दुर्गा चालीसा
The Durga Chalisa praises the all-powerful Goddess Durga — the invincible divine warrior who cannot be overcome by any force in the universe. Her name means "she who is difficult to approach" (Dur = difficult, Ga = to approach). She is the combined power of all the gods, who created her to defeat the buffalo-demon Mahishasura. Recited during Navratri, Tuesdays, and Fridays for protection, courage, and the destruction of obstacles.
नमो नमो दुर्गे सुख करनी ।
नमो नमो अम्बे दुख हरनी ॥
निरंकार है ज्योति तुम्हारी ।
तिहुँ लोक फैली उजियारी ॥
Namo Namo Durge Sukh Karani, Namo Namo Ambe Dukh Harani.
Nirankaar Hai Jyoti Tumhaari, Tihun Lok Phaili Ujiyaari.
I bow, I bow to Durga, the giver of happiness. I bow, I bow to Ambe, the destroyer of sorrows. Your light is formless; its radiance is spread throughout the three worlds.
1.
शशिमुख तुम्हारा सोहे सुन्दर ।
रक्त चरण प्रिय शत्रु दल ॥
Shashimukh Tumhaaraa Sohe Sundar, Rakt Charan Priy Shatru Dal.
Your moon-like face shines beautifully; your red feet are the destroyer of enemy forces.
2.
नैना ज्वाला जगत त्रासिनी ।
महाकाली भवदुख नाशिनी ॥
Naina Jwalaa Jagat Traasini, Mahakaali Bhavdukh Naashini.
Your fiery eyes terrorize the world; Mahakali who destroys the sorrow of worldly existence.
3.
मुण्डमाल तन छार लगावे ।
महाभैरवी तुम जग जावे ॥
Mundmaal Tan Chhaar Lagaave, Mahabhairavi Tum Jag Jaave.
Wearing a garland of skulls, smearing sacred ash on your body — you are Mahabhairavi, known throughout the world.
4.
खड्ग खप्पर रखे तुम्हारे ।
नगर-नगर तुम्हरे जयकारे ॥
Khadg Khappar Rakhe Tumhaare, Nagar-Nagar Tumhre Jaykaare.
Sword and skull-cup are in your hands; in city after city your victory cries are raised.
5.
क्षमा करो माता भगवती ।
जय जय जय जगदम्ब महती ॥
Kshama Karo Maata Bhagavati, Jai Jai Jai Jagadamba Mahati.
Be merciful, O Mother Bhagavati! Victory, victory, victory to the great Mother of the Universe!
6.
सुर-नर-मुनि सब भजते तुमको ।
मनवांछित फल पाते तुमसे ॥
Sur-Nar-Muni Sab Bhajate Tumko, Manvaanchhit Phal Paate Tumse.
Gods, men, and sages all worship you; they receive their heart's desired fruits from you.
7.
अष्टभुजी माँ महाशक्ति ।
नव रूप धारत अति अनुरक्ति ॥
Ashtabhuji Maa Mahashakti, Nav Roop Dhaarat Ati Anurakti.
Eight-armed Mother, great Shakti, who assumes the nine forms with great devotion.
8.
माँ के नव स्वरूप नवरात्रा ।
भक्त जनों को होत सुख-पात्रा ॥
Maa Ke Nav Swaroop Navraatri, Bhakt Janon Ko Hot Sukh-Paatri.
Mother's nine forms are worshipped in Navratri; devotees become vessels of happiness.
9.
शैलपुत्री पहले रूप जानो ।
ब्रह्मचारिणी को भी मानो ॥
Shailputri Pahle Roop Jaano, Brahmaachaarini Ko Bhi Maano.
Know Shailputri as the first form; also honor Brahmacharini.
10.
चंद्रघंटा स्कंदमाता ।
कुष्माण्डा कात्यायनी भ्राता ॥
Chandraghantaa Skandamaataa, Kushmandaa Kaatyaayani Bhraataa.
Chandraghanta, Skandamata, Kushmanda, Katyayani — each is a sister form.
11.
कालरात्रि महागौरी ।
सिद्धिदात्री है सबसे प्यारी ॥
Kaalraatri Mahaagauri, Siddhidaatri Hai Sabse Pyaari.
Kalaratri, Mahagauri, and Siddhidatri — the most beloved of all.
12.
इन नौ रूपों का ध्यान धरो ।
नवरात्रि में व्रत नित करो ॥
In Nau Roopon Ka Dhyaan Dharo, Navraatri Mein Vrat Nit Karo.
Meditate on these nine forms; observe the fast daily during Navratri.
13.
महिषासुर मर्दिनी माता ।
रण में असुर दल का था नाशा ॥
Mahishaasur Mardini Maataa, Ran Mein Asur Dal Ka Thaa Naashaa.
Mother, destroyer of Mahishasura — you destroyed the entire demon army in battle.
14.
शुम्भ निशुम्भ किये संहारी ।
धर्म की स्थापना की सवारी ॥
Shumbh Nishumbh Kiye Sanhaari, Dharm Ki Sthaapanaa Ki Savaaari.
You destroyed Shumbha and Nishumbha; you led the establishment of righteousness.
15.
रक्तबीज से युद्ध किया था ।
प्रत्येक बूँद से नव जन्म दिया था ॥
Raktabij Se Yuddh Kiyaa Thaa, Pratyek Boond Se Nav Janm Diyaa Thaa.
You fought the demon Raktabija; from each drop of his blood a new demon was born.
16.
चामुंडा रूप लेकर आई ।
रक्त पीकर उसे मार गई ॥
Chaamundaa Roop Lekar Aaee, Rakt Peekar Use Maar Gaee.
Taking the form of Chamunda (Kali), you came and drank the blood and killed him.
17.
सौ-सौ सिंह की सवारी ।
दश भुजा में शस्त्र भारी ॥
Sau-Sau Singh Ki Savaari, Das Bhujaa Mein Shastr Bhaari.
Mounted on a lion equal to a hundred lions; in ten arms bearing mighty weapons.
18.
जो भी माँ का भजन करे ।
उसके तीनों ताप हरे ॥
Jo Bhi Maa Ka Bhajan Kare, Uske Teenon Taap Hare.
Whoever sings devotional songs to Mother — all three types of sorrow are removed.
19.
पर्वत पर जो विचरण करे ।
विंध्यवासिनी नाम धरे ॥
Parvat Par Jo Vicharan Kare, Vindhyavaasini Naam Dhare.
She who roams the mountains bears the name Vindhyavasini (dweller of Vindhya).
20.
सिंह पर बैठी माँ त्रिकाला ।
भवानी अष्टभुजी बालाल ॥
Singh Par Baithi Maa Trikaala, Bhavaani Ashtabhuji Baalal.
Mother seated on a lion, knowing the three times (past, present, future) — Bhavani with eight arms.
21.
माँ की जय जय जय बोलो ।
भव के सब बंधन खोलो ॥
Maa Ki Jai Jai Jai Bolo, Bhav Ke Sab Bandhan Kholo.
Say Victory, Victory, Victory to Mother! Open all the bonds of worldly existence.
22.
दुर्गा पूजन जो नित करे ।
व्याधि शोक संकट सब टरे ॥
Durgaa Poojan Jo Nit Kare, Vyaadhi Shok Sankat Sab Tare.
Whoever performs Durga worship daily — disease, grief, and all troubles depart.
23.
सप्तशती का जो पाठ करे ।
पापों का भार उतर जावे ॥
Saptashati Ka Jo Paath Kare, Paapon Ka Bhaar Utar Jaave.
Whoever recites the Saptashati (700 verses of Devi Mahatmya) — the burden of sins falls away.
24.
माता का प्रसाद पाये जो ।
जन्म जन्म के पाप धुले जो ॥
Maataa Ka Prasaad Paaye Jo, Janm Janm Ke Paap Dhule Jo.
Whoever receives Mother's prasad — sins of birth after birth are washed away.
25.
नव दुर्गा की आराधना ।
जो करे भक्ति साधना ॥
Nav Durgaa Ki Aaraadhanaa, Jo Kare Bhakti Saadhana.
Whoever practices the worship and spiritual discipline of the nine Durgas —
26.
उसके सब काज सिद्ध होंगे ।
माँ के चरण में निष्ठ होंगे ॥
Uske Sab Kaaj Siddh Honge, Maa Ke Charan Mein Nishtha Honge.
All their tasks will be accomplished; they will be steadfast at Mother's feet.
27.
यंत्र तंत्र मंत्र सिद्ध करे ।
माँ दुर्गा भक्ति में रत रहे ॥
Yantr Tantr Mantr Siddh Kare, Maa Durgaa Bhakti Mein Rat Rahe.
He who accomplishes yantras, tantras, and mantras — remains absorbed in devotion to Mother Durga.
28.
माँ की महिमा अपरम्पार ।
कोई न पाये उसका पार ॥
Maa Ki Mahimaa Aparampaar, Koi Na Paaye Uska Paar.
Mother's greatness is infinite; no one can reach its end.
29.
भक्त को माँ दे ज्ञान प्रकाश ।
करे सदा अज्ञान का नाश ॥
Bhakt Ko Maa De Gyaan Prakaash, Kare Sadaa Agyaan Ka Naash.
Mother gives the light of knowledge to devotees; she always destroys ignorance.
30.
दुर्गा दुर्गम राह हरे ।
भव सागर से पार उतरे ॥
Durgaa Durgam Raah Hare, Bhav Saagar Se Paar Utare.
Durga removes the most difficult paths; she carries us across the ocean of worldly existence.
31.
माँ की गोद में बालक हूँ मैं ।
चरण कमल में शरण लिया मैं ॥
Maa Ki God Mein Baalak Hoon Main, Charan Kamal Mein Sharan Liyaa Main.
I am a child in Mother's lap; I have taken shelter at her lotus feet.
32.
संकट में भी माँ याद करूँ ।
माँ का आशीर्वाद नित धरूँ ॥
Sankat Mein Bhi Maa Yaad Karoon, Maa Ka Aasheervad Nit Dharoon.
Even in trouble I remember Mother; I always hold Mother's blessings.
33.
जो माँ के चरण सेवत हो ।
उन पर माँ की दया रहत हो ॥
Jo Maa Ke Charan Sevat Ho, Un Par Maa Ki Dayaa Rahat Ho.
Those who serve Mother's feet — Mother's compassion always rests upon them.
34.
श्री दुर्गा सप्तशती गान ।
सफल होवे जीवन संधान ॥
Shri Durgaa Saptashati Gaan, Safal Hove Jeevan Sandhaana.
Singing the Shri Durga Saptashati — the search of one's life becomes successful.
35.
भवानी भव दुखिया तारे ।
चण्डी भवभय भार निवारे ॥
Bhavaani Bhav Dukhiyaa Taare, Chandi Bhavabhay Bhaar Nivaare.
Bhavani carries the sorrowful across worldly existence; Chandi removes the burden of worldly fear.
36.
दश विद्या की तुम जननी ।
काली तारा श्री कुल धारिणी ॥
Das Vidyaa Ki Tum Janani, Kaali Taaraa Shri Kul Dhaarini.
You are the mother of the ten Mahavidyas; Kali, Tara, Shri — bearer of the divine lineages.
37.
नव दुर्गा के भिन्न-भिन्न ।
मंत्र पूजन विधि नियम ॥
Nav Durgaa Ke Bhinn-Bhinn, Mantr Poojan Vidhi Niyam.
The nine Durgas each have different mantras, worship methods, and rules.
38.
इन विधियों से जो पूजन करे ।
माँ की कृपा अवश्य मिले ॥
In Vidhiyon Se Jo Poojan Kare, Maa Ki Kripaa Avashya Mile.
Whoever performs worship by these methods — Mother's grace is certainly obtained.
39.
दुर्गा चालीसा पाठ करे जो ।
माँ का भक्त वह बन जावे सो ॥
Durgaa Chaalisaa Paath Kare Jo, Maa Ka Bhakt Vah Ban Jaave So.
Whoever recites the Durga Chalisa — becomes Mother's devotee.
40.
जग में सुख-संपत्ति पावे ।
अंत समय माँ धाम जावे ॥
Jag Mein Sukh-Sampatti Paave, Ant Samay Maa Dhaam Jaave.
One attains happiness and prosperity in the world; at the final time one goes to Mother's abode.
दुर्गा चालीसा जो पढ़े, नवरात्रि में नित्य ।
माता की कृपा से मिले, सुख-संपत्ति नित्य ॥
Durgaa Chaalisaa Jo Padhe, Navraatri Mein Nitya,
Maataa Ki Kripaa Se Mile, Sukh-Sampatti Nitya.
Whoever reads the Durga Chalisa daily during Navratri — through Mother's grace, happiness and prosperity are obtained daily.