Indian Arts and Culture Hinduism 108 Names of the Goddess Durga Share Flipboard Email Print Sharell Cook Hinduism Hindu Gods India Past and Present Important Texts Temples and Organizations Indian Arts and Culture Hindu Gurus and Saints by Subhamoy Das Subhamoy Das is the co-author of "Applied Hinduism: Ancient Wisdom for Today's World." He has also written several children and young adult books about Hinduism. 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. Aadya: The primordial realityAarya: The GoddessAbhavya: The fearful GoddessAeindri: The one who is powered Lord IndraAgnijwala: The one who is capable of spewing fireAhankara: The one who is full of prideAmeyaa: The one who is beyond any measureAnantaa: The one who is infinite and immeasurableAja: The one who has no birthAnekashastrahasta: The possessor of a many weaponed handAnekastraDhaarini: The one who holds multiple weaponsAnekavarna: The one who has multiple complexionsAparna: The one who abstains from eating even leaves while fastingApraudha: The one who never agesBahula: The one who has diverse forms and manifestationsBahulaprema: The one who is loved by allBalaprada: The giver of strengthBhavini: The beautiful oneBhavya: The one who stands for the futureBhadrakaali: The gentle form of Goddess KaliBhavani: The mother of the universeBhavamochani: The one who is the liberator of the universeBhavaprita: The one who is adored by the entire universeBhavya: The one who has magnificenceBrahmi: The one who has the power of Lord BrahmaBrahmavadini: The one who is omnipresentBuddhi: The embodiment of intelligenceBuddhida: The one who bestows wisdomChamunda: The killer of the demons called Chanda and MundaChandi: The fearful form of Durga Chandraghanta: The one who has mighty bellsChinta: The one who takes care of tensionChita: The one who prepares the death-bedChiti: The one who has a mind that thinks Chitra: The one with the quality of being picturesqueChittarupa: The one who is in a state of thoughtDakshakanya: The one known to be the daughter of DakshaDakshayajñavinaashini: The one who interrupts the sacrifice of DakshaDevamata: The one who is known as the Mother GoddessDurga: The one who is unconquerableEkakanya: The one who is known to be the girl childGhorarupa: The one who has an aggressive outlookGyaana: The one who is the embodiment of knowledgeJalodari: The one who is the abode of the ethereal universeJaya: The one who emerges as the victoriousKaalaratri: The Goddess who is black like nightKaishori : The one who is an adolescentKalamanjiiraranjini: The one who wears a musical ankletKaraali: The one who is violentKatyayani: The one who is worshipped by sage KatyananKaumaari: The one who is an adolescentKomaari: The one known to be a beautiful adolescentKriya: The one who is in actionKrooraa: The one who is murderous on demonsLakshmi: The Goddess of WealthMaheshwari: The one who possesses the power of Lord MaheshaMaatangi: The Goddess of MatangaMadhuKaitabhaHantri: The one who killed the demon-duo Madhu and KaitabhaMahaabala: The one who has immense strengthMahatapa: The one with severe penanceMahishasuraMardini: The destroyer of the bull-demon MahishaasuraMahodari: The one who has a huge belly which stores the universeManah: The one with a mindMatangamunipujita: The one who is worshipped by the Sage MatangaMuktakesha: The one who flaunts open tressesNarayani: The one known to be the destructive aspect of Lord Narayana (Brahma)NishumbhaShumbhaHanani: The killer of the demon-brothers Shumbha NishumbhaNitya: The one known as The EternalPaatala: The one with the color redPaatalavati: The one who is clothed in redParameshvari: The one known as the Ultimate GoddessPattaambaraparidhaana: The one who wears a dress made out of leatherPinaakadharini: The one who holds the trident of ShivaPratyaksha: The one who is originalPraudha: The one who is oldPurushaakriti: The one who takes the shape of a manRatnapriya: The one who is adorned or loved by jewelsRaudramukhi: The one who has a frightening face like the destroyer RudraSaadhvi: The one who is self-confidentSadagati: The one who is always in motion, bestowing Moksha (salvation)Sarvaastradhaarini: The one who possesses all the missile weaponsSarvadaanavaghaatini: The one who possesses the power to kill all the demonsSarvamantramayi: The one who possesses all the instruments of thoughtSarvashaastramayi: The one who is skillful in all theoriesSarvasuravinasha: The one who is the destroyer of all demonsSarvavahanavahana: The one who rides all vehiclesSarvavidya: The one who is knowledgeableSati: The one who got burned aliveSatta: The one who is above all beingsSatya: The one who resembles truthSatyanandasvarupini: The one who has the form of eternal blissSavitri: The one who is the daughter of the Sun God SavitriShaambhavi: The one who is the companion of ShambhuShivadooti: The one who is the ambassador of Lord ShivaShooldharini: The one who holds a monodentSundari: The one who is gorgeousSursundari: The one who is extremely beautifulTapasvini: The one who is engaged in repentanceTrinetra: The one who has three-eyesVaarahi: The one who rides on VaraahVaishnavi: The one who is invincibleVandurga: The one known as the Goddess of ForestsVikrama: The one who is violentVimalauttkarshini: The one who provides joyVishnumaya: The one who is the charm of Lord VishnuVriddhamaata: The one known as the old motherYati: The one who renounces the world or the asceticYuvati: The one who is a young woman Continue Reading