32 Names of Durga

The 32 Names of Durga (Sanskrit: Durgādvātriḿśatnāmamālā) is a mantra that may be chanted as part of a yoga practice and also is used in celebration of some Hindu religious festivals. "Durga Dwatrimsha Namamala" (32 Names of Durga) is found in Chapter 8 of the Durga Saptashati (700 Verses), a Hindu religious text written in Sanskrit.

For mantras, the Hindu religious tradition provides the words and syllables to be chanted and also a recommended intonation pattern. The intonation has been passed down by oral tradition from swami to swami, and in some cases it may also have been recorded in the Vedic literature.

This mantra uses a central tone, a lower tone about one musical step down (shown in bold), and a higher tone about a half step up (show in capitals).

When regarded merely as a "free verse" poem, the mantra has a pleasing rhythm and melodic flow. When used in a yoga practice, this mantra (and really, any mantra) can potentially provide an enhancement to health by inducing relaxation and quietening turbulent thoughts. The meanings of each name as translated from the Sanskrit can be used as visualizations of desirable spiritual capabilities. The name Durga comes from a word meaning "fort", that is, something which cannot be easily accessed. One possible result of engaging in the visualizations along with the mantra would be to invoke and reinforce a person's ability to endure unpleasantness, overcome temptation, and retain or regain vitality in the face of hardships.

Some recordings of this mantra are on the External Links tab.

No.	Name	Intonation (Vedic)	Meaning
1	Durgā	om DUR-gaa	she who is difficult to approach
2	Durgatirśaminī	dur-gaar-ti-sha-MA-nee	who is tranquil even in painful circumstances
3	Durgāpadvinivāriṇī	dur-gaa-pad-vi-ni-vaa-RI-nee	who wards off unfavorable events
4	Durgamacchedinī	dur-ga-mach-chhe-DI-nee	who is indivisible
5	Durgasādhinī	dur-ga-saa-DHI-nee	who is accomplished, perfected
6	Durganāśinī	dur-ga-naa-SHI-nee	who destroyed a demon
7	Durgatoddhāriṇī	dur-ga-TOD-dhaa-RI-nee	who creates the universe
8	Durgenihantrī	dur-ga-ni-HAN-tree	the destroyer
9	Durgamāpahā	dur-ga-maa-PA-haa	the one who destroys
10	Durgamajñānadā	dur-ga-ma-gyaa-NA-daa	who imparts knowledge
11	Durgadaityalokadavānalā	dur-ga-dai-tya-LO-KA-da-vaa-NA-laa	who burns the abode of demons
12	Durgamā	dur-ga-MAA	who is the Mother Durga
13	Durgamālokā	dur-ga-MAA-LO-kaa	Who is full of slpendor, luster
14	Durgamātmasvarūpiṇī	dur-ga-maat-MA-sva-roo-PI-ņee	who is the spirit's own form
15	Durgamārgapradā	dur-ga-maar-ga-PRA-daa	who imparts knowledge of the spiritual path
16	Durgamavidyā	dur-ga-ma-VI-dyaa	who is knowledge personified
17	Durgamāśritā	dur-ga-maa-SHRI-taa	who is sought as refuge
18	Durgamajñānasaḿsthānā	DUR-GA-MA-GYAA-NA-sam-sthaa-naa	who is the abode of knowledge
19	Durgamadhyānabhāsinī	dur-ga-ma-dhyaa-na-BHAA-si-nee	who is the brilliant light of meditation
20	Durgamohā	speak	who is the deluder of the mind
21	Durgamagā	speak	who is difficult to read
22	Durgamārthasvarūpiṇī	speak	who is the very form of wealth or meaning
23	Durgamāsurasanhantrī	speak	who is the destroyer of demons (asuras)
24	Durgamāyudhadhāriṇī	speak	who possesses powerful weapons
25	Durgamāńgī	speak	who has powerful limbs
26	Durgamatā	speak	who is the state of unattainability
27	Durgamyā	speak	who is unattainable, inaccessible
28	Durgameśvarī	speak	who is the divine ruler
29	Durgabhīmā	speak	who is formidable
30	Durgabhāmā	speak	who is very angry
31	Durgabhā	speak	who shines brilliantly
32	Durgadāriṇī	speak	who tears away the veil of ignorance