Durga Chalisa — Lyrics with Meaning

Chaupai 1

Namo namo Durge sukh karani | Namo namo Ambe dukh harani ||

Salutations again and again to Durga, giver of happiness; salutations to Mother Ambe, remover of sorrow.

Chaupai 2

Nirakar hai jyoti tumhari | Tihun lok phaili ujiyari ||

Your light has no fixed form, and its brightness fills all three worlds.

Chaupai 3

Shashi lalat mukh mahavishala | Netra laal bhrikuti vikrala ||

The moon adorns your forehead, your face is radiant and grand, your eyes are red and your brows are fierce.

Chaupai 4

Roop matu ko adhik suhave | Darash karat jan ati sukh pave ||

The Mother's form is most lovely; devotees feel great joy on seeing her.

Chaupai 5

Tum sansar shakti lai keena | Palan hetu ann dhan deena ||

With your power you created the world, and you gave food and wealth to sustain it.

Chaupai 6

Annapurna hui jag pala | Tum hi aadi sundari bala ||

As Annapurna you feed and sustain the world; you are also the eternal, beautiful young goddess.

Chaupai 7

Pralaykal sab nashan hari | Tum Gauri Shivshankar pyari ||

At the time of dissolution you bring all to an end; you are Gauri, beloved of Shiv Shankar.

Chaupai 8

Shiv yogi tumhare gun gaven | Brahma Vishnu tumhen nit dhyaven ||

Shiv and the yogis sing your virtues; Brahma and Vishnu meditate on you every day.

Chaupai 9

Roop Saraswati ko tum dhara | De subuddhi rishi munin ubara ||

You took the form of Saraswati and uplifted the sages by giving them wisdom.

Chaupai 10

Dharyo roop Narsingh ko Amba | Pargat bhai phaadkar khamba ||

O Mother, you took the form of Narsingh and appeared by bursting out of a pillar.

Chaupai 11

Raksha kari Prahlad bachayo | Hiranyakush ko swarg pathayo ||

You protected Prahlad and, by slaying Hiranyakashipu, sent him to heaven.

Chaupai 12

Lakshmi roop dharo jag mahin | Shri Narayan ang samahin ||

In the world you took the form of Lakshmi and dwell at the side of Shri Narayan.

Chaupai 13

Ksheersindhu mein karat vilasa | Dayasindhu deejai man aasa ||

You dwell in the Ocean of Milk; O ocean of mercy, fulfil the hope in my heart.

Chaupai 14

Hinglaj mein tumhin Bhavani | Mahima amit na jaat bakhani ||

You are Bhavani at Hinglaj; your boundless glory cannot be put into words.

Chaupai 15

Matangi aru Dhoomavati Mata | Bhuvaneshwari Bagla sukh data ||

You are Matangi, Dhumavati, Bhuvaneshwari and Baglamukhi, givers of happiness.

Chaupai 16

Shri Bhairav Tara jag tarini | Chhinn bhaal bhav dukh nivarini ||

You are Bhairavi and Tara who carries the world across, and as Chhinnamasta you remove the sorrows of worldly life.

Chaupai 17

Kehari vahan soh Bhavani | Langur veer chalat agvani ||

Bhavani looks splendid riding her lion, and the brave Langur (Hanuman) walks ahead of her.

Chaupai 18

Kar mein khappar khadg virajai | Jako dekh kaal dar bhajai ||

In your hands are a skull-bowl and a sword; seeing them, even Death runs away in fear.

Chaupai 19

Sohai astra aur trishula | Jaate uthat shatru hiy shula ||

Weapons and a trident shine in your hands, and they strike fear into the hearts of enemies.

Chaupai 20

Nagarkot mein tumhin virajat | Tihun lok mein danka bajat ||

You reside at Nagarkot (Kangra), and your fame resounds through the three worlds.

Chaupai 21

Shumbh Nishumbh danav tum maare | Raktabeej shankhan sanhare ||

You slew the demons Shumbh and Nishumbh, and destroyed Raktabeej and countless others.

Chaupai 22

Mahishasur nrip ati abhimani | Jehi agh bhaar mahi akulani ||

King Mahishasur was very arrogant, and the earth was in distress under the weight of his sins.

Chaupai 23

Roop karal Kalika dhara | Sen sahit tum tihi sanhara ||

Then you took the fearsome form of Kali and destroyed him along with his army.

Chaupai 24

Pari gaadh santan par jab jab | Bhai sahay matu tum tab tab ||

Whenever hard times fell on good people, O Mother, you came to their help.

Chaupai 25

Amarpuri aru Basav loka | Tab mahima sab rahen ashoka ||

The city of the gods and Indra's realm stay free of sorrow by your glory.

Chaupai 26

Jwala mein hai jyoti tumhari | Tumhen sada poojen nar-nari ||

Your flame burns at Jwalaji; men and women always worship you.

Chaupai 27

Prem bhakti se jo yash gaven | Dukh daridra nikat nahin aaven ||

Those who sing your glory with love and devotion are kept far from sorrow and want — so devotees believe.

Chaupai 28

Dhyave tumhen jo nar man lai | Janm-maran tako chhuti jaai ||

Whoever meditates on you with a focused mind is freed from the cycle of birth and death.

Chaupai 29

Jogi sur muni kahat pukari | Yog na ho bin shakti tumhari ||

Yogis, gods and sages declare that without your power, yoga cannot succeed.

Chaupai 30

Shankar Acharaj tap keeno | Kaam aru krodh jeeti sab leeno ||

Shankaracharya did great penance and fully conquered desire and anger.

Chaupai 31

Nishidin dhyan dharo Shankar ko | Kahu kaal nahin sumiro tumko ||

Day and night he meditated on Shankar, but never once remembered you.

Chaupai 32

Shakti roop ka maram na payo | Shakti gayi tab man pachhitayo ||

He did not grasp the secret of Shakti; when his strength left him, he regretted it.

Chaupai 33

Sharnagat hui kirti bakhani | Jai jai jai Jagdamb Bhavani ||

Then he took refuge in you and sang your praise: 'Glory, glory to Jagdamba Bhavani.'

Chaupai 34

Bhai prasann Aadi Jagdamba | Dai shakti nahin keen vilamba ||

The primal Mother of the world was pleased and gave back his strength without delay.

Chaupai 35

Moko matu kasht ati ghero | Tum bin kaun harai dukh mero ||

O Mother, many troubles surround me; who but you can take away my sorrow?

Chaupai 36

Aasha trishna nipat sataven | Moh madadik sab binshaven ||

Hopes and cravings torment me, and attachment, pride and the like are wearing me down.

Chaupai 37

Shatru naash keejai Maharani | Sumiraun ikchit tumhen Bhavani ||

O great Queen, destroy my enemies; O Bhavani, I remember you with a single-pointed mind.

Chaupai 38

Karo kripa he matu dayala | Riddhi-siddhi dai karahu nihala ||

O kind Mother, show your grace and bless me with prosperity and success.

Chaupai 39

Jab lagi jiun daya phal paaun | Tumharo yash main sada sunaun ||

As long as I live, may I receive your kindness and always sing your glory.

Chaupai 40

Shri Durga Chalisa jo koi gavai | Sab sukh bhog parampad pavai ||

Whoever sings the Durga Chalisa enjoys every happiness and reaches the highest state — so the Chalisa says.

Chaupai 41

Devidas sharan nij jaani | Karahu kripa Jagdamb Bhavani ||

Knowing Devidas has come to your shelter, O Jagdamba Bhavani, shower your grace.