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 fifteenth 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 15 #
करमुरलीरव वीजितकूजित लज्जितकोकिल मञ्जुमते
मिलितपुलिन्द मनोहरगुञ्जित रञ्जितशैल निकुञ्जगते ।
निजगणभूत महाशबरीगण सद्गुणसम्भृत केलितले
जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥
Kara-Mura-Lirava Vijita-Kujita Lajjita-Kokila Manjumate
Milita-Pulinda Manohara-Gunjita Ranjita-Shaila Nikunjagate
Nija-Guna-Bhuta Maha-Shabri-Gana Sadguna-Sambhruta Kelitale
Jay Jay He Mahishasura-Mardini Ramayaka-Pardini Shailasute
Meaning #
One whose flute’s melody surpasses even the cuckoo bird shy with its sweetness.
One who dwells in the mountain groves, where the tribal people gather, filling the place with enchanting sounds.
The playground where the groups of noble tribal women, filled with virtuous qualities, become her attendants.
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 #
करमुरलीरव वीजितकूजित लज्जितकोकिल मञ्जुमते
Kara-Mura-Lirava Vijita-Kujita Lajjita-Kokila Manjumate
One whose flute’s melody surpasses even the cuckoo bird shy with its sweetness.
-
करमुरलीरव (Kara-Murali-Rava): The sound of the flute in the hand
-
कर (Kara): Hand
-
मुरली (Murali): Flute
-
रव (Rava): Sound
-
-
वीजितकूजित (Vijita-Kujita): Surpasing the songs
-
वीजित (Vijita):Conquered, subdued, defeated
-
कूजित (Kujita): Cooing, chirping
-
-
लज्जितकोकिल (Lajjita-Kokila): Making the cuckoo bird shy
-
लज्जित (Lajjita): Shy, Modest
-
कोकिल (Kokila): Cuckoo
-
-
मञ्जुमते (Manji-Mate): One who is considered sweet
-
मञ्जु (Manju): Pleasant, Charming
-
मत (Mata): Mind, Heart
-
मिलितपुलिन्द मनोहरगुञ्जित रञ्जितशैल निकुञ्जगते
Milita-Pulinda Manohara-Gunjita Ranjita-Shaila Nikunjagate
One who dwells in the mountain groves, where the tribal people gather, filling the place with enchanting sounds.
-
मिलितपुलिन्द (Militia-Pulinda): Gathering of tribal people
-
मिलित (Milita): United, Joined
-
पुलिन्द (Pulinda): Tribal, Rural
-
-
मनोहरगुञ्जित (Manohara-Gunjita): Enchanting humming
-
मनोहर (Manohara): Enchanting, Charming
-
गुञ्जित (Gunjita): Resounding, Echoing
-
-
रञ्जितशैल (Ranjita-Shaila): Delighting, painting the mountains
-
रञ्जित (Ranjita): Colored, Painted
-
शैल (Shaila): Mountain, Rock
-
-
निकुञ्जगते (Nikunja-Gate): One who dwells in the groves
-
निकुञ्ज (Nikunja): Grove, Thicket
-
गत (Gata): Gone, Resident
-
निजगणभूत महाशबरीगण सद्गुणसम्भृत केलितले
Nija-Gana-Bhuta Maha-Shabri-Gana Sadguna-Sambhruta Kelitale
The playground where the groups of noble tribal women, filled with virtuous qualities, become her attendants.
-
निजगणभूत (Nija-Gana-Bhuta): Becoming one’s own group
-
निज (Nija): Own, Self
-
गण (Gana): Group, Tribe
-
भूत (Bhuta): Being, Existence
-
-
महाशबरीगण (Maha-Shabri-Gana): Groups of nobel tribal women
-
महा (Maha): Great
-
शबरी (Shabari): Tribal, Outcaste
-
गण (Gana): Group, Tribe
-
-
सद्गुणसम्भृत (Sadguna-Sambhrta): Filled with noble qualities
-
सद्गुण (Sadguna): Virtuous, Good
-
सम्भृत (Sambhrta): Endowed, Equipped
-
-
केलितले (Kelitale): Playground, place of divine sport
-
केलित (Kelita): Played, Enjoyed
-
ले (Le): In, Within
-
जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते
Jay Jay He Mahishasura-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
-
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
-
A beautiful explanation of the verse in Hindi
- From 38:25 to 40:29 for verse 15
Meaning behind the Mythology of Mahishasura Mardini Stotram #
The verse beautifully composes the symbolism of her voice as sweeter than the cuckoo bird. The verse also captures the natural imagery with mountains and groves, along with the tribal groups representing faith and pure devotion.
The verse symbolizes the flute as divine music; in a broader sense, it depicts the importance of music in connecting with divine energy.
Spiritual Meaning #
-
Divine Harmony: The imagery of the flute and its enchanting melody symbolizes the importance of inner harmony and the pursuit of spiritual beauty. It invites devotees to attune themselves to divine music, fostering a connection with the sacred energy.
-
Unity: The mention of mountain groves and tribal gatherings emphasizes the spiritual significance of community and nature. It highlights the idea that spiritual growth flourishes in a supportive environment, where collective devotion enhances individual paths.
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 #
Thanks for reading Mythology to Meaning! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.
Thanks for reading Mythology to Meaning! This post is public so feel free to share it.