Vaishno Devi Chalisa

Salutations again and again to Vaishno, the giver of boons, who brings welfare and good fortune in the dark age of Kali.

Your divine light shines on Mani mountain, where you have taken form as the sacred Pindi rock.

The gods each gave a portion of their power for you, and you were born in the household of the sage Ratnakar.

You undertook penance to attain Lord Rama, and so you are known as the Shakti of the Treta age.

Rama told you to go to Mani mountain, where you would come to be called the Goddess of the Kali age.

He said that he himself, in the form of Vishnu, would appear as Kalki, while you would take on the form of Shakti.

Until that time, he asked you to go to the Trikuta valley and make your home in a dark cave.

Kali, Lakshmi and Saraswati, together as Mother Parvati, would stand as your guardians.

Brahma, Vishnu and Shankara remain at your gates, while the dear Hanuman and Bhairon keep watch as sentinels.

Riddhi and Siddhi fan you with the fly-whisk, and the people of the Kali age come to offer you worship.

Devotees bring betel leaves, areca nuts, flags and coconuts, and receive the pure charanamrit that flows from your feet.

The boon bore fruit and the Mother smiled; she had come to the mountain to perform her penance.

The fierce flame of Kali-Kalki blazed within her, and one day she revealed her true divine form.

Appearing as a young maiden, she came to Nagrota, where the yogi Bhairon caught sight of her.

Drawn by her beautiful form and overcome with craving, Bhairon chased after her.

The Mother joined a group of young girls and then set out toward Kaul and Kandouli.

The Divine Mother granted her vision and, swift as the wind, moved on with skill.

During the Navratri days she enacted her divine play and came to the home of her devotee Shridhar.

She hosted a feast for the assembled yogis, and everyone ate the tasty food with relish.

Bhairon demanded meat and wine; the Mother kept her form pure and refused his desire.

She shot an arrow and a stream of Ganga sprang forth; then she sped off across the mountain, full of fierce energy.

She set her foot upon a rock, and from that moment the spot became known as Charan-Paduka.

With the powerful Bhairon still chasing her, she entered a small cave to take shelter.

She dwelt in that cave for nine months, then broke through it and emerged into the light.

As the primordial Shakti and celestial maiden, she came to be called Mother Adi Kunwari.

She reached the mouth of the cave with a smile, and the brave Langur received her command.

Bhairon came rushing after her, and to defend herself the Mother struck out with her weapon.

His severed head fell on the mountaintop; she forgave him and granted him a boon.

She promised to have him worshipped alongside her and to establish the shrine of Bhairon Ghati.

She declared that her own darshan would come first, and only afterward would Bhairon be remembered.

The Mother settled in as the holy Pindi, with sacred water flowing endlessly at her feet.

The sixty-four Yoginis and Bhairon guard the place, and the seven great sages come to chant her name.

The peal of bells rings out across the mountain, and the cave appears wonderfully unique and beautiful.

The devotee Shridhar carried out her worship and was granted the gift of loving service.

Your servants meditate upon you and come to offer flags and robes at your shrine.

The lion forever stands guard at your door, and its mighty roar takes away every sorrow.

The king of Jambudvipa honored you and offered a canopy made of pure gold.

The beloved diamond image stays with you, and your single unbroken flame burns ever awake.

When the Navratris of Ashvin and Chaitra arrive, countless millions of devotees come for your darshan.

Whoever recites this Chalisa will surely have the wishes of their heart fulfilled.