Vishveshwari Tvam Paripasi Vishvam (The Devi Who Protects the Universe) — Word-by-Word Meaning
विश्वेश्वरि त्वं परिपासि विश्वम् (विश्व की रक्षिका देवी)
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
रक्षांसि यत्र
rakṣāṃsi yatra
Where there are rakshasas (demons)
उग्रविषाश्च नागा
ugraviṣāśca nāgā
And serpents of fierce venom
अरयो दस्युबलानि
arayo dasyubalāni
Foes and bands of robbers
दावानलो
dāvānalo
A forest-fire (a raging conflagration)
अब्धिमध्ये
abdhimadhye
In the midst of the ocean
तत्र स्थिता त्वं परिपासि विश्वम्
tatra sthitā tvaṃ paripāsi viśvam
There, abiding, you protect the world
विश्वेश्वरि
viśveśvari
O Mistress of the universe
विश्वात्मिका
viśvātmikā
Being the very Self of all (the universe)
धारयसीह विश्वम्
dhārayasīha viśvam
You uphold the universe here
विश्वेशवन्द्या
viśveśavandyā
Worthy of worship by the lords of the universe
विश्वाश्रया ये त्वयि भक्तिनम्राः
viśvāśrayā ye tvayi bhaktinamrāḥ
They who bow to you in devotion become a refuge for the universe
देवि प्रसीद
devi prasīda
O Devi, be gracious
परिपालय नोऽरिभीतेः
paripālaya no'ribhīteḥ
Protect us from the fear of foes
पापानि ... प्रशमं नय
pāpāni ... praśamaṃ naya
Bring the sins (of all worlds) to an end
उत्पातपाकजनितान् महोपसर्गान्
utpātapākajanitān mahopasargān
The great calamities born of (evil) portents
विश्वार्तिहारिणि
viśvārtihāriṇi
O remover of the affliction of the whole world
लोकानां वरदा भव
lokānāṃ varadā bhava
Be the bestower of boons to the worlds
Complete Translation
Where there are rakshasas and serpents of fierce venom, where there are foes and bands of robbers, where there is a forest-fire, and in the midst of the ocean — there, abiding, you protect the world. O Mistress of the universe, you protect the universe; being the Self of all, you uphold the universe; you are worthy of worship by the lords of the universe; and they who bow to you in devotion become a refuge for the universe. O Devi, be gracious; protect us ever from the fear of foes, as you have just now protected us by the slaying of the asuras. And quickly bring to an end the sins of all the worlds and the great calamities born of evil portents. Be gracious to us who bow to you, O Devi, remover of the universe's afflictions; O you worthy of praise by the dwellers of the three worlds, be the bestower of boons to the worlds!
Origin & History
Source: Durga Saptashati Chapter 11
Author: Sage Markandeya (Markandeya Purana)
Period: Ancient (part of the Markandeya Purana, c. 400–600 CE)
After the Goddess slays the great asura Shumbha, Indra and the gods extol her in the Narayani Stuti. In these verses they marvel that she abides protecting the world wherever danger is fiercest — among rakshasas, venomous nagas, foes, robbers, forest-fires and in mid-ocean — and salute her as Vishveshwari, the Mistress and very Self of the universe, who upholds all and whose devotees become a refuge for others. They pray her to shield them from every fear, as she has just done by destroying the asuras, and to end the sins and calamities of all the worlds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are these verses recited for protection?▼
Because they declare that the Goddess abides precisely where danger is greatest — among demons, venomous serpents, enemies, robbers, forest-fires and the open ocean — protecting the world. Devotees recite them to invoke her shelter in every hazardous situation.
What does 'Vishveshwari' mean?▼
Vishveshwari means 'Mistress (Ishwari) of the universe (Vishva).' The verse calls her Vishvatmika (the Self of all) who upholds the whole universe and is worthy of worship even by the lords of the universe.
Where do these verses occur in the Durga Saptashati?▼
They are in Chapter 11, the Narayani Stuti (verses 31–34), sung by the gods after the slaying of Shumbha, praising the Goddess as the protector and Self of the universe and praying for protection from all fears.
What does it mean that the devotee 'becomes a refuge for the universe'?▼
It means that those who take refuge in the Goddess with devotion are so filled with her protective grace that they themselves become a shelter and source of safety for others — a recurring teaching of the Narayani Stuti.
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