The Durga Chalisa is a devotional poem in Hindi, in the Braj and Awadhi-flavoured speech of the old devotional songs. Chalisa comes from the word for forty, and the poem is built from forty verses, each a rhyming couplet, followed by a short closing couplet. It is addressed to Durga, the Mother, who is also called Bhavani, Ambika and Jagadamba (mother of the world) in its lines.
The closing couplet names Devidas, and tradition credits him as the author. Beyond that name the text gives us no date or biography, so this page does not guess at one. The poem moves from praise of her radiance and form, through the forms she is said to take and the demons she is said to have defeated, to a personal prayer in the last verses.
Below you will find all forty verses in Devanagari with a simple transliteration, and a plain meaning for each, written from the Hindi itself. The poem is also sung at Navratri, and you can read about the nine nights on the Sharad Navratri page, where the dates are kept up to date.
The text, transliteration and meaning
Read the verse first, then the meaning beneath it. Names of goddesses and demons are kept as the poem gives them.
Verse 1
नमो नमो दुर्गे सुख करनी। नमो नमो दुर्गे दुःख हरनी ॥
Namo namo durge sukh karani, namo namo durge duhkh harani
MeaningBow, bow to Durga, who brings comfort. Bow, bow to Durga, who takes sorrow away.
Verse 2
निरंकार है ज्योति तुम्हारी। तिहूँ लोक फैली उजियारी ॥
Nirankar hai jyoti tumhari, tihun lok phaili ujiyari
MeaningYour light has no fixed form, and its brightness has spread across the three worlds.
Verse 3
शशि ललाट मुख महाविशाला। नेत्र लाल भृकुटि विकराला ॥
Shashi lalat mukh mahavishala, netr lal bhrikuti vikarala
MeaningYour forehead shines like the moon, your face is very broad, your eyes are red and your frown is fearsome.
Verse 4
रूप मातु को अधिक सुहावे। दरश करत जन अति सुख पावे ॥
Rup matu ko adhik suhave, darash karat jan ati sukh pave
MeaningThe Mother's form is lovely to behold, and people who see it find deep joy.
Verse 5
तुम संसार शक्ति लै कीना। पालन हेतु अन्न धन दीना ॥
Tum samsar shakti lai kina, palan hetu ann dhan dina
MeaningYou took up shakti (power) and made the world, and to keep it you gave grain and wealth.
Verse 6
अन्नपूर्णा हुई जग पाला। तुम ही आदि सुन्दरी बाला ॥
Annapurna hui jag pala, tum hi adi sundari bala
MeaningAs Annapurna you nourish the world, and you alone are the first, the beautiful girl.
Verse 7
प्रलयकाल सब नाशन हारी। तुम गौरी शिवशंकर प्यारी ॥
Pralayakal sab nashan hari, tum gauri shivashankar pyari
MeaningAt the time of dissolution you are the one who ends all things, and you are Gauri, dear to Shiva Shankar.
Verse 8
शिव योगी तुम्हरे गुण गावें। ब्रह्मा विष्णु तुम्हें नित ध्यावें ॥
Shiv yogi tumhare gun gavem, brahma vishnu tumhem nit dhyavem
MeaningShiva the yogi sings your qualities, and Brahma and Vishnu meditate on you constantly.
Verse 9
रूप सरस्वती को तुम धारा। दे सुबुद्धि ऋषि मुनिन उबारा ॥
Rup sarasvati ko tum dhara, de subuddhi rishi munin ubara
MeaningYou took the form of Saraswati, gave good understanding and rescued the sages.
Verse 10
धरयो रूप नरसिंह को अम्बा। परगट भई फाड़कर खम्बा ॥
Dharayo rup narasimh ko amba, paragat bhai pharakar khamba
MeaningYou took the form of Narasimha, Mother, and appeared by splitting open a pillar.
Verse 11
रक्षा करि प्रह्लाद बचायो। हिरण्याक्ष को स्वर्ग पठायो ॥
Raksha kari prahlad bachayo, hiranyaksh ko svarg pathayo
MeaningYou protected Prahlad and saved him, and sent Hiranyaksha to heaven, as the poem names him.
Verse 12
लक्ष्मी रूप धरो जग माहीं। श्री नारायण अंग समाहीं ॥
Lakshmi rup dharo jag mahim, shri narayan ang samahim
MeaningYou took the form of Lakshmi in the world, and you rest within the body of Shri Narayan.
Verse 13
क्षीरसिन्धु में करत विलासा। दयासिन्धु दीजै मन आसा ॥
Kshirasindhu mem karat vilasa, dayasindhu dijai man asa
MeaningYou sport in the ocean of milk. Ocean of compassion, fulfil the hope in my heart.
Verse 14
हिंगलाज में तुम्हीं भवानी। महिमा अमित न जात बखानी ॥
Hingalaj mem tumhim bhavani, mahima amit n jat bakhani
MeaningIn Hinglaj you are Bhavani, and your greatness is beyond measure and cannot be told.
Verse 15
मातंगी अरु धूमावति माता। भुवनेश्वरी बगला सुख दाता ॥
Matangi aru dhumavati mata, bhuvaneshvari bagala sukh data
MeaningYou are Matangi and Dhumavati, Bhuvaneshwari and Bagla, the Mothers who give comfort.
Verse 16
श्री भैरव तारा जग तारिणी। छिन्न भाल भव दुःख निवारिणी ॥
Shri bhairav tara jag tarini, chhinn bhal bhav duhkh nivarini
MeaningThe verse lists further forms, including Bhairav and Tara, a saviour of the world, and one with a severed head, who removes the sorrows of worldly life.
Verse 17
केहरि वाहन सोह भवानी। लांगुर वीर चलत अगवानी ॥
Kehari vahan soh bhavani, langur vir chalat agavani
MeaningThe lion suits you as your mount, Bhavani, and the hero Langur walks ahead as your escort.
Verse 18
कर में खप्पर खड्ग विराजै। जाको देख काल डर भाजै ॥
Kar mem khappar khadg virajai, jako dekh kal dar bhajai
MeaningA skull-bowl and a sword shine in your hands, and seeing them Death itself runs in fear.
Verse 19
सोहै अस्त्र और त्रिशूला। जाते उठत शत्रु हिय शूला ॥
Sohai astr aur trishula, jate uthat shatru hiy shula
MeaningWeapons and the trident adorn you, and they stir pain in the heart of the enemy.
Verse 20
नगरकोट में तुम्हीं विराजत। तिहुँलोक में डंका बाजत ॥
Nagarakot mem tumhim virajata, tihunlok mem danka bajat
MeaningYou dwell in Nagarkot, and the drum of your fame sounds through the three worlds.
Verse 21
शुम्भ निशुम्भ दानव तुम मारे। रक्तबीज शंखन संहारे ॥
Shumbh nishumbh danav tum mare, raktabij shankhan samhare
MeaningYou killed the demons Shumbha and Nishumbha, and destroyed Raktabija and the Shankhas.
Verse 22
महिषासुर नृप अति अभिमानी। जेहि अघ भार मही अकुलानी ॥
Mahishasur nrip ati abhimani, jehi agh bhar mahi akulani
MeaningKing Mahishasura was very proud, and the weight of his wrongdoing left the earth distressed.
Verse 23
रूप कराल कालिका धारा। सेन सहित तुम तिहि संहारा ॥
Rup karal kalika dhara, sen sahit tum tihi samhara
MeaningYou took the fierce form of Kalika and destroyed him together with his army.
Verse 24
परी गाढ़ सन्तन पर जब जब। भई सहाय मातु तुम तब तब ॥
Pari garh santan par jab jaba, bhai sahay matu tum tab tab
MeaningWhenever heavy trouble fell on the saints, Mother, you came to their help each time.
Verse 25
अमरपुरी अरु बासव लोका। तब महिमा सब रहें अशोका ॥
Amarapuri aru basav loka, tab mahima sab rahem ashoka
MeaningThrough your glory the city of the gods and Indra's realm stay free of sorrow.
Verse 26
ज्वाला में है ज्योति तुम्हारी। तुम्हें सदा पूजें नर-नारी ॥
Jvala mem hai jyoti tumhari, tumhem sada pujem nara-nari
MeaningYour light also burns in Jwala, and men and women always worship you.
Verse 27
प्रेम भक्ति से जो यश गावें। दुःख दारिद्र निकट नहिं आवें ॥
Prem bhakti se jo yash gavem, duhkh daridr nikat nahim avem
MeaningThe poem states that those who sing your fame with love and devotion find sorrow and poverty do not come near them.
Verse 28
ध्यावे तुम्हें जो नर मन लाई। जन्म-मरण ताकौ छुटि जाई ॥
Dhyave tumhem jo nar man lai, janma-maran takau chhuti jai
MeaningThe poem states that a person who meditates on you with a steady mind is released from birth and death.
Verse 29
जोगी सुर मुनि कहत पुकारी।योग न हो बिन शक्ति तुम्हारी ॥
Jogi sur muni kahat pukari, yog n ho bin shakti tumhari
MeaningYogis, gods and sages call out that there is no yoga without your shakti.
Verse 30
शंकर आचारज तप कीनो। काम अरु क्रोध जीति सब लीनो ॥
Shankar acharaj tap kino, kam aru krodh jiti sab lino
MeaningShankaracharya did penance, as the poem tells it, and won over desire and anger completely.
Verse 31
निशिदिन ध्यान धरो शंकर को। काहु काल नहिं सुमिरो तुमको ॥
Nishidin dhyan dharo shankar ko, kahu kal nahim sumiro tumako
MeaningNight and day he meditated on Shankar, and at no time remembered you.
Verse 32
शक्ति रूप का मरम न पायो। शक्ति गई तब मन पछितायो ॥
Shakti rup ka maram n payo, shakti gai tab man pachhitayo
MeaningHe did not understand the secret of the form of shakti, and when shakti left him he regretted it.
Verse 33
शरणागत हुई कीर्ति बखानी। जय जय जय जगदम्ब भवानी ॥
Sharanagat hui kirti bakhani, jay jay jay jagadamb bhavani
MeaningHe took refuge and sang your fame, calling out victory, victory, victory to Jagadamba Bhavani.
Verse 34
भई प्रसन्न आदि जगदम्बा। दई शक्ति नहिं कीन विलम्बा ॥
Bhai prasann adi jagadamba, dai shakti nahim kin vilamba
MeaningThe first Mother of the world was pleased and gave him power without any delay.
Verse 35
मोको मातु कष्ट अति घेरो। तुम बिन कौन हरै दुःख मेरो ॥
Moko matu kasht ati ghero, tum bin kaun harai duhkh mero
MeaningMother, great trouble surrounds me. Without you, who will remove my sorrow?
Verse 36
आशा तृष्णा निपट सतावें। मोह मदादिक सब बिनशावें ॥
Asha trishna nipat satavem, moh madadik sab binashavem
MeaningHope and craving torment me badly. May delusion, pride and the rest all be destroyed.
Verse 37
शत्रु नाश कीजै महारानी। सुमिरौं इकचित तुम्हें भवानी ॥
Shatru nash kijai maharani, sumiraum ikachit tumhem bhavani
MeaningGreat queen, put an end to my enemies. I remember you with a single mind, Bhavani. Many readers take these enemies as inner ones.
Verse 38
करो कृपा हे मातु दयाला। ऋद्धि-सिद्धि दै करहु निहाला ॥
Karo kripa he matu dayala, riddhi-siddhi dai karahu nihala
MeaningBe kind, compassionate Mother, and make me content with riddhi and siddhi (prosperity and attainment).
Verse 39
जब लगि जिऊँ दया फल पाऊँ। तुम्हरो यश मैं सदा सुनाऊँ ॥
Jab lagi jiun daya phal paun, tumharo yash maim sada sunaun
MeaningAs long as I live may I receive the fruit of your mercy, and may I always tell of your fame.
Verse 40
श्री दुर्गा चालीसा जो कोई गावै। सब सुख भोग परमपद पावै ॥
Shri durga chalisa jo koi gavai, sab sukh bhog paramapad pavai
MeaningThe poem states that whoever sings this Durga Chalisa enjoys every comfort and reaches the highest state.
Closing couplet
देवीदास शरण निज जानी।
करहु कृपा जगदम्ब भवानी॥
Devidas sharan nij jani
Karahu kripa jagadamb bhavani
MeaningDevidas, knowing himself to be under your protection, asks for grace: be kind to me, Jagadamba, Bhavani.
Text: Sanskrit Wikisource, page “दुर्गा चालीसा”. Transliteration is simplified; meanings are our own. Verse numbers appear as labels above each verse.
When and how it is traditionally recited
Many devotees recite the Durga Chalisa during Navratri, the nine nights given to the Goddess, and on Tuesdays and Fridays, which are days many families associate with her. Some read it once as part of morning or evening prayer, and others read it together in a group, since the rhymed couplets are easy to sing.
A common way is to wash, light a lamp before an image or picture of Durga, sit quietly, and read the forty verses at an easy pace, often ending with an aarti. Some people keep a fixed number of readings, for example one a day through the nine nights. Customs differ by region and family, and none of this is a rule, so follow what your household or teacher does.
If you are new to it, reading the meaning once before you sing can help the names and stories land. You can also listen first to a recitation you trust, then join in.
What the tradition says it is for
Tradition treats the Durga Chalisa as a song of devotion and refuge. The verses praise the Mother for protecting her devotees, remind the singer of the forms she is said to take, and end in a plain, personal request for help in difficulty.
The poem itself makes claims about its effect. Verse 27 says sorrow and poverty stay away from those who sing with love, verse 28 speaks of release from birth and death, and verse 40 says the singer enjoys all comfort and reaches the supreme state. These are the text’s own words of faith, and this page reports them as such rather than as promises.
Devotees often read it as a way to steady the mind in hard times. It is not a substitute for medical, legal or financial advice, and a prayer sits alongside practical help rather than in place of it. For a related text to the Goddess, see the Devi Aparadha Kshamapana Stotram, a prayer asking the Mother to forgive faults in worship.
Pronunciation notes
Hindi verses are sung rather than spoken, and the transliteration here drops a final short a, as Hindi speech does, so durge is said “dur-gay” and bhavani as “bha-va-nee”. Long vowels last about twice as long as short ones, and the final vowel of words such as bhavani is held a little.
The breathy consonants bh, dh, kh and th carry a puff of air, as in bhavani and sukh. The marks over vowels (nasal sounds) are a soft hum through the nose. Conjuncts such as shumbh, nishumbh and raktabij look heavy but go smoothly once you say them slowly, one syllable at a time. Listening to a steady recitation first is the kindest way to learn the rhythm.
Related mantras and pages
- Sharad Navratri: the nine nights when the Chalisa is most often sung
- Chaitra Navratri: the spring Navratri, also given to the Goddess
- Devi Suktam: the Rigveda hymn spoken by the Goddess as divine speech
- Bhavani Ashtakam: a Sanskrit prayer of refuge to Bhavani
- Dussehra: the tenth day that follows the nine nights
- All mantras, stotras, chalisas and aartis
Frequently asked questions
↳ What is the Durga Chalisa?
It is a Hindi devotional poem of forty verses in praise of Durga. The word chalisa means forty. The final couplet names Devidas, whom tradition credits as the author.
↳ When is the Durga Chalisa recited?
Many devotees read it during Navratri and on Tuesdays and Fridays. Some include it in daily prayer. Practice varies by family and region, so there is no single required time.
↳ Who wrote the Durga Chalisa?
The closing couplet mentions Devidas, and tradition credits him as the author. The text gives no date or other details about him, so nothing more can be said with confidence.
↳ Which forms of the Goddess are mentioned in it?
The poem names Annapurna, Saraswati, Lakshmi, Bhavani at Hinglaj, Matangi, Dhumavati, Bhuvaneshwari, Bagla, Tara, Kalika and Jwala. It also retells her part in the Narasimha story with Prahlad and her defeat of Mahishasura, Shumbha, Nishumbha and Raktabija.
↳ Do I need to know Hindi to recite it?
No. The transliteration lets you follow the sounds, and the meaning under each verse tells you what is being said. Learning a few verses at a time, ideally after hearing them sung, works well for many people.
↳ What does the Durga Chalisa promise?
The poem itself says in verses 27, 28 and 40 that sorrow stays away from the devoted and that the singer reaches comfort and the highest state. Those are the text's own statements of faith, and not a guarantee of any outcome in life.