Lyrics · Meaning · Audio
The “armour of the Goddess” — Brahma’s secret teaching in which a different form of the Goddess is placed to guard every direction and every part of the body, from the crown of the head to the toes, then the breath, the senses and the family.
Recited before the Durga Saptashati; Brahma speaks to the sage Markandeya
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Devi Kavacham
Son of Kali · Power of Durga
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.
ॐ यद्।ह्गुह्यं परमं लोके सर्वरक्षाकरं नृणाम्।ह् ।
Om Yadhguhyam Paramam Loke Sarvarakshakaram Nrinamh
oṃ yadhguhyaṃ paramaṃ loke sarvarakṣākaraṃ nṛṇāmh
Markandeya said: Om — that which is most secret in the world, giving every protection to people,
यन्न कस्यचिदाख्यातं तन्मे ब्रूहि पितामह ॥ १ ॥
Yanna Kasyachidakhyatam Tanme Bruhi Pitamaha
yanna kasyacidākhyātaṃ tanme brūhi pitāmaha
which has never been told to anyone — tell it to me, O Grandfather Brahma.
अस्ति गुह्यतमं विप्र सर्वभूतोपकारकम्।ह् ।
Asti Guhyatamam Vipra Sarvabhutopakarakamh
asti guhyatamaṃ vipra sarvabhūtopakārakamh
Brahma said: There is a most secret thing, O sage, that helps all beings —
देव्यास्तु कवचं पुण्यं तच्छृणुष्व महामुने ॥ २ ॥
Devyastu Kavacham Punyam Tacchrinushva Mahamune
devyāstu kavacaṃ puṇyaṃ tacchṛṇuṣva mahāmune
the holy armour of the Goddess; listen to it, O great sage.
प्रथमं शैलपुत्री च द्वितीयं ब्रह्मचारिणी ।
Prathamam Shailaputri Cha Dvitiyam Brahmacharini
prathamaṃ śailaputrī ca dvitīyaṃ brahmacāriṇī
The first is Shailaputri, the second Brahmacharini,
तृतीयं चन्द्रघण्टेति कूष्माण्डेति चतुर्थकम्।ह् ॥ ३ ॥
Tritiyam Chandraghanteti Kushmandeti Chaturthakamh
tṛtīyaṃ candraghaṇṭeti kūṣmāṇḍeti caturthakamh
the third Chandraghanta, the fourth Kushmanda;
पञ्चमं स्कन्दमातेति षष्ठं कात्यायनीति च ।
Panchamam Skandamateti Shashtham Katyayaniti Cha
pañcamaṃ skandamāteti ṣaṣṭhaṃ kātyāyanīti ca
the fifth Skandamata, the sixth Katyayani,
सप्तमं कालरात्रीति महागौरीति चाष्टमम्।ह् ॥ ४ ॥
Saptamam Kalaratriti Mahagauriti Chashtamamh
saptamaṃ kālarātrīti mahāgaurīti cāṣṭamamh
the seventh Kalaratri, the eighth Mahagauri;
नवमं सिद्धिदात्री च नवदुर्गाः प्रकीर्तिताः ।
Navamam Siddhidatri Cha Navadurgah Prakirtitah
navamaṃ siddhidātrī ca navadurgāḥ prakīrtitāḥ
the ninth Siddhidatri — these are proclaimed the nine Durgas,
उक्तान्येतानि नामानि ब्रह्मणैव महात्मना ॥ ५ ॥
Uktanyetani Namani Brahmanaiva Mahatmana
uktānyetāni nāmāni brahmaṇaiva mahātmanā
and these names were spoken by great-souled Brahma himself.
अग्निना दह्यमानस्तु शत्रुमध्ये गतो रणे ।
Agnina Dahyamanastu Shatrumadhye Gato Rane
agninā dahyamānastu śatrumadhye gato raṇe
One burned by fire, or caught among enemies in battle,
विषमे दुर्गमे चैव भयार्त्ताः शरणं गताः ॥ ६ ॥
Vishame Durgame Chaiva Bhayarttah Sharanam Gatah
viṣame durgame caiva bhayārttāḥ śaraṇaṃ gatāḥ
in hardship and in impassable places — those stricken with fear who take refuge in her —
न तेषां जायते किंचिदशुभं रणसंकटे ।
Na Tesham Jayate Kimchidashubham Ranasamkate
na teṣāṃ jāyate kiṃcidaśubhaṃ raṇasaṃkaṭe
no misfortune at all befalls them in the danger of battle;
नापदं तस्य पश्यामि शोकदुःखभयं न हि ॥ ७ ॥
Napadam Tasya Pashyami Shokaduhkhabhayam Na Hi
nāpadaṃ tasya paśyāmi śokaduḥkhabhayaṃ na hi
I see no calamity for them, no grief, sorrow or fear.
यैस्तु भक्त्या स्मृता नूनं तेषां वृद्धिः प्रजायते ।
Yaistu Bhaktya Smrita Nunam Tesham Vriddhih Prajayate
yaistu bhaktyā smṛtā nūnaṃ teṣāṃ vṛddhiḥ prajāyate
Those who remember you with devotion surely flourish;
ये त्वां स्मरन्ति देवेशि रक्षसे तान्न संशयः ॥ ८ ॥
Ye Tvam Smaranti Deveshi Rakshase Tanna Samshayah
ye tvāṃ smaranti deveśi rakṣase tānna saṃśayaḥ
O Queen of the gods, you protect all who remember you — there is no doubt.
प्रेतसंस्था तु चामुण्डा वाराही महिषासना ।
Pretasamstha Tu Chamunda Varahi Mahishasana
pretasaṃsthā tu cāmuṇḍā vārāhī mahiṣāsanā
Chamunda rides upon a corpse, Varahi upon a buffalo,
ऐन्द्री गजसमारूढा वैष्णवी गरुडासना ॥ ९ ॥
Aindri Gajasamarudha Vaishnavi Garudasana
aindrī gajasamārūḍhā vaiṣṇavī garuḍāsanā
Aindri is mounted on an elephant, Vaishnavi on Garuda,
माहेश्वरी वृषारूढा कौमारी शिखिवाहना ।
Maheshvari Vrisharudha Kaumari Shikhivahana
māheśvarī vṛṣārūḍhā kaumārī śikhivāhanā
Maheshvari rides a bull, Kaumari a peacock;
लक्ष्मीः पद्मासना देवी पद्महस्ता हरिप्रिया ॥ १० ॥
Lakshmih Padmasana Devi Padmahasta Haripriya
lakṣmīḥ padmāsanā devī padmahastā haripriyā
Goddess Lakshmi, beloved of Vishnu, sits on a lotus with a lotus in her hand;
श्वेतरूपधरा देवी ईश्वरी वृषवाहना ।
Shvetarupadhara Devi Ishvari Vrishavahana
śvetarūpadharā devī īśvarī vṛṣavāhanā
Goddess Ishvari, in white, rides a bull;
ब्राह्मी हंससमारूढा सर्वाभरणभूषिता ॥ ११ ॥
Brahmi Hamsasamarudha Sarvabharanabhushita
brāhmī haṃsasamārūḍhā sarvābharaṇabhūṣitā
Brahmi rides a swan, adorned with every ornament.
इत्येता मातरः सर्वाः सर्वयोगसमन्विताः ।
Ityeta Matarah Sarvah Sarvayogasamanvitah
ityetā mātaraḥ sarvāḥ sarvayogasamanvitāḥ
All these Mothers are filled with every yogic power,
नानाभरणशोभाढ्या नानारत्नोपशोभिताः ॥ १२ ॥
Nanabharanashobhadhya Nanaratnopashobhitah
nānābharaṇaśobhāḍhyā nānāratnopaśobhitāḥ
splendid with many ornaments and shining with many jewels.
दृश्यन्ते रथमारूढा देव्यः क्रोधसमाकुलाः ।
Drishyante Rathamarudha Devyah Krodhasamakulah
dṛśyante rathamārūḍhā devyaḥ krodhasamākulāḥ
The goddesses are seen riding in chariots, full of righteous anger,
शङ्खं चक्रं गदां शक्तिं हलं च मुसलायुधम्।ह् ॥ १३ ॥
Shankham Chakram Gadam Shaktim Halam Cha Musalayudhamh
śaṅkhaṃ cakraṃ gadāṃ śaktiṃ halaṃ ca musalāyudhamh
holding conch, discus, mace, spear, plough and pestle,
खेटकं तोमरं चैव परशुं पाशमेव च ।
Khetakam Tomaram Chaiva Parashum Pashameva Cha
kheṭakaṃ tomaraṃ caiva paraśuṃ pāśameva ca
shield, lance, axe and noose,
कुन्तायुधं त्रिशूलं च शार्ङ्गमायुधमुत्तमम्।ह् ॥ १४ ॥
Kuntayudham Trishulam Cha Sharngamayudhamuttamamh
kuntāyudhaṃ triśūlaṃ ca śārṅgamāyudhamuttamamh
javelin, trident and the finest bow, Sharnga.
दैत्यानां देहनाशाय भक्तानामभयाय च ।
Daityanam Dehanashaya Bhaktanamabhayaya Cha
daityānāṃ dehanāśāya bhaktānāmabhayāya ca
To destroy the bodies of demons and give fearlessness to devotees,
धारयन्त्यायुधानीत्थं देवानां च हिताय वै ॥ १५ ॥
Dharayantyayudhanittham Devanam Cha Hitaya Vai
dhārayantyāyudhānītthaṃ devānāṃ ca hitāya vai
they carry these weapons for the good of the gods.
नमस्तेऽस्तु महारौद्रे महाघोरपराक्रमे ।
Namastestu Maharaudre Mahaghoraparakrame
namaste'stu mahāraudre mahāghoraparākrame
Salutations to you, O terrible one, of tremendous valour,
महाबले महोत्साहे महाभयविनाशिनि ॥ १६ ॥
Mahabale Mahotsahe Mahabhayavinashini
mahābale mahotsāhe mahābhayavināśini
of great strength and great energy, destroyer of great fear.
त्राहि मां देवि दुष्प्रेक्ष्ये शत्रूणां भयवर्द्धिनि ।
Trahi Mam Devi Dushprekshye Shatrunam Bhayavarddhini
trāhi māṃ devi duṣprekṣye śatrūṇāṃ bhayavarddhini
Protect me, O Goddess too fierce to look upon, who increases the fear of enemies. May Aindri protect me in the east,
प्राच्यां रक्षतु मामैन्द्री आग्नेय्यामग्निदेवता ॥ १७ ॥
Prachyam Rakshatu Mamaindri Agneyyamagnidevata
prācyāṃ rakṣatu māmaindrī āgneyyāmagnidevatā
and the god of fire in the south-east;
दक्षिणेऽवतु वाराही नैरृत्यां खड्गधारिणी ।
Dakshinevatu Varahi Nairrityam Khadgadharini
dakṣiṇe'vatu vārāhī nairṛtyāṃ khaḍgadhāriṇī
Varahi in the south, the sword-bearer in the south-west,
प्रतीच्यां वारुणी रक्षेद्वायव्यां मृगवाहिनी ॥ १८ ॥
Pratichyam Varuni Rakshedvayavyam Mrigavahini
pratīcyāṃ vāruṇī rakṣedvāyavyāṃ mṛgavāhinī
Varuni in the west, and she who rides the deer in the north-west;
उदीच्यां पातु कौमारी ऐशान्यां शूलधारिणी ।
Udichyam Patu Kaumari Aishanyam Shuladharini
udīcyāṃ pātu kaumārī aiśānyāṃ śūladhāriṇī
Kaumari in the north, the trident-bearer in the north-east,
ऊर्ध्वं ब्रह्माणि मे रक्षेदधस्ताद्वैष्णवी तथा ॥ १९ ॥
Urdhvam Brahmani Me Rakshedadhastadvaishnavi Tatha
ūrdhvaṃ brahmāṇi me rakṣedadhastādvaiṣṇavī tathā
Brahmani above me, and Vaishnavi below.
एवं दश दिशो रक्षेच्चामुण्डा शववाहना ।
Evam Dasha Disho Rakshechchamunda Shavavahana
evaṃ daśa diśo rakṣeccāmuṇḍā śavavāhanā
So may Chamunda, riding a corpse, protect the ten directions.
जया मे चाग्रतः पातु विजया पातु पृष्ठतः ॥ २० ॥
Jaya Me Chagratah Patu Vijaya Patu Prishthatah
jayā me cāgrataḥ pātu vijayā pātu pṛṣṭhataḥ
May Jaya protect me in front and Vijaya behind,
A kavaca is armour. The Devi Kavacham is the first of the three hymns traditionally recited before the Durga Saptashati (followed by the Argala and Kilaka). The sage Markandeya asks Brahma for the most secret protection known to the world, and Brahma reveals this.
It begins with the nine Durgas (the same verses as the Navadurga Stotram), then describes the seven Mother goddesses on their vehicles, armed with every weapon. Then the armour is put on: Aindri guards the east, Agni the south-east, Varahi the south, and so on through all ten directions; then Uma the crown, Maladhari the forehead, Trinetra the space between the brows, Saraswati the tongue, Chandika the throat — all the way down to the toes, the skin, the blood, the breath, the mind and the three qualities.
The closing verses promise fearlessness, victory, a full life free of untimely death, protection from every kind of harm, and finally the highest abode by the grace of Mahamaya. Because the text is long, the page shows the opening verses first — press “Show the full text” for the rest.
The kavacham works like nyāsa, the practice of placing sacred sounds on the body. As each verse is recited, the reciter imagines a particular goddess standing guard at that place.
By the end, the whole person — body, breath, mind, family, path and home — is wrapped in the Goddess.
When to chant
How many times
Once.
Sit facing an image of Durga and light a lamp.
Recite the opening dialogue and the nine Durgas.
As each part of the body is named, gently bring your attention there and picture its guardian goddess.
Continue with the Argala Stotram, or rest in silence.
The sounds that trip people up most in this hymn, and how to say them.
kavacam
ka-va-chum — “armour.”
rakṣatu
ruk-sha-tu — “may she protect.”
cāmuṇḍā
chaa-moon-daa.
What is the Devi Kavacham?
The “armour of the Goddess,” a protective hymn in which forms of Durga are invoked to guard every direction and every part of the body. It is recited before the Durga Saptashati.
Is it the same as the Durga Kavach?
Yes — Devi Kavacham, Durga Kavach and Chandi Kavach are names for the same hymn.
What are its benefits?
The hymn promises fearlessness, victory, protection from illness, poison, harmful spirits and untimely death, honour and long life, and finally the highest abode.
Why does the page load the text in two parts?
The full kavacham is long, so the first verses load with the page and the rest appear when you press “Show the full text.” This keeps the page fast.