Durga Saptashati Argala Stotram: Lyrics with Meaning

Argala Stotram is a hymn of 25 verses to Goddess Chandika, recited as one of the auxiliary hymns (Angas) of Shri Durga Saptashati – also known as Devi Mahatmya or Chandi Path. Narrated by Sage Markandeya, it praises the Goddess in her many forms and asks, verse after verse, for an auspicious form, victory, fame and the defeat of hostile forces.

This page gives the complete Argala Stotram in Sanskrit with transliteration and verse-by-verse meaning, followed by its benefits and a simple guide to reciting it.

What Is Argala Stotram?

The word Argala (अर्गला) means a bolt, latch or bar. In the devotional tradition, the stotra is understood to work like a bolt being drawn back: it removes obstruction and opens the way for the blessings of the Devi Mahatmya that follows it.

The hymn is spoken by Sage Markandeya, and its Viniyoga names Lord Vishnu as its Rishi (seer) and Anushtup as its metre. Through its verses the Goddess is addressed as Chandika, Chamunda, Kalaratri and Ambika – the forms in which she is praised throughout the Saptashati.

Place of Argala Stotram in Durga Saptashati

In a traditional Durga Saptashati or Chandi Path, three preliminary hymns are recited before the main text, in this order:

Devi Kavach → Argala Stotram → Keelaka Stotra → Durga Saptashati

• Devi Kavach is a prayer for the Goddess's protection.

• Argala Stotram praises the Goddess and asks for her blessings.

• Keelaka Stotra follows the Argala, after which the main Saptashati recitation begins.

The order of these three hymns and the prayers that accompany them can vary by tradition, text or method of worship, so devotees following a family or spiritual lineage should keep to its prescribed method. The complete preparatory procedure – Sankalpa, Shapoddhara and the rest – is given in the Shri Durga Saptashati Path Vidhi.

Argala Stotram Lyrics with Meaning

॥ अथार्गलास्तोत्रम् ॥

Viniyoga

ॐ अस्य श्रीअर्गलास्तोत्रमन्त्रस्य विष्णुर्ऋषिः, अनुष्टुप् छन्दः, श्रीमहालक्ष्मीर्देवता, श्रीजगदम्बाप्रीतये सप्तशतीपाठाङ्गत्वेन जपे विनियोगः॥

Om Asya Shri-Argala-Stotra-Mantrasya Vishnur Rishih, Anushtup Chhandah, Shri-Mahalakshmir Devata, Shri-Jagadamba-Pritaye Saptashati-Pathangatvena Jape Viniyogah ||

Meaning: The Rishi of this Argala Stotra is Lord Vishnu, its metre is Anushtup and its deity is Shri Mahalakshmi. It is recited to please Shri Jagadamba, as part of the Durga Saptashati Path.

ॐ नमश्चण्डिकायै॥

Om Namash Chandikayai ||

Meaning: Salutations to Goddess Chandika.

मार्कण्डेय उवाच (Markandeya Uvacha – Sage Markandeya said)

Verse 1

ॐ जयन्ती मङ्गला काली भद्रकाली कपालिनी। दुर्गा क्षमा शिवा धात्री स्वाहा स्वधा नमोऽस्तु ते॥१॥

Om Jayanti Mangala Kali Bhadrakali Kapalini | Durga Kshama Shiva Dhatri Svaha Svadha Namo'stu Te || 1 ||

Meaning: O Goddess! You are Jayanti, Mangala (the auspicious one), Kali, Bhadrakali, Kapalini, Durga, Kshama, Shiva and Dhatri. You are also Svaha and Svadha. Salutations to you.

Verse 2

जय त्वं देवि चामुण्डे जय भूतार्तिहारिणि। जय सर्वगते देवि कालरात्रि नमोऽस्तु ते॥२॥

Jaya Tvam Devi Chamunde Jaya Bhutarti-Harini | Jaya Sarvagate Devi Kalaratri Namo'stu Te || 2 ||

Meaning: O Goddess Chamunda, victory to you! Victory to you who remove the suffering of all beings. Victory to you, O all-pervading Goddess, O Kalaratri. Salutations to you.

Verse 3

मधुकैटभविद्राविविधातृवरदे नमः। रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि॥३॥

Madhu-Kaitabha-Vidravi-Vidhatri-Varade Namah | Rupam Dehi Jayam Dehi Yasho Dehi Dvisho Jahi || 3 ||

Meaning: O Goddess who destroyed the demons Madhu and Kaitabha and granted a boon to Brahma, salutations to you. Grant me an auspicious form, grant me victory, grant me fame, and destroy my enemies.

Verse 4

महिषासुरनिर्णाशि भक्तानां सुखदे नमः। रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि॥४॥

Mahishasura-Nirnashi Bhaktanam Sukhade Namah | Rupam Dehi Jayam Dehi Yasho Dehi Dvisho Jahi || 4 ||

Meaning: O Goddess who destroyed Mahishasura and who give happiness to your devotees, salutations to you. Grant me an auspicious form, grant me victory, grant me fame, and destroy my enemies.

Verse 5

रक्तबीजवधे देवि चण्डमुण्डविनाशिनि। रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि॥५॥

Raktabija-Vadhe Devi Chanda-Munda-Vinashini | Rupam Dehi Jayam Dehi Yasho Dehi Dvisho Jahi || 5 ||

Meaning: O Goddess who slew Raktabija and destroyed Chanda and Munda! Grant me an auspicious form, grant me victory, grant me fame, and destroy my enemies.

Verse 6

शुम्भस्यैव निशुम्भस्य धूम्राक्षस्य च मर्दिनि। रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि॥६॥

Shumbhasyaiva Nishumbhasya Dhumrakshasya Cha Mardini | Rupam Dehi Jayam Dehi Yasho Dehi Dvisho Jahi || 6 ||

Meaning: O Goddess, slayer of Shumbha, Nishumbha and Dhumraksha! Grant me an auspicious form, grant me victory, grant me fame, and destroy my enemies.

Verse 7

वन्दिताङ्घ्रियुगे देवि सर्वसौभाग्यदायिनि। रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि॥७॥

Vanditanghri-Yuge Devi Sarva-Saubhagya-Dayini | Rupam Dehi Jayam Dehi Yasho Dehi Dvisho Jahi || 7 ||

Meaning: O Goddess whose feet are worshipped by all and who bestow every kind of good fortune! Grant me an auspicious form, grant me victory, grant me fame, and destroy my enemies.

Verse 8

अचिन्त्यरूपचरिते सर्वशत्रुविनाशिनि। रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि॥८॥

Achintya-Rupa-Charite Sarva-Shatru-Vinashini | Rupam Dehi Jayam Dehi Yasho Dehi Dvisho Jahi || 8 ||

Meaning: O Goddess whose form and deeds are beyond imagination, destroyer of all enemies! Grant me an auspicious form, grant me victory, grant me fame, and destroy my enemies.

Verse 9

नतेभ्यः सर्वदा भक्त्या चण्डिके दुरितापहे। रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि॥९॥

Natebhyah Sarvada Bhaktya Chandike Duritapahe | Rupam Dehi Jayam Dehi Yasho Dehi Dvisho Jahi || 9 ||

Meaning: O Chandika, remover of sin and sorrow! To those who always bow before you with devotion, grant an auspicious form, grant victory, grant fame, and destroy their enemies.

Verse 10

स्तुवद्भ्यो भक्तिपूर्वं त्वां चण्डिके व्याधिनाशिनि। रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि॥१०॥

Stuvadbhyo Bhaktipurvam Tvam Chandike Vyadhi-Nashini | Rupam Dehi Jayam Dehi Yasho Dehi Dvisho Jahi || 10 ||

Meaning: O Chandika, destroyer of disease! To those who praise you with devotion, grant an auspicious form, grant victory, grant fame, and destroy their enemies.

Verse 11

चण्डिके सततं ये त्वामर्चयन्तीह भक्तितः। रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि॥११॥

Chandike Satatam Ye Tvam Archayantiha Bhaktitah | Rupam Dehi Jayam Dehi Yasho Dehi Dvisho Jahi || 11 ||

Meaning: O Chandika! To those in this world who worship you constantly with devotion, grant an auspicious form, grant victory, grant fame, and destroy their enemies.

Verse 12

देहि सौभाग्यमारोग्यं देहि मे परमं सुखम्। रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि॥१२॥

Dehi Saubhagyam Arogyam Dehi Me Paramam Sukham | Rupam Dehi Jayam Dehi Yasho Dehi Dvisho Jahi || 12 ||

Meaning: Grant me good fortune and good health; grant me the highest happiness. Grant me an auspicious form, grant me victory, grant me fame, and destroy my enemies.

Verse 13

विधेहि द्विषतां नाशं विधेहि बलमुच्चकैः। रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि॥१३॥

Vidhehi Dvishatam Nasham Vidhehi Balam Uchchakaih | Rupam Dehi Jayam Dehi Yasho Dehi Dvisho Jahi || 13 ||

Meaning: Bring about the destruction of my enemies and grant me great strength. Grant me an auspicious form, grant me victory, grant me fame, and destroy my enemies.

Verse 14

विधेहि देवि कल्याणं विधेहि परमां श्रियम्। रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि॥१४॥

Vidhehi Devi Kalyanam Vidhehi Paramam Shriyam | Rupam Dehi Jayam Dehi Yasho Dehi Dvisho Jahi || 14 ||

Meaning: O Goddess! Bring me well-being and grant me the highest prosperity. Grant me an auspicious form, grant me victory, grant me fame, and destroy my enemies.

Verse 15

सुरासुरशिरोरत्ननिघृष्टचरणेऽम्बिके। रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि॥१५॥

Surasura-Shiroratna-Nighrishta-Charane'mbike | Rupam Dehi Jayam Dehi Yasho Dehi Dvisho Jahi || 15 ||

Meaning: O Ambika, whose feet are polished by the crown-jewels of gods and demons alike as they bow before you! Grant me an auspicious form, grant me victory, grant me fame, and destroy my enemies.

Verse 16

विद्यावन्तं यशस्वन्तं लक्ष्मीवन्तं जनं कुरु। रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि॥१६॥

Vidyavantam Yashasvantam Lakshmivantam Janam Kuru | Rupam Dehi Jayam Dehi Yasho Dehi Dvisho Jahi || 16 ||

Meaning: Make me learned, famous and blessed with wealth. Grant me an auspicious form, grant me victory, grant me fame, and destroy my enemies.

Verse 17

प्रचण्डदैत्यदर्पघ्ने चण्डिके प्रणताय मे। रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि॥१७॥

Prachanda-Daitya-Darpaghne Chandike Pranataya Me | Rupam Dehi Jayam Dehi Yasho Dehi Dvisho Jahi || 17 ||

Meaning: O Chandika, who crush the pride of fierce demons! To me, who bow before you, grant an auspicious form, grant victory, grant fame, and destroy my enemies.

Verse 18

चतुर्भुजे चतुर्वक्त्रसंस्तुते परमेश्वरि। रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि॥१८॥

Chaturbhuje Chaturvaktra-Samstute Parameshvari | Rupam Dehi Jayam Dehi Yasho Dehi Dvisho Jahi || 18 ||

Meaning: O four-armed Supreme Goddess, praised by the four-faced Brahma! Grant me an auspicious form, grant me victory, grant me fame, and destroy my enemies.

Verse 19

कृष्णेन संस्तुते देवि शश्वद्भक्त्या सदाम्बिके। रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि॥१९॥

Krishnena Samstute Devi Shashvad Bhaktya Sadambike | Rupam Dehi Jayam Dehi Yasho Dehi Dvisho Jahi || 19 ||

Meaning: O Goddess Ambika, always praised by Lord Krishna with unfailing devotion! Grant me an auspicious form, grant me victory, grant me fame, and destroy my enemies.

Verse 20

हिमाचलसुतानाथसंस्तुते परमेश्वरि। रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि॥२०॥

Himachala-Suta-Natha-Samstute Parameshvari | Rupam Dehi Jayam Dehi Yasho Dehi Dvisho Jahi || 20 ||

Meaning: O Supreme Goddess, praised by Lord Shiva, the consort of Parvati, daughter of the Himalaya! Grant me an auspicious form, grant me victory, grant me fame, and destroy my enemies.

Verse 21

इन्द्राणीपतिसद्भावपूजिते परमेश्वरि। रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि॥२१॥

Indrani-Pati-Sadbhava-Pujite Parameshvari | Rupam Dehi Jayam Dehi Yasho Dehi Dvisho Jahi || 21 ||

Meaning: O Supreme Goddess, worshipped with sincere devotion by Indra, the consort of Indrani! Grant me an auspicious form, grant me victory, grant me fame, and destroy my enemies.

Verse 22

देवि प्रचण्डदोर्दण्डदैत्यदर्पविनाशिनि। रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि॥२२॥

Devi Prachanda-Dordanda-Daitya-Darpa-Vinashini | Rupam Dehi Jayam Dehi Yasho Dehi Dvisho Jahi || 22 ||

Meaning: O Goddess who destroy the pride of fierce, strong-armed demons! Grant me an auspicious form, grant me victory, grant me fame, and destroy my enemies.

Verse 23

देवि भक्तजनोद्दामदत्तानन्दोदयेऽम्बिके। रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि॥२३॥

Devi Bhaktajanoddama-Dattanandodaye'mbike | Rupam Dehi Jayam Dehi Yasho Dehi Dvisho Jahi || 23 ||

Meaning: O Goddess Ambika, who bring boundless joy to your devotees! Grant me an auspicious form, grant me victory, grant me fame, and destroy my enemies.

Verse 24

पत्नीं मनोरमां देहि मनोवृत्तानुसारिणीम्। तारिणीं दुर्गसंसारसागरस्य कुलोद्भवाम्॥२४॥

Patnim Manoramam Dehi Manovrittanusarinim | Tarinim Durga-Samsara-Sagarasya Kulodbhavam || 24 ||

Meaning: Grant me a lovely wife, born of a good family, who understands my mind and helps me cross the difficult ocean of worldly life.

Verse 25

इदं स्तोत्रं पठित्वा तु महास्तोत्रं पठेन्नरः। स तु सप्तशतीसङ्ख्यावरमाप्नोति सम्पदाम्॥२५॥

Idam Stotram Pathitva Tu Mahastotram Pathennarah | Sa Tu Saptashati-Sankhya-Varam Apnoti Sampadam || 25 ||

Meaning: One who recites this stotra and then recites the great stotra, the Durga Saptashati, receives the excellent fruit of prosperity that the full recitation of the Saptashati bestows.

॥ इति देव्या अर्गलास्तोत्रं सम्पूर्णम् ॥

|| Iti Devya Argala-Stotram Sampurnam ||

Meaning: Thus ends the Argala Stotra of the Goddess.

Significance of "Rupam Dehi, Jayam Dehi, Yasho Dehi, Dvisho Jahi"

Twenty-one of the 25 verses (Verses 3 to 23) end with the same line:

रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि॥

Rupam Dehi, Jayam Dehi, Yasho Dehi, Dvisho Jahi

It holds four prayers:

• Rupam Dehi – grant me an auspicious form

• Jayam Dehi – grant me victory

• Yasho Dehi – grant me fame and a good name

• Dvisho Jahi – destroy my enemies and hostile forces

The repetition gives the hymn its distinctive rhythm and keeps the devotee's appeal at the centre of every verse: grace, victory, honour and protection.

Argala Stotram Benefits

The benefits traditionally associated with the Argala Stotram are the blessings the hymn itself asks for:

Blessing	Where the hymn asks for it
Victory	"Jayam dehi", repeated in 21 verses
Fame and a good name	"Yasho dehi", repeated in 21 verses
Freedom from enemies and hostile forces	"Dvisho jahi"; Verses 8 and 13
Relief from sin, sorrow and disease	Verses 9 and 10
Good fortune, health and happiness	Verse 12
Strength	Verse 13
Well-being and prosperity	Verse 14
Learning and wealth	Verse 16
A suitable life partner	Verse 24

These are prayers made with faith – the aspirations the hymn expresses, not guaranteed outcomes.

How and When to Recite Argala Stotram

Argala Stotram is recited whenever the Durga Saptashati is read – most commonly during Navratri and Durga Puja – and also in regular Devi worship. No particular festival is required unless one's tradition specifies it.

To recite it:

1. Sit in a clean, quiet place with the text in front of you.

2. Begin with a prayer to Goddess Durga (Chandika).

3. If you are performing the full Saptashati, recite the Devi Kavach first; the Argala Stotram comes next.

4. Recite the Sanskrit verses with attention to their meaning, without rushing.

5. Continue with the Keelaka Stotra and the main Saptashati, or close with the colophon if reciting the Argala Stotram on its own.

Pronunciation practices differ between traditions; follow the method of your own lineage or priest.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many verses are there in Argala Stotram?

The version given here has 25 verses, preceded by the Viniyoga and the salutation "Om Namash Chandikayai". Verses 3 to 23 share the refrain "Rupam dehi, jayam dehi, yasho dehi, dvisho jahi".

Can Argala Stotram be recited on its own?

Yes. It is traditionally recited with the Durga Saptashati, but devotees also recite it as an independent prayer to the Goddess, according to their own practice.

Is Argala Stotram part of the Devi Mahatmya?

It is recited with the Devi Mahatmya (Durga Saptashati) as one of its auxiliary hymns (Angas), together with the Devi Kavach and Keelaka Stotra, rather than as one of its chapters.

Which Goddess is Argala Stotram addressed to?

The hymn addresses Chandika – the Goddess as she appears in the Durga Saptashati – and praises her as Chamunda, Kalaratri and Ambika. Its Viniyoga names Shri Mahalakshmi as the presiding deity; these are forms of the one Goddess, not different deities.

Conclusion

Argala Stotram is the devotee's direct appeal to the Goddess – praise for her forms and deeds, and the repeated prayer for an auspicious form, victory, fame and freedom from hostile forces. Recited with faith, within the Durga Saptashati or on its own, it keeps the grace of the Goddess at the centre of one's worship.