Hindu Prayers

JAI AMBE GAURII MAIYAA
JAI SHYAAMAA GAURII
NISHADINA TUMAKO DHYAAVATA
HARI BRAHMA SHIVAJII

Glory to you, O divine Mother Gauri, glory to you, O Parvati, who are so rich in maiden grace (virgin beauty), the object of daily meditation by Vishnu, Brahma and Shiva!

MAANGA SINDUURA VIRAAJATA
TIKO MRIGA MADAKO
UJJVALASE DAUU NAINAA
CHANDRAVANA NIIKO

O Ambe! On your forehead is a resplendent mark of vermilion along with a mark of musk (signifying good luck). Your twin eyes are bright and your face beautiful as the moon.

KANAKA SAMAANA KALEVARA,
RAKTAAMBARA RAAJE
RAKTAPUSHPA GALAMAALAA,
KANTHAHAARA SAAJE

Your body with a tinge of gold is splendidly dressed in red attire; on your throat lies a wreath of red blossoms like a beautiful necklace.

KEHARI VAAHANA RAAJATA,
KHADAGA KHAPPARA DHAARI
SURA NARA MUNIJANA SEVATA,
TINAKE DUKHA HAARI

Your vehicle, the lion, is, O Mother in keeping with your splendid form; you bear a sword and a skull in your hands, and on you attend the gods, men, hermits and your votaries whose grief you drive away.

KAANANA KUNADALA SHOBHITA,
NAASAAGRE MOTII
KOTIKA CHANDRA DIVAAKARA,
SAM RAAJATA JYOTII

You are adorned with rings on your ears and with pearl on the tip of your nose, your radiance looks as splendid as that of myriad of suns and moons.

SHUMBHA NISHUMBHA BIDAARE,
MAHISHAASURA GHAATII
DHUUMRA VILOCHANA NAINAA,
NISHADINA MADAMAATII

O slayer of the demon Mahisha, you tore apart the bodies of Shumbha, Nishumbha and Dhuumravilochana. (In the battle waged against them) your eyes reflected a frenzy of fury everyday and night.

BRAHMAANII RUDRAANII,
TUMA KAMALAA RAANII
AAGAMA-NIGAMA BAKHAANII,
TUMA SHIVA PATARAANII

You are the beloved consort of Brahma, Rudra and Vishnu. The Vedas and the Shastras describe you as the queen consort of Shiva,

CHAUSATHA YOGINII GAAVATA,
NRITYA KARATA BHAIRON
BAAJATA TAALA MRIDANGA,
AURA BAAJATA DAMARUU

Sixty-four Yoginis chorus your praise and glorify you, while Bhairava (Shiva) dances in tune to the accompaniment of the sound of tambour (mridanga) and drum (damaru).

TUMA HO JAGA KII MAATAA,
TUMA HII HO BHARTAA
BHAKTANA KII DUKHA HARTAA,
SUKHA SAMPATI KARTAA

You are mother of the universe, its sustainer, reliever of your devotees’ affliction and bestower of happiness and prosperity.

BHUJAA CHAARA ATI SHOBHITA,
VARA MUDRAA DHAARII
MANAVAANCHITA PHALA PAAVATA,
SEVATA NARA NAARII

The four arms you have adorned your person, while the hand raised in benediction reveals your benign aspect. Those among men and women who wait on you and worship you have all their cherished wishes ever fulfilled.

KANCHANA THAALA VIRAAJATA,
AGARU KAPUURA BAATII
BHAALAKETU MEIN RAAJATA,
KOTIRATANA JYOTII

In a golden platter are beautifully laid aloe and camphor, both of which have lighted (to be waved before you); in he radiance of your forehead is reflected the splendour of a myriad gems.