श्री वैष्णो देवी चालीसा — Word-by-Word Meaning

O Vaishnavi who rides the Garuda, whose abode is the Trikuta mountain; Kali, Lakshmi and Saraswati — O Shakti, I bow to you. Victory to Vaishno, the boon-giver, the auspicious bringer of welfare in the age of Kali. On Mani mountain shines your light; you have incarnated in the form of the Pindi (the holy rock). The gods gave a portion of themselves; you took birth in the home of (the sage) Ratnakar. "I performed penance to attain Rama; I am called the Shakti of the Treta age." Rama said: "Go to Mani mountain; you shall be called the Goddess of the Kali age." "As Vishnu I shall become Kalki, changing into the form of Shakti;" "till then, go to the Trikuta valley and find a dark cave to dwell in." Kali, Lakshmi and Saraswati — Mother Parvati — will be your protectors. At your gates stand Brahma, Vishnu and Shankara; Hanuman and Bhairon, the beloved sentinels. Riddhi and Siddhi wave the fly-whisk; the dwellers of the Kali age come to worship. Paan, betel-nut, banner and coconut, and the pure charnamrit of your feet (are offered). The Mother smiled and granted the fruitful boon; she came to the mountain to perform penance. When the fire of the Kali age blazed up, one day she revealed her true form. Taking the form of a maiden she came to Nagrota; the yogi Bhairon caught sight of her. Seeing her beautiful form he was tempted, and ran chasing after her. The Mother joined the company of maidens (kanyas); from Kaul Kandoli she then moved on. The langur (Veer) gave darshan; she became swift, taking the form of the wind. During the Navratris she enacted her divine play; she came to the home of the devotee Shridhar. She gave a feast (bhandara) to the yogis; all ate the delicious food with relish. Bhairon demanded meat and wine; taking the wind-form, she renounced (his demand and departed). Shooting an arrow she brought forth the Ganga (Banganga); intoxicated with power, she fled up the mountain. When she set her feet upon a rock, that place came to be named Charan Paduka. Behind her the mighty Bhairon pursued; she entered a small cave (Garbhajoon). She dwelt there for nine months, then split it open and came forth, revealing her light. The Primordial Shakti, daughter of Brahman, came to be called Mother Adi Kunwari (the Eternal Virgin). Reaching the cave-door she smiled; the brave Langur received her command. Bhairon came running; for his own protection he wielded his weapon. His head fell upon the mountain above; she forgave him and granted him a boon: "I shall have you worshipped along with me; I shall establish Bhairon's valley (shrine)." "First my darshan shall be had, and afterwards your remembrance (worship)." The Mother sat, becoming the Pindi; at her feet the water flows ceaselessly. The sixty-four yoginis and Bhairon attend; the seven sages come to worship. The sound of the bell rings out upon the mountain; the matchless cave looks beautiful. The devotee Shridhar performed the worship; he received the boon of devotion and service. Your servant Dhyanu meditated upon you; he came and offered the banner and the robe (chola). The lion ever keeps watch at your door; the lion's paw takes away all sorrow. The king of Jambudvipa honoured you; he offered a golden parasol over your head. A dear diamond-studded image is beside you; your single, unbroken flame burns ever. In the Navratris of Ashvin and Chaitra I come; may I gain the darshan of the Pindi-Queen. Your servant Sharma is at your refuge; O Vaishno, remove our calamity. In the Kali age your glory, O Mother, is boundless; when dharma declines, you become manifest as an incarnation.