Argala Stotram — Word-by-Word Meaning
अर्गला स्तोत्रम्
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
रूपं देहि
rūpaṃ dehi
Grant me beauty / a (fair) form
जयं देहि
jayaṃ dehi
Grant me victory
यशो देहि
yaśo dehi
Grant me fame / glory
द्विषो जहि
dviṣo jahi
Destroy (my) enemies
अर्गला
argalā
Bolt, latch; the 'key-bolt' that unlocks the Saptashati's power
विधातृवरदे
vidhātṛvarade
Bestower of boons (even) on the Creator (Brahma)
Complete Translation
The Argala Stotram ("the bolt/latch hymn") is one of the three angas recited before the Durga Saptashati, addressed by the sage Markandeya to the Goddess as Mahalakshmi. Saluting her as Chamunda, Jayanti, Mangala, Kali, Bhadrakali, Durga and Shiva, and as the slayer of Madhu-Kaitabha, Mahishasura, Dhumralochana, Raktabija, Chanda-Munda and Shumbha-Nishumbha, the devotee repeats in verse after verse the famous refrain — "Rupam dehi, jayam dehi, yasho dehi, dvisho jahi": 'Grant me beauty (of form), grant me victory, grant me fame, and destroy my foes.' It asks for well-being, health, supreme joy, prosperity, learning and the destruction of enemies, and closes by declaring that one who recites this and then the great hymn (the Saptashati) gains the rarest of boons.
Origin & History
Source: Markandeya Purana, Devi Mahatmyam (Durga Saptashati)
Author: Sage Markandeya (traditional)
Period: c. 5th–6th century CE
The Argala Stotram is one of the three angas (limbs) — with the Devi Kavach and the Keelakam — that are recited before the thirteen chapters of the Durga Saptashati. The word argala means a bolt or latch; together with the keelaka (pin), these hymns are said to 'unlock' the full power of the Saptashati's recitation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Argala Stotram pray for?▼
In verse after verse it repeats 'Rupam dehi, jayam dehi, yasho dehi, dvisho jahi' — 'Grant me beauty of form, grant me victory, grant me fame, and destroy my enemies.' It also asks for well-being, health, prosperity, learning and the removal of foes and diseases.
Where does the Argala Stotram come from?▼
It is one of the three preliminary angas of the Durga Saptashati (Devi Mahatmyam) from the Markandeya Purana, spoken by the sage Markandeya. Its presiding deity is Mahalakshmi.
In what order are the Kavach, Argala and Keelakam recited?▼
The traditional sequence before a Saptashati parayan is: Devi Kavach, then Argala Stotram, then Keelakam, and then the thirteen chapters of the Saptashati.
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