OṀ. Salutations to Caṇḍikā.
Mārkaṇḍeya said:
- OṀ. To Him whose body is pure knowledge, Whose Divine Eyes are The Three Vedas; to Him Who is the cause of attaining The Supreme, salutations to [Śiva] Who wears the half-moon.
- Whoever would understand all this, the key to the verses [of The Devīmāhātmya], and is ever intent on reciting [them] shall surely succeed.
- All actions for thwarting adversity succeed for those who sing The Devī’s praises with this multitude of verses in succession.
- Without this recitation there is no spell, or medicine, or anything else that will succeed in thwarting all adversity
- [But with recitation] all will succeed. When Hara [Śiva] Created this uncertainty in the world, he also ordained this entire Auspicious [Devīmāhātmya].
- And he made secret this very hymn to Caṇḍikā. [The Reciter] reaches Her through holiness in order that She may be Pleased and Accept his appeal.
- Without doubt, he who meditates with full concentration on the fourteenth or eighth days of the dark lunar fortnight attains complete well-being.
- He gives [devotion to The Devī], [and] he Receives [Her Grace]. In no other way is She Pleased. And so, Mahādeva [Śiva] Secured [The Devīmāhātmya] as if with a pin.
- Whoever constantly recites This Caṇḍī properly, with the restraint removed, surely becomes a perfected being, a divine attendant, even a celestial singer.
- And when he goes about, no danger arises anywhere. Never is he subject to untimely death, and at death he will attain liberation.
- Knowing [all this] and having commenced [this practice], one should perform [the recitation of The Devīmāhātmya]. Not doing so, one perishes. Knowing so, the wise devote themselves to this [which brings] complete fulfillment.
- Beauty, charm, and whatever other auspicious qualities are seen in women, all those are by [The Devī’s] Grace. For that reason this Auspicious [Devīmāhātmya] should be recited.
- Even when this Hymn is recited softly, its success is resounding, its fulfillment is complete. Therefore one should proceed.
- Sovereignty, Prosperity, Health, the Destruction of enemies, and Supreme Liberation are indeed by Her Grace; why should people not praise Her?
- One who always remembers Caṇḍikā in his heart attains his fondest desire; in his heart The Devī Shall Forever Dwell.
- At first Mahādeva imposed the restraint of this pin. Freed from that Restraint, [The Devīmāhātmya] is to be recited by those whose minds are fixed in meditation.
