durgadevichandikadurga-saptashati

Bhagavati Durga Durgartinashini (Durga, Destroyer of Distress, Slays Nishumbha)

भगवती दुर्गा दुर्गार्तिनाशिनी (निशुम्भ-वध) in English · English

🕉️ hindu·📿 11× repetitions·🕐 During Navaratri, on Ashtami and Navami, or on Tuesdays at dawn·📜 Durga Saptashati Chapter 9

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हिन्दी / देवनागरी తెలుగు தமிழ்ಕನ್ನಡ മലയാളം ગુજરાતી বাংলা ଓଡ଼ିଆ ਪੰਜਾਬੀEnglishසිංහල 𑌗𑍍𑌰𑌨𑍍𑌥

✦ Meaning

From the ninth chapter of the Durga Saptashati, this passage names the Goddess as Bhagavati Durga, Durgartinashini — the destroyer of distress and of all that is hard to overcome — and tells of the slaying of the demon Nishumbha. When Nishumbha rushes at her, Chandika hurls her pike into his heart; from the cleft heart a second warrior emerges crying 'Stop!', but the laughing Goddess beheads him too. The verse is loved both for its potent epithet of Durga and for this striking moment of victory.

Origin & Story

Durga Saptashati Chapter 9 · Sage Markandeya (Markandeya Purana) · c. 400–600 CE (Markandeya Purana)

After Raktabija was slain, the demon-brothers Shumbha and Nishumbha gave way to measureless wrath and attacked the Goddess together. In the fierce duel, Nishumbha repeatedly assailed Chandika with sword, spear, pike and mace, each shattered by the Devi. Finally she pierced his heart with her pike, beheaded the second warrior who sprang from it, and laid Nishumbha low, leaving Shumbha to face her alone.

✦ As told in scripture

Devotees regard the name Durgartinashini in this verse as a direct appeal for relief; it is traditionally chanted in times of crisis, with many recounting that the Mother who pierced Nishumbha's heart swiftly cut through their own difficult, persistent troubles.

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Complete Text with Meaning

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Verse 1

tato bhagavatī kruddhā durgā durgārtināśinī ciccheda devī cakrāṇi svaśaraiḥ sāyakāṃśca tān

Meaning:Then the Bhagavati Durga, enraged — the destroyer of distress and of evils hard to overcome — cut those discuses and arrows with her own arrows. As Nishumbha, tormentor of the gods, came on, pike in hand, Chandika pierced him in the heart with her pike, hurled with force. From the heart of him, cleft by the pike, there issued forth another being, of great strength and valour, crying 'Stop!' As he came forth, the Devi, laughing aloud, then severed his head with her sword; thereupon he fell to the ground.

Verse 2

śūlahastaṃ samāyāntaṃ niśumbhamamarārdanam hṛdi vivyādha śūlena vegāviddhena caṇḍikā

Verse 3

bhinnasya tasya śūlena hṛdayānniḥsṛto'paraḥ mahābalo mahāvīryastiṣṭheti puruṣo vadan

Verse 4

tasya niṣkrāmato devī prahasya svanavattataḥ śiraściccheda khaḍgena tato'sāvapatadbhuvi

Word-by-Word Meaning

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tataḥ bhagavatī kruddhā🔊Then the Bhagavati (Goddess), enraged

durgā🔊Durga (the inaccessible, invincible one)

durga-ārti-nāśinī🔊Destroyer of distress and of evils hard to overcome

ciccheda devī cakrāṇi🔊The Devi cut those discuses

sva-śaraiḥ sāyakān ca tān🔊And those arrows, with her own arrows

śūla-hastaṃ samāyāntam🔊Coming on, pike in hand

niśumbham amar-ārdanam🔊Nishumbha, tormentor of the gods (immortals)

hṛdi vivyādha śūlena🔊Pierced him in the heart with her pike

vegāviddhena caṇḍikā🔊Hurled with force, Chandika (did so)

bhinnasya tasya śūlena hṛdayāt🔊From his heart, cleft by the pike

niḥsṛtaḥ aparaḥ🔊There issued forth another being

tiṣṭha iti puruṣaḥ vadan🔊A being (purusha) crying 'Stop!'

devī prahasya śiraḥ ciccheda khaḍgena🔊The Devi, laughing aloud, severed his head with her sword

tataḥ asau apatat bhuvi🔊Thereupon he fell to the ground

Benefits of Chanting भगवती दुर्गा दुर्गार्तिनाशिनी (निशुम्भ-वध)

✦

Invokes Durga by her potent name Durgartinashini, 'remover of all distress'

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Recited to overcome troubles that are difficult or seemingly impossible to surmount

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Brings courage to face dangers that regenerate or return after being defeated

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Strengthens faith in the Goddess as the one who cuts down evil at its very source

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Powerful during Navaratri and in the recitation of the ninth chapter of the Saptashati

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Grants protection from enemies, fear and obstacles on the spiritual path

How to Chant भगवती दुर्गा दुर्गार्तिनाशिनी (निशुम्भ-वध)

Repetitions11times

Best TimeDuring Navaratri, on Ashtami and Navami, or on Tuesdays at dawn

Begin with the Saptashati seed mantra 'Om Aim Hrim Klim Chamundayai Vichche'. Chant with devotion, dwelling on the name 'Durga Durgartinashini' as an appeal to remove all difficulty. Recited when one faces obstacles that are hard to overcome, and as part of the ninth chapter path of the Durga Saptashati, which narrates the slaying of Nishumbha.

Frequently Asked Questions

This page shows the complete भगवती दुर्गा दुर्गार्तिनाशिनी (निशुम्भ-वध) 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.

Durgartinashini means 'the destroyer of durga-arti' — that is, the remover of distress, pain and dangers that are hard to overcome (durga means both 'difficult' and a name of the Goddess). It is one of the most beloved epithets of the Goddess in the Saptashati.

Chandika hurls her pike with force into Nishumbha's heart. From the cleft heart a second mighty warrior emerges, crying 'Stop!' — but the Goddess laughs aloud and severs his head with her sword, ending Nishumbha completely.

These are verses 29 and 32 to 34 of the ninth chapter (Nishumbha-Vadha) of the Durga Saptashati, part of the Uttama Charita presided over by the Goddess Mahasaraswati.