Devi Kavacham (Durga Kavach) — Lyrics with Meaning

Mantra

Om asya Shri Chandi-kavachasya Brahma rishih, anushtup chhandah, Chamunda devata, anganyasokta-mataro bijam, digbandha-devatas tattvam, Shri Jagadamba-prityarthe saptashati-pathangatvena jape viniyogah | Om namash chandikayai ||

This is the dedication: the seer of this Chandi Kavach is Brahma, its metre is Anushtup and its deity is Chamunda. It is recited to please the Mother of the world, as part of the Durga Saptashati reading. Salutations to Goddess Chandika.

Verse 1

Markandeya uvacha Om yad guhyam paramam loke sarva-rakshakaram nrinam | yan na kasyachid akhyatam tan me bruhi pitamaha ||1||

Sage Markandeya said: O Grandsire Brahma, please tell me that supreme secret which protects people in every way and which you have not yet told anyone.

Verse 2

Brahmovacha Asti guhyatamam vipra sarva-bhutopakarakam | devyas tu kavacham punyam tach chhrinushva mahamune ||2||

Brahma said: O wise one, there is a most secret means that helps all beings. It is the holy armour of the Goddess; listen to it, great sage.

Verse 3

Prathamam Shailaputri cha dvitiyam Brahmacharini | tritiyam Chandraghanteti Kushmandeti chaturthakam ||3||

The first form of the Goddess is Shailaputri, the second Brahmacharini, the third Chandraghanta and the fourth Kushmanda.

Verse 4

Panchamam Skandamateti shashtham Katyayaniti cha | saptamam Kalaratriti Mahagauriti chashtamam ||4||

The fifth is Skandamata, the sixth Katyayani, the seventh Kalaratri and the eighth Mahagauri.

Verse 5

Navamam Siddhidatri cha navadurgah prakirtitah | uktany etani namani brahmanaiva mahatmana ||5||

The ninth is Siddhidatri; these are known as the Nine Durgas. These names were given by the great Brahma himself.

Verse 6

Agnina dahyamanas tu shatru-madhye gato rane | vishame durgame chaiva bhayartah sharanam gatah ||6||

Whoever is caught in fire, surrounded by enemies in battle, or trapped in a hard and dangerous place, and in fear takes refuge in the Goddess,

Verse 7

Na tesham jayate kinchid ashubham rana-sankate | napadam tasya pashyami shoka-duhkha-bhayam na hi ||7||

no harm comes to them even in the dangers of battle. Brahma says: I see no calamity for such a person, nor grief, sorrow or fear.

Verse 8

Yais tu bhaktya smrita nunam tesham vriddhih prajayate | ye tvam smaranti deveshi rakshase tan na samshayah ||8||

Those who remember the Goddess with devotion surely grow and prosper. O Queen of the gods, You protect those who remember You; there is no doubt.

Verse 9

Preta-samstha tu Chamunda Varahi mahishasana | Aindri gaja-samarudha Vaishnavi garudasana ||9||

Chamunda is seated on a corpse, Varahi rides a buffalo, Aindri rides an elephant and Vaishnavi sits on Garuda.

Verse 10

Maheshvari vrisharudha Kaumari shikhi-vahana | Lakshmih padmasana devi padma-hasta Haripriya ||10||

Maheshvari rides a bull and Kaumari a peacock. Goddess Lakshmi, beloved of Hari, sits on a lotus with a lotus in her hand.

Verse 11

Shveta-rupa-dhara devi Ishvari vrisha-vahana | Brahmi hamsa-samarudha sarvabharana-bhushita ||11||

Goddess Ishvari has a white form and rides a bull. Brahmi, adorned with every ornament, rides a swan.

Verse 12

Ity eta matarah sarvah sarva-yoga-samanvitah | nanabharana-shobhadhya nana-ratnopashobhitah ||12||

All these Mothers are full of every yogic power. They shine with many kinds of ornaments and jewels.

Verse 13

Drishyante ratham arudha devyah krodha-samakulah | shankham chakram gadam shaktim halam cha musalayudham ||13||

These Goddesses are seen riding chariots, filled with anger (against evil). They hold the conch, discus, mace, spear, plough and pestle.

Verse 14

Khetakam tomaram chaiva parashum pasham eva cha | kuntayudham trishulam cha sharngam ayudham uttamam ||14||

They also hold the shield, javelin, axe, noose, lance, trident and the excellent Sharnga bow.

Verse 15

Daityanam deha-nashaya bhaktanam abhayaya cha | dharayanty ayudhanittham devanam cha hitaya vai ||15||

The Goddesses carry these weapons to destroy the demons, to make devotees fearless and for the good of the gods.

Verse 16

Namas te'stu maha-raudre maha-ghora-parakrame | maha-bale mahotsahe maha-bhaya-vinashini ||16||

Salutations to You, O fierce Goddess of terrible valour, of great strength and great energy, destroyer of the greatest fears.

Verse 17

Trahi mam devi dushprekshye shatrunam bhaya-vardhini | prachyam rakshatu mam Aindri agneyyam Agni-devata ||17||

Protect me, O Goddess, whom enemies cannot bear to look at and who fills them with fear. May Aindri guard me in the east and the power of Agni in the south-east.

Verse 18

Dakshine'vatu Varahi nairrityam khadga-dharini | pratichyam Varuni rakshed vayavyam mriga-vahini ||18||

May Varahi guard the south, the sword-bearing Goddess the south-west, Varuni the west, and the Goddess who rides a deer the north-west.

Verse 19

Udichyam patu Kaumari aishanyam shula-dharini | urdhvam Brahmani me raksed adhastad Vaishnavi tatha ||19||

May Kaumari guard the north, the trident-bearer the north-east, Brahmani the space above and Vaishnavi the space below.

Verse 20

Evam dasha disho rakshech Chamunda shava-vahana | Jaya me chagratah patu Vijaya patu prishthatah ||20||

In this way may Chamunda, who rides a corpse, guard all ten directions. May Jaya protect me in front and Vijaya behind.

Verse 21

Ajita vama-parshve tu dakshine chaparajita | shikham udyotini raksed Uma murdhni vyavasthita ||21||

May Ajita guard my left side and Aparajita my right. May Udyotini protect my tuft of hair, and Uma, seated on my head, protect my head.

Verse 22

Maladhari lalate cha bhruvau raksed Yashasvini | Trinetra cha bhruvor madhye Yamaghanta cha nasike ||22||

May Maladhari guard my forehead and Yashasvini my eyebrows. May Trinetra guard the space between the brows and Yamaghanta my nostrils.

Verse 23

Shankhini chakshushor madhye shrotrayor Dvaravasini | kapolau Kalika rakshet karna-mule tu Shankari ||23||

May Shankhini guard the space between my eyes, Dvaravasini my ears, Kalika my cheeks and Shankari the roots of my ears.

Verse 24

Nasikayam Sugandha cha uttaroshthe cha Charchika | adhare chamritakala jihvayam cha Sarasvati ||24||

May Sugandha guard my nose, Charchika my upper lip, Amritakala my lower lip and Sarasvati my tongue.

Verse 25

Dantan rakshatu Kaumari kantha-deshe tu Chandika | ghantikam Chitraghanta cha Mahamaya cha taluke ||25||

May Kaumari guard my teeth, Chandika my throat, Chitraghanta the uvula and Mahamaya my palate.

Verse 26

Kamakshi chibukam raksed vacham me Sarvamangala | grivayam Bhadrakali cha prishtha-vamshe Dhanurdhari ||26||

May Kamakshi guard my chin, Sarvamangala my speech, Bhadrakali my neck and Dhanurdhari my spine.

Verse 27

Nilagriva bahih-kanthe nalikam Nalakubari | skandhayoh Khadgini raksed bahu me Vajradharini ||27||

May Nilagriva guard the outside of my throat, Nalakubari my windpipe, Khadgini my shoulders and Vajradharini my arms.

Verse 28

Hastayor Dandini raksed Ambika changulishu cha | nakhan Shuleshvari rakshet kukshau rakshet Kuleshvari ||28||

May Dandini guard my hands, Ambika my fingers, Shuleshvari my nails and Kuleshvari my belly.

Verse 29

Stanau rakshen Mahadevi manah-shoka-vinashini | hridaye Lalita devi udare Shuladharini ||29||

May Mahadevi guard my chest, Shokavinashini my mind, Goddess Lalita my heart and Shuladharini my stomach.

Verse 30

Nabhau cha Kamini raksed guhyam Guhyeshvari tatha | Putana Kamika medhram gude Mahishavahini ||30||

May Kamini guard my navel, Guhyeshvari my private parts, Putana and Kamika the organ of generation, and Mahishavahini the lower opening.

Verse 31

Katyam Bhagavati rakshej januni Vindhyavasini | janghe Mahabala rakshet sarva-kama-pradayini ||31||

May Bhagavati guard my waist, Vindhyavasini my knees, and Mahabala, who fulfils every wish, my calves.

Verse 32

Gulphayor Narasimhi cha pada-prishthe tu Taijasi | padangulishu Shri rakshet padadhas Talavasini ||32||

May Narasimhi guard my ankles, Taijasi the tops of my feet, Shri my toes and Talavasini the soles of my feet.

Verse 33

Nakhan Damshtrakarali cha keshamsh chaivordhvakeshini | roma-kupeshu Kauberi tvacham Vagishvari tatha ||33||

May Damshtrakarali guard my nails, Urdhvakeshini my hair, Kauberi the pores of my skin and Vagishvari my skin.

Verse 34

Rakta-majja-vasa-mamsany asthi-medamsi Parvati | antrani Kalaratrish cha pittam cha Mukuteshvari ||34||

May Parvati guard my blood, marrow, fat, flesh, bones and tissues, Kalaratri my intestines and Mukuteshvari my bile.

Verse 35

Padmavati padma-koshe kaphe Chudamanis tatha | Jvalamukhi nakha-jvalam Abhedya sarva-sandhishu ||35||

May Padmavati guard the lotus of my heart, Chudamani my phlegm, Jvalamukhi the glow of my nails and Abhedya all my joints.

Verse 36

Shukram Brahmani me rakshech chhayam Chhatreshvari tatha | ahankaram mano buddhim rakshen me Dharmadharini ||36||

O Brahmani, guard my vital seed; may Chhatreshvari guard my shadow. May Dharmadharini guard my ego, mind and intellect.

Verse 37

Pranapanau tatha vyanam udanam cha samanakam | Vajrahasta cha me rakshet pranam Kalyanashobhana ||37||

May Vajrahasta guard my five vital breaths: prana, apana, vyana, udana and samana. May Kalyanashobhana guard my life itself.

Verse 38

Rase rupe cha gandhe cha shabde sparshe cha Yogini | sattvam rajas tamash chaiva rakshen Narayani sada ||38||

May Yogini guard me in taste, sight, smell, sound and touch. May Narayani always guard the three qualities: sattva, rajas and tamas.

Verse 39

Ayu rakshatu Varahi dharmam rakshatu Vaishnavi | yashah kirtim cha lakshmim cha dhanam vidyam cha Chakrini ||39||

May Varahi guard my lifespan and Vaishnavi my dharma. May Chakrini guard my good name, fame, fortune, wealth and learning.

Verse 40

Gotram Indrani me rakshet pashun me raksha Chandike | putran rakshen Mahalakshmir bharyam rakshatu Bhairavi ||40||

May Indrani guard my family line; O Chandika, protect my cattle. May Mahalakshmi guard my children and Bhairavi my wife.

Verse 41

Panthanam Supatha rakshen margam Kshemakari tatha | raja-dvare Mahalakshmir Vijaya sarvatah sthita ||41||

May Supatha guard my road and Kshemakari my journey. May Mahalakshmi guard me at the king's court, and Vijaya on every side.

Verse 42

Raksha-hinam tu yat sthanam varjitam kavachena tu | tat sarvam raksha me devi Jayanti papa-nashini ||42||

O Goddess, any place left out of this armour and without protection, O Jayanti, destroyer of sin, please protect it all.

Verse 43

Padam ekam na gachchhet tu yadichchhech chhubham atmanah | kavachenavrito nityam yatra yatraiva gachchhati ||43||

One who wishes for their own good should not take even one step without this armour. Whoever is always covered by it, wherever they go,

Verse 44

Tatra tatrartha-labhash cha vijayah sarva-kamikah | yam yam chintayate kamam tam tam prapnoti nishchitam | paramaishvaryam atulam prapsyate bhutale puman ||44||

there they find gain and victory in all they seek, says the text. Whatever good wish they hold, they attain, and they gain unequalled glory on this earth.

Verse 45

Nirbhayo jayate martyah sangrameshv aparajitah | trailokye tu bhavet pujyah kavachenavritah puman ||45||

A person covered by this armour becomes fearless and is not defeated in battles. They are honoured in all three worlds.

Verse 46

Idam tu devyah kavacham devanam api durlabham | yah pathet prayato nityam trisandhyam shraddhayanvitah ||46||

This armour of the Goddess is rare even for the gods. Whoever, pure and full of faith, recites it daily at the three junctions of the day,

Verse 47

Daivi kala bhavet tasya trailokyeshv aparajitah | jived varsha-shatam sagram apamrityu-vivarjitah ||47||

gains divine power and stays undefeated in the three worlds. Tradition says they live beyond a hundred years, free from untimely death.

Verse 48

Nashyanti vyadhayah sarve luta-visphotakadayah | sthavaram jangamam chaiva kritrimam chapi yad visham ||48||

In praise of the armour, the text says that afflictions like spider bites and boils, and poisons from plants, creatures or human making, lose their power.

Verse 49

Abhicharani sarvani mantra-yantrani bhutale | bhucharah khecharash chaiva jalajash chopadeshikah ||49||

All black magic and harmful spells and charms on earth, and evil forces of land, sky and water, and those sent by others,

Verse 50

Sahaja kulaja mala dakini shakini tatha | antariksha-chara ghora dakinyash cha mahabalah ||50||

troubles born with us or from our family line, dakinis and shakinis, and the fierce, powerful dakinis that roam the sky,

Verse 51

Graha-bhuta-pishachash cha yaksha-gandharva-rakshasah | brahma-rakshasa-vetalah kushmanda bhairavadayah ||51||

troubling planets, ghosts, pishachas, yakshas, gandharvas, rakshasas, brahma-rakshasas, vetalas, kushmandas, bhairavas and the like,

Verse 52

Nashyanti darshanat tasya kavache hridi samsthite | manonnatir bhaved rajnas tejo-vriddhikaram param ||52||

all flee at the very sight of the one who holds this armour in their heart. They gain honour from the ruler, and the armour greatly increases their radiance.

Verse 53

Yashasa vardhate so'pi kirti-mandita-bhutale | japet saptashatim chandim kritva tu kavacham pura ||53||

They grow in fame and honour across the earth. So one should first recite the Kavach and then read the Saptashati Chandi.

Verse 54

Yavad bhu-mandalam dhatte sa-shaila-vana-kananam | tavat tishthati medinyam santatih putra-pautriki ||54||

As long as the earth holds its mountains, woods and forests, it is said, the line of such a devotee, their children and grandchildren, will continue on earth.

Verse 55

Dehante paramam sthanam yat surair api durlabham | prapnoti purusho nityam mahamaya-prasadatah ||55||

At the end of this life, by the grace of Mahamaya, they reach that supreme, eternal abode which is hard to reach even for the gods.

Verse 56

Labhate paramam rupam shivena saha modate ||56|| Om || Iti devyah kavacham sampurnam |

They attain a supreme divine form and rejoice in the company of Shiva. Thus ends the Devi Kavach.