108 Names of the Goddess Durga

A statue of the Goddess Durga
Sharell Cook
By
Subhamoy Das
  • M.A., English Literature, University of North Bengal
Subhamoy Das is the co-author of "Applied Hinduism: Ancient Wisdom for Today's World." He has written several books about Hinduism for children and young adults.
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Subhamoy Das
Updated September 09, 2018

Goddess Durga is the mother of the universe according to Hindu belief. There are many incarnations of Durga: Kali, Bhagvati, Bhavani, Ambika, Lalita, Gauri, Kandalini, Java, Rajeswari, et al. Her nine appellations are Skondamata, Kusumanda, Shailaputri, Kaalratri, Brahmacharini, Maha Gauri, Katyayani, Chandraghanta, and Siddhidatri.

108 Names From the Devi Mahatmya (Chandi)

According to the scriptures, Lord Shiva called the Mother Goddess Durga in 108 names in order to please her. During Navaratri and Durga Puja, devotees utter prayers in the 108 names of the Goddess. These names appear in the Purana called ​Devi Mahatmyam or Devi Mahatmya (The Glory of the Goddess) that narrates the story of Goddess Durga's battle and eventual victory over the demon king Mahishasura. Composed around 400–500 CE in Sanskrit by the ancient Indian sage Markandeya, this Hindu scripture is also known as the Durga Saptashat or simply the Chandi.

  1. Aadya: The primordial reality
  2. Aarya: The Goddess
  3. Abhavya: The fearful Goddess
  4. Aeindri: The one who is powered Lord Indra
  5. Agnijwala: The one who is capable of spewing fire
  6. Ahankara: The one who is full of pride
  7. Ameyaa: The one who is beyond any measure
  8. Anantaa: The one who is infinite and immeasurable
  9. Aja: The one who has no birth
  10. Anekashastrahasta: The possessor of a many weaponed hand
  11. AnekastraDhaarini: The one who holds multiple weapons
  12. Anekavarna: The one who has multiple complexions
  13. Aparna: The one who abstains from eating even leaves while fasting
  14. Apraudha: The one who never ages
  15. Bahula: The one who has diverse forms and manifestations
  16. Bahulaprema: The one who is loved by all
  17. Balaprada: The giver of strength
  18. Bhavini: The beautiful one
  19. Bhavya: The one who stands for the future
  20. Bhadrakaali: The gentle form of Goddess Kali
  21. Bhavani: The mother of the universe
  22. Bhavamochani: The one who is the liberator of the universe
  23. Bhavaprita: The one who is adored by the entire universe
  24. Bhavya: The one who has magnificence
  25. Brahmi: The one who has the power of Lord Brahma
  26. Brahmavadini: The one who is omnipresent
  27. Buddhi: The embodiment of intelligence
  28. Buddhida: The one who bestows wisdom
  29. Chamunda: The killer of the demons called Chanda and Munda
  30. Chandi: The fearful form of Durga        
  31. Chandraghanta: The one who has mighty bells
  32. Chinta: The one who takes care of tension
  33. Chita: The one who prepares the death-bed
  34. Chiti: The one who has a mind that thinks          
  35. Chitra: The one with the quality of being picturesque
  36. Chittarupa: The one who is in a state of thought
  37. Dakshakanya: The one known to be the daughter of Daksha
  38. Dakshayajñavinaashini: The one who interrupts the sacrifice of Daksha
  39. Devamata: The one who is known as the Mother Goddess
  40. Durga: The one who is unconquerable
  41. Ekakanya: The one who is known to be the girl child
  42. Ghorarupa: The one who has an aggressive outlook
  43. Gyaana: The one who is the embodiment of knowledge
  44. Jalodari: The one who is the abode of the ethereal universe
  45. Jaya: The one who emerges as the victorious
  46. Kaalaratri: The Goddess who is black like night
  47. Kaishori : The one who is an adolescent
  48. Kalamanjiiraranjini: The one who wears a musical anklet
  49. Karaali: The one who is violent
  50. Katyayani: The one who is worshipped by sage Katyanan
  51. Kaumaari: The one who is an adolescent
  52. Komaari: The one known to be a beautiful adolescent
  53. Kriya: The one who is in action
  54. Krooraa: The one who is murderous on demons
  55. Lakshmi: The Goddess of Wealth
  56. Maheshwari: The one who possesses the power of Lord Mahesha
  57. Maatangi: The Goddess of Matanga
  58. MadhuKaitabhaHantri: The one who killed the demon-duo Madhu and Kaitabha
  59. Mahaabala: The one who has immense strength
  60. Mahatapa: The one with severe penance
  61. MahishasuraMardini: The destroyer of the bull-demon Mahishaasura
  62. Mahodari: The one who has a huge belly which stores the universe
  63. Manah: The one with a mind
  64. Matangamunipujita: The one who is worshipped by the Sage Matanga
  65. Muktakesha: The one who flaunts open tresses
  66. Narayani: The one known to be the destructive aspect of Lord Narayana (Brahma)
  67. NishumbhaShumbhaHanani: The killer of the demon-brothers Shumbha Nishumbha
  68. Nitya: The one known as The Eternal
  69. Paatala: The one with the color red
  70. Paatalavati: The one who is clothed in red
  71. Parameshvari: The one known as the Ultimate Goddess
  72. Pattaambaraparidhaana: The one who wears a dress made out of leather
  73. Pinaakadharini: The one who holds the trident of Shiva
  74. Pratyaksha: The one who is original
  75. Praudha: The one who is old
  76. Purushaakriti: The one who takes the shape of a man
  77. Ratnapriya: The one who is adorned or loved by jewels
  78. Raudramukhi: The one who has a frightening face like the destroyer Rudra
  79. Saadhvi: The one who is self-confident
  80. Sadagati: The one who is always in motion, bestowing Moksha (salvation)
  81. Sarvaastradhaarini: The one who possesses all the missile weapons
  82. Sarvadaanavaghaatini: The one who possesses the power to kill all the demons
  83. Sarvamantramayi: The one who possesses all the instruments of thought
  84. Sarvashaastramayi: The one who is skillful in all theories
  85. Sarvasuravinasha: The one who is the destroyer of all demons
  86. Sarvavahanavahana: The one who rides all vehicles
  87. Sarvavidya: The one who is knowledgeable
  88. Sati: The one who got burned alive
  89. Satta: The one who is above all beings
  90. Satya: The one who resembles truth
  91. Satyanandasvarupini: The one who has the form of eternal bliss
  92. Savitri: The one who is the daughter of the Sun God Savitri
  93. Shaambhavi: The one who is the companion of Shambhu
  94. Shivadooti: The one who is the ambassador of Lord Shiva
  95. Shooldharini: The one who holds a monodent
  96. Sundari: The one who is gorgeous
  97. Sursundari: The one who is extremely beautiful
  98. Tapasvini: The one who is engaged in repentance
  99. Trinetra: The one who has three-eyes
  100. Vaarahi: The one who rides on Varaah
  101. Vaishnavi: The one who is invincible
  102. Vandurga: The one known as the Goddess of Forests
  103. Vikrama: The one who is violent
  104. Vimalauttkarshini: The one who provides joy
  105. Vishnumaya: The one who is the charm of Lord Vishnu
  106. Vriddhamaata: The one known as the old mother
  107. Yati: The one who renounces the world or the ascetic
  108. Yuvati: The one who is a young woman