Kali · Kavacham
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The armour of Bhadrakali from the Brahmavaivarta Purana — Narayana teaches Narada the ten-syllable mantra “Om Hrim Shrim Klim Kalikayai Svaha” and then weaves it, syllable by syllable, over every part of the body and every direction, the armour once used by Shiva to defeat Tripura.
From the Brahmavaivarta Purana (Ganapati Khanda, chapter 37), told by Narayana to Narada
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Sri Bhadrakali Kavacham
Son of Kali · Power of Kali
Each line shows an easy way to say it, with its English meaning. Turn on the Sanskrit, the exact pronunciation or the word-by-word meaning whenever you want to go deeper.
कवचं श्रोतुमिच्छामि तां च विद्यां दशाक्षरीम् ।
Kavacham Shrotumicchami Tam Cha Vidyam Dashaksharim
kavacaṃ śrotumicchāmi tāṃ ca vidyāṃ daśākṣarīm
Narada said: I wish to hear the armour, and that ten-syllable mantra,
नाथ त्वत्तो हि सर्वज्ञ भद्रकाल्याश्च साम्प्रतम् ॥ १ ॥
Natha Tvatto Hi Sarvajna Bhadrakalyashcha Sampratam
nātha tvatto hi sarvajña bhadrakālyāśca sāmpratam
of Bhadrakali, now from you, O Lord, for you know everything.
शृणु नारद वक्ष्यामि महाविद्यां दशाक्षरीम् ।
Shrinu Narada Vakshyami Mahavidyam Dashaksharim
śṛṇu nārada vakṣyāmi mahāvidyāṃ daśākṣarīm
Narayana said: Listen, Narada, I shall tell you the great ten-syllable mantra
गोपनीयं च कवचं त्रिषु लोकेषु दुर्लभम् ॥ २ ॥
Gopaniyam Cha Kavacham Trishu Lokeshu Durlabham
gopanīyaṃ ca kavacaṃ triṣu lokeṣu durlabham
and the armour, to be kept secret, rare in the three worlds.
ॐ ह्रीं श्रीं क्लीं कालिकायै स्वाहेति च दशाक्षरीम् ।
Om Hrim Shrim Klim Kalikayai Svaheti Cha Dashaksharim
oṃ hrīṃ śrīṃ klīṃ kālikāyai svāheti ca daśākṣarīm
“Om Hrim Shrim Klim Kalikayai Svaha” is the ten-syllable mantra;
दुर्वासा हि ददौ राज्ञे पुष्करे सूर्यपर्वणि ॥ ३ ॥
Durvasa Hi Dadau Rajne Pushkare Suryaparvani
durvāsā hi dadau rājñe puṣkare sūryaparvaṇi
Durvasa gave it to a king at Pushkar during a solar eclipse.
दशलक्षजपेनैव मन्त्रसिद्धिः कृता पुरा ।
Dashalakshajapenaiva Mantrasiddhih Krita Pura
daśalakṣajapenaiva mantrasiddhiḥ kṛtā purā
By a million repetitions the mantra was perfected long ago,
पञ्चलक्षजपेनैव पठन् कवचमुत्तमम् ॥ ४ ॥
Panchalakshajapenaiva Pathan Kavachamuttamam
pañcalakṣajapenaiva paṭhan kavacamuttamam
and by half a million readings of this supreme armour
बभूव सिद्धकवचोऽप्ययोध्यामाजगाम सः ।
Babhuva Siddhakavachopyayodhyamajagama Sah
babhūva siddhakavaco'pyayodhyāmājagāma saḥ
he became perfected in the armour and came to Ayodhya,
कृत्स्नां हि पृथिवीं जिग्ये कवचस्य प्रसादतः ॥ ५ ॥
Kritsnam Hi Prithivim Jigye Kavachasya Prasadatah
kṛtsnāṃ hi pṛthivīṃ jigye kavacasya prasādataḥ
and by the grace of the armour he conquered the whole earth.
श्रुता दशाक्षरी विद्या त्रिषु लोकेषु दुर्लभा ।
Shruta Dashakshari Vidya Trishu Lokeshu Durlabha
śrutā daśākṣarī vidyā triṣu lokeṣu durlabhā
Narada said: I have heard the ten-syllable mantra, rare in the three worlds;
अधुना श्रोतुमिच्छामि कवचं ब्रूहि मे प्रभो ॥ ६ ॥
Adhuna Shrotumicchami Kavacham Bruhi Me Prabho
adhunā śrotumicchāmi kavacaṃ brūhi me prabho
now I wish to hear the armour — tell it to me, Lord.
शृणु वक्ष्यामि विप्रेन्द्र कवचं परमाद्भुतम् ।
Shrinu Vakshyami Viprendra Kavacham Paramadbhutam
śṛṇu vakṣyāmi viprendra kavacaṃ paramādbhutam
Narayana said: Listen, best of Brahmins, I shall tell you the most wonderful armour,
नारायणेन यद्दत्तं कृपया शूलिने पुरा ॥ ७ ॥
Narayanena Yaddattam Kripaya Shuline Pura
nārāyaṇena yaddattaṃ kṛpayā śūline purā
which Narayana once kindly gave to Shiva, the trident-bearer,
त्रिपुरस्य वधे घोरे शिवस्य विजयाय च ।
Tripurasya Vadhe Ghore Shivasya Vijayaya Cha
tripurasya vadhe ghore śivasya vijayāya ca
for the terrible slaying of Tripura and Shiva’s victory;
तदेव शूलिना दत्तं पुरा दुर्वाससे मुने ॥ ८ ॥
Tadeva Shulina Dattam Pura Durvasase Mune
tadeva śūlinā dattaṃ purā durvāsase mune
that same armour the trident-bearer gave long ago to the sage Durvasa,
दुर्वाससा च यद्दत्तं सुचन्द्राय महात्मने ।
Durvasasa Cha Yaddattam Suchandraya Mahatmane
durvāsasā ca yaddattaṃ sucandrāya mahātmane
and Durvasa gave it to the great-souled Suchandra —
अतिगुह्यतरं तत्त्वं सर्वमन्त्रौघविग्रहम् ॥ ९ ॥
Atiguhyataram Tattvam Sarvamantraughavigraham
atiguhyataraṃ tattvaṃ sarvamantraughavigraham
a most secret truth, the very body of all mantras.
ॐ ह्रीं श्रीं क्लीं कालिकायै स्वाहा मे पातु मस्तकम् ।
Om Hrim Shrim Klim Kalikayai Svaha Me Patu Mastakam
oṃ hrīṃ śrīṃ klīṃ kālikāyai svāhā me pātu mastakam
“Om Hrim Shrim Klim Kalikayai Svaha” — may it protect my head;
क्लीं कपालं सदा पातु ह्रीं ह्रीं ह्रीमिति लोचने ॥ १० ॥
Klim Kapalam Sada Patu Hrim Hrim Hrimiti Lochane
klīṃ kapālaṃ sadā pātu hrīṃ hrīṃ hrīmiti locane
may Klim always protect my skull, and “Hrim Hrim Hrim” my eyes.
ॐ ह्रीं त्रिलोचने स्वाहा नासिकां मे सदाऽवतु ।
Om Hrim Trilochane Svaha Nasikam Me Sadavatu
oṃ hrīṃ trilocane svāhā nāsikāṃ me sadā'vatu
May “Om Hrim, O three-eyed one, Svaha” always guard my nose;
क्लीं कालिके रक्ष रक्ष स्वाहा दन्तान् सदाऽवतु ॥ ११ ॥
Klim Kalike Raksha Raksha Svaha Dantan Sadavatu
klīṃ kālike rakṣa rakṣa svāhā dantān sadā'vatu
may “Klim, Kalika, protect, protect, Svaha” always guard my teeth.
क्लीं भद्रकालिके स्वाहा पातु मेऽधरयुग्मकम् ।
Klim Bhadrakalike Svaha Patu Medharayugmakam
klīṃ bhadrakālike svāhā pātu me'dharayugmakam
May “Klim, O Bhadrakalika, Svaha” protect my two lips;
ॐ ह्रीं ह्रीं क्लीं कालिकायै स्वाहा कण्ठं सदाऽवतु ॥ १२ ॥
Om Hrim Hrim Klim Kalikayai Svaha Kantham Sadavatu
oṃ hrīṃ hrīṃ klīṃ kālikāyai svāhā kaṇṭhaṃ sadā'vatu
may “Om Hrim Hrim Klim Kalikayai Svaha” always guard my throat.
ॐ ह्रीं कालिकायै स्वाहा कर्णयुग्मं सदाऽवतु ।
Om Hrim Kalikayai Svaha Karnayugmam Sadavatu
oṃ hrīṃ kālikāyai svāhā karṇayugmaṃ sadā'vatu
May “Om Hrim Kalikayai Svaha” always guard my two ears;
ॐ क्रीं क्रीं क्लीं काल्यै स्वाहा स्कन्धं पातु सदा मम ॥ १३ ॥
Om Krim Krim Klim Kalyai Svaha Skandham Patu Sada Mama
oṃ krīṃ krīṃ klīṃ kālyai svāhā skandhaṃ pātu sadā mama
may “Om Krim Krim Klim Kalyai Svaha” always protect my shoulders.
ॐ क्रीं भद्रकाल्यै स्वाहा मम वक्षः सदाऽवतु ।
Om Krim Bhadrakalyai Svaha Mama Vakshah Sadavatu
oṃ krīṃ bhadrakālyai svāhā mama vakṣaḥ sadā'vatu
May “Om Krim Bhadrakalyai Svaha” always guard my chest;
ॐ क्लीं कालिकायै स्वाहा मम नाभिं सदाऽवतु ॥ १४ ॥
Om Klim Kalikayai Svaha Mama Nabhim Sadavatu
oṃ klīṃ kālikāyai svāhā mama nābhiṃ sadā'vatu
may “Om Klim Kalikayai Svaha” always guard my navel.
ॐ ह्रीं कालिकायै स्वाहा मम पृष्ठं सदाऽवतु ।
Om Hrim Kalikayai Svaha Mama Prishtham Sadavatu
oṃ hrīṃ kālikāyai svāhā mama pṛṣṭhaṃ sadā'vatu
May “Om Hrim Kalikayai Svaha” always guard my back;
रक्तबीजविनाशिन्यै स्वाहा हस्तौ सदाऽवतु ॥ १५ ॥
Raktabijavinashinyai Svaha Hastau Sadavatu
raktabījavināśinyai svāhā hastau sadā'vatu
may “Svaha to the destroyer of Raktabija” always guard my hands.
ॐ ह्रीं क्लीं मुण्डमालिन्यै स्वाहा पादौ सदाऽवतु ।
Om Hrim Klim Mundamalinyai Svaha Padau Sadavatu
oṃ hrīṃ klīṃ muṇḍamālinyai svāhā pādau sadā'vatu
May “Om Hrim Klim, to her who wears the garland of heads, Svaha” always guard my feet;
ॐ ह्रीं चामुण्डायै स्वाहा सर्वाङ्गं मे सदाऽवतु ॥ १६ ॥
Om Hrim Chamundayai Svaha Sarvangam Me Sadavatu
oṃ hrīṃ cāmuṇḍāyai svāhā sarvāṅgaṃ me sadā'vatu
may “Om Hrim Chamundayai Svaha” always guard my whole body.
प्राच्यां पातु महाकाली चाग्नेय्यां रक्तदन्तिका ।
Prachyam Patu Mahakali Chagneyyam Raktadantika
prācyāṃ pātu mahākālī cāgneyyāṃ raktadantikā
May Mahakali protect the east, and Raktadantika the south-east;
दक्षिणे पातु चामुण्डा नैरृत्यां पातु कालिका ॥ १७ ॥
Dakshine Patu Chamunda Nairrityam Patu Kalika
dakṣiṇe pātu cāmuṇḍā nairṛtyāṃ pātu kālikā
may Chamunda protect the south, and Kalika the south-west;
श्यामा च वारुणे पातु वायव्यां पातु चण्डिका ।
Shyama Cha Varune Patu Vayavyam Patu Chandika
śyāmā ca vāruṇe pātu vāyavyāṃ pātu caṇḍikā
may Shyama protect the west, and Chandika the north-west;
उत्तरे विकटास्या चाप्यैशान्यां साट्टहासिनी ॥ १८ ॥
Uttare Vikatasya Chapyaishanyam Sattahasini
uttare vikaṭāsyā cāpyaiśānyāṃ sāṭṭahāsinī
in the north the one with the fearsome face, and in the north-east she who laughs aloud.
पातूर्ध्वं लोलजिह्वा सा मायाद्या पात्वधः सदा ।
Paturdhvam Lolajihva Sa Mayadya Patvadhah Sada
pātūrdhvaṃ lolajihvā sā māyādyā pātvadhaḥ sadā
May she of the lolling tongue protect above, and the first Maya always below;
जले स्थले चान्तरिक्षे पातु विश्वप्रसूः सदा ॥ १९ ॥
Jale Sthale Chantarikshe Patu Vishvaprasuh Sada
jale sthale cāntarikṣe pātu viśvaprasūḥ sadā
in water, on land and in the sky, may the mother of the universe always protect me.
इति ते कथितं वत्स सर्वमन्त्रौघविग्रहम् ।
Iti Te Kathitam Vatsa Sarvamantraughavigraham
iti te kathitaṃ vatsa sarvamantraughavigraham
So I have told you, child, the embodiment of all mantras,
सर्वेषां कवचानां च सारभूतं परात्परम् ॥ २० ॥
Sarvesham Kavachanam Cha Sarabhutam Paratparam
sarveṣāṃ kavacānāṃ ca sārabhūtaṃ parātparam
the essence of all armours, higher than the highest.
सप्तद्वीपेश्वरो राजा सुचन्द्रोऽस्य प्रसादतः ।
Saptadvipeshvaro Raja Suchandrosya Prasadatah
saptadvīpeśvaro rājā sucandro'sya prasādataḥ
By its grace King Suchandra became lord of the seven continents;
कवचस्य प्रसादेन मान्धाता पृथिवीपतिः ॥ २१ ॥
Kavachasya Prasadena Mandhata Prithivipatih
kavacasya prasādena māndhātā pṛthivīpatiḥ
by the grace of this armour Mandhata became lord of the earth;
प्रचेता लोमशश्चैव यतः सिद्धो बभूव ह ।
Pracheta Lomashashchaiva Yatah Siddho Babhuva Ha
pracetā lomaśaścaiva yataḥ siddho babhūva ha
through it Pracheta and Lomasha became perfected,
यतो हि योगिनां श्रेष्ठः सौभरिः पिप्पलायनः ॥ २२ ॥
Yato Hi Yoginam Shreshthah Saubharih Pippalayanah
yato hi yogināṃ śreṣṭhaḥ saubhariḥ pippalāyanaḥ
and through it Saubhari and Pippalayana became the best of yogis.
यदि स्यात् सिद्धकवचः सर्वसिद्धीश्वरो भवेत् ।
Yadi Syat Siddhakavachah Sarvasiddhishvaro Bhavet
yadi syāt siddhakavacaḥ sarvasiddhīśvaro bhavet
One perfected in this armour becomes master of every power;
महादानानि सर्वाणि तपांस्येवं व्रतानि च ।
Mahadanani Sarvani Tapamsyevam Vratani Cha
mahādānāni sarvāṇi tapāṃsyevaṃ vratāni ca
all great gifts, austerities and vows
निश्चितं कवचस्यास्य कलां नार्हन्ति षोडशीम् ॥ २३ ॥
Nishchitam Kavachasyasya Kalam Narhanti Shodashim
niścitaṃ kavacasyāsya kalāṃ nārhanti ṣoḍaśīm
surely do not equal a sixteenth part of this armour.
इदं कवचमज्ञात्वा भजेत्कालीं जगत्प्रसूम् ।
Idam Kavachamajnatva Bhajetkalim Jagatprasum
idaṃ kavacamajñātvā bhajetkālīṃ jagatprasūm
One who worships Kali, mother of the world, without knowing this armour —
शतलक्षं प्रजप्तोऽपि न मन्त्रः सिद्धिदायकः ॥ २४ ॥
Shatalaksham Prajaptopi Na Mantrah Siddhidayakah
śatalakṣaṃ prajapto'pi na mantraḥ siddhidāyakaḥ
even after ten million repetitions, the mantra does not bring success.
This kavacham comes from the Ganapati Khanda of the Brahmavaivarta Purana. The sage Narada asks Narayana for the ten-syllable mantra of Bhadrakali and her armour; Narayana gives both, and tells their lineage — given by Narayana to Shiva for the battle with Tripura, by Shiva to the sage Durvasa, and by Durvasa to King Suchandra, who with it conquered the whole earth.
The heart of the hymn is a mantra kavacham: instead of only naming forms of the goddess, it places her seed syllables — Om, Hrim, Shrim, Klim, Krim — together with her names over the head, eyes, nose, teeth, lips, throat, ears, shoulders, chest, navel, back, hands and feet. Then eight forms of Kali guard the eight directions, and the mother of the universe guards above, below, on land, in water and in the sky.
The closing verses say that all great gifts, austerities and vows are not worth a sixteenth of this armour — and that without it, even a hundred lakh repetitions of the Kali mantra do not bear fruit.
The dashakshari vidya is “Om Hrim Shrim Klim Kalikayai Svaha”: Om, the primal sound; Hrim, the seed of the Goddess as cosmic power; Shrim, the seed of auspiciousness and abundance; Klim, the seed of attraction; and “Kalikayai Svaha”, “offered to Kalika”.
In the story, Durvasa gave it to King Suchandra at the sacred lake of Pushkar during a solar eclipse; after repeating it a million times, the king perfected it and became ruler of the seven continents.
When to chant
How many times
Once daily, or after repetitions of the ten-syllable mantra.
Sit facing north or east before an image of Kali.
Repeat “Om Hrim Shrim Klim Kalikayai Svaha” a few times.
Read the armour, touching each part of the body as it is named.
Finish by turning to each direction as verses 17–19 name it.
The sounds that trip people up most in this hymn, and how to say them.
hrīṃ
hreem — a long “ee” closing into a hummed “m”.
klīṃ
kleem.
svāhā
svaa-haa — “offered.”
Where does the Bhadrakali Kavacham come from?
From chapter 37 of the Ganapati Khanda of the Brahmavaivarta Purana, where Narayana teaches it to Narada.
What is the ten-syllable Kali mantra?
“Om Hrim Shrim Klim Kalikayai Svaha.”
Who used this armour?
According to the text, Shiva used it to defeat Tripura; it then passed to Durvasa and to King Suchandra, who conquered the earth with it.
How is it different from other Kali kavachams?
It is built around the ten-syllable mantra, placing its seed syllables over each part of the body, and guards the directions with eight forms of Kali.