Durga Saptashati Chapter 11 (Ekadasha Adhyay): Narayani Stuti, "Sarva Mangala Mangalye", with Meaning

Durga Saptashati Chapter 11, the Ekadasha Adhyay, is the Narayani Stuti, the hymn the gods sing when Shumbha has fallen and the war is over. It belongs to the Uttara Charitra, presided over by Mahasaraswati, and has 55 verses in the standard numbering. After the fifth chapter it is the part of the Saptashati most often recited by itself, and it holds the verse that is sung at the end of almost every Devi puja in India: sarva mangala mangalye shive sarvartha sadhike, sharanye tryambake gauri narayani namostu te (verse 10). The chapter is given here in full, each verse followed by its meaning.

The hymn salutes the Goddess as Narayani in each of the forms that fought beside her, Brahmani, Maheshvari, Kaumari, Vaishnavi, Varahi, Narasimhi, Aindri, Shivaduti and Chamunda, and asks her face, trident, bell and sword to protect the reciter. In reply the Goddess promises her future descents: as Vindhyavasini born of Yashoda, as Raktadantika with pomegranate-red teeth, as Shatakshi of the hundred eyes, as Shakambhari who feeds the world from her body, as Durga who slays Durgama, as Bhima, and as Bhramari of the countless bees.

संक्षेप में: दुर्गा सप्तशती का ग्यारहवाँ अध्याय (नारायणी स्तुति) यहाँ पूरा दिया गया है: सभी 55 श्लोक संस्कृत में, हर श्लोक के हिंदी अर्थ के साथ। शुम्भ के वध के बाद देवता देवी की स्तुति करते हैं; इसी में 'सर्वमंगलमांगल्ये' (श्लोक 10) और 'नारायणि नमोऽस्तु ते' की टेक है, और देवी विन्ध्यवासिनी, रक्तदन्तिका, शताक्षी, शाकम्भरी, दुर्गा, भीमा और भ्रामरी के रूप में अपने भावी अवतारों का वचन देती हैं। परंपरा में यह अध्याय व्यापार में उन्नति और धन के लिए पढ़ा जाता है। पूरा लेख हिंदी में पढ़ें →

This chapter is part of the complete Durga Saptashati path, with all 13 chapters and the angas in reading order.

Chapter 11 at a glance

• Chapter: Eleventh of 13, "Narayani Stuti" (नारायणी स्तुति)
• Charitra: Uttara Charitra (the last episode)
• Presiding deity: Mahasaraswati
• Rishi: Rudra
• Chhanda: Anushtup
• Shakti · Bija · Tattva · Veda: Bhima · Bhramari · Surya (the sun) · Samaveda
• Verses: 55 in the standard numbering (uvacha lines counted)
• Traditional fruit of reading: Tradition reads the eleventh chapter for prosperity in business, for wealth and for happiness; it is recited on its own more than any chapter except the fifth.

The story of Chapter 11 in brief

With Shumbha dead, Indra, Agni and the gods, their faces bright with fulfilled hope, praise Katyayani. They ask her to be gracious as the Mother of the world; they call her the earth that supports and the water that nourishes, the power of Vishnu and the supreme Maya, all knowledges and all women, the intellect in every heart, the time that changes everything, the auspiciousness of all that is auspicious. They salute her as Narayani in the forms of each Matrika, Shivaduti and Chamunda, and as Lakshmi, Lajja, Mahavidya, Shraddha, Pushti, Svadha, Dhruva, Maharatri, Mahamaya, Medha, Sarasvati and the rest. They ask her gentle face, her flaming trident, her bell and her blood-smeared sword to protect them. They say that when pleased she removes every disease and that those who shelter in her become shelters for others; that she stands guard where there are rakshasas, serpents, enemies, robbers, forest fire and the open sea; and they pray for protection from enemies and from the calamities of portents. The Goddess offers a boon; the gods ask that she always quiet the troubles of the three worlds and destroy their enemies. She answers with a prophecy of her comings: as the daughter of Yashoda on the Vindhya, as Raktadantika, as Shatakshi and Shakambhari in a hundred-year drought, as Durga slaying Durgama, as Bhima devouring rakshasas on the Himalaya, as Bhramari destroying Aruna; and whenever the danavas rise, she will descend again.

Durga Saptashati Chapter 11: Sanskrit text with meaning

The Sanskrit follows the standard text of the Devi Mahatmya; the numbering is the common 700-verse numbering, in which the uvacha lines are counted. Each verse is followed by its meaning in plain English.

Dhyanam

ॐ बालरविद्युतिमिन्दुकिरीटां तुङ्गकुचां नयनत्रययुक्ताम् ।
स्मेरमुखीं वरदाङ्कुशपाशाभीतिकरां प्रभजे भुवनेशीम् ॥

Meaning: Om. I worship Bhuvaneshi, radiant as the rising sun, with the moon in her crown, full-breasted, three-eyed, smiling, whose hands show the gestures of boon-giving and fearlessness and hold the goad and the noose.

Verses 1 to 55

ॐ ऋषिरुवाच ॥१॥

Meaning: Om. The sage said:

देव्या हते तत्र महासुरेन्द्रे
सेन्द्राः सुरा वह्निपुरोगमास्ताम् ।
कात्यायनीं तुष्टुवुरिष्टलाभाद्
विकाशिवक्त्राब्जविकाशिताशाः ॥२॥

Meaning: When that great lord of the asuras had been slain there by the Goddess, Indra and the gods led by Agni praised Katyayani, their wishes fulfilled, their faces blossoming like lotuses and lighting up the directions.

देवि प्रपन्नार्तिहरे प्रसीद
प्रसीद मातर्जगतोऽखिलस्य ।
प्रसीद विश्वेश्वरि पाहि विश्वं
त्वमीश्वरी देवि चराचरस्य ॥३॥

Meaning: "O Goddess who removes the suffering of those who take refuge in you, be gracious; be gracious, O Mother of the whole world; be gracious, O sovereign of the universe, protect the universe; you, O Goddess, are the ruler of all that moves and does not move."

आधारभूता जगतस्त्वमेका
महीस्वरूपेण यतः स्थितासि ।
अपां स्वरूपस्थितया त्वयैत-
दाप्यायते कृत्स्नमलङ्घ्यवीर्ये ॥४॥

Meaning: "You alone are the support of the world, for you abide in the form of the earth; and by you, abiding in the form of water, all this is nourished, O you whose might cannot be crossed."

त्वं वैष्णवीशक्तिरनन्तवीर्या
विश्वस्य बीजं परमासि माया ।
सम्मोहितं देवि समस्तमेतत्
त्वं वै प्रसन्ना भुवि मुक्तिहेतुः ॥५॥

Meaning: "You are the power of Vishnu, of endless valour; you are the seed of the universe, the supreme Maya. All this, O Goddess, has been deluded by you; and when pleased, you are the cause of liberation on earth."

विद्याः समस्तास्तव देवि भेदाः
स्त्रियः समस्ताः सकला जगत्सु ।
त्वयैकया पूरितमम्बयैतत्
का ते स्तुतिः स्तव्यपरापरोक्तिः ॥६॥

Meaning: "All knowledges are your aspects, O Goddess, and all women in all the worlds; by you alone, O Mother, is this universe filled. What praise can there be of you, who are beyond all praise, the highest and the nearest?"

सर्वभूता यदा देवी भुक्तिमुक्तिप्रदायिनी ।
त्वं स्तुता स्तुतये का वा भवन्तु परमोक्तयः ॥७॥

Meaning: "When you, the Goddess who has become all beings and who grants both enjoyment and liberation, are praised, what better words could there be for praise?"

सर्वस्य बुद्धिरूपेण जनस्य हृदि संस्थिते ।
स्वर्गापवर्गदे देवि नारायणि नमोऽस्तु ते ॥८॥

Meaning: "You who abide in the heart of every being in the form of intellect, who grant heaven and liberation: O Narayani, salutation to you."

कलाकाष्ठादिरूपेण परिणामप्रदायिनि ।
विश्वस्योपरतौ शक्ते नारायणि नमोऽस्तु ते ॥९॥

Meaning: "You who bring about change in the form of the moments and the divisions of time, you who have the power to end the universe: O Narayani, salutation to you."

सर्वमङ्गलमाङ्गल्ये शिवे सर्वार्थसाधिके ।
शरण्ये त्र्यम्बके गौरि नारायणि नमोऽस्तु ते ॥१०॥

Meaning: "O auspiciousness of all that is auspicious, O Shiva, accomplisher of every aim, O refuge, three-eyed one, Gauri: O Narayani, salutation to you."

सृष्टिस्थितिविनाशानां शक्तिभूते सनातनि ।
गुणाश्रये गुणमये नारायणि नमोऽस्तु ते ॥११॥

Meaning: "You who are the power behind creation, preservation and destruction, eternal one, abode of the gunas and made of the gunas: O Narayani, salutation to you."

शरणागतदीनार्तपरित्राणपरायणे ।
सर्वस्यार्तिहरे देवि नारायणि नमोऽस्तु ते ॥१२॥

Meaning: "You who are devoted to saving the poor and afflicted who take refuge in you, remover of the suffering of all: O Narayani, salutation to you."

हंसयुक्तविमानस्थे ब्रह्माणीरूपधारिणि ।
कौशाम्भःक्षरिके देवि नारायणि नमोऽस्तु ते ॥१३॥

Meaning: "You who ride the swan-drawn chariot in the form of Brahmani, sprinkling water with kusha grass: O Narayani, salutation to you."

त्रिशूलचन्द्राहिधरे महावृषभवाहिनि ।
माहेश्वरीस्वरूपेण नारायणि नमोऽस्तुते ॥१४॥

Meaning: "You who bear the trident, the moon and the serpent, who ride the great bull, in the form of Maheshvari: O Narayani, salutation to you."

मयूरकुक्कुटवृते महाशक्तिधरेऽनघे ।
कौमारीरूपसंस्थाने नारायणि नमोऽस्तु ते ॥१५॥

Meaning: "You who are attended by the peacock and the cock, who bear the great spear, sinless one, in the form of Kaumari: O Narayani, salutation to you."

शङ्खचक्रगदाशार्ङ्गगृहीतपरमायुधे ।
प्रसीद वैष्णवीरूपे नारायणि नमोऽस्तु ते ॥१६॥

Meaning: "You who hold the supreme weapons, the conch, discus, mace and bow, be gracious, in the form of Vaishnavi: O Narayani, salutation to you."

गृहीतोग्रमहाचक्रे दंष्ट्रोद्धृतवसुन्धरे ।
वराहरूपिणि शिवे नारायणि नमोऽस्तु ते ॥१७॥

Meaning: "You who hold the fierce great discus and lifted the earth on your tusk, auspicious one in the form of the boar: O Narayani, salutation to you."

नृसिंहरूपेणोग्रेण हन्तुं दैत्यान् कृतोद्यमे ।
त्रैलोक्यत्राणसहिते नारायणि नमोऽस्तु ते ॥१८॥

Meaning: "You who set out to slay the daityas in the fierce form of the man-lion, together with the saving of the three worlds: O Narayani, salutation to you."

किरीटिनि महावज्रे सहस्रनयनोज्ज्वले ।
वृत्रप्राणहरे चैन्द्रि नारायणि नमोऽस्तु ते ॥१९॥

Meaning: "You who wear the crown and hold the great thunderbolt, shining with a thousand eyes, who took the life of Vritra, O Aindri: O Narayani, salutation to you."

शिवदूतीस्वरूपेण हतदैत्यमहाबले ।
घोररूपे महारावे नारायणि नमोऽस्तु ते ॥२०॥

Meaning: "You who in the form of Shivaduti slew the mighty host of the daityas, of terrible form and mighty roar: O Narayani, salutation to you."

दंष्ट्राकरालवदने शिरोमालाविभूषणे ।
चामुण्डे मुण्डमथने नारायणि नमोऽस्तु ते ॥२१॥

Meaning: "You whose face is terrible with fangs, who are adorned with a garland of heads, O Chamunda, crusher of Munda: O Narayani, salutation to you."

लक्ष्मि लज्जे महाविद्ये श्रद्धे पुष्टि स्वधे ध्रुवे ।
महारात्रि महामाये नारायणि नमोऽस्तु ते ॥२२॥

Meaning: "O Lakshmi, Modesty, great Knowledge, Faith, Nourishment, Svadha, the Constant one, the great Night, the great Illusion: O Narayani, salutation to you."

मेधे सरस्वति वरे भूति बाभ्रवि तामसि ।
नियते त्वं प्रसीदेशे नारायणि नमोऽस्तुते ॥२३॥

Meaning: "O Intellect, Sarasvati, the Excellent one, Prosperity, the tawny one, the dark one, O Restraint, be gracious, O sovereign: O Narayani, salutation to you."

सर्वस्वरूपे सर्वेशे सर्वशक्तिसमन्विते ।
भयेभ्यस्त्राहि नो देवि दुर्गे देवि नमोऽस्तु ते ॥२४॥

Meaning: "You who are the form of all, the ruler of all, endowed with every power: protect us from fears, O Goddess; O Goddess Durga, salutation to you."

एतत्ते वदनं सौम्यं लोचनत्रयभूषितम् ।
पातु नः सर्वभूतेभ्यः कात्यायनि नमोऽस्तु ते ॥२५॥

Meaning: "May this gentle face of yours, adorned with three eyes, protect us from all beings; O Katyayani, salutation to you."

ज्वालाकरालमत्युग्रमशेषासुरसूदनम् ।
त्रिशूलं पातु नो भीतेर्भद्रकालि नमोऽस्तु ते ॥२६॥

Meaning: "May your trident, dreadful with flames, most fierce, destroyer of all the asuras, protect us from fear; O Bhadrakali, salutation to you."

हिनस्ति दैत्यतेजांसि स्वनेनापूर्य या जगत् ।
सा घण्टा पातु नो देवि पापेभ्यो नः सुतानिव ॥२७॥

Meaning: "May your bell, which fills the world with its sound and destroys the vigour of the daityas, protect us from sins, O Goddess, as a mother protects her children."

असुरासृग्वसापङ्कचर्चितस्ते करोज्ज्वलः ।
शुभाय खड्गो भवतु चण्डिके त्वां नता वयम् ॥२८॥

Meaning: "May your sword, shining in your hand and smeared with the mire of the blood and fat of the asuras, be for our good; O Chandika, we bow to you."

रोगानशेषानपहंसि तुष्टा
रुष्टा तु कामान् सकलानभीष्टान् ।
त्वामाश्रितानां न विपन्नराणां
त्वामाश्रिता ह्याश्रयतां प्रयान्ति ॥२९॥

Meaning: "When pleased you take away every disease; when angry you destroy every cherished desire. No calamity befalls those who have taken refuge in you; those who take refuge in you become a refuge for others."

एतत्कृतं यत्कदनं त्वयाद्य
धर्मद्विषां देवि महासुराणाम् ।
रूपैरनेकैर्बहुधात्ममूर्तिं
कृत्वाम्बिके तत्प्रकरोति कान्या ॥३०॥

Meaning: "This slaughter that you have wrought today, O Goddess, of the great asuras who hate dharma, by multiplying your own form into many forms, O Ambika, what other could have done it?"

विद्यासु शास्त्रेषु विवेकदीपे-
ष्वाद्येषु वाक्येषु च का त्वदन्या ।
ममत्वगर्तेऽतिमहान्धकारे
विभ्रामयत्येतदतीव विश्वम् ॥३१॥

Meaning: "In the knowledges, in the scriptures, in the lamps of discernment that are the first sayings, who but you is there? And yet it is you who whirl this universe about in the pit of attachment and the great darkness."

रक्षांसि यत्रोग्रविषाश्च नागा
यत्रारयो दस्युबलानि यत्र ।
दावानलो यत्र तथाब्धिमध्ये
तत्र स्थिता त्वं परिपासि विश्वम् ॥३२॥

Meaning: "Where there are rakshasas and serpents of fierce venom, where there are enemies, where there are bands of robbers, where there is a forest fire, and in the midst of the ocean: there you stand and protect the universe."

विश्वेश्वरि त्वं परिपासि विश्वं
विश्वात्मिका धारयसीह विश्वम् ।
विश्वेशवन्द्या भवती भवन्ति
विश्वाश्रया ये त्वयि भक्तिनम्राः ॥३३॥

Meaning: "O sovereign of the universe, you protect the universe; as the self of the universe, you support the universe. You are worshipped by the lord of the universe, and those who bow to you in devotion become the refuge of the universe."

देवि प्रसीद परिपालय नोऽरिभीते-
र्नित्यं यथासुरवधादधुनैव सद्यः ।
पापानि सर्वजगतां प्रशमं नयाशु
उत्पातपाकजनितांश्च महोपसर्गान् ॥३४॥

Meaning: "O Goddess, be gracious; protect us always from the fear of enemies, as you have just now by the slaying of the asuras. Quickly bring to an end the sins of all the worlds, and the great calamities born of ripening portents."

प्रणतानां प्रसीद त्वं देवि विश्वार्तिहारिणि ।
त्रैलोक्यवासिनामीड्ये लोकानां वरदा भव ॥३५॥

Meaning: "Be gracious to those who bow to you, O Goddess who removes the suffering of the universe; O you who are worthy of praise by the dwellers of the three worlds, be the giver of boons to the worlds."

देव्युवाच ॥३६॥

Meaning: The Goddess said:

वरदाहं सुरगणा वरं यन्मनसेच्छथ ।
तं वृणुध्वं प्रयच्छामि जगतामुपकारकम् ॥३७॥

Meaning: "I am the giver of boons, O hosts of gods. Choose the boon your heart desires, and I shall grant it for the benefit of the worlds."

देवा ऊचुः ॥३८॥

Meaning: The gods said:

सर्वाबाधाप्रशमनं त्रैलोक्यस्याखिलेश्वरि ।
एवमेव त्वया कार्यमस्मद्वैरिविनाशनम् ॥३९॥

Meaning: "O sovereign of all, in this very way you must always bring to rest every affliction of the three worlds and destroy our enemies."

देव्युवाच ॥४०॥

Meaning: The Goddess said:

वैवस्वतेऽन्तरे प्राप्ते अष्टाविंशतिमे युगे ।
शुम्भो निशुम्भश्चैवान्यावुत्पत्स्येते महासुरौ ॥४१॥

Meaning: "In the Vaivasvata manvantara, in the twenty-eighth yuga, two other great asuras named Shumbha and Nishumbha will arise."

नन्दगोपगृहे जाता यशोदागर्भसम्भवा ।
ततस्तौ नाशयिष्यामि विन्ध्याचलनिवासिनी ॥४२॥

Meaning: "Then, born in the house of the cowherd Nanda from the womb of Yashoda, and dwelling on the Vindhya mountain, I shall destroy them."

पुनरप्यतिरौद्रेण रूपेण पृथिवीतले ।
अवतीर्य हनिष्यामि वैप्रचित्तांश्च दानवान् ॥४३॥

Meaning: "Again, descending to the earth in a most terrible form, I shall slay the danavas descended from Viprachitti."

भक्षयन्त्याश्च तानुग्रान् वैप्रचित्तान् महासुरान् ।
रक्ता दन्ता भविष्यन्ति दाडिमीकुसुमोपमाः ॥४४॥

Meaning: "As I devour those fierce great asuras, the Vaiprachittas, my teeth will become red like pomegranate flowers."

ततो मां देवताः स्वर्गे मर्त्यलोके च मानवाः ।
स्तुवन्तो व्याहरिष्यन्ति सततं रक्तदन्तिकाम् ॥४५॥

Meaning: "Then the gods in heaven and human beings in the mortal world, praising me, will always call me Raktadantika."

भूयश्च शतवार्षिक्यामनावृष्ट्यामनम्भसि ।
मुनिभिः संस्मृता भूमौ सम्भविष्याम्ययोनिजा ॥४६॥

Meaning: "Again, when there is a drought of a hundred years and no water, remembered by the sages, I shall come forth on the earth, but not from a womb."

ततः शतेन नेत्राणां निरीक्षिष्याम्यहं मुनीन् ।
कीर्तयिष्यन्ति मनुजाः शताक्षीमिति मां ततः ॥४७॥

Meaning: "Then I shall look upon the sages with a hundred eyes, and so human beings will celebrate me as Shatakshi."

ततोऽहमखिलं लोकमात्मदेहसमुद्भवैः ।
भरिष्यामि सुराः शाकैरावृष्टेः प्राणधारकैः ॥४८॥

Meaning: "Then, O gods, I shall sustain the whole world with life-giving vegetables grown from my own body, until the rains come."

शाकम्भरीति विख्यातिं तदा यास्याम्यहं भुवि ।
तत्रैव च वधिष्यामि दुर्गमाख्यं महासुरम् ॥४९॥

Meaning: "Then I shall be famed on earth as Shakambhari; and there too I shall slay the great asura named Durgama."

दुर्गादेवीति विख्यातं तन्मे नाम भविष्यति ।
पुनश्चाहं यदा भीमं रूपं कृत्वा हिमाचले ॥५०॥

Meaning: "My name Durga Devi will then become famous. And again, when I take a fearsome form on the Himalaya..."

रक्षांसि भक्षयिष्यामि मुनीनां त्राणकारणात् ।
तदा मां मुनयः सर्वे स्तोष्यन्त्यानम्रमूर्तयः ॥५१॥

Meaning: "...and devour the rakshasas for the protection of the sages, then all the sages will praise me with bowed bodies."

भीमादेवीति विख्यातं तन्मे नाम भविष्यति ।
यदारुणाख्यस्त्रैलोक्ये महाबाधां करिष्यति ॥५२॥

Meaning: "My name Bhima Devi will then become famous. And when the one called Aruna causes great trouble in the three worlds..."

तदाहं भ्रामरं रूपं कृत्वासङ्ख्येयषट्पदम् ।
त्रैलोक्यस्य हितार्थाय वधिष्यामि महासुरम् ॥५३॥

Meaning: "...then I shall take the form of bees, in countless swarms, and slay that great asura for the welfare of the three worlds."

भ्रामरीति च मां लोकास्तदा स्तोष्यन्ति सर्वतः ।
इत्थं यदा यदा बाधा दानवोत्था भविष्यति ॥५४॥

Meaning: "Then people everywhere will praise me as Bhramari. Thus, whenever trouble arises from the danavas..."

तदा तदावतीर्याहं करिष्याम्यरिसङ्क्षयम् ॥५५॥

Meaning: "...then and then I shall descend and bring about the destruction of the enemies."

॥ स्वस्ति श्रीमार्कण्डेयपुराणे सावर्णिके मन्वन्तरे देवीमाहात्म्ये
नारायणीस्तुतिर्नामैकादशोऽध्यायः ॥ ११॥
उवाच ४, अर्धश्लोकः १, श्लोकाः ५०, एवमादितः ॥ ६३०॥

Meaning: Thus ends the eleventh chapter, named Narayani Stuti, of the Devi Mahatmya in the Markandeya Purana, in the Savarnika manvantara. Four uvacha lines, one half-verse and fifty verses: six hundred and thirty from the beginning.

Significance and benefits of reading Chapter 11

Tradition assigns a fruit to each chapter, and the eleventh is read for success in business, for wealth and for well-being. More than that, it is the Saptashati's hymn of thanksgiving, and three of its verses have become independent mantras: verse 3, devi prapannartihare prasida; verse 10, sarva mangala mangalye, sung at the close of nearly every Devi puja and aarti; and verse 12, sharanagata dinarta paritrana parayane, the prayer of those in distress. Verses 24 to 28, asking the Goddess's face, trident, bell and sword for protection, are recited as a kavacha in their own right.

The Goddess's prophecy in verses 41 to 55 is the source of several of her most worshipped forms: Vindhyavasini, Raktadantika, Shatakshi, Shakambhari (whose festival, Shakambhari Purnima, falls in Paush), Bhima and Bhramari, and of the name Durga itself, given for the slaying of the asura Durgama. Her closing promise, "whenever trouble arises from the danavas, then and then I shall descend", is the Devi's own statement of avatara.

How to read Chapter 11 (vidhi)

In a complete Saptashati path the chapters are read in order after the three angas, Devi Kavach, Argala Stotram and Keelak Stotram, and the Ratri Suktam. Many traditions also do the Navarna mantra japa with nyasa before and after. If you are reading this chapter on its own, begin with its dhyana as given above, read the verses without hurry, and close with the Kshamapana or the Siddha Kunjika Stotram.

Sit facing east or north on a clean asana, light a ghee lamp, keep water in a kalash, and read from a printed or clearly displayed text rather than from memory. Do not break a chapter in the middle; if you must stop, finish the chapter first. A samput mantra can be added before and after each verse for a specific purpose, but a plain reading with attention is the foundation.

Astrological relevance

In the Jyotish tradition the Devi Mahatmya is read as a remedy of the widest kind: the Prathama Charitra is associated with Mahakali and with the pacification of Rahu, Ketu and Shani, the Madhyama Charitra with Mahalakshmi and the Sun and Jupiter, and the Uttara Charitra with Mahasaraswati and Mercury and Venus. Chapter 11 belongs to the Uttara Charitra, so it is read with the rest of that episode when those grahas are difficult in a chart, and during their dashas. Nothing here replaces reading your own chart; it is the devotional side of the same picture. Start with a free kundli or talk to an astrologer to see which dasha is running.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Narayani Stuti?
It is the hymn of Chapter 11 of the Durga Saptashati, sung by Indra, Agni and the gods after the Goddess has slain Shumbha. It runs from verse 3 to verse 35, with the refrain "Narayani namostu te" in verses 8 to 23, and is followed by the Goddess's promise of her future forms. The chapter has 55 verses.

Where does "Sarva Mangala Mangalye" come from?
It is verse 10 of this chapter: "O auspiciousness of all that is auspicious, O Shiva, accomplisher of every aim, O refuge, three-eyed one, Gauri: O Narayani, salutation to you." It is sung at the end of most Devi pujas and aartis and is one of the best-known Sanskrit verses in India.

Which future forms does the Goddess promise in Chapter 11?
Verses 41 to 55: Vindhyavasini, born of Yashoda in Nanda's house, to slay a later Shumbha and Nishumbha; Raktadantika, whose teeth turn red devouring the Vaiprachitta demons; Shatakshi and Shakambhari, in a hundred-year drought; Durga, slayer of the asura Durgama; Bhima, on the Himalaya; and Bhramari, in the form of countless bees, to slay Aruna.

Which verses of Chapter 11 are recited for protection?
Verses 24 to 28, asking the Goddess to protect from fears, and her gentle face, flaming trident, bell and sword to guard the reciter; and verse 32, which says she stands guard wherever there are rakshasas, serpents, enemies, robbers, forest fire or the open sea.

What is Chapter 11 read for?
Tradition reads it for success in business, wealth and well-being. As the hymn of thanksgiving after victory it is also read at the end of a Saptashati path, after a Chandi Homa, and on its own as a daily prayer.