Durga Kavach
Durga Kavach
Durga Kavach
ु : कवचम ्
Atha śrīdurgāḥ kavacam
ॐ नमश्चण्डिकायै।
|| namaścaṇḍikāyai ||
॥ब्रह्मोवाच॥
अस्ति गुह्यतमं विप्रा सर्वभत ू ोपकारकम ्।
दिव्यास्तु कवचं पण्
ु यं तच्छृणष्ु वा महामनु े॥२॥
||brahmovāca||
asti guhyatamam viprā sarva bhūtopakārakam |
divyāstu kavacam puṇyam tacchṛṇuṣvā mahāmune ||2||
Thus spoke Bramha:
O Brahmin, there is Devi Kavach which is the most secret and useful to all beings. Please
listen to that, O Great Sage. Durga is known by these Names:
प्रथमं शैलपत्र
ु ी च द्वितीयं ब्रह्मचारिणी।
तत
ृ ीयं चन्द्रघण्टे ति कूष्माण्डेति चतर्थ
ु कम ्॥३॥
prathamam śailaputrī ca dvitīyam brahmacāriṇī |
tṛtīyam candraghaṇṭeti kūṣmāṇḍeti caturthakam ||3||
The first form is SHAILAPUTRI- Daughter of the King of Himalayas; second is
BRAHMACHARINI One Who observes the state of celibacy; third is CHANDRAGANTA- One
Who bears the moon around Her neck fourth is KOOSHMANDA- Whose Void contains the
Universe
पञ्चमं स्कन्दमातेति षष्ठं कात्यायनीति च
सप्तमं कालरात्रीति महागौरीति चाष्टमम ्॥४॥
pañcamam skandamāteti ṣaṣṭham kātyāyanīti ca |
saptamam kālarātrīti mahāgaurīti cāṣṭamam ||4||
Fifth is SKANDAMATA- Who gave birth to Karttikeya; Sixth is KATYAYANI Who incarnated to
help the Devas; Seventh is KALARATRI- the fiercest form of Durga; Eight is MAHAGAURI-
One Who made great penance
Ninth is SIDDHIDATRI- One Who grants Moksha . Those who remember You with great
devotion indeed have prosperity. Undoubtedly, O Goddess of the Gods, You Protect those
who remember You.
अग्निना दह्यमानस्तु शत्रमु ध्ये गतो रणे।
विषमे दर्ग
ु मे चैव भयार्ताः शरणं गताः॥६॥
agninā dahyamānastu śatrumadhye gato raṇe |
viṣame durgame caiva bhayārtāḥ śaraṇam gatāḥ ||6||
न तेषां जायते किञ्चिदशभु ं रणसङ्कटे ।
नापदं तस्य पश्यामि शोकदःु खभयं न ही॥७॥
na teṣām jāyate kiñcidaśubham raṇasaṅkaṭe |
nāpadam tasya paśyāmi śokaduḥkhabhayam na hī ||7||
Those who are frightened, having been surrounded by the enemies on the battlefield, or are
burning in fire, or being at an impassable place, would face no calamity, and would never
have grief, sorrow, fear, or evil if they surrender to Durga.
प्रेतसंस्था तु चामण्
ु डा वाराही महिषासना।
ऐन्द्री गजसमारूढा वैष्णवी गरुडासना॥९॥
pretasamsthā tu cāmuṇḍā vārāhī mahiṣāsanā |
aindrī gajasamārūḍhā vaiṣṇavī garuḍāsanā ||9||
The Goddess Chamunda sits on a corpse, Varahi rides on a buffalo, Aindri is mounted on an
elephant and Vaishnavi on a condor.
माहे श्वरी वष
ृ ारूढा कौमारी शिखिवाहना।
लक्ष्मी: पद्मासना दे वी पद्महस्ता हरिप्रिया॥१०॥
māheśvarī vṛṣārūḍhā kaumārī śikhivāhanā |
lakṣmīḥ padmāsanā devī padmahastā haripriyā ||10||
Maheswari is riding on a bull, the vehicle of Kaumari is the peacock, Lakshmi, the Beloved of
Shri Vishnu, is seated in a lotus and is also holding a lotus in Her Hand.
श्वेतरूपधारा दे वी ईश्वरी वष
ृ वाहना।
ब्राह्मी हं ससमारूढा सर्वाभरणभषि ू ता॥११॥
इत्येता मातरः सर्वाः सर्वयोगसमन्विताः।
नानाभरणशोभाढया नानारत्नोपशोभिता:॥१२॥
śvetarūpadhārā devī īśvarī vṛṣavāhanā |
brāhmī hamsasamārūḍhā sarvābharaṇabhūṣitā ||11||
ityetā mātaraḥ sarvāḥ sarvayogasamanvitāḥ |
nānābharaṇaśobhāḍhayā nānāratnopaśobhitāḥ ||12||
The Goddess Ishwari, of white complexion, is riding on a bull and Brahmi, Who is bedecked
with all ornaments is seated on a swan.
All the mothers are endowed with Yoga and are adorned with different ornaments and
jewels.
दृश्यन्ते रथमारूढा दे व्याः क्रोधसमाकुला:।
शङ्खं चक्रं गदां शक्तिं हलं च मस ु लायध
ु म ्॥१३॥
dṛśyante rathamārūḍhā devyāḥ krodhasamākulāḥ |
śaṅkham cakram gadām śaktim halam ca musalāyudham ||13||
खेटकं तोमरं चैव परशंु पाशमेव च।
कुन्तायध
ु ं त्रिशल
ू ं च शार्ङ्गमायध
ु मत्त
ु मम ्॥१४॥
kheṭakam tomaram caiva paraśum pāśameva ca |
kuntāyudham triśūlam ca śārṅgamāyudhamuttamam ||14||
(13-15) All the Goddesses are seen mounted in chariots and very Angry. They are wielding
conch, discus, mace, plough, club, javelin, axe, noose, barbed dart, trident, bow and arrows.
These Goddesses are wielding Their weapons for Destroying the bodies of demons, for the
Protection of Their devotees and for the benefit of the Gods.
नमस्तेऽस्तु महारौद्रे महाघोरपराक्रमे।
महाबले महोत्साहे महाभयविनाशिनि॥१६॥
namaste'stu mahāraudre mahāghoraparākrame |
mahābale mahotsāhe mahābhayavināśini ||16||
Salutations to You, O Goddess, of very dreadful appearance, of frightening valour, of
tremendous strength and energy, the Destroyer of the worst fears.
(17-18) O Devi, it is difficult to have even a glance at You. You increase the fears of Your
enemies, please come to my rescue. May Goddess Aindri Protect me from the east. Agni
Devata (Goddess of Fire) from the south-east, Varahi (Shakti of Vishnu in the form of the
boar) from the south, Khadgadharini (Wielder of the sword) from the south-west, Varuni (The
Shakti of Varuna, the rain God) from the west and Mrgavahini, (Whose vehicle is the deer)
may Protect me from the north-west.
(20-21) Thus Goddess Chamunda, Who sits on a corps, Protects me from all the ten
directions. May Goddess Jaya Protect me from the front and Vijaya from the rear; Ajita from
the left and Aparajita from the right. Goddess Dyotini may Protect the topknot and Uma may
sit on my head and Protect it.
नासिकायां सग
ु न्
धा च उत्तरोष्ठे च चर्चिका।
अधरे चामत
ृ कला जिह्वायां च सरस्वती॥२४॥
nāsikāyām sugandhā ca uttaroṣṭhe ca carcikā |
adhare cāmṛtakalā jihvāyām ca sarasvatī ||24||
(28-30) May Devi Dandini Protect both my hands, Ambika-fingers, Shooleshwari my nails
and may Kuleshwari Protect my belly. May I be Protected, by Mahadevi-breast,
Shuladharini-abdomen, Lalita Devi-heart, Kamini-navel, Guhyeshwari-hidden parts, Pootana
Kamika-reproductive organs, Mahishavasini-excretory organ.
कट्यां भगवतीं रक्षेज्जाननू ी विन्ध्यवासिनी।
जङ्घे महाबला रक्षेत्सर्वकामप्रदायिनी॥३१॥
kaṭyām bhagavatīm rakṣejjānūnī vindhyavāsinī |
jaṅghe mahābalā rakṣetsarvakāmapradāyinī ||31||
(31) May Goddess Bhagavati Protect my waist, Vindhyavasini-knees and the wish-fulfilling
Mahabala may Protect my hips.
गल्
ु फयोर्नारसिंही च पादपष्ृ ठे तु तैजसी।
पादाङ्गुलीषु श्रीरक्षेत्पादाध:स्तलवासिनी॥३२॥
gulphayornārasimhī ca pādapṛṣṭhe tu taijasī |
pādāṅgulīṣu śrī rakṣetpādādhaḥstalavāsinī ||32||
(32) May Narashini Protect my ankles. May Taijasi Protect my feet, may Shri Protect my
toes. May Talavasini Protect the soles of my feet.
नखान ् दं ष्ट्रा कराली च केशांशचैवोर्ध्वकेशिनी।
रोमकूपेषु कौबेरी त्वचं वागीश्वरी तथा॥३३॥
nakhān damṣṭrā karālī ca keśāmśacaivordhvakeśinī |
romakūpeṣu kauberī tvacam vāgīśvarī tathā ||33||
(33) May Danshtrakarali Protect my nails, Urdhvakeshini-hair, Kauberi-pores,
Vagishwari-skin.
रक्तमज्जावसामांसान्यस्थिमेदांसि पार्वती।
अन्त्राणि कालरात्रिश्च पित्तं च मक
ु ु टे श्वरी॥३४॥
raktamajjāvasāmāmsānyasthimedāmsi pārvatī |
antrāṇi kālarātriśca pittam ca mukuṭeśvarī ||34||
(34) May Goddess Parvati Protect blood, marrow of the bones, fat and bone; Goddess
Kalaratri-intestines. Mukuteshwari-bile and liver.
शक्र
ु ं ब्रह्माणी मे रक्षेच्छायां छत्रेश्वरी तथा।
अहङ्कारं मनो बद् ु धिं रक्षेन्मे धर्मधारिणी॥३६॥
śukram brahmāṇī me rakṣecchāyām chatreśvarī tathā |
ahaṅkāram mano buddhim rakṣenme dharmadhāriṇī ||36||
36) Brahmani-semen, Chhatreshwari the shadow of my body, Dharmadharini-ego, superego
and intellect (buddhi).
प्राणापानौ तथा व्यानमद ु ानं च समानकम ्।
वज्रहस्ता च मे रक्षेत्प्राणं कल्याणशोभना॥३७॥
prāṇāpānau tathā vyānamudānam ca samānakam |
vajrahastā ca me rakṣetprāṇam kalyāṇaśobhanā ||37||
(37) Vajrahasta-pran, apan, vyan, udan, saman (five vital breaths), Kalyanashobhana-pranas
(life force).
रसे रूपे च गन्धे च शब्दे स्पर्शे च योगिनी।
सत्वं रजस्तमश्चैव रक्षेन्नारायणी सदा॥३८॥
rase rūpe ca gandhe ca śabde sparśe ca yoginī |
satvam rajastamaścaiva rakṣennārāyaṇī sadā ||38||
(38) May Yogini Protect the sense organs, that is, the faculties of tasting, seeing, smelling,
hearing and touching. May Narayni always protect satva, rajas and tamas guna.
आयू रक्षतु वाराही धर्मं रक्षतु वैष्णवी।
यशः कीर्तिं च लक्ष्मीं च धनं विद्यां च चक्रिणी॥३९॥
āyū rakṣatu vārāhī dharmam rakṣatu vaiṣṇavī |
yaśaḥ kīrtim ca lakṣmīm ca dhanam vidyām ca cakriṇī ||39||
(39) Varahi-the life, Vaishnavi-dharma, Lakshmi-success and fame, Chakrini-wealth and
knowledge.
गोत्रामिन्द्राणि मे रक्षेत्पशन्ू मे रक्षा चण्डिके।
पत्र
ु ान ् रक्षेन्महालक्ष्मी भार्यां रक्षतु भैरवी॥४०॥
gotrāmindrāṇi me rakṣetpaśūnme rakṣā caṇḍike |
putrān rakṣenmahālakṣmībhāryām rakṣatu bhairavī ||40||
(40) Indrani-relatives, Chandika-cattle, Mahalakshmi-children and Bhairavi-spouse.
पन्थानं सपु था रक्षेन्मार्गं क्षेमकरी तथा।
राजद्वारे महालक्ष्मीर्विजया सर्वतः स्थिता॥४१॥
panthānam supathā rakṣenmārgam kṣemakarī tathā |
rājadvāre mahālakṣmīrvijayā sarvataḥ sthitā ||41||
(41) Supatha may Protect my journey and Kshemakari my way. Mahalakshmi may Protect
me in the king's court and Vijaya everywhere.
रक्षाहीनं तु यत्स्थानं वर्जितं कवचेन त।ु
तत्सर्वं रक्ष मे दे वी जयन्ती पापनाशिनी॥४२॥
rakṣāhīnam tu yatsthānam varjitam kavacena tu |
tatsarvam rakṣa me devī jayantī pāpanāśinī ||42||
(42) O Goddess Jayanti, any place that has not been mentioned in the Kavach and has thus
remained unprotected, may be Protected by You.
(43-44) One should invariably cover oneself with this Kavacha (by reading) wherever one
goes and should not walk even a step without it if one desire auspiciousness. Then one is
successful everywhere and all one's desires are fulfilled and that person enjoys great
prosperity on the earth.
निर्भयो जायते मर्त्यः सङ्ग्रमेष्वपराजितः।
त्रैलोक्ये तु भवेत्पज्
ू यः कवचेनावत ृ ः पम
ु ान ्॥४५॥
nirbhayo jāyate martyaḥ saṅgrameṣvaparājitaḥ |
trailokye tu bhavetpūjyaḥ kavacenāvṛtaḥ pumān ||45||
45) The person who covers himself with Kavacha becomes fearless, is never defeated in the
battle and becomes worthy of being worshipped in the three worlds.
इदं तु दे व्याः कवचं दे वानामपि दर्ल ु भम ्।
य: पठे त्प्रयतो नित्यं त्रिसन्ध्यं श्रद्धयान्वितः॥४६॥
idam tu devyāḥ kavacam devānāmapi durlabham |
yaḥ paṭhetprayato nityam trisandhyam śraddhayānvitaḥ ||46||
(46-47) One who reads with faith every day thrice (morning, afternoon and evening), the
'Kavacha' of the Devi, which is inaccessible even to the Gods, receives the Divine arts, is
undefeated in the three worlds, lives for a hundred years and is free from accidental death.
(49-52) All those, who cast magical spells by mantras or yantras, on others for evil purposes,
all bhoots, goblins, malevolent beings moving on the earth and in the sky, all those who
mesmerise others, all female goblins, all yakshas and gandharvas are destroyed just by the
sight of the person having Kavach in his heart.
यशसा वद्धते सोऽपी कीर्तिमण्डितभत ू ले।
जपेत्सप्तशतीं चणण्डीं कृत्वा तु कवचं परू ा॥५३॥
yaśasā vaddhate so'pī kīrtimaṇḍitabhūtale|
japetsaptaśatīm caṇaṇḍīm kṛtvā tu kavacam pūrā||53||
53) That person receives more and more respect and prowess. On the earth he rises in
prosperity and fame by reading the Kavacha and Saptashati.