The Hymn, Worship, and Armor of Sarasvati

Verse 1 (devibhagavatam.9.4.1)

नारद उवाच । श्रुतं सर्वं मया पूर्वं त्वत्प्रसादात्सुधोपमम् । अधुना प्रकृतीनां च व्यस्तं वर्णय पूजनम्

nārada uvāca | śrutaṁ sarvaṁ mayā pūrvaṁ tvatprasādātsudhopamam | adhunā prakṛtīnāṁ ca vyastaṁ varṇaya pūjanam

Narada said: By your grace I have already heard all that, sweet as nectar; now describe to me the worship of each Prakriti separately.

Verse 2 (devibhagavatam.9.4.2)

कस्याः पूजा कृता केन कथं मर्त्ये प्रचारिता । केन वा पूजिता का वा केन का वा स्तुता प्रभो

kasyāḥ pūjā kṛtā kena kathaṁ martye pracāritā | kena vā pūjitā kā vā kena kā vā stutā prabho

O Lord, whose worship was performed by whom, and how did it come to be established in the mortal world? Who worshipped whom, and who praised whom?

Verse 3 (devibhagavatam.9.4.3)

तासां स्तोत्रं च ध्यानं च प्रभावं चरितं शुभम् । काभिः केभ्यो वरो दत्तस्तन्मे व्याख्यातुमर्हसि

tāsāṁ stotraṁ ca dhyānaṁ ca prabhāvaṁ caritaṁ śubham | kābhiḥ kebhyo varo dattastanme vyākhyātumarhasi

Please explain to me their hymns, their meditations, their power, their auspicious deeds, and who bestowed which boon upon whom.

Verse 4 (devibhagavatam.9.4.4)

श्रीनारायण उवाच । गणेशजननी दुर्गा राधा लक्ष्मीः सरस्वती । सावित्री च सृष्टिविधौ प्रकृतिः पञ्चधा स्मृता

śrīnārāyaṇa uvāca | gaṇeśajananī durgā rādhā lakṣmīḥ sarasvatī | sāvitrī ca sṛṣṭividhau prakṛtiḥ pañcadhā smṛtā

Sri Narayana said: Durga, mother of Ganesha, Radha, Lakshmi, Sarasvati, and Savitri — in the work of creation, Prakriti is remembered as fivefold.

Verse 5 (devibhagavatam.9.4.5)

आसां पूजा प्रसिद्धा च प्रभावः परमाद्भुतः । सुधोपमं च चरितं सर्वमङ्गलकारणम्

āsāṁ pūjā prasiddhā ca prabhāvaḥ paramādbhutaḥ | sudhopamaṁ ca caritaṁ sarvamaṅgalakāraṇam

The worship of these is renowned, and their power supremely wondrous; their story is sweet as nectar and the source of every blessing.

Verse 6 (devibhagavatam.9.4.6)

प्रकृत्यंशाः कला याश्च तासां च चरितं शुभम् । सर्वं वक्ष्यामि ते ब्रह्मन् सावधानो निशामय

prakṛtyaṁśāḥ kalā yāśca tāsāṁ ca caritaṁ śubham | sarvaṁ vakṣyāmi te brahman sāvadhāno niśāmaya

O brahmin, I shall tell you also of the auspicious deeds of all the portions and fractions of Prakriti; listen attentively.

Verse 7 (devibhagavatam.9.4.7)

काली वसुन्धरा गङ्गा षष्ठी मङ्गलचण्डिका । तुलसी मनसा निद्रा स्वधा स्वाहा च दक्षिणा

kālī vasundharā gaṅgā ṣaṣṭhī maṅgalacaṇḍikā | tulasī manasā nidrā svadhā svāhā ca dakṣiṇā

Kali, Vasundhara, Ganga, Shashthi, Mangalachandika, Tulasi, Manasa, Nidra, Svadha, Svaha, and Dakshina —

Verse 8 (devibhagavatam.9.4.8)

सङ्क्षिप्तमासां चरितं पुण्यदं श्रुतिसुन्दरम् । जीवकर्मविपाकं च तच्च वक्ष्यामि सुन्दरम्

saṅkṣiptamāsāṁ caritaṁ puṇyadaṁ śrutisundaram | jīvakarmavipākaṁ ca tacca vakṣyāmi sundaram

I shall tell their story briefly, meritorious and lovely to hear, and also the fair account of the fruits of the deeds of living beings.

Verse 9 (devibhagavatam.9.4.9)

दुर्गायाश्चैव राधाया विस्तीर्णं चरितं महत् । तद्वत्पश्चात्प्रवक्ष्यामि सङ्क्षेपक्रमतः शृणु

durgāyāścaiva rādhāyā vistīrṇaṁ caritaṁ mahat | tadvatpaścātpravakṣyāmi saṅkṣepakramataḥ śṛṇu

The story of Durga and of Radha is vast and great; that too I shall tell afterward, in due order and in brief — listen.

Verse 10 (devibhagavatam.9.4.10)

आदौ सरस्वतीपूजा श्रीकृष्णेन विनिर्मिता । यत्प्रसादान्मुनिश्रेष्ठ मूर्खो भवति पण्डितः

ādau sarasvatīpūjā śrīkṛṣṇena vinirmitā | yatprasādānmuniśreṣṭha mūrkho bhavati paṇḍitaḥ

O best of sages, the worship of Sarasvati was first instituted by Sri Krishna himself, by whose grace even a fool becomes a scholar.

Verse 11 (devibhagavatam.9.4.11)

आविर्भूता यथा देवी वक्त्रतः कृष्णयोषितः । इयेष कृष्णं कामेन कामुकी कामरूपिणी

āvirbhūtā yathā devī vaktrataḥ kṛṣṇayoṣitaḥ | iyeṣa kṛṣṇaṁ kāmena kāmukī kāmarūpiṇī

The goddess who had appeared from the mouth of Krishna's own consort, moved by desire, being herself of desirable form, came to long for Krishna.

Verse 12 (devibhagavatam.9.4.12)

स च विज्ञाय तद्भावं सर्वज्ञः सर्वमातरम् । तामुवाच हितं सत्यं परिणामे सुखावहम्

sa ca vijñāya tadbhāvaṁ sarvajñaḥ sarvamātaram | tāmuvāca hitaṁ satyaṁ pariṇāme sukhāvaham

Krishna, all-knowing, understood the feeling of that goddess, the mother of all, and spoke to her words that were beneficial, true, and, in the end, conducive to happiness.

Verse 13 (devibhagavatam.9.4.13)

श्रीकृष्ण उवाच । भज नारायणं साध्वि मदंशं च चतुर्भुजम् । युवानं सुन्दरं सर्वगुणयुक्तं च मत्समम्

śrīkṛṣṇa uvāca | bhaja nārāyaṇaṁ sādhvi madaṁśaṁ ca caturbhujam | yuvānaṁ sundaraṁ sarvaguṇayuktaṁ ca matsamam

Sri Krishna said: O virtuous one, worship Narayana, four-armed, my own portion — youthful, handsome, endowed with every virtue, and equal to me.

Verse 14 (devibhagavatam.9.4.14)

कामज्ञं कामिनीनां च तासां च कामपूरकम् । कोटिकन्दर्पलावण्यं लीलालङ्कतमीश्वरम्

kāmajñaṁ kāminīnāṁ ca tāsāṁ ca kāmapūrakam | koṭikandarpalāvaṇyaṁ līlālaṅkatamīśvaram

He knows the desires of loving women and fulfills them; that Lord possesses the beauty of a million Cupids, adorned with divine play.

Verse 15 (devibhagavatam.9.4.15)

कान्ते कान्तं च मां कृत्वा यदि स्थातुमिहेच्छसि । त्वत्तो बलवती राधा न भद्रं ते भविष्यति

kānte kāntaṁ ca māṁ kṛtvā yadi sthātumihecchasi | tvatto balavatī rādhā na bhadraṁ te bhaviṣyati

O beloved, if you wish to remain here making me your own beloved, know that Radha is more powerful than you, and no good shall come of it for you.

Verse 16 (devibhagavatam.9.4.16)

यो यस्माद् बलवान्वापि ततोऽन्यं रक्षितुं क्षमः । कथं परान्साधयति यदि स्वयमनीश्वरः

yo yasmād balavānvāpi tato'nyaṁ rakṣituṁ kṣamaḥ | kathaṁ parānsādhayati yadi svayamanīśvaraḥ

Only one who is stronger than another is able to protect that other; how can one who is himself powerless bring others under his control?

Verse 17 (devibhagavatam.9.4.17)

सर्वेशः सर्वशास्ताहं राधां बाधितुमक्षमः । तेजसा मत्समा सा च रूपेण च गुणेन च

sarveśaḥ sarvaśāstāhaṁ rādhāṁ bādhitumakṣamaḥ | tejasā matsamā sā ca rūpeṇa ca guṇena ca

Though I am the lord and ruler of all, I am unable to overrule Radha; she is equal to me in splendor, in beauty, and in virtue.

Verse 18 (devibhagavatam.9.4.18)

प्राणाधिष्ठातृदेवी सा प्राणांस्त्यक्तुं च कः क्षमः । प्राणतोऽपि प्रियः पुत्रः केषां वास्ति च कश्चन

prāṇādhiṣṭhātṛdevī sā prāṇāṁstyaktuṁ ca kaḥ kṣamaḥ | prāṇato'pi priyaḥ putraḥ keṣāṁ vāsti ca kaścana

She is the presiding deity of my very life-breath; who indeed can renounce his own life? Whose son could ever be dearer than his own life?

Verse 19 (devibhagavatam.9.4.19)

त्वं भद्रे गच्छ वैकुण्ठं तव भद्रं भविष्यति । पतिं तमीश्वरं कृत्वा मोदस्व सुचिरं सुखम्

tvaṁ bhadre gaccha vaikuṇṭhaṁ tava bhadraṁ bhaviṣyati | patiṁ tamīśvaraṁ kṛtvā modasva suciraṁ sukham

O gentle one, go to Vaikuntha, and good shall come to you; taking that Lord as your husband, rejoice in happiness for a long, long time.

Verse 20 (devibhagavatam.9.4.20)

लोभमोहकामक्रोधमानहिंसाविवर्जिता । तेजसा त्वत्समा लक्ष्मी रूपेण च गुणेन च

lobhamohakāmakrodhamānahiṁsāvivarjitā | tejasā tvatsamā lakṣmī rūpeṇa ca guṇena ca

Lakshmi, free from greed, delusion, desire, anger, pride, and violence, is equal to you in splendor, in beauty, and in virtue.

Verse 21 (devibhagavatam.9.4.21)

तया सार्धं तव प्रीत्या शश्वत्कालः प्रयास्यति । गौरवं च हरिस्तुल्यं करिष्यति द्वयोरपि

tayā sārdhaṁ tava prītyā śaśvatkālaḥ prayāsyati | gauravaṁ ca haristulyaṁ kariṣyati dvayorapi

Together with her, in mutual affection, your time shall pass forever; and Hari will show equal honor to both of you alike.

Verse 22 (devibhagavatam.9.4.22)

प्रतिविश्वेषु तां पूजां महतीं गौरवान्विताम् । माघस्य शुक्लपञ्चम्यां विद्यारम्भे च सुन्दरि

prativiśveṣu tāṁ pūjāṁ mahatīṁ gauravānvitām | māghasya śuklapañcamyāṁ vidyārambhe ca sundari

O lovely one, in every universe, on the fifth day of the bright half of Magha, at the beginning of learning, that great and honored worship of you —

Verse 23 (devibhagavatam.9.4.23)

मानवा मनवो देवा मुनीन्द्राश्च मुमुक्षवः । वसवो योगिनः सिद्धा नागा गन्धर्वराक्षसाः

mānavā manavo devā munīndrāśca mumukṣavaḥ | vasavo yoginaḥ siddhā nāgā gandharvarākṣasāḥ

humans, the Manus, the gods, the greatest of sages, those seeking liberation, the Vasus, yogis, the perfected, serpents, gandharvas, and rakshasas —

Verse 24 (devibhagavatam.9.4.24)

मद्वरेण करिष्यन्ति कल्पे कल्पे लयावधि । भक्तियुक्ताश्च दत्त्वा वै चोपचाराणि षोडश

madvareṇa kariṣyanti kalpe kalpe layāvadhi | bhaktiyuktāśca dattvā vai copacārāṇi ṣoḍaśa

by my boon, in every cycle until the dissolution, will devotedly perform, offering the sixteen ceremonial articles, that worship of you.

Verse 25 (devibhagavatam.9.4.25)

कण्वशाखोक्तविधिना ध्यानेन स्तवनेन च । जितेन्द्रियाः संयताश्च घटे च पुस्तकेऽपि च

kaṇvaśākhoktavidhinā dhyānena stavanena ca | jitendriyāḥ saṁyatāśca ghaṭe ca pustake'pi ca

by the rite declared in the Kanva branch of the Veda, through meditation and hymn, with senses conquered and self-restrained, both in the sacred vessel and in the book —

Verse 26 (devibhagavatam.9.4.26)

कृत्वा सुवर्णगुटिकां गन्धचन्दनचर्चिताम् । कवचं ते ग्रहीष्यन्ति कण्ठे वा दक्षिणे भुजे

kṛtvā suvarṇaguṭikāṁ gandhacandanacarcitām | kavacaṁ te grahīṣyanti kaṇṭhe vā dakṣiṇe bhuje

fashioning a golden capsule anointed with fragrant sandal paste, they will wear your protective armor about the neck or upon the right arm.

Verse 27 (devibhagavatam.9.4.27)

पठिष्यन्ति च विद्वांसः पूजाकाले च पूजिते । इत्युक्त्वा पूजयामास तां देवीं सर्वपूजिताम्

paṭhiṣyanti ca vidvāṁsaḥ pūjākāle ca pūjite | ityuktvā pūjayāmāsa tāṁ devīṁ sarvapūjitām

The learned will recite it at the time of worship, when duly consecrated — so saying, he worshipped that goddess, worshipped by all.

Verse 28 (devibhagavatam.9.4.28)

ततस्तत्पूजनं चकुर्ब्रह्मविष्णुशिवादयः । अनन्तश्चापि धर्मश्च मुनीन्द्राः सनकादयः

tatastatpūjanaṁ cakurbrahmaviṣṇuśivādayaḥ | anantaścāpi dharmaśca munīndrāḥ sanakādayaḥ

Thereafter Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, and the rest, and Ananta, and Dharma, and the greatest of sages, Sanaka and the others, likewise performed her worship.

Verse 29 (devibhagavatam.9.4.29)

सर्वे देवाश्च मुनयो नृपाश्च मानवादयः । बभूव पूजिता नित्यं सर्वलोकैः सरस्वती

sarve devāśca munayo nṛpāśca mānavādayaḥ | babhūva pūjitā nityaṁ sarvalokaiḥ sarasvatī

All the gods, sages, kings, and humans — thus Sarasvati came to be worshipped forever by all the worlds.

Verse 30 (devibhagavatam.9.4.30)

नारद उवाच । पूजाविधानं कवचं ध्यानं चापि निरन्तरम् । पूजोपयुक्तं नैवेद्यं पुष्पं च चन्दनादिकम्

nārada uvāca | pūjāvidhānaṁ kavacaṁ dhyānaṁ cāpi nirantaram | pūjopayuktaṁ naivedyaṁ puṣpaṁ ca candanādikam

Narada said: The manner of worship, the protective armor, the meditation without break, the food-offerings fit for worship, the flowers, the sandal paste —

Verse 31 (devibhagavatam.9.4.31)

वद वेदविदां श्रेष्ठ श्रोतुं कौतूहलं मम । वर्तते हृदये शश्वत्किमिदं श्रुतिसुन्दरम्

vada vedavidāṁ śreṣṭha śrotuṁ kautūhalaṁ mama | vartate hṛdaye śaśvatkimidaṁ śrutisundaram

tell me all this, O best of the knowers of the Veda; my heart is ever filled with eagerness to hear it — how lovely a subject this is!

Verse 32 (devibhagavatam.9.4.32)

श्रीनारायण उवाच । शृणु नारद वक्ष्यामि कण्वशाखोक्तपद्धतिम् । जगन्मातुः सरस्वत्याः पूजाविधिसमन्विताम्

śrīnārāyaṇa uvāca | śṛṇu nārada vakṣyāmi kaṇvaśākhoktapaddhatim | jaganmātuḥ sarasvatyāḥ pūjāvidhisamanvitām

Sri Narayana said: Listen, Narada, I shall tell you the method declared in the Kanva branch of the Veda, together with the manner of worshipping Sarasvati, the Mother of the world.

Verse 33 (devibhagavatam.9.4.33)

माघस्य शुक्लपञ्चम्यां विद्यारम्भदिनेऽपि च । पूर्वेऽह्नि समयं कृत्वा तत्राह्नि संयतः शुचिः

māghasya śuklapañcamyāṁ vidyārambhadine'pi ca | pūrve'hni samayaṁ kṛtvā tatrāhni saṁyataḥ śuciḥ

On the fifth day of the bright half of Magha, which is also the day for beginning learning, having made one's resolve the day before, then, restrained and pure —

Verse 34 (devibhagavatam.9.4.34)

स्नात्वा नित्यक्रियाः कृत्वा घटं संस्थाप्य भक्तितः । स्वशाखोक्तविधानेन तान्त्रिकेणाथवा पुनः

snātvā nityakriyāḥ kṛtvā ghaṭaṁ saṁsthāpya bhaktitaḥ | svaśākhoktavidhānena tāntrikeṇāthavā punaḥ

having bathed and performed one's daily rites, one should devotedly set up the sacred vessel — according to the rite declared in one's own branch, or else by the tantric method —

Verse 35 (devibhagavatam.9.4.35)

गणेशं पूर्वमभ्यर्च्य ततोऽभीष्टां प्रपूजयेत् । ध्यानेन वक्ष्यमाणेन ध्यात्वा बाह्यघटे ध्रुवम्

gaṇeśaṁ pūrvamabhyarcya tato'bhīṣṭāṁ prapūjayet | dhyānena vakṣyamāṇena dhyātvā bāhyaghaṭe dhruvam

having first worshipped Ganesha, one should then worship the desired goddess; meditating, by the meditation-verse to be given, firmly upon the outer vessel —

Verse 36 (devibhagavatam.9.4.36)

ध्यात्वा पुनः षोडषोपचारेण पूजयेद् व्रती । पूजोपयुक्तं नैवेद्यं यच्च वेदनिरूपितम्

dhyātvā punaḥ ṣoḍaṣopacāreṇa pūjayed vratī | pūjopayuktaṁ naivedyaṁ yacca vedanirūpitam

and meditating once more, the votary should worship with the sixteen ceremonial offerings; the food-offering fit for worship, as laid down in the Veda —

Verse 37 (devibhagavatam.9.4.37)

वक्ष्यामि सौम्य तत्किञ्चिद्यथाधीतं यथागमम् । नवनीतं दधि क्षीरं लाजांश्च तिललड्डुकम्

vakṣyāmi saumya tatkiñcidyathādhītaṁ yathāgamam | navanītaṁ dadhi kṣīraṁ lājāṁśca tilalaḍḍukam

O gentle one, I shall tell something of it, as I have studied it, as tradition holds it — fresh butter, curd, milk, parched grain, and sesame sweets —

Verse 38 (devibhagavatam.9.4.38)

इक्षुमिक्षुरसं शुक्लवर्णं पञ्चगुडं मधु । स्वस्तिकं शर्करां शुक्लधान्यस्याक्षतमक्षतम्

ikṣumikṣurasaṁ śuklavarṇaṁ pañcaguḍaṁ madhu | svastikaṁ śarkarāṁ śukladhānyasyākṣatamakṣatam

sugarcane, its juice, five kinds of white jaggery-sweets, honey, svastika-sweets, sugar, unbroken white grains of rice —

Verse 39 (devibhagavatam.9.4.39)

अच्छिन्नशुक्लधान्यस्य पृथुकं शुक्लमोदकम् । घृतसैन्धवसंयुक्तं हविष्यान्नं यथोदितम्

acchinnaśukladhānyasya pṛthukaṁ śuklamodakam | ghṛtasaindhavasaṁyuktaṁ haviṣyānnaṁ yathoditam

flattened rice of unbroken white grain, white sweetmeats, and the sacred food joined with ghee and rock salt, as prescribed —

Verse 40 (devibhagavatam.9.4.40)

यवगोधूमचूर्णानां पिष्टकं घृतसंयुतम् । पिष्टकं स्वस्तिकस्यापि पक्वरम्भाफलस्य च

yavagodhūmacūrṇānāṁ piṣṭakaṁ ghṛtasaṁyutam | piṣṭakaṁ svastikasyāpi pakvarambhāphalasya ca

cakes of barley and wheat flour joined with ghee, cakes shaped as svastikas, and of ripe plantain fruit —

Verse 41 (devibhagavatam.9.4.41)

परमान्नं च सघृतं मिष्टान्नं च सुधोपमम् । नारिकेलं तदुदकं कसेरुं मूलमार्द्रकम्

paramānnaṁ ca saghṛtaṁ miṣṭānnaṁ ca sudhopamam | nārikelaṁ tadudakaṁ kaseruṁ mūlamārdrakam

rice-pudding with ghee, sweets as delightful as nectar, coconut and its water, water-chestnut, and fresh ginger —

Verse 42 (devibhagavatam.9.4.42)

पक्वरम्भाफलं चारु श्रीफलं बदरीफलम् । कालदेशोद्भवं चारु फलं शुक्लं च संस्कतम्

pakvarambhāphalaṁ cāru śrīphalaṁ badarīphalam | kāladeśodbhavaṁ cāru phalaṁ śuklaṁ ca saṁskatam

fine ripe plantains, the sacred bael fruit, jujubes, and whatever fine white fruit is native to that season and land, duly prepared —

Verse 43 (devibhagavatam.9.4.43)

सुगन्धं शुक्लपुष्पं च सुगन्धं शुक्लचन्दनम् । नवीनं शुक्लवस्त्रं च शङ्खं च सुन्दरं मुने

sugandhaṁ śuklapuṣpaṁ ca sugandhaṁ śuklacandanam | navīnaṁ śuklavastraṁ ca śaṅkhaṁ ca sundaraṁ mune

fragrant white flowers, fragrant white sandal paste, a fresh white garment, and, O sage, a beautiful conch shell —

Verse 44 (devibhagavatam.9.4.44)

माल्यं च शुक्लपुष्पाणां शुक्लहारं च भूषणम् । यादृशं च श्रुतौ ध्यानं प्रशस्यं श्रुतिसुन्दरम्

mālyaṁ ca śuklapuṣpāṇāṁ śuklahāraṁ ca bhūṣaṇam | yādṛśaṁ ca śrutau dhyānaṁ praśasyaṁ śrutisundaram

a garland of white flowers, a white necklace, and ornaments — such is the offering; and now the meditation as found in the scriptures, most praiseworthy and lovely to hear —

Verse 45 (devibhagavatam.9.4.45)

तन्निबोध महाभाग भ्रमभञ्जनकारणम् । सरस्वतीं शुक्लवर्णां सस्मितां सुमनोहराम्

tannibodha mahābhāga bhramabhañjanakāraṇam | sarasvatīṁ śuklavarṇāṁ sasmitāṁ sumanoharām

learn that, O most fortunate one, the very cause of the dispelling of all confusion — meditate on Sarasvati, white-hued, smiling, altogether enchanting —

Verse 46 (devibhagavatam.9.4.46)

कोटिचन्द्रप्रभामुष्टपुष्टश्रीयुक्तविग्रहाम् । वह्निशुद्धांशुकाधानां वीणापुस्तकधारिणीम्

koṭicandraprabhāmuṣṭapuṣṭaśrīyuktavigrahām | vahniśuddhāṁśukādhānāṁ vīṇāpustakadhāriṇīm

radiant as ten million moons, her form filled with abundant beauty, clad in a garment pure as fire, holding the vina and the book —

Verse 47 (devibhagavatam.9.4.47)

रत्नसारेन्द्रनिर्माणनवभूषणभूषिताम् । सुपूजितां सुरगणैर्ब्रह्मविष्णुशिवादिभिः

ratnasārendranirmāṇanavabhūṣaṇabhūṣitām | supūjitāṁ suragaṇairbrahmaviṣṇuśivādibhiḥ

adorned with nine kinds of ornaments fashioned from the finest gems, well worshipped by the hosts of gods, by Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, and the rest —

Verse 48 (devibhagavatam.9.4.48)

वन्दे भक्त्या वन्दितां च मुनीन्द्रमनुमानवैः । एवं ध्यात्वा च मूलेन सर्वं दत्त्वा विचक्षणः

vande bhaktyā vanditāṁ ca munīndramanumānavaiḥ | evaṁ dhyātvā ca mūlena sarvaṁ dattvā vicakṣaṇaḥ

revered too by the greatest of sages, by Manus, and by men — I bow to her in devotion. Having thus meditated, the discerning worshipper should offer everything with the root mantra.

Verse 49 (devibhagavatam.9.4.49)

संस्तूय कवचं धृत्वा प्रणमेद्दण्डवद्भुवि । येषां चेयमिष्टदेवी तेषां नित्यक्रिया मुने

saṁstūya kavacaṁ dhṛtvā praṇameddaṇḍavadbhuvi | yeṣāṁ ceyamiṣṭadevī teṣāṁ nityakriyā mune

Having praised her and worn the protective armor, one should prostrate full-length upon the ground; O sage, for those whose chosen deity she is, this is their daily observance.

Verse 50 (devibhagavatam.9.4.50)

विद्यारम्भे च वर्षान्ते सर्वेषां पञ्चमीदिने । सर्वोपयुक्तं मूलं च वैदिकाष्टाक्षरः परः

vidyārambhe ca varṣānte sarveṣāṁ pañcamīdine | sarvopayuktaṁ mūlaṁ ca vaidikāṣṭākṣaraḥ paraḥ

At the beginning of learning, and again at the year's end, on the fifth day, this worship applies to all; the root mantra suited to all is the supreme eight-syllabled Vedic mantra.

Verse 51 (devibhagavatam.9.4.51)

येषां येनोपदेशो वा तेषां स मूल एव च । सरस्वती चतुर्थ्यन्तं वह्निजायान्तमेव च

yeṣāṁ yenopadeśo vā teṣāṁ sa mūla eva ca | sarasvatī caturthyantaṁ vahnijāyāntameva ca

whoever has received whatever mantra from a teacher, that alone is the root mantra for him; the name "Sarasvati" in the dative case, ending with the name of Fire's consort —

Verse 52 (devibhagavatam.9.4.52)

लक्ष्मीमायादिकं चैव मन्त्रोऽयं कल्पपादपः । पुरा नारायणश्चेमं वाल्मीकाय कृपानिधिः

lakṣmīmāyādikaṁ caiva mantro'yaṁ kalpapādapaḥ | purā nārāyaṇaścemaṁ vālmīkāya kṛpānidhiḥ

joined with the seed-syllables of Lakshmi, Maya, and the rest — this mantra is like a wish-fulfilling tree; long ago Narayana, the treasury of compassion, gave it to Valmiki —

Verse 53 (devibhagavatam.9.4.53)

प्रददौ जाह्नवीतीरे पुण्यक्षेत्रे च भारते । भृगुर्ददौ च शुक्राय पुष्करे सूर्यपर्वणि

pradadau jāhnavītīre puṇyakṣetre ca bhārate | bhṛgurdadau ca śukrāya puṣkare sūryaparvaṇi

on the banks of the Ganga, in the sacred land of Bharata; Bhrigu gave it to Shukra at Pushkara, on the occasion of the sun-festival.

Verse 54 (devibhagavatam.9.4.54)

चन्द्रपर्वणि मारीचो ददौ वाक्पतये मुदा । भृगोश्चैव ददौ तुष्टो ब्रह्मा बदरिकाश्रमे

candraparvaṇi mārīco dadau vākpataye mudā | bhṛgoścaiva dadau tuṣṭo brahmā badarikāśrame

Marichi gave it joyfully to Brihaspati on the occasion of the moon-festival; Brahma, well pleased, gave it to Bhrigu at Badarikashrama.

Verse 55 (devibhagavatam.9.4.55)

आस्तिकस्य जरत्कारुर्ददौ क्षीरोदसन्निधौ । विभाण्डको ददौ मेरौ ऋष्यशृङ्गाय धीमते

āstikasya jaratkārurdadau kṣīrodasannidhau | vibhāṇḍako dadau merau ṛṣyaśṛṅgāya dhīmate

Jaratkaru gave it to Astika near the Ocean of Milk; Vibhandaka gave it to the wise Rishyashringa upon Mount Meru.

Verse 56 (devibhagavatam.9.4.56)

शिवः कणादमुनये गौतमाय ददौ मुदा । सूर्यश्च याज्ञवल्क्याय तथा कात्यायनाय च

śivaḥ kaṇādamunaye gautamāya dadau mudā | sūryaśca yājñavalkyāya tathā kātyāyanāya ca

Shiva joyfully gave it to the sage Kanada and to Gautama; the Sun gave it to Yajnavalkya and to Katyayana.

Verse 57 (devibhagavatam.9.4.57)

शेषः पाणिनये चैव भारद्वाजाय धीमते । ददौ शाकटायनाय सुतले बलिसंसदि

śeṣaḥ pāṇinaye caiva bhāradvājāya dhīmate | dadau śākaṭāyanāya sutale balisaṁsadi

Shesha gave it to Panini and to the wise Bharadvaja; he gave it to Shakatayana in Bali's assembly hall in Sutala.

Verse 58 (devibhagavatam.9.4.58)

चतुर्लक्षजपेनैव मन्त्रः सिद्धो भवेन्नृणाम् । यदि स्यान्मन्त्रसिद्धो हि बृहस्पतिसमो भवेत्

caturlakṣajapenaiva mantraḥ siddho bhavennṛṇām | yadi syānmantrasiddho hi bṛhaspatisamo bhavet

Only through four hundred thousand recitations does this mantra become perfected for a person; and once perfected, one becomes equal to Brihaspati himself.

Verse 59 (devibhagavatam.9.4.59)

कवचं शृणु विप्रेन्द्र यद्दत्तं ब्रह्मणा पुरा । विश्वस्रष्टा विश्वजयं भृगवे गन्धमादने

kavacaṁ śṛṇu viprendra yaddattaṁ brahmaṇā purā | viśvasraṣṭā viśvajayaṁ bhṛgave gandhamādane

O foremost of brahmins, now hear the protective armor which, long ago, Brahma, creator of the universe, gave to Bhrigu on Mount Gandhamadana — the armor named "Vishvajaya," Conqueror of the World.

Verse 60 (devibhagavatam.9.4.60)

भृगुरुवाच । ब्रह्मन्ब्रह्मविदां श्रेष्ठ ब्रह्मज्ञानविशारद । सर्वज्ञ सर्वजनक सर्वेश सर्वपूजित

bhṛguruvāca | brahmanbrahmavidāṁ śreṣṭha brahmajñānaviśārada | sarvajña sarvajanaka sarveśa sarvapūjita

Bhrigu said: O Brahman, best among the knowers of Brahman, skilled in the knowledge of Brahman, all-knowing, father of all, lord of all, worshipped by all —

Verse 61 (devibhagavatam.9.4.61)

सरस्वत्याश्च कवचं ब्रूहि विश्वजयं प्रभो । अयातयामं मन्त्राणां समूहसंयुतं परम्

sarasvatyāśca kavacaṁ brūhi viśvajayaṁ prabho | ayātayāmaṁ mantrāṇāṁ samūhasaṁyutaṁ param

O Lord, tell me the protective armor of Sarasvati, the "Conqueror of the World," undecaying in its power, made up of a supreme collection of mantras.

Verse 62 (devibhagavatam.9.4.62)

ब्रह्मोवाच । शृणु वत्स प्रवक्ष्यामि कवचं सर्वकामदम् । श्रुतिसारं श्रुतिसुखं श्रुत्युक्तं श्रुतिपूजितम्

brahmovāca | śṛṇu vatsa pravakṣyāmi kavacaṁ sarvakāmadam | śrutisāraṁ śrutisukhaṁ śrutyuktaṁ śrutipūjitam

Brahma said: Listen, my child, I shall declare that armor, granter of every desire, the essence of the scriptures, a delight to the ear, spoken in the scriptures, and honored by the scriptures.

Verse 63 (devibhagavatam.9.4.63)

उक्तं कृष्णेन गोलोके मह्यं वृन्दावने वने । रासेश्वरेण विभुना रासे वै रासमण्डले

uktaṁ kṛṣṇena goloke mahyaṁ vṛndāvane vane | rāseśvareṇa vibhunā rāse vai rāsamaṇḍale

It was told to me by Krishna himself, Lord of the rasa dance, in Goloka, within the forest of Vrindavana, during the rasa-play, in the circle of that dance.

Verse 64 (devibhagavatam.9.4.64)

अतीव गोपनीयं च कल्पवृक्षसमं परम् । अश्रुताद्भुतमन्त्राणां समूहैश्च समन्वितम्

atīva gopanīyaṁ ca kalpavṛkṣasamaṁ param | aśrutādbhutamantrāṇāṁ samūhaiśca samanvitam

It is most secret, and supreme as the wish-fulfilling tree; it is composed of a collection of wondrous mantras never before heard.

Verse 65 (devibhagavatam.9.4.65)

यद्धृत्वा भगवाञ्छुक्रः सर्वदैत्येषु पूजितः । यद्धृत्वा पठनाद् ब्रह्मन् बुद्धिमांश्च बृहस्पतिः

yaddhṛtvā bhagavāñchukraḥ sarvadaityeṣu pūjitaḥ | yaddhṛtvā paṭhanād brahman buddhimāṁśca bṛhaspatiḥ

By wearing this, the Lord Shukra came to be honored among all the demons; O brahmin, by wearing and reciting it, Brihaspati became wise.

Verse 66 (devibhagavatam.9.4.66)

पठनाद्धारणाद्वाग्मी कवीन्द्रो वाल्मिको मुनिः । स्वायम्भुवो मनुश्चैव यद्धृत्वा सर्वपूजितः

paṭhanāddhāraṇādvāgmī kavīndro vālmiko muniḥ | svāyambhuvo manuścaiva yaddhṛtvā sarvapūjitaḥ

By reciting and wearing it, the sage Valmiki became eloquent and foremost among poets; by wearing it, Svayambhuva Manu came to be worshipped by all.

Verse 67 (devibhagavatam.9.4.67)

कणादो गौतमः कण्वः पाणिनिः शाकटायनः । ग्रन्धं चकार यद्धृत्वा दक्षः कात्यायनः स्वयम्

kaṇādo gautamaḥ kaṇvaḥ pāṇiniḥ śākaṭāyanaḥ | grandhaṁ cakāra yaddhṛtvā dakṣaḥ kātyāyanaḥ svayam

Kanada, Gautama, Kanva, Panini, and Shakatayana composed their treatises only after wearing it, as did Daksha Katyayana himself.

Verse 68 (devibhagavatam.9.4.68)

धृत्वा वेदविभागं च पुराणान्यखिलानि च । चकार लीलामात्रेण कृष्णद्वैपायनः स्वयम्

dhṛtvā vedavibhāgaṁ ca purāṇānyakhilāni ca | cakāra līlāmātreṇa kṛṣṇadvaipāyanaḥ svayam

By wearing it, Krishnadvaipayana Vyasa himself accomplished, as mere play, the division of the Vedas and the composition of all the Puranas.

Verse 69 (devibhagavatam.9.4.69)

शातातपश्च संवर्तो वसिष्ठश्च पराशरः । यद्धृत्वा पठनाद् ग्रन्थं याज्ञवल्क्यश्चकार सः

śātātapaśca saṁvarto vasiṣṭhaśca parāśaraḥ | yaddhṛtvā paṭhanād granthaṁ yājñavalkyaścakāra saḥ

Shatatapa, Samvarta, Vasishtha, and Parashara wore it; and by wearing and reciting it, Yajnavalkya too composed his treatise.

Verse 70 (devibhagavatam.9.4.70)

ऋष्यशृङ्गो भरद्वाजश्चास्तिको देवलस्तथा । जैगीषव्यो ययातिश्च धृत्वा सर्वत्र पूजिताः

ṛṣyaśṛṅgo bharadvājaścāstiko devalastathā | jaigīṣavyo yayātiśca dhṛtvā sarvatra pūjitāḥ

Rishyashringa, Bharadvaja, Astika, Devala, Jaigishavya, and Yayati — by wearing it, they came to be honored everywhere.

Verse 71 (devibhagavatam.9.4.71)

कवचस्यास्य विप्रेन्द्र ऋषिरेव प्रजापतिः । स्वयं छन्दश्च बृहती देवता शारदाम्बिका

kavacasyāsya viprendra ṛṣireva prajāpatiḥ | svayaṁ chandaśca bṛhatī devatā śāradāmbikā

O foremost of brahmins, the sage of this armor is Prajapati himself, its meter is Brihati, and its presiding deity is Mother Sharada.

Verse 72 (devibhagavatam.9.4.72)

सर्वतत्त्वपरिज्ञानसर्वार्थसाधनेषु च । कवितासु च सर्वासु विनियोगः प्रकीर्तितः

sarvatattvaparijñānasarvārthasādhaneṣu ca | kavitāsu ca sarvāsu viniyogaḥ prakīrtitaḥ

Its application is declared to be in the full understanding of every truth, in the accomplishment of every purpose, and in the composition of all poetry.

Verse 73 (devibhagavatam.9.4.73)

श्रीं ह्रीं सरस्वत्यै स्वाहा शिरो मे पातु सर्वतः । श्रीं वाग्देवतायै स्वाहा भालं मे सर्वदावतु

śrīṁ hrīṁ sarasvatyai svāhā śiro me pātu sarvataḥ | śrīṁ vāgdevatāyai svāhā bhālaṁ me sarvadāvatu

"Śrīṁ hrīṁ sarasvatyai svāhā" — may this ever protect my head; "śrīṁ vāgdevatāyai svāhā" — may this always protect my forehead.

Verse 74 (devibhagavatam.9.4.74)

ॐ ह्रीं सरस्वत्यै स्वाहेति श्रोत्रे पातु निरन्तरम् । ॐ श्रीं ह्रीं भगवत्यै सरस्वत्यै स्वाहा नेत्रयुग्मं सदावतु

oṁ hrīṁ sarasvatyai svāheti śrotre pātu nirantaram | oṁ śrīṁ hrīṁ bhagavatyai sarasvatyai svāhā netrayugmaṁ sadāvatu

"Oṁ hrīṁ sarasvatyai svāhā" — may this ceaselessly protect my ears; "oṁ śrīṁ hrīṁ bhagavatyai sarasvatyai svāhā" — may this always protect both my eyes.

Verse 75 (devibhagavatam.9.4.75)

ऐं ह्रीं वाग्वादिन्यै स्वाहा नासां मे सर्वदावतु । ह्रीं विद्याधिष्ठातृदेव्यै स्वाहा चोष्ठं सदावतु

aiṁ hrīṁ vāgvādinyai svāhā nāsāṁ me sarvadāvatu | hrīṁ vidyādhiṣṭhātṛdevyai svāhā coṣṭhaṁ sadāvatu

"Aiṁ hrīṁ vāgvādinyai svāhā" — may this always protect my nose; "hrīṁ vidyādhiṣṭhātṛdevyai svāhā" — may this always protect my lips.

Verse 76 (devibhagavatam.9.4.76)

ॐ श्रीं ह्रीं ब्राह्म्यै स्वाहेति दन्तपङ्क्तिं सदावतु । ऐमित्येकाक्षरो मन्त्रो मम कण्ठं सदावतु

oṁ śrīṁ hrīṁ brāhmyai svāheti dantapaṅktiṁ sadāvatu | aimityekākṣaro mantro mama kaṇṭhaṁ sadāvatu

"Oṁ śrīṁ hrīṁ brāhmyai svāhā" — may this always protect my row of teeth; the single syllable "Aiṁ" — may this always protect my throat.

Verse 77 (devibhagavatam.9.4.77)

ॐ श्रीं ह्रीं पातु मे ग्रीवां स्कन्धौ मे श्रीं सदावतु । ॐ ह्रीं विद्याधिष्ठातृदेव्यै स्वाहा वक्षः सदावतु

oṁ śrīṁ hrīṁ pātu me grīvāṁ skandhau me śrīṁ sadāvatu | oṁ hrīṁ vidyādhiṣṭhātṛdevyai svāhā vakṣaḥ sadāvatu

"Oṁ śrīṁ hrīṁ" — may this protect my neck, and "śrīṁ" always protect my shoulders; "oṁ hrīṁ vidyādhiṣṭhātṛdevyai svāhā" — may this always protect my chest.

Verse 78 (devibhagavatam.9.4.78)

ॐ ह्रीं विद्याधिस्वरूपायै स्वाहा मे पातु नाभिकाम् । ॐ ह्रीं क्लीं वाण्यै स्वाहेति मम हस्तौ सदावतु

oṁ hrīṁ vidyādhisvarūpāyai svāhā me pātu nābhikām | oṁ hrīṁ klīṁ vāṇyai svāheti mama hastau sadāvatu

"Oṁ hrīṁ vidyādhisvarūpāyai svāhā" — may this protect my navel; "oṁ hrīṁ klīṁ vāṇyai svāhā" — may this always protect both my hands.

Verse 79 (devibhagavatam.9.4.79)

ॐ सर्ववर्णात्मिकायै स्वाहा पादयुग्मं सदावतु । ॐ वागधिष्ठातृदेव्यै स्वाहा सर्वं सदावतु

oṁ sarvavarṇātmikāyai svāhā pādayugmaṁ sadāvatu | oṁ vāgadhiṣṭhātṛdevyai svāhā sarvaṁ sadāvatu

"Oṁ sarvavarṇātmikāyai svāhā" — may this always protect both my feet; "oṁ vāgadhiṣṭhātṛdevyai svāhā" — may this always protect me altogether.

Verse 80 (devibhagavatam.9.4.80)

ॐ सर्वकण्ठवासिन्यै स्वाहा प्राच्यां सदावतु । ॐ सर्वजिह्वाग्रवासिन्यै स्वाहाग्निदिशि रक्षतु

oṁ sarvakaṇṭhavāsinyai svāhā prācyāṁ sadāvatu | oṁ sarvajihvāgravāsinyai svāhāgnidiśi rakṣatu

"Oṁ sarvakaṇṭhavāsinyai svāhā" — may this always protect me in the east; "oṁ sarvajihvāgravāsinyai svāhā" — may this protect me in the southeast.

Verse 81 (devibhagavatam.9.4.81)

ॐ ऐं ह्रीं क्लीं सरस्वत्यै बुधजनन्यै स्वाहा । सततं मन्त्रराजोऽयं दक्षिणे मां सदावतु

oṁ aiṁ hrīṁ klīṁ sarasvatyai budhajananyai svāhā | satataṁ mantrarājo'yaṁ dakṣiṇe māṁ sadāvatu

"Oṁ aiṁ hrīṁ klīṁ sarasvatyai budhajananyai svāhā" — may this king of mantras ever protect me in the south.

Verse 82 (devibhagavatam.9.4.82)

ऐं ह्रीं श्रीं त्र्यक्षरो मन्त्रो नैरृत्यां सर्वदावतु । ॐ ऐं जिह्वाग्रवासिन्यै स्वाहा मां वारुणेऽवतु

aiṁ hrīṁ śrīṁ tryakṣaro mantro nairṛtyāṁ sarvadāvatu | oṁ aiṁ jihvāgravāsinyai svāhā māṁ vāruṇe'vatu

"Aiṁ hrīṁ śrīṁ" — this three-syllabled mantra always protect me in the southwest; "oṁ aiṁ jihvāgravāsinyai svāhā" — may this protect me in the west.

Verse 83 (devibhagavatam.9.4.83)

ॐ सर्वाम्बिकायै स्वाहा वायव्ये मां सदावतु । ॐ ऐं श्रीं क्लीं गद्यवासिन्यै स्वाहा मामुत्तरेऽवतु

oṁ sarvāmbikāyai svāhā vāyavye māṁ sadāvatu | oṁ aiṁ śrīṁ klīṁ gadyavāsinyai svāhā māmuttare'vatu

"Oṁ sarvāmbikāyai svāhā" — may this always protect me in the northwest; "oṁ aiṁ śrīṁ klīṁ gadyavāsinyai svāhā" — may this protect me in the north.

Verse 84 (devibhagavatam.9.4.84)

ॐ ऐं सर्वशास्त्रवासिन्यै स्वाहैशान्यां सदावतु । ॐ ह्रीं सर्वपूजितायै स्वाहा चोर्ध्वं सदावतु

oṁ aiṁ sarvaśāstravāsinyai svāhaiśānyāṁ sadāvatu | oṁ hrīṁ sarvapūjitāyai svāhā cordhvaṁ sadāvatu

"Oṁ aiṁ sarvaśāstravāsinyai svāhā" — may this always protect me in the northeast; "oṁ hrīṁ sarvapūjitāyai svāhā" — may this always protect me above.

Verse 85 (devibhagavatam.9.4.85)

ॐ ह्रीं पुस्तकवासिन्यै स्वाहाधो मां सदावतु । ॐ ग्रन्थबीजस्वरूपायै स्वाहा मां सर्वतोऽवतु

oṁ hrīṁ pustakavāsinyai svāhādho māṁ sadāvatu | oṁ granthabījasvarūpāyai svāhā māṁ sarvato'vatu

"Oṁ hrīṁ pustakavāsinyai svāhā" — may this always protect me below; "oṁ granthabījasvarūpāyai svāhā" — may this protect me on every side.

Verse 86 (devibhagavatam.9.4.86)

इति ते कथितं विप्र ब्रह्ममन्त्रौघविग्रहम् । इदं विश्वजयं नाम कवचं ब्रह्मरूपकम्

iti te kathitaṁ vipra brahmamantraughavigraham | idaṁ viśvajayaṁ nāma kavacaṁ brahmarūpakam

O brahmin, thus has this armor, embodied in a flood of Brahman-mantras, been told to you; this armor, named "Vishvajaya," is itself of the very form of Brahman.

Verse 87 (devibhagavatam.9.4.87)

पुरा श्रुतं धर्मवक्त्रात्पर्वते गन्धमादने । तव स्नेहान्मयाख्यातं प्रवक्तव्यं न कस्यचित्

purā śrutaṁ dharmavaktrātparvate gandhamādane | tava snehānmayākhyātaṁ pravaktavyaṁ na kasyacit

This was heard long ago on Mount Gandhamadana from the mouth of the teacher of dharma; only out of affection for you have I told it — it should not be revealed to anyone else.

Verse 88 (devibhagavatam.9.4.88)

गुरुमभ्यर्च्य विधिवद्वस्त्रालङ्कारचन्दनैः । प्रणम्य दण्डवद्भूमौ कवचं धारयेत्सुधीः

gurumabhyarcya vidhivadvastrālaṅkāracandanaiḥ | praṇamya daṇḍavadbhūmau kavacaṁ dhārayetsudhīḥ

Having duly worshipped one's teacher with garments, ornaments, and sandal paste, and having prostrated full-length upon the ground, the wise one should then wear this armor.

Verse 89 (devibhagavatam.9.4.89)

पञ्चलक्षजपेनैव सिद्धं तु कवचं भवेत् । यदि स्यात्सिद्धकवचो बृहस्पतिसमो भवेत्

pañcalakṣajapenaiva siddhaṁ tu kavacaṁ bhavet | yadi syātsiddhakavaco bṛhaspatisamo bhavet

Only through five hundred thousand recitations does this armor become perfected; and once its power is perfected, one becomes equal to Brihaspati.

Verse 90 (devibhagavatam.9.4.90)

महावाग्मी कवीन्द्रश्च त्रैलोक्यविजयी भवेत् । शक्नोति सर्वं जेतुं च कवचस्य प्रसादतः

mahāvāgmī kavīndraśca trailokyavijayī bhavet | śaknoti sarvaṁ jetuṁ ca kavacasya prasādataḥ

He becomes a great orator, foremost among poets, and a conqueror of the three worlds; by the grace of this armor he becomes capable of conquering everything.

Verse 91 (devibhagavatam.9.4.91)

इदं च कण्वशाखोक्तं कवचं कथितं मुने । स्तोत्रं पूजाविधानं च ध्यानं च वन्दनं शृणु

idaṁ ca kaṇvaśākhoktaṁ kavacaṁ kathitaṁ mune | stotraṁ pūjāvidhānaṁ ca dhyānaṁ ca vandanaṁ śṛṇu

O sage, thus has this armor, as declared in the Kanva branch, been told to you; now hear the hymn, the manner of worship, the meditation, and the salutation.