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आरती घर

Shri Durga Chalisa

श्री दुर्गा चालीसा · Devidas

The Durga Chalisa, in praise of Maa Durga: forty chaupais and a closing chaupai that names the poet. Below is the complete text in English letters, so you can recite it even if you don't read Hindi.

Chaupai

  1. 1

    Namo namo Durge sukh karniNamo namo Ambe dukh harni

  2. 2

    Nirankar hai jyoti tumhariTihun lok phaili ujiyari

  3. 3

    Shashi lalat mukh mahavishalaNetra lal bhrikuti vikrala

  4. 4

    Rup matu ko adhik suhaveDarash karat jan ati sukh pave

  5. 5

    Tum sansar shakti lai kinaPalan hetu ann dhan dina

  6. 6

    Annapurna hui jag palaTum hi adi sundari bala

  7. 7

    Pralaykal sab nashan hariTum Gauri Shivshankar pyari

  8. 8

    Shiv yogi tumhare gun gavenBrahma Vishnu tumhen nit dhyaven

  9. 9

    Rup Sarasvati ko tum dharaDe subuddhi rishi munin ubara

  10. 10

    Dharyo rup Narsinh ko AmbaPargat bhai phadkar khamba

  11. 11

    Raksha kari Prahlad bachayoHiranyaksh ko svarg pathayo

  12. 12

    Lakshmi rup dharo jag mahinShri Narayan ang samahin

  13. 13

    Kshirsindhu men karat vilasaDayasindhu dijai man asa

  14. 14

    Hinglaj men tumhin BhavaniMahima amit na jat bakhani

  15. 15

    Matangi aru Dhumavati mataBhuvaneshvari Bagala sukh data

  16. 16

    Shri Bhairav Tara jag tariniChhinna bhal bhav dukh nivarini

  17. 17

    Kehari vahan soh BhavaniLangur vir chalat agvani

  18. 18

    Kar men khappar khadg virajaiJako dekh kal dar bhajai

  19. 19

    Sohai astra aur trishulaJate uthat shatru hiya shula

  20. 20

    Nagarkot men tumhin virajatTihun lok men danka bajat

  21. 21

    Shumbh Nishumbh danav tum mareRaktabij shankhan sanhare

  22. 22

    Mahishasur nrip ati abhimaniJehi agh bhar mahi akulani

  23. 23

    Rup karal Kalika dharaSen sahit tum tihi sanhara

  24. 24

    Pari gadh santan par jab jabBhai sahay matu tum tab tab

  25. 25

    Amarpuri aru Basav lokaTab mahima sab rahen ashoka

  26. 26

    Jvala men hai jyoti tumhariTumhen sada pujen nar-nari

  27. 27

    Prem bhakti se jo yash gavenDukh daridra nikat nahin aven

  28. 28

    Dhyave tumhen jo nar man laiJanm-maran takau chhuti jai

  29. 29

    Jogi sur muni kahat pukariYog na ho bin shakti tumhari

  30. 30

    Shankar acharaj tap kinoKam aru krodh jiti sab lino

  31. 31

    Nishidin dhyan dharo Shankar koKahu kal nahin sumiro tumko

  32. 32

    Shakti rup ko maram na payoShakti gai tab man pachhitayo

  33. 33

    Sharanagat hui kirti bakhaniJai jai jai Jagadamb Bhavani

  34. 34

    Bhai prasanna Adi JagadambaDai shakti nahin kin vilamba

  35. 35

    Moko matu kasht ati gheroTum bin kaun harai dukh mero

  36. 36

    Asha trishna nipat satavenMoh madadik sab binashaven

  37. 37

    Shatru nash kijai MaharaniSumiraun ikchit tumhen Bhavani

  38. 38

    Karo kripa he matu dayalaRiddhi-siddhi dai karahu nihala

  39. 39

    Jab lagi jiun daya phal paunTumharo yash main sada sunaun

  40. 40

    Durga Chalisa jo koi gavaiSab sukh bhog parampad pavai

  41. 41

    Devidas sharan nij janiKarahu kripa Jagadamb Bhavani

Additional verse

  1. Sharanagat raksha kare, bhakt rahe nihshankMain aya teri sharan men, matu lijiye ank

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What is the Durga Chalisa?

The Durga Chalisa is a hymn in praise of Maa Durga, describing her many forms, her victories and her care for devotees. Its language is Hindi close to Awadhi and Braj. The last chaupai names the poet, ‘Devidas sharan nij jani’, so it is regarded as the work of Devidas.

The standard text has forty chaupais and one more closing chaupai with the poet's name. Some collections add a doha after it, ‘Sharanagat raksha kare, bhakt rahe nihshank’. Most sources don't have it, so it is shown separately as an additional doha.

Forms and stories in the chalisa

The chalisa remembers the Goddess as Annapurna, Gauri, Saraswati and Lakshmi, and names Matangi, Dhumavati, Bhuvaneshvari, Bagala, Bhairavi, Tara and Chhinnamasta from the ten Mahavidyas. It also mentions the shrines of Hinglaj, Nagarkot (Kangra) and Jwala (Jwalamukhi).

Then come her victories: Shumbh, Nishumbh and Raktabij destroyed, and Mahishasur slain, whose sins weighed down the earth. The chalisa also tells how Shankaracharya meditated on Shiva but did not know Shakti; when his power left him he repented, took refuge in the Mother, and she restored it without delay.

How to recite the Durga Chalisa

  • Bathe, wear clean clothes and sit before a picture or idol of Maa Durga.
  • Light a ghee diya and offer red flowers (hibiscus), a red chunari, roli and rice.
  • Recite the whole text, from the first chaupai to the last, in one sitting.
  • Afterwards sing the aarti ‘Jai Ambe Gauri’ and share the prasad.

When and how many times to recite it

The nine days of Chaitra and Sharadiya Navratri are the main time for the Durga Chalisa; many families recite it every morning and evening from Ghatasthapana to Navami. Fridays and each month's Ashtami are also considered the Goddess's days.

Once a day is enough. As a sankalp, people also recite it 11, 21 or 108 times; use the paath counter above to keep count.

Frequently asked questions

Who wrote the Durga Chalisa?

The last chaupai names the poet: ‘Devidas sharan nij jani’, so it is regarded as the work of Devidas. Nothing reliable is known about his life.

How many chaupais are there in the Durga Chalisa?

Forty chaupais, plus a closing chaupai with the poet Devidas's name: forty-one in all. Some collections add a doha at the end.

When should I read the Durga Chalisa?

At any time, morning or evening. The nine days of Navratri, Fridays and Ashtami are considered especially auspicious.

How many times should I read the Durga Chalisa?

One complete recitation is enough. As a sankalp, people recite it 11, 21 or 108 times.

Can I read the Durga Chalisa every day?

Yes. One calm recitation at the same time each day is the simplest rule.

What are the benefits of reading the Durga Chalisa?

Devotees believe it removes fear and trouble and gives strength of mind. The chalisa itself says: ‘Prem bhakti se jo yash gaven, dukh daridra nikat nahin aven’ (sorrow and poverty do not come near those who sing her glory with love). This is a matter of faith.

How should I read the Durga Chalisa in Navratri?

After Ghatasthapana, recite the whole text every morning and evening for nine days before a lit diya, then sing ‘Jai Ambe Gauri’. Conclude on Ashtami or Navami with kanya puja.

Why does the chalisa say ‘Hiranyaksh’ when Prahlad's story is about Hiranyakashipu?

In the Narasimha chaupai most published texts read ‘Hiranyaksh ko svarg pathayo’, so we keep it. In the story, Narasimha slew Hiranyakashipu; Hiranyaksha was his brother. A few editions read ‘Hiranakush’ here.

What should I do after the Durga Chalisa?

Sing the aarti ‘Jai Ambe Gauri’ and share the prasad.

Can I read the Durga Chalisa in Bengali or my own script?

Yes. Use the Language menu to switch between Hindi, English, Marathi, Gujarati, Bengali and Odia. The words stay the same, only the script changes, and the page keeps your place.

This text has been checked word for word against several published sources. Spotted a mistake? Please let us know.