Durga Chalisa
Video, Translation and Commentary

The Durga Chalisa is a hymn in forty verses recounting the qualities and forms of Durga.

This beautiful devotion shows how Durga (Sai Vikhe), while being the Martial aspect of Dea, is also Dea Herself and contains all Her Forms and Aspects, from the all-giving Sri Lakshmi and the All-wise Sri Saraswati to the Dark Mother who in-breathes the universe at the end of time.

The Durga Chalisa, while allowing the existence of male demigods, or devas, makes it clear that all are subordinate to the Supreme Godhead, Dea:

BRAHMA VISHNU TUMHEIN NIT DHYAVEIN

"Brahma, Vishnu and all other devas ever meditate on You."

The thealogy of the Durga Chalisa, like that of much Dea-centred Hinduism, is clearly and unequivocally that of a single, Supreme Mother God, whose many Forms are but Her lila or divine play.

In this video you may hear the Durga Chalisa sung, while the visuals display some of Her divine feats or pastimes (lila), showing the many forms of Durga and how She is ultimately one with the Feminine Holy Trinity itself.

English Translation of Durga Chalisa

I bow to You, O Goddess Durga, the bestower of happiness!
I bow to You, O Goddess Amba, who ends all miseries.

The radiance of Your light is limitless and all pervading;
All the three realms [Earth, Heaven and the Nether World] are enlightened by Thee.

Your face is like the moon and mouth very huge.
Your eyes shine with a red glow and You have a frightening frown.

O Mother! Your look is enchanting, the very sight of which ensures welfare of Your devotees.

All the powers of the World repose in You and it is You who provide food and wealth for the World's survival.

Like the nourishing Mother Annapurna, You nurture the whole universe and You are the one Who appears as the timeless Bala Sundari [the Daughter-Form of Dea as a young girl].

At the time of the world's dissolution, it is You, O Mother, who destroy everything. You are Gauri [Parvati], the beloved equivalent of Shiva [the destroyer].

Lord Shiva and all yogis always chant Your praise. Brahma, Vishnu and all other devas ever meditate on You.

You also appear in the form of Goddess Saraswati [Sai Mati the Divine Wisdom], to grant wisdom to the sages and thus ensure their Welfare.

O Mother Amba! It was You who appeared in the form of Narsimha, sundering the pillar.

Thus You saved Prahlad, and Hiranyakashyap also went to Heaven as he was killed by Your Hands.

In the form of Goddess Lakshmi, O Mother, You appear in this world and repose by the side of Shree Narayan.

Dwelling in the ocean of milk, O Goddess, with Lord Vishnu, please fulfill my desires.

O Bhavani, the famous Goddess of Hingalaja is no one else but You Yourself. Illimitable is Your Glory, defying description.

You are Yourself Matangi and Dhoomavati Mata. It is You who appear as Bhuvaneshwari and Bagalamukhi Devi to bestow happiness to all.

It is You who redeem the world, appearing in the form of Shree Bhairavi, Taradevi and Chhinnamasta Devi, and end its sorrows.

Reposing gracefully upon Your vehicle, O Goddess Bhavani, You are welcome by the brave Langour (Lord Hanuman).

When You appear in the form of Goddess Kali, with sword in one hand and a cupel in the other, even Time flees in panic.

Beholding You, well armed, with a Trident in Your hand, the enemy's heart aches with the sting of fear.

You also repose in the form of Devi at Nagarkot in Kangara. Thus all the three realms shudder in the might of Your glory.

You slew the demons like Shumbh & Nishumb and destroyed the thousand forms of the dreaded Demon Raktabeej.

When the earth was severely distressed bearing the load of the sins of the arrogant Mahishasur.

You assumed the dreadful form of Goddess Kali and destroyed him along with his army.

Thus, whenever the noble saints were distressed, it is You, O Mother, who came to their rescue.

All the realms including the Amarpuri [divine realm] remain sorrowless and happy by Your Grace. O Goddess!

It is the symbol of Your glory that is burning brightly at Shree Jwala Ji. All people ever worship You, O Mother!

Whoever sings Your glory with devotion, love, and sincerity remains beyond the reach of grief and poverty.

Whoever meditates upon Your form with concentration goes beyond the cycle of births and deaths.

All the yogis, gods and sages openly declare that without Your favour none can attain oneness with the Absolute.

Shankaracharya once performed a special penance called Aacharaj, by virtue of which he subdued his anger and desire.

He ever worshipped Lord Shankar and never for a moment concentrated his mind on You.

Since he did not realise Your immense glory, all his powers waned until finally he repented.

Then he sought refuge in You, chanted Your glory and sang "victory, victory, victory to Thee, O Jagadamba Bhavani".

Then, O Primal Goddess Jagadamba Ji, You were propitiated and in no time You restored to him his lost powers.

O Mother! Severe afflictions distress me and no one except Your Honoured Self can provide relief. Please end my afflictions.

Hopes and longings ever torture me. All sorts of passions and lust ever torment my heart.

O Goddess Bhavani! I meditate only upon You. Please destroy my enemies, O Queen!

O Merciful Mother! Show me Your favour and make me feel happy by bestowing me with all sorts of riches and powers.

O Mother! May I be receptacle of Your grace as long as I live, ever recounting the feats of Your Glory to all.

Whoever sings this Durga Chalisa shall ever enjoy all sorts of pleasures and shall attain the highest state in the end.

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Durga Chalisa in Sanskrit

Namo Namo Durge Sukh karani,
Namo Namo ambe Dukh harani.

Nirakar hai jyoti tumhari,
Tihun lok pheli ujayari.

Shashi lalat mukh mahavishala,
Netra lal bhrikutee vikarala.

Roop Matu ko adhika suhave,
Daras karat jan ati sukh pave.

Tum sansar shakti laya kina,
Palan hetu anna dhan dina.

Annapurna hui jag pala,
Tumhi adi sundari Bala.

Pralaya kala sab nashan hari,
Tum gauri Shiv-Shankar pyari.

Shiv yogi tumhre guna gaven,
Brahma Vishnu tumhen nit dhyaven.

Roop Saraswati ko tum dhara,
De subuddhi rishi munina ubara.

Dharyo roop Narsimha ko amba,
Pragat bhayin phar kar khamba.

Raksha kari Prahlaad bachayo,
Hiranakush ko swarga pathayo.

Lakshmi roop dharo jag mahin,
Shree Narayan anga samihahin.

Ksheer sindhu men karat vilasa,
Daya Sindhu, deeje man asa.

Hingalaja men tumhin Bhavani,
Mahima amit na jet bakhani.

Matangi Dhoomavati Mata,
Bhuvneshwari bagala sukhdata.

Shree Bhairav lara jog tarani,
Chhinna Bhala bhav dukh nivarani.

Kehari Vahan soh Bhavani,
Langur Veer Chalat agavani.

Kar men khappar khadag viraje,
Jako dekh kal dan bhaje.

Sohe astra aur trishoola,
Jase uthata shatru hiya shoola.

Nagarkot men tumhi virajat,
Tihun lok men danka bajat.

Shumbhu Nishumbhu Danuja tum mare,
Rakta-beeja shankhan samhare.

Mahishasur nripa ati abhimani,
Jehi agha bhar mahi akulani.

Roop karal Kalika dhara,
Sen Sahita tum tin samhara.

Pan garha Santan par jab jab,
Bhayi sahaya Matu tum tab tab.

Amarpuni aru basava loka,
Tava Mahirna sab rahen asoka.

Jwala men hai jyoti tumhari,
Tumhen sada poojen nar nari.

Prem bhakti se Jo yash gave,
Dukh-daridra nikat nahin ave.

Dhyave tumhen jo nar man laee,
Janam-maran tako chuti jaee.

Jogi sur-muni kahat pukari,
Jog na ho bin shakti tumhari.

Shankar Aacharaj tap keenhon,
Kam, krodha jeet sab leenhon.

Nisidin dhyan dharo Shankar ko,
Kahu kal nahini sumiro tum ko.

Shakti roop ko maran na payo,
Shakti gayi tab man pachitayo.

Sharnagat hui keerti bakhani,
Jai jai jai Jagdamb Bhavani.

Bhayi prasanna Aadi Jagdamba,
Dayi shakti nahin keen vilamba.

Mokon Matu kashta ati ghero,
Tum bin kaun hare dukh mero.

Aasha trishna nipat sataven,
Moh madadik sab binsaven.

Shatru nash keeje Maharani,
Sumiron ekachita tumhen Bhavani.

Karo kripa Hey Matu dayala,
Riddhi-Siddhi de karahu nihala.

Jab lagi jiyoon daya phal paoon,
Tumhro yash men sada sunaoon.

Durga Chalisa jo gave,
Sab sukh bhog parampad pave.

The Durga Chalisa is a beautiful devotion to Dea.

See also:

Durga defeats the Demon part 1: An exciting video-clip of the battle between light and darkness (as depicted in Durga Chalisa) with commentary on the Oneness, Multiplicity and Trinity of Our Mother God.

The Battle against the Demon part 2: This is another video clip (not actually a sequel to the one above) and in this we focus on Durga as Saviouress and Righter of Wrongs. The Supreme Deity who descends to Her created world in time of need.

The Defeat of the Demon Part 3: Again, not a sequel, but a summation of the Divine Victory to the ecstatic, loving and martial chant of of the Divine Name. We see that the Divine Warrior-Maiden is not merely a Hindoo Goddess but our Universal Protectress and Mother God.

The Story of Sai Rayanna: Video clip of the first Herthelan Empress and warrior-queen. The equivalent of Durga in an all-female society.

Or return from Durga Chalisa to the Main Page on Sri Durga

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