“Aigiri Nandini” is a prayer song. It was penned a long time ago by a sage, Adi Shankaracharya. The song is dedicated to Goddess Durga. She is strong and brave. She battles and defeats the evil demon Mahishasura. And that’s why she is called Mahishasura Mardini (she who killed Mahishasura).
The song describes Durga as very powerful, but also very kind.” She saves good people and eliminates evil. People report feeling brave, happy and close to the Goddess when they sing this song.
Basic Details:
- Song Name: Aigiri Nandini
- Language: Sanskrit (but you can read in English too)
- Written by: Adi Shankaracharya
- Type: Prayer song
- About: Goddess Durga
- Story: She killed the bad demon Mahishasura
- When sung: In temples and in festivals like Navratri and Durga Puja
Aigiri Nandini Lyrics in English
| Hindi Translation | English Translation |
|---|---|
| आयि गिरी नंदिनी, नंधिता मेधिनी | O daughter of the mountains, delight of intellect |
| विश्व विनोधिनी, नंदनुते | Entertainer of the world, praised by all |
| गिरिवर विंध्य सिरोथी निवासिनी | Residing atop the Vindhya mountain peaks |
| विष्णु विलासिनी, जीश्नु नुते | Beloved of Vishnu, praised by the Lord |
| भगवती हे, सथि कंद कुटुम्बिनी | O Goddess, protector of virtuous families |
| भूरी कुटुम्बिनी, भूरी कृथे | Bestower of abundant family blessings |
| जय जय हे महिषासुर मर्दिनी | Victory to you, Slayer of Mahishasura |
| रम्या कपर्दिनी, शैला सूते | Beautiful, with flowing hair, daughter of the mountains |
| सुरवरा वर्षिणी, दुर्दरा दर्शिनी | Showering the gods, terrifying to foes |
| दुरमुख मार्शनी, हर्ष रथे | Frowning at enemies, delight of warriors |
| त्रिभुवन पोषिणी, शंकर तोषिणी | Nurturing the three worlds, pleasing Lord Shiva |
| किल्बीशिष मोषिणी, घोष रथे | Remover of evil, glory of chariots |
| दानुजा निरोषिणी, दितिसुता रोषिणी | Punisher of demons, radiant daughter of Diti |
| दुर्मथ सोषिणी, सिंधु सूते | Subduer of wicked, protector of oceans |
| जय जय हे महिषासुर मर्दिनी | Victory to you, Slayer of Mahishasura |
| रम्या कपर्दिनी, शैला सूते | Beautiful, with flowing hair, daughter of the mountains |
| आयि जगदम्बा, मदांभा कदांभा | O Mother of the world, adorned with Kadamba garlands |
| वना प्रिया वासिनी, हस रथे | Lover of forests, joyful in movement |
| शिखरी शिरोमणि, थुंगा हिमालय | Crown jewel of the peaks, residing in lofty Himalayas |
| शृंगा निजालय, मध्यगथे | Dwelling in the heart of the mountains |
| मधु मधुरे, मधुकैटभ बंजिनी | Sweet as honey, destroyer of Madhu and Kaitabha |
| कैटभ बंजिनी, रस रथे | Slayer of Kaitabha, delightful in essence |
| जय जय हे महिषासुर मर्दिनी | Victory to you, Slayer of Mahishasura |
| रम्या कपर्दिनी, शैला सूते | Beautiful, with flowing hair, daughter of the mountains |
| आयि सथा कंद विकंदिता रुण्डा | O one who crushed the many-headed demons |
| वितुंडिता शुंडा, गजथिपथे | Destroyer of heads, Lord of elephants |
| रिपु गजगण्ड, विधारणा चंद | Slayer of foes and mighty elephants |
| पराक्रमा शुंडा, मृगथिपथे | Mighty in valor, master of beasts |
| निज भुजा दंड, निपातिता खंड | Arm wielding the rod, destroyed the demon army |
| विपाथिता मुंड, भटथिपथे | Slayer of wicked heads, protector of people |
| जय जय हे महिषासुर मर्दिनी | Victory to you, Slayer of Mahishasura |
| रम्या कपर्दिनी, शैला सूते | Beautiful, with flowing hair, daughter of the mountains |
| आयि राणा दुर्मथा, शत्रु वधोथिता | O one who destroyed the wicked enemy army |
| दुर्दरा निर्ज्जर, शक्ति भूते | Firm and powerful, abode of divine strength |
| चतुर विचरधुरी, महा शिव | Wise in action, revered by Lord Shiva |
| दुधतकृत प्रमाधिपथे | Slayer of demons, master of calamities |
| दुरीथा दुरीहा, धुरासया दुर्मथि | Destroyer of wickedness, formidable to foes |
| धनवधूत, कृत्वान्थमते | Punisher of demons, consoler of the righteous |
| जय जय हे महिषासुर मर्दिनी | Victory to you, Slayer of Mahishasura |
| रम्या कपर्दिनी, शैला सूते | Beautiful, with flowing hair, daughter of the mountains |
| आयि शरणागत, वैरी वधूवरा | Protector of devotees, destroyer of enemies |
| वीर वर, भय दायकरे | Courageous, bestower of fearlessness |
| त्रिभुवन मस्तक, सूल विरोधी | Opposer of the tridents of the three worlds |
| सिरोथी कृतमाला, सूलकरे | Wearing a garland of heads, wielder of the trident |
| डिमिड्मी, थामारा दुंडुबिनधा | Terrifying, with a fierce lotus-like face |
| महा मुखरीकृत, तिग्मकरे | Greatly fierce, sharp and intense in form |
| जय जय हे महिषासुर मर्दिनी | Victory to you, Slayer of Mahishasura |
| रम्या कपर्दिनी, शैला सूते | Beautiful, with flowing hair, daughter of the mountains |
| आयि निज हुम, कृतिमात्र, निराकृत | Pure in form, complete in creation, free from blemish |
| धूम्र विलोचना, धूम्र सथे | Smoke-colored eyes, radiating smoke-like power |
| समर विशोषिता, सोनीता बीजा | Destroyer of war, seed of blood in battle |
| समुद्भव सोनीता, बीजलते | Born from the ocean, spread blood on the battlefield |
| शिवा शिवा, शुम्भा निशुम्भा महा हवा | O Shiva-like one, destroyer of Shumbha and Nishumbha |
| तर्पिता भूत, पिशाच रथे | Satisfied by spirits and demons, rider of celestial chariots |
| जय जय हे महिषासुर मर्दिनी | Victory to you, Slayer of Mahishasura |
| रम्या कपर्दिनी, शैला सूते | Beautiful, with flowing hair, daughter of the mountains |
Aigiri Nandini Lyrics in English
Ayi giri nandini nandhitha medhini
Viswa vinodhini nandanuthe
Girivara vindhya sirodhi nivasini
Vishnu Vilasini Jishnu nuthe
Bhagawathi hey sithi kanda kudumbini
Bhoori kudumbini bhoori kruthe
Jaya Jaya He Mahishasura Mardini
Ramya Kapardini Shaila Suthe
Suravara varshini durdara darshini
Durmukhamarshani harsha rathe
Tribhuvana poshini Sankara thoshini
Kilbisisha moshini ghosha rathe
Danuja niroshini Dithisutha roshini
Durmatha soshini Sindhu suthe
Jaya Jaya Hey Mahishasura Mardini
Ramya Kapardini Shaila Suthe
Ayi Jagadambha Madambha Kadambha
Vana priya vasini Hasarathe
Shikhari siromani thunga Himalaya
Srunga nijalaya madhyagathe
Madhu Madure Mdhukaitabha banjini
Kaitabha banjini rasa rathe
Jaya Jaya He Mahishasura Mardini
Ramya Kapardini Shaila Suthe
Ayi satha kanda vikanditha runda
Vithunditha shunda Gajathipathe
Ripu Gaja ganda Vidhaarana chanda
Paraakrama shunda mrugathipathe
Nija bhuja danda nipaathitha khanda
Vipaathitha munda bhatathipathe
Jaya Jaya He Mahishasura Mardini
Ramya Kapardini Shaila Suthe
Ayi rana durmathaShathru vadhothitha
Durdhara nirjjara shakthi bruthe
Chathura vicharadureena maha shiva
Duthatkrutha pramadhipathe
Duritha Dureeha dhurasaya durmathi
Dhanava dhutha kruithaanthamathe
Jaya Jaya He Mahishasura Mardini
Ramya Kapardini Shaila Suthe.
Ayi saranagatha vairi vadhuvara
Veera varaa bhaya dhayakare
Tribhuvana masthaka soola virodhi
Sirodhi krithamala shoolakare
Dimidmi thaamara dundubinadha mahaa
Mukharikruthatigmakare
Jaya Jaya He Mahishasura Mardini
Ramya Kapardini Shaila Suthe
Ayi nija huum kruthimathra niraakrutha
Dhoomra vilochana Dhoomra sathe
Samara vishoshitha sonitha bheeja
Samudhbhava sonitha bheejalathe
Shiva shiva shumbha nishumbhamaha hava
Tarpitha bhootha pisacha rathe
Jaya Jaya He Mahishasura Mardini
Ramya Kapardini Shaila Suthe
Conclusion
“Aigiri Nandini” is a prayer replete with power and devotion. It proves that good always triumphs over evil. It is also sung on festivals like Navratri and Durga Puja. Today as in then, many love it because it lends strength and hope.