Durge Durghata Bhari — Benefits & How to Chant
दुर्गे दुर्घट भारी
Complete guide to chanting correctly for maximum benefit
Benefits of Chanting Durge Durghata Bhari
Invokes the protection of the Mother Goddess against insurmountable difficulties and dangers
Builds courage and surrender, reminding the devotee that the Goddess comes swiftly to those who call
A cherished daily aarti in Devi, Bhavani and Ambe temples throughout Maharashtra
Cultivates humility through total surrender to the dust of the Goddess's lotus feet
Brings peace of mind in times of crisis, illness or fear
Especially powerful during Navaratri and at Shakti pilgrimage sites such as Tuljapur
How to Chant Durge Durghata Bhari
Instructions
Sing this aarti while waving the lamp (aarti) before an image of Durga, Bhavani or Ambe, joining the refrain 'Jai Devi Jai Devi' with the assembled devotees. It is offered morning and evening, and with special fervour through the nine nights of Navaratri. Sing it with a surrendered heart, taking refuge in the Mother as the remover of every insurmountable trouble.
Spiritual Significance
Goddess Bhavani of Tuljapur is venerated as the deity who, by tradition, granted her own sword to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj for the protection of dharma. Devotees hold that those who sing Her aarti with surrender, as in 'Durge Durghata Bhari', find the Mother removing dangers that seemed impossible to overcome.
Origin & History
Source: Traditional Marathi Devi aarti (sant-sahitya)
Author: Traditional (signed 'Narahari' in the final verse)
Durge Durghata Bhari belongs to the rich tradition of Marathi aartis sung in the evening worship of the Mother Goddess. Its devotee confesses that worldly life is an impassable difficulty without Her grace and recalls how even the four Vedas and six systems of philosophy fail to fathom Her, yet She rushes to the aid of those who love Her. The closing 'Narahari' signature is the poet's seal, surrendering himself to a mere speck of dust from Her lotus feet. The aarti is especially associated with Bhavani of Tuljapur, the revered kuladevata of countless Maharashtrian families.