Dakshina Kali Stotra
Dakshina Kali Stotram is a fierce and sacred hymn dedicated to Dakshina Kali, the southern aspect of Goddess Kali, known for her swift grace and terrifying beauty. Composed by Adi Shankaracharya, this stotra is a poetic invocation of Kali’s power to destroy ego, fear, and karmic bondage. Unlike other forms of Kali, Dakshina Kali is considered more accessible and compassionate, especially to those walking the path of spiritual transformation in Kali Yuga.
Each verse of the stotram is a vivid portrait of the goddess—her garland of skulls, her blood-red tongue, her sword of truth, and her ability to grant boons, protect devotees, and liberate the soul. It’s not just a chant; it’s a metaphysical weapon, a shield, and a mirror.
Benefits of Reciting Dakshina Kali Stotram
- Freedom from fear, disease, and enemies
- Protection from black magic and negative energies
- Rapid spiritual growth and inner strength
- Success in career, family, and personal endeavors
IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS
How to Use This Stotra/Namavali for Your Benefit
To truly receive the blessings of this Stotra there are two methods. The first method is that you begin by taking a sankalpa—a heartfelt vow or intention. Decide how many days you will commit to this practice: 7, 9, 11, 21, 40, or any number that feels spiritually aligned with your goal.
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Your intention may be for:
- Financial stability
- A fulfilling job
- Peace and health
- The well-being of a loved one
- Spiritual growth
- Marriage
- Divine grace and protection
- Or any other goal/desire that you may have in mind
The desire should be genuine and positive, never rooted in harm or negativity.
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Daily Recitation Commitment
Choose how many times you will recite the Stotra each day: 3, 5, 7, 11, 21 or more, based on your capacity and devotion. If you miss a day, your sadhana becomes compromised, and you must begin again from Day 1. This discipline strengthens your spiritual resolve.
Second Method: Bhakti Without Boundaries
The second method is that you may choose to chant this Stotra purely out of bhakti., without any time-bound commitments. In such cases, the heart becomes the altar, and sincerity becomes the offering.
Factors That Influence the Results
The fruits of your sadhana depend on:
- The number of daily recitations
- The total duration of your practice (number of days)
- The depth of your concentration and devotion
You can amplify the energy of your sadhana by observing certain spiritual disciplines (these are recommended but no mandatory):
- Avoiding non-vegetarian food
- Refraining from onion and garlic
- Sitting for recitation at the same time daily
- Abstaining from sensual indulgences or distractions
The more difficult and focused your practice, the more profound the blessings/results after its completion.
DAKSHINA KALI STOTRA BEGINS
Om Krishodari Mahachandi Muktakeshi Balipriye
Kulachara Prasannasye Namaste Shankar Priye
O slender-waisted, fierce goddess, wild-haired and beloved of sacrifice,
Pleased by noble customs, dearest to Shankar.
I bow to you again and again.
Grant me beauty, victory, fame, and destroy my enemies.
Ghoradanshtre Kotarakshi Geetishabda Prasadhini
Ghuraghoraravasphare Namaste Chittavasini
O grim-toothed, hollow-eyed master of music and words,
Who appears with mighty roar, living within the mind.
My endless salutations to you.
Grant me strength and destroy all negativity.
Kulachara Prasannasye Namaste Shankar Priye
O slender-waisted, fierce goddess, wild-haired and beloved of sacrifice,
Pleased by noble customs, dearest to Shankar.
I bow to you again and again.
Grant me beauty, victory, fame, and destroy my enemies.
Ghoradanshtre Kotarakshi Geetishabda Prasadhini
Ghuraghoraravasphare Namaste Chittavasini
O grim-toothed, hollow-eyed master of music and words,
Who appears with mighty roar, living within the mind.
My endless salutations to you.
Grant me strength and destroy all negativity.
Bandhukapushpa Sankashe Tripure Bhayanashini
Bhagyodaya Samutpanne Namaste Varavarnini॥3॥
O fragrant as the gunpowder flower,
Destroyer of Tripura’s terror and darkness,
Born from the rise of fortune and auspiciousness,
I bow to you, the giver of boons and blessings.
Jaya Devi Jagaddhatri Tripuradye Tridevate
Bhakthebhyo Varade Devi Mahishaghni Namo’stute॥4॥
Victory to the goddess, world-sustainer and first of Tripura,
Among the three divine powers,
Granting blessings to devotees, slayer of the buffalo demon,
I respectfully bow to you.
Bhagyodaya Samutpanne Namaste Varavarnini॥3॥
O fragrant as the gunpowder flower,
Destroyer of Tripura’s terror and darkness,
Born from the rise of fortune and auspiciousness,
I bow to you, the giver of boons and blessings.
Jaya Devi Jagaddhatri Tripuradye Tridevate
Bhakthebhyo Varade Devi Mahishaghni Namo’stute॥4॥
Victory to the goddess, world-sustainer and first of Tripura,
Among the three divine powers,
Granting blessings to devotees, slayer of the buffalo demon,
I respectfully bow to you.
Ghoravighna-Vinashaya Kulachara-Samriddhaye
Namami Varade Devi Mundamala-Vibhushane॥5॥
I bow to the giver of boons, the goddess adorned
with a garland of skulls, who destroys terrible obstacles,
and who fosters the prosperity of noble traditions.
Salutations to her.
Raktadhara-Samakirne Kalakanji-Vibhushite
Sarvavighnahare Kali Namaste Bhairava-Priye॥6॥
She who is immersed in the flow of blood,
adorned with tattoos and inked ornaments,
Kali who removes all obstacles, beloved of Bhairava,
I salute her.
Namami Varade Devi Mundamala-Vibhushane॥5॥
I bow to the giver of boons, the goddess adorned
with a garland of skulls, who destroys terrible obstacles,
and who fosters the prosperity of noble traditions.
Salutations to her.
Raktadhara-Samakirne Kalakanji-Vibhushite
Sarvavighnahare Kali Namaste Bhairava-Priye॥6॥
She who is immersed in the flow of blood,
adorned with tattoos and inked ornaments,
Kali who removes all obstacles, beloved of Bhairava,
I salute her.
Namaste Dakshinamurte Kali Tripurabhairavi
Bhinnaanjana-Chaya Prakhye Praveena-Shava-Samsthite॥7॥
Salutations to the southern form, Kali Tripurabhairavi,
Whose face shines with the black collyrium’s hue,
Skilled in abiding amidst corpses,
I bow to her.
Galachhonita-Dharabhih Smeranana-Saroruhe
Peenonnata-Kuchadbandve Namaste Ghoradakshine॥8॥
Whose face is smeared with flowing streams of blood,
Bound by the elevated band of finger nails,
I bow to the fierce southern form,
Whose smiling mind shows its radiance.
Bhinnaanjana-Chaya Prakhye Praveena-Shava-Samsthite॥7॥
Salutations to the southern form, Kali Tripurabhairavi,
Whose face shines with the black collyrium’s hue,
Skilled in abiding amidst corpses,
I bow to her.
Galachhonita-Dharabhih Smeranana-Saroruhe
Peenonnata-Kuchadbandve Namaste Ghoradakshine॥8॥
Whose face is smeared with flowing streams of blood,
Bound by the elevated band of finger nails,
I bow to the fierce southern form,
Whose smiling mind shows its radiance.
Araktamukhshantaabhir Netraalibhirviraajite
Shavadwaya-Kritottamse Namaste Madavihwale॥9॥
She whose mouth does not bleed,
Whose eyes radiate peace,
Who abides skillfully among corpses,
I bow to the intoxicated goddess.
Panchashamunda-Ghatitamala-Lohitalohite
Naanamani-Vishobhaadhye Namaste Brahmasevite॥10॥
She who wears a garland of fifty skulls,
Of deep blood-red color;
Adorned with many jewels,
Worshipped by Brahma, salutation to her.
Shavadwaya-Kritottamse Namaste Madavihwale॥9॥
She whose mouth does not bleed,
Whose eyes radiate peace,
Who abides skillfully among corpses,
I bow to the intoxicated goddess.
Panchashamunda-Ghatitamala-Lohitalohite
Naanamani-Vishobhaadhye Namaste Brahmasevite॥10॥
She who wears a garland of fifty skulls,
Of deep blood-red color;
Adorned with many jewels,
Worshipped by Brahma, salutation to her.
Shavaasthi-Krit Keyure Shankha-Kankan Mandite
Shavaksha Samaarudithe Namaste Vishnupujite॥11॥
She who is adorned with bracelets made of bones,
Beautified with conch and bell necklaces,
Seated on the chest of a corpse, and worshipping Vishnu,
I bow to the revered Mother Kali.
Shavamamsakritgrashe Sattahase Muhurmuh
Mukhashighra-Smitaamode Namaste Shivavandite॥12॥
She who is made of flesh from the corpse,
Who often reveals a smile,
And quickly shows a joyful expression,
I salute the Shiva who is worshipped.
Shavaksha Samaarudithe Namaste Vishnupujite॥11॥
She who is adorned with bracelets made of bones,
Beautified with conch and bell necklaces,
Seated on the chest of a corpse, and worshipping Vishnu,
I bow to the revered Mother Kali.
Shavamamsakritgrashe Sattahase Muhurmuh
Mukhashighra-Smitaamode Namaste Shivavandite॥12॥
She who is made of flesh from the corpse,
Who often reveals a smile,
And quickly shows a joyful expression,
I salute the Shiva who is worshipped.
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Khadgamundadhare Vaame Savye AbhayavaraPrade
Danture Cha Maharaudre Namaste Chandanaayike॥13॥
She who holds the sword and skull-bow in her left and right hands,
Who dispels fear and grants courage,
Who bears terrifying teeth and fierce roars,
I salute the fierce consort, Chandanaayika.
Tvam Gati Parama Devi Tvam Mata Parameshwari
Traahi Maam Karunasardre Namaste Chandanaayike॥14॥
O supreme path and mother, divine queen,
Protect my compassionate heart,
I repeatedly bow to the fierce consort,
Whose grace delivers me.
Danture Cha Maharaudre Namaste Chandanaayike॥13॥
She who holds the sword and skull-bow in her left and right hands,
Who dispels fear and grants courage,
Who bears terrifying teeth and fierce roars,
I salute the fierce consort, Chandanaayika.
Tvam Gati Parama Devi Tvam Mata Parameshwari
Traahi Maam Karunasardre Namaste Chandanaayike॥14॥
O supreme path and mother, divine queen,
Protect my compassionate heart,
I repeatedly bow to the fierce consort,
Whose grace delivers me.
Khagmundadhare Vaame Savye AbhayavaraPrade
Danture Cha Maharaudre Namaste Chandanaayike॥13॥
She who holds a sword in her left hand,
Gives the blessing of fearlessness with her right hand,
Terrifying with teeth and fierce in her form,
I bow to the fierce consort Chandanaayike.
Tvam Gati Parama Devi Tvam Mata Parameshwari
Traahi Maam Karunasardre Namaste Chandanaayike॥14॥
O supreme path divine mother,
Protect my heart filled with compassion,
I repeatedly bow to the fierce consort,
Who protects me always.
Danture Cha Maharaudre Namaste Chandanaayike॥13॥
She who holds a sword in her left hand,
Gives the blessing of fearlessness with her right hand,
Terrifying with teeth and fierce in her form,
I bow to the fierce consort Chandanaayike.
Tvam Gati Parama Devi Tvam Mata Parameshwari
Traahi Maam Karunasardre Namaste Chandanaayike॥14॥
O supreme path divine mother,
Protect my heart filled with compassion,
I repeatedly bow to the fierce consort,
Who protects me always.
Namaste Kalike Devi Namaste Bhaktavatsale
Moorkhtam Har Me Devi Pratibha-Jayadayini॥15॥
Salutations to Goddess Kalika,
She who is very compassionate towards her devotees,
Who removes my ignorance and folly,
And grants intelligence and victory.
Gadyapadyamayee Vaani Tarka-Vyakaranadik
Anadheetagata Vidya Dehi Dakshinakalik॥16॥
She who is the mixed voice of prose and poetry,
Who embodies logic and grammar,
Who bestows knowledge to the unlearned,
Salutations to such Dakshina Kalika.
Moorkhtam Har Me Devi Pratibha-Jayadayini॥15॥
Salutations to Goddess Kalika,
She who is very compassionate towards her devotees,
Who removes my ignorance and folly,
And grants intelligence and victory.
Gadyapadyamayee Vaani Tarka-Vyakaranadik
Anadheetagata Vidya Dehi Dakshinakalik॥16॥
She who is the mixed voice of prose and poetry,
Who embodies logic and grammar,
Who bestows knowledge to the unlearned,
Salutations to such Dakshina Kalika.
Jayam Dehi Sabha-Madhye Dhanam Dehi Dhanagame
Dehi Me Chirajivitvam Kalike Raksha Dakshine॥17॥
Grant me victory in the assembly,
Give me wealth abundantly,
O Kali, grant me long life,
Protect me, O Devi of the South.
Rajyam Dehi Yasho Dehi Putran Daran Dhanam Tatha
Dehante Dehi Me Muktim Jaganmata Prasid Me॥18॥
Grant me kingdom and fame,
Give me sons, spouses, and wealth,
At death, grant me liberation,
O Mother of the World, be pleased with me.
Dehi Me Chirajivitvam Kalike Raksha Dakshine॥17॥
Grant me victory in the assembly,
Give me wealth abundantly,
O Kali, grant me long life,
Protect me, O Devi of the South.
Rajyam Dehi Yasho Dehi Putran Daran Dhanam Tatha
Dehante Dehi Me Muktim Jaganmata Prasid Me॥18॥
Grant me kingdom and fame,
Give me sons, spouses, and wealth,
At death, grant me liberation,
O Mother of the World, be pleased with me.
Om Mangala Bhairavi Durga Kalika Tridasheshwari
Uma Hemavati Kanya Kalyani Bhairaveshwari॥19॥
O Auspicious Mangala, Bhairavi, Durga, Kalika,
Supreme among Tridasha, Uma, Hemavati, Girl, Kalyani,
Goddess worshipped by Bhairava,
Protector of all devotees.
Kali Brahmi Cha Maheshi Kaumari Vaishnavi Tatha
Varahi Vasavi Chandi Tvam Jagurmunayah Sada॥20॥
Kali, Brahmi, Maheshi, Kaumari, Vaishnavi,
Varahi, Vasavi, Chandi, all Deities,
Always chant your name,
I also praise you, O Mother.
Uma Hemavati Kanya Kalyani Bhairaveshwari॥19॥
O Auspicious Mangala, Bhairavi, Durga, Kalika,
Supreme among Tridasha, Uma, Hemavati, Girl, Kalyani,
Goddess worshipped by Bhairava,
Protector of all devotees.
Kali Brahmi Cha Maheshi Kaumari Vaishnavi Tatha
Varahi Vasavi Chandi Tvam Jagurmunayah Sada॥20॥
Kali, Brahmi, Maheshi, Kaumari, Vaishnavi,
Varahi, Vasavi, Chandi, all Deities,
Always chant your name,
I also praise you, O Mother.
Ugratareti Tareti Shivetyekajate
Lokottareti Kaliti Giyase Kritibhi Sada॥21॥
Worshipped as Ugratara and Tara,
One with the matted locks of Shiva,
Supreme ruler of worlds, as Kalika,
Always extolled by creators.
Yatha Kali Tatha Tara Tatha Chhinnā Cha Kulluka
Ekamoorttischturbhedā Devi Tvam Kalika Pura॥22॥
As Kali, so Tara, Chhinna, and Kulluka,
One form with four distinctions, O Goddess,
Ancient Kali as told in Purāṇas,
It is you, O Devi Kalika.
Lokottareti Kaliti Giyase Kritibhi Sada॥21॥
Worshipped as Ugratara and Tara,
One with the matted locks of Shiva,
Supreme ruler of worlds, as Kalika,
Always extolled by creators.
Yatha Kali Tatha Tara Tatha Chhinnā Cha Kulluka
Ekamoorttischturbhedā Devi Tvam Kalika Pura॥22॥
As Kali, so Tara, Chhinna, and Kulluka,
One form with four distinctions, O Goddess,
Ancient Kali as told in Purāṇas,
It is you, O Devi Kalika.
Ekadvi-Trividha Devi Kotidhaanantaroopini
Angangikairnaamabhedaih Kaliketi Pragiyate॥23॥
The one, two, and three-fold Goddess,
Arrayed in countless divine forms,
Known by various names of her limbs,
To whom the name Kalika is given.
Shambhu Panchamukhenai Gunaan Vaktum Na Te Kshamah
Chaapala Yatkritam Stotram Kshamasva Varadaa Bhava॥24॥
Even Shambhu with his five faces
Cannot describe your qualities fully,
Forgive any faults in this hymn composed by you,
O Bestower of boons, please pardon us.
Angangikairnaamabhedaih Kaliketi Pragiyate॥23॥
The one, two, and three-fold Goddess,
Arrayed in countless divine forms,
Known by various names of her limbs,
To whom the name Kalika is given.
Shambhu Panchamukhenai Gunaan Vaktum Na Te Kshamah
Chaapala Yatkritam Stotram Kshamasva Varadaa Bhava॥24॥
Even Shambhu with his five faces
Cannot describe your qualities fully,
Forgive any faults in this hymn composed by you,
O Bestower of boons, please pardon us.
Pranaan Raksha Yasho Raksha Putraan Daaraan Dhanam Tatha
Sarvakaale Sarvadeshe Paahi Dakshina-Kaalike॥25॥
Protect my life, my fame, my sons, my husbands, and wealth,
At all times, in all places,
O Dakshina-Kalika, protect me always.
Yah Sampoojya Pathet Stotram Diva Vaa Raatrisandhyayo
Dhanam Dhaanyam Tatha Putram Labhate Naatra Sanshayah॥26॥
Whoever worships and recites this hymn
At dawn or evening,
Will attain wealth, grains, and sons,
No doubt in this.
Sarvakaale Sarvadeshe Paahi Dakshina-Kaalike॥25॥
Protect my life, my fame, my sons, my husbands, and wealth,
At all times, in all places,
O Dakshina-Kalika, protect me always.
Yah Sampoojya Pathet Stotram Diva Vaa Raatrisandhyayo
Dhanam Dhaanyam Tatha Putram Labhate Naatra Sanshayah॥26॥
Whoever worships and recites this hymn
At dawn or evening,
Will attain wealth, grains, and sons,
No doubt in this.
