Durga Suktam: Lyrics, Meaning, Benefits in English

There are many hymns on Goddess Durga, the Divine Mother, who incarnated on earth to conquer and destroy evil forces. Durga is a warrior goddess who was born to do battle. She was born fully formed from the energies of the Trimurtis – Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. Their individual energies were not enough to destroy the buffalo demon, Mahishasura. Courageous and indomitable, she slew many demons who terrorized the three worlds and restored peace and order to the Universe.

Despite her ferocity, Durga is also a compassionate Goddess. Those who surrender completely at her feet will be rewarded with her abundant blessings and protection. The 9-day festival of Navratri is celebrated all over India to honor this powerful Goddess who is the nemesis of evil.

Most of the hymns on Durga date from the 7th century onwards. However, Durga Suktam dates back to the Vedic period, so it has special importance. Durga Suktam is a collection of hymns present in Taittiriya Aranyaka, the later sections of the Vedas. These texts are very important for Hindu rituals.

Many of the lyrics in the Durga Suktam address Agni, the sacrificial fire. Agni is also an indirect reference to Durga.

Goddess Durga is associated with Agni, and there is also a form of Durga called Agni Durga. The Durga Suktam is a plea from the devotee to the Goddess and Agni, seeking their protection, Moksha, and a happy and prosperous life.

Durga Suktam Lyrics and Meaning in English

Om Jatavedase sunavama soma marateeyatho nidahathi vedaha

Sa nah parshadati Durgani viswa naveva sindhum duritaatyagnihi (1)

O Jataveda (Agni from whom the Vedas came), we will extract and offer you the soma, may that Agni burn away all the obstacles in this life.

That Agni, protect us from all the sorrows just like the ship that helps to pass on the ocean, may that Agni protect us from mistakes.

Tamagni varnaam tapasa jwalanteem vairochaneem karma phaleshu justhamm

Durgam devigum sharanamaham prapadye sutarasi tarase namaha (2)

The one with the radiance of Agni, who shines with the power of tapas (penances), the one belonging to the supreme God, the illuminating one, the Shakthi who lies within karma and its course of actions.

O that Goddess Durga Devi, I bow to you and seek your refuge, please take me to the coastline (from this ocean of samsara), my salutations to you.

Agne twam paraya navyo asmaam swasthibhirathi Durgani viswa

Puuscha prudhivi bahulaa na urvi bhavaa thokaya tanayaya shamyoh (3)

O Agni Deva, the praiseworthy one, you will take us on a pleasant path away from all the sorrows.

May our place, country, and the world be protected and prosperous; may our children and their children be blessed by you, please be the one who gives happiness.

Viswani noo Durgaha jatavedah sindhum na navaa durithatiparshi

Agne atrivanmanasa grunanoosmakam bhodyavitha tanunaam (4)

O Jataveda (Agni), the remover of all our sorrows and our rescuer, just like the drowning man in an ocean is rescued by a boat

That Agni, just like Sage Atri (who continuously in his heart thinks about the happiness of others), please keep those words of welfare in your heart too, O Protector of our bodies.

Prutana jithagum sahamanamugra-magnigum huvema paramadsadasdath

 Sa nah parshadati Durgani viswa kshaamaddevo ati duritaat-yagnihi (5)

The destroyer of enemies, who surrounds them all, the ferocious one, O Lord Agni, we invoke you, the one seated on the highest place of the assembly to here.

That Agni Deva, protect us from this world filled with difficulties, from those vanishes one day, and from mistakes, safeguard us and take us away from those difficulties.

Pratnoshi kameedyo adhvareshu sanaccha hota navyascha satsi

Swamchagne tanuvam pipraya-swasmabhyam cha saubhagamayajaswa (6)

Being the one praised in the Yagas, you are bringing happiness to our lives. You are the one who is present in the doer of penances(Hota), both as the new and the old being.

Residing inside us in the form of yours, give us happiness and bring us prosperity in all ways.

Gobhirjustha-mayujo nishiktham tavendra vishnoranu-sancharema

Nakasya prusthamabhi samvasano vaishnavim loka iha madayantham (7)

For getting innumerable cattle and wealth and for ultimate happiness, we remain with you, O supreme lord, who is without any sins and prevailing in all.

With our devotion to the Goddess Vaishnavi and others who reside in the Deva Loka. May they bestow happiness to me in this world.

Om katyayanaya vidmahe Kanyakumari dhemahi tanno durgi prachodayath

Let’s know the Goddess Katyayani, for that meditate on the Goddess Kanyakumari, may the Goddess Durga awaken us to consciousness.

Om shanthi shanthi santhihi

Durga Suktam Benefits

• Chanting the Durga Suktam can give you many benefits. It bestows the protection of Goddess Durga and Agni, who will help them overcome their difficult situations. It has the power to remove all the obstacles in their life.
• Goddess Durga will show you the path of righteousness and how to attain Moksha when you chant this Suktam.
• The Suktam also mentions many other benefits. Those who chant it with true devotion and full understanding of its meaning will be blessed by the Goddess, and they can experience good fortune, prosperity, and victory.
• When meditating on the Suktam, we can even feel the divine power of the Goddess herself which gives tremendous energy and courage.