Stotra
महिषासुरमर्दिनी स्तोत्रम् Mahiṣāsuramardanī Stotram
The Mahishasura Mardini Stotram (महिषासुरमर्दिनी स्तोत्रम्, Mahiṣāsura-mardinī Stotram — 'The Hymn of the Slayer of Mahishasura'), also known as Ayigiri Nandini (अयि गिरिनन्दिनि) from its opening
1
अयि गिरिनन्दिनि नन्दितमेदिनि विश्वविनोदिनि नन्दनुते
गिरिवरविन्ध्यशिरोऽधिनिवासिनि विष्णुविलासिनि जिष्णुनुते ।
भगवति हे शितिकण्ठकुटुम्बिनि भूरिकुटुम्बिनि भूरिकृते जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥
भगवति हे शितिकण्ठकुटुम्बिनि भूरिकुटुम्बिनि भूरिकृते जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥
O daughter of the mountain, you who gladden the earth and delight the world, praised by Nanda; dweller on the lofty Vindhya peak, consort of Vishnu, glorified by Jishnu (Arjuna). O Bhagavati, wife of the blue-throated Shiva, of vast household, of vast deeds — Victory, victory to you, slayer of Mahishasura, lovely-locked, daughter of the mountain.
2
सुरवरवर्षिणि दुर्धरधर्षिणि रम्यवनोद्भवहर्षिणि ते
भगवति हे शितिकण्ठकुटुम्बिनि भूरिकुटुम्बिनि भूरिकृते ।
त्रिभुवनपोषिणि शङ्करतोषिणि किल्विषमोषिणि घोषरते जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥
त्रिभुवनपोषिणि शङ्करतोषिणि किल्विषमोषिणि घोषरते जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥
You who shower blessings on the best of gods, who overcome the irresistible, who delight in the joy of beautiful forests; O Bhagavati, wife of the blue-throated one, of vast household, of vast deeds. Nourisher of all three worlds, gladdener of Shankara, robber of all sins, reveling in the divine sound — Victory, victory to you, slayer of Mahishasura, lovely-locked, daughter of the mountain.
3
अयि जगदम्ब मदम्ब कदम्बवनप्रियवासिनि हासरते
शिखरिशिरोमणि तुङ्गहिमालयशृङ्गनिजालयमध्यगते ।
मधुमधुरे मधुकैटभगञ्जिनि कैटभभञ्जिनि रासरते जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥
मधुमधुरे मधुकैटभगञ्जिनि कैटभभञ्जिनि रासरते जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥
O mother of the world, my mother — fond of dwelling in the kadamba forest, delighting in laughter; a jewel among mountain peaks, dwelling in the heart of the lofty Himalayan summit. Sweet with sweetness, destroyer of Madhu and Kaitabha, breaker of Kaitabha, reveling in the rasa dance — Victory, victory to you, slayer of Mahishasura, lovely-locked, daughter of the mountain.
4
अयि शतखण्ड विखण्डितरुण्ड वितुण्डितशुण्ड गजाधिपते
रिपुगजगण्ड विदारणचण्ड पराक्रमशुण्ड मृगाधिपते ।
निजभुजदण्ड निपातितखण्ड विपातितमुण्ड भटाधिपते जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥
निजभुजदण्ड निपातितखण्ड विपातितमुण्ड भटाधिपते जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥
O lady whose lion enemy-elephant smashed the enemy's trunk and tore the cheeks of enemy elephants; whose lion's fierce prowess ripped apart rival elephants; whose own arm-weapon struck down the pieces and toppled the heads of warriors — Victory, victory to you, slayer of Mahishasura, lovely-locked, daughter of the mountain.
5
अयि रणदुर्मद शत्रुवधोदित दुर्धरनिर्जर शक्तिभृते
चतुरविचार धुरीणमहाशिव दूतकृतप्रमथाधिपते ।
दुरितदुरीह दुराशयदुर्मति दानवदुत विनिपातकृते जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥
दुरितदुरीह दुराशयदुर्मति दानवदुत विनिपातकृते जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥
O bearer of the irresistible power, maddening to enemies in battle, excelling in slaying foes; through your wise counsel made the great Shiva's messenger, making you master of the Pramathas. Causer of the downfall of the sinful, the crooked-minded, the evil-intentioned, and the demon emissaries — Victory, victory to you, slayer of Mahishasura, lovely-locked, daughter of the mountain.
6
अयि निजहुङ्कृति मात्रनिराकृत धूम्रविलोचन धूम्रशते
समरविशोषित शोणितबीज समुद्भवशोणित बीजलते ।
शिव शिव शुम्भ निशुम्भमहाहव तर्पितभूत पिशाचरते जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥
शिव शिव शुम्भ निशुम्भमहाहव तर्पितभूत पिशाचरते जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥
You who with your mere war-cry destroyed Dhumralochana and hundreds of dark demons; you who dried up the battlefield-blood of Raktabija and the blood-born vine of Raktabija in battle. In the great war with Shumbha and Nishumbha, satisfying the ghosts and spirits with offerings — Victory, victory to you, slayer of Mahishasura, lovely-locked, daughter of the mountain.
7
धनुरनुसङ्ग रणक्षणसङ्ग परिस्फुरदङ्ग नटत्कटके
कनककिशोर कशिपुशिरोऽर्पित कान्तकिरीट कलत्करके ।
जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥
जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥
With bow at the ready, engaged in the battle's moment, limbs gleaming, anklets tinkling in the warrior's dance; with a young golden form, wearing the lovely crown offered at the king's head, her hands resounding — Victory, victory to you, slayer of Mahishasura, lovely-locked, daughter of the mountain.
8
जय जय जप्य जयेजय शब्द परस्तुति तत्परविश्वनुते
झणझणझिञ्झिमिझिङ्कृतनूपुरशिञ्जितमोहितभूतपते ।
नटित नटार्ध नटी नट नायक नाटितनाट्यसुगानरते जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥
नटित नटार्ध नटी नट नायक नाटितनाट्यसुगानरते जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥
Praised by all the worlds with the sound 'Jaya-jaya', with cries of victory chanted repeatedly; enchanting the lord of beings with the tinkling jhaṇa-jhaṇa of your anklets. Dancer and half-dancer, leading actress, actor, and director, taking joy in enacted dramas and sweet song — Victory, victory to you, slayer of Mahishasura, lovely-locked, daughter of the mountain.
9
अयि सुमनःसुमनःसुमनः सुमनःसुमनोहरकान्तियुते
श्रितरजनी रजनीरजनी रजनीरजनी करवक्त्रवृते ।
सुनयनविभ्रमर भ्रमरभ्रमर भ्रमरभ्रमराधिपते जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥
सुनयनविभ्रमर भ्रमरभ्रमर भ्रमरभ्रमराधिपते जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥
Endowed with the captivating radiance of flowers upon flowers upon flowers; surrounded by night upon night — the moon-faced one, night's own night. Mistress of bees upon bees upon bees, with beautiful wandering eyes — Victory, victory to you, slayer of Mahishasura, lovely-locked, daughter of the mountain.
10
सहितमहाहव मल्लमतल्लिक मल्लितरल्लक मल्लरते
विरचितवल्लिक पल्लिकमल्लिक झिल्लिकभिल्लिक वर्गवृते ।
शितकृतफुल्ल समुल्लसितारुण तल्लजपल्लव सल्ललिते जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥
शितकृतफुल्ल समुल्लसितारुण तल्लजपल्लव सल्ललिते जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥
Engaged in the great battle, joyful in the wrestling match with warriors; surrounded by creeper-artisans, jasmine-makers, cricket-players, and forest-dwellers of every kind. Lovely with sharp-cut blooming flowers and reddening young shoots — Victory, victory to you, slayer of Mahishasura, lovely-locked, daughter of the mountain.
11
अविरलगण्ड गलन्मदमेदुर मत्तमतङ्ग जराजरते
त्रिभुवनभूषण भूतकलानिधि रूपगुणवर भूरिकृते ।
अभयदभव्य मनन्यमनोरम मन्मथमन्त्र मदाकुलिते जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥
अभयदभव्य मनन्यमनोरम मन्मथमन्त्र मदाकुलिते जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥
Her intoxicated elephant of battle, cheeks dripping with rut-fluid, old in age and formidable; the ornament of three worlds, treasury of all beings' arts, best of form and virtue, of vast deeds. Giver of fearlessness, auspicious, uniquely beautiful, bewildered by the spell of Manmatha — Victory, victory to you, slayer of Mahishasura, lovely-locked, daughter of the mountain.
12
कमलदलामल कोमलकान्ति कलाकलितामल भाललते
सकलविलास कलानिलयक्रम केलिचलत्कल हंसकुले ।
अलिकुलसङ्कुल कुवलयमण्डल मौलिमिलद्बकुलालिकुले जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥
अलिकुलसङ्कुल कुवलयमण्डल मौलिमिलद्बकुलालिकुले जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥
With the spotless, tender radiance of lotus petals, adorned with arts on her pure forehead; in the abode of all graceful arts, moving amid playful geese. Her crown mingling with marigold garlands amid circles of blue lotuses, surrounded by swarms of bees — Victory, victory to you, slayer of Mahishasura, lovely-locked, daughter of the mountain.
13
करमुरलीरव वीजितकूजित लज्जितकोकिल मञ्जुमते
मिलितपुलिन्द मनोहरगुञ्जित रञ्जितशैल निकुञ्जगते ।
निजगुणभूत महाशबरीगण सद्गुणसम्भृत केलितते जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥
निजगुणभूत महाशबरीगण सद्गुणसम्भृत केलितते जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥
Your flute-music fills the air, putting the cuckoo to shame; moving into the mountain groves humming with assembled tribespeople, charmed by the delightful resonance. Your own virtues embodied in the great Shabari women of good qualities, on the banks of sport — Victory, victory to you, slayer of Mahishasura, lovely-locked, daughter of the mountain.
14
कटितटपीत दुकूलविचित्र मयूखतिरस्कृत चन्द्ररुचे
प्रणतसुरासुर मौलिमणिस्फुर दंशुलसन्नखचन्द्ररुचे ।
जितकनकाचल मौलिपदोर्जित निर्जितनिर्भर कुञ्जरकेचित जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥
जितकनकाचल मौलिपदोर्जित निर्जितनिर्भर कुञ्जरकेचित जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥
Her waist wrapped in brilliant yellow silk, its radiance outshining the moon; the gem-jewels on the bowed crowns of gods and demons gleaming, her sharp bright nails shining like moons. Surpassing in splendour the gold mountain's summit, treading it under foot, subduing the most proud of elephants — Victory, victory to you, slayer of Mahishasura, lovely-locked, daughter of the mountain.
15
विजितसहस्रकरैक सहस्रकरैक सहस्रकरैकनुते
कृतसुरतारक सङ्गरतारक सङ्गरतारक सूनुसुते ।
सुरथसमाधि समानसमाधि समाधिसमाधि सुजातरते जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥
सुरथसमाधि समानसमाधि समाधिसमाधि सुजातरते जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥
Praised by the thousand-rayed sun who was itself surpassed; born of the son who made gods cross over the battle, who crossed over the battle, who crossed over the battle. Taking delight in the samadhi like King Suratha's samadhi, an equal meditation, a well-born meditation — Victory, victory to you, slayer of Mahishasura, lovely-locked, daughter of the mountain.
16
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 ॥
तव पदमेव परम्पदमित्यनुशीलयतो मम किं न शिवे जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥
O auspicious one, abode of compassion — whoever worships your lotus feet daily: how could the abode of Lakshmi not dwell in him, O lotus-dweller? O auspicious one, knowing that your feet are the supreme abode — what is not possible for me in contemplating this? Victory, victory to you, slayer of Mahishasura, lovely-locked, daughter of the mountain.
17
कनकलसत्कल सिन्धुजलैरनुसिञ्चिनुते गुणरङ्गभुवम्
भजति स किं न शचीपतिसम्पदमच्युतचित्तहृतौ ।
तव चरणं शरणं करवाणि नतामरवाणि निवासि शिवे जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥
तव चरणं शरणं करवाणि नतामरवाणि निवासि शिवे जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥
One who sprinkles the stage of virtues with brilliant golden ocean water — can they not attain the prosperity of Indra after stealing Achyuta's heart? I take refuge in your feet, O dweller, bowing before your divine speech, O auspicious one — Victory, victory to you, slayer of Mahishasura, lovely-locked, daughter of the mountain.
18
तव विमलेन्दुकुलं वदनेन्दुमलं सकलं ननु कूलयते
किमु पुरुहूतपुरीन्द्र मुखी सुमुखीभिरसौ विमुखीक्रियते ।
मम तु मतं शिवनामधने भवती कृपया किमुतक्रियते जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥
मम तु मतं शिवनामधने भवती कृपया किमुतक्रियते जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥
Your spotless lunar lineage and moon-face with a blemish — do they not draw everything to the bank? How could the city of Puruhutha (Indra) be made to turn away with fair-faced ones? My opinion: since you are a treasury of Shiva's name, O auspicious one, what remains undone through your grace? Victory, victory to you, slayer of Mahishasura, lovely-locked, daughter of the mountain.
19
अयि मयि दीनदयालुतया कृपयैव त्वया भवितव्यमुमे
अयि जगतो जननी कृपयासि यथासि तथानुमितासिरमे ।
यदुचितमत्र भवत्युररीकुरुतादुरुतापमपाकुरुते जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥
यदुचितमत्र भवत्युररीकुरुतादुरुतापमपाकुरुते जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥
O Uma, upon this poor one you must act with compassion and grace. O mother of the world, as you are compassionate, so you are known — O Rama. Whatever is fitting here, may it be done; your greatness removes the great suffering — Victory, victory to you, slayer of Mahishasura, lovely-locked, daughter of the mountain.
20
नमः स्तोत्रं कृत्वा भवति सुखितो येन जनिता
स पुण्यः सोऽभव्यः स च सुकृतभाजां वरिवसितः ।
जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते हिताय भवतु भव-निवारणि निर्जरदेवि नमस्ते ॥
जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते हिताय भवतु भव-निवारणि निर्जरदेवि नमस्ते ॥
One who creates this salutation-hymn becomes happy from it — one who is born such is virtuous, one who is worthy, one who is to be venerated among those of good deeds. Victory, victory to you, slayer of Mahishasura, lovely-locked, daughter of the mountain — O remover of worldly existence, O ageless goddess, I bow to you for my benefit.
21
इदमधिकृत्य महिषासुरमर्दिन्याः स्तोत्रमिदं कृतम् ।
पठति यः स्तुति नित्यमसौ प्रियतामुपयाति सभासु ते ॥
जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते त्रिभुवनमोहन शंकरतोषिणि मंगलकारिणि शैलसुते ॥
पठति यः स्तुति नित्यमसौ प्रियतामुपयाति सभासु ते ॥
जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते त्रिभुवनमोहन शंकरतोषिणि मंगलकारिणि शैलसुते ॥
This hymn to the Slayer of Mahishasura having been composed — whoever recites this praise daily becomes beloved in all assemblies. Victory, victory to you, slayer of Mahishasura, lovely-locked, daughter of the mountain — enchantress of three worlds, gladdener of Shankara, auspicious one, daughter of the mountain.