Lyrics · Meaning · Audio
The Vedic Gayatri of Durga — “May we know Katyayani, may we meditate on the Virgin Goddess; may Durga inspire us” — a short daily mantra for courage and protection.
From the Mahanarayana Upanishad (Taittiriya Aranyaka)
Listen
Durga Gayatri Mantra
Son of Kali · Navratri Nights
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 कात्यायनाय विद्महे
Om Katyayanaya Vidmahe
oṃ kātyāyanāya vidmahe
Om — may we know Katyayani, the Goddess of the sage Katyayana;
कन्याकुमारि धीमहि ।
Kanyakumari Dhimahi
kanyākumāri dhīmahi
may we meditate on the eternal Virgin Goddess;
तन्नो दुर्गिः प्रचोदयात् ॥
Tanno Durgih Prachodayat
tanno durgiḥ pracodayāt
may Durga inspire and guide us.
This Gayatri of Durga is one of the oldest Goddess mantras, found in the Mahanarayana Upanishad alongside Gayatris of Shiva, Vishnu, Ganesha and others. It follows the classic three steps: know, meditate, be inspired.
It names her as Kātyāyanī, the warrior Goddess born in the hermitage of the sage Katyayana, and as Kanyākumārī, the eternal virgin Goddess — still worshipped at Kanyakumari, the southern tip of India where three seas meet.
Durga means “the one who is hard to reach” and also “the one who carries us across difficulty.” Her Gayatri is chanted for courage, protection and the strength to get through hard times.
At Kanyakumari the Goddess is said to have stood on a rock in the sea, waiting in penance to marry Shiva. The wedding never took place — the demon Banasura could only be killed by a virgin, and so she remained Kanya, the maiden, and destroyed him.
She still stands there, facing the ocean, a guardian at the very edge of India.
When to chant
How many times
11, 21 or 108 times on a mala.
Sit facing east or before an image of Durga.
Take a few deep breaths and settle.
Chant the three lines slowly with the recording.
Picture a steady golden light of protection around you.
Finish with a moment of silence.
The sounds that trip people up most in this hymn, and how to say them.
kātyāyanāya
kaat-yaa-ya-naa-ya.
kanyakumāri
kun-ya-ku-maa-ri.
durgiḥ
dur-gih — the Vedic form of Durga.
What is the Durga Gayatri Mantra?
“Om Katyayanaya Vidmahe, Kanyakumari Dhimahi, Tanno Durgih Prachodayat” — “May we know Katyayani, may we meditate on the Virgin Goddess; may Durga inspire us.”
Are there other versions?
Yes. A popular later version is “Om Girijaya Vidmahe, Shiva Priyaya Dhimahi, Tanno Durga Prachodayat.” This page gives the older Upanishad version.
Why is it “Durgih” and not “Durga”?
Durgiḥ is the old Vedic form of the name used in the Upanishad. Many people chant “Durga” instead; both are used.
What are the benefits?
Traditionally it is chanted for courage, protection from harm and strength in difficulty.