Shulena Pahi No Devi — Word-by-Word Meaning
शूलेन पाहि नो देवि
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
शूलेन
śūlena
with your trident/spear (shula)
पाहि नः
pāhi naḥ
protect us
देवि
devi
O Goddess
खड्गेन
khaḍgena
with your sword
अम्बिके
ambike
O Ambika (the Mother)
घण्टास्वनेन
ghaṇṭāsvanena
by the sound of your bell
चापज्यानिःस्वनेन
cāpajyāniḥsvanena
by the twang of your bowstring
प्राच्याम्
prācyām
in the east
प्रतीच्याम्
pratīcyām
in the west
चण्डिके
caṇḍike
O Chandika (the fierce one)
रक्ष दक्षिणे
rakṣa dakṣiṇe
guard (us) in the south
भ्रामणेन आत्मशूलस्य
bhrāmaṇena ātmaśūlasya
by the whirling of your own spear
उत्तरस्याम्
uttarasyām
in the north
तथा ईश्वरि
tathā īśvari
likewise, O Ishwari (Sovereign Goddess)
Complete Translation
Protect us with your spear, O Devi; protect us, O Ambika, with your sword; protect us by the sound of your bell and by the twang of your bowstring. Guard us in the east and the west, O Chandika; guard us in the south, and in the north too, O Ishwari, by the whirling of your spear.
Origin & History
Source: Durga Saptashati Chapter 4
Author: Sage Markandeya (Rishi Markandeya)
Period: Ancient (c. 400–600 CE, Markandeya Purana)
In Chapter 4 of the Devi Mahatmya, after the Goddess slays Mahishasura, Indra and the gods sing the Shakradi Stuti. Towards its close they turn from praise to petition, beseeching Ambika-Chandika to protect them with her divine weapons and to surround them with her guard in every direction — a heartfelt appeal that has become a classic protective prayer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 'Shulena Pahi No Devi' used for?▼
It is a protection prayer from Durga Saptashati Chapter 4. Devotees chant it to seek the Goddess's shelter from danger, fear and negative influences, invoking her weapons and her guard in all four directions like a protective armour.
Which forms of the Goddess are addressed here?▼
The verses address her as Devi, Ambika (the Mother), Chandika (the fierce destroyer of evil) and Ishwari (the sovereign Goddess) — emphasising both her tenderness and her power to protect.
When is this verse best chanted?▼
It is excellent for daily morning protection, before journeys or challenging tasks, and during Navaratri. It is often recited as part of the full Shakradi Stuti or the complete Durga Saptashati path.
Ready to start chanting?
See Benefits & How to Chant →