durgadeviambikashumbha-nishumbha

Yo Mam Jayati Sangrame (The Devi's Battle Vow)

Yo Mam Jayati Sangrame (The Devi's Battle Vow) in English · English

🕉️ hindu·📿 9× repetitions·🕐 During Navratri, on Ashtami, or whenever facing a great challenge or confrontation·📜 Durga Saptashati Chapter 5

Read in your language / script

हिन्दी / देवनागरी తెలుగు தமிழ்ಕನ್ನಡ മലയാളം ગુજરાતી বাংলা ଓଡ଼ିଆ ਪੰਜਾਬੀEnglishසිංහල 𑌗𑍍𑌰𑌨𑍍𑌥

✦ Meaning

This is the Devi's fearless battle-vow from Chapter 5 of the Durga Saptashati, spoken with a deep inward smile to the demon-messenger Sugriva. When Shumbha, smitten by her beauty, demands that she become his consort, Ambika (Kaushiki) replies that she is bound by a vow: only the one who conquers her in battle and humbles her pride may win her hand. With these words she throws open the great war of the Devi against Shumbha and Nishumbha.

Origin & Story

Durga Saptashati Chapter 5 · Sage Markandeya (Markandeya Purana) · Ancient (part of the Markandeya Purana, c. 400–600 CE)

In the Uttama Charita, the asuras Shumbha and Nishumbha have driven the gods from heaven. The Goddess Ambika (Kaushiki), sprung from Parvati's body, dwells radiant upon the Himalaya. The demon-servants Chanda and Munda report her unmatched beauty to Shumbha, who sends the messenger Sugriva to win her with promises of supreme sovereignty. Smiling deeply, the Devi answers with her vow that only the one who defeats her in battle may have her hand — challenging Shumbha or Nishumbha to come and conquer her first, and thereby igniting the great war that ends in their destruction.

✦ As told in scripture

It is said that this single fearless vow sealed the fate of Shumbha and Nishumbha: by demanding to be 'won in battle,' the Devi drew the proud demons into a war they could not survive. Devotees facing intimidation recite it believing that, like the Mother, those who stand in calm, righteous strength cannot be overpowered by arrogance.

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Complete Text with Meaning

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Verse 1

devyuvāca satyamuktaṃ tvayā nātra mithyā kiñcittvayoditam trailokyādhipatiḥ śumbho niśumbhaścāpi tādṛśaḥ

Meaning:The Devi said: You have spoken the truth; nothing untrue have you said. Shumbha is indeed the lord of the three worlds, and so likewise is Nishumbha. But how can what has been vowed in this matter be made false? Hear the vow which, out of little wisdom, I made long ago: 'He who conquers me in battle, who removes my pride, who is my match in strength in the world — he alone shall be my husband.' So let Shumbha come here, or the mighty Nishumbha; conquering me, let him take my hand at once — why delay?

Verse 2

kiṃ tvatra yatpratijñātaṃ mithyā tatkriyate katham śrūyatāmalpabuddhitvātpratijñā yā kṛtā purā

Verse 3

yo māṃ jayati saṅgrāme yo me darpaṃ vyapohati yo me pratibalo loke sa me bhartā bhaviṣyati

Verse 4

tadāgacchatu śumbho'tra niśumbho vā mahābalaḥ māṃ jitvā kiṃ cireṇātra pāṇiṃ gṛhṇātu me laghu

Word-by-Word Meaning

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devyuvāca🔊The Devi (Ambika/Kaushiki) said

satyamuktaṃ tvayā🔊What you have said is true

mithyā kiñcit🔊Anything false / untrue

trailokyādhipatiḥ🔊Lord/sovereign of the three worlds

śumbho niśumbhaḥ🔊Shumbha and Nishumbha (the two asura brothers)

pratijñātaṃ🔊That which has been vowed/promised

alpabuddhitvāt🔊Out of little wisdom / girlish simplicity

pratijñā ... purā🔊The vow that was made long ago

yo māṃ jayati saṅgrāme🔊He who conquers me in battle

yo me darpaṃ vyapohati🔊He who removes/dispels my pride

yo me pratibalo loke🔊He who is my equal in strength in the world

sa me bhartā bhaviṣyati🔊He alone shall become my husband

tadāgacchatu🔊So let (him) come here

mahābalaḥ🔊The mighty one (Nishumbha)

māṃ jitvā🔊Having conquered me

pāṇiṃ gṛhṇātu me laghu🔊Let him take my hand at once — why delay?

Benefits of Chanting Yo Mam Jayati Sangrame (The Devi's Battle Vow)

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Invokes the Devi's invincible courage and self-sovereignty in the face of intimidation

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Recited for inner strength to stand firm against arrogance, coercion and adharmic pressure

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Embodies the principle that the divine Mother yields to no one but truth and rightful strength

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Inspires devotees to face their own 'demons' (ego, fear, temptation) with calm fearlessness

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Part of the Uttama Charita of the Saptashati, whose presiding deity is Mahasaraswati

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Strengthens resolve to keep one's vows (pratijna) and act with dignity

How to Chant Yo Mam Jayati Sangrame (The Devi's Battle Vow)

Repetitions9times

Best TimeDuring Navratri, on Ashtami, or whenever facing a great challenge or confrontation

Recite facing an image of Durga/Ambika after lighting a lamp, ideally as part of the fifth chapter of the Durga Saptashati. Chant with a steady, dignified voice, dwelling on the Devi's calm, smiling fearlessness before the demon's threats. Devotees seeking courage in adversity may repeat the central verse 'Yo mam jayati sangrame' as a focused affirmation of fearless resolve.

Frequently Asked Questions

This page shows the complete Yo Mam Jayati Sangrame (The Devi's Battle Vow) written in the English script — the same Sanskrit/Hindi verses, transliterated character-by-character so you can read and chant comfortably. Tap any line (or the ▶ button) to hear it recited aloud.

Yes — only the script changes; the words and their meaning are the original. The verse-by-verse meaning, benefits and how-to-chant guidance on this page apply exactly the same.

Ambika declares: 'He who conquers me in battle, who removes my pride, who is my equal in strength in the world — he alone shall be my husband.' It is both a challenge to Shumbha and Nishumbha and a declaration of her absolute self-sovereignty.

It appears in Chapter 5 of the Durga Saptashati (Devi's Dialogue with the Messenger), verses 67–70, when the asura-messenger Sugriva conveys Shumbha's proposal and the Devi gives her smiling reply.

She speaks with playful irony, calling it a vow made 'alpabuddhitvat' (out of girlish simplicity) — yet it is precisely this vow that forces the demons into the battle in which they are destroyed, revealing her supreme power.

It teaches fearless dignity: the divine Mother cannot be won by wealth, flattery or threats, but only by rightful strength and truth. Devotees draw on it for courage to remain unshaken before arrogance and coercion.