Renuka Saptakam
IAST English
Bhagavati Renuka - The Mahasakti
Introduction to Reṇukā Saptakam
Reṇukā Saptakam is a short and powerful seven-verse hymn composed by Kāvyakaṇṭha Vasiṣṭha Śrī Gaṇapati Muni in praise of Śrī Reṇukā Devī, the divine mother worshipped with deep reverence in the Śākta tradition.
In this hymn, the Mother is not seen merely as Reṇukā, the mother of Paraśurāma, but as a manifestation of the supreme Goddess herself. Through subtle references to Śiva, Skanda, Gaṇeśa, Kālī, Caṇḍikā, Gaurī, Lakṣmī, and Bhāratī, the hymn presents her as a universal Divine Mother who transcends sectarian distinctions.
The poet especially identifies Reṇukā with Kālī and Caṇḍikā, emphasizing her fierce, protective, and transformative aspect. At the same time, he expresses his own special devotion to Gaurī, seeing himself as her child. Thus, the hymn beautifully combines theology, devotion, and personal spiritual intimacy.
Though brief, Reṇukā Saptakam reveals the unity of the great goddesses and celebrates the Mother as the source of protection, grace, and spiritual blessedness.
॥ kāvyakaṇṭha vāsiṣṭha śrīgaṇapatimuni viracitam reṇukāsaptakam ॥
purato vilokya vṛṣabhaṃ pārśve liṅgaṃ parātparasya vibhoḥ ।
pṛṣṭhe skandagaṇeśau tvāṃ kālīṃ manmahe mātaḥ ॥ 1॥
na tvaṃ lakṣmīmātaḥ yallakṣmīnāyakasya mātā'si ।
janayitri rākṣasāreḥ tasmāttvāṃ manmahe kālīm ॥ 2॥
saṃhāranāyikātvāt mārītvādugraveṣarūpatvāt ।
madhyamalokanivāsāt tvāṃ kālīṃ manmahe mātaḥ ॥ 3॥
jamadagniḥ śivabhāgaḥ bhāgastvaṃ devi śailakanyāyāḥ ।
evaṃ jñātvā yastvāṃ bhajati sa dhanyo mahābhāgaḥ ॥ 4॥
tvāṃ caṇḍikāṃ pracaṇḍāmāhustantrāṇi janimatāṃ mātaḥ ।
tasmāttvaṃ śivakāntā na śrīrna preyasī ca vidheḥ ॥ 5॥
gaurīśrīrvā vāgvā na viśeṣo jagati bhaktalokasya ।
mama tu viśiṣṭā gaurī sākṣādasyāḥ suto yadaham ॥ 6॥
tisṛṣu paradevatāsu śreṣṭhatvaṃ nocyate mayaikasyāḥ ।
prītirme girijāyāṃ lakṣmīto bhāratītaśca ॥ 7॥
॥ iti śrībhagavanmaharṣiramaṇāntevāsino vāsiṣṭhasya narasiṃhasūnorgaṇapateḥ kṛtiḥ reṇukāsaptakaṃ samāptam ॥