Shri Durga Manas Puja: The Sixteen Mental Offerings to the Goddess, Sanskrit with Meaning

The Shri Durga Manas Puja is a complete worship of the Goddess performed without a single outer object. In nineteen verses from the Durga Tantra, the devotee imagines and offers the sixteen upacharas of a full puja: jewelled sandals washed in milk, a golden throne, scented oil and a bath in the stream of the Ganga, musk and sandal, a saffron garment of Kashmir, earrings, girdle, anklets and crown, sindoor and collyrium, a coral mirror, water from jewelled pots, garlands, incense, a ghee lamp, a feast of fragrant rice and sweets, betel, a pearl parasol, a white chamara, music and the chanting of the Veda.

The text closes with its own promise: whoever praises the supreme Goddess with these sixteen verses of offerings obtains the fruit of them all. It is read when outer worship is impossible, and by many at the end of the Durga Saptashati paath as the inner puja that follows the recitation. The full Sanskrit with the meaning of each verse is given below.

संक्षेप में: दुर्गा तन्त्र की श्री दुर्गा मानस पूजा देवी की वह पूजा है जो पूरी तरह मन में की जाती है: उन्नीस श्लोक जो पादुका, सिंहासन, स्नान, वस्त्र, आभूषण, दर्पण, पुष्प, धूप, दीप, नैवेद्य, ताम्बूल, छत्र और चामर जैसे सोलह उपचार कल्पना में अर्पित करते हैं। यहाँ पूरा संस्कृत पाठ हर श्लोक के हिंदी अर्थ के साथ है। इसे तब पढ़ा जाता है जब बाहरी पूजा सम्भव न हो, या सप्तशती पाठ के बाद आन्तरिक पूजा के रूप में; अन्तिम श्लोक पूर्ण पूजा का फल देने का वचन देता है। पूरा लेख हिंदी में पढ़ें →

At a glance

• Text: Shri Durga Manas Puja, nineteen verses, from the Durga Tantra
• Form: The sixteen upacharas of a full puja, offered in imagination: asana, snana, vastra, abharana, gandha, pushpa, dhupa, dipa, naivedya, tambula, chhatra, chamara and the rest
• Metre: Shardulavikridita for most verses, which gives it its slow, ornate sound
• When: When an outer puja cannot be done: travelling, ill, at night, or after the paath as the inner offering
• Traditional fruit: The fruit of a full sixteen-fold puja, as the last verse states

Shri Durga Manas Puja: Sanskrit text with meaning

उद्यच्चन्दनकुङ्कुमारुणपयोधाराभिराप्लावितां
नानानर्घ्यमणिप्रवालघटितां दत्तां गृहाणाम्बिके ।
आमृष्टां सुरसुन्दरीभिरभितो हस्ताम्बुजैर्भक्तितो
मातः सुन्दरि भक्तकल्पलतिके श्रीपादुकामादरात् ॥ १॥

Meaning: O Ambika, Mother, beautiful one, wish-granting creeper of your devotees, accept with regard these sandals, bathed in streams of milk reddened with fresh sandal and kumkum, set with priceless gems and coral, and wiped all around by the lotus hands of the celestial women in devotion.

देवेन्द्रादिभिरर्चितं सुरगणैरादाय सिंहासनं
चञ्चत्काञ्चनसञ्चयाभिरचितं चारुप्रभाभास्वरम् ।
एतच्चम्पककेतकीपरिमलं तैलं महानिर्मलं
गन्धोद्वर्तनमादरेण तरुणीदत्तं गृहाणाम्बिके ॥ २॥

Meaning: Taking the throne worshipped by Indra and the gods, made of heaps of gleaming gold and bright with lovely radiance, accept with regard, O Ambika, this most pure oil fragrant with champaka and ketaki, and this scented unguent offered by the young maidens.

पश्चाद्देवि गृहाण शम्भुगृहिणि श्रीसुन्दरि प्रायशो
गन्धद्रव्यसमूहनिर्भरतरं धात्रीफलं निर्मलम् ।
तत्केशान् परिशोध्य कङ्कतिकया मन्दाकिनीस्रोतसि
स्नात्वा प्रोज्ज्वलगन्धकं भवतु हे श्रीसुन्दरि त्वन्मुदे ॥ ३॥

Meaning: Then, O Goddess, wife of Shambhu, Shri Sundari, accept this pure amla fruit laden with fragrant things; having cleansed your hair with the comb and bathed in the stream of the Mandakini, may this bright fragrance be for your delight, O Shri Sundari.

सुराधिपतिकामिनीकरसरोजनालीधृतां
सचन्दनसकुङ्कुमागुरुभरेण विभ्राजिताम् ।
महापरिमलोज्ज्वलां सरसशुद्धकस्तूरिकां
गृहाण वरदायिनि त्रिपुरसुन्दरि श्रीप्रदे ॥ ४॥

Meaning: Accept, O giver of boons, Tripurasundari, giver of prosperity, this fresh and pure musk of great and brilliant fragrance, held in the lotus-stalk hands of the wives of the lord of the gods and radiant with its load of sandal, kumkum and aguru.

गन्धर्वामरकिन्नरप्रियतमासन्तानहस्ताम्बुज-
प्रस्तारैर्ध्रियमाणमुत्तमतरं काश्मीरजापिञ्जरम् ।
मातर्भास्वरभानुमण्डललसत्कान्तिप्रदानोज्ज्वलं
चैतन्निर्मलमातनोतु वसनं श्रीसुन्दरि त्वन्मुदम् ॥ ५॥

Meaning: Mother, may this most excellent saffron-tinted garment of Kashmir, held up on the spread lotus hands of the beloved daughters of the gandharvas, gods and kinnaras, bright with a radiance that lends lustre to the shining sun's orb, spotless, bring you joy, O Shri Sundari.

स्वर्णाकल्पितकुण्डले श्रुतियुगे हस्ताम्बुजे मुद्रिका
मध्ये सारसना नितम्बफलके मञ्जीरमंघ्रिद्वये ।
हारो वक्षसि कङ्कणौ क्वणरणत्कारौ करद्वन्द्वके
विन्यस्तं मुकुटं शिरस्यनुदिनं दत्तोन्मदं स्तूयताम् ॥ ६॥

Meaning: Gold-wrought earrings on your two ears, a ring on your lotus hand, a girdle at your waist, anklets on your two feet below the expanse of your hips, a necklace on your breast, two bracelets ringing on your two wrists, and a crown set on your head: let these be praised, offered day after day with joy.

ग्रीवायां धृतकान्तिकान्तपटलं ग्रैवेयकं सुन्दरं
सिन्दूरं विलसल्ललाटफलके सौन्दर्यमुद्राधरम् ।
राजत्कज्जलमुज्ज्वलोत्पलदलश्रीमोचने लोचने
तद्दिव्यौषधिनिर्मितं रचयतु श्रीशाम्भवि श्रीप्रदे ॥ ७॥

Meaning: On your neck a beautiful necklace with a lustrous, shining surface; sindoor on your gleaming forehead bearing the mark of beauty; in your eyes, which rob the glory of blue-lotus petals, bright collyrium: may this, made of divine herbs, be arranged for you, O Shambhavi, giver of prosperity.

अमन्दतरमन्दरोन्मथितदुग्धसिन्धूद्भवं
निशाकरकरोपमं त्रिपुरसुन्दरि श्रीप्रदे ।
गृहाण मुखमीक्षतुं मुकुरबिम्बमाविद्रुमै-
र्विनिर्मितमधच्छिदे रतिकराम्बुजस्थायिनम् ॥ ८॥

Meaning: O Tripurasundari, giver of prosperity, accept, to behold your face, this mirror born of the milk ocean churned by the great Mandara, like the rays of the moon, made of coral, resting in the lotus hand of Rati, which cuts away the darkness below.

कस्तूरीद्रवचन्दनागुरुसुधाधाराभिराप्लावितं
चञ्चच्चम्पकपाटलादिसुरभिर्द्रव्यैः सुगन्धीकृतम् ।
देवस्त्रीगणमस्तकस्थितमहारत्नादिकुम्भव्रजै-
रम्भःशाम्भवि सम्भ्रमेण विमलं दत्तं गृहाणाम्बिके ॥ ९॥

Meaning: Accept, O Ambika, Shambhavi, this pure water, poured with eager haste from pots of great jewels set on the heads of the celestial women, flooded with streams of musk, sandal, aguru and nectar, and made fragrant with champaka, patala and other sweet-smelling things.

कह्लारोत्पलनागकेसरसरोजाख्यावलीमालती-
मल्लीकैरवकेतकादिकुसुमै रक्ताश्वमारादिभिः ।
पुष्पैर्माल्यभरेण वै सुरभिणा नानारसस्रोतसा
ताम्राम्भोजनिवासिनीं भगवतीं श्रीचण्डिकां पूजये ॥ १०॥

Meaning: With flowers, the kahlara, the blue lotus, nagakesara, lotus, jasmine of many kinds, malati, malli, white lily, ketaki and the rest, with red oleander, in a fragrant heap of garlands flowing with many juices, I worship the blessed Shri Chandika who dwells in the red lotus.

मांसीगुग्गुलचन्दनागुरुरजः कर्पूरशैलेयजै-
र्माध्वीकैः सहकुङ्कुमैः सुरचितैः सर्पिभिरामिश्रितैः ।
सौरभ्यस्थितिमन्दिरे मणिमये पात्रे भवेत् प्रीतये
धूपोऽयं सुरकामिनीविरचितः श्रीचण्डिके त्वन्मुदे ॥ ११॥

Meaning: May this incense, made by the celestial women from spikenard, guggul, sandal, aguru powder, camphor and shaileya, with madhvika, kumkum and well-prepared ghee mixed in, set in a jewelled vessel that is a house of fragrance, be for your pleasure and delight, O Shri Chandika.

घृतद्रवपरिस्फुरद्रुचिररत्नयष्ट्यान्वितो
महातिमिरनाशनः सुरनितम्बिनीनिर्मितः ।
सुवर्णचषकस्थितः सघनसारवर्त्यान्वित-
स्तव त्रिपुरसुन्दरि स्फुरति देवि दीपो मुदे ॥ १२॥

Meaning: O Tripurasundari, Goddess, this lamp, flowing with ghee, set in a lovely stand of shining jewels, destroyer of great darkness, made by the celestial women, placed in a golden cup with a wick thick with camphor, shines for your delight.

जातीसौरभनिर्भरं रुचिकरं शाल्योदनं निर्मलं
युक्तं हिङ्गुमरीचजीरसुरभिर्द्रव्यान्वितैर्व्यञ्जनैः ।
पक्वान्नेन सपायसेन मधुना दध्याज्यसम्मिश्रितं
नैवेद्यं सुरकामिनीविरचितं श्रीचण्डिके त्वन्मुदे ॥ १३॥

Meaning: This offering of food, made by the celestial women for your delight, O Shri Chandika: pure, delicious rice full of the fragrance of jasmine, with vegetables seasoned with asafoetida, pepper, cumin and fragrant things, with cooked sweets, with rice pudding and honey, mixed with curd and ghee.

लवङ्गकलिकोज्ज्वलं बहुलनागवल्लीदलं
सजातिफलकोमलं सघनसारपूगीफलम् ।
सुधामधुरमाकुलं रुचिररत्नपात्रस्थितं
गृहाण मुखपङ्कजे स्फुरितमम्ब ताम्बूलकम् ॥ १४॥

Meaning: Accept in your lotus mouth, O Mother, this gleaming betel: bright with clove buds, with many betel leaves, soft with nutmeg, with thick camphor and areca nut, mingled with nectar-like sweetness, placed in a beautiful jewelled vessel.

शरत्प्रभवचन्द्रमः स्फुरितचन्द्रिकासुन्दरं
गलत्सुरतरङ्गिणीललितमौक्तिकाडम्बरम् ।
गृहाण नवकाञ्चनप्रभवदण्डखण्डोज्ज्वलं
महात्रिपुरसुन्दरि प्रकटमातपत्रं महत् ॥ १५॥

Meaning: Accept, O great Tripurasundari, this great and splendid parasol, beautiful as the moonlight flashing from the autumn moon, with a display of lovely pearls like the falling stream of the celestial river, shining with a handle of new gold.

मातस्त्वन्मुदमातनोतु सुभगस्त्रीभिः सदाऽऽन्दोलितं
शुभ्रं चामरमिन्दुकुन्दसदृशं प्रस्वेददुःखापहम् ।
सद्योऽगस्त्यवसिष्ठनारदशुकव्यासादिवाल्मीकिभिः
स्वे चित्ते क्रियमाण एव कुरुतां शर्माणि वेदध्वनिः ॥ १६॥

Meaning: Mother, may this white chamara, like the moon and jasmine, waved always by fortunate women, removing the discomfort of perspiration, bring you joy; and may the sound of the Veda, made at once in their own hearts by Agastya, Vasishtha, Narada, Shuka, Vyasa, Valmiki and the rest, bring blessings.

स्वर्गाङ्गणे वेणुमृदङ्गशङ्खभेरीनिनादैरूपगीयमाना ।
कोलाहलैराकलितातवास्तु विद्याधरीनृत्यकलासुखाय ॥ १७॥

Meaning: In the courtyard of heaven, sung to the sounds of flute, mridanga, conch and kettledrum, may this joyful tumult be for the delight of the dance-art of the vidyadhara women.

देवि भक्तिरसभावितवृत्ते प्रीयतां यदि कुतोऽपि लभ्यते ।
तत्र लौल्यमपि सत्फलमेकञ्जन्मकोटिभिरपीह न लभ्यम् ॥ १८॥

Meaning: O Goddess, may you be pleased with a heart steeped in the essence of devotion, if such can be found from anywhere; for in this, even eagerness is a true fruit, not to be had in this world even in crores of births.

एतैः षोडशभिः पद्यैरूपचारोपकल्पितैः ।
यः परां देवतां स्तौति स तेषां फलमाप्नुयात् ॥ १९॥

Meaning: Whoever praises the supreme Goddess with these sixteen verses furnished with the offerings obtains the fruit of them all.

Significance and benefits

The manasa puja is the tantric teaching that worship happens in the mind first and in the hands second: the outer offerings are the shadow of the inner ones. The Durga Manas Puja makes that explicit, verse 18 saying that in such worship even the eagerness to offer is already the fruit. It is therefore read not as a substitute for puja but as its completion, and in the Navratri tradition it is recited after the day's paath and aarti, with eyes closed.

Practically, it is the puja for those who cannot do one: a traveller, someone ill or bedridden, someone in a place with no shrine. Its last verse promises the fruit of a full sixteen-fold worship to whoever recites it with attention, which is why it is also given to beginners who do not yet know the outer rite.

How to recite (vidhi)

Sit quietly, close the eyes, and with each verse picture the offering being made and received; do not hurry, since the imagining is the puja. It may be read after the Saptashati paath or on its own at any hour. Sit facing east or north on a clean asana, light a lamp, and read from the printed text with clear pronunciation. The order of the full paath is on the complete Durga Saptashati path page.

Astrological relevance

A manasa puja is the form of remedy prescribed when a person cannot perform or afford the outer rite; it is read for the same grahas and purposes as the Saptashati itself. Nothing here replaces reading your own chart; it is the devotional side of the same picture. To see which dasha is running, start with a free kundli or talk to an astrologer.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Durga Manas Puja?
A worship of the Goddess performed entirely in the mind: nineteen verses from the Durga Tantra that offer the sixteen upacharas of a full puja in imagination, from jewelled sandals and a golden throne to a lamp, a feast, betel, a parasol and the sound of the Veda.

What are the sixteen upacharas offered in it?
Sandals (paduka), throne (asana), oil and unguent, bath, musk and sandal (gandha), garment (vastra), ornaments (abharana), sindoor and collyrium, mirror, water (arghya), flowers, incense (dhupa), lamp (dipa), food (naivedya), betel (tambula), parasol (chhatra), chamara and music: the standard list, slightly expanded.

When should the Manas Puja be read?
When an outer puja cannot be done, when travelling or ill, at night, or at the end of the Durga Saptashati paath as the inner puja. In Navratri many recite it after the day's paath and aarti with eyes closed.

What does the Manas Puja promise?
Its last verse says that whoever praises the supreme Goddess with these sixteen verses of offerings obtains the fruit of them all, that is, the fruit of a complete sixteen-fold worship. Verse 18 adds that even the eagerness to offer is itself a fruit.