Durga Gayatri

Full Form:

Om Kātyāyanaya Vidmahe Kanyakumāri Dhīmahe Tanno Durgih Pracodayät Om

Pronunciation:

Om kātyāyanāya vidmahé kanyakumāri dhimahi
tanno durgih pracodayāt Om

Deity:

Durga

Usage:

Helps one cross the river of grief

Meaning:

A prayer to the Goddess Durga, who is the embodiment of strength and courage. Through this chant, we invoke the blessings of this invincible feminine power who glows with fire, to purify us and help us to surmount obstacles in our path. This chant is from the Mahanarayana-upanisat.

Om = the universal pranava mantra
kātyā-yanāya = She who was born in the hermitage of Sage Kathyayana
vidmahe = the omnipresent one
kanya-kumari = the one who is the "princess" among "girls"
dheemahi = give us the strength to meditate
tanno = we bow before you
Durgih = Goddess Durga, the inaccessible one
pracho-dayāt = give us blessings and inspiration

"Om We meditate on the Ever Pure One, we contemplate the Daughter Without Flaw or Imperfection. May that Goddess grant us increase."

The Durga Gayatri mantras are designed to address Goddess Durga, particularly during the period of Durga Navaratri or Durga Puja. The Durga Gayatri adapts the 24-syllable metre of the original Gayatri to invoke the Goddess. The various Gayatris are sung at different times and for different purposes.

The three sandhyas (transition periods) of dawn, noon, and dusk are appropriate times to chant the Durga Gayatri. According to tradition, 108 repetitions are recommended during each period of chanting.