स्तोत्र · Durga

Durga Stotra

दुर्गा स्तोत्र

The "Ya Devi Sarva Bhuteshu" is one of the most celebrated passages in all of Sanskrit devotional literature, drawn from the Devi Mahatmya (Durga Saptashati) of the Markandeya Purana. It consists of a set of shlokas that call upon the Supreme Goddess as she dwells in every being in different forms — as consciousness, as sleep, as hunger, as strength, as thirst, as beauty, as activity, as memory, as compassion, and as the mother. Each verse concludes with the devotee's prostration: "Namo Namah" — I bow and bow again, acknowledging the goddess as the all-pervading power behind every experience of life.

Sanskrit · 10 shlokas

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Shloka 1

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु शक्तिरूपेण संस्थिता। नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥

Shloka 2

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु चेतनेत्यभिधीयते। नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥

Shloka 3

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु निद्रारूपेण संस्थिता। नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥

Shloka 4

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु क्षुधारूपेण संस्थिता। नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥

Shloka 5

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु छायारूपेण संस्थिता। नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥

Shloka 6

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु तृष्णारूपेण संस्थिता। नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥

Shloka 7

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु क्षान्तिरूपेण संस्थिता। नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥

Shloka 8

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु जातिरूपेण संस्थिता। नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥

Shloka 9

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु लज्जारूपेण संस्थिता। नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥

Shloka 10

सर्वमङ्गलमाङ्गल्ये शिवे सर्वार्थसाधिके। शरण्ये त्र्यम्बके गौरि नारायणि नमोऽस्तु ते॥

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Frequently Asked Questions about Durga Stotra

What is the Durga Saptashati and how does this stotra relate to it?

The Durga Saptashati (also called Devi Mahatmya or Chandi Path) is a 700-verse Sanskrit text from the Markandeya Purana that narrates the goddess's three great battles against the demons Madhu-Kaitabha, Mahishasura, and Shumbha-Nishumbha. The "Ya Devi Sarva Bhuteshu" verses featured in this stotra appear in the fifth chapter of the Durga Saptashati, forming a sublime meditation on the goddess as she pervades all of creation. These verses are often recited independently as a complete devotional practice.

What is the significance of the refrain "Namo Namah"?

"Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah" translates as "I bow to her, I bow to her, I bow to her, salutation again and again." The triple repetition of prostration (namaskara) is significant in Sanskrit devotional tradition — three bows represent homage to the body, mind, and speech, or to the past, present, and future. The additional "Namo Namah" indicates that the devotee's prostration is infinite and never-ending. This refrain is itself considered a complete mantra and is chanted as such.

What are the nine forms of Goddess Durga (Navadurga)?

The Navadurga are the nine forms of Goddess Durga worshipped during Navratri: (1) Shailputri — daughter of the mountain; (2) Brahmacharini — the ascetic goddess; (3) Chandraghanta — wearing a crescent bell; (4) Kushmanda — the cosmic creator; (5) Skandamata — mother of Kartikeya; (6) Katyayani — born of sage Katyayana; (7) Kalaratri — the dark destroyer; (8) Mahagauri — the supremely fair and pure; (9) Siddhidatri — bestower of all siddhis. Each form is worshipped on one of the nine nights of Navratri.

When should the "Ya Devi Sarva Bhuteshu" stotra be recited during Navratri?

These verses can be recited during any of the nine nights of Navratri, but they are especially recited on the fifth day (Panchami), which corresponds to the fifth chapter of the Saptashati from which they are drawn. Many devotees recite the full Durga Saptashati over three days, reading the first three chapters on the first day, chapters 4 through 9 on the second day, and the remaining three chapters on the third day. These "Ya Devi" verses are always a highlight of the recitation.

What is the difference between a Stotra and a Chalisa?

A Stotra is a Sanskrit hymn that praises and meditates upon the divine — it can be any length (from a single verse to hundreds) and is typically more philosophical and contemplative in its language. A Chalisa is specifically a Hindi-language devotional hymn of exactly forty verses (chalisa = forty), written in a more accessible folk style and intended for daily recitation by ordinary devotees. Stotras often have stricter poetic meters and are rooted in the Sanskrit scriptural tradition, while Chalisas emerged from the medieval Bhakti movement and are characterized by their devotional warmth and accessibility.