Santoshi Mata Chalisa

Bowing my head at Ganapati’s feet, holding Sharada in heart,

I sing all of Santoshi Maa’s glory.

Hail Santoshi Maa, world-mother, slayer of wicked-minded demon hordes.

Lord Ganapati is your father; Riddhi-Siddhi are called your mothers.

You remain your parents’ darling; how shall I tell your fame?

Wondrous heavy crown on your head; strikingly lovely earrings.

Your limbs shine with lovely splendour, clad in fine golden robes.

Four-armed, shapely, vast, wearing a forest garland.

Near you the beloved cow; you ride the peacock.

All know your majesty; gods, men, sages all praise you.

A moment’s vision of you, Mother, destroys all sorrow and poverty.

Vedas-Puranas ever sing your fame; you aid your devotees.

With Brahma you are called Saraswati; in Lakshmi’s form you came with Vishnu.

With Shiva you reign as Girija; your glory resounds through the three worlds.

In power-form the people know you manifest; in Rudra’s form you became Mother Bhavani.

To crush the wicked you appeared as Kali, glittering with fierce unique radiance.

You slew Chanda-Munda, Mahishasura, and struck down Shumbha-Nishumbha.

Vedas-Puranas describe your glory, remover of your devotees’ distress.

In Sharada’s swan-enchanting form, formless yet embodied, merciful.

You spread your maya in all directions; in every atom abides your radiance.

Earth, sun, moon and stars all move bound to your command.

Nurture and nourishment are yours; in a brittle moment you take life.

Brahma-Vishnu ever meditate on you; Shesha-Mahesha ever hold you in heart.

Fulfiller of desires, cutter of sins, ferrier across worldly fear.

Whoever meditates on you with focused mind gains joy and wealth.

The barren woman who meditates on you gains a son like flower and vine.

The husband-bereaved, anguished woman — separation from you anguishes more.

Whatever maiden meditates on you gains her heart-wished groom.

Virtuous, worthy Mother, ferryman of your people’s boat.

Whoever keeps the fast duly finds boundless joy and wealth.

Jaggery and gram please you as offering; whoever serves finds bliss.

Whoever meditates with faith surely crosses existence.

Whoever performs your concluding rite is easily delivered.

The married woman who keeps the fast fills her lap with joy and wealth.

Whatever one remembers with heart’s liking, such fruit one gains.

Whoever holds seven Friday fasts sees every desire fulfilled.

Whoever serves with devotion sees poverty and sorrow depart.

Whoever comes to your refuge, Mother, finds their work done in a moment.

Hail, hail, hail, gracious Amba; have mercy, my great queen.

Whoever reads the Mother’s forty — the Lord of the world graces them.

Whoever recites once daily remains your beloved.

Taking your name, all snares flee; sickness and hatred never touch.

Santoshi, remover of distress, embodiment of miracles; dispel planetary snares, fulfil desires.