Believed as the root cause of creation, sustenance and annihilation, Durga is the principal form of the Mother Goddess in Hinduism. The name ‘Durga’ in Sanskrit means ‘invincible’. The syllable ‘du’ is synonymous with the 4 devils namely poverty, sufferings, famine and evil habits. The ‘r’ refers to diseases and the ‘ga’ is the destroyer of sins, injustice, irreligion, cruelty and laziness.

The Hindu Goddess Durga is a unified symbol of all divine forces and is said to have manifested when evil forces threatened the very existence of the Gods. To destroy these demons, all Gods offered their radiance to her creation and each formed different parts of Durga’s body. She also obtained very powerful weapons, such as the Chakra from Lord Vishnu and the Trishul (trident) from Lord Shiva.

Goddess Durga, hence, rose to power and killed the dangerous demon Mahish and all his great commanders.

The Demonic forces are self-destructive but very powerful while the Divine forces are constructive but slow and efficient. When the Demonic forces create imbalance, all the Gods unite to one Divine force called Shakti or Durga or Mahishasurmardini, to abolish all evil.

 

Goddess Durga has a unique portrayal

Maa Durga’s Many Arms :

The consort of Lord Shiva is depicted as having eight or ten hands. These represent eight quadrants or ten directions in Hinduism. This suggests that she protects the devotees from all directions.

Maa Durga’s Three Eyes :

Like Shiva, Durga is also referred to as “Triyambake” meaning the three eyed Goddess. The left eye represents desire (the moon), the right eye represents action (the sun), and the central eye knowledge (fire).

Maa Durga’s Vehicle – The Lion :

The lion represents power, will and determination. Durga riding the lion symbolises the Goddess’ mastery over all these qualities. Devi Durga is portrayed standing on a lion in a fearless pose of “Abhay Mudra” signifying assurance of freedom from fear. The universal Mother seems to be saying to all her devotees : “Surrender all actions and duties onto me and I shall release thee from all fears”.

Maa Durga Mantras - Powerful Durga Mantras

Maa Durga’s Many Weapons :

  • The ‘conch shell’ in Durga’s hand symbolizes the ‘Pranava’ or the mystic word ‘Om’, which indicates her holding on to God in the form of sound.
  • The ‘bow and arrow’ represent energy. By holding both the bow and arrow in one hand, “Mother Durga” indicates her control over both aspects of energy – potential and kinetic.
  • The ‘thunderbolt’ signifies firmness. One must be firm like thunderbolt in one’s convictions. Similar to thunderbolt that can break anything against which it strikes without being affected itself, the devotee should to undertake a challenge without losing his confidence.
  • The ‘lotus’ in Durga’s hand is not in full bloom which symbolizes the certainty of success but not finality.
  • The “Sudarshan-Chakra” which spins around the index finger of the Goddess signifies that the entire world is subservient to the will of Durga and is at her command. She uses this unfailing weapon to destroy evil and produce an environment conducive to the growth of righteousness.
  • The ‘sword’ that Durga holds in one of her hands symbolizes knowledge, which has the sharpness of a sword.
  • Durga’s ‘trident’ or ‘trishul’ is a symbol of three qualities – Satwa (inactivity), Rajas (activity) and Tamas (non-activity) – and that she is the remover of all the three types of miseries – physical, mental and spiritual.

 

Durga presents herself as the Mother of all the worlds taking care of the welfare of all the beings and accounting for their prosperity. To awaken the Goddess, the personification of the active side of the divine “shakti” energy of Lord Shiva, several Mantras are chanted throughout the year and specially during the Navaratri.

 

Most Powerful Maa Durga Mantras

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Durga Mantra

“Sarva Mangala Mangalye Sive Sarvartha Sadhike
Saranye Trayambike Gauri Narayani Namostute”

In Sanskrit:

सर्वमङ्गलमाङ्गल्ये शिवे सर्वार्थसाधिके
शरण्ये त्र्यम्बके गौरि नारायणि नमोऽस्तु ते

Meaning : ‘She is the most auspicious one and the one who bestows auspiciousness upon all of the world. She is pure and holy. She protects those who surrender to her and is also called the Mother of the three worlds and is Gauri, daughter of mountain king. We bow down to Mother Durga again and again. We worship her.’

Benefit : This mantra is recited almost during all celebrations, rituals and events. Regular chanting can give wisdom and strength combined with a prosperous life.

 

Devi Stuti

“Ya devi sarva bhuteshu, shanti rupena sangsthita
Ya devi sarva bhuteshu, shakti rupena sangsthita
Ya devi sarva bhuteshu, matri rupena sangsthita
Yaa devi sarva bhuteshu, buddhi rupena sangsthita
Namastasyai, namastasyai, namastasyai, namo namaha’

In Sanskrit:

या देवी सर्वभुतेषु क्षान्तिरूपेण संस्थिता
या देवी सर्वभुतेषु शक्तिरूपेण संस्थिता
या देवी सर्वभुतेषु मातृरूपेण संस्थिता
या देवी सर्वभुतेषु बुद्धिरूपेण संस्थिता
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः

Meaning:

‘The goddess who is omnipresent as the personification of universal mother
The goddess who is omnipresent as the embodiment of power
The goddess who is omnipresent as the symbol of peace
Oh Goddess (Devi) who resides everywhere in all living beings as intelligence and beauty,
I bow to her, I bow to her, I bow to her again & again.’

Benefit : This universal Durga Mantra blesses one with power, prosperity and positive energy. It helps build inner power and allows him to develop healthy, loving relationships. Chanting of this Mantra blocks negative thoughts and banish ignorance.

 

Durga Dhyan Mantra – Durga Mantra for Meditation

”OM JATAA JUT SAMAAYUKTAMARDHENDU KRIT LAKSHNAM
LOCHANYATRA SANYUKTAM PADMENDU SADYA SHAN NAAM”

In Sanskrit:

ॐ जटा जूट समायुक्तमर्धेंन्दु कृत लक्षणाम |
लोचनत्रय संयुक्तां पद्मेन्दुसद्यशाननाम ||

Benefit : this mantra is done before chanting other Durga Mantras. It helps one to achieve better concentration in his work and in anything he does. If a student lacks concentration while studying, this mantra will help him a lot.

 

Durga Shatru Shanti Mantra (For destruction of enemies)

“RIPAVAH SANKSHAYAM YAANTI KALYAANAM CHOP PADYATE 
NANDATE CHA KULAM PUNSAAM MAAHAATMYAM MAM SRINU YAANMAM”

In Sanskrit:

रिपव: संक्षयम् यान्ति कल्याणम चोपपद्यते |
नन्दते च कुलम पुंसाम माहात्म्यम मम श्रृणुयान्मम ||

Benefit : This powerful Durga Mantra provides one protection against one’s enemies. If he chants this Mantra he will get rid of enemies and from the people who are jealous of him. This Mantra also helps in achieving welfare and bliss in one’s life. If this Mantra is chanted regularly, it will help with one’s well-being.

 

Durga Sarv Baadha Mukti Mantra (For Removal of all Obstacles)

Om Sarvabaadhaa Vinirmukto, Dhan Dhaanyah Sutaanvitah |
Manushyo Matprasaaden Bhavishyati Na Sanshayah Om ||

In Sanskrit:

ॐ सर्वाबाधा विनिर्मुक्तो, धन धान्यः सुतान्वितः।
मनुष्यो मत्प्रसादेन भविष्यति न संशयः ॐ ।।

Benefit : This Mantra provides one with relief from any kind of problem and misery in his life. It helps one in earning lots of money, and creating wealth & prosperity.

 

Durga Duh Swapna Nivaaran Mantra (Mantra for protection from bad dreams and omens)

 “SHANTI KARMANI SWAPNA DARSHANE
GRAH PIDAASU CHOGRASU MAAHAATMYAM SRINU YAANMAM”

In Sanskrit:

शान्तिकर्मणि सर्वत्र तथा दु:स्वप्नदर्शने |
ग्रहपीडासु चोग्रासु माहात्म्यं श्रृणुयान्मम ||

Benefit : This Durga Mantra helps to achieve peace in every difficult stage of one’s life. If one often suffer from nightmares, chanting this Mantra will help him get relief from them. Soon he will be free from every kind of negative, fearful dream & thought.

Chanting this Durga Mantra will help one in neutralizing and minimizing the negative effect of every ‘grah’ (planetary movement) which can bring negative energy in to his life.

 

Durga Ashaant Shishu Shanti Pradaayak Mantra (Mantra for calming restless and fearful baby)

“BAAL GRAH BHIBHUTAANAAM BAALAANAM SHANTIKAARKAM
SANGHATBHEDE CH NRINAAM MAETRI KARAN MUTMAM”

In Sanskrit:

बालग्रहभिभूतानां बालानां शांतिकारकं |
सङ्घातभेदे च नृणाम मैत्रीकरणमुतमम ||

Benefit : If one’s child is suffering from spectral problems and is haunted by negative souls, then he should chant this Durga Mantra. Durga Devi will lay her mercy on his child. She will help to eliminate any negative energy that is disturbing one’s child.

 

Shakti Mantra

“SHARNAAGAT DEENAART PARITRAAN PARAAYANEY, SERVASYARTI HAREY DEVI NAARAAYANI NAMOSTUTEY |
SARVASVAROOPEY SARVESHEY SARVSHAKTI SAMANVIETEY, BHAYEBHYAH TRAAHI NO DEVI DURGE DEVI NAMOSTUTEY |
ROGAAN SHOSHAAN PAHANSITUSHTARUSHTATU KAAMAAN SAKLAAN BHISHTAAN, TVAAM AASHRITAANAAM NA VIPANNARAANAM, TVAAMAASHRITAAHYA SHRAYTAAM PRAYAANTI |
SARVA BADHA PRASHMANAN TRAILOKYA SYAKHILESHWARI, EVAMEVMEV TVAYAA KAARYAM SMA DVERI VINAASHNAM |
SARVAA BAADHA VINIRUMK TO DHAN DHAANYA SUTAAN VITAH. MANUSHYO MAT PRASAADEN BHAVISHYATI NA SANSHA YAH |
DEHI SAUBHAAGYAM AAROGYAM DEHI DEVI PARAM SUKHAM.
RUPAM DEHI JAYAM DEHI YASHO DEHI DVISHO JAHI |
JYANTI MANGALAA KAALI BHADRA KAALI KAPAALINEE DURGAA KSHAMAA SHIVAA DHAATREE SWAAHAA SVADHAA NAMO STUTEY ||

In Sanskrit:

शरणागत दीनार्तपरित्राण परायणे। सर्वस्यातिहरे देवि नारायण नमोस्तुते।।
सर्वस्वरूपे सर्वेशे सर्वेशक्तिसमन्विते । भयेभ्यस्त्राहि नो देवि दुर्गे देवि नमोऽस्तु ते ।।
रोगनशेषानपहंसि तुष्टा। रुष्टा तु कामान् सकलानभीष्टान्।।
त्वामाश्रितानां न विपन्नराणां। त्वमाश्रिता हृयश्रयतां प्रयान्ति।।
सर्वाबाधा प्रशमनं त्रैलोक्यस्याखिलेश्वरि। एवमेव त्वया कार्यमस्मद्दैरिविनाशनम्।।
सर्वाबाधा विर्निर्मुक्तो धनधान्यसुतान्वित:। मनुष्यो मत्प्रसादेन भविष्यति न संशय:।।
जयन्ती मङ्गला काली भद्रकाली कपालिनी । दुर्गा शिवा क्षमा धात्री स्वाहा स्वधा नमोऽस्तु ते ।।

Meaning : ‘You who are perpetually endeavouring to protect the weak and the poor and remove their misery. Oh Narayani, I pray to you.

Oh Goddess Durga, please protect us from all kinds of fear. Oh omnipotent Durga, I pray to you.

Oh Goddess, when you are pleased, remove all ailments and when you are angry, destroy everything that a person desires for. However, those who come to you for sanctuary never have to confront any casastrophy. Instead, such people secure enough merit to provide shelter to others.

Whoever listens to the story of the Goddess during the great Puja that is organised in the winters succeeds in overcoming all obstacles and is blessed wealth and progeny.

Oh Goddess, bless me with good fortune, good health, good looks, success and fame. Oh Vaishnavi, you are the very basis for the world. You have mesmerized the World. When you are pleased with some one you ensure his salvation from the cycle of life and death.

Oh Goddess, you who are known by the names of Mangala, Kali, Bhadra Kali, Kapalinee, Durge, Kshama, Shivaa, Dhatri, Swahaa, Swadha, I pray to you.’

Benefit : Durga Maa protects her devotee from all the evils & mishappenings and stays in his favour in every aspect of life.

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Thus, it is said that the mantras are a method to connect to one’s innerself. Chanting of the Durga mantras continuously affects the chanter and the listener both symbolically. The effectiveness of these mantras is said to depend on the mental discipline involved and its correct recitation. These are words with great power, and have the potential to help solve one’s issues and relax his mind. Mantras to Goddess Durga are famous in Hinduism and are very effective for creating positive change in one’s life.However, the mantras are most effective when recited in the following ways as mentioned below.

 

Ways to Chant Durga Mantras

  • Before invoking Goddess Durga, one should take a bath early in the morning and wear clean clothes.
  • Then, the idol or photo of deity should be placed on a clean platform where one wants to worship Her.
  • The deity should be worshipped with Roli (red colored powdered or red sandal), Flowers, Balepatra and Kumkum (vermillion).

Goddess Durga is, hence, a multi-dimensional Goddess, with many personas, many names, and many facets and through all her forms, She is the embodiment of sacrifice, purity, knowledge, salvation, truth and self-realization.

So, by chanting the healing Durga mantras daily, all the mental, physical and economic problems of our life would be eliminated and Goddess Durga would protect us against all types of harm with compassion.