ॐ अस्य श्रीचण्डीकवचस्य ब्रह्मा ऋषिः। अनुष्टुप् छन्दः। चामुण्डा देवता। अङ्गन्यासोक्तमातरो बीजम्। दिग्बन्धदेवतास्तत्त्वम्। श्रीजगदम्बाप्रीत्यर्थे सप्तशतीपाठाङ्गत्वेन जपे विनियोगः॥ ॐ नमश्चण्डिकायै॥

Om asya Shri Chandi-kavachasya Brahma rishih, anushtup chhandah, Chamunda devata, anganyasokta-mataro bijam, digbandha-devatas-tattvam, Shri Jagadamba-prityarthe saptashati-pathangatvena jape viniyogah. Om namash-Chandikayai.

Of this Chandi Kavacha the seer is Brahma, the metre anushtup and the deity Chamunda; the Mothers named in the limb-placements are its seed, and the guardian goddesses of the directions its essence. It is recited as part of the Saptashati path, to please Shri Jagadamba. Om, salutations to Chandika.

मार्कण्डेय उवाच। ॐ यद्गुह्यं परमं लोके सर्वरक्षाकरं नृणाम्। यन्न कस्यचिदाख्यातं तन्मे ब्रूहि पितामह॥ ब्रह्मोवाच। अस्ति गुह्यतमं विप्र सर्वभूतोपकारकम्। देव्यास्तु कवचं पुण्यं तच्छृणुष्व महामुने॥

Markandeya uvacha. Om yad-guhyam paramam loke sarva-raksha-karam nrinam, Yan-na kasyachid-akhyatam tan-me bruhi pitamaha. Brahmovacha. Asti guhyatamam vipra sarva-bhutopakarakam, Devyas-tu kavacham punyam tach-chhrinushva mahamune.

Markandeya said: Grandsire, tell me that which is most secret in the world, which protects people in every way and has never been told to anyone. Brahma said: There is, O brahmin, a most secret and holy armour of the Devi, which benefits all beings. Listen to it, great sage.

प्रथमं शैलपुत्री च द्वितीयं ब्रह्मचारिणी। तृतीयं चन्द्रघण्टेति कूष्माण्डेति चतुर्थकम्॥ पञ्चमं स्कन्दमातेति षष्ठं कात्यायनीति च। सप्तमं कालरात्रीति महागौरीति चाष्टमम्॥ नवमं सिद्धिदात्री च नवदुर्गाः प्रकीर्तिताः। उक्तान्येतानि नामानि ब्रह्मणैव महात्मना॥

Prathamam Shailaputri cha dvitiyam Brahmacharini, Tritiyam Chandraghanteti Kushmandeti chaturthakam. Panchamam Skandamateti shashtham Katyayaniti cha, Saptamam Kalaratriti Mahagauriti chashtamam. Navamam Siddhidatri cha navadurgah prakirtitah, Uktanyetani namani brahmanaiva mahatmana.

The first is Shailaputri, the second Brahmacharini, the third Chandraghanta and the fourth Kushmanda; the fifth is Skandamata, the sixth Katyayani, the seventh Kalaratri and the eighth Mahagauri; and the ninth is Siddhidatri. These are celebrated as the nine Durgas, names declared by the great Brahman, the Veda, itself.

अग्निना दह्यमानस्तु शत्रुमध्ये गतो रणे। विषमे दुर्गमे चैव भयार्ताः शरणं गताः॥ न तेषां जायते किञ्चिदशुभं रणसङ्कटे। नापदं तस्य पश्यामि शोकदुःखभयं न हि॥ यैस्तु भक्त्या स्मृता नूनं तेषां वृद्धिः प्रजायते। ये त्वां स्मरन्ति देवेशि रक्षसे तान्न संशयः॥

Agnina dahyamanas-tu shatru-madhye gato rane, Vishame durgame chaiva bhayartah sharanam gatah. Na tesham jayate kinchid-ashubham rana-sankate, Napadam tasya pashyami shoka-duhkha-bhayam na hi. Yais-tu bhaktya smrita nunam tesham vriddhih prajayate, Ye tvam smaranti deveshi rakshase tan-na samshayah.

Whoever is burning in a fire, surrounded by enemies in battle, or trapped in a hard and impassable place, and in fear takes refuge in the Goddess, meets with no harm even in the thick of battle; I see no calamity for him, no sorrow, pain or fear. Those who remember her with devotion surely prosper. O queen of the gods, you protect those who remember you, without doubt.

प्रेतसंस्था तु चामुण्डा वाराही महिषासना। ऐन्द्री गजसमारूढा वैष्णवी गरुडासना॥ माहेश्वरी वृषारूढा कौमारी शिखिवाहना। लक्ष्मीः पद्मासना देवी पद्महस्ता हरिप्रिया॥ श्वेतरूपधरा देवी ईश्वरी वृषवाहना। ब्राह्मी हंससमारूढा सर्वाभरणभूषिता॥ इत्येता मातरः सर्वाः सर्वयोगसमन्विताः। नानाभरणशोभाढ्या नानारत्नोपशोभिताः॥

Preta-samstha tu Chamunda Varahi mahishasana, Aindri gaja-samarudha Vaishnavi garudasana. Maheshvari vrisharudha Kaumari shikhi-vahana, Lakshmih padmasana devi padma-hasta Haripriya. Shveta-rupa-dhara devi Ishvari vrisha-vahana, Brahmi hamsa-samarudha sarvabharana-bhushita. Ityeta matarah sarvah sarva-yoga-samanvitah, Nanabharana-shobhadhya nana-ratnopashobhitah.

Chamunda is seated on a corpse, Varahi rides a buffalo, Aindri an elephant and Vaishnavi Garuda; Maheshvari rides a bull and Kaumari a peacock; Lakshmi, Hari's beloved, sits on a lotus with a lotus in her hand; Ishvari, white in form, rides a bull; and Brahmi, adorned with every ornament, rides a swan. All these Mothers are endowed with every yogic power and shine with many ornaments and jewels.

दृश्यन्ते रथमारूढा देव्यः क्रोधसमाकुलाः। शङ्खं चक्रं गदां शक्तिं हलं च मुसलायुधम्॥ खेटकं तोमरं चैव परशुं पाशमेव च। कुन्तायुधं त्रिशूलं च शार्ङ्गमायुधमुत्तमम्॥ दैत्यानां देहनाशाय भक्तानामभयाय च। धारयन्त्यायुधानीत्थं देवानां च हिताय वै॥

Drishyante ratham-arudha devyah krodha-samakulah, Shankham chakram gadam shaktim halam cha musalayudham. Khetakam tomaram chaiva parashum pasham-eva cha, Kuntayudham trishulam cha sharngam-ayudham-uttamam. Daityanam deha-nashaya bhaktanam-abhayaya cha, Dharayantyayudhanittham devanam cha hitaya vai.

The goddesses are seen mounted on chariots, full of wrath, bearing conch, discus, mace, spear, plough and pestle, shield, lance, axe and noose, javelin, trident and the matchless bow Sharnga. They carry these weapons to destroy the demons, to free their devotees from fear and for the good of the gods.

नमस्तेऽस्तु महारौद्रे महाघोरपराक्रमे। महाबले महोत्साहे महाभयविनाशिनि॥ त्राहि मां देवि दुष्प्रेक्ष्ये शत्रूणां भयवर्धिनि। प्राच्यां रक्षतु मामैन्द्री आग्नेय्यामग्निदेवता॥

Namaste-'stu maha-raudre maha-ghora-parakrame, Mahabale mahotsahe maha-bhaya-vinashini. Trahi mam devi dushprekshye shatrunam bhaya-vardhini, Prachyam rakshatu mam-Aindri agneyyam-Agni-devata.

Salutations to you, most fierce one, of terrible valour, great strength and great energy, destroyer of great fear. Protect me, Devi, you on whom none can bear to look, who make enemies tremble. May Aindri guard me in the east, and the goddess of fire in the south-east.

दक्षिणेऽवतु वाराही नैरृत्यां खड्गधारिणी। प्रतीच्यां वारुणी रक्षेद्वायव्यां मृगवाहिनी॥ उदीच्यां पातु कौमारी ऐशान्यां शूलधारिणी। ऊर्ध्वं ब्रह्माणि मे रक्षेदधस्ताद्वैष्णवी तथा॥ एवं दश दिशो रक्षेच्चामुण्डा शववाहना। जया मे चाग्रतः पातु विजया पातु पृष्ठतः॥

Dakshine-'vatu Varahi nairrityam khadga-dharini, Pratichyam Varuni rakshed-vayavyam mriga-vahini. Udichyam patu Kaumari aishanyam shula-dharini, Urdhvam Brahmani me rakshed-adhastad-Vaishnavi tatha. Evam dasha disho rakshech-Chamunda shava-vahana, Jaya me chagratah patu Vijaya patu prishthatah.

May Varahi guard the south and the sword-bearing goddess the south-west; Varuni the west and the deer-riding goddess the north-west; Kaumari the north and the trident-bearer the north-east; Brahmani above and Vaishnavi below. So may Chamunda, who rides a corpse, guard all ten directions. May Jaya protect me in front and Vijaya behind.

अजिता वामपार्श्वे तु दक्षिणे चापराजिता। शिखामुद्योतिनी रक्षेदुमा मूर्ध्नि व्यवस्थिता॥ मालाधरी ललाटे च भ्रुवौ रक्षेद्यशस्विनी। त्रिनेत्रा च भ्रुवोर्मध्ये यमघण्टा च नासिके॥ शङ्खिनी चक्षुषोर्मध्ये श्रोत्रयोर्द्वारवासिनी। कपोलौ कालिका रक्षेत्कर्णमूले तु शाङ्करी॥

Ajita vama-parshve tu dakshine chaparajita, Shikham-udyotini rakshed-Uma murdhni vyavasthita. Maladhari lalate cha bhruvau rakshed-Yashasvini, Trinetra cha bhruvor-madhye Yamaghanta cha nasike. Shankhini chakshushor-madhye shrotrayor-Dvaravasini, Kapolau Kalika rakshet-karna-mule tu Shankari.

May Ajita guard my left side and Aparajita my right; Udyotini my topknot, and Uma, seated on my head, my crown. May Maladhari guard my forehead and Yashasvini my eyebrows; Trinetra the space between the brows and Yamaghanta my nose; Shankhini the space between the eyes and Dvaravasini my ears; Kalika my cheeks and Shankari the roots of my ears.

नासिकायां सुगन्धा च उत्तरोष्ठे च चर्चिका। अधरे चामृतकला जिह्वायां च सरस्वती॥ दन्तान् रक्षतु कौमारी कण्ठदेशे तु चण्डिका। घण्टिकां चित्रघण्टा च महामाया च तालुके॥ कामाक्षी चिबुकं रक्षेद्वाचं मे सर्वमङ्गला। ग्रीवायां भद्रकाली च पृष्ठवंशे धनुर्धरी॥

Nasikayam Sugandha cha uttaroshthe cha Charchika, Adhare chamritakala jihvayam cha Sarasvati. Dantan rakshatu Kaumari kantha-deshe tu Chandika, Ghantikam Chitraghanta cha Mahamaya cha taluke. Kamakshi chibukam rakshed-vacham me Sarvamangala, Grivayam Bhadrakali cha prishtha-vamshe Dhanurdhari.

May Sugandha guard my nostrils and Charchika my upper lip; Amritakala my lower lip and Saraswati my tongue; Kaumari my teeth and Chandika my throat; Chitraghanta my uvula and Mahamaya my palate; Kamakshi my chin and Sarvamangala my speech; Bhadrakali my neck and Dhanurdhari my spine.

नीलग्रीवा बहिःकण्ठे नलिकां नलकूबरी। स्कन्धयोः खड्गिनी रक्षेद्बाहू मे वज्रधारिणी॥ हस्तयोर्दण्डिनी रक्षेदम्बिका चाङ्गुलीषु च। नखाञ्छूलेश्वरी रक्षेत्कुक्षौ रक्षेत्कुलेश्वरी॥ स्तनौ रक्षेन्महादेवी मनःशोकविनाशिनी। हृदये ललिता देवी उदरे शूलधारिणी॥

Nilagriva bahih-kanthe nalikam Nalakubari, Skandhayoh Khadgini rakshed-bahu me Vajradharini. Hastayor-Dandini rakshed-Ambika changulishu cha, Nakhan-Chhuleshvari rakshet-kukshau rakshet-Kuleshvari. Stanau rakshen-Mahadevi manah Shokavinashini, Hridaye Lalita devi udare Shuladharini.

May Nilagriva guard the outside of my throat and Nalakubari my windpipe; Khadgini my shoulders and Vajradharini my arms; Dandini my hands and Ambika my fingers; Shuleshvari my nails and Kuleshvari my abdomen. May Mahadevi guard my chest and Shokavinashini my mind; Lalita Devi my heart and Shuladharini my stomach.

नाभौ च कामिनी रक्षेद्गुह्यं गुह्येश्वरी तथा। पूतना कामिका मेढ्रं गुदे महिषवाहिनी॥ कट्यां भगवती रक्षेज्जानुनी विन्ध्यवासिनी। जङ्घे महाबला रक्षेत्सर्वकामप्रदायिनी॥ गुल्फयोर्नारसिंही च पादपृष्ठे तु तैजसी। पादाङ्गुलीषु श्री रक्षेत्पादाधस्तलवासिनी॥

Nabhau cha Kamini rakshed-guhyam Guhyeshvari tatha, Putana Kamika medhram gude Mahishavahini. Katyam Bhagavati rakshej-januni Vindhyavasini, Janghe Mahabala rakshet-sarva-kama-pradayini. Gulphayor-Narasimhi cha pada-prishthe tu Taijasi, Padangulishu Shri rakshet-padadhas-Talavasini.

May Kamini guard my navel and Guhyeshvari my private parts; Putana and Kamika the organ of generation and Mahishavahini the anus; Bhagavati my waist and Vindhyavasini my knees; Mahabala, giver of all desires, my shins; Narasimhi my ankles and Taijasi the tops of my feet; Shri my toes and Talavasini the soles of my feet.

नखान् दंष्ट्राकराली च केशांश्चैवोर्ध्वकेशिनी। रोमकूपेषु कौबेरी त्वचं वागीश्वरी तथा॥ रक्तमज्जावसामांसान्यस्थिमेदांसि पार्वती। अन्त्राणि कालरात्रिश्च पित्तं च मुकुटेश्वरी॥ पद्मावती पद्मकोशे कफे चूडामणिस्तथा। ज्वालामुखी नखज्वालामभेद्या सर्वसन्धिषु॥

Nakhan Damshtrakarali cha keshamsh-chaivordhvakeshini, Romakupeshu Kauberi tvacham Vagishvari tatha. Rakta-majja-vasa-mamsanyasthi-medamsi Parvati, Antrani Kalaratrish-cha pittam cha Mukuteshvari. Padmavati padma-koshe kaphe Chudamanis-tatha, Jvalamukhi nakha-jvalam-Abhedya sarva-sandhishu.

May Damshtrakarali guard my nails and Urdhvakeshini my hair; Kauberi the pores of my skin and Vagishvari my skin; Parvati my blood, marrow, fat, flesh, bones and tissues; Kalaratri my intestines and Mukuteshvari my bile; Padmavati the lotus of the heart and Chudamani the phlegm; Jvalamukhi the lustre of my nails, and Abhedya all my joints.

शुक्रं ब्रह्माणि मे रक्षेच्छायां छत्रेश्वरी तथा। अहङ्कारं मनो बुद्धिं रक्षेन्मे धर्मधारिणी॥ प्राणापानौ तथा व्यानमुदानं च समानकम्। वज्रहस्ता च मे रक्षेत्प्राणं कल्याणशोभना॥ रसे रूपे च गन्धे च शब्दे स्पर्शे च योगिनी। सत्त्वं रजस्तमश्चैव रक्षेन्नारायणी सदा॥

Shukram Brahmani me rakshech-chhayam Chhatreshvari tatha, Ahankaram mano buddhim rakshen-me Dharmadharini. Pranapanau tatha vyanam-udanam cha samanakam, Vajrahasta cha me rakshet-pranam Kalyanashobhana. Rase rupe cha gandhe cha shabde sparshe cha Yogini, Sattvam rajas-tamash-chaiva rakshen-Narayani sada.

May Brahmani guard my vital seed and Chhatreshvari my shadow; Dharmadharini my ego, mind and intellect. May Vajrahasta guard the breaths prana, apana, vyana, udana and samana, and Kalyanashobhana my life. May Yogini guard taste, form, smell, sound and touch, and Narayani always guard sattva, rajas and tamas.

आयू रक्षतु वाराही धर्मं रक्षतु वैष्णवी। यशः कीर्तिं च लक्ष्मीं च धनं विद्यां च चक्रिणी॥ गोत्रमिन्द्राणि मे रक्षेत्पशून्मे रक्ष चण्डिके। पुत्रान् रक्षेन्महालक्ष्मीर्भार्यां रक्षतु भैरवी॥ पन्थानं सुपथा रक्षेन्मार्गं क्षेमकरी तथा। राजद्वारे महालक्ष्मीर्विजया सर्वतः स्थिता॥

Ayu rakshatu Varahi dharmam rakshatu Vaishnavi, Yashah kirtim cha lakshmim cha dhanam vidyam cha Chakrini. Gotram-Indrani me rakshet-pashun-me raksha Chandike, Putran rakshen-Mahalakshmir-bharyam rakshatu Bhairavi. Panthanam Supatha rakshen-margam Kshemakari tatha, Rajadvare Mahalakshmir-Vijaya sarvatah sthita.

May Varahi protect my life and Vaishnavi my dharma; Chakrini my honour, fame, fortune, wealth and learning; Indrani my family line; and you, Chandika, protect my cattle. May Mahalakshmi protect my children and Bhairavi my wife; Supatha my journeys and Kshemakari my road; Mahalakshmi at the king's court, and Vijaya, present everywhere, on every side.

रक्षाहीनं तु यत्स्थानं वर्जितं कवचेन तु। तत्सर्वं रक्ष मे देवि जयन्ती पापनाशिनी॥ पदमेकं न गच्छेत्तु यदीच्छेच्छुभमात्मनः। कवचेनावृतो नित्यं यत्र यत्रैव गच्छति॥ तत्र तत्रार्थलाभश्च विजयः सार्वकामिकः। यं यं चिन्तयते कामं तं तं प्राप्नोति निश्चितम्। परमैश्वर्यमतुलं प्राप्स्यते भूतले पुमान्॥

Raksha-hinam tu yat-sthanam varjitam kavachena tu, Tat-sarvam raksha me devi Jayanti papa-nashini. Padam-ekam na gachchhet-tu yadichchhech-chhubham-atmanah, Kavachenavrito nityam yatra yatraiva gachchhati. Tatra tatrartha-labhash-cha vijayah sarvakamikah, Yam yam chintayate kamam tam tam prapnoti nishchitam, Paramaishvaryam-atulam prapsyate bhutale puman.

Whatever place is left unguarded, not covered by this armour, protect it all for me, Devi Jayanti, destroyer of sin. One who wishes himself well should not take a single step without it. Covered always by this armour, wherever he goes he gains wealth and a victory that fulfils every wish; whatever he longs for he surely obtains, and he will win matchless prosperity on earth.

निर्भयो जायते मर्त्यः सङ्ग्रामेष्वपराजितः। त्रैलोक्ये तु भवेत्पूज्यः कवचेनावृतः पुमान्॥ इदं तु देव्याः कवचं देवानामपि दुर्लभम्। यः पठेत्प्रयतो नित्यं त्रिसन्ध्यं श्रद्धयान्वितः॥ दैवी कला भवेत्तस्य त्रैलोक्येष्वपराजितः। जीवेद्वर्षशतं साग्रमपमृत्युविवर्जितः॥

Nirbhayo jayate martyah sangrameshvaparajitah, Trailokye tu bhavet-pujyah kavachenavritah puman. Idam tu devyah kavacham devanam-api durlabham, Yah pathet-prayato nityam trisandhyam shraddhayanvitah. Daivi kala bhavet-tasya trailokyeshvaparajitah, Jived-varsha-shatam sagram-apamrityu-vivarjitah.

Covered by this armour, a mortal becomes fearless, unconquered in battle and honoured in the three worlds. This armour of the Devi is hard to obtain even for the gods. Whoever recites it every day, self-controlled and full of faith, at dawn, noon and dusk gains a divine power, stays undefeated in the three worlds and lives a full hundred years, free of untimely death.

नश्यन्ति व्याधयः सर्वे लूताविस्फोटकादयः। स्थावरं जङ्गमं चैव कृत्रिमं चापि यद्विषम्॥ अभिचाराणि सर्वाणि मन्त्रयन्त्राणि भूतले। भूचराः खेचराश्चैव जलजाश्चौपदेशिकाः॥ सहजा कुलजा माला डाकिनी शाकिनी तथा। अन्तरिक्षचरा घोरा डाकिन्यश्च महाबलाः॥ ग्रहभूतपिशाचाश्च यक्षगन्धर्वराक्षसाः। ब्रह्मराक्षसवेतालाः कूष्माण्डा भैरवादयः॥

Nashyanti vyadhayah sarve luta-visphotakadayah, Sthavaram jangamam chaiva kritrimam chapi yad-visham. Abhicharani sarvani mantra-yantrani bhutale, Bhucharah khecharash-chaiva jalajash-chaupadeshikah. Sahaja kulaja mala dakini shakini tatha, Antariksha-chara ghora dakinyash-cha mahabalah. Graha-bhuta-pishachash-cha yaksha-gandharva-rakshasah, Brahmarakshasa-vetalah kushmanda bhairavadayah.

All diseases perish, such as rashes and boils, and every poison, whether from plants, from creatures or made by man. So do all black magic and harmful spells and charms on earth; the spirits that move on land, in the air and in water, or are sent by others; those born with a person, those that haunt a family, the mala, dakini and shakini, the terrible and mighty dakinis that roam the sky; and the grahas, ghosts and pishachas, yakshas, gandharvas and rakshasas, brahmarakshasas, vetalas, kushmandas and bhairavas.

नश्यन्ति दर्शनात्तस्य कवचे हृदि संस्थिते। मानोन्नतिर्भवेद्राज्ञस्तेजोवृद्धिकरं परम्॥ यशसा वर्धते सोऽपि कीर्तिमण्डितभूतले। जपेत्सप्तशतीं चण्डीं कृत्वा तु कवचं पुरा॥ यावद्भूमण्डलं धत्ते सशैलवनकाननम्। तावत्तिष्ठति मेदिन्यां सन्ततिः पुत्रपौत्रिकी॥

Nashyanti darshanat-tasya kavache hridi samsthite, Manonnatir-bhaved-rajnas-tejo-vriddhi-karam param. Yashasa vardhate so-'pi kirti-mandita-bhutale, Japet-saptashatim Chandim kritva tu kavacham pura. Yavad-bhumandalam dhatte sashaila-vana-kananam, Tavat-tishthati medinyam santatih putra-pautriki.

All of these are destroyed at the mere sight of one who holds this armour in his heart. He wins honour from the king, his radiance grows greatly, and his fame spreads over an earth adorned with his glory. One should first recite this armour and then the Chandi Saptashati. As long as the earth bears its mountains, woods and forests, so long his line of sons and grandsons endures.

देहान्ते परमं स्थानं यत्सुरैरपि दुर्लभम्। प्राप्नोति पुरुषो नित्यं महामायाप्रसादतः॥ लभते परमं रूपं शिवेन सह मोदते॥

Dehante paramam sthanam yat-surair-api durlabham, Prapnoti purusho nityam Mahamaya-prasadatah. Labhate paramam rupam Shivena saha modate.

When the body falls, by the grace of Mahamaya he reaches the supreme, eternal abode that is hard to reach even for the gods; he gains the highest form and rejoices with Shiva.