Shri Mahishasura Mardini Stotram
Ayi Girinandini, 21 verses, "Jaya jaya he Mahishasuramardini" refrain, Shumbha-Nishumbha, Madhu-Kaitabha, Navratri
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॥ Shri Mahishasuramardini Stotram ॥
Ayi Girinandini Nanditamedini
Vishvavinodini Nandanute,
Girivaravindhyashirodhinivasini
Vishnuvilasini Jishnunute.
Bhagavati He Shitikanthakutumbini
Bhurikutumbini Bhurikrite,
Jaya Jaya He Mahishasuramardini
Ramyakapardini Shailasute॥1॥
Suravaravarshini Durdharadharshini
Durmukhamarshini Harsharate,
Tribhuvanaposhini Shankaratoshini
Kilvishamoshini Ghosharate.
Danujaniroshini Ditisutaroshini
Durmadashoshini Sindhusute,
Jaya Jaya He Mahishasuramardini
Ramyakapardini Shailasute॥2॥
Ayi Jagadamba Madamba
Kadambavanapriyavasini Hasarate,
Shikharishiromani Tungahimalaya
Shringanijalayamadhyagate.
Madhumadhure Madhukaitabhanjini
Kaitabhabhanjini Rasarate,
Jaya Jaya He Mahishasuramardini
Ramyakapardini Shailasute॥3॥
Ayi Shatakhandavikhandita
Rundavitundita Shundagajadhipate,
Ripugajagandavidarana Chanda
Parakrama Shundamrigadhipate.
Nijabhujadandanipatita
Khandavipatita Mundabhataadhipate,
Jaya Jaya He Mahishasuramardini
Ramyakapardini Shailasute॥4॥
Ayi Ranadurmada Shatruvadhodita
Durdharanirjara Shaktibhrite,
Chaturavichara Dhurinamahashiva
Dutakritapramathadhipate.
Durita Durihadurashaya Durmati
Danavadutakritantamate,
Jaya Jaya He Mahishasuramardini
Ramyakapardini Shailasute॥5॥
Ayi Sharanagatavairivadhū
Varaviravarabhaya Dayikare,
Tribhuvana Mastakashulavirodhi
Shirodhikritamala Shulakare.
Dumidumitamaradundubhinada
Mahomukharikrita Tigmakare,
Jaya Jaya He Mahishasuramardini
Ramyakapardini Shailasute॥6॥
Ayi Nijahunkritimatra Nirakrita
Dhumra Vilochana Dhumrashate,
Samara Vishoshitashonita
Bijasamudbhavashonita Bijalate.
Shiva Shiva Shumbhanishumbhamahahava
Tarpita Bhutapishacharate,
Jaya Jaya He Mahishasuramardini
Ramyakapardini Shailasute॥7॥
Dhanuranusanga Ranakshanasanga
Parisphuradanga Natatkatake,
Kanakapishanga Prishatakanishanga
Rasadbhata-shringa Hatabatuke.
Kritachaturanga Balakshitiranga
Ghatadbahuranga Ratadbatuke,
Jaya Jaya He Mahishasuramardini
Ramyakapardini Shailasute॥8॥
Suralalana Tatatheyi Tatheyi
Kritabhinayodara Nrityarate,
Krita Kukuthah Kukutho
Gadadadikatala Kutuhala Gaanarate.
Dhudhukuta Dhukkuta Dhin Dhimit
Dhvani Dhira Mridanga Ninadarate,
Jaya Jaya He Mahishasuramardini
Ramyakapardini Shailasute॥9॥
Jaya Jaya Japyajaye Jaya
Shabda Parastuti Tatpara Vishvanute,
Jhana Jhana Jhin Jhin Jhinkrita Nupura
Sinjita Mohita Bhutapate.
Natita Nataradhanati Natanayaka
Natita Natya Suganarate,
Jaya Jaya He Mahishasuramardini
Ramyakapardini Shailasute॥10॥
Ayi Sumanah Sumanah Sumanah
Sumanah Sumanohara Kantiyute,
Shrita Rajani Rajani Rajani
Rajani Rajanīkara Vaktravrite.
Sunayana Vibhramara Bhramara Bhramara
Bhramara Bhramaradhipate,
Jaya Jaya He Mahishasuramardini
Ramyakapardini Shailasute॥11॥
Sahita Mahahava Malla Matalli
Kamalli Taralla Kamallarate,
Virachita Valli Kapalli Kamalli
Kabhilli Kabhilli Kavargavrite.
Sitakrita Pullasamullasitaruna
Tallajapallava Sallalite,
Jaya Jaya He Mahishasuramardini
Ramyakapardini Shailasute॥12॥
Avirala Gandagalammadamedura
Matta Matangajarajapate,
Tribhuvanabhushanabhutakalanidhi
Rupapayonidhi Rajasute.
Ayi Sudatijanalalasamana
Samohanamanmatha Rajasute,
Jaya Jaya He Mahishasuramardini
Ramyakapardini Shailasute॥13॥
Kamaladalamala Komalakanti
Kala Kalita Mala Bhalalate,
Sakala Vilasa Kalanilayakrama
Kelichalatkalahamsakule.
Alikulasankulakuvalayamandala
Maulimiladdakulalikele,
Jaya Jaya He Mahishasuramardini
Ramyakapardini Shailasute॥14॥
Karamuraliravavijitakujita
Lajjitakokila Manjumate,
Militapulindamanoharagunjita
Ranjitashailanikunjagate.
Nijaganabhutamahashabarigana
Sadgunasambhritakelitale,
Jaya Jaya He Mahishasuramardini
Ramyakapardini Shailasute॥15॥
Katitatapitadukulavichitra
Mayukhatiraskritachandraruche,
Pranata Surasura Maulimanisphura
Danshula Sannakha Chandraruche.
Jitakanakachalamaulipadorjita
Nirbhar Kunjara Kumbhakuche,
Jaya Jaya He Mahishasuramardini
Ramyakapardini Shailasute॥16॥
Vijita Sahasrakaraika Sahasra
Karaika Sahasra Karaikanute,
Kritasuratarakasangrataraka
Sangrataraka Sunusute.
Suratha Samadhisamana Samadhi
Samana Samadhi Sujatarate,
Jaya Jaya He Mahishasuramardini
Ramyakapardini Shailasute॥17॥
Padakamalam Karunanilaye
Varivasyati Yo''nudinam Su Shive,
Ayi Kamale Kamalanilaye
Kamalanilayah Sa Katham Na Bhavet.
Tava Padameva Param Padamity
Anushilayato Mama Kim Na Shive,
Jaya Jaya He Mahishasuramardini
Ramyakapardini Shailasute॥18॥
Kanakalasat Kala Sindhujalairanu
Sinchinute Gunaranga Bhuvam,
Bhajati Sa Kim Na Shachikuchakumbha
Tatiparirambha Sukhanubhavam.
Tavacharanam Sharanam Karavani
Natamaravani Nivasi Shivam,
Jaya Jaya He Mahishasuramardini
Ramyakapardini Shailasute॥19॥
Tava Vimalendu Kulam Vadanendumalam
Sakalam Nanu Kulayate,
Kimu Puruhuta Purindumukhi
Sumukhibhirasau Vimukhi Kriyate.
Mama Tu Matam Shivanama Dhane
Bhavati Kripaya Kimuta Kriyate,
Jaya Jaya He Mahishasuramardini
Ramyakapardini Shailasute॥20॥
Ayi Mayi Dinadayalutaya
Kripayaiva Tvaya Bhavitavyamume,
Ayi Jagato Janani Kripayasi
Yathasi Tatha''numitasirate.
Yaduchitam Atra Bhavatyurarī
Kurutadurutapamapakurate,
Jaya Jaya He Mahishasuramardini
Ramyakapardini Shailasute॥21॥
Ayi Girinandini Nanditamedini
Vishvavinodini Nandanute,
Girivaravindhyashirodhinivasini
Vishnuvilasini Jishnunute.
Bhagavati He Shitikanthakutumbini
Bhurikutumbini Bhurikrite,
Jaya Jaya He Mahishasuramardini
Ramyakapardini Shailasute॥1॥
Suravaravarshini Durdharadharshini
Durmukhamarshini Harsharate,
Tribhuvanaposhini Shankaratoshini
Kilvishamoshini Ghosharate.
Danujaniroshini Ditisutaroshini
Durmadashoshini Sindhusute,
Jaya Jaya He Mahishasuramardini
Ramyakapardini Shailasute॥2॥
Ayi Jagadamba Madamba
Kadambavanapriyavasini Hasarate,
Shikharishiromani Tungahimalaya
Shringanijalayamadhyagate.
Madhumadhure Madhukaitabhanjini
Kaitabhabhanjini Rasarate,
Jaya Jaya He Mahishasuramardini
Ramyakapardini Shailasute॥3॥
Ayi Shatakhandavikhandita
Rundavitundita Shundagajadhipate,
Ripugajagandavidarana Chanda
Parakrama Shundamrigadhipate.
Nijabhujadandanipatita
Khandavipatita Mundabhataadhipate,
Jaya Jaya He Mahishasuramardini
Ramyakapardini Shailasute॥4॥
Ayi Ranadurmada Shatruvadhodita
Durdharanirjara Shaktibhrite,
Chaturavichara Dhurinamahashiva
Dutakritapramathadhipate.
Durita Durihadurashaya Durmati
Danavadutakritantamate,
Jaya Jaya He Mahishasuramardini
Ramyakapardini Shailasute॥5॥
Ayi Sharanagatavairivadhū
Varaviravarabhaya Dayikare,
Tribhuvana Mastakashulavirodhi
Shirodhikritamala Shulakare.
Dumidumitamaradundubhinada
Mahomukharikrita Tigmakare,
Jaya Jaya He Mahishasuramardini
Ramyakapardini Shailasute॥6॥
Ayi Nijahunkritimatra Nirakrita
Dhumra Vilochana Dhumrashate,
Samara Vishoshitashonita
Bijasamudbhavashonita Bijalate.
Shiva Shiva Shumbhanishumbhamahahava
Tarpita Bhutapishacharate,
Jaya Jaya He Mahishasuramardini
Ramyakapardini Shailasute॥7॥
Dhanuranusanga Ranakshanasanga
Parisphuradanga Natatkatake,
Kanakapishanga Prishatakanishanga
Rasadbhata-shringa Hatabatuke.
Kritachaturanga Balakshitiranga
Ghatadbahuranga Ratadbatuke,
Jaya Jaya He Mahishasuramardini
Ramyakapardini Shailasute॥8॥
Suralalana Tatatheyi Tatheyi
Kritabhinayodara Nrityarate,
Krita Kukuthah Kukutho
Gadadadikatala Kutuhala Gaanarate.
Dhudhukuta Dhukkuta Dhin Dhimit
Dhvani Dhira Mridanga Ninadarate,
Jaya Jaya He Mahishasuramardini
Ramyakapardini Shailasute॥9॥
Jaya Jaya Japyajaye Jaya
Shabda Parastuti Tatpara Vishvanute,
Jhana Jhana Jhin Jhin Jhinkrita Nupura
Sinjita Mohita Bhutapate.
Natita Nataradhanati Natanayaka
Natita Natya Suganarate,
Jaya Jaya He Mahishasuramardini
Ramyakapardini Shailasute॥10॥
Ayi Sumanah Sumanah Sumanah
Sumanah Sumanohara Kantiyute,
Shrita Rajani Rajani Rajani
Rajani Rajanīkara Vaktravrite.
Sunayana Vibhramara Bhramara Bhramara
Bhramara Bhramaradhipate,
Jaya Jaya He Mahishasuramardini
Ramyakapardini Shailasute॥11॥
Sahita Mahahava Malla Matalli
Kamalli Taralla Kamallarate,
Virachita Valli Kapalli Kamalli
Kabhilli Kabhilli Kavargavrite.
Sitakrita Pullasamullasitaruna
Tallajapallava Sallalite,
Jaya Jaya He Mahishasuramardini
Ramyakapardini Shailasute॥12॥
Avirala Gandagalammadamedura
Matta Matangajarajapate,
Tribhuvanabhushanabhutakalanidhi
Rupapayonidhi Rajasute.
Ayi Sudatijanalalasamana
Samohanamanmatha Rajasute,
Jaya Jaya He Mahishasuramardini
Ramyakapardini Shailasute॥13॥
Kamaladalamala Komalakanti
Kala Kalita Mala Bhalalate,
Sakala Vilasa Kalanilayakrama
Kelichalatkalahamsakule.
Alikulasankulakuvalayamandala
Maulimiladdakulalikele,
Jaya Jaya He Mahishasuramardini
Ramyakapardini Shailasute॥14॥
Karamuraliravavijitakujita
Lajjitakokila Manjumate,
Militapulindamanoharagunjita
Ranjitashailanikunjagate.
Nijaganabhutamahashabarigana
Sadgunasambhritakelitale,
Jaya Jaya He Mahishasuramardini
Ramyakapardini Shailasute॥15॥
Katitatapitadukulavichitra
Mayukhatiraskritachandraruche,
Pranata Surasura Maulimanisphura
Danshula Sannakha Chandraruche.
Jitakanakachalamaulipadorjita
Nirbhar Kunjara Kumbhakuche,
Jaya Jaya He Mahishasuramardini
Ramyakapardini Shailasute॥16॥
Vijita Sahasrakaraika Sahasra
Karaika Sahasra Karaikanute,
Kritasuratarakasangrataraka
Sangrataraka Sunusute.
Suratha Samadhisamana Samadhi
Samana Samadhi Sujatarate,
Jaya Jaya He Mahishasuramardini
Ramyakapardini Shailasute॥17॥
Padakamalam Karunanilaye
Varivasyati Yo''nudinam Su Shive,
Ayi Kamale Kamalanilaye
Kamalanilayah Sa Katham Na Bhavet.
Tava Padameva Param Padamity
Anushilayato Mama Kim Na Shive,
Jaya Jaya He Mahishasuramardini
Ramyakapardini Shailasute॥18॥
Kanakalasat Kala Sindhujalairanu
Sinchinute Gunaranga Bhuvam,
Bhajati Sa Kim Na Shachikuchakumbha
Tatiparirambha Sukhanubhavam.
Tavacharanam Sharanam Karavani
Natamaravani Nivasi Shivam,
Jaya Jaya He Mahishasuramardini
Ramyakapardini Shailasute॥19॥
Tava Vimalendu Kulam Vadanendumalam
Sakalam Nanu Kulayate,
Kimu Puruhuta Purindumukhi
Sumukhibhirasau Vimukhi Kriyate.
Mama Tu Matam Shivanama Dhane
Bhavati Kripaya Kimuta Kriyate,
Jaya Jaya He Mahishasuramardini
Ramyakapardini Shailasute॥20॥
Ayi Mayi Dinadayalutaya
Kripayaiva Tvaya Bhavitavyamume,
Ayi Jagato Janani Kripayasi
Yathasi Tatha''numitasirate.
Yaduchitam Atra Bhavatyurarī
Kurutadurutapamapakurate,
Jaya Jaya He Mahishasuramardini
Ramyakapardini Shailasute॥21॥
🙏 ॥ Thus completed ॥ 🙏
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About Shri Mahishasura Mardini Stotram
Shri Mahishasura Mardini Stotram, better known as "Aigiri Nandini" after its first words "Ayi Girinandini," is a 21-verse Sanskrit hymn to Durga. It is popularly attributed to Adi Shankaracharya, but this is not established, and its author is not known to us for certain. Its strong rhythm and long compound words make it very popular for singing. Every verse ends with the same refrain: "Jaya jaya he Mahishasuramardini, ramyakapardini shailasute," meaning "victory, victory, slayer of Mahishasura, with lovely braided hair, daughter of the mountain." The story is from the Devi Mahatmya (Durga Saptashati) of the Markandeya Purana: the buffalo demon Mahishasura defeated the gods, who pooled their radiance, and the Goddess, armed by each of them, slew him after a long fight. Many words in the hymn are hard, and readers differ on exact sense, so the gist is given in groups.
Verses 1 and 2: the Goddess and her deeds. She is the daughter of the mountain (Girinandini), who delights the earth and the world, praised by Nandi and Indra, living on the peak of Vindhya, beloved of Vishnu, and the family of Shiva (Shitikantha). She gives rain of boons to the best of gods, is hard for others to withstand, forgives the foolish and delights in joy. She nourishes the three worlds, pleases Shankara, takes away sin and is angry at the demons.
Verses 3 to 5: strength. She is Jagadamba (mother of the world), who loves the Kadamba grove, and who lives on the peaks of the high Himalaya. She is sweet as honey and destroyed Madhu and Kaitabha (see the Utpanna Ekadashi Katha for another version). She cut the elephants of the enemy into hundreds of pieces, and she is the lioness before enemy elephants. She sent Shiva as her messenger to the demons (Shiva-duti), as in the Saptashati.
Verses 6 and 7: Dhumralochana, Shumbha, Nishumbha. She gives refuge to the brides of fallen foes and hope to the brave. By her mere roar she reduced the smoky-eyed demon Dhumralochana to ash. She dried the blood-drops of Raktabija, whose each drop could make another demon, and she fed the ghosts in the great battle with Shumbha and Nishumbha.
Verses 8 to 10: battle and dance. Her armour, bow and arrows in action, her fighting of the fourfold army and the sound of battle. Then the gods'' wives dance, and drums and anklets sound: the poet turns the war into a festival with sounds such as "dhudhukuta dhukkuta dhimdhimit."
Verses 11 to 14: beauty. Verse 11 plays with words such as "sumanah" (flower, good-minded) and "bhramara" (bee) as a game of sound. Verse 12 is another sound-play with wrestling terms. Verses 13 and 14 describe her as the daughter of the king of mountains, with a lotus-soft glow, lotus-petal eyes, a shining forehead and swans on the lotus, in a picture of grace to balance the war.
Verses 15 and 16: the forest-dweller and the radiant one. She plays on the flute-like voice that shames the cuckoo, in the forest groves with the Shabari women of the hills, who are her own attendants. Her yellow garment shames the moon''s brightness, and her gem-like nails shine as the gods and demons bow.
Verse 17: Surath, the king, and Samadhi, the merchant. This verse is about Suratha and Samadhi, who in the Saptashati worship the Goddess and receive boons, the king his kingdom and the merchant knowledge. It also recalls Kartikeya (Tarakasangara-taraka-suta) as her son, who killed Taraka.
Verses 18 to 21: surrender. The hymn turns from praise to prayer. "Padakamalam karunanilaye": the one who serves your lotus feet daily, O home of compassion, how can he not become rich? "Tava padameva param padam": your feet are the highest abode, so what do I lack? In verses 19 to 21 the poet asks for the Goddess''s feet as refuge, says that her compassion should be shown to the lowly, and asks her to do what is right and remove his suffering.
The message. Strength and tenderness together, and the victory of what is right over arrogance: Mahishasura is the picture of pride and cruelty. In a devotional reading, the demons also stand for fear, laziness and anger. Benefits mentioned in tradition, such as courage and protection, are matters of faith. It can lift the spirit but does not replace effort or proper help for health, money or legal problems. See the Durga Chalisa, Atha Keelakam and Kali Chalisa.
Verses 1 and 2: the Goddess and her deeds. She is the daughter of the mountain (Girinandini), who delights the earth and the world, praised by Nandi and Indra, living on the peak of Vindhya, beloved of Vishnu, and the family of Shiva (Shitikantha). She gives rain of boons to the best of gods, is hard for others to withstand, forgives the foolish and delights in joy. She nourishes the three worlds, pleases Shankara, takes away sin and is angry at the demons.
Verses 3 to 5: strength. She is Jagadamba (mother of the world), who loves the Kadamba grove, and who lives on the peaks of the high Himalaya. She is sweet as honey and destroyed Madhu and Kaitabha (see the Utpanna Ekadashi Katha for another version). She cut the elephants of the enemy into hundreds of pieces, and she is the lioness before enemy elephants. She sent Shiva as her messenger to the demons (Shiva-duti), as in the Saptashati.
Verses 6 and 7: Dhumralochana, Shumbha, Nishumbha. She gives refuge to the brides of fallen foes and hope to the brave. By her mere roar she reduced the smoky-eyed demon Dhumralochana to ash. She dried the blood-drops of Raktabija, whose each drop could make another demon, and she fed the ghosts in the great battle with Shumbha and Nishumbha.
Verses 8 to 10: battle and dance. Her armour, bow and arrows in action, her fighting of the fourfold army and the sound of battle. Then the gods'' wives dance, and drums and anklets sound: the poet turns the war into a festival with sounds such as "dhudhukuta dhukkuta dhimdhimit."
Verses 11 to 14: beauty. Verse 11 plays with words such as "sumanah" (flower, good-minded) and "bhramara" (bee) as a game of sound. Verse 12 is another sound-play with wrestling terms. Verses 13 and 14 describe her as the daughter of the king of mountains, with a lotus-soft glow, lotus-petal eyes, a shining forehead and swans on the lotus, in a picture of grace to balance the war.
Verses 15 and 16: the forest-dweller and the radiant one. She plays on the flute-like voice that shames the cuckoo, in the forest groves with the Shabari women of the hills, who are her own attendants. Her yellow garment shames the moon''s brightness, and her gem-like nails shine as the gods and demons bow.
Verse 17: Surath, the king, and Samadhi, the merchant. This verse is about Suratha and Samadhi, who in the Saptashati worship the Goddess and receive boons, the king his kingdom and the merchant knowledge. It also recalls Kartikeya (Tarakasangara-taraka-suta) as her son, who killed Taraka.
Verses 18 to 21: surrender. The hymn turns from praise to prayer. "Padakamalam karunanilaye": the one who serves your lotus feet daily, O home of compassion, how can he not become rich? "Tava padameva param padam": your feet are the highest abode, so what do I lack? In verses 19 to 21 the poet asks for the Goddess''s feet as refuge, says that her compassion should be shown to the lowly, and asks her to do what is right and remove his suffering.
The message. Strength and tenderness together, and the victory of what is right over arrogance: Mahishasura is the picture of pride and cruelty. In a devotional reading, the demons also stand for fear, laziness and anger. Benefits mentioned in tradition, such as courage and protection, are matters of faith. It can lift the spirit but does not replace effort or proper help for health, money or legal problems. See the Durga Chalisa, Atha Keelakam and Kali Chalisa.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Question: What is Mahishasura Mardini Stotram?
Answer: It is the well-known Sanskrit hymn that begins "Ayi Girinandini," with 21 verses to Goddess Durga as the slayer of the buffalo demon Mahishasura. Each verse ends with "Jaya jaya he Mahishasuramardini, ramyakapardini shailasute." It is also called Aigiri Nandini and is popularly attributed to Adi Shankaracharya, though this is not established.
Question: What is the meaning of "Ayi Girinandini"?
Answer: "O daughter of the mountain, who delights the earth and the world, praised by Nandi, who lives on the peak of Vindhya, beloved of Vishnu and praised by Indra, wife of Shiva with a large family, victory to you, slayer of Mahishasura, with beautiful braided hair, daughter of the mountain."
Question: When should I read it?
Answer: Many read it in the morning or evening, on Tuesday and Friday, on Durga Ashtami and during Chaitra and Sharad Navratri (Shukla Pratipada to Navami). See the Durga Chalisa.
Question: What is the story behind it?
Answer: In the Devi Mahatmya (Durga Saptashati), the gods, defeated by the buffalo demon Mahishasura, gave their powers together, and the Goddess took form and slew him after a long battle. The hymn also recalls Madhu-Kaitabha, Shumbha, Nishumbha, Raktabija and Dhumralochana.
Question: How long does it take?
Answer: About ten minutes at a steady pace. If the Sanskrit is long for you, read the meaning first and then one or two verses with attention.
Question: Does it give victory and courage?
Answer: It is a prayer, as a matter of faith. It can lift the spirit, but it is not a replacement for effort or help, and health, money or legal problems need proper support.
