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.
विश्वा सौभाग्यगौरी च सृष्टाः प्राच्यादिमध्यतः
Vishva, Saubhagya, and Gauri were created from the east, the middle, and the other directions.
तथैव भैरवाश्चाष्टौ दिक्ष्वष्टासु प्रतिष्ठिताः
Similarly, eight Bhairavas are established in the eight directions.
रुरुश्चंडोसितांगश्च कपाली क्रोधनस्तथा
Ruru, Chanda, Asitanga, Kapali, and Krodhana are among them.
चतुःषष्टिस्तु वेताला महाभीषणमूर्तयः
There are sixty-four Vetalas, all with terrifying forms.
श्ववाहना रक्तमुखा महादंष्ट्रा महाभुजाः
They ride dogs, have red faces, great fangs, and mighty arms.
नानारूपधराः सर्वे नानाशस्त्रास्त्र पाणयः
All take on various forms, holding diverse weapons and missiles in their hands.
विद्युज्जिह्वो ललज्जिह्वः क्रूरास्यः क्रूरलोचनः
With lightning tongues, quivering tongues, fierce mouths, and cruel eyes.
जंभको जृंभणमुखो ज्वालानेत्रो वृकोदरः
Jambhaka, with a yawning mouth, blazing eyes, and wolf-like belly.
ज्वलत्केशः कंबुशिराः खर्वग्रीवो महाहनुः
With flaming hair, a conch-shaped head, a short neck, and a massive jaw.
इत्यादयो मुने क्षेत्रं दुर्वृत्तरुधिरप्रियाः 4.2.72.
Such beings, O sage, inhabit this field, fond of the blood of the wicked.