Mahishasur Mardini Stotram: Verse 16

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 sixteenth 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 16
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कटितटपीत दुकूलविचित्र मयुखतिरस्कृत चन्द्ररुचे

प्रणतसुरासुर मौलिमणिस्फुर दंशुलसन्नख चन्द्ररुचे

जितकनकाचल मौलिमदोर्जित निर्भरकुञ्जर कुम्भकुचे

जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥

Katitata-Pita Dukula-Vichitra Mayu-Khatiraskruta Chandra-Ruche

Pranata-Surasura Mauli-Manisfura Daunshula-Sannakha Chandra-Ruche

Jita-Kana-Kachala Mauli-Madorjita Nirbhara-Kunjara Kumbha-Kuche

Jay Jay He Mahishasur Mardini Ramyaka-Pardini Shailasute

Meaning
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O Goddess, whose waist is adorned with a beautiful, yellow-colored cloth brighter than the moon’s lustrous light.

Whose nails shine like the jewels on the crowns of prostrating gods and demons, and whose moonlike radiance is reflected in them.

Whose bosom, powerful like the frontal globes of a dependable elephant, is adorned with a crown outshining the golden mountains.

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
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कटितटपीत दुकूलविचित्र मयुखतिरस्कृत चन्द्ररुचे

Katitata-Pita Dukula-Vichitra Mayu-Khatiraskruta Chandra-Ruche

Whose waist is adorned with a beautiful, yellow-colored cloth that is brighter than the lustrous light of the moon

कटितटपीत (Katitata-Pita): Waist adorned with yellow or golden (river-like cloth)
- कटि (Kati): waist
- तट (Tata): shore or bank
- पीत (Pita): yellow or golden
दुकूलविचित्र (Dukula-Vichitra): Colorful and shining garment
- दुकूल (Dukula): a type of garment or cloth (often a shawl or outer garment)
- विचित्र (Vichitra): various, colorful, or strange
मयुखतिरस्कृत (Mayu-Khatiraskruta): Shinning like a ray of light
- मयुख (Mayukh): ray or beam (often of light)
- रस्कृत (Raskruta): obscured or hidden, shining
चन्द्ररुचे (Chadra-Ruche): Like the brightness of the Moon
- चन्द्र (Chandra): moon
- रुचि (Ruchi): brightness, luster, or beauty

प्रणतसुरासुर मौलिमणिस्फुर दंशुलसन्नख चन्द्ररुचे

Pranata-Surasura Mauli-Manisfura Daunshula-Sannakha Chandra-Ruche

Whose nails shine like the jewels on the crowns of prostrating gods and demons, and whose moonlike radiance is reflected in them

प्रणतसुरासुर (Pranata-Surasura): Bowed, saluted by divine gods and demons
- प्रणत (Pranata): bowed, saluting, prostrating
- सुरा (Sura): Divine beings or gods
- असुर (Asura): Demons or non-divine beings
मौलिमणिस्फुर (Mauli-Manisfura): Crown shinning like a gem
- मौली (Mauli): Crown or top
- मणि (Mani): Gem or jewel
- स्फुर (Sfura): Sparkling or shining
दंशुलसन्नख (Danshula-Sannakha): Shinning nails and teeth
- दंशु (Danshu): Tooth or tusk
- लसन्नख (Lasannakha): Glittering or shining nails
चन्द्ररुचे (Chandra-Ruche): Like the beautiful light of the Moon
- चन्द्र (Chandra): Moon
- रुचे (Ruche): Beauty or brilliance

जितकनकाचल मौलिमदोर्जित निर्भरकुञ्जर कुम्भकुचे

Jita-Kana-Kachala Mauli-Madorjita Nirbhara-Kunjara Kumbha-Kuche

Whose bosom, powerful like the frontal globes of a dependable elephant, is adorned with a crown outshining the golden mountain.

जितकनकाचल (Jita-Kana-Kachala): Conquered with a drape of golden mountain
- जित (Jita): Conquered or won
- कनक (Kanaka): Gold
- आचल (Achala): The hem or drape of a garment, mountain
मौलिमदोर्जित (Mauli-Madorjita): crown won outshining the elevated (mountain)
- मौली (Mauli): Crown or top
- मद (Mada): Pride or intoxication
- उर्जित (Urijita): Elevated or exalted
निर्भरकुञ्जर (Nirbhara-Kunjara): Dependable elephants
- निर्भर (Nirbhara): Dependable or steady
- कुञ्जर (Kunjara): Elephant
कुम्भकुचे (Kumbha-Kuche): Bosom resembling a pot or globe
- कुम्भ (Kumbha): frontal globe, pot, vase
- कुचे (Kuche): bosom

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 40:30 to 42:20 for verse 16

Meaning behind the Mythology of Mahishasura Mardini Stotram
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The verse depicts the imagery of the goddess adorned with golden cloth and shining nails, symbolizing divine beauty and power. Her waist, described as brighter than the moon, reflects her radiant energy and purity, illustrating her role as a protector and source of strength. This portrayal emphasizes the feminine divine as both nurturing and formidable.

Additionally, the verse captures her power and beauty as being greater than that of the elephant, representing strength and stability. It highlights her divine essence that transcends the material realm, embodying the true form of Aadi Shakti (the primordial energy, energy before the energy), the source of all creation.

Spiritual Meaning
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Radiance of Divine Presence: The moon is often associated with calmness and tranquility, reflecting the idea that embracing the goddess’s qualities can lead to inner peace and enlightenment.
Strength and Resilience: Elephants symbolize wisdom and memory in many cultures, suggesting that spiritual growth involves strength derived from understanding and compassion. This portrayal encourages individuals to cultivate inner resilience and wisdom as they navigate their spiritual journeys.
Cultivating Humility: The depiction of her exquisite form, which commands the respect of both gods and demons, illustrates that true power and beauty arise from humility and reverence.

Listen to Recite
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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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