Goddess Durga, the supreme embodiment of Shakti (divine feminine power), is worshipped as the compassionate Mother who destroys evil, removes obstacles, and protects her devotees. Known as Adi Shakti, Mahadevi, and the remover of sorrows, Maa Durga manifests in countless forms to uphold dharma.
The Durga Ashtothram — also called Durga Ashtottara Shatanamavali — is a powerful sacred hymn listing 108 names of Goddess Durga. Chanting these names is a profound act of devotion that invokes her grace, strength, and protection. Each name reveals a unique aspect of her divinity, from fierce warrior (Chandika) to benevolent nurturer (Sarvamangala).
Recited especially during Navratri, Fridays, Ashtami tithis, or daily puja, this garland of names brings peace, courage, and auspiciousness. Let’s explore the complete list, profound benefits, how to chant, and more.
Who is Goddess Durga? Significance of Her 108 Names
In Sanātana Dharma, Goddess Durga is the eternal protector — invincible, all-knowing, and full of compassion. She slayed the buffalo demon Mahishasura, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil. The number 108 holds deep spiritual meaning in Hinduism (representing the universe, chakras, and completeness), making her Ashtottara Shatanamavali a complete praise of her infinite qualities.
Chanting these names connects devotees directly to her energy, dissolving fears, negative influences, and inner obstacles while fostering bhakti (devotion) and mental clarity.
Benefits of Chanting Durga Ashtothram (108 Names of Durga)
Regular recitation of the Durga Ashtottara Shatanamavali offers immense spiritual and worldly blessings:
- Grants divine protection from negative energies, black magic, and enemies
- Builds inner courage, confidence, and resilience to face life’s challenges
- Brings peace of mind, mental clarity, and emotional balance
- Invites prosperity, harmony in family life, and success in endeavors
- Removes obstacles (durgati nashini) and bestows auspiciousness
- Deepens devotion, leading to spiritual growth and connection with the Divine Mother
- Especially powerful during Navratri for victory and fulfillment of wishes
Devotees who chant with sincerity often experience a sense of calm, heightened positivity, and miraculous interventions in difficult times.
How to Chant Durga Ashtottara Shatanamavali Properly
Chanting is simple yet powerful when done with devotion:
- Best Time — Early morning (Brahma Muhurta), Fridays, Ashtami tithi, or during Navratri evenings.
- Preparation — Light a ghee/oil lamp, offer flowers, incense, and water to Maa Durga’s image or idol. Sit facing east or north on a clean mat.
- Method — Use a rudraksha or tulsi mala (108 beads). Chant each name slowly and clearly, prefixed with “Om” and suffixed with “Namaha” (e.g., Om Durgayai Namaha).
- Alternative — If you can’t chant aloud, listen to an audio recitation with full concentration and faith.
- Enhance — Combine with Durga Mantra (“Om Dum Durgayei Namaha”) or Argala Stotram for deeper impact. No strict fasting is required — pure heart and sincerity matter most.
Chant at least one mala (108 times) daily for best results.
Complete List: 108 Names of Goddess Durga (Durga Ashtothram in English)
Here is the sacred list of Durga Ashtottara Shatanamavali:
| No. | Name (Chanted as) | Meaning (English Interpretation) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Om Durgayai Namaha | The Invincible One, remover of difficulties |
| 2 | Om Shivayai Namaha | The Auspicious One, beloved of Lord Shiva |
| 3 | Om Maha Lakshmyai Namaha | The Great Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity |
| 4 | Om Maha gouryai Namaha | The Supreme Fair One, embodiment of purity |
| 5 | Om Chandikayai Namaha | The Fierce Warrior Goddess |
| 6 | Om Sarvagnayai Namaha | The All-Knowing One |
| 7 | Om Sarva-lokesiyai Namaha | The Ruler of All Worlds |
| 8 | Om Sarva karma phalapradayai Namaha | The Bestower of Fruits of All Actions |
| 9 | Om Sarva teertha mayaayai Namaha | The Essence of All Sacred Pilgrimages |
| 10 | Om Punyayai Namaha | The Embodiment of Virtue and Merit |
| 11 | Om Deva-yonayai Namaha | Born of the Divine Source |
| 12 | Om Ayonijayai Namaha | The One Not Born from a Womb (self-manifested) |
| 13 | Om Bhumijayai Namaha | Born from the Earth (in some forms) |
| 14 | Om Nirgunayai Namaha | The One Without Attributes (transcendent) |
| 15 | Om Aadhara-shakthyai Namaha | The Fundamental Supporting Power |
| 16 | Om Aneeshwaryai Namaha | The Supreme Sovereign |
| 17 | Om Nirgunayai Namaha | Beyond Qualities (formless aspect) |
| 18 | Om Nirahamkarayai Namaha | Free from Ego |
| 19 | Om Sarva-garva vimardhinyai Namaha | The Destroyer of All Pride |
| 20 | Om Sarvaloka-priyayai Namaha | Beloved by All Worlds |
| 21 | Om Vaanyai Namaha | The Goddess of Speech (Saraswati aspect) |
| 22 | Om Sarva-vidhyadhi Devathayai Namaha | The Supreme Deity of All Knowledge |
| 23 | Om Parvathyai Namaha | Daughter of the Mountain (Parvati) |
| 24 | Om Devamaatre Namaha | Mother of the Gods |
| 25 | Om Vaneesyai Namaha | Ruler of the Forest/Wilderness |
| 26 | Om Vindhya-vaasinyai Namaha | Resident of the Vindhya Mountains |
| 27 | Om Tejovathyai Namaha | Full of Radiance and Glory |
| 28 | Om Maha-maatre Namaha | The Great Mother |
| 29 | Om Kotisurya sama prabhayai Namaha | Whose Brilliance Equals Millions of Suns |
| 30 | Om Devathayai Namaha | The Supreme Goddess |
| 31 | Om Vahni rupayai Namaha | In the Form of Fire |
| 32 | Om Sathejasae Namaha | Possessor of True Radiance |
| 33 | Om Varna rupinyai Namaha | Embodiment of Colors/Sound |
| 34 | Om Gunasrayayai Namaha | The Refuge of All Qualities |
| 35 | Om Gunamadhyayai Namaha | Situated in the Midst of Qualities |
| 36 | Om Gunatraya vivarjithayai Namaha | Beyond the Three Gunas (Sattva, Rajas, Tamas) |
| 37 | Om Karma gnana pradayai Namaha | Bestower of Knowledge and Action |
| 38 | Om Kantaayai Namaha | The Beautiful One |
| 39 | Om Sarva samhara karinyai Namaha | The Destroyer of All (at cosmic dissolution) |
| 40 | Om Dharma-gnanayai Namaha | Knower of Righteousness |
| 41 | Om Dharma nishtayai Namaha | Firmly Established in Dharma |
| 42 | Om Sarva karma vivarjithayai Namaha | Free from All Actions (transcendent) |
| 43 | Om Kamakshyai Namaha | The One with Beautiful Eyes / Goddess of Kanchipuram |
| 44 | Om Kama Samhamtryai Namaha | Destroyer of Desire |
| 45 | Om Kama kroda vivarjithayai Namaha | Free from Lust and Anger |
| 46 | Om Sankariyai Namaha | Consort of Shankara (Shiva) |
| 47 | Om Sambhavyai Namaha | The Auspicious One |
| 48 | Om Santayai Namaha | The Peaceful One |
| 49 | Om Chandra Suryaagni lochanayai Namaha | With Eyes of Moon, Sun, and Fire |
| 50 | Om Sujayayai Namaha | Easily Victorious |
| 51 | Om Jayayai Namaha | The Victorious One |
| 52 | Om Bhumishtayai Namaha | Established on the Earth |
| 53 | Om Jahnavyai Namaha | Related to the Ganga (Jahnavi) |
| 54 | Om Jana poojithayai Namaha | Worshipped by All People |
| 55 | Om Shastrayai Namaha | The Weapon / Scripture Herself |
| 56 | Om Shastramayayai Namaha | Embodiment of All Scriptures |
| 57 | Om Nithyayai Namaha | The Eternal One |
| 58 | Om Subhayai Namaha | The Auspicious One |
| 59 | Om Chandrarda-mastakayai Namaha | Adorned with Half-Moon on Head |
| 60 | Om Bharathyai Namaha | Goddess of Speech and Knowledge |
| 61 | Om Bramariyai Namaha | The Bee-Like One (or Goddess of Bees) |
| 62 | Om Kalpayai Namaha | The Wish-Fulfiller |
| 63 | Om Karalyai Namaha | The Fierce One |
| 64 | Om Krishna pingalayai Namaha | Dark-Tawny Colored |
| 65 | Om Brahmyai Namaha | Brahma’s Power / Divine Energy |
| 66 | Om Narayanyai Namaha | Vishnu’s Power |
| 67 | Om Raudriyai Namaha | Rudra’s Power / Fierce Form |
| 68 | Om Chandraamrutha parivruttayai Namaha | Surrounded by Moon’s Nectar |
| 69 | Om Jaishtayai Namaha | The Eldest / Supreme |
| 70 | Om Indirayai Namaha | Goddess Lakshmi |
| 71 | Om Mahamayayai Namaha | The Great Illusion |
| 72 | Om Jagat srushtya adhikarinyai Namaha | Ruler of World Creation |
| 73 | Om Brahmand-koti Samstanayai Namaha | Established in Millions of Universes |
| 74 | Om Kaminyai Namaha | The Desirable One |
| 75 | Om Kamalalayayai Namaha | Abode of Lotus (Lakshmi aspect) |
| 76 | Om Katyayanyai Namaha | Daughter of Sage Katyayana (Navadurga form) |
| 77 | Om Kalateetayai Namaha | Beyond Time |
| 78 | Om Kalasamhara-kaarinyai Namaha | Destroyer of Time |
| 79 | Om Yoga nishtayai Namaha | Established in Yoga |
| 80 | Om Yogi gamyayi Namaha | Attainable by Yogis |
| 81 | Om Yoga-Dheyayai Namaha | Worthy of Meditation in Yoga |
| 82 | Om Tapswinyai Namaha | The Ascetic One |
| 83 | Om Gnana rupayai Namaha | In the Form of Knowledge |
| 84 | Om Nirakarayai Namaha | Formless |
| 85 | Om Bhakthaabhestha phalapradayai Namaha | Granter of Devotees’ Desires |
| 86 | Om Bhutatmikayai Namaha | Soul of All Beings |
| 87 | Om Bhutamatrey Namaha | Mother of All Beings |
| 88 | Om Bhutesayai Namaha | Ruler of All Elements/Beings |
| 89 | Om Bhutadharinyai Namaha | Bearer of All Elements |
| 90 | Om Swadha naari madhya-gatayai Namaha | Situated in the Middle of Sacrificial Offerings |
| 91 | Om Shadadharadhi vardhinyai Namaha | Nourisher of the Six Chakras |
| 92 | Om Mohitayai Namaha | The Enchantress |
| 93 | Om Subhavayai Namaha | Of Auspicious Nature |
| 94 | Om Subhrayai Namaha | Pure and Radiant |
| 95 | Om Sukshmayai Namaha | The Subtle One |
| 96 | Om Matrayai Namaha | The Measurable / Divine Mother |
| 97 | Om Niralasayai Namaha | Free from Laziness |
| 98 | Om Nimagnayai Namaha | The Immersed One (in meditation) |
| 99 | Om Neela samkasayai Namaha | Of Blue Hue |
| 100 | Om Nityanandinyai Namaha | Eternally Blissful |
| 101 | Om Haarayai Namaha | The Remover / Garland |
| 102 | Om Parayai Namaha | The Supreme / Beyond |
| 103 | Om Sarvagnana pradanantayai Namaha | Eternal Giver of All Knowledge |
| 104 | Om Satyayai Namaha | The Truth |
| 105 | Om Durlabha rupinyai Namaha | Of Rare and Precious Form |
| 106 | Om Sarasvatyai Namaha | Goddess of Knowledge and Arts |
| 107 | Om Sarvagatayai Namaha | Present Everywhere |
| 108 | Om Sarvabeeshta pradayinyai Namaha | Fulfiller of All Wishes |
(Full devotional recitation often starts and ends with prayers to Maa Durga for her blessings.)
Durga Ashtothram FAQs: Common Questions Answered
What is Durga Ashtothram or Durga Ashtottara Shatanamavali? It is the sacred recitation of exactly 108 names praising Goddess Durga’s divine qualities, forms, and powers.
How many names are there in Durga Ashtothram? Precisely 108 names, symbolizing completeness in Hindu tradition.
Who can chant the 108 names of Goddess Durga? Anyone — men, women, children — with pure devotion. No restrictions based on age, gender, or background.
Is Durga Ashtothram mentioned in scriptures? It is preserved in Shakta traditions, temple liturgies, and closely linked to Durga Saptashati (Devi Mahatmya). Lord Shiva is said to have revealed similar names to please the Goddess.
What is the best time to chant Durga Ashtottara Shatanamavali? Early mornings, Fridays, Ashtami days, or throughout Navratri for maximum blessings.
Do I need to fast while chanting? Fasting is optional. Devotion and sincerity are far more important than rituals.
Can I just listen to the 108 names instead of chanting? Yes — listening with faith and focus is equally auspicious and beneficial.
Does chanting bring protection from evil? Absolutely. It invokes Maa Durga’s fierce protection, removes fears, and wards off negative influences.
Can men recite Durga Ashtothram? Yes — the Divine Mother blesses all devotees equally, regardless of gender.
Is it especially powerful during Navratri? Yes — many devotees chant it daily during Navratri as part of Durga Puja for victory, strength, and prosperity.
May chanting the 108 names of Goddess Durga fill your life with her infinite grace, courage, and protection. Jai Maa Durga! Jai Mata Di!
(Feel free to bookmark this page for daily recitation or share with fellow devotees.)
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