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The “bolt” hymn recited before the Durga Saptashati, whose famous refrain asks the Goddess again and again: “rūpaṃ dehi jayaṃ dehi yaśo dehi dviṣo jahi” — give beauty, give victory, give glory, destroy what stands against me.
Recited before the Durga Saptashati (Markandeya Purana tradition)
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Argala Stotram
Son of Kali · Power of Durga
Each line shows an easy way to say it, with its English meaning. Turn on the Sanskrit, the exact pronunciation or the word-by-word meaning whenever you want to go deeper.
ॐ जय त्वं देवि चामुण्डे जय भूतापहारिणि ।
Om Jaya Tvam Devi Chamunde Jaya Bhutapaharini
oṃ jaya tvaṃ devi cāmuṇḍe jaya bhūtāpahāriṇi
Om — victory to you, Goddess Chamunda; victory, remover of all suffering;
जय सर्वगते देवि कालरात्रि नमोऽस्तु ते ॥ १ ॥
Jaya Sarvagate Devi Kalaratri Namostu Te
jaya sarvagate devi kālarātri namo'stu te
victory, all-pervading Goddess — salutations to you, Kalaratri.
जयन्ती मङ्गला काली भद्रकाली कपालिनी ।
Jayanti Mangala Kali Bhadrakali Kapalini
jayantī maṅgalā kālī bhadrakālī kapālinī
Jayanti, Mangala, Kali, Bhadrakali, Kapalini,
दुर्गा शिवा क्षमा धात्री स्वाहा स्वधा नमोऽस्तु ते ॥ २ ॥
Durga Shiva Kshama Dhatri Svaha Svadha Namostu Te
durgā śivā kṣamā dhātrī svāhā svadhā namo'stu te
Durga, Shivaa, Kshama, Dhatri, Svaha, Svadha — salutations to you.
मधुकैटभविध्वंसि विधातृवरदे नमः ।
Madhukaitabhavidhvamsi Vidhatrivarade Namah
madhukaiṭabhavidhvaṃsi vidhātṛvarade namaḥ
Salutations to you who destroyed Madhu and Kaitabha and blessed Brahma —
रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि ॥ ३ ॥
Rupam Dehi Jayam Dehi Yasho Dehi Dvisho Jahi
rūpaṃ dehi jayaṃ dehi yaśo dehi dviṣo jahi
give me beauty, give me victory, give me glory, destroy my enemies.
महिषासुरनिर्नाशि भक्तानां सुखदे नमः ।
Mahishasuranirnashi Bhaktanam Sukhade Namah
mahiṣāsuranirnāśi bhaktānāṃ sukhade namaḥ
Destroyer of Mahishasura, giver of happiness to devotees, salutations —
रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि ॥ ४ ॥
Rupam Dehi Jayam Dehi Yasho Dehi Dvisho Jahi
rūpaṃ dehi jayaṃ dehi yaśo dehi dviṣo jahi
give me beauty, give me victory, give me glory, destroy my enemies.
धूम्रनेत्रवधे देवि धर्मकामार्थदायिनि ।
Dhumranetravadhe Devi Dharmakamarthadayini
dhūmranetravadhe devi dharmakāmārthadāyini
O Goddess who slew Dhumralochana, giver of dharma, love and wealth —
रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि ॥ ५ ॥
Rupam Dehi Jayam Dehi Yasho Dehi Dvisho Jahi
rūpaṃ dehi jayaṃ dehi yaśo dehi dviṣo jahi
give me beauty, give me victory, give me glory, destroy my enemies.
रक्तबीजवधे देवि चण्डमुण्डविनाशिनि ।
Raktabijavadhe Devi Chandamundavinashini
raktabījavadhe devi caṇḍamuṇḍavināśini
O Goddess who slew Raktabija, destroyer of Chanda and Munda —
रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि ॥ ६ ॥
Rupam Dehi Jayam Dehi Yasho Dehi Dvisho Jahi
rūpaṃ dehi jayaṃ dehi yaśo dehi dviṣo jahi
give me beauty, give me victory, give me glory, destroy my enemies.
निशुम्भशुम्भनिर्नाशि त्रिलोक्यशुभदे नमः ।
Nishumbhashumbhanirnashi Trilokyashubhade Namah
niśumbhaśumbhanirnāśi trilokyaśubhade namaḥ
Destroyer of Nishumbha and Shumbha, giver of good to the three worlds, salutations —
रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि ॥ ७ ॥
Rupam Dehi Jayam Dehi Yasho Dehi Dvisho Jahi
rūpaṃ dehi jayaṃ dehi yaśo dehi dviṣo jahi
give me beauty, give me victory, give me glory, destroy my enemies.
वन्दिताङ्घ्रियुगे देवि सर्वसौभाग्यदायिनि ।
Vanditanghriyuge Devi Sarvasaubhagyadayini
vanditāṅghriyuge devi sarvasaubhāgyadāyini
O Goddess whose two feet are worshipped, giver of every good fortune —
रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि ॥ ८ ॥
Rupam Dehi Jayam Dehi Yasho Dehi Dvisho Jahi
rūpaṃ dehi jayaṃ dehi yaśo dehi dviṣo jahi
give me beauty, give me victory, give me glory, destroy my enemies.
अचिन्त्यरूपचरिते सर्वशत्रुविनाशिनि ।
Achintyarupacharite Sarvashatruvinashini
acintyarūpacarite sarvaśatruvināśini
O you whose form and deeds are beyond thought, destroyer of all enemies —
रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि ॥ ९ ॥
Rupam Dehi Jayam Dehi Yasho Dehi Dvisho Jahi
rūpaṃ dehi jayaṃ dehi yaśo dehi dviṣo jahi
give me beauty, give me victory, give me glory, destroy my enemies.
नतेभ्यः सर्वदा भक्त्या चापर्णे दुरितापहे ।
Natebhyah Sarvada Bhaktya Chaparne Duritapahe
natebhyaḥ sarvadā bhaktyā cāparṇe duritāpahe
To those who always bow to you with devotion, O Aparna, remover of wrongs —
रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि ॥ १० ॥
Rupam Dehi Jayam Dehi Yasho Dehi Dvisho Jahi
rūpaṃ dehi jayaṃ dehi yaśo dehi dviṣo jahi
give me beauty, give me victory, give me glory, destroy my enemies.
स्तुवद्भ्यो भक्तिपूर्वं त्वां चण्डिके व्याधिनाशिनि ।
Stuvadbhyo Bhaktipurvam Tvam Chandike Vyadhinashini
stuvadbhyo bhaktipūrvaṃ tvāṃ caṇḍike vyādhināśini
To those who praise you with devotion, O Chandika, destroyer of disease —
रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि ॥ ११ ॥
Rupam Dehi Jayam Dehi Yasho Dehi Dvisho Jahi
rūpaṃ dehi jayaṃ dehi yaśo dehi dviṣo jahi
give me beauty, give me victory, give me glory, destroy my enemies.
चण्डिके सततं युद्धे जयन्ति पापनाशिनि ।
Chandike Satatam Yuddhe Jayanti Papanashini
caṇḍike satataṃ yuddhe jayanti pāpanāśini
O Chandika, ever victorious in battle, destroyer of sin —
रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि ॥ १२ ॥
Rupam Dehi Jayam Dehi Yasho Dehi Dvisho Jahi
rūpaṃ dehi jayaṃ dehi yaśo dehi dviṣo jahi
give me beauty, give me victory, give me glory, destroy my enemies.
देहि सौभाग्यमारोग्यं देहि देवि परं सुखम्।ह् ।
Dehi Saubhagyamarogyam Dehi Devi Param Sukhamh
dehi saubhāgyamārogyaṃ dehi devi paraṃ sukhamh
Give me good fortune and health; give me the highest happiness, O Goddess —
रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि ॥ १३ ॥
Rupam Dehi Jayam Dehi Yasho Dehi Dvisho Jahi
rūpaṃ dehi jayaṃ dehi yaśo dehi dviṣo jahi
give me beauty, give me victory, give me glory, destroy my enemies.
विधेहि देवि कल्याणं विधेहि विपुलां श्रियम्।ह् ।
Vidhehi Devi Kalyanam Vidhehi Vipulam Shriyamh
vidhehi devi kalyāṇaṃ vidhehi vipulāṃ śriyamh
Bring about well-being, O Goddess; bring abundant prosperity —
रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि ॥ १४ ॥
Rupam Dehi Jayam Dehi Yasho Dehi Dvisho Jahi
rūpaṃ dehi jayaṃ dehi yaśo dehi dviṣo jahi
give me beauty, give me victory, give me glory, destroy my enemies.
विधेहि द्विषतां नाशं विधेहि बलमुच्चकैः ।
Vidhehi Dvishatam Nasham Vidhehi Balamuchchakaih
vidhehi dviṣatāṃ nāśaṃ vidhehi balamuccakaiḥ
Bring about the destruction of my enemies; bring great strength —
रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि ॥ १५ ॥
Rupam Dehi Jayam Dehi Yasho Dehi Dvisho Jahi
rūpaṃ dehi jayaṃ dehi yaśo dehi dviṣo jahi
give me beauty, give me victory, give me glory, destroy my enemies.
सुरासुरशिरोरत्ननिघृष्टचरणेऽम्बिके ।
Surasurashiroratnanighrishtacharanembike
surāsuraśiroratnanighṛṣṭacaraṇe'mbike
O Mother, whose feet are polished by the crown-jewels of gods and demons bowing to you —
रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि ॥ १६ ॥
Rupam Dehi Jayam Dehi Yasho Dehi Dvisho Jahi
rūpaṃ dehi jayaṃ dehi yaśo dehi dviṣo jahi
give me beauty, give me victory, give me glory, destroy my enemies.
विद्यावन्तं यशस्वन्तं लक्ष्मीवन्तञ्च मां कुरु ।
Vidyavantam Yashasvantam Lakshmivantancha Mam Kuru
vidyāvantaṃ yaśasvantaṃ lakṣmīvantañca māṃ kuru
Make me learned, honoured and prosperous —
रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि ॥ १७ ॥
Rupam Dehi Jayam Dehi Yasho Dehi Dvisho Jahi
rūpaṃ dehi jayaṃ dehi yaśo dehi dviṣo jahi
give me beauty, give me victory, give me glory, destroy my enemies.
देवि प्रचण्डदोर्दण्डदैत्यदर्पनिषूदिनि ।
Devi Prachandadordandadaityadarpanishudini
devi pracaṇḍadordaṇḍadaityadarpaniṣūdini
O Goddess who crushed the pride of the demons with your mighty arms —
रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि ॥ १८ ॥
Rupam Dehi Jayam Dehi Yasho Dehi Dvisho Jahi
rūpaṃ dehi jayaṃ dehi yaśo dehi dviṣo jahi
give me beauty, give me victory, give me glory, destroy my enemies.
प्रचण्डदैत्यदर्पघ्ने चण्डिके प्रणताय मे ।
Prachandadaityadarpaghne Chandike Pranataya Me
pracaṇḍadaityadarpaghne caṇḍike praṇatāya me
O Chandika, destroyer of the fierce demons’ pride, to me who bows before you —
रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि ॥ १९ ॥
Rupam Dehi Jayam Dehi Yasho Dehi Dvisho Jahi
rūpaṃ dehi jayaṃ dehi yaśo dehi dviṣo jahi
give me beauty, give me victory, give me glory, destroy my enemies.
चतुर्भुजे चतुर्वक्त्रसंस्तुते परमेश्वरि ।
Chaturbhuje Chaturvaktrasamstute Parameshvari
caturbhuje caturvaktrasaṃstute parameśvari
O four-armed supreme Goddess, praised by four-faced Brahma —
रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि ॥ २० ॥
Rupam Dehi Jayam Dehi Yasho Dehi Dvisho Jahi
rūpaṃ dehi jayaṃ dehi yaśo dehi dviṣo jahi
give me beauty, give me victory, give me glory, destroy my enemies.
कृष्णेन संस्तुते देवि शश्वद्भक्त्या सदाम्बिके ।
Krishnena Samstute Devi Shashvadbhaktya Sadambike
kṛṣṇena saṃstute devi śaśvadbhaktyā sadāmbike
O Goddess, O Mother, always praised by Krishna with constant devotion —
रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि ॥ २१ ॥
Rupam Dehi Jayam Dehi Yasho Dehi Dvisho Jahi
rūpaṃ dehi jayaṃ dehi yaśo dehi dviṣo jahi
give me beauty, give me victory, give me glory, destroy my enemies.
हिमाचलसुतानाथसंस्तुते परमेश्वरि ।
Himachalasutanathasamstute Parameshvari
himācalasutānāthasaṃstute parameśvari
O supreme Goddess, praised by Shiva, the lord of the Himalaya’s daughter —
रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि ॥ २२ ॥
Rupam Dehi Jayam Dehi Yasho Dehi Dvisho Jahi
rūpaṃ dehi jayaṃ dehi yaśo dehi dviṣo jahi
give me beauty, give me victory, give me glory, destroy my enemies.
इन्द्राणीपतिसद्भावपूजिते परमेश्वरि ।
Indranipatisadbhavapujite Parameshvari
indrāṇīpatisadbhāvapūjite parameśvari
O supreme Goddess, worshipped with true devotion by Indra, husband of Indrani —
रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि ॥ २३ ॥
Rupam Dehi Jayam Dehi Yasho Dehi Dvisho Jahi
rūpaṃ dehi jayaṃ dehi yaśo dehi dviṣo jahi
give me beauty, give me victory, give me glory, destroy my enemies.
देवि भक्तजनोद्दामदत्तानन्दोदयेऽम्बिके ।
Devi Bhaktajanoddamadattanandodayembike
devi bhaktajanoddāmadattānandodaye'mbike
O Goddess, O Mother, who gives overflowing joy to your devotees —
रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि ॥ २४ ॥
Rupam Dehi Jayam Dehi Yasho Dehi Dvisho Jahi
rūpaṃ dehi jayaṃ dehi yaśo dehi dviṣo jahi
give me beauty, give me victory, give me glory, destroy my enemies.
भार्यां मनोरमां देहि मनोवृत्तानुसारिणीम्।ह् ।
Bharyam Manoramam Dehi Manovrittanusarinimh
bhāryāṃ manoramāṃ dehi manovṛttānusāriṇīmh
Give me a delightful partner who shares the ways of my heart —
रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि ॥ २५ ॥
Rupam Dehi Jayam Dehi Yasho Dehi Dvisho Jahi
rūpaṃ dehi jayaṃ dehi yaśo dehi dviṣo jahi
give me beauty, give me victory, give me glory, destroy my enemies.
तारिणि दुर्गसंसारसागरस्याचलोद्भवे ।
Tarini Durgasamsarasagarasyachalodbhave
tāriṇi durgasaṃsārasāgarasyācalodbhave
O daughter of the mountain, who carries us across the hard ocean of worldly life —
रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि ॥ २६ ॥
Rupam Dehi Jayam Dehi Yasho Dehi Dvisho Jahi
rūpaṃ dehi jayaṃ dehi yaśo dehi dviṣo jahi
give me beauty, give me victory, give me glory, destroy my enemies.
इदं स्तोत्रं पठित्वा तु महास्तोत्रं पठेन्नरः ।
Idam Stotram Pathitva Tu Mahastotram Pathennarah
idaṃ stotraṃ paṭhitvā tu mahāstotraṃ paṭhennaraḥ
Whoever recites this hymn and then the great hymn (the Saptashati),
सप्तशतीं समाराध्य वरमाप्नोति दुर्लभम्।ह् ॥ २७ ॥
Saptashatim Samaradhya Varamapnoti Durlabhamh
saptaśatīṃ samārādhya varamāpnoti durlabhamh
worshipping the Goddess through its seven hundred verses, gains a boon that is hard to obtain.
Argalā means the bolt or bar of a door. In the traditional order of reciting the Durga Saptashati, the Devi Kavacham comes first, then this Argala Stotram, then the Kilaka — armour, then the bolt drawn back, then the key. The Argala is said to open the door to the Goddess’s blessings.
It begins by saluting her as Chamunda, Kalaratri, Jayanti, Mangala, Kali, Bhadrakali, Durga and more, then recalls her victories over Madhu and Kaitabha, Mahishasura, Dhumralochana, Raktabija, Chanda, Munda, Shumbha and Nishumbha.
Each verse after that ends with the same four requests — rūpaṃ dehi, jayaṃ dehi, yaśo dehi, dviṣo jahi. Rūpa is beauty and true form; jaya, victory; yaśa, good name; and dviṣaḥ, the enemies — which tradition reads as inner enemies too: anger, greed, fear and ignorance.
The Durga Saptashati is often described as a fortress or a locked treasury. The Kavacham protects the reader at the gate, the Argala draws back the bolt, and the Kilaka removes the final pin.
Many people who cannot recite all 700 verses still chant the Argala on its own, because its refrain is a complete prayer in itself.
When to chant
How many times
Once.
Light a lamp before Durga and offer a red flower.
Chant the opening verses of praise.
Join the refrain in every verse with full intention.
Continue with the Saptashati, or close with the Navarna mantra.
The sounds that trip people up most in this hymn, and how to say them.
rūpaṃ dehi
roo-pum day-hi — “give beauty.”
dviṣo jahi
dvi-sho ja-hi — “destroy what opposes me.”
cāmuṇḍe
chaa-mun-day.
What does Rupam Dehi Jayam Dehi Yasho Dehi Dvisho Jahi mean?
“Give me beauty, give me victory, give me glory, destroy my enemies.” Tradition reads the enemies as inner ones too — anger, greed, fear and ignorance.
When is the Argala Stotram recited?
Before the Durga Saptashati, after the Devi Kavacham — and on its own during Navaratri and on Fridays.
What does Argala mean?
The bolt of a door. The hymn is said to unbolt the door to the Goddess’s grace.