Keelaka Stotram
The Keelaka Stotram is a hymn that serves as a key to unlock the benefits of other mantras, invoking the protective energies of Goddess Durga.
मार्कण्डेय उवाच विशुद्धज्ञानदेहाय त्रिवेदीदिव्यचक्षुषे । श्रेयः प्राप्तिनिमित्ताय नमः सोमार्धधारिणे ॥१॥
Maarkannddeya Uvaaca Vishuddha-Jnyaana-Dehaaya Tri-Vedii-Divya-Cakssusse Shreyah Praapti-Nimittaaya Namah Soma-Ardha-Dhaarinne 1
Sage Markandeya said: 1: (I offer my Salutations to the One) The essence of Whose Form is that of Pure Knowledge (of Absolute Consciousness) [Vishuddha-Jnana-Dehaya] and Whose Three Divine Eyes form the Three Vedas [Tri-Vedi-Divya-Cakssusse], 2: To imbibe that Auspiciousness (of Pure Knowledge) (I meditate on Shiva and Shakti in their Conscious Bissful Form): - I offer my Salutations (to Shiva) Who bear the Half-of-Soma (in His Head as Crescent Moon) (Soma here is Moon) and also, - I offer my Salutations (to Shakti) Who bear the Half-of-Soma (in Her Body as Ardhanareeswara) (Soma here is Shiva) (Soma is another name of Shiva). (Since Shakti bear half the body of Shiva, She also has the same qualities of Shiva, of Visuddha Jnana Deha and Trivedi Divya Cakssu. Keelaka is Pin or Nail. The Conscious Form of Shakti is pinned to all the mantras of Devi Mahatmyam as the underlying principle through the Keelaka Stotram.)
सर्वमेतद् विजानीयान्मन्त्राणामपि कीलकम् । सोऽपि क्षेममवाप्नोति सततं जाप्यतत्परः ॥२॥ ॥२॥
Sarvam-Etad Vijaaniiyaan-Mantraannaam-Api Kiilakam So-pi Kssemam-Avaapnoti Satatam Jaapya-Tatparah 2
1: All these (Hymns of Keelaka Stotram), one should know, are indeed the Keelaka (Pin or Nail) by which the Mantras (of Devi Mahatmyan are pinned) (i.e. by which the underlying principle of the Conscious Form of Devi are pinned), 2: He who devotes himself to continuously chant these hymns, indeed attains Tranquility of Mind (i.e. he who continuously meditates on the Conscious Form of Devi in the heart indeed attains Tranquility of Mind).
सिद्ध्यन्त्युच्चाटनादीनि कर्माणि सकलान्यपि । एतेन स्तुवतां देविं स्तोत्रवृन्देन भक्तितः ॥३॥
Siddhyanty-Uccaattana-adiini Karmaanni Sakalaany-Api Etena Stuvataam Devim Stotra-Vrndena Bhaktitah 3
1: He accomplishes Uccatana (eradication of inner enemies) to the very root, and all related (spiritual) accomplishments, ... 2: ... by extolling the Devi with Devotional fervour with this collection of Hymns (knowing their true import).
न मन्त्रो नौषधं तत्र न किञ्चिदपि विद्यते । विना जप्येन सिद्धयेत्तु सर्वमुच्चाटनादिकम् ॥४॥
Na Mantro Na-ussadham Tatra Na Kin.cid-Api Vidyate Vinaa Japyena Siddhayet-Tu Sarvam-Uccaattana-adikam 4
1: There are no Mantras (Hymns) or Ousadha (Medicine) available, even a trace (which can accomplish Uccatana), 2: Without chanting (any Mantras) one accomplishes Uccatana (eradication of inner enemies), all to its very root (by meditating on the Conscious Form of Devi in the heart while reciting the Devi Mahatmyam). (Here reciting Devi Mahatmyam is not like chanting any Mantra to obtain the fruit of Uccatana, but for meditation on the Conscious Form of Devi and merging our ego in Her.)
समग्राण्यपि सेत्स्यन्ति लोकशङ्कामिमां हरः । कृत्वा निमन्त्रयामास सर्वमेवमिदं शुभम् ॥५॥
Samagraanny-Api Setsyanti Loka-Shangkaam-Imaam Harah Krtvaa Nimantrayaamaasa Sarvam-Evam-Idam Shubham 5
1: (People had this doubt) (How can it be that) Everything is indeed accomplished (Uccatana and other fruits) (by reciting the Devi Mahatmyam which appears to be full of violence?); When people had this apprehension, Lord Shiva ... 2: ... summoned (i.e. invoked) (the Pin of Keelaka) (and pinned the underlying principle of the Conscious Form of Devi to all the Mantras of Devi Mahatmyam); and having done that all this indeed became Auspicious (i.e. now the violence in the battlefield became the Auspicious force purging us from within).
स्तोत्रं वै चण्डिकायास्तु तच्च गुह्यं चकार सः । समाप्नोति स पुण्येन तां यथावन्निमन्त्रणाम् ॥६॥
Stotram Vai Cannddikaayaas-Tu Tac-Ca Guhyam Cakaara Sah Samaapnoti Sa Punnyena Taam Yathaavan-Nimantrannaam 6
1: That Stotra of Devi Chandika (i.e. Keelaka Stotra), He (i.e. Lord Shiva) indeed made it hidden (behind every Mantra of Devi Mahatmyam) (thus making the Conscious Form of Devi as the object of meditation), 2: He achieves everything by Her Auspiciousness, when She is invoked in the right manner (by meditating on Her eternal Conscious Form).
सोऽपि क्षेममवाप्नोति सर्वमेव न संशयः । कृष्णायां वा चतुर्दश्यामष्टम्यां वा समाहितः ॥७॥
So-pi Kssemam-Avaapnoti Sarvam-Eva Na Samshayah Krssnnaayaam Vaa Caturdashyaam-Assttamyaam Vaa Samaahitah 7
1: He indeed attains Tranquility of Mind and all other fruits, there is no doubt about it, ... 2: ... he who meditates (on the Devi) on Krishna Paksha Chaturdashi or Ashtami of a month.
ददाति प्रतिगृह्णाति नान्यथैषा प्रसीदति । इत्थंरूपेण कीलेन महादेवेन कीलितम् ॥८॥
Dadaati Pratigrhnnaati Na-Anyathaissaa Prasiidati Ittham-Ruupenna Kiilena Mahaadevena Kiilitam 8
1: (While meditating on the Conscious Form of Devi during recitation of Devi Mahatmyam) He should give himself in Surrender to Her Lotus Feet, and receive in return Her Grace (when Her Grace is awakened); Otherwise She is not pleased (by mechanical recitation of Devi Mahatmyam bereft of Devotion), 2: In this manner, by the Keela (Pin of Keelaka Stotram) Mahadeva pinned the Mantras of Devi Mahatmyam (making the meditation on the Conscious Form of Devi the central theme).
यो निष्कीलां विधायैनां चण्डीं जपति नित्यशः । स सिद्धः स गणः सोऽथ गन्धर्वो जायते ध्रुवम् ॥९॥
Yo Nisskiilaam Vidhaayainaam Cannddiim Japati Nityashah Sa Siddhah Sa Gannah Sotha Gandharvo Jaayate Dhruvam 9
1: He who after unpinning the Keelaka makes Her manifest (i.e. invokes Her Conscious Form in the heart), and then recites the Chandi, by constantly dwelling (on Her Conscious Form), ... 2: ... He becomes a Siddha (spiritually accomplished), he becomes a Gana (an attendent of the Devi), he becomes a Gandharva (celestial singer who glorifies the Devi), truly.
न चैवापाटवं तस्य भयं क्वापि न जायते । नापमृत्युवशं याति मृते च मोक्षमाप्नुयात् ॥१०॥
Na Caiva-Apaattavam Tasya Bhayam Kvaapi Na Jaayate Na-Apamrtyu-Vasham Yaati Mrte Ca Mokssam-Aapnuyaat 10
1: He indeed does not become handicapped (prematurely) with major Diseases; Fear does not rise in him anywhere (which leads to unnecessary anxiety), 2: He does not become victim of premature Death; And after Death attains Moksha (Liberation).
ज्ञात्वा प्रारभ्य कुर्वीत ह्यकुर्वाणो विनश्यति । ततो ज्ञात्वैव सम्पूर्णमिदं प्रारभ्यते बुधैः ॥११॥
Jnyaatvaa Praarabhya Kurviita Hy-Akurvaanno Vinashyati Tato Jnyaatvaiva Sampuurnnam-Idam Praarabhyate Budhaih 11
1: (Only) after knowing (the Keelakam), he should begin (reciting the Devi Mahatmyam); If not done in this manner, he is deprived (of the fruits of recitation), 2: Therefore only after knowing this fully (i.e. understanding the Keelaka fully), the wise men begin (reciting the Devi Mahatmyam).
सौभाग्यादि च यत्किञ्चिद् दृश्यते ललनाजने । तत्सर्वं तत्प्रसादेन तेन जप्यमिदं शुभम् ॥१२॥
Saubhaagya-adi Ca Yatkin.cid Drshyate Lalanaa-Jane Tat-Sarvam Tat-Prasaadena Tena Japyam-Idam Shubham 12
1: Whatever Good Fortune, Beauty, Charm and the like are seen in Women, 2: All that is the result of Your Grace; (Therefore Women) should chant this Auspicious Stotra (and meditate on the Auspicious Form of the Devi).
शनैस्तु जप्यमानेऽस्मिन् स्तोत्रे सम्पत्तिरुच्चकैः । भवत्येव समग्रापि ततः प्रारभ्यमेव तत् ॥१३॥
Shanaistu Japyamaane-smin Stotre Sampattir-Uccakaih Bhavaty-Eva Samagra-Api Tatah Praarabhyam-Eva Tat 13
1: If this Stotra is chanted gently (without haste) (meditating on its true import), one attains (Spiritual) Wealth of the highest kind, 2: One indeed becomes the Whole (i.e. fragmentation of the ego gradually melts and one feels the Conscious Form of Devi behind everything); Therefore, one should undertake the chanting (of this Keelaka).
ऐश्वर्यं यत्प्रसादेन सौभाग्यारोग्यसम्पदः । शत्रुहानिः परो मोक्षः स्तूयते सा न किं जनैः ॥१४॥
Aishvaryam Yat-Prasaadena Saubhaagya-arogya-Sampadah Shatru-Haanih Paro Mokssah Stuuyate Saa Na Kim Janaih 14
1: By Whose Grace Divine Qualities (Aishwaryam) are awakened; By Whose Presence Good Fortune (Saubhagya), Health (Freedom from Disease) (Arogya) and Wealth (Sampada) are manifested, 2: By Whose Mercy Enemies are eradicated; (And) By Whose special Grace one finally attains the highest Liberation (Moksha); Why should'nt She be Praised by the People (Who is All-Merciful)?
चण्डिकां हृदयेनापि यः स्मरेत् सततं नरः । हृद्यं काममवाप्नोति हृदि देवी सदा वसेत् ॥१५॥
Cannddikaam Hrdayena-Api Yah Smaret Satatam Narah Hrdyam Kaamam-Avaapnoti Hrdi Devii Sadaa Vaset 15
1: The person who constantly Remembers (the Conscious Form of) Devi Chandika by his Heart (with Devotion), 2: He attains his innermost Longing; And Devi always dwell in his Heart (i.e. he always feels the presence of the Conscious Form of Devi within the Heart).
अग्रतोऽमुं महादेवकृतं कीलकवारणम् । निष्किलञ्च तथा कृत्वा पठितव्यं समाहितैः ॥१६॥
Agrato-mum Mahaadeva-Krtam Kiilaka-Vaarannam Nisskilan.-Ca Tathaa Krtvaa Patthitavyam Samaahitaih 16
1: First of all, the preventive measure of Keelaka created by Mahadeva (i.e. the Pin of Keelaka) ... 2: ... should be unpinned, and then after doing that one should recite (the Devi Mahatmyam) with concentration (meditating on the Conscious Form of the Devi).