Durga Kavach
दुर्गा कवच
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.
Complete Text with Meaning
ॐ अस्य श्री चण्डी कवचस्य ब्रह्मा ऋषिः। अनुष्टुप् छन्दः। चामुण्डा देवता। अंगन्यासोक्तमातरो बीजम्। दिग्बन्धदेवतास्तत्त्वम्। श्री जगदम्बाप्रीत्यर्थे सप्तशतीपाठाङ्गत्वेन जपे विनियोगः॥
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.
ॐ नमश्चण्डिकायै मार्कण्डेय उवाच — यद्गुह्यं परमं लोके सर्वरक्षाकरं नृणाम्। यन्न कस्यचिदाख्यातं तन्मे ब्रूहि पितामह॥
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).
ब्रह्मोवाच — अस्ति गुह्यतमं विप्र सर्वभूतोपकारकम्। देव्यास्तु कवचं पुण्यं तच्छृणुष्व महामुने॥
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.
प्रथमं शैलपुत्री च द्वितीयं ब्रह्मचारिणी। तृतीयं चन्द्रघण्टेति कूष्माण्डेति चतुर्थकम्॥
Prathamam Shailaputri Cha Dvitiyam Brahmacharini Tritiyam Chandraghanteti Kushmandeti Chaturthakam
Meaning:The first is Shailaputri, the second Brahmacharini. The third is Chandraghanta, the fourth Kushmanda.
पञ्चमं स्कन्दमातेति षष्ठं कात्यायनीति च। सप्तमं कालरात्रीति महागौरीति चाष्टमम्॥
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.
नवमं सिद्धिदात्री च नवदुर्गाः प्रकीर्तिताः। उक्तान्येतानि नामानि ब्रह्मणैव महात्मना॥
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.
शूलेन पाहि नो देवि पाहि खड्गेन चाम्बिके। घण्टास्वनेन नः पाहि चापज्यानिःस्वनेन च॥
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!
प्राच्यां रक्षतु मामैन्द्री आग्नेय्यामग्निदेवता। दक्षिणे चावतु वाराही नैऋत्यामसिधारिणी॥
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.
प्रतीच्यां वारुणी रक्षेद्वायव्यां मृगवाहिनी। उदीच्यां पातु कौमारी ऐशान्यां शूलधारिणी॥
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.
ऊर्ध्वं ब्रह्माणी मे रक्षेदधस्ताद्वैष्णवी तथा। एवं दश दिशो रक्षेच्चामुण्डा शववाहना॥
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.
जया मे चाग्रतः पातु विजया पातु पृष्ठतः। अजिता वामपार्श्वे तु दक्षिणे चापराजिता॥
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.
शिखामुद्योतिनी रक्षेदुमा मूर्ध्नि व्यवस्थिता। मालाधरी ललाटे च भ्रुवौ रक्षेद्यशस्विनी॥
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.
त्रिनेत्रा च भ्रुवोर्मध्ये यमघण्टा च नासिके। शंखिनी चक्षुषोर्मध्ये श्रोत्रयोर्द्वारवासिनी॥
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.
कपोलौ कालिका रक्षेत्कर्णमूले तु शांकरी। नासिकायां सुगन्धा च उत्तरोष्ठे च चर्चिका॥
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.
अधरे चामृतकला जिह्वायां च सरस्वती। दन्तान् रक्षतु कौमारी कण्ठदेशे तु चण्डिका॥
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.
घण्टिकां चित्रघण्टा च महामाया च तालुके। कामाक्षी चिबुकं रक्षेद्वाचं मे सर्वमंगला॥
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.
Word-by-Word Meaning
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Benefits of Chanting Durga Kavach
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 Durga Kavach
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.