These lines come from the Devi Mahatmya, the Chandi Path that is read in Bengal and across India during Durga Puja and Navratri. The hymn bows to the Goddess as the power that lives in every living being.
Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu (Durga Stuti): full text
या देवी सर्वभूतेषु शक्तिरूपेण संस्थिता।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥
या देवी सर्वभूतेषु बुद्धिरूपेण संस्थिता।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥
या देवी सर्वभूतेषु शान्तिरूपेण संस्थिता।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥
या देवी सर्वभूतेषु मातृरूपेण संस्थिता।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥
In Roman letters
Ya Devi sarvabhuteshu shakti rupena samsthita
Namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namah
Ya Devi sarvabhuteshu buddhi rupena samsthita
Namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namah
Ya Devi sarvabhuteshu shanti rupena samsthita
Namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namah
Ya Devi sarvabhuteshu matri rupena samsthita
Namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namah
Meaning in simple words
To the Goddess who lives in all beings as power, as wisdom, as peace and as the mother, we bow to her, bow to her, bow to her again and again. The original hymn has many more lines, each naming one way the Goddess lives in us, such as hunger, sleep, shame, faith and kindness.
How to recite it
Bathe, sit in a clean place, light a diya and read with a calm mind. For an aarti, sing together and ring the bell. Check today's panchang for the best day and time. Today's panchang.
Questions people ask
When should I recite the Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu (Durga Stuti)?
Navratri, Durga Puja and Fridays. You can also read it on any day with faith.
Who wrote the Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu (Durga Stuti)?
Devi Mahatmya, Markandeya Purana (ancient).