Siddhi of the Durga Ashtottara Shatanam Stotra (108 Names)

What is the Durga Ashtottara Shatanam Stotra, and what does reciting it grant?

For anyone with limited time who seeks a single hymn that fulfills all desires and grants liberation, the Durga Ashtottara Shatanam Stotra — composed by Lord Sadashiva in the Vishwasara Tantra — is the simplest and most accessible procedure, granting all four Purusharthas along with wealth, family, and influence.

For someone who wishes to perform daily worship of Goddess Durga, has limited time, and seeks a single hymn, praise, mantra, or recitation that fulfills all desires and ultimately grants liberation (moksha), the best, most accessible, and simplest ritual procedure is the Durga Ashtottara Shatanam Stotra (the 108 Names of Goddess Durga), composed and described by Lord Sadashiva in the Vishwasara Tantra. It is stated that whoever recites this Stotra attains all four PurusharthaA practitioner's own intense, sustained effort — the one thing within their control, since the fruit (Phala) of Sadhana itself is not.s — Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha — along with wealth, grains, sons, grandsons, elephants, horses, and everything else. Periodically, especially during Navratri, one must also perform Kanya Pujan. There is no task that cannot be accomplished through this practice, and even rulers come under one's influence.

What is the Yantra method for these 108 names, and what is its auspicious timing?

A Yantra of the 108 names, prepared on a Tuesday coinciding with Amavasya when the Moon is in Shatabhisha Nakshatra and worn on the right arm, brings all types of prosperity — whether worn while reciting or after consecration; Tantric texts describe this Yantra in three ways.

Another ritual method mentions the preparation and wearing of a Yantra of these 108 names. The specific auspicious date and lunar mansion are: on a Tuesday coinciding with Amavasya (new moon), when the Moon is in Shatabhisha Nakshatra, preparing this Yantra and wearing it on the right arm brings all types of prosperity — whether worn while reciting or worn after consecration. According to Tantric texts, this Yantra is described in three ways.

When should this Siddhi procedure be undertaken — Navratri versus other months?

Consecrating it during Navratri, beginning from Pratipada, is simple and rapid in delivering results; in any other lunar month, perform the ritual from Ashtami to Chaturdashi of either the Shukla or Krishna Paksha.

If consecrating during Navratri, it will be very simple and rapid in delivering results. If undertaking it in any other lunar month, perform the ritual from the Ashtami (8th lunar day) to the Chaturdashi (14th lunar day) of either the Shukla Paksha (waxing phase) or Krishna Paksha (waning phase). In Navratri, begin from Pratipada (1st lunar day).

What preliminary worship precedes the Durga worship itself?

Before worshipping Goddess Durga, perform the worship of Guru, Ganesha, and the Navagrahas, then worship Goddess Jagadamba according to proper procedure and capacity — completing all corresponding rituals if establishing a Kalash.

First, before worshipping Goddess Durga, perform the worship of Guru, Ganesha, Navagrahas (nine planets), etc., and then worship Goddess Jagadamba according to proper procedures and one's capacity. If establishing a Kalash (sacred pot), complete all corresponding rituals.

What is the Sankalpa setup — clothing, direction, seat, and materials?

After taking the Sankalpa, wear red clothes, face East or North, sit on a red seat, apply red sandalwood paste on the forehead, and place at least 50 grams of Ashtagandha or saffron paste along with separate vessels of turmeric and Kumkum before the Goddess.

First, take the SankalpaA formal ritual resolution spoken aloud before an offering or observance, declaring its intent and dedicating its merit. (solemn vow). Clothing: wear red clothes. Direction: face East or North. Asana (seat): must also be red. Forehead mark: apply red sandalwood paste/ink on the forehead. Place at least 50 grams of pure AshtagandhaA fragrant paste made of eight substances, applied as a tilak before vermilion (sindoor) in remedy and worship rites. or saffron Tilak paste in a good container before Goddess Durga, along with turmeric and Kumkum in separate vessels.

How should the daily 108-name recitation be conducted?

During Navratri, perform 108 recitations each day, starting directly from the first name ('Om Sati Sadhvi Bhavaprita Bhavamochani') through the 108th, omitting the introductory text — and on the final recitation of the day, also recite the Phalashruti describing the fruits of recitation.

After taking the Sankalpa, commence the recitation. During Navratri, perform 108 recitations each day. When starting the recitation, omit introductory text like "Ishwara Uvacha Shatanam Pravakshyami" and start directly from the first name: "Om Sati Sadhvi Bhavaprita Bhavamochani." Continue reciting through the 108th name, up to the 15th verse: "Savitri Prapancha Brahmavadini," reciting from the first name to the 108th name. When reciting for the final (108th) time of the day, also recite the Phalashruti (the concluding verses describing the fruits/benefits of recitation).

What is the flower offering procedure during recitation?

Use at least 11 red flowers — hold one flower in hand, recite 10 times, and offer it to the Goddess; repeat this, and for the 11th flower recite 8 times before offering it.

For the recitation, have at least 11 red flowers. Hold one flower in hand, recite 10 times, and offer it to the Goddess. Repeat this, and for the 11th flower, recite 8 times and offer it to the Goddess.

What time of day should the recitation be done, and what lamp must stay lit?

Performing this ritual after 9:00 PM at night is most optimal, as nighttime holds special significance during Navratri; an Akhand Deep (continuous flame lamp) should remain lit for the entire duration of the recitation.

Performing this ritual after 9:00 PM at night is most optimal, as nighttime holds special significance during Navratri. An Akhand Jyot (continuous flame lamp) should remain lit for the entire duration of the recitation.

What additional recitations follow the daily 108 names?

After completing the daily recitation, recite the Dvadasa Jyotirlinga names at least 12 times and the 108 names of Lord Bhairava once — the Guru and Ganesha prayers having already been done at the beginning.

After completing the daily recitation: recite the Dvadasa Jyotirlinga names (the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Sadashiva) at least 12 times, and recite the 108 names of Lord Bhairavaa once. The Guru and Ganesha prayers should have already been done at the beginning.

What is the nightly pomegranate Bali offering procedure, and what does it mean if it splits open?

Every night, offer a fresh pomegranate as Bali with a specific prayer; if it splits open on its own during or after worship, it indicates complete acceptance by Jagadamba and her Yoginis — the pomegranate is never consumed, but left overnight and fed to a cow the next morning.

Every night, an offering (Bali) of a pomegranate must be made: take a fresh pomegranate, arrange it in a plate with flowers, and place it before the Goddess. After the recitation is complete, make the prayer: "O Goddess, please accept the recitation and worship performed today, and I offer this pomegranate to You as Bali. O Jagadamba, accept this offering, grant me Your blessings, protect me, and grant success in my spiritual practice (Sadhana). Whenever I use Your name-mantras for any auspicious desire, may it bear full fruit." If the pomegranate splits open on its own during or after worship, it indicates complete acceptance by Jagadamba and her Yoginis, signifying divine presence and grace. Do not consume this pomegranate — leave it overnight and feed it to a cow the next morning. Perform this for all 9 days.

What is the overall recitation count target, and how is it distributed across the nine days?

The complete requirement is at least 1,100 recitations; 108 daily recitations over 8 days yield 800, leaving 300 remaining, which are completed as additional daytime recitations between Pratipada and Ashtami.

The complete requirement is at least 1,100 recitations. If performing 108 recitations daily (counted as 100 per day), 8 days yield 800 recitations, leaving 300 remaining. Between Pratipada and Ashtami, perform the additional 300 recitations during the day/afternoon to complete the total of 1,100 recitations.

What is the Havan timing relative to the daily recitations?

If performing the Havan on Navami (9th day), complete the recitations by Ashtami (8th day), finish the morning recitation on Navami first, and perform the Havan afterward.

If performing the Havan (fire ritual) on Navami (9th day), complete the recitations by Ashtami (8th day) and perform the Havan on the morning of Navami. On the morning of Navami, finish the morning recitation first.

What are the Havan ingredient rules for men?

Since this is a Paushtika ritual for attainment (Siddhi), men must offer oblations using pure ghee mixed with honey and a little guggul — offering 11 oblations for each of the 108 names, totaling approximately 1,100 oblations, using a Namavali written out for ease during the Havan.

Havan ingredients and rules: since this is a Paushtik Karma ritual for attainment (Siddhi), men must offer oblations (Ahutis) using pure ghee mixed with honey and a little guggul. Write down the 108 names of the Goddess separately as a NamavaliA written list of a deity's names — such as Durga's 108 names written out separately for ease of offering individual Havan oblations to each. for ease during Havan (e.g., the 1st oblation for Goddess Sati, 2nd for Sadhvi, 3rd for Bhavaprita, up to 108). For a total of 1,100 recitations, offer 11 oblations for each of the 108 names, totaling approximately 1,100 oblations into the Havan Kund. At the beginning of the Havan, offer preliminary oblations to Guru, Ganesha, and Bhairava before offering the 108 names.

What different Havan ingredient rules apply for women practitioners?

Women should not offer oblations with pure ghee alone — they must use a composite Havan Samagri (aromatic dhoop wood, black sesame, barley, rice, Panchamewa, honey, ghee, and fresh red pomegranate seeds) for the entire 1,100 oblations, though ghee or camphor may be added without mantras simply to keep the fire lit.

For women practitioners (Sadhikas): women should not offer oblations with pure ghee alone. They must use the composite Havan Samagri (at least 500g aromatic dhoop wood, 250g black sesame seeds, 125g barley, a little rice, Pancha-Meva [five dry fruits], honey, ghee, and the seeds of at least two fresh red pomegranates mixed into the Samagri) to perform the entire 1,100 oblations (11 per name). Ghee or camphor may be added without mantras using a spoon simply to keep the fire ignited.

What Argala Stotram oblations follow the main 108-name oblations?

After completing the main oblations, offer 108 oblations of the composite Havan Samagri using the first mantra of the Argala Stotram: 'Jayanti Mangala Kali Bhadrakali Kapalini...'.

After completing the main oblations, offer 108 oblations of the composite Havan Samagri using the first mantra of Argala Stotra: "Jayanti Mangala Kali Bhadrakali Kapalini..."

What is the Nutmeg offering to the Navadurgas before Purnahuti?

Both men and women must offer 9 whole nutmegs dipped in ghee, offering one nutmeg for each of the Navadurgas — such as 'Om Shailaputryai Durgayai Swaha' and 'Om Brahmacharinyai Durgayai Swaha' — up to all 9 forms.

Before the final oblation (Purnahuti): Nutmeg (Jaiphal) Oblation — both men and women must offer 9 whole nutmegs (JaiphalNutmeg, offered whole and dipped in ghee before Purnahuti — one for each of the Navadurgas.) dipped in ghee, offering one nutmeg for each of the Navadurgas (e.g., "Om Shailaputryai Durgayai Swaha", "Om Brahmacharinyai Durgayai Swaha", up to all 9 forms).

What is the lemon offering before Purnahuti?

Offer two whole lemons cut vertically into the fire — one in the name of Goddess Durga and one in the name of Lord Bhairava.

Lemon Offering: offer two whole lemons cut vertically into the fire — one in the name of Goddess Durga and one in the name of Lord Bhairava.

What is the Purnahuti (final oblation) procedure?

Stand up to perform Purnahuti with a dry coconut half filled with curd and jaggery, wrapped in red cloth over a betel leaf, ideally with five ghee-fried Puris topped with kheer or jaggery, chanting the Purnahuti mantra and placing it in the center of the Havan Kund.

Purnahuti: stand up to perform Purnahuti. Prepare a dry coconut (Gari) half, filled with curd and jaggery, wrapped in a red cloth, placed over a betel leaf. If possible, place five Puris fried in ghee, topped with Kheer or jaggery. Chant the Purnahuti mantra and place it in the center of the Havan Kund.

What follows the Havan: Tarpan, Marjan, and Kanya Pujan?

Following the Havan, perform Tarpan and Marjan once for each of the 108 names, then worship nine young maiden girls (Kanya Pujan) while continuously reciting the memorized 108 Names Stotra — completing the Stotra's full consecration.

Following the Havan: Tarpan — perform TarpanaA libation offering of water or other substances made to a deity or ancestor, typically performed alongside Havan and Marjan. once for each of the 108 names. Marjan — perform MarjanThe purificatory sprinkling of consecrated water that completes the Havan-Tarpan-Marjan ritual triad. once for each of the 108 names. Kanya Pujan — worship nine young maiden girls (Kanyas); while performing the Kanya Pujan, continuously recite the 108 Names Stotra (which will be memorized by then). This completes the full consecration (Siddhi) of the Stotra.

How often should this ritual be repeated for lasting transformation?

This ritual should be repeated periodically, ideally at least 11 times — if performed throughout the year during all four Navratris (two Gupt and two Prakat) and in other months from Ashtami to Chaturdashi with 1,100 recitations and Havan, it brings profound transformation within a year.

This ritual should be repeated periodically, ideally at least 11 times. If performed throughout the year — during the four Navratris (two Gupt Navratris and two Prakat Navratri) and in other months from Ashtami to Chaturdashi with 1,100 recitations and Havan — it brings profound transformation within a year.