Durga Suktam: A Vedic Hymn Dedicated to Goddess Durga

Durga Suktam is a revered Vedic hymn comprising seven slokas dedicated to Goddess Durga. This hymn is part of the Maha Narayana Upanishad. Interestingly, four of these seven slokas are also directed towards the Vedic deity Agni and are present in the Rigveda. Chanting Durga Suktam regularly is believed to elevate one’s consciousness, filling the individual with vitality and energy. For those who wish to benefit from this sacred practice, the lyrics of Sri Durga Suktam are available in English along with their meanings and commentaries. By chanting this hymn with devotion, one can seek the blessings of both Ma Durga and Lord Agni.

Verse 1

Jatavedase Sunavama Soma Marathee Yatho Nidhahadhi Veda|
Sa Na Parshadathi Durgani Viswa Naaveva Sindhum Durithathyagni||

Word Meaning

• Jatavedase – to the one who knows all beings (Agni, the fire god)
• Sunavama – we press out (for offering)
• Soma – the Soma juice
• Marathee – may it crush (destroy)
• Yatho – from which
• Nidhahadhi – treasures (are attained)
• Veda – knows
• Sa – he
• Na – us
• Parshadathi – may protect
• Durgani – difficulties
• Viswa – all
• Naava – as a boat
• Eva – like
• Sindhum – across the ocean
• Durithathyagni – takes (us) across
• Agni – fire (god)

Translation

“We sing the praises of Jatavedas (Agni, the fire god), as did in the past the ancient seers who realized the truth. May he, the divine fire, who knows all, destroy all our obstacles and carry us across all difficulties, like a boat over the sea.”

Commentary

The verse is a profound invocation to Agni, the deity of fire and knowledge. Addressing Agni as “Jatavedase,” the hymn seeks blessings and protection, acknowledging Agni’s role as the knower of all sacrifices and the guide through spiritual enlightenment. It expresses a deep yearning to overcome obstacles (Durgani) with Agni’s assistance, likening him to a vessel that navigates the ocean of suffering (Sindhum Durithathyagni). This hymn encapsulates the Vedic belief in the transformative power of divine fire, symbolizing purification, illumination, and the quest for spiritual liberation from worldly afflictions.

Verse 2

Thaam Agni Varnaam Thapasa Jwalanthim Vairochanim Karma Phaleshu Jushtam|
Durgam Devim Saranamaham Prapadhye, Sutharasi Tharase Nama||

Word Meaning

• Thaam – That (referring to the Goddess)
• Agni – Fire
• Varnaam – Color/form
• Thapasa – By penance
• Jwalanthim – Shining
• Vairochanim – Daughter of Virochana
• Karma – Actions
• Phaleshu – Fruits/results
• Jushtam – Attained/satisfied
• Durgam – Difficult to approach or cross
• Devim – Goddess
• Saranam – Refuge
• Aham – I
• Prapadhye – Take refuge/surrender
• Sutharasi – Who helps to cross over
• Tharase – To the one who helps to cross
• Nama – Salutations

Translation

“I take refuge in that Goddess Durga, who is radiant like fire, glowing with her penance, who is the daughter of Virochana, and who is worshipped for the fruits of actions. O Goddess, who removes difficulties, I bow to you.”

Commentary

The verse is dedicated to Goddess Durga. It describes her as the one with a complexion like the blazing fire of austerity, shining with the brilliance of gold, and dispensing just rewards for actions. The verse emphasizes seeking refuge in Devi Durga, who is formidable yet compassionate, capable of guiding her devotees through difficult times.

It reflects the essence of invoking Durga as the protector and provider of justice, offering solace and protection to those who surrender to her. The imagery used underscores her fierce yet benevolent nature, highlighting her role in delivering justice and granting blessings to her devotees.

Verse 3

Agne Thwam Paaraya Navyo Asmaan Swasthibhirathi Durgani Viswa|
Pushscha Prithwi Bahula Na Urvee Bhava Thokaaya Thanayaya Shamyoh||

Word Meaning

• Agne – O Agni (Fire deity)
• Thwam – You
• Paaraya – Lead (us)
• Navyo – As the newest (one)
• Asmaan – Us
• Swasthibhirathi – With welfare (blessings)
• Durgani – Difficulties
• Viswa – All (worlds)
• Pushscha – Prosper
• Prithwi – Earth
• Bahula – Abundant
• Na – Indeed
• Urvee – Vast (space)
• Bhava – Be (exist)
• Thokaaya – For the protection
• Thanayaya – For progeny
• Shamyoh – Give peace

Translation

“O Agni, you guide us across difficulties with your new and old powers. Protect us from all dangers, both known and unknown. O Agni, may you bring plenty to the Earth and to us, dispelling affliction and becoming a kind and benevolent protector to us.”

Commentary

This hymn praises Agni for his role in guiding and protecting humanity. It acknowledges his dual nature – as the bringer of both new and old strengths, implying his enduring power and relevance. The verse also appeals to Agni to ensure fertility and abundance (pusha prithvi bahula) on Earth, promoting prosperity and well-being. Overall, it underscores Agni’s importance not only as a divine entity but also as a protector and provider for humanity.

Verse 4

Vishvaani No Durghaa Jathaveda Sindhunaa Nava Durithathi Parshi|
Agne Athrivan Manasaa Grina No Asmakam Bodhayithwa Thanoo Naam||

Word Meaning

• Vishvaani: All, everything
• No: Us
• Durghaa: Difficulties, obstacles
• Jathaveda: Knower of all births (a reference to Agni, the fire god)
• Sindhunaa: By the river or stream
• Nava: New, recent
• Durithathi: Difficulties, misfortunes
• Parshi: Remove, take away
• Agne: O Agni (addressing the fire god)
• Athrivan: The one who belongs to Atharva (a Vedic sage)
• Manasaa: By mind, mentally
• Grina: Praise, sing
• No: Us
• Asmakam: Our
• Bodhayithwa: Enlighten, make aware
• Thanoo: Body, self
• Naam: Our

Translation

“O Agni, the divine priest, the knower of all rites of worship, the purifier, the purifier of all evils, the leader of the divine knowledge, bring us splendor.”

Commentary

The verse praises Agni as Vishvaani (the omniscient), Jataveda (the knower of all births), and Sindhunaa (the purifier). It seeks Agni’s assistance in removing obstacles (Duritha) and protecting the worshipper from harm. The use of poetic language emphasizes Agni’s role in awakening consciousness and illuminating understanding (Bodhayithwa Thanoo Naam).

Overall, this verse underscores the central importance of Agni in Vedic rituals as a conduit for communication with divine forces, protector from evil, and bestower of knowledge and wisdom.

Verse 5

Prithana Jitham Saha Mana Mugram Agnim Huvema Paramath Sadhasthath|
Sa Na Parshadathi Durgani Viswa Kshamaddhevo Athi Durithatyagni||

Word Meaning

• Prithana – battle, war
• Jitham – conquered, won
• Saha – along with
• Mana – respect, honor
• Mugram – fierce, strong
• Agnim – fire, Agni (the fire god)
• Huvema – we invoke, we call upon
• Paramath – from afar, beyond
• Sadhasthath – assembly, place of assembly
• Sa – he
• Na – us
• Parshadathi – leads, guides
• Durgani – difficulties, hardships
• Viswa – all, entire
• Kshamaddhevo – the forgiving, the compassionate divine
• Athi – beyond, surpassing
• Durithatyagni – destroys sins, removes difficulties (Agnir being the remover of difficulties)

Translation

“O mind, meditate upon that Supreme Brahman, who is the controller of all, who shines forth with the brilliance of fire, who removes all obstacles and is the sustainer of the universe. He indeed destroys all sins.”

Commentary

This verse extols Agni, the ancient Vedic deity associated with fire and the sacrificial ritual. It praises Agni as the fierce one, the conqueror in battles, and the supreme Lord who destroys all obstacles. The verse emphasizes that Agni, when invoked with devotion and proper ritual, dispels all forms of adversity and protects the universe from great sins.

In essence, the verse underscores Agni’s dual role as both the destroyer of obstacles and the purifier of sins, highlighting the importance of invoking Agni in Vedic rituals for protection and prosperity. It reflects the reverence and significance of Agni in ancient Hindu traditions as a potent force for spiritual and material well-being.

Verse 6

Prathnoshika Meedyo Adhvareshu Sanacha Hota Navyascha Sadhsi|
Swacha Agne Piprayaswa Asmabhyam Cha Soubhahya Maya Jaswa||

Word Meaning

• Prathnoshika – (you) have (already) blazed
• Meedyo – (worthy of) worship
• Adhvareshu – in sacrifices
• Sanacha – always
• Hota – priest (who performs sacrifices)
• Navyascha – and also the newest
• Sadhsi – in the assembly
• Swacha – pure
• Agne – O Agni (fire deity)
• Piprayaswa – fulfill
• Asmabhyam – for us
• Cha – and
• Soubhahya – prosperity
• Maya – with your power
• Jaswa – grant

Translation

“O Prathnoshika, in the highest, in the lowest, in the middle, in the depths, O pure Agni, purify us, and bestow upon us your blessings.”

Commentary

This verse is dedicated to Agni, the fire god, who is central to Vedic rituals. It highlights Agni’s role as the divine priest who mediates between humans and gods by carrying offerings in both ancient and contemporary sacrifices. The hymn emphasizes Agni’s purity and sanctity, invoking him to grant blessings of prosperity and success to the devotees. This prayer reflects the continuous and essential role of Agni in ensuring the well-being and fortune of the community through his divine favor in sacrificial rites.

By addressing Agni as both an ancient and new priest, the verse underscores the enduring tradition and timelessness of Vedic rituals. It seeks Agni’s intercession, emphasizing the importance of divine support for achieving prosperity and favorable outcomes. This invocation is a testament to the deep-seated reverence for Agni in Vedic culture, highlighting the aspirational nature of the hymn as it seeks divine blessings for material and spiritual well-being.

Verse 7

Gobhir Jushta Mayujo Nishithktham Thavendra Vishnor Anusancharema|
Naa Kasya Prushtam Abhisamvasaano Vaishnavim Loka Iha Madhayantham||

Word Meaning

• Gobhir: By the rays (referring to rays of light)
• Jushta: Adorned
• Mayujo: By the swift mover (interpreted as the Sun)
• Nishithaktham: Having a night-like darkness
• Thavendra: O best of the powerful ones
• Vishnor: Of Vishnu
• Anusancharema: We move around/follow
• Naa: Not
• Kasya: Of anyone
• Prushtam: The back
• Abhisamvasaano: Dwelling close to/approaching
• Vaishnavim: Belonging to Vishnu
• Loka: World
• Iha: Here
• Madhayantham: The central region

Translation

“In the deep darkness of ignorance, enveloped by the illusion of the material world, we wander, unaware of the true nature of Vishnu, the sustainer. Without knowing whose support we embrace, we remain lost in this transient world.”

Commentary

This verse emphasizes the pursuit of spiritual progress through one’s own efforts rather than relying on others. The term “Gobhir Jushta Mayujo” suggests a deep, committed journey, while “Nishithktham Thavendra Vishnor” highlights the importance of striving towards the divine presence of Vishnu. The phrase “Anusancharema” indicates continuous endeavor or following a path. The latter part, “Naa Kasya Prushtam Abhisamvasaano,” signifies the resolve to not be dependent on anyone else’s support, emphasizing self-reliance in the spiritual journey. Finally, “Vaishnavim Loka Iha Madhayantham” expresses the goal of reaching the divine abode or consciousness associated with Vishnu within one’s lifetime. This verse encapsulates a core Hindu belief in personal responsibility in one’s spiritual path and the ultimate aim of union with the divine.

Om Kaatyaayanaaya Vidmahe Kanyakumaari Dhiimahi|
Tanno Durgih Prachodayaath||

[Om, let us meditate on Kaatyaayana (another name for Goddess Durga),

Oh maiden (Kanyakumari), give us higher intellect,
And let Goddess Durga illuminate us.]

Om Santih Santih Santih||
[Om Peace Peace Peace]