Durga Chalisa

A beautiful 40-verse hymn in praise of Goddess Durga, celebrating her divine manifestations, her victory over Mahishasura, and her infinite maternal protection.

Significance & Benefits

Awakens inner strength, protects from enemies, and fulfills all worldly and spiritual desires.

Full Text — Durga Chalisa

Verse 1

नमो नमो दुर्गे सुख करनी।नमो नमो अम्बे दुःख हरनी॥

Namo Namo Durge Sukh Karnee.Namo Namo Ambe Duhkh Harnee.

Salutations to Mother Durga, who brings happiness to all. Salutations to Mother Ambe, who destroys all sufferings and sorrows.

Verse 2

निरंकार है ज्योति तुम्हारी।तिहूँ लोक फैली उजियारी॥

Nirankar Hai Jyoti Tumharee.Tihun Lok Phailee Ujiyaree.

Your divine light is formless and supreme. Its radiance is spread across all three worlds, illuminating everything.

Verse 3

शशि ललाट मुख महाविशाला।नेत्र लाल भृकुटि विकराला॥

Shashi Lalaat Mukh Mahaavishaala.Netr Laal Bhrikuti Vikaraala.

The moon shines on your forehead, and your face is great and majestic. Your eyes are red, and your brow is fierce towards evil forces.

Verse 4

रूप मातु को अधिक सुहावे।छवि निरखत अधिक सुख पावे॥

Roop Maatu Ko Adhik Suhaave.Chhavi Nirakhat Adhik Sukh Paave.

O Mother, your form is beautiful and enchanting. Devotees attain immense bliss and joy just by looking at your divine image.

Verse 5

तुम संसार शक्ति लय कीन्हा।पालन हेतु अन्न धन दीन्हा॥

Tum Sansaar Shakti Lay Keenha.Paalan Hetu Ann Dhan Deenha.

You contain the cosmic energy of creation, preservation, and dissolution. To sustain the world, you provide food and wealth.

Verse 6

अन्नपूर्णा हुई जग पाला।तुम ही आदि सुन्दरी बाला॥

Annapurna Huee Jag Paala.Tum Hee Aadi Sundaree Baala.

You manifest as Mother Annapurna to nourish the entire creation. You are the primordial Goddess, eternally beautiful and young.

Verse 7

प्रलयकाल सब नाशन हारी।तुम गौरी शिवशंकर प्यारी॥

Pralayakaal Sab Naashan Haaree.Tum Gauree Shivashankar Pyaaree.

During cosmic dissolution, you destroy all old forms. You are Goddess Gauri, the beloved consort of Lord Shiva.

Verse 8

शिव योगी तुम्हारे गुण गावें।ब्रह्मा विष्णु तुम्हें नित ध्यावें॥

Shiv Yogee Tumhaare Gun Gaaven.Brahma Vishnu Tumhen Nit Dhyaaven.

Lord Shiva and great yogis sing your praise; Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu constantly meditate upon you.

Verse 9

रूप सरस्वती का तुम धारा।दे सुबुद्धि ऋषि मुनिन उबारा॥

Roop Saraswati Ka Tum Dhaara.De Subuddhi Rishi Munin Ubaara.

You assumed the form of Goddess Saraswati to bestow supreme intellect, saving the sages and seers.

Verse 10

धरयो रूप नरसिंह को अम्बा।परगट भई फाड़कर खम्भा॥

Dharayo Roop Narasimha Ko Amba.Paragat Bhaee Phaadhakar Khambha.

O Mother, you assumed the form of Narasimha, appearing by bursting open the stone pillar to protect Prahlada.

Verse 11

हरिनाकस को स्वर्ग पठायो।नरहरि रूप धरयो छबि छायो॥

Harinaakas Ko Svarg Pathaayo.Narahari Roop Dharayo Chhabi Chhaayo.

You sent the demon Hiranyakashipu to heaven (slew him), looking magnificent in the half-man half-lion form.

Verse 12

लक्ष्मी रूप धरो जग माहीं।श्री नारायण की लपटाई॥

Lakshmi Roop Dharo Jag Maaheen.Shree Naaraayan Kee Lapataaee.

You manifest as Goddess Lakshmi in this world, dwelling inseparably with Lord Narayana.

Verse 13

क्षीरसिन्धु में करत विलासा।दयासिन्धु दीजै मन आसा॥

Ksheerasindhu Mein Karat Vilaasa.Dayaasindhu Deejai Man Aasa.

Dwelling blissfully in the ocean of milk, O ocean of mercy, please fulfill the wishes of my mind.

Verse 14

हिंगलाज में तुम्हीं भवानी।महिमा अमित न जात बखानी॥

Hingalaaj Mein Tumheen Bhavaanee.Mahima Amit Na Jaat Bakhaanee.

In Hinglaj, you are worshipped as Bhavani. Your glory is infinite and cannot be fully described.

Verse 15

मातङ्गी अरु धूमावति माता।भुवनेश्वरी बगला सुखदाता॥

Maatangee Aru Dhoomaavati Maata.Bhuvaneshvaree Bagala Sukhadaata.

You are Mother Matangi, Dhumavati, Bhuvaneshvari, and Bagalamukhi, the giver of absolute happiness.

Verse 16

श्री भैरव तारा जग तारिणी।छिन्नमस्ता भव दुःख निवारिणी॥

Shree Bhairav Taara Jag Taarinee.Chhinnamasta Bhav Duhkh Nivaarinee.

You are Bhairavi, Tara who crosses us over the world, and Chhinnamasta who removes all worldly pain.

Verse 17

वाहन वृषभ सज भवानी।लाँगुर वीर चलत अगवानी॥

Vaahan Vrishabh Saj Bhavaanee.Laangur Veer Chalat Agavaanee.

Riding upon a mighty bull, Goddess Bhavani, you are preceded and welcomed by the brave Langur (Hanuman).

Verse 18

कर में खप्पर खड्ग विराजै।जाको देख काल डर भाजै॥

Kar Mein Khappar Khadg Viraajai.Jaako Dekh Kaal Dar Bhaajai.

In your hands are a skull-bowl and a sword, beholding which even death itself flees in terror.

Verse 19

सोहे अस्त्र और त्रिशूला।जाते उठत शत्रु हिय शूला॥

Sohe Astr Aur Trishoola.Jaate Uthat Shatru Hiy Shoola.

You look magnificent holding divine weapons and a trident, which strike absolute terror in the hearts of enemies.

Verse 20

नगरकोट में तुम्हीं विराजत।तिहुँ लोक में डङ्का बाजत॥

Nagarakot Mein Tumheen Viraajat.Tihun Lok Mein Danka Baajat.

You reside in Nagarkot temple, and your glory is resoundingly celebrated across all three worlds.

Verse 21

शुम्भ निशुम्भ दानव तुम मारे।रक्तबीज शङ्खन संहारे॥

Shumbh Nishumbh Daanav Tum Maare.Raktabeej Shankhan Sanhaare.

You slew the demons Shumbha and Nishumbha, and destroyed millions of copies of Raktabeeja.

Verse 22

महिषासुर नृप अति अभिमानी।जेहि अघ भार मही अकुलानी॥

Mahishaasur Nrip Ati Abhimaanee.Jehi Agh Bhaar Mahee Akulaanee.

The demon king Mahishasura was extremely proud, whose heavy burden of sins troubled the entire Earth.

Verse 23

रूप कराल कालिका धारा।सेन सहित तुम तिहि संहारा॥

Roop Karaal Kaalika Dhaara.Sen Sahit Tum Tihi Sanhaara.

Assuming the fierce form of Mother Kali, you destroyed him together with his entire demon army.

Verse 24

परी गाढ़ सन्तन पर जब-जब।भई सहाय मातु तुम तब-तब॥

Paree Gaadh Santan Par Jab-Jab.Bhaee Sahaay Maatu Tum Tab-Tab.

Whenever the holy saints faced severe trials or dangers, you, Mother, immediately rushed to their aid.

Verse 25

अमरपुरी अरु बासव लोका।तब-तब भये रहित सब शोका॥

Amarapuree Aru Baasav Loka.Tab-Tab Bhaye Rahit Sab Shoka.

The city of immortals (Indraloka) was then freed from all kinds of fear and grief.

Verse 26

ज्वाला में है ज्योति तुम्हारी।तुम्हें सदा पूजें नर नारी॥

Jvaala Mein Hai Jyoti Tumhaaree.Tumhen Sada Poojen Nar Naaree.

In Jwalamukhi temple, your divine flame shines. Men and women worship you there eternally.

Verse 27

प्रेम भक्ति से जो यश गावें।दुःख दरिद्र निकट नहीं आवें॥

Prem Bhakti Se Jo Yash Gaaven.Duhkh Daridr Nikat Naheen Aaven.

Whoever sings your glory with deep love and devotion is never approached by pain or poverty.

Verse 28

ध्यावे तुम्हें जो नर मन लाई।जन्म मरण सो मुकति पाई॥

Dhyaave Tumhen Jo Nar Man Laaee.Janm Maran So Mukati Paaee.

Whoever meditates on you single-pointedly is liberated from the cycle of birth and death.

Verse 29

जोगी सुर मुनि कहत पुकारी।योग न होय बिन कृपा तुम्हारी॥

Jogee Sur Muni Kahat Pukaaree.Yog Na Hoy Bin Kripa Tumhaaree.

Yogis, gods, and sages loudly declare: spiritual union (Yoga) is impossible without your divine grace.

Verse 30

शङ्कर आचारज तप कीन्हो।काम अरु क्रोध जीत सब लीन्हो॥

Shankar Aachaaraj Tap Keenho.Kaam Aru Krodh Jeet Sab Leenho.

Adi Shankaracharya performed intense penance and completely conquered lust, anger, and ego by your grace.

Verse 31

निशिदिन ध्यान धरें शङ्कर को।काहु काल नहिं सुमिरें तुमको॥

Nishidin Dhyaan Dharen Shankar Ko.Kaahu Kaal Nahin Sumiren Tumako.

If someone meditates only on Shiva day and night, but never remembers you (Shakti)...

Verse 32

शक्ति रूप को मरम न पायो।शक्ति बिना शिव शव कहलायो॥

Shakti Roop Ko Maram Na Paayo.Shakti Bina Shiv Shav Kahalaayo.

They fail to understand the essence of energy. Without Shakti, Lord Shiva himself manifests as inactive (Shav).

Verse 33

शरणगत हुई कीर्ति बखानी।जगदम्बा हरहु विपत्ति भारी॥

Sharanagat Huee Keerti Bakhaanee.Jagadamba Harahu Vipatti Bhaaree.

I seek your shelter and sing your glory. O Mother of the universe, destroy my heavy calamities.

Verse 34

धन हीन कहै धन जन होई।शत्रु नास होय संकट खोई॥

Dhan Heen Kahai Dhan Jan Hoee.Shatru Naas Hoy Sankat Khoee.

The poor obtain wealth and family; all enemies are defeated and distress is erased.

Verse 35

अलपायु जो जन जप करई।दीर्घायु सो निश्चय धरई॥

Alapaayu Jo Jan Jap Karaee.Deerghaayu So Nishchay Dharaee.

If someone with a short life-span chants this, they surely attain a long, healthy, and prosperous life.

Verse 36

करै पूजा जो नित मन लाई।सब सुख भोग परम पद पाई॥

Karai Pooja Jo Nit Man Laaee.Sab Sukh Bhog Param Pad Paaee.

Whoever performs your worship daily with devotion enjoys all happiness and attains the supreme state.

Verse 37

देवीदास शरण में आई।रक्षा करो मातु सुखदाई॥

Deveedaas Sharan Mein Aaee.Raksha Karo Maatu Sukhadaee.

Devidas (the composer) has come to your shelter. Please protect me, O blissful Mother!

Verse 38

दुर्गा चालीसा जो नित गावे।सब सुख भोग परम पद पावे॥

Durga Chalisa Jo Nit Gaave.Sab Sukh Bhog Param Pad Paave.

Whoever sings and recites the Durga Chalisa enjoys all the blessings of life and attains the supreme spiritual state.

Verse 39

शरणागत हम दया कीजिये।चरणन की सेवा वर दीजिये॥

Sharanagat hum daya keejiye.Charanan kee seva var deejiye.

We seek your shelter; please show compassion and grant the ultimate boon of serving your lotus feet.

Verse 40

विपदा हरो प्रभु शङ्कटहारी।दुष्ट दलन शिव मङ्गलकारी॥

Vipada haro prabhu sankathaari.Dusht dalan Shiv mangalkaari.

Remove all our hardships, O destroyer of dangers! You destroy the wicked and bring absolute auspiciousness.

Verse 41

जो यह पढ़े दुर्गा चालीसा।होय सिद्ध साखी गौरीसा॥

Jo yah padhe Durga Chalisa.Hoy siddh saakhi Gaurisa.

Whoever reads this Durga Chalisa achieves accomplishments, with Lord Shiva (Gaurisa) himself as witness.

Verse 42

शरणागत रक्षा करो, हे जगदम्बे मात।कल्याण करो मम प्रभु, राखो अपने साथ॥

Sharanagat raksha karo, he Jagadambe maat.Kalyaan karo mam prabhu, raakho apne saath.

Protect your surrendered devotees, O Mother of the universe! Bless us with welfare, O Lord, and keep us always with you.

Verse 43

मंगल मूरति मारुति नन्दन, संकट हरन गिरिजापति।सदा बसहु मम हृदय में, गौरी सुत गणपति॥

Mangal moorti Maruti nandan, sankat haran Girijapati.Sada basahu mam hriday mein, Gauri sut Ganapati.

O auspicious Hanuman, O savior Shiva (husband of Girija)! Always dwell in my heart together with Ganesha, the son of Goddess Gauri.