Saptashloki Durga
सप्तश्लोकी दुर्गा in English · English
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✦ Meaning
The Saptashloki Durga, or 'Durga in Seven Verses', is a concise yet immensely powerful prayer drawn directly from the Devi Mahatmya (Durga Saptashati). Framed as a dialogue in which Shiva asks the Goddess for the easiest means of spiritual success in the Kali age, the Mother reveals these seven verses as the essence of all 700. They invoke her as Mahamaya, the destroyer of fear, poverty and disease, and the protector who never abandons those who take refuge in her.
Origin & Story
Devi Mahatmya (Durga Saptashati / Chandi), part of the Markandeya Purana · Sage Markandeya (the verses are spoken within a Shiva–Devi dialogue) · Ancient (Devi Mahatmya c. 5th–6th century CE; verses earlier)
The Saptashloki is framed by a conversation between Lord Shiva and the Divine Mother. Shiva asks her to reveal the simplest and most certain means by which beings of the Kali age can attain their goals. In response, the Goddess discloses seven verses drawn from the Devi Mahatmya as the supreme distillation of her glory — a 'short Saptashati' that carries the protective force of the entire scripture for those unable to recite the whole.
✦ As told in scripture
Devotees across centuries have held that even when calamity strikes and there is no time for elaborate worship, a single heartfelt recitation of these seven verses brings the Mother's immediate protection. Many narrate being delivered from illness, lawsuits and danger by reciting the Saptashloki when the full Saptashati could not be completed.
Complete Text with Meaning
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oṃ asya śrīdurgāsaptaślokīstotramantrasya nārāyaṇa ṛṣiḥ, anuṣṭup chandaḥ, śrīmahākālī-mahālakṣmī-mahāsarasvatyo devatāḥ, śrīdurgāprītyarthaṃ saptaślokīdurgāpāṭhe viniyogaḥ |
Meaning:Om. For this hymn-mantra of the Durga Saptashloki, the seer is Narayana, the metre is Anushtup, the deities are Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasaraswati; it is recited for the pleasure of Sri Durga.
śiva uvāca — devi tvaṃ bhaktasulabhe sarvakāryavidhāyini | kalau hi kāryasiddhyarthamupāyaṃ brūhi yatnataḥ ||
Meaning:Shiva said: O Goddess, easily attained by devotees, accomplisher of all tasks — in this age of Kali, kindly tell me with care the means to attain success.
devyuvāca — śṛṇu deva pravakṣyāmi kalau sarveṣṭasādhanam | mayā tava ca snehenāpyambāstutiḥ prakāśyate ||
Meaning:The Goddess said: Listen, O Lord, I shall declare the means to fulfil every desire in the Kali age. Out of love for you, the praise of the Mother is now revealed.
oṃ jñānināmapi cetāṃsi devī bhagavatī hi sā | balādākṛṣya mohāya mahāmāyā prayacchati || 1||
Meaning:1. That Divine Goddess Bhagavati, the great Mahamaya, forcibly seizes even the minds of the wise and casts them into delusion.
durge smṛtā harasi bhītimaśeṣajantoḥ svasthaiḥ smṛtā matimatīva śubhāṃ dadāsi | dāridryaduḥkhabhayahāriṇi kā tvadanyā sarvopakārakaraṇāya sadārdracittā || 2||
Meaning:2. O Durga, when remembered you remove the fear of every creature; remembered by the well, you bestow a most auspicious mind. O remover of poverty, sorrow and fear — who other than you is ever tender-hearted to do good to all?
sarvamaṅgalamāṅgalye śive sarvārthasādhike | śaraṇye tryambake gauri nārāyaṇi namo'stu te || 3||
Meaning:3. O auspiciousness of all auspicious things, O benevolent Shiva, accomplisher of all aims, O refuge, three-eyed Gauri, O Narayani — salutations to you.
śaraṇāgatadīnārtaparitrāṇaparāyaṇe | sarvasyārtihare devi nārāyaṇi namo'stu te || 4||
Meaning:4. O you ever-devoted to rescuing the meek and the afflicted who take refuge, O remover of everyone's distress, O Narayani — salutations to you.
sarvasvarūpe sarveśe sarvaśaktisamanvite | bhayebhyastrāhi no devi durge devi namo'stu te || 5||
Meaning:5. O you who are the very form of all, ruler of all, endowed with all power — protect us from all fears, O Goddess Durga; salutations to you.
rogānaśeṣānapahaṃsi tuṣṭā ruṣṭā tu kāmān sakalānabhīṣṭān | tvāmāśritānāṃ na vipannarāṇāṃ tvāmāśritā hyāśrayatāṃ prayānti || 6||
Meaning:6. When pleased, you destroy all diseases; when displeased, you fulfil every cherished desire. Those who take refuge in you fall into no misfortune — indeed, those who take refuge in you themselves become a refuge for others.
sarvābādhāpraśamanaṃ trailokyasyākhileśvari | evameva tvayā kāryamasmadvairivināśanam || 7||
Meaning:7. O Mistress of all the three worlds, just as you have quelled every affliction, so too may you accomplish the destruction of our enemies.
Word-by-Word Meaning
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Benefits of Chanting सप्तश्लोकी दुर्गा
Condenses the entire power of the 700-verse Durga Saptashati into seven easily memorised verses
Removes fear, anxiety, poverty and disease when chanted with devotion
Offers swift protection to those who take refuge in the Divine Mother
Ideal daily practice for those who cannot recite the full Durga Saptashati
Strengthens courage and steadiness of mind in difficult times
Believed to ward off enemies and obstacles (the final verse prays for their destruction)
Bestows an auspicious, sattvic intellect (shubha mati) on the sincere seeker
How to Chant सप्तश्लोकी दुर्गा
Sit facing east or north before an image of Durga. Begin with the viniyoga (rishi-chandas-devata) statement, then chant the Shiva-uvacha and Devi-uvacha framing verses, followed by the seven main shlokas. It may be repeated 7, 11 or 108 times. Many devotees recite it daily as a substitute for the full Durga Saptashati, especially when time is short. End by praying for the protection of all beings.
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Read the full सप्तश्लोकी दुर्गा with verse-by-verse meaning, or explore more sacred texts