The Durga Suktam is a part of the Rig Veda. It is sung in the praise of Devi Durga- the most popular incarnation of Shakti. She is revered for her courage and strength and her ability to eliminate dark forces. She is the combining force of the Hindu holy trinity- Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh. She is bestowed with weapons of several gods and is a force to be reckoned with.
The Durga Suktam is recited in her honor. It blesses the chanter with vitality and valor while nullifying their most intimate fears.
The Durga Suktam is often misjudged about being a praise to Devi Agni, but essentially it is a praise to the fire that burns inside Devi Durga.
Original:
जातवेदसे सुनवाम सोममरातीयतो निदहाति वेदः ।
स नः पर्षदति दुर्गाणि विश्वा नावेव सिन्धुं दुरितात्यग्निः ॥१॥
तामग्निवर्णां तपसा ज्वलन्तीं वैरोचनीं कर्मफलेषु जुष्टाम् ।
दुर्गां देवीँशरणमहं प्रपद्ये सुतरसि तरसे नमः ॥२॥
अग्ने त्वं पारया नव्यो अस्मान् स्वस्तिभिरति दुर्गाणि विश्वा ।
पूश्च पृथ्वी बहुला न उर्वी भवा तोकाय तनयाय शंयोः ॥३॥
विश्वानि नो दुर्गहा जातवेदः सिन्धुं न नावा दुरितातिपर्षि ।
अग्ने अत्रिवन्मनसा गृणानोऽस्माकं बोध्यविता तनूनाम् ॥४॥
पृतनाजितँसहमानमुग्रमग्निँ हुवेम परमात्सधस्थात् ।
स नः पर्षदति दुर्गाणि विश्वा क्षामद्देवो अति दुरितात्यग्निः ॥५॥
प्रत्नोषि कमीड्यो अध्वरेषु सनाच्च होता नव्यश्च सत्सि ।
स्वां चाग्ने तनुवं पिप्रयस्वास्मभ्यं च सौभगमायजस्व ॥६॥
गोभिर्जुष्टमयुजो निषिक्तं तवेन्द्र विष्णोरनुसंचरेम ।
नाकस्य पृष्ठमभि संवसानो वैष्णवीं लोक इह मादयन्ताम् ॥७॥
ॐ कात्यायनाय विद्महे कन्याकुमारि धीमहि
तन्नो दुर्गिः प्रचोदयात् ॥
ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥
Translation:
Jaatavedase Sunavaama Somam-Araatiiyato Nidahaati Vedah |
Sa Nah Parssad-Ati Durgaanni Vishvaa Naave[a-I]va Sindhum Durita-Aty[i]-Agnih ||1||
Taam-Agni-Varnnaam Tapasaa Jvalantiim Vairocaniim Karma-Phalessu Jussttaam |
Durgaam Devii[ngu]m-Sharannam-Aham Prapadye Su-Tarasi Tarase Namah ||2||
Agne Tvam Paarayaa Navyo Asmaan Svastibhir-Ati Durgaanni Vishvaa |
Puush-Ca Prthvii Bahulaa Na Urvii Bhavaa Tokaaya Tanayaaya Shamyoh ||3||
Vishvaani No Durga-Haa Jaatavedah Sindhum Na Naavaa Durita-Ati-Parssi |
Agne Atrivan-Manasaa Grnnaano-[A]smaakam Bodhy[i]-Avitaa Tanuunaam ||4||
Prtanaa-[A]jita[ngu]m-Sahamaanam-Ugram-Agni Huvema Paramaat-Sadhasthaat |
Sa Nah Parssad-Ati Durgaanni Vishvaa Kssaamad-Devo Ati Durita-Aty[i]-Agnih ||5||
Pratnossi Kam-Iiddyo Adhvaressu Sanaac-Ca Hotaa Navyash-Ca Satsi |
Svaam Ca-Agne Tanuvam Piprayasva-Asmabhyam Ca Saubhagam-Aayajasva ||6||
Gobhir-Jussttam-Ayujo Nissiktam Tave[a-I]ndra Vissnnor-Anusamcarema |
Naakasya Prssttham-Abhi Samvasaano Vaissnnaviim Loka Iha Maadayantaam ||7||
Kaatyaayanaaya Vidmahe Kanyaakumaari Dhiimahi
Tan-No Durgih Pracodayaat ||
Om Shaantih Shaantih Shaantih
Line by Line Meaning:
We are offering to the fire residing in Devi Durga for her blessing would help us cross over this difficult ocean of worldly existence.
Jaatavedase Sunavaama Somam-Araatiiyato Nidahaati Vedah |
Sa Nah Parssad-Ati Durgaanni Vishvaa Naave[a-I]va Sindhum Durita-Aty[i]-Agnih ||1||
We ardently invoke the Devi who is consumed by the fire of the knowledge of all adversities residing within and around us. May that fire helps us cross the worldly ocean filled with great difficulties. We hope that she bestows over us a boat to carry us over this rough sea filled with great perils.
Taam-Agni-Varnnaam Tapasaa Jvalantiim Vairocaniim Karma-Phalessu Jussttaam |
Durgaam Devii[ngu]m-Sharannam-Aham Prapadye Su-Tarasi Tarase Namah ||2||
I take refuge under the Devi Durga who is of the same color of the fire she was born out of and blazing with her penance. She is worshipped only through the fruit of actions. I am submitting to you by lying on your feet so that you have mercy on me ferry me over the ocean.
Agne Tvam Paarayaa Navyo Asmaan Svastibhir-Ati Durgaanni Vishvaa |
Puush-Ca Prthvii Bahulaa Na Urvii Bhavaa Tokaaya Tanayaaya Shamyoh ||3||
The fire of Durga, you are worthy of our praise, as you help us cross the ocean of difficulties. I hope you bless the land to bear crops and us (your children) to be blissful.
Vishvaani No Durga-Haa Jaatavedah Sindhum Na Naavaa Durita-Ati-Parssi |
Agne Atrivan-Manasaa Grnnaano-[A]smaakam Bodhy[i]-Avitaa Tanuunaam ||4||
Durga- the destroyer of all sins, please help us reach beyond the darkness and sins just like a boatman who helps people in crossing the sea. I hope you are concerned with the safety of our bodies like Rishi Atri who recited mantras to drive away all evil from the world.
Prtanaa-[A]jita[ngu]m-Sahamaanam-Ugram-Agni Huvema Paramaat-Sadhasthaat |
Sa Nah Parssad-Ati Durgaanni Vishvaa Kssaamad-Devo Ati Durita-Aty[i]-Agnih ||5||
We are invoking you together so that the divine fire inside you burns our darkness to ashes as it does with all your enemies. Your divine fire is powerful and invincible and can protect us from enemies that reside both within and without me.
Pratnossi Kam-Iiddyo Adhvaressu Sanaac-Ca Hotaa Navyash-Ca Satsi |
Svaam Ca-Agne Tanuvam Piprayasva-Asmabhyam Ca Saubhagam-Aayajasva ||6||
This fire of yours, o Durga, is applauded for spreading bliss after the sacrifice since ancient history. You have become the invoker of bliss for us mortals but we hope that you are happy and bless us with great health and prosperity from all sides.
Gobhir-Jussttam-Ayujo Nissiktam Tave[a-I]ndra Vissnnor-Anusamcarema |
Naakasya Prssttham-Abhi Samvasaano Vaissnnaviim Loka Iha Maadayantaam ||7||
With all my senses, I am ready to become unattached to the unholy world to dwell in your devotion in the Vaishnavi Loka. I want to follow your all-pervasive blissful consciousness to the spiritual sky and attain the absolute truth.
Kaatyaayanaaya Vidmahe Kanyaakumaari Dhiimahi
Tan-No Durgih Pracodayaat ||
We are meditating to know the true nature of Kaatyaani and for that, we worship her in the form of Kanyakumari- the Universal Mother. We hope that the fire within Devi Durga awakens our consciousness.
Om Shaantih Shaantih Shaantih
May there be peace at all three levels- Adidaivika, Adibhautika, and Adhyatmika.
Significance
Goddess Durga is the symbol of positive energy. She safeguards her devotees from all evil powers and the 7 sins- arrogance, jealousy, prejudice, hatred, anger, greed, and selfishness. She is the amalgamation of the holy trinity of the Hindu Gods- Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh.
It is believed that reciting this hymn during Navratra- the nine-day goddess festivities grants the chanter peace and positive vibes.
