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The “unfailing” armour of Shiva from the Skanda Purana — the five faces of Shiva guarding the five directions, his names guarding every part of the body and every hour of the day and night, and Virabhadra against every enemy.
From the Skanda Purana (Brahmottara Khanda), taught by the yogi Rishabha
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Shiva Kavacham
Son of Kali · Mahashivaratri Mantras
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.
नमस्कृत्य महादेवं विश्वव्यापिनमीश्वरम् ।
Namaskritya Mahadevam Vishvavyapinamishvaram
namaskṛtya mahādevaṃ viśvavyāpinamīśvaram
Bowing to Mahadeva, the all-pervading Lord,
वक्ष्ये शिवमयं वर्म सर्वरक्षाकरं नृणाम् ॥ १ ॥
Vakshye Shivamayam Varma Sarvarakshakaram Nrinam
vakṣye śivamayaṃ varma sarvarakṣākaraṃ nṛṇām
I will tell you the armour made of Shiva, which protects people in every way.
शुचौ देशे समासीनो यथावत्कल्पितासनः ।
Shuchau Deshe Samasino Yathavatkalpitasanah
śucau deśe samāsīno yathāvatkalpitāsanaḥ
Seated in a clean place on a properly prepared seat,
जितेन्द्रियो जितप्राणश्चिन्तयेच्छिवमव्यम् ॥ २ ॥
Jitendriyo Jitapranashchintayecchivamavyam
jitendriyo jitaprāṇaścintayecchivamavyam
with senses and breath under control, one should think of imperishable Shiva.
हृत्पुण्डरीकान्तरसंनिविष्टं स्वतेजसा व्याप्तनभोऽवकाशम् ।
Hritpundarikantarasamnivishtam Svatejasa Vyaptanabhovakasham
hṛtpuṇḍarīkāntarasaṃniviṣṭaṃ svatejasā vyāptanabho'vakāśam
Seated within the lotus of the heart, filling all space with his own light,
अतीन्द्रियं सूक्ष्ममनन्तमाद्यं ध्यायेत्परानन्दमयं महेशम् ॥ ३ ॥
Atindriyam Sukshmamanantamadyam Dhyayetparanandamayam Mahesham
atīndriyaṃ sūkṣmamanantamādyaṃ dhyāyetparānandamayaṃ maheśam
beyond the senses, subtle, infinite and first — meditate on the great Lord, made of supreme bliss.
ध्यानावधूताखिलकर्मबन्धश्चिरं चिदान्दनिमग्नचेताः ।
Dhyanavadhutakhilakarmabandhashchiram Chidandanimagnachetah
dhyānāvadhūtākhilakarmabandhaściraṃ cidāndanimagnacetāḥ
Freed from all bonds of karma by meditation, the mind long immersed in the bliss of consciousness,
षडक्षरन्याससमाहितात्मा शैवेन कुर्यात्कवचेन रक्षाम् ॥ ४ ॥
Shadaksharanyasasamahitatma Shaivena Kuryatkavachena Raksham
ṣaḍakṣaranyāsasamāhitātmā śaivena kuryātkavacena rakṣām
the self steadied by placing the six syllables, one should make protection with Shiva’s armour.
मां पातु देवोऽखिलदेवतात्मा संसारकूपे पतितं गभीरे ।
Mam Patu Devokhiladevatatma Samsarakupe Patitam Gabhire
māṃ pātu devo'khiladevatātmā saṃsārakūpe patitaṃ gabhīre
May God, the Self of all gods, protect me, fallen into the deep well of worldly life;
तन्नाम दिव्यं वरमन्त्रमूलं धुनोतु मे सर्वमघं हृदिस्थम् ॥ ५ ॥
Tannama Divyam Varamantramulam Dhunotu Me Sarvamagham Hridistham
tannāma divyaṃ varamantramūlaṃ dhunotu me sarvamaghaṃ hṛdistham
may his divine name, the root of the greatest mantra, shake off every sin lodged in my heart.
सर्वत्र मां रक्षतु विश्वमूर्तिर्ज्योतिर्मयानन्दघनश्चिदात्मा ।
Sarvatra Mam Rakshatu Vishvamurtirjyotirmayanandaghanashchidatma
sarvatra māṃ rakṣatu viśvamūrtirjyotirmayānandaghanaścidātmā
May he whose form is the universe protect me everywhere — made of light, dense with bliss, the Self of consciousness,
अणोरणीयानुरुशक्तिरेकः स ईश्वरः पातु भयादशेषात् ॥ ६ ॥
Anoraniyanurushaktirekah Sa Ishvarah Patu Bhayadasheshat
aṇoraṇīyānuruśaktirekaḥ sa īśvaraḥ pātu bhayādaśeṣāt
smaller than the smallest, of vast power, the One — may that Lord protect me from every fear.
यो भूस्वरूपेण बिभर्ति विश्वं पायात्स भूमेर्गिरिशोऽष्टमूर्तिः ।
Yo Bhusvarupena Bibharti Vishvam Payatsa Bhumergirishoshtamurtih
yo bhūsvarūpeṇa bibharti viśvaṃ pāyātsa bhūmergiriśo'ṣṭamūrtiḥ
May the mountain Lord of eight forms, who holds the universe as the earth, protect me from the earth;
योऽपां स्वरूपेण नृणां करोति सञ्जीवनं सोऽवतु मां जलेभ्यः ॥ ७ ॥
Yopam Svarupena Nrinam Karoti Sanjivanam Sovatu Mam Jalebhyah
yo'pāṃ svarūpeṇa nṛṇāṃ karoti sañjīvanaṃ so'vatu māṃ jalebhyaḥ
may he who, as water, gives people life, protect me from water.
कल्पावसाने भुवनानि दग्ध्वा सर्वाणि यो नृत्यति भूरिलीलः ।
Kalpavasane Bhuvanani Dagdhva Sarvani Yo Nrityati Bhurililah
kalpāvasāne bhuvanāni dagdhvā sarvāṇi yo nṛtyati bhūrilīlaḥ
He who at the end of the age burns all the worlds and dances in great play —
स कालरुद्रोऽवतु मां दवाग्नेर्वात्यादिभीतेरखिलाच्च तापात् ॥ ८ ॥
Sa Kalarudrovatu Mam Davagnervatyadibhiterakhilachcha Tapat
sa kālarudro'vatu māṃ davāgnervātyādibhīterakhilācca tāpāt
may that Kalarudra protect me from forest fire, from the fear of storms and from every torment.
प्रदीप्तविद्युत्कनकावभासो विद्यावराभीतिकुठारपाणिः ।
Pradiptavidyutkanakavabhaso Vidyavarabhitikutharapanih
pradīptavidyutkanakāvabhāso vidyāvarābhītikuṭhārapāṇiḥ
Shining like blazing lightning and gold, holding wisdom, boon, fearlessness and an axe,
चतुर्मुखस्तत्पुरुषस्त्रिनेत्रः प्राच्यां स्थितं रक्षतु मामजस्त्रम् ॥ ९ ॥
Chaturmukhastatpurushastrinetrah Prachyam Sthitam Rakshatu Mamajastram
caturmukhastatpuruṣastrinetraḥ prācyāṃ sthitaṃ rakṣatu māmajastram
four-faced, three-eyed Tatpurusha — may he always protect me in the east.
कुठारवेदाङ्कुशपाशशूलकपालढक्काक्षगुणान्दधानः ।
Kutharavedankushapashashulakapaladhakkakshagunandadhanah
kuṭhāravedāṅkuśapāśaśūlakapālaḍhakkākṣaguṇāndadhānaḥ
Holding axe, Veda, goad, noose, trident, skull, drum and rosary,
चतुर्मुखो नीलरुचिस्त्रिनेत्रः पायादघोरो दिशि दक्षिणस्याम् ॥ १० ॥
Chaturmukho Nilaruchistrinetrah Payadaghoro Dishi Dakshinasyam
caturmukho nīlarucistrinetraḥ pāyādaghoro diśi dakṣiṇasyām
four-faced, blue-hued, three-eyed Aghora — may he protect me in the south.
कुन्देन्दुशङ्खस्फटिकावभासो वेदाक्षमालावरदाभयाङ्कः ।
Kundendushankhasphatikavabhaso Vedakshamalavaradabhayankah
kundenduśaṅkhasphaṭikāvabhāso vedākṣamālāvaradābhayāṅkaḥ
Shining like jasmine, the moon, conch and crystal, holding Veda, rosary, boon and fearlessness,
त्र्यक्षश्चतुर्वक्त्र उरुप्रभावः सद्योऽधिजातोऽवतु मां प्रतीच्याम् ॥ ११ ॥
Tryakshashchaturvaktra Uruprabhavah Sadyodhijatovatu Mam Pratichyam
tryakṣaścaturvaktra uruprabhāvaḥ sadyo'dhijāto'vatu māṃ pratīcyām
three-eyed, four-faced, of great power, Sadyojata — may he protect me in the west.
वराक्षमालाभयटङ्कहस्तः सरोजकिञ्जल्कसमानवर्णः ।
Varakshamalabhayatankahastah Sarojakinjalkasamanavarnah
varākṣamālābhayaṭaṅkahastaḥ sarojakiñjalkasamānavarṇaḥ
Holding boon, rosary, fearlessness and chisel, the colour of lotus filaments,
त्रिलोचनश्चारुचतुर्मुखो मां पायादुदिच्यां दिशि वामदेवः ॥ १२ ॥
Trilochanashcharuchaturmukho Mam Payadudichyam Dishi Vamadevah
trilocanaścārucaturmukho māṃ pāyādudicyāṃ diśi vāmadevaḥ
three-eyed, with four lovely faces, Vamadeva — may he protect me in the north.
वेदाभयेष्टाङ्कुशटङ्कपाशकपालढक्काक्षशूलपाणिः । पाशटङ्क
Vedabhayeshtankushatankapashakapaladhakkakshashulapanih Pashatanka
vedābhayeṣṭāṅkuśaṭaṅkapāśakapālaḍhakkākṣaśūlapāṇiḥ pāśaṭaṅka
Holding Veda, fearlessness, boon, goad, chisel, noose, skull, drum, rosary and trident,
सितद्युतिः पञ्चमुखोऽवतान्मामीशान ऊर्ध्वं परमप्रकाशः ॥ १३ ॥
Sitadyutih Panchamukhovatanmamishana Urdhvam Paramaprakashah
sitadyutiḥ pañcamukho'vatānmāmīśāna ūrdhvaṃ paramaprakāśaḥ
white in radiance, five-faced Ishana, the supreme light — may he protect me above.
मूर्धानमव्यान्मम चन्द्रमौलिर्भालं ममाव्यादथ भालनेत्रः ।
Murdhanamavyanmama Chandramaulirbhalam Mamavyadatha Bhalanetrah
mūrdhānamavyānmama candramaulirbhālaṃ mamāvyādatha bhālanetraḥ
May the moon-crowned one protect my head; may the forehead-eyed one protect my forehead;
नेत्रे ममाव्याद्भगनेत्रहारी नासां सदा रक्षतु विश्वनाथः ॥ १४ ॥
Netre Mamavyadbhaganetrahari Nasam Sada Rakshatu Vishvanathah
netre mamāvyādbhaganetrahārī nāsāṃ sadā rakṣatu viśvanāthaḥ
may he who struck out Bhaga’s eyes protect my eyes; may Vishvanatha always protect my nose.
पायाच्छ्रुती मे श्रुतिगीतकीर्तिः कपोलमव्यात्सततं कपाली ।
Payacchruti Me Shrutigitakirtih Kapolamavyatsatatam Kapali
pāyācchrutī me śrutigītakīrtiḥ kapolamavyātsatataṃ kapālī
May he whose glory the Vedas sing protect my ears; may Kapali always protect my cheeks;
वक्त्रं सदा रक्षतु पञ्चवक्त्रो जिह्वां सदा रक्षतु वेदजिह्वः ॥ १५ ॥
Vaktram Sada Rakshatu Panchavaktro Jihvam Sada Rakshatu Vedajihvah
vaktraṃ sadā rakṣatu pañcavaktro jihvāṃ sadā rakṣatu vedajihvaḥ
may the five-faced one protect my mouth; may he whose tongue is the Veda protect my tongue.
कण्ठं गिरीशोऽवतु नीलकण्ठः पाणिद्वयं पातु पिनाकपाणिः ।
Kantham Girishovatu Nilakanthah Panidvayam Patu Pinakapanih
kaṇṭhaṃ girīśo'vatu nīlakaṇṭhaḥ pāṇidvayaṃ pātu pinākapāṇiḥ
May blue-throated Girisha protect my throat; may Pinakapani protect my hands;
दोर्मूलमव्यान्मम धर्मबाहुर्वक्षःस्थलं दक्षमखान्तकोऽव्यात् ॥ १६ ॥
Dormulamavyanmama Dharmabahurvakshahsthalam Dakshamakhantakovyat
dormūlamavyānmama dharmabāhurvakṣaḥsthalaṃ dakṣamakhāntako'vyāt
may Dharmabahu protect my shoulders; may the destroyer of Daksha’s sacrifice protect my chest.
ममोदरं पातु गिरीन्द्रधन्वा मध्यं ममाव्यान्मदनान्तकारी ।
Mamodaram Patu Girindradhanva Madhyam Mamavyanmadanantakari
mamodaraṃ pātu girīndradhanvā madhyaṃ mamāvyānmadanāntakārī
May he whose bow is the king of mountains protect my belly; may the destroyer of Kama protect my waist;
हेरम्बतातो मम पातु नाभिं पायात्कटी धूर्जटिरीश्वरो मे ॥ १७ ॥
Herambatato Mama Patu Nabhim Payatkati Dhurjatirishvaro Me
herambatāto mama pātu nābhiṃ pāyātkaṭī dhūrjaṭirīśvaro me
may Heramba’s father protect my navel; may Lord Dhurjati protect my hips.
ऊरुद्वयं पातु कुबेरमित्रो जानुद्वयं मे जगदीश्वरोऽव्यात् ।
Urudvayam Patu Kuberamitro Janudvayam Me Jagadishvarovyat
ūrudvayaṃ pātu kuberamitro jānudvayaṃ me jagadīśvaro'vyāt
May the friend of Kubera protect my thighs; may the Lord of the world protect my knees;
जङ्घायुगं पुङ्गवकेतुरव्यात्पादौ ममाव्यात्सुरवन्द्यपादः ॥ १८ ॥
Janghayugam Pungavaketuravyatpadau Mamavyatsuravandyapadah
jaṅghāyugaṃ puṅgavaketuravyātpādau mamāvyātsuravandyapādaḥ
may the bull-bannered one protect my shins; may he whose feet the gods worship protect my feet.
महेश्वरः पातु दिनादियामे मां मध्ययामेऽवतु वामदेवः ।
Maheshvarah Patu Dinadiyame Mam Madhyayamevatu Vamadevah
maheśvaraḥ pātu dinādiyāme māṃ madhyayāme'vatu vāmadevaḥ
May Maheshvara protect me in the first watch of the day, Vamadeva in the middle watch,
त्रियम्बकः पातु तृतीययामे वृषध्वजः पातु दिनान्त्ययामे ॥ १९ ॥
Triyambakah Patu Tritiyayame Vrishadhvajah Patu Dinantyayame
triyambakaḥ pātu tṛtīyayāme vṛṣadhvajaḥ pātu dināntyayāme
Tryambaka in the third watch, and the bull-bannered one in the last.
पायान्निशादौ शशिशेखरो मां गङ्गाधरो रक्षतु मां निशीथे ।
Payannishadau Shashishekharo Mam Gangadharo Rakshatu Mam Nishithe
pāyānniśādau śaśiśekharo māṃ gaṅgādharo rakṣatu māṃ niśīthe
May the moon-crowned one protect me at nightfall, Gangadhara at midnight,
गौरीपतिः पातु निशावसाने मृत्युञ्जयो रक्षतु सर्वकालम् ॥ २० ॥
Gauripatih Patu Nishavasane Mrityunjayo Rakshatu Sarvakalam
gaurīpatiḥ pātu niśāvasāne mṛtyuñjayo rakṣatu sarvakālam
Gauri’s lord at night’s end, and Mrityunjaya at all times.
अन्तःस्थितं रक्षतु शङ्करो मां स्थाणुः सदा पातु बहिःस्थितं माम् ।
Antahsthitam Rakshatu Shankaro Mam Sthanuh Sada Patu Bahihsthitam Mam
antaḥsthitaṃ rakṣatu śaṅkaro māṃ sthāṇuḥ sadā pātu bahiḥsthitaṃ mām
May Shankara protect me within; may Sthanu always protect me without;
तदन्तरे पातु पतिः पशूनां सदाशिवो रक्षतु मां समन्तात् ॥ २१ ॥
Tadantare Patu Patih Pashunam Sadashivo Rakshatu Mam Samantat
tadantare pātu patiḥ paśūnāṃ sadāśivo rakṣatu māṃ samantāt
may the lord of creatures protect what is between; may Sadashiva protect me on every side.
तिष्ठन्तमव्याद्भुवनैकनाथः पायाद्व्रजन्तं प्रमथाधिनाथः ।
Tishthantamavyadbhuvanaikanathah Payadvrajantam Pramathadhinathah
tiṣṭhantamavyādbhuvanaikanāthaḥ pāyādvrajantaṃ pramathādhināthaḥ
May the one Lord of the world protect me standing, the lord of the hosts when walking,
वेदान्तवेद्योऽवतु मान्निषण्णं मामव्ययः पातु शिवः शयानम् ॥ २२ ॥
Vedantavedyovatu Mannishannam Mamavyayah Patu Shivah Shayanam
vedāntavedyo'vatu mānniṣaṇṇaṃ māmavyayaḥ pātu śivaḥ śayānam
the one known through Vedanta when seated, and imperishable Shiva when lying down.
मार्गेषु मां रक्षतु नीलकण्ठः शैलादिदुर्गेषु पुरत्रयारिः ।
Margeshu Mam Rakshatu Nilakanthah Shailadidurgeshu Puratrayarih
mārgeṣu māṃ rakṣatu nīlakaṇṭhaḥ śailādidurgeṣu puratrayāriḥ
May the blue-throated one protect me on the roads, the enemy of Tripura in mountain passes and forts,
अरण्यवासादिमहाप्रवासे पायान्मृगव्याध उदारशक्तिः ॥ २३ ॥
Aranyavasadimahapravase Payanmrigavyadha Udarashaktih
araṇyavāsādimahāpravāse pāyānmṛgavyādha udāraśaktiḥ
and in forests and long journeys may the mighty Hunter protect me.
कल्पान्तकाटोपपटुप्रकोपः स्फुटाट्टहासोच्चलिताण्डकोशः ।
Kalpantakatopapatuprakopah Sphutattahasochchalitandakoshah
kalpāntakāṭopapaṭuprakopaḥ sphuṭāṭṭahāsoccalitāṇḍakośaḥ
Fierce in anger like the end of the world, his loud laughter shaking the cosmic egg —
घोरारिसेनार्णवदुर्निवारमहाभयाद्रक्षतु वीरभद्रः ॥ २४ ॥
Ghorarisenarnavadurnivaramahabhayadrakshatu Virabhadrah
ghorārisenārṇavadurnivāramahābhayādrakṣatu vīrabhadraḥ
may Virabhadra protect me from the terrible ocean of enemy armies, from every great fear.
पत्त्यश्वमातङ्गघटावरूथसहस्रलक्षायुतकोटिभीषणम् ।
Pattyashvamatangaghatavaruthasahasralakshayutakotibhishanam
pattyaśvamātaṅgaghaṭāvarūthasahasralakṣāyutakoṭibhīṣaṇam
Armies terrible with countless foot-soldiers, horses and elephants,
अक्षौहिणीनां शतमाततायिनां छिन्द्यान्मृडो घोरकुठारधारया ॥ २५ ॥
Akshauhininam Shatamatatayinam Chhhindyanmrido Ghorakutharadharaya
akṣauhiṇīnāṃ śatamātatāyināṃ chindyānmṛḍo ghorakuṭhāradhārayā
a hundred hostile divisions — may Mrida cut them down with the edge of his terrible axe.
निहन्तु दस्यून्प्रलयानलार्चिर्ज्वलत्त्रिशूलं त्रिपुरान्तकस्य ।
Nihantu Dasyunpralayanalarchirjvalattrishulam Tripurantakasya
nihantu dasyūnpralayānalārcirjvalattriśūlaṃ tripurāntakasya
May the blazing trident of the destroyer of Tripura, with the flame of world-dissolution, strike down robbers;
शार्दूलसिंहर्क्षवृकादिहिंस्त्रान्सन्त्रासयत्वीशधनुः पिनाकम् ॥ २६ ॥
Shardulasimharkshavrikadihimstransantrasayatvishadhanuh Pinakam
śārdūlasiṃharkṣavṛkādihiṃstrānsantrāsayatvīśadhanuḥ pinākam
may the Lord’s bow Pinaka terrify tigers, lions, bears, wolves and all wild beasts.
दुःस्वप्नदुःशकुनदुर्गतिदौर्मनस्यदुर्भिक्षदुर्व्यस नदुःसहदुर्यशांसि ।
Duhsvapnaduhshakunadurgatidaurmanasyadurbhikshadurvyasa Naduhsahaduryashamsi
duḥsvapnaduḥśakunadurgatidaurmanasyadurbhikṣadurvyasa naduḥsahaduryaśāṃsi
Bad dreams, bad omens, misfortune, depression, famine, bad habits, the unbearable and disgrace,
उत्पाततापविषभीतिमसद्ग्रहार्तिव्याधींश्च नाशयतु मे जगतामधीशः ॥ २७ ॥
Utpatatapavishabhitimasadgrahartivyadhimshcha Nashayatu Me Jagatamadhishah
utpātatāpaviṣabhītimasadgrahārtivyādhīṃśca nāśayatu me jagatāmadhīśaḥ
calamity, distress, poison, fear, evil planets, pain and disease — may the Lord of the worlds destroy them for me.
इत्येतत्कवचं शैवं वरदं व्याहृतं मया ।
Ityetatkavacham Shaivam Varadam Vyahritam Maya
ityetatkavacaṃ śaivaṃ varadaṃ vyāhṛtaṃ mayā
This auspicious armour of Shiva that grants boons, which I have told,
सर्वबाधाप्रशमनं रहस्यं सर्वदेहिनाम् ॥ २८ ॥
Sarvabadhaprashamanam Rahasyam Sarvadehinam
sarvabādhāpraśamanaṃ rahasyaṃ sarvadehinām
calms every affliction and is the secret of all embodied beings.
यः सदा धारयेन्मर्त्यः शैवं कवचमुत्तमम् ।
Yah Sada Dharayenmartyah Shaivam Kavachamuttamam
yaḥ sadā dhārayenmartyaḥ śaivaṃ kavacamuttamam
The mortal who always wears this supreme armour of Shiva
न तस्य जायते क्वापि भयं शम्भोरनुग्रहात् ॥ २९ ॥
Na Tasya Jayate Kvapi Bhayam Shambhoranugrahat
na tasya jāyate kvāpi bhayaṃ śambhoranugrahāt
never knows fear anywhere, by the grace of Shambhu.
क्षीणायुर्मृत्युमापन्नो महारोगहतोऽपि वा ।
Kshinayurmrityumapanno Maharogahatopi Va
kṣīṇāyurmṛtyumāpanno mahārogahato'pi vā
Even one whose life is ending, who has met death or is struck by great illness,
सद्यः सुखमवाप्नोति दीर्घमायुश्च विन्दति ॥ ३० ॥
Sadyah Sukhamavapnoti Dirghamayushcha Vindati
sadyaḥ sukhamavāpnoti dīrghamāyuśca vindati
at once finds ease and gains long life.
सर्वदारिद्र्यशमनं सौमङ्गल्यविवर्धनम् ।
Sarvadaridryashamanam Saumangalyavivardhanam
sarvadāridryaśamanaṃ saumaṅgalyavivardhanam
It ends all poverty and increases good fortune;
यो धत्ते कवचं शैवं स देवैरपि पूज्यते ॥ ३१ ॥
Yo Dhatte Kavacham Shaivam Sa Devairapi Pujyate
yo dhatte kavacaṃ śaivaṃ sa devairapi pūjyate
whoever wears the armour of Shiva is honoured even by the gods.
महापातकसङ्घातैर्मुच्यते चोपपातकैः ।
Mahapatakasanghatairmuchyate Chopapatakaih
mahāpātakasaṅghātairmucyate copapātakaiḥ
One is freed from great sins and from lesser wrongs alike,
देहान्ते शिवमाप्नोति शिववर्मानुभावतः ॥ ३२ ॥
Dehante Shivamapnoti Shivavarmanubhavatah
dehānte śivamāpnoti śivavarmānubhāvataḥ
and at the body’s end reaches Shiva, by the power of Shiva’s armour.
त्वमपि श्रद्धया वत्स शैवं कवचमुत्तमम् ।
Tvamapi Shraddhaya Vatsa Shaivam Kavachamuttamam
tvamapi śraddhayā vatsa śaivaṃ kavacamuttamam
You too, my child, wear with faith this supreme armour of Shiva
धारयस्व मया दत्तं सद्यः श्रेयो ह्यवाप्स्यसि ॥ ३३ ॥
Dharayasva Maya Dattam Sadyah Shreyo Hyavapsyasi
dhārayasva mayā dattaṃ sadyaḥ śreyo hyavāpsyasi
that I have given you, and you will soon gain the highest good.
This kavacham is told in the Skanda Purana. The yogi Rishabha gives it to the young prince Bhadrayu, who has lost his kingdom, along with a conch, a sword and a blessing of sacred ash — and with it the prince wins back his father’s throne.
It begins with meditation: Shiva seated in the lotus of the heart, filling all space with his light, beyond the senses, subtle and infinite. Then the armour is placed. Shiva as the earth protects from the earth, as water from water, as Kalarudra from forest fire and storm. His five faces — Tatpurusha, Aghora, Sadyojata, Vamadeva and Ishana — guard east, south, west, north and above.
Then each part of the body is given to one of his names; each watch of the day and night to another; and Virabhadra, Mrida and Pinaka are called upon against enemies, robbers and wild beasts. A long prose invocation follows in the full text (not included here); the verses end with the fruits of wearing the armour.
Bhadrayu’s father had been driven from his kingdom, and the boy grew up poor and ill. The great Shiva yogi Rishabha healed him, taught him this kavacham, and touched him with sacred ash, giving him the strength of twelve thousand elephants.
Protected by the armour, the prince defeated his father’s enemies and ruled with justice — the story every kavacham hopes to repeat in its own way.
When to chant
How many times
Once.
Sit facing a Shiva Linga and apply a little sacred ash to your forehead if you have it.
Chant the meditation verses slowly, picturing Shiva in your heart.
As each name and place is named, bring your attention there.
End with Om Namah Shivaya.
The sounds that trip people up most in this hymn, and how to say them.
kavacam
ka-va-chum — “armour.”
vīrabhadraḥ
vee-ra-bhud-rah.
mṛtyuñjayaḥ
mrit-yun-ja-yah — “conqueror of death.”
The music
by Son of Kali
Where does the Shiva Kavacham come from?
The Skanda Purana (Brahmottara Khanda), where the yogi Rishabha teaches it to Prince Bhadrayu.
What does it protect from?
The hymn asks Shiva to protect from earth, water, fire and wind, from enemies, robbers and wild beasts, from bad dreams, bad omens, poison, illness and fear — at every hour of day and night.
What are its benefits?
The closing verses promise fearlessness, recovery even for the dying, long life, freedom from poverty, freedom from sins, and at the end, union with Shiva.