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 twelfth 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 12 #
सहितमहाहव मल्लमतल्लिक मल्लितरल्लक मल्लरते
विरचितवल्लिक पल्लिकमल्लिक झिल्लिकभिल्लिक वर्गवृते ।
शितकृतफुल्ल समुल्लसितारुण तल्लजपल्लव सल्ललिते
जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥
Sahita-Mahahav Mallama-Tallika Mallita-Rallaka Mallarate
Vira-Chita-Vallika Pallika-Mallika Jhillika-Bhillika Vargavrute
Shita-Kruta-Fulla Samula-Sitaruna Tallaja-Pallava Sallalite
Jay Jay He Mahishasur-Mardini Ramyaka-Pardini Shailasute
Meaning #
O Goddess, who is engaged in the great battle, confronting proud warriors, moving in combat with delightful war dance.
O Goddess, adorned with decorative patterns and ornaments, surrounded by small jasmine flowers, amongst the sound of cricket insects in the forest.
O Goddess, who is radiantly blooming, shining with a dawn/red-like hue, adorned with tender sprouts and leaves, all with a beautiful divine grace.
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 #
सहितमहाहव मल्लमतल्लिक मल्लितरल्लक मल्लरते
Sahita-Mahahav Malla-Matallika Mallita-Rallaka Mallarate
O Goddess, who is engaged in the great battle, confronting proud warriors, moving in combat with delightful war dance.
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सहितमहाहव (Sahita-Mahahava): Accompanied by a great battle
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सह (Saha): Together, Accompanied
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महा (Maha): Great
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हव (Hava): Sound or call, Battle
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मल्लमतल्लिक (Malla-Matallika): Proud Warriors
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मल्ल (Malla): Wrestler, Fighter
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मतल्लिक (Matallika): Proud (descriptor)
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मल्लितरल्लक (Mallita-Rallaka): Wrestling in Movvement
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मल्ल (Malla): Wrestler, Fighter
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तरल्लक (Tarallaka): Moving or Dancing
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मल्लरते (Mallarate): Engaged in Wrestling
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मल्ल (Malla): Wrestler, Fighter
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रते (Rate): Engaged in, Joyful about
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विरचितवल्लिक पल्लिकमल्लिक झिल्लिकभिल्लिक वर्गवृते
Vira-Chita-Vallika Pallika-Mallika Jhillika-Bhillika Vargavrute
O Goddess, adorned with decorative patterns and ornaments, surrounded by small jasmine flowers, amongst the sound of cricket insects in the forest.
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विरचितवल्लिक (Vira-Chita-Vallika): Specially created or composed ornament
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विरचित (Virachita): Specially created or composed
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वि (Vi): Special
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रचित (Rachit): Created
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वल्लिक (Vallika) - A type of vine or creeper, ornamental
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पल्लिकमल्लिक (Pallika-Mallika): Small Jasmine flowers
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पल्लिक (Pallika): Small or young
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मल्लिक (Mallika): Jasmine or white, Wrestler
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झिल्लिकभिल्लिक (Jhillika-Bhillika): Sound of the cricket inscet in the forest
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झिल्लिक (Jhillika): Descriptor or a sound, Cricket
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भिल्लिक (Bhillika): Type of being or creature, Tribal, forest
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वर्गवृते (Vargavrute): Surrounded by groups
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वर्ग (Varga): Class or category
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वृते (Vrute): Involved or engaged
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शितकृतफुल्ल समुल्लसितारुण तल्लजपल्लव सल्ललिते
Shita-Kruta-Fulla Samula-Sitaruna Tallaja-Pallava Sallalite
O Goddess, who is radiantly blooming, shinning with a dawn/red-like hue, adorned with tender sprouts and leaves, all with a beautiful divine grace
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शितकृतफुल्ल (Shita-Kruta-Fulla): Fully blooming brightness
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शित (Shita): Cool or cold, bright, sharp
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कृत (Kruta): Made or created
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फुल्ल (Fulla): Bloomed or blossomed
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समुल्लसितारुण (Samula-Sitaruna): Fully shining having dawn-like brightness
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समुल्लसित (Samullasita): Completely or fully brightened
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आरुण (Aruna): Reddish or dawn-like
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तल्लजपल्लव (Tallaja-Pallava): Newly sprouted tender leaves/sprouts
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तल (Tala): Surface or ground
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लज (Laja): Tender or delicate
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पल्लव (Pallava): Sprout or shoot
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सल्ललिते (Sallalite): With grace or beautifully adorned
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सल (Salla): Elegance or grace
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लिते (Lite): Engaged or involved
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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 30:13 to 33:31 for verse 12
Meaning behind the Mythology of Mahishasura Mardini Stotram #
The verse depicts the wrestler/fighter aspect of Goddess Maa Parvati as a mighty fighter engaged in a battle, depicting her combat powers and martial dance. The verse also describes her natural beauty as a connection with nature, comparing her beauty to the flowers, forest life, insect sounds, seeds, and sprouts.
The verse portrays her divine luminescence by comparing her to dawn and a new life, the emphasis in the verse is on her role in the renewal and regeneration of life, which is a poetic and beautiful composition of words.
Spiritual Meaning #
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Connection with Nature: The imagery of flowers, sounds of crickets, and tender sprouts in the verse illustrates a deep connection with nature. This reflects the belief that spirituality is intertwined with the natural world. It suggests that the divine presence is not only in the heavens but also in the beauty and vitality of the earth, encouraging a harmonious relationship with nature.
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Symbol of Renewal and Regeneration: The descriptions of blooming, radiance, and dawn-like hues signify renewal and rebirth. This spiritual symbolism indicates that just as the goddess brings light and life, individuals can seek transformation and rejuvenation in their spiritual journeys. The verse inspires practitioners to embrace change and cultivate inner growth, akin to the natural cycles of life.
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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