अष्टाक्षरः प्रथमः पादो भवत्यष्टाक्षरास्त्रयः पादा भवन्त्येवं द्वात्रिंशदक्षराणि संपद्यन्ते द्वात्रिंशदक्षरा वा अनुष्टुब्भवत्यनुष्टुभा सर्वमिदं सृष्टमनुष्टुभा सर्वमुपसंहृतं तस्य हि पञ्चाङ्गानि भवन्ति चत्वारः पादाश्चत्वार्यङ्गानि भवन्ति सप्रणवं सर्वं पञ्चमं भवति ।ॐ हृदयाय नमः ।ॐ शिरसे स्वाहा ।ॐ शिखायै वषट् ।ॐ कवचाय हुम् ।ॐ
In plain words
Count it out: the first quarter has eight syllables, and so do the other three -- thirty-two in all. Or say it the other way: the Anuṣṭubh itself is a thirty-two-syllable metre, and by that very metre the whole universe was brought forth, and by that very metre the whole universe is drawn back in. It has five limbs. The four quarters are, quite simply, the four limbs -- and once the Praṇava is added, the whole thing gains a fifth. Om -- to the heart, homage. Om -- to the head, hail! Om -- to the crown of hair, vaṣaṭ! Om -- to the armor, hum! Om --
Close to the Sanskrit
The first quarter is eight-syllabled; the [remaining] three quarters are eight-syllabled; thus thirty-two syllables result. Or: the Anuṣṭubh is thirty-two-syllabled; by the Anuṣṭubh all this was created, by the Anuṣṭubh all this is withdrawn. It indeed has five limbs: the four quarters are the four limbs; with the Praṇava, the whole becomes the fifth. Om, to the heart, salutation. Om, to the head, hail! Om, to the tuft, vaṣaṭ! Om, to the armor, hum! Om --