Sri Argala Stotram (Selected Verses) as played by Krishna Das

Krishna Das at Bhakti Fest 2013 by Derek Pashupa Goodwin

I first heard this song at Bhakti Fest 2013. I was crushing on a yogi hula hooper I had just photographed and was thinking about her while Krishna Das played the long progression of Sanskrit verses that make up the first two thirds of the song. When he got to the unexpected weaving in of Foreigner's I Want to Know What Love Is my heart started yearning and I went searching for my yogi hooper, who I found meditating backstage. I sat next to her and boldly held her hand throughout the song. As these things often go, I don't think the crush was reciprocated, but her and I are now good friends and the memory is one of my favorite festival moments.

Once I got back from Bhakti Fest I went searching for the song on Youtube and in KD's catalogue, but could not find it. It recently was released on Krishna Das' new album Kirtan Wallah, and I have since become obsessed with it. I have never been hugely into Krishna Das, but this song is starting to sway me. The memory definitely plays a part, but I am playing it during Shavasana in my yoga classes and getting lots of inquiries, so I know I am not alone. I am currently learning it on harmonium and working to memorize all the verses. Enjoy!

Sri Argala Stotram

Om Namaś Chandikāyai (3x)

Jayanti mangala Kaali ; Bhadra Kaali Kaapaalini
Durga Shamma Shivaah Dhaatri ; Swaaha Swadha Namostute

Jaya twam Devi chāmunde , jaya bhūtārti-hārini
Jaya sarvagate Devi ; kālarātrī namo’stute.

Madhu-Kaitabha-vidrāvi ; vidhātr varade namah
Rūpam dehi, jayam dehi ; yaśo dehi dvisho jahi

Mahisāsura-nirnāśi ; bhaktānām sukhade namah
Rūpam dehi jayam dehi ; yaśo dehi dvisho jahi

Śumbhasyaiva niśumbhasya ; Dhūmrāksasya ca mardini
Rūpam dehi jayam dehi ; yaśo dehi dvisho jahi

Natebhyah sarvadā bhaktya ; Chandike duritāpahe;
Rūpam dehi jayam dehi ; yaśo dehi dvisho jahi

Dehi saubhāgyam-ārogyam ; dehi me paramam sukham
Rūpam dehi jayam dehi ; yaśo dehi dvisho jahi

Vidhehi Devi kalyānam ; vidhehi paramām śriyam
Rūpam dehi jayam dehi ; yaśo dehi dvisho jahi

Himācala-sutā-nātha- ; samstute Parameśvari
Rūpam dehi jayam dehi ; yaśo dehi dvisho jahi

drāni-pati-sadbhāva- ; pūjite Parameśvari
Rūpam dehi jayam dehi ; yaśo dehi dvisho jahi

Devi prachanda-dordanda- ; daitya-darpa-vināśini
Rūpam dehi jayam dehi ; yaśo dehi dvisho jahi

Patnīm manoramām dehi ; manovrttā-nusārinīm
Tārinīm durga-samsāra- ; Sāgarasya kulodhbhavām 

Rūpam dehi jayam dehi ; yaśo dehi dvisho jahi
I want to know what love is ; I want you to show me
I want to know what love is ; I know you can show me