Who but you, O Goddess, can cast the entire world into the darkness of delusion, even where knowledge shines, where the scriptures are studied, where lamps of discernment glow, and where the highest truths are spoken? With but a glance, you draw all beings into the depths of possessiveness and illusion. Yet, wherever dangers arise—where demons roam, where serpents with deadly venom lurk, where enemies threaten, robbers gather, forest fires rage, or the vast ocean churns—you are there, steadfastly protecting the world. O Lady of the Universe, you are its guardian and its very soul. Those who bow before you with devotion become a refuge for the world itself, and even the Lord of the universe offers you worship. We implore you, O compassionate Goddess, to continue protecting us without fear, just as you did by vanquishing the demons. May you swiftly bring to rest the sins of all beings and remove the great calamities born of ripened misfortune. Be gracious, O remover of all distress! Grant your blessings to those who bow before you. Praised by the dwellers of the three worlds, may you bestow boons upon all beings. Hearing these prayers, the Goddess spoke: “I am the granter of boons, O assembly of gods. Whatever boon you desire in your hearts, ask for it, and I shall grant it for the welfare of the worlds.” The gods replied, “O Sovereign of all the worlds, just as you have done, please continue to remove all afflictions and destroy our enemies.” Then the Goddess revealed her promise: “When the period of Vaivasvata Manu arrives, in the twenty-eighth yuga, two great asuras named Shumbha and Nishumbha will arise. At that time, I will be born in the house of Nanda the cowherd, emerging from the womb of Yashoda. Dwelling on Mount Vindhya, I will destroy those two demons. Again, when I descend to earth in a fierce form, I will slay the Vaipracitta danavas, and my teeth, stained red from devouring them, will resemble pomegranate blossoms. Then, gods and humans alike will praise me as Raktadantika. “Once more, when a drought endures for a hundred years and water vanishes, I shall be born—praised by the sages—not from a womb, but manifesting myself. With a hundred eyes, I will look upon those sages, and people will call me Shatakshi, the Hundred-Eyed. After that, I shall sustain the entire world with vegetables grown from my own body, providing life-giving food in the time of famine. Then I will be known as Shakambhari, and there I shall slay the great demon Durgama, earning the renowned name Durga Devi. “Again, when I take a terrifying form on the Himalayas, I will devour the rakshasas to protect the virtuous. The sages will bow their heads and praise me, and I will become famous as Bhima Devi. When the demon Aruna brings great distress to the three worlds, I will assume the form of a swarm of countless bees and, for the welfare of all, will slay him. At that time, all will praise me as Bhramari. “Thus, whenever affliction arises from demons, I will descend and bring about the destruction of the enemies.” The Goddess then continued, “Whoever, with focused mind, praises me daily with these hymns, I will surely destroy all his troubles, without doubt. Those who recount my victories over Madhu and Kaitabha, the slaying of Mahishasura, and the defeat of Shumbha and Nishumbha; those who, with single-minded devotion, praise my supreme glory on the eighth, fourteenth, or ninth day—no evil deed or misfortune will touch them. They will not suffer poverty or separation from what they desire. They will have no fear from enemies, thieves, or rulers, nor from weapons, fire, or floods. “Therefore, my glory should be recited by my devotees and heard with devotion, for it is the highest and greatest means of well-being. My glory dispels all obstacles, even those arising from great epidemics and the threefold calamities. Wherever this is recited daily in my temple, I will never abandon that place; my presence is established there. “At the offering of oblations, during worship, at fire rituals, and at great festivals, my entire story should be recited and heard. Whether knowingly or unknowingly, if offerings and worship have been performed for me, I shall accept them with delight, as well as any fire oblations that have been made. “During autumn, when the great worship or annual festival is performed, whoever listens to this account of my greatness with devotion will, by my grace, be freed from all afflictions and endowed with wealth and grain—there is no doubt. Hearing the stories of my origins and my valor in battle, a person becomes fearless. Enemies are destroyed, auspiciousness arises, and the family of those who listen to my greatness rejoices. “In all rites for peace, in the case of distressing dreams, and in severe afflictions caused by planets, one should listen to my greatness. Afflictions subside, the harsh influences of planets are calmed, and those who have seen bad dreams will have good dreams instead. For children afflicted by malevolent influences, it brings peace; and in cases of discord, it brings supreme harmony. For all those of wicked conduct, it greatly diminishes their power, and by merely reciting it, demons, spirits, and ghouls are destroyed. “With offerings of animals, flowers, precious substances, incense, the finest perfumes and lamps, with meals for Brahmins and vessels of gold, day and night one should perform sprinkling rites in my honor.” Thus spoke the Goddess, assuring protection, blessings, and liberation to all who honor her with devotion, remembrance, and praise.