Argala Stotram

The Argala Stotra is one of the important readings of the Shri Durga Saptashati. By tradition, it is read after the Devi Kavach and before the Keelaka Stotra. In this stotra, Mother Chandika and her various forms are praised, and prayers are offered for victory, fame, good fortune, health, happiness, prosperity and well-being. In its verses, the Goddess is repeatedly asked to grant beauty, victory and fame and to destroy one’s enemies. Reciting it with faith is regarded as a way of remembering the Goddess’s grace.

Athargala Stotram (॥ अथार्गलास्तोत्रम् ॥)

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. This stotra is chanted to please Shri Jagadamba and as part of the recitation of the Durga Saptashati.

ॐ नमश्चण्डिकायै॥

Om Namash Chandikayai ||

Meaning: Salutations to Goddess Chandika.

Markandeya Uvacha (मार्कण्डेय उवाच)

Verse 1

ॐ जयन्ती मङ्गला काली भद्रकाली कपालिनी। दुर्गा क्षमा शिवा धात्री स्वाहा स्वधा नमोऽस्तु ते॥1॥

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 also abide as Svaha and Svadha. My salutations to you.

Verse 2

जय त्वं देवि चामुण्डे जय भूतार्तिहारिणि। जय सर्वगते देवि कालरात्रि नमोऽस्तु ते॥2॥

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

Meaning: O Goddess Chamunda, victory to you! You remove the sorrow and suffering of living beings. You pervade everything, and as Kalaratri you destroy the wicked. Salutations to you.

Verse 3

मधुकैटभविद्राविविधातृवरदे नमः। रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि॥3॥

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

Meaning: O Goddess! You destroyed the demons named Madhu and Kaitabha and granted a boon to Brahma. Salutations to you. Grant me a beautiful and radiant 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॥4॥

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

Meaning: O Goddess, you who utterly destroyed Mahishasura and who give happiness to your devotees, salutations to you! Grant me beauty, victory and fame, and destroy my enemies.

Verse 5

रक्तबीजवधे देवि चण्डमुण्डविनाशिनि। रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि॥5॥

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

Meaning: O Goddess! You slew Raktabija and destroyed Chanda and Munda. Grant me a beautiful form, victory and fame, and destroy my enemies.

Verse 6

शुम्भस्यैव निशुम्भस्य धूम्राक्षस्य च मर्दिनि। रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि॥6॥

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

Meaning: O Goddess! You are the slayer of demons such as Shumbha, Nishumbha and Dhumraksha. Grant me beauty, victory and fame, and destroy my enemies.

Verse 7

वन्दिताङ्घ्रियुगे देवि सर्वसौभाग्यदायिनि। रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि॥7॥

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

Meaning: O Goddess, whose two feet all devotees worship with faith and who grants every kind of good fortune, salutations to you! Grant me beauty, victory and fame, and destroy my enemies.

Verse 8

अचिन्त्यरूपचरिते सर्वशत्रुविनाशिनि। रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि॥8॥

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

Meaning: O Goddess! Your form and your divine deeds are beyond human imagination. You destroy all enemies. Grant me beauty, victory and fame, and destroy my enemies.

Verse 9

नतेभ्यः सर्वदा भक्त्या चण्डिके दुरितापहे। रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि॥9॥

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

Meaning: O Goddess Chandika! All the sins and sufferings of devotees who bow before you with faith are removed. Grant me beauty, victory and fame, and destroy my enemies.

Verse 10

स्तुवद्भ्यो भक्तिपूर्वं त्वां चण्डिके व्याधिनाशिनि। रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि॥10॥

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

Meaning: O Goddess Chandika! You remove the diseases and afflictions of the devotees who praise you with devotion. Grant me beauty, victory and fame, and destroy my enemies.

Verse 11

चण्डिके सततं ये त्वामर्चयन्तीह भक्तितः। रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि॥11॥

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

Meaning: O Goddess Chandika! Bless those in this world who worship you constantly with faith and devotion. Grant me beauty, victory and fame, and destroy my enemies.

Verse 12

देहि सौभाग्यमारोग्यं देहि मे परमं सुखम्। रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि॥12॥

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

Meaning: O Goddess! Grant me good fortune, good health and the highest happiness. Grant me beauty, victory and fame, and destroy my enemies.

Verse 13

विधेहि द्विषतां नाशं विधेहि बलमुच्चकैः। रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि॥13॥

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

Meaning: O Goddess! Destroy my enemies and grant me great strength. Grant me beauty, victory and fame, and drive away those who oppose me.

Verse 14

विधेहि देवि कल्याणं विधेहि परमां श्रियम्। रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि॥14॥

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 finest prosperity. Grant me beauty, victory and fame, and destroy my enemies.

Verse 15

सुरासुरशिरोरत्ननिघृष्टचरणेऽम्बिके। रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि॥15॥

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

Meaning: O Ambike! Salutations to the great Goddess whose feet are touched even by the jewels set in the crowns of the gods and demons. Grant me beauty, victory and fame, and destroy my enemies.

Verse 16

विद्यावन्तं यशस्वन्तं लक्ष्मीवन्तं जनं कुरु। रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि॥16॥

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

Meaning: O Goddess! Make me learned, famous and blessed with wealth and prosperity. Grant me beauty, victory and fame, and destroy my enemies.

Verse 17

प्रचण्डदैत्यदर्पघ्ने चण्डिके प्रणताय मे। रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि॥17॥

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

Meaning: O Goddess Chandika! You crush the pride of the mighty demons. I have taken refuge in you — grant me beauty, victory and fame, and destroy my enemies.

Verse 18

चतुर्भुजे चतुर्वक्त्रसंस्तुते परमेश्वरि। रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि॥18॥

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

Meaning: O four-armed Supreme Goddess! Even the four-faced Brahma sings your praises. Grant me beauty, victory and fame, and destroy my enemies.

Verse 19

कृष्णेन संस्तुते देवि शश्वद्भक्त्या सदाम्बिके। रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि॥19॥

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

Meaning: O Goddess Ambike! Even Lord Shri Krishna always praises you with devotion. Grant me beauty, victory and fame, and destroy my enemies.

Verse 20

हिमाचलसुतानाथसंस्तुते परमेश्वरि। रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि॥20॥

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

Meaning: O Supreme Goddess! Even Lord Shiva, the husband of Parvati, the daughter of the Himalaya, praises you. Grant me beauty, victory and fame, and destroy my enemies.

Verse 21

इन्द्राणीपतिसद्भावपूजिते परमेश्वरि। रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि॥21॥

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

Meaning: O Supreme Goddess! Even Lord Indra, the husband of Indrani, worships you with faith and reverence. Grant me beauty, victory and fame, and destroy my enemies.

Verse 22

देवि प्रचण्डदोर्दण्डदैत्यदर्पविना शिनि। रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि॥22॥

Devi Prachanda-Dordanda-Daitya-Darpavina Shini | Rupam Dehi Jayam Dehi Yasho Dehi Dvisho Jahi || 22 ||

Meaning: O Goddess! Your mighty arms crush the pride of the demons. Grant me beauty, victory and fame, and destroy my enemies.

Verse 23

देवि भक्तजनोद्दामदत्तानन्दोदयेऽम्बिके। रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि॥23॥

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

Meaning: O Ambike! You give great joy and delight to your devotees. Show your grace to me as well. Grant me beauty, victory and fame, and destroy my enemies.

Verse 24

पत्नीं मनोरमां देहि मनोवृत्तानुसारिणीम्। तारिणीं दुर्गसंसारसागरस्य कुलोद्भवाम्॥24॥

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

Meaning: O Goddess! Grant me a beautiful wife who delights the heart and understands my thoughts and feelings. May I find a life partner, born of a good family, who will stand by me through difficult times and help me cross the ocean of worldly life.

Verse 25

इदं स्तोत्रं पठित्वा तु महास्तोत्रं पठेन्नरः।हिंदू ग्रंथ पढ़ना स तु सप्तशतीसङ्ख्यावरमाप्नोति सम्पदाम्॥25॥

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

Meaning: A person who first recites this Argala Stotra and then recites the great stotra of the Goddess, that is, the Durga Saptashati, receives many kinds of wealth and auspicious results by the Goddess’s grace.

Conclusion

॥ इति देव्या अर्गलास्तोत्रं सम्पूर्णम् ॥

|| Iti Devya Argala-Stotram Sampurnam ||

The Argala Stotra is a hymn of praise and prayer to Mother Durga for good fortune, health, learning, fame, prosperity and victory, and its last verse mentions reciting the Durga Saptashati after it.