Durgāstotra (Bhīṣma Parva of Mahābhārata)

The work Durgāstotra is from Bhīṣma Parva of Mahābhārata. Saṅjay tells Dhṛtarāṣtra what is happening on the battlefield. The Stotra is recited by Arjuna on the battlefield on Kṛṣṇa's instruction. When Arjuna stands before the war, Kṛṣṇa tells him to praise Goddess Durga so that he may become pure and gain the strength to defeat his enemies. Meanwhile, Duryodhana is ready to battle the Pandavas. The manuscript of the Durgāstotra describes the glory of Goddess Durga and the benefits of reciting the stotra. The stotra mentions various names of Goddess Durga including Kātyāyanī, Bhadrakālī, Kauśikī, Caṇḍī, Mahādevī, Skandamātā, and Sāvitrī. It states that reciting the stotra protects one from demons, frees the devotee from all forms of bondage, grants victory in arguments, and blesses them with children. It also ensures victory on the battlefield, bestows good health, prosperity, and overall well-being.(2a–b, 3a). The scribe of the manuscript is Rāma Śāstri and owner of the manuscript is Haribhāu Viṅze Guhāgara. Guhāgara is a town in Ratnagiri district in the Indian state of Maharashtra.