About the Durga Chalisa
The Durga Chalisa is a sacred devotional hymn dedicated to Maa Durga, describing her many divine forms — Shailaputri, Kali, Ambe, and Bhavani — and celebrating her boundless power and glory. It contains forty verses (chaupais) filled with devotion and surrender to the Goddess. It is believed that reciting the Durga Chalisa daily removes fear, disease, and troubles, and, through the Mother’s grace, brings happiness, strength, and prosperity into the home. Recitation during Navratri is considered especially fruitful. Below you can read the complete chalisa in easy Roman-script (English) transliteration, along with its meaning, benefits, and how to recite it.
Durga Chalisa — Lyrics in English
Shri Durga Chalisa
Namo Namo Durge Sukh Karani।
Namo Namo Ambe Dukh Harani॥
Nirankar Hai Jyoti Tumhari।
Tihun Lok Faili Ujiyari॥
Shashi Lalaat Mukh Mahavishala।
Netra Laal Bhrikuti Vikarala॥
Roop Matu Ko Adhik Suhave।
Darash Karat Jan Ati Sukh Pave॥
(Namo-Namo, Namo-Namo)
Tum Sansar Shakti Lai Keena।
Palan Hetu Ann Dhan Deena॥
Annapurna Hui Jag Pala।
Tum Hi Aadi Sundari Bala॥
Pralaykaal Sab Nashan Hari।
Tum Gauri Shiv Shankar Pyari॥
Shiv Yogi Tumhare Gun Gaave।
Brahma Vishnu Tumhe Nit Dhyaave॥
(Namo-Namo, Namo-Namo)
Roop Saraswati Ka Tum Dhara।
De Subuddhi Rishi Munin Ubara॥
Dhara Roop Narsingh Ko Amba।
Prakat Bhai Faadkar Khamba॥
Raksha Kar Prahlad Bachayo।
Hiranyaksh Ko Swarg Pathayo॥
Lakshmi Roop Dharo Jag Mahi।
Shri Narayan Ang Samahi॥
(Namo-Namo, Namo-Namo)
Ksheersindhu Mein Karat Vilasa।
Dayasindhu Deejai Man Aasa॥
Hinglaj Mein Tumhi Bhavani।
Mahima Amit Na Jaat Bakhani॥
Matangi Dhumavati Mata।
Bhuvaneshwari Bagla Sukhdata॥
Shri Bhairav Tara Jag Tarini।
Chhinna Bhaal Bhav Dukh Nivarini॥
(Namo-Namo, Namo-Namo)
Kehari Vahan Soh Bhavani।
Langur Veer Chalat Agwani॥
Kar Mein Khappar Khadg Viraje।
Jako Dekh Kaal Dar Bhage॥
Sohe Kar Astra Aur Trishula।
Jate Uthat Shatru Hiy Shula॥
Nagarkot Mein Tumhi Virajat।
Tihun Lok Mein Danka Bajat॥
(Namo-Namo, Namo-Namo)
Shumbh Nishumbh Danav Tum Mare।
Raktabeej Shankhan Sanhare॥
Mahishasur Nrip Ati Abhimani।
Jehi Agh Bhaar Mahi Akulani॥
Roop Karaal Kalika Dhara।
Sainya Sahit Tum Tihi Sanhara॥
Pari Bheer Santan Par Jab Jab।
Bhai Sahay Matu Tum Tab Tab॥
(Namo-Namo, Namo-Namo)
Amarpuri Aru Basav Loka।
Tab Mahima Sab Kahe Ashoka॥
Jwala Mein Hai Jyoti Tumhari।
Tumhe Sada Poojein Nar Nari॥
Prem Bhakti Se Jo Yash Gave।
Dukh Daaridra Nikat Nahi Aave॥
Dhyave Tumhe Jo Nar Man Lai।
Janm Maran Te So Chhuti Jai॥
(Namo-Namo, Namo-Namo)
Jogi Sur Muni Kahat Pukari।
Yog Na Ho Bin Shakti Tumhari॥
Shankar Aacharaj Tap Keeno।
Kaam Aru Krodh Jeeti Sab Leeno॥
Nishidin Dhyan Dharo Shankar Ko।
Kahu Kaal Nahi Sumiro Tumko॥
Shakti Roop Ko Maram Na Payo।
Shakti Gai Tab Man Pachhtayo॥
(Namo-Namo, Namo-Namo)
Sharnagat Hui Keerti Bakhani।
Jai Jai Jai Jagdamb Bhavani॥
Bhai Prasann Aadi Jagdamba।
Dai Shakti Nahi Keen Vilamba॥
Moko Matu Kasht Ati Ghero।
Tum Bin Kaun Harai Dukh Mero॥
Aasha Trishna Nipat Satave।
Ripu Moorakh Mohi Ati Dar Pave॥
(Namo-Namo, Namo-Namo)
Shatru Naash Keejai Maharani।
Sumirau Ikchit Tumhe Bhavani॥
Karo Kripa He Matu Dayala।
Riddhi Siddhi De Karahu Nihala॥
Jab Lagi Jiun Daya Phal Paun।
Tumharo Yash Main Sada Sunaun॥
Durga Chalisa Jo Gaave।
Sab Sukh Bhog Param Pad Pave॥
Devidas Sharan Nij Jani।
Karahu Kripa Jagdamb Bhavani॥
Meaning of the Durga Chalisa
In the Durga Chalisa, the devotee praises Maa Durga as the giver of all happiness and the remover of sorrow. The verses describe her many forms — Kali, Ambe, Bhavani, Saraswati, and Lakshmi — and recall her great victories over demons such as Mahishasura, Shumbh-Nishumbh, and Raktabeej. She is celebrated as Shakti, the boundless power behind all creation, and the compassionate mother who always comes to the aid of her devotees. In the closing verses, the devotee surrenders to her, praying for protection, prosperity, and her eternal grace.
Benefits of Reciting the Durga Chalisa
- Regular recitation removes fear, disease, and negative energies.
- Reciting during Navratri is considered especially auspicious and fruitful.
- Reciting on Tuesdays and Fridays brings the special grace of the Goddess.
- It is believed to bring happiness, prosperity, and positive energy into the home.
🪔 How to Recite the Durga Chalisa
- Bathe in the morning and wear clean (preferably red) clothes.
- Light a ghee lamp before an image or idol of Maa Durga.
- Offer red flowers, sindoor (vermilion), akshat (rice), and a red chunri.
- Recite the Durga Chalisa with devotion and a calm mind.
- Conclude with the aarti of the Goddess and distribute the prasad.
Read also: Durga Aarti (in English)
Frequently Asked Questions
When should the Durga Chalisa be recited?
It can be recited daily; Navratri, Tuesdays, and Fridays are considered especially auspicious.
How many verses does the Durga Chalisa have?
It has forty verses (chaupais) — hence the name “Chalisa,” from “chaalis,” meaning forty.
What are the benefits of reciting the Durga Chalisa?
It is believed to remove fear, disease, and troubles, and to bless the devotee with the grace and protection of Maa Durga.