Mahishasura Mardini Stotram
महिषासुर मर्दिनी स्तोत्रम् in English · English
Origin & Story
Attributed to Adi Shankaracharya · Adi Shankaracharya (traditionally) · 8th century CE
This stotram is traditionally attributed to Adi Shankaracharya, who composed it as an ecstatic hymn to Goddess Durga. The complex meter (each line has 23-24 syllables in a specific pattern) creates a rhythmic power that mirrors the cosmic battle between Durga and Mahishasura. The stotram gained massive modern popularity through temple recitations during Navratri and viral YouTube renditions.
✦ As told in scripture
The Devi Mahatmyam describes the battle: When Mahishasura, granted a boon that no male could kill him, conquered heaven and earth, the gods combined their energies to create Durga — the ultimate feminine power. She fought for 9 nights (Navratri), and on the 10th day, as Mahishasura shape-shifted into a buffalo to escape, Durga leaped onto him, pinned him with her foot, and drove her trident through his heart. The universe shook, and the gods rained flowers from heaven.
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Complete Text with Meaning
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Ayi girinandini nanditamedini vishvavinodini nandanute Girivaravindhyashirodhinivasini vishnuvilasini jishnunute Bhagavati he shitikanthakutumbini bhurikutumbini bhurikrite Jaya jaya he mahishasuramardini ramyakapardini shailasute
Meaning:O daughter of the mountain, delight of the earth, enchantress of the universe, praised by Nandi; dweller on the Vindhya's great peak, in whom Vishnu delights, praised by the victorious Indra; O Goddess, consort of the blue-throated Shiva, of vast family, doer of boundless good — victory, victory to you, O slayer of the demon Mahisha (Mahishasura-Mardini), of lovely matted locks, O daughter of the mountain!
Suravaravarshini durdharadharshini durmukhamarshini harsharate Tribhuvanaposhini shankaratoshini kilbishamoshini ghosharate Danujaniroshini ditisutaroshini durmadashoshini sindhusute Jaya jaya he mahishasuramardini ramyakapardini shailasute
Meaning:O shower of boons upon the gods, subduer of the unbearable, crusher of the foul-faced demons, ever joyful; nourisher of the three worlds, pleaser of Shankara, remover of sin, slayer of the terrible — victory, victory to you, O slayer of the demon Mahisha (Mahishasura-Mardini), of lovely matted locks, O daughter of the mountain!
Ayi jagadamba madamba kadambavanapriyavasini hasarate Shikharishiromanitungahimalayasharinganijalayamadhyagate Madhumadhure madhukaitabhaganjini kaitabhabhanjini rasarate Jaya jaya he mahishasuramardini ramyakapardini shailasute
Meaning:O Mother of the world, my mother, who loves to dwell in the kadamba grove, ever smiling, seated amid the lofty snow-peaks of the Himalaya, the crest-jewel of mountains — victory, victory to you, O slayer of the demon Mahisha (Mahishasura-Mardini), of lovely matted locks, O daughter of the mountain!
Ayi shatakhandavikhanditarundavitunditashundagajadhipate Ripugajagandavidaranachandaparakramashunda mrigadhipate Nijabhujadandanipatitakhandavipatitamundabhatadhipate Jaya jaya he mahishasuramardini ramyakapardini shailasute
Meaning:O Goddess who shattered into a hundred pieces the lordly elephant-demons with severed trunks, the lioness of fierce valour who tore open the temples of the enemy elephants — victory, victory to you, O slayer of the demon Mahisha (Mahishasura-Mardini), of lovely matted locks, O daughter of the mountain!
Ayi ranadurmadashatruvadhoditadurdharanirjarashaktibhrite Chaturavicharadhurinamahashivadutakritapramathadhipate Duritadurihadurashayadurmatidanavadutakritantamate Jaya jaya he mahishasuramardini ramyakapardini shailasute
Meaning:O wielder of the irresistible, ever-fresh power that arose to slay the war-maddened foes, lady of the Pramatha hosts whose envoy was the wise and resolute great Shiva — victory, victory to you, O slayer of the demon Mahisha (Mahishasura-Mardini), of lovely matted locks, O daughter of the mountain!
Ayi sharanagatavairivadhuvaraviravarabhayadayakare Tribhuvanamastakashulavirodhishirodhikritamalashulakare Dumidumitamaradundubhinadamahomukharikritatigmakare Jaya jaya he mahishasuramardini ramyakapardini shailasute
Meaning:O you whose hands grant fearless refuge to the wives of slain enemies and to brave warriors who surrender, bearing the spotless trident that pierces the heads of the foes of the three worlds — victory, victory to you, O slayer of the demon Mahisha (Mahishasura-Mardini), of lovely matted locks, O daughter of the mountain!
Ayi nijahunkritimatranirakritadhumravilochanadhumrashate Samaravishoshitashonitabijasamudbhavashonitabijalate Shivashiva shumbhanishumbhamahahavatarpitabhutapishacharate Jaya jaya he mahishasuramardini ramyakapardini shailasute
Meaning:O you who by your mere war-cry reduced the hundred Dhumralochanas (smoky-eyed demons) to smoke, who in battle dried up the blood-seed of Raktabija — victory, victory to you, O slayer of the demon Mahisha (Mahishasura-Mardini), of lovely matted locks, O daughter of the mountain!
Dhanuranushangaranakshanasangaparisphuradanganatatkatake Kanakapishangaprishatkanishangarasadbhatasharingahatavatuke Kritachaturangabalakshitirangaghatadbahurangaratadbatuke Jaya jaya he mahishasuramardini ramyakapardini shailasute
Meaning:O Goddess in whom, at the moment of bending the bow in battle, the limbs dance and the bracelets quiver, whose golden quiver rings with arrows as the warriors roar — victory, victory to you, O slayer of the demon Mahisha (Mahishasura-Mardini), of lovely matted locks, O daughter of the mountain!
Suralalanatatatheyitatheyitathabhinayottaranrityarate Hasavilasahulasamayi pranatartajanemitapremabhare Dhimikitadhikkatadhikatadhimidhvanidhiramridanganinadarate Jaya jaya he mahishasuramardini ramyakapardini shailasute
Meaning:O you who delight in the dance, performing the intricate steps 'tatheyi-tatheyi' with the celestial damsels, full of laughter and play, of boundless love for the distressed who bow to you — victory, victory to you, O slayer of the demon Mahisha (Mahishasura-Mardini), of lovely matted locks, O daughter of the mountain!
Jaya jaya japyajaye jayashabdaparastutitatparavishvanute Jhanajhanajhinjhimijhankritanupurasinjitamohitabhutapate Natitanatardhanatinatanayakanatitanatyasuganarate Jaya jaya he mahishasuramardini ramyakapardini shailasute
Meaning:Victory, victory! Praised by the whole universe intent on chanting 'jaya'; whose anklets, ringing 'jhana-jhana-jhinjhimi', enchant even the lord of beings (Shiva) with their sound — victory, victory to you, O slayer of the demon Mahisha (Mahishasura-Mardini), of lovely matted locks, O daughter of the mountain!
Ayi sumanahsumanah sumanah sumanah sumanoharakantiyute Shritarajanirajanirajanirajanirajanikaravaktravrite Sunayanavibhramarabhramarabhramarabhramarabhramaradhipate Jaya jaya he mahishasuramardini ramyakapardini shailasute
Meaning:O you of beautiful mind and ravishing radiance, lovely as a cluster of flowers, your face encircled by tresses dark as successive nights, with beautiful eyes — victory, victory to you, O slayer of the demon Mahisha (Mahishasura-Mardini), of lovely matted locks, O daughter of the mountain!
Sahitamahahavamallamatallikamallitarallakamallarate Virachitavallikapallikamallikajhillikabhillikavargavrite Sitakritaphullasamullasitarunatallajapallavasallalite Jaya jaya he mahishasuramardini ramyakapardini shailasute
Meaning:O you who delight in the great battle, wrestling and defeating the mighty champion-demons, who arrange the play of creepers and blossoms in your forest groves — victory, victory to you, O slayer of the demon Mahisha (Mahishasura-Mardini), of lovely matted locks, O daughter of the mountain!
Aviralagandagalanmadameduramattamatangajarajapate Tribhuvanabhushanabhutakalanidhirupapayonidhirajasute Ayi sudatijanalalasamanasamohanamanmatharajasute Jaya jaya he mahishasuramardini ramyakapardini shailasute
Meaning:O daughter of the ocean of nectar (and consort of the moon-formed Shiva), the ornament of the three worlds, from whose cheeks the rut of the lordly maddened elephant ceaselessly flows, O you adored by fair-toothed maidens — victory, victory to you, O slayer of the demon Mahisha (Mahishasura-Mardini), of lovely matted locks, O daughter of the mountain!
Kamaladalamalakomalakantikalakalitamalabhalalate Sakalavilasakalanilayakramakelichalatkalahamsakule Alikulasankulakuvalayamandalamaulimiladbakulalikule Jaya jaya he mahishasuramardini ramyakapardini shailasute
Meaning:O you whose spotless brow shines with the beauty of a lotus-petal, the abode of all the playful arts, around whom the graceful swans move in sport, attended by humming bees — victory, victory to you, O slayer of the demon Mahisha (Mahishasura-Mardini), of lovely matted locks, O daughter of the mountain!
Karamuraliravavijitakujitalajjitakokilamanjumate Militamilindamanoharagunjitaranjitashailanikunjagate Nijagunabhutamahashabariganasadgunasambhritakelitale Jaya jaya he mahishasuramardini ramyakapardini shailasute
Meaning:O you whose murmuring flute-music shames the sweet cooing of the koel, who dwell in the mountain groves made lovely by the humming of gathered bees — victory, victory to you, O slayer of the demon Mahisha (Mahishasura-Mardini), of lovely matted locks, O daughter of the mountain!
Katitatapitadukulavichitramayukhatiraskritachandraruche Pranatasurasuramaulimanisphuradamshulasannakhachandraruche Jitakanakachalamaulipadorjitanirjarakunjarakumbhakuche Jaya jaya he mahishasuramardini ramyakapardini shailasute
Meaning:O you whose girdle of bright yellow silk, with its wondrous rays, outshines the moon; the moon-like glow of whose toenails shines from the bowed crest-jewels of gods and demons — victory, victory to you, O slayer of the demon Mahisha (Mahishasura-Mardini), of lovely matted locks, O daughter of the mountain!
Vijitasahasrakaraikasahasrakaraikasahasrakaraikanute Kritasuratarakasangaratarakasangaratarakasunusute Surathasamadhisamanasamadhisamadhisamadhisujatarate Jaya jaya he mahishasuramardini ramyakapardini shailasute )
Meaning:O you praised as the one power that conquered the thousand-rayed (sun) and the thousand-armed; mother of the sons born of the battles with the Taraka demons; equal in meditation to the kings Suratha and Samadhi — victory, victory to you, O slayer of the demon Mahisha (Mahishasura-Mardini), of lovely matted locks, O daughter of the mountain!
Padakamalam karunanilaye varivasyati yonudinam sushive Ayi kamale kamalanilaye kamalanilayah sa katham na bhavet Tava padameva parampadamevanushilayato mama kim na shive Jaya jaya he mahishasuramardini ramyakapardini shailasute
Meaning:O abode of compassion, O lotus-dwelling Kamala (Lakshmi)! He who daily worships your lotus feet — O auspicious one — how could he not himself become an abode of fortune (Lakshmi)? — victory, victory to you, O slayer of the demon Mahisha (Mahishasura-Mardini), of lovely matted locks, O daughter of the mountain!
Kanakalasatkalasindhujalairanusinchinute guna rangabhuvam Bhajati sa kim na shachikuchakumbhatatiparirambhasukhanubhavam Tava charanam sharanam karavani natamaravaninivasi shivam Jaya jaya he mahishasuramardini ramyakapardini shailasute
Meaning:He who sprinkles the arena of your worship with water from golden pitchers of the milk-ocean — does he not attain the embrace of the breasts of Shachi (the joys of heaven)? — victory, victory to you, O slayer of the demon Mahisha (Mahishasura-Mardini), of lovely matted locks, O daughter of the mountain!
Tava vimalendukulam vadanendumalam sakalam nanu kulayate Kimu puruhutapurindumukhisumukhibhirasau vimukhikriyate Mama tu matam shivanamadhane bhavatikripaya kimuta kriyate Jaya jaya he mahishasuramardini ramyakapardini shailasute
Meaning:Your spotless moon-face surpasses the full moon and brightens all; how could it be compared even to the lovely faces of the women of Indra's city (Amaravati)? — victory, victory to you, O slayer of the demon Mahisha (Mahishasura-Mardini), of lovely matted locks, O daughter of the mountain!
Ayi mayi dinadayalutaya kripayaiva tvaya bhavitavyamume Ayi jagato janani kripayasi yathasi tathanumitasi rate Yaduchitamatra bhavatyurarikurutadurutapamapakurute Jaya jaya he mahishasuramardini ramyakapardini shailasute
Meaning:O Uma! Be gracious to me out of your compassion for the lowly; O Mother of the world, you are by your very nature merciful — accept what is fitting here, and remove my great suffering — victory, victory to you, O slayer of the demon Mahisha (Mahishasura-Mardini), of lovely matted locks, O daughter of the mountain!
Stutimitastimitah susamadhina niyamatoyamatonudinam pathet Paramaya ramayapi nishevyate parijanorijanopi cha tam bhajet
Meaning:Whoever, calm and composed in deep meditation, recites this hymn daily with discipline, is served by the supreme Lakshmi; even his enemies become as his own kinsfolk.
Ramayati kila karshasteshu chittam naranamavarajavarayasmadramakrishnah kavinam Akrita sukritigamyam ramyapadyaikaharmyam stavanamavanahetum pritaye vishvamatuh
Meaning:Because Ramakrishna (the poet) draws the minds of men toward the Goddess with these lovely verses, he has composed this hymn — a delight attainable by the virtuous through its beautiful poetry.
Induramyo muhurbinduramyo muhurbinduramyo yatah sanavadyam smritah Shripateh sununa karito yodhuna vishvamatuh pade padyapushpanjalih
Meaning:Pleasing again and again like the moon, again and again like the sacred dot (bindu), this faultless hymn, composed by the son of Shripati, is remembered (as supremely auspicious).
Word-by-Word Meaning
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Benefits of Chanting महिषासुर मर्दिनी स्तोत्रम्
One of the most powerful Durga stotrams for destroying evil and negativity
Extremely popular during Navratri — chanted in temples across India
Each verse ends with the victory refrain creating powerful rhythmic energy
Viral on YouTube with hundreds of millions of views in various renditions
Invokes Durga's fierce warrior aspect for protection and courage
The complex Sanskrit meter creates a trance-like devotional state
How to Chant महिषासुर मर्दिनी स्तोत्रम्
This stotram is best SUNG rather than just recited — its power lies in its rhythm and meter. Each verse builds to the climactic refrain 'Jaya Jaya He Mahishasura Mardini Ramyakpardini Shailasute.' Listen to a recording first to learn the melody. Chant 3 times during Navratri evenings for maximum impact. The rhythmic repetition naturally induces a meditative, devotional state.
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Read the full महिषासुर मर्दिनी स्तोत्रम् with verse-by-verse meaning, or explore more sacred texts