Suravara Varshini — Word-by-Word Meaning
सुरवरवर्षिणि
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
सुरवरवर्षिणि
suravara-varshini
O you who shower blessings upon the foremost of the gods
दुर्धरधर्षिणि
durdhara-dharshini
O conqueror of the unassailable, vanquisher of the irresistible
दुर्मुखमर्षिणि
durmukha-marshini
O destroyer of the demon Durmukha (and of the foul-mouthed/wicked)
हर्षरते
harsharate
O you who delight in joy / are ever joyful
त्रिभुवनपोषिणि
tribhuvana-poshini
O nourisher and sustainer of the three worlds
शङ्करतोषिणि
shankara-toshini
O you who delight (please) Lord Shankara (Shiva)
किल्बिषमोषिणि
kilbisha-moshini
O remover of sins and impurities
घोषरते
ghosharate
O you who delight in the roar of battle (and joyous clamour)
दनुजनिरोषिणि
danuja-niroshini
O you who are wrathful toward the Danavas (demons)
दितिसुतरोषिणि
ditisuta-roshini
O you who rage against the sons of Diti (the Daityas / demons)
दुर्मदशोषिणि
durmada-shoshini
O you who dry up (destroy) wicked pride and arrogance
सिन्धुसुते
sindhusute
O daughter of the ocean (born with the ocean's treasures, like Lakshmi)
जय जय हे
jaya jaya he
Victory, victory to you!
महिषासुरमर्दिनि
mahishasuramardini
O slayer of the buffalo-demon Mahishasura
रम्यकपर्दिनि
ramyakapardini
O you with beautiful braided locks of hair
शैलसुते
shailasute
O Daughter of the Mountain (Shaila-suta)
Complete Translation
O you who shower blessings on the great gods, vanquisher of the irresistible, slayer of the demon Durmukha, ever delighting in joy; O nourisher of the three worlds, who pleases Shankara, remover of sins, who revels in the battle-roar; O you wrathful toward the Danavas and the sons of Diti, who dries up wicked pride, O daughter of the ocean — victory, victory to you, O slayer of Mahishasura, with lovely braided locks, O Daughter of the Mountain!
Origin & History
Source: Mahishasura Mardini Stotra, verse 2
Author: Traditionally attributed to Adi Shankaracharya (also ascribed to Ramakrishna Kavi)
Period: Classical (medieval Stotra literature)
Following the invocation of the Goddess as daughter of the Himalaya in the first stanza, this second verse plunges into her power and grace. Through a torrent of epithets it portrays her as the boon-giver to the gods and the annihilator of the demon hordes and their arrogance — echoing the Devi Mahatmya's account of her battle against Mahishasura and his commanders.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'Suravara Varshini' mean?▼
It means 'O showerer of blessings upon the foremost gods'. It opens the second verse of the Mahishasura Mardini Stotra, which praises Goddess Durga through a stream of epithets as the protector of the gods and the destroyer of demons and arrogance.
Who is 'Durmukha' referred to in the verse?▼
Durmukha was one of the demons in the army of Mahishasura. 'Durmukha-marshini' celebrates the Goddess as the one who destroyed him; the word also carries the sense of vanquishing all the foul-mouthed and wicked.
Why is the Goddess called 'Sindhusute' (daughter of the ocean)?▼
'Sindhusute' links the Goddess with the auspicious treasures that arose from the churning of the ocean, identifying her with the all-bestowing, Lakshmi-like aspect of the Divine Mother who showers prosperity along with protection.
Can this stanza be chanted by itself?▼
Yes. Each stanza of the Mahishasura Mardini Stotra is self-contained and may be chanted individually. This verse is often sung on its own for its powerful rhythm, though reciting the full hymn brings its complete blessing.
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