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Nityaनित्य

Durga Chalisa

श्री दुर्गा चालीसा

The Durga Chalisa is a forty-verse Hindi prayer to Goddess Durga that begins 'Namo namo Durge sukh karni'. It praises her many forms, from Gauri and Lakshmi to Kali and the Mahavidyas, and recalls her victories over Mahishasura, Shumbha-Nishumbha and Raktabija. Families read it on Tuesdays and Fridays and on every day of Navratri.

Chaupai 1

Namo Namo Durge Sukh Karni

Namo Namo Ambe Dukh Harni

I bow to you again and again, Durga, giver of happiness. I bow to you again and again, Amba, who takes away sorrow.

Chaupai 2

Nirankar Hai Jyoti Tumhari

Tihun Lok Phaili Ujiyari

Your light has no form, and its brightness fills all three worlds.

Chaupai 3

Shashi Lalat Mukh Mahavishala

Netra Lal Bhrikuti Vikrala

The moon shines on your forehead and your face is grand. Your eyes are red and your brows are fierce.

Chaupai 4

Roop Matu Ko Adhik Suhave

Darash Karat Jan Ati Sukh Pave

The Mother's form is very lovely. Whoever sees her feels great joy.

Chaupai 5

Tum Sansar Shakti Lay Kina

Palan Hetu Ann Dhan Dina

By your power the world comes into being and dissolves again. To sustain it, you gave food and wealth.

Chaupai 6

Annapurna Hui Jag Pala

Tum Hi Aadi Sundari Bala

As Annapurna, the giver of food, you nourish the world. You are the first and eternal one, the beautiful young Goddess.

Chaupai 7

Pralaykal Sab Nashan Hari

Tum Gauri Shivshankar Pyari

At the time of the great dissolution, you bring everything to an end. You are Gauri, beloved of Shiva Shankar.

Chaupai 8

Shiv Yogi Tumhre Gun Gaven

Brahma Vishnu Tumhen Nit Dhyaven

Shiva and the yogis sing of your virtues. Brahma and Vishnu meditate on you every day.

Chaupai 9

Roop Saraswati Ko Tum Dhara

De Subuddhi Rishi Munin Ubara

You took the form of Saraswati, gave the sages clear understanding and lifted them up.

Chaupai 10

Dharyo Roop Narsingh Ko Amba

Pargat Bhai Phaadkar Khamba

O Amba, you took the form of Narasimha and appeared by bursting out of the pillar.

Chaupai 11

Raksha Kari Prahlad Bachayo

Hirnakush Ko Swarg Pathayo

You protected Prahlad and saved him, and you sent Hiranyakashipu to heaven.

Chaupai 12

Lakshmi Roop Dharo Jag Mahin

Shri Narayan Ang Samahin

In the world you took the form of Lakshmi and you dwell at the side of Shri Narayan.

Chaupai 13

Kshirsindhu Mein Karat Vilasa

Dayasindhu Dijai Man Aasa

You dwell happily in the ocean of milk. O ocean of mercy, fulfil the hopes of my heart.

Chaupai 14

Hinglaj Mein Tumhin Bhavani

Mahima Amit Na Jaat Bakhani

You are Bhavani who dwells at Hinglaj. Your glory has no limit and cannot be put into words.

Chaupai 15

Matangi Aru Dhumavati Mata

Bhuvaneshwari Bagla Sukh Data

You are Mother Matangi and Dhumavati. You are Bhuvaneshwari and Bagala, who give happiness.

Chaupai 16

Shri Bhairav Tara Jag Tarini

Chhinna Bhal Bhav Dukh Nivarini

You are Bhairavi, and Tara who carries the world across. As Chhinnamasta you end the sorrows of worldly life.

Chaupai 17

Kehari Vahan Soh Bhavani

Langur Veer Chalat Agvani

Bhavani looks splendid riding her lion, and the brave Langur walks ahead of her.

Chaupai 18

Kar Mein Khappar Khadag Viraje

Jako Dekh Kaal Dar Bhaje

In your hands are the skull-bowl and the sword. Seeing them, even Death runs away in fear.

Chaupai 19

Sohai Astra Aur Trishula

Jate Uthat Shatru Hiy Shula

Weapons and the trident adorn you, and at their sight a sharp pain rises in the enemy's heart.

Chaupai 20

Nagarkot Mein Tumhin Virajat

Tihun Lok Mein Danka Bajat

You dwell at Nagarkot, and your victory drum sounds in all three worlds.

Chaupai 21

Shumbh Nishumbh Danav Tum Maare

Raktabeej Shankhan Sanhare

You killed the demons Shumbha and Nishumbha, and destroyed Raktabija though he multiplied beyond counting.

Chaupai 22

Mahishasur Nrip Ati Abhimani

Jehi Agh Bhaar Mahi Akulani

King Mahishasura was very proud, and the earth was in distress under the weight of his sins.

Chaupai 23

Roop Karal Kalika Dhara

Sen Sahit Tum Tihi Sanhara

You took the terrible form of Kali and destroyed him along with his whole army.

Chaupai 24

Pari Gaadh Santan Par Jab Jab

Bhai Sahay Matu Tum Tab Tab

Whenever hard times fell on the good and the devout, Mother, you came to help them.

Chaupai 25

Amarpuri Aru Basav Loka

Tab Mahima Sab Rahen Ashoka

The city of the gods and Indra's heaven all stay free of sorrow through your glory.

Chaupai 26

Jwala Mein Hai Jyoti Tumhari

Tumhen Sada Poojen Nar Nari

Your light burns in the flame at Jwala, and men and women worship you always.

Chaupai 27

Prem Bhakti Se Jo Yash Gaven

Dukh Daridra Nikat Nahin Aaven

Those who sing your glory with love and devotion, sorrow and poverty do not come near them.

Chaupai 28

Dhyave Tumhen Jo Nar Man Laai

Janam Maran Tako Chhuti Jaai

Whoever meditates on you with the whole mind is freed from the cycle of birth and death.

Chaupai 29

Jogi Sur Muni Kahat Pukari

Yog Na Ho Bin Shakti Tumhari

Yogis, gods and sages declare aloud that without your power no yoga is possible.

Chaupai 30

Shankar Aacharaj Tap Kino

Kaam Aru Krodh Jeeti Sab Lino

Shankaracharya performed great austerities and conquered desire and anger.

Chaupai 31

Nishidin Dhyan Dharo Shankar Ko

Kahu Kaal Nahin Sumiro Tumko

Day and night he meditated on Shiva, but never once did he remember you.

Chaupai 32

Shakti Roop Ka Maram Na Payo

Shakti Gayi Tab Man Pachhitayo

He did not understand the secret of your form as Shakti. When his strength left him, he was filled with regret.

Chaupai 33

Sharanagat Hui Kirti Bakhani

Jai Jai Jai Jagdamb Bhavani

Then he took refuge in you and sang your glory: victory, victory, victory to Jagadamba Bhavani!

Chaupai 34

Bhai Prasann Aadi Jagdamba

Dai Shakti Nahin Keen Vilamba

The primal Mother of the world was pleased and gave back his strength without delay.

Chaupai 35

Moko Matu Kasht Ati Ghero

Tum Bin Kaun Harai Dukh Mero

Mother, great troubles surround me. Who but you can take away my pain?

Chaupai 36

Aasha Trishna Nipat Sataven

Moh Madadik Sab Binshaven

Hope and craving torment me deeply. Destroy delusion, pride and all such faults in me.

Chaupai 37

Shatru Naash Kijai Maharani

Sumiraun Ikchit Tumhen Bhavani

O great Queen, destroy my enemies. With a single mind I remember you, Bhavani.

Chaupai 38

Karo Kripa He Matu Dayala

Riddhi Siddhi Dai Karahu Nihala

O kind Mother, be gracious to me. Give me prosperity and success and fill my life with joy.

Chaupai 39

Jab Lagi Jiun Daya Phal Paaun

Tumhro Yash Main Sada Sunaun

As long as I live, may I receive the fruit of your kindness, and I will always tell of your glory.

Chaupai 40

Shri Durga Chalisa Jo Koi Gavai

Sab Sukh Bhog Parampad Pavai

Whoever sings this Shri Durga Chalisa enjoys every happiness and reaches the highest state.

Closing chaupai

Devidas Sharan Nij Jani

Karahu Kripa Jagdamb Bhavani

Knowing Devidas as one who has come to your shelter, show him your grace, O Jagadamba Bhavani.

Closing Doha

Sharanagat Raksha Kare, Bhakt Rahe Nishank

Main Aaya Teri Sharan Mein, Matu Lijiye Ank

You protect those who come to you, and your devotee lives without fear. I have come to your shelter, Mother; take me into your lap.

Source: Traditional Hindi text as printed in popular chalisa and aarti-sangrah booklets; cross-checked line by line against sanskritdocuments.org (doc_z_otherlang_hindi/durga40, both versions on that page), BhaktiBharat.com, Bharat Discovery (bharatdiscovery.org) and ShubhPanchang.com

The meanings are our own first draft. A scholar has not reviewed them yet. If you spot a mistake, please tell us.

getnitya.com/en/durga/durga-chalisa/