Navadurga Stotram
नवदुर्गा स्तोत्रम्
What is the Navadurga Stotram?
Navadurga Stotram The Navadurga Stotram is a Sanskrit hymn of nine dhyana verses, one for each of the nine forms of Durga worshipped across the nine nights of Navratri: Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Mahagauri and Siddhidatri. Each verse describes that form's appearance, vehicle and blessing, and devotees chant the matching verse on its Navratri day.
If you have ever wondered why Navratri is celebrated as nine separate days instead of one long festival, the Navadurga Stotram is the answer in verse form. It is a set of nine short Sanskrit hymns, each addressed to one of the nine forms of Durga that Hindu tradition recognizes as stages of the same divine feminine power. Reciting the Navadurga Stotram day by day during Navratri lets you meet each form on her own terms: Shailaputri’s quiet strength on day one, Brahmacharini’s discipline on day two, and so on through to Siddhidatri’s fulfillment on day nine.This page gives you the full Sanskrit lyrics for all nine forms of Durga side by side with a clear line-by-line meaning, so you can chant the correct verse on the correct day without hunting through nine different pages.
Navadurga Stotram Lyrics (Sanskrit & English)
Traditional 9-verse dhyana set for the nine forms of Durga, cross-checked against greenmesg.org, hindupad.com, bhaktimarg.com, rudraastro.com, divineaarti.com and templesinindiainfo.com
Vande Vanchhitalabhaya Chandrardhakritashekharam
Vrisharudham Shuladharam Shailaputrim Yashasvinim
वन्दे वाञ्छितलाभाय चन्द्रार्धकृतशेखराम्
वृषारूढां शूलधरां शैलपुत्रीं यशस्विनीम्
Meaning
I bow to Shailaputri, the glorious daughter of the mountain, who wears a crescent moon on her crown, rides a bull and carries a trident, granting the wishes of those who seek her.
Dadhana Karapadmabhyam Akshamala Kamandalu
Devi Prasidatu Mayi Brahmacharinyanuttama
दधाना करपद्माभ्यामक्षमालाकमण्डलू
देवी प्रसीदतु मयि ब्रह्मचारिण्यनुत्तमा
Meaning
May the supreme Brahmacharini, who holds a rosary and a water pot in her lotus-like hands as symbols of penance and devotion, be pleased with me and bless me.
Pindaja Pravararudha Chandakopastrakairyuta
Prasadam Tanute Mahyam Chandraghanteti Vishruta
पिण्डजप्रवरारूढा चण्डकोपास्त्रकैर्युता
प्रसादं तनुते मह्यं चन्द्रघण्टेति विश्रुता
Meaning
Chandraghanta, seated on a fine lion and armed with weapons that overpower fierce anger, is famed for granting grace and peace of mind to her devotees.
Surasampurnakalasham Rudhiraplutameva Cha
Dadhana Hastapadmabhyam Kushmanda Shubhadastu Me
सुरासम्पूर्णकलशं रुधिराप्लुतमेव च
दधाना हस्तपद्माभ्यां कूष्माण्डा शुभदास्तु मे
Meaning
Kushmanda, who holds a pot brimming with divine nectar in her lotus hands, is said to have created the universe with her gentle smile; may she grant me auspiciousness.
Simhasanagata Nityam Padmashritakaradvaya
Shubhadastu Sada Devi Skandamata Yashasvini
सिंहासनगता नित्यं पद्माश्रितकरद्वया
शुभदास्तु सदा देवी स्कन्दमाता यशस्विनी
Meaning
Skandamata, seated always on her throne with lotuses resting in both her hands, is the mother of Skanda (Kartikeya); may this glorious goddess grant me lasting good fortune.
Chandrahasojjvalakara Shardulavaravahana
Katyayani Shubham Dadyaddevi Danavaghatini
चन्द्रहासोज्ज्वलकरा शार्दूलवरवाहना
कात्यायनी शुभं दद्याद्देवी दानवघातिनी
Meaning
Katyayani, whose hand shines with a crescent-bladed sword and who rides a mighty tiger, destroys demonic forces; may this goddess grant auspiciousness.
Ekaveni Japakarnapura Nagna Kharasthita
Lamboshthi Karnikakarni Tailabhyaktashariri
एकवेणी जपाकर्णपूरा नग्ना खरास्थिता
लम्बोष्ठी कर्णिकाकर्णी तैलाभ्यक्तशरीरिणी
Meaning
Kalaratri appears fierce and unadorned, her single braid and hibiscus-red ears marking her as the form that destroys ignorance and fear in the darkest hour.
Shwete Vrishe Samarudha Shwetambaradhara Shuchih
Mahagauri Shubham Dadyanmahadevapramodada
श्वेते वृषे समारूढा श्वेताम्बरधरा शुचिः
महागौरी शुभं दद्यान्महादेवप्रमोददा
Meaning
Mahagauri, seated on a white bull and dressed in pure white, brings the joy of Mahadeva himself; may she bestow her auspicious grace.
Siddhagandharvayakshadyairasurairamarairapi
Sevyamana Sada Bhuyat Siddhida Siddhidayini
सिद्धगन्धर्वयक्षाद्यैरसुरैरमरैरपि
सेव्यमाना सदा भूयात् सिद्धिदा सिद्धिदायिनी
Meaning
Siddhidatri, worshipped even by siddhas, gandharvas, yakshas, asuras and devas alike, is the giver of siddhi (accomplishment); may she who grants perfection always be present for me.
Meaning & Significance
Read together, the nine verses trace a single journey rather than nine unrelated prayers. Shailaputri and Brahmacharini set the foundation of quiet strength and discipline. Chandraghanta and Kushmanda turn that discipline outward into courage and creative energy. Skandamata and Katyayani carry the protective, motherly and warrior aspects of the goddess. Kalaratri clears away fear and ignorance so that Mahagauri’s purity and Siddhidatri’s fulfillment can follow. Chanting the Navadurga Stotram verse by verse across the nine nights is a way of moving through that same arc yourself, from grounding to courage to clarity to fulfillment.
How to Chant the Navadurga Stotram
- Sit facing east or north – Sit calmly on a clean mat or seat facing east or north, in front of a lamp or an image of Durga if you have one.
- Light a diya and offer flowers – Light a small oil lamp and offer a flower or a pinch of kumkum to mark the start of the chant.
- Chant that day's verse – During Navratri, recite the verse for the current day three or nine times with attention on the meaning, not just the sound.
- Chant all nine on Ashtami or Navami – On Durga Ashtami or Navami, many devotees chant all nine verses together as a single unbroken stotram.
- Close with the name-list couplet – Finish with the short two-verse summary that lists all nine names together, as a closing seal on the recitation.
- Bow and conclude – End with a simple bow or pranam and sit quietly for a moment before returning to your day.
What Are the Benefits of Chanting?
Devotees who chant the Navadurga Stotram regularly, especially through Navratri, describe it less as a single quick fix and more as a nine-day reset. Each verse is said to draw out the quality its form represents.
- Steadies the mind: The early verses (Shailaputri, Brahmacharini) are associated with grounding and patience, useful before starting something that demands discipline.
- Builds courage: Chandraghanta and Katyayani are invoked for facing fear, conflict or a difficult decision with a calmer, braver mind.
- Supports family and health: Kushmanda and Skandamata are traditionally chanted for wellbeing, vitality and the protection of children.
- Clears obstacles: Kalaratri's verse is chanted specifically when someone feels stuck, afraid, or surrounded by negativity.
- Encourages clarity and purity of intent: Mahagauri's verse is associated with purification, often chanted before a fresh start or an important vow.
- Marks completion: Siddhidatri's closing verse is chanted for the successful completion of an effort, a goal, or the Navratri vrat itself.
Who Composed This Stotram?
The nine Navadurga verses come from the same broader tradition as the Durga Saptashati (Devi Mahatmyam) and its attached Devi Kavacha, the text most commonly cited for the list of nine names: “Prathamam Shailaputri cha Dvitiyam Brahmacharini, Tritiyam Chandraghanteti Kushmandeti Chaturthakam, Panchamam Skandamateti Shashtham Katyayaniti cha, Saptamam Kalaratrischa Mahagauriti Chashtamam, Navamam Siddhidatricha Navadurgah Prakirtitah.” Alongside that short summary couplet, a separate set of nine longer dhyana (meditation) verses grew in popular use, one per form, describing each goddess’s appearance, vehicle and boon in more detail. It is this second, fuller set that is presented as the main lyrics on this page, since it gives each of the nine Navratri days its own distinct verse to chant.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the Navadurga Stotram and Durga Saptashati?
The Durga Saptashati (Devi Mahatmyam) is a much longer text of 700 verses telling the story of the goddess's battles with demons. The Navadurga Stotram is a short, focused set of nine verses, one for each form of Durga, meant for daily or Navratri chanting rather than full narrative recitation.
Can I chant all nine Navadurga verses on a single day?
Yes. While tradition assigns one verse per Navratri day, many devotees also chant the complete set of nine verses together on Ashtami or Navami, or on any day they want a full invocation of all nine forms.
Which Navadurga form should I chant for courage or a difficult situation?
Chandraghanta and Katyayani are the two forms most commonly invoked for courage and for overcoming conflict, while Kalaratri's verse is chanted specifically to dispel fear and negativity.
Is the Navadurga Stotram only for Navratri?
Navratri is the traditional occasion, since each of the nine days is dedicated to one form, but there is no restriction against chanting the stotram on any day you want to invoke the qualities of Durga.
Do I need a guru's initiation to chant the Navadurga Stotram?
No. Unlike a personal beeja mantra, the Navadurga Stotram is a public devotional hymn and can be chanted by anyone with sincerity, without requiring formal initiation.
What is the correct order for the nine forms?
The fixed order, matching the nine Navratri days, is Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Mahagauri and Siddhidatri.
॥ जय माता दी ॥