Chapter 2 · Argalā Stotram
Viniyogah
ॐ अस्य श्रीअर्गलास्तोत्रमन्त्रस्य विष्णुर्ऋषिः, अनुष्टुप् छन्दः, श्रीमहालक्ष्मीर्देवता, श्रीजगदम्बाप्रीतये सप्तशतीपाठाङ्गत्वेन जपे विनियोगः॥
ōṁ asya śrīargalāstōtramantrasya viṣṇurṛṣiḥ, anuṣṭup chandaḥ, śrīmahālakṣmīrdēvatā, śrījagadambāprītayē saptaśatīpāṭhāṅgatvēna japē viniyōgaḥ ||
Translation
Om, for this auspicious Argala Stotram mantra, Vishnu is the seer, Anuṣṭup is the meter, Śrī Mahālakṣmī is the deity, and its purpose is the recitation as a limb of the Chandi Saptaśatī to please the auspicious Mother of the Universe.
Word by word
- ōṁ
- sacred syllable
- asya
- of this
- śrīargalāstōtramantrasya
- of the auspicious Argala Stotram mantra
- viṣṇuḥ
- Vishnu
- ṛṣiḥ
- seer
- anuṣṭup
- Anuṣṭup
- chandaḥ
- meter
- śrīmahālakṣmīḥ
- Śrī Mahālakṣmī
- dēvatā
- deity
- śrījagadambā
- auspicious Mother of the Universe
- prītyarthē
- for the sake of pleasing
- saptaśatīpāṭhāṅgatvēna
- as a limb of the Chandi Saptaśatī recitation
- japē
- in recitation
- viniyōgaḥ
- application/purpose
Meaning
This introductory verse (saṅkalpa) establishes the ritual framework for the Argala Stotram, a hymn recited to remove obstacles and invoke the Goddess’s blessings as part of the Durga Saptashati. It identifies Vishnu as the seer (ṛṣiḥ), indicating the hymn’s divine origin through the preserver deity. The meter is Anuṣṭup, ensuring rhythmic recitation. The presiding deity is Śrī Mahālakṣmī, embodying wealth, prosperity, and divine grace. The purpose (viniyōgaḥ) is to please Jagadambā (the Mother of the Universe) as a preparatory recitation for the Chandi Saptaśatī.