Durga Chalisa: Lyrics and Meaning
श्री दुर्गा चालीसा
Devidas (named in the text)
The Durga Chalisa is a Hindi hymn of praise to the Goddess Durga, the Mother (Ambā) who protects the good and destroys demons. "Chalisa" means "a poem of forty verses". This text has forty-one chaupais (verses in the chaupai metre, shown here as couplets): forty of praise and prayer, and a last one in which the poet names himself, Devidas.
Text and meaning, line by line
Chaupai 1
नमो नमो दुर्गे सुख करनी ।नमो नमो अंबे दुख हरनी ॥
Namo namo durge sukh karniNamo namo ambe dukh harni
IAST
namo namo durge sukha karanī |namo namo aṃbe dukha haranī ||
Our explanation The poet bows again and again to Durga, who gives happiness. He bows again and again to Amba, the Mother, who takes away sorrow.
हिंदी अर्थ कवि सुख देने वाली दुर्गा को बार-बार प्रणाम करते हैं। वे दुख हरने वाली अंबा, यानी माँ, को भी बार-बार प्रणाम करते हैं।
2 printings differ
Edition differences. Another printing or text reads this place differently.
- Spelling A digital text reads Spelling only: अम्बे दुःख for अंबे दुख. Leaf n176, p. 173.
- Word Today's text from sanskritdocuments.org reads: नमो नमो दुर्गे सुख करनी। नमो नमो दुर्गे दुःख हरनी॥ दुर्गे for अंबे in the second half, in the page's edited text only; its 'मूल पाठ' and the Randhir printing read अम्बे, as printed.
Chaupai 2
निरंकार है ज्योति तुम्हारी ।तिहूँ लोक फैली उजियारी ॥
Nirankar hai jyoti tumhariTihun lok phaili ujiyari
IAST
niraṃkāra hai jyoti tumhārī |tihūm̐ loka phailī ujiyārī ||
Our explanation The Goddess's light is without form (nirankār). Its brightness has spread through the three worlds.
हिंदी अर्थ देवी की ज्योति निराकार है, यानी उसका कोई रूप नहीं है। उसका उजाला तीनों लोकों में फैला है।
1 printing differs
Edition differences. Another printing or text reads this place differently.
- Spelling A digital text reads Spelling only: तिहूं for तिहूँ. Leaf n176, p. 173.
Chaupai 3
ससि ललाट मुख महा बिसाला ।नेत्र लाल भृकुटी बिकराला ॥
Sasi lalat mukh maha bisalaNetra lal bhrikuti bikrala
IAST
sasi lalāṭa mukha mahā bisālā |netra lāla bhṛkuṭī bikarālā ||
Our explanation Her forehead shines like the moon, and her face is very large. Her eyes are red, and her brows are fearsome.
हिंदी अर्थ उनका माथा चंद्रमा जैसा है और मुख बहुत विशाल है। उनकी आँखें लाल हैं और भौंहें भयंकर हैं।
1 printing differs
Edition differences. Another printing or text reads this place differently.
- Spelling A digital text reads Spelling only: शशि for ससि; विशाला for बिसाला; विकराला for बिकराला. Leaf n176, p. 173.
Chaupai 4
रूप मातु को अधिक सुहावे ।दरस करत जन अति सुख पावे ॥
Rup matu ko adhik suhaveDaras karat jan ati sukh pave
IAST
rūpa mātu ko adhika suhāve |darasa karata jana ati sukha pāve ||
Our explanation The Mother's form is very lovely. People who see her (darśan) feel great joy.
हिंदी अर्थ माँ का रूप बहुत सुंदर है। जो लोग उनके दर्शन करते हैं, उन्हें बहुत सुख मिलता है।
1 printing differs
Edition differences. Another printing or text reads this place differently.
- Spelling A digital text reads Spelling only: दरश for दरस. Leaf n176, p. 173.
Chaupai 5
तुम संसार सक्ति लय कीन्हा ।पालन हेतु अन्न धन दीन्हा ॥
Tum sansar sakti lay kinhaPalan hetu ann dhan dinha
IAST
tuma saṃsāra sakti laya kīnhā |pālana hetu anna dhana dīnhā ||
Our explanation She holds the power (śakti) into which the world dissolves (laya). To sustain the world, she gave it food and wealth.
हिंदी अर्थ संसार जिस शक्ति में लीन होता है, वह शक्ति वही हैं। संसार के पालन के लिए उन्होंने अन्न और धन दिया।
1 printing differs
Edition differences. Another printing or text reads this place differently.
- Spelling A digital text reads Spelling only: शक्ति for सक्ति; कीना for कीन्हा; दीना for दीन्हा. Leaf n176, p. 173.
Chaupai 6
अन्नपूर्णा हुई जग पाला ।तुम ही आदि सुंदरी बाला ॥
Annapurna hui jag palaTum hi adi sundari bala
Our explanation As Annapurna, the giver of food, she feeds the world. She is also the first, beautiful young girl (ādi sundarī bālā).
हिंदी अर्थ अन्नपूर्णा के रूप में वे जगत का पालन करती हैं। वही आदि सुंदरी बाला भी हैं, यानी सबसे पहली सुंदर कन्या।
1 printing differs
Edition differences. Another printing or text reads this place differently.
- Spelling A digital text reads Spelling only: अन्नपूरना for अन्नपूर्णा; सुन्दरी for सुंदरी. Leaf n176, p. 173.
Chaupai 7
प्रलयकाल सब नासन हारी ।तुम गौरी सिव संकर प्यारी ॥
Pralaykal sab nasan hariTum gauri siv sankar pyari
IAST
pralayakāla saba nāsana hārī |tuma gaurī siva saṃkara pyārī ||
Our explanation At the end of an age (pralaya), she is the one who destroys all things. She is Gauri, who is dear to Shiva Shankar.
हिंदी अर्थ प्रलय के समय वही सबका नाश करती हैं। वही गौरी हैं, जो शिव शंकर को प्रिय हैं।
1 printing differs
Edition differences. Another printing or text reads this place differently.
- Spelling A digital text reads Spelling only: नाशन for नासन; शिव शंकर for सिव संकर. Leaf n176, p. 173.
Chaupai 8
सिवजोगी तुम्हरे गुन गावें ।ब्रह्मा बिष्णु तुम्हें नित ध्यावें ॥
Sivjogi tumhare gun gavenBrahma bishnu tumhen nit dhyaven
IAST
sivajogī tumhare guna gāveṃ |brahmā biṣṇu tumheṃ nita dhyāveṃ ||
Our explanation Shiva the yogi sings of her virtues, and Brahma and Vishnu meditate on her every day. The word śivajogī can also be read as "Shiva and the yogis".
हिंदी अर्थ योगी शिव उनके गुण गाते हैं, और ब्रह्मा और विष्णु रोज़ उनका ध्यान करते हैं। "सिवजोगी" शब्द को "शिव और योगी" भी पढ़ा जा सकता है।
1 printing differs
Edition differences. Another printing or text reads this place differently.
- Spelling A digital text reads Spelling only: शिव योगी for सिवजोगी; गुण गावैं for गुन गावें; विष्णु for बिष्णु; ध्यावैं for ध्यावें. Leaf n176, p. 173.
Chaupai 9
रूप सरस्वति को तुम धारा ।दे सुबुद्धि ऋषि मुनिन्ह उबारा ॥
Rup saraswati ko tum dharaDe subuddhi rishi muninh ubara
IAST
rūpa sarasvati ko tuma dhārā |de subuddhi ṛṣi muninha ubārā ||
Our explanation She took the form of Sarasvati. She gave good understanding to the seers and sages (ṛṣi, muni) and so saved them.
हिंदी अर्थ उन्होंने सरस्वती का रूप धारण किया। उन्होंने ऋषियों और मुनियों को अच्छी बुद्धि देकर उनका उद्धार किया।
1 printing differs
Edition differences. Another printing or text reads this place differently.
- Spelling A digital text reads Spelling only: सरस्वती for सरस्वति; मुनिन for मुनिन्ह. Leaf n176, p. 173.
Chaupai 10
धरा रूप नरसिंह को अंबा ।परगट भई फाड़ कर खंबा ॥
Dhara rup narsinh ko ambaParagat bhai phar kar khamba
IAST
dharā rūpa narasiṃha ko aṃbā |paragaṭa bhaī phāṛa kara khaṃbā ||
Our explanation The Mother took the form of Narasimha, the man-lion. She appeared by bursting out of a pillar.
हिंदी अर्थ माँ ने नरसिंह (आधे मनुष्य, आधे सिंह) का रूप धारण किया। वे खंभा फाड़कर प्रकट हुईं।
2 printings differ
Edition differences. Another printing or text reads this place differently.
- Spelling A digital text reads Spelling only: अम्बा for अंबा; खम्बा for खंबा. Leaf n177, p. 174.
- Word Today's text from sanskritdocuments.org reads: धरयो रूप नरसिंह को अम्बा। परगट भई फाड़कर खम्बा॥ धरयो for धरा (both 'took'); the Randhir printing reads धरा, as printed.
Chaupai 11
रच्छा करि प्रहलाद बचायो ।हिरनाकुस को स्वर्ग पठायो ॥
Rachchha kari prahlad bachayoHirnakus ko swarg pathayo
IAST
racchā kari prahalāda bacāyo |hiranākusa ko svarga paṭhāyo ||
Our explanation She protected the boy Prahlada and saved him, and she sent the demon king Hiranyakashipu to heaven. In the Puranas this deed belongs to Narasimha, an avatar of Vishnu; the chalisa praises it as a deed of the Goddess.
हिंदी अर्थ उन्होंने बालक प्रह्लाद की रक्षा की और उसे बचाया, और असुर राजा हिरण्यकशिपु को स्वर्ग भेजा। पुराणों में यह काम विष्णु के अवतार नरसिंह का है; चालीसा इसे देवी के काम के रूप में गाती है।
1 printing differs
Edition differences. Another printing or text reads this place differently.
- Spelling A digital text reads Spelling only: रक्षा for रच्छा; हिरणाकुश for हिरनाकुस. Leaf n177, p. 174.
Chaupai 12
लछमी रूप धरो जग माहीं ।श्री नारायन अंग समाहीं ॥
Lachhmi rup dharo jag mahinShri narayan ang samahin
IAST
lachamī rūpa dharo jaga māhīṃ |śrī nārāyana aṃga samāhīṃ ||
Our explanation In the world she took the form of Lakshmi. She dwells as one with Shri Narayana (Vishnu).
हिंदी अर्थ संसार में उन्होंने लक्ष्मी का रूप धारण किया। वे श्री नारायण (विष्णु) के अंग में समाई रहती हैं।
1 printing differs
Edition differences. Another printing or text reads this place differently.
- Spelling A digital text reads Spelling only: लक्ष्मी for लछमी; नारायण for नारायन. Leaf n177, p. 174.
Chaupai 13
छीर सिंधु में करत बिलासा ।दया सिंधु दीजै मन आसा ॥
Chhir sindhu men karat bilasaDaya sindhu dijai man asa
IAST
chīra siṃdhu meṃ karata bilāsā |dayā siṃdhu dījai mana āsā ||
Our explanation She lives joyfully in the ocean of milk. The poet asks her, an ocean of mercy, to fulfil the hopes of his heart.
हिंदी अर्थ वे क्षीरसागर में आनंद से रहती हैं। कवि दया के सागर, यानी देवी, से प्रार्थना करते हैं कि वे उनके मन की आशा पूरी करें।
1 printing differs
Edition differences. Another printing or text reads this place differently.
- Spelling A digital text reads Spelling only: क्षीरसिन्धु for छीर सिंधु; विलासा for बिलासा. Leaf n177, p. 174.
Chaupai 14
हिंगलाज में तुम्हीं भवानी ।महिमा अमित न जात बखानी ॥
Hingalaj men tumhin bhavaniMahima amit na jat bakhani
IAST
hiṃgalāja meṃ tumhīṃ bhavānī |mahimā amita na jāta bakhānī ||
Our explanation At Hinglaj she is Bhavani. Hinglaj is an old shrine of the Goddess in Balochistan, in today's Pakistan. Her glory has no limit and cannot be put into words.
हिंदी अर्थ हिंगलाज में वही भवानी हैं। हिंगलाज देवी का एक पुराना तीर्थ है, जो बलूचिस्तान में, आज के पाकिस्तान में है। उनकी महिमा अपार है और उसका वर्णन नहीं हो सकता।
2 printings differ
Edition differences. Another printing or text reads this place differently.
- Word A digital text reads जात for जाय (both: 'can be'). Leaf n177, p. 174.
- Word An undated Gorakhpur printing reads: हिंगलाज में तुम्हीं भवानी। महिमा अमित न जाय बखानी॥ जाय for जात. Source booklet, p. 5, leaf n4. Layout ours: the printing sets the chaupai on one line, with a danda after the first half; we break the line there and put a space before each danda. Decision 14 (15 Oct 2026): the display follows today's common wording here, जात for the printing's जाय (both: 'cannot be told'), where another digital text (durga40.html, both its texts) and the Randhir Prakashan collection of 2004 (p. 174) agree. The printed line is in editionReading and is logged as a variant (witness: the source booklet). Since 15 Oct 2026 (batch 7, decision 14 addendum d) the word carries a popular attestation, so it counts in the common-wording line.
Chaupai 15
मातंगी धूमावति माता ।भुवनेस्वरि बगला सुख दाता ॥
Matangi dhumavati mataBhuvneswari bagla sukh data
IAST
mātaṃgī dhūmāvati mātā |bhuvanesvari bagalā sukha dātā ||
Our explanation She is Mother Matangi and Dhumavati. She is Bhuvaneshvari and Bagala, who give happiness. These are names of the Mahavidyas, ten forms of the Goddess in Tantric worship.
हिंदी अर्थ वही मातंगी और धूमावती माता हैं। वही भुवनेश्वरी और बगला हैं, जो सुख देती हैं। ये महाविद्याओं के नाम हैं, जो तंत्र की पूजा में देवी के दस रूप हैं।
2 printings differ
Edition differences. Another printing or text reads this place differently.
- Spelling A digital text reads Spelling only: धूमावती for धूमावति; भुवनेश्वरी for भुवनेस्वरि. Leaf n177, p. 174.
- Word Today's text from sanskritdocuments.org reads: मातंगी अरु धूमावति माता। भुवनेश्वरी बगला सुख दाता॥ Adds अरु ('and'); the Randhir printing does not, as printed.
Chaupai 16
श्री भैरव तारा जग तारिनि ।छिन्नभाल भव दुःख निवारिनि ॥
Shri bhairav tara jag tariniChhinnabhal bhav duhkh nivarini
IAST
śrī bhairava tārā jaga tārini |chinnabhāla bhava duḥkha nivārini ||
Our explanation She is Bhairavi (the text writes bhairava) and Tara, who carries the world across the sea of life. She is Chhinnamasta (chinnabhāla, "with the severed head"), who removes the sorrows of worldly life. These too are Mahavidyas.
हिंदी अर्थ वही भैरवी (पाठ में "भैरव") और तारा हैं, जो जगत को भवसागर से पार ले जाती हैं। वही छिन्नमस्ता ("छिन्नभाल", यानी कटे सिर वाली) हैं, जो संसार के दुख दूर करती हैं। ये भी महाविद्याएँ हैं।
1 printing differs
Edition differences. Another printing or text reads this place differently.
- Spelling A digital text reads Spelling only: तारिणी छिन्न भाल for तारिनि छिन्नभाल; निवारिणी for निवारिनि. Leaf n177, p. 174.
Chaupai 17
केहरि बाहन सोह भवानी ।लांगुर बीर चलत अगवानी ॥
Kehari bahan soh bhavaniLangur bir chalat agvani
IAST
kehari bāhana soha bhavānī |lāṃgura bīra calata agavānī ||
Our explanation Bhavani looks splendid riding a lion. The hero Langur walks ahead of her. In folk worship Langur (or Languriya) is the Goddess's attendant; some translations take him to be Hanuman.
हिंदी अर्थ सिंह की सवारी पर भवानी शोभा पाती हैं। लांगुर वीर उनके आगे-आगे चलते हैं। लोक पूजा में लांगुर (लांगुरिया) देवी के सेवक माने जाते हैं; कुछ अनुवाद उन्हें हनुमान मानते हैं।
1 printing differs
Edition differences. Another printing or text reads this place differently.
- Spelling A digital text reads Spelling only: वाहन for बाहन; वीर for बीर. Leaf n177, p. 174.
Chaupai 18
कर में खप्पर खड़ग बिराजै ।जाको देख काल डर भाजै ॥
Kar men khappar kharag birajaiJako dekh kal dar bhajai
IAST
kara meṃ khappara khaṛaga birājai |jāko dekha kāla ḍara bhājai ||
Our explanation In her hands are a skull-bowl (khappar) and a sword. Seeing her, even Kala, Death, runs away in fear.
हिंदी अर्थ उनके हाथों में खप्पर और खड्ग शोभा पाते हैं। उन्हें देखकर काल (मृत्यु) भी डरकर भाग जाता है।
1 printing differs
Edition differences. Another printing or text reads this place differently.
- Spelling A digital text reads Spelling only: विराजे for बिराजै; भाजे for भाजै. Leaf n177, p. 174.
Chaupai 19
सोहै अस्त्र और तिरसूला ।जाते उठत सत्रु हिय सूला ॥
Sohai astra aur tirsulaJate uthat satru hiy sula
IAST
sohai astra aura tirasūlā |jāte uṭhata satru hiya sūlā ||
Our explanation Weapons and a trident shine in her hands. At the sight of them, pain rises in the hearts of enemies.
हिंदी अर्थ उनके हाथों में अस्त्र और त्रिशूल शोभा पाते हैं। उन्हें देखकर शत्रुओं के हृदय में पीड़ा उठती है।
1 printing differs
Edition differences. Another printing or text reads this place differently.
- Spelling A digital text reads Spelling only: सोहे for सोहै; त्रिशूला for तिरसूला; शत्रु for सत्रु; शूला for सूला. Leaf n177, p. 174.
Chaupai 20
नगरकोट में तुम्ही बिराजत ।तिहूँ लोक में डंका बाजत ॥
Nagarkot men tumhi birajatTihun lok men danka bajat
IAST
nagarakoṭa meṃ tumhī birājata |tihūm̐ loka meṃ ḍaṃkā bājata ||
Our explanation She dwells at Nagarkot, the old name of Kangra in today's Himachal Pradesh, where a temple of the Goddess stands. The drum of her fame sounds in the three worlds.
हिंदी अर्थ वे नगरकोट में विराजती हैं। नगरकोट आज के हिमाचल प्रदेश में कांगड़ा का पुराना नाम है, जहाँ देवी का मंदिर है। उनकी कीर्ति का डंका तीनों लोकों में बजता है।
2 printings differ
Edition differences. Another printing or text reads this place differently.
- Word A digital text reads नाग कोटि for नगरकोट (Nagarkot, the old name of Kangra); probably a misreading. Also तुम्हीं for तुम्ही and विराजत for बिराजत (spelling). Leaf n177, p. 174.
- Word Today's text from sanskritdocuments.org reads: नगर कोटि में तुम्हीं विराजत। तिहूं लोक में डंका बाजत॥ नगर कोटि in the page's 'मूल पाठ' (its edited text reads नगरकोट, as printed); the Randhir printing reads नाग कोटि.
Chaupai 21
सुंभ निसुंभ दानव तुम मारे ।रक्त बीज संखन संहारे ॥
Sumbh nisumbh danav tum mareRakt bij sankhan sanhare
IAST
suṃbha nisuṃbha dānava tuma māre |rakta bīja saṃkhana saṃhāre ||
Our explanation She killed the demons Shumbha and Nishumbha and destroyed Raktabija. The word saṃkhana is read either as the demon Shankha or as "in countless numbers".
हिंदी अर्थ उन्होंने शुंभ और निशुंभ दानवों को मारा और रक्तबीज का संहार किया। "संखन" शब्द को कुछ लोग शंख नाम का दानव पढ़ते हैं और कुछ "अनगिनत"।
1 printing differs
Edition differences. Another printing or text reads this place differently.
- Spelling A digital text reads Spelling only: शुम्भ निशुम्भ for सुंभ निसुंभ; रक्तबीज शंखन for रक्त बीज संखन. Leaf n177, p. 174.
Chaupai 22
महिषासुर नृप अति अभिमानी ।जेहि अघ भार मही अकुलानी ॥
Mahishasur nrip ati abhimaniJehi agh bhar mahi akulani
IAST
mahiṣāsura nṛpa ati abhimānī |jehi agha bhāra mahī akulānī ||
Our explanation Mahishasura was a very proud king of demons. The earth was troubled by the weight of his sins.
हिंदी अर्थ महिषासुर बहुत घमंडी राजा था। उसके पापों के बोझ से धरती व्याकुल थी।
Chaupai 23
रूप कराल काली को धारा ।सेन सहित तुम तिहि संहारा ॥
Rup karal kali ko dharaSen sahit tum tihi sanhara
IAST
rūpa karāla kālī ko dhārā |sena sahita tuma tihi saṃhārā ||
Our explanation She took the terrible form of Kali and destroyed him together with his army. In the Devi Mahatmya it is Durga who slays Mahishasura; the chalisa names her form here as Kali.
हिंदी अर्थ उन्होंने काली का भयंकर रूप धारण किया और सेना सहित उसका संहार किया। देवी माहात्म्य में महिषासुर का वध दुर्गा करती हैं; चालीसा यहाँ उनके रूप को काली कहती है।
1 printing differs
Edition differences. Another printing or text reads this place differently.
- Word Today's text from sanskritdocuments.org reads: रूप कराल कालिका धारा। सेन सहित तुम तिहि संहारा॥ कालिका for काली को; the Randhir printing reads काली को, as printed.
Chaupai 24
परी गाढ़ संतन पर जब जब ।भई सहाय मातु तुम तब तब ॥
Pari garh santan par jab jabBhai sahay matu tum tab tab
IAST
parī gāṛha saṃtana para jaba jaba |bhaī sahāya mātu tuma taba taba ||
Our explanation Whenever hard times fell on good people, the Mother came to help them.
हिंदी अर्थ जब-जब संतों पर संकट पड़ा, तब-तब माँ उनकी सहायता के लिए आईं।
1 printing differs
Edition differences. Another printing or text reads this place differently.
- Spelling A digital text reads Spelling only: सन्तन for संतन; तब-तब for तब तब. Leaf n178, p. 175.
Chaupai 25
अमर पुरी औरों सब लोका ।तव महिमा सब रहै असोका ॥
Amar puri auron sab lokaTav mahima sab rahai asoka
IAST
amara purī auroṃ saba lokā |tava mahimā saba rahai asokā ||
Our explanation Through her glory, Amarapuri, the city of the gods, and all the other worlds stay free of sorrow.
हिंदी अर्थ उनकी महिमा से अमरपुरी (देवताओं की नगरी) और बाकी सब लोक शोक से मुक्त रहते हैं।
2 printings differ
Edition differences. Another printing or text reads this place differently.
- Word A digital text reads तब ('then') for तव ('your'); रहे, अशोका for रहै, असोका. Leaf n178, p. 175.
- Word Today's text from sanskritdocuments.org reads: अमरपुरी अरु बासव लोका। तब महिमा सब रहें अशोका॥ 'अरु बासव लोका' ('and the world of Vasava, Indra') for 'औरों सब लोका' ('and all the other worlds'); the Randhir printing reads औरों सब, as printed. Both read तब, the ब spelling of तव ('your'); the page's English renders it 'your'.
Chaupai 26
ज्वाला में है ज्योति तुम्हारी ।तुम्हें सदा पूजें नरनारी ॥
Jwala men hai jyoti tumhariTumhen sada pujen narnari
IAST
jvālā meṃ hai jyoti tumhārī |tumheṃ sadā pūjeṃ naranārī ||
Our explanation Her light is in Jwala, the shrine of Jwalamukhi in Himachal Pradesh, where a natural flame is worshipped. Men and women always worship her.
हिंदी अर्थ उनकी ज्योति ज्वाला में है। ज्वालामुखी हिमाचल प्रदेश में देवी का तीर्थ है, जहाँ धरती से निकलती लौ की पूजा होती है। नर और नारी सदा उनकी पूजा करते हैं।
1 printing differs
Edition differences. Another printing or text reads this place differently.
- Word A digital text reads बाला ('girl') for ज्वाला (Jwala); probably a misprint. Leaf n178, p. 175.
Chaupai 27
प्रेम भक्ति से जो जस गावै ।दुख दारिद्र निकट नहि आवै ॥
Prem bhakti se jo jas gavaiDukh daridra nikat nahi avai
IAST
prema bhakti se jo jasa gāvai |dukha dāridra nikaṭa nahi āvai ||
Our explanation The chalisa says that sorrow and poverty do not come near a person who sings her glory with loving devotion.
हिंदी अर्थ चालीसा कहती है कि जो प्रेम और भक्ति से उनका यश गाता है, उसके पास दुख और दरिद्रता नहीं आते।
The text’s own words about its benefits, not a promise from Pujadeep.
1 printing differs
Edition differences. Another printing or text reads this place differently.
- Spelling A digital text reads Spelling only: दुःख for दुख; नहिं आवे for नहि आवै. Leaf n178, p. 175.
Chaupai 28
ध्यावे तुम्हें जो नर मन लाई ।जन्म मरन ताको छुटि जाई ॥
Dhyave tumhen jo nar man laiJanm maran tako chhuti jai
IAST
dhyāve tumheṃ jo nara mana lāī |janma marana tāko chuṭi jāī ||
Our explanation The chalisa says that a person who meditates on her with a whole heart is freed from the round of birth and death.
हिंदी अर्थ चालीसा कहती है कि जो मनुष्य मन लगाकर उनका ध्यान करता है, वह जन्म और मृत्यु के चक्र से छूट जाता है।
The text’s own words about its benefits, not a promise from Pujadeep.
1 printing differs
Edition differences. Another printing or text reads this place differently.
- Spelling A digital text reads Spelling only: ध्यावै for ध्यावे; मरण for मरन. Leaf n178, p. 175.
Chaupai 29
जोगी सुर मुनि कहत पुकारी ।जोग न हो बिन सक्ति तुम्हारी ॥
Jogi sur muni kahat pukariJog na ho bin sakti tumhari
IAST
jogī sura muni kahata pukārī |joga na ho bina sakti tumhārī ||
Our explanation Yogis, gods and sages declare aloud that no yoga is possible without her power (śakti).
हिंदी अर्थ योगी, देवता और मुनि पुकारकर कहते हैं कि उनकी शक्ति के बिना योग नहीं हो सकता।
1 printing differs
Edition differences. Another printing or text reads this place differently.
- Spelling A digital text reads Spelling only: योग for जोग; शक्ति for सक्ति. Leaf n178, p. 175.
Chaupai 30
संकर आचारज तप कीन्हो ।काम क्रोध जीति सब लीन्हो ॥
Sankar acharaj tap kinhoKam krodh jiti sab linho
IAST
saṃkara ācāraja tapa kīnho |kāma krodha jīti saba līnho ||
Our explanation Shankaracharya practised austerities and conquered desire and anger.
हिंदी अर्थ शंकराचार्य ने तप किया और काम और क्रोध को जीत लिया।
3 printings differ
Edition differences. Another printing or text reads this place differently.
- The printed edition reads: संकर आचारज तप कीन्हो। काम क्रोध जीति सब लीन्हो॥ Layout ours: the printing sets the chaupai on one line, with a danda after the first half; we break the line there and put a space before each danda.
- Addition A digital text reads Adds अरु ('and') before क्रोध; कीनों, लीनों for कीन्हो, लीन्हो. Leaf n178, p. 175. Not followed: the line with अरु breaks the chaupai metre (decision 14 addendum d).
- Addition Today's text from sanskritdocuments.org reads: शंकर आचारज तप कीनो। काम अरु क्रोध जीति सब लीनो॥ Adds अरु ('and') before क्रोध, as Randhir does; कीनो, लीनो. Not followed (decision 14 addendum d, batch 7): with अरु the half-line has 18 mātrās against the chaupai's 16, and Gita Press, the publisher of the base booklet, prints the line without it, which scans.
Chaupai 31
निसिदिन ध्यान धरो संकर को ।काहु काल नहि सुमिरो तुमको ॥
Nisidin dhyan dharo sankar koKahu kal nahi sumiro tumko
IAST
nisidina dhyāna dharo saṃkara ko |kāhu kāla nahi sumiro tumako ||
Our explanation Day and night he meditated on Shankara (Shiva), and at no time did he remember the Goddess.
हिंदी अर्थ वे दिन-रात शंकर (शिव) का ध्यान करते थे, और किसी भी समय देवी का स्मरण नहीं करते थे।
1 printing differs
Edition differences. Another printing or text reads this place differently.
- Spelling A digital text reads Spelling only: निशि दिन for निसिदिन; शंकर for संकर; नहिं for नहि. Leaf n178, p. 175.
Chaupai 32
सक्ति रूप को मरम न पायो ।सक्ति गई तब मन पछितायो ॥
Sakti rup ko maram na payoSakti gai tab man pachhitayo
IAST
sakti rūpa ko marama na pāyo |sakti gaī taba mana pachitāyo ||
Our explanation He did not understand the secret of her form as Shakti. When his own strength (śakti) left him, he regretted it. This story of Shankaracharya is the chalisa's own telling.
हिंदी अर्थ उन्होंने देवी के शक्ति रूप का रहस्य नहीं समझा। जब उनकी अपनी शक्ति चली गई, तब उन्हें पछतावा हुआ। शंकराचार्य की यह कथा चालीसा की अपनी कथा है।
1 printing differs
Edition differences. Another printing or text reads this place differently.
- Spelling A digital text reads Spelling only: शक्ति for सक्ति; शक्ति for सक्ति. Leaf n178, p. 175.
Chaupai 33
सरनागत ह्वै कीर्ति बखानी ।जय जय जय जगदंब भवानी ॥
Sarnagat hwai kirti bakhaniJai jai jai jagdamb bhavani
IAST
saranāgata hvai kīrti bakhānī |jaya jaya jaya jagadaṃba bhavānī ||
Our explanation Taking refuge in her, he praised her glory: "Victory, victory, victory to Jagadamba Bhavani, Mother of the world."
हिंदी अर्थ उनकी शरण में आकर उन्होंने उनकी कीर्ति गाई: "जय जय जय जगदंबा भवानी।"
1 printing differs
Edition differences. Another printing or text reads this place differently.
- Word A digital text reads हुई ('became') for ह्वै ('having become'); शरणागत, जगदम्ब. Leaf n178, p. 175.
Chaupai 34
भई प्रसन्न आदि जगदंबा ।दई सक्ति नहि कीन्ह बिलंबा ॥
Bhai prasann adi jagdambaDai sakti nahi kinh bilamba
IAST
bhaī prasanna ādi jagadaṃbā |daī sakti nahi kīnha bilaṃbā ||
Our explanation Adi Jagadamba, the first Mother of the world, was pleased. She gave him back his strength without delay.
हिंदी अर्थ आदि जगदंबा प्रसन्न हुईं। उन्होंने बिना देर किए उन्हें फिर शक्ति दी।
1 printing differs
Edition differences. Another printing or text reads this place differently.
- Spelling A digital text reads Spelling only: जगदम्बा for जगदंबा; शक्ति नहीं कीन विलम्बा for सक्ति नहि कीन्ह बिलंबा. Leaf n179, p. 176.
Chaupai 35
मोको मातु कष्ट अति घेरो ।तुम बिन कौन हरे दुख मेरो ॥
Moko matu kasht ati gheroTum bin kaun hare dukh mero
IAST
moko mātu kaṣṭa ati ghero |tuma bina kauna hare dukha mero ||
Our explanation The poet says that great trouble surrounds him. He asks who but the Mother can take away his sorrow.
हिंदी अर्थ कवि कहते हैं कि उन्हें बहुत कष्ट ने घेर रखा है। वे पूछते हैं कि माँ के बिना उनका दुख और कौन हरेगा।
1 printing differs
Edition differences. Another printing or text reads this place differently.
- Spelling A digital text reads Spelling only: दुःख for दुख. Leaf n179, p. 176.
Chaupai 36
आसा तृस्ना निपट सतावै ।रिपु मूरख मोहि अति डरपावै ॥
Asa trisna nipat satavaiRipu murakh mohi ati darpavai
IAST
āsā tṛsnā nipaṭa satāvai |ripu mūrakha mohi ati ḍarapāvai ||
Our explanation Hope and craving torment him greatly, and foolish enemies frighten him.
हिंदी अर्थ आशा और तृष्णा उन्हें बहुत सताती हैं, और मूर्ख शत्रु उन्हें बहुत डराते हैं।
2 printings differ
Edition differences. Another printing or text reads this place differently.
- Spelling A digital text reads Spelling only: आशा तृष्णा for आसा तृस्ना; सतावे for सतावै; मुरख for मूरख; डरपावे for डरपावै. Leaf n179, p. 176.
- Word Today's text from sanskritdocuments.org reads: आशा तृष्णा निपट सतावें। मोह मदादिक सब बिनशावें॥ A different second half ('मोह मदादिक सब बिनशावें'); the Randhir printing reads 'रिपु मुरख मोहि अति डरपावे', as printed.
Chaupai 37
सत्रु नास कीजै महरानी ।सुमिरौं एकचित तुमहि भवानी ॥
Satru nas kijai mahraniSumiraun ekchit tumahi bhavani
IAST
satru nāsa kījai maharānī |sumirauṃ ekacita tumahi bhavānī ||
Our explanation He asks the great Queen to destroy his enemies. He says he remembers Bhavani with a single-minded heart.
हिंदी अर्थ वे महारानी से प्रार्थना करते हैं कि वे उनके शत्रुओं का नाश करें। वे कहते हैं कि वे एक मन से भवानी का स्मरण करते हैं।
1 printing differs
Edition differences. Another printing or text reads this place differently.
- Word A digital text reads इक चित तुम्हें for एकचित तुमहि (same sense: 'you, with one mind'); महारानी for महरानी. Leaf n179, p. 176.
Chaupai 38
करौ कृपा हे मातु दयाला ।ऋद्धि सिद्धि दे करहु निहाला ॥
Karau kripa he matu dayalaRiddhi siddhi de karahu nihala
IAST
karau kṛpā he mātu dayālā |ṛddhi siddhi de karahu nihālā ||
Our explanation He asks the kind Mother for her grace, and asks her to make him content by giving riddhi and siddhi, prosperity and success.
हिंदी अर्थ वे दयालु माँ से कृपा माँगते हैं, और प्रार्थना करते हैं कि वे ऋद्धि और सिद्धि (समृद्धि और सफलता) देकर उन्हें निहाल करें।
1 printing differs
Edition differences. Another printing or text reads this place differently.
- Spelling A digital text reads Spelling only: करो for करौ. Leaf n179, p. 176.
Chaupai 39
जब लगि जियौं दयाफल पाऊँ ।तुम्हरौ जस मैं सदा सुनाऊँ ॥
Jab lagi jiyaun dayaphal paunTumharau jas main sada sunaun
IAST
jaba lagi jiyauṃ dayāphala pāūm̐ |tumharau jasa maiṃ sadā sunāūm̐ ||
Our explanation He asks that, as long as he lives, he may receive the fruit of her mercy. He says he will always tell of her glory.
हिंदी अर्थ वे प्रार्थना करते हैं कि जब तक वे जिएँ, उन्हें उनकी दया का फल मिले। वे कहते हैं कि वे सदा उनका यश सुनाते रहेंगे।
1 printing differs
Edition differences. Another printing or text reads this place differently.
- Spelling A digital text reads Spelling only: दया फल for दयाफल; तुम्हरो for तुम्हरौ. Leaf n179, p. 176.
Chaupai 40
दुर्गा चालीसा जो कोई गावै ।सब सुख भोग परम पद पावै ॥
Durga chalisa jo koi gavaiSab sukh bhog param pad pavai
IAST
durgā cālīsā jo koī gāvai |saba sukha bhoga parama pada pāvai ||
Our explanation The chalisa says that whoever sings the Durga Chalisa enjoys every happiness and reaches the highest state (param pad).
हिंदी अर्थ चालीसा कहती है कि जो कोई दुर्गा चालीसा गाता है, वह सब सुख भोगता है और परम पद पाता है।
The text’s own words about its benefits, not a promise from Pujadeep.
2 printings differ
Edition differences. Another printing or text reads this place differently.
- Word A digital text reads No कोई ('anyone'): 'दुर्गा चालीसा जो गावैं'; plural गावैं, पावैं. Leaf n179, p. 176.
- Word Today's text from sanskritdocuments.org reads: दुर्गा चालीसा जो जन गावे। सब सुख भोग परमपद पावे॥ जन for कोई in the page's 'मूल पाठ'; its edited text reads 'श्री दुर्गा चालीसा जो कोई गावै'; the Randhir printing reads 'जो गावैं'.
Chaupai 41
देवीदास सरन निज जानी ।करहु कृपा जगदंब भवानी ॥
Devidas saran nij janiKarahu kripa jagdamb bhavani
IAST
devīdāsa sarana nija jānī |karahu kṛpā jagadaṃba bhavānī ||
Our explanation The poet names himself Devidas. Knowing that he has taken refuge in her, he asks Jagadamba Bhavani for her grace. The words sarana nija jānī can also be read as a request to her: "know Devidas, who has come to your refuge, as your own".
हिंदी अर्थ कवि अपना नाम देवीदास बताते हैं। वे स्वयं को देवी की शरण में जानकर जगदंबा भवानी से कृपा माँगते हैं। "सरन निज जानी" को देवी से विनती के रूप में भी पढ़ा जाता है: शरण में आए देवीदास को अपना जानकर कृपा करें।
2 printings differ
Edition differences. Another printing or text reads this place differently.
- Spelling A digital text reads Spelling only: शरण for सरन; जगदम्ब for जगदंब. Leaf n179, p. 176.
- Addition A digital text reads The witness prints this closing doha after chaupai 41; the source booklet does not, and the 1903 manuscript quoted in the 1935–37 report ends with chaupai ४१. Leaf n179, p. 176.
Hindi text: Shri Durga Chalisa aur Shri Vindhyeshwari Chalisa (booklet no. 1033). Meanings: written for Pujadeep and checked against the cited edition. Source and changes
Share
Send one picture or the text to one chat. The picture names its source and the address of this page.
Drawing the picture
See the words
Durga Chalisa
नमो नमो दुर्गे सुख करनी ।
नमो नमो अंबे दुख हरनी ॥
Namo namo durge sukh karni
Namo namo ambe dukh harni
The poet bows again and again to Durga, who gives happiness. He bows again and again to Amba, the Mother, who takes away sorrow.
(Meaning written for Pujadeep and checked against the cited edition.)
Text: traditional words, read from Gita Press, Gorakhpur.
https://pujadeep.com/prayers/durga-chalisa/ Nothing is sent from this site. Your own app sends it, to the chat you choose.
About the Durga Chalisa
The chalisa first praises the Goddess as the light of the three worlds and as the power that keeps and ends the world. It names her many forms: Annapurna, Gauri, Sarasvati, Lakshmi, seven of the ten Mahavidyas, and Kali, the terrible form in which, the chalisa says, she destroyed the demon king Mahishasura (in the Devi Mahatmya it is Durga who slays him). It names her shrines at Hinglaj, Nagarkot (Kangra) and Jwala. It then tells a story of the teacher Shankaracharya, who worshipped only Shiva, lost his strength and won it back when he praised the Goddess. In the last verses the poet asks for her help; three lines say what reciting the chalisa brings, and these are shown as the text's own words. Many families recite it, especially during the nine nights of Navratri.
Nothing is known of Devidas beyond his name. A manuscript of the chalisa copied in 1903 names him too. No printing from 1930 or earlier was found, so the text shown here is read from an undated modern booklet printed in Gorakhpur, which keeps the old spoken spellings (sakti, siv, sankar).
How to say it
The chalisa is in old Hindi with Braj and Awadhi word forms (kīnhā "did", hvai "having become", tumharau "your"). The printing spells words as they were spoken: s for ś (sakti, siv, sankar), b for v (bisālā, bīr) and chh for kṣ (chhīr, rachchhā). Sung Hindi drops the final short "a" (karat, not karata), though the IAST line writes every vowel as spelled.
When it is recited
More prayers to the Goddess: Durga, Kali and Lakshmi
Related
Questions families ask
Who wrote the Durga Chalisa?
Devidas (named in the text).
Which text does this page follow?
Hindi text: Shri Durga Chalisa aur Shri Vindhyeshwari Chalisa (booklet no. 1033). Meanings: written for Pujadeep and checked against the cited edition. See the source
Source and licence
- Text
- Shri Durga Chalisa aur Shri Vindhyeshwari Chalisa (booklet no. 1033) (Gita Press, Gorakhpur). Traditional prayer. Text from Shri Durga Chalisa aur Shri Vindhyeshwari Chalisa (booklet no. 1033), undated. Translation and meanings: our own. The text on these pages was read from this printing’s page images.
- Common wording
- In this text, 1 word follows today's common wording, checked against sanskritdocuments.org and Randhir Prakashan, Hardwar.
- Our explanation
- Explanation written for this site from the sources listed here, and checked against the cited edition. It is not a translation and not the only way to read the text. Free to quote with credit.
- Checked
- Checked against the cited edition, October 15, 2026.