Argala Stotram

Argala Stotram Introduction

The Argala Stotram is a powerful hymn dedicated to Goddess Durga, often recited during the Chandi Path or Durga Saptashati. The stotram is composed of verses that invoke the blessings of the Goddess in her various forms, asking for protection, prosperity, victory, and the removal of obstacles. The word “Argala” refers to a “bolt” or “lock,” and just as a lock needs to be opened to gain access to something valuable, the recitation of the Argala Stotram is believed to unlock the blessings and grace of the Divine Mother.

ॐ अस्य श्रीअर्गलास्तोत्रमन्त्रस्य विष्णुर्ऋषिः,अनुष्टुप् छन्दः,
श्रीमहालक्ष्मीर्देवता, श्रीजगदम्बाप्रीतये सप्तशतीपाठाङ्गत्वेन जपे विनियोगः॥
ॐ नमश्चण्डिकायै॥
मार्कण्डेय उवाच

oṃ asya śrīargalāstotramantrasya viṣṇurṛṣiḥ,anuṣṭup chandaḥ,
śrīmahālakṣmīrdevatā, śrījagadambāprītaye saptaśatīpāṭhāṅgatvena jape viniyogaḥ..
oṃ namaścaṇḍikāyai..
mārkaṇḍeya uvāca

Oṃ, for the recitation of this Argala Stotram mantra, the seer (Rishi) is Viṣṇu, the meter (Chandaḥ) is Anuṣṭup, the deity (Devata) is Śrī Mahālakṣmī, and it is used in the ritual recitation of the Saptaśatī for pleasing Śrī Jagadambā.

ॐ जयन्ती मङ्गला काली भद्रकाली कपालिनी।
दुर्गा क्षमा शिवा धात्री स्वाहा स्वधा नमोऽस्तु ते॥1॥

oṃ jayantī maṅgalā kālī bhadrakālī kapālinī.
durgā kṣamā śivā dhātrī svāhā svadhā namo’stu te..1..

Salutations to you, O Goddess! You are Jayantī (the victorious), Maṅgalā (the auspicious), Kālī (the black-hued one), Bhadrakālī (the benevolent and fierce form of Kālī), and Kapālinī (the one who holds a skull). You are Durgā (the invincible), Kṣamā (the embodiment of forgiveness), Śivā (the auspicious one), Dhātrī (the support of all beings), Svāhā (the invocation for offerings to the gods), and Svadhā (the invocation for offerings to the ancestors). Salutations to you!

जय त्वं देवि चामुण्डे जय भूतार्तिहारिणि।
जय सर्वगते देवि कालरात्रि नमोऽस्तु ते॥2॥

jaya tvaṃ devi cāmuṇḍe jaya bhūtārtihāriṇi.
jaya sarvagate devi kālarātri namo’stu te..2..

Victory to you, O Goddess Cāmuṇḍā! Victory to you, the remover of the distress of beings! Victory to you, O all-pervading Goddess, O Kālarātri (night of destruction), salutations to you!

मधुकैटभविद्राविविधातृवरदे नमः।
रुपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि॥3॥

madhukaiṭabhavidrāvividhātṛvarade namaḥ.
rupaṃ dehi jayaṃ dehi yaśo dehi dviṣo jahi..3..

Salutations to the one who bestowed boons after destroying the demons Madhuka and Kaiṭabha. Grant me beauty, grant me victory, grant me fame, and destroy my enemies.

महिषासुरनिर्णाशि भक्तानां सुखदे नमः।
रुपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि॥4॥

mahiṣāsuranirṇāśi bhaktānāṃ sukhade namaḥ.
rupaṃ dehi jayaṃ dehi yaśo dehi dviṣo jahi..4..

Salutations to the one who annihilated Mahishasura and who grants happiness to her devotees. Grant me beauty, grant me victory, grant me fame, and destroy my enemies.

रक्तबीजवधे देवि चण्डमुण्डविनाशिनि।
रुपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि॥5॥

raktabījavadhe devi caṇḍamuṇḍavināśini.
rupaṃ dehi jayaṃ dehi yaśo dehi dviṣo jahi..5..

O Goddess, the slayer of Raktabīja and the destroyer of Caṇḍa and Muṇḍa, grant me beauty, grant me victory, grant me fame, and destroy my enemies.

शुम्भस्यैव निशुम्भस्य धूम्राक्षस्य च मर्दिनि।
रुपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि॥6॥

śumbhasyaiva niśumbhasya dhūmrākṣasya ca mardini.
rupaṃ dehi jayaṃ dehi yaśo dehi dviṣo jahi..6..

O destroyer of Śumbha, Niśumbha, and Dhūmrākṣa, grant me beauty, grant me victory, grant me fame, and destroy my enemies.

वन्दिताङ्घ्रियुगे देवि सर्वसौभाग्यदायिनि।
रुपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि॥7॥

vanditāṅghriyuge devi sarvasaubhāgyadāyini.
rupaṃ dehi jayaṃ dehi yaśo dehi dviṣo jahi..7..

O Goddess, whose feet are worshipped and who bestows all auspiciousness, grant me beauty, grant me victory, grant me fame, and destroy my enemies.

अचिन्त्यरुपचरिते सर्वशत्रुविनाशिनि।
रुपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि॥8॥

acintyarupacarite sarvaśatruvināśini.
rupaṃ dehi jayaṃ dehi yaśo dehi dviṣo jahi..8..

O Goddess of incomprehensible form and deeds, destroyer of all enemies, grant me beauty, grant me victory, grant me fame, and destroy my enemies.

नतेभ्यः सर्वदा भक्त्या चण्डिके दुरितापहे।
रुपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि॥9॥

natebhyaḥ sarvadā bhaktyā caṇḍike duritāpahe.
rupaṃ dehi jayaṃ dehi yaśo dehi dviṣo jahi..9..

O Caṇḍikā, who is always worshipped with devotion and who removes suffering, grant me beauty, grant me victory, grant me fame, and destroy my enemies.

स्तुवद्भ्यो भक्तिपूर्वं त्वां चण्डिके व्याधिनाशिनि।
रुपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि॥10॥

stuvadbhyo bhaktipūrvaṃ tvāṃ caṇḍike vyādhināśini.
rupaṃ dehi jayaṃ dehi yaśo dehi dviṣo jahi..10..

O Caṇḍikā, destroyer of diseases, you are praised with full devotion. Grant me beauty, grant me victory, grant me fame, and destroy my enemies.

चण्डिके सततं ये त्वामर्चयन्तीह भक्तितः।
रुपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि॥11॥

caṇḍike satataṃ ye tvāmarcayantīha bhaktitaḥ.
rupaṃ dehi jayaṃ dehi yaśo dehi dviṣo jahi..11..

O Caṇḍikā, to those who constantly worship you with devotion, grant me beauty, grant me victory, grant me fame, and destroy my enemies.

देहि सौभाग्यमारोग्यं देहि मे परमं सुखम्।
रुपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि॥12॥

dehi saubhāgyamārogyaṃ dehi me paramaṃ sukham.
rupaṃ dehi jayaṃ dehi yaśo dehi dviṣo jahi..12..

Grant me good fortune and health, and bestow upon me supreme happiness. Grant me beauty, grant me victory, grant me fame, and destroy my enemies.

विधेहि द्विषतां नाशं विधेहि बलमुच्चकैः।
रुपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि॥13॥

vidhehi dviṣatāṃ nāśaṃ vidhehi balamuccakaiḥ.
rupaṃ dehi jayaṃ dehi yaśo dehi dviṣo jahi..13..

Bring about the destruction of my enemies and grant me great strength. Grant me beauty, grant me victory, grant me fame, and destroy my enemies.

विधेहि देवि कल्याणं विधेहि परमां श्रियम्।
रुपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि॥14॥

vidhehi devi kalyāṇaṃ vidhehi paramāṃ śriyam.
rupaṃ dehi jayaṃ dehi yaśo dehi dviṣo jahi..14..

O Goddess, grant me auspiciousness and bestow supreme prosperity. Grant me beauty, grant me victory, grant me fame, and destroy my enemies.

सुरासुरशिरोरत्ननिघृष्टचरणेऽम्बिके।
रुपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि॥15॥

surāsuraśiroratnanighṛṣṭacaraṇe’mbike.
rupaṃ dehi jayaṃ dehi yaśo dehi dviṣo jahi..15..

O Mother, whose feet are adorned with the crowns of both gods and demons, grant me beauty, grant me victory, grant me fame, and destroy my enemies.

विद्यावन्तं यशस्वन्तं लक्ष्मीवन्तं जनं कुरु।
रुपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि॥16॥

vidyāvantaṃ yaśasvantaṃ lakṣmīvantaṃ janaṃ kuru.
rupaṃ dehi jayaṃ dehi yaśo dehi dviṣo jahi..16..

Make me learned, famous, and prosperous. Grant me beauty, grant me victory, grant me fame, and destroy my enemies.

प्रचण्डदैत्यदर्पघ्ने चण्डिके प्रणताय मे।
रुपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि॥17॥

pracaṇḍadaityadarpaghne caṇḍike praṇatāya me.
rupaṃ dehi jayaṃ dehi yaśo dehi dviṣo jahi..17..

O Caṇḍikā, destroyer of the arrogance of fierce demons, I bow to you. Grant me beauty, grant me victory, grant me fame, and destroy my enemies.

चतुर्भुजे चतुर्वक्त्रसंस्तुते परमेश्वरि।
रुपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि॥18॥

caturbhuje caturvaktrasaṃstute parameśvari.
rupaṃ dehi jayaṃ dehi yaśo dehi dviṣo jahi..18..

O supreme Goddess, praised in your form with four arms and four faces, grant me beauty, grant me victory, grant me fame, and destroy my enemies.

कृष्णेन संस्तुते देवि शश्वद्भक्त्या सदाम्बिके।
रुपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि॥19॥

kṛṣṇena saṃstute devi śaśvadbhaktyā sadāmbike.
rupaṃ dehi jayaṃ dehi yaśo dehi dviṣo jahi..19..

O Goddess, constantly praised by Kṛṣṇa with devotion, O Mother, grant me beauty, grant me victory, grant me fame, and destroy my enemies.

हिमाचलसुतानाथसंस्तुते परमेश्वरि।
रुपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि॥20॥

himācalasutānāthasaṃstute parameśvari.
rupaṃ dehi jayaṃ dehi yaśo dehi dviṣo jahi..20..

O supreme Goddess, praised by the Lord of the daughter of Himācala (Śiva), grant me beauty, grant me victory, grant me fame, and destroy my enemies.

इन्द्राणीपतिसद्भावपूजिते परमेश्वरि।
रुपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि॥21॥

indrāṇīpatisadbhāvapūjite parameśvari.
rupaṃ dehi jayaṃ dehi yaśo dehi dviṣo jahi..21..

O supreme Goddess, worshipped by Indrāṇī’s consort (Indra), grant me beauty, grant me victory, grant me fame, and destroy my enemies.

देवि प्रचण्डदोर्दण्डदैत्यदर्पविनाशिनि।
रुपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि॥22॥

devi pracaṇḍadordaṇḍadaityadarpavināśini.
rupaṃ dehi jayaṃ dehi yaśo dehi dviṣo jahi..22..

O Goddess, destroyer of the pride of demons with your powerful arms, grant me beauty, grant me victory, grant me fame, and destroy my enemies.

देवि भक्तजनोद्दामदत्तानन्दोदयेऽम्बिके।
रुपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि॥23॥

devi bhaktajanoddāmadattānandodaye’mbike.
rupaṃ dehi jayaṃ dehi yaśo dehi dviṣo jahi..23..

O Mother Goddess, giver of great joy to your devotees, grant me beauty, grant me victory, grant me fame, and destroy my enemies.

पत्नीं मनोरमां देहि मनोवृत्तानुसारिणीम्।
तारिणीं दुर्गसंसारसागरस्य कुलोद्भवाम्॥24॥

patnīṃ manoramāṃ dehi manovṛttānusāriṇīm.
tāriṇīṃ durgasaṃsārasāgarasya kulodbhavām..24..

Grant me a delightful wife who follows my heart’s desires, who helps me cross the difficult ocean of worldly existence, and who comes from a noble family.

इदं स्तोत्रं पठित्वा तु महास्तोत्रं पठेन्नरः।
स तु सप्तशतीसंख्यावरमाप्नोति सम्पदाम्॥25॥
॥ इति देव्या अर्गलास्तोत्रं सम्पूर्णम् ॥

idaṃ stotraṃ paṭhitvā tu mahāstotraṃ paṭhennaraḥ.
sa tu saptaśatīsaṃkhyāvaramāpnoti sampadām..25..
.. iti devyā argalāstotraṃ sampūrṇam ..

After reciting this stotra, one should also recite the great stotra. He shall obtain the merit of reciting the entire Saptaśatī and attain great prosperity.

Description

Argala Stotram – Introduction

The Argala Stotram is a powerful hymn dedicated to Goddess Durga, often recited during the Chandi Path or Durga Saptashati. The stotram is composed of verses that invoke the blessings of the Goddess in her various forms, asking for protection, prosperity, victory, and the removal of obstacles. The word “Argala” refers to a “bolt” or “lock,” and just as a lock needs to be opened to gain access to something valuable, the recitation of the Argala Stotram is believed to unlock the blessings and grace of the Divine Mother.

Historical and Scriptural Context:
The Argala Stotram is a part of the Durga Saptashati, a major Hindu text within the Markandeya Purana that narrates the stories of the Goddess Durga’s battles with various demons. These stories symbolize the triumph of good over evil and the cosmic struggle between dharma (righteousness) and adharma (unrighteousness). The Durga Saptashati contains 700 verses, and the Argala Stotram serves as a prelude or introduction to this sacred text. Reciting the Argala Stotram before embarking on the Durga Saptashati is said to enhance the spiritual benefits and efficacy of the ritual.

Structure and Meaning of the Stotram:
The Argala Stotram consists verses where each verse is a prayer asking the Goddess for specific boons or blessings. The refrain “rupaṃ dehi, jayaṃ dehi, yaśo dehi, dviṣo jahi” repeats throughout the stotram, emphasizing the devotee’s desire for beauty (inner), victory, fame, and the destruction of enemies.

Key Themes and Symbolism:
Victory Over Evil:
Throughout the stotram, the Goddess is praised for her past victories over various demons such as Mahishasura, Shumbha-Nishumbha, Raktabīja, and others. These demons represent the internal and external enemies of human life: ego, ignorance, greed, lust, and hatred. The stotram highlights how Durga’s divine intervention is necessary to defeat these enemies and restore order.

Protection and Guidance:
The Argala Stotram frequently asks the Goddess for protection from dangers and enemies. The devotee turns to Durga not only for protection from physical harm but also from mental and spiritual obstacles. The invocation of the Goddess as a protector and savior is central to the stotram, making it a powerful recitation for those seeking shelter from life’s difficulties.

Fame, Fortune, and Prosperity:
In several verses, the devotee prays for wealth, prosperity, health, and fame. The idea here is not only material wealth but also spiritual wealth—inner contentment and peace. The devotee asks for good fortune (saubhāgya), health (ārogya), and success (jaya), recognizing that these are blessings that come from the grace of the Divine Mother.

Removal of Obstacles and Enemies:
The destruction of enemies, both external and internal, is a recurring prayer in the Argala Stotram. The enemies are not just human foes but are symbolic of negative qualities such as doubt, fear, jealousy, and hatred. By destroying these “enemies,” the Goddess paves the way for the devotee’s spiritual and material success.

Devotion and Surrender:
The stotram reflects a deep sense of surrender to the Goddess. It acknowledges that all achievements, blessings, and victories are due to her grace. The repeated invocation of her power highlights the devotee’s faith in her ability to transform their life.

Grace of the Goddess:
Many verses of the Argala Stotram describe the Goddess as Bhagavati, the supreme divine mother, and Jagadamba, the mother of the universe. She is depicted as the all-pervading force in the universe, who both protects and nurtures. The stotram emphasizes that the Goddess’s grace can bestow auspiciousness, happiness, and fulfillment to those who worship her with devotion.