Mahishasura Mardini (Aigiri Nandini.. ) – Context, Meaning, Learning

“Mahishasura Mardhini” means one who killed the Asura Mahishasura and refers to  Goddess Durga. The demon was in the form of a buffalo and hence the name “Mahish Asura”. She was created by the Gods to eradicate evil and many Asuras and Dhanavas were killed by her.

The beautiful Stotra is very captivating and describes in detail her beauty, power, emotions, skills, compassion and divinity. The verses have great poetry and use various alliterations to describe the divine nature of the Goddess.

The author of these verses is not clearly known but according to some sources it is said to be Kavi Ramakrishna (Tenali Ram of Krishnadeva Raya fame – Vijayanagar Empire), while others attribute it to Adi Shankara.

It may initially sound like a tongue twister, but once you have spent 4 -5 hears learning to chant along with an Audio the rhythm and words are mesmerising and you will enjoy chanting it. These verses are traditionally chanted in South Indian homes during Navarathri. It is also chanted in the early morning of Mahalaya which marks the onset of Navarathri & Durga Puja.

Although called Mahishasura Mardhini the Shlokas cover 3 aspects of the Devi – As Durga, Lakshmi & Saraswathi 

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“The place where Sri Mahishasura Mardini Stotram is sung every day, I will always be present and never leave.”
– The Devi’s proclamation in the 12th chapter of the Devi Mahatmyam

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Mahishasura Mardini Stotram is said to bring peace to the devotee and removes all fear and sadness. It drives away negative emotions like doubt, anger, ego and inertia. This stotram also removes obstacles from the path of the believer. One can listen to the Mahishasura Mardini Stotram, however reciting the chants are considered to be more powerful. 

Ai Giri Nandini Nanditha Medini Vishwa Vinodhini Nanda Nuthe
Girivara Vindhya Shirodhini Vassini Vishnu Vilassini Jishnu Nuthe
Bhagawathi Hey Shithi Kantha Kutumbini Bhuri Kutumbini Bhuri Krithe
Jaya Jaya Hey Mahishasura Mardhini Ramya Kapardhini Shaila Suthe

Ai – Divine Supreme Mother, Giri Nandini – Daughter of the king of the mountains, Nanditha Medini – 1) Worthy of prayer 2) Sita – daughter of Mother Earth, Vishwa Vinodini – Universal power that brings life to the Universe, Nanda Nuthe – Praised by Nanda, foster father of Lord Krishna, Girivara Vindhya – Vindhya Mountains , Shirodhini Vassini – Resident of the peak of the mountain range, Vishnu Vilassini – Worhsipped by Lord Vishnu, Jishnu Nuthe – Worhsipped and adored by Lord Indra, Bhagavathi – Mahalakshmi, Hey – Calling Mother with respect, Shithi Kantha – Wife of Lord Shiva, Bhuri Kutumbini – Mother of the whole universe, Bhuri Krithe – Fulfiller of all wishes, guardian of the entire universe, Jaya Jaya – More and more victorious, Hey – Hailing Mother with respect and affection, Mahishasura Mardhini – Slayer of the demon Mahishasur, Ramya Kapardhini – Elegant and beautiful hair (Tribute to the charm and beauty of the Goddess), Shaila Suthe – Daughter of Shailendra , Lord of the mountains

Suravara Varshini Durdhara Dharshini Durmukha Marshini Harsharathe
Tribhuvana Poshini Shankara Toshini Kilbisha Moshini Ghosharathe
Dhanujani Roshini Dhithisutha Roshini Durmadha Shoshini Sindhusuthe
Jaya Jaya Hey Mahishasura Mardhini Ramya Kapardhini Shaila Suthe

Suravara Varshini – Bestower of innumerable boons to the Devas, Durdhara – A demon , Durmukha – Another demon She stayed, Harsharathe – Creating joy & happiness by ending evil, Tribhuvana Poshini – Giver of food & sustenance to the 3 worlds, Shankara Toshini – One who pleases Lord Shiva immensely, Kilbisha Moshini – One who abolishes sin and its ill effects, Ghosharathe – Elimiates sin & the outcome of sin, Dhanujani – Those born to Dhanu – Dhanavas, Dhithisutha Roshini – One who bears anger against the sons of Dhithi (Asuras), Sindhu Suthe – Hail the daughter of the King of the Oceans (Mahalakshmi)

Ayi Jagadamba Madhamba Kadamba Vanapriya Vaasini Haasarathe
Shikhari Shiromani Tungaahimalaya Shringanijaalaya Madhyagathe
Madhu Madhure Madhu Kaithabha Ghanjini Kaithabha Bhanjini Raasarathe
Jaya Jaya Hey Mahishasura Mardhini Ramya Kapardhini Shaila Suthe

Ayi Jagadamba – Universal Mother, Madhamba – Mother to all creations, Kadamaba Vanapriya Vassini – Fond of the evergreen forests of the mountains, who resides there, Hassarathe – One who always maintains a gentle smile, Madhu Madhure – One who is nectar , the very power of Vishnu, Madhu Kaithabha Ghanjini – Vanquisher of two demons Madhu & Kaithabha, Kaithabha Bhanjini – Inflicts pain and harasses the demon, Raasarathe – Provides Divine enjoyment and indulges in it.

Ayi Shatha Khanda Vikhandita Runda Vithunditha Shunda Gajaadipathe
Ripugaja Ganda Vidharuna Chanda Parakraama Shunda Mrigaadhi Pathe
Nija Bhuja Dhanda Nipathith Khanda Vipathitha Munda Bhataadipathe
Jaya Jaya Hey Mahishasura Mardhini Ramya Kapardhini Shaila Suthe

Ayi – Divine Mother, Shatha Khanda – One who cuts enemy into over a 100 pieces, Vikhandita Runda – Into tiny atoms, Vithunditha – Demolishes the enemy to the depth of doom, Shunda Gajaadipathe – Brutally destroys Shunda and his army of elephants, Ripugaja Ganda – Punishes all the elephants in the enemies camp, Vidharuna Chanda – Army of Demon Chanda scatters hither and thither, Parakrama Shunda – Devis might & valour against Asura Sunda, Mrigaadhi Pathe – Vechile of Godess the Lion strikes Munda’s forehead and despatches all his elephant army to death, Nija Bhuja – With her own hands, Dhanda – delivers punishment,  Nipathitha Khanda – Endless flow of Divine weapons, Vipathitha Munda Bhataadipathe– Wields a brilliant divine sword like lightning and destroys Chanda & Munda and their entire army singlehandedly.

Ayi Rana Dhurmadha Shathru Vadhoodhitha Dhurdhara Nirjara Shakti Bruthe
Chatura Vichaara Dhureena Maha Shiva Dhoothakritha Pramadhipathe
Dhuritha Dhureeha Dhuraashaya Dhurmathi Danava Dhootha Kruthaantha Mathe
Jaya Jaya Hey Mahishasura Mardhini Ramya Kapardhini Shaila Suthe

Ayi – Divine Mother, Rana Dhurmadha – Defeats those with evil intentions, Shathru Vadhoodhitha – Resolves to vanquish her enemies, Dhurdhara Nirjara – Mercilessly eliminates Evil forces, Shakti Bruthe – A profusion of infinite energy, Chatura Vichaara – Uses 4 intelligent strategies to overcome challenges with the enemies, Dhureena Maha Shiva – One of the Trinity, Dhoothakritha Paramadhipathe – Enlists the support of Lord Shiva, Dhuritha Dhureeha – Eliminates evil in different circumstances, Dhuraashaya Dhurmathi – Supresses evil in many forms, Danava Dhootha – Sends Shiva as an emissary to the Dhanavas, Kruthaantha Mathe – Being compassionate & motherly gives even the wicked Asuras a chance to reform

Ayi Sharanagatha Vairi Vadhuvara Veera Varabhaya Dhayakare
Tribhuvana Masthaka Shoola Virodhi Shirodhi Krithamala Shoolakare
Dhumi Dhumi Thamaara Dhundhubi Nada  Maho Mukha Reetkritha Thigmakare
Jaya Jaya Hey Mahishasura Mardhini Ramya Kapardhini Shaila Suthe

Ayi – Divine Mother, Sharanagatha – Accepting those who surrender at her feet, Vairi Vadhuvara – Compassionate to the wives of her enemies who surrender to her, Veera Varabhaya – Wages war as per the rules of engagement, Dhayakare – Compassionate / Giver of boons and gifts, Tribhuvana – The Lord of the 3 worlds, Masthaka Shoola Virodhi – Impales the enemy warriors on the forehead,  Shirodhi Krithamala Shoolakare – Makes a garland of the heads of the defeated and vanquished asuras on her spear, Dhumi Dhumi Thamaara – Booming sound of the lotus feet of Devi as she dances the thandava dance with her anklets in the battlefield, Dhundhubi Nada – Sound from her trumpet as she announces war, Maho Mukhari Kritha – Her face resplendent and shining beautifully, Thigmakare – The sharp shining red hot Trishul blazing in the Sun.

Ayi Nija Hoomkrithi Maathra Nirakritha Dhoomra Vilochana Dhoomra Shathe
Samara Vishoshitha Shonita Beeja Samudhbhava Shonitha Beeja Lathe
Shiva Shiva Shumbha Nishumbha Mahaahava Tharpitha Bhutha Pishaacharathe
Jaya Jaya Hey Mahishasura Mardhini Ramya Kapardhini Shaila Suthe

Ayi – Divine Mother, Nija Hoomkrithi – Chants the powerful Baja Mantra “Hum”, Maathra Nirakritha Dhoomra Vilochana –  Killed the wicked asura Dhoomra Vilochana who was the commander of Shumbha and Nishumbha, whose red eyes always emitted poison, Dhoomra Shathe – Vanquished him in seconds, Samara Vishoshitha – Devi fights a special war , not the one fought by regular solders , Shonita Beeja Samudhbhava Shonitha Beeja Lathe – Reference to a powerful Asura whose every drop of blood creates more of his form, Godess kills him by swallowing all the blood that drips from him while fighting, Shiva Shiva Shumbha Nishumbha  – Shumbha and Nishumbha are great devotees of Shiva, Mahaahava Tharpitha – She gives them liberation by chanting the name of Lord Shiva while killing them , Bhutha Pishaacharathe – Thereby ensuring that they attain moksha and do not become ghosts and ghouls

Dhanu Ranu Sanga Ranakshana Sanga Parishpura Dhanga Natak Katake
Kanaka Pishanga Prishatka Nishanga Rasadh Bhata Shringa Hathaa Vatuke
Kritha Chaturanga Balakshiti Ranga Ghatad Bahuranga Ratad Batuke
Jaya Jaya Hey Mahishasura Mardhini Ramya Kapardhini Shaila Suthe

Dhanu Ranu Sanga – Devi looks beautiful holding the Bow, Ranakshana Sanga – One who uses her weapons as per the rules of the war, Parishpura Dhanga – Creates a divine aura as she holds with balance and poise her bow and arrows, Natak Katake – The sound from her bow and the entire atmosphere makes it feel more like a dance performance than a war, Kanaka Pishanga – The enemy showers on her red and golden arrows, Prishatka Nishanga – She responds to some and ignores the rest with Sringara rasa, Rasadh Bhata Shringa – Devi’s use of arrows and her response makes the whole performance look like a divine dance, Hathaa Vatuke – She is an expert in finishing off her enemies even with this grace, Kritha Chaturanga – Single handedly addresses 4 armies of the enemy, Balakshiti Ranga – One who weakens the enemy, Ghatad Bahuranga – Demolishes the wicked Asuras in different hues , Ratad Batuke – Her supremacy is complete, She is in total command, She is almighty.

Jaya Jaya Japya Jaye Jaya Shabdha Parasthuthi Tathpara Vishwanuthe
Bhana Bhana Bhinjjini Bhinkritha Noopura Sinjitha Mohitha Bhutapathe
Natitha Nataartha Natee Nata Nayaka Naatitha Naatya Sugaanarathe
Jaya Jaya Hey Mahishasura Mardhini Ramya Kapardhini Shaila Suthe

The world is dazzled by seeing the divine dance of the Godess. Jaya Jaya Japya Jaye – Devotees hailing Devi and chanting in chorus for her success, Jaya Shabdha Parasthuthi – She is the epitome of the word “Jaya” or Victory, Tathpara Vishwanuthe – All her devotees and supporters enamoured by her divine looks, energy and dance chant her name in chorus for her victory, Bhana Bhana Bhinjjini – Her jewellery makes a clanging noise as she dances the war dance and the whole universe looks in awe, Bhinkritha Noopura – Her anklets and other jewellery on her feet make a beautiful musical sounds, Sinjitha Mohitha Bhuta Pathe – Looking at this beautiful dance even Lord Shiva is mesmerised, Natitha Nataartha – She dances the cosmic dance like Nataraja with one feet on the ground and the other pointed towards the heaven’s, Natee Nata Nayaka – Always by the side of her devotees and her consort, Naatitha Naatya Sugaanarathe – The whole scene is captivating with the beautiful Godess dancing and creating divine music. The Deva’s and all those watching are spellbound

Ayi Sumanah Sumanah Sumanah Sumanah Sumanohara Kaanthiyuthe
Shritha Rajanee Rajanee Rajanee Rajanee Rajanee Kara Vakra Vrithe
Sunayana Vibhrama Rabhrama Rabhrama Rabhrama Rabhrama Radhipathe
Jaya Jaya Hey Mahishasura Mardhini Ramya Kapardhini Shaila Suthe

Here Devi is described as one with beautiful round eyes constantly scanning the universe day and night protecting her devotees from evil forces. She is compared to a full moon. Ayi – Godess , Sumanah – Good Hearted, Sumanohara – Lovely physical form, Kaanthiyuthe – So beautiful that everyone is attracted to Her like a magnet, Shritha Rajanee – Shining like a full Moon on a dark night, Rajanee Rajanee Rajanee Rajanee Kara – She is the queen of the night, creates the energy and joy and peace of the night, Vakra Vrithe – Her face is perfect and beautiful like a full moon, Sunayana Vibhrama – Her beautiful eyes are always on the lookout protecting her devotees from evil, Rabhrama Rabhrama Rabhrama Rabhrama Radhipathe – She dazzles people with her illusionary power. She is the mistress of illusion.

Sahitha Maha Hava Mallama Thallika Mallitha Rallaka Mallarathe
Virachitha Vallika Pallika Mallika Bhillika Bhillika Varga Vrithe
Sithakritha Phulla Samulla Sithaaruna Thallaja Pallava Sallalithe
Jaya Jaya Hey Mahishasura Mardhini Ramya Kapardhini Shaila Suthe

Sahitha Maha Hava – She is very powerful and can combat all the massive wrestlers from the enemies army, Mallama Thallika – Battles with ease with the gigantic Asura wrestlers, Mallitha Rallaka Mallarathe – Wipes them out with the blink of an eyelid, Virachitha Vallika – Amids the forests of Himalayas in the midst of Pepper & Jasmine creepers grows the beautiful ” Valli” creepers, Pallika Mallika – The Lizard maintains its house here, Bhillika Bhillika Varga Vrithe – This is the abode of the Divine mother  in the midst of rare flowering and medicinal plants in the Himalayas.Sithakritha Phulla – In this beautiful surrounding with Lily, Jasmine and fresh grass she lives, Samulla Sithaaruna – Her favourite haunts are around Lily & Jasmine flowers, Thallaja Pallava Sallalithe – In this beautiful surrounding , with lovely flowers in full bloom emanating a beautiful fragrance the Divine mother roams around

Avirala Ganda Galanmadha Medhura Maththa Mathangaja Raaja Pathe
Tribhuvana Bhushana Bhootha Kalaanidhi Rupa Payonidhi Raaja Suthe
Ayi Sudha Theejana Laalasa Maanasa Mohana Manmatha Raaja Suthe
Jaya Jaya Hey Mahishasura Mardhini Ramya Kapardhini Shaila Suthe

Avirala Ganda – Elephants that become intoxicated and uncontrollable when in a state of ” Madam”, Galanmadha Medhura – Elephants run amok when this liquid starts flowing between their eyes, Maththa Mathangaja Raaja Pathe – All the elephants in the Devi’s army including the king of the Elephants. (Ma Durga is able to make all the elephants in her army cause havoc with the enemy because she activates the secretions within their eyes that makes them uncontrollable), Tribhuvana – Godess of the 3 Worlds, Bhushana Bhootha – Covered with beautiful Jewels, Dazzling , a protective shield around her devotees, Kalanidhi – Embodiment of all arts, Rupa Payonidhi – Resides in all life forms, Raaja Suthe – Daughter of the Himalayas, Ayi – Godess , Sudha Theejana – Beautiful face, smiling , cool like the moon, Laalasa – Ever displaying her enchanting form, Maanasa Mohana Manmatha – Casting a spell on the minds of all not just with her beauty but her intellect, Raaja Suthe – daughter of the king of the Himalayas.

Kamala Dhalamala Komala Kaanthi Kallakali Thamala Bhaalalathe
Sakala Vilaasa Kalaanila Yakrama Keli Chalathkala Hamsakule
Alikula Sankula Kuwalaya Mandala Mouli Milad Bhakulaali Kule
Jaya Jaya Hey Mahishasura Mardhini Ramya Kapardhini Shaila Suthe

Kamala Dhalamala – Pearls of Lotus, Komala Kaanthi – The attractive power of a beautiful Lotus, Kallakali Thamala – A Beautiful face like a Lotus that brings joy to one and all, Bhaalalathe – Face adorned by the crescent moon, Sakala – Wholesome,  Vilaasa – Permamnent , indestructible,  Kalaanilaya –  Expertise in all art forms,  Krama – Follows all the rules, steps, discipline, Keli Chalathkala – Mastery of all art forms, creates and originator of forms of art,  Hamsa Kule – From the family of Brahma, Ali Kula – Surrounded by Devi’s and other forms of Sakthi , Divine Powers, Sam Kula – From a. good family, Kuwalaya – Lily flowers blooming in the water, Mandala – Community, Society, Mouli Milad Bhakulaali Kule – Resides in thick forests surrounded by Lily, Jasmine, Bakula flowers , with bees humming around

Khara Murali Rava Veejitha Koojitha Lajjitha Kokila Manjumathe
Militha Pulindha Manohara Gunjitha Ranjitha Shaila Nikunjagathe
Nijaguna Bhutha Maha Sabari Gana Sadhguna Sambhrita Kelithale
Jaya Jaya Hey Mahishasura Mardhini Ramya Kapardhini Shaila Suthe

Khara Murali Rava – One holding and playing flute, Veejitha Koojitha – Creating divine intoxication music playing the flute, Lajjitha – Shy of getting carried away by the music like the Gopis were carried away by Lord Krishnas music, Kokila Manjumathe – Devi creates music sweeter than that of the shy Cuckoo bird, Militha – One who binds , joins , creates intimacy, Pulindha – Woman of hill tribe , Devi is also originally from the Tribe of the mountains, Manohara Gunjitha Ranjitha – Mingling with the Tribal women she creates music that merges with the buzzing of the bees,  Shaila Nikunjagathe – Creating beautiful music wandering alone in the Tribal forests of the mountains, Nijaguna Bhutha – A person of superior character, Good Traits, Maha Sabari Gana – Mingling with the local Sabari clan, Sadhguna Sambhrita – Pure thoughts and actions, Kelithale – Mingles with the local Tribals , part of her own kin

Katithata Peetha Dhukoola Vichitra Mayukha Thiraskritha Chandra Ruche
Pranatha Surasura Mauli Mani Sphura Dhanshula Sannakha Chandra Ruche
Jita Kanaakachala Mauli Padhorjitha Nirbhara Kunjara Kumbhakuche
Jaya Jaya Hey Mahishasura Mardhini Ramya Kapardhini Shaila Suthe

Katithata Peetha – Wearing a yellow drape on slim hips, Dhukoola Vichitra – Extraordinatily beautiful, attracts one and all, Mayukha – Bright form dazzles like fire,  Thiraskritha – Overwhelms, Chandra Ruche – Equated to the brightness and the beauty of the moon, Pranatha Surasura – She is worshipped by all including the Asuras, Mauli Mani – Tinkling sound of bells, Sphura Dhanshula Sannakha – Sparkle and glitter of ornaments from toes and feet, Chandra Ruche – Equated to the brightness and the beauty of the moon, Jita Kanaakachala – Shines brighter than the golden Meru Parvat, Mauli Padhorjitha – Brightness from her body and feet infuses energy and enthusiasm in her devotees, Nirbhara Kunjara – Broad Forehead, Kumbhakuche – Divine Bosom shaped like the strong temples of the Elephant

Vijeetha Sahasra Karaika Sahasra Karaika Sahasra Karaikanuthe
Kritha Sura Tharaka Sangara Tharaka Sangara Tharaka Sonu Suthe
Suratha Samaadhi Samaana Samaadhi Samaadhi Samaadhi Sujatharathe
Jaya Jaya Hey Mahishasura Mardhini Ramya Kapardhini Shaila Suthe

Vijeetha Sahasra – Eternally Victorious, Karaika Sahasra Karaika Sahasra Karaikanuthe – Very Powerful devotee who had 1000 hands and prayed to Godess and was blessed, Kritha Sura Tharaka – Blessed and gave weapons to help kill the Demon Tharaka and vanquish his army , Sangara Tharaaka Sangara Tharaaka – Tharaka and his army , Sonu Suthe – The demon was killed by Subramaniam, Lord Muruga the Son of Shiva and Devi, Samaadhi Suratha Samaadhi Samaana Samaadhi Samaadhi Sujatharathe – Suratha was a king and Samaadhi a Businessman. They fell in bad times and were given the Devi’s Beeja Mantra to chant by Rishi Medha. Chanting that with devotion they overcame their challenges and attained Moksha

Pada Kamalam Karuna Nilaye Varivasya Dhiyonudhi Namsha Shive
Ayi Kamale Kamalaa Nilaye Kamala Nilaye Sa Kathamna Bhavet
Thava Padhameva Param Padha Mithyanu Sheelayatho Mama Kimna Shive
Jaya Jaya Hey Mahishasura Mardhini Ramya Kapardhini Shaila Suthe

Pada Kamalam – tender Lotus feet, Karuna Nilaye – Ocean of compassion, Varivasya – Abundance, Dhiyonudhi Namsha Shive – Showers abundance and fulfils all desires of those who meditate at Her lotus feet, Ayi – Divine Mother, Kamala – One who sits on the Lotus, Kamala Nilaye – Who resides in the Lotus ( Lakshmi), Sa Kathamna Bhavet – Her sincere devotees, who is always with Her, she can even transform a beggar to a multi millionaire, Thava Padhameva – Your Lotus feet alone, Param Padha Mithyanu Sheelayatho – When  a devotee meditates on your lotus feet over time it becomes a habit, Mama Kimna Shive – Such devotees are always looked after and taken care for by you, you have never ignored their prayers.

Kanakala Sathkala Sindhu Jalairanu Sinjjinuthe Guna Ranga Bhuwam
Bhajathi Sakimna Sachee Kucha Kumbha Thatipari Rambha Sukha Anubhavam
Thava Charanam Sharanam Karavaani Nataamara Vaani Nivasi Shivam
Jaya Jaya Hey Mahishasura Mardhini Ramya Kapardhini Shaila Suthe

Kanakala Sathkala – Hands adorned with jewels studded with stones she bestows all the skills and art forms (Kala & Vidya) Sindhu Jalairanu Sinjjinuthe Guna – Here she is praised as Saraswathi, all you need to do is to dip flowers in water and offer Abhishekam to her in your prayers,  Ranga Bhuwam – Her form is pure and shimmering, Bhajathi – One who sings Bhajans, Sakimna Sachee Kucha Kumbha – In search of everlasting peace and happiness, Thatipari Rambha – Beautiful form, Sukha Anu bhavam – permanenent bliss, Thava Charanam – We surrender at your lotus feet, Sharanam – A place to surrender, Karavaani – Devi Saraswathi, Nataamara Vaani – One who is all Knowledge The Vedas and the source of all music, Nivasi Shivam – One who is merged with Shiva

Thava Vimalendhu Kulam Vadhanaendhu Malam Sakalam nanu Koolayathe
Kimu Purohitha Purendhu Mukhi Sumukhi Bhirasow Vimukhee Kriyathe
Mamathu Matham Shiva Naamadhane Bhavathi Kripaya Kimutha Kriyathe
Jaya Jaya Hey Mahishasura Mardhini Ramya Kapardhini Shaila Suthe

Thava Vimalendhu Kulam – Your face is pure and shining like a moon, you belong to the family of the Moon, Vadhanaendhu Malam – Shines like the moon with the glory of all knowledge and art forms, Sakalam – All , Nanu Koolayathe – You bestow special privileges on those who pray and meditate on you, Kimu – Whatever it is, wherever it is , whenever it is, whoever it is, Purohitha – One who is meditated upon, Purendhu Mukhi – One who is always seen with a smiling face like a moon, Sumukhi Birasau – Her face shines brighter than a 1000 moons, Vimukhee Kriyathe – Her smiling face encourages her devotees and keeps them going forward, Mamathu – Mine , Yours, With you, Matham – Faith, Trust, Shiva Naamadhane – Name of Shiva,  Bhavathi – Devi, Kripaya – Mercy, Kimutha Kriyathe – One through Her divine mercy who held us accomplish difficult tasks with ease (Devi & Shiva are one , may be different forms but the energy is one)

Ayi Mayi Deena Dayalu Daya Kripayaiva Tvayaa Bhavi Thavya Mume
Ayi Jagatho Janani Kripayasi Yathaasi Thathanu Mithasi Rathe
Yaduchita Mathra Bhavathyurare Krututhadhuru Thapa Mapaakuruthe
Jaya Jaya Hey Mahishasura Mardhini Ramya Kapardhini Shaila Suthe

Ayi Mayi Deena Dayalu Daya – O Mother, Please show mercy on us poor weak souls, Kripayaiva Tvayaa – Displays mercy with just a fleeting glance, Bhavi Thavya Mume – One whose Compassion has no bounds and is always showing mercy and compassion on us, Ayi – Divine Mother, Jagatho Janani – Mother of the Universe,  Kripayasi – Please show mercy on us, Yathaasi Thathanu Mithasi Rathe – Whenever we need your help please manifest and shower your compassion on us, Yaduchita Mathra – Make me eligible to be whatever I am capable of, Bhavathyurare –  One who lifts us from the entanglement of Samsara, Krututhadhuru Thapa – Before we get scorched by the fire of samsara, Mapaakuruthe – During times of stress a mere look at your face is cooling and calming to the mind.

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Learning to Chant is easy. Its a 4 – 5 hr effort. Download this youtube link on an app that allows you to set the pace of the rendition. Print a copy of the Lyrics and keep it handy. Start practising Stanza by Stanza with the same metre and rhythm. Understand the meaning of the words as explained above when you chant.

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