विश्वेश्वरि त्वं परिपासि विश्वम् (विश्व की रक्षिका देवी)

Every Sanskrit word explained in English

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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

जहाँ राक्षस और उग्र विष वाले नाग हैं, जहाँ शत्रु और दस्युओं के बल हैं, जहाँ दावानल है, और समुद्र के बीच में भी — वहाँ स्थित रहकर आप विश्व की रक्षा करती हैं। हे विश्वेश्वरी! आप विश्व की रक्षा करती हैं; विश्वात्मिका होकर आप ही यहाँ विश्व को धारण करती हैं; आप विश्व के स्वामियों द्वारा भी वन्दनीय हैं; और जो भक्ति से आपके आगे नम्र होते हैं, वे विश्व के आश्रय बन जाते हैं। हे देवी! प्रसन्न होइए; जैसे अभी असुर-वध से आपने हमारी रक्षा की, वैसे ही सदा हमें शत्रु-भय से बचाइए। और समस्त जगत् के पापों तथा उत्पातों से उत्पन्न महान् उपसर्गों को शीघ्र शान्त कीजिए। हे विश्व की पीड़ा हरने वाली देवी! हम प्रणत जनों पर प्रसन्न होइए; हे त्रैलोक्य-निवासियों द्वारा वन्दनीय! लोकों को वर देने वाली बनिए!

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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