About the Ya Devi Sarva Bhuteshu
Ya Devi Sarva Bhuteshu is the central prayer of the Devi Mahatmya (also called Durga Saptashati). This shloka, chanted with different epithets to name different aspects of the Devi, is the most beloved hymn of the Shakta tradition. It recognises the divine feminine as the energy (Shakti) pervading all of creation.
The Mantra
या देवी सर्वभूतेषु शक्तिरूपेण संस्थिता। नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥
Yā devī sarvabhūteṣu śaktirūpeṇa saṃsthitā · namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namaḥ
Overall Meaning
To that Goddess who resides in all beings in the form of Shakti (power and energy) — salutations, salutations, salutations to Her, again and again.
Word-by-Word Translation
| Yā |
She who |
| Devī |
The Goddess, the divine feminine |
| Sarvabhūteṣu |
In all beings |
| Śaktirūpeṇa |
In the form of power or energy |
| Saṃsthitā |
Is present, resides permanently |
| Namastasyai |
Salutations to her |
| Namo namaḥ |
Salutations again and again |
Significance & Philosophy
The shloka is chanted repeatedly with different epithets: as consciousness (Chiti), as sleep (Nidra), as hunger (Kshudha), as intelligence (Buddhi), and many more. This reflects the Shakta understanding that the Divine Mother is not separate from creation but the very energy that animates all existence.
Benefits of Chanting
- The central prayer of all Navratri celebrations
- Invokes protection of the Divine Mother
- Awakens awareness of the divine feminine in all forms
- Purifies and energises when chanted during Devi puja
- Most powerful on all nine nights of Navratri
How to Chant
Traditionally chanted during all nine nights of Navratri, as part of the full Durga Saptashati. Can be chanted daily during morning prayers. The complete Devi Mahatmya has 13 chapters; this shloka appears in Chapter 5.