या चण्डी मधुकैटभ (चण्डी ध्यान श्लोक)

Every Sanskrit word explained in English

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Word-by-Word Breakdown

या चण्डी

yā caṇḍī

She who is Chandi (the fierce Goddess)

मधुकैटभादिदैत्यदलनी

madhu-kaiṭabha-ādi-daitya-dalanī

the destroyer of the demons Madhu, Kaitabha and the rest (first charita)

या माहिषोन्मूलिनी

yā māhiṣa-unmūlinī

She who uprooted (slew) the buffalo-demon Mahishasura (second charita)

धूम्रेक्षणचण्डमुण्डमथनी

dhūmra-īkṣaṇa-caṇḍa-muṇḍa-mathanī

the crusher of Dhumralochana, Chanda and Munda

या रक्तबीजाशनी

yā rakta-bīja-aśanī

She who devoured the demon Raktabija

शक्तिः

śaktiḥ

the (supreme) Power, Shakti

शुम्भनिशुम्भदैत्यदलनी

śumbha-niśumbha-daitya-dalanī

the destroyer of the demons Shumbha and Nishumbha (third charita)

या सिद्धिदात्री परा

yā siddhi-dātrī parā

She who is the supreme bestower of accomplishment (siddhi)

सा देवी

sā devī

that Goddess

नवकोटिमूर्तिसहिता

nava-koṭi-mūrti-sahitā

accompanied by Her nine crore (countless) forms

मां पातु

māṃ pātu

may She protect me

विश्वेश्वरी

viśveśvarī

the Sovereign Ruler of the universe

Complete Translation

जो चण्डी के रूप में मधु, कैटभ आदि दैत्यों का संहार करने वाली हैं; जिन्होंने महिषासुर का उन्मूलन (वध) किया; जो धूम्रलोचन, चण्ड और मुण्ड का मथन करने वाली हैं; जिन्होंने रक्तबीज का भक्षण किया; जो शुम्भ-निशुम्भ दैत्यों का नाश करने वाली परा शक्ति और सिद्धि प्रदान करने वाली हैं — वे नवकोटि (असंख्य) मूर्तियों सहित विश्वेश्वरी देवी मेरी रक्षा करें।

Origin & History

Source: Traditional dhyana shloka of the Durga Saptashati (Devi Mahatmyam) tradition

Author: Traditional

Period: Classical

This verse is one of the best-loved invocatory dhyana shlokas associated with the Durga Saptashati. The Devi Mahatmyam unfolds in three charitas in which the Goddess, prayed to by gods and sages, manifests to destroy a succession of demons — Madhu and Kaitabha, the buffalo-demon Mahishasura, and finally Shumbha and Nishumbha with their generals Dhumralochana, Chanda, Munda and Raktabija. This single verse holds all those victories together and turns them into a prayer for protection, and so it is recited as the meditation verse opening a Chandi Path.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the 'Ya Chandi Madhu Kaitabha' shloka?▼

It is a famous single-verse dhyana (meditation verse) that summarises the entire Durga Saptashati. In one verse it recalls how the Goddess slew Madhu and Kaitabha, Mahishasura, Dhumralochana, Chanda, Munda, Raktabija, and Shumbha and Nishumbha, and prays for her protection.

Why does it mention so many demons?▼

The demons named correspond to the three charitas (episodes) of the Devi Mahatmyam: Madhu-Kaitabha in the first, Mahishasura in the second, and Chanda, Munda, Raktabija, Shumbha and Nishumbha in the third. The verse thus encapsulates all three sections of the Saptashati.

What does 'nava-koti-murti-sahita' mean?▼

It means 'accompanied by nine crore (ninety million) forms' — that is, the Goddess together with her countless manifestations. It expresses that the one Devi is present in innumerable forms throughout the universe.

When is it recited?▼

It is most often recited as the opening dhyana before a Durga Saptashati / Chandi Path, especially during Navaratri. It is also chanted independently as a short, complete prayer for the Goddess's protection.

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