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 nineteenth 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 19 #
कनकलसत्कलसिन्धुजलैरनुषिञ्चति तेगुणरङ्गभुवम्
भजति स किं न शचीकुचकुम्भतटीपरिरम्भसुखानुभवम् ।
तव चरणं शरणं करवाणि नतामरवाणि निवासि शिवम्
जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥
Kanakala-Satkala-Sindhu-Jalai-Ranu-Shinchati Te-Guna-Ranaga-Bhuvam
Bhajati Sa Kim Na Shachi-Kucha-Kumbha-Tati-Pari-Rambha-Sukh-Anubhavam
Tava Charanam Sharanam Kara-Vani Na-Tamar-Vani Nivasi Shivam
Jaya Jaya He Mahishasur Mardini Ramyaka-Pardini Shailasute
Meaning #
With the shining golden pots filled with ocean water, (the devotee) sprinkles your beautiful qualities upon the world.
Will he(that one) not find a joy (who worships you) comparable to that of Indra, as he embraces the full beauty of Sachi(the consort of Indra)?
I take refuge at your feet, the one with immortal voice, who resides in the hearts of those who bow to her, the consort of Lord Shiva.
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 #
कनकलसत्कलसिन्धुजलैरनुषिञ्चति तेगुणरङ्गभुवम्
Kanakala-Satkala-Sindhu-Jalai-Ranu-Shinchati Te-Guna-Ranaga-Bhuvam
With the shining golden pots filled with ocean water, (the devotee) sprinkles your beautiful qualities upon the world.
-
**कनकलसत्कलसिन्धुजलैरनुषिञ्चति (**Kanakala-Satkala-Sindhu-Jalai-Ranu-Shinchati):
-
कनक (Kanaka): Gold
-
लसत् (Lasat): Shining, Glittering
-
कलस (Kalasa): Pot, Container
-
सिन्धु (Sindhu): Ocean, Sea
-
जलै (Jalai): With water
-
अनुषिञ्चति (Anu-Shinchati): Sprinkles, Anoints
-
-
**तेगुणरङ्गभुवम् (**Te-Guna-Ranaga-Bhuvam): your divine qualities beautify the world
-
ते (Te): Your
-
गुण (Guna): Qualities, Attributes
-
रङ्ग (Ranga): Color, Beauty
-
भुवम् (Bhuvam): World, Realm
-
भजति स किं न शचीकुचकुम्भतटीपरिरम्भसुखानुभवम्
Bhajati Sa Kim Na Shachi-Kucha-Kumbha-Tati-Pari-Rambha-Sukh-Anubhavam
Will he(that one) not find a joy (who worships you) comparable to that of Indra, as he embraces the full beauty of Sachi(the consort of Indra)?
-
भजति (Bhajati): Worships, Serves
-
स (Sa): He, That one
-
किं (Kim): What
-
न (Na): Not
-
**शचीकुचकुम्भतटीपरिरम्भसुखानुभवम् (**Shachi-Kucha-Kumbha-Tati-Parirambha-Sukh-Anubhavam): Similar to the experience of Indra as he embraces the beauty of her consort’s (Sachi) bosom.
-
शची (Sachi): Refers to Goddess Indrani (the consort of Indra)
-
कुच (Kucha): Bosom
-
कुम्भ (Kumbha): Pot or container (often used metaphorically for beauty)
-
तटी (Tati): Shore or Edge
-
परिरम्भ (Parirambha): Embrace
-
सुख (Sukha): Happiness, joy
-
अनुभव (Anubhava): Experience
-
तव चरणं शरणं करवाणि नतामरवाणि निवासि शिवम्
Tava Charanam Sharanam Kara-Vani Na-Tamar-Vani Nivasi Shivam
I take refuge at your feet, the one with a divine voice, who resides in the hearts of those who bow to her, the consort of Lord Shiva.
-
तव (Tava): Your
-
चरणं (Charanam): Feet
-
शरणं (Sharanam): Refuge, Shelter
-
करवाणि (Karavani): will take, offer
-
नतामरवाणि (Natamara-Vani): Bowed down, one with the divine voice
-
नता (Nata): Bowed down
-
अमर (Amara): Immortal, Divine
-
वाणि (Vani): Speech or voice
-
-
निवासि (Nivasi): Reside, Dwells
-
शिवम् (Shivam): Auspiciousness, Lord Shiva
जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते
Jaya Jaya 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
-
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 46:58 to 48:40 for verse 19
Meaning behind the Mythology of Mahishasura Mardini Stotram #
The verse describes the devotees’ worship and its rewards. It uses rich metaphorical language to describe both the act of worship and its fruits. The devotee who worships the Divine Mother with pure devotion gains both worldly and spiritual rewards.
The verse also describes their intent to take refuge at the goddess’s feet, identifying her as the one with an immortal voice who dwells in the hearts of devotees. This underscores the theme of surrender and protection found in the divine, evoking the idea that the goddess embodies the ultimate source of comfort and guidance.
Spiritual Meaning #
-
Surrender and Protection: Taking refuge at the goddess’s feet signifies the importance of surrendering to a higher power. This act of humility not only fosters a sense of security but also allows individuals to receive guidance and grace, reinforcing the belief that divine presence is always available to those who seek it.
-
One with divine consciousness: The golden vessel represents the pure consciousness and the water represents the devotion, by embracing the union of them, we can attain divine consciousness through devotion.
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.