Durga Chalisa — Word-by-Word Meaning

Salutations to Durga, bestower of happiness. Salutations to Amba, remover of all sorrows. Your radiance is formless. Its light illuminates all three worlds. With the moon on your forehead, your face vast and magnificent. Red eyes and fierce eyebrows. The form of the Mother is supremely beautiful. Those who behold you attain great bliss. You created the power of the universe. No one in the three worlds can match your strength. Protector and benefactor of saints. Destroyer of demons, bearer of virtues. The demon king Mahishasur was supremely arrogant. The earth groaned under the weight of his sins. Assuming the fierce form of Kali, you destroyed him along with his entire army. In the end, you gave happiness to the gods. You manifested your fierce form for their protection. You slew the demons Shumbha and Nishumbha. Even Brahma, Vishnu and Shankar were amazed. Then came the demon Raktabeej. From one drop of his blood, countless copies arose. Wherever his blood fell on the earth, new demons sprang up from each drop. Then O Mother, you assumed the fierce form of Kali, holding a skull cup and blazing with fire. You drank every drop of blood before it touched the ground. Thus you destroyed Raktabeej completely. Every difficult task in the world becomes easy with your grace. Remove the suffering of the people. O Mother Vaishnavi, you are the brave one. When you took the form of Sati, O Mother, the fate of Daksha's sacrifice was sealed. There Shambhu (Shiva) was insulted. In rage, you gave up your body. Then Lord Shiva unleashed his fury. Sati's body parts fell across the land. Wherever your body parts fell, O Mother, those places became famous Shakti Peethas. 52 Shakti Peethas exist in the world. Your glory cannot be fully described. Nine forms of Durga worshipped over nine nights — no other deity equals you. Whoever performs the nine-fold worship, all spiritual powers come to them. Shailputri and Brahmacharini are your names. Chandraghanta grants happiness selflessly. Kushmanda, the cosmic power is yours. Skandmata benefits all greatly. Katyayani, slayer of Mahishasur. Kaalratri, destroyer of the wicked. Mahagauri shines in radiant white form. Siddhidatri bestows all spiritual powers. Nine Durga, nine sacred names. May their grace always remain upon us. Brahma's power, Vishnu's power, Shiva's grace — O Mother, you are Bhavani of the world. Whoever takes refuge in you, you always protect them. Closing Doha: You are the eternal auspicious one, O Amba, you are Durga. Protect all who seek your refuge. Victory, victory, victory to Mother Durga!