Lord Durga

Goddess Durga is one of the most popular goddesses in Hindu religion. She is the Divine Mother and representation of compassion, strength, morality and protection. She protects her devotees from evil powers and safeguards them. It is believed that Goddess Durga is said to be the combined form of powers of Goddess Laxmi, Goddess Kali and Goddess Saraswati.

"Na Mantram Na Yantram Tadapi Cha Na Jane Stutimaho Na Chavhanam Dhyanam Tadapi Cha Na Jane Stutikathah

Na Jane Mudraste Tadapi Cha Na Jane Vilapanam Param Jane Matastvadanusaranam Kleshaharanam"

In this Prayer the Devotee addresses Durga as Maa (which means Mother) and tells her that he does not know any prayer, mantra or any magic summons for Durga. He also admits his ignorance that he does not know how to meditate on Goddess Durga nor does he know much about her story and glory or the various postures of Durga. He further says that he is seeking shelter and protection from Maa Durga as following her command will definitely put an end to all his sufferings. In most of the prayers to Goddess Durga ,the person reciting addresses himself as an incompetent and ignorant who only knows that that if he prays her, she will offer her unconditional help to him and save him from all his miseries by giving him courage and strength for facing all troubles. Goddess Durga is respected and referred as the mother of whole of the world and all nature who protects her children from all troubles. How much ever a son/daughter be bad, can a mother be cruel and hate or leave her own child? The Durga mantra is the one which has in it the best way of reaching towards the motherly Goddess Durga who would never let her children down. Maa Durga is that Mother to whom we can have a soul talk about our sufferings and troubles and ask for mercy and forgiveness if one has done a wrong deed and be rest assured that Durga Maa will never let you to be in distress.

There are several mantras for Goddess Durga but the Mantra

"Om Sri Durgaya Namah"is the most simple and easy mantra to remember. It is believed that by chanting this mantra regularly the Universal Mother would remove all the physical, mental, economic problems in our life. Some other Mantras of Maa Durga are

"AUM AING HRING KLEENG CHAMUNDAYE VICHCHEY AUM"

"Ya devi sarvabhuteshu, shakti rupena samshthitha Namasteshwai Namasteshwai Namasteshwai namo namaha".

Durga Chalisa

NAMO NAMO DURGE SUKH KARANI
NAMO NAMO AMBE DUKH HARANI

The radiance of your light is limitless and all pervading and all the three realms(Earth, Heaven And the Nether World) are enlightened by Thee

SHASHI LALAT MUKH MAHA VISHALA
NETRA LAL BHRIKOUTEE VIKARALA

Your face is like the moon and mouth very huge. Your eyes shine with a red glow and You have a Frightening frown

ROOP MATOU KO ADHIK SOUHAVE
DARSHA KARATA JANA ATI SOUKH PAVE

O Mother. Your look is enchanting, the very sight of which ensures welfare of the devout

TOUM SANSAR SHAKTI LAYA KEENA
PALANA HEYTU ANNA DHAN DEENA

All the powers of the World repose in Thee and it is You who provides food and wealth for the World's survival

ANNAPOORNA HOUI JAG PALA
TUMHI ADI SUNDARI BALA

Like the feeding Mother Annapoorna, You nurture the whole universe and You are the one Who appears like the timeless Bala Sundari (young girl of extreme beauty)

PRALAYAKALA SAB NASHANA HARI
TOUM GOWRI SHIV SHANKAR PYARI

At the time of dissolution, it is You, O Mother, who destroys everything. You are the beloved Consort of Lord Shiva, Gowri (Parvati)

SHIV YOGI TUMHRE GUN GAVEIN
BRAHMA VISHNU TUMHEIN NIT DHYAVEIN

Lord Shiva and all yogis always chant your praise. Brahma, Vishnu and all other Gods ever meditate on You

ROOP SARASWATI KO TOUM DHARA
DEY SUBUDDHI RISHI MUNINA UBARA

You appear in the form of Goddess Saraswati too, to grant wisdom to the sages and thus ensure their Welfare

DHARYO ROOP NARSIMHA KO AMBA
PRAGAT BHAYI PHAR KAR KHAMBA

O Mother Amba! It was You who appeared in the form of Narsimha, sundering the pillar

RAKSHA KARI PRAHLAD BACHAYO
HIRANYAYKSH KO SWARGA PATHAYO

Thus You saved Prahlad and Hiranyakashyap also went to Heaven as he was killed by your Hands

LAKSHMI ROOP DHARO JAG MAHIN
SHREE NARAYAN ANGA SAMAHIN

In the form of Goddess Lakshmi, O Mother, you appear in this world and repose by the side of Shree Narayan

KSHEER SINDHU MEIN KARAT VILASA
DAYA SINDHU DEEJEY MAN ASA

Dwelling in the ocean of milk, O Goddess, with Lord Vishnu, please fulfill my desires.

HINGALAJA MEIN TOUMHI BHAVANI
MAHIMA AMIT NA JAT BAKHANI

O Bhavani, the famous Goddess of Hingalaja is no one else but You Yourself. Illimitable is your Glory, defying description

MATANGI DHOOMAWATI MATA
BHUVANESHWARI BAGALA SUKHDATA

You are yourself Matangi and Dhoomavati Mata. It is You who appear as Bhuvaneshwari and Bagalamukhi Devi to bestow happiness to all

SHREE BHAIRAV TARA JAG TARANI
CHHINNA BHALA BHAVA DUKH NIVARINI

It is You who redeem the world, appearing in the form of Shree Bhairavi, Taradevi and Chhinnamasta Devi, and end its sorrows

KEHARI VAHAN SOHA BHAVANI
LANGOUR VEER CHALATA AGAVANI

Reposing gracefully upon your vehicle, O Goddess Bhavani, You are welcome by the brave Langour (Lord Hanuman)

KAR MEIN KHAPPAR KHADGA VIRAJEY
JAKO DEKH KAL DAR BHAJEY

When You appear in the form of Goddess Kali, with sword in one hand and a copal in the other, Even Time flees in panic

SOHE ASTRA AUR TRISHULA
JASE OUTHATA SHATRU HIYA SHOOLA

Beholding You, well armed, with a Trident in your hand, the enemy's heart aches with the sting Of fear

NAGARKOT MEIN TOUMHI VIRAJAT
TIHOUN LOK MEIN DANKA BAJAT

You also repose in the form of Devi at Nagarkot in Kangara. Thus all the three realms shudder in the might of your glory

SHUMBH NISHUMBH DANUJ TOUM MARE
RAKTA BEEJ SHANKHANA SANGHARE

You slayed the demons like Shumbh & Nishumb and massacred the thousand forms of the dreaded Demon Raktabeej

MAHISHASUR NRIP ATI ABHIMANI
JEHI AGH BHAR MAHI AKOULANI

When the earth was severely distressed bearing the load of the sins of the arrogant Mahishasur

ROOP KARAL KALIKA DHARA
SEN SAHITA TOUM TIN SAMHARA

You assumed the dreadful form of Goddess Kali and massacred him along with his army

PARI GARH SANTANA PAR JAB JAB
BHAYI SAHAY MATOU TOUM TAB TAB

Thus, whenever the noble saints were distressed, it is You O Mother, who came to their rescue.

AMARPURI ARU BASAV LOKA
TAB MAHIMA SAB RAHEY ASHOKA

All the realms including the Amarpuri (divine realm) remain sorrowless and happy by Your Grace. O Goddess!

JWALA MEIN HAI JYOTI TOUMHARI
TOUMHEIN SADA POOJEY NAR NARI

It is the symbol of Your glory that is burning brightly at Shree JwalaJi. All men and women Ever worship You, O Mother!

PREM BHAKTI SE JO YASH GAVE
DUKH DARIDRA NIKAT NAHIN AVE

He who sings Your glory with devotion, love, and sincerity remains beyond the reach of grief And poverty

DHYAVE TOUMHEIN JO NAR MAN LAYI
JANMA MARAN TAKO CHHOUTI JAYI

He who meditates upon Your form with concentration goes beyond the cycle of births and deaths

JOGI SUR MUNI KAHAT POUKARI
JOG NA HO BINA SHAKTI TOUMHARI

All the yogis, gods and sages openly declare that without your favor one can't establish communion with God

SHANKARA ACHARAJ TAP ATI KEENHO
KAM KRODH JEET SAB LEENHO

Shankaracharya had performed once a special penance called Aacharaj and by virtue of which he had subdued his anger and desire

NISHIDIN DHYAN DHARO SHANKAR KO
KAHOU KAL NAHIN SOUMIRO TOUMKO

He ever worshipped Lord Shankar and never for a moment concentrated his mind on You

SHAKTI ROOP KO MARAM NA PAYO
SHAKTI GAYI TAB MAN PACHITAYO

Since He did not realize your immense glory, all His powers waned and then He repented hitherto

SHARNAGAT HOUYI KIRTI BAKHANI
JAI JAI JAI JAGADAMBA BHAVANI

Then He sought refuge in You, chanted Your glory and 'victory, victory, victory to Thee, O Jagadamba Bhavani'

BHAYI PRASANNA ADI JAGADAMBA
DAYI SHAKTI NAHIN KEEN VILAMBA

Then, O Primal Goddess Jagadamba Ji, You were propitiated and in no time You bestowed Him with his lost powers

MAUKON MATOU KASHTA ATI GHERO
TOUM BIN KAUN HAREY DUKH MERO

O Mother! Severe afflictions distress me and no one except Your Honored Self can provide relief please end my afflictions

ASHA TRISHNA NIPAT SATAVEIN
MOHA MADADIK SAB BINSHAVEIN

Hopes and longings ever torture me. All sorts of passions and lust ever torment my heart

SHATRU NASH KIJEY MAHARANI
SOUMIRON IKCHIT TOUMHEIN BHAVANI

O Goddess Bhavani! I meditate only upon you Please kill my enemies O Queen!

KARO KRIPA HEY MATOU DAYALA
RIDDHI SIDDHI DEY KARAHOU NIHALA

O Merciful Mother! Show me your favor and make me feel happy by bestowing me with all sorts of riches and powers

JAB LAGI JIYOUN DAYA PHAL PAOUN
TOUMHRO YASH MEIN SADA SOUNAOUN

O Mother! May I be respectable of Your grace as long as I live, ever recounting the feats of Your Glory to all

DURGA CHALISA JO NAR GAVEY
SAB SOUKH BHOG PARAMPAD PAVEY

This way, whoever sings this Durga Chalisa shall ever enjoy all sorts of pleasures and shall attain the highest state in the end

DEVIDAS SHARAN NIJ JANI
KARAHOUN KRIPA JAGADAMBA BHAVANI

Deeming Devidas to have sought Your shelter, O Bhavani, grant me Your favor.
JAI MAA BHAGWATI !