Durga Chalisa
दुर्गा चालीसा
✦ Meaning
The Durga Chalisa is a forty-verse hymn to Goddess Durga, the invincible Divine Mother. It sings of her radiant forms and her victories over the demons Mahishasura, Shumbha and Nishumbha — the protector who removes the suffering of her devotees. Reciting it is believed to grant protection, fearlessness, strength and the fulfilment of righteous wishes.
Origin & Story
Hindu devotional tradition · Unknown (folk devotional composition) · Medieval period
The Durga Chalisa draws its narrative from the Devi Mahatmyam (also called Durga Saptashati or Chandi Path) from the Markandeya Purana, one of the most important texts in Shaktism. It recounts how Goddess Durga was created from the combined energies of all the gods to destroy the buffalo demon Mahishasur, whom no god could defeat. She fought for 9 days and nights (the origin of Navratri) before slaying him on the 10th day (Vijayadashami/Dussehra).
✦ As told in scripture
The Devi Mahatmyam narrates that when Mahishasur had conquered heaven and earth, the gods pooled their divine energies — each god contributing a weapon and a power — creating Goddess Durga. She rode a lion into battle and fought the demon army for 9 nights. When Mahishasur transformed into a buffalo to escape, Durga leaped onto him, pinned him with her foot, and pierced him with her trident. This victory of good over evil is celebrated as Navratri and Dussehra across India.
Listen & Chant Along
Complete Text with Meaning
Tap any line — or the ▶ button — to hear it recited
नमो नमो दुर्गे सुख करनी । नमो नमो दुर्गे दुःख हरनी ॥
Namo namo durge sukha karani namo namo durge duhkha harani
Meaning:Salutations, salutations to Durga, giver of joy; salutations, salutations to Durga, remover of sorrow.
निरंकार है ज्योति तुम्हारी । तिहूँ लोक फैली उजियारी ॥
Niramkara hai jyoti tumhari tihun loka phaili ujiyari
Meaning:Formless, you are pure light; your radiance spreads through all three worlds.
शशि ललाट मुख महाविशाला । नेत्र लाल भृकुटि विकराला ॥
Shashi lalata mukha mahavishala netra lala bhrikuti vikarala
Meaning:The moon adorns your forehead, your face vast and majestic; your eyes are red and your brow terrible.
रूप मातु को अधिक सुहावे । दरश करत जन अति सुख पावे ॥
Rupa matu ko adhika suhave darasha karata jana ati sukha pave
Meaning:Your form, O Mother, is exceedingly lovely; beholding it, devotees attain great joy.
तुम संसार शक्ति लै कीना । पालन हेतु अन्न धन दीना ॥
Tuma samsara shakti lai kina palana hetu anna dhana dina
Meaning:You took up all the power of the world; for its sustenance you gave food and wealth.
अन्नपूर्णा हुई जग पाला । तुम ही आदि सुन्दरी बाला ॥
Annapurna hui jaga pala tuma hi adi sundari bala
Meaning:As Annapurna you nourished the world; you are the primal, beautiful maiden (Adi Sundari).
प्रलयकाल सब नाशन हारी । तुम गौरी शिवशंकर प्यारी ॥
Pralayakala saba nashana hari tuma gauri shivashamkara pyari
Meaning:At the time of dissolution you destroy all; you are Gauri, the beloved of Shiva-Shankara.
शिव योगी तुम्हरे गुण गावें । ब्रह्मा विष्णु तुम्हें नित ध्यावें ॥
Shiva yogi tumhare guna gavem brahma vishnu tumhem nita dhyavem
Meaning:Shiva the yogi sings your virtues; Brahma and Vishnu ever meditate upon you.
रूप सरस्वती को तुम धारा । दे सुबुद्धि ऋषि मुनिन उबारा ॥
Rupa sarasvati ko tuma dhara de subuddhi rishi munina ubara
Meaning:You took the form of Saraswati; granting good wisdom, you delivered the sages.
धरयो रूप नरसिंह को अम्बा । परगट भई फाड़कर खम्बा ॥
Dharayo rupa narasimha ko amba paragata bhai phaड़kara khamba
Meaning:You assumed the form of Narasimha, O Amba, appearing as you burst forth from the pillar.
रक्षा करि प्रह्लाद बचायो । हिरण्याक्ष को स्वर्ग पठायो ॥
Raksha kari prahlada bachayo hiranyaksha ko svarga pathayo
Meaning:You protected and saved Prahlada, and dispatched Hiranyakashipu (to his end).
लक्ष्मी रूप धरो जग माहीं । श्री नारायण अंग समाहीं ॥
Lakshmi rupa dharo jaga mahim shri narayana amga samahim
Meaning:You took the form of Lakshmi in the world; you are merged in the body of Sri Narayana.
क्षीरसिन्धु में करत विलासा । दयासिन्धु दीजै मन आसा ॥
Kshirasindhu mem karata vilasa dayasindhu dijai mana asa
Meaning:In the ocean of milk you delight; O ocean of compassion, fulfil the heart's hope.
हिंगलाज में तुम्हीं भवानी । महिमा अमित न जात बखानी ॥
Himgalaja mem tumhim bhavani mahima amita na jata bakhani
Meaning:In Hinglaj it is you, O Bhavani; your boundless glory cannot be told in full.
मातंगी अरु धूमावति माता । भुवनेश्वरी बगला सुख दाता ॥
Matamgi aru dhumavati mata bhuvaneshvari bagala sukha data
Meaning:As Matangi and Mother Dhumavati; as Bhuvaneshwari and Bagala, the givers of joy.
श्री भैरव तारा जग तारिणी । छिन्न भाल भव दुःख निवारिणी ॥
Shri bhairava tara jaga tarini chhinna bhala bhava duhkha nivarini
Meaning:As Sri Bhairavi and Tara, saviour of the world; as Chhinnamasta, remover of the sorrows of existence.
केहरि वाहन सोह भवानी । लांगुर वीर चलत अगवानी ॥
Kehari vahana soha bhavani lamgura vira chalata agavani
Meaning:Riding upon the lion, O Bhavani; the hero Langur (Hanuman) goes before you as your escort.
कर में खप्पर खड्ग विराजै । जाको देख काल डर भाजै ॥
Kara mem khappara khadga virajai jako dekha kala dara bhajai
Meaning:In your hand shine the skull-bowl and the sword; beholding which, even Death itself flees in fear.
सोहै अस्त्र और त्रिशूला । जाते उठत शत्रु हिय शूला ॥
Sohai astra aura trishula jate uthata shatru hiya shula
Meaning:The mighty weapons and the trident also gleam; by which agony rises in the enemy's heart.
नगरकोट में तुम्हीं विराजत । तिहुँलोक में डंका बाजत ॥
Nagarakota mem tumhim virajata tihunloka mem damka bajata
Meaning:In Nagarkot too you are enthroned; in the three worlds your victory-drum resounds.
शुम्भ निशुम्भ दानव तुम मारे । रक्तबीज शंखन संहारे ॥
Shumbha nishumbha danava tuma mare raktabija shamkhana samhare
Meaning:You slew the demons Shumbha and Nishumbha; you destroyed Raktabija and his swarming clones.
महिषासुर नृप अति अभिमानी । जेहि अघ भार मही अकुलानी ॥
Mahishasura nripa ati abhimani jehi agha bhara mahi akulani
Meaning:The arrogant king Mahishasura — under whose burden of sin the earth groaned —
रूप कराल कालिका धारा । सेन सहित तुम तिहि संहारा ॥
Rupa karala kalika dhara sena sahita tuma tihi samhara
Meaning:Taking the dread form of Kalika, you destroyed him together with his entire army.
परी गाढ़ सन्तन पर जब जब । भई सहाय मातु तुम तब तब ॥
Pari gaढ़ santana para jaba jaba bhai sahaya matu tuma taba taba
Meaning:Whenever hardship befell the saints, you, O Mother, came to their aid time and again.
अमरपुरी अरु बासव लोका । तब महिमा सब रहें अशोका ॥
Amarapuri aru basava loka taba mahima saba rahem ashoka
Meaning:The immortal city and the realm of Indra — by your glory all remained free of sorrow.
ज्वाला में है ज्योति तुम्हारी । तुम्हें सदा पूजें नरनारी ॥
Jvala mem hai jyoti tumhari tumhem sada pujem naranari
Meaning:In Jwalaji your flame of light burns; men and women worship you forever.
प्रेम भक्ति से जो यश गावें । दुःख दारिद्र निकट नहिं आवें ॥
Prema bhakti se jo yasha gavem duhkha daridra nikata nahim avem
Meaning:Those who sing your glory with loving devotion — sorrow and poverty never come near them.
ध्यावे तुम्हें जो नर मन लाई । जन्ममरण ताकौ छुटि जाई ॥
Dhyave tumhem jo nara mana lai janmamarana takau chhuti jai
Meaning:Whoever meditates upon you with a focused mind — his cycle of birth and death is broken.
जोगी सुर मुनि कहत पुकारी । योग न हो बिन शक्ति तुम्हारी ॥
Jogi sura muni kahata pukari yoga na ho bina shakti tumhari
Meaning:Yogis, gods and sages proclaim aloud: there is no attainment (yoga) without your Shakti.
शंकर आचारज तप कीनो । काम अरु क्रोध जीति सब लीनो ॥
Shamkara acharaja tapa kino kama aru krodha jiti saba lino
Meaning:Shankaracharya performed austerity; he wholly conquered lust and anger.
निशिदिन ध्यान धरो शंकर को । काहु काल नहिं सुमिरो तुमको ॥
Nishidina dhyana dharo shamkara ko kahu kala nahim sumiro tumako
Meaning:Day and night he meditated upon Shankara, but at no time did he remember you.
शक्ति रूप का मरम न पायो । शक्ति गई तब मन पछितायो ॥
Shakti rupa ka marama na payo shakti gai taba mana pachhitayo
Meaning:He did not grasp the secret of the Shakti-principle; when his power left him, his mind repented.
शरणागत हुई कीर्ति बखानी । जय जय जय जगदम्ब भवानी ॥
Sharanagata hui kirti bakhani jaya jaya jaya jagadamba bhavani
Meaning:Taking refuge, he extolled your fame: “Victory, victory, victory to Jagadamba Bhavani!”
भई प्रसन्न आदि जगदम्बा । दई शक्ति नहिं कीन विलम्बा ॥
Bhai prasanna adi jagadamba dai shakti nahim kina vilamba
Meaning:The primal Jagadamba was pleased, and gave back his power without delay.
मोको मातु कष्ट अति घेरो । तुम बिन कौन हरै दुःख मेरो ॥
Moko matu kashta ati ghero tuma bina kauna harai duhkha mero
Meaning:“O Mother, great affliction surrounds me; without you, who will remove my sorrow?
आशा तृष्णा निपट सतावें । मोह मदादिक सब बिनशावें ॥
Asha trishna nipata satavem moha madadika saba binashavem
Meaning:Hope and craving torment me sorely; delusion, pride and the rest — destroy them all.
शत्रु नाश कीजै महारानी । सुमिरौं इकचित तुम्हें भवानी ॥
Shatru nasha kijai maharani sumiraum ikachita tumhem bhavani
Meaning:Destroy my enemies, O Great Queen; with single-minded focus I remember you, O Bhavani.
करो कृपा हे मातु दयाला । ऋद्धिसिद्धि दै करहु निहाला ॥
Karo kripa he matu dayala riddhisiddhi dai karahu nihala
Meaning:Show mercy, O compassionate Mother; granting prosperity and perfection, make me blessed.
जब लगि जिऊँ दया फल पाऊँ । तुम्हरो यश मैं सदा सुनाऊँ ॥
Jaba lagi jiun daya phala paun tumharo yasha maim sada sunaun
Meaning:As long as I live may I reap the fruit of your grace, and ever proclaim your glory.
श्री दुर्गा चालीसा जो कोई गावै । सब सुख भोग परमपद पावै ॥
Shri durga chalisa jo koi gavai saba sukha bhoga paramapada pavai
Meaning:Whoever sings this Durga Chalisa gains every joy and attains the supreme state.
देवीदास शरण निज जानी । कहु कृपा जगदम्ब भवानी ॥
Devidasa sharana nija jani kahu kripa jagadamba bhavani
Meaning:Knowing Devidas (this devotee) as one come to your refuge — show your mercy, O Jagadamba Bhavani.
शरणागत रक्षा करे, भक्त रहे नि शंक । मैं आया तेरी शरण में, मातु लिजिये अंक ॥
Sharanagata raksha kare, bhakta rahe ni shamka maim aya teri sharana mem, matu lijiye amka
Meaning:“Protect the one who takes refuge, that the devotee may stay fearless; I have come to your shelter, O Mother — take me into your embrace.”
Word-by-Word Meaning
Click any word to hear its pronunciation
Benefits of Chanting Durga Chalisa
Invokes the protective power of Goddess Durga — destroyer of evil
Essential during Navratri (9 nights of Durga worship)
Removes fear, negativity and all forms of suffering
Grants courage, confidence and strength to face difficulties
Protects from enemies, black magic and evil forces
Fulfills wishes when chanted with sincere devotion during Navratri
How to Chant Durga Chalisa
Light a ghee diya before an image of Goddess Durga. Offer red flowers and kumkum. Chant the Durga Chalisa 9 times during Navratri for maximum benefit. On regular days, once daily is sufficient. Face east or north. The chalisa is especially powerful when chanted during Ashtami (8th day of Navratri).
Frequently Asked Questions
You May Also Like
ॐ
Explore more sacred mantras with complete meaning and chanting guides