Vakratunda Mahakaya Suryakoti Samaprabha,
Nirvighnam Kuru Me Deva, Sarva Karyeshu Sarvada.
Guru Brahma, Guru Vishnu, Guru Devo Maheshwara,
Guru Sakshat Parabrahma, Tasmai Shri Guruve Namah.
With these prayers, your path becomes sanctified. The heart opens in humility, ready to receive the blessings of both Bhairav and Shakti — the divine masculine protector and the nurturing cosmic Mother.
Step 1: Invoking Bhairav Baba
Every deep spiritual practice needs a guardian. Before approaching the blazing radiance of Shakti, Bhairav Baba — the fierce aspect of Shiva — must be invoked.
- Role of Bhairav Baba: Sentinel of sacred energy, protector from inner turbulence, fear, and unseen forces.
- Nature: Not destructive, but the embodiment of divine order.
- Effect: Dissolves illusions, grounds the practitioner, awakens clarity and discipline.
Chant for Bhairav Baba (21 times):
Shri Bhairavaya Namaha
Feel his energy settle around you like a luminous shield — alert, steady, and compassionate.
Note: This Basic Bhairav Sadhana is a minimum pre-requisite before beginning Shakti Sadhana. For a more detailed Sadhana, please refer to Trishirobhairava Sadhana.
Step 2: Invoking Shakti
Once Bhairav has been invoked, turn inward to call upon Shakti, the universal Mother — the compassionate force that nourishes and transforms.
- Presence: Shakti flows through every breath, every heartbeat.
- Grace: Reveals strength in surrender and wisdom in stillness.
- Form: Among her countless forms, Durga embodies the power that dispels darkness and restores divine order.
Her 32 sacred names (Durgadvatrimshannama Stotra) represent her multidimensional presence. Chanting or meditating upon these names draws her protective energy around the devotee like spiritual armor.
The 32 Sacred Names of Durga
| No. | Sanskrit Name | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | दुर्गा | Durgā | The Reliever of Difficulties; The Unconquerable One |
| 2 | दुर्गार्तिशमनी | Durgārtiśamanī | Who appeases or puts difficulties at peace |
| 3 | दुर्गापद्विनिवारिणी | Durgāpadvinivāriṇī | Dispeller of difficult adversities and calamities |
| 4 | दुर्गमच्छेदनी | Durgamachedinī | Who cuts down or pierces the hardest difficulty |
| 5 | दुर्गसाधिनी | Durgasādhinī | Performer of discipline to expel difficulties; grants success |
| 6 | दुर्गनाशिनी | Durganāśinī | Destroyer of all difficulties and dangers |
| 7 | दुर्गतोद्धारिणी | Durgatoddhāriṇī | Who uplifts those fallen in misfortune |
| 8 | दुर्गनिहन्त्री | Durganihantrī | Sends difficulties to ruin; the Destroyer of obstacles |
| 9 | दुर्गमापहा | Durgamāpahā | Who removes sorrow, misery, and distress |
| 10 | दुर्गमज्ञानदा | Durgamajñānadā | Grants divine knowledge in times of ignorance |
| 11 | दुर्गदैत्यलोकदवानला | Durgadaityalokadavanālā | The blazing fire that destroys the world of demons (evil thoughts) |
| 12 | दुर्गमा | Durgamā | The Mother of difficulties; The Impassable Fortress |
| 13 | दुर्गमालोका | Durgamālokā | Who cannot be easily perceived by worldly vision |
| 14 | दुर्गमात्मस्वरूपिणी | Durgamātmasvarūpiṇī | The Intrinsic Nature and essence of the Self (Ātman) |
| 15 | दुर्गमार्गप्रदा | Durgamārgapradā | Who shows the right and safe path through difficulties |
| 16 | दुर्गमविद्या | Durgamavidyā | The supreme, difficult-to-attain wisdom |
| 17 | दुर्गमाश्रिता | Durgamāśritā | Gives refuge and extrication to those who surrender |
| 18 | दुर्गमज्ञानसंस्थाना | Durgamajñānasaṃsthānā | The very foundation and abode of knowledge |
| 19 | दुर्गमध्यानभासिनी | Durgamadhyānabhāsinī | Who shines forth brilliantly in meditation |
| 20 | दुर्गमोहा | Durgamohā | Who destroys delusion and attachment |
| 21 | दुर्गमगा | Durgamagā | Resolves difficulties; makes the unattainable attainable |
| 22 | दुर्गमार्थस्वरूपिणी | Durgamārthasvarūpiṇī | Essence of ultimate truth and meaning |
| 23 | दुर्गमासुरसंहन्त्री | Durgamāsurasaṃhantrī | Annihilator of the egotism of demons |
| 24 | दुर्गमायुधधारिणी | Durgamāyudhadhāriṇī | Bearer of divine weapons against all difficulties |
| 25 | दुर्गमाङ्गी | Durgamāṅgī | She whose form is filled with divine, powerful energy |
| 26 | दुर्गमता | Durgamatā | Who is beyond difficulties; the great nurturing Mother |
| 27 | दुर्गम्या | Durgamyā | Difficult to visit, know, or comprehend |
| 28 | दुर्गमेश्वरी | Durgameśvarī | Empress of all that is difficult to attain |
| 29 | दुर्गभीमा | Durgabhīmā | Fearsome to all evil; terrifies negativity |
| 30 | दुर्गभामा | Durgabhāmā | Shines when obstacles arise |
| 31 | दुर्गभा | Durgabhā | Radiates and illuminates as she annihilates darkness |
| 32 | दुर्गदारिणी | Durgadāriṇī | Who completely tears apart all difficulties |
Step 3: How to Practice
-
Chanting the 32 Names
- 12 times daily for a span of 9 days for general protection and inner strength.
- 108 X 9 for intense sadhana or to overcome serious challenges.
-
Continue Jagadamba Chant
- After successfully completing the sadhana, chant at least 11 malas of “Jagadamba” daily, making it a part of your daily routine.
- This awakens the Mother aspect of the Shakti you are invoking, filling your life with grace and warmth. Remember that 11 malas is the minimum but you can increase the number of malas gradually as per your capacity.
- The more you chant, the more divine grace you invite into your life.
Step 4: Essence of the Practice
- When Bhairav’s fierce guardianship meets Shakti’s nurturing compassion, the seeker becomes unshakable.
- The outer world may change, but within arises serene strength — anchored in vigilance and illuminated by love.
- Invoke them with sincerity, humility, and a steady heart.
- In their union, fear dissolves, clarity dawns, and divine balance awakens.
Jai Ganesh, Jai Guru, Jai Bhairav, Jai Jagdamba.