वातपित्तादि जनितास्तथा च विषमज्वराः
Diseases arising from wind or bile, and also malignant fevers—
वज्रपंजर नामैतत्स्तोत्रं दुर्गाप्रशंसनम्
This hymn, called the Vajra Cage, is the praise of Durga.
अष्टजप्तेन चानेन योभिमंत्र्य जलं पिबेत्
Whoever recites this eight times and then drinks water after consecrating it—
गर्भपीडा तु नो जातु भविष्यत्यभिमंत्रणात्
By such consecration, there will never be any affliction of the womb.
यत्र सान्निध्यमेतस्य स्तवस्येह भविष्यति
Wherever the presence of this hymn exists—
रक्षां परिकरिष्यंति मद्भक्तानां ममाज्ञया 4.2.72.
By my command, protections will be provided to my devotees.
तेपि स्वर्गौकसः सर्वे स्वंस्वं स्वर्गं ययुर्मुदा स्कंद उवाच काश्यां सेव्या यथा सा च तच्छृणुष्व वदामि ते
All of them, dwellers of heaven, joyfully attained their own heavenly abodes. Skanda said: Hear from me how she is to be worshipped in Kashi.
अष्टम्यां च चतुर्दश्यां भौमवारे विशेषतः
Especially on the eighth and fourteenth days, and on Tuesdays.
नवरात्रं प्रयत्नेन प्रत्यहं सा समर्चिता
With devotion, she was worshipped each day for nine nights.
महापूजोपहारैश्च महाबलिनिवेदनैः
With offerings of great worship and presentations of powerful oblations.
प्रतिसंवत्सरं तस्याः कार्या यात्रा प्रयत्नतः
Her procession must be conducted each year with care.
यो न सांवत्सरीं यात्रां दुर्गायाः कुरुते कुधीः
He who, out of ignorance, does not perform the annual procession for Durgā—
दुर्गाकुंडे नरः स्नात्वा सर्वदुर्गार्तिहारिणीम्
A man who bathes in the Durgā pool, which removes all distress—
सा दुर्गाशक्तिभिः सार्धं काशीं रक्षति सर्वतः
That Durgā, together with her powers, protects Kāśī on all sides.
रक्षंति क्षेत्रमेतद्वै तथान्या नवशक्तयः
This field is protected by her, and likewise by the other nine powers.
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
Viśvā, Saubhāgya, and Gaurī were created in the east, other directions, and the center.
तथैव भैरवाश्चाष्टौ दिक्ष्वष्टासु प्रतिष्ठिताः
Likewise, eight Bhairavas are established in the eight directions.
रुरुश्चंडोसितांगश्च कपाली क्रोधनस्तथा
Ruru, Caṇḍa, Uśitāṅga, Kapālī, and Krodhana as well.
चतुःषष्टिस्तु वेताला महाभीषणमूर्तयः
There are sixty-four Vetālas, with terrifying forms.
श्ववाहना रक्तमुखा महादंष्ट्रा महाभुजाः
They ride dogs, have red mouths, 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, flaming eyes, and a wolf's belly.
ज्वलत्केशः कंबुशिराः खर्वग्रीवो महाहनुः
With blazing hair, a conch-shaped head, a short neck, and a great jaw.
इत्यादयो मुने क्षेत्रं दुर्वृत्तरुधिरप्रियाः 4.2.72.
Thus, O sage, these beings—fond of wicked acts and blood—inhabit the field.
तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन काशीभक्तिपरैर्नरैः ।। 4.2.72.
Therefore, with all effort, by those devoted to Kāśī,
काश्यां यस्यास्ति वै प्रेम तेन कृत्वाऽऽदरं गुरुम्
Whoever has true love for Kāśī, let him approach his guru with reverence.
अगस्त्य उवाच जगदंबिकयायुक्तः किं चकाराशु तद्वद
Agastya said: United with Jagadambikā, what did he do then? Tell me that.
विरजःसंज्ञकं पीठं यत्प्रोक्तं सर्वसिद्धिदम्
The seat called Viraja, which is said to grant all accomplishments—