वर्त्यतरं यदा कुर्यात्कार्यं सिद्ध्येद्विलंबतः
If the wick is made too thick, the task will be accomplished only with delay.
अशुचिस्पर्शने व्याधिर्दीपनाशे तु चौरभीः
If touched by something impure, there will be disease; if the lamp is extinguished, there will be fear of thieves.
पात्रारंभे वसुपलैः कृतो दीपो ऽखिलेष्टदः
A lamp made at the beginning in a vessel of gold or silver grants all that is desired.
आसमाप्तेः प्रकुर्वीत ब्रह्मचर्यं च भूशयः
Until the completion, one should observe celibacy and sleep on the ground.
जपेत्सहस्रं प्रत्येकं मन्त्रराजं नवाक्षरम्
One should recite the king of mantras, the nine-syllabled one, a thousand times for each lamp.
एकपादेन दीपाग्रे स्थित्वा यो मन्त्रनायकम्
Standing on one foot before the lamp, whoever recites the chief mantra—
समाप्य शोभनदिने संभोज्य द्विजसत्तमान्
Having completed it on an auspicious day, one should feed the best of twice-born men.
कर्ता तु दक्षिणां दद्यात्पुष्कलां तोषहेतवे
The performer should give abundant gifts as a means of satisfaction.
गुर्वाज्ञया स्वयं कुर्याद्यदि वा कारये द्गुरुः
One should do it by the guru’s command, or the guru may have it done by another.
गुर्वाज्ञामन्तरा कुर्याद्यो दीपं स्वेष्टसिद्धये
Whoever makes the lamp for the fulfillment of their wishes without the guru’s command—
उत्तमं गोघृतं प्रोक्तं मध्यमं महषीभवम्
The best is said to be cow’s ghee; the middle is that which comes from a buffalo.
आस्यरोगे सुगन्धेन दद्यात्तैलेन दीपकम्
For a disease of the mouth, one should offer a lamp with fragrant oil.
सहस्रेण पलैर्दीपे विहिते च न दृश्यते
Even when a lamp with a thousand measures of oil is lit, it is not seen.
तदा सुदुर्लभमपि कार्य्यं सिद्ध्व्येन्न संशयः
Then, even a most difficult task is accomplished without doubt.
स्तुतिप्रोयो महाविष्णुर्गणेश स्तपर्णप्रियः
The great Viṣṇu, Gaṇeśa, and Taparṇa are fond of praise.
तस्मात्तेषां प्रतोषाय विदध्यात्तत्तदादरात्
Therefore, to please them, one should perform those acts with devotion.
त्वया मह्यं समाख्यातं विधानं तन्त्रगोपितम्
You have explained to me the procedure, concealed within the tantra.
कवचे श्रोतुमिच्छामि तद्वदस्वकृपानिधे
I wish to hear about the armor—please tell it, O ocean of compassion.
कार्तवीर्यस्य येनासौ प्रसन्नः कार्यसिद्धिकृत्
By which Kārtavīrya was made pleased and accomplished his aims.
भास्वद्ध्वजपताकाढ्ये तुरगायुतभूषिते
Adorned with shining banners and flags, and decorated with ten thousand horses.
समुद्धृतमहाछत्त्रवितानितवियत्पथे
With a great white umbrella raised, shading the path of the sky.
सुस्थितं विपुलोदारं सहस्रभुजमण्डितम्
Firmly established, vast and noble, adorned with a thousand arms.
किरीटहारमुकुटकेयूरवलयाङ्गदैः
Adorned with crowns, necklaces, diadems, armlets, bracelets, and bangles.
भूषितं विविधाकल्पैर्भास्वरैः सुमहाधनैः
Decorated with various splendid and immensely valuable ornaments.
धनुर्ज्या सिंहनादेन कंपयन्तं जगत्त्रयम्
Shaking the three worlds with the lion's roar of his bowstring.
सर्वसंपत्प्रदातारं विजयश्रीनिषेवितम्
Bestower of all prosperity, attended by the goddess of victory.
दिव्यमाल्यानुलेपाढ्यं सर्वलक्षणसंयुतम्
Endowed with divine garlands and ointments, possessing all auspicious marks.
वरदं चक्रवर्तीनं सर्वलोकैकपालकम्
The granter of boons, the universal emperor, the sole protector of all worlds.
महायोगभवैश्वर्यकीर्त्याक्रान्तजगत्त्रयम्
Who has conquered the three worlds by the glory of his great yogic power and fame.
सम्यगात्मादिभेदेन ध्यात्वा रक्षामुदीरयेत्
Having meditated properly on him in the forms of self and others, one should recite the protection.