Listen, dear one, to the wondrous account of the supreme protection and blessings bestowed by the sacred mantra and the divine story of Ganesha, as narrated in the Brahmavaivarta Purana. It is by this very mantra that the great sage Nandī, his heart overflowing with joy, attained the highest knowledge. Through its power, Durvāsā, foremost among the wise, became equal to Śiva himself. This six-syllabled mantra is like a wish-fulfilling tree for devotees, granting all that is desired. Simply by receiving this mantra, a person becomes equal to Viṣṇu. The invocation goes: "Om Durge—may she always protect my throat." And, "Om hrīṃ śrīṃ klīṃ—may she always guard my back on every side." Further, "Om śrīṃ hrīṃ klīṃ—may she shield my entire body, whether in sleep or in wakefulness." On the south, may Bhadrakālī stand as protector; in the southwest, Maheśvarī; on the north, Vaiṣṇavī; and in the northeast, Śiva’s beloved herself. Thus, my child, I have revealed to you this most rare and precious armor. One should first worship the guru with offerings of garments, ornaments, and sandalwood. Whether journeying to all holy places or circumambulating the earth, by reciting this mantra five hundred thousand times, its power is surely accomplished. For such a devotee, there is no fear of death—even if he enters water or fire, he remains unharmed. When the protective mantra is perfected, one certainly becomes equal to Viṣṇu. She who is the root-prakriti, the very source of creation, whose son is the lord of the ganas—by his own portion, the Blessed Krishna became the lord of the ganas. After offering curd-rice as food, one should also give gold to him. The reciter should be pleased with gifts of garments, ornaments, and jewels, O sage. The sacred book itself should be worshipped in this way, with devotion and faith. By such grace, sons, grandsons, and fame increase; one attains servitude to Krishna and unwavering devotion to him. Thus ends, in the glorious Brahmavaivarta Mahapurana, in the Prakriti section, in the dialogue between Narada and Narayana, the sixty-seventh chapter known as "The Brahmanda-Mohana Kavaca." Now, with reverence, salutations are offered to Shri Ganesha and the revered Guru. Bowing to Narayana and to the best among men, Narada speaks: "O Lord, I have come to listen to the most excellent and desired section, which increases knowledge for the ignorant. Tell me about Shri Ganesha. How was the best among the gods born in the auspicious womb of Parvati? Of which deity was he a portion, and how did he obtain birth? What was that Brahma-power, and what was his valor? How was his worship performed first among all the worlds? His birth is described as hidden in the Puranas. Tell me all this; I am eager to hear." To this, Shri Narayana replies: "This story removes the distress of sin and destroys all obstacles. It bestows all auspiciousness, is the very essence, and delights the hearts of all who hear it. Born from the radiance of the gods, Ganesha came forth when the gods were afflicted by the demons. The goddess Satī, in former times, was disparaged by her own lord, but later, with joy, the mountain gave his daughter Pārvatī to Śaṅkara. Śiva prepared a bed for pleasure, adorned with flowers and fragrant sandalwood paste. For a thousand divine years, according to the reckoning of the gods, with the mere touch of Durgā’s body, Śiva was overcome with the faintness of love. In a place filled with swans and waterfowl, echoing with the calls of male cuckoos, their divine union took place." Thus is revealed the sacred story and the power of the divine mantra, as spoken by the wise to those who seek truth and devotion.