Mahishasura Mardini - 3

The Shloka

———

अयि जगदम्ब मदम्ब कदम्ब वनप्रियवासिनि हासरते

शिखरिशिरोरत्ननिर्मलशुङ्ग तरलयुताकृति भासुरते

मधुमधुरे मधुकैटभगञ्जिनि दैत्यविहञ्जिनि तापहरे

जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥

———

ayi jagadamba madamba kadamba vanapriyavasini hasarate

sikhari shiroratna nirmala shunga taralayu takriti bhasurate

madhu madhure madhukaitabha ganjini daityavihanjini tapahare

jaya jaya he mahishasuramardini ramyakapardini shailasute ॥

———

Meaning / Summary

This shloka is significant because it encapsulates the essence of Goddess Durga’s power and grace. It highlights her ability to overcome evil (Mahishasura) while simultaneously embodying beauty and compassion. It is a powerful invocation for protection, strength, and spiritual upliftment. The shloka reminds devotees of the Goddess’s role as a mother figure and a fierce protector, thus providing solace and inspiration.

Oh Mother of the Universe, Mother mine, who delights in residing in the Kadamba forest, whose laughter is a joy. You shine with the form of the tender shoots of the wish-fulfilling gem at the peak of the mountain, Oh sweet one, destroyer of Madhu and Kaitabha, destroyer of demons, remover of suffering. Victory, victory to you, Oh Mahishasura Mardini, with beautiful braided hair, daughter of the mountain!

This shloka is a prayer to Goddess Durga, praising her beauty, power, and compassion as Mahishasura Mardini. It describes her dwelling in nature, her sweet nature, and her role as a protector and destroyer of demons.

This shloka is a heartfelt prayer to Goddess Durga, specifically in her form as Mahishasura Mardini, the slayer of the demon Mahishasura. It praises her beauty, her power, and her compassion. The shloka highlights her association with nature (Kadamba forest, mountain peaks), her sweet and joyful nature (laughter, sweetness), and her role as a protector and remover of suffering. It invokes her blessings and celebrates her victory over evil.

Sentence - 1

———

अयि जगदम्ब मदम्ब कदम्ब वनप्रियवासिनि हासरते

———

Meaning

Oh Mother of the Universe, my mother, who delights in residing in the Kadamba forest, whose laughter is a joy.

Meaning of Words

अयि	ayi	Oh
जगदम्ब	jagadamba
Mother of the Universe Jagadamba signifies ‘Mother of the world’. It represents the goddess as the maternal source and sustainer of all creation, emphasizing her universal motherhood.
मदम्ब	madamba
My mother Madamba is a term of endearment meaning ‘my mother’. It is used to express a personal and intimate connection with the goddess, acknowledging her as a nurturing figure.
कदम्ब	kadamba
Kadamba refers to a specific type of tree known for its fragrant flowers, often associated with divine presence.
वन	vana	Forest
वनप्रियवासिनि	vanapriyavasini
Who delights in residing Priyavasini describes someone who enjoys dwelling in a particular place. In this context, it refers to the goddess’s fondness for the Kadamba forest, highlighting her connection with nature.
हासरते	hasarate
Whose laughter is a joy Hasarate means ‘delighting in laughter’. It portrays the goddess as joyful and benevolent, suggesting her laughter brings happiness and well-being.

Sentence - 2

———

शिखरिशिरोरत्ननिर्मलशुङ्ग तरलयुताकृति भासुरते

———

Meaning

You shine with the form of the tender shoots of the wish-fulfilling gem at the peak of the mountain.

Meaning of Words

शिखरि	shikhari	Mountain
शिरोरत्न	shiroratna
Head-jewel Shiroratna means ‘the gem on the head’. This is a metaphorical reference to the highest point of a mountain being like a jewel.
निर्मल	nirmala	Pure
शुङ्ग	shunga	Tender shoots
तरलयु	taralayu	Waving
ताकृति	takriti	Form
भासुरते	bhasurate	Shining

Sentence - 3

———

मधुमधुरे मधुकैटभगञ्जिनि दैत्यविहञ्जिनि तापहरे

———

Meaning

Oh sweet one, destroyer of Madhu and Kaitabha, destroyer of demons, remover of suffering.

Meaning of Words

मधु	madhu	Sweet
मधुरे	madhure	Sweet one
मधुकैटभगञ्जिनि	madhukaitabha ganjini
Destroyer of Madhu and Kaitabha Madhukaitabha ganjini refers to the one who defeated the demons Madhu and Kaitabha, highlighting her power to overcome formidable adversaries.
दैत्यविहञ्जिनि	daityavihanjini
Destroyer of demons Daityavihanjini describes the goddess as the destroyer of demons, emphasizing her role in protecting the world from evil forces.
तापहरे	tapahare
Remover of suffering Tapahare signifies the one who alleviates suffering. It underscores the goddess’s compassionate nature and her ability to relieve the pain and burdens of her devotees.

Sentence - 4

———

जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥

———

Meaning

Victory, victory to you, Oh Mahishasura Mardini, with beautiful braided hair, daughter of the mountain!

Meaning of Words

जय	jaya	Victory
हे	he	Oh
महिषासुरमर्दिनि	mahishasuramardini
Slayer of Mahishasura Mahishasura Mardini means ‘the slayer of the demon Mahishasura’. This is a central aspect of Durga’s iconography and highlights her role as a powerful protector against evil.
रम्यकपर्दिनि	ramyakapardini
With beautiful braided hair Ramyakapardini describes the goddess as having beautiful braided hair, signifying elegance and divine beauty.
शैलसुते	shailasute
Daughter of the mountain Shailasute refers to the goddess as the daughter of the mountain, referring to Parvati, the daughter of Himavan (the Himalayas), thus linking Durga to Parvati.

---