दुर्गा चालीसा
Durga Chalisa
Composed by Traditional · All Chalisas
The Durga Chalisa is a 40-verse hymn of praise to Maa Durga — the supreme Shakti who manifests as Durga, Kali, Saraswati, and Lakshmi to destroy ignorance and protect dharma. It is recited especially during the nine nights of Navratri (twice a year — Chaitra and Sharad), and on Tuesdays and Fridays.
Where the Hanuman Chalisa cultivates courage, the Durga Chalisa cultivates clarity and protection — invoking the Divine Mother as the one who sees through illusion, who slays the inner asuras (ego, greed, anger), and who grants both worldly well-being (saubhāgya) and the ultimate liberation.
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Chaupais (40)
Chaupai 1
नमो नमो दुर्गे सुख करनी।
नमो नमो अम्बे दुःख हरनी॥
Namo namo Durge sukh karani.
Namo namo Ambe dukh harani.
I bow again and again to Durga, giver of joy; I bow to Amba, remover of sorrow.
Chaupai 2
निराकार है ज्योति तुम्हारी।
तिहूँ लोक फैली उजियारी॥
Nirakar hai jyoti tumhari.
Tihun lok phaili ujiyari.
Your light is beyond form, spreading radiance through all three worlds.
Chaupai 3
शशि ललाट मुख महाविशाला।
नेत्र लाल भृकुटि विकराला॥
Shashi lalat mukh maha-vishala.
Netra lal bhrikuti vikarala.
Your moon-bright forehead and vast face shine; your red eyes and fierce brow terrify evil.
Chaupai 4
रूप मातु को अधिक सुहावे।
दरश करत जन अति सुख पावे॥
Roop matu ko adhik suhave.
Darash karat jan ati sukh pave.
O Mother, your form is supremely beautiful; those who behold you receive deep joy.
Chaupai 5
तुम संसार शक्ति लय कीना।
पालन हेतु अन्न धन दीना॥
Tum sansar shakti lay kina.
Palan hetu anna dhan dina.
You are the power behind creation and dissolution; for sustaining life you grant food and wealth.
Chaupai 6
अन्नपूर्णा हुई जग पाला।
तुम ही आदि सुन्दरी बाला॥
Annapurna hui jag pala.
Tum hi adi sundari bala.
As Annapurna you nourish the world; you are the primordial, beautiful, ever-youthful Mother.
Chaupai 7
प्रलयकाल सब नाशन हारी।
तुम गौरी शिवशंकर प्यारी॥
Pralayakal sab nashan hari.
Tum Gauri Shiv-Shankar pyari.
At the time of dissolution you withdraw all; as Gauri you are beloved of Shiva Shankar.
Chaupai 8
शिव योगी तुम्हरे गुण गावें।
ब्रह्मा विष्णु तुम्हें नित ध्यावें॥
Shiv yogi tumhare gun gaven.
Brahma Vishnu tumhen nit dhyaven.
Shiva and yogis sing your qualities; Brahma and Vishnu meditate on you always.
Chaupai 9
रूप सरस्वती को तुम धारा।
दे सुबुद्धि ऋषि-मुनिन उबारा॥
Roop Saraswati ko tum dhara.
De subuddhi rishi-munin ubara.
You take the form of Saraswati and grant wise understanding, uplifting sages and seers.
Chaupai 10
धरा रूप नरसिंह को अम्बा।
प्रगट भईं फाड़कर खम्बा॥
Dhara roop Narsingh ko Amba.
Pragat bhayin phadkar khamba.
O Amba, you manifested as the power of Narasimha, bursting forth from the pillar.
Chaupai 11
रक्षा करि प्रह्लाद बचायो।
हिरण्याक्ष को स्वर्ग पठायो॥
Raksha kari Prahlad bachayo.
Hiranyaksh ko swarg pathayo.
You protected Prahlad and saved him, sending the demon to the next world.
Chaupai 12
लक्ष्मी रूप धरो जग माहीं।
श्री नारायण अंग समाहीं॥
Lakshmi roop dharo jag mahin.
Shri Narayan ang samahin.
In the world you take the form of Lakshmi and dwell inseparably with Lord Narayan.
Chaupai 13
क्षीरसिन्धु में करत विलासा।
दयासिन्धु दीजै मन आसा॥
Kshirsindhu men karat vilasa.
Dayasindhu dijai man asa.
You sport in the ocean of milk; ocean of compassion, fulfill the heart's sacred hope.
Chaupai 14
हिंगलाज में तुम्हीं भवानी।
महिमा अमित न जात बखानी॥
Hinglaj men tumhin Bhavani.
Mahima amit na jat bakhani.
At Hinglaj you are worshipped as Bhavani; your immeasurable glory cannot be fully described.
Chaupai 15
मातंगी अरु धूमावति माता।
भुवनेश्वरी बगला सुख दाता॥
Matangi aru Dhumavati mata.
Bhuvaneshwari Bagla sukh data.
You are Matangi, Dhumavati, Bhuvaneshwari, and Baglamukhi, the giver of auspicious joy.
Chaupai 16
श्री भैरव तारा जग तारिणी।
छिन्न भाल भव दुःख निवारिणी॥
Shri Bhairavi Tara jag tarini.
Chhinna bhal bhav dukh nivarini.
You are Bhairavi and Tara, savior of the world, removing the sorrows of worldly existence.
Chaupai 17
केहरि वाहन सोह भवानी।
लांगुर वीर चलत अगवानी॥
Kehari vahan soha Bhavani.
Langur veer chalat agavani.
O Bhavani, you shine upon the lion, while the heroic attendant goes before you.
Chaupai 18
कर में खप्पर खड्ग विराजै।
जाको देख काल डर भाजै॥
Kar men khappar khadag virajai.
Jako dekh kal dar bhajai.
In your hands shine the skull-cup and sword; at your sight even Time flees in fear.
Chaupai 19
सोहै अस्त्र और त्रिशूला।
जाते उठत शत्रु हिय शूला॥
Sohai astra aur trishula.
Jate uthata shatru hiy shula.
Your weapons and trident gleam; enemies feel a piercing pain in their hearts.
Chaupai 20
नगरकोट में तुम्हीं विराजत।
तिहुँ लोक में डंका बाजत॥
Nagarkot men tumhin virajat.
Tihun lok men danka bajat.
You dwell at Nagarkot, and the proclamation of your glory resounds through the three worlds.
Chaupai 21
शुंभ निशुंभ दानव तुम मारे।
रक्तबीज शंखन संहारे॥
Shumbh Nishumbh danav tum mare.
Raktabeej shankhan sanhare.
You slew the demons Shumbha and Nishumbha and destroyed Raktabeej with his hordes.
Chaupai 22
महिषासुर नृप अति अभिमानी।
जेहि अघ भार मही अकुलानी॥
Mahishasur nrip ati abhimani.
Jehi agh bhar mahi akulani.
The arrogant Mahishasura burdened the earth with sin and made the world suffer.
Chaupai 23
रूप कराल कालिका धारा।
सेन सहित तुम तिहि संहारा॥
Roop karal Kalika dhara.
Sen sahit tum tihi sanhara.
Taking the fearsome form of Kalika, you destroyed him along with his army.
Chaupai 24
परी गाढ़ संतन पर जब जब।
भई सहाय मातु तुम तब तब॥
Pari gadh santan par jab jab.
Bhayi sahay matu tum tab tab.
Whenever saints and devotees fall into deep distress, O Mother, you come to their aid.
Chaupai 25
अमरपुरी अरु बासव लोका।
तब महिमा सब रहें अशोका॥
Amarapuri aru Basav loka.
Tab mahima sab rahen ashoka.
In the city of the gods and Indra's realm, your glory keeps all free from sorrow.
Chaupai 26
ज्वाला में है ज्योति तुम्हारी।
तुम्हें सदा पूजें नर-नारी॥
Jwala men hai jyoti tumhari.
Tumhen sada pujen nar-nari.
Your flame shines at Jwala Devi, where men and women worship you always.
Chaupai 27
प्रेम भक्ति से जो यश गावें।
दुःख दारिद्र निकट नहिं आवें॥
Prem bhakti se jo yash gaven.
Dukh daridra nikat nahin aven.
Those who sing your glory with loving devotion are not approached by sorrow or poverty.
Chaupai 28
ध्यावे तुम्हें जो नर मन लाई।
जन्म-मरण ताकौ छुटि जाई॥
Dhyave tumhen jo nar man layi.
Janma-maran tako chhuti jayi.
Whoever meditates on you with focused mind is freed from the cycle of birth and death.
Chaupai 29
जोगी सुर मुनि कहत पुकारी।
योग न हो बिन शक्ति तुम्हारी॥
Jogi sur muni kahat pukari.
Yog na ho bin shakti tumhari.
Yogis, gods, and sages proclaim that no union is possible without your Shakti.
Chaupai 30
शंकर आचारज तप कीनो।
काम अरु क्रोध जीति सब लीनो॥
Shankar acharya tap kino.
Kam aru krodh jeeti sab lino.
Shankaracharya performed austerity and conquered desire and anger.
Chaupai 31
निशिदिन ध्यान धरो शंकर को।
काहु काल नहिं सुमिरो तुमको॥
Nishidin dhyan dharo Shankar ko.
Kahu kal nahin sumiro tumko.
He meditated day and night on Shiva, yet at that time did not remember your Shakti.
Chaupai 32
शक्ति रूप का मरम न पायो।
शक्ति गई तब मन पछितायो॥
Shakti roop ka maram na payo.
Shakti gayi tab man pachhitayo.
He did not grasp the mystery of your Shakti form; when that power departed, he repented.
Chaupai 33
शरणागत हुई कीर्ति बखानी।
जय जय जय जगदम्ब भवानी॥
Sharanagat hui kirti bakhani.
Jai jai jai Jagadamba Bhavani.
I come into your refuge and praise your fame. Victory to Jagadamba Bhavani.
Chaupai 34
भई प्रसन्न आदि जगदम्बा।
दई शक्ति नहिं कीन विलम्बा॥
Bhayi prasanna adi Jagadamba.
Dayi shakti nahin keen vilamba.
The primordial Mother became pleased and granted power without delay.
Chaupai 35
मोको मातु कष्ट अति घेरो।
तुम बिन कौन हरै दुःख मेरो॥
Moko matu kasht ati ghero.
Tum bin kaun harai dukh mero.
O Mother, I am surrounded by severe suffering; who but you can remove my sorrow?
Chaupai 36
आशा तृष्णा निपट सतावें।
रिपू मूरख मोहिं डरपावें॥
Asha trishna nipat sataven.
Ripu moorakh mohin darpaven.
Hope and craving torment me, while enemies and fools make me afraid.
Chaupai 37
शत्रु नाश कीजै महारानी।
सुमिरौं इकचित तुम्हें भवानी॥
Shatru nash kijai Maharani.
Sumiron ikachit tumhen Bhavani.
O great queen, destroy my enemies; I remember you, Bhavani, with one-pointed mind.
Chaupai 38
करो कृपा हे मातु दयाला।
ऋद्धि-सिद्धि दै करहु निहाला॥
Karo kripa he matu dayala.
Riddhi-siddhi dai karahu nihala.
Show compassion, merciful Mother; bless me with prosperity and spiritual accomplishment.
Chaupai 39
जब लगि जिऊं दया फल पाऊं।
तुम्हरो यश मैं सदा सुनाऊं॥
Jab lagi jiun daya phal paun.
Tumharo yash main sada sunaun.
As long as I live, may I receive the fruit of your compassion and always sing your glory.
Chaupai 40
दुर्गा चालीसा जो नित गावै।
सब सुख भोग परमपद पावै॥
Durga Chalisa jo nit gavai.
Sab sukh bhog parampad pavai.
Whoever daily sings this Durga Chalisa enjoys happiness and attains the supreme state.
Closing Doha
Closing
देवीदास शरण निज जानी।
करहु कृपा जगदम्ब भवानी॥
Devidas sharan nij jani.
Karahu kripa Jagadamba Bhavani.
Knowing Devidas to be in your refuge, O Jagadamba Bhavani, please bestow your grace.
🪔 May this recitation bring peace and protection.
Conclude with a moment of silence. Distribute prasad if you have prepared it.
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Benefits of recitation
- •Invokes protection from harm, both seen and unseen.
- •Recited during Navratri as part of the nine-night sadhana.
- •Said to dissolve fear, especially fear of the unknown.
- •Traditionally chanted before exams, new ventures, and journeys.
- •Cultivates inner strength (shakti) and discernment (viveka).
How to recite — traditional guidance
Best day
Tuesday, Friday, and all nine days of Navratri
Best time
Brahma muhurta or evening sandhya
How many paaths
1, 3, 7, or 9 paaths — odd numbers are traditional
- ·Bathe and wear clean clothes; red is considered auspicious for the Mother.
- ·Sit facing east; light a diya with ghee.
- ·Offer red flowers (hibiscus preferred), kumkum, and water.
- ·Recite slowly with full attention on each verse.
- ·Avoid non-vegetarian food and intoxicants on recitation days.
- ·Distribute prasad at the end if recited during Navratri.
Common questions
What is the best day to recite the Durga Chalisa?
Tuesday and Friday are traditionally associated with the Mother. The most powerful time is during the nine nights of Navratri (Chaitra in spring and Sharad in autumn).
What is the difference between Durga Chalisa and Durga Saptashati?
The Durga Chalisa is a 40-verse hymn for daily recitation. The Durga Saptashati (also called Devi Mahatmyam) is a much longer scripture of 700 verses describing the Mother's victories over the asuras — typically recited in full during Navratri.
Can the Durga Chalisa be recited at home?
Yes. A clean space, a lit diya, and sincerity of heart are all that is required. No priest is needed.
Continue your practice
Verse text and verse order cross-checked against the Drik Panchang Durga Mata Chalisa; transliteration and English meanings prepared by Daanyam.