Durga Ashtakam

Durgashtakam
(The octet on Durga)
Translated by
P.R.Ramachander

Karthyayaini , Mahamaye,
Gadga bana dhaurdhare,
Gadga dharinee chandi,
Sri Durga Devi namosthuthe. 1

Salutations to goddess Durga,
Who is Karthyayaini ,
Who is the greatest enchantress,
Who carries with her sword, arrow and bow,
And who is Chandi who carries the sword.

Vasudeva suthe , kali,
Vasu deva sahodhari,
Vasundhara sriye nandhe,
Sri Durga Devi namosthuthe. 2

Salutations to goddess Durga,
Who is the daughter of king Vasudeva,
Who is the sister to Lord Vaasudeva,
And who is the lady who is earth as well as Lakshmi.

Yoga nidhre, maha nidhre,
Yoga maye, maaheswari,
Yoga sidhikari shudhe,
Sri Durga Devi namosthuthe. 3

Salutations to goddess Durga,
Who is the sleep of yoga,
Who is the great sleep,
Who is enchantress of yoga,
Who is the greatest goddess,
Who is the one who gives powers through yoga,
And who is clean and truthful.

Sankha chakra gada pane,
Sarnga jyayatha bahave,
Peethmbara dhare , dhanye,
Sri Durga Devi namosthuthe. 4

Salutations to goddess Durga,
Who holds conch, wheel and mace,
Who blows the conch called Sarnga of Vishnu,
And who is blessed and wears yellow silk.

Rik Yajur sama adarvana,
Schadu Samantha lokinee,
Brahma swaroopini, brahmi,
Sri Durga Devi namosthuthe. 5

Salutations to goddess Durga,
Who lives in the four areas,
Of Rik, Yajur, sama and Atharvana Veda,
Who is the power of Brahma and is like Brahma.

Vrushneenaam kula sambhoothe,
Vishnu nadha sahodharee,
Vrushnee roopa dhare dhanya,
Sri Durga Devi namosthuthe. 6

Salutations to goddess Durga,
Who belongs to the clan of Vrushnees,
Who is the sister of Lord Vishnu,
And who is blessed by taking the form of Vrushnee.

Sarvagna, sarvage sarve,
Sarveshwari, sarva sakshini,
Sarvamrutha jada bhare,
Sri Durga Devi namosthuthe. 7

Salutations to goddess Durga,
Who knows all , is everywhere, and belongs to Shiva,
Who is the Goddess of all and is the witness of all,
And who carries the nectar as her tufted hair.

Ashta bahu maha sathwe,
Ashtami navami priye,
Attahasa priye bhadre,
Sri Durga Devi namosthuthe. 8

Salutations to goddess Durga,
Who is the great being with eight hand,
Who likes Ashtami* and Navami**,
Who takes care but likes fierce play.

*8th solastice of moon
** 9th solastice of moon

Durgashtakamidham punyam,
Bhakthidho ya paden nara,
Sarva kamavapnothi,
Durga lokam sa gachathi. 9

If this holy octet on Durga,
Is read by men with devotion,
They would get all desires fulfilled,
And attain the world of Durga.