About this stotra
The Sri Narasimha Kavacham is a powerful protective hymn from the Brahmanda Purana, presented as the teaching that Prahlada — the great devotee who was himself saved by Lord Narasimha — shared with others. A kavacham (literally "armor") is designed to invoke divine protection over every part of the body, and this text does so by calling upon the fierce half-man, half-lion form of Vishnu.
The hymn opens with a vivid meditation on Lord Narasimha seated on a golden throne, three-eyed and radiant as the autumn moon, embraced by Lakshmi on his left side. A striking verse describes him roaring and causing others to roar, striking terror among demons across heaven and earth, glancing in every direction while showering arrows — capturing the overwhelming dynamism of this protective deity. The body of the kavacham then systematically invokes Narasimha's protection upon each limb and faculty of the devotee.
PhalashrutiGrants complete protection from all dangers and calamitiesBestows wealth, prosperity, and auspiciousnessLeads the devotee toward both worldly happiness and ultimate liberation
Sri Narasimha Kavacham lyrics and meaning
॥ १ ॥♪ CHANTING NOW
Verse 1
नृसिंहकवचं वक्ष्ये प्रह्लादेनोदितं पुरा ।
सर्वरक्षाकरं पुण्यं सर्वोपद्रवनाशनम् ॥ १ ॥
nr̥siṁhakavacaṁ vakṣyē prahlādēnōditaṁ purā |
sarvarakṣākaraṁ puṇyaṁ sarvōpadravanāśanam || 1 ||
I shall now recite the Narasimha Kavacha, which was formerly spoken by Prahlada. It bestows complete protection, is supremely meritorious, and destroys all calamities and afflictions.
Word by word
- नृसिंह-कवचम् (nr̥siṁha-kavacam)
- the armor of Narasimha (nr̥siṁha:man-lion | kavacam:armor)
- वक्ष्ये (vakṣyē)
- I shall speak
- प्रह्लादेन उदितम् (prahlādēna uditam)
- spoken by Prahlada (prahlādēna:by Prahlada | uditam:spoken)
- पुरा (purā)
- formerly, in ancient times
- सर्व-रक्षा-करम् (sarva-rakṣā-karam)
- bestowing complete protection (sarva:all | rakṣā:protection | karam:bestowing)
- पुण्यम् (puṇyam)
- meritorious, sacred
- सर्व-उपद्रव-नाशनम् (sarva-upadrava-nāśanam)
- destroying all calamities (sarva:all | upadrava:calamities | nāśanam:destroying)
॥ २ ॥♪ CHANTING NOW
Verse 2
सर्वसम्पत्करं चैव स्वर्गमोक्षप्रदायकम् ।
ध्यात्वा नृसिंहं देवेशं हेमसिंहासनस्थितम् ॥ २ ॥
sarvasampatkaraṁ caiva svargamōkṣapradāyakam |
dhyātvā nr̥siṁhaṁ dēvēśaṁ hēmasiṁhāsanasthitam || 2 ||
Meditating upon Lord Narasimha, the Lord of all gods, who bestows all prosperity and grants both heavenly pleasures and final liberation, who is seated majestically upon a golden throne.
Word by word
- सर्व-सम्पत्-करम् (sarva-sampat-karam)
- bestower of all prosperity (sarva:all | sampat:prosperity | karam:bestower)
- च एव (ca eva)
- and also (ca:and | eva:indeed)
- स्वर्ग-मोक्ष-प्रदायकम् (svarga-mōkṣa-pradāyakam)
- granter of heaven and liberation (svarga:heaven | mōkṣa:liberation | pradāyakam:granter)
- ध्यात्वा (dhyātvā)
- having meditated upon
- नृसिंहम् (nr̥siṁham)
- Lord Narasimha
- देवेशम् (dēvēśam)
- Lord of the gods (dēva:god | īśam:lord)
- हेम-सिंहासन-स्थितम् (hēma-siṁhāsana-sthitam)
- seated on a golden throne (hēma:golden | siṁhāsana:throne | sthitam:seated)
॥ ३ ॥♪ CHANTING NOW
Verse 3
विवृतास्यं त्रिनयनं शरदिन्दुसमप्रभम् ।
लक्ष्म्यालिङ्गितवामाङ्गं विभूतिभिरुपाश्रितम् ॥ ३ ॥
vivr̥tāsyaṁ trinayanaṁ śaradindusamaprabham |
lakṣmyāliṅgitavāmāṅgaṁ vibhūtibhirupāśritam || 3 ||
With mouth slightly open, possessing three eyes, radiant as the autumn moon in splendor — His left side embraced by Lakshmi, attended upon by divine powers and glories.
Word by word
- विवृत-आस्यम् (vivṛta-āsyam)
- with open mouth (vivṛta:open | āsyam:mouth)
- त्रि-नयनम् (tri-nayanam)
- three-eyed (tri:three | nayanam:eyed)
- शरद्-इन्दु-सम-प्रभम् (śarad-indu-sama-prabham)
- radiant like the autumn moon (śarad:autumn | indu:moon | sama:equal to | prabham:radiance)
- लक्ष्म्या-आलिङ्गित-वाम-अङ्गम् (lakṣmyā-āliṅgita-vāma-aṅgam)
- whose left side is embraced by Lakshmi (lakṣmyā:by Lakshmi | āliṅgita:embraced | vāma:left | aṅgam:limb/side)
- विभूतिभिः (vibhūtibhiḥ)
- by divine powers/glories
- उपाश्रितम् (upāśritam)
- attended upon, resorted to
॥ ४ ॥♪ CHANTING NOW
Verse 4
चतुर्भुजं कोमलाङ्गं स्वर्णकुण्डलशोभितम् ।
सरोजशोभितोरस्कं रत्नकेयूरमुद्रितम् ॥ ४ ॥
caturbhujaṁ kōmalāṅgaṁ svarṇakuṇḍalaśōbhitam |
sarōjaśōbhitōraskaṁ ratnakēyūramudritam || 4 ||
I meditate upon the four-armed Lord with tender, graceful limbs, resplendent with golden earrings. His chest is adorned with a lotus, and He is marked with jeweled armlets.
Word by word
- चतुर्-भुजम् (catur-bhujam)
- four-armed (catur:four | bhujam:armed)
- कोमल-अङ्गम् (kōmala-aṅgam)
- with tender limbs (kōmala:tender | aṅgam:limbs)
- स्वर्ण-कुण्डल-शोभितम् (svarṇa-kuṇḍala-śōbhitam)
- adorned with golden earrings (svarṇa:golden | kuṇḍala:earrings | śōbhitam:adorned)
- सरोज-शोभित-उरस्कम् (sarōja-śōbhita-uraskam)
- with lotus-adorned chest (sarōja:lotus | śōbhita:adorned | uraskam:chest)
- रत्न-केयूर-मुद्रितम् (ratna-kēyūra-mudritam)
- marked with jeweled armlets (ratna:jewel | kēyūra:armlet | mudritam:marked/imprinted)
॥ ५ ॥♪ CHANTING NOW
Verse 5
तप्तकाञ्चनसङ्काशं पीतनिर्मलवाससम् ।
इन्द्रादिसुरमौलिस्थस्फुरन्माणिक्यदीप्तिभिः ॥ ५ ॥
taptakāñcanasaṅkāśaṁ pītanirmalavāsasam |
indrādisuramaulisthasphuranmāṇikyadīptibhiḥ || 5 ||
He who shines like molten gold, clad in pure yellow garments, whose form is illumined by the radiant splendor of the lustrous gems adorning the crowns of Indra and the other celestial deities.
Word by word
- तप्त-काञ्चन-सङ्काशम् (tapta-kāñcana-saṅkāśam)
- shining like molten gold (tapta:heated, molten | kāñcana:gold | saṅkāśam:resembling, shining like)
- पीत-निर्मल-वाससम् (pīta-nirmala-vāsasam)
- clad in pure yellow garments (pīta:yellow | nirmala:pure, spotless | vāsasam:garment, clothing)
- इन्द्र-आदि-सुर-मौलि-स्थ-स्फुरत्-माणिक्य-दीप्तिभिः (indra-ādi-sura-mauli-stha-sphurat-māṇikya-dīptibhiḥ)
- by the radiance of sparkling gems set in the crowns of Indra and other gods (indra:Indra | ādi:and others, beginning with | sura:gods | mauli:crown | stha:situated in | sphurat:sparkling, flashing | māṇikya:ruby, gem | dīptibhiḥ:by the splendors, radiances)
॥ ६ ॥♪ CHANTING NOW
Verse 6
विराजितपदद्वन्द्वं शङ्खचक्रादिहेतिभिः ।
गरुत्मता सविनयं स्तूयमानं मुदान्वितम् ॥ ६ ॥
virājitapadadvandvaṁ śaṅkhacakrādihētibhiḥ |
garutmatā savinayaṁ stūyamānaṁ mudānvitam || 6 ||
His pair of lotus feet shine with radiant splendor. He bears the conch, discus, and other divine weapons in His hands. He is reverently praised by Garuda with humility, and He is filled with supreme bliss.
Word by word
- विराजित-पद-द्वन्द्वम् (virājita-pada-dvandvam)
- having resplendent pair of feet (virājita:shining, resplendent | pada:feet | dvandvam:pair)
- शङ्ख-चक्र-आदि-हेतिभिः (śaṅkha-cakra-ādi-hētibhiḥ)
- with conch, discus and other weapons (śaṅkha:conch | cakra:discus | ādi:and others | hētibhiḥ:with weapons)
- गरुत्मता (garutmatā)
- by Garuda
- सविनयम् (savinayam)
- with humility (sa:with | vinayam:humility, reverence)
- स्तूयमानम् (stūyamānam)
- being praised
- मुदा-अन्वितम् (mudā-anvitam)
- filled with joy (mudā:with joy, bliss | anvitam:filled with, endowed)
॥ ७ ॥♪ CHANTING NOW
Verse 7
स्वहृत्कमलसंवासं कृत्वा तु कवचं पठेत् ।
नृसिंहो मे शिरः पातु लोकरक्षात्मसम्भवः ॥ ७ ॥
svahr̥tkamalasaṁvāsaṁ kr̥tvā tu kavacaṁ paṭhēt |
nr̥siṁhō mē śiraḥ pātu lōkarakṣātmasambhavaḥ || 7 ||
Having established the Lord as dwelling within the lotus of one's own heart, one should then recite this protective armor. May Narasimha, who manifested from His own divine nature for the protection of the worlds, protect my head.
Word by word
- स्व-हृत्-कमल-संवासम् (sva-hr̥t-kamala-saṁvāsam)
- dwelling in one's own heart-lotus (sva:one's own | hr̥t:heart | kamala:lotus | saṁvāsam:dwelling)
- कृत्वा (kr̥tvā)
- having made/established
- तु (tu)
- then, indeed
- कवचम् (kavacam)
- protective armor
- पठेत् (paṭhēt)
- one should recite
- नृसिंहः (nr̥siṁhaḥ)
- Narasimha, the man-lion
- मे (mē)
- my
- शिरः (śiraḥ)
- head
- पातु (pātu)
- may He protect
- लोक-रक्षा-आत्म-सम्भवः (lōka-rakṣā-ātma-sambhavaḥ)
- He who manifested for the protection of worlds (lōka:worlds | rakṣā:protection | ātma:self/nature | sambhavaḥ:born/manifested)
॥ ८ ॥♪ CHANTING NOW
Verse 8
सर्वगोऽपि स्तम्भवासः फालं मे रक्षतु ध्वनिम् ।
नृसिंहो मे दृशौ पातु सोमसूर्याग्निलोचनः ॥ ८ ॥
sarvagō:’pi stambhavāsaḥ phālaṁ mē rakṣatu dhvanim |
nr̥siṁhō mē dr̥śau pātu sōmasūryāgnilōcanaḥ || 8 ||
May He who is all-pervading yet dwells within the pillar protect my forehead and my voice. May Narasimha, whose eyes are the moon, sun, and fire, protect my eyes.
Word by word
- सर्वगः-अपि (sarvagaḥ-api)
- though all-pervading (sarvagaḥ:all-pervading | api:even/though)
- स्तम्भ-वासः (stambha-vāsaḥ)
- dwelling in the pillar (stambha:pillar | vāsaḥ:dweller)
- फालम् (phālam)
- forehead
- मे (mē)
- my
- रक्षतु (rakṣatu)
- may He protect
- ध्वनिम् (dhvanim)
- voice/sound
- नृसिंहः (nr̥siṁhaḥ)
- Narasimha, the man-lion
- दृशौ (dr̥śau)
- both eyes
- पातु (pātu)
- may He protect
- सोम-सूर्य-अग्नि-लोचनः (sōma-sūrya-agni-lōcanaḥ)
- He whose eyes are moon, sun, and fire (sōma:moon | sūrya:sun | agni:fire | lōcanaḥ:eyed)
॥ ९ ॥♪ CHANTING NOW
Verse 9
स्मृतिं मे पातु नृहरिर्मुनिवर्यस्तुतिप्रियः ।
नासां मे सिंहनासस्तु मुखं लक्ष्मीमुखप्रियः ॥ ९ ॥
smr̥tiṁ mē pātu nr̥harirmunivaryastutipriyaḥ |
nāsāṁ mē siṁhanāsastu mukhaṁ lakṣmīmukhapriyaḥ || 9 ||
May Nrihari, who delights in the praises of the foremost sages, protect my memory. May He whose nose is like that of a lion protect my nose, and may He who is dear to the face of Lakshmi protect my face.
Word by word
- स्मृतिम् (smr̥tim)
- memory
- मे (mē)
- my
- पातु (pātu)
- may He protect
- नृ-हरिः (nr̥-hariḥ)
- Nrihari, the Man-Lion (nr̥:man | hariḥ:Hari/lion)
- मुनि-वर्य-स्तुति-प्रियः (muni-varya-stuti-priyaḥ)
- He who delights in the praises of foremost sages (muni:sage | varya:foremost | stuti:praise | priyaḥ:dear to/delighting in)
- नासाम् (nāsām)
- nose
- सिंह-नासः (siṁha-nāsaḥ)
- He whose nose is like a lion's (siṁha:lion | nāsaḥ:nose)
- तु (tu)
- indeed
- मुखम् (mukham)
- face
- लक्ष्मी-मुख-प्रियः (lakṣmī-mukha-priyaḥ)
- He who is dear to the face of Lakshmi (lakṣmī:Lakshmi | mukha:face | priyaḥ:dear to)
॥ १० ॥♪ CHANTING NOW
Verse 10
सर्वविद्याधिपः पातु नृसिंहो रसनां मम ।
वक्त्रं पात्विन्दुवदनः सदा प्रह्लादवन्दितः ॥ १० ॥
sarvavidyādhipaḥ pātu nr̥siṁhō rasanāṁ mama |
vaktraṁ pātvinduvadanaḥ sadā prahlādavanditaḥ || 10 ||
May Narasimha, the lord of all knowledge, protect my tongue. May He whose face is radiant like the moon, who is eternally worshipped by Prahlada, protect my face.
Word by word
- सर्व-विद्या-अधिपः (sarva-vidyā-adhipaḥ)
- the lord of all knowledge (sarva:all | vidyā:knowledge | adhipaḥ:lord)
- पातु (pātu)
- may He protect
- नृसिंहः (nr̥siṁhaḥ)
- Narasimha
- रसनाम् (rasanām)
- tongue
- मम (mama)
- my
- वक्त्रम् (vaktram)
- face
- पातु (pātu)
- may He protect
- इन्दु-वदनः (indu-vadanaḥ)
- moon-faced one (indu:moon | vadanaḥ:faced)
- सदा (sadā)
- always
- प्रह्लाद-वन्दितः (prahlāda-vanditaḥ)
- worshipped by Prahlada (prahlāda:Prahlada | vanditaḥ:worshipped)
॥ ११ ॥♪ CHANTING NOW
Verse 11
नृसिंहः पातु मे कण्ठं स्कन्धौ भूभरणान्तकृत् ।
दिव्यास्त्रशोभितभुजो नृसिंहः पातु मे भुजौ ॥ ११ ॥
nr̥siṁhaḥ pātu mē kaṇṭhaṁ skandhau bhūbharaṇāntakr̥t |
divyāstraśōbhitabhujō nr̥siṁhaḥ pātu mē bhujau || 11 ||
May Narasimha protect my throat, and may He who ended the burden of the earth protect my shoulders. May Narasimha, whose arms are adorned with divine weapons, protect my arms.
Word by word
- नृसिंहः (nr̥siṁhaḥ)
- Narasimha
- पातु (pātu)
- may He protect
- मे (mē)
- my
- कण्ठम् (kaṇṭham)
- throat
- स्कन्धौ (skandhau)
- shoulders, the two shoulders
- भू-भरण-अन्त-कृत् (bhū-bharaṇa-anta-kr̥t)
- He who ended the burden of the earth (bhū:earth | bharaṇa:burden | anta:end | kr̥t:maker/doer)
- दिव्य-अस्त्र-शोभित-भुजः (divya-astra-śōbhita-bhujaḥ)
- He whose arms are adorned with divine weapons (divya:divine | astra:weapons | śōbhita:adorned | bhujaḥ:arms)
- भुजौ (bhujau)
- the two arms
॥ १२ ॥♪ CHANTING NOW
Verse 12
करौ मे देववरदो नृसिंहः पातु सर्वतः ।
हृदयं योगिसाध्यश्च निवासं पातु मे हरिः ॥ १२ ॥
karau mē dēvavaradō nr̥siṁhaḥ pātu sarvataḥ |
hr̥dayaṁ yōgisādhyaśca nivāsaṁ pātu mē hariḥ || 12 ||
May Narasimha, the bestower of boons to the gods, protect my hands from all directions. May Hari, who is attainable by yogis, protect my heart and my dwelling place.
Word by word
- करौ (karau)
- the two hands
- मे (mē)
- my
- देव-वरदः (dēva-varadaḥ)
- bestower of boons to the gods (dēva:gods | varadaḥ:bestower of boons)
- नृसिंहः (nr̥siṁhaḥ)
- Narasimha
- पातु (pātu)
- may He protect
- सर्वतः (sarvataḥ)
- from all sides
- हृदयम् (hr̥dayam)
- heart
- योगि-साध्यः (yōgi-sādhyaḥ)
- attainable by yogis (yōgi:yogis | sādhyaḥ:attainable)
- च (ca)
- and
- निवासम् (nivāsam)
- dwelling place
- हरिः (hariḥ)
- Hari
॥ १३ ॥♪ CHANTING NOW
Verse 13
मध्यं पातु हिरण्याक्षवक्षःकुक्षिविदारणः ।
नाभिं मे पातु नृहरिः स्वनाभिब्रह्मसंस्तुतः ॥ १३ ॥
madhyaṁ pātu hiraṇyākṣavakṣaḥkukṣividāraṇaḥ |
nābhiṁ mē pātu nr̥hariḥ svanābhibrahmasaṁstutaḥ || 13 ||
May the One who tore apart the chest and belly of Hiranyaksha protect my waist. May Nrihari, who is praised by Brahma born from His own navel, protect my navel.
Word by word
- मध्यम् (madhyam)
- the waist/middle
- पातु (pātu)
- may He protect
- हिरण्याक्ष-वक्षः-कुक्षि-विदारणः (hiraṇyākṣa-vakṣaḥ-kukṣi-vidāraṇaḥ)
- the one who tore apart the chest and belly of Hiranyaksha (hiraṇyākṣa:Hiranyaksha | vakṣaḥ:chest | kukṣi:belly | vidāraṇaḥ:the tearer)
- नाभिम् (nābhim)
- the navel
- मे (mē)
- my
- नृहरिः (nr̥hariḥ)
- Nrihari, the Man-Lion
- स्व-नाभि-ब्रह्म-संस्तुतः (sva-nābhi-brahma-saṁstutaḥ)
- praised by Brahma born from His own navel (sva:own | nābhi:navel | brahma:Brahma | saṁstutaḥ:praised by)
॥ १४ ॥♪ CHANTING NOW
Verse 14
ब्रह्माण्डकोटयः कट्यां यस्यासौ पातु मे कटिम् ।
गुह्यं मे पातु गुह्यानां मन्त्राणां गुह्यरूपधृक् ॥ १४ ॥
brahmāṇḍakōṭayaḥ kaṭyāṁ yasyāsau pātu mē kaṭim |
guhyaṁ mē pātu guhyānāṁ mantrāṇāṁ guhyarūpadhr̥k || 14 ||
May He in whose waist reside billions of cosmic eggs protect my waist. May He who embodies the secret form of all secret mantras protect my private parts.
Word by word
- ब्रह्माण्ड-कोटयः (brahmāṇḍa-kōṭayaḥ)
- billions of cosmic eggs (brahmāṇḍa:cosmic egg/universe | kōṭayaḥ:crores/billions)
- कट्याम् (kaṭyām)
- in the waist
- यस्य असौ (yasya asau)
- He in whom (yasya:of whom | asau:that one)
- पातु मे कटिम् (pātu mē kaṭim)
- may He protect my waist (pātu:may protect | mē:my | kaṭim:waist)
- गुह्यम् (guhyam)
- private parts
- मे पातु (mē pātu)
- may He protect my (mē:my | pātu:may protect)
- गुह्यानाम् मन्त्राणाम् (guhyānām mantrāṇām)
- of secret mantras (guhyānām:of secrets | mantrāṇām:of mantras)
- गुह्य-रूप-धृक् (guhya-rūpa-dhr̥k)
- bearer of the secret form (guhya:secret | rūpa:form | dhr̥k:holder/bearer)
॥ १५ ॥♪ CHANTING NOW
Verse 15
ऊरू मनोभवः पातु जानुनी नररूपधृक् ।
जङ्घे पातु धराभारहर्ता योऽसौ नृकेसरी ॥ १५ ॥
ūrū manōbhavaḥ pātu jānunī nararūpadhr̥k |
jaṅghē pātu dharābhārahartā yō:’sau nr̥kēsarī || 15 ||
May Manobhava, He who captivates the mind, protect my thighs. May He who bears the human form protect my knees. May that Narasimha, the Man-Lion who removed the burden of the earth, protect my calves.
Word by word
- ऊरू (ūrū)
- thighs
- मनोभवः (manō-bhavaḥ)
- He who arises in the mind, captivator of minds (manaḥ:mind | bhavaḥ:born of/arising)
- पातु (pātu)
- may He protect
- जानुनी (jānunī)
- the two knees
- नर-रूप-धृक् (nara-rūpa-dhr̥k)
- He who bears the human form (nara:human | rūpa:form | dhr̥k:bearing)
- जङ्घे (jaṅghē)
- the calves
- धरा-भार-हर्ता (dharā-bhāra-hartā)
- remover of the earth's burden (dharā:earth | bhāra:burden | hartā:remover)
- यः असौ (yaḥ asau)
- He who is that (yaḥ:who | asau:that one)
- नृकेसरी (nr̥kēsarī)
- the Man-Lion, Narasimha (nr̥:man | kēsarī:lion)
॥ १६ ॥♪ CHANTING NOW
Verse 16
सुरराज्यप्रदः पातु पादौ मे नृहरीश्वरः ।
सहस्रशीर्षा पुरुषः पातु मे सर्वशस्तनुम् ॥ १६ ॥
surarājyapradaḥ pātu pādau mē nr̥harīśvaraḥ |
sahasraśīrṣā puruṣaḥ pātu mē sarvaśastanum || 16 ||
May Nrihari Ishvara, the bestower of sovereignty over the gods, protect my feet. May the Purusha of a thousand heads protect my entire body.
Word by word
- सुर-राज्य-प्रदः (sura-rājya-pradaḥ)
- bestower of sovereignty over the gods (sura:gods | rājya:kingdom/sovereignty | pradaḥ:bestower)
- पातु (pātu)
- may he protect
- पादौ (pādau)
- the two feet
- मे (mē)
- my
- नृहरि-ईश्वरः (nr̥hari-īśvaraḥ)
- Lord Nrihari, the man-lion deity (nr̥hari:man-lion | īśvaraḥ:lord)
- सहस्र-शीर्षा (sahasra-śīrṣā)
- thousand-headed (sahasra:thousand | śīrṣā:headed)
- पुरुषः (puruṣaḥ)
- the cosmic being, Purusha
- सर्वशः (sarvaśaḥ)
- entirely, in every way
- तनुम् (tanum)
- body
॥ १७ ॥♪ CHANTING NOW
Verse 17
महोग्रः पूर्वतः पातु महावीराग्रजोऽग्नितः ।
महाविष्णुर्दक्षिणे तु महाज्वालस्तु नैरृतौ ॥ १७ ॥
mahōgraḥ pūrvataḥ pātu mahāvīrāgrajō:’gnitaḥ |
mahāviṣṇurdakṣiṇē tu mahājvālastu nairr̥tau || 17 ||
May Mahogra protect me from the east, and Mahavira's elder brother from the direction of fire (southeast). May Maha Vishnu guard the south, and Mahajvala protect in the southwest (the direction of Nirriti).
Word by word
- महोग्रः (mahōgraḥ)
- Mahogra, the greatly fierce one (mahā:great | ugra:fierce)
- पूर्वतः (pūrvataḥ)
- from the east
- पातु (pātu)
- may he protect
- महावीर-अग्रजः (mahāvīra-agrajaḥ)
- the elder brother of Mahavira (mahāvīra:Mahavira | agraja:elder brother)
- अग्नितः (agnitaḥ)
- from the direction of Agni, southeast
- महाविष्णुः (mahāviṣṇuḥ)
- Maha Vishnu, the great all-pervading one (mahā:great | viṣṇu:Vishnu)
- दक्षिणे (dakṣiṇē)
- in the south
- तु (tu)
- indeed
- महाज्वालः (mahājvālaḥ)
- Mahajvala, the greatly blazing one (mahā:great | jvāla:flame)
- नैरृतौ (nairr̥tau)
- in the southwest, direction of Nirriti
॥ १८ ॥♪ CHANTING NOW
Verse 18
पश्चिमे पातु सर्वेशो दिशि मे सर्वतोमुखः ।
नृसिंहः पातु वायव्यां सौम्यां भूषणविग्रहः ॥ १८ ॥
paścimē pātu sarvēśō diśi mē sarvatōmukhaḥ |
nr̥siṁhaḥ pātu vāyavyāṁ saumyāṁ bhūṣaṇavigrahaḥ || 18 ||
May the Lord of all, who faces every direction, protect me in the western quarter. May Narasimha protect me in the northwest, and may He whose form is adorned with ornaments protect me in the north.
Word by word
- पश्चिमे (paścimē)
- in the west
- पातु (pātu)
- may He protect
- सर्वेशः (sarvēśaḥ)
- the Lord of all (sarva:all | īśaḥ:lord)
- दिशि (diśi)
- in the direction
- मे (mē)
- me
- सर्वतोमुखः (sarvatōmukhaḥ)
- He who faces all directions (sarvataḥ:everywhere | mukhaḥ:faced)
- नृसिंहः (nr̥siṁhaḥ)
- Narasimha
- पातु (pātu)
- may He protect
- वायव्याम् (vāyavyām)
- in the northwest
- सौम्याम् (saumyām)
- in the north
- भूषणविग्रहः (bhūṣaṇavigrahaḥ)
- He whose form is adorned with ornaments (bhūṣaṇa:ornament | vigrahaḥ:form)
॥ १९ ॥♪ CHANTING NOW
Verse 19
ईशान्यां पातु भद्रो मे सर्वमङ्गलदायकः ।
संसारभयदः पातु मृत्योर्मृत्युर्नृकेसरी ॥ १९ ॥
īśānyāṁ pātu bhadrō mē sarvamaṅgaladāyakaḥ |
saṁsārabhayadaḥ pātu mr̥tyōrmr̥tyurnr̥kēsarī || 19 ||
In the northeast, may the auspicious one who bestows all blessings protect me. May Narasimha, the death of death itself, who instills fear in the cycle of worldly existence, protect me.
Word by word
- ईशान्याम् (īśānyām)
- in the northeast direction
- पातु (pātu)
- may he protect
- भद्रः (bhadraḥ)
- the auspicious one
- मे (mē)
- me
- सर्व-मङ्गल-दायकः (sarva-maṅgala-dāyakaḥ)
- bestower of all auspiciousness (sarva:all | maṅgala:auspiciousness | dāyakaḥ:bestower)
- संसार-भय-दः (saṁsāra-bhaya-daḥ)
- giver of fear to worldly existence (saṁsāra:worldly existence | bhaya:fear | daḥ:giver)
- मृत्योः मृत्युः (mr̥tyōḥ mr̥tyuḥ)
- death of death (mr̥tyōḥ:of death | mr̥tyuḥ:death)
- नृकेसरी (nr̥kēsarī)
- the man-lion, Narasimha (nr̥:man | kēsarī:lion)
॥ २० ॥♪ CHANTING NOW
Verse 20
इदं नृसिंहकवचं प्रह्लादमुखमण्डितम् ।
भक्तिमान्यः पठेन्नित्यं सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते ॥ २० ॥
idaṁ nr̥siṁhakavacaṁ prahlādamukhamaṇḍitam |
bhaktimānyaḥ paṭhēnnityaṁ sarvapāpaiḥ pramucyatē || 20 ||
This Narasimha Kavacham, adorned by the mouth of Prahlada, when recited daily by one endowed with devotion, liberates the devotee from all sins.
Word by word
- इदम् (idam)
- this
- नृसिंह-कवचम् (nr̥siṁha-kavacam)
- the Narasimha armor/shield (nr̥siṁha:Narasimha | kavacam:armor)
- प्रह्लाद-मुख-मण्डितम् (prahlāda-mukha-maṇḍitam)
- adorned by the mouth of Prahlada (prahlāda:Prahlada | mukha:mouth | maṇḍitam:adorned)
- भक्तिमान् यः (bhaktimān yaḥ)
- one who is endowed with devotion (bhaktimān:one with devotion | yaḥ:who)
- पठेत् नित्यम् (paṭhēt nityam)
- recites daily (paṭhēt:recites | nityam:daily)
- सर्व-पापैः (sarva-pāpaiḥ)
- from all sins (sarva:all | pāpaiḥ:from sins)
- प्रमुच्यते (pramucyatē)
- is liberated
॥ २१ ॥♪ CHANTING NOW
Verse 21
पुत्रवान् धनवान् लोके दीर्घायुरुपजायते ।
यं यं कामयते कामं तं तं प्राप्नोत्यसंशयम् ॥ २१ ॥
putravān dhanavān lōkē dīrghāyurupajāyatē |
yaṁ yaṁ kāmayatē kāmaṁ taṁ taṁ prāpnōtyasaṁśayam || 21 ||
One becomes blessed with sons and wealth in this world, and is born with long life. Whatever desire one wishes for, that desire one attains without doubt.
Word by word
- पुत्रवान् (putra-vān)
- blessed with sons (putra:son | vān:possessing)
- धनवान् (dhana-vān)
- wealthy, possessing riches (dhana:wealth | vān:possessing)
- लोके (lōkē)
- in the world
- दीर्घायुः (dīrgha-āyuḥ)
- long-lived (dīrgha:long | āyuḥ:life)
- उपजायते (upa-jāyatē)
- is born, comes into being (upa:forth | jāyatē:is born)
- यं यं (yaṁ yaṁ)
- whatever, whichever (yaṁ:which | yaṁ:which)
- कामयते (kāmayatē)
- one desires
- कामं (kāmaṁ)
- desire, wish
- तं तं (taṁ taṁ)
- that very, each of those (taṁ:that | taṁ:that)
- प्राप्नोति (prāpnōti)
- one obtains, attains
- असंशयम् (a-saṁśayam)
- without doubt, certainly (a:without | saṁśayam:doubt)
॥ २२ ॥♪ CHANTING NOW
Verse 22
सर्वत्र जयमाप्नोति सर्वत्र विजयी भवेत् ।
भूम्यन्तरिक्षदिव्यानां ग्रहाणां विनिवारणम् ॥ २२ ॥
sarvatra jayamāpnōti sarvatra vijayī bhavēt |
bhūmyantarikṣadivyānāṁ grahāṇāṁ vinivāraṇam || 22 ||
One attains victory everywhere and becomes triumphant in all endeavors. This hymn serves as the removal of malefic influences from the earthly, atmospheric, and celestial grahas (planetary forces).
Word by word
- सर्वत्र (sarvatra)
- everywhere
- जयम् आप्नोति (jayam āpnōti)
- attains victory (jayam:victory | āpnōti:attains)
- सर्वत्र (sarvatra)
- everywhere
- विजयी भवेत् (vijayī bhavēt)
- becomes victorious (vijayī:victorious | bhavēt:becomes)
- भूमि-अन्तरिक्ष-दिव्यानाम् (bhūmi-antarikṣa-divyānām)
- of earthly, atmospheric and celestial (bhūmi:earth | antarikṣa:atmosphere | divyānām:of celestial)
- ग्रहाणाम् (grahāṇām)
- of the grahas/planets
- विनिवारणम् (vinivāraṇam)
- removal, warding off
॥ २३ ॥♪ CHANTING NOW
Verse 23
वृश्चिकोरगसम्भूतविषापहरणं परम् ।
ब्रह्मराक्षसयक्षाणां दूरोत्सारणकारणम् ॥ २३ ॥
vr̥ścikōragasambhūtaviṣāpaharaṇaṁ param |
brahmarākṣasayakṣāṇāṁ dūrōtsāraṇakāraṇam || 23 ||
It is the supreme remover of poison born from scorpions and serpents. It is the cause of driving away far the Brahma-rakshasas and Yakshas.
Word by word
- वृश्चिक-उरग-सम्भूत (vr̥ścika-uraga-sambhūta)
- born from scorpions and serpents (vr̥ścika:scorpion | uraga:serpent | sambhūta:born from)
- विष-अपहरणम् (viṣa-apaharaṇam)
- remover of poison (viṣa:poison | apaharaṇam:removal)
- परम् (param)
- supreme
- ब्रह्म-राक्षस-यक्षाणाम् (brahma-rākṣasa-yakṣāṇām)
- of Brahma-rakshasas and Yakshas (brahma-rākṣasa:Brahma-rakshasa | yakṣāṇām:of Yakshas)
- दूर-उत्सारण-कारणम् (dūra-utsāraṇa-kāraṇam)
- cause of driving away far (dūra:far | utsāraṇa:driving away | kāraṇam:cause)
॥ २४ ॥♪ CHANTING NOW
Verse 24
भूर्जे वा तालपत्रे वा कवचं लिखितं शुभम् ।
करमूले धृतं येन सिध्येयुः कर्मसिद्धयः ॥ २४ ॥
bhūrjē vā tālapatrē vā kavacaṁ likhitaṁ śubham |
karamūlē dhr̥taṁ yēna sidhyēyuḥ karmasiddhayaḥ || 24 ||
This auspicious protective shield, when written upon birch bark or palm leaf and worn at the wrist, bestows upon the wearer the successful accomplishment of all endeavors and actions.
Word by word
- भूर्जे (bhūrjē)
- on birch bark
- वा (vā)
- or
- ताल-पत्रे (tāla-patrē)
- on palm leaf (tāla:palm | patrē:on leaf)
- वा (vā)
- or
- कवचम् (kavacam)
- protective shield, armor
- लिखितम् (likhitam)
- written
- शुभम् (śubham)
- auspicious
- कर-मूले (kara-mūlē)
- at the root of the hand, wrist (kara:hand | mūlē:at the root)
- धृतम् (dhr̥tam)
- held, worn
- येन (yēna)
- by which
- सिध्येयुः (sidhyēyuḥ)
- they would succeed, be accomplished
- कर्म-सिद्धयः (karma-siddhayaḥ)
- accomplishments of actions (karma:action | siddhayaḥ:accomplishments)
॥ २५ ॥♪ CHANTING NOW
Verse 25
देवासुरमनुष्येषु स्वं स्वमेव जयं लभेत् ।
एकसन्ध्यं त्रिसन्ध्यं वा यः पठेन्नियतो नरः ॥ २५ ॥
dēvāsuramanuṣyēṣu svaṁ svamēva jayaṁ labhēt |
ēkasandhyaṁ trisandhyaṁ vā yaḥ paṭhēnniyatō naraḥ || 25 ||
Among gods, demons, and humans, one shall certainly attain victory in their own respective spheres. The person who recites this with discipline, either once at twilight or three times at the three sandhyas, shall gain such triumph.
Word by word
- देव-असुर-मनुष्येषु (dēva-asura-manuṣyēṣu)
- among gods, demons, and humans (dēva:gods | asura:demons | manuṣyēṣu:among humans)
- स्वं स्वम् एव (svaṁ svam ēva)
- one's own respective (svam:one's own | svam:own | ēva:indeed)
- जयं लभेत् (jayaṁ labhēt)
- shall obtain victory (jayam:victory | labhēt:shall obtain)
- एक-सन्ध्यं (ēka-sandhyam)
- once at sandhya time (ēka:one | sandhyam:twilight junction)
- त्रि-सन्ध्यं वा (tri-sandhyam vā)
- or three times at sandhyas (tri:three | sandhyam:twilight times | vā:or)
- यः पठेत् (yaḥ paṭhēt)
- whoever recites (yaḥ:who | paṭhēt:recites)
- नियतः नरः (niyataḥ naraḥ)
- a disciplined person (niyataḥ:disciplined | naraḥ:person)
॥ २६ ॥♪ CHANTING NOW
Verse 26
सर्वमङ्गलमाङ्गल्यं भुक्तिं मुक्तिं च विन्दति ।
द्वात्रिंशच्च सहस्राणि पठेच्छुद्धात्मनां नृणाम् ॥ २६ ॥
sarvamaṅgalamāṅgalyaṁ bhuktiṁ muktiṁ ca vindati |
dvātriṁśacca sahasrāṇi paṭhēcchuddhātmanāṁ nr̥ṇām || 26 ||
One attains the most auspicious of all auspiciousnesses, both worldly enjoyment and liberation. This sacred text should be recited for thirty-two thousand pure-souled beings.
Word by word
- सर्व-मङ्गल-माङ्गल्यम् (sarva-maṅgala-māṅgalyam)
- the most auspicious of all auspiciousness (sarva:all | maṅgala:auspicious | māṅgalyam:auspiciousness)
- भुक्तिम् (bhuktim)
- enjoyment, worldly prosperity
- मुक्तिम् (muktim)
- liberation
- च (ca)
- and
- विन्दति (vindati)
- one attains, obtains
- द्वात्रिंशत् (dvātriṁśat)
- thirty-two
- च (ca)
- and
- सहस्राणि (sahasrāṇi)
- thousands
- पठेत् (paṭhēt)
- one should recite
- शुद्ध-आत्मनाम् (śuddha-ātmanām)
- of pure-souled ones (śuddha:pure | ātmanām:of souls)
- नृणाम् (nr̥ṇām)
- of people, beings
॥ २७ ॥♪ CHANTING NOW
Verse 27
कवचस्यास्य मन्त्रस्य मन्त्रसिद्धिः प्रजायते ।
अनेन मन्त्रराजेन कृत्वा भस्माभिमन्त्रणम् ॥ २७ ॥
kavacasyāsya mantrasya mantrasiddhiḥ prajāyatē |
anēna mantrarājēna kr̥tvā bhasmābhimantraṇam || 27 ||
Through this mantra of the protective kavaca, the perfection of mantra is born. By this king of mantras, having consecrated the sacred ash with its power.
Word by word
- कवचस्य (kavacasya)
- of the kavaca/armor
- अस्य मन्त्रस्य (asya mantrasya)
- of this mantra (asya:of this | mantrasya:of the mantra)
- मन्त्र-सिद्धिः (mantra-siddhiḥ)
- perfection of mantra (mantra:mantra | siddhiḥ:perfection/attainment)
- प्रजायते (prajāyatē)
- is born/arises
- अनेन (anēna)
- by this
- मन्त्र-राजेन (mantra-rājēna)
- by the king of mantras (mantra:mantra | rājēna:by the king)
- कृत्वा (kr̥tvā)
- having done/made
- भस्म-अभिमन्त्रणम् (bhasma-abhimantraṇam)
- consecration of sacred ash (bhasma:sacred ash | abhimantraṇam:consecration/empowerment)
॥ २८ ॥♪ CHANTING NOW
Verse 28
तिलकं विन्यसेद्यस्तु तस्य ग्रहभयं हरेत् ।
त्रिवारं जपमानस्तु दत्तं वार्यभिमन्त्र्य च ॥ २८ ॥
tilakaṁ vinyasēdyastu tasya grahabhayaṁ harēt |
trivāraṁ japamānastu dattaṁ vāryabhimantrya ca || 28 ||
One who applies the sacred tilak mark, having consecrated the water by chanting this hymn thrice, shall have all fear of malefic planetary influences removed.
Word by word
- तिलकम् (tilakam)
- the sacred mark
- विन्यसेत् यः तु (vinyasēt yaḥ tu)
- one who applies (vinyasēt:applies | yaḥ:who | tu:indeed)
- तस्य (tasya)
- of that person
- ग्रह-भयम् (graha-bhayam)
- fear of planets (graha:planets | bhayam:fear)
- हरेत् (harēt)
- removes
- त्रिवारम् (trivāram)
- three times
- जपमानः तु (japamānaḥ tu)
- while chanting (japamānaḥ:one who chants | tu:indeed)
- दत्तम् (dattam)
- given/offered
- वारि अभिमन्त्र्य (vāri abhimantrya)
- having consecrated the water (vāri:water | abhimantrya:having consecrated with mantras)
- च (ca)
- and
॥ २९ ॥♪ CHANTING NOW
Verse 29
प्राशयेद्यो नरो मन्त्रं नृसिंहध्यानमाचरेत् ।
तस्य रोगाः प्रणश्यन्ति ये च स्युः कुक्षिसम्भवाः ॥ २९ ॥
prāśayēdyō narō mantraṁ nr̥siṁhadhyānamācarēt |
tasya rōgāḥ praṇaśyanti yē ca syuḥ kukṣisambhavāḥ || 29 ||
The person who recites this mantra and practices meditation upon Narasimha — all his diseases are destroyed, especially those arising from the abdomen.
Word by word
- प्राशयेत् यः (prāśayēt yaḥ)
- whoever recites (prāśayēt:recites | yaḥ:whoever)
- नरः (naraḥ)
- a person
- मन्त्रम् (mantram)
- the mantra
- नृसिंह-ध्यानम् (nr̥siṁha-dhyānam)
- meditation on Narasimha (nr̥siṁha:Narasimha | dhyānam:meditation)
- आचरेत् (ācarēt)
- practices
- तस्य (tasya)
- his
- रोगाः (rōgāḥ)
- diseases
- प्रणश्यन्ति (praṇaśyanti)
- are destroyed
- ये च (yē ca)
- and those which (yē:which | ca:and)
- स्युः (syuḥ)
- may be
- कुक्षि-सम्भवाः (kukṣi-sambhavāḥ)
- arising from the abdomen (kukṣi:abdomen | sambhavāḥ:arising from)
॥ ३० ॥♪ CHANTING NOW
Verse 30
किमत्र बहुनोक्तेन नृसिंहसदृशो भवेत् ।
मनसा चिन्तितं यत्तु स तच्चाप्नोत्यसंशयम् ॥ ३० ॥
kimatra bahunōktēna nr̥siṁhasadr̥śō bhavēt |
manasā cintitaṁ yattu sa taccāpnōtyasaṁśayam || 30 ||
What more need be said? One who recites this becomes like Narasimha Himself. Whatever one contemplates in the mind, that indeed one attains without doubt.
Word by word
- किम्-अत्र (kim-atra)
- what here, what more (kim:what | atra:here)
- बहुना-उक्तेन (bahunā-uktēna)
- by much said, by saying much (bahunā:by much | uktēna:by saying)
- नृसिंह-सदृशः (nr̥siṁha-sadr̥śaḥ)
- like Narasimha (nr̥siṁha:Narasimha | sadr̥śaḥ:like, similar to)
- भवेत् (bhavēt)
- becomes
- मनसा (manasā)
- by the mind
- चिन्तितम् (cintitam)
- contemplated, thought of
- यत्-तु (yat-tu)
- whatever indeed (yat:whatever | tu:indeed)
- सः (saḥ)
- he
- तत्-च (tat-ca)
- that also (tat:that | ca:and, also)
- आप्नोति (āpnōti)
- attains, obtains
- असंशयम् (asaṁśayam)
- without doubt
॥ ३१ ॥♪ CHANTING NOW
Verse 31
गर्जन्तं गर्जयन्तं निजभुजपटलं स्फोटयन्तं हटन्तं
रूप्यन्तं तापयन्तं दिवि भुवि दितिजं क्षेपयन्तं क्षिपन्तम् ।
क्रन्दन्तं रोषयन्तं दिशि दिशि सततं संहरन्तं भरन्तं
वीक्षन्तं घूर्णयन्तं शरनिकरशतैर्दिव्यसिंहं नमामि ॥ ३१ ॥
garjantaṁ garjayantaṁ nijabhujapaṭalaṁ sphōṭayantaṁ haṭantaṁ
rūpyantaṁ tāpayantaṁ divi bhuvi ditijaṁ kṣēpayantaṁ kṣipantam |
krandantaṁ rōṣayantaṁ diśi diśi satataṁ saṁharantaṁ bharantaṁ
vīkṣantaṁ ghūrṇayantaṁ śaranikaraśatairdivyasiṁhaṁ namāmi || 31 ||
I bow to the Divine Lion who roars and makes others roar, who claps and shatters with His own multitude of arms, who assumes terrifying forms and scorches the demon-sons in heaven and earth, hurling and casting them down. He who wails in fury and enrages His foes, constantly destroying and sustaining in every direction, who gazes fiercely and causes all to reel with hundreds of volleys of arrows — to that celestial Narasimha I offer my salutations.
Word by word
- गर्जन्तं (garjantaṁ)
- roaring
- गर्जयन्तं (garjayantaṁ)
- making others roar
- निज-भुज-पटलं (nija-bhuja-paṭalaṁ)
- His own multitude of arms (nija:own | bhuja:arms | paṭalaṁ:multitude)
- स्फोटयन्तं (sphōṭayantaṁ)
- clapping, shattering
- हटन्तं (haṭantaṁ)
- striking forcefully
- रूप्यन्तं (rūpyantaṁ)
- assuming forms
- तापयन्तं (tāpayantaṁ)
- scorching, tormenting
- दिवि भुवि (divi bhuvi)
- in heaven and earth (divi:in heaven | bhuvi:on earth)
- दितिजं (ditijaṁ)
- sons of Diti, demons
- क्षेपयन्तं (kṣēpayantaṁ)
- hurling
- क्षिपन्तम् (kṣipantam)
- casting down
- क्रन्दन्तं (krandantaṁ)
- wailing, roaring fiercely
- रोषयन्तं (rōṣayantaṁ)
- enraging
- दिशि दिशि (diśi diśi)
- in every direction (diśi:direction | diśi:direction)
- सततं (satataṁ)
- constantly
- संहरन्तं (saṁharantaṁ)
- destroying
- भरन्तं (bharantaṁ)
- sustaining, bearing
- वीक्षन्तं (vīkṣantaṁ)
- gazing fiercely
- घूर्णयन्तं (ghūrṇayantaṁ)
- causing to whirl, making reel
- शर-निकर-शतैः (śara-nikara-śataiḥ)
- with hundreds of volleys of arrows (śara:arrows | nikara:multitude | śataiḥ:by hundreds)
- दिव्य-सिंहं (divya-siṁhaṁ)
- the divine lion (divya:celestial | siṁhaṁ:lion)
- नमामि (namāmi)
- I bow
॥ ३२ ॥♪ CHANTING NOW
Verse 32
इति श्रीब्रह्माण्डपुराणे प्रह्लादोक्तं श्री नृसिंह कवचम् ।
iti śrībrahmāṇḍapurāṇē prahlādōktaṁ śrī nr̥siṁha kavacam |
Thus concludes the sacred Narasimha Kavacham, as spoken by Prahlada, from the glorious Brahmanda Purana.
Word by word
- इति (iti)
- thus
- श्री-ब्रह्माण्ड-पुराणे (śrī-brahmāṇḍa-purāṇē)
- in the glorious Brahmanda Purana (śrī:glorious | brahmāṇḍa:cosmic egg/universe | purāṇē:in the Purana)
- प्रह्लाद-उक्तम् (prahlāda-uktam)
- spoken by Prahlada (prahlāda:Prahlada | uktam:spoken)
- श्री नृसिंह (śrī nr̥siṁha)
- the glorious Narasimha (śrī:glorious | nr̥siṁha:man-lion, Narasimha)
- कवचम् (kavacam)
- protective armor/hymn
ॐ
