Mahishasura Mardini Stotram Meaning — Line by Line

महिषासुर मर्दिनी स्तोत्रम्

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Meaning — Line by Line

Every verse of Mahishasura Mardini Stotram with its English meaning. Tap any word to hear it, or ▶ to recite the verse.

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Verse 1. Ayi girinandini nanditamedini vishvavinodini nandanute
Verse 2. Suravaravarshini durdharadharshini durmukhamarshini harsharate
Verse 3. Ayi jagadamba madamba kadambavanapriyavasini hasarate
Verse 4. Ayi shatakhandavikhanditarundavitunditashundagajadhipate
Verse 5. Ayi ranadurmadashatruvadhoditadurdharanirjarashaktibhrite
Verse 6. Ayi sharanagatavairivadhuvaraviravarabhayadayakare
Verse 7. Ayi nijahunkritimatranirakritadhumravilochanadhumrashate
Verse 8. Dhanuranushangaranakshanasangaparisphuradanganatatkatake
Verse 9. Suralalanatatatheyitatheyitathabhinayottaranrityarate
Verse 10. Jaya jaya japyajaye jayashabdaparastutitatparavishvanute
Verse 11. Ayi sumanahsumanah sumanah sumanah sumanoharakantiyute
Verse 12. Sahitamahahavamallamatallikamallitarallakamallarate
Verse 13. Aviralagandagalanmadameduramattamatangajarajapate
Verse 14. Kamaladalamalakomalakantikalakalitamalabhalalate
Verse 15. Karamuraliravavijitakujitalajjitakokilamanjumate
Verse 16. Katitatapitadukulavichitramayukhatiraskritachandraruche
Verse 17. Vijitasahasrakaraikasahasrakaraikasahasrakaraikanute
Verse 18. Padakamalam karunanilaye varivasyati yonudinam sushive
Verse 19. Kanakalasatkalasindhujalairanusinchinute guna rangabhuvam
Verse 20. Tava vimalendukulam vadanendumalam sakalam nanu kulayate
Verse 21. Ayi mayi dinadayalutaya kripayaiva tvaya bhavitavyamume
Verse 22. Stutimitastimitah susamadhina niyamatoyamatonudinam pathet
Verse 23. Ramayati kila karshasteshu chittam naranamavarajavarayasmadramakrishnah kavinam
Verse 24. Induramyo muhurbinduramyo muhurbinduramyo yatah sanavadyam smritah

Verse 1#

अयि गिरिनन्दिनि नन्दितमेदिनि विश्वविनोदिनि नन्दनुते गिरिवरविन्ध्यशिरोधिनिवासिनि विष्णुविलासिनि जिष्णुनुते । भगवति हे शितिकण्ठकुटुम्बिनि भूरिकुटुम्बिनि भूरिकृते जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥

Ayi girinandini nanditamedini vishvavinodini nandanute Girivaravindhyashirodhinivasini vishnuvilasini jishnunute Bhagavati he shitikanthakutumbini bhurikutumbini bhurikrite Jaya jaya he mahishasuramardini ramyakapardini shailasute

MeaningO daughter of the mountain, delight of the earth, enchantress of the universe, praised by Nandi; dweller on the Vindhya's great peak, in whom Vishnu delights, praised by the victorious Indra; O Goddess, consort of the blue-throated Shiva, of vast family, doer of boundless good — victory, victory to you, O slayer of the demon Mahisha (Mahishasura-Mardini), of lovely matted locks, O daughter of the mountain!

Verse 2#

सुरवरवर्षिणि दुर्धरधर्षिणि दुर्मुखमर्षिणि हर्षरते त्रिभुवनपोषिणि शङ्करतोषिणि किल्बिषमोषिणि घोषरते । दनुजनिरोषिणि दितिसुतरोषिणि दुर्मदशोषिणि सिन्धुसुते जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥

Suravaravarshini durdharadharshini durmukhamarshini harsharate Tribhuvanaposhini shankaratoshini kilbishamoshini ghosharate Danujaniroshini ditisutaroshini durmadashoshini sindhusute Jaya jaya he mahishasuramardini ramyakapardini shailasute

MeaningO shower of boons upon the gods, subduer of the unbearable, crusher of the foul-faced demons, ever joyful; nourisher of the three worlds, pleaser of Shankara, remover of sin, slayer of the terrible — victory, victory to you, O slayer of the demon Mahisha (Mahishasura-Mardini), of lovely matted locks, O daughter of the mountain!

Verse 3#

अयि जगदम्ब मदम्ब कदम्बवनप्रियवासिनि हासरते शिखरिशिरोमणितुङ्गहिमालयश‍ृङ्गनिजालयमध्यगते । मधुमधुरे मधुकैटभगञ्जिनि कैटभभञ्जिनि रासरते जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥

Ayi jagadamba madamba kadambavanapriyavasini hasarate Shikharishiromanitungahimalayasharinganijalayamadhyagate Madhumadhure madhukaitabhaganjini kaitabhabhanjini rasarate Jaya jaya he mahishasuramardini ramyakapardini shailasute

MeaningO Mother of the world, my mother, who loves to dwell in the kadamba grove, ever smiling, seated amid the lofty snow-peaks of the Himalaya, the crest-jewel of mountains — victory, victory to you, O slayer of the demon Mahisha (Mahishasura-Mardini), of lovely matted locks, O daughter of the mountain!

Verse 4#

अयि शतखण्डविखण्डितरुण्डवितुण्डितशुण्डगजाधिपते रिपुगजगण्डविदारणचण्डपराक्रमशुण्ड मृगाधिपते । निजभुजदण्डनिपातितखण्डविपातितमुण्डभटाधिपते जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥

Ayi shatakhandavikhanditarundavitunditashundagajadhipate Ripugajagandavidaranachandaparakramashunda mrigadhipate Nijabhujadandanipatitakhandavipatitamundabhatadhipate Jaya jaya he mahishasuramardini ramyakapardini shailasute

MeaningO Goddess who shattered into a hundred pieces the lordly elephant-demons with severed trunks, the lioness of fierce valour who tore open the temples of the enemy elephants — victory, victory to you, O slayer of the demon Mahisha (Mahishasura-Mardini), of lovely matted locks, O daughter of the mountain!

Verse 5#

अयि रणदुर्मदशत्रुवधोदितदुर्धरनिर्जरशक्तिभृते चतुरविचारधुरीणमहाशिवदूतकृतप्रमथाधिपते । दुरितदुरीहदुराशयदुर्मतिदानवदूतकृतान्तमते जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥

Ayi ranadurmadashatruvadhoditadurdharanirjarashaktibhrite Chaturavicharadhurinamahashivadutakritapramathadhipate Duritadurihadurashayadurmatidanavadutakritantamate Jaya jaya he mahishasuramardini ramyakapardini shailasute

MeaningO wielder of the irresistible, ever-fresh power that arose to slay the war-maddened foes, lady of the Pramatha hosts whose envoy was the wise and resolute great Shiva — victory, victory to you, O slayer of the demon Mahisha (Mahishasura-Mardini), of lovely matted locks, O daughter of the mountain!

Verse 6#

अयि शरणागतवैरिवधूवरवीरवराभयदायकरे त्रिभुवनमस्तकशूलविरोधिशिरोधिकृतामलशूलकरे । दुमिदुमितामरदुन्दुभिनादमहोमुखरीकृततिग्मकरे जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥

Ayi sharanagatavairivadhuvaraviravarabhayadayakare Tribhuvanamastakashulavirodhishirodhikritamalashulakare Dumidumitamaradundubhinadamahomukharikritatigmakare Jaya jaya he mahishasuramardini ramyakapardini shailasute

MeaningO you whose hands grant fearless refuge to the wives of slain enemies and to brave warriors who surrender, bearing the spotless trident that pierces the heads of the foes of the three worlds — victory, victory to you, O slayer of the demon Mahisha (Mahishasura-Mardini), of lovely matted locks, O daughter of the mountain!

Verse 7#

अयि निजहुँकृतिमात्रनिराकृतधूम्रविलोचनधूम्रशते समरविशोषितशोणितबीजसमुद्भवशोणितबीजलते । शिवशिव शुम्भनिशुम्भमहाहवतर्पितभूतपिशाचरते जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥

Ayi nijahunkritimatranirakritadhumravilochanadhumrashate Samaravishoshitashonitabijasamudbhavashonitabijalate Shivashiva shumbhanishumbhamahahavatarpitabhutapishacharate Jaya jaya he mahishasuramardini ramyakapardini shailasute

MeaningO you who by your mere war-cry reduced the hundred Dhumralochanas (smoky-eyed demons) to smoke, who in battle dried up the blood-seed of Raktabija — victory, victory to you, O slayer of the demon Mahisha (Mahishasura-Mardini), of lovely matted locks, O daughter of the mountain!

Verse 8#

धनुरनुषङ्गरणक्षणसङ्गपरिस्फुरदङ्गनटत्कटके कनकपिशङ्गपृषत्कनिषङ्गरसद्भटश‍ृङ्गहतावटुके । कृतचतुरङ्गबलक्षितिरङ्गघटद्बहुरङ्गरटद्बटुके जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥

Dhanuranushangaranakshanasangaparisphuradanganatatkatake Kanakapishangaprishatkanishangarasadbhatasharingahatavatuke Kritachaturangabalakshitirangaghatadbahurangaratadbatuke Jaya jaya he mahishasuramardini ramyakapardini shailasute

MeaningO Goddess in whom, at the moment of bending the bow in battle, the limbs dance and the bracelets quiver, whose golden quiver rings with arrows as the warriors roar — victory, victory to you, O slayer of the demon Mahisha (Mahishasura-Mardini), of lovely matted locks, O daughter of the mountain!

Verse 9#

सुरललनाततथेयितथेयितथाभिनयोत्तरनृत्यरते हासविलासहुलासमयि प्रणतार्तजनेऽमितप्रेमभरे । धिमिकिटधिक्कटधिकटधिमिध्वनिधीरमृदङ्गनिनादरते जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥

Suralalanatatatheyitatheyitathabhinayottaranrityarate Hasavilasahulasamayi pranatartajanemitapremabhare Dhimikitadhikkatadhikatadhimidhvanidhiramridanganinadarate Jaya jaya he mahishasuramardini ramyakapardini shailasute

MeaningO you who delight in the dance, performing the intricate steps 'tatheyi-tatheyi' with the celestial damsels, full of laughter and play, of boundless love for the distressed who bow to you — victory, victory to you, O slayer of the demon Mahisha (Mahishasura-Mardini), of lovely matted locks, O daughter of the mountain!

Verse 10#

जय जय जप्यजये जयशब्दपरस्तुतितत्परविश्वनुते झणझणझिञ्झिमिझङ्कृतनूपुरसिञ्जितमोहितभूतपते । नटितनटार्धनटीनटनायकनाटितनाट्यसुगानरते जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥

Jaya jaya japyajaye jayashabdaparastutitatparavishvanute Jhanajhanajhinjhimijhankritanupurasinjitamohitabhutapate Natitanatardhanatinatanayakanatitanatyasuganarate Jaya jaya he mahishasuramardini ramyakapardini shailasute

MeaningVictory, victory! Praised by the whole universe intent on chanting 'jaya'; whose anklets, ringing 'jhana-jhana-jhinjhimi', enchant even the lord of beings (Shiva) with their sound — victory, victory to you, O slayer of the demon Mahisha (Mahishasura-Mardini), of lovely matted locks, O daughter of the mountain!

Verse 11#

अयि सुमनःसुमनः सुमनः सुमनः सुमनोहरकान्तियुते श्रितरजनीरजनीरजनीरजनीरजनीकरवक्त्रवृते । सुनयनविभ्रमरभ्रमरभ्रमरभ्रमरभ्रमराधिपते जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥

Ayi sumanahsumanah sumanah sumanah sumanoharakantiyute Shritarajanirajanirajanirajanirajanikaravaktravrite Sunayanavibhramarabhramarabhramarabhramarabhramaradhipate Jaya jaya he mahishasuramardini ramyakapardini shailasute

MeaningO you of beautiful mind and ravishing radiance, lovely as a cluster of flowers, your face encircled by tresses dark as successive nights, with beautiful eyes — victory, victory to you, O slayer of the demon Mahisha (Mahishasura-Mardini), of lovely matted locks, O daughter of the mountain!

Verse 12#

सहितमहाहवमल्लमतल्लिकमल्लितरल्लकमल्लरते विरचितवल्लिकपल्लिकमल्लिकझिल्लिकभिल्लिकवर्गवृते । सितकृतफुल्लसमुल्लसितारुणतल्लजपल्लवसल्ललिते जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥

Sahitamahahavamallamatallikamallitarallakamallarate Virachitavallikapallikamallikajhillikabhillikavargavrite Sitakritaphullasamullasitarunatallajapallavasallalite Jaya jaya he mahishasuramardini ramyakapardini shailasute

MeaningO you who delight in the great battle, wrestling and defeating the mighty champion-demons, who arrange the play of creepers and blossoms in your forest groves — victory, victory to you, O slayer of the demon Mahisha (Mahishasura-Mardini), of lovely matted locks, O daughter of the mountain!

Verse 13#

अविरलगण्डगलन्मदमेदुरमत्तमतङ्गजराजपते त्रिभुवनभूषणभूतकलानिधिरूपपयोनिधिराजसुते । अयि सुदतीजनलालसमानसमोहनमन्मथराजसुते जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥

Aviralagandagalanmadameduramattamatangajarajapate Tribhuvanabhushanabhutakalanidhirupapayonidhirajasute Ayi sudatijanalalasamanasamohanamanmatharajasute Jaya jaya he mahishasuramardini ramyakapardini shailasute

MeaningO daughter of the ocean of nectar (and consort of the moon-formed Shiva), the ornament of the three worlds, from whose cheeks the rut of the lordly maddened elephant ceaselessly flows, O you adored by fair-toothed maidens — victory, victory to you, O slayer of the demon Mahisha (Mahishasura-Mardini), of lovely matted locks, O daughter of the mountain!

Verse 14#

कमलदलामलकोमलकान्तिकलाकलितामलभाललते सकलविलासकलानिलयक्रमकेलिचलत्कलहंसकुले । अलिकुलसङ्कुलकुवलयमण्डलमौलिमिलद्बकुलालिकुले जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥

Kamaladalamalakomalakantikalakalitamalabhalalate Sakalavilasakalanilayakramakelichalatkalahamsakule Alikulasankulakuvalayamandalamaulimiladbakulalikule Jaya jaya he mahishasuramardini ramyakapardini shailasute

MeaningO you whose spotless brow shines with the beauty of a lotus-petal, the abode of all the playful arts, around whom the graceful swans move in sport, attended by humming bees — victory, victory to you, O slayer of the demon Mahisha (Mahishasura-Mardini), of lovely matted locks, O daughter of the mountain!

Verse 15#

करमुरलीरववीजितकूजितलज्जितकोकिलमञ्जुमते मिलितमिलिन्दमनोहरगुञ्जितरञ्जितशैलनिकुञ्जगते । निजगुणभूतमहाशबरीगणसद्गुणसम्भृतकेलितले जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥

Karamuraliravavijitakujitalajjitakokilamanjumate Militamilindamanoharagunjitaranjitashailanikunjagate Nijagunabhutamahashabariganasadgunasambhritakelitale Jaya jaya he mahishasuramardini ramyakapardini shailasute

MeaningO you whose murmuring flute-music shames the sweet cooing of the koel, who dwell in the mountain groves made lovely by the humming of gathered bees — victory, victory to you, O slayer of the demon Mahisha (Mahishasura-Mardini), of lovely matted locks, O daughter of the mountain!

Verse 16#

कटितटपीतदुकूलविचित्रमयूखतिरस्कृतचन्द्ररुचे प्रणतसुरासुरमौलिमणिस्फुरदंशुलसन्नखचन्द्ररुचे । जितकनकाचलमौलिपदोर्जितनिर्जरकुञ्जरकुम्भकुचे जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥

Katitatapitadukulavichitramayukhatiraskritachandraruche Pranatasurasuramaulimanisphuradamshulasannakhachandraruche Jitakanakachalamaulipadorjitanirjarakunjarakumbhakuche Jaya jaya he mahishasuramardini ramyakapardini shailasute

MeaningO you whose girdle of bright yellow silk, with its wondrous rays, outshines the moon; the moon-like glow of whose toenails shines from the bowed crest-jewels of gods and demons — victory, victory to you, O slayer of the demon Mahisha (Mahishasura-Mardini), of lovely matted locks, O daughter of the mountain!

Verse 17#

विजितसहस्रकरैकसहस्रकरैकसहस्रकरैकनुते कृतसुरतारकसङ्गरतारकसङ्गरतारकसूनुसुते । सुरथसमाधिसमानसमाधिसमाधिसमाधिसुजातरते जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥)

Vijitasahasrakaraikasahasrakaraikasahasrakaraikanute Kritasuratarakasangaratarakasangaratarakasunusute Surathasamadhisamanasamadhisamadhisamadhisujatarate Jaya jaya he mahishasuramardini ramyakapardini shailasute )

MeaningO you praised as the one power that conquered the thousand-rayed (sun) and the thousand-armed; mother of the sons born of the battles with the Taraka demons; equal in meditation to the kings Suratha and Samadhi — victory, victory to you, O slayer of the demon Mahisha (Mahishasura-Mardini), of lovely matted locks, O daughter of the mountain!

Verse 18#

पदकमलं करुणानिलये वरिवस्यति योऽनुदिनं सुशिवे अयि कमले कमलानिलये कमलानिलयः स कथं न भवेत् । तव पदमेव परम्पदमेवनुशीलयतो मम किं न शिवे जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥

Padakamalam karunanilaye varivasyati yonudinam sushive Ayi kamale kamalanilaye kamalanilayah sa katham na bhavet Tava padameva parampadamevanushilayato mama kim na shive Jaya jaya he mahishasuramardini ramyakapardini shailasute

MeaningO abode of compassion, O lotus-dwelling Kamala (Lakshmi)! He who daily worships your lotus feet — O auspicious one — how could he not himself become an abode of fortune (Lakshmi)? — victory, victory to you, O slayer of the demon Mahisha (Mahishasura-Mardini), of lovely matted locks, O daughter of the mountain!

Verse 19#

कनकलसत्कलसिन्धुजलैरनुसिञ्चिनुते गुण रङ्गभुवं भजति स किं न शचीकुचकुम्भतटीपरिरम्भसुखानुभवम् । तव चरणं शरणं करवाणि नतामरवाणिनिवासि शिवं जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥

Kanakalasatkalasindhujalairanusinchinute guna rangabhuvam Bhajati sa kim na shachikuchakumbhatatiparirambhasukhanubhavam Tava charanam sharanam karavani natamaravaninivasi shivam Jaya jaya he mahishasuramardini ramyakapardini shailasute

MeaningHe who sprinkles the arena of your worship with water from golden pitchers of the milk-ocean — does he not attain the embrace of the breasts of Shachi (the joys of heaven)? — victory, victory to you, O slayer of the demon Mahisha (Mahishasura-Mardini), of lovely matted locks, O daughter of the mountain!

Verse 20#

तव विमलेन्दुकुलं वदनेन्दुमलं सकलं ननु कूलयते किमु पुरुहूतपुरीन्दुमुखीसुमुखीभिरसौ विमुखीक्रियते । मम तु मतं शिवनामधने भवतीकृपया किमुत क्रियते जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥

Tava vimalendukulam vadanendumalam sakalam nanu kulayate Kimu puruhutapurindumukhisumukhibhirasau vimukhikriyate Mama tu matam shivanamadhane bhavatikripaya kimuta kriyate Jaya jaya he mahishasuramardini ramyakapardini shailasute

MeaningYour spotless moon-face surpasses the full moon and brightens all; how could it be compared even to the lovely faces of the women of Indra's city (Amaravati)? — victory, victory to you, O slayer of the demon Mahisha (Mahishasura-Mardini), of lovely matted locks, O daughter of the mountain!

Verse 21#

अयि मयि दीनदयालुतया कृपयैव त्वया भवितव्यमुमे अयि जगतो जननी कृपयासि यथासि तथाऽनुमितासि रते । यदुचितमत्र भवत्युररीकुरुतादुरुतापमपाकुरुते जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥

Ayi mayi dinadayalutaya kripayaiva tvaya bhavitavyamume Ayi jagato janani kripayasi yathasi tathanumitasi rate Yaduchitamatra bhavatyurarikurutadurutapamapakurute Jaya jaya he mahishasuramardini ramyakapardini shailasute

MeaningO Uma! Be gracious to me out of your compassion for the lowly; O Mother of the world, you are by your very nature merciful — accept what is fitting here, and remove my great suffering — victory, victory to you, O slayer of the demon Mahisha (Mahishasura-Mardini), of lovely matted locks, O daughter of the mountain!

Verse 22#

स्तुतिमितस्तिमितः सुसमाधिना नियमतोऽयमतोऽनुदिनं पठेत् । परमया रमयापि निषेव्यते परिजनोऽरिजनोऽपि च तं भजेत् ॥

Stutimitastimitah susamadhina niyamatoyamatonudinam pathet Paramaya ramayapi nishevyate parijanorijanopi cha tam bhajet

MeaningWhoever, calm and composed in deep meditation, recites this hymn daily with discipline, is served by the supreme Lakshmi; even his enemies become as his own kinsfolk.

Verse 23#

रमयति किल कर्षस्तेषु चित्तं नराणामवरजवरयस्माद्रामकृष्णः कवीनाम् । अकृत सुकृतिगम्यं रम्यपद्यैकहर्म्यं स्तवनमवनहेतुं प्रीतये विश्वमातुः ॥

Ramayati kila karshasteshu chittam naranamavarajavarayasmadramakrishnah kavinam Akrita sukritigamyam ramyapadyaikaharmyam stavanamavanahetum pritaye vishvamatuh

MeaningBecause Ramakrishna (the poet) draws the minds of men toward the Goddess with these lovely verses, he has composed this hymn — a delight attainable by the virtuous through its beautiful poetry.

Verse 24#

इन्दुरम्यो मुहुर्बिन्दुरम्यो मुहुर्बिन्दुरम्यो यतः साऽनवद्यं स्मृतः । श्रीपतेः सूनूना कारितो योऽधुना विश्वमातुः पदे पद्यपुष्पाञ्जलिः ॥

Induramyo muhurbinduramyo muhurbinduramyo yatah sanavadyam smritah Shripateh sununa karito yodhuna vishvamatuh pade padyapushpanjalih

MeaningPleasing again and again like the moon, again and again like the sacred dot (bindu), this faultless hymn, composed by the son of Shripati, is remembered (as supremely auspicious).

Word-by-Word Breakdown

गिरिनन्दिनि

Girinandini

Daughter of the mountain (Parvati)

नन्दितमेदिनि

Nanditamedini

She who delights the earth

विश्वविनोदिनि

Vishwavinodini

She who entertains the universe

विन्ध्य

Vindhya

The Vindhya mountain range

शितिकण्ठकुटुम्बिनि

Shitikanthakutumbini

Wife of the blue-throated one (Shiva)

महिषासुरमर्दिनि

Mahishasuramardini

Slayer of the buffalo demon Mahishasura

रम्यकपर्दिनि

Ramyakpardini

She with beautiful braided hair

शैलसुते

Shailasute

Daughter of the mountain

त्रिभुवनपोषिणि

Tribhuvanaposhini

Nourisher of the three worlds

शंकरतोषिणि

Shankaratoshini

She who pleases Shankara (Shiva)

किल्बिषमोषिणि

Kilbishamoshini

Destroyer of sins

जगदम्ब

Jagadamba

Mother of the universe

हिमालय

Himalaya

The Himalayan mountains (her father)

मधुकैटभ

Madhukaitabha

Demons Madhu and Kaitabha

शतखण्ड

Shatakhanda

Hundred pieces (she cut enemies into)

नूपुर

Noopura

Anklets

नाट्य

Natya

Dance, cosmic dance

Origin & History

Source: Attributed to Adi Shankaracharya

Author: Adi Shankaracharya (traditionally)

Period: 8th century CE

This stotram is traditionally attributed to Adi Shankaracharya, who composed it as an ecstatic hymn to Goddess Durga. The complex meter (each line has 23-24 syllables in a specific pattern) creates a rhythmic power that mirrors the cosmic battle between Durga and Mahishasura. The stotram gained massive modern popularity through temple recitations during Navratri and viral YouTube renditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who composed Mahishasura Mardini Stotram?▼

It is traditionally attributed to Adi Shankaracharya (8th century CE), though some scholars debate this. Regardless of authorship, it is one of the most beloved and widely chanted Durga stotrams.

What does Mahishasura Mardini mean?▼

Mahishasura = the buffalo demon (Mahisha = buffalo, Asura = demon). Mardini = the one who crushes/slays. So Mahishasura Mardini means 'the slayer of the buffalo demon' — a title of Goddess Durga.

Why is this stotram so popular on YouTube?▼

Its complex rhythmic meter creates a mesmerizing, almost musical quality that is deeply satisfying to listen to. Multiple artists have created viral renditions. The refrain 'Jaya Jaya He Mahishasura Mardini' is catchy and emotionally powerful.

How many verses does it have?▼

The complete stotram has 21 verses, each ending with the refrain 'Jaya Jaya He Mahishasura Mardini Ramyakpardini Shailasute.' This page includes the most important verses.

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