अव्यात्सदा दरदरीं जगदीश्वरी नो नाभिं नभोगतिरजात्वथ पृष्ठदेशम्
May the sovereign of the universe always protect our hearts, may the sky-goer shield our navel, and may she guard our back as well.
ऊरुद्वयं च विपुला ललिता च जानू जंघे जवाऽवतु कठोरतरात्र गुल्फौ
May the broad Lalitā protect both our thighs, may she guard our knees, and may the swift and firm goddess shield our shanks and ankles.
गृहं रक्षतु नो लक्ष्मीः क्षेत्रं क्षेमकरी सदा
May Lakṣmī protect our home, and the bringer of welfare always guard our fields.
यशः पातु महादेवी धर्मं पातु धनुर्धरी
May the great goddess protect our fame, and the bearer of the bow guard our righteousness.
रणे राजकुले द्यूते संग्रामे शत्रुसंकटे
In battle, in the royal court, in gambling, in conflict, and in the distress of enemies—
इति स्तुत्वा जगद्धात्रीं प्रणेमुश्च पुनःपुनः
Thus, having praised the Mother of the Universe, they bowed to her again and again.
ततस्तुष्टा जगन्माता तानाह सुरसत्तमान्
Then, the Mother of the Universe, being pleased, spoke to those best of gods.
तुष्टाहमनया स्तुत्या नितरां तु यथार्थया
I am truly pleased by this praise, which is exceedingly appropriate and truthful.
तस्याहं नाशयिष्यामि विपदं च पदे पदे
I will destroy his misfortune at every step.
एतत्स्तोत्रस्य कवचं परिधास्यति यो नरः 4.2.72.
Whoever wears the armor of this hymn, O man,
अद्यप्रभृति मे नाम दुर्गेति ख्यातिमेष्यति
From today onward, my name will become renowned as Durga.
ये मां दुर्गां शरणगा न तेषां दुर्गतिः क्वचित्
Those who seek refuge in me, Durga, will never meet with misfortune anywhere.
अनया कवचं कृत्वा मा बिभेतु यमादपि
Having fashioned this armor, let him not fear even Yama.
झोटिंगा राक्षसाः क्रूरा विष सर्पाग्नि दस्यवः
Cruel demons called Jhoṭiṃgā, poison, serpents, fire, and thieves—
वातपित्तादि जनितास्तथा च विषमज्वराः
Diseases arising from wind, bile, and others, as well as dangerous fevers—
वज्रपंजर नामैतत्स्तोत्रं दुर्गाप्रशंसनम्
This hymn, praising Durga, is called the 'Thunderbolt Cage.'
अष्टजप्तेन चानेन योभिमंत्र्य जलं पिबेत्
Whoever recites this eight times and drinks water after enchanting it,
गर्भपीडा तु नो जातु भविष्यत्यभिमंत्रणात्
No affliction of pregnancy will ever occur from such enchantment.
यत्र सान्निध्यमेतस्य स्तवस्येह भविष्यति
Wherever the presence of this hymn exists here,
रक्षां परिकरिष्यंति मद्भक्तानां ममाज्ञया 4.2.72.
By my command, protection will be given to my devotees.
तेपि स्वर्गौकसः सर्वे स्वंस्वं स्वर्गं ययुर्मुदा स्कंद उवाच काश्यां सेव्या यथा सा च तच्छृणुष्व वदामि ते
All of them joyfully attained their own heaven. Skanda spoke: Hear how she is to be worshipped in Kashi; I will tell you.
अष्टम्यां च चतुर्दश्यां भौमवारे विशेषतः
Especially on the eighth and fourteenth days, and on Tuesdays,
नवरात्रं प्रयत्नेन प्रत्यहं सा समर्चिता
During Navaratri, she is to be worshipped daily with effort.
महापूजोपहारैश्च महाबलिनिवेदनैः
With offerings for great worship and presentations to the mighty,
प्रतिसंवत्सरं तस्याः कार्या यात्रा प्रयत्नतः
Every year, her festival must be performed with diligence.
यो न सांवत्सरीं यात्रां दुर्गायाः कुरुते कुधीः
He who, with a misguided mind, does not perform Durga’s annual festival—
दुर्गाकुंडे नरः स्नात्वा सर्वदुर्गार्तिहारिणीम्
A man who bathes in the Durga pool is freed from all hardships by the remover of every distress.
सा दुर्गाशक्तिभिः सार्धं काशीं रक्षति सर्वतः
That goddess Durga, together with her powers, protects Kashi on all sides.
रक्षंति क्षेत्रमेतद्वै तथान्या नवशक्तयः
Likewise, nine other Shaktis also guard this field.
शतनेत्रा सहस्रास्या तथायुतभुजापरा 4.2.72.
One has a hundred eyes, another a thousand faces, and yet another ten thousand arms.