A beautiful prayer to the Goddess the terrible Buffalo Demon

 Mahishasura Mardini stotram

A beautiful prayer to the Goddess 

who killed Mahishasura = the terrible Buffalo Demon ) 

This beautiful Hindu prayer ( in Sanskrit language , with English translation) is symbolic of the power of Shakti ( supreme power identified with the female form ) and highest regard in which they were  expected to be held by one and all.

The poetic portrayal is so awesome, powerful, graceful and fearsome - all at one - and is a treat in itself, whether one is religious or not, a believer or not . it is highly lyrical, set in pleasing rhymes and rhythm, melodious and with little practice can be sung by those who are gifted even with average skills.

The story  ( courtesy : The Smithsonian Institution) runs like this:

Durga, the great Warrior Goddess, represents the lethal energy of divine anger when turned against evil. It is Durga's story which is one of the three great stories in Devi Mahatmya. The world was under attack by Mahisha, the most evil demon in the world, who took many different forms, including that of a buffalo. 

The male gods, fearing total annihilation endowed Durga with their powers. Riding a lion into battle, Durga slew the buffalo by cutting off its head and then she destroyed the spirit of the demon as it emerged from the buffalo's severed neck. It is through this act that order was established in the world. Durga's victory and power are celebrated every fall throughout India in the Durga Puja. Durga is among the most widely represented visual forms of Devi throughout the Indian subcontinent

As some one has rightly said, the colorful tapestry of legends that surround Shakti also contribute towards festivities observed throughout the year, the most significant of which is the autumnal Navaratri or the festival of nine nights ( which has just began two days back) . It is also celebrated as Puja festival in Eastern India at this times.

1.

Ayi giri nandini, nandhitha medhini,Viswa vinodhini nandanuthe, 

Girivara vindhya sirodhi nivasini,Vishnu Vilasini Jishnu nuthe, 

Bhagawathi hey sithi kanda kudumbini,Bhoori kudumbini bhoori kruthe, 

Jaya Jaya Mahishasura mardini,Ramya kapardini, shaila Suthe

Who bestows boons upon the Gods, Who defeats the undisciplined, 

Who tolerates the ignorant, Who is ever rejoicing, 

Who nourishes the three worlds, Who pleases Shankara,

Who removes sins, Who inhabits the sound of AUM,

Whose wrath befalls the progeny of the demons Danu and Diti, 

Who destroys those drunk on the evil intoxicant of pride, 

Who is Daughter of the Ocean!

Victory, victory to You, Oh Slayer of the Buffalo Demon!

Victory, Daughter of the Himalayas, with beautifully plaited hair!

        2.

         ayi jagadamba madamba kadambavanapriyavaasini haasarate ||
        shikharishiromaNi tungahimaalaya shringanijaalaya madhyagate ||
        madhumadhure madhukaitabhaganjini kaitabhabhanjini raasarate ||
         jaya jaya he mahishaasuramardhini ramyakapardini shailasute ||

Oh, Mother of the World, my Mother, 

Who loves Her Kadamba tree forest, 

Who is always smiling,
Whose dwelling is in the tallest peaks of the Himalayas, the greatest of all mountain chains,
Who is so very sweet, 

Who keeps the treasures of Madhu and Kaitabha, 

Who slayed Kaitabha, 

Who is ever dancing,
Victory, victory to You, Oh Slayer of the Buffalo Demon!
Victory, Daughter of the Himalayas, with beautifully plaited hair!

     3.

       ayi shatakhaNda vikhaNditaruNda vituNditashuNda gajaadhipate ||
          ripugajagaNda vidaaraNachaNda paraakramashuNda mrigaadhipate ||
           nijabhujadaNda nipaatitakhaNda vipatitamuNda bhataadhipate ||
           jaya jaya he mahishaasuramardhini ramyakapardini shailasute ||

Who splinters demons' heads into hundreds of shards, 

Who severs the trunks of their great battle elephants,
Whose great Lion mount exhibits terrifying valor, as he tears apart the temples of the enemy's elephants
Who shatters the skulls of enemy chieftains with the strength of her own arms, 
Victory, victory to You, Oh Slayer of the Buffalo Demon!
Victory, Daughter of the Himalayas, with beautifully plaited hair!

4.

         ayi raNadurmadashatruvadhodita durdharanirjara shaktibhrute ||
         chaturavicharadhuriiNamahasiva dutakrita pramathaadhipate ||
        duritaduriihaduraashayadurmati daanavaduta krutaantamate ||
         jaya jaya he mahishaasuramardhini ramyakapardini shailasute ||

Oh, it is You Who possesses the invincible force that vanquishes hard-to-subdue enemies in battle
Who promoted Pramatha, the great attendant of Shiva, a master of subtle thinking, to be Her general in battle,
Who destroyed the messengers of the demons, who were sinful, with evil intention in their thoughts and minds,
Victory, victory to You, Oh Slayer of the Buffalo Demon!
Victory, Daughter of the Himalayas, with beautifully plaited hair!

5.

          ayi sharaNaagata vairivadhoovara viiravaraabhayadaayakare ||

          tribhuvanamastaka shoolavirodhishiirodhikritaamala shoolakare ||
          dumidumitaamara dundubhinaada mahomukhariikrita tigmakare ||
          jaya jaya he mahishaasuramardhini ramyakapardini shailasute ||

Oh, it is You Who gives protection to the wives of heroic enemy warriors when they seek refuge;
Who aims a flawless spear at the head of the demon who causes great pain in all the three worlds,
Who burns like a blazing hot sun, inflamed by the resounding din of the war-drums of the Gods, 
Victory, victory to You, Oh Slayer of the Buffalo Demon!
Victory, Daughter of the Himalayas, with beautifully plaited hair!

         6.

         ayi nijahunkriti maatraniraakrita dhoomravilochana dhoomrashate ||
         samravishoshita shoNitabeeja samudbhavashoNita biijalate ||
         shivashivashumbhani shumbhamahaahavatarpita bhutapishaacharate ||
         jaya jaya he mahishaasuramardhini ramyakapardini shailasute ||

Oh, it is You Who, with a single roar, disperses the streams of smoke flowing from the eyes of advancing demons,
Who thrives like a vine on the blood that falls on the battle ground,
Who delights alike in the company of the auspicious Shiva, inauspicious Shumbha and Nishumbha, and the ghoulish spirits who feed on the battle carnage, 
Victory, victory to You, Oh Slayer of the Buffalo Demon!
Victory, Daughter of the Himalayas, with beautifully plaited hair!

        7.

         dhanuranusangaraNakshaNasanga parishphuradanga naTatkaTake ||
         kanakapishanga prishatkanishanga rasadbhatasringa hataabaTuke ||
         krutachaturanga balakshitiranga ghatadbahuranga raTadbaTuke ||
         jaya jaya he mahishaasuramardhini ramyakapardini shailasute ||

Who decks Her tender limbs with fine dancing ornaments at the moment of battle, as She readies Her bow,
Who slays huge enemy soldiers with Her shining sword and arrows from Her golden-brown quiver,
Who plays with the vast enemy forces arrayed on the battlefield as if they were screaming toy soldiers, 
Victory, victory to You, Oh Slayer of the Buffalo Demon!
Victory, Daughter of the Himalayas, with beautifully plaited hair!

       8.
          jaya jaya japyajaye jayashabda parastutitatatpara vishvanute ||
          jhaNa jhaNa jhinjhimijhinkritanoopura sinjitamohita bhootapate ||
         natita nataardhanatiinatanaayaka naatitanaatyasugaanarate ||
         jaya jaya he mahishaasuramardhini ramyakapardini shailasute ||

Victory to You! Victory to You! Whose victory need be sung and praised by all the Universe,
Who attracts Shiva's attention with the tinkling of Her bells and ornaments as She dances
Who delights in Her own beautiful singing, and Her dance in the form of Ardhanari( half male/half female form) ,
 Victory, victory to You, Oh Slayer of the Buffalo Demon!
Victory, Daughter of the Himalayas, with beautifully plaited hair!

        9.
          ayi sumanah sumanah sumanah sumanoharakaantiyute ||
          shrita rajanii rajanii rajanii rajanii rajaniikaravakravrute ||
          sunayanavibhra marabhra marabhra marabhra marabhra maraadhipate||
          jaya jaya he mahishaasuramardhini ramyakapardini shailasute ||

Oh, it is You Whose flowerlike complexion attracts all good-hearted souls,
[The meaning of the middle two lines is unclear],
Victory, victory to You, Oh Slayer of the Buffalo Demon!
Victory, Daughter of the Himalayas, with beautifully plaited hair!

        10.
         sahitamahaahava mallamatallika mallitarallaka mallarate ||
         virachitavallika pallikamallika shrillikabhillika vargavrute ||
         sita kruta phullisamullasitaakruNtallaja pallavasallalite ||
         jaya jaya he mahishaasuramardhini ramyakapardini shailasute ||

[ Regrettably, the meaning of this verse is unclear as stated in various versions available  .] 

Victory, victory to You, Oh Slayer of the Buffalo Demon!
Victory, Daughter of the Himalayas, with beautifully plaited hair!

         

         11.
          aviralagaNda galanmadamedura mattamatangajaraajapate ||
          tribhuvana bhooshaNa bhootakalaanidhi roopapayonidhiraajasute ||
          ayi sudatiijanalaalasamaanasa mohanamanmatharaajasute ||
          jaya jaya he mahishaasuramardhini ramyakapardini shailasute ||

Who effortlessly steers huge royal elephants in their fury, musk streaming in rivers down their temples,
Oh Great Princess, Daughter of the Ocean, Who has the beauty of the Moon,
Who is Ornament of the triple world,
Princess of Love, whose beautiful smile enchants the minds of those entrapped by desire,
Victory, victory to You, Oh Slayer of the Buffalo Demon!
Victory, Daughter of the Himalayas, with beautifully plaited hair!

          12.

          kamaladalaamalakomala kaantikalaakalitaamala bhaalatale ||

          sakalavilaasakalaanilayakrama kelichalatkala hamsakule ||
         alikulasankula kuvalayamaNdala maulimiladbakulaalikule ||
          jaya jaya he mahishaasuramardhini ramyakapardini shailasute ||

Whose flawless forehead displays Her beautiful complexion, pure and delicate like lotus petals,
Whose flocks of swans follow Her with the fluid grace that is the mark of all beautiful arts,
Whose swarms of bees sail down from the bakula trees to light with other bees atop the lotus flowers,Victory, victory to You, Oh Slayer of the Buffalo Demon!
Victory, Daughter of the Himalayas, with beautifully plaited hair!

         13.

          karamuraliirava viijita koojita lajjita kokila manjumate ||
          militapulinda manoharagunjita ranjitashailanikunjagate ||
          nijaguNabhoota mahaashabariigaNa sadguNasambhruta kelitale ||
          jaya jaya he mahishaasuramardhini ramyakapardini shailasute ||

Who so sweetly plays Her flute that its music puts the Kokila bird to shame, Who always has sweet thoughts,
Who dwells in colorful mountain groves that echo pleasantly with the bustle of mountain folk,
Whose playground is filled with breathtaking tribal women, who are manifestations of Her own great qualities,
 Victory, victory to You, Oh Slayer of the Buffalo Demon!
Victory, Daughter of the Himalayas, with beautifully plaited hair

        

         14.
         katitatapiitadukoolavichitra mayookhatiraskrita chandraruche||
         praNatasuraasura maulimaNisphuradamshulasannakha chandraruche||
         jitakanakaachala maulipadorjita nirbharakunjara kumbhakuche ||
         jaya jaya he mahishaasuramardhini ramyakapardini shailasute ||

Who outshines the brilliance of the moon with the colorful rays flashing from the yellow silks around Her waist,
Whose toenails shine like the moon as well, reflecting the crest jewels of the gods and demons who bow at Her feet,
Whose breasts outshine the temples of wild elephants and the high peaks of golden mountains,
Victory, victory to You, Oh Slayer of the Buffalo Demon!
Victory, Daughter of the Himalayas, with beautifully plaited hair!

        15.

         vijitasahasra karaikasahasra karaikasahasra karaikanute ||
         krutasurataaraka sangarataaraka sangarataaraka soonusute ||
         surathasamaadhi samaanasamaadhi samaadhi samaadhi sujaatarate ||
         jaya jaya he mahishaasuramardhini ramyakapardini shailasute ||

Who surpasses the thousand-rayed sun with the brilliance of Her own thousand hands, and Who is in turn praised by a thousand suns,
Who does battle to save the Gods, and Whose sons fought the demon Taraka and are Saviors,
[Meaning unclear], 
Victory, victory to You, Oh Slayer of the Buffalo Demon!
Victory, Daughter of the Himalayas, with beautifully plaited hair!

          16.

         padakamalam karuNaanilaye varivasyati yonudinam sashive ||
         ayi kamale kamalaanilaye kamalaanilayah sakatham na bhavet ||
         tava padameva param padamityanushiilayato mama kim na shive ||
         jaya jaya he mahishaasuramardhini ramyakapardini shailasute ||

Oh Benevolent Goddess, accompanied by Shiva, when one daily cherishes Your lotuslike feet,
Then, Oh lotus-dwelling Lakshmi, how will one not become wealthy?
Oh Auspicious Goddess, what riches will not be mine, if I earnestly believe that Your feet are the highest goal to be achieved? 
Victory, victory to You, Oh Slayer of the Buffalo Demon!
Victory, Daughter of the Himalayas, with beautifully plaited hair!

           17.

           kanakalasatkala sindhujalairanusinchinute guNarangabhuvam ||
           bhajati sa kim na sachikuchakumbha tatiiparirambha sukhaanubhavam ||
           tava charaNam sharaNam karavaaNi nataamaravaaNi nivaasisivam ||
           jaya jaya he mahishaasuramardhini ramyakapardini shailasute ||

If one bathes You, the playground of virtues, in the shining golden waters of the ocean,
Will one not experience in Heaven the joy, equal to that of Indra, of embracing the full bosom of Sachi?
Oh Goddess worshipped by the Gods Themselves, I take refuge at Your feet, which are also the abode of Shiva. 
Victory, victory to You, Oh Slayer of the Buffalo Demon!
Victory, Daughter of the Himalayas, with beautifully plaited hair!

          18
            tava vimalendukulam vadanendum alam sakalam nanu koolayate ||
            kimu puruhoota puriindumukhiisumukhiibhirasau vimukhiikriyate ||
            mama tu matam sivanaamadhane bhavatii kripayaa kimuta kriyate ||
            jaya jaya he mahishaasuramardhini ramyakapardini shailasute ||

When one sufficiently dedicates oneself to Your entire moonlike visage, brighter than a host of perfect moons,
How will one be turned away in heaven by the moon-visaged beauties of the city of Indra?
[Meaning unclear], Victory, victory to You, Oh Slayer of the Buffalo Demon!Victory, victory to You, Oh Slayer of the Buffalo Demon!
Victory, Daughter of the Himalayas, with beautifully plaited hair!

          19.

         ayi mayi diinadayaalutayaa krupayaiva tvayaa bhavitavyamume ||
         ayi jagato jananii krupayaasi yathaasi tathanumitaasitare ||
         yaduchitamatra bhavatyurariikrutaadurutaapa mapaakrurute ||
         jaya jaya he mahishaasuramardhini ramyakapardini shailasute ||

Oh Uma, please look kindly upon me, because of your virtue of compassion toward the meek,
[Meaning unclear],
But you may do as You wish with me, Oh You who removes the pain of Her devotees. 
Victory, victory to You, Oh Slayer of the Buffalo Demon!
Victory, Daughter of the Himalayas, with beautifully plaited hair!

                                                                                 By Ramakrishna kavi  / Translated by Devi Bhakta