Mahishasura Mardini - 1¶

The Shloka¶

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अयि गिरिनन्दिनि नन्दितमेदिनि विश्वविनोदिनि नन्दनुते

गिरिवरविन्ध्यशिरोधिनिवासिनि विष्णुविलासिनि जिष्णुनुते

भगवति हे शितिकण्ठकुटुम्बिनि भूरिभुजाकृति भूतिधरे

जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥

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ayi girinandini nandita-medini vishva-vinodini nanda-nute

girivara-vindhya-shirodhini-vasini vishnu-vilasini jishnu-nute

bhagavati he shitikantha-kutumbini bhuri-bhujakriti bhuti-dhare

jaya jaya he mahishasura-mardini ramya-kapardini shaila-sute ॥

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Meaning / Summary¶

The shloka is a powerful invocation to Goddess Durga, seeking her blessings and protection. It celebrates her victory over evil and her role as a benevolent force in the universe. Chanting this shloka is believed to bring courage, strength, and prosperity.

O Daughter of the Mountain, You delight the earth, You entertain the universe, You are praised in the gardens of heaven. You reside on the peak of Mount Vindhya, You are the playful energy of Vishnu, You are praised by Indra. O Goddess, You are the consort of Shiva, You possess numerous arms and bestow prosperity. Victory to You, O Destroyer of Mahishasura, You with the beautiful braided hair, Daughter of the Mountain!

This shloka praises Goddess Durga as the delight of the earth, the entertainer of the universe, and the slayer of Mahishasura. It highlights her divine connections, her powerful presence, and her benevolent nature.

This shloka is a hymn praising Goddess Durga, specifically in her form as Mahishasura Mardini, the slayer of the buffalo demon Mahishasura. It describes her various qualities and attributes, emphasizing her connection to nature (daughter of the mountain, residing on Vindhya), her power and benevolence (delighting the earth, bestowing prosperity), and her divine associations (consort of Shiva, the playful energy of Vishnu, praised by celestial beings). The repeated invocation of ‘Victory to You’ emphasizes the devotee’s reverence and faith in the Goddess’s ability to overcome evil.

Sentence - 1¶

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अयि गिरिनन्दिनि नन्दितमेदिनि विश्वविनोदिनि नन्दनुते

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Meaning¶

O Daughter of the Mountain, You delight the earth, You entertain the universe, You are praised in the gardens of heaven.

Meaning of Words¶

अयि	ayi	O!
गिरिनन्दिनि	girinandini
Daughter of the Mountain Giri means mountain, and Nandini means daughter. It refers to Parvati, the daughter of the Himalayas.
नन्दितमेदिनि	nandita-medini
One who delights the earth Nandita means delighted or pleased, and Medini means earth. This refers to the goddess bringing joy and happiness to the world.
विश्वविनोदिनि	vishva-vinodini
Entertainer of the Universe Vishva means universe, and Vinodini means entertainer or one who gives joy. This describes the goddess as the source of amusement and delight for the entire universe.
नन्दनुते	nanda-nute
Praised in the gardens of heaven Nanda refers to the gardens of heaven (Nandana Vana), and Nute means praised or lauded. This implies that the goddess is revered and worshipped in the celestial realms.

Sentence - 2¶

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गिरिवरविन्ध्यशिरोधिनिवासिनि विष्णुविलासिनि जिष्णुनुते

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Meaning¶

You reside on the peak of Mount Vindhya, You are the playful energy of Vishnu, You are praised by Indra.

Meaning of Words¶

गिरिवरविन्ध्यशिरोधिनिवासिनि	girivara-vindhya-shirodhini-vasini
One who resides on the peak of Mount Vindhya Girivara means best of mountains, Vindhya refers to the Vindhya mountain range, Shirodhini refers to the peak, and Vasini means resident. Thus, it refers to the Goddess residing on the highest peak of the Vindhya mountains.
विष्णुविलासिनि	vishnu-vilasini
Playful energy of Vishnu Vishnu is a major deity in Hinduism, and Vilasini means playful or associated with joy. This suggests the goddess is the source of energy and delight related to Vishnu.
जिष्णुनुते	jishnu-nute
Praised by Indra Jishnu is another name for Indra, the king of the gods, and Nute means praised or lauded. The goddess is revered by Indra.

Sentence - 3¶

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भगवति हे शितिकण्ठकुटुम्बिनि भूरिभुजाकृति भूतिधरे

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Meaning¶

O Goddess, You are the consort of Shiva, You possess numerous arms and bestow prosperity.

Meaning of Words¶

भगवति	bhagavati	O Goddess! A respectful address to a goddess.
हे	he	Hey/O
शितिकण्ठकुटुम्बिनि	shitikantha-kutumbini
Consort of Shiva Shitikantha refers to Shiva (the one with a blue throat), and Kutumbini means wife or consort. This indicates that the goddess is the wife of Shiva.
भूरिभुजाकृति	bhuri-bhujakriti
One with numerous arms Bhuri means many or numerous, Bhuja means arms, and Akriti means form or shape. This describes the goddess’s form with multiple arms, symbolizing her power and ability to perform many tasks.
भूतिधरे	bhuti-dhare
Bestower of prosperity Bhuti means prosperity or wealth, and Dhare means the one who holds or gives. This describes the goddess as the giver of prosperity and well-being.

Sentence - 4¶

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जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥

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Meaning¶

Victory to You, O Destroyer of Mahishasura, You with the beautiful braided hair, Daughter of the Mountain!

Meaning of Words¶

जय	jaya	Victory!
महिषासुरमर्दिनि	mahishasura-mardini
Slayer of Mahishasura Mahishasura was a buffalo demon, and Mardini means the one who destroys or crushes. This refers to the goddess’s role as the destroyer of the demon Mahishasura.
रम्यकपर्दिनि	ramya-kapardini
One with beautiful braided hair Ramya means beautiful or lovely, and Kapardini refers to braided hair or matted locks. The goddess is adorned with beautiful braided hair.
शैलसुते	shaila-sute
Daughter of the Mountain Shaila means mountain, and Sute means daughter. This refers to Parvati, the daughter of the Himalayas.