The Most Popular Hymn to the Goddess | Mahiṣāsura-Mardinī Stotram

Navarātri is never quite complete until we all get together and chant the Mahiṣāsura-Mardinī Stotram! This hymn is sometimes attributed to Adi Shankarācharya (as many, many hymns in the Sanskrit tradition tend to be) but it is also sometimes attributed to Rāvana, the antagonist of the Ramāyana! I like the second account much better for reasons I get into in the beginning of this discussion! 

After discussing the "bhāva" of this song (and making a case for "rajas in the service of sattva" while we're at it), we discuss Rāga Bhairava and some music theory before taking a stab and singing the hymn together. 

I made many, many mistakes and my rendition: I hope you can forgive me! Also, I made a mistake in saying Raga Bhairavi is a "night time rāga". Actually it's considered the "queen of the morning rāgas" but since I worship Mā usually at night and since I hear it most around then and also since it is sometimes used to close out a musical performance (which for me usually ends at night), I somehow made the association between this Rāga and the nighttime. Whoops, pardon the misinformation!
All my mistakes are entirely mine and everything that I have said that is helpful is by the Grace of Guru! 

Jai Guru Kripa Ki Jai!

For more detailed Kali puja instructions, watch this playlist:
https://www.patreon.com/collection/233799

Here's the chanting document:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1N1pEDmWZWdJq5Q27dGiZb9DQFrr1Ouq2FC85jIwQ66c/edit?usp=sharing

Lectures happen live every Monday at 7pm PST and Friday 10am PST and again Friday at 6pm PST.
Use this link and I will see you there:
https://www.zoom.us/j/7028380815

For more videos, guided meditations and instruction and for access to our lecture library, visit me at:
https://www.patreon.com/yogawithnish

To get in on the discussion and access various spiritual materials, join our Discord here: https://discord.gg/U8zKP8yMrM

Support the show

Lectures happen live every Monday at 7pm PST and again at Friday 11am PST
Use this link and I will see you there:
https://www.zoom.us/j/7028380815

For more videos, guided meditations and instruction and for access to our lecture library, visit me at:
https://www.patreon.com/yogawithnish

To get in on the discussion and access various spiritual materials, join our Discord here: https://discord.gg/U8zKP8yMrM