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 fourteenth 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 14 #
कमलदलामल कोमलकान्ति कलाकलितामल भाललते
सकलविलास कलानिलयक्रम केलिचलत्कल हंसकुले ।
अलिकुलसङ्कुल कुवलयमण्डल मौलिमिलद्बकुलालिकुले
जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥
Kamaladalamal KomalaKanti Kalakalitamala Bhalalate
SakalaVilasa Kalanilayakrama Kelichalatkala Haunsakule
Alikulasankula KuvalayaMandala MauliMilidbakulalikule
Jay Jay He Mahishasur-Mardini Ramyaka-Pardini Shailasute
Meaning #
O Goddess, your radiant forehead, adorned with delicate beauty and pure artistry, shines forth like a lotus in full bloom.
O Goddess, the all-encompassing realm of beauty and creativity unfolds in a graceful sequence, echoed within the noble lineage of swans.
Your crown blossoms, attracting the thronging family of bees, much like the fragrant flowers of the Bakula tree.
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 #
कमलदलामल कोमलकान्ति कलाकलितामल भाललते
Kamaladalamal KomalaKanti Kalakalitamala Bhalalate
O Goddess, your radiant forehead adorned with delicate beauty and pure artistic craftsmanship, shines like a lotus.
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कमलदलामल (Kamal-Dal-Amala): Pure like Lotus Petals
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कमल (Kamala): Lotus
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दल (Dala): Petal
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अमल (Amala): Pure
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कोमलकान्ति (Komala-Kanti): Delicate and radiating beauty
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कोमल (Komala): Delicate, soft
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कान्ति (Kanti): Beauty, radiance
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कलाकलितामल (Kala-Kali-Tamala): Purely crafted Arts, Pure Artistic Creation
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कला (Kala): Art, skill
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कलित (Kalita): Crafted, created
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अमल (Amal): Pure, spotless
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भाललते (Bhalalate): Radiant forehead, shining brow
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भाल (Bhala): forehead
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लते (Late): Vine or creeper (here it implies a form of adornment or beauty)
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सकलविलास कलानिलयक्रम केलिचलत्कल हंसकुले
SakalaVilasa Kalanilayakrama Kelichalatkala Haunsakule
O Goddess, the all-encompassing realm of beauty and art is played out in the sequence of artistic expression, within the noble family of swans.
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सकलविलास (Sakala-Vilasa): All-encompasing beauty, complete enjoyment
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सकल (Sakala): All or complete
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विलास (Vilasa): Enjoyment, elegance, beauty
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कलानिलयक्रम (Kala-Nilaya-Krama): Sequence of artistic expression or abode, Order of the beautiful abode
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कला (Kala): Art, skill
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निलय (Nilaya): Abode, place
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क्रम (Krama): Sequence, order
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केलिचलत्कल (Keli-Chaalatkala): Dynamic Play of Art, Beautiful moment
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केलि (Keli): Play, sport
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चलत (Chalita): Moving, in motion
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कल (Kal): Art, beauty
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हंसकुले (Haunsa-Kule): Swan Family, Community of Swan
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हंस (Hamsa): Swan
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कुल (Kula): Family, Clan
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अलिकुलसङ्कुल कुवलयमण्डल मौलिमिलद्बकुलालिकुले
Alikulasankula KuvalayaMandala Mauli-Milidbakulalikule
Whose crown (or head) is blooming or attracting the family (or lineage) of bees like that on a Bakula/fragrant flowers.
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अलिकुलसङ्कुल (Alikula-Sankula): Thronged, filled with the family of bees
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अलि (Ali): Bee
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कुल (Kula): Family, Clan
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सङ्कुल (Sankula): Thronged, Filled
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कुवलयमण्डल (Kuvalaya-Mandala): Crown like a circle of lotuses
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कुवलय (Kuvaya): Lotus
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मण्डल (Mandala): Circle, Realm
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मौलिमिलद्बकुलालिकुले (Mauli-Milid-bakula-likule): Crown is blooming that attracts the family of bees (as your crown/head is like the fragrant flower to the bees)
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मौलि (Mauli): Crown, Head
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मिलद (Milada): Blooming, Unfolding
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बकुल (Bakula): Fragrant Flower (e.g., Bakula tree)
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अलि (Ali): Bee
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कुल (Kula): Family, Clan
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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 36:02 to 38:24 for verse 14
Meaning behind the Mythology of Mahishasura Mardini Stotram #
The verse beautifully captures the Goddess by drawing mesmerizing comparisons between her divine form and the splendor of nature.
Her forehead is likened to a lotus, a powerful symbol of purity and enlightenment, often associated with divinity and spiritual awakening in Hinduism.
The reference to the “noble family of swans” evokes grace and artistic creativity. Swans, revered as symbols of purity and wisdom, suggest a deep connection between beauty and the divine.
Additionally, her crown is compared to fragrant flowers, vividly depicting bees flocking to her forehead, further illustrating the purity and beauty of her divine presence
Spiritual Meaning #
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Purity and Enlightenment: The comparison of the Goddess’s forehead to a lotus symbolizes the potential for purity and spiritual awakening in all beings. Just as the lotus emerges from muddy waters yet remains pristine, individuals can rise above worldly challenges to attain clarity and enlightenment.
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Interconnection of Beauty and Divinity: The imagery of swans and fragrant flowers underscores the idea that true beauty transcends the physical. It invites devotees to recognize that divine qualities such as grace, wisdom, and purity are inherent within themselves, encouraging self-reflection and inner growth.
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Harmony between Self and Nature: Universal Harmony embodies the connection between individual creativity and universal beauty, highlighting how personal expression enriches the cosmic order. This balance fosters a sense of belonging and responsibility, encouraging individuals to contribute positively to the whole.
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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