Keelakam Stotram

The Keelakam Stotra is one of the important readings of the Shri Durga Saptashati and is recited after the Devi Kavach and the Argala Stotra. The Vedokta Ratri Suktam is recited after it. This stotra describes the glory of Lord Shiva and Goddess Chandika and explains the importance of reciting and chanting it. The Keelaka Stotra speaks of the power of spiritual practice, well-being, prosperity, good fortune and the Goddess’s grace. It is recited with faith before the Chandi Path.

Atha Kilakam (॥ अथ कीलकम् ॥)

ॐ अस्य श्रीकीलकमन्त्रस्य शिव ऋषिः,अनुष्टुप् छन्दः, श्रीमहासरस्वती देवता,श्रीजगदम्बाप्रीत्यर्थं सप्तशतीपाठाङ्गत्वेन जपे विनियोगः।

Om Asya Shri-Kilaka-Mantrasya Shiva Rishih, Anushtup Chhandah, Shri-Mahasarasvati Devata, Shri-Jagadamba-Prityartham Saptashati-Pathangatvena Jape Viniyogah |

Meaning: The rishi of the Shri Keelaka mantra is Lord Shiva, its metre is Anushtup and its deity is Shri Mahasaraswati. This Keelaka Stotra is chanted to please Shri Jagadamba and as part of the recitation of the Durga Saptashati.

ॐ नमश्चण्डिकायै॥

Om Namash Chandikayai ||

Meaning: Salutations to Goddess Chandika.

Markandeya Uvacha (मार्कण्डेय उवाच)

Verse 1

ॐ विशुद्धज्ञानदेहाय त्रिवेदीदिव्यचक्षुषे। श्रेयःप्राप्तिनिमित्ताय नमः सोमार्धधारिणे॥1॥

Om Vishuddha-Jnana-Dehaya Trivedi-Divya-Chakshushe | Shreyah-Prapti-Nimittaya Namah Somardha-Dharine || 1 ||

Meaning: Salutations to Lord Shiva, who is the embodiment of pure knowledge, whose divine eyes are the knowledge of the three Vedas, who shows humanity the path to welfare, and who wears the crescent moon on his head.

Verse 2

सर्वमेतद्विजानीयान्मन्त्राणामभिकीलकम्। सोऽपि क्षेममवाप्नोति सततं जाप्यतत्परः॥2॥

Sarvam Etad Vijaniyan Mantranam Abhikilakam | So'pi Kshemam Avapnoti Satatam Japya-Tatparah || 2 ||

Meaning: This Keelaka is regarded as the key that unlocks the power of all mantras. Whoever chants it with faith and without interruption attains well-being and protection.

Verse 3

सिद्ध्यन्त्युच्चाटनादीनि वस्तूनि सकलान्यपि। एतेन स्तुवतां देवी स्तोत्रमात्रेण सिद्ध्यति॥3॥

Siddhyanty Uchchatanadini Vastuni Sakalanyapi | Etena Stuvatam Devi Stotra-Matrena Siddhyati || 3 ||

Meaning: Many of the aims of the practitioner who praises the Goddess are accomplished by reciting this stotra. The success of various practices, such as uchchatana, is also mentioned here.

Verse 4

न मन्त्रो नौषधं तत्र न किञ्चिदपि विद्यते। विना जाप्येन सिद्ध्येत सर्वमुच्चाटनादिकम्॥4॥

Na Mantro Naushadham Tatra Na Kinchidapi Vidyate | Vina Japyena Siddhyeta Sarvam Uchchatanadikam || 4 ||

Meaning: Any other mantra, medicine or remedy alone is not considered sufficient. It is said in this stotra that without regular chanting, practices such as uchchatana do not succeed.

Verse 5

समग्राण्यपि सिद्ध्यन्ति लोकशङ्कामिमां हरः। कृत्वा निमन्त्रयामास सर्वमेवमिदं शुभम्॥5॥

Samagranyapi Siddhyanti Loka-Shankam Imam Harah | Kritva Nimantrayamasa Sarvam Evam Idam Shubham || 5 ||

Meaning: To remove this doubt that had arisen in people’s minds, Lord Shiva made clear the glory of this auspicious stotra and inspired practitioners to recite it.

Verse 6

स्तोत्रं वै चण्डिकायास्तु तच्च गुप्तं चकार सः। समाप्तिर्न च पुण्यस्य तां यथावन्नियन्त्रणाम्॥6॥

Stotram Vai Chandikayas Tu Tachcha Guptam Chakara Sah | Samaptirna Cha Punyasya Tam Yathavan Niyantranam || 6 ||

Meaning: Lord Shiva kept the power of this stotra of Chandika secret. No fixed limit can be set to its merit and influence.

Verse 7

सोऽपि क्षेममवाप्नोति सर्वमेवं न संशयः। कृष्णायां वा चतुर्दश्यामष्टम्यां वा समाहितः॥7॥

So'pi Kshemam Avapnoti Sarvamevam Na Samshayah | Krishnayam Va Chaturdashyam Ashtamyam Va Samahitah || 7 ||

Meaning: A person who chants it with faith and concentration attains well-being. It may also be chanted especially on the Chaturdashi (fourteenth day) or Ashtami (eighth day) of the Krishna Paksha (the waning fortnight).

Verse 8

ददाति प्रतिगृह्णाति नान्यथैषा प्रसीदति। इत्थंरुपेण कीलेन महादेवेन कीलितम्॥8॥

Dadati Pratigrihnati Nanyathaisha Prasidati | Itthamrupena Kilena Mahadevena Kilitam || 8 ||

Meaning: Faith and surrender are necessary to receive the Goddess’s grace. In the same way, Lord Mahadeva kept the power of this stotra protected by a special lock.

Verse 9

यो निष्कीलां विधायैनां नित्यं जपति संस्फुटम्। स सिद्धः स गणः सोऽपि गन्धर्वो जायते नरः॥9॥

Yo Nishkilam Vidhayainam Nityam Japati Samsphutam | Sa Siddhah Sa Ganah So'pi Gandharvo Jayate Narah || 9 ||

Meaning: It is said that a person who removes the lock of this stotra and chants it clearly every day attains siddhi (spiritual accomplishment), divine grace and a high spiritual state.

Verse 10

न चैवाप्यटतस्तस्य भयं क्वापीह जायते। नापमृत्युवशं याति मृतो मोक्षमवाप्नुयात्॥10॥

Na Chaivapy Atatas Tasya Bhayam Kvapiha Jayate | Napamrityu-Vasham Yati Mrito Moksham Avapnuyat || 10 ||

Meaning: A person who practises this stotra has no fear anywhere. He is saved from untimely death and attains liberation after death — so it is said in praise of this stotra.

Verse 11

ज्ञात्वा प्रारभ्य कुर्वीत न कुर्वाणो विनश्यति। ततो ज्ञात्वैव सम्पन्नमिदं प्रारभ्यते बुधैः॥11॥

Jnatva Prarabhya Kurvita Na Kurvano Vinashyati | Tato Jnatvaiva Sampannam Idam Prarabhyate Budhaih || 11 ||

Meaning: One should begin reciting this stotra only after understanding its method and importance. Practice done without this knowledge does not bear its proper fruit. That is why the learned recite it only after understanding its method.

Verse 12

सौभाग्यादि च यत्किञ्चिद् दृश्यते ललनाजने। तत्सर्वं तत्प्रसादेन तेन जाप्यमिदं शुभम्॥12॥

Saubhagyadi Cha Yatkinchid Drishyate Lalanajane | Tatsarvam Tatprasadena Tena Japyamidam Shubham || 12 ||

Meaning: Whatever good fortune and auspicious qualities are seen in women come through the grace of the Goddess. Therefore this auspicious stotra should be chanted with faith.

Verse 13

शनैस्तु जप्यमानेऽस्मिन् स्तोत्रे सम्पत्तिरुच्चकैः। भवत्येव समग्रापि ततः प्रारभ्यमेव तत्॥13॥

Shanaistu Japyamane'smin Stotre Sampattir Uchchakaih | Bhavatyeva Samagrapi Tatah Prarabhyam Eva Tat || 13 ||

Meaning: By chanting this stotra regularly and steadily, every kind of wealth and prosperity gradually increases. Therefore one should begin its practice.

Verse 14

ऐश्वर्यं यत्प्रसादेन सौभाग्यारोग्यसम्पदः। शत्रुहानिः परो मोक्षः स्तूयते सा न किं जनैः॥14॥

Aishvaryam Yatprasadena Saubhagyarogya-Sampadah | Shatruhanih Paro Mokshah Stuyate Sa Na Kim Janaih || 14 ||

Meaning: Why should a person not praise the Goddess by whose grace one gains wealth, good fortune, health, prosperity, freedom from enemies and, in the end, supreme liberation? In other words, everyone should worship her with faith.