Goddess Durga

Durga Chalisa

दुर्गा चालीसा

Purpose: Shakti, victory over enemies, mental peace

Dedicated to Maa Durga for inner strength, protection, and peace of mind.

Significance & Importance

The Durga Chalisa is the foremost devotional text of Shakti worship, recited by millions during the sacred nights of Navratri and throughout the year for divine protection and empowerment. This forty-verse hymn honors Goddess Durga in her many manifestations — from the nurturing Annapurna who feeds the world to the fierce Kalika who destroys demonic forces.

The Chalisa draws heavily from the Devi Mahatmya (Durga Saptashati), the foundational scripture of Shaktism that narrates Durga's cosmic battles. It recounts how she slew the buffalo demon Mahishasura, vanquished Shumbha and Nishumbha, and destroyed Raktabija — a demon who could multiply from every drop of his blood that touched the ground. These mythological narratives carry deep symbolic meaning: they represent the triumph of higher consciousness over ignorance, ego, and destructive tendencies within the human psyche.

The Chalisa uniquely emphasizes Durga's role as the underlying power (Shakti) without which even the greatest gods cannot function. A pivotal verse describes how Lord Shiva, despite performing intense austerities and conquering desire and anger, could not attain his full yogic power until he recognized and honored the feminine principle. This theological insight — that consciousness (Shiva) is incomplete without energy (Shakti) — is the cornerstone of Hindu tantric philosophy.

Devotees recite this Chalisa especially during the two annual Navratri festivals — Chaitra Navratri in spring and Sharad Navratri in autumn — as well as on Fridays and during Durga Puja. The text promises that dedicated recitation brings Shakti (inner strength), victory over adversaries, mental peace, and ultimately liberation from the cycle of birth and death.

English Transliteration

Durga Chalisa

Namo Namo Durge Sukh Karni.
Namo Namo Durge Dukh Harni.

Nirankaar Hai Jyoti Tumhari.
Tihun Lok Phaili Ujiyari.

Shashi Lalaat Mukh Mahavishaala.
Netra Laal Bhrikuti Vikraala.

Roop Matu Ko Adhik Suhaave.
Darash Karat Jan Ati Sukh Paave.

Tum Sansaar Shakti Lai Keena.
Paalan Hetu Ann Dhan Deena.

Annpurna Hui Jag Paala.
Tum Hi Aadi Sundari Baala.

Pralaykaal Sab Naashan Haari.
Tum Gauri Shivshankar Pyaari.

Shiv Yogi Tumhre Gun Gaavein.
Brahma Vishnu Tumhein Nit Dhyaavein.

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

Dharyo Roop Narsingh Ko Amba.
Pragat Bhai Phaadkar Khamba.

Raksha Kari Prahlaad Bachaayo.
Hiranyaksh Ko Swarg Pathaayo.

Lakshmi Roop Dharo Jag Maaheen.
Shri Narayan Ang Samaaheen.

Ksheersindu Mein Karat Vilaasa.
Dayasindhu Deejai Man Aasa.

Hinglaaj Mein Tumheen Bhavani.
Mahima Amit Na Jaat Bakhaani.

Maatangi Aru Dhoomavati Mata.
Bhuvaneshwari Bagla Sukh Data.

Shri Bhairav Tara Jag Taarini.
Chhinn Bhaal Bhav Dukh Nivaarini.

Kehari Vaahan Soh Bhavani.
Langur Veer Chalat Agvaani.

Kar Mein Khappar Khadg Viraaje.
Jaako Dekh Kaal Dar Bhaaje.

Sohai Astra Aur Trishoola.
Jaate Uthat Shatru Hiy Shoola.

Nagarkot Mein Tumheen Viraajat.
Tihunlok Mein Danka Baajat.

Shumbh Nishumbh Daanav Tum Maare.
Raktbeej Shankan Sanhaare.

Mahishaasur Nrip Ati Abhimaani.
Jehi Agh Bhaar Mahi Akulaani.

Roop Karaal Kaalika Dhaara.
Sen Sahit Tum Tihi Sanhaara.

Pari Gaadh Santan Par Jab Jab.
Bhai Sahaay Matu Tum Tab Tab.

Amarpuri Aru Baasav Loka.
Tab Mahima Sab Rahein Ashoka.

Jwaala Mein Hai Jyoti Tumhari.
Tumhein Sada Poojein Nar-Naari.

Prem Bhakti Se Jo Yash Gaavein.
Dukh Daaridra Nikat Nahin Aavein.

Dhyaave Tumhein Jo Nar Man Laai.
Janm-Maran Taako Chhuti Jaai.

Jogi Sur Muni Kahat Pukaari.
Yog Na Ho Bin Shakti Tumhari.

Shankar Aachaaraj Tap Keeno.
Kaam Aru Krodh Jeeti Sab Leeno.

Nishidin Dhyaan Dharo Shankar Ko.
Kaahu Kaal Nahin Sumiro Tumko.

Shakti Roop Ka Maram Na Paayo.
Shakti Gayi Tab Man Pachhitaayo.

Sharnaagat Hui Keerti Bakhaani.
Jai Jai Jai Jagdamb Bhavani.

Bhai Prasann Aadi Jagdamba.
Dai Shakti Nahin Keen Vilamba.

Moko Matu Kasht Ati Ghero.
Tum Bin Kaun Harai Dukh Mero.

Aasha Trishna Nipat Sataavein.
Ripu Murakh Moheen Darpaave.

Shatru Naash Keejai Maharani.
Sumirau Ikchit Tumhein Bhavani.

Karo Kripa He Matu Dayaala.
Riddhi-Siddhi Dai Karahu Nihaala.

Jab Lagi Jiun Daya Phal Paaun.
Tumharo Yash Main Sada Sunaaun.

Durga Chalisa Jo Koi Gaavai.
Sab Sukh Bhog Parampad Paavai.

Devidaas Sharan Nij Jaani.
Karahu Kripa Jagdamb Bhavani.

|| Iti Shri Durga Chalisa Sampurna ||

← Back to Chalisa