Argala Strotram
These mantras form the second limb of Saptashati recommended for inclusion (Viniyogah) in Durga Paatha. They are also in the Anushtup meter. Anushtup is a class of chchanda (verse) in a particular meter containing thirty-two syllables divided into 4 padas (parts). There are also rules for hard stress and soft stress on particular places of syllables. This makes the verses suitable for musical rendering. Almost all the verses in Valmiki Ramayan, Mahabharat including the Bhagavad Gita are in Anushtup meter.
Through these mantras, the devotee seeks the blessings of the Mahadevi who incarnates under various names for bestowing him boons of Rupam, Jayam and Yasham. These expressions have a repetitive appearance in the strotram which needs explanation.
Rupam dehi: Bestow the knowledge of self-form.
Jayam dehi: Bestow power for victory over delusion.
Yasho devi: Bestow fame for acquisition of knowledge of self-form and victory over delusion.
Dwisho Jahi: Destroy the enemies known as passion and anger.
The second verse is a never-to-forget type of mantra for every practising priest. Eleven names of the Mahadevi appear in one single mantra which also needs explanation. They are explained below.
Jayanti: Who is victory incarnate.
Mangala: Who relieves from cycles of birth and death and awards salvation.
Kali: Who devours the whole creation during pralaya (dissolution).
Bhadrakali: Who accepts everything for transferring to devotees.
Kapalini: Who holds a skull in hand and wears a garland of skulls.
Durga: Who is available only through hard work and penance.
Kshma: Being the mother of all she pardons everyone for sins.
Shiva: Who stands for the welfare of all.
Dhatri: Who holds everything of the creation herself.
Swaha: Who accepts everything during yagya for transferring to gods. Thus, nourishing them.
Swadha: Who accepts “Tarpan” intended for Pitra and keeps nourishing them.
The mantras below have been taken from Devi Mahatmya.
अर्गलास्तोत्रम्
Argala Stotram
जय त्वं देवि चामुण्डे जय भूतापहारिणि ।
जय सर्वगते देवि कालरात्रि नमोऽस्तु ते ॥1॥
Jaya Tvam Devi Caamunndde Jaya Bhuu-Taapa-Haarinni |
Jaya Sarva-Gate Devi Kaalaraatri Namostu Te ||1||
Meaning:
Victory to You, O Devi Chamunda, Victory to You Who are the Remover of Worldly Afflictions and Sorrows. Victory to You O Devi, who are Present in All Beings; Salutations to You, O Devi Kalaratri (a form of Devi Durga, literally means the Dark Night).
जयन्ती मङ्गला काली भद्रकाली कपालिनी ।
दुर्गा शिवा क्षमा धात्री स्वाहा स्वधा नमोऽस्तु ते ॥2॥
Jayantii Manggalaa Kaalii Bhadrakaalii Kapaalinii |
Durgaa Shivaa Kssamaa Dhaatrii Svaahaa Svadhaa Namostu Te ||2||
Meaning:
Salutations to Jayanti (Who is Ever-Victorious), Mangala (Who is the bestower of Auspiciousness), Kali (Who is beyond Kala or Time), Bhadrakali (Who is the controller of Life and Death, being beyond Kala or Time), Kapalini (Who wear a Garland of Skulls). Salutations to Durga who is Ever-Auspicious and One with Shiva as His Consort, who is an embodiment of Forbearance, who is the Supporter of all Beings, who is the final receiver of the Sacrificial Oblations to Gods and Who is the final receiver of the Sacrificial Oblations to Pitra. Salutations to You.
मधुकैटभविध्वंसि विधातृवरदे नमः ।
रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि ॥३॥
Madhu-Kaittabha-Vidhvamsi Vidhaatr-Varade Namah |
Ruupam Dehi Jayam Dehi Yasho Dehi Dvisso Jahi ||3||
Meaning:
Salutations to Devi Durga Who Destroyed the Demons Madhu and Kaitabha, thus Granting the Boon of Protection to Sri Brahma. O Devi, Please Grant me (Spiritual) Beauty, Please Grant me Victory, Please Grant me Glory and Please Destroy my Inner and Outer Enemies.
महिषासुरनिर्नाशि भक्तानां सुखदे नमः ।
रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि ॥४॥
Mahissaasura-Nirnaashi Bhaktaanaam Sukhade Namah |
Ruupam Dehi Jayam Dehi Yasho Dehi Dvisso Jahi ||4||
Meaning:
Salutations to Devi Durga Who Destroyed (to the very root) the Demon Mahishasura; Salutations to Her Who Gives Great Joy to the Devotees. O Devi, Please Grant me (Spiritual) Beauty, Please Grant me Victory, Please Grant me Glory and Please Destroy my Inner and Outer Enemies.
धूम्रनेत्रवधे देवि धर्मकामार्थदायिनि ।
रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि ॥५॥
Dhuumranetra-Vadhe Devi Dharma-Kaama-Artha-Daayini |
Ruupam Dehi Jayam Dehi Yasho Dehi Dvisso Jahi ||5||
Meaning:
Salutations to Devi Durga Who Slayed the Demon Dhumranetra (Dhumralochana); Salutations to Her Who is the Giver of Dharma (path of Righteousness), Kama (Fulfilment of Desires) and Artha (Prosperity) to Her Devotees. O Devi, Please Grant me (Spiritual) Beauty, Please Grant me (Spiritual) Victory, Please Grant me (Spiritual) Glory and Please Destroy my (Inner) Enemies.
रक्तबीजवधे देवि चण्डमुण्डविनाशिनि ।
रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि ॥६॥
Raktabiija-Vadhe Devi Canndda-Munndda-Vinaashini |
Ruupam Dehi Jayam Dehi Yasho Dehi Dvisso Jahi ||6||
Meaning:
Salutations to Devi Durga Who Slayed the Demon Raktabija and Destroyed the Demons Chanda and Munda. O Devi, Please Grant me (Spiritual) Beauty, Please Grant me (Spiritual) Victory, Please Grant me (Spiritual) Glory and Please Destroy my (Inner) Enemies.
निशुम्भशुम्भनिर्नाशि त्रैलोक्यशुभदे नमः ।
रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि ॥७॥
Nishumbha-Shumbha-Nirnaashi Trailokya-Shubhade Namah |
Ruupam Dehi Jayam Dehi Yasho Dehi Dvisso Jahi ||7||
Meaning:
Salutations to Devi Durga Who Destroyed (to the very root) the Demons Nishumbha and Shumbha; Salutations to Her Who Bestows Auspiciousness in the Three Worlds. O Devi, Please Grant me (Spiritual) Beauty, Please Grant me (Spiritual) Victory, Please Grant me (Spiritual) Glory and Please Destroy my (Inner) Enemies.
वन्दिताङ्घ्रियुगे देवि सर्वसौभाग्यदायिनि ।
रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि ॥८॥
Vandita-Angghri-Yuge Devi Sarva-Saubhaagya-Daayini |
Ruupam Dehi Jayam Dehi Yasho Dehi Dvisso Jahi ||8||
Meaning:
Salutations to Devi Durga Whose Pair of Feet is Praised by All, and Who is the Bestower of All Welfare and Good Fortune. O Devi, Please Grant me (Spiritual) Beauty, Please Grant me (Spiritual) Victory, Please Grant me (Spiritual) Glory and Please Destroy my (Inner) Enemies.
अचिन्त्यरूपचरिते सर्वशत्रुविनाशिनि ।
रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि ॥९॥
Acintya-Ruupa-Carite Sarva-Shatru-Vinaashini |
Ruupam Dehi Jayam Dehi Yasho Dehi Dvisso Jahi ||9||
Meaning:
Salutations to Devi Durga Whose Form and Acts are Beyond Comprehension, and Who is the Destroyer of All Enemies. O Devi, Please Grant me (Spiritual) Beauty, Please Grant me (Spiritual) Victory, Please Grant me (Spiritual) Glory and Please Destroy my (Inner) Enemies.
नतेभ्यः सर्वदा भक्त्या चापर्णे दुरितापहे ।
रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि ॥१०॥
Natebhyah Sarvadaa Bhaktyaa Ca-Aparnne Durita-Apahe |
Ruupam Dehi Jayam Dehi Yasho Dehi Dvisso Jahi ||10||
Meaning:
Salutations to Devi Aparna (another name for Devi Durga) to Whom the Devotees Always Bow with Devotion and who Keeps Away the Devotees from Sins. O Devi, Please Grant me (Spiritual) Beauty, Please Grant me (Spiritual) Victory, Please Grant me (Spiritual) Glory and Please Destroy my (Inner) Enemies.
स्तुवद्भयो भक्तिपूर्वं त्वां चण्डिके व्याधिनाशिनि ।
रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि ॥११॥
Stuvadbhayo Bhakti-Puurvam Tvaam Cannddike Vyaadhi-Naashini |
Ruupam Dehi Jayam Dehi Yasho Dehi Dvisso Jahi ||11||
Meaning:
O Devi Chandika, those who Praise You with full Devotion, You Destroy their Diseases and Ailments. O Devi, Please Grant me (Spiritual) Beauty, Please Grant me (Spiritual) Victory, Please Grant me (Spiritual) Glory and Please Destroy my (Inner) Enemies.
चण्डिके सततं युद्धे जयन्ति पापनाशिनि ।
रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि ॥१२॥
Cannddike Satatam Yuddhe Jayanti Paapa-Naashini |
Ruupam Dehi Jayam Dehi Yasho Dehi Dvisso Jahi ||12||
Meaning:
Salutations to Devi Chandika, who is Always Victorious in the Battles, and Who is the Destroyer of all Sins. O Devi, Please Grant me (Spiritual) Beauty, Please Grant me (Spiritual) Victory, Please Grant me (Spiritual) Glory and Please Destroy my (Inner) Enemies.
देहि सौभाग्यमारोग्यं देहि देवि परं सुखम् ।
रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि ॥१३॥
Dehi Saubhaagyam-Aarogyam Dehi Devi Param Sukham |
Ruupam Dehi Jayam Dehi Yasho Dehi Dvisso Jahi ||13||
Meaning:
O Devi, Please Bestow on me Welfare and Prosperity, along with Health and freedom from Diseases; O Devi, Please Give me the Highest Joy. O Devi, Please Grant me (Spiritual) Beauty, Please Grant me (Spiritual) Victory, Please Grant me (Spiritual) Glory and Please Destroy my (Inner) Enemies.
विधेहि देवि कल्याणं विधेहि विपुलां श्रियम् ।
रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि ॥१४॥
Vidhehi Devi Kalyaannam Vidhehi Vipulaam Shriyam |
Ruupam Dehi Jayam Dehi Yasho Dehi Dvisso Jahi ||14||
Meaning:
O Devi, Please Bestow on me Good Fortune; O Devi, Please Give me Abundant Prosperity. O Devi, Please Grant me (Spiritual) Beauty, Please Grant me (Spiritual) Victory, Please Grant me (Spiritual) Glory and Please Destroy my (Inner) Enemies.
विधेहि द्विषतां नाशं विधेहि बलमुच्चकैः ।
रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि ॥१५॥
Vidhehi Dvissataam Naasham Vidhehi Balam-Uccakaih |
Ruupam Dehi Jayam Dehi Yasho Dehi Dvisso Jahi ||15||
Meaning:
O Devi, Please Destroy my Enemies; O Devi, Please Give me Great Strength. O Devi, Please Grant me (Spiritual) Beauty, Please Grant me (Spiritual) Victory, Please Grant me (Spiritual) Glory and Please Destroy my (Inner) Enemies.
सुरासुरशिरोरत्ननिघृष्टचरणेऽम्बिके ।
रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि ॥१६॥
Sura-Asura-Shiro-Ratna-Nighrsstta-Caranne-[A]mbike |
Ruupam Dehi Jayam Dehi Yasho Dehi Dvisso Jahi ||16||
Meaning:
Salutations to Devi Ambika, To Whose Feet the Devas Rub (i.e., Touch) their Heads adorned with Jewels out of Devotion, and To Whose Feet the Heads of the mighty Asuras adorned with Jewels get Subdued. O Devi, Please Grant me (Spiritual) Beauty, Please Grant me (Spiritual) Victory, Please Grant me (Spiritual) Glory and Please Destroy my (Inner) Enemies.
विद्यावन्तं यशस्वन्तं लक्ष्मीवन्तञ्च मां कुरु ।
रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि ॥१७॥
Vidyaavantam Yashasvantam Lakssmiivantan.ca Maam Kuru |
Ruupam Dehi Jayam Dehi Yasho Dehi Dvisso Jahi ||17||
Meaning:
O Devi, Please Make me Full of Knowledge, Please Make me Full of Glory and Please Make me Full of the attributes of Lakshmi (Beauty and Prosperity). O Devi, Please Grant me (Spiritual) Beauty, Please Grant me (Spiritual) Victory, Please Grant me (Spiritual) Glory and Please Destroy my (Inner) Enemies.
देवि प्रचण्डदोर्दण्डदैत्यदर्पनिषूदिनि ।
रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि ॥१८॥
Devi Pracanndda-Dordanndda-Daitya-Darpa-Nissuudini |
Ruupam Dehi Jayam Dehi Yasho Dehi Dvisso Jahi ||18||
Meaning:
Salutations to Devi Durga, Who Destroys the Mighty Pride of the Excessively Violent and Powerful Demons. O Devi, Please Grant me (Spiritual) Beauty, Please Grant me (Spiritual) Victory, Please Grant me (Spiritual) Glory and Please Destroy my (Inner) Enemies.
प्रचण्डदैत्यदर्पघ्ने चण्डिके प्रणताय मे ।
रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि ॥१९॥
Pracanndda-Daitya-Darpa-Ghne Cannddike Prannataaya Me |
Ruupam Dehi Jayam Dehi Yasho Dehi Dvisso Jahi ||19||
Meaning:
My Salutations to Devi Chandika, who is the Destroyer of the Terrible Demons with Mighty Pride. O Devi, Please Grant me (Spiritual) Beauty, Please Grant me (Spiritual) Victory, Please Grant me (Spiritual) Glory and Please Destroy my (Inner) Enemies.
चतुर्भुजे चतुर्वक्त्रसंस्तुते परमेश्वरि ।
रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि ॥२०॥
Caturbhuje Catur-Vaktra-Samstute Param-[Ii]eshvari |
Ruupam Dehi Jayam Dehi Yasho Dehi Dvisso Jahi ||20||
Meaning:
Salutations to the Supreme Goddess Durga, who is Praised by Lord Brahma with all His Four Faces and all His Four Hands. O Devi, Please Grant me (Spiritual) Beauty, Please Grant me (Spiritual) Victory, Please Grant me (Spiritual) Glory and Please Destroy my (Inner) Enemies.
कृष्णेन संस्तुते देवि शश्वद्भक्त्या सदाम्बिके ।
रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि ॥२१॥
Krssnnena Samstute Devi Shashvad-Bhaktyaa Sada-Ambike |
Ruupam Dehi Jayam Dehi Yasho Dehi Dvisso Jahi ||21||
Meaning:
Salutations to the Supreme Devi Ambika, who is Always Praised by Lord Krishna with a Continuous Flow of Devotion. O Devi, Please Grant me (Spiritual) Beauty, Please Grant me (Spiritual) Victory, Please Grant me (Spiritual) Glory and Please Destroy my (Inner) Enemies.
हिमाचलसुतानाथसंस्तुते परमेश्वरि ।
रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि ॥२२॥
Himaacala-Sutaa-Naatha-Samstute Param-[Ii]eshvari |
Ruupam Dehi Jayam Dehi Yasho Dehi Dvisso Jahi ||22||
Meaning:
Salutations to the Supreme Goddess Durga, who is Praised by the Lord of the daughter of the Himachal Mountain (i.e., by Lord Shiva). O Devi, Please Grant me (Spiritual) Beauty, Please Grant me (Spiritual) Victory, Please Grant me (Spiritual) Glory and Please Destroy my (Inner) Enemies.
इन्द्राणीपतिसद्भावपूजिते परमेश्वरि ।
रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि ॥२३॥
Indraannii-Pati-Sadbhaava-Puujite Param-[Ii]eshvari |
Ruupam Dehi Jayam Dehi Yasho Dehi Dvisso Jahi ||23||
Meaning:
Salutations to the Supreme Goddess Durga, who is Worshipped with True Devotion by the Consort of Indrani (i.e., by Indra Deva). O Devi, Please Grant me (Spiritual) Beauty, Please Grant me (Spiritual) Victory, Please Grant me (Spiritual) Glory and Please Destroy my (Inner) Enemies.
देवि भक्तजनोद्दामदत्तानन्दोदयेऽम्बिके ।
रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि ॥२४॥
Devi Bhakta-Jano[a-U]ddaama-Datta-[A]anando-[U]daye-[A]mbike |
Ruupam Dehi Jayam Dehi Yasho Dehi Dvisso Jahi ||24||
Meaning:
Salutations to Devi Ambika, Who Gives Rise to an Upsurge of Unbounded Joy in the Hearts of the Devotees. O Devi, Please Grant me (Spiritual) Beauty, Please Grant me (Spiritual) Victory, Please Grant me (Spiritual) Glory and Please Destroy my (Inner) Enemies.
भार्या मनोरमां देहि मनोवृत्तानुसारिणीम् ।
रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि ॥२५॥
Bhaaryaa Manoramaam Dehi Mano-Vrtta-Anusaarinniim |
Ruupam Dehi Jayam Dehi Yasho Dehi Dvisso Jahi ||25||
Meaning:
O Devi, Please Grant me a Beautiful Wife matching my Mental Disposition. O Devi, Please Grant me (Spiritual) Beauty, Please Grant me (Spiritual) Victory, Please Grant me (Spiritual) Glory and Please Destroy my (Inner) Enemies.
तारिणि दुर्गसंसारसागरस्याचलोद्भवे ।
रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि ॥२६॥
Taarinni Durga-Samsaara-Saagarasya-Acalo[a-U]dbhave |
Ruupam Dehi Jayam Dehi Yasho Dehi Dvisso Jahi ||26||
Meaning:
Salutations to Devi Durga, who took Birth from the Mountain (i.e., daughter of the mountain king) and Who Enables us to Cross the Difficult Ocean of the Samsara (Worldly Existence). O Devi, Please Grant me (Spiritual) Beauty, Please Grant me (Spiritual) Victory, Please Grant me (Spiritual) Glory and Please Destroy my (Inner) Enemies.
इदं स्तोत्रं पठित्वा तु महास्तोत्र पठेन्नरः ।
सप्तशतीं समाराध्य वरमाप्नोति दुर्लभम् ॥२७॥
Idam Stotram Patthitvaa Tu Mahaastotra Patthen-Narah |
Saptashatiim Sama-[A]araadhya Varam-Aapnoti Durlabham ||27||
Meaning:
Having Read this Stotra (i.e., the Argala Stotra), one should then Read the Great Stotra (i.e., the core Durga Saptashati). This Stotra (i.e., Argala Stotra) is Equally Revered like the Saptashati; By Reading this with Devotion, one Obtains difficult to obtain Boons.
I am a Vedic astrologer by profession. I have done Jyotish Acharya from Bhartiya Vidya Bhawan. I am devoted to my Sadguru Shri Sai Nath of Shirdi. I am also interested in spirituality. I love to guide people.
I am a Vedic astrologer by profession. I have done Jyotish Acharya from Bhartiya Vidya Bhawan. I am devoted to my Sadguru Shri Sai Nath of Shirdi. I am also interested in spirituality. I love to guide people.