Narasimha Kavacham · नृसिंह कवचम्
Source: Brahmanda Purana (Prahlada's direct teaching). Spoken by Prahlada to Lord Brahma.
Deity: Narasimha — the man-lion avatar of Vishnu
Who & when: Devotees facing fear, black magic, evil spirits, or chronic disease. Recited at dusk facing south. Also during eclipses and on Narasimha Jayanti (Vaishakha Shukla Chaturdashi).
Purpose: Supreme protection. Narasimha is the destroyer of supernatural evil. The kavacham systematically shields head to toe + the eight directions + the three times (past/present/future).
Opening verses
नृसिंहकवचं वक्ष्ये प्रह्लादेनोदितं पुरा।
सर्वरक्षाकरं पुण्यं सर्वोपद्रवनाशनम्॥
I shall speak the Narasimha Kavacham — once recited by Prahlada — sacred, granter of all protection, destroyer of all calamities.
सर्वसम्पत्करं चैव स्वर्गमोक्षप्रदायकम्।
ध्यात्वा नृसिंहं देवेशं हेमसिंहासनस्थितम्॥
Bestower of every prosperity, granter of svarga and moksha — having meditated on Lord Narasimha seated on a golden lion-throne.
विवृताऽऽस्यं त्रिनयनं शरदिन्दु समप्रभम्।
लक्ष्म्यालिङ्गितवामाङ्गं विभूतिभिरुपाश्रितम्॥
Mouth wide open, three-eyed, radiant as autumn moon, his left side embraced by Lakshmi, surrounded by all opulences.
चतुर्भुजं कोमलाङ्गं स्वर्णकुण्डलशोभितम्।
सरोजशोभितोरस्कं रत्नकेयूरमुद्रितम्॥
Four-armed, of tender limbs, adorned with golden earrings, his chest radiant like the lotus, his arms sealed with jewelled armlets.
तप्तकाञ्चनसङ्काशं पीतनिर्मलवाससम्।
इन्द्रादिसुरमौलिस्थस्फुरन्माणिक्यदीप्तिभिः॥
Brilliant as molten gold, clad in pure yellow garments, illumined by the shimmering rubies set in the crowns of Indra and other devas.
Phala-shruti
पठेन्नृसिंहकवचं भक्तियुक्तो जितेन्द्रियः।
त्रिकालमेकं वा यदि वा यथाशक्ति समाहितः॥
सर्वारिष्टविनिर्मुक्तो रोगशोकविवर्जितः।
पुत्रवान्धनसम्पन्नः कीर्तिमान् सुसमाहितः॥
Whoever recites the Narasimha Kavacham — with devotion, his senses restrained, three times daily or once, or according to capacity — becomes free of all calamities, free of disease and grief, gains sons and wealth, fame, and tranquil mind.
Devi Kavacham · देवी कवचम्
Source: Markandeya Purana — first of the three preliminary hymns (kavacham, argala, kilaka) preceding the Chandi Saptashati.
Deity: Mahadevi — invoked as the Navadurgas (9 forms)
Who & when: Recited daily by Shakta upasakas. Especially during Navaratri (all 9 nights), before any Chandi Saptashati path, or facing any major risk.
Purpose: Each of the 9 Durgas guards one direction / one body-part / one phase of life. Total armoured protection beyond which no malevolence can pass.
Opening verses
ॐ अस्य श्री चण्डीकवचस्य ब्रह्मा ऋषिः। अनुष्टुप् छन्दः।
चामुण्डा देवता। अङ्गन्यासोक्तमातरो बीजम्।
नवावरणो मन्त्रशक्तिः। दिग्बन्ध देवताः तत्त्वम्।
श्रीजगदम्बाप्रीत्यर्थे सप्तशतीपाठाङ्गत्वेन जपे विनियोगः॥
Om. For the Chandi Kavacham: rishi is Brahma, metre is Anushtup, deity is Chamunda, bija is the nyasa-mothers, mantra-shakti is the nine-fold encirclement, the eight directional deities are the tattva. Used in the recitation of Saptashati for the pleasure of Sri Jagadamba.
मार्कण्डेय उवाच।
यद्गुह्यं परमं लोके सर्वरक्षाकरं नृणाम्।
यन्न कस्यचिदाख्यातं तन्मे ब्रूहि पितामह॥
Markandeya said: O Grandsire, tell me that which is supremely secret in the world, the granter of all protection to men, and that which has been told to no one.
ब्रह्मोवाच।
अस्ति गुह्यतमं विप्र सर्वभूतोपकारकम्।
देव्यास्तु कवचं पुण्यं तच्छृणुष्व महामते॥
Brahma said: There is indeed a most secret thing, O sage, helpful to all beings — the sacred kavacham of the Devi. Listen, O great-minded one.
प्रथमं शैलपुत्री च द्वितीयं ब्रह्मचारिणी।
तृतीयं चन्द्रघण्टेति कूष्माण्डेति चतुर्थकम्॥
पञ्चमं स्कन्दमातेति षष्ठं कात्यायनी तथा।
सप्तमं कालरात्रीति महागौरीति चाष्टमम्॥
नवमं सिद्धिदात्री च नवदुर्गाः प्रकीर्तिताः।
First Shailaputri, second Brahmacharini, third Chandraghanta, fourth Kushmanda, fifth Skandamata, sixth Katyayani, seventh Kalaratri, eighth Mahagauri, ninth Siddhidatri — these are the nine Durgas.
Phala-shruti
य इदं प्रपठेन्नित्यं ब्रह्मचारी जितेन्द्रियः।
वर्षमेकं समाराध्य देव्या युक्तस्स जायते॥
One who recites this daily with celibate discipline and restrained senses, worshipping with it for one year — becomes united with the Devi.
Hanuman Kavacham · हनुमत् कवचम्
Source: Sundarakanda tradition — also in the Anjaneya Sahasranama appendix. Taught by Vibhishana to a pilgrim.
Deity: Hanuman — Anjaneya, Mahavira
Who & when: Recited on Tuesday + Saturday at dusk. Also at the start of a journey, during examinations, before facing a powerful adversary, and at all times of fear of black magic.
Purpose: Removes fear (especially of pretas, pisachas, black magic), grants courage and physical strength. Tested across centuries.
Opening verses
ॐ अस्य श्री हनुमत्कवच स्तोत्रमन्त्रस्य श्रीरामचन्द्रः ऋषिः।
श्री हनुमान् परमात्मा देवता। अनुष्टुप् छन्दः।
मारुतात्मज इति बीजम्। अञ्जनासूनुरिति शक्तिः।
वायुपुत्र इति कीलकम्। हनुमत्प्रीत्यर्थे जपे विनियोगः॥
Om. For this Hanuman Kavacham: rishi is Sri Ramachandra, deity is Sri Hanuman the Supreme Self, metre is Anushtup, bija is "Marutatmaja", shakti is "Anjanasunu", kilaka is "Vayuputra". Used in japa for the pleasure of Hanuman.
पञ्चवक्त्रं महाभीमं त्रिपञ्चनयनैर्युतम्।
बाहुभिर्दशभिर्युक्तं सर्वकामार्थसिद्धिदम्॥
I worship the five-faced Hanuman — terrible, with fifteen eyes, with ten arms, granter of all desired objects.
पूर्वतस्तु महावीरः पातु मां पवनात्मजः।
दक्षिणे राक्षसान्तकः पातु मां वायुनन्दनः॥
In the east, may the great hero Pavanatmaja protect me. In the south, may Vayunandana, the destroyer of rakshasas, protect me.
पश्चिमे रामदूतो मां पातु पुच्छेन ताडितः।
उत्तरे रुद्ररूपो मां शिवाख्यो वै हनूमतः॥
In the west, may Ramaduta — striking with his tail — protect me. In the north, may Hanuman in his Rudra-form, named Shiva, protect me.
ऊर्ध्वं केसरीसुतो मां पातु पाताले महाबलः।
वायुपुत्रोऽग्रतः पातु पृष्ठे चाञ्जनयापुत्रः॥
Above, may Kesarisuta of mighty strength protect me. In the netherworld also. In front may Vayuputra protect me; behind, the son of Anjana.
Phala-shruti
इति श्री हनुमत्कवचं यः पठेच्छृणुयादपि।
सर्वव्याधिविनिर्मुक्तो ह्यायुष्मांश्च भविष्यति॥
भूतप्रेतपिशाचाद्या नैनं द्रष्टुं हि शक्नुयुः।
ग्रहोपद्रवदोषाश्च नैव बाधा भवन्ति हि॥
Whoever reads or hears this Hanuman Kavacham becomes free of all disease and gains long life. No bhuta, preta, or pisacha can even look upon him. Planetary afflictions and obstacles cause him no trouble.
Shiva Kavacham · शिव कवचम्
Source: Skanda Purana — taught by Rishabha Yogi to King Rishabhdev. Also in Brahmanda Purana.
Deity: Mahadeva — Shiva
Who & when: Recited daily by Shaiva upasakas + Lingayats. Mandatory on Pradosha (13th tithi) and Maha-Shivaratri. Also at any threat to life.
Purpose: Conquest of mrityu (death itself), removal of all disease, granting of immortality of the higher kind (jivanmukti).
Opening verses
ॐ नमो भगवते रुद्राय।
ऋषिः कात्यायन उवाच। शिवकवचं वक्ष्ये पुराणनिगमोदितम्।
यद्धृत्वा देवदेवेशो दैत्यान्जिग्ये शतक्रतुः॥
Om, salutations to Lord Rudra. Rishi Katyayana said: I shall speak the Shiva Kavacham as told in the Puranas and Vedas — by wearing which, Indra (Shatakratu), lord of devas, conquered the daityas.
चरितं देवदेवस्य महादेवस्य पावनम्।
यद्धृत्वा पठते मर्त्यः सर्वान्कामानवाप्नुयात्॥
The sacred history of the Lord of devas, the great deity. Wearing it (the kavacham) and reciting it, a mortal obtains every desire.
शिरो मे पातु देवेशः कपालं चन्द्रशेखरः।
फालं त्र्यम्बकको देवो पातु मे लोचनद्वयम्॥
May Devesha (Shiva) protect my head; may Chandrashekhara protect my skull. May Tryambaka, the three-eyed, protect both my eyes.
श्रवणौ पातु पाशघ्नो घ्राणं पातु महेश्वरः।
जिह्वां मे सर्ववेदात्मा कण्ठं पातु महामनाः॥
May the destroyer of bondage protect my ears. May Maheshwara protect my nose. May the soul of all Vedas protect my tongue. May the great-minded one protect my throat.
भुजावुमापतिः पातु करौ ह्रस्वकरः प्रभुः।
हृदयं शङ्करः पातु जठरं गिरिजापतिः॥
May Umapati protect my shoulders. May the Lord of short-hands (graceful Shiva) protect my hands. May Shankara protect my heart. May Girijapati protect my belly.
Phala-shruti
इदं शिवस्य कवचं भुक्तिमुक्तिप्रदायकम्।
त्रिसन्ध्यं यः पठेद्भक्त्या स रुद्रसममो भवेत्॥
This Kavacham of Shiva grants both enjoyment and liberation. Whoever recites it with devotion at the three sandhyas becomes equal to Rudra himself.
Rama Raksha Stotram · राम रक्षा स्तोत्रम्
Source: Composed by Sage Budha Kaushika, who heard it in a dream — taught by Shiva to Parvati. 38 verses.
Deity: Sri Rama — with Sita, Lakshmana, Bharata, Shatrughna, and Hanuman
Who & when: Recited daily by Rama bhaktas. Mandatory on Sri Rama Navami (Chaitra Shukla Navami), during Pitru Paksha for clearing pitri-dosha, and at any threat.
Purpose: A complete protective armour invoking Rama for each limb. Particularly noted for granting safety in travel and removal of fear of enemies.
Opening verses
ॐ अस्य श्री रामरक्षास्तोत्रमन्त्रस्य बुधकौशिक ऋषिः।
श्री सीतारामचन्द्रो देवता। अनुष्टुप् छन्दः।
सीता शक्तिः। श्रीमद्धनुमान् कीलकम्।
श्रीरामचन्द्रप्रीत्यर्थे जपे विनियोगः॥
Om. For the Rama Raksha Stotram: rishi is Budha Kaushika, deity is Sri Sitaramachandra, metre is Anushtup, shakti is Sita, kilaka is Hanuman. Used in japa for the pleasure of Sri Ramachandra.
चरितं रघुनाथस्य शतकोटिप्रविस्तरम्।
एकैकमक्षरं पुंसां महापातकनाशनम्॥
The story of Raghunatha extends across a hundred crore verses. Every single syllable of it destroys the greatest sins of men.
ध्यात्वा नीलोत्पलश्यामं रामं राजीवलोचनम्।
जानकीलक्ष्मणोपेतं जटामुकुटमण्डितम्॥
सासितूणधनुर्बाणपाणिं नक्तञ्चरान्तकम्।
स्वलीलया जगत्त्रातुमाविर्भूतमजं विभुम्॥
Having meditated on Rama — dark like a blue lotus, lotus-eyed, accompanied by Janaki and Lakshmana, adorned with a crown of matted locks, holding sword, quiver, bow and arrow, the slayer of night-rangers, the unborn lord who appeared by his own play to save the world.
शिरो मे राघवः पातु भालं दशरथात्मजः।
कौसल्येयो दृशौ पातु विश्वामित्रप्रियः श्रुती॥
May Raghava protect my head, the son of Dasharatha my forehead. May the son of Kausalya protect my eyes, the beloved of Vishvamitra my ears.
घ्राणं पातु मखत्राता मुखं सौमित्रिवत्सलः।
जिह्वां विद्यानिधिः पातु कण्ठं भरतवन्दितः॥
May the protector of yajnas (saviour of Vishvamitra's yajna) protect my nose, the loving brother of Saumitri protect my face. May the treasure of knowledge protect my tongue, the one saluted by Bharata protect my throat.
Phala-shruti
य एतां रामकवचमप्रमेयं जपिष्यति।
स चिरायुस्सुखी पुत्री विजयी विनयी भवेत्॥
पातालभूतलव्योम चारिणश्छद्मचारिणः।
न द्रष्टुमपि शक्तास्ते रक्षितं रामनामभिः॥
Whoever recites this immeasurable Rama Kavacham becomes long-lived, happy, blessed with sons, victorious, and humble. Beings of the netherworld, earth, or sky — or those moving in disguise — cannot even look upon one protected by the names of Rama.