Śrīmad Devī Bhāgavatam - SRIMAD DEVI BHAGAVATAM

Ch 4 Verse 1-3 Verse

Sanskrit Text

९.४ चतुर्थोऽध्यायः । सरस्वतीस्तोत्रपूजाकवचादिवर्णनम् । नारद उवाच । श्रुतं सर्वं मया पूर्वं त्वत्प्रसादात्सुधोपमम् । अधुना प्रकृतीनां च व्यस्तं वर्णय पूजनम् ॥ १ ॥ कस्याः पूजा कृता केन कथं मर्त्ये प्रचारिता । केन वा पूजिता का वा केन का वा स्तुता प्रभो ॥ २ ॥ तासां स्तोत्रं च ध्यानं च प्रभावं चरितं शुभम् । काभिः केभ्यो वरो दत्तस्तन्मे व्याख्यातुमर्हसि ॥ ३ ॥

English Translation

Nārada said :-- By your Grace I have heard everything very sweet like nectar, of the origin of things. Now may I ask you which Devī of these five Prakritis has been worshipped by what Mantra? and by whom? How has each of them been praised? and by whom? How has the worship of their Mūrtis (form) become prevalent in this world? What are the Stotram (hymn of praise), the Dhyān (meditation) glory and life of these? Also what sort of boon do each of the Devīs grant? and to whom? Kindly describe all these in detail.

Ch 4 Verse 4-5 Verse

Sanskrit Text

श्रीनारायण उवाच । गणेशजननी दुर्गा राधा लक्ष्मीः सरस्वती । सावित्री च सृष्टिविधौ प्रकृतिः पञ्चधा स्मृता ॥ ४ ॥ आसां पूजा प्रसिद्धा च प्रभावः परमाद्भुतः । सुधोपमं च चरितं सर्वमङ्गलकारणम् ॥ ५ ॥

English Translation

Nārāyaṇa said :-- O Child! Durgā, the mother of Gaṇeśa, Rādhā, Lakṣmī, Sarasvatī and Sāvitrī, these are the five Prakritis sprung directly from Mūla Prakriti. The methods of their worship, wonderful glorious acts, excellent stotrams, and their lives, iñculcating good to all, and sweet like nectar are all widely written in the Vedas, Purāṇas, Tantras and other Śāstras. So there is no need to describe them here again.

Ch 4 Verse 6-7 Verse

Sanskrit Text

प्रकृत्यंशाः कला याश्च तासां च चरितं शुभम् । सर्वं वक्ष्यामि ते ब्रह्मन् सावधानो निशामय ॥ ६ ॥ काली वसुन्धरा गङ्गा षष्ठी मङ्गलचण्डिका । तुलसी मनसा निद्रा स्वधा स्वाहा च दक्षिणा ॥ ७ ॥

English Translation

Now I am describing in detail the auspicious character of these that are sprung from the parts and Kalās of the Prakriti. Hear attentively. Kālī, Vasundharā, Gaṅgā, Ṣaṣṭhī, Mangal Caṇḍikā, Tulasī, Manasā, Nidrā, Svadhā, Svāhā, and Dakṣiṇā, these are the parts of Prakriti.

Ch 4 Verse 8 Verse

Sanskrit Text

सङ्क्षिप्तमासां चरितं पुण्यदं श्रुतिसुन्दरम् । जीवकर्मविपाकं च तच्च वक्ष्यामि सुन्दरम् ॥ ८ ॥

English Translation

By and by I will describe, briefly, the merit-giving characters and pleasant to hear. Along with these I will describe the Karmas of the Jīvas, and the great exalted lives of Durgā and Rādhā. I am now describing Sarasvatī’s character.

Ch 4 Verse 9-10 Verse

Sanskrit Text

दुर्गायाश्चैव राधाया विस्तीर्णं चरितं महत् । तद्वत्पश्चात्प्रवक्ष्यामि सङ्क्षेपक्रमतः शृणु ॥ ९ ॥ आदौ सरस्वतीपूजा श्रीकृष्णेन विनिर्मिता । यत्प्रसादान्मुनिश्रेष्ठ मूर्खो भवति पण्डितः ॥ १० ॥

English Translation

Hear, O Muni! Śrī Kṛṣṇa introduced first in this Bhārata, the worship of the Devī Sarasvatī, the holder of Vīṇā in Her hands, under whose influence, the hearts of illiterate stupid persons become illumined with knowledge.

Ch 4 Verse 11-12 Verse

Sanskrit Text

आविर्भूता यथा देवी वक्त्रतः कृष्णयोषितः । इयेष कृष्णं कामेन कामुकी कामरूपिणी ॥ ११ ॥ स च विज्ञाय तद्भावं सर्वज्ञः सर्वमातरम् । तामुवाच हितं सत्यं परिणामे सुखावहम् ॥ १२ ॥

English Translation

The amorous Devī Sarasvatī sprang from the end of the lips of Rādhā and so she desired to marry Kṛṣṇa out of amorous feelings. Śri Kṛṣṇa, the controller of the hearts of all, knew it instantly and addressed the Mother of the people in true words proper to Her and beneficial to Her in the end.

Ch 4 Verse 13-14 Verse

Sanskrit Text

श्रीकृष्ण उवाच । भज नारायणं साध्वि मदंशं च चतुर्भुजम् । युवानं सुन्दरं सर्वगुणयुक्तं च मत्समम् ॥ १३ ॥ कामज्ञं कामिनीनां च तासां च कामपूरकम् । कोटिकन्दर्पलावण्यं लीलालङ्कतमीश्वरम् ॥ १४ ॥

English Translation

O Chaste One! The four-armed Nārāyaṇa is born from My parts; He is young, of good features and endowed with all qualifications; so much so, he is like Me. He is a Knower of amorous sentiments of women and He fulfils those desires; what to speak of His beauty, ten millions of the God of love are playing in His body.

Ch 4 Verse 15-16 Verse

Sanskrit Text

कान्ते कान्तं च मां कृत्वा यदि स्थातुमिहेच्छसि । त्वत्तो बलवती राधा न भद्रं ते भविष्यति ॥ १५ ॥ यो यस्माद् बलवान्वापि ततोऽन्यं रक्षितुं क्षमः । कथं परान्साधयति यदि स्वयमनीश्वरः ॥ १६ ॥

English Translation

O Beloved! And if you desire to marry and remain with Me, that will not be of any good to you. For Rādhā is near to Me; She is more powerful than you. If a man be stronger than another, he can rescue one who takes his shelter; but if he be weaker, how can he then, himself weak, protect his dependant from others.

Ch 4 Verse 17-18 Verse

Sanskrit Text

सर्वेशः सर्वशास्ताहं राधां बाधितुमक्षमः । तेजसा मत्समा सा च रूपेण च गुणेन च ॥ १७ ॥ प्राणाधिष्ठातृदेवी सा प्राणांस्त्यक्तुं च कः क्षमः । प्राणतोऽपि प्रियः पुत्रः केषां वास्ति च कश्चन ॥ १८ ॥

English Translation

Though I am the Lord of all, and rule all, yet I cannot control Rādhā. For She is equal to me in power, in beauty, in qualifications, equal to Me in every respect. Again it is impossible for Me to quit Rādhā for She is the presiding Deity of My life. Who can relinquish life? Though a son is very dear to his father, still it may be questioned, is he dearer than his father’s life?

Ch 4 Verse 19-20 Verse

Sanskrit Text

त्वं भद्रे गच्छ वैकुण्ठं तव भद्रं भविष्यति । पतिं तमीश्वरं कृत्वा मोदस्व सुचिरं सुखम् ॥ १९ ॥ लोभमोहकामक्रोधमानहिंसाविवर्जिता । तेजसा त्वत्समा लक्ष्मी रूपेण च गुणेन च ॥ २० ॥

English Translation

So, O Auspicious One! Go to the abode Vaikuṇṭha; you will get your desires fulfilled there. You will get for your husband the Lord of Vaikuṇṭha and you will live ever in peace and enjoy happiness. Though Lakṣmī is residing there yet like you she is not under the control of lust, anger, greed, delusion and vanity.

Ch 4 Verse 21-22 Verse

Sanskrit Text

तया सार्धं तव प्रीत्या शश्वत्कालः प्रयास्यति । गौरवं च हरिस्तुल्यं करिष्यति द्वयोरपि ॥ २१ ॥ प्रतिविश्वेषु तां पूजां महतीं गौरवान्विताम् । माघस्य शुक्लपञ्चम्यां विद्यारम्भे च सुन्दरि ॥ २२ ॥

English Translation

She is also equal to you in beauty, qualities, and power. So you will live with her in great delight and Hari, the Lord of Vaikuṇṭha, will treat both of you equally. Moreover, I say this in particular that in every universe, on the fifth day of the bright fortnight of the month of Māgha, every year, the day when the learning is commenced, a great festival will be held and men, Manus, Devas, and the Munis desirous of liberation,

Ch 4 Verse 23-24 Verse

Sanskrit Text

मानवा मनवो देवा मुनीन्द्राश्च मुमुक्षवः । वसवो योगिनः सिद्धा नागा गन्धर्वराक्षसाः ॥ २३ ॥ मद्वरेण करिष्यन्ति कल्पे कल्पे लयावधि । भक्तियुक्ताश्च दत्त्वा वै चोपचाराणि षोडश ॥ २४ ॥

English Translation

Vasus, Yogis, Nāgas, Siddhas, Gandarbhas, Rākṣasas, all will perform your worship with devotion in every Kalpa till the time of Mahā Pralaya comes. All are required to be Jitendriya (having their senses under control) and Samyamī (concentrating his mind, and with a religious vow) and they will invoke Thee on a jar or on books and then meditate according to what is stated in the Kaṇva Śākhā of Yajurveda and then worship and sing hymns to Thee.

Ch 4 Verse 25-26 Verse

Sanskrit Text

कण्वशाखोक्तविधिना ध्यानेन स्तवनेन च । जितेन्द्रियाः संयताश्च घटे च पुस्तकेऽपि च ॥ २५ ॥ कृत्वा सुवर्णगुटिकां गन्धचन्दनचर्चिताम् । कवचं ते ग्रहीष्यन्ति कण्ठे वा दक्षिणे भुजे ॥ २६ ॥

English Translation

Thy Kavaca (an armour; a mystical syllable ** considered as a preservative like armour) is written on the bark of the Bhūrja tree and then with eight kinds of scents mingled with it is placed within a golden nut or ring named Māduli and then held on the neck or on the right arm.

Ch 4 Verse 27-29 Verse

Sanskrit Text

पठिष्यन्ति च विद्वांसः पूजाकाले च पूजिते । इत्युक्त्वा पूजयामास तां देवीं सर्वपूजिताम् ॥ २७ ॥ ततस्तत्पूजनं चकुर्ब्रह्मविष्णुशिवादयः । अनन्तश्चापि धर्मश्च मुनीन्द्राः सनकादयः ॥ २८ ॥ सर्वे देवाश्च मुनयो नृपाश्च मानवादयः । बभूव पूजिता नित्यं सर्वलोकैः सरस्वती ॥ २९ ॥

English Translation

The learned should recite Thy Stotras during worship. Thus saying, the Puraṇ Brahmā Śrī Kṛṣṇa Himself worshipped the Devī Sarasvatī. Since then, Brahmā, Viṣṇu, Maheśa, Ananta Deva, Dharma, Sanaka and other Munīndras, all the Devas, Munis, all the kings and all the human beings are worshipping the Devī Sarasvatī. O Nārada! Thus the worship of the Eternal Devī is made extant in the three worlds.

Ch 4 Verse 30-31 Verse

Sanskrit Text

नारद उवाच । पूजाविधानं कवचं ध्यानं चापि निरन्तरम् । पूजोपयुक्तं नैवेद्यं पुष्पं च चन्दनादिकम् ॥ ३० ॥ वद वेदविदां श्रेष्ठ श्रोतुं कौतूहलं मम । वर्तते हृदये शश्वत्किमिदं श्रुतिसुन्दरम् ॥ ३१ ॥

English Translation

Nārada said :-- O Chief of the Knowers of the Vedas! Now describe to me the methods of worship, Dhyān, Kavacam, hymns, the appropriate offerings of the Pūjā flowers, sandalpaste and other good things necessary in these worships and which are so sweet to hear. I am ever very eager and anxious to hear these.

Ch 4 Verse 32-33 Verse

Sanskrit Text

श्रीनारायण उवाच । शृणु नारद वक्ष्यामि कण्वशाखोक्तपद्धतिम् । जगन्मातुः सरस्वत्याः पूजाविधिसमन्विताम् ॥ ३२ ॥ माघस्य शुक्लपञ्चम्यां विद्यारम्भदिनेऽपि च । पूर्वेऽह्नि समयं कृत्वा तत्राह्नि संयतः शुचिः ॥ ३३ ॥

English Translation

Nārāyaṇa said :-- O Nārada! I am now stating the method of worship of the Devī Sarasvatī, the Mother of the Worlds, according to Kaṇva Śākhā of the Yajurveda. Hear. On the day previous to the fifth day of the bright fortnight of the month of Māgh or the day of commencement of education, the devotee should control his senses, concentrate his mind and take his bath.

Ch 4 Verse 34-35 Verse

Sanskrit Text

स्नात्वा नित्यक्रियाः कृत्वा घटं संस्थाप्य भक्तितः । स्वशाखोक्तविधानेन तान्त्रिकेणाथवा पुनः ॥ ३४ ॥ गणेशं पूर्वमभ्यर्च्य ततोऽभीष्टां प्रपूजयेत् । ध्यानेन वक्ष्यमाणेन ध्यात्वा बाह्यघटे ध्रुवम् ॥ ३५ ॥

English Translation

Then he is to perform his daily duties and install the jar (Ghaṭa) with devotion and according to the Mantras of the Kaṇva Śākhā or the Tantra, as the case may be. He is to worship first on that Ghata (jar) Gaṇapati (Ganeśa), then meditate the Devī Sarasvatī as described below, invoke Her and again read the Dhyān and then worship with Soḍaśopacāra (sixteen good articles offered in the worship).

Ch 4 Verse 36 Verse

Sanskrit Text

ध्यात्वा पुनः षोडषोपचारेण पूजयेद् व्रती । पूजोपयुक्तं नैवेद्यं यच्च वेदनिरूपितम् ॥ ३६ ॥

English Translation

O Good One! Now I am speaking, according to my knowledge, about the offerings as ordained in the Vedas or Tantras.

Ch 4 Verse 37-42 Verse

Sanskrit Text

वक्ष्यामि सौम्य तत्किञ्चिद्यथाधीतं यथागमम् । नवनीतं दधि क्षीरं लाजांश्च तिललड्डुकम् ॥ ३७ ॥ इक्षुमिक्षुरसं शुक्लवर्णं पञ्चगुडं मधु । स्वस्तिकं शर्करां शुक्लधान्यस्याक्षतमक्षतम् ॥ ३८ ॥ अच्छिन्नशुक्लधान्यस्य पृथुकं शुक्लमोदकम् । घृतसैन्धवसंयुक्तं हविष्यान्नं यथोदितम् ॥ ३९ ॥ यवगोधूमचूर्णानां पिष्टकं घृतसंयुतम् । पिष्टकं स्वस्तिकस्यापि पक्वरम्भाफलस्य च ॥ ४० ॥ परमान्नं च सघृतं मिष्टान्नं च सुधोपमम् । नारिकेलं तदुदकं कसेरुं मूलमार्द्रकम् ॥ ४१ ॥ पक्वरम्भाफलं चारु श्रीफलं बदरीफलम् । कालदेशोद्भवं चारु फलं शुक्लं च संस्कतम् ॥ ४२ ॥

English Translation

Hear. Fresh butter, curd, thickened milk, rice freed from the husk by frying, sweetmeats (Til Laddu) prepared of Til, sugar cane, sugarcane juice, nice Guḍ (molasses), honey, svastik, sugar, rice (not broken) out of white Dhān, cipiṭak of table rice (Ālo cāl), white Modak, Harbiṣyānna prepared of boiled rice with clarified butter and salt, Piṣṭaka of jaoā or wheaten flour, Paramānna with ghee, nectar like sweetmeats, cocoanut, cocoanut water, Svastik Piṣṭaka, Svastik and ripe plantain Piṣṭaka, Kaseru (root), Mūlā, ginger, ripe plantains, excellent Bel fruit, the jujube fruit, and other appropriate white purified fruits of the season and peculiar to the place are to be offered in the Poojā.

Ch 4 Verse 43-44 Verse

Sanskrit Text

सुगन्धं शुक्लपुष्पं च सुगन्धं शुक्लचन्दनम् । नवीनं शुक्लवस्त्रं च शङ्खं च सुन्दरं मुने ॥ ४३ ॥ माल्यं च शुक्लपुष्पाणां शुक्लहारं च भूषणम् । यादृशं च श्रुतौ ध्यानं प्रशस्यं श्रुतिसुन्दरम् ॥ ४४ ॥

English Translation

O Nārada! White flowers of good scent, white sandalpaste of good scent, new white clothes, nice conchshell, nice garlands of white flowers, nice white necklaces, and beautiful ornament are to be given to the Devī. I say now the Dhyānam sweet to hear, of the Devī Sarasvatī according to the Vedas, capable to remove errors! Hear.

Ch 4 Verse 45-48 Verse

Sanskrit Text

तन्निबोध महाभाग भ्रमभञ्जनकारणम् । सरस्वतीं शुक्लवर्णां सस्मितां सुमनोहराम् ॥ ४५ ॥ कोटिचन्द्रप्रभामुष्टपुष्टश्रीयुक्तविग्रहाम् । वह्निशुद्धांशुकाधानां वीणापुस्तकधारिणीम् ॥ ४६ ॥ रत्नसारेन्द्रनिर्माणनवभूषणभूषिताम् । सुपूजितां सुरगणैर्ब्रह्मविष्णुशिवादिभिः ॥ ४७ ॥ वन्दे भक्त्या वन्दितां च मुनीन्द्रमनुमानवैः । एवं ध्यात्वा च मूलेन सर्वं दत्त्वा विचक्षणः ॥ ४८ ॥

English Translation

I hereby bow down to the Devī Sarasvatī, of a white colour, of a smiling countenance and exceedingly beautiful, the lustre of whose body overpowers that of the ten millions of Moons, whose garment is purified by fire, in whose hands there are Vīṇā and books, who is decorated with new excellent ornaments of jewels and pearls and whom Brahmā, Viṣṇu, Maheśvara and the other Devas, Munis, Manus and men constantly worship. Thus meditating the Devī, the intelligent persons should offer all articles, after pronouncing the root Mantra.

Ch 4 Verse 49-50 Verse

Sanskrit Text

संस्तूय कवचं धृत्वा प्रणमेद्दण्डवद्भुवि । येषां चेयमिष्टदेवी तेषां नित्यक्रिया मुने ॥ ४९ ॥ विद्यारम्भे च वर्षान्ते सर्वेषां पञ्चमीदिने । सर्वोपयुक्तं मूलं च वैदिकाष्टाक्षरः परः ॥ ५० ॥

English Translation

Then he is to hymn and hold Kavaca and make Sāṣṭāṅga praṇāms before the Devī. O Muni! Those whose Devī Sarasvatī is the presiding Deity, are not to be spoken of at all (i.e., they will naturally do all these things and with a greater fervour). Besides all should worship the Devī Sarasvatī on the day of commencement of education and every year on the Śūkla Pañcamī day of the month of Māgh. The eight-lettered Mantra, as mentioned in the Vedas is the root Mantra of Sarasvatī. (Aim Klīm Sarasvatyai namaḥ).

Ch 4 Verse 51 Verse

Sanskrit Text

येषां येनोपदेशो वा तेषां स मूल एव च । सरस्वती चतुर्थ्यन्तं वह्निजायान्तमेव च ॥ ५१ ॥

English Translation

Or the Mantra to which each worshipper is initiated is his Mūlmantra (not Mantra). Or uttering the Mantra “Śrīm Hrīm Sarasvatyai Svāhā” one is to offer everything to the Devī Sarasvatī. This Mantra is the Kalpa Vrikṣa (i. e., the tree which yields all desires).

Ch 4 Verse 52-55 Verse

Sanskrit Text

लक्ष्मीमायादिकं चैव मन्त्रोऽयं कल्पपादपः । पुरा नारायणश्चेमं वाल्मीकाय कृपानिधिः ॥ ५२ ॥ प्रददौ जाह्नवीतीरे पुण्यक्षेत्रे च भारते । भृगुर्ददौ च शुक्राय पुष्करे सूर्यपर्वणि ॥ ५३ ॥ चन्द्रपर्वणि मारीचो ददौ वाक्पतये मुदा । भृगोश्चैव ददौ तुष्टो ब्रह्मा बदरिकाश्रमे ॥ ५४ ॥ आस्तिकस्य जरत्कारुर्ददौ क्षीरोदसन्निधौ । विभाण्डको ददौ मेरौ ऋष्यशृङ्गाय धीमते ॥ ५५ ॥

English Translation

Nārāyaṇa, the ocean of mercy, gave in ancient times, this very Mantra to Vālmikī in the holy land Bhārata Varṣa on the banks of the Ganges; next Bhrīgu gave this Mantra on the occasion of solar eclipse to Maharṣi Sukrācarya on the Puṣkara Tīrtha; Mārīca gave to Brihaspati on a lunar eclipse; Brahmā gave to Bhrīgu in the Vadarikā Āśrama; Jaratkarā gave to Āstika on the shore of the Kṣiroda ocean; Bibhānḍaka gave this to the intelligent Ṛṣyasriṅga on the Sumeru mountain,

Ch 4 Verse 56-57 Verse

Sanskrit Text

शिवः कणादमुनये गौतमाय ददौ मुदा । सूर्यश्च याज्ञवल्क्याय तथा कात्यायनाय च ॥ ५६ ॥ शेषः पाणिनये चैव भारद्वाजाय धीमते । ददौ शाकटायनाय सुतले बलिसंसदि ॥ ५७ ॥

English Translation

Śiva gave this to Kaṇāda and Gotama, Sūrya gave to Yājñavalkya and Kātyāyana, Ananta Deva gave to Pāṇini, to the intelligent Bhāradvāja and to Śākaṭāyana in Bali’s assembly in the Pātāla.

Ch 4 Verse 58-59 Verse

Sanskrit Text

चतुर्लक्षजपेनैव मन्त्रः सिद्धो भवेन्नृणाम् । यदि स्यान्मन्त्रसिद्धो हि बृहस्पतिसमो भवेत् ॥ ५८ ॥ कवचं शृणु विप्रेन्द्र यद्दत्तं ब्रह्मणा पुरा । विश्वस्रष्टा विश्वजयं भृगवे गन्धमादने ॥ ५९ ॥

English Translation

If this Mantra be repeated four lakhs of times, all men attain success. And when they become Siddhas with this Mantra, they become powerful like Brihaspati. In past times, the Creator Brahmā gave a Kavaca named Viśvajaya to Bhrīgu on the Gandhamādana Mountain. I now speak of that. Hear.

Ch 4 Verse 60-61 Verse

Sanskrit Text

भृगुरुवाच । ब्रह्मन्ब्रह्मविदां श्रेष्ठ ब्रह्मज्ञानविशारद । सर्वज्ञ सर्वजनक सर्वेश सर्वपूजित ॥ ६० ॥ सरस्वत्याश्च कवचं ब्रूहि विश्वजयं प्रभो । अयातयामं मन्त्राणां समूहसंयुतं परम् ॥ ६१ ॥

English Translation

Once on a time Bhrīgu asked Brahmā the Lord of all, and adored by all, thus :-- “O Brahmān! Thou art the foremost of those that know the Vedas; there is none equal to thee in matters regarding the knowledge of the Vedas (so much so that there is nothing that is not known to thee; for all these have sprung from thee). Now say about the Viśvajaya Kavaca of the Devī Sarasvatī, that is excellent, without any faults and embodying in it all the properties of all the Mantras.”

Ch 4 Verse 62-63 Verse

Sanskrit Text

ब्रह्मोवाच । शृणु वत्स प्रवक्ष्यामि कवचं सर्वकामदम् । श्रुतिसारं श्रुतिसुखं श्रुत्युक्तं श्रुतिपूजितम् ॥ ६२ ॥ उक्तं कृष्णेन गोलोके मह्यं वृन्दावने वने । रासेश्वरेण विभुना रासे वै रासमण्डले ॥ ६३ ॥

English Translation

Brahmā said :-- “O Child! What you have asked about the Kavaca of Sarasvatī that is sweet to hear, ordained and worshipped by the Vedas, and the giver of all desired fruits, now hear of that. In the very beginning, the all-pervading Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the Lord of the Rāsa circle, mentioned this Kavaca to me in the holy Brindāvana forest in the abode Goloka at the time of Rāsa in Rāsa Mandala.

Ch 4 Verse 64-66 Verse

Sanskrit Text

अतीव गोपनीयं च कल्पवृक्षसमं परम् । अश्रुताद्भुतमन्त्राणां समूहैश्च समन्वितम् ॥ ६४ ॥ यद्धृत्वा भगवाञ्छुक्रः सर्वदैत्येषु पूजितः । यद्धृत्वा पठनाद् ब्रह्मन् बुद्धिमांश्च बृहस्पतिः ॥ ६५ ॥ पठनाद्धारणाद्वाग्मी कवीन्द्रो वाल्मिको मुनिः । स्वायम्भुवो मनुश्चैव यद्धृत्वा सर्वपूजितः ॥ ६६ ॥

English Translation

This is very secret; it is full of holy unheard, wonderful Mantras. Reading this Kavaca and holding it (on one’s arm) Brihaspati has become foremost in matters of intelligence; by the force of this Kavaca Śukrācārya has got his ascendancy over the Daityas; the foremost Muni Vālmikī has become eloquent and skilled in language and has become Kavīndra and Svāyambhuva Manu; holding this Kavaca he has become honoured everywhere.

Ch 4 Verse 67-68 Verse

Sanskrit Text

कणादो गौतमः कण्वः पाणिनिः शाकटायनः । ग्रन्धं चकार यद्धृत्वा दक्षः कात्यायनः स्वयम् ॥ ६७ ॥ धृत्वा वेदविभागं च पुराणान्यखिलानि च । चकार लीलामात्रेण कृष्णद्वैपायनः स्वयम् ॥ ६८ ॥

English Translation

Kaṇāda, Gotama, Kaṇva, Paṇini, Śakatāyana, Dakṣa, and Kātyāyana all have become great authors by virtue of this Kavaca; Kṛṣṇa Dvaipāyana Veda Vyāsa made the classification of the Vedas and composed the eighteen Purāṇas.

Ch 4 Verse 69-70 Verse

Sanskrit Text

शातातपश्च संवर्तो वसिष्ठश्च पराशरः । यद्धृत्वा पठनाद् ग्रन्थं याज्ञवल्क्यश्चकार सः ॥ ६९ ॥ ऋष्यशृङ्गो भरद्वाजश्चास्तिको देवलस्तथा । जैगीषव्यो ययातिश्च धृत्वा सर्वत्र पूजिताः ॥ ७० ॥

English Translation

Śātātapa, Samvarta, Vaśiṣṭha, Parāsara and Yājñavalkya had become authors by holding and reading this Sarasvatī Kavaca. Ṛṣyaśriṅga, Bhāradvāja, Āstika, Devala, Jaigiṣavya, and Yāyāti all were honoured everywhere by virtue of this Kavaca.

Ch 4 Verse 71-72 Verse

Sanskrit Text

कवचस्यास्य विप्रेन्द्र ऋषिरेव प्रजापतिः । स्वयं छन्दश्च बृहती देवता शारदाम्बिका ॥ ७१ ॥ सर्वतत्त्वपरिज्ञानसर्वार्थसाधनेषु च । कवितासु च सर्वासु विनियोगः प्रकीर्तितः ॥ ७२ ॥

English Translation

O Dvija! The Prajāpati Himself is the Ṛṣi of this Kavaca; Brihatī is its Caṇḍa; and Śāradā Ambikā is its presiding Deity. Its application (Viniyoga) is in the acquisition of spiritual knowlege, in the fruition of any desires or necessities, in composing poems or anywhere wheresoever success is required.

Ch 4 Verse 73-79 Verse

Sanskrit Text

श्रीं ह्रीं सरस्वत्यै स्वाहा शिरो मे पातु सर्वतः । श्रीं वाग्देवतायै स्वाहा भालं मे सर्वदावतु ॥ ७३ ॥ ॐ ह्रीं सरस्वत्यै स्वाहेति श्रोत्रे पातु निरन्तरम् । ॐ श्रीं ह्रीं भगवत्यै सरस्वत्यै स्वाहा नेत्रयुग्मं सदावतु ॥ ७४ ॥ ऐं ह्रीं वाग्वादिन्यै स्वाहा नासां मे सर्वदावतु । ह्रीं विद्याधिष्ठातृदेव्यै स्वाहा चोष्ठं सदावतु ॥ ७५ ॥ ॐ श्रीं ह्रीं ब्राह्म्यै स्वाहेति दन्तपङ्क्तिं सदावतु । ऐमित्येकाक्षरो मन्त्रो मम कण्ठं सदावतु ॥ ७६ ॥ ॐ श्रीं ह्रीं पातु मे ग्रीवां स्कन्धौ मे श्रीं सदावतु । ॐ ह्रीं विद्याधिष्ठातृदेव्यै स्वाहा वक्षः सदावतु ॥ ७७ ॥ ॐ ह्रीं विद्याधिस्वरूपायै स्वाहा मे पातु नाभिकाम् । ॐ ह्रीं क्लीं वाण्यै स्वाहेति मम हस्तौ सदावतु ॥ ७८ ॥ ॐ सर्ववर्णात्मिकायै स्वाहा पादयुग्मं सदावतु । ॐ वागधिष्ठातृदेव्यै स्वाहा सर्वं सदावतु ॥ ७९ ॥

English Translation

May Śrīm Hrīm Sarasvatyai Svāhā protect fully my head; Śrīm Vāgdevatāyai Svāhā, my forehead; Om Hrīm Sarasvatyai Svāhā, my ears always; Om Śrīm Hrīm Bhagabatyai Sarasvatyai Svāhā always my eyes; Aim Hrīm Vāgvādinyai Svāhā, always my nose; Om Hrīm Vidyadhiṣṭhātrī Devyai Svāhā, my lips always; Om Śrīm Hrīm Brahmyai Svāhā my rows of teeth; Aim, this single letter protect my neck; Om Śrīm Hrīm my throat; Śrīm, my shoulders, Om Hrīm Vidyādhiṣṭhātrī Devyai Svāhā, always my chest; Om Hrīm Vidyadhisvarūpāyai Svāhā my navel; Om Hrīm Klīm Vāṇyai Svāhā my hands; Om Svarva vārnatmī Kāyai Svāhā my feet; and let Om Vāgadhisṭhātridevyai Svāhā protect all my body.

Ch 4 Verse 80-85 Verse

Sanskrit Text

ॐ सर्वकण्ठवासिन्यै स्वाहा प्राच्यां सदावतु । ॐ सर्वजिह्वाग्रवासिन्यै स्वाहाग्निदिशि रक्षतु ॥ ८० ॥ ॐ ऐं ह्रीं क्लीं सरस्वत्यै बुधजनन्यै स्वाहा । सततं मन्त्रराजोऽयं दक्षिणे मां सदावतु ॥ ८१ ॥ ऐं ह्रीं श्रीं त्र्यक्षरो मन्त्रो नैरृत्यां सर्वदावतु । ॐ ऐं जिह्वाग्रवासिन्यै स्वाहा मां वारुणेऽवतु ॥ ८२ ॥ ॐ सर्वाम्बिकायै स्वाहा वायव्ये मां सदावतु । ॐ ऐं श्रीं क्लीं गद्यवासिन्यै स्वाहा मामुत्तरेऽवतु ॥ ८३ ॥ ॐ ऐं सर्वशास्त्रवासिन्यै स्वाहैशान्यां सदावतु । ॐ ह्रीं सर्वपूजितायै स्वाहा चोर्ध्वं सदावतु ॥ ८४ ॥ ॐ ह्रीं पुस्तकवासिन्यै स्वाहाधो मां सदावतु । ॐ ग्रन्थबीजस्वरूपायै स्वाहा मां सर्वतोऽवतु ॥ ८५ ॥

English Translation

Let Om Sarvakanṭhavāsinyai Svāhā protect my east; Let Om Svarvajibhāgra vāsinyai Svāhā, the South-east; Om Aim Hrīm Śrīm Klīm Sarasvatyai budhajananyai Svāhā, my South; Aim Hrīm Śrīm, this three lettered Mantra my South-west; Om Aim Jhibhagravāsinyai Svāhā, my West; Om Svarvam bikāyai Svāhā, my North west; Om Aim Śrīm Klīm Gadyavāsinyai Svāhā my North; Aim Sarvaśāstra vasinyai Svāhā, my North-east; Om Hrīm Sarvapujitayai Svāhā, my top; Hrīm Pustakavasinyai Svāhā my below and let Om Grantha vījasvarupāyai Svāhā protect all my sides.

Ch 4 Verse 86-87 Verse

Sanskrit Text

इति ते कथितं विप्र ब्रह्ममन्त्रौघविग्रहम् । इदं विश्वजयं नाम कवचं ब्रह्मरूपकम् ॥ ८६ ॥ पुरा श्रुतं धर्मवक्त्रात्पर्वते गन्धमादने । तव स्नेहान्मयाख्यातं प्रवक्तव्यं न कस्यचित् ॥ ८७ ॥

English Translation

O Nārada! This Viśvajaya Kavaca of the nature of Brahmā and its embodied Mantra I have now spoken to you. I heard this before from the mouth of Dharma Deva in the Gaṇdhāmādana mountain. Now I speak this to you out of my great affection for you.

Ch 4 Verse 88-89 Verse

Sanskrit Text

गुरुमभ्यर्च्य विधिवद्वस्त्रालङ्कारचन्दनैः । प्रणम्य दण्डवद्भूमौ कवचं धारयेत्सुधीः ॥ ८८ ॥ पञ्चलक्षजपेनैव सिद्धं तु कवचं भवेत् । यदि स्यात्सिद्धकवचो बृहस्पतिसमो भवेत् ॥ ८९ ॥

English Translation

But never divulge this to anybody. One is worship one’s spiritual Teacher (Guru Deva) according to due rites and ceremonies with clothings, ornaments, and sandalpaste and then fall down prostrate to him and then hold this Kavaca. Repeating this five lakhs of times, one gets success and becomes a Siddha.

Ch 4 Verse 90-91 Verse

Sanskrit Text

महावाग्मी कवीन्द्रश्च त्रैलोक्यविजयी भवेत् । शक्नोति सर्वं जेतुं च कवचस्य प्रसादतः ॥ ९० ॥ इदं च कण्वशाखोक्तं कवचं कथितं मुने । स्तोत्रं पूजाविधानं च ध्यानं च वन्दनं शृणु ॥ ९१ ॥

Sanskrit Colophon

इति श्रीमद्देवीभागवते महापुराणेऽष्टादशसाहस्र्यां संहितायां नवमस्कन्धे सरस्वतीस्तोत्र- पूजाकवचादिवर्णनं नाम चतुर्थोऽध्यायः ॥ ९.४॥

English Translation

The holder of this Kavaca becomes intelligent like Brihaspati, eloquent, Kavīndras, and the conqueror of the three worlds, no sooner one becomes a Siddlha in this. In fact, he can conquer everything by virtue of this Kavaca. O Muni! Thus I have described to you this Kavaca according to Kāṇva Śākhā. Now I am speaking about the method of worship, Dhyāna and the praise of this Kavaca. Hear. Here ends the Fourth Chapter of the Ninth Book on the hymn, worship and Kavaca of Sarasvatī Devī in Śrī Mad Devī Bhāgavatam of 18,000 verses by Maharṣi Veda Vyāsa.