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.
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 fourth 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 4 #
अयि शतखण्ड विखण्डितरुण्ड वितुण्डितशुण्द गजाधिपते
रिपुगजगण्ड विदारणचण्ड पराक्रमशुण्ड मृगाधिपते।
निजभुजदण्ड निपातितखण्ड विपातितमुण्ड भटाधिपते
जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते॥
Ayi Shata-Khanda Vikhandi-Tarunda Vitundita-Shunda Gajadhipate
Ripu-Gaja-Ganda Vidarana-Chanda Parakrama-Shunda Mrugadhipate.Nija-Bhuja-Danda Nipatita-Khanda Vipatita-Munda Bhatadhipate
Jay Jay He Mahishasur Mardini Ramyak-Pardini Shailasute.
Meaning #
O Goddess, you who shatter the heads of enemy elephants into a hundred pieces and skillfully shatter their trunks, reign supreme as the ruler of all elephants.
O Goddess, who sits upon the lord of beasts, the lion, that tears apart the cheeks and trunks of enemy elephants, demonstrating immense courage in defeating the demon named Chanda.
O Goddess, who punishes foes with your own arms, separating and dropping the heads of enemies, including the renowned demon Munda, celebrated as the goddess of warriors.
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 #
अयि शतखण्ड विखण्डितरुण्ड वितुण्डितशुण्द गजाधिपते
Ayi Shata-Khanda Vikhandi-Tarunda Vitundita-Shunda Gajadhipate
O Goddess, you who shatter the heads of enemy elephants into a hundred pieces and skillfully shatter their trunks, reign supreme as the ruler of all elephants.
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अयि (ayi): O (a term of address, often conveying reverence)
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शतखण्ड (Shatakhanda): Broken into hundred pieces
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शत (Shata): Hundred
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खण्ड (Khanda): Pieces, broken into pieces
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विखण्डितरुण्ड (Vikhanditarunda): Shattered or separated heads
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वि (Vi): Prefix indicating separation
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खण्डित (Khandita): Shattered, Separated
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रुण्ड (Runda): Head
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वितुण्डितशुण्द (Vikhanditashunda): Separated the trunk
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वि (Vi): Prefix indicating separation
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तुण्डित (Tundita): Severed, Split
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शुण्द (Shunda): Trunk
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गजाधिपते (Gajadhipate): Lord, Ruler of Elephants
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गज (Gaja): Elephant
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आधिपते (Adhipate): Lord, Ruler
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रिपुगजगण्ड विदारणचण्ड पराक्रमशुण्ड मृगाधिपते।
Ripu-Gaja-Ganda Vidarana-Chanda Parakrama-Shunda Mrugadhipate.
O Goddess, who sits upon the lord of beasts, the lion, that tears apart the cheeks and trunks of enemy elephants, demonstrating immense courage in defeating the demon named Chanda.
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रिपुगजगण्ड (Ripugajaganda): Cheeks of the enemy elephant
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रिपु (Ripu): Enemy
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गज (Gaja): Elephant
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गण्ड (Ganda): Cheeks
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विदारणचण्ड (Vidaranachanda): Teared apart the demon named Chanda
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विदारण (Vidarana): Tearing apart
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चण्ड (Chanda): Fierce, a demon named Chanda
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पराक्रमशुण्ड (Parakramashunda): Valourous Trunk
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पराक्रम (Parakrama): Valor
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शुण्ड (Shunda): Trunk
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मृगाधिपते (Mrugadhipate): The Lord/ruler of Animal, Lion
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मृग (Mruga): Animals, Beasts
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आधिपते (Aadhipate): Lord, Ruler
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निजभुजदण्ड निपातितखण्ड विपातितमुण्ड भटाधिपते
Nija-Bhuja-Danda Nipatita-Khanda Vipatita-Munda Bhatadhipate
O Goddess, who punishes foes with your own arms, separating and dropping the heads of enemies, including the renowned demon Munda, celebrated as the goddess of warriors.
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निजभुजदण्ड (Nijabhujadanda): Punished with with one’s own arm
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निज (Nija): Own
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भुज (Bhuja): Arm
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दण्ड (Danda): Staff or a walking stick, Punish
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निपातितखण्ड (Nipatitakhanda): Fallen Pieces
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निपातित (Ni-Patita): Fallen
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खण्ड (Khanda): Pieces
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विपातितमुण्ड (Vipatitamunda): Dropped the separated head of the demon named Munda
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वि (Vi): Prefix indicating separation
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पातित (Patita): Dropped
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मुण्ड (Munda): Heads, a demon named Munda
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भटाधिपते (Bhatadhipate): The lord/ruler of the warriors
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भट (Bhata): Warrior
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आधिपते (Aadhipate): Ruler, Lord
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Jay Jay He Mahishasur Mardini Ramyak-Pardini Shailasute
Jay Jay He Mahishasur Mardini Ramyak-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.
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जय (jaya): Victory!
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हे (he): O (a term of address)
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महिषासुरमर्दिनि (mahishasuramardini): Destroyer of the buffalo demon
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महिषासुर (mahishasura): the buffalo demon
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मर्दिनि (mardini): one who destroys or defeats
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रम्यकपर्दिनि (ramyakapardini): Beautiful goddess with matted hair
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रम्य (ramya): beautiful or charming
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कपर्दिनि (kapardini): one who has matted hair (often associated with asceticism)
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शैलसुते (shailasute): Daughter of the mountain
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शैला (shaila): mountain
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सुते (sute): daughter or offspring
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A beautiful explanation of the verse in Hindi
- From 12:05 to 14:20 for verse 4
Meaning behind the Mythology of Mahishasura Mardini Stotram #
This verse vividly portrays the fierce aspect of Goddess Maa Durga (Shakti/Parvati) as a divine warrior. It describes her shattering and devastating her enemies, which include a horde of elephants and formidable demons. The verse also highlights her lion, symbolizing courage and supreme power, embodying her fierce rage in the lord of beasts.
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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Shattering Ignorance like Maa Durga shattered enemy of elephants: The shattering of enemy elephants and demons symbolizes the destruction of ignorance and negativity in one’s life. Just as Goddess Durga defeats formidable foes, we need to confront and overcome our own internal obstacles and misconceptions, paving the way for spiritual enlightenment.
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Empowerment Through Action: The verse emphasizes the power of taking decisive action against adversaries, both external and internal. By invoking the image of the Goddess wielding her strength to vanquish her enemies, it inspires us to embrace our capabilities and assertiveness in overcoming life’s challenges.
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Divine Protection and Guidance: The depiction of the Goddess as the ruler of beasts and a punisher of foes highlights her role as a powerful protector. Just as Maa Durga commands the lion, the king of all animals, we too must set aside our egos and self-importance. Regardless of our status or reputation, we should recognize the divine presence within us, guiding us toward enlightenment and liberation.
Listen to Recite #
References: #
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