तन्मन्त्राणां लक्षणं च सर्वमेतन्निवेदय
The characteristics of those mantras—all this, declare to me.
सर्वेभ्यो ऽपि हि शब्देभ्यो वेदराशिर्महान्मुने
From all words indeed, O great sage, the Vedas are the source.
सर्वेभ्यो वेदमन्त्रेभ्यो विष्णुमन्त्रा महत्तराः
Among all Vedic mantras, the mantras of Viṣṇu are the greatest.
तेभ्यो गाणपता मन्त्रा मुने वीर्य महत्तराः
O sage, among those, the mantras of Gaṇapati are of even greater potency.
तेभ्यो ऽपि लक्ष्मीमन्त्रास्तु तेभ्यः सारस्वता वराः
Even greater than those are the mantras of Lakṣmī, and superior to those are the mantras of Sarasvatī.
सर्वाम्नायमनुभ्यो ऽपि वाराहा मनवो वराः
Even among all the traditions and transmissions, the Varāha mantras are the most excellent.
तेभ्यो ऽपि ललितामन्त्रा दशभेदविभेदिताः
Even beyond those are the Lalitā mantras, distinguished in tenfold variations.
लोपामुद्रा कामराज इति ख्यातिमुपागतौ
They have become renowned as the mantras of Lopāmudrā and Kāmarāja.
हंसादेर्वाच्यतां याताः कामराजो महेस्वरः
They are also known as Haṃsa and others; Kāmarāja is the great lord.
हादिकाद्योर्मन्त्रयोस्तु भेदो वर्णत्रयोद्भवः
The difference between the Ha and Ka mantras arises from the combination of three syllables.
शिवेन शक्त्या कामेन क्षित्या चैव तु मायया
By Śiva, Śakti, Kāma, Earth, and indeed by Māyā.
शक्रेण भुवनेशेन चन्द्रेण च मनोभुवा
By Indra, Bhuvaneśa, the Moon, and the mind-born one.
कामादिमन्त्रराजस्तु स्मरयोनिः श्रियो मुखे
The king of mantras, beginning with Kāma, is the source of Smara and Yoni, and is at the mouth of Śrī.
ये यजन्ति महाभागास्तेषां सर्वत्र सिद्धये
Those highly fortunate ones who worship, for them there is accomplishment everywhere.
सम्यक्संसाधयेद्विद्वान्वक्ष्यमाणप्रकारतः
A learned person should properly accomplish them in the manner that will be described.
प्रातरुत्थाय शिरसिस्मृत्वा कमलमुज्ज्वलम्
Rising in the morning, remembering the radiant lotus on the head—
तत्र श्रीमद्गुरुं ध्वात्वा प्रसन्नं करुणामयम्
There, meditating on the revered guru, serene and full of compassion—
अथागत्य च तैलेन सामोदेन विलेपितः
Then, having arrived, anointing oneself with fragrant oil—
तस्मादुष्णोदके स्नायात्तदभावे यथोदकम्
After that, one should bathe in warm water; if that is not available, then with whatever water there is.
आचम्य प्रयतो विद्वान्हृदि ध्यायन्परांबिकाम्
Having sipped water, the learned one, pure in mind, should meditate on the supreme goddess in the heart.
अन्तर्हितश्च शुद्धात्मा सन्ध्यावन्दनमाचरेत्
With a pure mind, remaining unseen, one should perform the Sandhyā worship.
सपुष्पचन्दनं चार्ध्यं मार्तण्डाय समुत्क्षिपेत्
He should offer water mixed with flowers and sandalwood to the Sun.
तर्प्पयित्वा यथाशक्ति मूलेन ललितेश्वरीम्
Having satisfied, as much as possible, Laliteśvarī with the root mantra,
दिवाकरमुपास्थाय देवीं च रविबिम्बगाम्
Approaching the Sun and the Goddess who abides in the solar orb,
चारुकर्पूरकस्तूरीचन्दनादिविलेपितः
Anointed with fine camphor, musk, sandalwood, and the like,
आमोदिकुसुमस्रग्भिरवतंसितकुन्तलः
With hair adorned with garlands of fragrant flowers,
पूजाखण्डे वक्ष्यमाणान्कृत्वा न्यासाननुक्रमात्
Having performed the nyāsas in order, as will be described in the section on worship,
नानावृक्षमहोद्यानमारभ्य ललितावधि
Beginning from the great garden of various trees up to Lalitā,
पूजाखण्डोक्तमार्गेम पूजां कृत्वा विलक्षणः
Having performed worship by the method stated in the section on worship, being distinct,
षट्त्रिंशल्लक्षसंख्यां तु जपेद्विद्या प्रसीदति
He should recite the vidyā thirty-six lakhs of times; then it becomes pleasing.