Durga Prashnavali
The Durga Prashnavali, also called the Navdurga Prashnavali Chakra, has 15 numbers. You say the Navarna mantra of Maa Durga, hold one question in mind and touch a number. Each of the 15 carries a fixed answer, short and direct, from a promise of gain to a firm "drop this idea".
Touch any number to ask your question.
- Sit before the Devi’s picture with a clean body and a steady mind.
- Say the Navarna mantra below eleven times.
- Put your question to the Mother, close your eyes and touch one number.
Mantra: ॐ ऐं ह्रीं क्लीं चामुण्डायै विच्चे (Om Aim Hreem Kleem Chamundayai Vichche), say it 11 times
Touch any number to ask your question.
How does the Durga Prashnavali work?
The chakra holds 15 numbers. You touch one, and the answer written for that number is the Devi’s reply. There are fewer answers than on the Hanuman or Ganesh charts, and they are blunter: eight say yes or soon, and the other seven warn of loss, illness or a quarrel, or ask you to wait.
Only one answer carries a remedy, the worship of Shani Dev to clear obstacles. The rest leave the response to you. For most families that response is the Devi’s own worship: a lamp at dusk, the Devi Kavach or a chapter of the Durga Saptashati.
Which mantra do you say before asking Maa Durga?
The usual mantra is the Navarna, the nine-syllable mantra of Chamunda: Om Aim Hreem Kleem Chamundayai Vichche. Say it eleven times, slowly. Some families say it five times and then recite once the verse "Ya Devi sarvabhuteshu matru-rupena samsthita", saluting the Devi as the mother in every being.
After the mantra, say your question to her in your own words, as you would to your mother. Then touch the chart. The tradition asks for a clean body, a clear question and no hurry.
When should you ask the Durga Prashnavali?
Navratri is the season for it, twice a year: Chaitra Navratri in spring and Sharad Navratri in autumn. On ordinary weeks, Tuesday and Friday are the Devi’s days, and Ashtami, the eighth day of the bright fortnight, is hers each month.
Ask in the morning after your prayers, or at dusk when the lamp is lit. If the answer clears you to begin something, the choghadiya for your city shows the good hours of the day, and Brahma Muhurta is the time many keep for the Devi’s own path.
What if the answer is a warning?
Seven of the 15 answers ask for caution or patience, and one of them, number 8, is the sternest on any chart here: it asks you to give the idea up entirely. Take a warning as the Mother’s protection, not as a curse. Slow down, look after your health, talk to someone you trust and let a few days pass before you decide.
The tradition also says not to put the same question to the chart again the same day. If your situation changes, you can ask afresh on another day.
All 15 answers of the Durga Prashnavali
Every number and its answer, as the chart gives them. Ask first, then read.
All 15 answers of the Durga Prashnavali
| No. | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1 | Favourable: Money will come to you, and so will respect. |
| 2 | Take care: There is a risk of losing money or of some other harm. Be careful with money matters. |
| 3 | Favourable: You will meet a dear friend or someone close, and it will lift your spirits. |
| 4 | Take care: There is a risk of illness or trouble. If it is not urgent, put this work off for now. |
| 5 | Favourable: Be patient. The work you have in mind will succeed. |
| 6 | Be patient: Hold the work back for a few days. A quarrel or argument is possible. |
| 7 | Favourable: Your good time has begun. The joy of a child is likely, and your other wishes will be fulfilled too. |
| 8 | Take care: Give up this idea completely. The tradition reads this number as a grave warning: avoid risks and look after your health. |
| 9 | Favourable: What you have in mind is good. Your standing in society and with the government will rise. |
| 10 | Favourable: Go ahead and start your work: the gain you expect will come. |
| 11 | Take care: The work you are thinking about is likely to bring a loss. |
| 12 | Favourable: Your wish will be fulfilled, and a child will bring you special gain. |
| 13 | Be patient: Obstacles are holding the work back.Upay (remedy): Worship Shani Dev to clear them. |
| 14 | Favourable: Do not worry: a good time has begun. Comfort and wealth will follow. |
| 15 | Be patient: Money shortage has taken the peace out of your home. Be patient: things will start to change after a month. |
Durga Prashnavali: frequently asked questions
Is the Durga Prashnavali only for Navratri?
No. Navratri is when most people use it, but you can ask on any day with a clean mind. Tuesday and Friday are the Devi’s weekdays.
What is the Navdurga in the name?
The nine forms of Durga worshipped on the nine nights of Navratri, from Shailaputri to Siddhidatri. The chart is named for them, as an offering to all nine.
How many numbers are on the Durga Prashnavali?
Fifteen, each with one answer. That makes it the shortest of the number charts, with the most direct replies.
Can women ask during their period?
Customs differ between families. Many do not touch puja items in those days; others see a question asked with a sincere heart as always welcome. Follow your own family’s practice.
Recite the Devi Kavach with the meaning of every verse →
More prashnavalis
Today’s timings for this
A prashnavali is devotional guidance, not a prediction. For decisions about health, money or law, talk to someone qualified as well.
Pictures: Ravi Varma Press prints, about 1910, public domain (Wikimedia Commons).