Durga Suktam – Hymn to the Divine Mother
- Rudranaad Foundation
- Sep 25
- 4 min read
The Durga Suktam is one of the most powerful hymns of the Vedas, preserved in the Mahānārāyaṇa Upaniṣad of the Kṛṣṇa Yajurveda. It is an invocation to Agni (the sacred fire) who is simultaneously worshipped as Durga, the divine mother who protects the seeker from all dangers and leads them safely across the ocean of worldly existence.
The word “Durga” itself means “that which is difficult to cross”. By invoking Durga, the devotee seeks refuge in the divine power that helps overcome the seemingly insurmountable obstacles of life—external struggles as well as internal enemies such as fear, anger, delusion, and ignorance.
In the outer sense, this hymn is a prayer for protection, safety, and success in all undertakings. The Durga Suktam has a far deeper resonance. Here, Durga is not merely a goddess to be worshipped for worldly welfare—she is Māyā-śakti, the very power of Brahman. She is the compassionate Mother who both veils the Absolute and, for the sādhaka who surrenders, removes the veil and reveals the Self.
Agni, invoked in the Suktam, is none other than the inner fire of knowledge (jñānāgni). Just as fire burns away impurities, the fire of wisdom consumes ignorance and reveals the immortal reality. Durga, blazing with this fire, becomes the guiding force who ferries the devotee across the turbulent ocean of saṃsāra.
In this blog, we will explore the Durga Suktam in its original Sanskrit (with Vedic svaras), transliteration (IAST), simple meaning, and deeper philosophical notes iMay this serve as both study material and a doorway to devotion, guiding sādhakas on their inner journey.
Original verse (Sanskrit]
English Transliteration
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Meaning
Stanza 1
Sanskrit
ॐ जातवेदसे सुनवाम सोममरातीयतो निदहाति वेदः ।
स नः पर्षदति दुर्गाणि विश्वा नावेव सिन्धुं दुरिताऽत्यग्निः ॥ १ ॥
Meaning
We offer Soma to Jātavedas, the all-knowing fire.
May this Agni carry us across every difficulty,
just as a boat crosses the turbulent ocean of life.
Key Words
जातवेदस (Jātavedas) – knower of all creation, inner consciousness.
सोम (Soma) – nectar of bliss, essence of immortality.
दुर्गाणि (Durgaṇi) – obstacles, hardships of worldly existence.
नाव इव सिन्धुम् (Nāva iva Sindhum) – like a boat across the ocean (samsāra).
अग्निः (Agniḥ) – divine fire, guide of the soul.
Stanza 2
Sanskrit
तामग्निवर्णां तपसा ज्वलन्तीं वैरोचनीं कर्मफलेषु जुष्टाम् ।
दुर्गां देवीं शरणमहं प्रपद्ये सुतरसि तरसे नमः ॥ २ ॥
Meaning
I surrender to the Goddess Durga—
fire-hued, blazing with tapas, radiant as the Sun,
who governs the fruits of karma.
O Mother, ferry us across—unto You my bow.
Key Words
अग्निवर्णा (Agni-varṇā) – fire-colored, radiant.
तपसा ज्वलन्ती (Tapasā jvalantī) – blazing with the heat of austerity.
वैरोचनी (Vairocani) – sun-like brilliance, consciousness illumined.
कर्मफलेषु जुष्टाम् (Karma-phaleṣu juṣṭām) – residing in karmic law.
सुतरसि (Sutara-si) – She who ferries across.
Stanza 3
Sanskrit
अग्ने त्वं पारय नव्यो अस्मान्स्वस्तिभिरति दुर्गाणि विश्वा ।
पूश्च पृथ्वी बहुला न उर्वी भवात्तोकाय तनयाय शंयोः ॥ ३ ॥
Meaning
O Agni, ever-young and fresh, lead us safely across all dangers.
Bless us with auspiciousness and protection,
and like the vast earth, nurture our children in peace.
Key Words
नव्यः (Navyaḥ) – ever-new, timeless.
स्वस्तिभिः (Svastibhiḥ) – auspicious blessings, wellbeing.
दुर्गाणि विश्वा (Durgaṇi viśvā) – every danger, all difficulties.
पृथ्वी बहुला (Pṛthvī bahulā) – vast, nurturing Earth.
शंयोः (Śam-yoḥ) – peace, harmony.
Stanza 4
Sanskrit
विश्वानि नो दुर्गहा जातवेदः सिन्धुन्ना नाव दुरीताऽतिपर्षि ।
अग्ने अत्रिवन्मनसा गृणानोऽस्माकं बोध्यविता तनूनाम् ॥ ४ ॥
Meaning
O Jātavedas, destroy all our fortresses of ignorance.
Like a ship crossing the floods, take us beyond sin.
With Atri’s wisdom, awaken our minds,
be the guardian of our embodied selves.
Key Words
दुर्गहा (Durga-hā) – destroyer of fortresses (bondage, ignorance).
सिन्धुम् नाव (Sindhum nāva) – ship across the ocean of samsāra.
अत्रिवन्मनसा (Atrivan-manasā) – with the pure mind of seer Atri.
अविता तनूनाम् (Avitā tanūnām) – protector of bodies/lives.
Stanza 5
Sanskrit
पृतनाजितं सहमानमुग्रमग्निं हुवेम परमान्थसधस्थात् ।
स नः पर्षदति दुर्गाणि विश्वा क्षामद्देवो अतिदुरिताऽत्यग्निः ॥ ५ ॥
Meaning
We invoke the mighty, unconquerable Agni,
seated in the supreme abode, victorious in battles.
May He lead us across all afflictions,
removing hunger, weakness, and sins.
Key Words
पृतनाजित (Pṛtanājit) – victor in battles.
उग्रम् (Ugram) – fierce, mighty.
परमान्थसधस्थात् (Paramāt sadasthāt) – from the supreme seat.
क्षामात् (Kṣāmāt) – from hunger, depletion.
दुरित (Durita) – sin, wrong tendencies.
Stanza 6
Sanskrit
प्रत्नोषि कमीड्यो अध्वरेषु सनाच्च होता नव्यश्च सत्सि ।
स्वाञ्चाग्ने तनुवं पिप्रयस्वास्मभ्यं च सौभगमायजस्व ॥ ६ ॥
Meaning
Agni, ancient yet ever-new, priest of sacrifice—
Expand your flame within our being,
and grant us prosperity, beauty, and good fortune.
Key Words
प्रत्न (Pratnaḥ) – ancient, eternal.
नव्यः (Navyaḥ) – ever-new, fresh.
होता (Hotā) – the priest, mediator of sacrifice.
तनुवं पिप्रयस्व (Tanuvaṃ piprayasva) – expand within our being.
सौभग (Saubhaga) – fortune, auspiciousness.
Stanza 7
Sanskrit
गोभिर्जुष्टमयुजो निषिक्तं तवेन्द्र विष्णोरनुसंचरेम ।
नाकस्य पृष्ठमभि संवसानो वैष्णवीं लोक इह माधयन्ताम् ॥ ७ ॥
Meaning
May we walk with Indra and Viṣṇu, upheld by truth and offering.
Dwelling in the heights of heaven,
may the Vaiṣṇavī realm of joy shine even here upon earth.
Key Words
गोभिः (Gobhiḥ) – offerings, abundance, purity (symbolized by cows).
इन्द्र, विष्णु (Indra, Viṣṇu) – cosmic forces of power and preservation.
नाकस्य पृष्ठम् (Nākasya pṛṣṭham) – celestial heights, “back of heaven.”
वैष्णवीं लोक (Vaiṣṇavī loka) – realm of blissful preservation.
Closing Verse – Durga Gāyatrī
Sanskrit
ॐ कात्यायनाय विद्महे कन्याकुमारी धीमहि ।
तन्नो दुर्गिः प्रचोदयात् ॥
Meaning
We meditate on Kātyāyanī, the virgin Goddess.
May Durga inspire our intellect and awaken wisdom.
Key Words
कात्यायनी (Kātyāyanī) – virgin goddess, pure śakti.
कन्याकुमारी (Kanyā kumārī) – untouched potential, innocence.
प्रचोदयात् (Pracodayāt) – may She awaken, inspire, direct.
Practical Sādhana Guide
When to chant : Dawn, Navaratri, before spiritual practice.
Suggested number of repetitions : 3, 9, 11 or 21 times
Can be recited before Yajña, study, or meditation.
Benefits: protection, peace, purification, courage, wisdom.
Heartfelt thanks to Rudrnaad Foundation for sharing such insightful knowledge about Maa Durga and the detailed meaning of the Durga Suktam. Your efforts to explain each stanza so beautifully are truly inspiring and deeply appreciated.