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Mahishasura Mardini Stotram

Puranic

Mahishasura Mardini Stotram

महिषासुर मर्दिनी स्तोत्रम्

About the Mahishasura Mardini Stotram

The Mahishasura Mardini Stotram is one of the most dynamic and acoustically formidable hymns in Sanskrit literature. Chanted extensively during Navaratri, it is revered for dispelling fear, negative afflictions, and awakening spiritual fortitude.

8 min
Deity
Durga
Tradition
Shakta, Smarta, Universal
Purpose
Destruction of enemies, removal of fear, attainment of strength, and invoking the protective grace of the Divine Mother.
Source
Śākta tradition, Smārta sampradāya, now universal.

मूल पाठ

Sanskrit text

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

॥ १ ॥

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

॥ २ ॥

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

॥ ३ ॥

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

॥ ४ ॥

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

॥ ५ ॥

अयि शरणागत वैरिवधूवर वीरवराभय दायकरे त्रिभुवनमस्तक शूलविरोधिशिरोऽधिकृतामल शूलकरे। दुमिदुमितामर धुन्दुभिनादमहोमुखरीकृत दिङ्निकरे जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते

ayi śaraṇāgata vairivadhūvara vīravarābhayadāyakare tribhuvanamastaka śūlavirodhiśiro'dhikṛtāmala śūlakare | dumidumitāmara dhundubhinādamahomukharīkṛta diṅnikare jaya jaya he mahiṣāsuramardini ramyakapardini śailasute

॥ ६ ॥

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

॥ ७ ॥

धनुरनुषङ्ग रणक्षणसङ्ग परिस्फुरदङ्ग नटत्कटके कनकपिशङ्ग पृषत्कनिषङ्ग रसद्भटशृङ्ग हताबटुके। कृतचतुरङ्ग बलक्षितिरङ्ग घटद्बहुरङ्ग रटद्बटुके जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते

dhanuranuṣaṅga raṇakṣaṇasaṅga parisphuradaṅga naṭaṭkaṭake kanakapiśaṅga pṛṣatkaṇiṣaṅga rasadbhaṭaśṛṅga hatābaṭuke | kṛtacaturaṅga balakṣitiraṅga ghaṭadbhauraṅga raṭadbaṭuke jaya jaya he mahiṣāsuramardini ramyakapardini śailasute

॥ ८ ॥

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

॥ ९ ॥

जय जय जप्य जयेजयशब्द परस्तुति तत्परविश्वनुते झणझणझिञ्जिमि झिङ्कृत नूपुरशिञ्जितमोहित भूतपते। नटित नटार्ध नटी नट नायक नाटितनाट्य सुगानरते जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते

jaya jaya japya jayejayaśabda parastuti tatparaviśvanute jhaṇajhaṇajhiñjimi jhiṅkṛta nūpuraśiñjitamohita bhūtapate | naṭita naṭārdha naṭī naṭa nāyaka nāṭitanāṭya sugānarate jaya jaya he mahiṣāsuramardini ramyakapardini śailasute

॥ १० ॥

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

॥ ११ ॥

सहितमहाहव मल्लमसल्लिक मल्लितरल्लक मल्लरते विरचितवल्लिक पल्लिकमल्लिक झिल्लिकभिल्लिक वर्गवृते। शितकृतफुल्ल समुल्लसितारुण तल्लजपल्लव सल्ललिते जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते

sahitamahāhava mallamasallika mallitarallaka mallarate viracitavallika pallikamallika jhillikabhillika vargavṛte | śitakṛtaphulla samullasitāruṇa tallajapallava sallalite jaya jaya he mahiṣāsuramardini ramyakapardini śailasute

॥ १२ ॥

अविरलगण्ड गलन्मदमेदुर मत्तमतङ्गज राजपते त्रिभुवनभूषण भूतकलानिधि रूपपयोनिधि राजसुते। अयि सुदतीजन लालसमानस मोहन मन्मथराजसुते जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते

aviralagaṇḍa galanmadamedura mattamataṅgaja rājapate tribhuvanabhūṣaṇa bhūtakalānidhi rūpapayonidhi rājasute | ayi sudatījana lālasamānasa mohana manmatharājasute jaya jaya he mahiṣāsuramardini ramyakapardini śailasute

॥ १३ ॥

कमलदलामल कोमलकान्ति कलाकलितामल भाललते सकलविलास कलानिलयक्रम केलिचलत्कल हंसकुले। अलिकुलसङ्कुल कुवलयमण्डल मौलिमिलद्भकुलालिकुले जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते

kamaladalāmala komalakānti kalākalitāmala bhālalate sakalavilāsa kalānilayakrama kelicalatkala haṃsakule | alikulasaṅkula kuvalayamaṇḍala maulimiladbhakulālikule jaya jaya he mahiṣāsuramardini ramyakapardini śailasute

॥ १४ ॥

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

॥ १५ ॥

कटितटपीत दुकूलविचित्र मयूखतिरस्कृत चन्द्ररुचे प्रणतसुरासुर मौलिमणिस्फुर दंशुलसन्नख चन्द्ररुचे। जितकनकाचल मौलिमदोर्जित निर्भरकुञ्जर कुम्भकुचे जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते

kaṭitaṭapīta dukūlavicitra mayūkhatiraskṛta candraruce praṇatasurāsura maulimaṇisphura daṃśulasannakha candraruce | jitakanakācala maulimadorjita nirbharakuñjara kumbhakuce jaya jaya he mahiṣāsuramardini ramyakapardini śailasute

॥ १६ ॥

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

॥ १७ ॥

पदकमलं करुणानिलये वरिवस्यति योऽनुदिनं स शिवे 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 sa śive ayi kamale kamalānilaye kamalānilayaḥ sa kathaṃ na bhavet | tava padameva parampadamityanuśīlayato mama kiṃ na śive jaya jaya he mahiṣāsuramardini ramyakapardini śailasute

॥ १८ ॥

कनकलसत्कलसिन्धुजलैरनुषिञ्चति तेगुणरङ्गभुवम् भजति स किं न शचीकुचकुम्भतटीपरिरम्भसुखानुभवम्। तव चरणं शरणं करवाणि नतामरवाणि निवासि शिवम् जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते

kanakalasatkalaśindhujalairanuṣiñcati teguṇaraṅgabhuvaṃ bhajati sa kiṃ na śacīkucakumbhaṭaṭīparirambhasukhānubhavam | tava caraṇaṃ śaraṇaṃ karavāṇi natāmaravāṇi nivāsi śivam jaya jaya he mahiṣāsuramardini ramyakapardini śailasute

॥ १९ ॥

तव विमलेन्दुकुलं वदनेन्दुमलं सकलं ननु कूलयते किमु पुरुहूतपुरीन्दुमुखी सुमुखीभिरसौ विमुखीक्रियते। मम तु मतं शिवनामधने भवती कृपया किमुत क्रियते जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते

tava vimalendukulaṃ vadanendumalaṃ sakalaṃ nanu kūlayate kimu puruhūtapurīndumukhī sumukhībhirasau vimukhīkriyate | mama tu mataṃ śivanāmadhane bhavatī kṛpayā kimuta kriyate jaya jaya he mahiṣāsuramardini ramyakapardini śailasute

॥ २० ॥

अयि मयि दीन दयालुतया कृपयैव त्वया भवितव्यमुमे अयि जगतो जननी कृपयासि यथासि तथानुमितासिरते। यदुचितमत्र भवत्युररीकुरुतादुरुतापमपा कुरुते जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते

ayi mayi dīna dayālutayā kṛpayaiva tvayā bhavitavyamume ayi jagato jananī kṛpayāsi yathāsi tathānumitāsirate | yaducitamatra bhavatyurarīkurutāduratāpamapā kurute jaya jaya he mahiṣāsuramardini ramyakapardini śailasute

॥ २१ ॥

Mahishasura Mardini Stotram — recitation

Coming soon

अर्थ

Meaning

"O Daughter of the Mountain, who fills the earth with joy, who brings cosmic delight to the entire universe, praised by Nandin! O You who dwell upon the lofty peaks of the Vindhya mountains, who rejoice with Lord Vishnu, and who are extolled by Indra! O Bhagavati, beloved consort of the blue-throated Lord Shiva, whose family encompasses all creation, and who bestows abundant grace! Victory, victory unto You, O Slayer of the demon Mahishasura, who possess captivating tresses, O Daughter of the Mountain!"

संदर्भ

Context

The scriptural narrative grounding this stotra originates in the third carita (middle episode) of the Devi Mahatmya embedded within the Markandeya Purana, where Goddess Ambika slays the deceptive buffalo-demon Mahishasura after he usurps the heavenly realms from the Devas. Textually, the hymn is preserved in classical devotional anthologies such as the Brihat Stotra Ratnakara. Unlike strictly meditative dhyana verses, this stotra was composed to simulate the acoustic turbulence, drumming, and triumph of dharma over adharma through rigorous Sanskrit meter.

प्रयोग

How it is traditionally used

Recite the complete stotra once daily, preferably during the evening twilight (Sandhya) or immediately after completing the Durga Saptashati recitation during Navaratri. No formal initiation is required, making it universally accessible. Maintain an unhurried, rhythmic cadence, paying careful attention to the repetitive alliterations. Because of its intense martial energy, practitioners should chant it with absolute surrender rather than aggression, allowing the Goddess to conquer internal ego and external adversities.

Sources & References

Source / TraditionŚākta tradition, Smārta sampradāya, now universal.
Scriptural ReferencesSmṛti (Purāṇa), Śākta Upāsanā, Nirbandha Kāvya-Stotra literature. · Mārkaṇḍeya Purāṇa (Devī Māhātmyam, Chapters 2–4 and 8–10 for narrative foundations); Bṛhat Stotra Ratnākara; Śaṅkara Stotra Granthāvalī. · Mahiṣāsura Mardinī Stotram (Bṛhat Stotra Ratnākara, Nirnaya Sagar Press); Mārkaṇḍeya Purāṇa (Devī Māhātmyam, Chapters 2–4 and 8–10); Śāradā Tilaka Tantram (Chapter 11, Durgā Paṭala for ritual mālā rules); Agni Purāṇa (for Dik-niyama / directional rules); Śaṅkara Stotra Granthāvalī (for canonical Advaita-Smārta attribution)
Regional TraditionUniversal
Editorial NoteCanonical 21-verse hymn (Nirbandha Kāvya-Stotra) attributed to Śrī Ādi Śaṅkarācārya or Rāmakṛṣṇa Kavi; distils the battle sequences of the Devī Māhātmyam (chapters 2–4, 8–10). Brisk 16-syllable cadence (Nardaṭaka / Daṇḍaka) rich in short vowels (hrasva-svaras), battle-drum onomatopoeia (verse 9), and yamaka alliteration (verse 11). 1 round daily for protection and removing fear; 3 or 7 during Navarātri; 9 or 11 for acute crises; 21 rounds (Ekaviṃśati Āvartana) for a complete ritual cycle. Rakta Candana or Rudrākṣa (Śāradā Tilaka, chapter 11); face North to overcome obstacles (śatru-bādhā) and gain strength (puṣṭi), or East for peace (śānti, Agni Purāṇa). Maintain the 16-syllable tempo without dragging short vowels; avoid mid-compound breath pauses and softly release terminal visargas.

Dharmartha presents traditional knowledge with respect for its sources. Practices vary by lineage and region; this material does not assert exclusive or universal authority.

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Kathas

Durga Saptashati (Devi Mahatmyam)

दुर्गा सप्तशती (देवी माहात्म्यम्)

The crown jewel of Shakta literature embedded in the Markandeya Purana, comprising 700 verses across 13 chapters that celebrate the cosmic battles, forms, and supreme philosophy of the Divine Mother as Mahakali, Mahalakshmi, and Mahasaraswati.

8 minहिन्दी · English · संस्कृत
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Mantras

Durga Mantra

दुर्गा मंत्र

The highly protective seed-salutation (Bija-Nama) mantra of Goddess Durga, chanted to build an impenetrable spiritual shield and overcome fear, anxiety, and danger.

1 minहिन्दी · English · संस्कृत
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Mantras

Mahalakshmi Mantra

महालक्ष्मी मंत्र

The supreme seed-salutation mantra of Goddess Mahalakshmi, chanted to invoke Her divine grace for immense wealth, spiritual abundance, and lasting peace.

1 minहिन्दी · English
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Mantras

Sarasvati Mantra

सरस्वती मंत्र

The supreme seed-salutation (beeja-nama) mantra of Goddess Sarasvati, chanted to invoke Her divine grace for intelligence, supreme wisdom, artistic mastery, and eloquence of speech.

1 minहिन्दी · English
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Mantras

Sarva Mangala Mangalye

सर्व मंगल मांगल्ये

The universal Vedic-Tantric prayer to Goddess Durga (Narayani) for auspiciousness, marital harmony, protection, and the fulfilment of all desires.

2 minहिन्दी · English
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Rituals & Pooja Guides

Navratri Durga Puja Vidhi

नवरात्रि दुर्गा पूजा विधि

Complete home guide for Navratri — Ghatasthapana muhurta, samagri, step-by-step Durga puja with shodashopachara, mantras, Saptashati paath, aarti and kanya pujan.

Full vidhiहिन्दी · English · संस्कृत
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Festivals & Observances

Navratri

A nine-night Hindu festival honouring the Divine Mother (Shakti) in Her various manifestations, celebrating the victory of Dharma over Adharma through fasting, worship, and the reading of classical texts like the Devi Mahatmyam.

2 minहिन्दी · English
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