Aigiri Nandini (Mahishasura Mardini Stotram): Meaning
Aigiri Nandini, the Mahishasura Mardini Stotram, is a Sanskrit hymn traditionally attributed to Adi Shankaracharya, though the attribution is uncertain. Its twenty-one verses celebrate the Goddess as the daughter of the mountain (Parvati) and as Durga, slayer of the buffalo-demon Mahishasura, recalling battles told in the Devi Mahatmya. The verses are dense with long compounds, sound-play and repeated words, and several can be read in more than one way; the notes give a plain reading and mark the verses built on wordplay.
अयि गिरिनन्दिनि नन्दितमेदिनि विश्वविनोदिनि नन्दिनुते । गिरिवरविन्ध्यशिरोऽधिनिवासिनि विष्णुविलासिनि जिष्णुनुते । भगवति हे शितिकण्ठकुटुम्बिनि भूरिकुटुम्बिनि भूरिकृते । जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥
ayi girinandini nanditamedini viśvavinodini nandinute । girivaravindhyaśiro'dhinivāsini viṣṇuvilāsini jiṣṇunute । bhagavati he śitikaṇṭhakuṭumbini bhūrikuṭumbini bhūrikṛte । jaya jaya he mahiṣāsuramardini ramyakapardini śailasute ॥
गिरिनन्दिनि girinandini daughter of the mountain विन्ध्य vindhya the Vindhya mountains शितिकण्ठकुटुम्बिनि śitikaṇṭhakuṭumbini wife of the blue-throated (Shiva) महिषासुरमर्दिनि mahiṣāsuramardini slayer of Mahishasura हे गिरिराज की पुत्री, पृथ्वी को आनंद देने वाली, विश्व को प्रसन्न करने वाली, नंदी द्वारा स्तुत; विंध्याचल के शिखर पर निवास करने वाली, विष्णु को आनंद देने वाली, इंद्र द्वारा स्तुत; हे भगवती, नीलकंठ शिव की गृहिणी, विशाल परिवार वाली, महान कर्म करने वाली: हे महिषासुरमर्दिनी, सुंदर जटाओं वाली, पर्वतराज की पुत्री, आपकी जय हो, जय हो!
O daughter of the mountain, who gladdens the earth, delights the universe and is praised by Nandi; who dwells on the peak of the great Vindhya mountain, delights Vishnu and is praised by Indra; O Goddess, wife of the blue-throated Shiva, mother of a great family, doer of great deeds: Victory, victory to you, slayer of Mahishasura, with your beautiful braided hair, daughter of the mountain!
O daughter of the mountain, who gladdens the earth and delights the universe, praised by Nandi; dwelling on the peak of the great Vindhya mountain, delighting Vishnu, praised by Indra; O goddess, wife of the blue-throated Shiva, mother of a vast family, doer of great deeds. Each verse ends with the refrain: victory, victory to you, slayer of Mahishasura, daughter of the mountain, with beautiful braided hair.
सुरवरवर्षिणि दुर्धरधर्षिणि दुर्मुखमर्षिणि हर्षरते । त्रिभुवनपोषिणि शङ्करतोषिणि किल्बिषमोषिणि घोषरते । दनुजनिरोषिणि दितिसुतरोषिणि दुर्मदशोषिणि सिन्धुसुते । जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥
suravaravarṣiṇi durdharadharṣiṇi durmukhamarṣiṇi harṣarate । tribhuvanapoṣiṇi śaṅkaratoṣiṇi kilbiṣamoṣiṇi ghoṣarate । danujaniroṣiṇi ditisutaroṣiṇi durmadaśoṣiṇi sindhusute । jaya jaya he mahiṣāsuramardini ramyakapardini śailasute ॥
सुरवरवर्षिणि suravaravarṣiṇi showering boons on the gods किल्बिषमोषिणि kilbiṣamoṣiṇi remover of sin दितिसुत ditisuta sons of Diti (demons) महिषासुरमर्दिनि mahiṣāsuramardini slayer of Mahishasura आप देवताओं पर वर बरसाने वाली, दुर्जय को भी जीतने वाली, दुर्मुखों को सहने वाली और आनंद में रमने वाली हैं; तीनों लोकों का पोषण करने वाली, शंकर को प्रसन्न करने वाली, पाप हरने वाली और नाद में रमने वाली हैं; दानवों और दितिपुत्रों पर क्रोध करने वाली, अहंकारियों को सुखाने वाली, समुद्र-पुत्री हैं: हे महिषासुरमर्दिनी, सुंदर जटाओं वाली, पर्वतराज की पुत्री, आपकी जय हो, जय हो!
You shower blessings on the gods, overpower the irresistible, endure the foul-mouthed and delight in joy; you nourish the three worlds, please Shankar, remove sin and delight in sacred sound; your anger falls on the demons, sons of Diti, you dry up the arrogant, daughter of the ocean: Victory, victory to you, slayer of Mahishasura, with your beautiful braided hair, daughter of the mountain!
Showering boons on the best of the gods, overpowering the unassailable, enduring the foul-mouthed, delighting in joy; nourishing the three worlds, pleasing Shankara, removing sin, delighting in sacred sound; angry with the demons, the sons of Diti, drying up the arrogance of the wicked, daughter of the ocean. Each verse ends with the refrain: victory, victory to you, slayer of Mahishasura, daughter of the mountain, with beautiful braided hair.
अयि जगदम्ब मदम्ब कदम्ब वनप्रियवासिनि हासरते । शिखरि शिरोमणि तुङ्गहिमालय शृङ्गनिजालय मध्यगते । मधुमधुरे मधुकैटभगञ्जिनि कैटभभञ्जिनि रासरते । जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥
ayi jagadamba madamba kadamba vanapriyavāsini hāsarate । śikhari śiromaṇi tuṅgahimālaya śṛṅganijālaya madhyagate । madhumadhure madhukaiṭabhagañjini kaiṭabhabhañjini rāsarate । jaya jaya he mahiṣāsuramardini ramyakapardini śailasute ॥
जगदम्ब jagadamba mother of the world कदम्ब kadamba the kadamba tree मधुकैटभ madhukaiṭabha the demons Madhu and Kaitabha महिषासुरमर्दिनि mahiṣāsuramardini slayer of Mahishasura हे जगदम्बा, मेरी माँ, कदंब वन में रहना जिन्हें प्रिय है और जो हास्य में रमती हैं; पर्वतों के मुकुट, ऊँचे हिमालय के शिखरों के बीच अपने धाम में रहने वाली; मधु से भी मधुर, मधु-कैटभ का नाश करने वाली, रास में रमने वाली: हे महिषासुरमर्दिनी, सुंदर जटाओं वाली, पर्वतराज की पुत्री, आपकी जय हो, जय हो!
O Mother of the world, my mother, who loves to dwell in the kadamba forest and delights in laughter; who lives amid the peaks of the lofty Himalaya, crown of mountains; sweeter than honey, destroyer of Madhu and Kaitabha, who delights in the dance: Victory, victory to you, slayer of Mahishasura, with your beautiful braided hair, daughter of the mountain!
O mother of the world, my mother, who loves to dwell in the kadamba forest and delights in laughter; who lives on the peak of the lofty Himalaya, crest-jewel of mountains; sweet as honey, destroyer of Madhu and Kaitabha, delighting in the dance. Each verse ends with the refrain: victory, victory to you, slayer of Mahishasura, daughter of the mountain, with beautiful braided hair.
अयि शतखण्ड विखण्डितरुण्ड वितुण्डितशुण्ड गजाधिपते । रिपुगजगण्ड विदारणचण्ड पराक्रमशुण्ड मृगाधिपते । निजभुजदण्ड निपातितखण्ड विपातितमुण्ड भटाधिपते । जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥
ayi śatakhaṇḍa vikhaṇḍitaruṇḍa vituṇḍitaśuṇḍa gajādhipate । ripugajagaṇḍa vidāraṇacaṇḍa parākramaśuṇḍa mṛgādhipate । nijabhujadaṇḍa nipātitakhaṇḍa vipātitamuṇḍa bhaṭādhipate । jaya jaya he mahiṣāsuramardini ramyakapardini śailasute ॥
गजाधिपते gajādhipate lord of elephants मृगाधिपते mṛgādhipate lord of beasts (lion) भटाधिपते bhaṭādhipate chief of warriors महिषासुरमर्दिनि mahiṣāsuramardini slayer of Mahishasura आपने धड़ों के सौ टुकड़े कर दिए और गजराजों की सूँडें काट दीं; आपका सिंह, जो प्रचंड पराक्रमी है, शत्रु के हाथियों के गंडस्थल फाड़ देता है; अपनी भुजाओं के दंड से आपने योद्धाओं के सेनापतियों को गिराया और उनके सिर काट दिए: हे महिषासुरमर्दिनी, सुंदर जटाओं वाली, पर्वतराज की पुत्री, आपकी जय हो, जय हो!
You cut into a hundred pieces the headless bodies and severed the trunks of the lords of elephants; your lion, fierce in valour, tears open the temples of the enemy's elephants; with the staff of your own arms you struck down the commanders of the warriors, cutting off their heads: Victory, victory to you, slayer of Mahishasura, with your beautiful braided hair, daughter of the mountain!
You who cut the heads (of enemies) into a hundred pieces and cut off the trunks of the elephant lords; whose lion is fierce in tearing the temples of enemy elephants; who, with the staff of your own arms, struck down the chiefs of the warriors (Chanda and Munda). Each verse ends with the refrain: victory, victory to you, slayer of Mahishasura, daughter of the mountain, with beautiful braided hair.
अयि रणदुर्मद शत्रुवधोदित दुर्धरनिर्जर शक्तिभृते । चतुरविचार धुरीणमहाशिव दूतकृत प्रमथाधिपते । दुरितदुरीह दुराशयदुर्मति दानवदूत कृतान्तमते । जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥
ayi raṇadurmada śatruvadhodita durdharanirjara śaktibhṛte । caturavicāra dhurīṇamahāśiva dūtakṛta pramathādhipate । duritadurīha durāśayadurmati dānavadūta kṛtāntamate । jaya jaya he mahiṣāsuramardini ramyakapardini śailasute ॥
शक्तिभृते śaktibhṛte bearer of power दूतकृत dūtakṛta made (Shiva) the messenger प्रमथाधिपते pramathādhipate lord of the pramathas महिषासुरमर्दिनि mahiṣāsuramardini slayer of Mahishasura युद्ध के मद में चूर शत्रुओं के वध के लिए प्रकट हुई दुर्जय शक्ति धारण करने वाली; चतुर विचार में अग्रणी, प्रमथगणों के स्वामी महाशिव को दूत बनाने वाली; दुष्ट इच्छा, बुरे आशय और कुबुद्धि वाले दानव-दूत का अंत करने का संकल्प रखने वाली: हे महिषासुरमर्दिनी, सुंदर जटाओं वाली, पर्वतराज की पुत्री, आपकी जय हो, जय हो!
You who bear the irresistible power arisen to destroy enemies maddened by battle; who made great Shiva, foremost in wise counsel and lord of the attendants, your messenger; whose mind was set on ending the evil-minded, wicked messenger of the demons: Victory, victory to you, slayer of Mahishasura, with your beautiful braided hair, daughter of the mountain!
Bearing an irresistible, ever-young power that rose to slay enemies maddened in battle; who made the great Shiva, lord of the ganas and foremost in wise counsel, your messenger; whose mind was set on ending the demon envoy of evil intent and wicked thought. Each verse ends with the refrain: victory, victory to you, slayer of Mahishasura, daughter of the mountain, with beautiful braided hair.
अयि शरणागत वैरिवधूवर वीरवराभय दायकरे । त्रिभुवनमस्तक शूलविरोधि शिरोऽधिकृतामल शूलकरे । दुमिदुमितामर धुन्दुभिनादमहोमुखरीकृत दिङ्मकरे । जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥
ayi śaraṇāgata vairivadhūvara vīravarābhaya dāyakare । tribhuvanamastaka śūlavirodhi śiro'dhikṛtāmala śūlakare । dumidumitāmara dhundubhinādamahomukharīkṛta diṅmakare । jaya jaya he mahiṣāsuramardini ramyakapardini śailasute ॥
शरणागत śaraṇāgata those who take refuge अभय abhaya fearlessness दुन्दुभि dundubhi kettledrum महिषासुरमर्दिनि mahiṣāsuramardini slayer of Mahishasura शरण में आए वीरों को, शत्रुओं की पत्नियों को भी, अभय देने वाली; तीनों लोकों के शीर्ष पर बैठे विरोधियों पर विजय पाने वाला निर्मल त्रिशूल धारण करने वाली; देवताओं के नगाड़ों की "दुमि-दुमि" ध्वनि से दिशाओं को गुंजाने वाली: हे महिषासुरमर्दिनी, सुंदर जटाओं वाली, पर्वतराज की पुत्री, आपकी जय हो, जय हो!
You grant fearlessness to the brave who take refuge in you, even to the wives of enemies; you hold the pure trident, which overcomes even those who stand at the head of the three worlds; the gods' drums sound "dumi dumi", making the directions resound: Victory, victory to you, slayer of Mahishasura, with your beautiful braided hair, daughter of the mountain!
Whose hand grants fearlessness to the brave husbands of enemy women who take refuge; whose hand holds the pure trident set against the trident of the lord of the three worlds; who fills the directions with the great sound of the gods' drums, "dumi-dumi". Each verse ends with the refrain: victory, victory to you, slayer of Mahishasura, daughter of the mountain, with beautiful braided hair.
अयि निजहुङ्कृति मात्रनिराकृत धूम्रविलोचन धूम्रशते । समरविशोषित शोणितबीज समुद्भवशोणित बीजलते । शिवशिवशुम्भ निशुम्भमहाहव तर्पितभूत पिशाचरते । जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥
ayi nijahuṅkṛti mātranirākṛta dhūmravilocana dhūmraśate । samaraviśoṣita śoṇitabīja samudbhavaśoṇita bījalate । śivaśivaśumbha niśumbhamahāhava tarpitabhūta piśācarate । jaya jaya he mahiṣāsuramardini ramyakapardini śailasute ॥
हुङ्कृति huṅkṛti the sound "hum" धूम्रविलोचन dhūmravilocana the demon Dhumralochana शोणितबीज śoṇitabīja Raktabija महिषासुरमर्दिनि mahiṣāsuramardini slayer of Mahishasura अपनी हुंकार मात्र से धूम्रलोचन और सैकड़ों धूम्र (असुरों) का नाश करने वाली; युद्ध में रक्तबीज और उसके रक्त से उपजी बीजों की बेल को सुखाने वाली; शुम्भ-निशुम्भ के महासंग्राम से तृप्त भूत-पिशाचों को आनंद देने वाली: हे महिषासुरमर्दिनी, सुंदर जटाओं वाली, पर्वतराज की पुत्री, आपकी जय हो, जय हो!
By your mere roar you destroyed Dhumralochana and hundreds of smoke-like demons; in battle you dried up Raktabija and the creeper of seeds sprung from his blood; you delighted the spirits and fiends, sated by the great battle with Shumbha and Nishumbha: Victory, victory to you, slayer of Mahishasura, with your beautiful braided hair, daughter of the mountain!
Who with a mere "hum" of your own destroyed Dhumralochana and his hundreds of smoky (warriors); who in battle dried up the creeper of Raktabija, from whose blood new demons sprang; who satisfied the spirits and goblins in the great battle with Shumbha and Nishumbha. Each verse ends with the refrain: victory, victory to you, slayer of Mahishasura, daughter of the mountain, with beautiful braided hair.
धनुरनुषङ्ग रणक्षणसङ्ग परिस्फुरदङ्ग नटत्कटके । कनकपिशङ्ग पृषत्कनिषङ्ग रसद्भटशृङ्ग हताबटुके । कृतचतुरङ्ग बलक्षितिरङ्ग घटद्बहुरङ्ग रटद्बटुके । जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥
dhanuranuṣaṅga raṇakṣaṇasaṅga parisphuradaṅga naṭatkaṭake । kanakapiśaṅga pṛṣatkaniṣaṅga rasadbhaṭaśṛṅga hatābaṭuke । kṛtacaturaṅga balakṣitiraṅga ghaṭadbahuraṅga raṭadbaṭuke । jaya jaya he mahiṣāsuramardini ramyakapardini śailasute ॥
धनुः dhanuḥ bow निषङ्ग niṣaṅga quiver चतुरङ्ग caturaṅga the four-fold army महिषासुरमर्दिनि mahiṣāsuramardini slayer of Mahishasura युद्ध के क्षण में धनुष के साथ चलते अंगों से जिनके कंगन नाचते हैं; जिनका सुनहरा तरकश गरजते योद्धाओं के शृंग (गर्व) को गिरा देता है; जिन्होंने चतुरंगिणी सेना से अनेक रंगों और युवा योद्धाओं के कोलाहल से भरा रणक्षेत्र रचा: हे महिषासुरमर्दिनी, सुंदर जटाओं वाली, पर्वतराज की पुत्री, आपकी जय हो, जय हो!
Your bracelets dance as your limbs move swiftly with the bow in the moment of battle; your golden-brown quiver of arrows strikes down the horns of roaring warriors; you created a battlefield of four-fold armies, alive with many colours and the cries of young fighters: Victory, victory to you, slayer of Mahishasura, with your beautiful braided hair, daughter of the mountain!
Whose bracelets dance as your limbs flash in the moment of battle, bow in hand; who struck down the champions with golden-tawny arrows from the quiver; who stirred up the four-fold army on the battlefield where many soldiers clash and cry out. Each verse ends with the refrain: victory, victory to you, slayer of Mahishasura, daughter of the mountain, with beautiful braided hair.
सुरललना ततथेयि तथेयि कृताभिनयोदर नृत्यरते । कृत कुकुथः कुकुथो गडदादिकताल कुतूहल गानरते । धुधुकुट धुक्कुट धिंधिमित ध्वनि धीर मृदंग निनादरते । जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥
suralalanā tatatheyi tatheyi kṛtābhinayodara nṛtyarate । kṛta kukuthaḥ kukutho gaḍadādikatāla kutūhala gānarate । dhudhukuṭa dhukkuṭa dhiṃdhimita dhvani dhīra mṛdaṃga ninādarate । jaya jaya he mahiṣāsuramardini ramyakapardini śailasute ॥
सुरललना suralalanā celestial women नृत्यरते nṛtyarate delighting in dance मृदंग mṛdaṃga the mridanga drum महिषासुरमर्दिनि mahiṣāsuramardini slayer of Mahishasura देव-अप्सराओं के "तत थेयि तथेयि" पर किए नृत्य-अभिनय में रमने वाली, "कुकुथ गडद" आदि तालों के गान में रमने वाली, और मृदंग के "धुधुकुट धुक्कुट धिंधिमित" के गंभीर नाद में रमने वाली: हे महिषासुरमर्दिनी, सुंदर जटाओं वाली, पर्वतराज की पुत्री, आपकी जय हो, जय हो!
You delight in the dance of the celestial women, performed to "tata theyi tathe", and in songs set to rhythms like "kukutha gadada"; you delight in the deep sound of the mridanga, "dhudhukuta dhukkuta dhimdhimita": Victory, victory to you, slayer of Mahishasura, with your beautiful braided hair, daughter of the mountain!
Who delights in the dance of the celestial women, with expressive gestures to "tatheyi tatheyi"; who delights in songs with playful rhythms; who delights in the deep sound of the mridanga, "dhudhukuta dhim-dhim". The syllables are dance and drum sounds. Each verse ends with the refrain: victory, victory to you, slayer of Mahishasura, daughter of the mountain, with beautiful braided hair.
जय जय जप्य जयेजयशब्द परस्तुति तत्परविश्वनुते । झणझणझिञ्झिमि झिङ्कृत नूपुरशिञ्जितमोहित भूतपते । नटित नटार्ध नटी नट नायक नाटितनाट्य सुगानरते । जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥
jaya jaya japya jayejayaśabda parastuti tatparaviśvanute । jhaṇajhaṇajhiñjhimi jhiṅkṛta nūpuraśiñjitamohita bhūtapate । naṭita naṭārdha naṭī naṭa nāyaka nāṭitanāṭya sugānarate । jaya jaya he mahiṣāsuramardini ramyakapardini śailasute ॥
नूपुर nūpura anklets भूतपते bhūtapate lord of beings (Shiva) नाट्य nāṭya drama, dance महिषासुरमर्दिनि mahiṣāsuramardini slayer of Mahishasura "जय जय" के जप और स्तुति से सारे विश्व द्वारा पूजित; "झण-झण" बजते नूपुरों की ध्वनि से भूतनाथ शिव को मोहित करने वाली; नटराज और अर्धनारीश्वर के नृत्य-नाटक के सुंदर गान में रमने वाली: हे महिषासुरमर्दिनी, सुंदर जटाओं वाली, पर्वतराज की पुत्री, आपकी जय हो, जय हो!
Praised by the whole world with chants of "victory, victory"; who enchants Shiva, lord of beings, with the jingling of anklets; who delights in the beautiful song of the dance led by the lord of dancers with the half-dancer (Ardhanarishvara): Victory, victory to you, slayer of Mahishasura, with your beautiful braided hair, daughter of the mountain!
Praised by the whole world, which is devoted to the cry of victory; who enchanted Shiva, lord of beings, with the jingling of your anklets; who delights in the fine songs of the drama played by the lord of dancers (Shiva) and his half (Parvati). Each verse ends with the refrain: victory, victory to you, slayer of Mahishasura, daughter of the mountain, with beautiful braided hair.
अयि सुमनःसुमनःसुमनः सुमनःसुमनोहरकान्तियुते । श्रितरजनी रजनीरजनी रजनीरजनी करवक्त्रवृते । सुनयनविभ्रमर भ्रमरभ्रमर भ्रमरभ्रमराधिपते । जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥
ayi sumanaḥsumanaḥsumanaḥ sumanaḥsumanoharakāntiyute । śritarajanī rajanīrajanī rajanīrajanī karavaktravṛte । sunayanavibhramara bhramarabhramara bhramarabhramarādhipate । jaya jaya he mahiṣāsuramardini ramyakapardini śailasute ॥
सुमनः sumanaḥ flower; the good-minded; gods रजनीकर rajanīkara the moon भ्रमर bhramara bee महिषासुरमर्दिनि mahiṣāsuramardini slayer of Mahishasura आप देवताओं और सज्जनों के मन को हरने वाली कांति से युक्त हैं (इस पंक्ति में "सुमनः" शब्द फूल, देवता और सुंदर मन के अर्थों में दोहराया गया है); आपका मुख रात्रि के स्वामी चंद्रमा जैसा है ("रजनी" पर शब्द-क्रीड़ा); आपके सुंदर चंचल नेत्र भ्रमरों जैसे हैं और आप भ्रमरों की स्वामिनी हैं ("भ्रमर" पर शब्द-क्रीड़ा): हे महिषासुरमर्दिनी, सुंदर जटाओं वाली, पर्वतराज की पुत्री, आपकी जय हो, जय हो!
You shine with a loveliness that delights the gods and the good-hearted (the line plays on sumanah: flowers, gods, good minds); your face is like the moon, lord of the night (playing on rajani: night); your lovely restless eyes are like bees, and you rule over the bees (playing on bhramara): Victory, victory to you, slayer of Mahishasura, with your beautiful braided hair, daughter of the mountain!
This verse is a play on repeated words (sumanas: flowers, gods, the good-minded; rajani: night, moon; bhramara: bee) and is read in several ways. In plain sense: you have a beauty that charms the gods and the good-hearted; your face is lovely as the moon of the night; your beautiful eyes are like bees. Each verse ends with the refrain: victory, victory to you, slayer of Mahishasura, daughter of the mountain, with beautiful braided hair.
सहितमहाहव मल्लमतल्लिक मल्लितरल्लक मल्लरते । विरचितवल्लिक पल्लिकमल्लिक झिल्लिकभिल्लिक वर्गवृते । शितकृतफुल्ल समुल्लसितारुण तल्लजपल्लव सल्ललिते । जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥
sahitamahāhava mallamatallika mallitarallaka mallarate । viracitavallika pallikamallika jhillikabhillika vargavṛte । śitakṛtaphulla samullasitāruṇa tallajapallava sallalite । jaya jaya he mahiṣāsuramardini ramyakapardini śailasute ॥
मल्ल malla wrestler, fighter पल्लव pallava sprout; (here) the hand महिषासुरमर्दिनि mahiṣāsuramardini slayer of Mahishasura श्रेष्ठ मल्लों के साथ महायुद्ध में रमने वाली; लताओं और मल्लिका से सजी वनवासी स्त्रियों के समूह से घिरी; खिले, दमकते लाल कोमल पत्तों जैसी सुंदर: हे महिषासुरमर्दिनी, सुंदर जटाओं वाली, पर्वतराज की पुत्री, आपकी जय हो, जय हो!
You delight in great battles with the finest wrestlers; you are surrounded by forest women adorned with creepers and jasmine; you are lovely with fresh, glowing red shoots of leaves: Victory, victory to you, slayer of Mahishasura, with your beautiful braided hair, daughter of the mountain!
Who delights in the great wrestling of the best of fighters; surrounded by groups of village and forest women weaving creepers and jasmine; whose lovely red sprouts (hands) unfold like blossoms. Each verse ends with the refrain: victory, victory to you, slayer of Mahishasura, daughter of the mountain, with beautiful braided hair.
अविरलगण्ड गलन्मदमेदुर मत्तमतङ्ग जराजपते । त्रिभुवनभूषण भूतकलानिधि रूपपयोनिधि राजसुते । अयि सुदतीजन लालसमानस मोहन मन्मथराजसुते । जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥
aviralagaṇḍa galanmadamedura mattamataṅga jarājapate । tribhuvanabhūṣaṇa bhūtakalānidhi rūpapayonidhi rājasute । ayi sudatījana lālasamānasa mohana manmatharājasute । jaya jaya he mahiṣāsuramardini ramyakapardini śailasute ॥
मतङ्ग mataṅga elephant त्रिभुवनभूषण tribhuvanabhūṣaṇa ornament of the three worlds मन्मथ manmatha the god of love महिषासुरमर्दिनि mahiṣāsuramardini slayer of Mahishasura मद बहते गंडस्थल वाले मतवाले गजराज जैसी चाल वाली; तीनों लोकों का आभूषण, चंद्रमा जैसी, सौंदर्य की सागर, राजकुमारी; सुंदर दाँतों वाली स्त्रियाँ जिनकी लालसा करती हैं, ऐसे मन को मोहने वाली पर्वत-पुत्री: हे महिषासुरमर्दिनी, सुंदर जटाओं वाली, पर्वतराज की पुत्री, आपकी जय हो, जय हो!
Like a king of maddened elephants whose temples stream with rut; ornament of the three worlds, treasure of beauty like the moon, ocean of loveliness, princess; enchanting the minds of those who long for you, daughter of the mountain: Victory, victory to you, slayer of Mahishasura, with your beautiful braided hair, daughter of the mountain!
You are like the king of elephants in rut; daughter of the king (of mountains), ornament of the three worlds, treasury of beauty like the moon, ocean of loveliness; who enchants even the god of love, whom beautiful women long for. Each verse ends with the refrain: victory, victory to you, slayer of Mahishasura, daughter of the mountain, with beautiful braided hair.
कमलदलामल कोमलकान्ति कलाकलितामल भाललते । सकलविलास कलानिलयक्रम केलिचलत्कल हंसकुले । अलिकुलसङ्कुल कुवलयमण्डल मौलिमिलद्बकुलालिकुले । जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥
kamaladalāmala komalakānti kalākalitāmala bhālalate । sakalavilāsa kalānilayakrama kelicalatkala haṃsakule । alikulasaṅkula kuvalayamaṇḍala maulimiladbakulālikule । jaya jaya he mahiṣāsuramardini ramyakapardini śailasute ॥
कमलदल kamaladala lotus petal हंसकुले haṃsakule among flocks of swans बकुल bakula the bakula flower महिषासुरमर्दिनि mahiṣāsuramardini slayer of Mahishasura कमल की पंखुड़ी जैसी निर्मल, कोमल कांति से आपका ललाट शोभित है; हंसों के झुंड जैसी आपकी चाल सब कलाओं का निवास है; आपके केशों के बकुल फूलों और नील कमलों पर भौंरों के झुंड मंडराते हैं: हे महिषासुरमर्दिनी, सुंदर जटाओं वाली, पर्वतराज की पुत्री, आपकी जय हो, जय हो!
Your forehead shines with the pure, soft glow of a lotus petal; your graceful walk is like a flock of swans, the home of every art; bees swarm to the bakula flowers and blue lotuses in your hair: Victory, victory to you, slayer of Mahishasura, with your beautiful braided hair, daughter of the mountain!
Whose forehead shines with the pure, soft glow of a lotus petal; amid flocks of swans playing gracefully; whose crown is adorned with bakula flowers among clusters of blue lilies swarming with bees. Each verse ends with the refrain: victory, victory to you, slayer of Mahishasura, daughter of the mountain, with beautiful braided hair.
करमुरलीरव वीजितकूजित लज्जितकोकिल मञ्जुमते । मिलितपुलिन्द मनोहरगुञ्जित रञ्जितशैल निकुञ्जगते । निजगणभूत महाशबरीगण सद्गुणसम्भृत केलितले । जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥
karamuralīrava vījitakūjita lajjitakokila mañjumate । militapulinda manoharaguñjita rañjitaśaila nikuñjagate । nijagaṇabhūta mahāśabarīgaṇa sadguṇasambhṛta kelitale । jaya jaya he mahiṣāsuramardini ramyakapardini śailasute ॥
मुरली muralī flute कोकिल kokila cuckoo शबरी śabarī tribal (Shabara) women महिषासुरमर्दिनि mahiṣāsuramardini slayer of Mahishasura आपके हाथ की मुरली की ध्वनि से कोयल भी लज्जित हो जाती है; वनवासियों के मनोहर गुंजन से रंगे पर्वतीय कुंजों में विचरने वाली; अपने गणों और गुणी शबरी-स्त्रियों के बीच क्रीड़ा करने वाली: हे महिषासुरमर्दिनी, सुंदर जटाओं वाली, पर्वतराज की पुत्री, आपकी जय हो, जय हो!
The music of the flute in your hand puts even the cuckoo to shame; you roam the mountain groves, coloured by the lovely humming of the forest people; you play among your own hosts of spirits and tribal women, full of virtue: Victory, victory to you, slayer of Mahishasura, with your beautiful braided hair, daughter of the mountain!
Whose sweet voice, with the sound of the flute in her hand, puts the cuckoo to shame; who wanders in the mountain groves made lovely by the humming of the forest people; who plays amid the virtuous hosts of tribal women of her own band. Each verse ends with the refrain: victory, victory to you, slayer of Mahishasura, daughter of the mountain, with beautiful braided hair.
कटितटपीत दुकूलविचित्र मयुखतिरस्कृत चन्द्ररुचे । प्रणतसुरासुर मौलिमणिस्फुर दंशुलसन्नख चन्द्ररुचे । जितकनकाचल मौलिमदोर्जित निर्भरकुञ्जर कुम्भकुचे । जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥
kaṭitaṭapīta dukūlavicitra mayukhatiraskṛta candraruce । praṇatasurāsura maulimaṇisphura daṃśulasannakha candraruce । jitakanakācala maulimadorjita nirbharakuñjara kumbhakuce । jaya jaya he mahiṣāsuramardini ramyakapardini śailasute ॥
दुकूल dukūla silk garment प्रणत praṇata bowing कनकाचल kanakācala the golden mountain (Meru) महिषासुरमर्दिनि mahiṣāsuramardini slayer of Mahishasura कमर पर पीले रेशमी वस्त्र की चमक चंद्रमा की आभा को भी फीका कर देती है; जिनके चरणों में झुके देवों और असुरों के मुकुट-मणियों की आभा से नख चंद्रमा जैसे चमकते हैं; जिनका रूप स्वर्ण पर्वत से भी बढ़कर है: हे महिषासुरमर्दिनी, सुंदर जटाओं वाली, पर्वतराज की पुत्री, आपकी जय हो, जय हो!
The shimmering yellow silk at your waist outshines the moonlight; the toenails at which gods and demons bow glow like moons in the light of their crown-jewels; your form surpasses the golden mountain: Victory, victory to you, slayer of Mahishasura, with your beautiful braided hair, daughter of the mountain!
Whose yellow silk at the waist outshines the moon's light; whose toenails shine like moons in the glow of the crown-jewels of bowing gods and demons; whose bosom surpasses the golden mountain and the temples of elephants. Each verse ends with the refrain: victory, victory to you, slayer of Mahishasura, daughter of the mountain, with beautiful braided hair.
विजितसहस्रकरैक सहस्रकरैक सहस्रकरैकनुते । कृतसुरतारक सङ्गरतारक सङ्गरतारक सूनुसुते । सुरथसमाधि समानसमाधि समाधिसमाधि सुजातरते । जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥
vijitasahasrakaraika sahasrakaraika sahasrakaraikanute । kṛtasuratāraka saṅgaratāraka saṅgaratāraka sūnusute । surathasamādhi samānasamādhi samādhisamādhi sujātarate । jaya jaya he mahiṣāsuramardini ramyakapardini śailasute ॥
सहस्रकर sahasrakara the thousand-rayed (sun) तारक tāraka the demon Taraka सुरथसमाधि surathasamādhi Suratha and Samadhi महिषासुरमर्दिनि mahiṣāsuramardini slayer of Mahishasura हज़ार किरणों वाले सूर्य द्वारा स्तुत, जिन्हें आप भी जीत लेती हैं; तारकासुर से युद्ध में देवताओं को उबारने वाले कार्तिकेय की माता; राजा सुरथ और वैश्य समाधि के समान ध्यान से प्रसन्न होने वाली: हे महिषासुरमर्दिनी, सुंदर जटाओं वाली, पर्वतराज की पुत्री, आपकी जय हो, जय हो!
Praised by the sun with its thousand rays, whom you surpass; mother of Kartikeya, who delivered the gods from Taraka in battle; who delighted in the meditation of King Suratha and the merchant Samadhi, equal in their devotion: Victory, victory to you, slayer of Mahishasura, with your beautiful braided hair, daughter of the mountain!
Another verse built on repeated words, read in several ways: you are praised by the thousand-rayed sun and by thousands; you are the mother of the son (Kartikeya) who saved the gods in the battle with Taraka; you delight in the devotion of King Suratha and the merchant Samadhi (from the Devi Mahatmya). Each verse ends with the refrain: victory, victory to you, slayer of Mahishasura, daughter of the mountain, with beautiful braided hair.
पदकमलं करुणानिलये वरिवस्यति योऽनुदिनं सुशिवे । अयि कमले कमलानिलये कमलानिलयः स कथं न भवेत् । तव पदमेव परम्पदमित्यनुशीलयतो मम किं न शिवे । जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥
padakamalaṃ karuṇānilaye varivasyati yo'nudinaṃ suśive । ayi kamale kamalānilaye kamalānilayaḥ sa kathaṃ na bhavet । tava padameva parampadamityanuśīlayato mama kiṃ na śive । jaya jaya he mahiṣāsuramardini ramyakapardini śailasute ॥
पदकमलम् padakamalam the lotus feet करुणानिलये karuṇānilaye abode of compassion परम्पदम् parampadam the highest state महिषासुरमर्दिनि mahiṣāsuramardini slayer of Mahishasura हे करुणा की धाम, हे कल्याणी, जो प्रतिदिन आपके चरण-कमलों की सेवा करता है, हे कमलवासिनी कमला, वह लक्ष्मी का निवास क्यों न बने? आपके चरण ही परम पद हैं; उनका ध्यान करते हुए मुझे क्या नहीं मिलेगा, हे शिवे? हे महिषासुरमर्दिनी, सुंदर जटाओं वाली, पर्वतराज की पुत्री, आपकी जय हो, जय हो!
O auspicious one, abode of compassion, how could one who worships your lotus feet every day not become the abode of Lakshmi, O Kamala who dwells in the lotus? Your feet alone are the highest goal; as I meditate on them, what could I not attain, O Shiva's consort? Victory, victory to you, slayer of Mahishasura, with your beautiful braided hair, daughter of the mountain!
O abode of compassion, auspicious one: whoever worships your lotus feet daily, how could he not become an abode of Lakshmi? O Shiva (auspicious one), for me who holds that your feet alone are the highest state, what is not possible? The phalashruti begins here. Each verse ends with the refrain: victory, victory to you, slayer of Mahishasura, daughter of the mountain, with beautiful braided hair.
कनकलसत्कलसिन्धुजलैरनुषिञ्चति तेगुणरङ्गभुवम् । भजति स किं न शचीकुचकुम्भतटीपरिरम्भसुखानुभवम् । तव चरणं शरणं करवाणि नतामरवाणि निवासि शिवम् । जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥
kanakalasatkalasindhujalairanuṣiñcati teguṇaraṅgabhuvam । bhajati sa kiṃ na śacīkucakumbhataṭīparirambhasukhānubhavam । tava caraṇaṃ śaraṇaṃ karavāṇi natāmaravāṇi nivāsi śivam । jaya jaya he mahiṣāsuramardini ramyakapardini śailasute ॥
कनकलसत्कल kanakalasatkala shining golden pots शरणं करवाणि śaraṇaṃ karavāṇi I take refuge महिषासुरमर्दिनि mahiṣāsuramardini slayer of Mahishasura जो स्वर्ण कलशों के चमकते जल से आपकी क्रीड़ाभूमि का अभिषेक करता है, क्या वह स्वर्ग के सुख का अनुभव नहीं करेगा? हे देवताओं द्वारा वंदित वाणी, शिव के साथ निवास करने वाली, मैं आपके चरणों की शरण लेता हूँ: हे महिषासुरमर्दिनी, सुंदर जटाओं वाली, पर्वतराज की पुत्री, आपकी जय हो, जय हो!
Whoever bathes the ground of your play with the shining waters of golden pots, will they not know the joy of heaven? I take refuge at your feet, O goddess of speech to whom the gods bow, who dwells with Shiva: Victory, victory to you, slayer of Mahishasura, with your beautiful braided hair, daughter of the mountain!
Whoever bathes your place of play with the shining waters of the river in golden pots, does he not enjoy the happiness of Indra's heaven? I take refuge at your feet, auspicious one, in whom the speech of the bowing gods dwells. Each verse ends with the refrain: victory, victory to you, slayer of Mahishasura, daughter of the mountain, with beautiful braided hair.
तव विमलेन्दुकुलं वदनेन्दुमलं सकलं ननु कूलयते । किमु पुरुहूतपुरीन्दु मुखी सुमुखीभिरसौ विमुखीक्रियते । मम तु मतं शिवनामधने भवती कृपया किमुत क्रियते । जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥
tava vimalendukulaṃ vadanendumalaṃ sakalaṃ nanu kūlayate । kimu puruhūtapurīndu mukhī sumukhībhirasau vimukhīkriyate । mama tu mataṃ śivanāmadhane bhavatī kṛpayā kimuta kriyate । jaya jaya he mahiṣāsuramardini ramyakapardini śailasute ॥
वदनेन्दु vadanendu moon-like face पुरुहूतपुरी puruhūtapurī Indra's city महिषासुरमर्दिनि mahiṣāsuramardini slayer of Mahishasura आपका निर्मल चंद्र जैसा मुख समूचे चंद्रमा को भी फीका कर देता है; क्या इंद्रपुरी की चंद्रमुखी सुंदरियाँ ऐसे भक्त से विमुख होंगी? मेरे विचार में, जिसका धन शिव-नाम है, उसके लिए आप कृपा से क्या नहीं कर सकतीं? हे महिषासुरमर्दिनी, सुंदर जटाओं वाली, पर्वतराज की पुत्री, आपकी जय हो, जय हो!
Your pure, moon-like face makes the whole moon seem faint; would the moon-faced beauties of Indra's city turn away from such a devotee? In my view, for one whose wealth is Shiva's name, what can you not do by your grace? Victory, victory to you, slayer of Mahishasura, with your beautiful braided hair, daughter of the mountain!
Your spotless moon-like face surpasses the whole race of moons; does it not turn away even the moon-faced women of Indra's city? In my view, rich only in the name of Shiva, what can you not do by your grace? Each verse ends with the refrain: victory, victory to you, slayer of Mahishasura, daughter of the mountain, with beautiful braided hair.
अयि मयि दीन दयालुतया कृपयैव त्वया भवितव्यमुमे । अयि जगतो जननी कृपयासि यथासि तथानुमितासिरते । यदुचितमत्र भवत्युररीकुरुतादुरुतापमपाकुरुते । जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥
ayi mayi dīna dayālutayā kṛpayaiva tvayā bhavitavyamume । ayi jagato jananī kṛpayāsi yathāsi tathānumitāsirate । yaducitamatra bhavatyurarīkurutādurutāpamapākurute । jaya jaya he mahiṣāsuramardini ramyakapardini śailasute ॥
उमे ume O Uma जगतो जननी jagato jananī mother of the world उरुताप urutāpa great suffering महिषासुरमर्दिनि mahiṣāsuramardini slayer of Mahishasura हे उमा, मुझ दीन पर अपनी दया से ही कृपा कीजिए। हे जगत की जननी, आप जैसी कृपामयी हैं, वैसी ही जानी जाती हैं। यहाँ जो उचित हो वह कीजिए और मेरा महान संताप दूर कीजिए: हे महिषासुरमर्दिनी, सुंदर जटाओं वाली, पर्वतराज की पुत्री, आपकी जय हो, जय हो!
O Uma, be kind to me, the humble one, out of your compassion alone. O Mother of the world, as you are full of grace, so you are known to be. Do whatever is fitting here, and take away my great suffering: Victory, victory to you, slayer of Mahishasura, with your beautiful braided hair, daughter of the mountain!
O Uma, you must be kind to me, the humble, out of compassion; O mother of the world, as you are full of grace, so you are known. Do whatever is fitting here, and take away my great suffering. Each verse ends with the refrain: victory, victory to you, slayer of Mahishasura, daughter of the mountain, with beautiful braided hair.
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- Sources
- Mahishasura Mardini Stotram, Wikipedia (2026)
- Devi Mahatmya, Wikipedia (2026)