Naina Devi Chalisa

I bow to you, Mother Naina, the one who shapes the fortune of the poor and the grieving.

Parvati placed a part of her own divine self here, and from that the goddess came to be called Naina Devi.

For a long while she stayed hidden in the earth as a sacred Pindi, while cattle stood and grazed over that very spot.

One day a cow named Anasuya came to the place, offered her milk there, and stood smiling.

When Naina, the cowherd, saw this wondrous act, he grew afraid and fled up a high mound.

The Mother calmed his fear by coming to him in a dream and saying, come, Naina, and worship me here.

Honour me with flowers, leaves and milk, she told him, and repeat my name with a loving heart.

I will bring light to your family line, she promised, and keep your stores full and overflowing.

Naina accepted her command and began to sing the glory of Shiva and Shakti.

With the help of priests he carried out the worship, and the smiling Mother granted him a boon that bore fruit.

Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva themselves arrived and laid flowers at your shrine.

Men and women of every kind came to worship, and the Shivalik valley became a beloved, sacred place.

You share a deep bond with Mother Jwala, and from her ever-burning flames devotees find strength and support.

Sacred flames settle upon the leaves and spread their glow throughout your temple.

By that light all darkness is driven away, and the whole temple sparkles with brightness.

Chintpurni is counted as your sister, and she always honours whatever you say.

Mother Vaishno Devi too chants your name, and she forever dwells within your heart.

You have blessed this holy mountain, and here Guru Gobind Singh sang songs in your praise.

You placed the sword of divine power in the Guru's hand, a sword that struck terror into the wicked.

That same power challenged the Mughals, having taken its form within the Guru's mind.

You gave courage to fight against injustice and spread the shelter of your strength over all.

A great fire offering of a hundred and twenty-five thousand oblations was held, and halwa and chickpeas were offered to you as sacred food.

Guru Gobind Singh performed your aarti, and merit poured down like the heavenly Ganga.

The stream at Nangal is a gift from you; your form as pure Shakti is unlike any other.

You add grace to the Lion Gate of your shrine, a gate that keeps sinners far away.

The sixty-four Yoginis dance at your doorway, and the fifty-two Bhairavas are lost in devotion to you.

Riddhi and Siddhi wave the ceremonial fans, and your brave attendants wait for your command to serve.

Devotees offer prasad to your sacred Pindi form and, with their own eyes, receive your blessed sight.

When the loud cries of victory rise up, deep feeling and devotion awaken in every heart.

Drums and shehnai ring out, while the damaru and cymbals sound in joyful celebration.

In the month of Saawan you swing among your companions, and on Ashtami you blossom in joy.

You show yourself in the form of a young girl and accept the charity and good deeds of your devotees.

I surrender my body, mind and wealth to you, and with open hands I come to ask for your grace.

Troubles have closed in around me, O Mother, and attachment and illusion have caught me in their circle.

Wrapped in the cloak of desire and anger, I sit here having let the boat of my life sink.

Those I called my own have turned their faces away and left me utterly alone.

The boat of my life has drifted loose; without you, who is left to row me to safety?

Let me receive the sacred water of your feet and find a place to dwell within your eyes.

It is through you alone that I will be saved, and through you alone that light will fill my life.

The illusion of this dark age has spread on every side, so I hold your name steady in my mind and meditate on it.