Durga Kavach
दुर्गा कवच in English · English
Origin & Story
Markandeya Purana, Devi Mahatmyam (Durga Saptashati) · Sage Markandeya · Ancient (c. 400-500 CE for the text; story set in mythological time)
The Durga Kavach appears in the Markandeya Purana as a dialogue between Sage Markandeya and Brahma. When Markandeya asked Brahma for the supreme secret that protects all human beings, Brahma revealed the Devi Kavach — the divine armor of the Goddess. He explained that this prayer had never been revealed to anyone before, and that whoever recites it becomes encased in an impenetrable shield of divine energy, with each goddess stationed at a specific part of the body to ward off all harm.
✦ As told in scripture
The Durga Kavach is associated with the miraculous protection of devotees in life-threatening situations. In the Devi Mahatmyam itself, the divine armor protected the gods when they were attacked by the demon armies of Mahishasura. In one famous tradition, a devotee who recited the Kavach daily was caught in a devastating flood. While others perished, he was found unharmed on a small patch of dry ground — witnesses said they saw a circle of light around him during the entire ordeal, as if invisible hands had held back the waters from his body, exactly as the Kavach promises protection for every limb.
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Complete Text with Meaning
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Om Asya Shri Chandi Kavachasya Brahma Rishiph Anushtup Chhandah Chamunda Devata Anganyasokta Mataro Bijam Digbandha Devatas Tattvam Shri Jagadamba Prityarthe Saptashati Pathangtvena Jape Viniyogah
Meaning:Om. Of this Shri Chandi Kavach, the sage is Brahma. The meter is Anushtup. The deity is Chamunda. The seed is the Matrikas mentioned in the Anganyasa. The essence is the deities of the directional bonds. The application is for the recitation as part of the Saptashati, for the pleasure of Shri Jagadamba.
Om Namash Chandikayai Markandeya Uvacha — Yad Guhyam Paramam Loke Sarva Raksha Karam Nrinam Yanna Kasyachid Akhyatam Tanme Bruhi Pitamaha
Meaning:Om, salutations to Chandika. Markandeya said: What is the supreme secret in this world that protects all human beings, that has never been revealed to anyone — please tell me, O Grandfather (Brahma).
Brahma Uvacha — Asti Guhyatamam Vipra Sarva Bhutopakaarakam Devyas Tu Kavacham Punyam Tat Shrinushva Mahamune
Meaning:Brahma said: There exists, O sage, a most secret and sacred kavach of the Devi that benefits all beings. Listen to it, O great sage.
Prathamam Shailaputri Cha Dvitiyam Brahmacharini Tritiyam Chandraghanteti Kushmandeti Chaturthakam
Meaning:The first is Shailaputri, the second Brahmacharini. The third is Chandraghanta, the fourth Kushmanda.
Panchamam Skanda Mateti Shashtham Katyayani Ti Cha Saptamam Kalaratri Ti Mahagauri Ti Chashtamam
Meaning:The fifth is Skandamata, the sixth Katyayani. The seventh is Kalaratri, the eighth Mahagauri.
Navamam Siddhidatri Cha Nava Durgah Prakirtitah Uktanyetani Namani Brahmanaiva Mahatmana
Meaning:The ninth is Siddhidatri — these are proclaimed as the nine Durgas. These names were spoken by the great-souled Brahma himself.
Shulena Pahi No Devi Pahi Khadgena Chambike Ghanta Swanena Nah Pahi Chapajya Nihswanena Cha
Meaning:Protect us with your trident, O Devi! Protect us with your sword, O Ambika! Protect us with the sound of your bell, and with the twang of your bowstring!
Prachyam Rakshatu Mam Aindri Agneyam Agni Devata Dakshine Chavatu Varahi Nairityam Asi Dharini
Meaning:In the East may Aindri protect me, in the South-east the Fire Goddess. In the South may Varahi protect me, in the South-west the Sword-bearer.
Pratichyam Varuni Rakshed Vayavyam Mrigavahini Udichyam Patu Kaumari Aishanyam Shuladharini
Meaning:In the West may Varuni protect me, in the North-west the Deer-rider. In the North may Kaumari protect me, in the North-east the Trident-bearer.
Urdhvam Brahmani Me Rakshed Adhastad Vaishnavi Tatha Evam Dasha Disho Rakshet Chamunda Shava Vahana
Meaning:Above may Brahmani protect me, below may Vaishnavi protect me. Thus may Chamunda, who rides upon a corpse, protect all ten directions.
Jaya Me Chagratah Patu Vijaya Patu Prishthatah Ajita Vama Parshve Tu Dakshine Cha Aparajita
Meaning:May Jaya protect me from the front, may Vijaya protect me from behind. May Ajita protect my left side, and Aparajita my right.
Shikham Udyotini Rakshed Uma Murdhni Vyavasthita Maladhari Lalate Cha Bhruvau Rakshed Yashaswini
Meaning:May Udyotini protect the crown of my head. May Uma, stationed at the top, protect my head. May Maladhari protect my forehead, and Yashaswini my eyebrows.
Trinetra Cha Bhruvor Madhye Yamaghanta Cha Nasike Shankhini Chakshushor Madhye Shrotrayor Dvaravasini
Meaning:May Trinetra (the three-eyed one) protect the space between my brows. May Yamaghanta protect my nose. May Shankhini protect the space between my eyes, and Dvaravasini my ears.
Kapolau Kalika Rakshet Karnamule Tu Shankari Nasikayam Sugandha Cha Uttaroshthe Cha Charchika
Meaning:May Kalika protect my cheeks, and Shankari the base of my ears. May Sugandha protect my nostrils, and Charchika my upper lip.
Adhare Chamrita Kala Jihvayam Cha Saraswati Dantan Rakshatu Kaumari Kantha Deshe Tu Chandika
Meaning:May Amritakala protect my lower lip, and Saraswati my tongue. May Kaumari protect my teeth, and Chandika the region of my throat.
Ghantikam Chitraghanta Cha Mahamaya Cha Taluke Kamakshi Chibukam Rakshed Vacham Me Sarvamangala
Meaning:May Chitraghanta protect my voice-box, and Mahamaya my palate. May Kamakshi protect my chin, and Sarvamangala protect my speech.
Grivayam Bhadrakali cha prishthavamshe Dhanurdhari; Nilagriva bahihkanthe nalikam Nalakubari.
Meaning:May Bhadrakali protect my neck and Dhanurdhari my spine; may Nilagriva protect the outer throat and Nalakubari the windpipe.
Skandhayoh Khadgini rakshed bahu me Vajradharini; Hastayor Dandini rakshed Ambika changulistatha.
Meaning:May Khadgini protect my shoulders and Vajradharini my arms; may Dandini protect my hands and Ambika my fingers.
Nakhanchhuleshwari rakshet kukshau rakshen Naleshwari; Stanau rakshen Mahalakshmir manahshokavinashini.
Meaning:May Shuleshwari protect my nails and Naleshwari my belly; may Mahalakshmi protect my breasts and the destroyer of mental grief my heart.
Hridaye Lalita Devi udare Shuladharini; Nabhau cha Kamini rakshed guhyam Guhyeshwari tatha.
Meaning:May Lalita Devi dwell in my heart and Shuladharini in my belly; may Kamini protect my navel and Guhyeshwari my private parts.
Putana Kamika medhram gude Mahishavahini; Katyam Bhagavati rakshej januni Vindhyavasini.
Meaning:May Kamika protect the generative organ and Mahishavahini the rectum; may Bhagavati protect my waist and Vindhyavasini my knees.
Janghe Mahabala prokta sarvakamapradayini; Gulphayor Narasimhi cha padau chamitatejasi.
Meaning:May Mahabala, giver of all desires, guard my shins; may Narasimhi protect my ankles and the one of boundless splendour my feet.
Padangulih Shrir me rakshet padadhastalavasini; Nakhan Damshtrakarali cha keshanshchaivordhvakeshini.
Meaning:May Shri protect my toes and Talavasini the soles of my feet; may Damshtrakarali protect my nails and Urdhvakeshini my hair.
Romakupeshu Kauberi tvacham Vagishwari tatha; Raktamajjavasamamsanyasthimedamsi Parvati.
Meaning:May Kauberi protect my pores and Vagishwari my skin; may Parvati guard my blood, marrow, fat, flesh, bones and tissue.
Antrani Kalaratrishcha pittam cha Mukuteshwari; Padmavati padmakoshe kaphe Chudamanistatha.
Meaning:May Kalaratri protect my entrails and Mukuteshwari my bile; may Padmavati dwell in the lotus-centres and Chudamani in the phlegm.
Jvalamukhi nakhajvala Abhedya sarvasandhishu; Shukram Brahmani me rakshech chhayam Chhatreshwari tatha.
Meaning:May Jvalamukhi guard the lustre of my nails and Abhedya all my joints; may Brahmani protect my vital seed and Chhatreshwari my shadow.
Ahankaram mano buddhim raksha me Dharmacharini; Pranapanau tatha vyanam samanodanameva cha.
Meaning:O Dharmacharini, protect my ego, mind and intellect; and guard my prana, apana, vyana, samana and udana (the vital airs).
Vajrahasta cha me rakshet pranam Kalyanashobhana; Rase rupe cha gandhe cha shabde sparshe cha Yogini.
Meaning:May Vajrahasta, the auspicious and lovely one, protect my life-breath; may Yogini guard my senses of taste, sight, smell, sound and touch.
Sattvam rajastamashchaiva rakshen Narayani sada; Ayu rakshatu Varahi dharmam rakshatu Vaishnavi.
Meaning:May Narayani ever guard my sattva, rajas and tamas; may Varahi protect my lifespan and Vaishnavi my righteousness.
Yashah kirtim cha Lakshmim cha dhanam vidyam cha Chakrini; Gotram Indrani me rakshet pashun me raksha Chandike.
Meaning:May Chakrini guard my fame, renown, fortune, wealth and learning; may Indrani protect my lineage, and you, O Chandika, protect my cattle.
Putran rakshen Mahalakshmir bharyam rakshatu Bhairavi; Panthanam Supatha rakshen margam Kshemakari tatha.
Meaning:May Mahalakshmi protect my sons and Bhairavi my wife; may Supatha guard my path and Kshemakari my road.
Rajadvare Mahalakshmir Vijaya sarvatah sthita; Rakshahinam tu yatsthanam varjitam kavachena tu.
Meaning:May Mahalakshmi guard me at the royal gate, and Vijaya, present everywhere — and whatever place is left unprotected, omitted by this armour,
Tatsarvam raksha me Devi Jayanti papanashini; Padamekam na gachchhet tu yadichchhech chubhamatmanah.
Meaning:— all that protect, O Devi Jayanti, destroyer of sin. Let one who desires his own welfare not go even a single step
Kavachenavrito nityam yatra yatradhigachchhati; Tatra tatrarthalabhashcha vijayah sarvakamikah.
Meaning:without being ever wrapped in this armour; wherever he then goes, there he gains wealth and victory, and the fulfilment of every desire.
Yam yam kamayate kamam tam tam prapnoti nishchitam; Paramaishvaryamatulam prapsyate bhutale puman.
Meaning:Whatever desire he longs for, that he certainly obtains; such a person attains unmatched, supreme prosperity on earth.
Nirbhayo jayate martyah sangrameshvaparajitah; Trailokye tu bhavet pujyah kavachenavritah puman.
Meaning:The mortal becomes fearless and unconquered in battle; the man wrapped in this armour becomes worthy of worship in all three worlds.
Idam tu Devyah kavacham devanamapi durlabham; Yah pathet prayato nityam trisandhyam shraddhayanvitah.
Meaning:This armour of the Goddess is hard to attain even for the gods. Whoever, self-controlled, recites it daily at the three junctures with faith,
Daivi kala bhavet tasya trailokyeshvaparajitah; Jived varshashatam sagram apamrityuvivarjitah.
Meaning:acquires a divine radiance, becomes unconquered in the three worlds, and lives a full hundred years and more, free from untimely death.
Nashyanti vyadhayah sarve lutavisphotakadayah; Sthavaram jangamam vapi kritrimam chapi yadvisham.
Meaning:All diseases perish — boils, eruptions and the rest; and every poison, whether of plants, of creatures, or artificially made,
Abhicharani sarvani mantrayantrani bhutale; Bhucharah khecharashchaiva jalajashchopadeshikah.
Meaning:all malevolent magic, all spells and mystic diagrams upon the earth, all beings that move on land, in the sky, in water, and those conjured by instruction,
Sahajah kulaja malah Shakini Dakini tatha; Antarikshachara ghora Dakinyashcha mahabalah.
Meaning:the innate and clan-born evil spirits, the Shakinis and Dakinis, and the terrible, mighty Dakinis that roam the mid-air —
Grahabhutapishachashcha yakshagandharvarakshasah; Brahmarakshasavetalah kushmanda Bhairavadayah.
Meaning:the planetary spirits, ghosts and ghouls, yakshas, gandharvas and rakshasas, brahma-rakshasas, vetalas, kushmandas, bhairavas and the like —
Nashyanti darshanat tasya kavache hridi samsthite; Manonnatirbhaved rajnastejovriddhikaram param.
Meaning:all perish at the mere sight of him in whose heart this armour abides. It brings the highest honour from kings and a great increase of vigour.
Yashasa vardhate so'pi kirtimanditabhutale; Japet saptashatim Chandim kritva tu kavacham pura.
Meaning:He too grows in glory, adorning the earth with his renown. One should recite the Chandi Saptashati only after first reciting this armour.
Yavad bhumandalam dhatte sashailavanakananam; Tavat tishthati medinyam santatih putrapautraki.
Meaning:As long as the earth endures with its mountains, forests and groves, so long does his line of sons and grandsons abide upon the earth.
Dehante paramam sthanam yatsurairapi durlabham; Prapnoti purusho nityam Mahamayaprasadatah.
Meaning:At the body's end he attains the supreme abode, hard to reach even for the gods — this such a person ever gains, by the grace of Mahamaya;
Labhate paramam rupam Shivena saha modate. Iti shri Varahapurane Hariharabrahmavirachitam Devyah kavacham sampurnam.
Meaning:he attains a supreme form and rejoices forever together with Shiva. Thus ends the Kavacha of the Goddess, composed by Hari, Hara and Brahma, in the Varaha Purana.
Word-by-Word Meaning
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Benefits of Chanting दुर्गा कवच
Creates an impenetrable divine armor of protection around the devotee
Each body part is specifically protected by a different form of the Goddess
Destroys all enemies, evil spirits, and negative energies
Essential part of the Durga Saptashati recitation during Navratri
Removes fear, anxiety, and provides courage in dangerous situations
Grants the blessings and protection of all nine forms of Durga simultaneously
Protects from all ten directions through the Matrika goddesses
How to Chant दुर्गा कवच
Sit facing east or north. Begin with a prayer to Ganesha for the removal of obstacles. The Durga Kavach is traditionally recited as part of the complete Durga Saptashati (700 verses). It can also be recited independently for protection. While reciting, visualize each goddess taking her position to protect the corresponding body part. Conclude with a prayer to Durga Mata for her continued protection.
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