Mahishasur Mardini Stotram: Verse 17

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 holy 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 up 84 phrases or 42 sentences.

We will be taking a look at the seventeenth 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 17
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विजितसहस्रकरैक सहस्रकरैक सहस्रकरैकनुते

कृतसुरतारक सङ्गरतारक सङ्गरतारक सूनुसुते ।

सुरथसमाधि समानसमाधि समाधिसमाधि सुजातरते

जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥

Vijita-Saha-Straka-Raika Saha-Straka-Raika Sahastra-Karai-Kanute

Kruta-Sura-Taraka Sangara-Taraka Sangara-Taraka Sunu-Sute

Suratha-Samadhi Samana-Samadhi Samadhi-Samadhi Sujata-Rate

Jay Jay He Mahishasur-Mardini Ramyaka-Pardini Shaila-Sute

Meaning
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O Goddess, who has conquered thousands with her thousands of hands is honored for her courage.

O Goddess, whose son has accomplished the role of the savior of the gods, the savior in battle (in the battle of Gods with Taraka Demon).

One whose meditative state is equal to or resembles the excellence or highest form of meditation, one who is supremely delighted and absorbed in the meditative state

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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विजितसहस्रकरैक सहस्रकरैक सहस्रकरैकनुते

Vijita-Saha-Straka-Raika Saha-Straka-Raika Sahastra-Karai-Kanute

O Goddess, who has conquered or won over Vishnu (one with thousands of hands) is honored for his might and courage
OR
O Goddess, who has conquered thousands with her thousands of hands is honored for her courage

विजितसहस्रकरैक (Vijata-Saha-Straka-Raika): Who has conquered or won the one with thousands of hands
- विजित (Vijita): Conquered or vanquished
- सहस्र (Sahasra): Thousand
- कर (Kara): Hand or action; implies power
- एक (Eka): One
सहस्रकरैकनुते (Saha-Stra-Karai-Kanute): With her thousand hands, one who is praised for
- सहस्र (Sahasra): Thousand
- कर (Kara): Hand or action
- एक (Eka): One
- नुते (Nute): Praised or honored

कृतसुरतारक सङ्गरतारक सङ्गरतारक सूनुसुते

Kruta-Sura-Taraka Sangara-Taraka Sangara-Taraka Sunu-Sute

O Goddess, whose son has accomplished the role of the savior of the gods, the savior in battle (in the battle of Gods with Taraka Demon).

कृतसुरतारक (Kruta-Sura-Taraka): One who has accomplished the role of divine protctor
- कृत (Krita): Done or accomplished
- सुर (Sura): Divine or celestial
- तारक (Tāraka): Star or protector
सङ्गरतारक (Sangara-Taraka): Who had defeated the demon, Taraka, one who is the savior in battles
- सङ्गर (Sangara): Related to gathering or assembly
- तारक (Tāraka): Star or protector
सूनुसुते (Sunu-Sute): who is the son of, one who is born of
- सू (Su): Son
- नुसुते (Nusute): Related to or born of; refers to progeny or offspring

सुरथसमाधि समानसमाधि समाधिसमाधि सुजातरते

Suratha-Samadhi Samana-Samadhi Samadhi-Samadhi Sujata-Rate

One whose meditative state is equal to or resembles the excellence or highest form of meditation, one who is supremely delighted and absorbed in the meditative state

सुरथसमाधि (Suratha-Samadhi): A noble one in a deep meditative state
- सुरथ (Suratha): One who is virtuous or noble
- समाधि (SamAdhi): Meditative absorption or a state of deep concentration
समानसमाधि (Samana-Samadhi): whose meditative state is equal to or resembles to
- समान (Samāna): Equal or similar
- समाधि (Samādhi): Meditative state
समाधिसमाधि (Samadhi-Samadhi): Meditative state
- समाधि (Samādhi): Meditative state
- समाधि (Samādhi): Repetition for emphasis, indicating profound or ultimate meditation
सुजातरते (Sujata-Rate): Who delights in
- सुजात (Sūjāta): Well-born or noble lineage.
- रते (Rate): Delight or enjoyment

जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते

Jay Jay He Mahishasur-Mardini Ramyaka-Pardini Shaila-Sute

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 42:20 to 44:28 for verse 17

Meaning behind the Mythology of Mahishasura Mardini Stotram
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In this verse, there is a beautiful blend of repetition and insightful words, like that of the hundred hands representing Lord Vishnu, who is won over by Goddess Parvati, with her thousand hands. This line beautifully composes the word to praise the goddess as well as convey the message of her power and divines.

The verse also emphasises her son, Kartikeya, who is the protector an warrior for the Gods, and has won over the demon Taraka who challenged the throne of the King of Gods. This verse depicts the qualities of the Goddess in her son as well.

The verse continues with its repetitive composition in the 3rd line with the divine form of the Goddess Parvati in the meditative state. The verse tries to depict Goddess Parvati with her power of devotion and sacrifices, as well as the sheer excellence of her concentration power while performing deep penance to attain Lord Shiva in the mountains.

Spiritual Meaning
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Importance of Meditation and Focus: The repeated emphasis on various forms of meditative states provides the significance of meditation and self-awareness in spiritual growth. It reminds us that through meditation, we can achieve clarity, peace, and a deeper connection to our higher selves, which aids in overcoming life’s challenges.
Importance of Karma(duty with our hands): The imagery of the Goddess wielding power through her hands teaches that true spirituality is not just about internal contemplation but also about engaging with the world and making positive contributions through our actions. This teaches how important it is to perform the duties and right actions throughout our lives.

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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