Ganesha Kavacham — Word-by-Word Meaning

(Kashyapa said to the Devi:) This restless one (Ganesha) destroys demons even in his childhood — O best of sages, I know not what feats he will perform hereafter. There are demons of many kinds, wicked, thorns in the side of the virtuous; though able to subdue them, I do not know whether he will be protected or not. I shall therefore declare the Ganesha Kavacha, O Devi, which bestows the accomplishment of every aim. Whoever recites or wears it with devotion truly becomes possessed of all his desires. May Ganesha protect my head; may the elephant-faced one protect my forehead; may Shurpakarna (he of winnow-like ears) guard my eyes, and Vinayaka my nose. May Vighnaraja protect my ears, and the lord of speech my tongue; may Vakratunda guard my face, and the destroyer of obstacles my teeth. May Gananatha protect my cheeks, and the bearer of the winnow-ears my ears; may Ganeshana guard my chest, and the upholder of the earth my heart. May the elephant-mouthed one protect my stomach, and the lord of the ganas my navel; may the mighty-bodied one guard my back, and the destroyer of obstacles my waist. May Heramba protect my hands, and the long-eared one my feet; may the elephant-faced Lord protect all my limbs everywhere and always. Thus is this divine armour, the destroyer of every affliction. The blessed one who wears it is fortunate, a foremost among sages. Whoever recites it at the time of worship, ever devoted and composed in mind — his obstacles are destroyed, and all knowledge is perfected for him. Ghosts, spectres and goblins, the Dakini and Shakini spirits — all perish at the very sight of one protected by the power of this armour. This Ganesha Kavacha was proclaimed by Kashyapa, and (handed down) to Mudgala, O Lord, and to the great sage Mandavya. Whoever recites it daily at the three junctures of the day attains perfection; he obtains all desires and reaches the state of union with Ganapati.