O wise one, listen as the ancient tradition unfolds its sacred wisdom. For those who have chosen Sarasvati as their goddess, auspiciousness ever dwells with them. The root of all offerings lies in the supreme Vedic mantra, composed of eight syllables, ending with Sarasvati in the fourth case and invoking the wife of fire. This revered mantra is: “Śrīṃ Hrīṃ Sarasvatyai Svāhā.” Long ago, Narayana, the ocean of mercy, bestowed this mantra upon the sage Valmiki. Bhrigu imparted it to Shukra at Pushkara during the solar festival. Brahma, pleased, gave it to Bhrigu at the Badarika hermitage, and Vibhāṇḍaka passed it to the wise Ṛṣyaśṛṅga on Mount Meru. Śiva gifted it to the sage Kaṇāda and to Gautama, while Śeṣa gave it to Pāṇini and the wise Bharadvāja. By reciting this mantra four hundred thousand times, perfection is attained. Now, hear of the armor, O foremost of Brāhmins, which the Creator gave in ancient times. Bhṛgu addressed Brahma, acknowledging him as all-knowing, progenitor of all, and worshipped by all worshippers, and asked him to reveal the armor of Sarasvati that conquers the universe. Brahma replied: This armor is the very essence of the Vedas, delightful to hear, spoken of in the Vedas, and honored by them. It was spoken by Kṛṣṇa in Goloka to me in the forest of Vṛndāvana. Exceedingly secret and supreme, it is like a wish-fulfilling tree. By taking and reciting it, Bṛhaspati became wise; by reciting and retaining it, the eloquent sage Vālmīki became the foremost of poets. Kaṇāda, Gautama, Kaṇva, Pāṇini, and Śākaṭāyana, having received it, divided the Vedas and all the Purāṇas. Śātātapa, Saṃvarta, Vasiṣṭha, Parāśara, Ṛṣyaśṛṅga, Bharadvāja, Astīka, and Devala as well—all were blessed by this knowledge. The seer of this armor is Prajāpati, and it grants complete understanding of all principles and accomplishment of all aims. The sacred armor invokes the goddess’s protection: “Om hrīṃ sarasvatyai svāhā—may she protect my head on all sides. Om, may Sarasvati protect my ears constantly, svaha. Om, hrim, may Vagvadini protect my nose in every way, svaha. Om, srim, hrim, may Brahmi always protect my row of teeth, svaha. Om, srim, hrim, may my neck be protected, and may Srim always protect my shoulders. Om, hrim, may Vidyasvarupini protect my navel, svaha. Om, may Sarvavarnatmika always protect my pair of feet. Om, may Sarvakanthavasini protect me in the east always, svaha. Om, aim, hrim, srim, Sarasvati, mother of the wise, svaha. Om, hrim, srim, the three-syllabled mantra, may it always protect me in the southwest. Om, may Sadambika always protect me in the northwest, svaha. Om, may Sarvashastravasini always protect me in the northeast, svaha. Aim, hrim, may Pustakavāsini always protect me below, svaha.” Thus, O Brahmin, the entire collection of mantras has been revealed. In ancient times, this was heard from the mouth of Dharma on Mount Gandhamadana. After worshipping the guru properly with garments, ornaments, and sandalwood, and by reciting the armor five hundred thousand times, its power becomes fully accomplished. Such is the story of the sacred mantra and armor of Sarasvati, passed down through the ages, bestowing wisdom, eloquence, and auspiciousness to all who honor her with devotion.