The Armor of the Goddess

Now begins the armor of the Goddess.

Om, of this sacred armor of Chandika.

The seer is Brahma, the meter is Anushtup, the deity is Chamunda. The mothers mentioned in the limb-nyasa are the seed. The deities of the directional binding are the essence. This is used in the chanting as part of the recitation of the Saptashati for the pleasure of the Divine Mother of the universe.

Om, salutations to Chandika.

Markandeya said: O Grandsire, that which is the supreme secret in the world, the protector of all people, which has not been told to anyone—tell that to me.

Brahma said: O wise one, there exists a most secret armor of the Goddess, beneficial to all beings and holy. Listen to it, O great sage.

The first is Shailaputri, the second is Brahmacharini, the third is Chandraghanta, and the fourth is Kushmanda.

The fifth is Skandamata, the sixth is Katyayani, the seventh is Kalaratri, and the eighth is Mahagauri.

The ninth is Siddhidatri—these are declared as the nine Durgas. These names have been spoken by the great-souled Brahma himself.

Those who are being burned by fire, who have gone into the midst of enemies in battle, who are in difficult or impassable places, and who are afflicted with fear—they take refuge in You.

For them, no inauspiciousness arises in the dangers of battle. I see no calamity, grief, suffering, or fear for that person.

Indeed, for those who remember You with devotion, prosperity arises. O Goddess of the gods, You protect those who remember You—there is no doubt.

Chamunda stands on a corpse, Varahi rides on a buffalo, Indrani is seated on an elephant, and Vaishnavi is seated on Garuda.

Maheshwari rides a bull, Kaumari rides a peacock, Lakshmi, the goddess seated on a lotus with lotus in hand, is dear to Vishnu.

The goddess Ishwari, with a white form, rides a bull. Brahmi is seated on a swan, adorned with all ornaments.

Thus all these Mothers are endowed with all yogic powers, radiant with various ornaments, and beautified by diverse jewels.

They are seen mounted on chariots, the goddesses filled with wrath. They bear the conch, discus, mace, spear, plow, and musala weapon.

Also the shield, lance, axe, noose, the weapon of the spear, the trident, and the excellent bow.

For the destruction of the bodies of demons, for the safety of devotees, and for the welfare of the gods, they thus wield these weapons.

Salutations to You, O greatly fierce one, of terrible and awesome prowess, of great strength, of great energy, destroyer of great fear.

Protect me, O Goddess, hard to behold, who increases the fear of enemies. May Indrani protect me in the east, and the fire deity in the southeast.

May Varahi protect me in the south, and the sword-bearing one in the southwest. May Varuni protect me in the west, and the deer-mounted one in the northwest.

May Kaumari protect me in the north, and the trident-bearing one in the northeast. May Brahmani protect me above, and Vaishnavi protect me below.

Thus may Chamunda, who rides a corpse, protect the ten directions. May Jaya protect me in front, and Vijaya protect me from behind.

May Ajita protect me on the left side, and Aparajita on the right. May Udyotini protect my crown, and Uma, who abides on my head.

May Maladhari protect my forehead, and Yashasvini protect my eyebrows. May Trinetra protect the space between my eyebrows, and Yamaghanta protect my nose.

May Shankhini protect the space between my eyes, and Dvaravasini protect my ears. May Kalika protect my cheeks, and Shankari protect the roots of my ears.

May Sugandha protect my nose, and Charchika protect my upper lip. May Amritakala protect my lower lip, and Sarasvati protect my tongue.

May Kaumari protect my teeth, and Chandika protect my throat. May Chitraghanta protect my uvula, and Mahamaya protect my palate.

May Kamakshi protect my chin, and Sarvamangala protect my speech. May Bhadrakali protect my neck, and Dhanurdhari protect my spine.

May Nilagriva protect the outside of my throat, and Nalakubari protect my throat-pipe. May Khadgini protect my shoulders, and Vajradharini protect my arms.

May Dandini protect my hands, and Ambika protect my fingers. May Shuleshvari protect my nails, and Kuleshvari protect my abdomen.

May Mahadevi protect my breasts, the destroyer of mental grief. May Lalita Devi protect my heart, and Shuladharini protect my stomach.

May Kamini protect my navel, and Guhyeshvari protect my private parts. May Putana and Kamika protect my penis, and Mahishavahini protect my anus.

May Bhagavati protect my hips, and Vindhyavasini protect my knees. May Mahabala protect my calves, the bestower of all desires.

May Narasimhi protect my ankles, and Taijasi protect the tops of my feet. May Shri protect my toes, and Padatalavasini protect the soles of my feet.

May Damshtrakarali protect my nails, and Urdhvakeshini protect my hair. May Kauberi protect my pores, and Vagishvari protect my skin.

May Parvati protect my blood, marrow, fat, flesh, bones, and marrow. May Kalaratri protect my intestines, and Mukuteshvari protect my bile.

May Padmavati protect the lotus of my heart, and Chudamani protect my phlegm. May Jvalamukhi protect the flames of my nails, and Abhedya protect all my joints.

May Brahmani protect my semen, and Chatreshvari protect my shadow. May Dharmadharini protect my ego, mind, and intellect.

May Vajrahasta protect my prana, apana, vyana, udana, and samana vital airs, and may Kalyanshobhana protect my life-breath.

May the Yogini protect me in taste, form, smell, sound, and touch. May Narayani always protect my sattva, rajas, and tamas qualities.

May Varahi protect my lifespan, and Vaishnavi protect my righteousness. May Chakrini protect my fame, renown, prosperity, wealth, and knowledge.

May Indrani protect my lineage, and Chandika protect my cattle. May Mahalakshmi protect my sons, and Bhairavi protect my wife.

May Supatha protect my path, and Kshemakari protect my way. May Mahalakshmi protect me at the king's gate, and Vijaya is present everywhere.

O Goddess Jayanti, destroyer of sin, protect for me all those places that are lacking protection and are devoid of this armor.

One should not take even a single step if one desires one's own welfare. One who is always covered by this armor, wherever he goes—

There, there he gains wealth and victory fulfilling all desires. Whatever desire he thinks of, that he certainly attains. That man will obtain incomparable supreme sovereignty on earth.

The mortal becomes fearless, unconquered in battles. A man covered by this armor becomes worshipable in the three worlds.

This armor of the Goddess is difficult even for the gods to obtain. One who recites it with devotion, regularly at the three junctions of the day, with faith—

He becomes possessed of a divine power, unconquered in the three worlds. He lives for a full hundred years, free from untimely death.

All diseases such as leprosy, boils, and the like vanish. Also all poisons—whether stationary, moving, or artificial.

All black magic spells, mantras, and yantras on earth—those that move on land, in the sky, in water, and those taught by teachers—

Natural and hereditary garlands, Dakinis, Shakinis, terrible sky-roaming Dakinis of great strength—

Planets, ghosts, goblins, Yakshas, Gandharvas, Rakshasas, Brahma-Rakshasas, Vetala, Kushmanda, Bhairava, and others—

They all vanish upon the sight of that person in whose heart this armor resides. His honor and elevation increase, and it is supremely enhancing of royal splendor.

He also grows in fame, adorned with glory on the earth. One should recite the Saptashati of Chandika after first donning this armor.

As long as the earth with its mountains, forests, and groves endures, so long will his lineage of sons and grandsons continue on earth.

At the end of his life, he attains the supreme state, which is difficult even for the gods to reach, through the grace of Mahamaya.

He attains the supreme form and rejoices with Shiva. Om.