The Shri Durga Chalisa is a 40-verse devotional hymn dedicated to Goddess Durga, the principal form of the Divine Mother in Hinduism. Revered as Mahadevi, she is the embodiment of Shakti, the cosmic energy of creation, preservation, and destruction. Devotees recite this powerful prayer to seek her blessings for protection, courage, and the removal of all suffering.
This guide provides the complete lyrics of the Durga Chalisa in both Hindi (Devanagari) and English (IAST transliteration), along with a detailed verse-by-verse meaning and commentary to help you explore the profound glory and compassion of the Universal Mother.
Benefits of Chanting the Durga Chalisa
Reciting the Durga Chalisa with faith and a pure heart is believed to invoke the Mother’s grace and bestow numerous benefits:
- Protection from Negative Forces: The Chalisa acts as a powerful shield (kavach) against all forms of negativity, including evil spirits, curses, and ill intentions.
- Attainment of Strength and Courage: Meditating on Goddess Durga, the vanquisher of demons, instills fearlessness, courage, and the strength to face life’s adversities.
- Removal of Sufferings: She is the Dukh Harini (remover of sorrow). Chanting her praises helps alleviate physical, mental, and emotional suffering.
- Peace and Prosperity: The presence of the Divine Mother brings peace, harmony, and prosperity to the household. She is the source of all wealth, both material and spiritual.
- Fulfillment of Desires: Sincere devotion and recitation of the Chalisa are said to please the Goddess, who in turn fulfills the righteous desires of her devotees.
Full Lyrics: Shri Durga Chalisa
Here is the complete text of the hymn in Devanagari and English transliteration.
Doha (Introductory Couplet)
नमो नमो दुर्गे सुख करनी। नमो नमो दुर्गे दुःख हरनी॥ Namo namo durge sukha karanī. Namo namo durge duḥkha haranī.
Chaupai (40 Verses)
(Full text of all 40 Chaupais follows in the verse-by-verse section below)
Verse-by-Verse Meaning and Commentary
Doha (Introductory Couplet)
नमो नमो दुर्गे सुख करनी। नमो नमो दुर्गे दुःख हरनी॥
Namo namo durge sukha karanī. Namo namo durge duḥkha haranī.
- Meaning: Salutations again and again to you, O Durga, the bestower of happiness. Salutations again and again to you, O Durga, the remover of sorrow.
- Commentary: The prayer begins with total surrender, acknowledging the Divine Mother’s dual nature: She is the source of all joy and prosperity, and simultaneously the one who removes all suffering and adversity.
Chaupai (Main Verses)
Verse 1:
निरंकार है ज्योति तुम्हारी। तिहूं लोक फैली उजियारी॥ Niraṅkāra hai jyoti tumhārī. Tihuṁ loka phailī ujiyārī.
- Meaning: Your divine light is formless, and its radiance spreads across the three worlds.
- Commentary: This verse describes the Goddess’s ultimate nature as Nirankar (formless), the pure, unmanifested cosmic energy (Shakti) whose brilliance illuminates all realms of existence.
Verse 2:
शशि ललाट मुख महाविशाला। नेत्र लाल भृकुटि विकराला॥ Śaśi lalāṭa mukha mahāviśālā. Netra lāla bhṛkuṭi vikarālā.
- Meaning: Your forehead is like the moon, your face is immense. Your eyes are red and your brow is formidable.
- Commentary: From the formless, the hymn moves to the Goddess’s magnificent form. The moon symbolizes coolness and divine beauty, while the vast face, red eyes, and formidable brow represent her cosmic scale and fierce power to destroy evil.
Verse 3:
रूप मातु को अधिक सुहावे। दरश करत जन अति सुख पावे॥ Rūpa mātu ko adhika suhāve. Daraśa karata jana ati sukha pāve.
- Meaning: The form of the Mother is exceedingly pleasing; by beholding it, devotees attain great joy.
- Commentary: Despite her fierce attributes, the Mother’s form is ultimately a source of immense comfort and bliss for her children (devotees).
Verse 4:
तुम संसार शक्ति लै कीना। पालन हेतु अन्न धन दीना॥ Tuma sansāra śakti lai kīnā. Pālana hetu anna dhana dīnā.
- Meaning: You created the world with your power and provide food and wealth for its sustenance.
- Commentary: This verse acknowledges her as the creative force (Shakti) of the universe and as the sustainer who provides for the material needs of all beings.
Verse 5:
अन्नपूर्णा हुई जग पाला। तुम ही आदि सुन्दरी बाला॥ Annapūrṇā huī jaga pālā. Tuma hī ādi sundarī bālā.
- Meaning: As Annapurna, you nourish the world. You are the primordial, beautiful maiden.
- Commentary: She is identified with Annapurna, the goddess of food and nourishment, and also as the Adi Sundari, the original, eternal beauty of the cosmos.
Verse 6:
प्रलयकाल सब नाशन हारी। तुम गौरी शिवशंकर प्यारी॥ Pralayakāla saba nāśana hārī. Tuma gaurī śivaśaṅkara pyārī.
- Meaning: At the time of cosmic dissolution, you are the destroyer of all. You are Gauri, the beloved of Lord Shiva.
- Commentary: This highlights her role in the cosmic cycle of creation and destruction, and her identity as Gauri/Parvati, the divine consort of Lord Shiva.
Verse 7:
शिव योगी तुम्हरे गुण गावें। ब्रह्मा विष्णु तुम्हें नित ध्यावें॥ Śiva yogī tumhare guṇa gāveṁ. Brahmā viṣṇu tumheṁ nita dhyāveṁ.
- Meaning: Lord Shiva and the yogis sing your virtues. Brahma and Vishnu constantly meditate upon you.
- Commentary: Her supreme status is confirmed as she is worshipped by the entire Hindu trinity—Brahma (the creator), Vishnu (the preserver), and Shiva (the destroyer).
Verse 8:
रूप सरस्वती को तुम धारा। दे सुबुद्धि ऋषि मुनिन उबारा॥ Rūpa sarasvatī ko tuma dhārā. De subud`dhi ṛṣi munina ubārā.
- Meaning: You took the form of Saraswati to grant wisdom and liberate the sages.
- Commentary: The Goddess is not just power but also knowledge. She manifests as Saraswati, the goddess of wisdom, arts, and learning, to enlighten and grant salvation to the wise.
Verse 9:
धरयो रूप नरसिंह को अम्बा। परगट भई फाड़कर खम्बा॥ Dharayo rūpa narasiṁha ko ambā. Paragaṭa bhaī phāṛakara khambā.
- Meaning: O Mother, you assumed the form of Narsingh, emerging by tearing open a pillar.
- Commentary: This verse uniquely attributes the Narsingh (man-lion) avatar, typically associated with Vishnu, to the Divine Mother, showing that all divine forms and powers ultimately emanate from her.
Verse 10:
रक्षा करि प्रह्लाद बचायो। हिरण्याक्ष को स्वर्ग पठायो॥ Rakṣā kari prahlāda bacāyo. Hiraṇyākṣa ko svarga paṭhāyo.
- Meaning: You protected and saved Prahlad, and sent Hiranyakashipu to heaven.
- Commentary: (Note: Traditionally Hiranyakashipu, not Hiranyaksha). By destroying the tyrannical demon king, the Goddess not only saved the devotee Prahlad but also granted liberation (a form of heaven) to the demon.
Verse 11:
लक्ष्मी रूप धरो जग माहीं। श्री नारायण अंग समाहीं॥ Lakṣmī rūpa dharo jaga māhīṁ. Śrī nārāyaṇa aṅga samāhīṁ.
- Meaning: You took the form of Lakshmi in the world, residing with Shri Narayana (Vishnu).
- Commentary: She is also Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, the divine consort of Vishnu, illustrating her presence in all major divine manifestations.
Verse 12:
क्षीरसिन्धु में करत विलासा। दयासिन्धु दीजै मन आसा॥ Kṣīrasindhu meṁ karata vilāsā. Dayāsindhu dījai mana āsā.
- Meaning: You reside playfully in the ocean of milk. O ocean of mercy, fulfill my heart’s desires.
- Commentary: As Lakshmi, she dwells in the cosmic ocean of milk (Kshirsagar). The devotee prays to this merciful aspect to grant their wishes.
Verse 13:
हिंगलाज में तुम्हीं भवानी। महिमा अमित न जात बखानी॥ Hiṅgalāja meṁ tumhīṁ bhavānī. Mahimā amita na jāta bakhānī.
- Meaning: You are Bhavani in Hinglaj. Your glory is boundless and cannot be described.
- Commentary: Hinglaj is a major Shakti Peeth (a sacred shrine to the Goddess). This verse identifies her with the specific deity form worshipped there, emphasizing her omnipresence.
Verse 14:
मातंगी अरु धूमावति माता। भुवनेश्वरी बगला सुख दाता॥ Mātaṅgī aru dhūmāvati mātā. Bhuvaneśvarī bagalā sukha dātā.
- Meaning: You are Mother Matangi and Dhumavati, Bhuvaneshwari and Bagalamukhi, the bestower of happiness.
- Commentary: This verse names four of the ten Mahavidyas (Great Wisdom Goddesses), esoteric and powerful forms of the Divine Mother, showing her mastery over all forms of knowledge and cosmic power.
Verse 15:
श्री भैरव तारा जग तारिणी। छिन्न भाल भव दुःख निवारिणी॥ Śrī bhairava tārā jaga tāriṇī. Chinna bhāla bhava duḥkha nivāriṇī.
- Meaning: You are Shri Bhairavi and Tara, the saviors of the world. As Chhinnamasta, you remove the sorrows of worldly existence.
- Commentary: This continues the invocation of the Mahavidyas. Bhairavi represents fierce power, Tara is the savior, and Chhinnamasta (the self-decapitated one) symbolizes the transcendence of the mind and ego to overcome suffering.
Verse 16:
केहरि वाहन सोह भवानी। लांगुर वीर चलत अगवानी॥ Kehari vāhana soha bhavānī. Lāṅgura vīra calata agavānī.
- Meaning: Your lion vehicle is magnificent, O Bhavani, with the heroic Langur (Hanuman) leading the way.
- Commentary: Her mount, the lion, symbolizes royalty, courage, and the overcoming of animalistic tendencies. Hanuman often serves as her loyal guard, representing perfect devotion in service to the divine feminine power.
Verse 17:
कर में खप्पर खड्ग विराजै। जाको देख काल डर भाजै॥ Kara meṁ khappara khaḍga virājai. Jāko dekha kāla ḍara bhājai.
- Meaning: In your hands, a skull-cup and a sword are radiant. Seeing you, even Time (Death) flees in fear.
- Commentary: Her weapons are not just for physical battle. The sword cuts through ignorance and ego, and the skull-cup symbolizes her transcendence over life and death. Her form is so powerful that she is the master of time and mortality.
Verse 18:
सोहै अस्त्र और त्रिशूला। जाते उठत शत्रु हिय शूला॥ Sohai astra aura triśūlā. Jāte uṭhata śatru hiya śūlā.
- Meaning: Your weapons and trident are magnificent, the sight of which pierces the hearts of your enemies with pain.
- Commentary: The trident, like Shiva’s, represents control over the three realms and three fundamental qualities of existence. The fear it invokes in enemies is the fear of divine justice and the destruction of negativity.
Verse 19:
नगरकोट में तुम्हीं विराजत। तिहुंलोक में डंका बाजत॥ Nagarakoṭa meṁ tumhīṁ virājata. Tihuṁloka meṁ ḍaṅkā bājata.
- Meaning: You reside in Nagarkot, and your victory drum resounds throughout the three worlds.
- Commentary: Nagarkot is another major Shakti Peeth. This verse reaffirms her presence in sacred places on Earth, while her cosmic power and victory are proclaimed everywhere.
Verse 20:
शुंभ निशुंभ दानव तुम मारे। रक्तबीज शंखन संहारे॥ Śuṁbha niśuṁbha dānava tuma māre. Raktabīja śaṅkhana sanhāre.
- Meaning: You killed the demons Shumbha and Nishumbha, and destroyed thousands of Raktabijas.
- Commentary: This references the epic battle described in the Devi Mahatmyam, where she destroyed powerful demons. Raktabija had a boon where every drop of his blood created a clone of himself, symbolizing how negative thoughts and habits multiply. The Goddess had to manifest as Kali to vanquish him.
Verse 21:
महिषासुर नृप अति अभिमानी। जेहि अघ भार मही अकुलानी॥ Mahiṣāsura nṛpa ati abhimānī. Jehi agha bhāra mahī akulānī.
- Meaning: The demon king Mahishasura was extremely arrogant, and the earth was distressed by the burden of his sins.
- Commentary: This introduces her most famous battle against Mahishasura, the buffalo demon, who represents rampant ego, greed, and brute force.
Verse 22:
रूप कराल कालिका धारा। सेन सहित तुम तिहि संहारा॥ Rūpa karāla kālikā dhārā. Sena sahita tuma tihi sanhārā.
- Meaning: You assumed the fearsome form of Kalika and destroyed him along with his army.
- Commentary: To defeat the greatest evils, the Divine Mother manifests in her most terrifying and powerful forms, such as Kali, showing that she will do whatever is necessary to restore dharma.
Verse 23:
परी गाढ़ संतन पर जब जब। भई सहाय मातु तुम तब तब॥ Parī gāṛha santana para jaba jaba. Bhaī sahāya mātu tuma taba taba.
- Meaning: Whenever the saints were in great trouble, you, O Mother, came to their aid every time.
- Commentary: This is a verse of assurance. It promises the devotee that the Divine Mother’s protection is always available to the righteous whenever they are in peril.
Verse 24:
अमरपुरी अरु बासव लोका। तब महिमा सब रहें अशोका॥ Amarapurī aru bāsava lokā. Taba mahimā saba rahaiṁ aśokā.
- Meaning: In the city of the immortals and the abode of Indra, all remain free from sorrow because of your glory.
- Commentary: Even the gods in heaven depend on her power for their peace and security. Her glory is the ultimate source of a sorrow-free existence.
Verse 25:
ज्वाला में है ज्योति तुम्हारी। तुम्हें सदा पूजें नर-नारी॥ Jvālā meṁ hai jyoti tumhārī. Tumheṁ sadā pūjeṁ naranārī.
- Meaning: Your light shines in the sacred flame (at Jwalaji). Men and women always worship you.
- Commentary: Jwalaji, another Shakti Peeth where a natural flame perpetually burns, is cited as a direct physical manifestation of her divine light on Earth.
Verse 26:
प्रेम भक्ति से जो यश गावें। दुःख दारिद्र निकट नहिं आवें॥ Prema bhakti se jo yaśa gāveṁ. Duḥkha dāridra nikaṭa nahiṁ āveṁ.
- Meaning: Those who sing your praises with love and devotion will not be approached by sorrow or poverty.
- Commentary: This begins the Phalashruti (description of benefits). The first promise is freedom from both internal suffering (duhkha) and external lack (daridra).
Verse 27:
ध्यावे तुम्हें जो नर मन लाई। जन्म-मरण ताकौ छुटि जाई॥ Dhyāve tumheṁ jo nara mana lāī. Janma-maraṇa tākau chuṭi jāī.
- Meaning: The person who meditates on you with a devoted heart is freed from the cycle of birth and death.
- Commentary: The ultimate benefit is offered: Moksha, or liberation from the endless cycle of reincarnation, through sincere meditation on her form.
Verse 28:
जोगी सुर मुनि कहत पुकारी। योग न हो बिन शक्ति तुम्हारी॥ Jogī sura muni kahata pukārī. Yoga na ho bina śakti tumhārī.
- Meaning: Yogis, gods, and sages proclaim that yoga (union with the divine) is not possible without your power (Shakti).
- Commentary: This verse states a core principle of Shaktism: that Shakti, the divine feminine energy, is the active force through which all spiritual progress and union with the formless divine (Shiva/Brahman) is achieved.
Verse 29:
शंकर आचारज तप कीनो। काम अरु क्रोध जीति सब लीनो॥ Śaṅkara ācāraja tapa kīno. Kāma aru krodha jīti saba lino.
- Meaning: The great teacher Shankaracharya performed great austerities and conquered all desire and anger.
- Commentary: This begins a short, allegorical story about the great philosopher Adi Shankaracharya. It describes his immense spiritual discipline through which he gained mastery over his base emotions like lust (kama) and anger (krodha).
Verse 30:
निशिदिन ध्यान धरो शंकर को। काहु काल नहिं सुमिरो तुमको॥ Niśidina dhyāna dharo śaṅkara ko. Kāhu kāla nahiṁ sumiro tumako.
- Meaning: He meditated on Lord Shankar day and night, but never remembered you (as Shakti).
- Commentary: The story suggests that Shankaracharya initially focused exclusively on the formless, masculine aspect of the divine (Shiva/Shankar), the pure consciousness, while neglecting the active, feminine energy (Shakti/the Goddess) from which all power flows.
Verse 31:
शक्ति रूप का मरम न पायो। शक्ति गई तब मन पछितायो॥ Śakti rūpa kā marama na pāyo. Śakti gaī taba mana pachitāyo.
- Meaning: He did not understand the secret of your form as Shakti. When his power left him, his mind repented.
- Commentary: Because he failed to grasp the essential secret (maram) that consciousness (Shiva) is inert without its power (Shakti), he lost all his spiritual power. This loss led to deep repentance, as he realized his understanding was incomplete.
Verse 32:
शरणागत हुई कीर्ति बखानी। जय जय जय जगदम्ब भवानी॥ Śaraṇāgata huī kīrti bakhānī. Jaya jaya jaya jagadamba bhavānī.
- Meaning: Taking refuge, he praised your glory, crying, “Victory, victory, victory to you, Jagadamba Bhavani!”
- Commentary: This is the turning point in the story, where surrender and praise become the path to regaining divine grace.
Verse 33:
भई प्रसन्न आदि जगदम्बा। दई शक्ति नहिं कीन विलम्बा॥ Bhaī prasanna ādi jagadambā. Daī śakti nahiṁ kīna vilambā.
- Meaning: The primordial World Mother was pleased and, without delay, restored his power.
- Commentary: This concludes the story about the great philosopher Adi Shankaracharya. It emphasizes the inseparability of consciousness and energy.
Verse 34:
मोको मातु कष्ट अति घेरो। तुम बिन कौन हरै दुःख मेरो॥ Moko mātu kaṣṭa ati ghero. Tuma bina kauna harai duḥkha mero.
- Meaning: O Mother, I am surrounded by great suffering. Who but you can remove my sorrow?
- Commentary: The prayer now shifts from narration to a direct, personal plea from the devotee to the Divine Mother, expressing a state of helplessness.
Verse 35:
आशा तृष्णा निपट सतावें। रिपू मुरख मौही डरपावे॥ Āśā tṛṣṇā nipaṭa satāveṁ. Ripū murakha mauhī ḍarapāve.
- Meaning: Hope and craving constantly torment me; foolish enemies frighten me.
- Commentary: The devotee specifies the internal afflictions (hope and desire) and external threats from which they seek liberation.
Verse 36:
शत्रु नाश कीजै महारानी। सुमिरौं इकचित तुम्हें भवानी॥ Śatru nāśa kījai mahārānī. Sumirauṁ ikacita tumheṁ bhavānī.
- Meaning: Destroy my enemies, O Great Queen! I remember you, Bhavani, with a one-pointed mind.
- Commentary: This is a direct prayer for protection and a vow of single-pointed devotion.
Verse 37:
करो कृपा हे मातु दयाला। ऋद्धि-सिद्धि दै करहु निहाला॥ Karo kṛpā he mātu dayālā. Ṛd
dhi-siddhi dai karahu nihālā.
- Meaning: Be merciful, O compassionate Mother! Grant me prosperity and spiritual powers and make me blissful.
- Commentary: The devotee asks for both material well-being (Riddhi – prosperity) and spiritual attainment (Siddhi – powers/perfection).
Verse 38:
जब लगि जिऊं दया फल पाऊं। तुम्हरो यश मैं सदा सुनाऊं॥ Jaba lagi jiūṁ dayā phala pāūṁ. Tumharo yaśa maiṁ sadā sunāūṁ.
- Meaning: As long as I live, may I receive the fruit of your grace, and may I always sing of your glory.
- Commentary: The devotee makes a vow of lifelong devotion, promising to eternally sing the praises of the Divine Mother in return for her continuous grace.
Verse 39:
दुर्गा चालीसा जो कोई गावै। सब सुख भोग परमपद पावै॥ Durgā cālīsā jo koī gāvai. Saba sukha bhoga paramapada pāvai.
- Meaning: Whoever sings this Durga Chalisa will enjoy all happiness and attain the supreme state.
- Commentary: This verse states the ultimate promise of the Chalisa: that its recitation leads not only to worldly joy but also to the supreme state of liberation (paramapada).
Verse 40:
देवीदास शरण निज जानी। करहु कृपा जगदम्ब भवानी॥ Devīdāsa śaraṇa nija jānī. Karahu kṛpā jagadamba bhavānī.
- Meaning: Knowing Devidas to be in your refuge, bestow your grace, O Mother of the World, Bhavani.
- Commentary: The author, Devidas, concludes by placing himself under the Mother’s protection, making the prayer a personal and heartfelt offering of surrender.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Who wrote the Durga Chalisa? The Durga Chalisa was composed by a devotee named Devidas, whose name is mentioned in the final verse of the hymn.
- When is the best time to recite the Durga Chalisa? It is considered highly auspicious to recite the Durga Chalisa during Navratri, the nine-night festival dedicated to the Goddess. It is also traditionally chanted on Fridays. However, it can be recited daily, especially in the morning, for protection and peace.
- What does “Durga” mean? The name “Durga” in Sanskrit means a fort or a place that is difficult to overrun. It symbolizes her role as a protector who shields her devotees from all dangers, making them invincible.