Parvati Chalisa — Word-by-Word Meaning

Victory to Parvati, daughter of the mountain, born of Daksha, beloved of Shambhu, a treasure of virtues; mother of Ganapati, O Amba, O Shakti, O Bhavani! Even Brahma cannot fathom your mystery; the five-faced Shiva ever meditates on you, the six-faced Kartikeya cannot fully sing your praise, and the thousand-tongued Shesha labours in vain to describe you. The chalisa lovingly describes the Goddess's beauty — her coral lips, dark beautiful eyes, saffron-marked forehead, golden garments and jewelled throne worshipped by Indra and all beings. It tells how, through her ancient merit, she won Shiva, the lord of the three worlds, as her husband, though he rides an old bull, dwells in cremation grounds and wears serpents as ornaments. It recounts how Shiva drank the halahala poison to save the gods and became Nilakantha, and how Parvati, as his consort, destroys sins and bestows auspiciousness. It names her Gauri, Uma, Shankari, Kali and Annapurna, the sustainer of the world, and narrates her severe penance — taking no food, water or air until only bones remained — by which she won the name Uma and the boon of Shiva as husband. Whoever recites this chalisa, the Lord grants them wealth, progeny and happiness; O Parvati, remain ever the boon-giver to your devotees.