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.)