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Navadurga Stotram Meaning — Line by Line

नवदुर्गा स्तोत्रम्

Every verse and every word explained in English & Hindi

Meaning — Line by Line

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

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  1. Verse 1. Vande Vanchhita-Labhaya Chandrardha-Krita-Shekharam।
  2. Verse 2. Dadhana Kara-Padmabhyam Akshamala-Kamandalu।
  3. Verse 3. Pindaja-Pravararudha Chanda-Kopastra-Kair-Yuta।
  4. Verse 4. Sura-Sampurna-Kalasham Rudhiraplutam-Eva Cha।
  5. Verse 5. Simhasana-Gata Nityam Padmashrita-Kara-Dvaya।
  6. Verse 6. Chandrahasojjvala-Kara Shardula-Vara-Vahana।
  7. Verse 7. Eka-Veni Japa-Karna-Pura Nagna Kharasthita।
  8. Verse 8. Shvete Vrishe Samarudha Shvetambara-Dhara Shuchih।
  9. Verse 9. Siddha-Gandharva-Yakshadyair-Asurair-Amarair-Api।
Verse 1#

Vande Vanchhita-Labhaya Chandrardha-Krita-Shekharam।

वन्दे वाञ्छितलाभाय चन्द्रार्धकृतशेखराम्। वृषारूढां शूलधरां शैलपुत्रीं यशस्विनीम्॥१॥

Vande Vanchhita-Labhaya Chandrardha-Krita-Shekharam। Vrisharudham Shuladharam Shailaputrim Yashasvinim॥1॥

MeaningI worship Shailaputri, the glorious daughter of the mountain, who grants all desired attainments, who wears the crescent moon as her crest-jewel, who rides the bull and bears the trident.

Verse 2#

Dadhana Kara-Padmabhyam Akshamala-Kamandalu।

दधाना करपद्माभ्यामक्षमालाकमण्डलू। देवी प्रसीदतु मयि ब्रह्मचारिण्यनुत्तमा॥२॥

Dadhana Kara-Padmabhyam Akshamala-Kamandalu। Devi Prasidatu Mayi Brahmacharinyanuttama॥2॥

MeaningMay the supreme Goddess Brahmacharini, holding the rosary and the water-pot in her lotus hands, be gracious to me.

Verse 3#

Pindaja-Pravararudha Chanda-Kopastra-Kair-Yuta।

पिण्डजप्रवरारूढा चण्डकोपास्त्रकैर्युता। प्रसादं तनुते मह्यं चन्द्रघण्टेति विश्रुता॥३॥

Pindaja-Pravararudha Chanda-Kopastra-Kair-Yuta। Prasadam Tanute Mahyam Chandraghanteti Vishruta॥3॥

MeaningMounted upon her finest steed, armed with weapons of terrible wrath, the Goddess renowned as Chandraghanta bestows her grace upon me.

Verse 4#

Sura-Sampurna-Kalasham Rudhiraplutam-Eva Cha।

सुरासम्पूर्णकलशं रुधिराप्लुतमेव च। दधाना हस्तपद्माभ्यां कूष्माण्डा शुभदास्तु मे॥४॥

Sura-Sampurna-Kalasham Rudhiraplutam-Eva Cha। Dadhana Hasta-Padmabhyam Kushmanda Shubhada-Astu Me॥4॥

MeaningMay Kushmanda, who holds in her lotus hands a pitcher full of nectar and one filled with blood, grant me auspiciousness.

Verse 5#

Simhasana-Gata Nityam Padmashrita-Kara-Dvaya।

सिंहासनगता नित्यं पद्माश्रितकरद्वया। शुभदास्तु सदा देवी स्कन्दमाता यशस्विनी॥५॥

Simhasana-Gata Nityam Padmashrita-Kara-Dvaya। Shubhada-Astu Sada Devi Skandamata Yashasvini॥5॥

MeaningMay the glorious Goddess Skandamata, ever seated upon her lion-throne, holding lotuses in her two hands, always grant auspiciousness.

Verse 6#

Chandrahasojjvala-Kara Shardula-Vara-Vahana।

चन्द्रहासोज्ज्वलकरा शार्दूलवरवाहना। कात्यायनी शुभं दद्याद् देवी दानवघातिनी॥६॥

Chandrahasojjvala-Kara Shardula-Vara-Vahana। Katyayani Shubham Dadyad Devi Danava-Ghatini॥6॥

MeaningMay Katyayani, the slayer of demons, whose hand shines bright as the gleaming sword, who rides upon the great tiger, bestow all good.

Verse 7#

Eka-Veni Japa-Karna-Pura Nagna Kharasthita।

एकवेणी जपाकर्णपूरा नग्ना खरास्थिता। लम्बोष्ठी कर्णिकाकर्णी तैलाभ्यक्तशरीरिणी॥ वामपादोल्लसल्लोहलताकण्टकभूषणा। वर्धनमूर्धध्वजा कृष्णा कालरात्रिर्भयङ्करी॥७॥

Eka-Veni Japa-Karna-Pura Nagna Kharasthita। Lambosthi Karnika-Karni Tailabhyakta-Sharirini॥ Vama-Padollasal-Loha-Lata-Kantaka-Bhushana। Vardhanamurdha-Dhvaja Krishna Kalaratrir-Bhayankari॥7॥

MeaningWith a single braid, jaba-flowers as ear-ornaments, naked, mounted on a donkey, with pendulous lips, large kernel-like ears, her body anointed with oil, with an iron thorn glittering on her left foot as ornament, with a raised banner-like crest, dark-hued — such is the terrifying Kalaratri.

Verse 8#

Shvete Vrishe Samarudha Shvetambara-Dhara Shuchih।

श्वेते वृषे समारूढा श्वेताम्बरधरा शुचिः। महागौरी शुभं दद्यान्महादेवप्रमोददा॥८॥

Shvete Vrishe Samarudha Shvetambara-Dhara Shuchih। Mahagauri Shubham Dadyan-Mahadeva-Pramodada॥8॥

MeaningMay Mahagauri, mounted upon a white bull, clad in white raiment, pure, who delights even Mahadeva, grant auspiciousness.

Verse 9#

Siddha-Gandharva-Yakshadyair-Asurair-Amarair-Api।

सिद्धगन्धर्वयक्षाद्यैरसुरैरमरैरपि। सेव्यमाना सदा भूयात् सिद्धिदा सिद्धिदायिनी॥९॥

Siddha-Gandharva-Yakshadyair-Asurair-Amarair-Api। Sevyamana Sada Bhuyat Siddhida Siddhidayini॥9॥

MeaningMay Siddhidatri, the bestower of perfections, ever served by Siddhas, Gandharvas, Yakshas, demons and gods alike, forever be (gracious to me).

Word-by-Word Breakdown

वन्दे
Vande
I bow, I worship
शैलपुत्रीम्
Shailaputrim
Shailaputri, the daughter of the mountain (Himalaya) — first form of Durga
वृषारूढाम्
Vrisharudham
Mounted upon the bull (Nandi)
शूलधराम्
Shuladharam
Bearing the trident (trishula)
ब्रह्मचारिणी
Brahmacharini
The ascetic seeker of Brahman — second form, holding rosary and water-pot
अक्षमालाकमण्डलू
Akshamala-Kamandalu
Rosary (japa-mala) and the ascetic's water-pot
चन्द्रघण्टा
Chandraghanta
She who bears a half-moon shaped like a bell on her forehead — third form
कूष्माण्डा
Kushmanda
She who created the cosmic egg (brahmanda) with her smile — fourth form
सुरासम्पूर्णकलशम्
Sura-Sampurna-Kalasham
A pitcher brimful of nectar/divine wine
स्कन्दमाता
Skandamata
The mother of Skanda (Kartikeya) — fifth form, seated on a lion
सिंहासनगता
Simhasana-Gata
Seated upon the lion-throne
कात्यायनी
Katyayani
Daughter of sage Katyayana — sixth form, slayer of demons
दानवघातिनी
Danava-Ghatini
Destroyer of the demons (danavas)
कालरात्रिः
Kalaratri
The dark night of dissolution — seventh, fierce form, dark-complexioned
भयङ्करी
Bhayankari
Terrifying (to evil), the fierce one
महागौरी
Mahagauri
The greatly radiant, fair goddess — eighth form, on a white bull
श्वेताम्बरधरा
Shvetambara-Dhara
Clad in white garments; pure (shuchi)
सिद्धिदात्री
Siddhidatri
Bestower of all perfections (siddhis) — ninth and final form
सिद्धगन्धर्वयक्षाद्यैः
Siddha-Gandharva-Yakshadyaih
By Siddhas, Gandharvas, Yakshas and others
सेव्यमाना
Sevyamana
Being served and worshipped

Origin & History

Source: Traditional Shakta hymn; the nine dhyana verses associated with Navaratri worship (linked to the Devi Mahatmya / Markandeya Purana tradition and Navaratri puja paddhati)

Author: Unknown (traditional)

Period: Classical / medieval

The nine forms of Durga are first enumerated in the prayer 'Prathamam Shailaputri cha...' and elaborated in Puranic and Tantric Navaratri liturgy. Each form arose in the Goddess's cosmic mission to protect dharma and destroy demons such as Mahishasura, Shumbha and Nishumbha. The Navadurga Stotram gathers the dhyana verse of each form so that a devotee may meditate on the whole spectrum of the Mother's power across the nine sacred nights.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who are the nine Navadurgas?
They are the nine forms of Goddess Durga worshipped over Navaratri: Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Mahagauri, and Siddhidatri — in this traditional order.
How is the Navadurga Stotram recited during Navaratri?
Each of the nine nights is dedicated to one form. Devotees chant the verse for that day's form (Shailaputri on the first night, ending with Siddhidatri on the ninth). Many also recite all nine verses every day.
What is the difference between the nine forms?
Each form represents a stage of the Goddess's power and grace — from the gentle mountain-daughter Shailaputri and the ascetic Brahmacharini, to the fierce Kalaratri who destroys evil, and finally Siddhidatri who grants liberation and all perfections.
Can the Navadurga Stotram be chanted outside Navaratri?
Yes. While especially powerful during Navaratri, it may be recited on any Tuesday, Friday, Ashtami or Navami, or daily as a complete meditation on the Divine Mother.

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