5 verses with meanings

Durga Saptashati in pregnancy

The Durga Saptashati, also called the Devi Mahatmya, has 700 verses in 13 chapters. Reading the full path takes time, and many families follow rules around it. So mothers often ask: can I read it while pregnant? Traditions differ. Some women read the full path themselves. In other families, a priest or another family member reads it during pregnancy while the mother sits and listens. Follow what your family does, and choose what feels comfortable for your body.

If a long sitting tires you, a few short verses are a gentle way to stay close to the text. Here are five of the best known, in the order they appear: 'Shulena pahi no devi', which asks the Goddess to protect us with her trident, her sword and even the sound of her bell; 'Sarva mangala mangalye', the verse almost every family knows; 'Sharanagata', for the strong feelings of the last weeks; 'Sarvasvarupe sarveshe', for fearful days before a scan or a result; and 'Roganasheshan', which readers traditionally say for health. Chant one verse 11 or 21 times, with your back supported. The Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu lines from chapter 5 have their own page.

Protection in these verses is a traditional belief. Your real protection is medical care, so never delay it for bleeding or pain. If your Navratri path comes with a fast, ask your doctor before fasting in pregnancy. Read our disclaimer

Last updated 11 October 2026

All-round protection

Protect Us with Your Trident

शूलेन पाहि नो देवि पाहि खड्गेन चाम्बिके ।घण्टास्वनेन नः पाहि चापज्यानिःस्वनेन च ॥

shulena pahi no devi pahi khadgena chambike, ghanta-svanena nah pahi chapa-jya-nihsvanena cha

Devi Mahatmya 4.24

Meaning

Protect us, Goddess, with your trident and sword. Protect us with the sound of your bell and the twang of your bow-string.

Why we suggest this

A classic protection verse. Note that it is the sound of the bell that protects, a nice link to Garbh Sanskar's focus on sound.

What you can expect

A feeling of courage. Ring a small bell softly while chanting if you like.

Best time: Morning, or evening lamp time
How to practise: 11 or 21 times. Fridays are traditional for Devi verses
Who can chant: Mother and family
Best weeks: Weeks 4–40 (especially 4–20)

Honest noteProtection is a traditional belief. Medical care is your real protection. Never delay care for bleeding or pain.

Theme: Protection of the Womb

Blessing over the pregnancy

Sarva Mangala Mangalye

सर्वमङ्गलमाङ्गल्ये शिवे सर्वार्थसाधिके ।शरण्ये त्र्यम्बके गौरि नारायणि नमोऽस्तु ते ॥

sarva-mangala-mangalye shive sarvartha-sadhike, sharanye tryambake gauri narayani namo 'stu te

Devi Mahatmya 11.10

Meaning

O auspicious one, source of all good, who fulfils every aim, our refuge, Gauri, Narayani: we bow to you.

Why we suggest this

One of the best-known Devi verses, easy for the whole family.

What you can expect

A sense of blessing over the whole pregnancy.

Best time: Morning, or evening lamp time
How to practise: 11 or 21 times. Fridays are traditional for Devi verses
Who can chant: Mother and family
Best weeks: Weeks 4–40 (especially 4–20)

Honest noteProtection is a traditional belief. Medical care is your real protection. Never delay care for bleeding or pain.

Theme: Protection of the Womb

Strong feelings near the due date

Sharanagata – Protector of Those Who Come for Refuge

शरणागतदीनार्तपरित्राणपरायणे ।सर्वस्यार्तिहरे देवि नारायणि नमोऽस्तु ते ॥

sharanagata-dinarta-paritrana-parayane, sarvasyarti-hare devi narayani namo 'stu te

Devi Mahatmya 11.12

Meaning

O Goddess, devoted to saving the humble and suffering who come to you, who removes everyone's pain: I bow to you.

Why we suggest this

A verse for the strong feelings of the last weeks.

What you can expect

Comfort; a good verse to keep for labour too.

Best time: Same time every day
How to practise: Choose 1–2 'birth verses' and repeat them daily until labour
Who can chant: Mother and birth partner
Best weeks: Weeks 28–37

Honest noteMay help you feel calmer. It cannot guarantee a normal delivery. Every safe birth, including a caesarean, is a good birth.

Theme: Preparing for Birth

Easing fear and anxiety

Protect Us from All Fears

सर्वस्वरूपे सर्वेशे सर्वशक्तिसमन्विते ।भयेभ्यस्त्राहि नो देवि दुर्गे देवि नमोऽस्तु ते ॥

sarva-svarupe sarveshe sarva-shakti-samanvite, bhayebhyas trahi no devi durge devi namo 'stu te

Devi Mahatmya (Durga Saptashati) 11.24

Meaning

O Goddess, present in all forms, ruler of all, full of every power: save us from fears. O Durga, we bow to you.

Why we suggest this

The first scan, test results and past losses can bring strong fear. This is the classic fear-removing Devi verse.

What you can expect

A steadying feeling when anxious. If anxiety is constant, please speak to your doctor.

Best time: Morning on waking, or any time you feel uneasy
How to practise: One verse, 3–11 times. Short 5-minute sessions are enough
Who can chant: Mother; family can read aloud on tired days
Best weeks: Weeks 4–13

Honest noteMay help you feel calmer. It does not treat nausea. Severe vomiting needs a doctor.

Theme: First Trimester Comfort

Health and healing

Roganasheshan – Removing All Illness

रोगानशेषानपहंसि तुष्टा रुष्टा तु कामान् सकलानभीष्टान् ।त्वामाश्रितानां न विपन्नराणां त्वामाश्रिता ह्याश्रयतां प्रयान्ति ॥

roganasheshan apahamsi tushta rushta tu kaman sakalan abhishtan, tvam ashritanam na vipan naranam tvam ashrita hy ashrayatam prayanti

Devi Mahatmya 11.29

Meaning

When pleased, you remove all illness. Those who take refuge in you face no danger, and they become a refuge for others.

Why we suggest this

Durga Saptashati readers traditionally say it for health.

What you can expect

Comfort and hope.

Best time: Before meals, or when taking supplements
How to practise: Once before each meal, or 11 times in the morning
Who can chant: Mother; whole family at meals
Best weeks: Any week

Honest noteA prayer of gratitude. It does not replace diet advice, iron and folic acid, or medicines.

Theme: Mother's Health & Nourishment