Saptashloki Durga Stotram: The Seven Essential Verses of Durga
Saptashloki Durga Stotram - Sanskrit Text
॥ अथ सप्तश्लोकी दुर्गा ॥
शिव उवाच -
देवि त्वं भक्तसुलभे सर्वकार्यविधायिनी ।
कलौ हि कार्यसिद्ध्यर्थमुपायं ब्रूहि यत्नतः ॥
देव्युवाच -
शृणु देव प्रवक्ष्यामि कलौ सर्वेष्टसाधनम् ।
मया तवैव स्नेहेनाप्यम्बास्तुतिः प्रकाश्यते ॥
विनियोगः
ॐ अस्य श्रीदुर्गासप्तश्लोकीस्तोत्रमन्त्रस्य नारायण ऋषिः, अनुष्टुप् छन्दः, श्रीमहाकालीमहालक्ष्मीमहासरस्वत्यो देवताः, श्रीदुर्गाप्रीत्यर्थं सप्तश्लोकीदुर्गापाठे विनियोगः ।
ॐ ज्ञानिनामपि चेतांसि देवी भगवती हि सा ।
बलादाकृष्य मोहाय महामाया प्रयच्छति ॥१॥
दुर्गे स्मृता हरसि भीतिमशेषजन्तोः
स्वस्थैः स्मृता मतिमतीव शुभां ददासि ।
दारिद्र्यदुःखभयहारिणि का त्वदन्या
सर्वोपकारकरणाय सदार्द्रचित्ता ॥२॥
सर्वमङ्गलमाङ्गल्ये शिवे सर्वार्थसाधिके ।
शरण्ये त्र्यम्बके गौरि नारायणि नमोऽस्तु ते ॥३॥
शरणागतदीनार्तपरित्राणपरायणे ।
सर्वस्यार्तिहरे देवि नारायणि नमोऽस्तु ते ॥४॥
सर्वस्वरूपे सर्वेशे सर्वशक्तिसमन्विते ।
भयेभ्यस्त्राहि नो देवि दुर्गे देवि नमोऽस्तु ते ॥५॥
रोगानशेषानपहंसि तुष्टा रुष्टा तु कामान् सकलानभीष्टान् ।
त्वामाश्रितानां न विपन्नराणां त्वामाश्रिता ह्याश्रयतां प्रयान्ति ॥६॥
सर्वाबाधाप्रशमनं त्रैलोक्यस्याखिलेश्वरि ।
एवमेव त्वया कार्यमस्मद्वैरिविनाशनम् ॥७॥
॥ इति श्रीसप्तश्लोकी दुर्गा सम्पूर्णम् ॥
Transliteration (Roman/IAST)
oṃ jñānināmapi cetāṃsi devī bhagavatī hi sā |
balād ākṛṣya mohāya mahāmāyā prayacchati ||1||
sarva-maṅgala-māṅgalye śive sarvārtha-sādhike |
śaraṇye tryambake gauri nārāyaṇi namo'stu te ||3||
sarva-svarūpe sarveśe sarva-śakti-samanvite |
bhayebhyas trāhi no devi durge devi namo'stu te ||5||
Meaning
The Saptashloki Durga ("Durga in Seven Verses") opens with a dialogue: Shiva asks the Goddess to reveal an easy means by which all aims may be accomplished in the age of Kali, and she, out of love, discloses this seven-verse praise of the Mother. (1) That Goddess, the great Maya, forcibly draws away even the minds of the wise into delusion. (2) "O Durga, remembered, you take away the fear of every being; remembered by the well, you grant ever-auspicious wisdom. Who but you, O remover of poverty, sorrow and fear, is ever tender-hearted to do good to all?" (3) "O auspiciousness of all that is auspicious, O Shiva, accomplisher of all aims, refuge, three-eyed Gauri, Narayani - salutations to you." (4) "Devoted to the protection of the distressed who take refuge, remover of all suffering, O Narayani - salutations." (5) "O you of all forms, ruler of all, endowed with all powers, save us from all fears, O Durga - salutations." (6) "Pleased, you remove all diseases; displeased, you fulfil every desire; no misfortune befalls those who take refuge in you; they become a refuge for others." (7) "O Mistress of all the three worlds, just so may you accomplish the calming of all our troubles and the destruction of our enemies."
About this Stotra
The Saptashloki Durga is a beloved short hymn drawn from the verses of the Durga Saptashati (Devi Mahatmya). Framed as the Goddess's own answer to Shiva on how to attain all desired ends in the Kali age, it distils the power of the entire Saptashati into seven potent verses. For this reason it is especially cherished by those who cannot recite the full Saptashati daily - the seven verses are held to carry its essence and grace. It is among the most frequently recited Durga stotras during Navaratri and in daily worship.
Significance & Spiritual Benefits
The Saptashloki Durga is recited for protection, removal of fear, relief from disease, poverty and sorrow, fulfilment of desires, and victory over enemies and obstacles. Its verses move from acknowledging the Goddess as the supreme Maya, through heartfelt salutations to her as refuge and remover of suffering, to the direct prayer for the calming of all troubles. Reciting it daily with devotion is said to bring the Mother's swift grace, especially valuable for those seeking the benefit of the Saptashati in a brief, accessible form.
Astrological Relevance
As a concentrated Durga stotra, the Saptashloki Durga is a powerful Shakta remedy (upaya) in Vedic astrology. Durga, the warrior Mother, counters the afflictions of Mars (Mangal), Saturn (Shani), Rahu and Ketu, and steadies the Moon (the mind). Verse 6's promise of freedom from disease and verse 7's prayer for the destruction of enemies make it especially apt for the troubles read through the 6th house (disease, enemies), 8th house (obstacles, fear) and during sade-sati and difficult dashas. Its brevity makes it an ideal daily protective recitation when time is short.
How to Chant (Vidhi)
Bathe and sit facing east or north before an image of Durga. Light a lamp and offer red flowers, kumkum and incense. Begin with the viniyoga, then recite the seven verses with concentration and devotion. Being short, it is easily learned by heart and recited morning and evening, or as a daily substitute for the full Saptashati. During Navaratri, daily recitation is especially meritorious. Conclude by bowing to the Mother and praying for protection.
Best Day & Time
Tuesday and Friday are the most auspicious days for Durga, and the nine nights of Navaratri are supremely powerful, especially Ashtami and Navami. The Brahma-muhurta of early morning or the evening lamp-lighting hour are the best times to recite.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why only seven verses?
The Saptashloki Durga gathers seven essential verses of the Durga Saptashati, revealed by the Goddess to Shiva as an easy and complete means of attaining all aims in the Kali age. It is recited by those who seek the Saptashati's grace in a short, accessible form.
Can it replace the full Durga Saptashati?
For daily worship when time is limited, the Saptashloki is traditionally recited as carrying the essence and blessing of the full Saptashati. Many devotees recite it daily and the complete Saptashati on special occasions.
What is it chanted for?
For protection, removal of fear, relief from disease, poverty and sorrow, fulfilment of desires, and victory over enemies and obstacles, through the grace of the Divine Mother Durga.
Seven verses that carry the whole of the Durga Saptashati
The Saptashloki Durga occupies a uniquely accessible position in Shakta devotional life: it is said to be the very essence that the Goddess herself revealed to Lord Shiva, condensing the vast teaching of the Durga Saptashati into just seven verses for an age when extended recitation is difficult. This origin story, embedded in the tradition itself, bestows upon the hymn an authority that sets it apart from ordinary extracts. Each of the seven shlokas has been carefully chosen to represent a different facet of Devi's power - from her cosmic nature to her protection of those who take refuge in her - so that a sincere reciter is understood to receive the complete grace of the full text.
Devotees recite the Saptashloki Durga during Navratri, on Tuesdays and Fridays associated with Shakti worship, and whenever a full recitation of the Saptashati is not possible due to time or circumstance. In the Jyotish tradition, Devi hymns - particularly those emphasising Durga's protective aspect - are employed as Shakta remedies for malefic influences, and practitioners believe that the Saptashloki's concentrated power is especially effective during difficult planetary periods. The correct recitation traditionally begins with the Kavach and Argala verses, and the text is treated with the same reverence as the full Saptashati. For devotees who have taken a vow of Devi worship, this hymn offers a way to maintain continuity of practice on days when time is short.