Mahishasur Mardini Stotram: Verse 1

The Mahishasura Mardini Stotram praises the divine power of Goddess Parvati/Durga/Shakti, who triumphs over the buffalo demon Mahishasura, symbolizing the victory of good over evil. It is a devotional hymn that invokes her strength and grace, inspiring devotees to seek her protection and blessings.

It is not only about Goddess Parvati/Durga/Shakti defeating the Mahisasur (buffalo demon), it is more about the multifaceted qualities and praises for the divine feminine power and love.

There are in total 21 verses, having 4 lines(phrases) or 2 sentences each making a total of 84 phrases or 42 sentences.

We will be taking a look at the first verse in this article, the overall meaning, word-by-word meaning, and the meaning behind the verse as what it wants to preach to us.

Verse 1
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अयि गिरिनन्दिनि नन्दितमेदिनि विश्वविनोदिनि नन्दिनुते

गिरिवरविन्ध्यशिरोऽधिनिवासिनि विष्णुविलासिनि जिष्णुनुते ।

भगवति हे शितिकण्ठकुटुम्बिनि भूरिकुटुम्बिनि भूरिकृते

जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ।।

Ayi giri Nandini Nanditamedini Vishwavinodini Nandanute
Giri-Var-Vindhya-Shirodhi-Nivasini Vishnu-Vilasini Jishnunute.

Bhagavati He Shita-Kantha-Kutumbini Bhuri-Kutumbini Bhurikrute
Jay Jay He Mahisasur-Mardini Ramyakapardini Shailasute.

Meaning
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O, Goddess, is the daughter who brings happiness in the mountains, one who brings joy to the earth and happiness to the universe, and who is praised by Nandi, who brings joy and happiness.

O, Goddess, the one who dwells in the peaks of the Vindhya mountains, who brings joy to Lord Vishnu, one who is praised for victory.

O Goddess, the one who is the consort of cold-throated Lord Shiva, one with a great family, one who does so much for the greatness of the world.

Victory, Victory! to the slayer, destroyer of the Buffalo Demon (Mahishasur), victory to the one with the matted hair, to the goddess Daughter of the mountains.

Word By Word Meaning
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अयि (ayi): O (a term of address, often conveying reverence)
गिरिनन्दिनि (girinandini): One who brings happiness in the mountains/who is the daughter of the mountains and brings happiness
- गिरि (giri): mountain
- नन्दिनि (nandini): one who brings joy or happiness (daughter who brings happiness and joy)
नन्दितमेदिनि (nanditamedini): One who brings joy to the earth
- नन्दिता (nandita): celebrated or joyful
- मेदिनी (medini): earth or land
विश्वविनोदिनि (vishvavinodini): One who brings happiness in the universe
- विश्व (vishwa): universe or world
- विनोदानि (vinodani): one who brings joy
नन्दिनुते (nandinute): Famous or Praised for bringing happiness and joy, Praised by Nandi (Bull, devotee of Lord Shiva)
- नन्दि (nandi): Nandi (Bull, Devotee of Lord Shiva)
- नंद (nanda): Happiness, Joy
- उते (ute): in praise of
गिरिवरविन्ध्यशिरोऽधिनिवासिनि (girivaravindhyashiro’dhinivasini): Dwelling in the peaks of the Vindhya mountains
- गिरिवर (girivar): lord of the mountains
- विन्ध्य (vindhya): the Vindhya mountain range
- शिरो (shiro): head or peak
- अधिनिवासिनि (adhinivasini): residing in or dwelling
विष्णुविलासिनि (vishnuvilasini): Enchanting goddess of Vishnu
- विष्णु (Vishnu): the preserver in Hindu trinity
- विलासिनि (vilasini): one who is playful or enchanting
जिष्णुनुते (jishnunute): One praised for victory
- जिष्णु (jishnu): victorious or one who conquers
- उते (ute): in praise of
भगवति (bhagavati): Goddess (a term of reverence for divine beings)
हे (he): O (used to address with respect)
शितिकण्ठकुटुम्बिनि (shitikanthakutumbini): Consort of Shiva
- शितिकण्ठ (shitikantha): one with a cold throat (often associated with Shiva)
- कुटुम्बिनि (kutumbini): one who is a family member or relative
भूरिकुटुम्बिनि (bhoorikutumbini): One with a great family
- भूरी (bhoori): great or abundant
- कुटुम्बिनि (kutumbini): one who is a family member
भूरिकृते (bhoorikrite): For the sake of the great, one who does much for the world
- भूरी (bhoori): great or abundant
- कृते (krte): for the sake of
जय (jaya): Victory!
हे (he): O (a term of address)
महिषासुरमर्दिनि (mahishasuramardini): Destroyer of the buffalo demon
- महिषासुर (mahishasura): the buffalo demon
- मर्दिनि (mardini): one who destroys or defeats
रम्यकपर्दिनि (ramyakapardini): Beautiful goddess with matted hair
- रम्य (ramya): beautiful or charming
- कपर्दिनि (kapardini): one who has matted hair (often associated with asceticism)
शैलसुते (shailasute): Daughter of the mountain
- शैला (shaila): mountain
- सुते (sute): daughter or offspring

Meaning behind the Mythology of Mahishasura Mardini Stotram
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In the context of the Mahishasura Mardini Stotram, this verse serves as an invocation and praise of Goddess Durga in her form as the slayer of the demon Mahishasura. It establishes her divine qualities, connection to nature (mountains), role as a universal mother figure, and supreme power in defeating evil.

The stotram is often recited during Navaratri celebrations and is believed to invoke the Goddess’s blessings and protection. The verse encapsulates the multifaceted nature of the Goddess, highlighting her benevolent aspects as well as her fierce, demon-slaying form.

Listen to Recite
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