Bhagavati Stotram (Sage Vyasa)

The Bhagavati Stotram is a beloved hymn to Bhagavati, the Divine Mother, traditionally attributed to Sage Vyasa — the revered compiler of the Vedas, the Puranas and the Mahabharata. Composed in six verses, this stotram (hymn) salutes the Goddess in her manifold glories: as the destroyer of demons such as Mahishasura, Shumbha and Nishumbha, as the remover of sins, diseases and poverty, and as the ever-compassionate bestower of boons, prosperity and liberation.

The Origin and Significance of the Stotram

In the tradition of Hindu devotional literature, Sage Vyasa (व्यास) is honoured as the divine sage who compiled and arranged the sacred scriptures for the welfare of humanity. The Bhagavati Stotram is counted among his compositions, a simple yet potent offering through which any devotee may approach the Goddess directly.

The name Bhagavati (भगवती) means "the Blessed Mother" and refers to the Supreme Goddess, worshipped as Durga, Parvati, Ambika and countless other forms of the Divine Mother. This hymn is especially cherished during Navaratri and Durga Puja, and by devotees who seek protection, prosperity and inner purity.

The Six Verses of Bhagavati Stotram

Each verse of the stotram is presented below in Devanagari, with transliteration and an English meaning.

Verse 1

जय भगवति देवि नमो वरदेजय पापविनाशिनि बहुफलदे।जय शुम्भनिशुम्भकपालधरेप्रणमामि तु देवि नरार्तिहरे ॥१॥

Jaya Bhagavati Devi Namo VaradeJaya Papa-Vinashini Bahu-Phalade |Jaya Shumbha-Nishumbha-Kapala-DharePranamami Tu Devi Narartihare ||1||

Meaning: Victory to You, O Holy Goddess; my salutations to You, the Giver of boons. Victory to You, O Devi, the Destroyer of sins and the Giver of manifold fruits. Victory to You, O Devi, who wears the garland of the skulls of the demons Shumbha and Nishumbha. I bow to You, O Devi, the true Remover of human suffering.

Verse 2

जय चन्द्रदिवाकरनेत्रधरेजय पावकभूषितवक्त्रवरे।जय भैरवदेहनिलीनपरेजय अन्धकदैत्यविशोषकरे ॥२॥

Jaya Chandra-Divakara-Netra-DhareJaya Pavaka-Bhushita-Vaktra-Vare |Jaya Bhairava-Deha-Nilina-PareJaya Andhaka-Daitya-Vishoshaka-Kare ||2||

Meaning: Victory to You, O Devi, whose eyes are the Sun and the Moon. Victory to You, O Devi, whose beautiful face is adorned with the splendour of fire. Victory to You, O Devi, who in Your highest state dwells in union with the body of Bhairava (Shiva, as Ardhanarishvara). Victory to You, O Devi, who dried up the power of the dark demon Andhaka.

Verse 3

जय महिषविमर्दिनि शुलकरेजय लोकसमस्तकपापहरे।जय देवि पितामहविष्णुनतेजय भास्करशक्रशिरोऽवनते ॥३॥

Jaya Mahisha-Vimardini Shula-KareJaya Loka-Samastaka-Papa-Hare |Jaya Devi Pitamaha-Vishnu-NateJaya Bhaskara-Shakra-Shiro-Vanate ||3||

Meaning: Victory to You, O Devi, who crushes the demon Mahishasura with the trident in Your hand. Victory to You, O Devi, who destroys the sins of all the worlds. Victory to You, O Devi, saluted by Pitamaha Brahma and Lord Vishnu. Victory to You, O Devi, bowed to by the Sun (Bhaskara) and Indra (Shakra).

Verse 4

जय षण्मुखसायुध ईशनुतेजय सागरगामिनि शम्भुनुते।जय दुःखदरिद्रविनाशकरेजय पुत्रकलत्रविवृद्धिकरे ॥४॥

Jaya Shannmukha-Sayudha Isha-NuteJaya Sagara-Gamini Shambhu-Nute |Jaya Duhkha-Daridra-Vinasha-KareJaya Putra-Kalatra-Vivriddhi-Kare ||4||

Meaning: Victory to You, O Devi, praised by the six-faced Kartikeya (Shanmukha), who bears every weapon. Victory to You, O Devi, praised by Shambhu (Shiva); like the Ganga You flow towards the ocean of humanity. Victory to You, O Devi, the Destroyer of all suffering and poverty. Victory to You, O Devi, who grants the growth of children and the welfare of the family.

Verse 5

जय देवि समस्तशरीरधरेजय नाकविदर्शिनि दुःखहरे।जय व्याधिविनाशिनि मोक्षकरेजय वाञ्छितदायिनि सिद्धिवरे ॥५॥

Jaya Devi Samasta-Sharira-DhareJaya Naka-Vidarshini Duhkha-Hare |Jaya Vyadhi-Vinashini Moksha-KareJaya Vanchita-Dayini Siddhi-Vare ||5||

Meaning: Victory to You, O Devi, who upholds all bodies as the foundation of pure awareness. Victory to You, O Devi, who reveals the vision of the spiritual sky during meditation and removes sorrow. Victory to You, O Devi, the Destroyer of disease, who grants liberation (moksha). Victory to You, O Devi, who fulfils all desires and bestows the supreme perfection (siddhi).

Verse 6 (Phala-Shruti)

एतद्व्यासकृतं स्तोत्रंयः पठेन्नियतः शुचि।गृहे वा शुद्धभावेनप्रीता भगवती सदा ॥६॥

Etad-Vyasa-Kritam StotramYah Pathen-Niyatah Shuchi |Grihe Va Shuddha-BhavenaPrita Bhagavati Sada ||6||

Meaning: This stotram was composed by Sage Vyasa. Whoever recites it regularly with purity of body and mind, even at home and with a clean heart, Bhagavati Devi is ever pleased with him or her.

Key Attributes of Bhagavati Devi

• Deity: Bhagavati Devi (the Divine Mother, a form of Durga/Parvati)
• Consort: Shiva, in the form of Bhairava
• Weapon: Trident (shula)
• Demons vanquished: Mahishasura, Shumbha, Nishumbha, Andhaka
• Mantra: The opening salutation of the stotram — "Jaya Bhagavati Devi Namo Varade"

Practical / Modern Context

The Bhagavati Stotram is one of the most accessible daily prayers in Hindu tradition. The phala-shruti (verse 6) explicitly teaches that the hymn may be recited at home, with regularity and a pure heart — no elaborate ritual, pilgrimage or priestly ceremony is required. This makes it ideal for the modern devotee who seeks a short, complete daily prayer.

• Begin the day by reciting the stotram after bathing, as part of a morning routine.
• Recite it during Navaratri, Durga Puja or on Fridays, which are traditionally associated with the Mother Goddess.
• Use it as a prayer for courage in times of anxiety, illness or financial hardship — the hymn names the very afflictions it removes: sin, disease, suffering and poverty.
• The refrain of victory ("Jaya...") is itself a reminder to face daily challenges with the confidence that the Divine Mother's grace protects the devotee.

Common Misconceptions

1. "Shumbha and Nishumbha were lions." Some translations describe the Goddess as "wearing the heads of lions." In fact, Shumbha and Nishumbha were powerful demons slain by the Goddess in the Devi Mahatmya; the verse refers to their severed heads worn as ornaments.
2. "The stotram requires ritual knowledge or priestly rites." The hymn itself states otherwise — it may be recited at home, with simple faith and cleanliness, and the Goddess is pleased.
3. "Bhagavati is only a regional deity." Bhagavati is the Universal Mother herself, a form of Durga/Parvati, worshipped across India; the name simply emphasises her blessed, supreme nature.

Conclusion

The Bhagavati Stotram of Sage Vyasa is a compact treasury of the Divine Mother's glories — from her role as the slayer of demons to her gentle grace as the Giver of boons and liberation. Its six verses make it easy to memorise, and its promise is profound: chant with a clean heart, and Bhagavati Devi is ever pleased. For devotees seeking protection, prosperity, healing and peace in modern times, this ancient hymn remains a faithful companion.

Related Prabhukedwar Guides

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

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