Siddha Kunjika Stotram

Siddha Kunjika Stotram is a Sanskrit stotra in the form of a dialogue between Shiva and Parvati, and its colophon places it in the Rudrayamala Tantra (Gauri Tantra). It is printed in many Durga Saptashati books. Kunjika means "key," and the stotra is read as the key that wakes the mantras of the Saptashati (the Devi Mahatmya of the Markandeya Purana, also called Chandi Path). The date and exact source are not known to us, and the text differs slightly among editions, so this page gives the gist.

Verses 1 to 3: the claim. Shiva says: listen, Devi, I will tell the best Kunjika stotra, by whose power the Chandi japa becomes auspicious. For one who reads it, the text says, no kavach, argala, keelaka, rahasya, sukta, dhyana, nyasa or archana is needed, and by the Kunjika path alone one gains the fruit of the Durga path. It is called very secret and hard to get even for the gods. This is a statement of faith, not a guarantee, and many families still read the Devi Kavacham, Argala Stotram and Atha Keelakam first.

Verse 4: secrecy and the old tantric words. It says to guard the stotra with effort, like one's own womb (svayoni), and names old tantric rites (maran, mohan, vashya, stambhan, ucchatan) as things said to be accomplished by reading it. This page does not teach or recommend any such rite. These words describe the world of the old tantric texts, and prayer must never be used to harm or control a person.

The mantra. "Om Aim Hrim Klim Chamundayai Vichche" is the Navarna (nine-letter) mantra of the Saptashati. Aim is the seed of Saraswati (speech and knowledge), Hrim of Mahamaya (the power of the world) and Klim of Kali (the power of attraction and will), and "Chamundayai vichche" is the salutation to Chamunda with the closing "vichche." The longer line that follows ("Om Glaum Hum Klim Jum Sah Jvalaya Jvalaya...") is a string of seed sounds that have no word-meaning; it means "blaze, blaze" in the sense of waking energy. The seed sounds are traditionally learned from a guru.

Salutation verses 1 and 2. Salutations to the Rudra-formed, the destroyer of Madhu, the remover of Kaitabha, the slayer of Mahishasura, the slayer of Shumbha and Nishumbha (see the Mahishasura Mardini Stotram). "Jagratam hi Mahadevi, japam siddham kurushva me": O Mahadevi, be awake, and make my japa successful.

Verse 3: the three seeds. Ainkari is the form of creation, Hrimkari the sustainer, Klimkari the form of desire, and the Goddess is the form of the seed (bija-rupa).

Verse 4: Chamunda. Chamunda, destroyer of Chanda, the one of "Yai," giver of boons, and "vichche," always the giver of fearlessness, the form of the mantra.

Verses 5 and 6: seed syllables. A series of syllables (Dham Dhim Dhum, Vam Vim Dum, Kram Krim Krum, Sham Shim Shum, Hum Hum, Jam Jam Jam, Bhram Bhrim Bhrum) joined with names: wife of Dhurjati (Shiva), mistress of speech (Vagadhishvari), Kalika, the humkara form, the one who crushes (jambhanadini), Bhairavi and Bhavani. "Me shubham kuru" asks: do what is good for me.

Verse 7: the letters. A string of consonants (Am, Kam, Cham, Tam, Pam, Yam, Sham and others) and the call "Dhijagram dhijagram trotaya trotaya deeptam kuru kuru svaha," which is read as: awaken the mind, break the obstacle, make it bright. In the tradition these letters are the alphabet of the mantra.

Verse 8: Saptashati. "Pam Pim Pum Parvati purna, Kham Khim Khum Khechari tatha, Sam Sim Sum Saptashati Devya mantrasiddhim kurushva me": O complete Parvati, O sky-goer, O Saptashati of the Devi, give me success in the mantra.

The close. "This Kunjika stotra is for awakening the mantras. It should not be given to the one without devotion; keep it hidden, O Parvati." Then: "He who reads the Saptashati without the Kunjika, his success does not come, like crying in a forest." This is a statement of faith in the tradition, and the colophon names the Rudrayamala, Gauri Tantra and the Shiva-Parvati dialogue.

The message. Devotion comes first, and the text asks for care and reverence with a powerful mantra. Benefits mentioned in tradition are matters of faith. Prayer works best alongside real effort, and health, money or legal problems also need proper help. Please never use it to harm or control anyone. See the Durga Chalisa, Durga 108 names and Devi Stuti.