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 thirteenth 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 13 #
अविरलगण्ड गलन्मदमेदुर मत्तमतङ्ग जराजपते
त्रिभुवनभुषण भूतकलानिधि रूपपयोनिधि राजसुते ।
अयि सुदतीजन लालसमानस मोहन मन्मथराजसुते
जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥
Avirala-Ganda Galanda-Medura Matta-Matanga Jara-Japate
Tribhuvana-Bhushana Bhuta-Kalanidihi Rupa-Payonidhi Rajasute
Ayi Sudatejana Lala-Samanasa Mohana Manmatha-Rajasute
Jay Jay He Mahishasur-Mardini Ramyaka-Pardini Shailasute
Meaning #
O Goddess, one who intoxicated the neck of elephants in the war, makes them go crazy in the war, this makes the elephants in the army even the King of Elephants uncontrollable on the battlefield.
O Goddess, who has the ornaments of the three worlds, the treasury of the elements and arts, the ocean of beauty, the daughter of the king (Maa Parvati)
O Goddess, who enchants the minds of beautiful people, the people with minds filled with desires, like the daughter of the god of love, such is the daughter of the King (Maa Parvati)
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 #
अविरलगण्ड गलन्मदमेदुर मत्तमतङ्ग जराजपते
Avirala-Ganda Galanmada-Medura Matta-Matanga Jara-Japate
O Goddess, one who intoxicated the neck of elephants in the war, makes them go crazy in the war, this makes the elephants in the army even the King of Elephants uncontrollable on the battlefield.
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अविरलगण्ड (Avirala-Ganda): Continuous or unbroken Head of an elephant
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अ (A): Not
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विरल (Virala): Sparse, Separated
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गण्ड (Ganda): Head or a prominent feature of an elephant
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गलन्मदमेदुर (Galanmada-Medura): Intoxicated neck by pleasing (in this case intoxicating the neck of the elephant before a war)
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गल (Gala): throat or neck
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मदम (Madam): intoxication or pride
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मेधुर (Medur): sweet or pleasing.
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मत्तमतङ्ग (Mata-Matanga): Mad, drunk, or Intoxicated Elephant
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मत्त (Matta): intoxicated or mad.
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मतङ्ग (Matang): elephant (often used metaphorically for grandeur or power).
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जराजपते (Jarajapate): Lord of Kings in this case Elephants
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जराज (Jaraja): King
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पति (Pati): Lord
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त्रिभुवनभुषण भूतकलानिधि रूपपयोनिधि राजसुते ।
Tribhuvana-Bhushana Bhuta-Kalanidihi Rupa-Payonidhi Rajasute
O Goddess, who has the ornaments of the three worlds, the treasury of the elements and arts, the ocean of beauty, the daughter of the king (Maa Parvati)
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त्रिभुवनभुषण (Tribhuvana-Bhushana): Ornaments of the three worlds
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त्रिभुवन (Tribhuvana): Three worlds
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भुषण (Bhushana): Ornaments
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भूतकलानिधि (Bhuta-Kala-Nidhi): Treasury of all elements and arts
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भूत (Bhuta): Elements or Beings
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कला (Kala): Art, Phases
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निधि (Nidhi): Treasure
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रूपपयोनिधि (Rupapayo-Nidhi): Treasure of nectar or essence or beauty
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रूप (Rupa): Form or beauty
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पय (Paya): Milk or essence
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निधि (Nidhi): Treasure
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राजसुते (Rajasute): Daughter of the King (Princess)
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राज (Rāja): King or royal
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सुते (Sute): Daughter
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अयि सुदतीजन लालसमानस मोहन मन्मथराजसुते
Ayi Sudatejana Lala-Samanasa Mohana Manmatha-Rajasute
O Goddess, who enchants the minds of beautiful people, the people with minds filled with desires, like the daughter of the god of love, such is the daughter of the King (Maa Parvati)
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अयि (Ayi): O (a term of address, often conveying reverence)
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सुदतीजन (Sudatijana): Beautiful smiling people
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सुदती (Sudati): Beautiful or graceful maiden
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जन (Jana): People or beings
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लालसमानस (Lalasa-Manasa): Minds filled with desire
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लालसा (Lalasa): Longing or desire
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मानस (Manasa): Mind or heart
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मोहन (Mohana): Enchanting or Captivating
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मन्मथराजसुते (Manmatha-Rajasute): Daughter of the king, captivating like a daughter of god of love
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मन्मथ (Manmatha): Another name for Kamadeva, the god of love
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राजसुते (Rajasute): Daughter of the King (Maa Parvati)
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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 33:31 to 36:01 for verse 13
Meaning behind the Mythology of Mahishasura Mardini Stotram #
The verse describes the uncontrollable form of Maa Durga while comparing that to the uncontrollable or intoxicated elephants on the battlefield, it shows the effects of ego and pride that the Goddess carries while defeating the enemies. This indicates the dual effect of ego and pride with the right intentions, she uses her uncontrollable anger and rage to get rid of evil and bad thoughts.
The verse also describes her as the beautiful and charming princess of a daughter with her mastery over art, beauty, and war.
Spiritual Meaning #
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Control over pride and ego: The imagery of the Goddess intoxicating the heads of elephants symbolizes her immense power and control. Just as the elephants are rendered uncontrollable in battle, the verse suggests that the Goddess channels her pride and fierce energy to conquer evil. This duality highlights the spiritual lesson that true strength lies in mastering one’s ego and using that power for righteous purposes. It teaches that ego when aligned with divine intention, can be a tool for overcoming negativity.
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Embracing the divine arts: The verses’ references to the Goddess convey that the divine encompasses all forms of beauty and creativity. This points to a spiritual truth: the divine is present in all aspects of life, from the natural world to artistic expression. It encourages us to recognize the sacredness of beauty and art, reminding us that creativity is a manifestation of the divine.
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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