śrīkīlakastotram

Om. For this Keelaka Mantra, Shiva is the Rishi, Anushtup is the meter, Sri Mahasaraswati is the deity. It is chanted as a part of the Durga Saptashati recitation to please Sri Jagadamba.

Om. Salutations to Goddess Chandika.

Markandeya said:

Om. Salutations to the one whose body is pure knowledge, whose divine eyes are the three Vedas, who brings about supreme welfare, and who wears the half-moon (Lord Shiva). (1)

One should understand the 'Keelaka' (pin or restraint) of all mantras. One who is constantly devoted to chanting this attains well-being. (2)

All actions, including Uchchatana (eradication of enemies), are accomplished by praising the Goddess with devotion using this collection of hymns. (3)

Without chanting any other mantra, without taking any medicine, or without anything else, one achieves everything, including Uchchatana, just by chanting this. (4)

"All desires will certainly be fulfilled" - removing this doubt of the people, Lord Shiva made this entirely auspicious and commanded it. (5)

He (Shiva) kept this hymn of Chandika a secret. One who rightfully understands and follows its rules attains it by merit. (6)

There is no doubt that one who concentrates and chants this on the fourteenth (Chaturdashi) or the eighth (Ashtami) day of the dark fortnight attains everything securely. (7)

She (the Goddess) is pleased only when one gives and receives appropriately. Thus, this (Stotram) has been 'pinned' (restricted) by Lord Mahadeva in this manner. (8)

One who removes this pin (utkeelana) and chants the Chandi (Saptashati) daily becomes an accomplished being (Siddha), an attendant of Shiva (Gana), or a celestial musician (Gandharva) for sure. (9)

He never faces any misfortune, nor does he fear anywhere. He does not succumb to an untimely death, and upon death, he attains liberation (Moksha). (10)

Knowing this, one should begin the chanting; one who fails to do so perishes. Therefore, the wise ones begin this completely only after understanding it. (11)

Whatever beauty, good fortune, etc., is seen in women is all by Her grace. Therefore, this auspicious hymn should be chanted. (12)

By chanting this hymn slowly, one attains supreme wealth completely. Therefore, one must certainly begin it. (13)

By Her grace, one attains supreme power, good fortune, health, destruction of enemies, and final liberation. Why wouldn't people praise Her? (14)

That person who constantly remembers Goddess Chandika in his heart attains the desires of his heart, and the Goddess always resides in his heart. (15)

After removing the 'Keelaka' (pin) created by Mahadeva in the beginning (by chanting this), one should read the Saptashati with a concentrated mind. (16)

Thus ends the Keelaka Stotram of Sri Bhagavati.