Krishna Das travelled to India in the 1960s where, along with Ram Dass, he studied with a Hindu guru named Neem Karoli Baba. Krishna Das has studied Buddhist meditation practices and is now devoted to singing and teaching. He has released several CDs, and he travels around the world giving performances and teaching, sometimes with Ram Dass.
Krishna Das is perhaps the best known American singer of Indian kirtan-style devotional music. Similar artists include Bhagavan Das, Jai Uttal, Wah, Deva Premal, and Snatam Kaur Khalsa.
The chanting of Krishna Das consists of:
- chanting with musical accompaniment;
- meditation instruction;
- readings from different spiritual traditions;
- teachings and discussions about the spiritual path.
In the winter of 1968, Krishna Das met Ram Dass, who had recently returned from his first trip to India. After living and travelling with Ram Dass in the U.S., and hearing Ram Dass' many stories about Maharaj-ji, Krishna Das travelled to India, where he met and stayed with the guru.
While living in India for almost three years, Krishna Das was drawn to the practice of Bhakti Yoga and the practice of kirtan—chanting the Names of God. As an appointed pujari (priest) for the Durga temple in Maharaj-ji's ashram in the foothills of the Himalayas, Krishna Das immersed himself in the worship of the Divine Goddess.
Krishna Das spent as much time as possible with Maharaj-ji over the years in India. However, in early in 1973, he was asked by Maharaj-ji to return to America.
Devi Puja
Krishna Das Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Om Namaschandikaaye
Jayanti Mangalaa Kaalee Bhadrakaalee kapaalinee
Durgaa kshaamaa shiwaa dhaatree Swaahaa Swadhaa namostute
Roopam dehi jayam dehi yasho dehi dwisho jahi
Sarva swarupe sarveshe sarva shakti samanvite
Bhawe bhyaastraahino devi Durge devi namo stu te
Naaraayani Namostute
Siddhi buddhi pradhe devi bhukti mukti pradaayani
Mantra moorthe mahaadevi Mahaalakshmee namo stu te
Sarwaa baadhaa bineer mukto dhana dhaanya sutaa nito
Manushyo mat prasaadeno bhavishyaiti na sanshayaha
The lyrics to Krishna Das's song Devi Puja are a tribute to the Hindu goddesses Durga, Kali, Chamunda, Shiva, Saraswati, Lakshmi, and Narayani. The verses ask for blessings, protection, and guidance from the divine feminine energies. The song's opening line "He Maa Durga" is a call to address the goddess.
The next line "Om Namaschandikaaye" is a chant that calls upon Chandika, a form of the goddess Chandi, who is widely regarded as the ultimate embodiment of power and strength. The following line "Jayanti Mangalaa Kaalee Bhadrakaalee kapaalinee" refers to Kali, who is often depicted as fierce and terrifying, but also compassionate and nurturing. The lyrics also mention Durga, who is revered as the mother of the universe and protector of righteousness. The line "Siddhi buddhi pradhe devi bhukti mukti pradaayani" refers to the bestowing of worldly success, spiritual growth, and liberation.
The overall message of the song is one of surrender to the divine feminine energies and a recognition of their immense power and ability to guide and protect us. It is a reminder to turn towards the goddesses for strength and guidance in times of need.
Line by Line Meaning
He Maa Durga
Oh mother Durga
Om Namaschandikaaye
I bow to the goddess Chandika
Jayanti Mangalaa Kaalee Bhadrakaalee kapaalinee
Salutations to the auspicious, dark and terrible goddess who wears a garland of skulls
Durgaa kshaamaa shiwaa dhaatree Swaahaa Swadhaa namostute
Salutations to goddess Durga who is patient, forgiving, peaceful, creative, offering and receiving
Roopam dehi jayam dehi yasho dehi dwisho jahi
Grant us beauty, victory, fame and destroy our enemies
Sarva swarupe sarveshe sarva shakti samanvite
Oh goddess, you are present in every form, you are the controller of all and your power is equal everywhere
Bhawe bhyaastraahino devi Durge devi namo stu te
Oh goddess Durga, who is without weapons, I bow to you
Naaraayani Namostute
Salutations to the goddess Narayani
Siddhi buddhi pradhe devi bhukti mukti pradaayani
Oh goddess who bestows success and intellect, and grants worldly pleasures and liberation
Mantra moorthe mahaadevi Mahaalakshmee namo stu te
Salutations to the great goddess who is the embodiment of mantras, and who is known as Maha Lakshmi
Sarwaa baadhaa bineer mukto dhana dhaanya sutaa nito
Free from all obstacles, one becomes rich with wealth and children
Manushyo mat prasaadeno bhavishyaiti na sanshayaha
By my grace, humans will become without doubt and worries about their future.
Contributed by Layla R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@tiophil00
He Maa Durga
Om Namaschandikaaye
Jayanti Mangalaa Kaalee Bhadrakaalee kapaalinee
Durgaa kshaamaa shiwaa dhaatree Swaahaa Swadhaa namostute
Roopam dehi jayam dehi yasho dehi dwisho jahi
Sarva swarupe sarveshe sarva shakti samanvite
Bhawe bhyaastraahino devi Durge devi namo stu te
Naaraayani Namostute
Siddhi buddhi pradhe devi bhukti mukti pradaayani
Mantra moorthe mahaadevi Mahaalakshmee namo stu te
Sarwaa baadhaa bineer mukto dhana dhaanya sutaa nito
Manushyo mat prasaadeno bhavishyaiti na sanshayaha
@tiophil00
He Maa Durga
Om Namaschandikaaye
Jayanti Mangalaa Kaalee Bhadrakaalee kapaalinee
Durgaa kshaamaa shiwaa dhaatree Swaahaa Swadhaa namostute
Roopam dehi jayam dehi yasho dehi dwisho jahi
Sarva swarupe sarveshe sarva shakti samanvite
Bhawe bhyaastraahino devi Durge devi namo stu te
Naaraayani Namostute
Siddhi buddhi pradhe devi bhukti mukti pradaayani
Mantra moorthe mahaadevi Mahaalakshmee namo stu te
Sarwaa baadhaa bineer mukto dhana dhaanya sutaa nito
Manushyo mat prasaadeno bhavishyaiti na sanshayaha
@seaweedhero1707
Devi Puja
Om Namaschandikaaye
Om I bow to the Goddess Chandikaa
1 Jayanti Mangalaa Kaalee Bhadrakaalee kapaalinee
Durgaa kshaamaa shiwaa dhaatree swaahaa swadhaa namostu te
Oh Goddess, you are the one who conquers all, you are the One beyond time, the auspicious One beyond time, the bearer of skulls who destroys all difficulties, loving forgiveness and supporter of the universe. You are the one who truly receives the sacrificial offerings and the offerings to the ancestors. To you I bow.
2 Jaya twam devi Chamunde jaya bhootaarti haarani
Jaya sarwagate devi kaalaraatri namostu te
Oh Goddess Chamunda, victory to you! You free all living beings from their misery. You are present everywhere, and you are the night at the end of Time. I bow to You.
3 Videhi Devi kalyaanam videhi paramaam sukham
Roopam dehi jayam dehi yasho dehi dwisho jahi
Oh Goddess, grant me liberation and supreme happiness.
Grant me freedom, victory, fame and destroy all hostility.
4 Krishnena sanstute Devi shaswad bhaktyaa sadaambike
Roopam dehi jayam dehi yasho dehi dwisho jahi
Oh Goddess, Mother of the Universe, your praise is always sung by Krishna, the Doer of All.
Grant me freedom, victory, fame and destroy all hostility.
5 Himaachala sutaa naatha sanstute parameshwari
Roopam dehi jayam dehi yasho dehi dwisho jahi
Oh Parameshwari, supreme Goddess, the Lord of the Daughter of the Himalayas(Shiva) always sings your praise.
Grant me freedom, victory, fame and destroy all hostility.
6 Devi prachanda dora danda daitya darpa winashini
Roopam dehi jayam dehi yasho dehi dwisho jahi
Oh Goddess, with your great staff you have destroyed the demons of egotism and thought.
Grant me freedom, victory, fame and destroy all hostility.
7 Patnim manoranaam dehi manovrittaanu saarineem
Taarineem Durga samsaara saagarasya kulodbhawaam
Oh Goddess, grant me a wife like you! One who will lead the family across the terrible ocean of life and death.
( krishnadas.com/lyrics/devi-puja )
@rahulbhati3079
Actually this is correct way of singing all bhajans but today people make it fancy , although they still emotionallay attach to it ,but this is exact way.these bhajans not only provide you relief but also give solution of your problems and patience. I request all of you people who came here plz go and research on Hindu culture ,you would get amazed although it got little and more corrupted but still there are many things which you can discover there and get your life better. It is not any religion, actually even Hindu word is not our ,we have been given by other people we have culture which teaches how to live.
@user-wu3mp5zx6d
Incredibly profound sacred song.
The voice, the violin....
I wish to see him live around NewYork in the future.
Om Namah Shivaya.
@tiophil00
He Maa Durga
Om Namaschandikaaye
Jayanti Mangalaa Kaalee Bhadrakaalee kapaalinee
Durgaa kshaamaa shiwaa dhaatree Swaahaa Swadhaa namostute
Roopam dehi jayam dehi yasho dehi dwisho jahi
Sarva swarupe sarveshe sarva shakti samanvite
Bhawe bhyaastraahino devi Durge devi namo stu te
Naaraayani Namostute
Siddhi buddhi pradhe devi bhukti mukti pradaayani
Mantra moorthe mahaadevi Mahaalakshmee namo stu te
Sarwaa baadhaa bineer mukto dhana dhaanya sutaa nito
Manushyo mat prasaadeno bhavishyaiti na sanshayaha
@sudhirsingh-sx8lo
Mother is eternal
@deve4739
Tears.... im so grateful for this human birth
@christopherlaro4156
As an old friend once said, ‘who are you becoming?’ Exactly.
@naveenmarwaha8143
Im addicted to listento his voice n chants of neem karoli baba
@mcm8329
Love his voice! He is simply genuine and beautiful. Would love to meet him!
@8T8516
HOST 0000000000
@ravensnflies8167
i cant listen to this without crying and singing it...