SAMUDRAVASANE DEVI PARVATA STHANA
Before you step on the floor
samudravasane devi parvata sthana maṇḍale .
viṣṇupatni namastubhyaṃ pāda sparśaṃ kṣamasvame ..
O Goddess, dressed with the oceans, bedecked at the front with mountains, I bow to Thee, O consort of Vishnu, excuse my touching you with my feet.
History
This mantra originates from Hindu Puranic and Tantric texts, particularly those describing the iconography and worship of the Goddess (Devi).
Samudravasane Devi Parvata Sthana describes the Goddess in her symbolic cosmic form, emphasizing her as the cosmic mother residing in mountains and oceans.
Historically, it has been recited in Durga, Lakṣmī, and Sarasvatī Pujās, especially in the Shakti tradition, which venerates Devi as the embodiment of power, abundance, and knowledge.
Used in mantra sādhanā, devotional recitation, and temple rituals, the mantra is believed to invoke divine protection, wisdom, and auspiciousness.
Etymology & Meaning
Verse Components:
Samudravasane – “She who is adorned by or seated on the ocean” – symbolizing cosmic abundance, fluidity, and nurturing nature.
Devi – The Goddess, embodiment of Shakti (divine energy/power).
Parvata Sthana – “Residing on the mountain” – symbolizing stability, strength, and spiritual elevation.
Literal Meaning:
“The Goddess who resides on the mountains and is adorned by the ocean.”
Symbolic Meaning:
Mountains (Parvata): Stability, spiritual strength, elevated consciousness.
Ocean (Samudra): Abundance, creativity, and the infinite nature of the cosmos.
The mantra emphasizes balance between stability and fluidity, invoking divine protection, prosperity, and wisdom.
Benefits
a) Spiritual
Invokes Goddess energy (Shakti) for protection, spiritual growth, and guidance.
Helps cultivate strength, courage, and clarity of thought.
Supports meditation on cosmic principles and inner balance.
b) Psychological
Enhances confidence, emotional stability, and resilience.
Reduces fear, anxiety, and mental turbulence through connection with divine protective energy.
c) Practical / Ritual
Recited during Goddess Pujās, Navaratri, or personal worship.
Helps focus intention during rituals, creating an energetic and auspicious environment.
Encourages mindfulness and alignment of action with higher consciousness.
Contraindications / Precautions
No physical contraindications.
Should be recited mindfully and with devotion, ideally under guidance for proper pronunciation.
Avoid mechanical repetition; the mental focus and reverence are essential for the mantra’s potency.
Science of the Mantra
a) Neuroscience
Chanting and visualization activate limbic regions (emotion) and prefrontal cortex (attention), reducing stress and enhancing focus.
Repetition enhances parasympathetic activity, promoting calmness and emotional regulation.
b) Psychology
Symbolic imagery of mountain and ocean creates a sense of grounding and expansive mental space, reducing fear and improving resilience.
Evokes positive emotional states associated with protection, abundance, and inner strength.
c) Energy Science (Yoga / Tantra)
Invoking Devi’s cosmic energy aligns Shakti (dynamic energy) with consciousness, enhancing subtle energy flow in the sushumnā and chakras.
Mountains symbolize stability and grounding, oceans symbolize prāṇic abundance, creating balance in energy channels.
Supports spiritual practices, meditation, and psychic alignment with divine forces.