GarbhShiksha

हिंदी में पढ़ें 

11 verses with meanings

Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu: 11 lines for pregnancy

'Ya devi sarvabhuteshu' comes from chapter 5 of the Devi Mahatmya, also known as the Durga Saptashati. Each line honours the Goddess as present in all beings in one form, then bows to her three times: namas tasyai, namas tasyai, namas tasyai, namo namah. The chapter names many such forms. We have chosen eleven that speak to pregnancy, and kept them in the order the text gives them.

Because each prayer is a single line, you can pick the one that fits your day. The Goddess as mother, 'matri-rupena', is for any week, since you are becoming one. The Goddess as sleep is for restless nights, as hunger for mealtimes, and as patience for the last weeks, when waiting feels long. Many mothers keep the line on strength for labour, and the one on good fortune for welcoming the baby home. Chant one line 3 to 11 times, softly or silently, and breathe naturally. Navratri is a lovely time to begin, but any day works.

These are prayers of hope. The lines on intelligence and memory cannot 'programme' qualities into a child; a child's nature grows from genes, health, love and upbringing. In labour, follow your doctor's or midwife's guidance on breathing first. Read our disclaimer

Wisdom and learning

The Goddess as Intelligence

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु बुद्धिरूपेण संस्थिता ।नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥

ya devi sarva-bhuteshu buddhi-rupena samsthita, namas tasyai namas tasyai namas tasyai namo namah

Devi Mahatmya (Durga Saptashati), chapter 5

Meaning

To the Goddess who lives in all beings as intelligence: I bow to her again and again.

Why we suggest this

A one-line prayer for a clear, bright mind.

What you can expect

A simple, rhythmic chant.

Best time
Morning
How to practise
3–11 times, then read the meaning aloud
Who can chant
Mother and father
Best weeks
Weeks 16–32

Honest noteA prayer of hope. A child's nature comes from genes, health, love and upbringing. Chanting cannot 'programme' qualities.

Theme: Qualities for Your Child

Better sleep

The Goddess as Sleep

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु निद्रारूपेण संस्थिता ।नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥

ya devi sarva-bhuteshu nidra-rupena samsthita, namas tasyai namas tasyai namas tasyai namo namah

Devi Mahatmya (Durga Saptashati), chapter 5

Meaning

To the Goddess who lives in all beings as sleep: I bow to her again and again.

Why we suggest this

Sleep itself is honoured as a form of the Goddess, a lovely bedtime line when sleep is hard to find.

What you can expect

A gentle bedtime chant. Repeat softly as you settle on your side.

Best time
Bedtime, or whenever you feel anxious
How to practise
Soft or silent repetition with slow breathing, 5–10 minutes
Who can chant
Mother; someone close to you can read aloud
Best weeks
Any week

Honest noteSlow, rhythmic chanting can slow your breathing, and many people find that calming (studied in adults who were not pregnant).

Theme: Sleep & Calm Mind

Healthy appetite

The Goddess as Hunger

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु क्षुधारूपेण संस्थिता ।नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥

ya devi sarva-bhuteshu kshudha-rupena samsthita, namas tasyai namas tasyai namas tasyai namo namah

Devi Mahatmya (Durga Saptashati), chapter 5

Meaning

To the Goddess who lives in all beings as hunger: I bow to her again and again.

Why we suggest this

Even appetite is sacred: it is how the body feeds the baby. A gentle verse for meal times.

What you can expect

A kinder, less guilty attitude towards cravings and hunger.

Best time
Before meals, or when taking supplements
How to practise
Once before each meal, or 11 times in the morning
Who can chant
Mother; whole family at meals
Best weeks
Any week

Honest noteA prayer of gratitude. It does not replace diet advice, iron and folic acid, or medicines.

Theme: Mother's Health & Nourishment

Strength for labour

The Goddess as Strength

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु शक्तिरूपेण संस्थिता ।नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥

ya devi sarva-bhuteshu shakti-rupena samsthita, namas tasyai namas tasyai namas tasyai namo namah

Devi Mahatmya (Durga Saptashati), chapter 5

Meaning

To the Goddess who lives in all beings as strength: I bow to her again and again.

Why we suggest this

A one-line reminder that strength itself is divine, and that it lives in you.

What you can expect

A feeling of inner power.

Best time
Early labour and between contractions
How to practise
One short phrase on each out-breath. Your birth partner may whisper it in your ear
Who can chant
Birth partner and mother
Best weeks
Weeks 37–40+ and during labour

Honest noteKind, familiar words from a trusted person can lower fear. Follow your doctor's or midwife's breathing guidance first.

Theme: Labour & Delivery

Patience while waiting

The Goddess as Patience

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु क्षान्तिरूपेण संस्थिता ।नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥

ya devi sarva-bhuteshu kshanti-rupena samsthita, namas tasyai namas tasyai namas tasyai namo namah

Devi Mahatmya (Durga Saptashati), chapter 5

Meaning

To the Goddess who lives in all beings as patience: I bow to her again and again.

Why we suggest this

The last weeks can feel endless. This line honours patience as a form of the Goddess.

What you can expect

A calmer waiting period.

Best time
Same time every day
How to practise
Choose 1–2 'birth verses' and repeat them daily until labour
Who can chant
Mother and birth partner
Best weeks
Weeks 28–37

Honest noteMay help you feel calmer. It cannot guarantee a normal delivery. Every safe birth, including a caesarean, is a good birth.

Theme: Preparing for Birth

Calm mind

The Goddess as Peace

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु शान्तिरूपेण संस्थिता ।नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥

ya devi sarva-bhuteshu shanti-rupena samsthita, namas tasyai namas tasyai namas tasyai namo namah

Devi Mahatmya (Durga Saptashati), chapter 5

Meaning

To the Goddess who lives in all beings as peace: I bow to her again and again.

Why we suggest this

A one-line prayer to bring peace into the mind and the home.

What you can expect

Quick calm on anxious days.

Best time
Bedtime, or whenever you feel anxious
How to practise
Soft or silent repetition with slow breathing, 5–10 minutes
Who can chant
Mother; someone close to you can read aloud
Best weeks
Any week

Honest noteSlow, rhythmic chanting can slow your breathing, and many people find that calming (studied in adults who were not pregnant).

Theme: Sleep & Calm Mind

Welcoming good fortune

The Goddess as Good Fortune

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु लक्ष्मीरूपेण संस्थिता ।नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥

ya devi sarva-bhuteshu lakshmi-rupena samsthita, namas tasyai namas tasyai namas tasyai namo namah

Devi Mahatmya (Durga Saptashati), chapter 5

Meaning

To the Goddess who lives in all beings as good fortune: I bow to her again and again.

Why we suggest this

Many families welcome a newborn as Lakshmi coming home. This line honours good fortune as divine.

What you can expect

A joyful, thankful mood at home.

Best time
At birth, on the naming day, at bedtime
How to practise
Whisper or sing softly
Who can chant
Parents and grandparents
Best weeks
Birth onwards

Honest noteA blessing and bonding ritual. Babies may find sounds they heard often before birth familiar.

Theme: Welcoming Baby

Wisdom and learning

The Goddess as Memory

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु स्मृतिरूपेण संस्थिता ।नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥

ya devi sarva-bhuteshu smriti-rupena samsthita, namas tasyai namas tasyai namas tasyai namo namah

Devi Mahatmya (Durga Saptashati), chapter 5

Meaning

To the Goddess who lives in all beings as memory: I bow to her again and again.

Why we suggest this

Memory is honoured as a form of the Goddess. A prayer for a sharp mind.

What you can expect

A calm, steady practice.

Best time
Morning
How to practise
3–11 times, then read the meaning aloud
Who can chant
Mother and father
Best weeks
Weeks 16–32

Honest noteA prayer of hope. A child's nature comes from genes, health, love and upbringing. Chanting cannot 'programme' qualities.

Theme: Qualities for Your Child

Kindness

The Goddess as Kindness

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु दयारूपेण संस्थिता ।नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥

ya devi sarva-bhuteshu daya-rupena samsthita, namas tasyai namas tasyai namas tasyai namo namah

Devi Mahatmya (Durga Saptashati), chapter 5

Meaning

To the Goddess who lives in all beings as kindness: I bow to her again and again.

Why we suggest this

A one-line prayer for a kind-hearted child.

What you can expect

A soft, warm feeling.

Best time
Morning
How to practise
3–11 times, then read the meaning aloud
Who can chant
Mother and father
Best weeks
Weeks 16–32

Honest noteA prayer of hope. A child's nature comes from genes, health, love and upbringing. Chanting cannot 'programme' qualities.

Theme: Qualities for Your Child

Contentment

The Goddess as Contentment

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु तुष्टिरूपेण संस्थिता ।नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥

ya devi sarva-bhuteshu tushti-rupena samsthita, namas tasyai namas tasyai namas tasyai namo namah

Devi Mahatmya, chapter 5

Meaning

To the Goddess who lives in all beings as contentment: I bow to her again and again.

Why we suggest this

Early pregnancy can bring restlessness and comparison. This line invites contentment with today.

What you can expect

A settled, grateful feeling.

Best time
Morning on waking, or any time you feel uneasy
How to practise
One verse, 3–11 times. Short 5-minute sessions are enough
Who can chant
Mother; family can read aloud on tired days
Best weeks
Weeks 4–13

Honest noteMay help you feel calmer. It does not treat nausea. Severe vomiting needs a doctor.

Theme: First Trimester Comfort

Honouring motherhood

The Goddess as Mother

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु मातृरूपेण संस्थिता ।नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥

ya devi sarva-bhuteshu matri-rupena samsthita, namas tasyai namas tasyai namas tasyai namo namah

Devi Mahatmya, chapter 5

Meaning

To the Goddess who lives in all beings as the Mother: I bow to her again and again.

Why we suggest this

You are becoming a mother. This verse honours motherhood itself as divine.

What you can expect

Pride and peace in your new role.

Best time
Morning, or evening lamp time
How to practise
11 or 21 times. Fridays are traditional for Devi verses
Who can chant
Mother and family
Best weeks
Weeks 4–40 (especially 4–20)

Honest noteProtection is a traditional belief. Medical care is your real protection. Never delay care for bleeding or pain.

Theme: Protection of the Womb

See also: Durga Saptashati in pregnancy

Sources

We mention only what each study actually found. Most studies are small, and none of them replaces your doctor's advice. Read the disclaimer

  • Slow, rhythmic chanting and breathing

    What it found
    In 23 healthy adults, slow, rhythmic recitation of a prayer or a mantra slowed breathing to about six breaths a minute (from about 14 at rest). While they recited, the natural rise and fall of their heart rate became stronger and moved in step with the breath.
    What it doesn't show
    It did not include pregnant women, Sanskrit shlokas or babies, measured only short-term effects in a lab, and does not show any health benefit for pregnancy, labour or the baby. Six breaths a minute is what was measured, not a target to aim for.

    Bernardi et al. (2001). Effect of rosary prayer and yoga mantras on autonomic cardiovascular rhythms: comparative study. BMJ 323(7327):1446-1449.

    Read the summary on PubMedRead the full study (free)

  • Learning sounds heard often before birth

    What it found
    Babies who heard a made-up word many times in the last three months of pregnancy showed stronger brain responses to its sounds after birth, so babies can learn and remember sounds they hear often late in pregnancy.
    What it doesn't show
    It shows memory for sounds, not understanding of meaning, and does not show any effect on intelligence, language skills or later development; the authors also caution that noise may harm the developing hearing system.

    Partanen et al. (2013). Learning-induced neural plasticity of speech processing before birth. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 110(37):15145-15150.

    Read the summary on PubMedRead the full study (free)