Mahishasur Mardini Stotram: Verse 18
Understanding the meaning behind the mythology of Mahishasur Mardini Stotram, taking a detailed look at the eighteenth verse and uncovering it's true meaning.
Mahishasur Mardini Stotram
The Mahishasura Mardini Stotram praises the divine power of Goddess Parvati/Durga/Shakti, who triumphs over the buffalo demon Mahishasura, symbolizing the victory of good over evil. It is a devotional hymn that invokes her strength and grace, inspiring devotees to seek her protection and blessings.
It is not only about Goddess Parvati/Durga/Shakti defeating the Mahisasur (buffalo demon), it is more about the multifaceted qualities and praises for the divine feminine power and love.
Mahishasur Mardini Stotram was composed by Adi Shankara, who is mentioned in the 53rd chapter of the first portion of the Shivarahasya Purana.
There are in total 21 verses, having 4 lines(phrases) or 2 sentences each making a total of 84 phrases or 42 sentences.
We will be taking a look at the eig verse in this article, the overall meaning, word-by-word meaning, and the meaning behind the verse as what it wants to preach to us.
Verse 18
पदकमलं करुणानिलये वरिवस्यति योऽनुदिनं सुशिवे
अयि कमले कमलानिलये कमलानिलयः स कथं न भवेत् ।
तव पदमेव परम्पदमित्यनुशीलयतो मम किं न शिवे
जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥
Pada-Kamalam Karuna-Nilaye Vari-Vasyati Yo-Nudinam Sushiva
Aye Kamale Kamalaa-Neelaye Kamalaa-Neelayam Sa Katham Na Bhavet
Tava Pada-Meva Param-Pad-Mityanu-Shilayato Mama Kim Na Shive
Jaya Jaya He Mahishasur Mardini Ramyaka-Pardini Shailasute
Meaning
O auspicious one who is the abode of compassion, whoever worships your lotus feet daily.
O Goddess, who dwells in the lotus, how can that devotee not become like Vishu(the lotus-dweller) himself?
O auspicious one, for me who contemplates that your feet alone are the supreme goal, what is not attainable to me?
Victory, Victory! to the slayer, destroyer of the Buffalo Demon (Mahishasur), victory to the one with the matted hair, to the goddess Daughter of the mountains.
Word By Word Meaning
पदकमलं करुणानिलये वरिवस्यति योऽनुदिनं सुशिवे
Pada-Kamalam Karuna-Nilaye Vari-Vasyati Yo-Nudinam Su-Shive
O auspicious one who is the abode of compassion, whoever worships your lotus feet daily.
पदकमलं (Pada-Kamalam):
पद (Pada): Foot, position
कमल (Kamala): Lotus
करुणानिलये (Karuna-Neelaye):
करुणा (Karuna): compassion, mercy
निलय (Nilaya): abode, dwelling
वरिवस्यति (Vari-Vasyati):
वरि (Vari): water, or can imply superior or excellent
वस्यति (Vasyati): to dwell, to reside
योऽनुदिनं (Yo-Nudinam):
यो (Yo): who
अनुदिनं (Anudinam): daily, every day
सुशिवे (Su-Shive):
सु (Su): good, auspicious
शिव (Shiva): auspicious, peaceful, often refers to Lord Shiva
अयि कमले कमलानिलये कमलानिलयः स कथं न भवेत्
Aye Kamale Kamalaa-Neelaye Kamalaa-Neelayam Sa Katham Na Bhavet
O Goddess, who dwells in the lotus, how can that devotee not become like Vishu(the lotus-dweller) himself?
अयि (Ayi): O (a term of address, often conveying reverence)
कमले (Kamale): in the locative case, meaning "in the lotus"
कमलानिलये (Kamala-Neelaye):
कमल (Kamala): lotus
आनिलय (Aanilaya): abode or dwelling
कमलानिलयः (Kamala-Neelayaha):
स (Sa): That one, he/she
कथं (Katham): How
न (Na): Not
भवेत् (Bhavet): Can be, will be
तव पदमेव परम्पदमित्यनुशीलयतो मम किं न शिवे
Tava Pada-Meva Param-Pad-Mityanu-Shilayato Mama Kim Na Shive
O auspicious one, for me who contemplates that your feet alone are the supreme goal, what is not attainable to me?
तव (Tava): Your
पदमेव (Padameva): Foot, Step, Position indeed
परम्पदमित्यनुशीलयतो (Param-Pada-Mityanu-Shilayato): Who cannot achieve supreme abode if on contemplates
परम्पद (Paramapada): Supreme abode or ultimate position
परम् (Parama): Supreme, ultimate
पद (Pada): Abode, position
इति (Iti): Thus, So
अनुशीलयतो (Anushilayato): to contemplate after, one who practices or conducts
अनु (Anu): After, Along with
शीलय (Shilaya): To contemplate, To meditate
मम (Mama): My
किं (Kim): What
न (Na): Not
शिवे (Shive): Auspicious one, Lord Shiva
जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते
Jaya Jaya He Mahishasur Mardini Ramyaka-Pardini Shailasute
Victory, Victory! to the slayer, destroyer of the Buffalo Demon (Mahishasur), victory to the one with the matted hair, to the goddess Daughter of the mountains
जय (Jaya): Victory!
हे (he): O (a term of address)
महिषासुरमर्दिनि (mahishasuramardini): Destroyer of the buffalo demon
महिषासुर (mahishasura): the buffalo demon
मर्दिनि (mardini): one who destroys or defeats
रम्यकपर्दिनि (ramyakapardini): Beautiful goddess with matted hair
रम्य (ramya): beautiful or charming
कपर्दिनि (Kapardini): one who has matted hair (often associated with asceticism)
शैलसुते (Shailasute): Daughter of the mountain
शैला (shaila): mountain
सुते (Sute): daughter or offspring
A beautiful explanation of the verse in Hindi
From 44:28 to 46:56 for verse 18
Meaning behind the Mythology of Mahishasura Mardini Stotram
The verse depicts a devotional tone, emphasizing daily, consistent, and selfless worship. There is a beautiful depiction of the Goddess with the lotus and the tenderness of her feet.
The verse also depicts the power of selfless devotion and love, complete surrender to the Goddess, and teaches us that nothing is impossible thereafter. It also highlights the Aardhanareshwar form of Shiv-Shakti, as one worships Lord Shiva or Goddess Shakti, it is the same thing and there is no difference in the goal of worshiping of both.
Spiritual Meaning
Power in Daily Worship: Consistent devotion is transformative. If you just think about your native god/goddess at least for a couple of minutes daily, you will feel satisfied and have a different level of energy within, the purity it brings in one’s intentions and virtues is not explainable in words.
Attainment Through Contemplation: Contemplating the divine leads to fulfillment. It teaches us that true understanding and enlightenment come from sincere contemplation and surrender to the divine.
Unity of Divine Forms: The verse illustrates the interconnectedness of the divine, as both Goddess Shakti and Lord Shiva are revered in the same breath. This unity teaches that all paths lead to the same ultimate reality, encouraging inclusivity in spiritual practices.
Listen to Recite
The stotram is often recited during Navaratri celebrations and is believed to invoke the Goddess's blessings and protection. The verse encapsulates the multifaceted nature of the Goddess, highlighting her benevolent aspects as well as her fierce, demon-slaying form.
References:
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