दुर्गा कवच — Word-by-Word Meaning

Om. Of this Shri Chandi Kavach, the sage is Brahma. The meter is Anushtup. The deity is Chamunda. The seed is the Matrikas mentioned in the Anganyasa. The essence is the deities of the directional bonds. The application is for the recitation as part of the Saptashati, for the pleasure of Shri Jagadamba. Om, salutations to Chandika. Markandeya said: What is the supreme secret in this world that protects all human beings, that has never been revealed to anyone — please tell me, O Grandfather (Brahma). Brahma said: There exists, O sage, a most secret and sacred kavach of the Devi that benefits all beings. Listen to it, O great sage. The first is Shailaputri, the second Brahmacharini. The third is Chandraghanta, the fourth Kushmanda. The fifth is Skandamata, the sixth Katyayani. The seventh is Kalaratri, the eighth Mahagauri. The ninth is Siddhidatri — these are proclaimed as the nine Durgas. These names were spoken by the great-souled Brahma himself. Protect us with your trident, O Devi! Protect us with your sword, O Ambika! Protect us with the sound of your bell, and with the twang of your bowstring! In the East may Aindri protect me, in the South-east the Fire Goddess. In the South may Varahi protect me, in the South-west the Sword-bearer. In the West may Varuni protect me, in the North-west the Deer-rider. In the North may Kaumari protect me, in the North-east the Trident-bearer. Above may Brahmani protect me, below may Vaishnavi protect me. Thus may Chamunda, who rides upon a corpse, protect all ten directions. May Jaya protect me from the front, may Vijaya protect me from behind. May Ajita protect my left side, and Aparajita my right. May Udyotini protect the crown of my head. May Uma, stationed at the top, protect my head. May Maladhari protect my forehead, and Yashaswini my eyebrows. May Trinetra (the three-eyed one) protect the space between my brows. May Yamaghanta protect my nose. May Shankhini protect the space between my eyes, and Dvaravasini my ears. May Kalika protect my cheeks, and Shankari the base of my ears. May Sugandha protect my nostrils, and Charchika my upper lip. May Amritakala protect my lower lip, and Saraswati my tongue. May Kaumari protect my teeth, and Chandika the region of my throat. May Chitraghanta protect my voice-box, and Mahamaya my palate. May Kamakshi protect my chin, and Sarvamangala protect my speech.