The Devi Kavacha, also called the Chandi Kavacha, is a prayer of protection. Kavacha means armour. In the traditional order of the Chandi Path it is the first of the three short texts said before the thirteen chapters of the Devi Mahatmya, followed by the Argala Stotra and the Kilaka Stotra. This page gives all 51 verses of the Kavacha as the Nirnaya Sagar print of 1917 has them, with a transliteration and a meaning for every verse.
What the Kavacha is
The Kavacha is set as a talk between two sages. Markandeya asks Brahma for the most secret and most protective thing in the world, and Brahma answers with the armour of the goddess. The text has four parts.
| Verses | What they do |
|---|---|
| 1 and 2 | The question of Markandeya and the promise of Brahma |
| 3 to 5 | The names of the nine Durgas, the forms worshipped on the nine nights of Navratri, from Shailaputri to Siddhidatri |
| 6 to 14 | Those who take refuge in the goddess, then the seven mother goddesses (Chamunda, Varahi, Aindri, Vaishnavi, Maheshvari, Kaumari and Brahmi) with their mounts and weapons |
| 15 to 37 | The armour itself. The goddess is asked to guard the ten directions, then the body from the crest of the head to the soles of the feet, then the breaths, the mind, family, cattle, sons, wife and the road |
| 38 to 51 | The fruits the text claims for it, and the colophon |
The nine Durgas in verses 3 to 5
Verses 3 to 5 list the nine names that are worshipped one by one on the nine nights of Sharad Navratri: Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Mahagauri and Siddhidatri. The text says these names were spoken by Brahma himself. The order of the nights follows this list. See the Navadurga page for each form.
How it is used
Printed recitation books place the Kavacha first, and the Kavacha itself says in verse 49 that the Saptashati is to be recited after it. Practice differs among families and teachers, and some omit it, so follow your own tradition. The print gives an opening formula (the viniyoga), which names Brahma as the sage, the Anushtubh metre, Chamunda as the deity and the Mothers as the seed, and says the text is recited as part of the Saptashati. We give that formula first and then the verses.
The verses of the second half, from 38 on, describe what the text says it brings: wealth, victory, fearlessness, long life and the end of illness and of harm from spirits and spells. We report these as the text’s own claims. They are devotional statements in a traditional text and not advice about health or safety, and we make no promise about the results of reciting it. If you are ill or in danger, please see a doctor or the proper authorities as well.
The text, transliteration and meaning
अस्य श्रीचण्डीकवचस्य ब्रह्मा ऋषिः । अनुष्टुप् छन्दः । चामुण्डा देवता । अङ्गन्यासोक्तमातरो बीजम् । दिग्बन्धदेवतास्तत्त्वम् । श्रीजगदम्बाप्रीत्यर्थं सप्तशतीपाठाङ्गजपे विनियोगः । ॐ नमश्चण्डिकायै ।
Asya shrichandikavachasya brahma rishih, anushtup chhandah, chamunda devata, anganyasoktamataro bijam, digbandhadevatastattvam, shrijagadambaprityartham saptashatipathangajape viniyogah, om namashchandikayai
NoteThis is the formula said before the text. It names the sage (Brahma), the metre (Anushtubh), the deity (Chamunda), the seed (the Mothers named in the placing of the limbs), the element (the deities who bind the directions), and the purpose: pleasing the Mother of the world as a part of the Saptashati recitation. Then comes a bow to Chandika.
ॐ यद्गुह्यं परमं लोके सर्वरक्षाकरं नृणाम्
यन्न कस्यचिदाख्यातं तन्मे ब्रूहि पितामह ॥ १ ॥
Om yadguhyam paramam loke sarvarakshakaram nrinam
Yanna kasyachidakhyatam tanme bruhi pitamaha
MeaningMarkandeya says: Pitamaha (Brahma), tell me the most secret thing in the world, the one that guards people on every side, which you have not told to anyone.
अस्ति गुह्यतमं विप्र सर्वभूतोपकारकम्
देव्यास्तु कवचं पुण्यं तच्छृणुष्व महामुने ॥ २ ॥
Asti guhyatamam vipra sarvabhutopakarakam
Devyastu kavacham punyam tachchhrinushva mahamune
MeaningBrahma says: There is such a thing, brahmin, most secret and helpful to all beings. It is the sacred armour of the goddess. Hear it, great sage.
प्रथमं शैलपुत्रीति द्वितीयं ब्रह्मचारिणी
तृतीयं चन्द्रघण्टेति कूष्माण्डेति चतुर्थकम् ॥ ३ ॥
Prathamam shailaputriti dvitiyam brahmacharini
Tritiyam chandraghanteti kushmandeti chaturthakam
MeaningThe first is Shailaputri and the second Brahmacharini. The third is Chandraghanta and the fourth is Kushmanda.
पञ्चमं स्कन्दमातेति षष्ठं कात्यायनीति च
सप्तमं कालरात्रिश्च महागौरीति चाष्टमम् ॥ ४ ॥
Panchamam skandamateti shashtham katyayaniti cha
Saptamam kalaratrishcha mahagauriti chashtamam
MeaningThe fifth is Skandamata and the sixth Katyayani. The seventh is Kalaratri and the eighth is Mahagauri.
नवमं सिद्धिदात्री च नव दुर्गाः प्रकीर्तिताः
उक्तान्येतानि नामानि ब्रह्मणैव महात्मना ॥ ५ ॥
Navamam siddhidatri cha nava durgah prakirtitah
Uktanyetani namani brahmanaiva mahatmana
MeaningThe ninth is Siddhidatri. These are declared to be the nine Durgas. These names were spoken by the great Brahma himself.
अग्निना दह्यमानस्तु शत्रुमध्ये गतो रणे
विषमे दुर्गमे चैव भयार्ताः शरणं गताः ॥ ६ ॥
Agnina dahyamanastu shatrumadhye gato rane
Vishame durgame chaiva bhayartah sharanam gatah
MeaningThose who are burning in a fire, or who have gone into the midst of enemies in battle, or who are afraid in a hard and hopeless place and have taken refuge in her,
न तेषां जायते किञ्चिदशुभं रणसङ्कटे
नापदं तस्य पश्यामि शोकदुःखभयं न हि ॥ ७ ॥
Na tesham jayate kinchidashubham ranasankate
Napadam tasya pashyami shokaduhkhabhayam na hi
Meaningno harm comes to them, even in the danger of battle. I see no misfortune for such a person, and no sorrow, pain or fear.
यैस्तु भक्त्या स्मृता नूनं तेषां सिद्धिः प्रजायते
प्रेतसंस्था तु चामुण्डा वाराही महिषासना ॥ ८ ॥
Yaistu bhaktya smrita nunam tesham siddhih prajayate
Pretasamstha tu chamunda varahi mahishasana
MeaningThe text says that for those who truly remember her with devotion, success arises. Now the forms are named: Chamunda seated on a corpse, and Varahi seated on a buffalo.
ऐन्द्री गजसमारूढा वैष्णवी गरुडासना
माहेश्वरी वृषारूढा कौमारी शिखिवाहना ॥ ९ ॥
Aindri gajasamarudha vaishnavi garudasana
Maheshvari vrisharudha kaumari shikhivahana
MeaningAindri rides an elephant and Vaishnavi sits on Garuda. Maheshvari rides a bull and Kaumari has the peacock as her mount.
ब्राह्मी हंससमारूढा सर्वाभरणभूषिता
नानाभरणशोभाढ्या नानारत्नोपशोभिताः ॥ १० ॥
Brahmi hamsasamarudha sarvabharanabhushita
Nanabharanashobhadhya nanaratnopashobhitah
MeaningBrahmi rides a swan and is adorned with every ornament. They are rich in the beauty of many jewels and shine with many gems.
दृश्यन्ते रथमारूढा देव्यः क्रोधसमाकुलाः
शङ्खं चक्रं गदां शक्तिं हलं च मुसलायुधम् ॥ ११ ॥
Drishyante rathamarudha devyah krodhasamakulah
Shankham chakram gadam shaktim halam cha musalayudham
MeaningThese goddesses are seen riding in chariots, filled with wrath. They hold a conch, a discus, a mace, a spear, a plough and a pestle.
खेटकं तोमरं चैव परशुं पाशमेव च
कुन्तायुधं त्रिशूलं च शार्ङ्गमायुधमुत्तमम् ॥ १२ ॥
Khetakam tomaram chaiva parashum pashameva cha
Kuntayudham trishulam cha sharngamayudhamuttamam
MeaningThey hold a shield, a javelin, an axe and a noose, a lance and a trident, and the excellent bow called Sharnga.
दैत्यानां देहनाशाय भक्तानामभयाय च
धारयन्त्यायुधानीत्थं देवानां च हिताय वै ॥ १३ ॥
Daityanam dehanashaya bhaktanamabhayaya cha
Dharayantyayudhanittham devanam cha hitaya vai
MeaningThey carry these weapons in this way to destroy the bodies of the demons, to give fearlessness to devotees and for the good of the gods.
महाबले महोत्साहे महाभयविनाशिनि
त्राहि मां देवि दुष्प्रेक्ष्ये शत्रूणां भयवर्द्धिनि ॥ १४ ॥
Mahabale mahotsahe mahabhayavinashini
Trahi mam devi dushprekshye shatrunam bhayavarddhini
MeaningGoddess of great strength and great energy, destroyer of great fear, hard to look upon, who increases the fear of enemies, protect me.
प्राच्यां रक्षतु मामैन्द्री आग्नेय्यामग्निदेवता
दक्षिणेऽवतु वाराही नैर्ऋत्यां खड्गधारिणी ॥ १५ ॥
Prachyam rakshatu mamaindri agneyyamagnidevata
Dakshine'vatu varahi nairrityam khadgadharini
MeaningIn the east may Aindri protect me, and in the south-east the goddess of fire. In the south may Varahi guard me, and in the south-west the one who holds the sword.
प्रतीच्यां वारुणी रक्षेद्वायव्यां मृगवाहिनी
उदीच्यां रक्ष कौबेरि ईशान्यां शूलधारिणि ॥ १६ ॥
Pratichyam varuni rakshedvayavyam mrigavahini
Udichyam raksha kauberi ishanyam shuladharini
MeaningIn the west may Varuni protect me, and in the north-west the one who rides the deer. In the north guard me, Kauberi, and in the north-east, holder of the trident.
ऊर्ध्वं ब्रह्माणी मे रक्षेदधस्ताद्वैष्णवी तथा
एवं दशदिशो रक्षेच्चामुण्डा शववाहना ॥ १७ ॥
Urdhvam brahmani me rakshedadhastadvaishnavi tatha
Evam dashadisho rakshechchamunda shavavahana
MeaningAbove may Brahmani protect me, and below Vaishnavi. In this way may Chamunda, whose mount is a corpse, guard the ten directions.
जया मे अग्रतः स्थातु विजया स्थातु पृष्ठतः
अजिता वामपार्श्वे तु दक्षिणे चापराजिता ॥ १८ ॥
Jaya me agratah sthatu vijaya sthatu prishthatah
Ajita vamaparshve tu dakshine chaparajita
MeaningMay Jaya stand before me and Vijaya behind me. May Ajita be at my left side and Aparajita at my right.
शिखां मे द्योतिनी रक्षेदुमा मूर्ध्नि व्यवस्थिता
मालाधरी ललाटे च भ्रुवौ रक्षेद्यशस्विनी ॥ १९ ॥
Shikham me dyotini raksheduma murdhni vyavasthita
Maladhari lalate cha bhruvau rakshedyashasvini
MeaningMay Dyotini guard the crest of my head, and Uma, who dwells on the crown. May Maladhari guard the forehead and Yashasvini the eyebrows.
त्रिनेत्रा च भ्रुवोर्मध्ये यमघण्टा च नासिके
शङ्खिनी चक्षुषोर्मध्ये श्रोत्रयोर्द्वारवासिनी ॥ २० ॥
Trinetra cha bhruvormadhye yamaghanta cha nasike
Shankhini chakshushormadhye shrotrayordvaravasini
MeaningMay Trinetra guard the space between the brows and Yamaghanta the nostrils. May Shankhini guard the space between the eyes and Dvaravasini the ears.
कपोलौ कालिका रक्षेत्कर्णमूले तु शांकरी
नासिकायां सुगन्धा च उत्तरोष्ठे च चर्चिका ॥ २१ ॥
Kapolau kalika rakshetkarnamule tu shankari
Nasikayam sugandha cha uttaroshthe cha charchika
MeaningMay Kalika guard the cheeks and Shankari the roots of the ears. May Sugandha guard the nose and Charchika the upper lip.
अधरे चामृतकला जिह्वायां च सरस्वती
दन्तान् रक्षतु कौमारी कण्ठमध्ये तु चण्डिका ॥ २२ ॥
Adhare chamritakala jihvayam cha sarasvati
Dantan rakshatu kaumari kanthamadhye tu chandika
MeaningMay Amritakala guard the lower lip and Sarasvati the tongue. May Kaumari guard the teeth and Chandika the middle of the throat.
घण्टिकां चित्रघण्टा च महामाया च तालुके
कामाक्षी चिबुकं रक्षेद्वाचं मे सर्वमङ्गला ॥ २३ ॥
Ghantikam chitraghanta cha mahamaya cha taluke
Kamakshi chibukam rakshedvacham me sarvamangala
MeaningMay Chitraghanta guard the uvula and Mahamaya the palate. May Kamakshi guard the chin and Sarvamangala my speech.
ग्रीवायां भद्रकाली च पृष्ठवंशे धनुर्धरी
नीलग्रीवा बहिःकण्ठे नलिकां नलकूबरी ॥ २४ ॥
Grivayam bhadrakali cha prishthavamshe dhanurdhari
Nilagriva bahihkanthe nalikam nalakubari
MeaningMay Bhadrakali guard the neck and Dhanurdhari the spine. May Nilagriva guard the outside of the throat and Nalakubari the windpipe.
खड्गधारिण्युभौ स्कन्धौ बाहू मे वज्रधारिणी
हस्तयोर्दण्डिनी रक्षेदम्बिका चाङ्गुलीस्तथा ॥ २५ ॥
Khadgadharinyubhau skandhau bahu me vajradharini
Hastayordandini rakshedambika changulistatha
MeaningMay the sword-bearer guard both shoulders and the holder of the thunderbolt my arms. May Dandini guard the hands, and Ambika the fingers.
नखाञ्छूलेश्वरी रक्षेत्कुक्षौ रक्षेन्नलेश्वरी
स्तनौ रक्षेन्महालक्ष्मीर्मनःशोकविनाशिनी ॥ २६ ॥
Nakhanchhuleshvari rakshetkukshau rakshennaleshvari
Stanau rakshenmahalakshmirmanahshokavinashini
MeaningMay Shuleshvari guard the nails and Naleshvari the sides of the belly. May Mahalakshmi guard the breasts, and she who destroys the sorrow of the mind.
हृदये ललिता देवी उदरे शूलधारिणी
नाभौ च कामिनी रक्षेद्गुह्यं गुह्येश्वरी तथा ॥ २७ ॥
Hridaye lalita devi udare shuladharini
Nabhau cha kamini rakshedguhyam guhyeshvari tatha
MeaningMay the goddess Lalita guard the heart, and the holder of the trident the stomach. May Kamini guard the navel and Guhyeshvari the private parts.
कट्यां भगवती रक्षेज्जानुनी विन्ध्यवासिनी
भूतनाथा च मेढ्रं मे ऊरू महिषवाहिनी ॥ २८ ॥
Katyam bhagavati rakshejjanuni vindhyavasini
Bhutanatha cha medhram me uru mahishavahini
MeaningMay Bhagavati guard the hips and Vindhyavasini the knees. May Bhutanatha guard the organ of generation and the rider of the buffalo my thighs.
जङ्घे महाबला प्रोक्ता सर्वकामप्रदायिनी
गुल्फयोर्नारसिंही च पादौ चामिततेजसी ॥ २९ ॥
Janghe mahabala prokta sarvakamapradayini
Gulphayornarasimhi cha padau chamitatejasi
MeaningThe calves are said to be Mahabala's, she who grants all wishes. May Narasimhi guard the ankles and the one of limitless radiance my feet.
पादाङ्गुलीः श्री मे रक्षेत्पादाधस्तलवासिनी
नखान् दंष्ट्राकराली च केशांश्चैवोर्ध्वकेशिनी ॥ ३० ॥
Padangulih shri me rakshetpadadhastalavasini
Nakhan damshtrakarali cha keshamshchaivordhvakeshini
MeaningMay Shri guard my toes, and the one who dwells in the soles of the feet. May Damshtrakarali guard the nails and Urdhvakeshini the hair.
रोमकूपेषु कौबेरी त्वचं वागीश्वरी तथा
रक्तमज्जावसामांसान्यस्थिमेदांसि पार्वती ॥ ३१ ॥
Romakupeshu kauberi tvacham vagishvari tatha
Raktamajjavasamamsanyasthimedamsi parvati
MeaningMay Kauberi guard the pores of the skin and Vagishvari the skin itself. May Parvati guard the blood, marrow, fat, flesh, bones and fatty tissue.
अन्त्राणि कालरात्रिश्च पित्तं च मुकुटेश्वरी
पद्मावती पद्मकोशे कफे चूडामणिस्तथा ॥ ३२ ॥
Antrani kalaratrishcha pittam cha mukuteshvari
Padmavati padmakoshe kaphe chudamanistatha
MeaningMay Kalaratri guard the intestines and Mukuteshvari the bile. May Padmavati guard the lotus-like chambers of the body, and Chudamani the phlegm.
ज्वालामुखी नखज्वाला अभेद्या सर्वसन्धिषु
शुक्रं ब्रह्माणी मे रक्षेच्छायां छत्रेश्वरी तथा ॥ ३३ ॥
Jvalamukhi nakhajvala abhedya sarvasandhishu
Shukram brahmani me rakshechchhayam chhatreshvari tatha
MeaningMay Jvalamukhi and Nakhajvala guard me, and may the unbreakable one guard all the joints. May Brahmani guard my vital fluid and Chhatreshvari my shadow.
अहङ्कारं मनो बुद्धिं रक्ष मे धर्मचारिणि
प्राणापानौ तथा व्यानं समानोदानमेव च ॥ ३४ ॥
Ahankaram mano buddhim raksha me dharmacharini
Pranapanau tatha vyanam samanodanameva cha
MeaningGuard my sense of self, my mind and my understanding, you who walk in dharma. Guard the breaths called prana and apana, and vyana, samana and udana as well.
यशः कीर्तिं च लक्ष्मीं च सदा रक्षतु वैष्णवी
गोत्रमिन्द्राणी मे रक्षेत्पशून्मे रक्ष चण्डिके ॥ ३५ ॥
Yashah kirtim cha lakshmim cha sada rakshatu vaishnavi
Gotramindrani me rakshetpashunme raksha chandike
MeaningMay Vaishnavi always guard my good name, my fame and my prosperity. May Indrani guard my family line, and may you, Chandika, guard my cattle.
पुत्रान् रक्षेन्महालक्ष्मीर्भार्यां रक्षतु भैरवी
मार्गं क्षेमकरी रक्षेद्विजया सर्वतः स्थिता ॥ ३६ ॥
Putran rakshenmahalakshmirbharyam rakshatu bhairavi
Margam kshemakari rakshedvijaya sarvatah sthita
MeaningMay Mahalakshmi guard my sons and Bhairavi my wife. May Kshemakari guard my road, and Vijaya, who stands on every side.
रक्षाहीनं तु यत्स्थानं वर्जितं कवचेन तु
तत्सर्वं रक्ष मे देवि जयन्ती पापनाशिनी ॥ ३७ ॥
Rakshahinam tu yatsthanam varjitam kavachena tu
Tatsarvam raksha me devi jayanti papanashini
MeaningWhatever place is left without protection, because the armour has left it out, guard all of that for me, goddess Jayanti, destroyer of wrong.
पदमेकं न गच्छेत्तु यदीच्छेच्छुभमात्मनः
कवचेनावृतो नित्यं यत्र यत्राधिगच्छति ॥ ३८ ॥
Padamekam na gachchhettu yadichchhechchhubhamatmanah
Kavachenavrito nityam yatra yatradhigachchhati
MeaningThe text now speaks of its fruits. A person who wants his own good should not go even one step without the armour. Wrapped in it, wherever he goes,
तत्र तत्रार्थलाभश्च विजयः सार्वकामिकः
यं यं कामयते कामं तं तं प्राप्नोति निश्चितम् ॥ ३९ ॥
Tatra tatrarthalabhashcha vijayah sarvakamikah
Yam yam kamayate kamam tam tam prapnoti nishchitam
Meaningthe text says he gains what he needs there, and victory that fulfils every wish. Whatever desire he holds, he is certain to reach that desire.
परमैश्वर्यमतुलं प्राप्स्यते भूतले पुमान्
निर्भयो जायते मर्त्यः सङ्ग्रामेष्वपराजितः ॥ ४० ॥
Paramaishvaryamatulam prapsyate bhutale puman
Nirbhayo jayate martyah sangrameshvaparajitah
MeaningThe text says that on earth he will gain peerless lordship, and the mortal becomes fearless and unbeaten in battles.
त्रैलोक्ये तु भवेत्पूज्यः कवचेनावृतः पुमान्
इदं तु देव्याः कवचं देवानामपि दुर्लभम् ॥ ४१ ॥
Trailokye tu bhavetpujyah kavachenavritah puman
Idam tu devyah kavacham devanamapi durlabham
MeaningA man wrapped in the armour is worthy of honour in the three worlds, says the text. This armour of the goddess is hard to obtain even for the gods.
यः पठेत्प्रयतो नित्यं त्रिसन्ध्यं श्रद्धयान्वितः
दैवीकला भवेत्तस्य त्रैलोक्येष्वपराजितः ॥ ४२ ॥
Yah pathetprayato nityam trisandhyam shraddhayanvitah
Daivikala bhavettasya trailokyeshvaparajitah
MeaningThe one who reads it every day, with a steady mind and faith, at the three junctures of the day, comes, the text says, to have a share of divine power and to be unbeaten in the three worlds.
जीवेद्वर्षशतं साग्रमपमृत्युविवर्जितः
नश्यन्ति व्याधयः सर्वे लूताविस्फोटकादयः ॥ ४३ ॥
Jivedvarshashatam sagramapamrityuvivarjitah
Nashyanti vyadhayah sarve lutavisphotakadayah
MeaningThe text says he lives more than a hundred years, free of untimely death, and that illnesses such as spider-bite sores and boils die away.
स्थावरं जङ्गमं वापि कृत्रिमं चापि यद्विषम्
अभिचाराणि सर्वाणि मन्त्रयन्त्राणि भूतले ॥ ४४ ॥
Sthavaram jangamam vapi kritrimam chapi yadvisham
Abhicharani sarvani mantrayantrani bhutale
MeaningAny poison, whether from plants, from living creatures or made by hand, and all the spells and charms of harm on the earth,
भूचराः खेचराश्चैव जलजाश्चोपदेशिकाः
सहजाः कुलजा माला शाकिनी डाकिनी तथा ॥ ४५ ॥
Bhucharah khecharashchaiva jalajashchopadeshikah
Sahajah kulaja mala shakini dakini tatha
Meaningand the beings that move on the ground, in the sky and in the water, the ones that attend by instruction, those born with a person and those of a family, and the Mala, the Shakini and the Dakini,
अन्तरिक्षचरा घोरा डाकिन्यश्च महाबलाः
ग्रहभूतपिशाचाश्च यक्षगन्धर्वराक्षसाः ॥ ४६ ॥
Antarikshachara ghora dakinyashcha mahabalah
Grahabhutapishachashcha yakshagandharvarakshasah
Meaningthe fearful ones who move in the air, the mighty Dakinis, and the seizing spirits, ghosts and pishachas, the yakshas, gandharvas and rakshasas,
ब्रह्मराक्षसवेताला कूष्माण्डा भैरवादयः
नश्यन्ति दर्शनात्तस्य कवचे हृदि संस्थिते ॥ ४७ ॥
Brahmarakshasavetala kushmanda bhairavadayah
Nashyanti darshanattasya kavache hridi samsthite
Meaningthe Brahmarakshasas, Vetalas, Kushmandas, Bhairavas and the rest: the text says they all fade away at the sight of the one who keeps this armour fixed in his heart.
मानोन्नतिर्भवेद्राज्ञस्तेजोवृद्धिकरं परम्
यशसा वर्धते सोऽपि कीर्तिमण्डितभूतले ॥ ४८ ॥
Manonnatirbhavedrajnastejovriddhikaram param
Yashasa vardhate so'pi kirtimanditabhutale
MeaningThe text says that honour rises with a king, and that it increases his splendour. He too grows in good name and is adorned with fame on the earth.
जपेत्सप्तशतीं चण्डीं कृत्वा तु कवचं पुरा
यावद्भूमण्डलं धत्ते सशैलवनकाननम् ॥ ४९ ॥
Japetsaptashatim chandim kritva tu kavacham pura
Yavadbhumandalam dhatte sashailavanakananam
MeaningOne should recite the Chandi Saptashati after first reciting the armour. As long as the circle of the earth holds up its mountains, forests and groves,
तावत्तिष्ठति मेदिन्यां सन्ततिः पुत्रपौत्रिकी
देहान्ते परमं स्थानं यत्सुरैरपि दुर्लभम् ॥ ५० ॥
Tavattishthati medinyam santatih putrapautriki
Dehante paramam sthanam yatsurairapi durlabham
Meaningso long, the text says, his line of sons and grandsons lasts on the earth, and at the end of the body he reaches the highest state, hard to reach even for the gods.
प्राप्नोति पुरुषो नित्यं महामायाप्रसादतः
वाराहपुराणे हरिहरब्रह्मविरचितं देव्याः कवचं समाप्तम् ॥ ५१ ॥
Prapnoti purusho nityam mahamayaprasadatah
Varahapurane hariharabrahmavirachitam devyah kavacham samaptam
MeaningBy the grace of Mahamaya, the text says, a person reaches this lasting state. The colophon: here ends the armour of the goddess, composed by Hari, Hara and Brahma, in the Varaha Purana.
Summary
The Kavacha begins with the names of the nine Durgas and the seven Mothers, and then spends most of its length asking each of them to guard a direction or a part of the body, in the way a person puts on armour piece by piece. Its closing verses list the fruits that the text claims. The whole is attributed in the colophon to Hari, Hara and Brahma in the Varaha Purana, which is how the print assigns it. It is not one of the thirteen chapters of the Devi Mahatmya.
Where the print differs from other texts
The Kavacha is found in more than one form in recitation books, with differences in the number of verses and in some words. The print we follow numbers its verses 1 to 50 and then has a closing line, which we call verse 51 here so that the colophon stays with it. We have not listed variants from other books, because we have not checked another witness word by word for this page, and we do not want to give readings we cannot show. If your book reads a word differently, that is normal.
Source of the text on this page. The Sanskrit is the text of the Nirnaya Sagar Press edition of the Saptashati (Bombay, Shaka 1839, which is 1917 CE, edited by Vasudev Laxman Shastri Panshikar and published by Tukaram Javaji), read from the page images of the scan on archive.org (identifier SaptashatiNirnayaSagarPress), scan pages 54 to 66. We follow the print's readings. We put spaces between words and write the nasals in the usual style of this site, and we do not count that as a difference. The Kavacha begins on scan page 54 (line 6) and ends on scan page 66 (line 1). The print has the Kavacha before the Argala and the Kilaka, in the order of the recitation, on leaves 24 to 29 of its own count. This text is traditionally ascribed to the Varaha Purana in the print's colophon; we cannot say who composed it or when, and it is not part of the Markandeya Purana. The transliteration is a simple guide to sound and the meanings are our own wording. See the Devi Mahatmya hub for the note on the print.
Related pages
- The Devi Mahatmya (Durga Saptashati): the thirteen chapters and the traditional order of recitation
- Argala Stotra: the second text of the opening three
- Kilaka Stotra: the third
- Ratri Suktam: the two hymns to Night
- Navadurga: the nine forms named in verses 3 to 5
- Sharad Navratri: the nine nights
- All mantras, stotras and sacred texts