Durga Chalisa

Opening Invocation

या देवी सर्वभुतेषु मातृरूपेण संस्थिता। नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥

Transliteration: Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Matri-rupena Samsthita, Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah.

Meaning: To the Goddess who resides in all beings in the form of the Mother — salutations, salutations, salutations to Her, again and again.

Chaupai (Forty Verses)

नमो नमो दुर्गे सुख करनी। नमो नमो अम्बे दुःख हरनी॥ निराकार है ज्योति तुम्हारी। तिहूं लोक फैली उजियारी॥

शशि ललाट मुख महाविशाला। नेत्र लाल भृकुटी विकराला॥ रूप मातु को अधिक सुहावे। दरश करत जन अति सुख पावे॥

तुम संसार शक्ति लै कीना। पालन हेतु अन्न धन दीना॥ अन्नपूर्णा हुई जग पाला। तुम ही आदि सुन्दरी बाला॥

प्रलयकाल सब नाशन हारी। तुम गौरी शिव शंकर प्यारी॥ शिव योगी तुम्हरे गुण गावें। ब्रह्मा विष्णु तुम्हें नित ध्यावें॥

रुप सरस्वती को तुम धारा। दे सुबुद्धि ॠषि मुनिन उबारा॥ धरा रूप नरसिंह को अम्बा। प्रकट भई फाडकर खम्बा॥

रक्षा करि प्रह्लाद बचायो। हिरण्याक्ष को स्वर्ग पठायो॥ लक्ष्मी रूप धरो जग माहीं। श्री नारायण अंग समाहीं॥

क्षीरसिन्धु में करत विलासा। दयासिन्धु दीजै मन आसा॥ हिंगलाज में तुम्हीं भवानी। महिमा अमित न जात बखानी॥

मातंगी धूमावति माता। भुवनेश्वरि बगला सुखदाता॥ श्री भैरव तारा जग तारिणि। छिन्न भाल भव दुःख निवारिणि॥

केहरि वाहन सोह भवानी। लांगुर वीर चलत अगवानी॥ कर में खप्पर खड्ग विराजे। जाको देख काल डर भागे॥

सोहे अस्त्र और त्रिशूला। जाते उठत शत्रु हिय शुला॥ नगरकोट में तुम्हीं विराजत। तिहूं लोक में डंका बाजत॥

शुंभ निशुंभ दानव तुम मारे। रक्तबीज शंखन संहारे॥ महिषासुर नृप अति अभिमानी। जेहि अघ भार मही अकुलानी॥

रूप कराल कालिका धारा। सैन्य सहित तुम तिहि संहारा॥ परी गाढं संतन पर जब जब। भई सहाय मातु तुम तब तब॥

अमरपूरी अरू बासव लोका। तब महिमा रहें अशोका॥ ज्वाला में है ज्योति तुम्हारी। तुम्हें सदा पूजें नर नारी॥

प्रेम भक्ति से जो यश गावे। दुःख दारिद्र निकट नहिं आवे॥ ध्यावे तुम्हें जो नर मन लाई। जन्म मरण ताको छुटि जाई॥

जोगी सुर मुनि कहत पुकारी। योग न हो बिन शक्ति तुम्हरी॥ शंकर आचारज तप कीनो। काम अरु क्रोध जीति सब लीनो॥

निशिदिन ध्यान धरो शंकर को। काहु काल नहीं सुमिरो तुमको॥ शक्ति रूप को मरम न पायो। शक्ति गई तब मन पछतायो॥

शरणागत हुई कीर्ति बखानी। जय जय जय जगदंब भवानी॥ भई प्रसन्न आदि जगदम्बा। दई शक्ति नहिं कीन विलंबा॥

मोको मातु कष्ट अति घेरो। तुम बिन कौन हरै दुःख मेरो॥ आशा तृष्णा निपट सतावें। मोह मदादिक सब विनशावें॥

शत्रु नाश कीजै महारानी। सुमिरौं इकचित तुम्हें भवानी॥ करो कृपा हे मातु दयाला। ॠद्धि सिद्धि दे करहु निहाला॥

जब लगि जिऊं दया फल पाऊं। तुम्हरो यश मैं सदा सुनाऊं॥ दुर्गा चालीसा जो नित गावै। सब सुख भोग परम पद पावै॥

Closing Doha

देवीदास शरण निज जानी। करहु कृपा जगदम्ब भवानी॥

Transliteration: Devidas Sharan Nij Jani, Karahu Kripa Jagadamb Bhavani.

Meaning: Knowing myself, Devidas, to be under your refuge — show your grace, O Mother of the Universe, Bhavani.

English Translation, Verse by Verse

1. Salutations, salutations to Durga, bestower of happiness; salutations, salutations to Amba, remover of sorrow. Your light is formless, yet it fills all three worlds with radiance.
2. The crescent moon adorns your vast forehead; your red eyes and fierce brows inspire awe. Your form, O Mother, is utterly captivating; those who behold you are filled with great joy.
3. You took up the power to sustain the world, giving grain and wealth for its nourishment. As Annapurna you nourished the world; you are the primordial, beautiful maiden.
4. At the time of dissolution you are the destroyer of all; as Gauri you are beloved of Shiva Shankar. Yogis and Shiva himself sing your praises; Brahma and Vishnu meditate on you constantly.
5. You took the form of Saraswati, granting wisdom and rescuing sages and seers. As Amba you took the form of Narasimha, bursting forth by splitting the pillar.
6. You protected and saved Prahlad, and sent Hiranyakashipu to his fate. You took the form of Lakshmi in this world, dwelling within the form of Narayana.
7. You take your ease in the Ocean of Milk, ocean of compassion, fulfilling the mind’s hopes. At Hinglaj you are Bhavani yourself; your glory is boundless, beyond description.
8. As Matangi and Dhumavati, Bhuvaneshwari and Bagala, you grant happiness. As Bhairavi and Tara you carry the world across; as Chhinnamasta you remove the sorrows of existence.
9. Riding your lion, Bhavani, you shine forth, with the brave Langur marching ahead. In your hands you hold the skull-bowl and sword; seeing you, even death flees in fear.
10. Your weapons and trident shine forth; at their rising, enemies’ hearts are pierced with pain. At Nagarkot you reside; your fame resounds through all three worlds.
11. You slew the demons Shumbha and Nishumbha, and destroyed Raktabija and his army. The proud demon-king Mahishasura, whose sins burdened the earth —
12. — you took the terrifying form of Kalika, and with your army, destroyed him entirely. Whenever devotees have fallen into deep distress, you, Mother, have come to their aid.
13. In the realm of the immortals and Indra’s abode, your glory remains ever radiant. Your light shines even within fire; men and women worship you always.
14. Whoever sings your praise with love and devotion, sorrow and poverty do not come near them. Whoever meditates on you with a focused mind is freed from the cycle of birth and death.
15. Yogis, gods, and sages proclaim that no yoga succeeds without your power. Shankar himself performed penance and conquered desire and anger entirely —
16. — meditating day and night upon Shankar, yet even he could never fully grasp the mystery of your power; realizing this, his mind was humbled.
17. Taking refuge in you, your fame is proclaimed: victory, victory, victory to Jagadamba Bhavani! The primal Mother Jagadamba was pleased, and granted her power without delay.
18. Mother, great troubles surround me; who but you can remove my sorrow? Hopes and cravings torment me deeply — destroy all this delusion and pride.
19. Destroy my enemies, O great queen; I remember you with a single-pointed mind, Bhavani. Show your grace, O compassionate Mother; grant me prosperity and spiritual powers, and make me joyful.
20. As long as I live, may I receive the fruit of your grace; may I always sing your glory. Whoever sings this Durga Chalisa daily attains all happiness and the supreme abode.

How to recite the Durga Chalisa

Choose an unhurried time, sit facing an image of Durga if you have one, and keep a diya only where it is safe. Read the opening invocation, then the forty verses in small groups, and close with the doha. Many devotees recite the Chalisa on Tuesdays and Fridays and every day of Navratri; these customs are meaningful but not compulsory. Listening to a careful recitation helps the rhythm settle, and pronunciation improves with repetition rather than speed.

For a plain-language walkthrough of the verses, read Durga Chalisa meaning and benefits. You can pair the Chalisa with the Durga Beej Mantra or the Kali Mantra, and follow the Navratri puja guide for beginners during the festival. To understand how a chalisa differs from an aarti or a mantra, see aarti, chalisa and mantra explained.

Meaning and traditional benefits

The Durga Chalisa presents the Goddess as both fierce and nurturing — destroyer of demons such as Mahishasura and Raktabija, and the mother who comes to the aid of devotees in distress. Devotees turn to the hymn for courage, protection, and steadiness in hardship. These are devotional associations, not guarantees of a medical, financial, or legal outcome. A prayer practice can support hope and resolve while practical problems still deserve qualified practical help.

Frequently asked questions

How many verses are in the Durga Chalisa?

The central hymn has forty chaupais, framed by an opening invocation and a closing doha. The word chalisa comes from chalis, meaning forty.

When should the Durga Chalisa be recited?

It can be recited on any day. Tuesdays and Fridays are especially associated with the Goddess, and many devotees recite it on each of the nine nights of Navratri.

Who wrote the Durga Chalisa?

It is traditionally attributed to Devidas, whose name appears in the closing doha. As with many devotional hymns, printed versions can differ slightly in wording between regions and households.

Can beginners recite the Durga Chalisa in English?

Yes. English translation helps with understanding and transliteration helps with pronunciation. Studying the Hindi text, transliteration, and English meaning together is a good approach for beginners.