Om! Salutations to the Lord of the rāsa circle. With this sacred invocation, the protective mantras are revealed: “aiṃ kṛṣṇāya svāha” is to shield my ears always, while “om haraye namaḥ” guards my back and feet. Śrī Kṛṣṇa himself protects me in the east, Mādhava in the southeast; Govinda stands watch in the west, and Rādhikeśvara in the northwest. Above all, the supreme Nārāyaṇa envelops me with protection in every direction. This mantra is as precious as life itself. By wearing it, none deserve even a fraction of its worth. After worshipping the guru properly—with garments, ornaments, and fragrant sandalwood—one receives this protective mantra. By its grace, liberation is attained even while living. Sauti, the storyteller, recounts that Vasiṣṭha once gave this mantra to a Gandharva and to Manu. The mantra is: “Om, obeisance to the Blessed Shiva, svaha.” Long ago, Brahma bestowed this mantra upon Ravana. With its root, all offerings and the finest foods should be presented. Another invocation is uttered: “Om, obeisance to the great god; O Maheshvara, greatly fortunate one, the armor that has been revealed—” Maheshvara promises, “I shall give you this, which is to be kept secret and is extremely rare. Long ago, it was given to Durvasa for the conquest of the three worlds. Whoever, with devotion and wisdom, wears this armor of mine—this armor which purifies worldly existence—its application is declared for righteousness, wealth, desire, and liberation. By reciting it five hundred thousand times, the armor grants success—by brilliance, accomplishment, yoga, austerity, and valor.” Maheshvara continues: “May Shambhu protect my head, may Maheshvara protect my face. May Chandrachuda shield my throat, and the Bull-bannered One guard my shoulders. May the Lord of the Universe protect all my limbs, in all directions, at all times.” Thus, the wondrous Bana armor is described. The fruit gained by bathing at all sacred fords pales in comparison. If a person ignorant of this armor worships Maheshvara, he is of very dull intellect. Sauti then declares, “The king of mantras, the wish-fulfilling tree, was formerly given by Vasiṣṭha.” This mantra is: “Om, obeisance to Shiva; I bow to the essence of the gods and to the lord of the gods, blue and red in hue.” Shiva is the embodiment of knowledge and bliss, the form and seed of knowledge, eternal. He is the form and seed of austerity, the wealth and treasure of asceticism, the best. He is the cause of enjoyment and liberation, the means to cross the ocean of hell. Shiva’s appearance is likened to snow, sandalwood, jasmine, the moon, the water-lily, and the lotus. He assumes many forms according to the diversity of objects: wind, moon, sun—the great and mighty Lord. He is the life of devotees, eager to bestow grace upon the devoted. Unlimited, beyond speech and mind, wielding trident and spear, smiling, adorned with the crescent moon. Having spoken this king of hymns, Bāṇa, ever self-controlled, recited it daily. This hymn was once given by Vasiṣṭha to a Gandharva. Whoever recites this great and meritorious hymn with devotion—if he is childless, he will obtain a son by listening for one year; if he suffers from leprosy or great pain, he will be cured by listening for one year. Thus, the sacred story of the protective mantras and hymns unfolds, filled with devotion, wisdom, and the promise of divine grace.