Durga Kavach, Argala and Kilaka

Translation

Om, of this glorious Chandi Kavacham, Brahma is the seer, Anuṣṭup is the meter, Chāmuṇḍā is the deity, the mothers spoken of in limb-assignment are the seed, the deities of direction-binding are the principle, and the purpose is the chanting as part of the Saptashati recitation for the sake of pleasing Śrī Jagadambā.

Word by word

ōṁ

sacred syllable

asya

of this

śrīcaṇḍīkavacasya

of the glorious Chandi Kavacham

brahmā

Brahma

ṛṣiḥ

seer

anuṣṭup

Anuṣṭup

chandaḥ

meter

cāmuṇḍā

Chāmuṇḍā

dēvatā

deity

aṅganyāsōktamātarō

mothers spoken of in limb-assignment

bījam

seed

digbandhadēvatāstattvam

deities of direction-binding are the principle

śrījagadambā

glorious Mother of the universe

prītyarthē

for the sake of pleasing

saptashatīpāṭhāṅgatvēna

as part of the Saptashati recitation

japē

in chanting

viniyōgaḥ

application/purpose

Meaning

This introductory verse (saṅkalpa or dhyāna) establishes the ritual framework for reciting the Devi Kavacham, a protective hymn from the Durga Saptashati. It identifies Brahma as the ṛṣi (seer), indicating the hymn’s divine origin through the creator deity. The meter is Anuṣṭup, ensuring rhythmic recitation. The primary deity is Cāmuṇḍā, a fierce form of Durga, embodying her destructive and protective power. The bījam (seed) refers to the divine mothers (mātarō) invoked during aṅganyāsa (ritual limb-assignment), a tantric practice for sanctifying the body. The tattvam (principle) involves deities of digbandha (binding the directions), protecting the devotee from all sides. The purpose (viniyōgaḥ) is to please Śrī Jagadambā, the universal Mother, as an integral part of Durga Saptashati recitation.