Meaning of Durga Suktam

ॐ जातवेदसे सुनवाम सोम मरातीयतो निदहाति वेदः।
स नः पर्षदति दुर्गाणि विश्वा नावेव सिन्धुं दुरिताऽत्यग्निः॥
Meaning:
We offer oblations to Jatavedas (Agni), the all-knowing fire. He consumes enemies and knows all knowledge. May He ferry us across all difficulties like a boat crossing a river and help us overcome all troubles.

तामग्निवर्णां तपसा ज्वलन्तीं वैरोचनीं
कर्मफलेषु जुष्टाम्।
दुर्गां देवीꣳ शरणमहं प्रपद्ये सुतरसि तरसे नमः॥
Meaning:
I surrender to the resplendent goddess Durga, who glows with the brilliance of fire and radiates with penance. She blesses us with the fruits of our actions. O Devi Durga, you make crossing difficulties easy. I bow to you.

अग्ने त्वं पारया नव्यो अस्मान्थ्स्वस्तिभिरति दुर्गाणि विश्वा।
पूश्च पृथ्वी बहुला न उर्वी भवा तोकाय तनयाय शंयोः॥
Meaning:
O Agni, lead us across all dangers with your blessings. Let the Earth be fertile and vast. May you bring welfare and prosperity to our progeny and household.

विश्वानि नो दुर्गहा जातवेदः सिन्धुन्न नावा दुरिताऽतिपर्षि।
अग्ने अत्रिवन्मनसा गृणानोऽस्माकं बोध्यविता तनूनाम्॥
Meaning:
O Jatavedas, destroyer of obstacles, help us cross all misfortunes as a boat crosses the ocean. O Agni, like Sage Atri, I praise you with devotion. Be the protector of our bodies and lives.

पृतना जितꣳ सहमानमुग्रमग्निꣳ हुवेम परमाथ्सधस्थात्।
स नः पर्षदति दुर्गाणि विश्वा क्षामद्देवो अति दुरितात्यग्निः॥
Meaning:
We invoke the fierce Agni, the vanquisher of enemies, the mighty one who resides in the sacred altar. May He lead us across all adversities and protect us from all troubles.

प्रत्नोषि कमीड्यो अध्वरेषु सनाच्च होता नव्यश्च सथ्सि।
स्वाञ्चाग्ने तनुवं पिप्रयस्वास्मभ्यं च सौभगमायजस्व॥
Meaning:
You, Agni, are the ancient and celebrated deity invoked in all sacred rituals. You are the priest who conducts sacrifices. Nourish our body and grant us prosperity and fortune.

गोभिर्जुष्टमयुजो निषिक्तन्तवेन्द्र विष्णोरनुसंचरेम।
नाकस्य पृष्ठमभि संवसानो वैष्णवीं लोक इह मादयन्ताम्॥
Meaning:
May we walk the auspicious path illuminated by the light of wisdom and prosperity blessed by Indra and Vishnu. May we ascend to the supreme abode and rejoice in the divine realms.

ॐ कात्यायनाय विद्महे कन्यकुमारि धीमहि। तन्नो दुर्गिः प्रचोदयात्॥
Meaning:
We meditate on Katyayani, the young goddess. May Durga inspire and guide us toward wisdom and strength.

In the Durga Suktam, Agni is praised because Goddess Durga first manifested before the Devas as a vast mountain of fire. This form of Durga, appearing as a blazing, all-encompassing flame, represents her divine power and energy. Here, Agni is not separate but is Durga herself in her fiery form.

Key Explanation:

1. Durga as Agni’s Form
   When the Devas sought help against the Asuras, Durga manifested as an immense fire, symbolizing strength, brilliance, and the power to destroy evil. This fire (Agni) is Durga's energy that clears all obstacles, purifies negativity, and leads to liberation.
2. Agni Represents Durga’s Energy
• Agni, the sacred fire, embodies light, transformation, and protection.
• These are qualities of Durga, who destroys darkness (ignorance) and burns away the evils (challenges or durgāṇi) of life.
3. Praising Agni is Praising Durga
   By invoking Agni in this hymn, we are actually praising Durga in her fiery form. The hymn seeks the grace of this blazing goddess to remove obstacles and grant spiritual progress.
4. Durga’s Appearance as Fire
   Durga’s manifestation as fire symbolizes her readiness to act and her ability to adapt to any form to help her devotees. This fire is both destructive to evil and protective to the righteous.
5. Agni Leads to Durga’s Blessings
   Agni is the first visible form of Durga, guiding the worshiper to realize her divine presence. Praising Agni in the Durga Suktam reminds us of Durga’s fiery and unstoppable energy that burns through all adversities.

Ramaswamy Sastry and Vighnesh Ghanapaathi