Durga Saptashati Chapter 4 (Chaturtha Adhyay): Shakradi Stuti, the Gods Praise the Goddess, with Meaning

Durga Saptashati Chapter 4, the Chaturtha Adhyay, is almost entirely a hymn: the Shakradi Stuti, the praise that Shakra (Indra) and the gods offer the Goddess when Mahishasura has fallen. It closes the Madhyama Charitra, presided over by Mahalakshmi, and has 42 verses in the standard numbering, most of them long four-line stanzas in the Vasantatilaka metre. The chapter is given here in full, each verse followed by its meaning.

Several of the Saptashati's best-known lines are here: ya shrih svayam sukritinam bhavaneshu, "she who is herself Shri in the homes of the virtuous" (verse 5); durge smrita harasi bhitim, "O Durga, remembered, you take away fear" (verse 17); and the closing prayer for protection, shulena pahi no devi, "protect us with your trident" (verses 24 to 27), which many devotees recite daily. The hymn ends with the gods asking one boon: that whenever they remember her, she destroy their greatest calamities.

संक्षेप में: दुर्गा सप्तशती का चौथा अध्याय (शक्रादि स्तुति) यहाँ पूरा दिया गया है: ध्यान और सभी 42 श्लोक संस्कृत में, हर श्लोक के हिंदी अर्थ के साथ। महिषासुर के वध के बाद इन्द्र और देवता देवी की स्तुति करते हैं; इसी में "या श्रीः स्वयं सुकृतिनां भवनेषु" (श्लोक 5), "दुर्गे स्मृता हरसि भीतिम्" (श्लोक 17) और रक्षा के श्लोक 24 से 27 हैं। परंपरा में यह अध्याय भक्ति, शक्ति और धन के लिए पढ़ा जाता है और इसे अकेले एक पूर्ण स्तोत्र के रूप में भी पढ़ते हैं। 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 4 at a glance

• Chapter: Fourth of 13, "Shakradi Stuti" (शक्रादि स्तुति)
• Charitra: Madhyama Charitra (the middle episode)
• Presiding deity: Mahalakshmi
• Rishi: Vishnu
• Chhanda: Ushnik
• Shakti · Bija · Tattva · Veda: Shakambhari · Durga · Vayu (air) · Yajurveda
• Verses: 42 in the standard numbering (uvacha lines counted)
• Traditional fruit of reading: Tradition reads the fourth chapter for devotion, strength and wealth, and it is recited on its own as a complete hymn of praise.

The story of Chapter 4 in brief

With Mahishasura and his army destroyed, Indra and the gods, their heads bowed and their bodies thrilling with joy, praise the Goddess. They call her the power that pervades the world and the gathered strength of all the gods; the one whose might even Vishnu, Brahma and Shiva cannot describe; Shri in the houses of the good and Alakshmi in those of the wicked; intelligence, faith and modesty; the unmanifest primordial Prakriti; Svaha and Svadha; the supreme knowledge that frees; the three Vedas; Medha, Durga the boat across the ocean of existence, Shri in Vishnu's heart, Gauri beside Shiva. They marvel that Mahisha could look on her moonlike face and still attack, and that he could see it in anger and live even a moment. They reflect that she kills her enemies in battle so that, purified by her weapons, even they may rise to heaven, and that compassion and sternness live together only in her. They ask her to protect them with trident, sword, bell and bowstring, in every direction, in her gentle and in her terrible forms. Pleased, she offers a boon. The gods ask only this: that whenever they remember her she remove their worst calamities, and that whoever praises her with these hymns may prosper. She says "So be it" and vanishes. The sage then tells the king that she would appear again from the body of Gauri to slay Shumbha and Nishumbha.

Durga Saptashati Chapter 4: 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 कालाभ्राभां कटाक्षैररिकुलभयदां मौलिबद्धेन्दुरेखां
शङ्खं चक्रं कृपाणं त्रिशिखमपि करैरुद्वहन्तीं त्रिनेत्राम् ।
सिंहस्कन्धाधिरूढां त्रिभुवनमखिलं तेजसा पूरयन्तीं
ध्यायेद्दुर्गां जयाख्यां त्रिदशपरिवृतां सेवितां सिद्धिकामैः ॥

Meaning: Om. One should meditate on Durga called Jaya, dark as a rain cloud, whose sidelong glances strike fear into the hosts of enemies, who wears the crescent moon bound in her crown, who bears the conch, the discus, the sword and the trident in her hands, who has three eyes, who is seated on the shoulder of a lion, who fills all three worlds with her radiance, who is surrounded by the gods and served by those who seek attainment.

Verses 1 to 42

ॐ ऋषिरुवाच ॥१॥

Meaning: Om. The sage said:

शक्रादयः सुरगणा निहतेऽतिवीर्ये
तस्मिन्दुरात्मनि सुरारिबले च देव्या ।
तां तुष्टुवुः प्रणतिनम्रशिरोधरांसा
वाग्भिः प्रहर्षपुलकोद्गमचारुदेहाः ॥२॥

Meaning: When that mighty, evil-minded one and the army of the enemies of the gods had been slain by the Goddess, Indra and the hosts of gods praised her, their heads and shoulders bowed in reverence, their bodies beautiful with the thrill of joy.

देव्या यया ततमिदं जगदात्मशक्त्या
निःशेषदेवगणशक्तिसमूहमूर्त्या ।
तामम्बिकामखिलदेवमहर्षिपूज्यां
भक्त्या नताः स्म विदधातु शुभानि सा नः ॥३॥

Meaning: "To the Goddess who pervades this world by her own power, whose form is the gathered powers of all the hosts of gods, to that Ambika who is worshipped by all the gods and great sages, we bow in devotion. May she grant us what is auspicious."

यस्याः प्रभावमतुलं भगवाननन्तो
ब्रह्मा हरश्च न हि वक्तुमलं बलं च ।
सा चण्डिकाखिलजगत्परिपालनाय
नाशाय चाशुभभयस्य मतिं करोतु ॥४॥

Meaning: "May Chandika, whose matchless majesty and strength even the blessed Ananta, Brahma and Hara cannot describe, set her mind on protecting the whole world and on destroying the fear of evil."

या श्रीः स्वयं सुकृतिनां भवनेष्वलक्ष्मीः
पापात्मनां कृतधियां हृदयेषु बुद्धिः ।
श्रद्धा सतां कुलजनप्रभवस्य लज्जा
तां त्वां नताः स्म परिपालय देवि विश्वम् ॥५॥

Meaning: "She who is herself Shri in the homes of the virtuous and Alakshmi in those of the wicked, who is intelligence in the hearts of the thoughtful, faith in the good and modesty in the well-born: to you we bow. Protect the universe, O Goddess."

किं वर्णयाम तव रूपमचिन्त्यमेतत्
किञ्चातिवीर्यमसुरक्षयकारि भूरि ।
किं चाहवेषु चरितानि तवाति यानि
सर्वेषु देव्यसुरदेवगणादिकेषु ॥६॥

Meaning: "How can we describe this unthinkable form of yours, or your abundant valour that destroys the asuras, or those deeds of yours in battle, O Goddess, among all the hosts of asuras, gods and others?"

हेतुः समस्तजगतां त्रिगुणापि दोषै-
र्न ज्ञायसे हरिहरादिभिरप्यपारा ।
सर्वाश्रयाखिलमिदं जगदंशभूत-
मव्याकृता हि परमा प्रकृतिस्त्वमाद्या ॥७॥

Meaning: "You are the cause of all the worlds; though you hold the three gunas, you are untouched by their faults; you are beyond the grasp even of Hari, Hara and the rest; you are the refuge of all; this whole world is a part of you; for you are the unmanifest, supreme, primordial Prakriti."

यस्याः समस्तसुरता समुदीरणेन
तृप्तिं प्रयाति सकलेषु मखेषु देवि ।
स्वाहासि वै पितृगणस्य च तृप्तिहेतु-
रुच्चार्यसे त्वमत एव जनैः स्वधा च ॥८॥

Meaning: "You, O Goddess, by whose utterance all the gods are satisfied in every sacrifice, are Svaha; and because you are the cause of the satisfaction of the ancestors, people pronounce you as Svadha too."

या मुक्तिहेतुरविचिन्त्यमहाव्रता त्वं
अभ्यस्यसे सुनियतेन्द्रियतत्त्वसारैः ।
मोक्षार्थिभिर्मुनिभिरस्तसमस्तदोषै-
र्विद्यासि सा भगवती परमा हि देवि ॥९॥

Meaning: "You are the cause of liberation, the great vow beyond thought, practised by those who have mastered their senses and grasped the essence, by sages seeking release who have cast off every fault: you are that supreme knowledge, O blessed Goddess."

शब्दात्मिका सुविमलर्ग्यजुषां निधान-
मुद्गीथरम्यपदपाठवतां च साम्नाम् ।
देवि त्रयी भगवती भवभावनाय
वार्तासि सर्वजगतां परमार्तिहन्त्री ॥१०॥

Meaning: "You are sound itself, the treasury of the pure Rik and Yajus and of the Samans whose recitation is beautiful with the udgitha; you are the threefold Veda, O blessed Goddess, and for the sustenance of the world you are also the livelihood of all the worlds, the destroyer of their deepest suffering."

मेधासि देवि विदिताखिलशास्त्रसारा
दुर्गासि दुर्गभवसागरनौरसङ्गा ।
श्रीः कैटभारिहृदयैककृताधिवासा
गौरी त्वमेव शशिमौलिकृतप्रतिष्ठा ॥११॥

Meaning: "You are Medha, O Goddess, the intellect that has known the essence of all the scriptures; you are Durga, the boat without attachment across the hard-to-cross ocean of existence; you are Shri, who has made her sole dwelling in the heart of the enemy of Kaitabha; and you alone are Gauri, established beside him who wears the moon on his crest."

ईषत्सहासममलं परिपूर्णचन्द्र-
बिम्बानुकारि कनकोत्तमकान्तिकान्तम् ।
अत्यद्भुतं प्रहृतमात्तरुषा तथापि
वक्त्रं विलोक्य सहसा महिषासुरेण ॥१२॥

Meaning: "Most wonderful it is that Mahishasura, after suddenly seeing your face, spotless with a faint smile, like the orb of the full moon, lovely with the lustre of the finest gold, still struck at it in his rage."

दृष्ट्वा तु देवि कुपितं भ्रुकुटीकराल-
मुद्यच्छशाङ्कसदृशच्छवि यन्न सद्यः ।
प्राणान् मुमोच महिषस्तदतीव चित्रं
कैर्जीव्यते हि कुपितान्तकदर्शनेन ॥१३॥

Meaning: "And it is stranger still, O Goddess, that having seen that face angry, terrible with knitted brows and red like the rising moon, Mahisha did not give up his life at once. For who can live after seeing the Ender enraged?"

देवि प्रसीद परमा भवती भवाय
सद्यो विनाशयसि कोपवती कुलानि ।
विज्ञातमेतदधुनैव यदस्तमेत-
न्नीतं बलं सुविपुलं महिषासुरस्य ॥१४॥

Meaning: "Be gracious, O supreme Goddess; you are for the world's welfare. When angry you destroy whole families at once; this is understood even now, since the vast army of Mahishasura has been brought to its end."

ते सम्मता जनपदेषु धनानि तेषां
तेषां यशांसि न च सीदति बन्धुवर्गः ।
धन्यास्त एव निभृतात्मजभृत्यदारा
येषां सदाभ्युदयदा भवती प्रसन्ना ॥१५॥

Meaning: "Those on whom you, the giver of prosperity, are always pleased are honoured in their lands; theirs is wealth and theirs is fame, and their kinsfolk never decline. Blessed indeed are they, with their devoted sons, servants and wives."

धर्म्याणि देवि सकलानि सदैव कर्मा-
ण्यत्यादृतः प्रतिदिनं सुकृती करोति ।
स्वर्गं प्रयाति च ततो भवती प्रसादा-
ल्लोकत्रयेऽपि फलदा ननु देवि तेन ॥१६॥

Meaning: "By your grace, O Goddess, the righteous man performs all his dharmic duties every day with great care, and thereby goes to heaven; are you not, then, O Goddess, the giver of fruit in all three worlds?"

दुर्गे स्मृता हरसि भीतिमशेषजन्तोः
स्वस्थैः स्मृता मतिमतीव शुभां ददासि ।
दारिद्र्यदुःखभयहारिणि का त्वदन्या
सर्वोपकारकरणाय सदार्द्रचित्ता ॥१७॥

Meaning: "O Durga, remembered, you take away the fear of every creature; remembered by those at ease, you grant a mind most pure. O remover of poverty, pain and fear, who but you has a heart always tender to do good to all?"

एभिर्हतैर्जगदुपैति सुखं तथैते
कुर्वन्तु नाम नरकाय चिराय पापम् ।
सङ्ग्राममृत्युमधिगम्य दिवं प्रयान्तु
मत्वेति नूनमहितान्विनिहंसि देवि ॥१८॥

Meaning: "By the slaying of these the world comes to happiness; let them indeed have done sin enough for a long stay in hell; yet meeting death in battle, let them go to heaven: surely thinking thus, O Goddess, you slay your foes."

दृष्ट्वैव किं न भवती प्रकरोति भस्म
सर्वासुरानरिषु यत्प्रहिणोषि शस्त्रम् ।
लोकान्प्रयान्तु रिपवोऽपि हि शस्त्रपूता
इत्थं मतिर्भवति तेष्वहितेषुसाध्वी ॥१९॥

Meaning: "Why do you not reduce all the asuras to ash by your mere glance, since you hurl your weapons at the enemy? 'Let even these foes, purified by my weapons, go to the higher worlds': such is your kind intention even towards those who wish you ill."

खड्गप्रभानिकरविस्फुरणैस्तथोग्रैः
शूलाग्रकान्तिनिवहेन दृशोऽसुराणाम् ।
यन्नागता विलयमंशुमदिन्दुखण्ड-
योग्याननं तव विलोकयतां तदेतत् ॥२०॥

Meaning: "If the eyes of the asuras were not destroyed by the fierce flashes of light from your sword and by the mass of radiance from the point of your trident, it was because they were gazing on your face, which resembles the moon with its rays."

दुर्वृत्तवृत्तशमनं तव देवि शीलं
रूपं तथैतदविचिन्त्यमतुल्यमन्यैः ।
वीर्यं च हन्तृ हृतदेवपराक्रमाणां
वैरिष्वपि प्रकटितैव दया त्वयेत्थम् ॥२१॥

Meaning: "Your nature, O Goddess, is to subdue the conduct of the wicked; this form of yours is unthinkable and unequalled by any other; your valour destroys those who robbed the gods of their might; and thus even towards enemies you have shown compassion."

केनोपमा भवतु तेऽस्य पराक्रमस्य
रूपं च शत्रुभयकार्यतिहारि कुत्र ।
चित्ते कृपा समरनिष्ठुरता च दृष्टा
त्वय्येव देवि वरदे भुवनत्रयेऽपि ॥२२॥

Meaning: "To what can this valour of yours be compared? And where is there a form like this, so beautiful, yet striking terror into enemies? Compassion in the heart and sternness in battle are seen, O boon-giving Goddess, in you alone in all the three worlds."

त्रैलोक्यमेतदखिलं रिपुनाशनेन
त्रातं त्वया समरमूर्धनि तेऽपि हत्वा ।
नीता दिवं रिपुगणा भयमप्यपास्तम्
अस्माकमुन्मदसुरारिभवं नमस्ते ॥२३॥

Meaning: "By destroying the enemies you have saved this whole threefold world; slaying them at the head of battle, you have led those hosts of enemies to heaven, and dispelled our fear of the maddened foes of the gods. Salutation to you."

शूलेन पाहि नो देवि पाहि खड्गेन चाम्बिके ।
घण्टास्वनेन नः पाहि चापज्यानिःस्वनेन च ॥२४॥

Meaning: "Protect us with your trident, O Goddess; protect us with your sword, O Ambika; protect us with the sound of your bell and with the twang of your bowstring."

प्राच्यां रक्ष प्रतीच्यां च चण्डिके रक्ष दक्षिणे ।
भ्रामणेनात्मशूलस्य उत्तरस्यां तथेश्वरि ॥२५॥

Meaning: "Guard us in the east and in the west, O Chandika; guard us in the south, and likewise in the north, O sovereign Goddess, by the whirling of your trident."

सौम्यानि यानि रूपाणि त्रैलोक्ये विचरन्ति ते ।
यानि चात्यन्तघोराणि तै रक्षास्मांस्तथा भुवम् ॥२६॥

Meaning: "With whatever gentle forms of yours move through the three worlds, and with whatever exceedingly terrible ones, protect us and the earth."

खड्गशूलगदादीनि यानि चास्त्रानि तेऽम्बिके ।
करपल्लवसङ्गीनि तैरस्मान्रक्ष सर्वतः ॥२७॥

Meaning: "With the sword, trident, mace and the other weapons, O Ambika, that rest in your tender hands, protect us on every side."

ऋषिरुवाच ॥२८॥

Meaning: The sage said:

एवं स्तुता सुरैर्दिव्यैः कुसुमैर्नन्दनोद्भवैः ।
अर्चिता जगतां धात्री तथा गन्धानुलेपनैः ॥२९॥

Meaning: Thus praised by the gods and worshipped with divine flowers from the Nandana garden and with fragrant pastes, the sustainer of the worlds...

भक्त्या समस्तैस्त्रिदशैर्दिव्यैर्धूपैः सुधूपिता ।
प्राह प्रसादसुमुखी समस्तान् प्रणतान् सुरान् ॥३०॥

Meaning: ...censed with divine incense by all the gods in devotion, said, her face gracious, to all the gods bowed before her:

देव्युवाच ॥३१॥

Meaning: The Goddess said:

व्रियतां त्रिदशाः सर्वे यदस्मत्तोऽभिवाञ्छितम् ॥३२॥

Meaning: "Choose, all you gods, whatever you desire from me."

देवा ऊचुः ॥३३॥

Meaning: The gods said:

भगवत्या कृतं सर्वं न किञ्चिदवशिष्यते ॥३४॥

Meaning: "The blessed Goddess has done everything; nothing remains to be done..."

यदयं निहतः शत्रुरस्माकं महिषासुरः ।
यदि चापि वरो देयस्त्वयास्माकं महेश्वरि ॥३५॥

Meaning: "...since this enemy of ours, Mahishasura, has been slain. Yet if a boon is to be given to us by you, O great Goddess..."

संस्मृता संस्मृता त्वं नो हिंसेथाः परमापदः ।
यश्च मर्त्यः स्तवैरेभिस्त्वां स्तोष्यत्यमलानने ॥३६॥

Meaning: "...then whenever we remember you, destroy our greatest calamities. And whatever mortal praises you with these hymns, O spotless-faced one..."

तस्य वित्तर्द्धिविभवैर्धनदारादिसम्पदाम् ।
वृद्धयेऽस्मत्प्रसन्ना त्वं भवेथाः सर्वदाम्बिके ॥३७॥

Meaning: "...be ever gracious to him, O Ambika, for the increase of his wealth, prosperity and fortune, and of his riches, wife and the rest, through your grace towards us."

ऋषिरुवाच ॥३८॥

Meaning: The sage said:

इति प्रसादिता देवैर्जगतोऽर्थे तथात्मनः ।
तथेत्युक्त्वा भद्रकाली बभूवान्तर्हिता नृप ॥३९॥

Meaning: Thus propitiated by the gods for the sake of the world and for their own sake, Bhadrakali said "So be it" and vanished, O king.

इत्येतत्कथितं भूप सम्भूता सा यथा पुरा ।
देवी देवशरीरेभ्यो जगत्त्रयहितैषिणी ॥४०॥

Meaning: Thus, O king, I have told you how the Goddess, who wishes the welfare of the three worlds, arose long ago from the bodies of the gods.

पुनश्च गौरीदेहात्सा समुद्भूता यथाभवत् ।
वधाय दुष्टदैत्यानां तथा शुम्भनिशुम्भयोः ॥४१॥

Meaning: And how she came forth again from the body of Gauri, to slay the wicked daityas and Shumbha and Nishumbha...

रक्षणाय च लोकानां देवानामुपकारिणी ।
तच्छृणुष्व मयाख्यातं यथावत्कथयामि ते ॥४२॥

Meaning: ...for the protection of the worlds and the benefit of the gods: hear that from me as I tell it to you exactly as it happened.

। ह्रीं ॐ ।
॥ स्वस्ति श्रीमार्कण्डेयपुराणे सावर्णिके मन्वन्तरे
देवीमाहात्म्ये शक्रादिस्तुतिर्नाम चतुर्थोऽध्यायः ॥ ४॥
उवाच ५, अर्धश्लोकौ २, श्लोकाः ३५, एवमादितः ॥ २५९॥

Meaning: Hreem Om. Thus ends the fourth chapter, named Shakradi Stuti, of the Devi Mahatmya in the Markandeya Purana, in the Savarnika manvantara. Five uvacha lines, two half-verses and thirty-five full verses: two hundred and fifty-nine from the beginning.

Significance and benefits of reading Chapter 4

Tradition assigns a fruit to each chapter, and the fourth is read for devotion, inner strength and prosperity; since it contains the gods' own request that whoever praises the Goddess with these verses may see wealth, family and fortune increase (verses 36 and 37), it is read as a complete stotra in its own right, not only as part of the paath.

Three passages are recited independently in many homes: verse 5 on Shri and Alakshmi, verse 17 durge smrita harasi bhitim, and the four protection verses 24 to 27, which ask the Goddess to guard the reciter in all directions with her weapons and her forms. The theology of verses 18 and 19, that the Goddess kills so that even her enemies may be purified and raised, is the Saptashati's own answer to the question of why a compassionate Mother wages war.

How to read Chapter 4 (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 4 belongs to the Madhyama 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 Shakradi Stuti?
It is the hymn of Chapter 4 of the Durga Saptashati, sung by Shakra (Indra) and the gods after the Goddess has slain Mahishasura. It runs from verse 3 to verse 27 and is followed by the Goddess granting the gods a boon. The chapter has 42 verses in all.

What does "ya shri svayam sukritinam bhavaneshu" mean?
It is verse 5: "She who is herself Shri in the homes of the virtuous and Alakshmi in those of the wicked, who is intelligence in the hearts of the thoughtful, faith in the good and modesty in the well-born: to you we bow. Protect the universe, O Goddess." It is one of the most quoted verses of the whole Saptashati.

Which verses of Chapter 4 are recited for protection?
Verses 24 to 27: "Protect us with your trident, O Goddess; protect us with your sword, O Ambika; protect us with the sound of your bell and the twang of your bowstring", followed by protection in the four directions and by all her gentle and terrible forms.

Can Chapter 4 be read on its own?
Yes. Because it is a hymn and ends with the gods asking that whoever praises the Goddess with these verses may prosper, it is read independently for devotion, strength and wealth, as well as in its place within the Madhyama Charitra and the full paath.

What boon do the gods ask for in Chapter 4?
Two things: that whenever they remember her she destroy their greatest calamities, and that whoever praises her with these hymns be granted the increase of wealth, prosperity and family. The Goddess answers "So be it" and disappears, and the sage turns to the story of Shumbha and Nishumbha.