Baglamukhi ashtottara shatanamavali

The Baglamukhi Ashtottara Shatanamavali (श्री बगलामुखी अष्टोत्तरशतनाम स्तोत्रम् – Śrī Bagalāmukhī Aṣṭōttaraśatanāma Stōtram) is a powerful hymn of the 108 sacred names of Goddess Baglamukhi, also known as Pitambari Devi. Drawn from the Vishnu Yamala Tantra, the stotra unfolds as a dialogue between Sage Narada and Lord Vishnu. When Narada humbly asks for the names, the Lord compassionately reveals them and declares their extraordinary power.

Goddess Baglamukhi is the eighth of the ten Mahavidyas. Clad in radiant yellow, she is the goddess of Stambhana (paralysis): she stills the tongue of the opponent, freezes hostile forces and grants victory in arguments, litigation, examinations and rivalry. Her very name joins bagla (bridle) with mukhi (face) — the one who bridles the speech of the enemy. Devotees chant her names before court cases, debates, exams and any fierce competition.

Key Attributes of Goddess Baglamukhi

• Deity: Baglamukhi (Bagala) / Pitambari Devi
• Colour: Yellow (Pīta) — she is clad in yellow robes, adorned with yellow ornaments, and is dear to yellow flowers
• Consort / Association: Called Vishnuvanita (beloved of Vishnu) and Vishnushankarabhamini in the stotra itself
• Vahana: Not specified in the stotra
• Mantra: The Baglamukhi Ashtottara Shatanamavali; her traditional japa honours Pitambari
• Symbol: Stambhini — the power of stilling and paralyzing negativity, named directly in verse 14
• Source Text: Vishnu Yamala (Narada–Vishnu Samvada)

The Stotra Structure (Viniyoga)

As declared in the stotra's viniyoga verse:

• Rishi (Seer): Sadashiva
• Chanda (Meter): Anushtup
• Devata (Deity): Sri Pitambari
• Viniyoga (Purpose): For the pleasure of Sri Pitambari and for japa

The 108 Names of Baglamukhi — Full Stotra

Opening Verses (1–3)

॥ श्री बगलामुखी अष्टोत्तरशतनाम स्तोत्रम् ॥

नारद उवाच । भगवन् देवदेवेश सृष्टिस्थितिलयेश्वर । शतमष्टोत्तरं नाम्नां बगलाया वदाधुना ॥ १ ॥

bhagavan dēvadēvēśa sr̥ṣṭisthitilayēśvara | śatamaṣṭōttaraṁ nāmnāṁ bagalāyā vadādhunā || 1 ||

Meaning: O Lord, master of the gods, ruler of creation, sustenance and dissolution — now please narrate the one hundred and eight names of Bagala.

श्री भगवानुवाच । शृणु वत्स प्रवक्ष्यामि नाम्नामष्टोत्तरं शतम् । पीताम्बर्या महादेव्याः स्तोत्रं पापप्रणाशनम् ॥ २ ॥

śr̥ṇu vatsa pravakṣyāmi nāmnāmaṣṭōttaraṁ śatam | pītāmbaryā mahādēvyāḥ stōtraṁ pāpapraṇāśanam || 2 ||

Meaning: Listen, dear child — I shall recite the hymn of 108 names of the great Goddess Pitambari, a stotra that destroys all sins.

यस्य प्रपठनात्सद्यो वादी मूकोभवेत् क्षणात् । रिपवस्स्तम्भनं यान्ति सत्यं सत्यं वदाम्यहम् ॥ ३ ॥

yasya prapaṭhanātsadyō vādī mūkōbhavēt kṣaṇāt | ripavasstambhanaṁ yānti satyaṁ satyaṁ vadāmyaham || 3 ||

Meaning: Whoever recites this — the opponent's speech is struck dumb in an instant and enemies are paralyzed. "Truth, I speak the truth," declares the Lord.

ओं अस्य श्रीपीताम्बर्यष्टोत्तरशतनामस्तोत्रस्य सदाशिव ऋषिः अनुष्टुप्छन्दः श्रीपीताम्बरी देवता श्रीपीताम्बरी प्रीतये जपे विनियोगः ॥

ōṁ asya śrīpītāmbaryaṣṭōttaraśatanāmastōtrasya sadāśiva r̥ṣiḥ anuṣṭupchandaḥ śrīpītāmbarī dēvatā śrīpītāmbarī prītayē japē viniyōgaḥ

Name Verses (4–8)

ओं बगला विष्णुवनिता विष्णुशङ्करभामिनी । बहुला देवमाता च महाविष्णुप्रसूरपि ॥ ४ ॥

ōṁ bagalā viṣṇuvanitā viṣṇuśaṅkarabhāminī | bahulā dēvamātā ca mahāviṣṇuprasūrapi || 4 ||

Meaning: Bagala, beloved of Vishnu and radiant consort of Vishnu and Shankara; Bahula, mother of the gods and source of Mahavishnu.

महामत्स्या महाकूर्मा महावाराहरूपिणी । नारसिंहप्रिया रम्या वामना पटुरूपिणी ॥ ५ ॥

mahāmatsyā mahākūrmā mahāvārāharūpiṇī | nārasiṁhapriyā ramyā vāmanā paṭurūpiṇī || 5 ||

Meaning: She takes the forms of the great Fish, Tortoise and Boar; dear to Narasimha, the lovely Vamana of skilful form.

जामदग्न्यस्वरूपा च रामा रामप्रपूजिता । कृष्णा कपर्दिनी कृत्या कलहा च विकारिणी ॥ ६ ॥

jāmadagnyasvarūpā ca rāmā rāmaprapūjitā | kr̥ṣṇā kapardinī kr̥tyā kalahā ca vikāriṇī || 6 ||

Meaning: She is the form of Jamadagnya (Parashurama) and is worshipped by Rama; she is Krishna, Kapardini, Kritya, and the destroyer of quarrels.

बुद्धिरूपा बुद्धभार्या बौद्धपाषण्डखण्डिनी । कल्किरूपा कलिहरा कलिदुर्गतिनाशिनी ॥ ७ ॥

buddhirūpā buddhabhāryā bauddhapāṣaṇḍakhaṇḍinī | kalkirūpā kaliharā kalidurgatināśinī || 7 ||

Meaning: She is intelligence itself, destroyer of unrighteous heresies; the form of Kalki, remover of the evils and misfortunes of the Kali age.

कोटिसूर्यप्रतीकाशा कोटिकन्दर्पमोहिनी । केवला कठिना काली कला कैवल्यदायिनी ॥ ८ ॥

kōṭisūryapratīkāśā kōṭikandarpamōhinī | kēvalā kaṭhinā kālī kalā kaivalyadāyinī || 8 ||

Meaning: She shines like millions of suns and bewitches millions of pride; Kevala, Kathina, Kali — she grants Kaivalya (liberation).

Name Verses (9–13)

केशवी केशवाराध्या किशोरी केशवस्तुता । रुद्ररूपा रुद्रमूर्ती रुद्राणी रुद्रदेवता ॥ ९ ॥

kēśavī kēśavārādhyā kiśōrī kēśavastutā | rudrarūpā rudramūrtī rudrāṇī rudradēvatā || 9 ||

Meaning: Keshavi, adored and praised by Kesava, ever youthful; the form of Rudra, the deity Rudrani of Rudra.

नक्षत्ररूपा नक्षत्रा नक्षत्रेशप्रपूजिता । नक्षत्रेशप्रिया नित्या नक्षत्रपतिवन्दिता ॥ १० ॥

nakṣatrarūpā nakṣatrā nakṣatrēśaprapūjitā | nakṣatrēśapriyā nityā nakṣatrapativanditā || 10 ||

Meaning: She is the constellation itself, worshipped and beloved of the lord of the asterisms; the eternal one saluted by the lord of the stars.

नागिनी नागजननी नागराजप्रवन्दिता । नागेश्वरी नागकन्या नागरी च नगात्मजा ॥ ११ ॥

nāginī nāgajananī nāgarājapravanditā | nāgēśvarī nāgakanyā nāgarī ca nagātmajā || 11 ||

Meaning: Nagini, mother of serpents, saluted by the king of serpents; Nageshvari, the serpent maiden, and the daughter of the mountain.

नगाधिराजतनया नगराजप्रपूजिता । नवीना नीरदा पीता श्यामा सौन्दर्यकारिणी ॥ १२ ॥

nagādhirājatanayā nagarājaprapūjitā | navīnā nīradā pītā śyāmā saundaryakāriṇī || 12 ||

Meaning: Daughter of the lord of mountains, worshipped by the king of mountains; the ever-fresh, watery, yellow, dark-complexioned bestower of beauty.

रक्ता नीला घना शुभ्रा श्वेता सौभाग्यदायिनी । सुन्दरी सौभगा सौम्या स्वर्णाभा स्वर्गतिप्रदा ॥ १३ ॥

raktā nīlā ghanā śubhrā śvētā saubhāgyadāyinī | sundarī saubhagā saumyā svarṇābhā svargatipradā || 13 ||

Meaning: Red, blue, cloudy, white and shining — bestower of good fortune; the beautiful, auspicious, gentle, golden-hued giver of the path to heaven.

Name Verses (14–20)

रिपुत्रासकरी रेखा शत्रुसंहारकारिणी । भामिनी च तथा माया स्तम्भिनी मोहिनी शुभा ॥ १४ ॥

riputrāsakarī rēkhā śatrusaṁhārakāriṇī | bhāminī ca tathā māyā stambhinī mōhinī śubhā || 14 ||

Meaning: She terrifies the enemy and destroys adversaries; radiant Maya — Stambhini who paralyzes, Mohini who deludes, the auspicious one.

रागद्वेषकरी रात्री रौरवध्वंसकारिणी । यक्षिणी सिद्धनिवहा सिद्धेशा सिद्धिरूपिणी ॥ १५ ॥

rāgadvēṣakarī rātrī rauravadhvaṁsakāriṇī | yakṣiṇī siddhanivahā siddhēśā siddhirūpiṇī || 15 ||

Meaning: The night that stirs passion and aversion, destroyer of the terror of Raurava; the Yakshini adored by hosts of siddhas, mistress of perfection, perfection itself.

लङ्कापतिध्वंसकरी लङ्केशरिपुवन्दिता । लङ्कानाथकुलहरा महारावणहारिणी ॥ १६ ॥

laṅkāpatidhvaṁsakarī laṅkēśaripuvanditā | laṅkānāthakulaharā mahārāvaṇahāriṇī || 16 ||

Meaning: She who brought down the lord of Lanka, saluted by the enemies of Lanka's king; destroyer of the lineage of Lanka's lord, slayer of mighty Ravana.

देवदानवसिद्धौघपूजितापरमेश्वरी । पराणुरूपा परमा परतन्त्रविनाशिनी ॥ १७ ॥

dēvadānavasiddhaughapūjitāparamēśvarī | parāṇurūpā paramā paratantravināśinī || 17 ||

Meaning: The supreme goddess worshipped by hosts of gods, demons and siddhas; of the subtlest atomic form, the highest, destroyer of dependence on others.

वरदा वरदाराध्या वरदानपरायणा । वरदेशप्रिया वीरा वीरभूषणभूषिता ॥ १८ ॥

varadā varadārādhyā varadānaparāyaṇā | varadēśapriyā vīrā vīrabhūṣaṇabhūṣitā || 18 ||

Meaning: Bestower of boons, adored for granting boons, devoted to giving boons; the valiant one dear to the lord of boons, adorned with the ornaments of the brave.

वसुदा बहुदा वाणी ब्रह्मरूपा वरानना । बलदा पीतवसना पीतभूषणभूषिता ॥ १९ ॥

vasudā bahudā vāṇī brahmarūpā varānanā | baladā pītavasanā pītabhūṣaṇabhūṣitā || 19 ||

Meaning: Giver of wealth and plenty, the speech (Vani) of Brahman with a lovely face; giver of strength, clad in yellow robes, adorned with yellow ornaments.

पीतपुष्पप्रिया पीतहारा पीतस्वरूपिणी । इति ते कथितं विप्र नाम्नामष्टोत्तरं शतम् ॥ २० ॥

pītapuṣpapriyā pītahārā pītasvarūpiṇī | iti tē kathitaṁ vipra nāmnāmaṣṭōttaraṁ śatam || 20 ||

Meaning: Dear to yellow flowers, wearing a yellow necklace, yellow in form — O brahmin, thus are the 108 names narrated to you.

Concluding Phalashruti (21–22)

यः पठेत्पाठयेद्वापि शृणुयाद्वा समाहितः । तस्य शत्रुः क्षयं सद्यो याति नैवात्र संशयः ॥ २१ ॥

yaḥ paṭhētpāṭhayēdvāpi śr̥ṇuyādvā samāhitaḥ | tasya śatruḥ kṣayaṁ sadyō yāti naivātra saṁśayaḥ || 21 ||

Meaning: Whoever recites, teaches or listens to this with a focused mind — his enemy is destroyed instantly; of this there is no doubt.

प्रभातकाले प्रयतो मनुष्यः पठेत्सुभक्त्या परिचिन्त्य पीताम् । ध्रुवं भवेत्तस्य समस्तवृद्धिः विनाशमायाति च तस्य शत्रुः ॥ २२ ॥

prabhātakālē prayatō manuṣyaḥ paṭhētsubhaktayā paricintya pītām | dhruvaṁ bhavēttasya samastavr̥ddhiḥ vināśamāyāti ca tasya śatruḥ || 22 ||

Meaning: A person who, rising early in the morning, recites this with deep devotion while meditating on the yellow Goddess — surely all prosperity comes to him and his enemies face destruction.

इति श्रीविष्णुयामले नारदविष्णुसंवादे श्रीबगलाष्टोत्तरशतनामस्तोत्रम् ॥

iti śrīviṣṇuyāmalē nāradaviṣṇusaṁvādē śrībagalāṣṭōttaraśatanāmastōtram

Meaning: Thus ends the Sri Bagala Ashtottara Shatanama Stotra in the Vishnu Yamala, in the dialogue between Narada and Vishnu.

How to Chant the Ashtottara Shatanamavali

• Recite in the early morning hours (Brahma Muhurta) after a bath, facing east or the deity's image.
• Use a yellow cloth or seat, and offer yellow flowers — a form she is described as loving in verse 20.
• Chant with correct pronunciation; an unbroken, devoted recitation of all 108 names is traditionally preferred.
• Add it to your japa routine on Tuesdays, Navami, or the days of the waning moon if you seek protection and victory.

Practical / Modern Context

In today's world of fierce competition — boardroom debates, courtroom battles, entrance exams and online rivalry — the Baglamukhi Ashtottara Shatanamavali is a spiritual shield. Its recitation cultivates the inner stillness of Stambhini: when the mind refuses to be rattled by hostile words, one argues and acts with clarity. Many devotees chant it before interviews and litigation to steady their nerves and sharpen their focus. The stotra is equally a meditation on the Goddess's identity with Vishnu, Rudra and the avatar forms, reminding us that the ultimate victory belongs to Dharma.

Common Misconceptions

1. Myth: Baglamukhi worship is a form of black magic to harm others. Truth: The stotra is a devotional hymn that paralyzes the adharma of enemies and protects the devotee. It is recited with bhakti, not malice, and its deepest fruit is Kaivalya (liberation), not worldly harm.
2. Myth: Only tantric adepts may recite it. Truth: Any sincere devotee with purity, faith and correct pronunciation may chant the 108 names; the stotra itself promises protection to whoever recites, teaches or listens.
3. Myth: It brings immediate physical destruction of opponents. Truth: The verse's language is poetic — "the enemy is destroyed" refers to the stilling of hostility and the victory of dharma; its spiritual purpose is inner peace and divine grace.
4. Myth: Baglamukhi is an isolated, minor goddess. Truth: Verse 4-9 of the stotra identify her with Vishnu, Shankara, Parashurama, Rama, Krishna, Rudra and Kalki, placing her firmly within the panoply of the Supreme.

Conclusion

The Baglamukhi Ashtottara Shatanamavali is a complete spiritual toolkit: an invocation, a litany of 108 names, and a promise of protection. Drawn from the Vishnu Yamala, it preserves a dialogue between Narada and Vishnu in which the Lord himself guarantees the stotra's power. For devotees seeking victory over enemies — external or internal — regular recitation of these 108 names of Pitambari brings courage, clarity and the serene strength to stand firm in the cause of dharma.

Related Prabhukedwar Guides

• Complete Guide to Chanting Gayatri Mantra
• Kashi Vishwanath Temple & Sacred Banaras
• Meaning of Om Namah Shivaya Mantra

For more authentic Hindu temple guides, pilgrimage routes, mantras, and Vedic insights, visit Prabhukedwar.