Narayan Ravi - Mumbai

Navarathri Shakti Series

Shakti series part 3: Mahishasuramardini Stotra.

'Stotra' means 'that which is sung in praise'. The Mahishasuramardini stotra is a masterpiece by Adi Sankaracharya, composed in 20 Sanskrit verses. It is a powerful, rhythmic invocation to Adi Parashakti in her form as Mahishasuramardini - the one who killed Mahishasura. The entire stotra is a condensed form of the Devi Mahatmya. The Devi Mahatmya contains 700 verses, hence it is also called the Durga Saptashati (Sapta - seven, Shata - 100), & is part of the Markandeya Purana. It is said that whosoever recites the Mahishasuramardini Stotra with full devotion shall receive the same benefit as one would after reading the entire Devi Mahatmya.

1st verse meaning:

O daughter of the mountains (Giri Nandini), one who makes the earth happy (Nandita medini), one who delights the universe (Vishwa vinodini), one who is worshipped by Nanda (Nanda nute. Some versions refer to Devi as 'Nandi nute - one who is worshipped by Nandi the divine bull, the vehicle of Siva),

One who resides on the peak of the Vindhyas (Girivara Vindhya-shirodhini vasini), One who engages in divine cosmic play (Vishnu Vilasini), One who is worshipped by the victorious & those desirous of victory (Jishnu nute).

O Bhagavati, the wife of the blue-throated Shiva(Bhagavati He Shitikantha Kutumbini),

One who has the universe as Her family (Bhoori Kutumbini),

Who creates the universe (Bhoori Krute),

That beautiful daughter of the mountains with matted locks of hair(Ramya - beautiful, Kapardini - having matted hair, Shailasute - daughter of the mountains),

Victory unto you, O killer of Mahishasura! (Jaya jaya he Mahishasuramardini).

May Jagadamba bless one and all. Jai Mata Di