Durga Saptashati Path

The Durga Saptashati — also called the Devi Mahatmya and, in Bengal and Odisha, the Chandi — is seven hundred verses set in thirteen chapters, forming chapters 81 to 93 of the Markandeya Purana. It is read as three charitras. The Prathama Charitra is the first chapter alone, where Mahakali is invoked and Madhu and Kaitabha are met. The Madhyama Charitra runs from the second to the fourth chapter, the Mahalakshmi section, and holds the Mahishasura narrative. The Uttama Charitra runs from the fifth to the thirteenth, the Mahasaraswati section, with the Shumbha and Nishumbha narrative and the Devi Suktam at its close.

The text is never read bare. Before it come the three angas — the Devi Kavach, the Argala Stotra and the Keelak — and after it the Devi Suktam and the Siddha Kunjika Stotra. Throughout, the Navarna mantra is held between sections. Families keep the full path during the two Navaratris, on Ashtami, and on the amavasya before a household observance begins. In Bengali households the same text is read as the Chandi Path in the Mahalaya dawn.