Mahishasura Mardini Stotram: Lyrics, Meaning, and Benefits

Mahishasura Mardini stotram is a popular hymn on the Goddess Mahishasura Mardini, the destroyer of the demon Mahisha. This divine hymn was composed in order to praise the Goddess for her merciful nature on humanity.

This stotram is also very popular with its starting words ‘Ayi giri nandini’ as well as with the ending words ‘Jaya Jaya he Mahishasura Mardini’. Both the words often act as the synonyms to the name of this stotram.

The Mahishasura Mardini stotram lyrics have an in-depth meaning and explains several attributes and the acts related to the Goddess like her warrior skills and the battle with demons Mahishasura, Sumbha, Nisumbha, Rakthabeeja, Dhumralochana, Madhu-Kaithabas, and others.

Also, the lyrics of the stotram explains about her forms or Shakthi’s like Kali, Parvathi, Bhagavathi, and Kamala. At the same time, the lyrics give a great meaning, especially on the kindness and forgiveness of the Goddess along with her protecting nature.

The composition of this stotram is done in a great way to signify the greatness of the Goddess.

Mahishasura Mardini Stotram Lyrics with Meaning

Hymn praising various forms of the Goddess

Ayi giri-nandini Nanditamedini viswa-vinodini nandanute
Girivara vindya sirodhini vasini Vishnu-vilasini Jishnunute
Bhagavathi hae shiti kantha kutumbini bhuri-kutumbini bhurikruthe
Jaya Jaya hey Mahishasura Mardini ramyakapardini sailasuthe (1)

Salutations to Goddess Mahishasura Mardini,
The daughter of mountain ( indicating Himavanta), by whose presence caused joy to the Universe, the one praised by Nandi
Residing on the peaks of outstanding Vindhya mountains, Who gives joy to Vishnu (as his sister), the one praised by Indra
Who is none other than Bhagavthi, the consort of the blue-throated one (God Shiva), who has all the great creation as a family (being the mother of Universe), who do all the great things ( related to creation, perseverance, and destruction)
Victory to you, victory to you, the destroyer of Mahishasura, the one with beautiful-braided hair, the daughter of the mountain.

Hymn describing the divine acts of the Goddess

Sura-vara varshini Durdhara dharshini Dhurmukha marshini Harsharathe
Tribhuvana poshini Shankara toshini Kalmasha moshini Ghosharathe
Dhanuja niroshini Ditisuta roshini Durmada soshini Sindhusuthe
Jaya Jaya hey Mahishasura Mardini ramyakapardini sailasuthe (2)

The one who showers boons on devas, who defeated the demon Durdhara, the destroyer of Durmukha, who is gladdened by the joy (caused by her or from others)
The one who nourishes the three worlds (by her sight), who delights God Shankara, who frees us from the bad thoughts, who is delighted by the sounds of demons (war cries due to her acts to protect the worlds)
Who was anger on the sons of Danu (Danavas), furious on the sons of Diti (Daithyas), Who destroyed the demon Durmada, O the daughter of the ocean
Victory to you, victory to you, the destroyer of Mahishasura, the one with beautiful-braided hair, the daughter of the mountain.

Hymn describing the Goddess interests and Asura samhara (destroying the demons)

Ayi Jagadamba madamba kadamba vana priya vaasina Haasarathe
Sikhari siromani tunga Himalaya srunga nijalaya madhyagathe
Madhumadhure Madhu Kaithabha ganjani Kaitabha bhanjini Raasarathe
Jaya Jaya hae Mahishasura Mardini ramyakapardini sailasuthe (3)

O Goddess Jagadamba (Mother of the Universe), who likes and loves to live in the Kadamba vana (forests of Kadamba tree), delighted by laughter or humor.
The one who lives in the middle of the temple present on the top of the Himalayas – the crest jewel among mountains
Whose words are sweet like honey, who subdued the pride of Madhu and Kaitabha, the slayer of demon Kaitabha, delighted by the Kamakala.
Victory to you, victory to you, the destroyer of Mahishasura, the one with beautiful-braided hair, the daughter of the mountain.

Hymn describing the Asura samhara and her warrior skills

Ayi Satakhanda Vikhanditha Runda vi Tunditha-shunda Gajadhipathe
Ripu-gaja ganda vi Daarana-chanda Paraakrama-shunda Mrugadhipathe
Nijabhuja-danda nipathitha khanda vipathitha Munda Bhatadhipathe
Jaya Jaya hae Mahishasura Mardini ramyakapardini sailasuthe (4)

O the Goddess who has shattered the best horses and elephants into hundreds of pieces, chopped off the trunks of elephants (in the war with demons) along with the masters of elephants.
The one who has the Lion, which possessed great valor and is extreme in breaking the jaws and tearing the cheeks of the enemies elephants
The one who used her bhujadanda (staff like weapon) to crush the demons Chanda, Munda, and their soldiers.
Victory to you, victory to you, the destroyer of Mahishasura, the one with beautiful-braided hair, the daughter of the mountain.

Hymn describing the war events that happened before slaying the demons Sumbha-Nisumbha

Ayi Rana Durmada shatru vadhodhitha durdhara nirjara Shakthi bruthe
Chatura vichara dhureena MahaSiva-duta kurta Pramadhadhipathe
Duritha dureeha durasaya durmati Danava-duta Krutamtamathe
Jaya Jaya hae Mahishasura Mardini ramyakapardini sailasuthe (5)

The one who stood in the war ground for fighting the demons who are arrogant or foolishly pride, O the one who is with all the powers of gods
The one who had Great God Shiva, who is efficient, ingeniously thoughtful, excelled in all,  as her messenger, who is also the Lord of Pramadha-ganas
The one who destroyed the wicked thoughts of Danava duta (messenger Sugriva sent by demon king Sumbha), Whose thoughts are sinful with bad desires along with sinful heart and proudness that shouldn’t be.
Victory to you, victory to you, the destroyer of Mahishasura, the one with beautiful-braided hair, the daughter of the mountain.

Hymn describing the merciful nature and her warrior acts

Ayi Sharanagatha vairiva dhuvara veera varaabhaya daya kare
Tribhuvana mastaka sula Virodhi Sirodhi krutamala Shulakare
Dumi-dumi tamara Dumdhubhi nadha maho mukharee-kruta Digmakare
Jaya Jaya hae Mahishasura Mardini ramyakapardini sailasuthe (6)

O the Goddess, whose hands offer the protection and boons to the wives of enemies, who seek your protection.
For those (demons) who caused troubles to Tribhuvanas, you are the one who destroys them by keeping the Shula on their throats.
O the one who gets into action with the Dhumi Dhumi sounds generated by the instrument Dumdhubhi (a war drum) to signify the war, the one who is like the glowing sun.
Victory to you, victory to you, the destroyer of Mahishasura, the one with beautiful-braided hair, the daughter of the mountain.

Hymn describing the slaying of demons Dhumralochana, Rakthabeeja, Sumbha and Nisumbha

Ayi nija Humkruthi maatra niraakrutha Dhumravilochana Dhumrasathe
Samara Visoshitha sonithabeeja samudbhava sonitha beeja lathe
Siva Siva Sumbha-Nisumbha mahahava tarpitha Bhutha Pisacharathe
Jaya Jaya hae Mahishasura Mardini ramyakapardini sailasuthe (7)

O Goddess, the one who vanished the Demon Dhumralochana into hundred smoke pieces, just by uttering the sound Hum (Humkara)
Who weakened the demon Rakthabeeja, whose blood that which falls on the earth can act as a seed and can give rise to a creeper of new Rajthabeeja’s.
Siva-Siva (thinking about that situation), In that great battle with Sumbha Nisumbha, you are the one who destroyed all and satisfied the Bhutha and Pisacha-ganas.
Victory to you, victory to you, the destroyer of Mahishasura, the one with beautiful-braided hair, the daughter of the mountain.

Hymn on the appearance, skills of Goddess and generation of several Shakthi’s in war

Dhanuranu sangara nakshana sanga parispuradanga natathkatake
Kanaka pisanga prushatka nishanga rasadbhata srunga hatahvatuke
Kruta Chaturanga bala skithiranga ghatad bhahuranga valatkatake
Jaya Jaya hae Mahishasura Mardini ramyakapardini sailasuthe (8)

O Goddess, whose bangles and ornaments are moving following the movements of twanging of the bow and arrows, which struck in the throat of enemies
O the one, whose arrows coming from the golden quiver, the force and power of those arrows are beheading and ending the enemies
While fighting with the four forces of enemies (chariots, elephantry, cavalry, and infantry), several Shakti’s came out of you like batukas O Goddess
Victory to you, victory to you, the destroyer of Mahishasura, the one with beautiful-braided hair, the daughter of the mountain.

Hymn describing the state of joy after the completion of war

Suralala natata Theyitha Theyi kruthaabinayodhara Nruthyarathe
Krutha kuku thahkuku thogada dhaadika thaala kuthuhala Gaanarathe
Dhudhukutta Dhukkutta Dhimdimi-tadh-dvani Dheera-Mrudamga Ninaadarathe
Jaya Jaya hae Mahishasura Mardini ramyakapardini sailasuthe (9)

O Goddess, who takes delight by the dance sequences of deva kaantas with the rhythm Theyitha Theyitha
O the one who takes joy listening to the singing of celestial musicians which are present in the rhythms of Ku-Kutha, Ga-Da-Dha, which is created to captures the tense, eagerness in the war ground
Who takes pleasure in deep sounding war drum (mrudanga) that was resounding with deep sounds Dhudukuta Dhudkuta indicating the completion of war and with sounds of dhimi dhimi indicating the courage of Devi and her warriors
Victory to you, victory to you, the destroyer of Mahishasura, the one with beautiful-braided hair, the daughter of the mountain.

Hymn that describing praise to Goddess and her joy

Jaya Jaya japya jaye Jaya shabdha parastuti tatpara Viswanuthe
Ghana ghana ghim ghimi ghimkruta nupura Shimjitha mohitha Bhuthapathe
Natitha natardha Nateenatanayaka natitha natya Suganarathe
Jaya Jaya hae Mahishasura Mardini ramyakapardini sailasuthe (10)

The one who is praised by the words Jaya Jaya, you and your stories are the ones who can be meditated upon doing Japa, Who is praised by stutis by all in various ways, O the mother of Universe
Who makes sounds like ghana ghana by her anklets by which you delight the God of all the creatures (God Shiva)
Who takes joy in dancing with Shiva in their half male and half female form (Arthanareeswara) as the leaders of the dance which is happening along with good songs
Victory to you, victory to you, the destroyer of Mahishasura, the one with beautiful-braided hair, the daughter of the mountain.

Hymn praising the appearance of Goddess and her vaibhava

Ai sumanah sumanah sumanah sumanah-su-manohara kantiyuthe
Sritaraja neeraja neeraja neeraja nerajanee-kara vaktravruthe
Sunayana vibrama rabrama rabrama rabrama rabramaraadhi-pathe
Jaya Jaya hae Mahishasura Mardini ramyakapardini sailasuthe (11)

O the Goddess who is beautiful and with a delicate heart like that of the flowers of devas, who is bright and shining
Whose face is like the moon which is cool and blossoms the lotuses by your shine
Who has good looking eyes and by the movements of your eyes, you had attracted several bees and destroyed the demons like the queen of bees (Bramaradhipathe)
Victory to you, victory to you, the destroyer of Mahishasura, the one with beautiful-braided hair, the daughter of the mountain.

Hymn describing the warrior arts of Goddess and her interests

Mahitha mahahava mallama tallika mallita rallaka malla-rathe
Virachitha vallika pallika mallika bhillika bhillika varga-bruthe
Sitakruta pulli samulla sitaruna tallaja pallava sallalithe
Jaya Jaya hae Mahishasura Mardini ramyakapardini sailasuthe (12)

Not just the Asura warriors who are good at the art of war, but even you had also destroyed the proud of all the combat wrestlers who are even good at Malla techniques like mallitha, thallika. O the one great at Malla yuddha (I bow to you)
Lining in the places covered with jasmine creepers, O the one residing around the Gnana tree (Lodhra tree)
O the one who likes wandering around the plants and blossom their buds, the one appearing in red colour
Victory to you, victory to you, the destroyer of Mahishasura, the one with beautiful-braided hair, the daughter of the mountain.

Hymn describing the forms of Goddess – Matangi, Lakshmi, and Lalitha (as protector of manmada after his rebirth)

Avirala gandaka lanmada medura matta Matanga Gajarajapathe
Tribhuvana bhushana bhutha Kalaanidhi rupa payonidhi Rajanuthe
Ayi sudateejana lalasa manasa mohana Manmadha Rajasuthe
Jaya Jaya hae Mahishasura Mardini ramyakapardini sailasuthe (13)

O the one (as Goddess Matangi) who serves as the queen to the intoxicated elephants that are with huge secretions of Musth (Madajala)
The one whose body is like the shine of the three worlds, who looks like the moon, the daughter of the milky ocean
O, the one who acts as a mother to Manmadha, the creator of desires in the hearts of people. (indicating bowing her can protect from bhava bandhas)
Victory to you, victory to you, the destroyer of Mahishasura, the one with beautiful-braided hair, the daughter of the mountain.

Hymn about devi’s appearance, arts, and her interests

Kamaladalamala komala kanti kalakalitamala balalathe
Sakala vilasa kala nilayakrama kelikalath-kala-hamsakule
Alikula samkula kuvalaya mandala maulimilad va kulalikule
Jaya Jaya hae Mahishasura Mardini ramyakapardini sailasuthe (14)

The Goddess who is with the radiance like that of the lotus petals, whose forehead is like that of a clear moon
O the one who is skilled in all the arts, and surrounded with attendants, whose steps are followed by dancing swans
O the one whose is with lotuses and Pogada flowers, which are attracting the bees, O the one with beautiful hair
Victory to you, victory to you, the destroyer of Mahishasura, the one with beautiful-braided hair, the daughter of the mountain.

Hymn describing the interests and her shobha

Kara murali rava veejitha kujitha lajjitha Kokila manjumathe
Militha milinda manohara gumjitha rangitha shaila-ni-kunja gathe
Nija guna bhutha maha sabaree gana Sadguna sambrutha Kelithale
Jaya Jaya hae Mahishasura Mardini ramyakapardini sailasuthe (15)

The one whose voice is like the sounds created by the flute, which made the Koel birds ashamed of their voices, the one who smiled looking at them (Koel’s)
The one who likes to live in the place on the Vindhya mountains, which are filled and looking beautiful with full of the swarm of bees
O Goddess, the one with a good heart, who joined her movements with the Pramadha, Bhutha, Mahasabaree ganas, and others
Victory to you, victory to you, the destroyer of Mahishasura, the one with beautiful-braided hair, the daughter of the mountain.

Hymn describing the appearance of the Goddess and the Devi vaibhava

Katithata peetadukula vichitra mayukha tiraskrutha Chandraruche
Pranatha Surasura mauli manisphura damsela sannakha Chadraruche
Jitakankachala mauli padorjitha nirbharakunjara kumbhakuche
Jaya Jaya hae Mahishasura Mardini ramyakapardini sailasuthe (16)

The surprising shine coming from the garment you wore around your waist is superseding the shine of the moon (O Mother)
The shine coming from the crowns of the bowed Suras and Asuras are reflecting like the moon on the nails of your feet (O divine mother I bow to you)
O the one whose bosom is glowing like the peak of the Golden Mountain (Meru) and like the Kumbhasthala of Airavatha.
Victory to you, victory to you, the destroyer of Mahishasura, the one with beautiful-braided hair, the daughter of the mountain.

Hymn about the greatness of Goddess, her son Karthikeya and her glory

Vijitha sahasra karaika sahasra karaika sahasra karaikanuthe
Krutha Sura Taraka sangara Taraka sangara Taraka Sunusuthe
Suradha samadhi samana samadhi samadhi samadhi Sujatha-rathe
Jaya Jaya hae Mahishasura Mardini ramyakapardini sailasuthe (17)

The one who is praised by the thousand handed ones (Surya, Karthaveerya, Banasura- These three are considered to have a thousand arms each)
The one who thought to save the suras by destroying the Tarakasura. For which you gave rise to your son (Karthikeya) and prepared your son for war and the one praised by her son (Karthikeya)
You are the one whose glory had removed the worldly attachments of the King Suradha and Merchant Samadhi and had their mind on you
Victory to you, victory to you, the destroyer of Mahishasura, the one with beautiful-braided hair, the daughter of the mountain.

Hymn about how to get the bliss of Goddess and her places of interest

Padakamalam karunanilaye parivasyathi yonudinam sa Shivae
Ayi Kamale Kamalanilaye Kamalanilayah sa kadham na bhaveth
Tava padameva parampada mithyanuseelayatho mama kim na Shivae
Jaya Jaya hae Mahishasura Mardini ramyakapardini sailasuthe (18)

The merciful one, those who worship on the lotus feet of the Goddess daily, they will be blessed, O the one with God Shiva
Divine mother Who lives in the lotus, who recites as well as love to reside in the lotuses, (Kamalathmika – Mahalakshmi), the Devi who loves to live in the lotus heart of her devotees (indicating that the presence of Goddess bestows wisdom and wealth).
The divine mother, whose name I think as the ultimate and unparalleled, I deeply involved with that (related to your words), what I need more, O the consort of Shiva
Victory to you, victory to you, the destroyer of Mahishasura, the one with beautiful-braided hair, the daughter of the mountain.

Hymn describing worship of the Goddess, her merciful nature and greatness

Kanaka lasatkala sindhu jalairanu sinchinuthe guna rangabhuvam
Bhajathi sa kim nu Sachikucha kumbhata thateepari Rambha sukhanubhavam
Tava Charanam saranam karavani nataamaravaani nivaasi Sivam
Jaya Jaya hae Mahishasura Mardini ramyakapardini sailasuthe (19)

One who bring the waters of great oceans in a golden container to do the Abhisheka, in the places where you recite with all your divine attributes and feels happy
For those, with your mercy, they get the happy experiences of enjoyment of pitcher like bosom (of the divine knowledge)
I bow to your feet, who lives in the speeches of the devas, the consort of God Shiva
Victory to you, victory to you, the destroyer of Mahishasura, the one with beautiful-braided hair, the daughter of the mountain.

Hymn about Devi’s appearance, upliftment of Chandra and Importance of Shivanama

Tava vimalendukulam vadanendumalam sakalam nanu kulayate
Kimu puruhuta pureendu mukhi sumukhee bhirasau vimukhi kriyethe
Mama tu matam Shivanama dhane bhavatee krupaya kimuta  kriyathe
Jaya Jaya hae Mahishasura Mardini ramyakapardini sailasuthe (20)

The one whose face looks like the full moon and is adorned with a crescent moon, O the one who is always auspicious
Before the women of swarga, the radiance of Chandra lessened due to the radiance of your feet (for which he approached your feet to get your mercy)
Divine Mother, I think you uplifted the moon only for the reason he recites the Shivanama as the wealth (only for that reason you uplifted him)
Victory to you, victory to you, the destroyer of Mahishasura, the one with beautiful-braided hair, the daughter of the mountain.

Hymn of Sharanagathi (surrendering yourself) to get the Mercy of Divine Goddess

Ayi mayi deena-dayalutaya krupayaiva tvaya bhavithavyamume
Ayi jagatho janaee krupayasi yadhasi tadhanubhi-thasirathe
Yaduchita-matra bhavatyurari kurutaa durutaapama-pakurute
Jaya Jaya hae Mahishasura Mardini ramyakapardini sailasuthe (21)

O divine mother, O the compassionate to the afflicted beings, Goddess Uma, bestow your kindness on me
As the mother to the entire Universe, your kindness will be in the way it should be
Mother, please uplift me in all the necessary aspects, also please relive the immense grief (tapam) present inside me
Victory to you, victory to you, the destroyer of Mahishasura, the one with beautiful-braided hair, the daughter of the mountain.

Mahishasura Mardini Stotram Benefits

By chanting the Mahaishasura Mardini stotram, one can get the divine bliss, protection, and the mercy of Goddess Mahishasura Mardini, who is known for her motherhood on her devotees, supporting them throughout their lives to attain the moksha.

In this stotram, we ask the universal mother to uplift us in all the necessary aspects and relieve us from the immense grief. We also ask the Goddess to bestow her mercy or kindness all the time and it was given in the stotra that whoever worship the lotus feet of the goddess they will be blessed by the Devi.

Traditionally, this stotram is to remember the attributes of the Shakthi and to recite and praise the greatness of the Goddess Mahishasura Mardini on her acts to save the humanity, destroying demons, and protecting the Lokas.

Chanting the Mahishasura Mardini stotram with meaning will help the devotee to get closer to the goddess and feel the divine bliss of her.

Who composed the Mahaishasura Mardini stotram?

The Mahishasura Mardini stotram is composed by Guru Adi Shankaracharya and is believed to be popularised during the rise of the Sakta tradition in India and also from the mid 20^th century.

However, some people give the credit to Ramakrishna Kavi, saying this stotram as a part of Bhagavathi padya pushpanjali stotram.

When can we recite this Stotram?

There are no special restrictions about when to recite this stotram. You can chant whenever you want. However to concentrate on this stotra, recite it in a peaceful environment understanding the meaning of each stanza of the Mahishasura Mardini stotram.