Argala Stotram
अर्गला स्तोत्रम्
The Bolt that unlocks the Durga Saptashati — from Markandeya Purana
Deity: Goddess Durga (देवी दुर्गा) | Part of: Durga Saptashati Trayam (Kavach → Argala → Keelak)
Invocation — The Names of the Goddess
स्तुति — देवी के नाम
The iconic opening verse invoking the Goddess by her many powerful names.
जयन्ती मङ्गला काली भद्रकाली कपालिनी । दुर्गा क्षमा शिवा धात्री स्वाहा स्वधा नमोऽस्तु ते ॥
Core Prayer — Rupam Dehi
मूल प्रार्थना — रूपं देहि
The most famous and recurring prayer of the Argala Stotram, repeated after each set of verses throughout the text.
विधेहि देवि कल्याणं विधेहि परमां श्रियम् । रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि ॥
Praise of the Goddess
देवी स्तुति
Key verses praising the glory and power of the Goddess.
महिषासुरनिर्नाशि भक्तानां सुखदे नमः । रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि ॥
धूम्रनेत्रवधे देवि धर्मकामार्थदायिनि । रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि ॥
हिमाचलसुतानाथसंस्तुते परमेश्वरि । रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि ॥
Closing Prayer
समापन प्रार्थना
The concluding verses seeking the complete grace of the Goddess.
सुरासुरशिरोरत्ननिघृष्टचरणेऽम्बिके । रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषो जहि ॥
पत्नीं मनोरमां देहि मनोवृत्तानुसारिणीम् । तारिणीं दुर्गसंसारसागरस्य कुलोद्भवाम् ॥
Significance
The word Argala means “bolt” or “lock.” This stotram is recited to “unbolt” the secret powers of the Saptashati. It forms the second part of the Trayam (Triad: Kavach → Argala → Keelak) that must be recited before the Durga Saptashati or Chandi Path. The recurring refrain “Rupam Dehi, Jayam Dehi, Yasho Dehi, Dwisho Jahi” is one of the most well-known prayers in the Shakta tradition.
Benefits
Unlocks the full power of Durga Saptashati, bestows beauty, victory, fame, and prosperity, destroys inner enemies (ego, anger, jealousy), and grants divine protection and grace.