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 up 84 phrases or 42 sentences.
We will be taking a look at the sixth 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 6 #
अयि शरणागत वैरिवधुवर वीरवराभय दायकरे
त्रिभुवनमस्तक शूलविरोधि शिरोऽधिकृतामल शूलकरे ।
दुमिदुमितामर धुन्दुभिनादमहोमुखरीकृत दिङ्मकरे
जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥
Ayi Sharanagata Vairi-Vadhuvar Vira-Varabhaya Dayakare
Tribhuvana-Mastaka Shula-Virodhi Shirodhi-Krutamal Shulakare
Dumi-Dumi-Tamara Dhundu-Bhinada-Maho-Mukha-Rikruta Digma-Kare
Jay Jay He Mahishasur-Mardini Ramyaka-Pardini Shailasute.
Meaning #
O Goddess, who grants refuge to those in need, bestower of fearlessness to the best among heroes and wives of the enemy.
You, who is the head of the three worlds, use her trident, with power and adorned with purity against the one who goes against the trident’s orders (trinity Brahma-Vishu-Mahesh).
The immortal sound from the drum you play resonates like divine nectar, spreading in all directions.
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 शरणागत वैरिवधुवर वीरवराभय दायकरे
Ayi Sharanagata Vairi-Vadhuvar Vira-Varabhaya Dayakare
O Goddess, to the one who grants fearlessness to the best of heroes and the best among the wives of the enemy, I come seeking refuge.
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अयि (ayi): O (a term of address, often conveying reverence)
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शरणागत (Sharanagata): One who comes for refuge
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शरण (Sharana): Refuge
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आगत (Aagata): Come
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वैरिवधुवर (Vairi-Vadhu-Vara): Best among the wives of enemy
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वैरि (Vairi): Enemy
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वधु (Vadhu): Wife
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वर (Vara): Best
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वीरवराभय (Vira-Vara-Abhaya): Fearlessness in the best of heroes
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वीर (Vira): Hero
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वर (Vara): Best
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अभयः (Abhaya): Fearlessness
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दायकरे (Dayakare): Giver, Provider
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दाय (Daya): Giving
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करे (Kare): In the hands
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त्रिभुवनमस्तक शूलविरोधि शिरोऽधिकृतामल शूलकरे
Tribhuvana-Mastaka Shula-Virodhi Shirodhi-Krutamal Shulakare
O Goddess, who is the head of the three worlds, the one who uses the trident placed on her pure head whoever opposes or does evil deeds (opposing the trident’s order).
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त्रिभुवनमस्तक (Tribhuvana-Mastaka): Head of the three worlds
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त्रिभुवन (Tribhuvana): Three worlds
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मस्तक (Mastaka): Head
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शूलविरोधि (Shula-Virodhi): Opposing the trident
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शूल (Shula): Trident
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विरोधि (Virodhi): Opposing
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शिरोऽधिकृतामल (Shirodhikrutamala): Placed on the
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शिरस् (Shiras): Head
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आधिकृत (Adhikruta): Placed on
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अमल (Amala): Pure
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शूलकरे (Shulakare): Holder of the Trident
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शूल (Shula): Trident
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करे (Kare): Makes with, holdder
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दुमिदुमितामर धुन्दुभिनादमहोमुखरीकृत दिङ्मकरे
Dumi-Dumi-Tamara Dhundu-Bhinada-Maho-Mukha-Rikruta Digma-Kare
O Goddess, the immortal sound from the drum you play slowly, the great vocal sound made by the war drum is like divine nectar (amrut), resonating and spreading in all directions.
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दुमिदुमितामर (Dumi-Dumitamara): The immortal sound from the drum
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दुमिदुमित (Dumi): Sound from the drums
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अमर (Amara): Immortal, Eternal
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धुन्दुभिनादमहोमुखरीकृत (Dhundu-Bhinoda-Maho-Mukhari-Kruta): The great vocal sound made by the war drum
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धुन्दुभि (DhunduBhi): War Drum
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नाद (Naada): Sound
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महो (Maho): Great
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मुखर (Mukhara): Vocal
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कृत (Mukharikruta): Made
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दिङ्मकरे (Digmakare): Created in all the directions
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दिक् (Dika): Directions
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मकरे (Makare): To make, create
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जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते
Jay Jay 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.
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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 16:47 to 19:24 for verse 6
Meaning behind the Mythology of Mahishasura Mardini Stotram #
This verse emphasizes the role of Goddess Parvati (Shakti/Maa Durga) as a protector and powerful warrior and also as a music lover. The verse describes her as a refugee who seeks her protection and grants fearlessness to the heroes and their wives. The verse is a beautiful composition of words with imagery of resounding war drums, and damru portraying her skillful mastery of music that feels like a divine nectar flowing in all directions.
Spiritual Meaning #
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Refuge and Fearlessness: The verse highlights the Goddess as a refuge for those seeking protection and the source of fearlessness for heroes and their families.
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Live and Let Live: The verse also captures the essence of living and letting live like principal, to not interfere in the orders of nature. The verse describes her as the punisher who goes against the principles and does evil deeds for his greed.
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Musical Devotion: The stotra serves as a devotional hymn, highlighting the importance of music in spiritual practice. Singing or reciting the stotra becomes a way for devotees to express their love and reverence for the Goddess.
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: #
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