Śrī Nārāyaṇa Kavacha

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The Nārāyaṇa Kavācha occurs in chapter eight of the sixth song of Śrīmad Bhāgavata Purāṇa. It is a Spiritual Armour to protect ourselves from our enemies seen and unseen.

Raja Parīkṣit, the son of Abhimanyu, asks his teacher, Sage Śūka for a means to protect himself from his enemies. Sage Śūka then teaches him the Nārāyaṇa Kavācha, which was originally taught by Sage Viśvarūpa, the son of Tvaṣṭā, to Indra. It is believed that the soul of the man who reads this Kavācha becomes extremely holy and that anyone who reads this would be protected by Lord Vishnu.

Śloka 4-11 of this great Stotra give us in detail about the preparations that we should take before reciting this Nārāyaṇa Kavācha.

Kavāchas should be learned by a Guru who is well versed in these procedures and chanted under his guidance. If that is not possible, than the Nārāyaṇa Kavācha can be recited without performing the Kara and Anga Nyāsa or simply recite the last four lines.

Before commencing to read Nārāyaṇa Kavācha, chant ’Om Namo Nārāyaāya’ or ‘Om Namo Bhāgavate Vāsudevāya’ or your guru Mantra 12 times.

Visualize yourself and/or your loved ones, totally protected. You could ‘see’ them dressed in armour. You could see them immersed in white or violet light. You could see them in a tube of Light. You could see an impenetrable ring of white Light around them.

श्री हरिः
śrī hariḥ

अथ श्रीनारायणकवच
atha śrī Nārāyaṇa kavaca

VERSES 1–2

श्री राजोवाच
यया गुप्तः सहस्राक्षः
सवाहान् रिपुसैनिकान्
क्रीडन्न् इव विनिर्जित्य
त्रिलोक्या बुभुजे श्रियम्
भगवंस् तन् ममाख्याहि
वर्म नारायणात्मकम्
यथाततायिनः शत्रून्
येन गुप्तो ’जयन् मृधे

 

SYNONYMS

śrī-rājā uvāca—King Parīkṣit said; yayā—by which (the spiritual armour); guptaḥ—protected; sahasra-akṣaḥ—the thousand-eyed King Indra; sa-vāhān—with their carriers; ripu-sainikān—the soldiers and commanders of the enemies; krīḍan iva—just like playing; vinirjitya—conquering; tri-lokyāḥ—of the three worlds (the higher, middle and lower planetary systems); bubhuje—enjoyed; śriyam—the opulence; bhagavan—O great sage; tat—that; mama—unto me; ākhyāhi—please explain; varma—defensive armour made of a mantra; nārāyaṇa-ātmakam—consisting of the mercy of Nārāyaṇa; yathā—in which way; ātatāyinaḥ—who were endeavoring to kill him; śatrūn—enemies; yena—by which; guptaḥ—being protected; ajayat—conquered; mṛdhe—in the fight.

TRANSLATION

King Parīkṣit inquired from Śukadeva Gosvāmī: My lord, kindly explain the Viṣṇu mantra armour that protected King Indra and enabled him to conquer his enemies, along with their carriers, and enjoy the opulence of the three worlds. Please explain to me that Nārāyaṇa armour, by which King Indra achieved success in battle, conquering the enemies who were endeavoring to kill him.

VERSE 3

श्री बादरायणिर् उवाच
वृतः पुरोहितस् त्वाष्ट्रो
महेन्द्रायानुपृच्छते
नारायणाख्यं वर्माह
तद् इहैकमनाः शृणु

 

SYNONYMS

śrī-bādarāyaṇiḥ uvāca—Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī said; vṛtaḥ—the chosen; purohitaḥ—priest; tvāṣṭraḥ—the son of Tvaṣṭā; mahendrāya—unto King Indra; anupṛcchate—after he (Indra) inquired; nārāyaṇa-ākhyam—named Nārāyaṇa-kavaca; varma—defensive armour made of a mantra; āha—he said; tat—that; iha—this; eka-manāḥ—with great attention; śṛṇu—hear from me.

TRANSLATION

Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: King Indra, the leader of the demigods, inquired about the armour known as Nārāyaṇa-kavaca from Viśvarūpa, who was engaged by the demigods as their priest. Please hear Viśvarūpa’s reply with great attention.

VERSES 4–6

श्री विश्वरूप उवाच
धौताङ्घ्रिपाणिर् आचम्य
सपवित्र उदङ्मुखः
कृतस्वाङ्गकरन्यासो
मन्त्राभ्यां वाग्यतः शुचिः
नारायणपरं वर्म
सन्नह्येद् भय आगते
पादयोर् जानुनोर् ऊर्वोर्
उदरे हृद्य् अथोरसि
मुखे शिरस्य् आनुपूर्व्याद्
ओंकारादीनि विन्यसेत्
ओं नमो नारायणायेति
विपर्ययम् अथापि वा

 

SYNONYMS

śrī-viśvarūpaḥ uvāca—Śrī Viśvarūpa said; dhauta—having completely washed; aṅghri—feet; pāṇiḥ—hands; ācamya—performing ācamana (sipping a little water three times after chanting the prescribed mantra); sa-pavitraḥ—wearing rings made of kuśa grass (on the ring finger of each hand); udak-mukhaḥ—sitting facing the north; kṛta—making; sva-aṅga-kara-nyāsaḥ—mental assignment of the eight parts of the body and twelve parts of the hands; mantrābhyām—with the two mantras (oṁ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya and oṁ namo nārāyaṇāya); vāk-yataḥ—keeping oneself silent; śuciḥ—being purified; nārāyaṇa-param—fully intent on Lord Nārāyaṇa; varma—armour; sannahyet— put on oneself; bhaye—when fear; āgate—has come; pādayoḥ—on the two legs; jānunoḥ—on the two knees; ūrvoḥ—on the two thighs; udare—on the abdomen; hṛdi—on the heart; atha—thus; urasi—on the chest; mukhe—on the mouth; śirasi—on the head; ānupūrvyāt—one after another; oṁkāra-ādīni—beginning with oṁkāra; vinyaset—one should place; oṁ—the praṇava; namaḥ—obeisances; nārāyaṇāya— unto Nārāyaṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead; iti—thus; viparyayam—the reverse; atha api—moreover; —or.

TRANSLATION

Viśvarūpa said: If some form of fear arrives, one should first wash his hands and legs clean and then perform ācamana by chanting this mantra:

oṁ apavitraḥ pavitro vā sarvāvasthāṁ gato ’pi vā
yaḥ smaret puṇḍarīkākṣaṁ sa bahyābhyantaraḥ śuciḥ
śrī-viṣṇu śrī-viṣṇu śrī-viṣṇu.

Then one should touch kuśa grass and sit gravely and silently, facing north. When completely purified, one should touch the mantra composed of eight syllables to the eight parts of his body and touch the mantra composed of twelve syllables to his hands. Thus, in the following manner, he should bind himself with the Nārāyaṇa coat of armour. First, while chanting the mantra composed of eight syllables [oṁ namo Nārāyaṇāya], beginning with the praṇava, the syllable oṁ, one should touch his hands to eight parts of his body, starting with the two feet and progressing systematically to the knees, thighs, abdomen, heart, chest, mouth and head. Then one should chant the mantra in reverse, beginning from the last syllable [ya], while touching the parts of his body in the reverse order. These two processes are known as utpatti-nyāsa and saṁhāra-nyāsa respectively.

VERSE 7

करन्यासं ततः कुर्याद्
द्वादशाक्षरविद्यया
प्रणवादियकारान्तम्
अङ्गुल्यङ्गुष्ठपर्वसु

 

SYNONYMS

kara-nyāsam—the ritual known as kara-nyāsa, which assigns the syllables of the mantra to the fingers; tataḥ—thereafter; kuryāt—should execute; dvādaśa-akṣara—composed of twelve syllables; vidyayā—with the mantra; praṇava-ādi—beginning with the oṁkāra; ya-kāra-antam—ending with the syllable ya; aṅguli—on the fingers, beginning with the index finger; aṅguṣṭha-parvasu—to the joints of the thumbs.

TRANSLATION

Then one should chant the mantra composed of twelve syllables [oṁ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya]. Preceding each syllable by the oṁkāra, one should place the syllables of the mantra on the tips of his fingers, beginning with the index finger of the right hand and concluding with the index finger of the left. The four remaining syllables should be placed on the joints of the thumbs.

VERSES 8–10

न्यसेद् धृदय ओंकारं
विकारम् अनु मूर्धनि
षकारं तु भ्रुवोर् मध्ये
णकारं शिखया न्यसेत्
वेकारं नेत्रयोर् युञ्ज्यान्
नकारं सर्वसन्धिषु
मकारम् अस्त्रम् उद्दिश्य
मन्त्रमूर्तिर् भवेद् बुधः
सविसर्गं फडन्तं तत्
सर्वदिक्षु विनिर्दिशेत्
ओं विष्णवे नम इति

 

SYNONYMS

nyaset—should place; hṛdaye—on the heart; oṁkāram—the praṇava, oṁkāra; vi-kāram—the syllable vi of viṣṇave; anu—thereafter; mūrdhani—on the top of the head; ṣa-kāram—the syllable sa; tu—and; bhruvoḥ madhye—between the two eyebrows; ṇa-kāram—the syllable ṇa; śikhayā—on the śikhā on the head; nyaset—should place; vekāram—the syllable ve; netrayoḥ—between the two eyes; yuñjyāt—should be placed; na-kāram—the syllable na of the word namaḥ; sarva-sandhiṣu—on all the joints; ma-kāram—the syllable ma of the word namaḥ; astram—a weapon; uddiśya—thinking; mantra-mūrtiḥ—the form of the mantra; bhavet—should become; budhaḥ—an intelligent person; sa-visargam—with the visarga (ḥ); phaṭ-antam—ending with the sound phaṭ; tat—that; sarva-dikṣu—in all directions; vinirdiśet—should fix; oṁ—praṇava; viṣṇave—unto Lord Viṣṇu; namaḥ—obeisances; iti—thus.

TRANSLATION

One must then chant the mantra of six syllables [oṁ viṣṇave namaḥ]. One should place the syllable “oṁ” on his heart, the syllable “vi” on the top of his head, the syllable “ṣa” between his eyebrows, the syllable “ṇa” on his tuft of hair [śikhā], and the syllable “ve” between his eyes. The chanter of the mantra should then place the syllable “na” on all the joints of his body and meditate on the syllable “ma” as being a weapon. He should thus become the perfect personification of the mantra. Thereafter, adding visarga to the final syllable “ma,” he should chant the mantra “maḥ astrāya phaṭ” in all directions, beginning from the east. In this way, all directions will be bound by the protective armour of the mantra.

VERSE 11

आत्मानं परमं ध्यायेद्
ध्येयं षट्शक्तिभिर् युतम्
विद्यातेजस्तपोमूर्तिम्
इमं मन्त्रम् उदाहरेत्

 

SYNONYMS

ātmānam—the self; paramam—the supreme; dhyāyet—one should meditate on; dhyeyam—worthy to be meditated on; ṣaṭ-śaktibhiḥ—the six opulences; yutam—possessed of; vidyā—learning; tejaḥ—influence; tapaḥ—austerity; mūrtim—personified; imam—this; mantram—mantra; udāharet—should chant.

TRANSLATION

After finishing this chanting, one should think himself qualitatively one with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is full in six opulences and is worthy to be meditated upon. Then one should chant the following protective prayer to Lord Nārāyaṇa, the Nārāyaṇa-kavaca.

VERSE 12

ओं हरिर् विदध्यान् मम सर्वरक्षां
न्यस्ताङ्घ्रिपद्मः पतगेन्द्रपृष्ठे
दरारिचर्मासिगदेषुचाप
पाशान् दधानो ’ष्टगुणो ’ष्टबाहुः

 

SYNONYMS

oṁ—O Lord; hariḥ—the Supreme Personality of Godhead; vidadhyāt—may He bestow; mama—my; sarva-rakṣām—protection from all sides; nyasta—placed; aṅghri-padmaḥ—whose lotus feet; patagendra-pṛṣṭhe—on the back of Garuḍa, the king of all birds; dara—conchshell; ari—disc; carma—shield; asi—sword; gadā—club; iṣu—arrows; cāpa—bow; pāśān—ropes; dadhānaḥ—holding; aṣṭa—possessing eight; guṇaḥ—perfections; aṣṭa—eight; bāhuḥ—arms.

TRANSLATION

The Supreme Lord, who sits on the back of the bird Garuḍa, touching him with His lotus feet, holds eight weapons—the conchshell, disc, shield, sword, club, arrows, bow and ropes. May that Supreme Personality of Godhead protect me at all times with His eight arms. He is all-powerful because He fully possesses the eight mystic powers [aṇimā, laghimā, etc.].

VERSE 13

जलेषु मां रक्षतु मत्स्यमूर्तिर्
यादोगणेभ्यो वरुणस्य पाशात्
स्थलेषु मायावटुवामनो ’व्यात्
त्रिविक्रमः खे ’वतु विश्वरूपः

 

SYNONYMS

jaleṣu—in the water; mām—me; rakṣatu—protect; matsya-mūrtiḥ—the Supreme Lord in the form of a great fish; yādaḥ-gaṇebhyaḥ—from fierce aquatic animals; varuṇasya—of the demigod known as Varuṇa; pāśāt—from the arresting rope; sthaleṣu—on the land; māyā-vaṭu—the merciful form of the Lord as a dwarf; vāmanaḥ—named Vāmanadeva; avyāt—may He protect; trivikramaḥ—Trivikrama, whose three gigantic steps took the three worlds from Bali; khe—in the sky; avatu—may the Lord protect; viśvarūpaḥ—the gigantic universal form.

TRANSLATION

May the Lord, who assumes the body of a great fish, protect me in the water from the fierce animals that are associates of the demigod Varuṇa. By expanding His illusory energy, the Lord assumed the form of the dwarf Vāmana. May Vāmana protect me on the land. Since the gigantic form of the Lord, Viśvarūpa, conquers the three worlds, may He protect me in the sky.

VERSE 14

दुर्गेष्व् अटव्याजिमुखादिषु प्रभुः
पायान् नृसिंहो ’सुरयूथपारिः
विमुञ्चतो यस्य महाट्टहासं
दिशो विनेदुर् न्यपतंश् च गर्भाः

 

SYNONYMS

durgeṣu—in places where travel is very difficult; aṭavi—in the dense forest; āji-mukha-ādiṣu—on the war front and so on; prabhuḥ—the Supreme Lord; pāyāt—may He protect; nṛsiṁhaḥ—Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva; asura-yūthapa—of Hiraṇyakaśipu, the leader of the demons; ariḥ—the enemy; vimuñcataḥ—releasing; yasya—of whom; mahā-aṭṭa-hāsam—great and fearful laughing; diśaḥ—all the directions; vineduḥ—resounded through; nyapatan—fell down; ca—and; garbhāḥ—the embryos of the wives of the demons.

TRANSLATION

May Lord Nṛsiṁha-deva, who appeared as the enemy of Hiraṇyakaśipu, protect me in all directions. His loud laughing vibrated in all directions and caused the pregnant wives of the asuras to have miscarriages. May that Lord be kind enough to protect me in difficult places like the forest and battlefront.

VERSE 15

रक्षत्व् असौ माध्वनि यज्ञकल्पः
स्वदंष्ट्रयोन्नीतधरो वराहः
रामो ’द्रिकूटेष्व् अथ विप्रवासे
सलक्ष्मणो ’व्याद् भरताग्रजो ’स्मान्

 

SYNONYMS

rakṣatu—may the Lord protect; asau—that; —me; adhvani—on the street; yajña-kalpaḥ—who is ascertained by performance of ritualistic ceremonies; sva-daṁṣṭrayā—by His own tusk; unnīta—raising; dharaḥ—the planet earth; varāhaḥ—Lord Boar; rāmaḥ—Lord Rāma; adri-kūṭeṣu—on the summits of the mountains; atha—then; vipravāse—in foreign countries; sa-lakṣmaṇaḥ—with His brother Lakṣmaṇa; avyāt—may He protect; bharata-agrajaḥ—the elder brother of Mahārāja Bharata; asmān—us.

TRANSLATION

The Supreme indestructible Lord is ascertained through the performance of ritualistic sacrifices and is therefore known as Yajñeśvara. In His incarnation as Lord Boar, He raised the planet earth from the water at the bottom of the universe and kept it on His pointed tusks. May that Lord protect me from rogues on the street. May Paraśurāma protect me on the tops of mountains, and may the elder brother of Bharata, Lord Rāmacandra, along with His brother Lakṣmaṇa, protect me in foreign countries.

VERSE 16

माम् उग्रधर्माद् अखिलात् प्रमादान्
नारायणः पातु नरश् च हासात्
दत्तस् त्व् अयोगाद् अथ योगनाथः
पायाद् गुणेशः कपिलः कर्मबन्धात्

 

SYNONYMS

mām—me; ugra-dharmāt—from unnecessary religious principles; akhilāt—from all kinds of activities; pramādāt—which are enacted in madness; nārāyaṇaḥ—Lord Nārāyaṇa; pātu—may He protect; naraḥ ca—and Nara; hāsāt—from unnecessary pride; dattaḥ—Dattātreya; tu—of course; ayogāt—from the path of false yoga; atha—indeed; yoga-nāthaḥ—the master of all mystic powers; pāyāt—may He protect; guṇa-īśaḥ—the master of all spiritual qualities; kapilaḥ—Lord Kapila; karma-bandhāt—from the bondage of fruitive activities.

TRANSLATION

May Lord Nārāyaṇa protect me from unnecessarily following false religious systems and falling from my duties due to madness. May the Lord in His appearance as Nara protect me from unnecessary pride. May Lord Dattātreya, the master of all mystic power, protect me from falling while performing bhakti-yoga, and may Lord Kapila, the master of all good qualities, protect me from the material bondage of fruitive activities.

VERSE 17

सनत्कुमारो ’वतु कामदेवाद्
धयशीर्षा मां पथि देवहेलनात्
देवर्षिवर्यः पुरुषार्चनान्तरात्
कूर्मो हरिर् मां निरयाद् अशेषात्

 

SYNONYMS

sanat-kumāraḥ—the great brahmacārī named Sanat-kumāra; avatu—may he protect; kāma-devāt—from the hands of Cupid or lusty desire; haya-śīrṣā—Lord Hayagrīva, the incarnation of the Lord whose head is like that of a horse; mām—me; pathi—on the path; deva-helanāt—from neglecting to offer respectful obeisances to brāhmaṇas, Vaiṣṇavas and the Supreme Lord; devarṣi-varyaḥ—the best of the saintly sages, Nārada; puruṣa-arcana-antarāt—from the offenses in worshiping the Deity; kūrmaḥ—Lord Kūrma, the tortoise; hariḥ—the Supreme Personality of Godhead; mām—me; nirayāt—from hell; aśeṣāt—unlimited.

TRANSLATION

May Sanat-kumāra protect me from lusty desires. As I begin some auspicious activity, may Lord Hayagrīva protect me from being an offender by neglecting to offer respectful obeisances to the Supreme Lord. May Devarṣi Nārada protect me from committing offenses in worshiping the Deity, and may Lord Kūrma, the tortoise, protect me from falling to the unlimited hellish planets.

VERSE 18

धन्वन्तरिर् भगवान् पात्व् अपथ्याद्
द्वन्द्वाद् भयाद् ऋषभो निर्जितात्मा
यज्ञश् च लोकाद् अवताज् जनान्ताद्
बलो गणात् क्रोधवशाद् अहीन्द्रः

 

SYNONYMS

dhanvantariḥ—the incarnation Dhanvantari, the physician; bhagavān—the Supreme Personality of Godhead; pātu—may He protect me; apathyāt—from things injurious to the health, such as meat and intoxicants; dvandvāt—from duality; bhayāt—from fear; ṛṣabhaḥ—Lord Ṛṣabhadeva; nirjita-ātmā—who fully controlled his mind and self; yajñaḥ—Yajña; ca—and; lokāt—from the defamation of the populace; avatāt—may He protect; jana-antāt—from dangerous positions created by other people; balaḥ—Lord Balarāma; gaṇāt—from the hordes of; krodha-vaśāt—the angry serpents; ahīndraḥ—Lord Balarāma in the form of the serpent Śeṣa Nāga.

TRANSLATION

May the Supreme Personality of Godhead in His incarnation as Dhanvantari relieve me from undesirable eatables and protect me from physical illness. May Lord Ṛṣabhadeva, who conquered His inner and outer senses, protect me from fear produced by the duality of heat and cold. May Yajña protect me from defamation and harm from the populace, and may Lord Balarāma as Śeṣa protect me from envious serpents.

VERSE 19

द्वैपायनो भगवान् अप्रबोधाद्
बुद्धस् तु पाषण्डगणप्रमादात्
कल्किः कलेः कालमलात् प्रपातु
धर्मावनायोरुकृतावतारः

 

SYNONYMS

dvaipāyanaḥ—Śrīla Vyāsadeva, the giver of all Vedic knowledge; bhagavān—the most powerful incarnation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; aprabodhāt—from ignorance of the śāstra; buddhaḥ tu—also Lord Buddha; pāṣaṇḍa-gaṇa—of atheists creating disillusionment for innocent persons; pramādāt—from the madness; kalkiḥ—Lord Kalki, the incarnation of Keśava; kaleḥ—of this Kali-yuga; kāla-malāt—from the darkness of the age; prapātu—may He protect; dharma-avanāya—for the protection of religious principles; uru—very great; kṛta-avatāraḥ—who took an incarnation.

TRANSLATION

May the Personality of Godhead in His incarnation as Vyāsadeva protect me from all kinds of ignorance resulting from the absence of Vedic knowledge. May Lord Buddhadeva protect me from activities opposed to Vedic principles and from laziness that causes one to madly forget the Vedic principles of knowledge and ritualistic action. May Kalki-deva, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who appeared as an incarnation to protect religious principles, protect me from the dirt of the age of Kali.

VERSE 20

मां केशवो गदया प्रातर् अव्याद्
गोविन्द आसङ्गवम् आत्तवेणुः
नारायणः प्राह्ण उदात्तशक्तिर्
मध्यन्दिने विष्णुर् अरीन्द्रपाणिः

 

SYNONYMS

mām—me; keśavaḥ—Lord Keśava; gadayā—by His club; prātaḥ—in the morning hours; avyāt—may He protect; govindaḥ—Lord Govinda; āsaṅgavam—during the second part of the day; ātta-veṇuḥ—holding His flute; nārāyaṇaḥ—Lord Nārāyaṇa with four hands; prāhṇaḥ—during the third part of the day; udātta-śaktiḥ—controlling different types of potencies; madhyam-dine—during the fourth part of the day; viṣṇuḥ—Lord Viṣṇu; arīndra-pāṇiḥ—bearing the disc in His hand to kill the enemies.

TRANSLATION

May Lord Keśava protect me with His club in the first portion of the day, and may Govinda, who is always engaged in playing His flute, protect me in the second portion of the day. May Lord Nārāyaṇa, who is equipped with all potencies, protect me in the third part of the day, and may Lord Viṣṇu, who carries a disc to kill His enemies, protect me in the fourth part of the day.

VERSE 21

देवो ’पराह्णे मधुहोग्रधन्वा
सायं त्रिधामावतु माधवो माम्
दोषे हृषीकेश उतार्धरात्रे
निशीथ एको ’वतु पद्मनाभः

 

SYNONYMS

devaḥ—the Lord; aparāhṇe—in the fifth part of the day; madhu-hā—named Madhusūdana; ugra-dhanvā—bearing the very fearful bow known as Śārṅga; sāyam—the sixth part of the day; tri-dhāmā—manifesting as the three deities Brahmā, Viṣṇu and Maheśvara; avatu—may He protect; mādhavaḥ—named Mādhava; mām—me; doṣe—during the first portion of the night; hṛṣīkeśaḥ—Lord Hṛṣīkeśa; uta—also; ardha-rātre—during the second part of the night; niśīthe—during the third part of the night; ekaḥ—alone; avatu—may He protect; padmanābhaḥ—Lord Padmanābha.

TRANSLATION

May Lord Madhusūdana, who carries a bow very fearful for the demons, protect me during the fifth part of the day. In the evening, may Lord Mādhava, appearing as Brahmā, Viṣṇu and Maheśvara, protect me, and in the beginning of night may Lord Hṛṣīkeśa protect me. At the dead of night [in the second and third parts of night] may Lord Padmanābha alone protect me.

VERSE 22

श्रीवत्सधामापररात्र ईशः
प्रत्यूष ईशो ’सिधरो जनार्दनः
दामोदरो ’व्याद् अनुसन्ध्यं प्रभाते
विश्वेश्वरो भगवान् कालमूर्तिः

 

SYNONYMS

śrīvatsa-dhāmā—the Lord, on whose chest the mark of Śrīvatsa is resting; apara-rātre—in the fourth part of the night; īśaḥ—the Supreme Lord; pratyūṣe—in the end of the night; īśaḥ—the Supreme Lord; asi-dharaḥ—carrying a sword in the hand; janārdanaḥ—Lord Janārdana; dāmodaraḥ—Lord Dāmodara; avyāt—may He protect; anusandhyam—during each junction or twilight; prabhāte—in the early morning (the sixth part of the night); viśva-īśvaraḥ—the Lord of the whole universe; bhagavān—the Supreme Personality of Godhead; kāla-mūrtiḥ—the personification of time.

TRANSLATION

May the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who bears the Śrīvatsa on His chest, protect me after midnight until the sky becomes pinkish. May Lord Janārdana, who carries a sword in His hand, protect me at the end of night [during the last four ghaṭikās of night]. May Lord Dāmodara protect me in the early morning, and may Lord Viśveśvara protect me during the junctions of day and night.

VERSE 23

चक्रं युगान्तानलतिग्मनेमि
भ्रमत् समन्ताद् भगवत्प्रयुक्तम्
दन्दग्धि दन्दग्ध्य् अरिसैन्यम् आशु
कक्षं यथा वातसखो हुताशः

 

SYNONYMS

cakram—the disc of the Lord; yuga-anta—at the end of the millennium; anala—like the fire of devastation; tigma-nemi—with a sharp rim; bhramat—wandering; samantāt—on all sides; bhagavat-prayuktam—being engaged by the Lord; dandagdhi dandagdhi—please burn completely, please burn completely; ari-sainyam—the army of our enemies; āśu—immediately; kakṣam—dry grass; yathā—like; vāta-sakhaḥ—the friend of the wind; hutāśaḥ—blazing fire.

TRANSLATION

Set into motion by the Supreme Personality of Godhead and wandering in all the four directions, the disc of the Supreme Lord has sharp edges as destructive as the fire of devastation at the end of the millennium. As a blazing fire burns dry grass to ashes with the assistance of the breeze, may that Sudarśana cakra burn our enemies to ashes.

VERSE 24

गदे ’शनिस्पर्शनविस्फुलिङ्गे
निष्पिण्ढि निष्पिण्ढ्य् अजितप्रियासि
कुष्माण्डवैनायकयक्षरक्षो
भूतग्रहांश् चूर्णय चूर्णयारीन्

 

SYNONYMS

gade—O club in the hands of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; aśani—like thunderbolts; sparśana—whose touch; visphuliṅge—giving off sparks of fire; niṣpiṇḍhi niṣpiṇḍhi—pound to pieces, pound to pieces; ajita-priyā—very dear to the Supreme Personality of Godhead; asi—you are; kuṣmāṇḍa—imps named Kuṣmāṇḍas; vaināyaka—ghosts named Vaināyakas; yakṣa—ghosts named Yakṣas; rakṣaḥ—ghosts named Rākṣasas; bhūta—ghosts named Bhūtas; grahān—and evil demons named Grahas; cūrṇaya—pulverize; cūrṇaya—pulverize; arīn—my enemies.

TRANSLATION

O club in the hand of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, you produce sparks of fire as powerful as thunderbolts, and you are extremely dear to the Lord. I am also His servant. Therefore kindly help me pound to pieces the evil living beings known as Kuṣmāṇḍas, Vaināyakas, Yakṣas, Rākṣasas, Bhūtas and Grahas. Please pulverize them.

VERSE 25

त्वं यातुधानप्रमथप्रेतमातृ
पिशाचविप्रग्रहघोरदृष्टीन्
दरेन्द्र विद्रावय कृष्णपूरितो
भीमस्वनो ’रेर् हृदयानि कम्पयन्

 

SYNONYMS

tvam—you; yātudhāna—Rākṣasas; pramatha—Pramathas; preta—Pretas; mātṛ—Mātās; piśāca—Piśācas; vipra-graha—brāhmaṇa ghosts; ghora-dṛṣṭīn—who have very fearful eyes; darendra—O Pāñcajanya, the conchshell in the hands of the Lord; vidrāvaya—drive away; kṛṣṇa-pūritaḥ—being filled with air from the mouth of Kṛṣṇa; bhīma-svanaḥ—sounding extremely fearful; areḥ—of the enemy; hṛdayāni—the cores of the hearts; kampayan—causing to tremble.

TRANSLATION

O best of conchshells, O Pāñcajanya in the hands of the Lord, you are always filled with the breath of Lord Kṛṣṇa. Therefore you create a fearful sound vibration that causes trembling in the hearts of enemies like the Rākṣasas, pramatha ghosts, Pretas, Mātās, Piśācas and brāhmaṇa ghosts with fearful eyes.

VERSE 26

त्वं तिग्मधारासिवरारिसैन्यम्
ईशप्रयुक्तो मम छिन्धि छिन्धि
चक्षूंषि चर्मञ् छतचन्द्र छादय
द्विषाम् अघोनां हर पापचक्षुषाम्

 

SYNONYMS

tvam—you; tigma-dhāra-asi-vara—O best of swords possessing very sharp blades; ari-sainyam—the soldiers of the enemy; īśa-prayuktaḥ—being engaged by the Supreme Personality of Godhead; mama—my; chindhi chindhi—chop to pieces, chop to pieces; cakṣūṁṣi—the eyes; carman—O shield; śata-candra—possessing brilliant circles like a hundred moons; chādaya—please cover; dviṣām—of those who are envious of me; aghonām—who are completely sinful; hara—please take away; pāpa-cakṣuṣām—of those whose eyes are very sinful.

TRANSLATION

O king of sharp-edged swords, you are engaged by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Please cut the soldiers of my enemies to pieces. Please cut them to pieces! O shield marked with a hundred brilliant moonlike circles, please cover the eyes of the sinful enemies. Pluck out their sinful eyes.

VERSES 27–28

यन् नो भयं ग्रहेभ्यो ’भूत्
केतुभ्यो नृभ्य एव च
सरीसृपेभ्यो दंष्ट्रिभ्यो
भूतेभ्यो ’ंहोभ्य एव च
सर्वाण्य् एतानि भगवन्
नामरूपानुकीर्तनात्
प्रयान्तु सङ्क्षयं सद्यो
ये नः श्रेयःप्रतीपकाः

 

SYNONYMS

yat—which; naḥ—our; bhayam—fear; grahebhyaḥ—from the Graha demons; abhūt—was; ketubhyaḥ—from meteors, or falling stars; nṛbhyaḥ—from envious human beings; eva ca—also; sarīsṛpebhyaḥ—from snakes or scorpions; daṁṣṭribhyaḥ—from animals with fierce teeth like tigers, wolves and boars; bhūtebhyaḥ—from ghosts or the material elements (earth, water, fire, etc.); aṁhobhyaḥ—from sinful activities; eva ca—as well as; sarvāṇi etāni—all these; bhagavat-nāma-rūpa-anukīrtanāt—by glorifying the transcendental form, name, attributes and paraphernalia of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; prayāntu—let them go; saṅkṣayam—to complete destruction; sadyaḥ—immediately; ye—which; naḥ—our; śreyaḥ-pratīpakāḥ—hindrances to well-being.

TRANSLATION

May the glorification of the transcendental name, form, qualities and paraphernalia of the Supreme Personality of Godhead protect us from the influence of bad planets, meteors, envious human beings, serpents, scorpions, and animals like tigers and wolves. May it protect us from ghosts and the material elements like earth, water, fire and air, and may it also protect us from lightning and our past sins. We are always afraid of these hindrances to our auspicious life. Therefore, may they all be completely destroyed by the chanting of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra.

VERSE 29

गरुडो भगवान् स्तोत्र
स्तोभश् छन्दोमयः प्रभुः
रक्षत्व् अशेषकृच्छ्रेभ्यो
विष्वक्सेनः स्वनामभिः

 

SYNONYMS

garuḍaḥ—His Holiness Garuḍa, the carrier of Lord Viṣṇu; bhagavān—as powerful as the Supreme Personality of Godhead; stotra-stobhaḥ—who is glorified by selected verses and songs; chandaḥ-mayaḥ—the personified Vedas; prabhuḥ—the lord; rakṣatu—may He protect; aśeṣa-kṛcchrebhyaḥ—from unlimited miseries; viṣvaksenaḥ—Lord Viṣvaksena; sva-nāmabhiḥ—by His holy names.

TRANSLATION

Lord Garuḍa, the carrier of Lord Viṣṇu, is the most worshipable lord, for he is as powerful as the Supreme Lord Himself. He is the personified Vedas and is worshiped by selected verses. May he protect us from all dangerous conditions, and may Lord Viṣvaksena, the Personality of Godhead, also protect us from all dangers by His holy names.

VERSE 30

सर्वापद्भ्यो हरेर् नाम
रूपयानायुधानि नः
बुद्धीन्द्रियमनःप्राणान्
पान्तु पार्षदभूषणाः

 

SYNONYMS

sarva-āpadbhyaḥ—from all kinds of danger; hareḥ—of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; nāma—the holy name; rūpa—the transcendental form; yāna—the carriers; āyudhāni—and all the weapons; naḥ—our; buddhi—intelligence; indriya—senses; manaḥ—mind; prāṇān—life air; pāntu—may they protect and maintain; pārṣada-bhūṣaṇāḥ—the decorations who are personal associates.

TRANSLATION

May the Supreme Personality of Godhead’s holy names, His transcendental forms, His carriers and all the weapons decorating Him as personal associates protect our intelligence, senses, mind and life air from all dangers.

VERSE 31

यथा हि भगवान् एव
वस्तुतः सद् असच् च यत्
सत्येनानेन नः सर्वे
यान्तु नाशम् उपद्रवाः

 

SYNONYMS

yathā—just as; hi—indeed; bhagavān—the Supreme Personality of Godhead; eva—undoubtedly; vastutaḥ—at the ultimate issue; sat—manifested; asat—unmanifested; ca—and; yat—whatever; satyena—by the truth; anena—this; naḥ—our; sarve—all; yāntu—let them go; nāśam—to annihilation; upadravāḥ—disturbances.

TRANSLATION

The subtle and gross cosmic manifestation is material, but nevertheless it is nondifferent from the Supreme Personality of Godhead because He is ultimately the cause of all causes. Cause and effect are factually one because the cause is present in the effect. Therefore the Absolute Truth, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, can destroy all our dangers by any of His potent parts.

VERSES 32–33

यथैकात्म्यानुभावानां
विकल्परहितः स्वयम्
भूषणायुधलिङ्गाख्या
धत्ते शक्तीः स्वमायया
तेनैव सत्यमानेन
सर्वज्ञो भगवान् हरिः
पातु सर्वैः स्वरूपैर् नः
सदा सर्वत्र सर्वगः

 

SYNONYMS

yathā—just as; aikātmya—in terms of oneness manifested in varieties; anubhāvānām—of those thinking; vikalpa-rahitaḥ—the absence of difference; svayam—Himself; bhūṣaṇa—decorations; āyudha—weapons; liṅga-ākhyāḥ—characteristics and different names; dhatte—possesses; śaktīḥ—potencies like wealth, influence, power, knowledge, beauty and renunciation; sva-māyayā—by expanding His spiritual energy; tena eva—by that; satya-mānena—true understanding; sarva-jñaḥ—omniscient; bhagavān—the Supreme Personality of Godhead; hariḥ—who can take away all the illusion of the living entities; pātu—may He protect; sarvaiḥ—with all; sva-rūpaiḥ—His forms; naḥ—us; sadā—always; sarvatra—everywhere; sarva-gaḥ—who is all-pervasive.

TRANSLATION

The Supreme Personality of Godhead, the living entities, the material energy, the spiritual energy and the entire creation are all individual substances. In the ultimate analysis, however, together they constitute the supreme one, the Personality of Godhead. Therefore those who are advanced in spiritual knowledge see unity in diversity. For such advanced persons, the Lord’s bodily decorations, His name, His fame, His attributes and forms and the weapons in His hand are manifestations of the strength of His potency. According to their elevated spiritual understanding, the omniscient Lord, who manifests various forms, is present everywhere. May He always protect us everywhere from all calamities.

VERSE 34

विदिक्षु दिक्षूर्ध्वम् अधः समन्ताद्
अन्तर् बहिर् भगवान् नारसिंहः
प्रहापयॡ लोकभयं स्वनेन
स्वतेजसा ग्रस्तसमस्ततेजाः

 

SYNONYMS

vidikṣu—in all corners; dikṣu—in all directions (east, west, north and south); ūrdhvam—above; adhaḥ—below; samantāt—on all sides; antaḥ—internally; bahiḥ—externally; bhagavān—the Supreme Personality of Godhead; nārasiṁhaḥ—in the form of Nṛsiṁhadeva (half-lion and half-man); prahāpayan—completely destroying; loka-bhayam—fear created by animals, poison, weapons, water, air, fire and so on; svanena—by His roar or the vibration of His name by His devotee Prahlāda Mahārāja; sva-tejasā—by His personal effulgence; grasta—covered; samasta—all other; tejāḥ—influences.

TRANSLATION

Prahlāda Mahārāja loudly chanted the holy name of Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva. May Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva, roaring for His devotee Prahlāda Mahārāja, protect us from all fear of dangers created by stalwart leaders in all directions through poison, weapons, water, fire, air and so on. May the Lord cover their influence by His own transcendental influence. May Nṛsiṁhadeva protect us in all directions and in all corners, above, below, within and without.

VERSE 35

मघवन्न् इदम् आख्यातं
वर्म नारायणात्मकम्
विजेष्यसे ’ञ्जसा येन
दंशितो ’सुरयूथपान्

 

SYNONYMS

maghavan—O King Indra; idam—this; ākhyātam—described; varma—mystic armour; nārāyaṇa-ātmakam—related to Nārāyaṇa; vijeṣyase—you will conquer; añjasā—very easily; yena—by which; daṁśitaḥ—being protected; asura-yūthapān—the chief leaders of the demons.

TRANSLATION

Viśvarūpa continued: O Indra, this mystic armour related to Lord Nārāyaṇa has been described by me to you. By putting on this protective covering, you will certainly be able to conquer the leaders of the demons.

VERSE 36

एतद् धारयमाणस् तु
यं यं पश्यति चक्षुषा
पदा वा संस्पृशेत् सद्यः
साध्वसात् स विमुच्यते

 

SYNONYMS

etat—this; dhārayamāṇaḥ—a person employing; tu—but; yam yam—whomever; paśyati—he sees; cakṣuṣā—by his eyes; padā—by his feet; —or; saṁspṛśet—may touch; sadyaḥ—immediately; sādhvasāt—from all fear; saḥ—he; vimucyate—is freed.

TRANSLATION

If one employs this armour, whomever he sees with his eyes or touches with his feet is immediately freed from all the above-mentioned dangers.

VERSE 37

न कुतश्चिद् भयं तस्य
विद्यां धारयतो भवेत्
राजदस्युग्रहादिभ्यो
व्याध्यादिभ्यश् च कर्हिचित्

 

SYNONYMS

na—not; kutaścit—from anywhere; bhayam—fear; tasya—of him; vidyām—this mystical prayer; dhārayataḥ—employing; bhavet—may appear; rāja—from the government; dasyu—from rogues and thieves; graha-ādibhyaḥ—from demons and so on; vyādhi-ādibhyaḥ—from diseases and so on; ca—also; karhicit—at any time.

TRANSLATION

This prayer, Nārāyaṇa-kavaca, constitutes subtle knowledge transcendentally connected with Nārāyaṇa. One who employs this prayer is never disturbed or put in danger by the government, by plunderers, by evil demons or by any type of disease.

VERSE 38

इमां विद्यां पुरा कश्चित्
कौशिको धारयन् द्विजः
योगधारणया स्वाङ्गं
जहौ स मरुधन्वनि

 

SYNONYMS

imām—this; vidyām—prayer; purā—formerly; kaścit—someone; kauśikaḥ—Kauśika; dhārayan—using; dvijaḥ—a brāhmaṇa; yoga-dhāraṇayā—by mystic power; sva-aṅgam—his own body; jahau—gave up; saḥ—he; maru-dhanvani—in the desert.

TRANSLATION

O King of heaven, a brāhmaṇa named Kauśika formerly used this armour when he purposely gave up his body in the desert by mystic power.

VERSE 39

तस्योपरि विमानेन
गन्धर्वपतिर् एकदा
ययौ चित्ररथः स्त्रीभिर्
वृतो यत्र द्विजक्षयः

 

SYNONYMS

tasya—his dead body; upari—above; vimānena—by airplane; gandharva-patiḥ—the King of Gandharvaloka, Citraratha; ekadā—once upon a time; yayau—went; citrarathaḥ—Citraratha; strībhiḥ—by many beautiful women; vṛtaḥ—surrounded; yatra—where; dvija-kṣayaḥ—the brāhmaṇa Kauśika had died.

TRANSLATION

Surrounded by many beautiful women, Citraratha, the King of Gandharvaloka, was once passing in his airplane over the brāhmaṇa’s body at the spot where the brāhmaṇa had died.

VERSE 40

गगनान् न्यपतत् सद्यः
सविमानो ह्य् अवाक्शिराः
स वालिखिल्यवचनाद्
अस्थीन्य् आदाय विस्मितः
प्रास्य प्राचीसरस्वत्यां
स्नात्वा धाम स्वम् अन्वगात्

 

SYNONYMS

gaganāt—from the sky; nyapatat—fell; sadyaḥ—suddenly; sa-vimānaḥ—with his airplane; hi—certainly; avāk-śirāḥ—with his head downward; saḥ—he; vālikhilya—of the great sages named the Vālikhilyas; vacanāt—by the instructions; asthīni—all the bones; ādāya—taking; vismitaḥ—struck with wonder; prāsya—throwing; prācī-sarasvatyām—in the River Sarasvatī, which flows to the east; snātvā—bathing in that river; dhāma—to the abode; svam—his own; anvagāt—returned.

TRANSLATION

Suddenly Citraratha was forced to fall from the sky headfirst with his airplane. Struck with wonder, he was ordered by the great sages named the Vālikhilyas to throw the brāhmaṇa’s bones in the nearby River Sarasvatī. He had to do this and bathe in the river before returning to his own abode.

VERSE 41

श्रीशुक उवाच
य इदं शृणुयात् काले
यो धारयति चादृतः
तं नमस्यन्ति भूतानि
मुच्यते सर्वतो भयात्

 

SYNONYMS

śrī-śukaḥ uvāca—Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī said; yaḥ—anyone who; idam—this; śṛṇuyāt—may hear; kāle—at a time of fear; yaḥ—anyone who; dhārayati—employs this prayer; ca—also; ādṛtaḥ—with faith and adoration; tam—unto him; namasyanti—offer respectful obeisances; bhūtāni—all living beings; mucyate—is released; sarvataḥ—from all; bhayāt—fearful conditions.

TRANSLATION

Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: My dear Mahārāja Parīkṣit, one who employs this armour or hears about it with faith and veneration when afraid because of any conditions in the material world is immediately freed from all dangers and is worshiped by all living entities.

VERSE 42

एतां विद्याम् अधिगतो
विश्वरूपाच् छतक्रतुः
त्रैलोक्यलक्ष्मीं बुभुजे
विनिर्जित्य मृधे ’सुरान्

 

SYNONYMS

etām—this; vidyām—prayer; adhigataḥ—received; viśvarūpāt—from the brāhmaṇa Viśvarūpa; śata-kratuḥ—Indra, the King of heaven; trailokya-lakṣmīm—all the opulence of the three worlds; bubhuje—enjoyed; vinirjitya—conquering; mṛdhe—in battle; asurān—all the demons.

TRANSLATION

King Indra, who performed one hundred sacrifices, received this prayer of protection from Viśvarūpa. After conquering the demons, he enjoyed all the opulences of the three worlds.