CHALISA

Durga Chalisa

दुर्गा चालीसा

🙏 Durga 🗣️ Hindi 📜 44 verses 👁 36 reads Suggest a correction
Durga

The Durga Chalisa is a forty-verse devotional hymn in praise of Goddess Durga — the embodiment of Shakti, the primordial feminine power that sustains and protects the cosmos. Composed in the Awadhi tradition, it narrates her divine attributes and her victory over the buffalo-demon Mahishasura, who had overwhelmed even the gods.

Devotees recite the Chalisa to invoke Durga's protection, seek courage in adversity, and remove fear from their lives. It is recited with particular fervour during Navratri — the nine-night festival celebrated twice a year — and on Fridays as a weekly observance.

Doha
नमो नमो दुर्गे सुख करनी। नमो नमो अम्बे दुःख हरनी॥
Namo Namo Durge Sukh Karni | Namo Namo Ambe Dukh Harni ||
Salutations to You, O Goddess Durga, the bestower of happiness. Salutations to You, O Mother Ambe, the remover of all miseries.
Chaupai 1
निरंकार है ज्योति तुम्हारी। तिहूँ लोक फैली उजियारी॥
Nirankar Hai Jyoti Tumhari | Tihun Lok Phaili Ujiyari ||
Your divine light is formless and infinite, and its radiance is spread across all the three worlds.
Chaupai 2
शशि ललाट मुख महाविशाला। नेत्र लाल भृकुटी विकराला॥
Shashi Lalaat Mukh Mahavishala | Netra Lal Bhrikuti Vikrala ||
The moon adorns your forehead and your face is grand. You have red eyes and formidable eyebrows.
Chaupai 3
रूप मातु को अधिक सुहावे। दरश करत जन अति सुख पावे॥
Roop Matu Ko Adhik Suhave | Darash Karat Jan Ati Sukh Paave ||
Your form is extremely beautiful and enchanting; devotees feel immense peace and happiness just by catching a glimpse of You.
Chaupai 4
तुम संसार शक्ति लय कीना। पालन हेतु अन्न धन दीना॥
Tum Sansar Shakti Laya Kina | Paalan Hetu Ann Dhan Dina ||
You embody the cosmic energy that sustains the universe, and You provide food and wealth for the sustenance of all beings.
Chaupai 5
अन्नपूर्णा हुई जग पाला। तुम ही आदि सुन्दरी बाला॥
Annapurna Hui Jag Paala | Tum Hi Aadi Sundari Baala ||
As Goddess Annapurna, You nourish the world. You are the primordial, beautiful, and eternal maiden.
Chaupai 6
प्रलयकाल सब नाशन हारी। तुम गौरी शिव शंकर प्यारी॥
Pralayakal Sab Naashan Haari | Tum Gauri Shiv Shankar Pyaari ||
During the time of dissolution, You destroy everything to pave the way for a new beginning. You are Gauri, the beloved of Lord Shiva.
Chaupai 7
शिव योगी तुम्हरे गुण गावें। ब्रह्मा विष्णु तुम्हें नित ध्यावें॥
Shiv Yogi Tumhre Gun Gaavain | Brahma Vishnu Tumhen Nit Dhyaavain ||
Lord Shiva and all yogis sing Your praises, while Brahma and Vishnu constantly meditate upon You.
Chaupai 8
रूप सरस्वती को तुम धार्यो। दे सुबुद्धि ऋषि मुनिन उबार्यो॥
Roop Saraswati Ko Tum Dharyo | De Subuddhi Rishi Munin Ubaryo ||
You took the form of Goddess Saraswati to grant wisdom and liberate the sages and seers.
Chaupai 9
धर्यो रूप नरसिंह को अम्बा। परगट भईं फाड़ कर खम्बा॥
Dharyo Roop Narsimha Ko Amba | Paragat Bhain Phaad Kar Khamba ||
O Mother, You took the fierce form of Narasimha and manifested Yourself by tearing apart the pillar.
Chaupai 10
रक्षा करि प्रहलाद बचायो। हिरणाकुश को स्वर्ग पठायो॥
Raksha Kari Prahlad Bachayo | Hiranakush Ko Swarg Pathayo ||
You protected and saved Prahlad, and sent the demon Hiranyakashipu to his end.
Chaupai 11
लक्ष्मी रूप धरो जग माहीं। श्री नारायण मन माहिं समाहीं॥
Lakshmi Roop Dharo Jag Maahin | Shree Narayan Man Maahin Samahin ||
You manifested as Goddess Lakshmi in this world and You reside in the heart of Lord Narayana.
Chaupai 12
क्षीरसिन्धु में करत विलासा। दयासिन्धु दीजै मन आसा॥
Ksheersindhu Mein Karat Vilasa | Dayaasindhu Deeje Man Aasa ||
You dwell in the Ocean of Milk (Ksheer Sagar). O Ocean of Mercy, please fulfill the desires of my heart.
Chaupai 13
हिंगलाज में तुम्हीं भवानी। महिमा अमित न जात बखानी॥
Hinglaj Mein Tumheen Bhavani | Mahima Amit Na Jaat Bakhani ||
In the shrine of Hinglaj, You are present as Bhavani. Your glory is infinite and beyond description.
Chaupai 14
मातंगी अरु धूमावति माता। भुवनेश्वरी बगला सुखदाता॥
Matangi Aru Dhoomavati Mata | Bhuvneshwari Bagla Sukhdata ||
You are the great Mahavidyas—Matangi, Dhoomavati, भुवनेश्वरी, and Baglamukhi—who bestow happiness.
Chaupai 15
श्री भैरव तारा जग तारिणी। छिन्न भाल भव दुःख निवारिणी॥
Shree Bhairav Tara Jag Tarini | Chhinna Bhaal Bhav Dukh Nivarini ||
As Bhairavi and Tara, You liberate the world. As Chhinnamasta, You remove all worldly sufferings.
Chaupai 16
केहरि वाहन सोह भवानी। लांगुर वीर चलत अगवानी॥
Kehari Vahan Soh Bhavani | Langur Veer Chalat Agvani ||
Your vehicle is a lion, which looks magnificent. The brave Hanuman (Langur Veer) leads Your procession.
Chaupai 17
कर में खप्पर खड्ग विराजै। जाको देख काल डर भाजै॥
Kar Mein Khappar Khadga Viraje | Jaako Dekh Kaal Dar Bhaje ||
In Your hands, You hold a skull-cup and a sword, seeing which even Time (Death) flees in fear.
Chaupai 18
सोहै अस्त्र और त्रिशूला। जाते उठत शत्रु हिय शूला॥
Sohai Astra Aur Trishula | Jaate Uthat Shatru Hiya Shoola ||
You are adorned with various weapons and a trident, which strike fear and pain into the hearts of Your enemies.
Chaupai 19
नगरकोट में तुम्हीं विराजत। तिहुँ लोक में डंका बाजत॥
Nagarkot Mein Tumheen Virajat | Tihun Lok Mein Danka Baajat ||
You reside in Nagarkot, and Your fame resounds throughout the three worlds.
Chaupai 20
शुम्भ निशुम्भ दानव तुम मारे। रक्तबीज शंखन संहारे॥
Shumbh Nishumbh Danav Tum Mare | Raktabeej Shankhan Sanhare ||
You slew the demons Shumbha and Nishumbha, and decimated countless forms of the demon Raktabeeja.
Chaupai 21
महिषासुर अति अभिमानी। जेहि अघ भार मही अकुलानी॥
Mahishasur Ati Abhimani | Jehi Agh Bhar Mahi Akulani ||
The demon Mahishasura was extremely arrogant, and the earth was distressed by the burden of his sins.
Chaupai 22
रूप कराल कालिका धार्यो। सेन सहित तुम तिहि संहार्यो॥
Roop Karal Kalika Dharyo | Sen Sahit Tum Tihi Sanharyo ||
You took the terrifying form of Goddess Kali and destroyed him along with his entire army.
Chaupai 23
परी गाढ़ सन्तन पर जब-जब। भई सहाय मातु तुम तब-तब॥
Pari Gaadh Santan Par Jab-Jab | Bhai Sahay Maatu Tum Tab-Tab ||
Whenever Your devotees and saints were in deep trouble, O Mother, You always came to their aid.
Chaupai 24
अमरपुरी अरु बासव लोका। तब महिमा सब रहें अशोका॥
Amarpuri Aru Baasav Loka | Tab Mahima Sab Rahen Ashoka ||
In the city of gods and the kingdom of Indra, everyone remains free from grief by Your grace.
Chaupai 25
ज्वाला में है ज्योति तुम्हारी। तुम्हें सदा पूजें नर-नारी॥
Jwala Mein Hai Jyoti Tumhari | Tumhen Sada Poojen Nar-Nari ||
Your divine flame burns eternally in Jwalaji; men and women worship You there forever.
Chaupai 26
प्रेम भक्ति से जो यश गावें। दुःख-दारिद्र निकट नहिं आवें॥
Prem Bhakti Se Jo Yash Gaavain | Dukh-Daridra Nikat Nahin Aavain ||
Whoever sings Your praises with love and devotion, sorrow and poverty shall never come near them.
Chaupai 27
ध्यावे तुम्हें जो नर मन लाई। जन्म मरण ताको छुटि जाई॥
Dhyave Tumhen Jo Nar Man Laayi | Janm Maran Taako Chhuti Jaayi ||
Whoever meditates upon You with full concentration is liberated from the cycle of birth and death.
Chaupai 28
जोगी सुर मुनि कहत पुकारी। योग न हो बिन शक्ति तुम्हारी॥
Jogi Sur Muni Kahat Pukari | Yog Na Ho Bin Shakti Tumhari ||
Yogis, gods, and sages all declare that no spiritual union is possible without Your power (Shakti).
Chaupai 29
शंकर आचारज तप कीनो। काम अरु क्रोध जीति सब लीनो॥
Shankar Aacharaj Tap Keeno | Kaam Aru Krodh Jeeti Sab Leeno ||
Even Adi Shankaracharya performed severe penance and conquered lust and anger through Your grace.
Chaupai 30
निशदिन ध्यान धरो शंकर को। काहु काल नहिं सुमिरो तुमको॥
Nishdin Dhyaan Dharo Shankar Ko | Kaahu Kaal Nahin Sumiro Tumko ||
One may meditate on Lord Shiva day and night, but if they neglect You (Shakti), they remain incomplete.
Chaupai 31
शक्ति रूप को मरम न पायो। शक्ति गयी तब मन पछतायो॥
Shakti Roop Ko Maram Na Paayo | Shakti Gayi Tab Man Pachhtayo ||
Those who did not understand the essence of Your power regretted it when that power left them.
Chaupai 32
शरणागत हुई कीर्ति बखानी। जय जय जय जगदम्ब भवानी॥
Sharanagat Hui Keerti Bakhani | Jai Jai Jai Jagadamb Bhavani ||
I seek Your refuge and sing Your glory. Victory, victory, victory to You, O Mother of the Universe, Bhavani!
Chaupai 33
भई प्रसन्न आदि जगदम्बा। दई शक्ति नहिं कीन विलम्बा॥
Bhai Prasann Aadi Jagadamba | Dayi Shakti Nahin Keen Vilamba ||
The primordial Mother was pleased and bestowed power without any delay.
Chaupai 34
मोको मातु कष्ट अति घेरो। तुम बिन कौन हरै दुःख मेरो॥
Moko Maatu Kasht Ati Ghero | Tum Bin Kaun Harai Dukh Mero ||
O Mother, I am surrounded by great difficulties. Who else but You can take away my sorrows?
Chaupai 35
आशा तृष्णा निपट सतावें। मोह मदादिक सब भरमावें॥
Aasha Trishna Nipat Sataavain | Moh Madadik Sab Bharmaavain ||
Hopes and cravings trouble me constantly, while attachment and ego lead me astray.
Chaupai 36
शत्रु नाश कीजै महारानी। सुमिरौं इकचित तुम्हें भवानी॥
Shatru Naash Keejai Maharani | Sumiraun Ikchit Tumhen Bhavani ||
O Great Queen, please destroy my enemies (inner and outer). I remember You with an unwavering mind.
Chaupai 37
करो कृपा हे मातु दयाला। ऋद्धि-सिद्धि दै करहु निहाला॥
Karo Kripa He Maatu Dayala | Riddhi-Siddhi Dai Karahu Nihala ||
O Merciful Mother, show Your grace upon me. Grant me prosperity and success and make me fulfilled.
Chaupai 38
जब लगि जियूँ दया फल पाऊँ। तुम्हरो यश मैं सदा सुनाऊँ॥
Jab Lagi Jiyun Daya Phal Paaun | Tumhro Yash Main Sada Sunaun ||
As long as I live, may I enjoy the fruits of Your mercy, and may I always sing Your praises.
Chaupai 39
दुर्गा चालीसा जो गावै। सब सुख भोग परम पद पावै॥
Durga Chalisa Jo Gaavai | Sab Sukh Bhog Param Pad Paavai ||
Whoever recites the Durga Chalisa shall enjoy all worldly pleasures and ultimately attain the supreme spiritual state.
Chaupai 40
देवीदास शरण निज जानी। करहु कृपा जगदम्ब भवानी॥
Devidas Sharan Nij Jaani | Karahu Kripa Jagadamb Bhavani ||
Knowing this devotee is in Your refuge, O Mother of the Universe, please shower Your grace.
Doha
शरणागत रक्षा करे, भक्त रहे निशंक। देवीदास शरण निज जानी, करहु कृपा जगदम्ब भवानी॥
Sharanagat Raksha Kare, Bhakt Rahe Nishank | Devidas Sharan Nij Jaani, Karahu Kripa Jagadamb Bhavani ||
The Mother protects those who seek refuge, letting the devotee remain fearless. O Bhavani, bless Your devotee who is under Your protection.

Suggest a correction

All corrections are reviewed before being applied.