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108 Names of Durga

Durga Ashtottara Shatanamavali - all 108 sacred names of Goddess Durga in Sanskrit with Roman transliteration and English meaning.

Durga Ashtottara Shatanamavali

Chant as: ॐ [नाम]ायै नमः (Om [Name]ayai Namah) - offering one kumkum pellet or red flower with each name. Especially powerful during Navratri and Tuesdays.

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# Sanskrit Transliteration Meaning
1 सती Sati The devoted one - who is true and faithful in all circumstances
2 साध्वी Sadhvi The righteous one - who walks the path of virtue and truth
3 भवप्रीता Bhavaprīta Who is beloved and dear to Bhava (Lord Shiva)
4 भवानी Bhavani The wife of Bhava (Shiva); the mother of all beings
5 भवमोचिनी Bhavamochini Who liberates all souls from the cycle of existence (bhava)
6 आर्या Arya The noble, honourable and righteous one
7 दुर्गा Durga Who is hard to approach - the invincible, inaccessible goddess
8 जया Jaya The ever-victorious one - who is never defeated
9 आद्या Adya The primal, primordial one - the original goddess at creation
10 त्रिनेत्रा Trinetra The three-eyed one - who sees past, present and future
11 शूलधारिणी Shuladharini Who wields the divine trident (shula) - weapon of transformation
12 पिनाकधारिणी Pinakadhaarini Who holds the Pinaka bow of Lord Shiva in her divine hands
13 चित्रा Chitra The wonderful, astonishing and variegated one
14 चण्डघण्टा Chandaghanta Who bears the fierce, resounding bell - the third Navadurga form
15 महातपा Mahatapa Who practises supreme austerity and penance (tapas)
16 मन Mana The mind itself - who is the ruler of all mental faculties
17 बुद्धि Buddhi Intelligence itself - the supreme discerning awareness
18 अहंकारा Ahankara The ego - who is the source and master of all individuality
19 चित्तरूपा Chittarupa Who has the nature of pure consciousness and awareness
20 चिता Chita The funeral pyre - who transforms death into liberation
21 चिति Chiti The power of consciousness - the ground of all awareness
22 सर्वमन्त्रमयी Sarvamantramayi Who is composed of all sacred mantras and divine vibrations
23 सत्ता Satta Pure being and existence itself - absolute reality
24 सत्यानन्दस्वरूपिणी Satyananda-svarupini Whose nature is truth (satya) and bliss (ananda) combined
25 अनन्ता Ananta The infinite, the boundless - without beginning or end
26 भाविनी Bhavini The creator of all beings and all manifestations
27 भाव्या Bhavya The magnificent, splendid and auspicious one
28 भव्या Bhavya The most worthy of devotion and most magnificent in form
29 अभव्या Abhavya Who does not belong to the realm of ordinary existence
30 सदागति Sadagati The eternal refuge and path - the ever-present guidance
31 शाम्भवी Shambhavi Daughter of Shambhu (Shiva); consort of Shambhu
32 देवमाता Devamata Mother of all the gods - the universal divine mother
33 चिन्ता Chinta Contemplation - who removes all worry through her grace
34 रत्नप्रिया Ratnapriya Who loves precious gems and is associated with divine jewels
35 सर्वविद्या Sarvavidya Who embodies all knowledge and all forms of wisdom
36 दक्षकन्या Dakshakonya Daughter of Daksha - who was born as Sati in her first life
37 दक्षयज्ञविनाशिनी Dakshayajña-vinashini Who destroyed the yajna of Daksha - the arrogant sacrifice
38 अपर्णा Aparna Who survived on leaves alone - the supreme ascetic form
39 अनेकवर्णा Anekavarṇa Who has many divine forms and colours - infinite in manifestation
40 पाटला Patala Of a reddish, crimson form - the colour of power and passion
41 पाटलावती Patalavati Who is adorned and characterised by reddish crimson colour
42 पट्टाम्बरपरीधाना Pattambara-paridhana Who wears the finest silk garments and divine clothing
43 कलमञ्जीररञ्जिनी Kalamanjira-ranjini Who is delighted by the musical anklets that adorn her feet
44 अमेया Ameya Who cannot be measured, calculated or fully comprehended
45 विक्रमा Vikrama Of extraordinary, awe-inspiring prowess and power
46 क्रूरा Krura The formidable one - fierce in destroying evil and injustice
47 सुन्दरी Sundari The beautiful one - supremely and divinely beautiful
48 सुरसुन्दरी Surasundari Beautiful beyond all the gods - the most beautiful in all the worlds
49 वनदुर्गा Vanadurga Durga who dwells in the forest - the wild, natural goddess
50 मातङ्गी Matangi The elephant goddess - associated with power and tantric wisdom
51 मतङ्गमुनिपूजिता Matangamuni-pujita Who is worshipped by the great sage Matanga
52 ब्राह्मी Brahmi The Shakti (power) of Brahma - the power of creation
53 माहेश्वरी Maheshvari The Shakti of Maheshvara (Shiva) - the power of dissolution
54 ऐन्द्री Aindri The Shakti of Indra - the power of divine rulership and thunder
55 कौमारी Kaumari The Shakti of Kumara (Kartikeya) - the youthful divine warrior
56 वैष्णवी Vaishnavi The Shakti of Vishnu - the power of divine preservation
57 चामुण्डा Chamunda Slayer of the demons Chanda and Munda - the fierce protector
58 वाराही Varahi The Shakti of Varaha - the divine boar goddess of stability
59 लक्ष्मी Lakshmi Goddess of abundance and prosperity in her universal form
60 पुरुषाकृति Purushakrti Who sometimes assumes a male form - the transcendent one
61 विमलोत्कर्षिणी Vimalotkarsini Who is immaculate and who uplifts all who seek her
62 ज्ञाना Jñana Knowledge itself - the supreme, liberating divine knowledge
63 क्रिया Kriya Action itself - the divine creative and purposeful activity
64 नित्या Nitya The eternal one - who has no beginning and no end
65 बुद्धिदा Buddhida The bestower of intelligence, wisdom and clarity of thought
66 बहुला Bahula The abundant one - infinite in her forms and manifestations
67 बहुलप्रेमा Bahulaprema Who loves her devotees with infinite and unconditional love
68 सर्ववाहनवाहना Sarvavahana-vahana Who rides upon all vehicles - she transcends all limitations
69 निशुम्भशुम्भहननी Nishumbha-shumbha-hanani Slayer of the great demons Nishumbha and Shumbha
70 महिषासुरमर्दिनी Mahishasura-mardini The destroyer of the great buffalo demon Mahishasura
71 मधुकैटभहन्त्री Madhukaitabha-hantri Slayer of the demons Madhu and Kaitabha at creation
72 चण्डमुण्डविनाशिनी Chandamunda-vinashini Destroyer of the demons Chanda and Munda
73 सर्वासुरविनाशा Sarvasura-vinasha Destroyer of all demons and all negative forces in existence
74 सर्वदानवघातिनी Sarvamanavaghatini Who destroys all evil beings threatening the divine order
75 सर्वशास्त्रमयी Sarvashastramayi Who embodies all weapons and sacred texts simultaneously
76 सत्या Satya Truth itself - the ultimate indestructible divine reality
77 सर्वास्त्रधारिणी Sarvastradhaarini Who holds all divine weapons in her many divine hands
78 अनेकशस्त्रहस्ता Anekashastra-hasta Who holds many weapons in her multiple divine hands
79 अनेकास्त्रधारिणी Anekastradharini Who bears many divine missiles and celestial weapons
80 कुमारी Kumari The eternal virgin - ever young and forever pure
81 एककन्या Ekakanya The only daughter - the unique divine feminine power
82 कैशोरी Kaishori The young girl - who embodies divine youthfulness and vitality
83 युवती Yuvati The young woman - whose beauty and power are in full bloom
84 यति Yati The renunciant - who has given up everything for truth
85 अप्रौढा Apraudha Who does not age - eternally young and ever-fresh
86 प्रौढा Proudha The mature and fully developed one in her complete power
87 वृद्धमाता Vriddhamata The ancient, primordial mother - older than time itself
88 बलप्रदा Balaprada The bestower of strength, power and divine vitality
89 महोदरी Mahodari The great-bellied one who contains all the worlds within
90 मुक्तकेशी Muktakeshi With flowing, unbound hair - the wild, free divine mother
91 घोररूपा Ghorarupa Of a fierce, terrifying form that destroys all ignorance
92 महाबला Mahabala Of immense divine strength and incomparable power
93 अग्निज्वाला Agnijvala Who blazes like sacred fire - the brilliant, purifying one
94 रौद्रमुखी Raudramukhi Whose face is fierce like Rudra - the terrifying divine mother
95 कालरात्रि Kalaratri The dark night of time - the 7th Navadurga, destroyer of all
96 तपस्विनी Tapasavini Who practises the most extreme and powerful austerities
97 नारायणी Narayani The feminine form of Narayana - the universal divine mother
98 भद्रकाली Bhadrakali The auspicious Kali - who transforms death into liberation
99 विष्णुमाया Vishnumaya The creative power (maya) of Lord Vishnu - cosmic illusion
100 जलोदरी Jalodari Who has an ocean in her belly - containing all the worlds
101 शिवदूती Shivaduti Who is the messenger and emissary of Lord Shiva
102 करी Kari Who causes or enacts all things - the divine activity itself
103 अनन्ता Ananta The infinite and boundless - she who has no limitations
104 परमेश्वरी Parameshvari The supreme goddess - the ultimate ruling power of all
105 कात्यायनी Katyayani Born to sage Katyayana - the 6th Navadurga, who destroyed Mahisha
106 सावित्री Savitri The daughter of the Sun - the divine radiance of all knowledge
107 प्रत्यक्षा Pratyaksha Who is directly perceived by the sincere devotee
108 श्री महादुर्गायै Shri Mahadurgayai The supreme Goddess Mahadurga - the mother of all protection
How to Recite Durga's 108 Names (Kumkum Archana)
Kumkum Archana Method
  1. Bathe and wear red or orange clothes
  2. Sit facing east before a Durga image or idol
  3. Light a ghee lamp and red or jasmine incense
  4. Prepare 108 kumkum pellets or red flower petals
  5. Begin: Om Dum Durgayai Namah (3 times)
  6. Chant: Om [Name]ayai Namah + offer one kumkum/flower
  7. Conclude with Durga Aarti and camphor burning
Best Occasions
  • Navratri - 9 nights of Durga (4 times per year)
  • Tuesday - Durga's sacred day (Mangalvar)
  • Ashtami - 8th lunar day (especially powerful)
  • Navami - 9th lunar day (Maha Navami)
  • Fridays - for the Shakti form of Durga
🔴 Tuesday Kumkum Archana - offering 108 kumkum pellets with each name on a Tuesday morning - is considered the single most powerful worship for immediate protection, victory over enemies and removal of obstacles.

108 Names of Durga Ashtottara Shatanamavali

The 108 Names of Goddess Durga, known as the Durga Ashtottara Shatanamavali, is a sacred Sanskrit hymn enumerating 108 epithets of the Divine Mother. In Hindu tradition, the number 108 is deeply auspicious - it represents the distance between the Earth and the Sun in solar diameters, appears in the 108 Upanishads, the 108 beads of a japa mala (prayer rosary), and the 108 classical dance forms (karanas) described in the Natya Shastra. Reciting the 108 names of Durga is considered especially meritorious during Navratri, Durga Puja, Fridays, and Amavasya (new moon days).

The Names and Their Meanings

Each of the 108 names reveals a different aspect of the Goddess - her form, power, and divine qualities. Names like Durga (the invincible), Bhavani (the giver of life), Chandika (the fierce one), Kalaratri (the dark night of destruction), and Mahishasuramardini (slayer of Mahishasura) reflect her role as the supreme protector and destroyer of evil. The names are drawn from ancient texts including the Devi Mahatmyam (Chandi Path), Devi Bhagavata Purana, and Skanda Purana.

Usage During Navratri and Durga Puja

During Navratri, devotees across India chant the Ashtottara Shatanamavali as part of daily puja. In West Bengal, it is central to Durga Puja rituals. This page presents all 108 names in Sanskrit with Roman transliteration and English meanings - suitable for daily chanting, memorisation, and study.

Frequently Asked Questions

The nine Navadurga forms: (1) Shailputri - daughter of the mountain; (2) Brahmacharini - the ascetic form; (3) Chandraghanta - who wears the moon-bell; (4) Kushmanda - who created the universe with her smile; (5) Skandamata - mother of Skanda/Kartikeya; (6) Katyayani - warrior goddess, slayer of Mahishasura; (7) Kalaratri - the dark night, most fierce form; (8) Mahagauri - the pure white form; (9) Siddhidatri - bestower of all Siddhis. Each form is worshipped on one of the nine Navratri nights.

Best times: Navratri (9 nights of Durga worship - the most powerful period), Tuesdays, Ashtami (8th lunar day), Navami (9th lunar day), new and full moon nights. During Navratri, the complete Durga Saptashati or the 108 names is chanted along with Kumkum Archana for maximum spiritual power. Daily chanting at dawn after bath is ideal for ongoing protection and strength.

Kumkum Archana is the offering of 108 kumkum (vermilion) pellets to Goddess Durga - one with each of her 108 names. Method: prepare 108 kumkum pellets on a plate; light a lamp and incense; chant each name as "Om [Name]ayai Namah" while offering one pellet at the goddess's feet; conclude with Durga Aarti and camphor burning. Tuesday Kumkum Archana is especially powerful for protection, victory and the fulfilment of sincere desires.

The Durga Saptashati (Chandi Path / Devi Mahatmyam) consists of 700 Sanskrit verses across 13 chapters, narrating three great demon-slaying victories of the goddess. It is the primary scripture of the Shakta tradition. The 108 names (Ashtottara Shatanamavali) is a condensed, accessible form for daily worship. The Saptashati is recited during Navratri over 9 days; the 108 names can be recited daily in 10–15 minutes. Both grant immense divine grace - the Saptashati is more elaborate, the namavali more accessible.