Ashtottara Shatanamavali: The 108 Names of Goddess Durga
Goddess Durga is known by 108 names, its believed that worshiping and chanting all the names of Maa Durga brings […]
Goddess Durga is known by 108 names, its believed that worshiping and chanting all the names of Maa Durga brings peace and prosperity to the devotees
In the Hindu tradition, the chanting of the 108 names of Goddess Durga, known as the Ashtottara Shatanamavali, is considered a powerful spiritual practice. Each name represents a specific attribute, power, or legend associated with the Divine Mother. Chanting these names with devotion is believed to provide protection, remove obstacles, and grant mental peace.
The word “Durga” itself translates from Sanskrit as “The Inaccessible” or “The Invincible,” signifying her role as the supreme protector of the universe.
The Significance of Chanting 108 Names
The number 108 holds profound significance in Vedic cosmology and mathematics. It represents the wholeness of existence. By reciting the 108 names:
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Spiritual Protection: Devotees seek the Goddess’s shield against negative energies.
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Mental Clarity: The rhythmic vibration of the Sanskrit names is said to calm the mind and enhance focus.
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Fulfillment of Desires: Traditional scriptures suggest that sincere recitation pleases the Goddess of Shakti, leading to the fulfillment of righteous goals.
108 Names of Durga with Meanings
The following table categorizes the names by their linguistic roots and divine attributes.
| Name | Sanskrit/Transliteration | Meaning and Attribute |
| Durga | рджреБрд░реНрдЧрд╛ | The Inaccessible or Invincible |
| Devi | рджреЗрд╡реА | The Divine Deity |
| Tribhuvaneshwari | рддреНрд░рд┐рднреБрд╡рдиреЗрд╢реНрд╡рд░реА | Goddess of the Three Worlds |
| Yashodagarba Sambhoota | рдпрд╢реЛрджрд╛рдЧрд░реНрдн рд╕рдореНрднреВрддрд╛ | Born from the womb of Yashoda |
| Narayanavarapriya | рдирд╛рд░рд╛рдпрдгрд╡рд░рдкреНрд░рд┐рдпрд╛ | Fond of NarayanaтАЩs Boons |
| Mangalya | рдорд╛рдЩреНрдЧрд▓реНрдп | The Embodiment of Auspiciousness |
| Kulavardhini | рдХреБрд▓рд╡рд░реНрдзрд┐рдиреА | The Protector and Developer of the Lineage |
| Mahishasuranashini | рдорд╣рд┐рд╖рд╛рд╕реБрд░рдирд╛рд╢рд┐рдиреА | The Destroyer of the Demon Mahishasura |
| Khadgaketaka Dharini | рдЦрдбреНрдЧрдЦреЗрдЯрдХ рдзрд╛рд░рд┐рдгреА | Holder of the Sword and Shield |
| Brahmacharini | рдмреНрд░рд╣реНрдордЪрд╛рд░рд┐рдгреА | The Seeker of Supreme Knowledge |
| Balarkasadrushakara | рдмрд╛рд▓рд╛рд░реНрдХрд╕рджреГрд╢рд╛рдХрд╛рд░рд╛ | Radiant like the Rising Sun |
| Purnachandra Nibhanana | рдкреВрд░реНрдгрдЪрдиреНрджреНрд░ рдирд┐рднрд╛рдирдирд╛ | Beautiful like the Full Moon |
| Chaturbhuja | рдЪрддреБрд░реНрднреБрдЬрд╛ | The Four-Armed One |
| Vijaya | рд╡рд┐рдЬрдпрд╛ | The Conqueror and Giver of Victory |
| Vidhya | рд╡рд┐рджреНрдпрд╛ | The Personification of Wisdom |
| Santati | рд╕рдиреНрддрддрд┐ | The Bestower of Progeny and Continuity |
| Prabha | рдкреНрд░рднрд╛ | The Radiant Light of the Dawn |
| Nitya | рдирд┐рддреНрдпрд╛ | The Eternal One without Beginning or End |
| Sharanya | рд╢рд░рдгреНрдпрд╛ | The Giver of Refuge to the Distressed |
| Bhaktavatsala | рднрдХреНрддрд╡рддреНрд╕рд▓рд╛ | The One who loves Her Devotees dearly |
| Arogyada | рдЖрд░реЛрдЧреНрдпрджрд╛ | The Bestower of Good Health |
| Sarvakaryasiddhi Pradayika | рд╕рд░реНрд╡рдХрд╛рд░реНрдпрд╕рд┐рджреНрдзрд┐ рдкреНрд░рджрд╛рдпрд┐рдХрд╛ | The Granter of Success in all Endeavors |
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to recite the 108 names of Durga?
While these names can be chanted daily, they hold special power during the Navratri festival, on Maha Ashtami, or during the twilight hours (Sandhya Kaal).
Is there a specific way to perform the recitation?
For the best results, it is recommended to sit in a quiet place facing East or North. Many devotees light a traditional ghee lamp (Diya) and offer red flowers (such as Hibiscus) while chanting each name.
What is the benefit of the name ‘Sharanya’?
Chanting ‘Sharanya’ is specifically recommended for those seeking protection or going through legal and personal battles, as it invokes the Goddess as the ultimate sanctuary.
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