Durga mantra: Sarva Mangala Mangalye, Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu and more
The best-known Durga mantras come from the Devi Mahatmya, also called the Durga Saptashati, of the Markandeya Purana — the text recited through the nine nights of Navratri.
Sarva Mangala Mangalye: the Durga stuti
सर्वमङ्गलमाङ्गल्ये शिवे सर्वार्थसाधिके ।
शरण्ये त्र्यम्बके गौरि नारायणि नमोऽस्तु ते ॥
Sarvamangalamangalye Shive Sarvarthasadhike
Sharanye Tryambake Gauri Narayani Namostu Te
Source: Devi Mahatmya (Durga Saptashati) 11.10, in the Narayani Stuti of the Markandeya Purana.
Meaning: "O auspiciousness of all that is auspicious, O Shiva, fulfiller of every aim, giver of refuge, three-eyed Gauri, Narayani — salutation to you."
When it is chanted: At the start and close of Devi puja, and throughout Navratri.
Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu: the Devi stuti
या देवी सर्वभूतेषु शक्तिरूपेण संस्थिता ।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥
Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Shaktirupena Samsthita
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah
Source: Devi Mahatmya (Durga Saptashati), chapter 5 — the hymn of the gods. Verse numbers differ between editions.
Meaning: "To the goddess who dwells in all beings in the form of power — salutation to her, salutation to her, salutation to her, salutation again and again." In the Devi Mahatmya the line returns many times with other forms in place of power: intelligence, sleep, hunger, shadow, mother.
When it is chanted: Through Navratri, and whenever the Devi Mahatmya is read.
Om Dum Durgayai Namah: the Durga beej mantra
ॐ दुं दुर्गायै नमः
Om Dum Durgayai Namah
Source: A traditional seed-syllable mantra of Durga, used in puja manuals; no single scriptural verse.
Meaning: "Om, dum — salutation to Durga." Dum is Durga's seed syllable.
When it is chanted: 108 times, especially on Ashtami and through Navratri.
How to chant a Durga mantra
- Keep to one mantra; changing mantras every few days is the commonest way a practice fades.
- Sit at the same time each day, after a bath if you can, facing east or north.
- Chant on a mala of 108 beads — one mala is the customary measure — and turn the mala at the larger meru bead rather than crossing it.
- Say the words clearly, at a pace you can keep; attention matters more than speed.
- The traditional time for Durga is Tuesday or Friday, and the nine nights of Navratri; any day is fine for a daily practice.
Mantra practice belongs to a tradition of devotion and reflection. It is not a substitute for medical, legal or financial help, and no mantra comes with a promised result.
108 names of Durga
The traditional list of Durga's 108 names, each with its transliteration and meaning, numbered as it is recited.
Durga mantra: common questions
How many times should a Durga mantra be chanted?
One mala of 108 is the customary daily measure. Some keep a larger vow, such as eleven malas, or a number completed over forty days; follow your own teacher's or family's practice where it differs.