vasudēvasutē kāḷi vāsudēvasahōdari | vasundharaśriyē nandē durgādēvi namōఽstu tē || 2 ||

yōganidrē mahānidrē yōgamāyē mahēśvari | yōgasid'dhikarī śud'dhē durgādēvi namōఽstu tē || 3 ||

Śaṅkhacakragadāpāṇē śārṅgajyāyatabāhavē | pītāmbaradharē dhan'yē durgādēvi namōఽstu tē || 4 ||

r̥gyajuḥ sāmātharvāṇaścatuḥ sāmantalōkini | brahmasvarūpiṇi brāhmi durgādēvi namōఽstu tē || 5 ||

vr̥ṣṇīnāṁ kulasambhūtē viṣṇunāthasahōdari | vr̥ṣṇirūpadharē dhan'yē durgādēvi namōఽstu tē || 6 ||

Sarvajñē sarvagē śarvē sarvēśē sarvasākṣiṇi | sarvāmr̥tajaṭābhārē durgādēvi namōఽstu tē || 7 ||

aṣṭabāhu mahāsattvē aṣṭamī navamī priyē | aṭṭahāsapriyē bhadrē durgādēvi namōఽstu tē || 8 ||

durgāṣṭakamidaṁ puṇyaṁ bhaktitō yaḥ paṭhēnnaraḥ | sarvakāmamavāpnōti durgālōkaṁ sa gacchati || 9 ||

iti śrī durgāṣṭakam |

Meaning

The stotram is called Durga Ashtakam, which is a hymn of eight stanzas dedicated to Goddess Durga, also known as Devi or Shakti. Each stanza praises the different aspects and forms of the Goddess.

Here's the meaning of each stanza:

1. Salutations to the great illusionist, Katyayani, who holds a sword, bow, and arrows, and is also known as Chandika and Durga.

2. Salutations to the daughter of Vasudeva, Kali, who is the sister of Vasudeva, and who is the embodiment of the earth's beauty and prosperity.

3. Salutations to the great Yogini, who is the master of the art of yoga, and who is also known as Maheshwari and Yogamaya. She purifies the mind and leads the aspirant to perfection in yoga.

4. Salutations to the one who holds the conch, discus, and mace in her hands, who has long and powerful arms, who wears a yellow garment, and who is the source of all blessings.

5. Salutations to the one who pervades all the four Vedas, Samaveda, Yajurveda, Atharvaveda, and Rigveda, and who is the embodiment of the knowledge of the Brahman.

6. Salutations to the one who was born in the clan of Vrishni, who is the sister of Vishnu, who assumed the form of Vrishni, and who is the source of all blessings.

7. Salutations to the all-knowing, omnipresent, and all-powerful one who is the witness of all things, who is the source of all immortality, and who is adorned with matted locks of hair.

8. Salutations to the eight-armed one who is full of divine energy, who is dear to the eighth and ninth lunar days, who is auspicious and who blesses her devotees.

This sacred Durga Ashtakam, when recited with devotion, can fulfill all desires and lead the aspirant to the realm of Durga, where all desires are fulfilled.