Mahishasura Mardini Stotram: Sanskrit Text, Meaning and Use

Verse 1

अयि गिरिनन्दिनि नन्दितमेदिनि विश्वविनोदिनि नन्दनुते ।
गिरिवरविन्ध्यशिरोधिनिवासिनि विष्णुविलासिनि जिष्णुनुते ।
भगवति हे शितिकण्ठकुटुम्बिनि भूरिकुटुम्बिनि भूरिकृते ।
जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्य कपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥

Ayi girinandini nanditamedini vishvavinodini nandanute
Girivaravindhyashirodhinivasini vishnuvilasini jishnunute
Bhagavati he shitikanthakutumbini bhurikutumbini bhurikrite
Jaya jaya he mahishasuramardini ramya kapardini shailasute

MeaningO daughter of the mountain, who gladdens the earth and delights the whole world, praised by Nandi, who live on the peak of the great Vindhya mountain, the joy of Vishnu, praised by Indra. O goddess, wife of the blue-throated Shiva, mother of a great family, doer of great works: victory, victory to you, slayer of the buffalo demon, beautiful one with braided hair, daughter of the mountain.

Verse 2

सुरवरवर्षिणि दुर्धरधर्षिणि दुर्मुखमर्षिणी हर्षरते ।
त्रिभुवनपोषिणि शंकरतोषिणि किल्बिषमोषिणि घोषरते ।
दनुजनिरोषिणि दितिसुतरोषिणि दुर्मदशोषिणि सिन्धुसुते ।
जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्य कपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥

Suravaravarshini durdharadharshini durmukhamarshini harsharate
Tribhuvanaposhini shankaratoshini kilbishamoshini ghosharate
Danujaniroshini ditisutaroshini durmadashoshini sindhusute
Jaya jaya he mahishasuramardini ramya kapardini shailasute

MeaningYou pour out blessings on the best of the gods and crush the unconquerable, and you put down the foul-mouthed demon Durmukha. You delight in joy, nourish the three worlds, please Shankara, take away wrongdoing and delight in the roar of victory. You are angry with the sons of Diti and the demons, you dry up the pride of the arrogant, O daughter of the ocean. Victory, victory to you.

Verse 3

अयि जगदम्ब मदम्ब कदम्बवनप्रियवासिनि हासरते ।
शिखरिशिरोमणि तुङ्गहिमालयशृङ्गनिजालयमध्यगते ।
मधुमधुरे मधुकैटभगञ्जिनि कैटभभञ्जिनि रासरते ।
जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्य कपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥

Ayi jagadamba madamba kadambavanapriyavasini hasarate
Shikharishiromani tungahimalayashringanijalayamadhyagate
Madhumadhure madhukaitabhaganjini kaitabhabhanjini rasarate
Jaya jaya he mahishasuramardini ramya kapardini shailasute

MeaningO Mother of the world, my own mother, who love to live in the kadamba forest and delight in laughter, who stand at home among the high peaks of the Himalaya, the crest-jewel of mountains. You are sweet like honey, the breaker of the demons Madhu and Kaitabha, and you delight in the dance. Victory, victory to you.

Verse 4

अयि शतखण्डविखण्डितरुण्डवितुण्डितशुण्डगजाधिपते ।
रिपुगजगण्डविदारणचण्डपराक्रमशुण्डमृगाधिपते ।
निजभुजदण्डनिपातितखण्डविपातितमुण्डभटाधिपते ।
जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्य कपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥

Ayi shatakhandavikhanditarundavitunditashundagajadhipate
Ripugajagandavidaranachandaparakramashundamrigadhipate
Nijabhujadandanipatitakhandavipatitamundabhatadhipate
Jaya jaya he mahishasuramardini ramya kapardini shailasute

MeaningYou cut the great enemy elephants into hundreds of pieces. Your lion, king of beasts, fiercely tears open the foreheads of enemy elephants, and with the rod of your own arm you strike down and sever the heads of the chiefs among the warriors. Victory, victory to you.

Verse 5

अयि रणदुर्मदशत्रुवधोदितदुर्धरनिर्जरशक्तिभृते ।
चतुरविचारधुरीणमहाशिवदूतकृतप्रमथाधिपते ।
दुरितदुरीहदुराशयदुर्मतिदानवदूतकृतान्तमते ।
जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्य कपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥

Ayi ranadurmadashatruvadhoditadurdharanirjarashaktibhrite
Chaturavicharadhurinamahashivadutakritapramathadhipate
Duritadurihadurashayadurmatidanavadutakritantamate
Jaya jaya he mahishasuramardini ramya kapardini shailasute

MeaningYou carry the power of the gods and are set on killing the proud enemies in battle. You made the wise Shiva your messenger and are the lord of the Pramathas, his hosts. To the demon messengers of evil deeds, evil aims and evil minds, your thought is as death. Victory, victory to you.

Verse 6

अयि शरणागतवैरिवधूवरवीरवराभयदानकरे ।
त्रिभुवनमस्तकशूलविरोधिशिरोधिकृतामलशूलकरे ।
दुमिदुमितामरदुन्दुभिनादमहो मुखरीकृततिग्मकरे ।
जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्य कपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥

Ayi sharanagatavairivadhuvaraviravarabhayadanakare
Tribhuvanamastakashulavirodhishirodhikritamalashulakare
Dumidumitamaradundubhinadamaho mukharikritatigmakare
Jaya jaya he mahishasuramardini ramya kapardini shailasute

MeaningYou give refuge and freedom from fear to the wives of enemies and to heroes who surrender, and your hand holds a spotless trident that cut down those who opposed the head of the three worlds. The heavenly drums, loud as dumi-dumi, make even the sun resound with the news. Victory, victory to you.

Verse 7

अयि निजहुङ्कृतिमात्रनिराकृतधूम्रविलोचनधूम्रशते ।
समरविशोषितशोणितबीजसमुद्भवशोणितबीजलते ।
शिवशिवशुम्भनिशुम्भमहाहवतर्पितभूतपिशाचरते ।
जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्य कपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥

Ayi nijahunkritimatranirakritadhumravilochanadhumrashate
Samaravishoshitashonitabijasamudbhavashonitabijalate
Shivashivashumbhanishumbhamahahavatarpitabhutapishacharate
Jaya jaya he mahishasuramardini ramya kapardini shailasute

MeaningBy the sound of your roar alone you scattered the hundred smoke-eyed soldiers of Dhumralochana. In battle you dried up the blood of Raktabija and the new demons born of every drop, and you were pleased by the ghosts and spirits that feasted in the great fight with Shumbha and Nishumbha. Victory, victory to you.

Verse 8

धनुरनुसंगरणक्षणसंगपरिस्फुरदङ्गनटत्कटके ।
कनकपिशङ्गपृषत्कनिषङ्गरसद्भटशृङ्गहताबटुके ।
कृतचतुरंगबलक्षितिरङ्गघटद्बहुरङ्गरटद्बटुके ।
जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्य कपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥

Dhanuranusangaranakshanasangaparisphuradanganatatkatake
Kanakapishangaprishatkanishangarasadbhatashringahatabatuke
Kritachaturangabalakshitirangaghatadbahurangaratadbatuke
Jaya jaya he mahishasuramardini ramya kapardini shailasute

MeaningAs the fight begins your limbs flash and your bracelets ring. With golden-brown arrows from your quiver you strike down the roaring warriors, and you turn the field into a stage on which the four-fold army falls while the loud young fighters cry out. Victory, victory to you.

Verse 9

सुरललनाततथेयितथेयिकृताभिनयोदरनृत्यरते ।
कृतकुकुथः कुकुथो गडदादिकतालकुतूहलगानरते ।
धुधुकुट धुक्कुट धिंधिमितध्वनिधीरमृदङ्गनिनादरते ।
जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्य कपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥

Suralalanatatatheyitatheyikritabhinayodaranrityarate
Kritakukuthah kukutho gadadadikatalakutuhalaganarate
Dhudhukuta dhukkuta dhindhimitadhvanidhiramridanganinadarate
Jaya jaya he mahishasuramardini ramya kapardini shailasute

MeaningYou delight in the dance of the heavenly women, whose steps and gestures beat out the sounds 'tatatheyi', in the joyful singing to the beat of the tala, and in the deep notes of the mridanga drum, 'dhudhukut, dhimi'. Victory, victory to you. (The printed edition leaves the second line of this verse incomplete.)

Verse 10

जयजयजप्यजयेजयशब्दपरस्तुतितत्परविश्वनुते ।
झणझणझिञ्झिमि झिङ्कृत नूपुरसिंजितमोहित भूतपते ।
नटितनटार्ध नटी नट नायक नाटितनाट्य सुगानरते ।
जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्य कपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥

Jayajayajapyajayejayashabdaparastutitatparavishvanute
Jhanajhanajhinjhimi jhinkrita nupurasinjitamohita bhutapate
Natitanatardha nati nata nayaka natitanatya suganarate
Jaya jaya he mahishasuramardini ramya kapardini shailasute

MeaningYou are praised by all the world with the cry of 'victory, victory'. The sound of your jingling anklets, 'jhana jhana', enchanted even the lord of spirits, Shiva. You delight in the music of the dance and drama, where the actors, the actresses and the leading men perform half-dances. Victory, victory to you.

Verse 11

अयि सुमनः सुमनः सुमनः सुमनः सुमनोहरकान्तियुते ।
श्रितरजनीरजनीरजनीरजनीरजनीकरवक्त्रवृते ।
सुनयनविभ्रमरभ्रमरभ्रमरभ्रमरभ्रमराधिपते ।
जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्य कपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥

Ayi sumanah sumanah sumanah sumanah sumanoharakantiyute
Shritarajanirajanirajanirajanirajanikaravaktravrite
Sunayanavibhramarabhramarabhramarabhramarabhramaradhipate
Jaya jaya he mahishasuramardini ramya kapardini shailasute

MeaningA verse of word-play on repeating sounds. You are a lovely, mind-ravishing beauty, as flowers are, with a face like the moon of the night, surrounded by dark hair, and your lovely eyes dart like bees. Victory, victory to you.

Verse 12

सहितमहाहवमल्लमतल्लिकमल्लितरल्लकमल्लरते ।
विरचितवल्लिकपल्लिकमल्लिकभिल्लिकभिल्लिकवर्गवृते ।
सित्कृत्पुल्लसमुल्लसितारुणतल्लजपल्लवसल्ललिते ।
जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्य कपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥

Sahitamahahavamallamatallikamallitarallakamallarate
Virachitavallikapallikamallikabhillikabhillikavargavrite
Sitkritpullasamullasitarunatallajapallavasallalite
Jaya jaya he mahishasuramardini ramya kapardini shailasute

MeaningYou delight in the great contest of champion wrestlers, and are attended by bands of hunters and forest people who have woven garlands of creepers and jasmine. You are graceful, like a fine red young shoot shining in the sun. Victory, victory to you.

Verse 13

अविरलगण्डगलन्मदमेदुरमत्तमतङ्गजराजपते ।
त्रिभुवनभूषणभूतकलानिधिरूपपयोनिधिराजसुते ।
अयि सुदतीजनलालसमानसमोहनमन्मथराजसुते ।
जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्य कपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥

Aviralagandagalanmadameduramattamatangajarajapate
Tribhuvanabhushanabhutakalanidhirupapayonidhirajasute
Ayi sudatijanalalasamanasamohanamanmatharajasute
Jaya jaya he mahishasuramardini ramya kapardini shailasute

MeaningYou are the queen of the kings of elephants, in full rut with an unbroken stream of must running down their foreheads. You are the adornment of the three worlds, born to the king of the mountains, as the moon was born of the ocean, and you charm the minds of lovely women and are more enchanting than the god of love. Victory, victory to you.

Verse 14

कमलदलामलकोमलकान्तिकलाकलितामलभाललते ।
सकलविलासकलानिलयक्रमकेलिचलत्कलहंसकुले ।
अलिकुलसङ्कुलकुवलयमण्डलमौलिमिलद्बकुलालिकुले ।
जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्य कपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥

Kamaladalamalakomalakantikalakalitamalabhalalate
Sakalavilasakalanilayakramakelichalatkalahamsakule
Alikulasankulakuvalayamandalamaulimiladbakulalikule
Jaya jaya he mahishasuramardini ramya kapardini shailasute

MeaningYour forehead is spotless, soft and gleaming with the beauty of a lotus petal. You are the home of every grace and art, where swans move gracefully, and bees gather over the bakula flowers in your hair. Victory, victory to you.

Verse 15

करमुरलीरववीजितकूजितलज्जितकोकिलमञ्जुमते ।
मिलितपुलिन्दमनोहरगुंजितरंजितशैलनिकुञ्जगते ।
निजगुणभूतमहाशबरीगणसद्गुणसम्भृतकेलितले ।
जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्य कपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥

Karamuraliravavijitakujitalajjitakokilamanjumate
Militapulindamanoharagunjitaranjitashailanikunjagate
Nijagunabhutamahashabariganasadgunasambhritakelitale
Jaya jaya he mahishasuramardini ramya kapardini shailasute

MeaningYour voice is sweeter than a flute, and the cuckoo is ashamed beside it. You move among the forest groves where the hunter people sing and charm, and you play with the good-hearted wives of the Shabara tribe. Victory, victory to you.

Verse 16

कटितटपीतदुकूलविचित्रमयूखतिरस्कृतचन्द्ररुचे ।
प्रणतसुरासुरमौलिमणिस्फुरदंशुलसन्नखचन्द्ररुचे ।
जितकनकाचलमौलिपदोर्जितनिर्भरकुंजरकुम्भकुचे ।
जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्य कपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥

Katitatapitadukulavichitramayukhatiraskritachandraruche
Pranatasurasuramaulimanisphuradamshulasannakhachandraruche
Jitakanakachalamaulipadorjitanirbharakunjarakumbhakuche
Jaya jaya he mahishasuramardini ramya kapardini shailasute

MeaningYour yellow silk garment, with its shimmering rays, puts the moon's light to shame, and the nails of your feet, lit by the jewels in the crowns of the gods and demons who bow, shine like moonbeams. Your breasts are like the temples of a mighty elephant and outshine the golden mountain. Victory, victory to you.

Verse 17

विजितसहस्रकरैकसहस्रकरैकसहस्रकरैकनुते ।
कृतसुरतारकसङ्गरतारकसङ्गरतारकसुनूसुते ।
सुरथसमाधिसमानसमाधिसमाधिसमाधिसुजातरते ।
जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्य कपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥

Vijitasahasrakaraikasahasrakaraikasahasrakaraikanute
Kritasuratarakasangaratarakasangaratarakasunusute
Surathasamadhisamanasamadhisamadhisamadhisujatarate
Jaya jaya he mahishasuramardini ramya kapardini shailasute

MeaningYou are praised by the one sun with its thousand rays, you are the mother of Kumara who saved the gods in the battle with the demon Taraka, and you delight in King Suratha and the merchant Samadhi, who attained peace in worshipping you. Victory, victory to you.

Verse 18

पदकमलं करुणानिलये वरिवस्यति योऽनुदिनं स शिवे ।
अयि कमले कमलानिलये कमलानिलयः स कथं न भवेत् ।
तव पदमेव परम्पदमित्यनुशीलयतो मम किं न शिवे ।
जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्य कपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥

Padakamalam karunanilaye varivasyati yo'nudinam sa shive
Ayi kamale kamalanilaye kamalanilayah sa katham na bhavet
Tava padameva parampadamityanushilayato mama kim na shive
Jaya jaya he mahishasuramardini ramya kapardini shailasute

MeaningWhoever serves your lotus feet every day, O home of compassion, how can he fail to become the home of Lakshmi herself? I, who think that your feet alone are the highest state, what can fail to go well for me, O auspicious one? Victory, victory to you.

Verse 19

कनकलसत्कलसिन्धुजलैरनुसिञ्चिनुते गुणरङ्गभुवम् ।
भजति स किं न शचीकुचकुम्भतटीपरिरम्भसुखानुभवम् ।
तव चरणं शरणं करवाणि नतामरवाणिनिवासिशिवम् ।
जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्य कपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥

Kanakalasatkalasindhujalairanusinchinute gunarangabhuvam
Bhajati sa kim na shachikuchakumbhatatiparirambhasukhanubhavam
Tava charanam sharanam karavani natamaravaninivasishivam
Jaya jaya he mahishasuramardini ramya kapardini shailasute

MeaningYou sprinkle the stage of virtues with water from golden pitchers of sea-water. Does the one who worships you not know the joy that Indra knows in the embrace of Shachi? May I make your feet my refuge, O auspicious one who dwells in the speech of the gods who bow to you. Victory, victory to you.

Verse 20

तव विमलेन्दुकुलं वदनेन्दुमलं सकलं ननुकूलयते ।
किमु पुरुहूतपुरीन्दुमुखीसुमुखीभिरसौ विमुखीक्रियते ।
मम तु मतं शिवनामधने भवती कृपया किमुत क्रियते ।
जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्य कपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥

Tava vimalendukulam vadanendumalam sakalam nanukulayate
Kimu puruhutapurindumukhisumukhibhirasau vimukhikriyate
Mama tu matam shivanamadhane bhavati kripaya kimuta kriyate
Jaya jaya he mahishasuramardini ramya kapardini shailasute

MeaningFor the one who has seen your spotless, moon-like face, what can the moon-faced ladies of Indra's city offer, and who would turn away from them? It is my belief that, since I hold the name of Shiva as my wealth, your grace will act for me. What else could be done? Victory, victory to you.

Verse 21

अयि मयि दीन दयालुतया कृपयैव त्वया भवितव्यमुमे ।
अयि जगतो जननी कृपयासि यथासि तथानुमितासिरते ।
यदुचितमत्र भवत्युररीकुरुतादुरुतापमपाकुरुते ।
जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्य कपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥

Ayi mayi dina dayalutaya kripayaiva tvaya bhavitavyamume
Ayi jagato janani kripayasi yathasi tathanumitasirate
Yaduchitamatra bhavatyurarikurutadurutapamapakurute
Jaya jaya he mahishasuramardini ramya kapardini shailasute

MeaningO Uma, be kind to me, humble as I am, through compassion alone. You are the mother of the world, and by your kindness you do what is right, so do now what is fitting, and take away my heavy sorrow. Victory, victory to you.

Verse 22 (the benefit verse)

स्तुतिमिमां स्तिमितः सुसमाधिना नियमतो यमतोऽनुदिनं पठेत् ।
परमया रमया स निषेव्यते परिजनोऽरिजनोऽपि च तं भजेत् ॥

Stutimimam stimitah susamadhina niyamato yamato'nudinam pathet
Paramaya ramaya sa nishevyate parijano'rijano'pi cha tam bhajet

MeaningA person who reads this hymn every day with a calm, steady mind and good discipline will, the text says, be served by the greatest prosperity (Rama, Lakshmi), and even his family and his enemies will come to serve him.