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Hamsayukta Vimanasthe — Narayani Namostute (The Matrika Forms) — Word-by-Word Meaning

हंसयुक्तविमानस्थे — नारायणि नमोऽस्तु ते (मातृका रूप)

Every Sanskrit word explained in English

Word-by-Word Breakdown

हंसयुक्तविमानस्थे
haṃsayuktavimānasthe
O you seated in the swan-yoked aerial chariot (as Brahmani)
ब्रह्माणीरूपधारिणि
brahmāṇīrūpadhāriṇi
Bearing the form of Brahmani (the Shakti of Brahma)
नारायणि नमोऽस्तु ते
nārāyaṇi namo'stu te
O Narayani, salutation be to you!
त्रिशूलचन्द्राहिधरे
triśūlacandrāhidhare
O bearer of the trident, the moon and the serpent
माहेश्वरीस्वरूपेण
māheśvarīsvarūpeṇa
In the form of Maheshwari (the Shakti of Shiva)
मयूरकुक्कुटवृते
mayūrakukkuṭavṛte
O you attended by the peacock and the cock
कौमारीरूपसंस्थाने
kaumārīrūpasaṃsthāne
Established in the form of Kaumari (the Shakti of Kumara/Skanda)
शङ्खचक्रगदाशार्ङ्ग
śaṅkhacakragadāśārṅga
Holding the conch, discus, mace and the Sharnga bow
वैष्णवीरूपे
vaiṣṇavīrūpe
In the form of Vaishnavi (the Shakti of Vishnu)
दंष्ट्रोद्धृतवसुन्धरे
daṃṣṭroddhṛtavasundhare
O you who lifted up the earth with your tusk (as Varahi)
वराहरूपिणि
varāharūpiṇi
In the form of the Boar (Varahi)
नृसिंहरूपेण
nṛsiṃharūpeṇa
In the fierce form of the Man-Lion (Narasimhi)
त्रैलोक्यत्राणसहिते
trailokyatrāṇasahite
Joined with the protection of the three worlds
किरीटिनि महावज्रे
kirīṭini mahāvajre
O diademed one, holder of the great thunderbolt (as Aindri)
वृत्रप्राणहरे चैन्द्रि
vṛtraprāṇahare caindri
O Aindri, who took the life of Vritra
शिवदूतीस्वरूपेण
śivadūtīsvarūpeṇa
In the form of Shivaduti (who made Shiva her messenger)
दंष्ट्राकरालवदने
daṃṣṭrākarālavadane
O you whose face is fearsome with tusks
शिरोमालाविभूषणे
śiromālāvibhūṣaṇe
Adorned with a garland of (demon) heads
चामुण्डे मुण्डमथने
cāmuṇḍe muṇḍamathane
O Chamunda, slayer of Munda

Complete Translation

O you seated in the swan-yoked aerial car, bearing the form of Brahmani, sprinkling sanctifying water with kusha grass, O Devi Narayani, salutation be to you! O you who bear the trident, the moon and the serpent, who ride the great bull, in the form of Maheshwari, O Narayani, salutation be to you! O you attended by the peacock and the cock, who bear the great spear, O sinless one established in the form of Kaumari, O Narayani, salutation be to you! O you who hold the supreme weapons — conch, discus, mace and the Sharnga bow — be gracious, O you in the form of Vaishnavi, O Narayani, salutation be to you! O you who hold the terrible great discus, who lifted up the earth with your tusk, O auspicious one in the form of the Boar (Varahi), O Narayani, salutation be to you! O you who, in the fierce form of Narasimhi, made effort to slay the daityas, joined with the protection of the three worlds, O Narayani, salutation be to you! O you who are diademed, who hold the great thunderbolt, blazing with a thousand eyes, who took the life of Vritra, O Aindri, O Narayani, salutation be to you! O you who, in the form of Shivaduti, slew the mighty hosts of the daityas, of terrible form and mighty roar, O Narayani, salutation be to you! O you whose face is fearsome with tusks, adorned with a garland of heads, O Chamunda, slayer of Munda, O Narayani, salutation be to you!

Origin & History

Source: Durga Saptashati Chapter 11

Author: Sage Markandeya (Markandeya Purana)

Period: Ancient (part of the Markandeya Purana, c. 400–600 CE)

After the Goddess slays the great asura Shumbha, Indra and the gods — their lotus-faces beaming with joy — pour out the Narayani Stuti in praise of Katyayani. In this central portion they salute her in each of her cosmic Mother-forms (the Matrikas), the very energies that had emerged from the gods to fight Raktabija and the demon hosts, recognising that the single Goddess Narayani manifests as Brahmani, Maheshwari, Kaumari, Vaishnavi, Varahi, Narasimhi, Aindri, Shivaduti and Chamunda.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the Matrika forms named in this hymn?
They are Brahmani, Maheshwari, Kaumari, Vaishnavi, Varahi, Narasimhi (Narasimhi), Aindri, Shivaduti and Chamunda — the Mother-energies who carry the powers of Brahma, Shiva, Kumara, Vishnu, Varaha, Narasimha, Indra, and the fierce slaying forms of the Goddess.
Where does 'Hamsayukta Vimanasthe' occur in the Durga Saptashati?
It is part of the Narayani Stuti in Chapter 11, verses 12–20, sung by Indra and the gods after the slaying of Shumbha. Each verse ends with the refrain 'Narayani Namostute.'
What does 'Narayani Namostute' mean?
It means 'O Narayani, salutation be to you.' Narayani is the Shakti of Narayana (Vishnu) and a name of the supreme Goddess. The repeated refrain expresses total surrender to the Mother in each of her forms.
How is this different from the rest of the Narayani Stuti?
The full Narayani Stuti praises the Goddess as the support of the world, Vaishnavi power and seed of the universe, and as Lakshmi, Sarasvati and Durga. This particular portion focuses on her nine martial Matrika (Mother) forms, making it a vivid meditation on her many embodiments of divine power.

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