Durga Chalisa
दुर्गा चालीसा in English · English
✦ Meaning
The Durga Chalisa is a forty-verse hymn to Goddess Durga, the invincible Divine Mother. It sings of her radiant forms and her victories over the demons Mahishasura, Shumbha and Nishumbha — the protector who removes the suffering of her devotees. Reciting it is believed to grant protection, fearlessness, strength and the fulfilment of righteous wishes.
Origin & Story
Hindu devotional tradition · Unknown (folk devotional composition) · Medieval period
The Durga Chalisa draws its narrative from the Devi Mahatmyam (also called Durga Saptashati or Chandi Path) from the Markandeya Purana, one of the most important texts in Shaktism. It recounts how Goddess Durga was created from the combined energies of all the gods to destroy the buffalo demon Mahishasur, whom no god could defeat. She fought for 9 days and nights (the origin of Navratri) before slaying him on the 10th day (Vijayadashami/Dussehra).
✦ As told in scripture
The Devi Mahatmyam narrates that when Mahishasur had conquered heaven and earth, the gods pooled their divine energies — each god contributing a weapon and a power — creating Goddess Durga. She rode a lion into battle and fought the demon army for 9 nights. When Mahishasur transformed into a buffalo to escape, Durga leaped onto him, pinned him with her foot, and pierced him with her trident. This victory of good over evil is celebrated as Navratri and Dussehra across India.
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Complete Text with Meaning
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Namo namo durge sukha karani namo namo durge duhkha harani
Meaning:Salutations, salutations to Durga, giver of joy; salutations, salutations to Durga, remover of sorrow.
Niramkara hai jyoti tumhari tihun loka phaili ujiyari
Meaning:Formless, you are pure light; your radiance spreads through all three worlds.
Shashi lalata mukha mahavishala netra lala bhrikuti vikarala
Meaning:The moon adorns your forehead, your face vast and majestic; your eyes are red and your brow terrible.
Rupa matu ko adhika suhave darasha karata jana ati sukha pave
Meaning:Your form, O Mother, is exceedingly lovely; beholding it, devotees attain great joy.
Tuma samsara shakti lai kina palana hetu anna dhana dina
Meaning:You took up all the power of the world; for its sustenance you gave food and wealth.
Annapurna hui jaga pala tuma hi adi sundari bala
Meaning:As Annapurna you nourished the world; you are the primal, beautiful maiden (Adi Sundari).
Pralayakala saba nashana hari tuma gauri shivashamkara pyari
Meaning:At the time of dissolution you destroy all; you are Gauri, the beloved of Shiva-Shankara.
Shiva yogi tumhare guna gavem brahma vishnu tumhem nita dhyavem
Meaning:Shiva the yogi sings your virtues; Brahma and Vishnu ever meditate upon you.
Rupa sarasvati ko tuma dhara de subuddhi rishi munina ubara
Meaning:You took the form of Saraswati; granting good wisdom, you delivered the sages.
Dharayo rupa narasimha ko amba paragata bhai phaड़kara khamba
Meaning:You assumed the form of Narasimha, O Amba, appearing as you burst forth from the pillar.
Raksha kari prahlada bachayo hiranyaksha ko svarga pathayo
Meaning:You protected and saved Prahlada, and dispatched Hiranyakashipu (to his end).
Lakshmi rupa dharo jaga mahim shri narayana amga samahim
Meaning:You took the form of Lakshmi in the world; you are merged in the body of Sri Narayana.
Kshirasindhu mem karata vilasa dayasindhu dijai mana asa
Meaning:In the ocean of milk you delight; O ocean of compassion, fulfil the heart's hope.
Himgalaja mem tumhim bhavani mahima amita na jata bakhani
Meaning:In Hinglaj it is you, O Bhavani; your boundless glory cannot be told in full.
Matamgi aru dhumavati mata bhuvaneshvari bagala sukha data
Meaning:As Matangi and Mother Dhumavati; as Bhuvaneshwari and Bagala, the givers of joy.
Shri bhairava tara jaga tarini chhinna bhala bhava duhkha nivarini
Meaning:As Sri Bhairavi and Tara, saviour of the world; as Chhinnamasta, remover of the sorrows of existence.
Kehari vahana soha bhavani lamgura vira chalata agavani
Meaning:Riding upon the lion, O Bhavani; the hero Langur (Hanuman) goes before you as your escort.
Kara mem khappara khadga virajai jako dekha kala dara bhajai
Meaning:In your hand shine the skull-bowl and the sword; beholding which, even Death itself flees in fear.
Sohai astra aura trishula jate uthata shatru hiya shula
Meaning:The mighty weapons and the trident also gleam; by which agony rises in the enemy's heart.
Nagarakota mem tumhim virajata tihunloka mem damka bajata
Meaning:In Nagarkot too you are enthroned; in the three worlds your victory-drum resounds.
Shumbha nishumbha danava tuma mare raktabija shamkhana samhare
Meaning:You slew the demons Shumbha and Nishumbha; you destroyed Raktabija and his swarming clones.
Mahishasura nripa ati abhimani jehi agha bhara mahi akulani
Meaning:The arrogant king Mahishasura — under whose burden of sin the earth groaned —
Rupa karala kalika dhara sena sahita tuma tihi samhara
Meaning:Taking the dread form of Kalika, you destroyed him together with his entire army.
Pari gaढ़ santana para jaba jaba bhai sahaya matu tuma taba taba
Meaning:Whenever hardship befell the saints, you, O Mother, came to their aid time and again.
Amarapuri aru basava loka taba mahima saba rahem ashoka
Meaning:The immortal city and the realm of Indra — by your glory all remained free of sorrow.
Jvala mem hai jyoti tumhari tumhem sada pujem naranari
Meaning:In Jwalaji your flame of light burns; men and women worship you forever.
Prema bhakti se jo yasha gavem duhkha daridra nikata nahim avem
Meaning:Those who sing your glory with loving devotion — sorrow and poverty never come near them.
Dhyave tumhem jo nara mana lai janmamarana takau chhuti jai
Meaning:Whoever meditates upon you with a focused mind — his cycle of birth and death is broken.
Jogi sura muni kahata pukari yoga na ho bina shakti tumhari
Meaning:Yogis, gods and sages proclaim aloud: there is no attainment (yoga) without your Shakti.
Shamkara acharaja tapa kino kama aru krodha jiti saba lino
Meaning:Shankaracharya performed austerity; he wholly conquered lust and anger.
Nishidina dhyana dharo shamkara ko kahu kala nahim sumiro tumako
Meaning:Day and night he meditated upon Shankara, but at no time did he remember you.
Shakti rupa ka marama na payo shakti gai taba mana pachhitayo
Meaning:He did not grasp the secret of the Shakti-principle; when his power left him, his mind repented.
Sharanagata hui kirti bakhani jaya jaya jaya jagadamba bhavani
Meaning:Taking refuge, he extolled your fame: “Victory, victory, victory to Jagadamba Bhavani!”
Bhai prasanna adi jagadamba dai shakti nahim kina vilamba
Meaning:The primal Jagadamba was pleased, and gave back his power without delay.
Moko matu kashta ati ghero tuma bina kauna harai duhkha mero
Meaning:“O Mother, great affliction surrounds me; without you, who will remove my sorrow?
Asha trishna nipata satavem moha madadika saba binashavem
Meaning:Hope and craving torment me sorely; delusion, pride and the rest — destroy them all.
Shatru nasha kijai maharani sumiraum ikachita tumhem bhavani
Meaning:Destroy my enemies, O Great Queen; with single-minded focus I remember you, O Bhavani.
Karo kripa he matu dayala riddhisiddhi dai karahu nihala
Meaning:Show mercy, O compassionate Mother; granting prosperity and perfection, make me blessed.
Jaba lagi jiun daya phala paun tumharo yasha maim sada sunaun
Meaning:As long as I live may I reap the fruit of your grace, and ever proclaim your glory.
Shri durga chalisa jo koi gavai saba sukha bhoga paramapada pavai
Meaning:Whoever sings this Durga Chalisa gains every joy and attains the supreme state.
Devidasa sharana nija jani kahu kripa jagadamba bhavani
Meaning:Knowing Devidas (this devotee) as one come to your refuge — show your mercy, O Jagadamba Bhavani.
Sharanagata raksha kare, bhakta rahe ni shamka maim aya teri sharana mem, matu lijiye amka
Meaning:“Protect the one who takes refuge, that the devotee may stay fearless; I have come to your shelter, O Mother — take me into your embrace.”
Word-by-Word Meaning
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Benefits of Chanting दुर्गा चालीसा
Invokes the protective power of Goddess Durga — destroyer of evil
Essential during Navratri (9 nights of Durga worship)
Removes fear, negativity and all forms of suffering
Grants courage, confidence and strength to face difficulties
Protects from enemies, black magic and evil forces
Fulfills wishes when chanted with sincere devotion during Navratri
How to Chant दुर्गा चालीसा
Light a ghee diya before an image of Goddess Durga. Offer red flowers and kumkum. Chant the Durga Chalisa 9 times during Navratri for maximum benefit. On regular days, once daily is sufficient. Face east or north. The chalisa is especially powerful when chanted during Ashtami (8th day of Navratri).
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