Jayanti Mangala Kali — Word-by-Word Meaning
जयन्ती मंगला काली
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
जयन्ती
jayantī
Jayanti — the ever-victorious one; she who conquers all
मंगला
maṅgalā
Mangala — the auspicious one, bringer of all welfare
काली
kālī
Kali — the dark one, power of time who devours all
भद्रकाली
bhadrakālī
Bhadrakali — the auspicious / benevolent Kali
कपालिनी
kapālinī
Kapalini — she who bears the skull (garland), the destroyer
दुर्गा
durgā
Durga — the inaccessible one who removes all difficulty (durga)
क्षमा
kṣamā
Kshama — forgiveness, forbearance, the patient Earth itself
शिवा
śivā
Shiva — the gracious, benign one; consort of Shiva
धात्री
dhātrī
Dhatri — the Supporter and Nourisher of all the worlds
स्वाहा
svāhā
Svaha — the sacred utterance that conveys offerings to the gods
स्वधा
svadhā
Svadha — the utterance that conveys offerings to the ancestors (pitris)
नमोऽस्तु ते
namo'stu te
salutation be to you
Complete Translation
O Jayanti (ever-victorious), Mangala (auspicious), Kali, Bhadrakali, Kapalini; O Durga, Kshama (forgiveness), Shiva (the gracious), Dhatri (sustainer), Svaha and Svadha — salutation be to you!
Origin & History
Source: Traditional Devi salutation verse recited in the Durga worship and Durga Saptashati liturgy (Shakta tradition)
Author: Traditional (anonymous)
Period: Ancient / classical
This single, treasured shloka has long been recited by devotees of the Goddess to open and close their worship. By saluting the Mother through nine names that span her terrible and tender forms — and through Svaha and Svadha, the powers of offering to gods and ancestors — it offers, in one verse, a complete namaskara to the whole of the Divine Feminine. It is especially associated with the recitation of the Durga Saptashati, whose chapters glorify these very forms of Durga.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the meaning of 'Jayanti Mangala Kali'?▼
It is a salutation to the Goddess by nine names — Jayanti, Mangala, Kali, Bhadrakali, Kapalini, Durga, Kshama, Shiva and Dhatri — ending with Svaha, Svadha and 'namostute' (salutation to you). Each name praises a different aspect of the one Great Goddess.
Why are Svaha and Svadha included?▼
Svaha is the sacred sound by which offerings are given to the gods in fire sacrifice, and Svadha is the sound by which offerings reach the ancestors (pitris). Naming the Goddess as Svaha and Svadha honours her as the very power that makes all sacrifice fruitful.
When is this verse chanted?▼
It is a favourite daily prayer and is especially recited during Navaratri. Devotees use it to begin and to close their worship of Durga, including the recitation of the Durga Saptashati, as a salutation to the Mother in all her forms.
Is this part of the Durga Saptashati?▼
This verse is a widely recited traditional salutation to Durga associated with Devi worship and the Saptashati liturgy. The names it gathers — Kali, Bhadrakali, Durga, Shiva — are the very forms praised throughout the Devi Mahatmyam, which is why it is sung alongside it.
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