Mahishasur Mardini Stotram #
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.
Mahishasur Mardini Stotram was composed by Adi Shankara, who is mentioned in the 53rd chapter of the first portion of the Shivarahasya Purana.
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 tenth 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 10 #
जय जय जप्य जयेजयशब्द परस्तुति तत्परविश्वनुते
झणझणझिञ्झिमि झिङ्कृत नूपुरशिञ्जितमोहित भूतपते ।
नटित नटार्ध नटी नट नायक नाटितनाट्य सुगानरते
जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥
Jaya Jaya Japya Jaye-Jaya-Shabda Parastuti Tatpara-Vishwanute
Jhana-Jhana-Jhim-Jhimi Jhinkruta Nupura-Shinjita-Mohita Bhutapate
Natita Natardha Nati Nata Nayak Natita-Natya Suganarate
Jay Jay He Mahishasur Mardini Ramyaka-Pardini Shailasute
Meaning #
Victory! Victory to the Goddess who is worthy of being praised with victorious chants, who receives the praises from the devoted universe
The melodious tinkling and jingling sounds of her anklets enchant even the Lord of beings (Lord Shiva)
The Goddess performs the cosmic dance with the Lord of Dance (Shiva), being both the dancer and the half-dancer as the Ardhanareshwar form of Shiva-Shakti. One who leads the dramatic performance while delighting in the beautiful songs.
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 #
जय जय जप्य जयेजयशब्द परस्तुति तत्परविश्वनुते
Jaya Jaya Japya Jaye-Jaya-Shabda Parastuti Tatpara-Vishwanute
Victory! Victory to the Goddess who is worthy of being praised with victorious chants, who receives the praises from the devoted universe
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जय (Jaya): Victory, hailing in praises
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जप्य (Japya): To chant, repeat
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जयेजयशब्द (Jaye-Jaya-Shabda): With sounds of Victory
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जय (Jaya): Victory
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शब्द (Shabda): Word or sound
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परस्तुति (Parastuti): Supreme Praise or Worship
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पर (Para): Beyond, transcendent, Highest, Supreme
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स्तुति (Stuti): Praise or worship
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तत्परविश्वनुते (Tatpara-Vishwanute): Praised by the devoted universe
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तत् (Tat): That
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पर (Para): Focused or devoted
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विश्व (Vishva): Universal or all-encompassing
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नुते (Nute): Acknowledged or praised
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झणझणझिञ्झिमि झिङ्कृत नूपुरशिञ्जितमोहित भूतपते
Jhana-Jhana-Jhim-Jhimi Jhinkruta Nupura-Shinjita-Mohita Bhutapate
The melodious tinkling and jingling sounds of her anklets enchant even the Lord of beings (Lord Shiva)
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झणझणझिञ्झिमि (Jhana-Jhana-Jhim-Jhimi): Melodious tingling sound of anklets
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झण (Jhana): A sound or noise, often associated with anklets.
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झिञ्झिमि (Jhim-Jhimi): Tinkling or chiming; suggests a melodious sound
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झिङ्कृत (Jhinkruta): Refers to being made or caused to make a sound, often related to musical instruments or bells.
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नूपुरशिञ्जितमोहित (Nupur-Shinjita-Mohita): Enchanting or captivating with the tinkling of anklets
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नूपुर (Nupur): Anklet; often worn by women, it produces a tinkling sound when walking.
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शिञ्जित (Shinjita): Adorned or decorated; can also imply being influenced or enchanted.
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मोहित (Mohita): Enchanted, captivated, or mesmerized.
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भूतपते (Bhutapate): Lord of all the beings and spirits (Lord Shiva)
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भूत (Bhuta): Beings or spirits; can refer to the past or elements.
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पते (Pate): Lord or master.
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नटित नटार्ध नटी नट नायक नाटितनाट्य सुगानरते
Natita Natardha Nati Nata Nayak Natita-Natya Suganarate
The Goddess performs the cosmic dance with the Lord of Dance (Shiva, being both the dancer and the half-dancer as the Ardhanareshwar form of Shiva-Shakti. One who leads the dramatic performance while delighting in the beautiful songs.
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नटित (Natita): Danced or performed
- नट (Nata): Dancer or performer; refers to someone who performs, especially in classical dance
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नटार्ध (Natardha):
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नट (Nata): Dancer or performer.
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आर्ध (Ardha): Half or partial, can refer to a half-dancer or one who embodies part of a dancer’s qualities, here it indicates the Ardhanareshwar form of Shiva/Shakti
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नटी (Nati): Female dancer or actress; a term often used to denote a woman in the performing arts
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नट (Nata): Reiterated here, emphasizing the male dancer or performer
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नायक (Nayaka): Hero or leader; in the context of performing arts, it refers to the main character or protagonist.
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नाटितनाट्य (Natita-Natya): Related to drama or play; indicates something that has been performed or enacted
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सुगानरते (Suganarate): In the pleasure of good music, delighted by beautiful singing
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सु (Su): Good or beautiful
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गान (Gāna): Song or music
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रते (Rate): In joy or in pleasure
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जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते
Jay Jay He Mahishasur Mardini Ramyaka-Pardini Shailasute
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.
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जय (jaya): Victory!
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हे (he): O (a term of address)
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महिषासुरमर्दिनि (mahishasuramardini): Destroyer of the buffalo demon
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महिषासुर (mahishasura): the buffalo demon
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मर्दिनि (mardini): one who destroys or defeats
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रम्यकपर्दिनि (ramyakapardini): Beautiful goddess with matted hair
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रम्य (ramya): beautiful or charming
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कपर्दिनि (kapardini): one who has matted hair (often associated with asceticism)
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शैलसुते (shailasute): Daughter of the mountain
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शैला (shaila): mountain
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सुते (sute): daughter or offspring
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A beautiful explanation of the verse in Hindi
- From 24:29 to 27:50 for verse 10
Meaning behind the Mythology of Mahishasura Mardini Stotram #
The verse celebrates the Goddess’s joy in dance and music, showcasing a beautiful composition of words and sound effects in a hymn. It depicts the victorious chants of the Goddess, to which the entire universe devotes itself. The enchanting sounds of her dancing anklets captivate even Lord Shiva and his devoted spirits.
Additionally, the verse references the Ardhanarishvara form of Shiva-Shakti, representing both aspects in unity. It describes this form as a complete dancer, fully immersed in divine music.
Spiritual Meaning #
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Power in Devotion: The verses highlight the collective participation of the universe in the worship of the Goddess. This emphasizes the idea that true devotion transcends individual identities and brings all beings together in a shared spiritual journey, reflecting the interconnectedness of all life.
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Importance of Dance: The imagery of the Goddess’s dance symbolizes the dynamic nature of creation and the universe itself. Just as her movements and music enchant and captivate, they represent the ongoing dance of existence, where the divine manifests through rhythm, creativity, and joy.
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Balance of Energies: The mention of the Ardhanarishvara form, which embodies both Shiva and Shakti, underscores the importance of balance between masculine and feminine energies. This balance is essential for spiritual wholeness, reminding us that both aspects are vital to the divine and to our own spiritual growth.
Listen to Recite #
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.
References #
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