Mahishasur Mardini Stotram: Verse 3

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.

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 third 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 3
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अयि जगदम्ब मदम्ब कदम्ब वनप्रियवासिनि हासरते

शिखरि शिरोमणि तुङ्गहिमलय शृङ्गनिजालय मध्यगते।

मधुमधुरे मधुकैटभगञ्जिनि कैटभभञ्जिनि रासरते

जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते॥

Ayi Jagadamba Madamba Kadamba Vanapriya-Vasini Hasarate
Shikhai Shiromani Tunga-Himalaya Shringa-Nijalaya Madhyagate.

Madhu-Madhure Madhu-Kaithabhaganjini Kaitabhabhanjini Rasarate
Jay Jay He Mahishasur-Mardini Ramyaka-Pardini Shailasute.

Meaning
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O My Mother, Mother of the Universe, dwelling in the forest filled with Kadamba trees, you shine with happiness.

You are the jewel among the peaks, residing in the middle of the peaks of the lofty Himalayas.

You are sweet and gentle as honey, also you are the slayer of the demons Madhu and Kaitabha, you are the one who delights in divine dance.

Victory, Victory! to the slayer, destroyer of the Buffalo Demon (Mahish asur), victory to the one with the matted hair, to the goddess Daughter of the mountains.

Word By Word Meaning
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अयि (ayi): O (a term of address, often conveying reverence)
जगदम्ब (Jagadamba): Mother of the world, the universe
- जगत् (Jagat): World, Universe
- अम्बा (Ambaa): Mother
मदम्ब (Madamba): My Mother
- मम् (Mam): My
- अम्बा (Ambaa): Mother
कदम्ब (Kadamba): Burflower-tree, laran tree
वनप्रियवासिनि (Vanapriyavasini): One who loves to live/dwell in the forest
- वन (Vana): Forest, Jungles
- प्रिय (Priya): Dear, Loving
- वासिनि (Vasini): Dwelling in, Living in
हासरते (Hasarate): Delights in laughter, and enjoys laughing.
- हास (Hasa): Laughter, Joy
- रते (Rate): To Engage in or enjoy
शिखरि (Shikhari): Peak, Mountain
**शिरोमणि (Shiromani): Crest Jewel, Top of a Mountain like a jewel
**This compares the mountain peaks to jewels, as the snow-covered summits gleam in the reflection of the full moon or sparkle like gold at sunrise.
- शिरो (Shiro): Head, Jewel
- मणि (Mani): Jewel
तुङ्गहिमलय (Tungahimalaya): High and lofty, snow-clad Himalayas
- तुङ्ग (Tunga): High or lofty
- हिमालय (Himalaya): Himalayas
शृङ्गनिजालय (Shrunganijalaya): For whom the peak of mountains is the home or abode
- शृङ्ग (Shringa): Peak or horn
- निज (Nija): Owns
- आलय (Aalaya): Home or Abode
मध्यगते (Madhyagate): Situated in the middle of
- मध्य (Madhya): Middle
- गते (Gate): Situated, Gone
मधुमधुरे (Madhu-Madhure): Sweet as Honey
- मधु (Madhu): Honey
- मधुरे (Madhure): Sweet
मधुकैटभगञ्जिनि (Madhu-Kaitabhaganjini): The destroyer of Madhu-Kaitabha named demons
- मधु (Madhu): A demon named Madhu
- कैटभ (Kaitabha): A demon named Kaitabha
- भञ्जिनि (Bhanjini): Destroyer, breaker
  Madhu and Kaitabha originated from the earwax within the deity Vishnu’s ears, while he was in the meditative state of yoganidra.
कैटभभञ्जिनि (Kaitabhabhanjini): The destroyer of Kaitabha named demon
- कैटभ (Kaitabha): A demon named Kaitabha
- भञ्जिनि (Bhanjini): Destroyer, breaker
रासरते (Rasarate): One who finds delight, enjoyment in divine dance
- रास (Raasa): Divine Dance
- रते (Rate): To Engage in or enjoy
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 8:42 to 12:04 for verse 3

Meaning behind the Mythology of Mahishasura Mardini Stotram
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This verse addresses Maa Durga (Shakti/Parvati) in her maternal form, portraying her as sweet as honey yet powerful enough to vanquish formidable demons like Madhu and Kaitabha. She is celebrated as the daughter of the mountains, dwelling amidst the snow-capped peaks, while also cherishing the beauty of the Kadamba forests. Furthermore, she delights in divine dance, embodying both grace and strength.

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.

Spiritual Meaning
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Strength and Compassion: Maa Durga embodies the balance between nurturing love like a mother and powerful strength as a protector of her children, illustrating that true strength includes compassion.
Harmony with Nature: Her connection to the mountains and forests emphasizes the spiritual bond between the divine and the natural world, promoting inner peace.
Joyful Expression: Her delight in divine dance highlights the importance of joy and celebration in spirituality, reminding us to embrace life’s beauty alongside challenges.

Listen to Recite
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References:
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