Kalika Ashtakam - in sanskrit with meaning - Stotra on Devi Kali

श्री   कलि�काष्टकम्   :   ग�द्रक्तमुण्डाव�ीकण्ठमा�ाSri Kalika Ashtakam : Galad Rakta Munda Vali Kantha Maalaa

Devi Kalika

ध्यानDhyaana

ग�द्रक्तमुण्डाव�ीकण्ठमा�ामहोघोररावा सुदंष्ट्रा करा�ा ।विववस्त्रा श्मशाना�या मुक्तकेशीमहाका�कामाकु�ा कालि�केयम् ॥१॥Galad-Rakta-Munnddaavalii-Kannttha-MaalaaMaho-Ghora-Raavaa Su-Damssttraa Karaalaa |Vivastraa Shmashaana-[A]alayaa Mukta-KeshiiMahaakaala-Kaama-[A]akulaa Kaalikeyam ||1||

Meaning:1.1: (Salutations to Devi Kalika) From Her Neck is hanging a Garland of (severed) Heads from which Blood is drippingdown,1.2: She is making a very Terrific Sound revealing Her large Teeth, and Her appearance is extremely Dreadful to look at,1.3: She is without any Clothes and Residing in the Cremation ground; Her Hair is let loose and Free (as is Her entire appearance),1.4: Her entire being is manifesting the great Yearning to merge with Mahakala (to take the devotees beyond Samsara); She is Kalika, the Great Dark Goddess.

भुजेवामयुग्मे शिशरोऽसिसं दधानावरं दक्षयुग्मेऽभयं वै तथैव ।सुमध्याऽवि1 तुङ्गस्तना भारनम्रा�सद्रक्तसृक्कद्वया ससु्मिस्मतास्या ॥२॥Bhuje-Vaama-Yugme Shiro[a-A]sim DadhaanaaVaram Dakssa-Yugme-Abhayam Vai Tathai-[aa-E]va |Su-Madhya-Api Tungga-Stanaa Bhaara-NamraaLasad-Rakta-Srkka-Dvayaa Su-Smitaasyaa ||2||

Meaning:2.1: (Salutations to Devi Kalika) With Her Left pair of Hands, She is Holding a Head and a Sword (symbols of Death), ...2.2: ... and in like manner with Her Right pair of Hands, She is depicting the Vara (Boon-Giving) and Abhaya(Fearlessness) mudras (gestures) (assurance of taking the devotees to the world beyond death),2.3: Her well-built middle Torso is slightly Bent with the weight of Her lofty Breasts,2.4: Her pair of Lips are Shining with Redness (the colour of blood), at the corner of which is playing a beautiful smile (of death).

शवद्वन्द्वकर्णाा;वतंसा सुकेशी�सत्प्रेत1ाणिर्णां प्रयुकै्तककाञ्ची ।शवाकारमञ्चालिधरूढा शिशवाशिभश्_चतुर्दिदंक्षुशब्दायमानाऽशिभरेजे ॥३॥Shavadvandva-Karnna-Avatamsaa Su-KeshiiLasat-Preta-Paannim Prayuktai(a-E)ka-Kaan.cii |Shava-[A]akaara-Man.ca-Adhi-Ruuddhaa Shivaabhish_Catur-Dikssu-Shabdaayamaana-Abhireje ||3||

Meaning:3.1: (Salutations to Devi Kalika) Her Ear Rings are displaying the symbols of Corpse (death) and She is having abeautiful long Hair,3.2: Her Shining Girdle in the waist is made up of the (severed) joined Hands of the Dead,3.3: She is Mounted on the Platform of Corpses; .. and Jackals ...3.4: ... from all four Directions are making howling Sounds (of terror); ... and in the midst of all these is ReigningKalika, the Great Dark Goddess.

स्तुवितःStutih

विवरञ्च्यादिददेवास्त्रयस्ते गुर्णाास्त्रीन्

समाराध्य का�ीं प्रधाना बभूबुः ।अनादिदं सुरादिदं मखादिदं भवादिदंस्वरू1ं त्वदीयं न विवन्दन्तिन्त देवाः ॥१॥Viran.cya[i-A]adi-Devaas-Trayas-Te Gunns-TriinSama-[A]araadhya Kaaliim Pradhaanaa Babhuubuh |Anaadim Suraadim Makhaadim BhavaadimSvaruupam Tvadiiyam Na Vindanti Devaah ||1||

Meaning:1.1: (Salutations to Devi Kalika) Viranchi (Sri Brahma) and the other Devas of the Trinity, by taking recourse to YourThree Gunas, ...1.2: ... and equally considering Kali as their Aradhya (worshippable), have become the Chief among the Devas,1.3: You are without any Beginning, You are the Beginning of all Devas (i.e. the Primordial Power giving birth to the Devas), You are the Beginning of all Sacrifices (i.e. the Primordial Power to which all sacrificial oblations go), You are the Beginning of all the Worlds (i.e. the Primordial Power giving birth to the Worlds),1.4: Even the Devas do not know Your Transcendental Nature.

जगन्मोहनीयं तु वाग्वादिदनीयंसुहृत्1ोविRर्णाीशत्रुसंहारर्णाीयम् ।वचस्तम्भनीयं विकमुच्चाटनीयंस्वरू1ं त्वदीयं न विवन्दन्तिन्त देवाः ॥२॥Jagan-Mohaniiyam Tu Vaag-VaadiniiyamSuhrt-Possinnii-Shatru-Samhaaranniiyam |Vaca-Stambhaniiyam Kim-UccaattaniiyamSvaruupam Tvadiiyam Na Vindanti Devaah ||2||

Meaning:2.1: (Salutations to Devi Kalika) You are the Power Enchanting the Worlds, and (what more), You are the PowerProclaiming Speech itself,2.2: You are the Power which Nourish the Good-Hearted, and You are the Power which Destroy the Enemies (i.e. Evil Hearted),2.3: You are the Power which can Supress the Speech, and what more, You are the Power which can Eradicate Speechitself (i.e. destroy the vain pride of enemies),2.4: Even the Devas do not know Your Transcendental Nature.

इयं स्वग;दात्री 1ुनः कल्1वल्�ीमनोजास्तु कामान् यथाथX प्रकुया;त् ।तथा ते कृताथा; भवन्तीवित विनत्यं

स्वरू1ं त्वदीयं न विवन्दन्तिन्त देवाः ॥३॥Iyam Svarga-Daatrii Punah Kalpa-ValliiMano-Jaastu Kaamaan Yathaartham Prakuryaat |Tathaa Te Krtaarthaa Bhavanti-Iti NityamSvaruupam Tvadiiyam Na Vindanti Devaah ||3||

Meaning:3.1: (Salutations to Devi Kalika) You can give Heaven itself (i.e. great prosperity), and again like a Wish-Fulfilling Creeper ...3.2: ... fulfill the Mind-Born wishes uttered with true devotion,3.3: Thus, to You the World is always Grateful,3.4: Even the Devas do not know Your Transcendental Nature.

सुरा1ानमत्ता सुभक्तानुरक्ता�सत्1ूतलिचत्ते सदाविवभ;वत्ते ।ज1ध्यान1ूजासुधाधौत1ङ्कास्वरू1ं त्वदीयं न विवन्दन्तिन्त देवाः ॥४॥Suraa-Paana-Mattaa Su-Bhakta-AnuraktaaLasat-Puuta-Citte Sada[a-A]avirbhavat-Te |Japa-Dhyaana-Puujaa-Sudhaa-Dhauta-PangkaaSvaruupam Tvadiiyam Na Vindanti Devaah ||4||

Meaning:4.1: (Salutations to Devi Kalika) You take great Delight Drinking the Sura (liquor signifying transcendental bliss) and You are Pleased with sincere Devotees,4.2: Within the Heart Shining with Purity, You Always Manifest Yourself, ...4.3: ... the Heart which is Cleansed of Impurities by the Nectar of Japa (repetition of God's name), Dhyana(Meditation) and Puja (worshipping God),4.4: Even the Devas do not know Your Transcendental Nature.

लिचदानन्दकन्दं हसन् मन्दमन्दंशरच्चन्द्रकोदिटप्रभा1ुञ्जविबम्बम् ।मुनीनां कवीनां हृदिद द्योतयन्तंस्वरू1ं त्वदीयं न विवन्दन्तिन्त देवाः ॥५॥Cid-Aananda-Kandam Hasan Manda-MandamSharac-Candra-Kotti-Prabhaa-Pun.ja-Bimbam |Muniinaam Kaviinaam Hrdi DyotayantamSvaruupam Tvadiiyam Na Vindanti Devaah ||5||

Meaning:5.1: (Salutations to Devi Kalika) You are a Form within the Sky of Consciousness of Spiritual Bliss and You make Your presence felt by Smiling Gently (deep within),

5.2: Your Form is like the Moon in the Autumn Sky (of Spiritual Consciousness) which Reflects the Million Rayscontained within it,5.3: The Sages and the Enlightened feel Your presence within the caves of their Hearts,5.4: Even the Devas do not know Your Transcendental Nature.

महामेघका�ी सुरक्तावि1 शुभ्राकदालिचद ्विवलिचत्राकृवितयbगमाया ।न बा�ा न वृद्धा न कामातुरावि1स्वरू1ं त्वदीयं न विवन्दन्तिन्त देवाः ॥६॥Mahaa-Megha-Kaalii Su-Rakta-Api ShubhraaKadaacid Vicitraa-Krtir-Yogamaayaa |Na Baalaa Na Vrddhaa Na Kaamaatura-ApiSvaruupam Tvadiiyam Na Vindanti Devaah ||6||

Meaning:6.1: (Salutations to Devi Kalika) You are Black like the great Cloud and also Deep Red, and again White,6.2: Sometimes You assume various Forms through Your Yogamaya,6.3: You are neither a Small Girl, nor an Old Woman, and also not of any age filled with Love Desires (i.e. Youth),6.4: Even the Devas do not know Your Transcendental Nature.

क्षमस्वा1राधं महागुप्तभावंमया �ोकमध्ये प्रकाशिशकृतं यत् ।तव ध्यान1ूतेन चा1ल्यभावात्स्वरू1ं त्वदीयं न विवन्दन्तिन्त देवाः ॥७॥Kssama-Sva-Aparaadham Mahaa-Gupta-BhaavamMayaa Loka-Madhye Prakaashi-Krtam Yat |Tava Dhyaana-Puutena Caapalya-BhaavaatSvaruupam Tvadiiyam Na Vindanti Devaah ||7||

Meaning:7.1: (Salutations to Devi Kalika) Please Forgive my Mistake (if any), (because) Your Great Hidden Nature ...7.2: ... has been Revealed by me in the midst of the World,7.3: It has been revealed by the Childlike Nature (within me) which has been made Pure by Meditation on You,7.4: Even the Devas do not know Your Transcendental Nature.

यदिद ध्यानयुकं्त 1ठेद ्यो मनुष्यस्_तदा सव;�ोके विवशा�ो भवेच्च ।गृहे चाष्टलिसशिद्धमृ;ते चावि1 मुलिक्तःस्वरू1ं त्वदीयं न विवन्दन्तिन्त देवाः ॥८॥Yadi Dhyaana-Yuktam Patthed Yo Manussyas_Tadaa Sarva-Loke Vishaalo Bhavec-Ca |Grhe Ca-Asstta-Siddhir-Mrte Ca-Api MuktihSvaruupam Tvadiiyam Na Vindanti Devaah ||8||

Meaning:8.1: (Salutations to Devi Kalika) If any person Reads this with Meditative Devotion, ...8.2: ... then he will become Great in All the Worlds,8.3: In the House (i.e. while living in this world) he will get the Eight Siddhis, and after Death he will attainLiberation,8.4: Even the Devas do not know Your Transcendental Nature.

॥ इवित श्रीमच्छङ्कराचाय;विवरलिचतं श्रीकालि�काष्टकं समू्पर्णा;म् ॥Thus ends Sri Kalikashtakam composed by Srimat Shankaracharya.