DM Class Assessment 1

Instructions:

There are three sections in this question paper.: Section A deals with Devi Mahatmyam, Section
B with Sri Vidya and the final Section C with relevant puranas, itihasas and vedantic
philosophies discussed in class.

Please write all the answers on separate A4 sized white sheets which you need to bring with
you to the class.

Please tick the correct options clearly in the MCQ questions. Kindly read the heading of the
questions carefully to see whether they require a single answer or multiple answer.

In case of quote from memory questions for the slokas, feel free to write transliterated versions
of the mantras. However it would be preferred if you can write them in the devanagari lipi.

You have 2 hours to complete the assessment. Please indicate the group name and the name of
the members clearly on the question paper.

Section A
Q1. The Devi Mahatmya Stotra is called Saptashati because of 700 Shlokas, is what is
understood commonly. This number is not very consistent when various Bhaga Kramas in works
like Damara Tantra, Haragauri Tantra, Lakshmi Tantra, Maricha Kalpa etc are referred. What other
possible reasons can be given for referring to this hymn as Saptashati? (3 points)
Q2. How many navaratris are celebrated? Quote instances from Devi Mahatmyam where this is
mentioned. What is the metaphysical significance of the these ratris ? (4 points)
Q3. What is importance of Omkara? Why is it considered a symbol of Mahamaya, the supreme
goddess? Quote instances from DM where this connection between Her and OM is established.( 3
points)
Q4. What are the 2 parayana kramas of saptashati? List their constituent angAs. What are the
shastra pramanas for these kramas? (scriptural sanction) (4 points)
Q5. In case one is unable to chant the whole of saptashati, what can he chant instead to get the
fruits of chanting the entire work? Where is this sanction provided in Devi Mahatmyam? (2 points)
Q6. Quote mantras/slokas from Devi Mahatmyam to achieve the following purposes:(4 points)
i) For vashikarana
ii) For removal of hurdles/difficulties
Q7. What is the mahachandi krama of saptashati parayana? Describe when and how it is to be
done by mentioning the Devis who are invoked during the japa in this krama. (4 points)
Q8. a) Who is the goddess Siddhilakshmi? What other goddess is she associated with and why?
b) How can goddess Nikhumbila be worshipped using Devi Mahatmyam? (4 points)
Q9. Quote the sloka from DM which encodes the mantra of Bhuvaneshwari. (2 points)
Q10. a) A person chants Devi Mahatmyam every day at his home. Is there any specific reason why
he would follow such a practice?
b) What is the scriptural sanction for the practice of Chandi homam? Who is authorised to
perform a chandi homam? (5 points)
Q11. Which among the following statements are true?(5)
a) When chanted with all the angAs the entire devi mahatmyam becomes a single mala
mantra
b) The following orders of reciting chapters in DM are considered to be valid:
i)13,12,11,10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1
ii) 1,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,2,3,4
iii)4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,2,3,1
c)There are 9 different kramAs for chanting Devi Mahatmyam
d) The deity referred to as Mahalakshmi in devi mahatymam is a reference to Vishnu patni
Sri Mahalakshmi.
e) The main deity referred to in Devi Mahatymam is enshrined in Kolhapur.

Section B

Q1. Explain the three different acharas practised in Sri Vidya. (4 points)
Q2. What are three most important duties of a Sri Vidya upAsaka as per Lalita Sahasranama?(3
points)
Q3. Though both Nakuli and Vagvadini Devis are Vak Shaktis, why did Amba commission Vasini to
the task of composing the divine Sahasranama? (3 points)
Q4. Name the three stotras (along with their authors) identified as Ratna Trayam by
Mahaperiyaval. (3 points)
Q5. Why is it always thought that Shiva is the goal of Sadhana and not Shakti?(3 points)
Q6. i) Mention the names of some anga devatas of Sri Vidya quoted in Lalita Sahasranama.
ii) Name some shaktopanishads. Among them what is the significance of Bhavanopanishad.(5
points)
Q7. What does the nameMahayagakramaradhya mean? (3 points)
Q8. Identify the devis who match the descriptions given below: (20 points)
i) Does not like Doorba grass
ii) Does not like tulasi leaves
iii) Wears yellow clothes like Srimman Narayana
iv) Presiding deity at Adi kamakshi temple
v) Has narasimha, kabandha shiva, krodha bhairava and renuka as anga devatas
vi) Has the ears of a vulture and is a form of Bhadrakali
vii) Killer of the demon vipracitti also known as Yogeshwari
viii) Destroyer of Arunasura also referred to as Mahamari
ix) Protected rudra from tripurasura and worshipped as a form of auspiciousness
x) Skeletal goddess with a scorpion on her belly
Q9. Identify the six chakras in the human body. Where exactly can they be found in the physical
body (sthula sharira)? (3 points)
Q10. Narayana suktam is often chanted for Devi Mahatripurasundari instead of Sri Mahavishnu.
She is also referred to as Narayani in Saptashati. What could be the reason for this? (3 points)
Q11. What is the significance of Devi Khadgamala mantra? How many khadgamalas are there?(3
points)

Section C
Q1. a) How can the three states of consciousness be related to the three schools of philosophy
Dvaitam, Advaitam and Vishitadvaitam? (5 points)
b) Which of the three schools of thought does the shakta system and sri vidya follow? Give
justifications for this claim from Devi mahatmyam and Lalita Sahasranama. (10 points)

Q2. a) Give single digit numerical answers for the same: (22 points)
i)(No of puranas + No of upanishads)/(No of avaranAs in the sri chakra*2)
ii) No of yogiNis who serve Chandi/ No of chapters in lalitopakhyam
iii) Purascharana count for chandi navakshari/(Sum of number of petals in all 6 chakras *
(No of slokas in ramayana - 4000)
iv) No. of nayanmArs - (No of vasUs * No of rasas)- No. of syllables in Nrisimha Mantra raja
+10
v) No of nadis in the human body/No of slokas in Devi bhagavatam
Give an example of the mantra with as many syllables as i)+ii)+iii)+iv)+v) . Where is that mantra
used and which deity is it dedicated to?
b) How many shakti piths are there in india and what is the significance of this number?

Jai Sri Rajarajeshwari