durgadevichandikadurga-saptashati

Bhagavati Durga Durgartinashini (Durga, Destroyer of Distress, Slays Nishumbha)

भगवती दुर्गा दुर्गार्तिनाशिनी (निशुम्भ-वध)

🕉️ hindu·📿 11× repetitions·🕐 During Navaratri, on Ashtami and Navami, or on Tuesdays at dawn·📜 Durga Saptashati Chapter 9

Also known as: bhagavati durga durgartinashini · tato bhagavati kruddha durga · nishumbha vadha · durgartinashini mantra · durga saptashati chapter 9

📜 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

From the ninth chapter of the Durga Saptashati, this passage names the Goddess as Bhagavati Durga, Durgartinashini — the destroyer of distress and of all that is hard to overcome — and tells of the slaying of the demon Nishumbha. When Nishumbha rushes at her, Chandika hurls her pike into his heart; from the cleft heart a second warrior emerges crying 'Stop!', but the laughing Goddess beheads him too. The verse is loved both for its potent epithet of Durga and for this striking moment of victory.

Origin & Story

Durga Saptashati Chapter 9 · Sage Markandeya (Markandeya Purana) · c. 400–600 CE (Markandeya Purana)

After Raktabija was slain, the demon-brothers Shumbha and Nishumbha gave way to measureless wrath and attacked the Goddess together. In the fierce duel, Nishumbha repeatedly assailed Chandika with sword, spear, pike and mace, each shattered by the Devi. Finally she pierced his heart with her pike, beheaded the second warrior who sprang from it, and laid Nishumbha low, leaving Shumbha to face her alone.

✦ As told in scripture

Devotees regard the name Durgartinashini in this verse as a direct appeal for relief; it is traditionally chanted in times of crisis, with many recounting that the Mother who pierced Nishumbha's heart swiftly cut through their own difficult, persistent troubles.

0all time

Complete Text with Meaning

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

Verse 1

ततो भगवती क्रुद्धा दुर्गा दुर्गार्तिनाशिनी । चिच्छेद देवी चक्राणि स्वशरैः सायकांश्च तान् ॥

tato bhagavatī kruddhā durgā durgārtināśinī ciccheda devī cakrāṇi svaśaraiḥ sāyakāṃśca tān

Meaning:Then the Bhagavati Durga, enraged — the destroyer of distress and of evils hard to overcome — cut those discuses and arrows with her own arrows. As Nishumbha, tormentor of the gods, came on, pike in hand, Chandika pierced him in the heart with her pike, hurled with force. From the heart of him, cleft by the pike, there issued forth another being, of great strength and valour, crying 'Stop!' As he came forth, the Devi, laughing aloud, then severed his head with her sword; thereupon he fell to the ground.

Verse 2

शूलहस्तं समायान्तं निशुम्भममरार्दनम् । हृदि विव्याध शूलेन वेगाविद्धेन चण्डिका ॥

śūlahastaṃ samāyāntaṃ niśumbhamamarārdanam hṛdi vivyādha śūlena vegāviddhena caṇḍikā

Verse 3

भिन्नस्य तस्य शूलेन हृदयान्निःसृतोऽपरः । महाबलो महावीर्यस्तिष्ठेति पुरुषो वदन् ॥

bhinnasya tasya śūlena hṛdayānniḥsṛto'paraḥ mahābalo mahāvīryastiṣṭheti puruṣo vadan

Verse 4

तस्य निष्क्रामतो देवी प्रहस्य स्वनवत्ततः । शिरश्चिच्छेद खड्गेन ततोऽसावपतद्भुवि ॥

tasya niṣkrāmato devī prahasya svanavattataḥ śiraściccheda khaḍgena tato'sāvapatadbhuvi

Word-by-Word Meaning

Click any word to hear its pronunciation

ततः भगवती क्रुद्धा🔊tataḥ bhagavatī kruddhāThen the Bhagavati (Goddess), enraged

दुर्गा🔊durgāDurga (the inaccessible, invincible one)

दुर्गार्तिनाशिनी🔊durga-ārti-nāśinīDestroyer of distress and of evils hard to overcome

चिच्छेद देवी चक्राणि🔊ciccheda devī cakrāṇiThe Devi cut those discuses

स्वशरैः सायकान् च तान्🔊sva-śaraiḥ sāyakān ca tānAnd those arrows, with her own arrows

शूलहस्तं समायान्तम्🔊śūla-hastaṃ samāyāntamComing on, pike in hand

निशुम्भम् अमरार्दनम्🔊niśumbham amar-ārdanamNishumbha, tormentor of the gods (immortals)

हृदि विव्याध शूलेन🔊hṛdi vivyādha śūlenaPierced him in the heart with her pike

वेगाविद्धेन चण्डिका🔊vegāviddhena caṇḍikāHurled with force, Chandika (did so)

भिन्नस्य तस्य शूलेन हृदयात्🔊bhinnasya tasya śūlena hṛdayātFrom his heart, cleft by the pike

निःसृतः अपरः🔊niḥsṛtaḥ aparaḥThere issued forth another being

तिष्ठ इति पुरुषः वदन्🔊tiṣṭha iti puruṣaḥ vadanA being (purusha) crying 'Stop!'

देवी प्रहस्य शिरः चिच्छेद खड्गेन🔊devī prahasya śiraḥ ciccheda khaḍgenaThe Devi, laughing aloud, severed his head with her sword

ततः असौ अपतत् भुवि🔊tataḥ asau apatat bhuviThereupon he fell to the ground

Benefits of Chanting Bhagavati Durga Durgartinashini (Durga, Destroyer of Distress, Slays Nishumbha)

✦

Invokes Durga by her potent name Durgartinashini, 'remover of all distress'

✦

Recited to overcome troubles that are difficult or seemingly impossible to surmount

✦

Brings courage to face dangers that regenerate or return after being defeated

✦

Strengthens faith in the Goddess as the one who cuts down evil at its very source

✦

Powerful during Navaratri and in the recitation of the ninth chapter of the Saptashati

✦

Grants protection from enemies, fear and obstacles on the spiritual path

How to Chant Bhagavati Durga Durgartinashini (Durga, Destroyer of Distress, Slays Nishumbha)

Repetitions11times

Best TimeDuring Navaratri, on Ashtami and Navami, or on Tuesdays at dawn

Begin with the Saptashati seed mantra 'Om Aim Hrim Klim Chamundayai Vichche'. Chant with devotion, dwelling on the name 'Durga Durgartinashini' as an appeal to remove all difficulty. Recited when one faces obstacles that are hard to overcome, and as part of the ninth chapter path of the Durga Saptashati, which narrates the slaying of Nishumbha.

Frequently Asked Questions

Durgartinashini means 'the destroyer of durga-arti' — that is, the remover of distress, pain and dangers that are hard to overcome (durga means both 'difficult' and a name of the Goddess). It is one of the most beloved epithets of the Goddess in the Saptashati.

Chandika hurls her pike with force into Nishumbha's heart. From the cleft heart a second mighty warrior emerges, crying 'Stop!' — but the Goddess laughs aloud and severs his head with her sword, ending Nishumbha completely.

These are verses 29 and 32 to 34 of the ninth chapter (Nishumbha-Vadha) of the Durga Saptashati, part of the Uttama Charita presided over by the Goddess Mahasaraswati.