra of Sri), You are the Goddess (Who brings Prosperity), You are Hri (Hrim, the Bija Mantra of Prana and Heart Space), You are (the Power which awakens) the Intelligence and Understanding. You are the Feminine Energy manifesting as Modesty, Nourishment, as well as Contentment; You are indeed Peace and the Power of Forbearance.
खड्गिनी शूलिनी घोरा गदिनी चक्रिणी तथा ।
शङ्खिनी चापिनी बाणभुशुण्डी परिघायुधा ॥९॥
Khaddginii Shuulinii Ghoraa Gadinii Cakrinnii Tathaa |
Shangkhinii Caapinii Baanna-Bhushunnddii Parigha-[A]ayudhaa ||9||
Meaning:
Holding the Khadga (Sword, Scimitar) and Trishula (Trident) You manifest Your Dreadful form (making a Terrible Sound); with the other hands holding the Gada (Mace) and Chakra (Discus), and (holding) Shankha (Conch Shell), Caapa (Bow), Bana (Arrow), Bhusundi (a type of weapon) and the weapon Parigha (Club studded with Iron).
सौम्या सौम्यतराशेषसौम्येभ्यस्त्वतिसुन्दरी ।
पराऽपराणां परमा त्वमेव परमेश्वरी ॥१०॥
Saumyaa Saumyatara-Ashessa-Aaumyebhyas-Tva[u-A]ti-Sundarii |
Paraa-[A]paraannaam Paramaa Tvam-Eva Parame[a-Ii]shvarii ||10||
Meaning:
You are Saumya (Cool and Placid like the Moon), a greater manifestation of Saumya, perfect and whole, and surpassing all that is Saumya; You are indeed exceedingly Beautiful, You are beyond both Para (knowledge relating to the divine) and Apara (knowledge relating to the world); You indeed are the Supreme Goddess.
यच्च किञ्चित् क्वचिद्वस्तु सदसद्वाऽखिलात्मिके ।
तस्य सर्वस्य या शाक्तिः सा त्वं किं स्तूयसे तदा ॥११॥
Yachcha Kincit Kvachidvastu Sadasadva-Akhilatmike |
Tasya Sarvasya Yaa Shaktih Sa Tvam Kim Stuyase Tadaa ||11||
Meaning:
Whatever thing, however insignificant, present anywhere, whether they are Sat (based on eternal Truth, lasting) or Asat (not based on eternal Truth, transient), O the Atman (Soul) of the whole Universe, are all manifestations of Your Shakti; how then can anyone Praise You? (the praiser also being part of You).
यया त्वया जगत्स्रष्टा जगत् पात्यत्ति यो जगत् ।
सोऽपि निद्रावशं नीतः कस्त्वां स्तोतुमिहेश्वरः ॥१२॥
Yayaa Tvayaa Jagat-Srassttaa Jagat Paatyatti Yo Jagat |
So[ah-A]pi Nidraa-Vasham Niitah Kas-Tvaam Stotum-Ihe[a-Ii]shvarah ||12||
Meaning:
By You, (He Who is) the Creator of the World, the Destroyer of the World, He Who is the World Itself (i, e., the Preserver of the World), even Him (i.e., Vishnu), You have overpowered with Sleep; What (further) Praise can therefore be uttered by me now, O Ishwara?
विष्णुः शरीरग्रहणमहमीशान एव च ।
कारितास्ते यतोऽतस्त्वां कः स्तोतं शक्तिमान् भवेत् ॥१३॥
Vissnnuh Shariira-Grahannam-Aham-Iishaana Eva Ca |
Kaarita-Aste Yato(ah-A)tas-Tvaam Kah Stotam Shaktimaan Bhavet ||13||
Meaning:
You are indeed Bearing the Bodies of Vishnu, Myself and Ishana (Shiva), They are all created from Your Power; Hence from what Power of mine can I Praise You? (Since behind everything is Your Power).
सा त्वमित्यं प्रभावैः स्वैरुदारैर्देवि संस्तुता ।
मोहयैतौ दुराधर्षावसुरौ मधुकैटभौ ॥१४॥
Saa Tvam-Ityam Prabhaavaih Svair-Udaarair-Devi Samstutaa |
Mohayai[a-E]tau Duraadharssaava[au-Aa]surau Madhu-Kaittabhau ||14||
Meaning:
(Even) With all Your Powers thus (mentioned), O Devi, You are praised for Your great Generosity, Therefore, (O Devi), Please delude these invincible Demons, Madhu and Kaitabha.
प्रबोधं च जगत्स्वामी नीयतामच्युतो लघु ।
बोधश्च क्रियतामस्य हन्तुमेतौ महासुरौ ॥१५॥
Prabodham Ca Jagat-Svaamii Niiyataam-Acyuto Laghu |
Bodhash-Ca Kriyataam-Asya Hantum-Etau Maha-Asurau ||15||
Meaning:
O Devi, Please Wake up the Lord of the World (i.e., Vishnu), and guide the Achyuta (another name of Vishnu) quickly, please make Known to Him (i.e., Vishnu) about these great Demons, so that He can Kill them.
ईति तन्त्रोक्तं रात्रिसूक्तं सम्पूर्णम् ॥
Thus ends the Tantrokta Ratrisuktam
I am a Vedic astrologer by profession. I have done Jyotish Acharya from Bhartiya Vidya Bhawan. I am devoted to my Sadguru Shri Sai Nath of Shirdi. I am also interested in spirituality. I love to guide people.
I am a Vedic astrologer by profession. I have done Jyotish Acharya from Bhartiya Vidya Bhawan. I am devoted to my Sadguru Shri Sai Nath of Shirdi. I am also interested in spirituality. I love to guide people.