Saraswati Kavacham
सरस्वती कवचम्
Also known as: saraswati kavacham · saraswati kavach · vishwavijaya kavacham · vishwajaya kavacham · sharada kavacham
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✦ Meaning
The Saraswati Kavacham, also called the Vishwavijaya Kavacham, is a protective 'armour' hymn from the Brahma Vaivarta Purana, taught by Krishna to Narayana in Goloka. Through seed-mantras (Aim, Shrim, Hrim) it places each part of the body under the protection of Goddess Saraswati, the deity of knowledge and speech. The text promises that whoever recites or wears it at dawn becomes eloquent like Brihaspati, a true poet, and is honoured throughout the three worlds.
Origin & Story
Brahma Vaivarta Purana (Prakriti Khanda) · Traditional (spoken by Krishna; narrated by Narayana to Narada) · Ancient (Puranic)
The Saraswati Kavacham occurs in the Brahma Vaivarta Purana as part of the glorification of Goddess Saraswati. It is presented as a most secret teaching that Lord Krishna, the Lord of the Rasa dance, imparted to Narayana in the divine realm of Goloka, within the circle of the Rasa-lila in Vrindavana. The same armour had earlier been declared by Brahma upon his lotus-seat. Because it bestows victory of knowledge and speech everywhere, it bears the name Vishwavijaya — 'Conqueror of the Universe'.
✦ As told in scripture
Tradition holds that even Brahma the creator received this Kavacha to gain the power of creative speech, and that a sincere devotee who wears it at dawn becomes a master of words equal to Brihaspati, the preceptor of the gods — many a tongue-tied seeker is said to have become a celebrated poet and orator by its grace.
Complete Text with Meaning
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शृणु वत्स प्रवक्ष्यामि कवचं सर्वकामदम्। श्रुतिसारं श्रुतिसुखं श्रुत्युक्तं श्रुतिपूजितम्॥
Shrinu Vatsa Pravakshyami Kavacham Sarvakamadam Shrutisaram Shrutisukham Shrutyuktam Shrutipujitam
Meaning:(Narayana said:) Listen, O child, I shall declare to you the armour that bestows all desires — the essence of the Vedas, pleasing to the Vedas, spoken by the Vedas and honoured by the Vedas.
उक्तं कृष्णेन गोलोके मह्यं वृन्दावने वने। रासेश्वरेण विभुना रासे वै रासमण्डले॥
Uktam Krishnena Goloke Mahyam Vrindavane Vane Raseshvarena Vibhuna Rase Vai Rasamandale
Meaning:It was spoken by Krishna in Goloka, to me, in the forest of Vrindavana — by the all-pervading Lord of the Rasa, within the Rasa circle of the dance.
अतीव गोपनीयं च कल्पवृक्षसमं परम्। ॐ श्रीं ह्रीं सरस्वत्यै स्वाहा शिरो मे सर्वदावतु॥
Ativa Gopaniyam Cha Kalpavriksha Samam Param Om Shrim Hrim Saraswatyai Svaha Shiro Me Sarvada Avatu
Meaning:It is most secret, and supreme like the wish-fulfilling tree. 'Om Shrim Hrim Saraswatyai Svaha' — may this ever protect my head.
श्रीं वाग्देवतायै स्वाहेति ललाटं मे सदावतु। ॐ श्रीं ह्रीं भारत्यै स्वाहा नेत्रयुग्मं सदावतु॥
Shrim Vagdevatayai Svaheti Lalatam Me Sada Avatu Om Shrim Hrim Bharatyai Svaha Netrayugmam Sada Avatu
Meaning:'Shrim Vagdevatayai Svaha' — may this ever protect my forehead. 'Om Shrim Hrim Bharatyai Svaha' — may this ever protect my two eyes.
ॐ सरस्वत्यै नमः स्वाहा नासां मे सर्वदावतु। ॐ श्रीं ह्रीं वाण्यै स्वाहेति ओष्ठाधरं सदावतु॥
Om Saraswatyai Namah Svaha Nasam Me Sarvada Avatu Om Shrim Hrim Vanyai Svaheti Oshthadharam Sada Avatu
Meaning:'Om Saraswatyai Namah Svaha' — may this ever protect my nose. 'Om Shrim Hrim Vanyai Svaha' — may this ever protect my lips.
ॐ श्रीं ह्रीं ब्राह्म्यै स्वाहेति दन्तपङ्क्तिं सदावतु। ऐमित्येकाक्षरो मन्त्रो मम कण्ठं सदावतु॥
Om Shrim Hrim Brahmyai Svaheti Dantapanktim Sada Avatu Aim Ityekaksharo Mantro Mama Kantham Sada Avatu
Meaning:'Om Shrim Hrim Brahmyai Svaha' — may this ever protect my row of teeth. The single syllable 'Aim' — may this mantra ever protect my throat.
ॐ श्रीं ह्रीं पातु मे ग्रीवां स्कन्धौ मे श्रीं सदावतु। ॐ श्रीं विद्याधिदेवतायै स्वाहा वक्षःस्थलं सदा॥
Om Shrim Hrim Patu Me Grivam Skandhau Me Shrim Sada Avatu Om Shrim Vidyadhidevatayai Svaha Vakshahsthalam Sada
Meaning:'Om Shrim Hrim' — may it protect my neck; 'Shrim' — may it ever protect my shoulders. 'Om Shrim Vidyadhidevatayai Svaha' — may this ever protect my chest.
ॐ ह्रीं विद्यास्वरूपायै स्वाहा मे पातु नाभिकाम्। ॐ ह्रीं श्रीं त्र्यक्षरो मन्त्रः पातु पादयुगं मम॥
Om Hrim Vidyasvarupayai Svaha Me Patu Nabhikam Om Hrim Shrim Tryaksharo Mantrah Patu Padayugam Mama
Meaning:'Om Hrim Vidyasvarupayai Svaha' — may this protect my navel. 'Om Hrim Shrim', the three-syllabled mantra — may it protect both my feet.
ॐ सर्वार्णादिबीजाद्या व्याप्य पातु सदा च माम्। ॐ श्रीं ह्रीं ब्रह्मरूपायै सर्वाङ्गं मे सदावतु॥
Om Sarvarnadi Bijadya Vyapya Patu Sada Cha Mam Om Shrim Hrim Brahmarupayai Sarvangam Me Sada Avatu
Meaning:May the goddess who is the source of all the seed-syllables pervade and ever protect me. 'Om Shrim Hrim Brahmarupayai' — may this ever protect my whole body.
इति ते कथितं वत्स सर्वमन्त्रौघविग्रहम्। मयापि कीर्तितं भद्रं ब्रह्मणे नाभिपङ्कजे॥
Iti Te Kathitam Vatsa Sarva Mantraugha Vigraham Mayapi Kirtitam Bhadram Brahmane Nabhipankaje
Meaning:Thus, O child, I have declared to you this (armour), the embodiment of the whole host of mantras; this auspicious hymn was also recited by me to Brahma upon his lotus-navel.
यो धारयति स ज्ञानी त्रिषु लोकेषु पूजितः। लक्ष्मीर्धृत्वा ब्रह्मरूपं देवीं वै कृतवान् हरिः॥
Yo Dharayati Sa Jnani Trishu Lokeshu Pujitah Lakshmir Dhritva Brahmarupam Devim Vai Kritavan Harih
Meaning:Whoever wears it becomes wise and is honoured in the three worlds. Even Lakshmi, taking on the form of Brahma's power, made the Goddess (her refuge); so too did Hari.
इदं विश्वजयाख्यं वै कवचं ब्रह्मरूपकम्। ब्रह्मणा कथितं पूर्वं प्रवक्ष्यामि शृणु प्रिये॥
Idam Vishvajayakhyam Vai Kavacham Brahmarupakam Brahmana Kathitam Purvam Pravakshyami Shrinu Priye
Meaning:This armour, named Vishwajaya ('Conqueror of the universe'), is the very form of the Absolute. It was declared of old by Brahma, and I now declare it — listen, O beloved.
प्रातरुत्थाय यो भक्त्या पठेद्वा धारयेद्यदि। वाचस्पतिसमो वाग्मी स कविर्भवति ध्रुवम्॥
Pratarutthaya Yo Bhaktya Pathedva Dharayedyadi Vachaspati Samo Vagmi Sa Kavir Bhavati Dhruvam
Meaning:Whoever, rising at dawn, recites or wears it with devotion, becomes eloquent as Brihaspati, the lord of speech, and surely becomes a poet.
Word-by-Word Meaning
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Benefits of Chanting Saraswati Kavacham
Places the entire body under the protection of Goddess Saraswati through her seed-mantras
Bestows eloquence, mastery of speech and the power of a true poet (kavi)
Sharpens memory, intellect and success in all branches of learning and the arts
Honoured throughout the three worlds — grants fame and respect to the reciter
Said to fulfil all righteous desires, being likened to the wish-fulfilling Kalpavriksha
Especially beneficial for students, scholars, musicians, writers and speakers
Acts as a spiritual armour against ignorance, confusion and obstacles to knowledge
How to Chant Saraswati Kavacham
Rise at dawn, bathe, and sit facing east or north in a clean place before an image of Goddess Saraswati. Light a lamp with ghee or sesame oil. Recite the Kavacham with devotion, mentally placing each seed-mantra upon the corresponding part of the body — head, forehead, eyes, throat, chest and so on. The Purana itself recommends recitation upon waking in the morning. Students may keep the written Kavacham respectfully as a protective talisman after recitation. Conclude by bowing to Saraswati and praying for clarity of speech and wisdom.
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