32 Names of Durga: Difference between revisions

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The '''32 Names of Durga''' (Sanskrit: ''Durgādvātriḿśatnāmamālā'') is a [[mantra]] that may be chanted as part of a [[Yoga|yoga]] practice and also is used in celebration of some [[Hinduism|Hindu religious festivals]], especially Navratri<ref name=Navratri />.  The "Durga Dwatrimsha Namamala" (32 Names of Durga) mantra is from chapter 88 of the [[Markandeya Purana]].
The '''32 Names of Durga''' (Sanskrit: ''Durgādvātriḿśatnāmamālā'') is a [[mantra]] that may be chanted as part of a [[Yoga|yoga]] practice and also is used in celebration of some [[Hinduism|Hindu religious festivals]], especially Navratri<ref name=Navratri />.  The "Durga Dwatrimsha Namamala" (32 Names of Durga) mantra is from chapter 88 of the [[Markandeya Purana]].


For mantras, the Hindu religious tradition provides the words and syllables to be chanted and also a recommended intonation pattern.  The intonation has been passed down by oral tradition from swami to swami, and in some cases it may also have been recorded in the ancient literature.
For many mantras, the Hindu religious tradition provides the words and syllables to be chanted and also a recommended intonation pattern.  The intonation has been passed down by oral tradition from swami to swami, and in some cases it may also have been recorded in the ancient literature.


''Durga'' is something of a central concept in Hinduism, sometimes personified as a Goddess, and suggesting a secret, hard-to-reach, inner strength.  
''Durga'' is something of a central concept in Hinduism, sometimes personified as a Goddess, and suggesting a secret, hard-to-reach, inner strength.  
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When regarded merely as a "free verse" poem, the mantra has a pleasing rhythm and melodic flow.  When used in a yoga practice, this mantra (and really, any mantra) can potentially provide an enhancement to health by inducing relaxation and quietening turbulent thoughts.  The meanings of each name as translated from the Sanskrit can be used as visualizations of desirable spiritual capabilities.  The name Durga comes from a word meaning "fort", that is, something which cannot be easily accessed.  One possible result of engaging in the visualizations along with the mantra would be to invoke and reinforce a person's ability to endure unpleasantness, overcome temptation, and retain or regain vitality in the face of hardships.  
When regarded merely as a "free verse" poem, the mantra has a pleasing rhythm and melodic flow.  When used in a yoga practice, this mantra (and really, any mantra) can potentially provide an enhancement to health by inducing relaxation and quietening turbulent thoughts.  The meanings of each name as translated from the Sanskrit can be used as visualizations of desirable spiritual capabilities.  The name Durga comes from a word meaning "fort", that is, something which cannot be easily accessed.  One possible result of engaging in the visualizations along with the mantra would be to invoke and reinforce a person's ability to endure unpleasantness, overcome temptation, and retain or regain vitality in the face of hardships.  


Some recordings of this mantra are on the [[32_Names_of_Durga/External Links|External Links]] tab.
A link to a recording of this mantra is on the [[32_Names_of_Durga/External Links|External Links]] tab.
 
In the table below, capitalized syllables are the higher tone, and italicized lower-case syllables are the lower tone.  Lower-case (non-italic) syllables are the central tone.


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Latest revision as of 10:44, 8 October 2024

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The 32 Names of Durga (Sanskrit: Durgādvātriḿśatnāmamālā) is a mantra that may be chanted as part of a yoga practice and also is used in celebration of some Hindu religious festivals, especially Navratri[1]. The "Durga Dwatrimsha Namamala" (32 Names of Durga) mantra is from chapter 88 of the Markandeya Purana.

For many mantras, the Hindu religious tradition provides the words and syllables to be chanted and also a recommended intonation pattern. The intonation has been passed down by oral tradition from swami to swami, and in some cases it may also have been recorded in the ancient literature.

Durga is something of a central concept in Hinduism, sometimes personified as a Goddess, and suggesting a secret, hard-to-reach, inner strength.

This mantra uses a central tone, a lower tone about one musical step down (shown in bold), and a higher tone about a half step up (show in capitals).

When regarded merely as a "free verse" poem, the mantra has a pleasing rhythm and melodic flow. When used in a yoga practice, this mantra (and really, any mantra) can potentially provide an enhancement to health by inducing relaxation and quietening turbulent thoughts. The meanings of each name as translated from the Sanskrit can be used as visualizations of desirable spiritual capabilities. The name Durga comes from a word meaning "fort", that is, something which cannot be easily accessed. One possible result of engaging in the visualizations along with the mantra would be to invoke and reinforce a person's ability to endure unpleasantness, overcome temptation, and retain or regain vitality in the face of hardships.

A link to a recording of this mantra is on the External Links tab.

In the table below, capitalized syllables are the higher tone, and italicized lower-case syllables are the lower tone. Lower-case (non-italic) syllables are the central tone.

No. Name Intonation (Vedic) Meaning
1 Durgā om DUR-gaa she who is difficult to approach
2 Durgatirśaminī dur-gaar-ti-sha-MA-nee who is tranquil even in painful circumstances
3 Durgāpadvinivāriṇī dur-gaa-pad-vi-ni-vaa-RI-ņee who wards off unfavorable events
4 Durgamacchedinī dur-ga-mach-chhe-DI-nee who is indivisible
5 Durgasādhinī dur-ga-saa-DHI-nee who is accomplished, perfected
6 Durganāśinī dur-ga-naa-SHI-nee who destroyed a demon
7 Durgatoddhāriṇī dur-ga-TOD-dhaa-RI-ņee who creates the universe
8 Durgenihantrī dur-ga-ni-HAN-tree the destroyer
9 Durgamāpahā dur-ga-maa-PA-haa the one who destroys
10 Durgamajñānadā dur-ga-ma-gyaa-NA-daa who imparts knowledge
11 Durgadaityalokadavānalā dur-ga-dai-tya-LO-KA-da-vaa-NA-laa who burns the abode of demons
12 Durgamā dur-ga-MAA who is the Mother Durga
13 Durgamālokā dur-ga-MAA-LO-kaa Who is full of slpendor, luster
14 Durgamātmasvarūpiṇī dur-ga-maat-MA-sva-roo-PI-ņee who is the spirit's own form
15 Durgamārgapradā dur-ga-maar-ga-PRA-daa who imparts knowledge of the spiritual path
16 Durgamavidyā dur-ga-ma-VI-dyaa who is knowledge personified
17 Durgamāśritā dur-ga-maa-SHRI-taa who is sought as refuge
18 Durgamajñānasaḿsthānā DUR-GA-MA-GYAA-NA-sam-sthaa-naa who is the abode of knowledge
19 Durgamadhyānabhāsinī dur-ga-ma-dhyaa-na-BHAA-si-nee who is the brilliant light of meditation
20 Durgamohā dur-ga-mo-haa who is the deluder of the mind
21 Durgamagā dur-ga-MA-gaa who is difficult to read
22 Durgamārthasvarūpiṇī dur-ga-maar-THA-sva-roo-PI-ee who is the very form of wealth or meaning
23 Durgamāsurasanhantrī dur-ga-maa-SU-ra-sam-HAN-tree who is the destroyer of demons (asuras)
24 Durgamāyudhadhāriṇī dur-ga-maa-YU-dha-dhaa-RI-ee who possesses powerful weapons
25 Durgamāńgī DUR-ga_MAA-gee who has powerful limbs
26 Durgamatā dur-ga-MA-taa who is the state of unattainability
27 Durgamyā dur-gam-yaa who is unattainable, inaccessible
28 Durgameśvarī DUR-ga-me-SHVA-ree who is the divine ruler
29 Durgabhīmā DUR-ga-BHEE-MAA who is formidable
30 Durgabhāmā dur-ga-bhaa-maa who is very angry
31 Durgabhā dur-ga-bhaa who shines brilliantly
32 Durgadāriṇī DUR-ga-daa-RI-ee who tears away the veil of ignorance

Notes

  1. Navratri is a 9-day celebration focusing on the "divine feminine" concepts as expressed by the Hindu goddesses Kali, Lakshmi and Saraswati. Wikipedia has an extensive article on Navratri.