What is Mahamaya Ashtakam?
Mahamaya Ashtakam is a powerful hymn composed of eight verses (ashtakam) dedicated to Mahamaya, the great cosmic energy or divine feminine force. Mahamaya represents the supreme goddess who governs the illusion (Maya) of the material world while guiding devotees toward liberation (moksha). She is often identified with Goddess Durga, Parvati, or Kali, embodying both nurturing and destructive aspects of divinity.
This hymn glorifies Mahamaya’s divine qualities, her role in sustaining the universe, and her power to dispel ignorance and grant spiritual wisdom.
महामाय़ा अष्टकम् | Mahamaya Ashtakam
भद्रकाळी बिश्बमाता जगत्स्रोत कारिणी
शिबपत्नी पापहर्त्री सर्वभूत तारिणी
स्कन्दमाता शिवा शिवा सर्वसृष्टि धारिणी
नमः नमः महामाय़ा ! हिमाळय-नन्दिनी || १
नारीणाम्च संखिन्यापि हस्तिनी बा चित्रिणी
पद्मगन्धा पुष्परूपा सम्मोहिनी पद्मिनी
मातृ-पुत्री-भग्नि-भार्य़ा सर्वरूपा भबानी
नमः नमः महामाय़ा ! भबभय-खण्डिनी || २
पाप-ताप-भब-भय़ भूतेश्बरी कामिनी
तब-कृपा-सर्व-क्षय सर्वजना-बन्दिनी
प्रेम-प्रीति-लज्जा-न्याय नारीणाञ्च-मोहिनी
नमः नमः महामाय़ा ! ॠण्डमाळा-धारिणी || ३
खड्ग-चक्र-हस्तेधारी संखीनि-सुनादिनी
संमोहना-रूपा-नारी हृदय-विदारिणी
अहंकार-कामरूपा-भुवन-विळासिनी
नमः नमः महामाय़ा ! जगत-प्रकाशिनी || ४
लह्व-लह्व-तब-जिह्वा पापाशुर मर्द्धिनी
खण्ड-गण्ड-मुण्ड-स्पृहा शोभाकान्ति बर्द्धिनी
अङ्ग-भङ्ग-रंग-काय़ा माय़ाछन्द छन्दिनी
नमः नमः महामाय़ा ! दुःखशोक नाशिनी || ५
धन-जन-तन-मान रूपेण त्वम् संस्थिता
काम-क्रोध-लोभ-मोह-मद बापि मूढता
निद्राहार-काम-भय़ पशुतुल्य़ जीबनात्
नमः नमः महामाय़ा ! कुरु मुक्त बन्धनात् || ६
मैत्री-दय़ा-लक्ष्मी-बृत्ति-अन्ते जीब लक्षणा
लज्जा-छाय़ा-तृष्णा-क्षुधा बन्धनस्य़ कारणा
तुष्टि-बुद्धि-श्रद्धा-भक्ति सदा मुक्ति दाय़ीका
शान्ति-भ्रान्ति-क्ळान्ति-क्षान्ति तब रूपा अनेका
प्रीति-स्मृति-जाति-शक्ति-रूपा माय़ा अभेद्य़ा
नमः नमः महामाय़ा ! नमस्त्वम् महाबिद्य़ा || ७
नबदुर्गा-महाकाळि सर्वाङ्गभूषाबृत्ताम्
भुबनेश्वरी-मातङ्गी हन्तु मधुकैटभं
विमळा-तारा-षोड़शी हस्ते खड्ग धारीणि
धुमाबति-मा-बगळा महिषासुर मर्द्धिनी
बाळात्रिपुरासुन्दरी त्रिभुबन मोहिनी
नमः नमः महामाय़ा ! सर्वदुःख हारिणी || ८
मम माता लोके मर्त्त्य़ कृष्णदास तब भृत्त्य़
य़दा तदा य़था तथा माय़ा छिन्न मोक्ष कथा
सदा सदा तव भिक्षा कृपा दीने भब रक्षा
नम नम महामाय़ा कृष्ण दासे तब दय़ा || ०
||इति श्री कृष्णदास विरचितं महामाय़ा अष्टकम् यः पठति सः भव सागर निस्तरति ||
Mahamaya Ashtakam
Bhadra Kaalee Vishwa Maataa Jagat Strota Kaarinee
Shiva Patni Paapa Hartree Sarva Bhoota Taarinee
Skanda Maataa Shivaa Shivaa Sarva Srishti Dhaarinee
Namah Namah Mahaa Maayaa ! Himaalaya Nandinee॥1॥
Naareenaamcha Shankheenyaapi Hastinee Vaa Chitrinee
PadmaGandhaa Pushpa Roopaa Sammohinee Padminee
Maatru Putri Bhagni Bhaaryaa Sarva Roopaa Bhavaanee
Namah Namah Mahaa Maayaa ! Bhava Bhaya Khandinee॥2॥
Paapa Taapa Bhava Bhaya Bhooteshwaree Kaaminee
Tava Krupaa Sarva Kshaya Sarvajanaa Vandinee
Prema Preeti Lajjaa Nyaaya Naareenaamcha Mohinee
Namah Namah Mahaa Maayaa ! Rundamaalaa Dhaarinee॥3॥
Khadga Chakra Hastey Dhaaree Shankheeni Sunaadinee
Sammohanaa Roopaa Naaree Hrudaya Vidaarinee
Ahankaara Kaamaroopa Bhuvana Vilaasinee
Namah Namah Mahaa Maayaa ! Jagata Prakaashinee॥4॥
Lahva Lahva Tava Jivhaa Paapaashura Mard’dhinee
Khanda Ganda Munda Spruhaa Shobhaa Kaanti Vard’dhinee
Anga Bhanga Ranga Kaayaa Maaya Chhanda Chhandinee
Namah Namah Mahaa Maayaa ! Dukha Shoka Naashinee॥5॥
Dhana Jana Tana Maana Roopena Tvam Sansthitaa
Kaama Krodha Lobha Moha Mada Baapi Moodhataa
Nidraahaara Kaama Bhaya Pashutulya Jeevanaat
Namah Namah Mahaa Maayaa ! Kuru Mukta Bandhanaat॥6॥
Maitree Dayaa Lakshmee Vrutti Antey Jeeva Lakshanaa
Lajjaa Chhayaa Trushnaa Kshudhaa Bandhanasya Kaaranaa
Tushti Buddhi Shraddhaa Bhakti Sadaa Mukti Daayeekaa
Shaanti Bhraanti Klaanti Kshaanti Tava Roopaa Anekaa
Preeti Smruti Jaati Shakti Roopaa Maayaa Abhedyaa
Namah Namah Mahaa Maayaa ! Namastvam Mahaavidyaa॥7॥
Nava Durgaa Mahaakaali Sarvaanga Bhooshaavruttaam
Bhuvaneshvaree Maatangee Hantu Madhu Kaitabham
Vimalaa Taaraa Shodashee Hastey Khadga Dhaareeni
Dhumaabati Maa Bagalaa Mahishaasura Mard’dhinee
Baalaa Tripuraa Sundaree Tribhubana Mohinee
Namah Namah Mahaa Maayaa ! Sarva Duhkha Haarinee॥8॥
Mama Maataa Loke Marttya Krishnadaasa Tava Bhruttya
Yadaa Tadaa Yathaa Tathaa Maayaa Chhinna Moksha Kathaa
Sadaa Sadaa Tava Bhikshaa Kripaa Deene Bhava Rakshaa
Namah Namah Mahaa-Maayaa Krishna Daase Tava Dayaa॥0॥
|| Iti Shree Krishnadaasah Virachitam Mahamaya Ashtakam Yah Pathati Sah Bhava Saagara Nistarati ||
Benefits of Chanting Mahamaya Ashtakam
- Removal of Obstacles:
- Helps eliminate challenges, hurdles, and negativity from life.
- Spiritual Awakening:
- Awakens the devotee to higher spiritual truths by overcoming the illusion of Maya.
- Divine Protection:
- Grants protection from evil forces, misfortunes, and adversities.
- Inner Peace and Strength:
- Brings mental clarity, emotional balance, and strength to face life's difficulties.
- Blessings of the Divine Mother:
- Invokes Mahamaya’s blessings for prosperity, happiness, and success in all endeavors.
- Liberation from Ignorance:
- Dispels ignorance and paves the way toward self-realization and enlightenment.
- Healing and Harmony:
- Promotes physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.
How to Chant Mahamaya Ashtakam
- Preparation:
- Find a quiet, clean space where you won’t be disturbed.
- Light a lamp or diya and incense to create a sacred atmosphere.
- Time of Chanting:
- Best chanted during Brahma Muhurta (early morning) or during auspicious occasions like Navratri or Fridays.
- Posture and Focus:
- Sit in a comfortable position with a straight spine, focusing on the divine image of Mahamaya or her mantra.
- Recitation:
- Chant the hymn slowly and clearly, ensuring proper pronunciation.
- You can use a rosary (japa mala) to keep track of repetitions if chanting multiple times.
- Devotion and Intention:
- Chant with a pure heart, unwavering focus, and deep devotion. Offer flowers, fruits, or other simple offerings as a mark of respect.
- Regular Practice:
- Regular chanting amplifies the benefits and strengthens the connection with Mahamaya’s divine energy.
- Post-Chanting Meditation:
- Spend a few minutes in silent meditation after chanting, visualizing the divine light of Mahamaya guiding and protecting you.
By chanting Mahamaya Ashtakam with devotion and understanding, devotees can invoke the grace of the supreme divine mother to overcome worldly illusions and experience her infinite blessings.
