Parvati Chalisa

Even Brahma cannot uncover your secret. The five-faced Shiva meditates on you without pause.

The six-faced Kartikeya cannot voice your full glory, and the thousand-mouthed Shesha wearies himself trying to describe it.

Even they never reach your limit, O Mother. For the good of all, you arrange the universe's creation, protection and dissolution.

Your lips are red like coral, and your kohl-lined eyes are deeply lovely and inviting.

Saffron paste graces your fair forehead, and the vermilion and rice grains upon you make a captivating sight.

You are dressed in golden cloth and a fine bodice, while a divine girdle sways gracefully at your waist.

So beautiful is the flower garland around your neck that any heart is naturally drawn to you on sight.

You carry the endless glow of the rising sun, and the loveliness of your ornaments is dear to all who behold it.

Your throne is set with many jewels, and upon it you shine while Vishnu and the four-faced Brahma attend you.

Indra and the host of gods worship you, and the world echoes with the calls of deer, serpents and yakshas in your praise.

Victory, victory to you, dweller of Mount Kailash. Victory, victory to you who unfold the radiance of countless lights.

Every family across the three worlds belongs to you, and your light shines within each and every atom.

Mahesh and Pranesh are yours, the ones who forever guard the three worlds.

When you won Shiva as your husband, the merit of your ancient good deeds rose into fruit.

Whose mount is an aged bull — who could ever sing the full greatness of such a Lord?

Shankar ever wanders the cremation grounds, and dreadful serpents serve as his ornaments.

The Halahal poison rests upon his throat, and by holding it he earned the name Nilakantha, the blue-throated one.

For the good of the gods he did this — he swallowed the poison himself and let them keep the nectar.

You are the radiant wife of that Lord, the one who tears away misfortune and brings about every blessing.

Seeing your supreme beauty, even Brahma, the maker of the three worlds, is left amazed.

Mother Ganga, full of fear, flows in waves brimming with modesty before you.

Like a rival wife she rushed to Shambhu, leaving behind the lotus feet of Vishnu.

At this your lotus face dimmed, and noticing it, Shiva swiftly set Ganga upon his own head.

You grant unending joy and boons, and you give your devotees fearlessness, never once forsaking them.

You uproot every sin and the three kinds of suffering. You are Maheshwari, the joyful daughter of the Himalaya.

The city of Kashi has always delighted your heart, and you yourself made it a Siddha Peeth, a seat of spiritual power.

O Goddess, you give alms each day, and you are the giver of grace, gladness and tender love.

Victory, victory to you, Ambe, destroyer of foes. Make my words come true and be my support.

You are Gauri, Uma, Shankari and Kali. As Annapurna you feed and sustain the whole world.

You are the Goddess and ruler of every being. Devoted to your husband as your very life, you are the supreme Parameshwari, the faithful Sati.

You undertook a severe penance after receiving guidance from the sage Narada.

You took neither food, nor water, nor even air for nourishment, until your body was reduced to little more than bone.

You would not even eat leaves or grass, and so you earned the name Uma, she who refused even a leaf.

Seeing your penance, the seven sages came and tried to test and dissuade you, but you would not waver.

Again and again they cried 'Victory, victory, victory,' and the seven sages then returned to their hermitages.

Then the gods, along with Brahma and Vishnu, came to you and offered to grant you a boon.

O Uma, you asked of them a husband who is the treasure of the three worlds and longed for by all creation.

Saying 'so be it,' the two departed, and your heart's wish was fulfilled.

Having married Shiva, O lovely one, you came once more to be known as the left half, the beloved consort, of Hara.

Whoever recites this Chalisa — the Lord grants that person wealth, family and happiness.