Yudhishṭhira's Stotra to Durgā

This is the hymn that Yudhishṭhira Dharmarāja sang to Durgā Devī at the start of the Pāṇḍavas’ ajñātavāsa (the year of living unrecognised). It praises Durgā as the daughter of Yaśodā and Nandagopa, as the younger sister of Kṛshṇa, as the destroyer of Mahishāsura and of the wicked, and as the protector of her devotees in every danger. It is found in the Mahābhārata, Virāṭa Parva, chapter 6. It ends with Durgā appearing before Yudhishṭhira and giving a vara.

The setting

The Pāṇḍavas had hidden their weapons in the śamī tree outside Virāṭanagara, and were about to enter the city in disguise. Yudhishṭhira turned his mind in devotion to Durgā Devī. She is the one who helps her devotees cross what cannot be crossed, who guards them from danger, and who destroys the armies of adharma. He made a stotra in her praise and offered it. In his mind he placed himself and his brothers at her feet, before beginning the most dangerous year of their lives.

The stotra

Yudhishṭhira praised Durgā in these forms.

She who was born in the womb of Yaśodā and is dear to Nandagopa. She brings all that is good and raises up the family.
She who startled Kaṃsa and destroys the rākshasas. When Kaṃsa dashed her against a rock, she flew up into the sky.
She who is the younger sister of Śrī Kṛshṇa. She wears divine garlands and divine clothes and holds a sword and shield in her hands.
She who, in times of great burden and in holy moments, takes the form of Śiva and lifts the devotee out of pāpa, as one lifts a thin cow out of mud.
She who gives varas. She is dark-complexioned (kṛshṇa-svarūpiṇī), the eternal maiden (kumārī), the celibate one (brahmacāriṇī), with the form of the rising sun and of the full moon.
She who has four arms and four faces, a full form and bright jewel ornaments, and who shines as the lotus-consort of Bhagavān Nārāyaṇa.
She whose purity is supreme, whose colour is like the radiance of Kṛshṇa, and whose face is like the face of Balarāma.
She who holds in her hands the varada and abhaya mudrās, a vessel, a lotus and a bell, and who fills the earth in pure feminine form.
She who holds the pāśa (noose), the bow, the great discus and many weapons. Her ears shine with kuṇḍalas, her moon-like face is bright, and she wears a crown of braided hair.
She who gleams with a waist-belt that shines like a serpent’s skin, and who stands like Mount Mandara wrapped by Vāsuki.
She who carries a tall banner decorated with peacock feathers. By her vow of kaumāra-brahmacarya (lifelong celibacy from maiden age) she has made even svarga holy.

Yudhishṭhira praised Durgā as the one who lives for ever in the Vindhya mountains. She bears the sword and the pillar-post (khaḍga-mañcaka), takes whatever form she wishes, and Bhagavān Brahmā and the devas follow behind her.

Why she is called Durgā

Yudhishṭhira said that when people in danger remember her, whether in great forests, at sea, on roads that cannot be crossed, or when robbers attack them, she frees them from that danger. This is why people call her Durgā, the one who lets them cross what cannot be crossed.

What her memory brings

Yudhishṭhira praised her as the one who, when remembered in the morning, brings every good thing: kīrti (fame), Lakshmī (wealth), dhṛti (resolve), siddhi (accomplishment), hrī (dignity), vidyā (knowledge) and santāna (children). She is sandhyā (twilight), rātri (night), kānti (radiance), nidrā (sleep), candra-prabhā (moonlight), light itself, kshamā (patience) and dayā (compassion).

Durgā’s vara

When Yudhishṭhira had praised her, Durgā appeared before the Pāṇḍavas and spoke to Yudhishṭhira. She said that all who hear this stotra or recite it will have all their purposes fulfilled. For the Pāṇḍavas themselves, she said that by her grace neither the Kauravas nor the people of Virāṭanagara would know them during their year in the city. Having given this vara, Durgā disappeared.

The phalaśruti

Durgā herself declared the fruit of this stotra.

For the Pāṇḍavas in particular, they will not be recognised during the ajñātavāsa.
For all who hear it or chant it, all their purposes will be fulfilled.
Those in danger at sea, in the forest or on dangerous roads all find refuge by her grace through this prayer.

Sources

Mahābhārata, Virāṭa Parva, Chapter 6

Yudhishṭhira’s Stotra to Durgā