दुर्गे स्मृता हरसि — Benefits & How to Chant
दुर्गे स्मृता हरसि
Complete guide to chanting correctly for maximum benefit
Benefits of Chanting दुर्गे स्मृता हरसि
Declares that the mere remembrance of Durga removes the fear of every living being
Bestows an auspicious, clear and noble mind (mati) upon those who are well
Invoked as the remover of poverty (daridrya), sorrow (duhkha) and fear (bhaya)
Affirms the Mother's boundless compassion
her heart ever tender toward all
Begs her fourfold protection with spear, sword, bell-sound and bowstring
One of the most cherished verses recited daily and during Navaratri for safety and prosperity
How to Chant दुर्गे स्मृता हरसि
Instructions
Sit before an image of Durga with a lit lamp and recite the verses with devotion after 'Om'. 'Durge Smrita Harasi' is often chanted on its own as a daily remembrance and is a key verse of the Shakradi Stuti recited during Durga Saptashati paath. Dwell on its promise that simply remembering the Mother dissolves fear, and on her compassion that does good to all. Repeating it 11 or 21 times is a traditional practice for relief from fear, poverty and grief.
Spiritual Significance
This verse is traditionally regarded as an apad-uddharaka (rescuer from calamity) mantra. It is said that those who recite 'Durge Smrita Harasi Bhitim' in moments of acute danger — illness, accident, lawsuit or attack — find their fear lifted as though by the Mother's own hand, in keeping with her promise in the Devi Mahatmyam to remove the gravest calamities the instant she is remembered.
Origin & History
Source: Durga Saptashati (Devi Mahatmyam) Chapter 4 — Shakradi Stuti, verses 16, 22-23; from the Markandeya Purana
Author: Sage Markandeya (traditional)
After the Goddess vanquished the mighty buffalo-demon Mahishasura, who had driven the gods from heaven, Indra and the assembled deities extolled her with the Shakradi Stuti ('the praise by Indra and the gods'). Marvelling that her face was at once gentle as the full moon and terrible to her foes, and that she showed compassion even to the enemies she slew, they sang 'Durge Smrita Harasi' — that her very remembrance removes the fear of all — and begged her protection on every side.