durgamahishasuramahishasura-mardininavratri

Ayi Shatakhanda Vikhandita

अयि शतखण्डविखण्डित

🕉️ hindu·📿 3× repetitions·🕐 During Navratri, especially Ashtami and Navami, or any time courage and protection are needed·📜 Mahishasura Mardini Stotram, verse 4 (attributed to Adi Shankaracharya)

Also known as: ayi shatakhanda vikhandita · ayi shatakhandavikhandita · mahishasura mardini verse 4 · shatakhanda vikhandita runda

📜 Complete Lyrics 📖 Word-by-Word Meaning ✨ Benefits & How to Chant ⬇️ PDF Download

Read in your language / script

हिन्दी / देवनागरीతెలుగు தமிழ்ಕನ್ನಡ മലയാളം ગુજરાતી বাংলা ଓଡ଼ିଆ ਪੰਜਾਬੀ English සිංහල 𑌗𑍍𑌰𑌨𑍍𑌥

✦ Meaning

This is the fourth verse of the Mahishasura Mardini Stotram (Ayi Giri Nandini), attributed to Adi Shankaracharya. With cascading alliteration it pictures Durga in the thick of cosmic battle — shattering elephant-demons, tearing open their temples and beheading demon chiefs with her own arms — before bursting into the famous refrain 'Jaya Jaya He Mahishasura Mardini'. It is one of the most thrilling, fast-paced stanzas of the hymn.

Origin & Story

Mahishasura Mardini Stotram, verse 4 (attributed to Adi Shankaracharya) · Adi Shankaracharya (traditionally) · 8th century CE

This is the fourth stanza of the Mahishasura Mardini Stotram, an ecstatic Durga hymn whose complex meter mirrors the rhythm of the cosmic battle. While the opening verses adore the Goddess as the mountain-daughter, this verse plunges into the warfare itself, portraying Durga astride her lion, shattering elephant-demons and beheading the demon hosts — a vivid picture of the war recounted in the Devi Mahatmyam.

✦ As told in scripture

The Devi Mahatmyam tells how Mahishasura, granted that no male could slay him, conquered the heavens, and the gods poured their combined energies into Durga. She battled the demon armies for nine nights (Navratri) and on the tenth day pinned the shape-shifting buffalo-demon with her foot and pierced his heart with her trident, as the gods rained flowers. This verse celebrates her unstoppable valour in that war.

0all time

The Mantra

Tap any line — or the ▶ button — to hear it recited

अयि शतखण्डविखण्डितरुण्डवितुण्डितशुण्डगजाधिपते रिपुगजगण्डविदारणचण्डपराक्रमशुण्ड मृगाधिपते । निजभुजदण्डनिपातितखण्डविपातितमुण्डभटाधिपते जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥

Ayi shatakhandavikhanditarundavitunditashundagajadhipate Ripugajagandavidaranachandaparakramashunda mrigadhipate Nijabhujadandanipatitakhandavipatitamundabhatadhipate Jaya jaya he mahishasuramardini ramyakapardini shailasute

Meaning:O Goddess who shattered into a hundred pieces the lordly elephant-demons, hewing off their trunks and severing their heads; the lioness of fierce valour who tore open the temples of the enemy elephants; who with your own staff-like arms felled and beheaded the chiefs of the demon warriors — victory, victory to you, O slayer of the demon Mahisha, of lovely matted locks, O daughter of the mountain!

Word-by-Word Meaning

Click any word to hear its pronunciation

अयि🔊AyiO! (an affectionate vocative addressing the Goddess)

शतखण्ड🔊ShatakhandaInto a hundred pieces

विखण्डित🔊VikhanditaShattered, broken apart

रुण्ड🔊RundaHeadless trunks (of the demon-elephants)

वितुण्डित🔊VitunditaWith trunks torn off

शुण्ड🔊ShundaTrunk (of an elephant)

गजाधिपते🔊GajadhipateO conqueror of the lordly elephant-demons

रिपुगजगण्डविदारण🔊Ripu-gaja-ganda-vidaranaTearing open the temples of the enemy elephants

चण्डपराक्रम🔊Chanda-parakramaOf fierce valour and prowess

मृगाधिपते🔊MrigadhipateO rider of the king of beasts (the lion)

निजभुजदण्ड🔊Nija-bhuja-dandaBy your own staff-like arms

निपातित🔊NipatitaStruck down, felled

मुण्डभटाधिपते🔊Munda-bhatadhipateO slayer of the lords of the (demon) warriors, beheading them

जय जय हे🔊Jaya jaya heVictory, victory to you!

महिषासुरमर्दिनि🔊MahishasuramardiniO slayer of the buffalo-demon Mahishasura

रम्यकपर्दिनि🔊RamyakapardiniO Goddess with beautiful braided locks

शैलसुते🔊ShailasuteO daughter of the mountain (Parvati)

Benefits of Chanting Ayi Shatakhanda Vikhandita

✦

A powerful warrior verse of the Mahishasura Mardini Stotram invoking Durga's fierce battle valour

✦

Chanted for courage, victory over enemies and the destruction of negativity

✦

Its rapid, alliterative meter creates an intense, trance-like devotional momentum

✦

Especially recited during Navratri, particularly on Ashtami and Navami

✦

Best sung aloud — its rhythm carries the energy of the cosmic battle

✦

Invokes Durga's protective, demon-slaying aspect for those facing hardship or fear

How to Chant Ayi Shatakhanda Vikhandita

Repetitions3times

Best TimeDuring Navratri, especially Ashtami and Navami, or any time courage and protection are needed

This verse is best SUNG rather than merely recited — its power lies in its galloping meter. Build through the three long lines to the climactic refrain 'Jaya Jaya He Mahishasura Mardini Ramyakapardini Shailasute'. Listen to a recording first to learn the cadence, then chant 3 times during Navratri evenings before an image of Durga.

Frequently Asked Questions

It describes Goddess Durga in fierce battle — shattering the demon-elephants into a hundred pieces, tearing open their temples as a lioness of mighty valour, and felling and beheading the chiefs of the demon warriors with her own arms — ending with the victory refrain 'Jaya Jaya He Mahishasura Mardini'.

It is the fourth verse of the Mahishasura Mardini Stotram (also known by its opening 'Ayi Giri Nandini'), traditionally attributed to Adi Shankaracharya and immensely popular during Navratri.

It is built from long Sanskrit compound words packed with alliteration ('shatakhanda-vikhandita-runda-vitundita-shunda'). This dense, rhythmic sound is intentional — it mirrors the rush and clamour of the cosmic battle and gives the verse its thrilling momentum when sung.

It is chanted during Durga worship, especially on Ashtami and Navami of Navratri, and at any time one seeks courage, protection and the strength to overcome difficulties.