Devotees appease Durga Devi by reciting Durga Mahatmaya or Durga Stuti. Durga Saptashati, is in Sanskrit text, is part of Markanday Mahapuran. Durga Stuti – version of Durga Saptashati, written in simple language by Pt. Chaman Lal Bhardwaj- holds equal importance. It is said that if a devotee recites the Durga Stuti with full faith – will be blessed by Devi Durga certainly.

The recitation of Durga Stuti holds great importance during navratri when the series of chapters are read by two methods- Tryangam and Navangam. Tryangam consists
of reading three prayers viz Devi Kavacham, Devi argalam and Devi keelakam followed by meditation and chanting of the Navakshari manthra  - “Om Iym hreem kleem Chamundayai , viche namah”.

Navangama means nava- nine and angam means body [literally] and consists of nine stotras where nine prayers are recited before starting reading of the holy book. They are chanting of 1.Nyasa 2.Avahana 3. Namani 4. Argala 5.Keelaka 6.Hrudaya 7.Dhala 8.Dhyana and 9.Kavacha. It is recommended that the entire Devi Mahatmya should be read in one sitting. However, if one cannot, then the chapters are divided accordingly.

Ist Day- Chapter 1
IInd Day- Chapters 2, 3 and 4
IIIrd Day- Chapters 5 & 6
IVth Day- Chapter 7
Vth Day- Chapter 8
VIth Day- Chapters 9 and 10
VIIth Day- Chapters 11
VIIIth Day- Chapter 12
IXth Day- Chapter 13

After completion of the reading it is necessary to chant the Devi Suktham consisting of the slokas 7 to 36 of chapter 8
 
You can conclude the recitation on the ninth day or the tenth day of Ramnavami  by recitation of Devi Apradha Kshama prarthna.

Recitation of Siddha Kunjika Stotra should also be done after each recital. And the prayer devoted to the day of that Goddess of the nine Goddess should be performed.


Nine forms of Goddess:

The first day is devoted to Maa Shailputri- means daughter of mountains. She represents Sati- the wife of Lord Shiva, who could not tolerate the insult of husband and burnt herself in the fire of Yagna. In her next  birth she became the daughter of Himalaya in the name of Parvati or Shailputri. She is adorned by a halfmoon and rides the bull Nandi. She carries Spear in her hand. Maa Shailputri represents power i.e. Shakti.

The second day is devoted to Maa Brahmcharini- She has rosary and kamandalu in her hands. She is tapsiwini and bestows knowledge and bliss of absolute to all.

Third day  Chandraghanta is worshipped- She wears the semi-circular moon (Chandra) which appears like a bell (Ghanta) on her forehead. She rides on tiger and is in anger form. 

The fourth day is devoted to Kushmanda – she created solar system by empowering her power to Lord Sun. She holds two pitchers of blood in her hands.

The fifth day is governed by Skandamata – Means mother of Skanda – the other name Lord Kartikeya. She is affectionate and loves all.

The sixth day is devoted to Katyayani- Maa PArvati's Partial expansion took birth in Sage Katya's home and gets energy from trinity and demi Gods, then the Goddess the known as Maa Katyani. She holds sword in her hands and is terror for demons. She protects the world from evil.

The seventh day is for Kaalratri – Her appearance is fearful. Evils get afraid of this appearance. In Skanda Purana, Devi Parvati liberates her golden sheath and her complexioned becomes dark that is why known as Kaal ratri. She is known as to remove ignorance.

The eighth day Mahagauri is worshipped- Gauri is another name given to mother Parvati- is young and unmarried. She rides on Vrishbha – bull. Her appearance is serene and cool. She is pure and blesses Lord Shiva with everlasting bliss.

The ninth day is devoted to Siddhiratri- means to bless all with auspicious powers. She bestows success to all. She was worshipped by Lord Shiva in the form of Ardha Naarishwar, then Shakti. She holds the left side of Lord Shiva.

 32 Names of Maa Durga and their meanings that starts with the name Durga:

The recitation of these thirty two names of Maa Durga relieves from difficulties and make free from doubt.

1.    Durga—The reliever of difficulties.
2.    Durgatirsamini- who puts difficulties at peace.
3.    Durgapadvinivarin- dispeller of difficult adversities.
4.    Durgamacchedini- who cuts down difficulty.
5.    Durgasadhini- the performer of discipline to expel difficulties.
6.    Durganashini- the destroyer of difficulties.
7.    Durgatoddharin- who holds the whip of difficulties.
8.    Durgenihantri- who sends difficulties to ruin.
9.    Durgamapaha- who measures difficulties.
10.    Durgamajanada- who makes difficulties unconscious.
11.    Durgadaityalokadavanaia- who destroys the world of difficult thoughts.
12.    Durgama- the mother of difficulties.
13.    Durgamaloka- the perception of difficulties.
14.    Durgamatmasvarupin- the intrinsic nature of the soul of difficulties.
15.    Durgamargaprada- who searches through the difficulties.
16.    Durgamavidya- the knowledge of difficulties.
17.    Durgamasarita- the extrication from difficulties.
18.    Durgamajanasamsthana- the continued existence of difficulties.
19.    Durgamadyanabhasini- whose meditation remains brilliant when in difficulties.
20.    Durgamoha- who deludes difficulties.
21.    Durgamaga- who resolves difficulties.
22.    Durgamarthasvarupin- who is the intrinsic nature of the object of difficulties.
23.    Durgamasurasanhantri- the annihilator of the egotism of difficulties.
24.    Durgamayudhadharin- bearer of the weapon against difficulties.
25.    Durgamangi- the refinery of difficulties.
26.    Durgamata- who is beyond difficulties.
27.    Durgamaya- this present difficulty.
28.    Durgamesvari- the empress of difficulties.
29.    Durgabhima-who is terrible to difficulties.
30.    Durgabhama- the lady to difficulties.
31.    Durgabha- the illuminator of difficulties.
32.    Durgadarin- who cuts off difficulties.


The 108 names of Maa Durga with their meanings:

Akashagamini -Flew In The Sky                       
Arogyada -Granter Of Good Health                       
Asurakshayamkari- Reducer Of The Number Of Demons               
Ataviduhkhandhara Rakshika- Protector From Ignorance And Distress   
Ayurda -Granter Of Longevity                       
Balarkasadrushakara- Like The Rising Sun                       
Bandhananashini- Detacher Of Attachments                       
Bhaktavatsala- Lover Of Devotees                       
Bhayanashini -Remover Of Fear                       
Bhootanushruta -Well-Wisher Of Bhootaganas                       
Brahmacharini- Seeker Of Brahman/wandering like Brahmani.           
Chandravispardimukha -Beautiful Like The Moon                   
Chaturbhuja- Four-Armed                       
Chaturvakttra- Four-Faced                       
Daya -Compassionate                       
Devi-The Deity                       
Dhanakshayanashini -Controller Of Wealth Decrease                   
Dhanurdharini- Holder Of Bow                       
Dhruti -Valiant                       
Divamalya Vibhooshita- Adorned With Beautiful Garlands               
Divyambaradhara -Beautifully Robed                       
Durga -Devi Durga                       
Durga -Remover Of Distress                       
Durga -The Inaccessible                       
Hri- Holy Chant Of Hymns                       
Indradhwaja Samabahudharini -With Shoulders Like Indra's Flag           
Jaya -Victorious                       
Jyotsana -Radiant Like Flames                       
Kali -Dark-Complexioned                       
Kali -Goddess Of Death                       
Kamacharini -Acting On One's Own Accord                       
Kamsavidravanakari- Threatened Kamsa                       
Kantha -Radiant                       
Kanttadhara- Holder of Shiva's Neck                       
Kaumaravratadhara- Accepts fasts of young girls               
Keyurangadadharini -Bejewelled With Armlets And Bracelets               
Khadgaketaka Dharini -Holder Of Sword And Shield                   
Khama -Embodiment Of Forgiveness                       
Kirti -Famed                       
Krishna –sister of Lord Krishna       
Krishna- Dark-Complexioned                       
Krishnachhavisama- Like Krishna's Radiance                       
Kulavardhini -Developer Of The Race                       
Kumari -Young Girl                       
Kundalapurnakarna Vibhooshita- Wearer Of Earrings Covering The Ears       
Mahachakradharini -Holder Of Chakra                       
Mahakali -Wife Of Mahakala                       
Mahishasuranashini- Destroyer Of Mahisha                       
Mamsapriya- Fond Of Flesh                       
Mangalya -Auspicious                       
Mati -Wise                       
Mayoora Pichhavalaya- Wearer Of Peacock-Feathered Bangles           
Mohanashini -Destroyer Of Desires                       
Mruthyunashini -Destroyer Of Death                       
Mukutavirajita -Shining With Crown Adorned                       
Nagararakshika -Protector Of Land                       
Nandagopakulajata -Daughter Of The Nandagopa Race               
Narayanavarapriya -Fond of Narayana's Boons               
Nitya -Eternal                       
Padmapatrakshi- Eyes Like The Lotus Leaf                       
Pankajadharini-Lotus-Holder                       
Papadharini -Bearer Of Others' Sins                       
Papaharini -Destroyer Of Sins                       
Pashadharini -Holder Of Rope                       
Pashupriya -Fond Of All Beings                       
Patradharini -Vessel-Holder                       
Peenashroni Payodhara -Large Bosomed                       
Prabha -Dawn                       
Prasanna- Cheerful                       
Pravasarakshika -Protector Of Travellers                       
Purnachandra Nibhanana- Beautiful Like The Full Moon               
Putrapamrityunashini -Sustainer Of Son's Untimely Death               
Rajyada- Bestower Of Kingdom                       
Ratri -Night                       
Sagaragirirakshika -Protector Of Seas And Hills                   
Sandhya- Twilight                       
Sangramajayaprada- Granter Of Victory In The War               
Sangramarakshika -Protector Of Wars                       
Sankarshanasamanana -Equal To Sankarshana                   
Santati -Granter Of Issues                       
Sarvakaryasiddhi Pradayika -Granter Of Success In All Attempts           
Saukhyada -Bestower Of Well-Being                       
Seedupriya -Fond Of Drinks                       
Sharanya -Granter Of Refuge                       
Shatrusankata Rakshika -Protector From Distress Caused By Foes           
Shikhipichhadwaja Virajita -Having Peacock-Feathered Flag               
Shilathata Vinikshibda -At Birth,Slammed By Kamsa                   
Shiva -Auspicious                       
Shiva -Shiva's Half                       
Shree -Auspicious                       
Siddhi -Successful                       
Surashreshtta -Supreme Among The Celestials                       
Sutada -Granter Of Issues                       
Trailokyarakshini- Protector Of The Three Worlds                   
Tribhuvaneshwari -Goddess of The Three Worlds                   
Tridashapujita -The Goddess Of The Celestials                       
Tridivabhavayirtri -Goddess Of The Three Worlds                   
Vapurda -Granter Of Beautiful Appearance                       
Varada -Bestower                       
Varada -Bestower                       
Varada- Granter Of Boons                       
Vasudevabhagini -Sister Of Vasudeva                       
Vidhya- Wisdom                       
Vijaya- Conqueror                       
Vindhyavasini`- Resident Of The Vindhyas                       
Vividayudhadhara -Bearer Of Various Weapons                   
Vyadhinashini -Vanquisher Of Ailments                       
Yashodagarba -Sambhoota Borne from Yashoda's Womb.

May Goddess Bless you with Her Divine Grace!