Shri Durga Ashtottara Shatanama Stotram

Shri Durga Ashtottara Shatanama Stotram is a Sanskrit hymn of 21 verses that gives the 108 names of Durga. It is framed as Shiva speaking to Parvati ("Shatanama pravakshyami, shrunushva kamalanane"), and the colophon places it in the Vishvasara Tantra. The names run through the many faces of the Devi: wife, mother, maiden, warrior, thought and consciousness. Names can join in compounds, so counts differ by a few among editions. For a thousand names see the Dakaradi Shri Durga Sahasranamavali.

Verse 1: the promise. Shiva says: I will tell the hundred names, O lotus-faced one, by whose mere grace Sati (Durga) is pleased.

Verses 2 to 3: first names. Sati, Sadhvi (the virtuous), Bhavapriya, Bhavani, Bhavamochani (frees from worldly bondage), Arya, Durga, Jaya, Adya (the first), Trinetra (three-eyed), Shuladharini (with the trident), Pinakadharini, Chitra, Chandaghanta, Mahatapa (of great austerity), and as mind (manas), intellect (buddhi), ego (ahankara), the form of chitta, Chita and Chiti (consciousness).

Verse 4: the formless side. Full of all mantras, existence itself, the form of truth and bliss, endless, coming into being, to be meditated on, both good and not-good, and always the refuge.

Verse 5: Sati. Shambhavi (of Shiva), mother of the gods, thought, fond of gems, all knowledge, the daughter of Daksha, who destroyed Daksha''s yajna, recalling the story of Sati.

Verses 6 to 7: beauty and might. Aparna (without leaves, who fasted in tapas), of many colours, Patala (rose-pink), in a silk garment, her anklets ringing; of immeasurable valour, fierce to evil, beautiful, lovely among gods, Vana-Durga (of the forest), Matangi, worshipped by sage Matanga.

Verse 8: the Matrikas. Brahmi, Maheshwari, Aindri, Kaumari, Vaishnavi, Varahi, Chamunda and Lakshmi: the seven (or eight) Mothers, each the power of a god.

Verse 9: knowledge and action. Vimala (pure), Utkarshini, Jnana (knowledge), Kriya (action), Nitya (eternal), Buddhida (giver of intellect), Bahula, Bahulaprema (full of love), the vehicle of all vehicles.

Verses 10 to 11: the war goddess. Slayer of Shumbha and Nishumbha, Mahishasuramardini (see the Mahishasura Mardini Stotram), destroyer of Madhu-Kaitabha and Chanda-Munda, of all asuras and danavas, full of all scriptures, truthful, holder of all weapons.

Verses 12 to 13: all ages of woman. With many weapons in many hands; Kumari, the one maiden, Kaishori, Yuvati, Yati; not yet mature and fully mature, the old mother, giver of strength; Mahodari, with loose hair, of terrible form, of great strength.

Verses 14 to 15: forms. Agnijvala (flame), Raudramukhi (fierce-faced), Kalaratri, Tapasvini, Narayani, Bhadrakali, Vishnumaya, Jalodari, Shivaduti (Shiva''s messenger), Karali, Ananta, Parameshvari, Katyayani, Savitri, Pratyaksha (visible) and Brahmavadini (speaker of Brahman).

Verses 16 to 17: the fruit. Whoever reads the Durga names daily, nothing is out of reach for him in the three worlds, O Parvati. He gains wealth, grain, children, a wife, horses and elephants (the old measures of prosperity), the four aims and, at the end, lasting liberation. This is stated as faith and devotional emphasis, not a guarantee.

Verses 18 to 19: kumari puja. One should worship a kumari (a young girl as a form of the Devi), meditate on the Goddess of gods, and then read the names with supreme devotion. Success comes, even the gods favour him, and kings become servants, which is the old way to say a good name and standing. Please read such promises as faith.

Verses 20 to 21: yantra. These verses describe writing a yantra with gorochana, alakta, kumkum, sindoor, camphor and honey, and doing so on Bhauma Amavasya at night when the moon is in Shatabhisha, then reading the stotra. This is a tantric instruction of the source text. This page does not teach or recommend it. Please learn such rites only from a qualified teacher, and never use prayer to harm anyone.

The message. The names show one Devi in every stage and role, and that she is both fierce to evil and gentle to the devotee. Benefits mentioned in tradition are matters of faith. Prayer works best alongside real effort, and for health, money or legal problems please take proper help. See the Durga Chalisa, Parvati Chalisa and Devi Stuti.