Durga Suktam

 

Durga Suktam

Durga Suktam - It is originally scattered in Rigveda and also in other vedic contexts.

Japa of Durga suktam is undertaken to ward off difficulties that beset the path of life.

It has 7 stanzas

In Rig Veda, lots of places we come across verses in praise of Lord Agni (Fire God). In Durga suktam, five stanzas or verses are on Lord Agni.

The remaining 2 stanzas are praising Mother Durga are from Taitreya Upanishad.

Durga Suktam is also a part of Mahanarayana Upanishad.

This Suktam, praises and describes the role of Lord Agni as a boatman who ferries us towards 'Mukti' or 'enlightenment'.

Why Lord Agni?

Agni is the one who connects us with the divine. This is the reason Agni is given importance during rituals and worships.

Agni symbolizes power of action.

Durga represents dynamism, which is power of purposeful action.

So even though these verses directly address Lord Agni, all are taken as addressed to Mother Durga as well.

 

S.No	Chant	Meaning	Veda Pushpanjali meaning
1	Jatavedase sunavama somamaratiyato nidahativedah Sanah parsadatidurgani visva naveva sindhum duriya'tyagnih	Jatavedase - to Jatavedas Somam - soma juice Sunavaama - may we press out (for oblation) VedaH - Knowledge (Lord Agni, the repository of knowledge) AraatiyataH - Those who are unfriendly to us (Enemies) Nidahaati - may burn, destroy SaH - He Naavaa - boar (by a) Sindhum - sea Iva - Like NaH - us Vishwaa - (Vishwaani) - all Durgaani - difficulties Athi -- beyond Parshat - (Paalayatu) - may protect Durataa - (duritaani) - wrongs Api - also Ati - (Having taken) - beyond   Jatavedas - physically interpreted as fire, stands for all-knowing divine knowledge He is worshipped in vedic rituals Jatavedas is worshipped in Soma sacrifices with the oblation of Soma Juice   Battabaskara points out that devotees petition to the Lord worshipped in somayaga for destroying his enemies (both outer and inner enemies), while he progresses towards his goal (both material and spiritual goal).   Further, sea of troubles which he expects to cross through the grace of Agni includes, every wrong, suffering and difficutlies incidental to a man's mundane life.   The word 'Veda' and 'Vedas' stands for one who knows everything (i.e) Jataveda, the divine fire.   The word 'Agnih' is analysed as 'Agram nayati Agranih' which means 'He who leads one to higher levels'. Higher level - understanding the divine dwelling as the self of all creatures.   Meaning We offer oblations of Soma to Jatavedas.   May the all-knowing (Jatavedas) destroy what is unfriendly to us.   May the divine fire protect us by taking us beyond all difficulties in a boat across the sea.   He also save us from wrong doings.	May we offer oblations of soma to Jata-Vedas. May the all knowing one, destroy, what is unfriendly to us. May He, the divine fire that leads all, protect us by taking us across all perils, even as a captain takes the boat across the sea. May He also save us from all evil.
2	Tam agnivarnam tapasa jvalantim vairocanim karmaphalesu justam Durgam devigm saranamaham prapadye sutarasi tarase namah	This is not from Rig veda. This is one verse that describes Goddess Durga.   Agnivarnam - fiery in lusture Tapasaa - through the power of ardency Jvalanteem - radiating Vairocaniim - belonging to Him who shines variously through manifestations Karma phaleshu - in acts and their fruits Jushataam - remaining as the productive power, sought Taam - that Durgaam devim - Goddess Durga Aham - I Sharanam Prapadye - take refuge in Hey Tarase - (tarasvinii) - Effacious in taking across. Su - well Tarasi - (Tarayaasi) - thou takest (us) across (Tubhyam - to you) NamaH - salutation   Durga is the Deity who removes difficulties from the path of Her devotees. According to Vedic tradition, particular sacrificial fire consecrated for the worship of Divine is called Durga. By extension, this word (Durga) applies to the power of creative and evolutionary energy which is associated with fire in many vedic stanzas pertaining to Agni.   Durga literally means inaccessible. Durga = DuHkhena ghantum Shakya It is therefore difficult to separate Durga and Agni (fire) conceived as the Universal energy in this sukta.   Durga devi is the savior of man in his troubles of mundane life and bestower of the Highest Bliss.   Meaning Sharanam maham prapadye durgam devim Agnivarnam tapasa jvalanteem Vairochaniim justaam karma phaleshu Su tarasi (He) (Si) tarase namaH I take refuge in Her, the Goddess Durga Who is fiery in luster, radiant with ardency Who is the power belonging to the Supreme who manifests Himself manifold. Who is the power residing in actions and their fruits rendering them effacious (or the power that is supplicated to the devotees for the fruition of their work.)   O Thou Goddess, skilled in saving, Thou takest us across difficulties (Both worldly difficulties and sailing across sea of experiences for attaining immortality) excellently well. Our Salutations to Thee.	I take refuge in Her, the Goddess Durga, who is fiery in lustre and radiant with penance, who is the power belonging to the supreme who manifests herself manifoldly, who is the power residing in actions and their fruits rendering them effactious (or the power which is supplicated to by the devotees for the fruition of their work).  O You goddess skilled in saving, take us across difficulties more competently. Our salutations to thee.
3	Agne tvam paraya navyo asman thsvastibhitati durgani visva. Pusca prthvi bahula na urvi bhava tokaya tanayaya samyoh	Agne - Agni (Lord Agni) Fire NavyaH - worthy of praise Swam - thou Asmaan - us SwasthiBhiH - through happy means Vishvaa - (Vishvaani) - all Durgaani - difficulties Ati - (taking) beyond Parayaa - (Paaraya) - take to the other shore NaH - our PooH - home town Prtivii - land (Bhavatu - be) Urrvi - the plot of earth Bahulaa - ample Ca - and (bhavatu - be) Tokaaya - for children Tanayaya - for (their) children SanyooH - joiner of happiness Bhava - (Bhava) - be   Agni is the same deity mentioned in the above Tola and Tanaya - though singular; it has to be taken in generic plural. Samyoh - combination of Sam + Yoh Sam - joy reaching upto the highest bliss Yoh - expressing sense of mixing or joining   Meaning Agni NavyH (Navyoo) Tvam SwastibhaH Asmaan Visvaa Durgaani Parayo ati (Bhavatu) NaH PooH Prthvi bahulaa ca urvaa bahulaa Samyoo bhavaa tokaaya tanayaaya   O fire, thou art worthy of praise With happy methods, take us beyond all difficulties. May our home town and home land become extensive And may the plot of earth (For growing crops) also be ample. Further, be thou pleased to join our children and their children with joy.	Fire, You are worthy of praise. Take us beyond all difficulties through pleasant means. May our home town and home land become extensive and may the plot of earth (for growing crops) also be ample. Further be pleased to bestow our children and their children with joy.
4	Visvani no durgaha jatavedasindhum na nava duritati parsi. Agne atrivan manasa grnano' smakam bodhyavita tanunam.	JatavedaH - O Jatavedas Durgaha - destroyer of difficulties (Tvam - thou) Vishvani - entire Durita (durithani) - evils, sins Naavaa - by a boat Sindhum - sea Na - us Atiparshi - take us beyond and protectest Agne - O fire Athrivan - similar to sage Atri Manasa - mentally grunaanaH - repeating Asmaakam - our Tanuunaam - of selves, of bodies Avitaa - guard, protector Bodhi - be conscious   This stanza is found in Rig veda 4,9 and also in Taittreya Brahmana II, 4.1.   Be a protector for us and recognize our devotion to Thee. For we are hymning to Thee mentally as Sage Atri did during his performance of Caturatra sacrifice.   Sage Atri He was a great sage and attained supreme illumination and freedom in life and so he was called 'Atri'. Atri - means - one who is free from triple miseries. Good will and compassion constitute the chief character trait of that sage. Therefore, people always observed sage Atri in the state of mind in which he was constantly remembering in his prayers peace and safety of all creatures.   3 miseries 1.      Adhyatmika - miseries inflicted by body and mind itself. 2.      Adhibhautika - miseries inflicted by other living things 3.      Adhidaivika - miseries inflicted by natural disturbances.   Meaning O Jatavedas, Thou who art the destroyer of all sins and takest us beyond all troubles and protect us just as one is taken across the sea by a boat. O fire, guard our bodies and be mindful (of its safety) like the Sage Atri who always repeats mentally (may everyone be safe and happy).	O Jatavedas! You, are the destroyer of all sins take us beyond all troubles and protect us just as one is taken across the sea by a boat. O fire, guard our bodies and be mindful (of its safety) like the sage Atri who always chants mentally ('May everyone be happy).
5	Prtana jitagm sahamanamugram agnigm huvema paramat sadhasthat. Sa nah parsadati durgani visva ksamad devo atiduritatyagnih.	Paramaat sadhasthaat - From the highest place of assembly Prutana jitam - Vanquisher of enemy's host. Sahamaanam - charger (of enemies) Ugram - Fierce Agnim (agnigm) - Fire Huvema (Aahavyam) - Invoke, meditate upon SaH - That Deva - God AgniH - Fire Vishvaa 0 (Vishvaani) - all Durgaani - difficulties Ati - beyond Durita - (duritaani) - wrongs NaH - us Kahamat - Condoning the offences and construes it as an adjective qualifying Agni. Parshat - may protect   Kshamat - decreasing or perishing phenomenal reality beyond which lies the imperishable supreme reality - meaning by Battabaskara.   Meaning Paramaat sadhasthaat Agni huvema (From the highest place of assembly invoke Agni) Prtana jitagm sahamaana ugram ((Who is) Vanquisher of enemies host, charger and who is fierce) SaH Agni DevaH parshat Ati (that God Agni Deva, may protect us, (take us) beyond) Durgaani kshamaat duritaa ati (All difficulties, perishable, wrong doing beyond.)   We invoke from the highest place of assembly the fire-God who is the leader of all, who is the charger and vanquisher of the hosts of enemies, who is fierce. May He, the fire God, take us across all the difficulties and wrongs and all that is perishable and protect us.	We invoke from the highest place of assembly the Fire god who is the leader of all, who is the charger and vanquisher of the hosts of enemies, and who is fierce. May He the Fire God take us across all our difficulties and evil and all that is perishable and protect us.
6	Pratnosi kamidyo adhvaresu sanacca hota navyascasatsi. Svam cagne tanuvam piprayasvasmabhyam ca saubhagamayajasva.	Adhvareshu - in sacrifices IdayaH - Lauded Kam - heavenly bliss Pratnoshi - (Pratanoshi) - thou enlargest Sanaat - ancient Ca - and NavyaH - recent Ca - and Hota - sacrificer (Bhutvaa - having become) Adhvareshu - in the sacrificial places Satsi - (sadasi) - thou abidest Hey Agne - O Thou Divine fire Swam - thine, own Tanuvam - (tanum) - self, form Ca - and Piprayasva - be pleased to make happy Asmabhyam - for us Soubhagam - good fortune Aayajasva - grant us from all sides Ca - and   This stanza is found in Rig veda VIII.II.10 with variant 'Pratno hi'.   Battabaskara Sanat - ancient Navya - recent Means ancient and recent sacrifices   Svam tanuvam - universe represented as the body of God and also Individual. Second line consequently is an entreaty of the soul to God to grant those values which will elevate it to the divine state.   Sayana Ritualistic Sanat - giver of the result of actions Navyah - worthy of promise O fire, nourish your own body with the oblations offered by us.   Meaning Pratnoshi advareshu idayaH kam Thou enlrgest in sacrifices lauded heavenly bliss Satsi advareshu sanaat ca Thou abidest in sacrificial places ancient and NavyaH hota (Bhutvaa) Recent sacrificer (having become) Hey Agne piprayasva swaam tanuvam O thou divine fire, to be pleased (to be happy) thine own self or form. Asmabhyam sowbhagam aayajasva For us good fortune grant from all sides.   Thou, who are lauded in sacrifices increases our happiness. Thou, abidest in the form of sacrifices, ancient and recent, in the places of sacrifice. O fire, be thou pleased to make (us) happy (who are) thine own selves. Further, grant us from all sides good fortune.	You who are adored in sacrifices increase our happiness. You abide in the form of sacrifices, ancient and recent, in the place of sacrifice. O Fire, be You please to make (us) happy (who are) You own selves. Further grant us good fortune from all quarters.
7	Gobhirjustamayujo nisiktam tavendra visnoranusancarema. Nakasya prsthamabhi sanvasano vaisnavim loka iha madayantam.	Hey Indra - O Lord AyujaH - not united (with sin and sorrow) Vishnou - all pervading Tava - thy (Bhrutyaa - servants; SantaH - being ) GobhH - with cattle Jushtam - delightful (AmrutadharaabhiH - with currents of immortal bliss) Nishiktam - flooded Sowbhagyam - good fortune Anusancarema - may we follow Nakasya - of heaven Prushtham - top Abhi - every where samvasanaH - Dwelling (DevaH - Gods) Vaishnaveem - of Vishnu (Bhaktim - loving adoration Kurvaaanam - practicing Maam - me) Iha - here Loke - in the world Madayantaam - may delight (by granting my desire)   Meaning O Lord, Thou art unconnected (with sin and sorrow) and thou pervadest (all sacrifices) and overflowing (With the current of immortal bliss) may we serve Thee without break. May the Gods who dwell in the highest region of heaven delight me (practicing loving adoration) for Vishnu here on earth by granting my wish.	Lord, You are unconnected (with sin and sorrow) and You pervade (all sacrifices). (Desirous of good fortune) comprising in cattle and overflowing (with the current of immortal bliss) may we serve Thee without break. May the Gods who dwell in the highest region of heaven delight me - practicing loving adoration for Visnu, here on the earth by granting my wish.
8	Om Katyayanaya vidmahe kanyakumari dhimahi. Tanno durgih pracodayat.	Aum – Pranava Mantra Katyayanya – She is Katyayanya because of Her being the offspring of Katyayana in one of Her incarnations. Vidmahe – may we know Kanya kumari – the one who is shining (like princess) among girls. Dhimahi – may we meditate Tanno – Tat + NaH : Tat – (Tatra) in that meditation; NaH – us. Durgi – word Durga is changed to Durgi Pracodayat – impel or keep us (Durga devi may impel us towards such meditation and keep us in it)	May we know Katyayani. For that, may we meditate upon Kanya kumari. May Devi Durga (Durgi) impel us towards it.

 

Sairam