Shri Durgashtakam

Q: What is the meaning of 'Yoganidre Mahanidre' in the third verse?

'Yoganidre Mahanidre' addresses Goddess Durga as the cosmic yogic sleep (Yoganidra) of Lord Vishnu. In Hindu cosmology, during the period of cosmic dissolution (pralaya), Lord Vishnu enters the state of Yoganidra. This divine sleep is personified as Goddess Durga herself, indicating that she governs the cycles of cosmic creation and dissolution.

Introduction to Shri Durgashtakam

Shri Durgashtakam - Goddess Durga - माँ दुर्गा

The Shri Durgashtakam beginning with "Katyayani Mahamaye" is a powerful eight-verse hymn that glorifies Goddess Durga, the invincible warrior goddess who destroys evil and protects dharma. "Durga" means "the one who is difficult to approach" or "the remover of all difficulties," signifying her supreme power to annihilate negativity and shield her devotees from all harm.

This ashtakam invokes the fierce yet compassionate form of the Divine Mother — Katyayani, Mahishasura Mardini, Chandika, and Ambika — each name revealing a facet of her boundless power and grace. Goddess Durga, riding her mighty lion and wielding divine weapons bestowed by all the gods, represents the ultimate triumph of good over evil.

Reciting this ashtakam with devotion invokes the protective shield of the Divine Mother, destroys all evil forces, and fills the devotee with courage and divine strength. It is especially powerful during Navratri and is recommended for those facing obstacles, enemies, or negative energies in their lives.

Watch Shri Durgashtakam

Shri Durgashtakam: Sanskrit, English & Tamil Verses

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॥ श्री दुर्गाष्टकम् ॥

कात्यायनि महामाये खड्गबाणधनुर्धरे।
खड्गधारिणि चण्डि दुर्गादेवि नमोऽस्तु ते॥1॥

वसुदेवसुते काली वासुदेवसहोदरि।
वसुन्धराश्रिये नन्दे दुर्गादेवि नमोऽस्तु ते॥2॥

योगनिद्रे महानिद्रे योगमाये महेश्वरि।
योगसिद्धिकरी शुद्धे दुर्गादेवि नमोऽस्तु ते॥3॥

शङ्खचक्रगदापाणे शार्ङ्गज्यायतबाहवे।
पीताम्बरधरे धन्ये दुर्गादेवि नमोऽस्तु ते॥4॥

ऋग्यजुस्सामाथर्वाणश्चतुस्सामन्तलोकिनि।
ब्रह्मस्वरूपिणि ब्राह्मि दुर्गादेवि नमोऽस्तु ते॥5॥

वृष्णीनां कुलसम्भूते विष्णुनाथसहोदरि।
वृष्णिरूपधरे धन्ये दुर्गादेवि नमोऽस्तु ते॥6॥

सर्वज्ञे सर्वगे शर्वे सर्वेशे सर्वसाक्षिणि।
सर्वामृतजटाभारे दुर्गादेवि नमोऽस्तु ते॥7॥

अष्टबाहु महासत्त्वे अष्टमी नवमि प्रिये।
अट्टहासप्रिये भद्रे दुर्गादेवि नमोऽस्तु ते॥8॥

दुर्गाष्टकमिदं पुण्यं भक्तितो यः पठेन्नरः।
सर्वकाममवाप्नोति दुर्गालोकं स गच्छति॥9॥

॥ इति श्रीदुर्गाष्टकं सम्पूर्णम् ॥

॥ Shri Durgashtakam ॥

Katyayani Mahamaye Khadgabanadhanurdhare।
Khadgadharini Chandi Durgadevi Namostu Te॥1॥

Vasudevasute Kali Vasudevasahodari।
Vasundhrashiye Nande Durgadevi Namostu Te॥2॥

Yoganidre Mahanidre Yogamaye Maheshwari।
Yogasiddhikari Shuddhe Durgadevi Namostu Te॥3॥

Shankhachakragadapane Sharngajyayatabahave।
Peetambaradhare Dhanye Durgadevi Namostu Te॥4॥

Rugyajussamatharvanaschatus-Samantalokini।
Brahmaswaroopini Brahmi Durgadevi Namostu Te॥5॥

Vrushneenam Kulasambhoote Vishnunathasahodari।
Vrushniroopadhare Dhanye Durgadevi Namostu Te॥6॥

Sarvajne Sarvage Sharve Sarveshe Sarvasakshini।
Sarvamrutajatabhare Durgadevi Namostu Te॥7॥

Ashtabahu Mahasattve Ashtami Navami Priye।
Attahasapriye Bhadre Durgadevi Namostu Te॥8॥

Durgashtakmidam Punyam Bhaktito Yah Pathennarah।
Sarvakamamavapnoti Durgalokam Sa Gachchhati॥9॥

॥ Iti Shridurgashtakam Sampoornam ॥

॥ ஶ்ரீ துர்காஷ்டகம் ॥
காத்யாயனி மஹாமாயேகட்கபாணதனுர்தரே।

கட்கதாரிணி சண்டிதுர்காதேவி நமோ(அ)ஸ்து தே॥1॥

வஸுதேவஸுதே காலிவாஸுதேவஸஹோதரி।

வஸுந்தராஶ்ரியே நந்தேதுர்காதேவி நமோ(அ)ஸ்து தே॥2॥

யோகநித்ரே மஹாநித்ரேயோகமாயே மஹேஶ்வரி।

யோகஸித்திகரீ ஶுத்தேதுர்காதேவி நமோ(அ)ஸ்து தே॥3॥

ஶங்கசக்ரகதாபாணேஶார்ங்கஜ்யாயதபாஹவே।

பீதாம்பரதரே தன்யேதுர்காதேவி நமோ(அ)ஸ்து தே॥4॥

ருக்யஜுஸ்ஸாமாதர்வாணஶ்சதுஸ்ஸாமந்தலோகினி।

ப்ரஹ்மஸ்வரூபிணி ப்ராஹ்மிதுர்காதேவி நமோ(அ)ஸ்து தே॥5॥

வ்ருஷ்ணீனாம் குலஸம்பூதேவிஷ்ணுநாதஸஹோதரி।

வ்ருஷ்ணிரூபதரே தன்யேதுர்காதேவி நமோ(அ)ஸ்து தே॥6॥

ஸர்வஜ்ஞே ஸர்வகே ஶர்வேஸர்வேஶே ஸர்வஸாக்ஷிணி।

ஸர்வாம்ருதஜடாபாரேதுர்காதேவி நமோ(அ)ஸ்து தே॥7॥

அஷ்டபாஹு மஹாஸத்த்வேஅஷ்டமீ நவமி ப்ரியே।

அட்டஹாஸப்ரியே பத்ரேதுர்காதேவி நமோ(அ)ஸ்து தே॥8॥

துர்காஷ்டகமிதம் புண்யம்பக்திதோ யः படேன்னரः।

ஸர்வகாமமவாப்னோதிதுர்காலோகம் ஸ கச்சதி॥9॥

॥ இதி ஶ்ரீதுர்காஷ்டகம் ஸம்பூர்ணம் ॥

॥ శ్రీ దుర్గాష్టకం ॥

కాత్యాయని మహామాయే
ఖడ్గబాణధనుర్ధరే।
ఖడ్గధారిణి చండి
దుర్గాదేవి నమోఽస్తు తే॥1॥

వసుదేవసుతే కాలి
వాసుదేవసహోదరి।
వసుంధరాశ్రియే నందే
దుర్గాదేవి నమోఽస్తు తే॥2॥

యోగనిద్రే మహానిద్రే
యోగమాయే మహేశ్వరి।
యోగసిద్ధికరీ శుద్ధే
దుర్గాదేవి నమోఽస్తు తే॥3॥

శంఖచక్రగదాపాణే
శార్ఙ్గజ్యాయతబాహవే।
పీతాంబరధరే ధన్యే
దుర్గాదేవి నమోఽస్తు తే॥4॥

ఋగ్యజుస్సామాథర్వాణ
శ్చతుస్సామంతలోకిని।
బ్రహ్మస్వరూపిణి బ్రాహ్మి
దుర్గాదేవి నమోఽస్తు తే॥5॥

వృష్ణీనాం కులసంభూతే
విష్ణునాథసహోదరి।
వృష్ణిరూపధరే ధన్యే
దుర్గాదేవి నమోఽస్తు తే॥6॥

సర్వజ్ఞే సర్వగే శర్వే
సర్వేశే సర్వసాక్షిణి।
సర్వామృతజటాభారే
దుర్గాదేవి నమోఽస్తు తే॥7॥

అష్టబాహు మహాసత్త్వే
అష్టమీ నవమి ప్రియే।
అట్టహాసప్రియే భద్రే
దుర్గాదేవి నమోఽస్తు తే॥8॥

దుర్గాష్టకమిదం పుణ్యం
భక్తితో యః పఠేన్నరః।
సర్వకామమవాప్నోతి
దుర్గాలోకం స గచ్ఛతి॥9॥

॥ ఇతి శ్రీదుర్గాష్టకం సంపూర్ణం ॥

Verse-by-Verse Meaning of Shri Durgashtakam

1 First Verse

कात्यायनि महामाये खड्गबाणधनुर्धरे।
खड्गधारिणि चण्डि दुर्गादेवि नमोऽस्तु ते॥

Word Meanings: कात्यायनि = O Katyayani (born in the lineage of sage Katyayana); महामाये = O great Mahamaya (possessor of divine illusion); खड्ग = sword; बाण = arrow; धनुः = bow; धरे = bearer of; खड्गधारिणि = O wielder of the sword; चण्डि = O fierce one; दुर्गादेवि = O Goddess Durga; नमोऽस्तु ते = obeisance be unto you

Translation: O Katyayani, O great Mahamaya, O bearer of the sword, arrow, and bow! O wielder of the sword, O fierce Chandika — Goddess Durga, I bow to you.

2 Second Verse

वसुदेवसुते काली वासुदेवसहोदरि।
वसुन्धराश्रिये नन्दे दुर्गादेवि नमोऽस्तु ते॥

Word Meanings: वसुदेवसुते = O daughter of Vasudeva; काली = O Kali (the dark one); वासुदेवसहोदरि = O sister of Vasudeva (Lord Krishna); वसुन्धराश्रिये = O glory/wealth of the earth; नन्दे = O joyous one; दुर्गादेवि = O Goddess Durga; नमोऽस्तु ते = obeisance be unto you

Translation: O daughter of Vasudeva, O Kali, O sister of Vasudeva (Krishna)! O glory of the earth, O joyous one — Goddess Durga, I bow to you.

3 Third Verse

योगनिद्रे महानिद्रे योगमाये महेश्वरि।
योगसिद्धिकरी शुद्धे दुर्गादेवि नमोऽस्तु ते॥

Word Meanings: योगनिद्रे = O yogic sleep (the sleep of Vishnu); महानिद्रे = O great cosmic sleep; योगमाये = O yogic illusion; महेश्वरि = O great sovereign goddess; योगसिद्धिकरी = O bestower of yogic accomplishments; शुद्धे = O pure one; दुर्गादेवि = O Goddess Durga; नमोऽस्तु ते = obeisance be unto you

Translation: O Yoganidra (cosmic sleep of Vishnu), O great cosmic sleep, O yogic illusion, O great sovereign goddess! O bestower of yogic accomplishments, O pure one — Goddess Durga, I bow to you.

4 Fourth Verse

शङ्खचक्रगदापाणे शार्ङ्गज्यायतबाहवे।
पीताम्बरधरे धन्ये दुर्गादेवि नमोऽस्तु ते॥

Word Meanings: शङ्ख = conch; चक्र = discus; गदा = mace; पाणे = in hand; शार्ङ्ग = the Sharnga bow; ज्या = bowstring; आयत = extended; बाहवे = O one with mighty arms; पीताम्बर = yellow garments; धरे = wearer of; धन्ये = O blessed one; दुर्गादेवि = O Goddess Durga; नमोऽस्तु ते = obeisance be unto you

Translation: O one who holds the conch, discus, and mace, O one with mighty arms and the outstretched Sharnga bow! O wearer of yellow garments, O blessed one — Goddess Durga, I bow to you.

5 Fifth Verse

ऋग्यजुस्सामाथर्वाणश्चतुस्सामन्तलोकिनि।
ब्रह्मस्वरूपिणि ब्राह्मि दुर्गादेवि नमोऽस्तु ते॥

Word Meanings: ऋग्यजुःसामाथर्वाणः = of the Rig, Yajur, Sama, and Atharva Vedas; चतुः = four; सामन्तलोकिनि = presiding over the surrounding worlds; ब्रह्मस्वरूपिणि = whose form is the Supreme Brahman; ब्राह्मि = O Brahmi (consort/power of Brahma); दुर्गादेवि = O Goddess Durga; नमोऽस्तु ते = obeisance be unto you

Translation: O one who presides over the four Vedas — Rig, Yajur, Sama, and Atharva — and the worlds surrounding them! O one whose form is the Supreme Brahman, O Brahmi — Goddess Durga, I bow to you.

6 Sixth Verse

वृष्णीनां कुलसम्भूते विष्णुनाथसहोदरि।
वृष्णिरूपधरे धन्ये दुर्गादेवि नमोऽस्तु ते॥

Word Meanings: वृष्णीनाम् = of the Vrishni clan; कुलसम्भूते = born in the lineage; विष्णुनाथ = Lord Vishnu; सहोदरि = O sister of; वृष्णिरूपधरे = O one who bears the Vrishni form; धन्ये = O blessed one; दुर्गादेवि = O Goddess Durga; नमोऽस्तु ते = obeisance be unto you

Translation: O one born in the Vrishni clan, O sister of Lord Vishnu! O one who bears the Vrishni form, O blessed one — Goddess Durga, I bow to you.

7 Seventh Verse

सर्वज्ञे सर्वगे शर्वे सर्वेशे सर्वसाक्षिणि।
सर्वामृतजटाभारे दुर्गादेवि नमोऽस्तु ते॥

Word Meanings: सर्वज्ञे = O omniscient one; सर्वगे = O all-pervading one; शर्वे = O one who belongs to Sharva (Shiva); सर्वेशे = O sovereign of all; सर्वसाक्षिणि = O witness of all; सर्वामृत = of all nectar/immortality; जटा = matted locks; भारे = O bearer of; दुर्गादेवि = O Goddess Durga; नमोऽस्तु ते = obeisance be unto you

Translation: O omniscient one, O all-pervading one, O consort of Shiva, O sovereign of all, O witness of everything! O one whose matted locks hold the nectar of immortality — Goddess Durga, I bow to you.

8 Eighth Verse

अष्टबाहु महासत्त्वे अष्टमी नवमि प्रिये।
अट्टहासप्रिये भद्रे दुर्गादेवि नमोऽस्तु ते॥

Word Meanings: अष्टबाहु = eight-armed; महासत्त्वे = of great essence/truth; अष्टमी = Ashtami (eighth day); नवमि = Navami (ninth day); प्रिये = fond of; अट्टहास = loud laughter; प्रिये = fond of; भद्रे = O auspicious one; दुर्गादेवि = O Goddess Durga; नमोऽस्तु ते = obeisance be unto you

Translation: O eight-armed one of great essence, O one who is fond of Ashtami and Navami (the eighth and ninth lunar days)! O one who delights in thunderous laughter, O auspicious one — Goddess Durga, I bow to you.

✦ Phala Shruti (Verse 9)

दुर्गाष्टकमिदं पुण्यं भक्तितो यः पठेन्नरः।
सर्वकाममवाप्नोति दुर्गालोकं स गच्छति॥

Word Meanings: दुर्गाष्टकम् = the Durgashtakam; इदम् = this; पुण्यम् = meritorious; भक्तितः = with devotion; यः = who; पठेत् = recites; नरः = person; सर्वकामम् = all desires; अवाप्नोति = attains; दुर्गालोकम् = the abode of Durga; सः = he; गच्छति = goes to

Translation: This meritorious Durgashtakam — the person who recites it with devotion attains all desires and reaches the divine abode of Goddess Durga.

Spiritual Benefits of Reciting Shri Durgashtakam

Destroys Evil Forces: Annihilates all negative and demonic energies
Grants Victory: Bestows triumph over all adversities and challenges
Removes Obstacles: Clears all hindrances from the devotee's path
Bestows Courage: Fills the heart with divine fearlessness and valor
Protects from Enemies: Shields the devotee from all hostile forces
Removes Negativity: Purifies the surroundings and dispels dark energies
Grants Divine Strength: Empowers the devotee with the Mother's invincible power
Leads to Ultimate Liberation: Opens the path to moksha through the Mother's grace

Chanting Instructions

Sit in a clean, quiet place facing east or north
Light a lamp and incense before the image of Goddess Durga
Offer red flowers, kumkum, or sindoor to the Divine Mother
Chant with devotion, meditating on the fierce yet compassionate form of Durga
Ideal times: Navratri, Durga Ashtami, Fridays, Ashtami Tithi
Recite 1, 3, or 11 times for maximum spiritual benefit
Conclude with surrender to the lotus feet of the Divine Mother

❓ Frequently Asked Questions About Shri Durgashtakam

What is the Durgashtakam and what does it glorify?

The Durgashtakam is a sacred eight-verse hymn that glorifies Goddess Durga, the invincible warrior goddess who destroys evil and protects dharma. Beginning with "Katyayani Mahamaye," each verse salutes a different aspect of the goddess — as Katyayani, Kali, Yoganidra, Brahmi, and the cosmic sovereign — concluding with the reverential refrain "Durgadevi Namostu Te" (I bow to you, O Goddess Durga).

What are the benefits of chanting the Durgashtakam?

Chanting the Durgashtakam destroys all evil forces and negative energies, grants victory over adversities, removes obstacles, bestows courage and divine strength, protects from enemies, and leads to ultimate liberation. The phala shruti declares that one who recites it with devotion attains all desires and reaches the divine abode of Goddess Durga.

When is the best time to chant the Durgashtakam?

The Durgashtakam is especially powerful during Navratri (the nine nights of the Goddess), on Durga Ashtami (the eighth day), Fridays, and during any Ashtami Tithi. As the text mentions the goddess is fond of Ashtami and Navami, reciting it on these lunar days carries special merit. It can also be chanted whenever one faces enemies or negative energies.

Who is Katyayani and why is Durga called by this name?

Katyayani is a form of Goddess Durga who was born in the lineage of the great sage Katyayana. According to Hindu scriptures, when the sage Katyayana performed severe penance to the Divine Mother, she manifested as his daughter and came to be known as Katyayani. She is worshipped as one of the nine forms of Durga (Navadurga), especially on the sixth day of Navratri.

What is the meaning of "Yoganidre Mahanidre" in the third verse?

"Yoganidre Mahanidre" addresses Goddess Durga as the cosmic yogic sleep (Yoganidra) of Lord Vishnu. In Hindu cosmology, during the period of cosmic dissolution (pralaya), Lord Vishnu enters the state of Yoganidra. This divine sleep is personified as Goddess Durga herself, indicating that she governs the cycles of cosmic creation and dissolution.

Can the Durgashtakam be chanted for protection from negative energies?

Yes, the Durgashtakam is one of the most powerful prayers for protection from negative energies, evil forces, and hostile individuals. Goddess Durga is the embodiment of divine protective power (Shakti), and chanting her ashtakam creates a shield of spiritual protection around the devotee. It is especially recommended when facing difficult situations, enemies, or spiritual disturbances.

Is Shri Durgashtakam available in Tamil lyrics?

Yes. This page includes Shri Durgashtakam in Tamil (தமிழ்) script along with Sanskrit and English transliteration, so devotees can chant comfortably in their preferred reading format.