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Saraswati Kavacham Meaning — Line by Line

सरस्वती कवचम्

Every verse and every word explained in English & Hindi

Meaning — Line by Line

Every verse of Saraswati Kavacham with its English meaning. Tap any word to hear it, or ▶ to recite the verse.

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  1. Verse 1. Shrinu Vatsa Pravakshyami Kavacham Sarvakamadam
  2. Verse 2. Uktam Krishnena Goloke Mahyam Vrindavane Vane
  3. Verse 3. Ativa Gopaniyam Cha Kalpavriksha Samam Param
  4. Verse 4. Shrim Vagdevatayai Svaheti Lalatam Me Sada Avatu
  5. Verse 5. Om Saraswatyai Namah Svaha Nasam Me Sarvada Avatu
  6. Verse 6. Om Shrim Hrim Brahmyai Svaheti Dantapanktim Sada Avatu
  7. Verse 7. Om Shrim Hrim Patu Me Grivam Skandhau Me Shrim Sada Avatu
  8. Verse 8. Om Hrim Vidyasvarupayai Svaha Me Patu Nabhikam
  9. Verse 9. Om Sarvarnadi Bijadya Vyapya Patu Sada Cha Mam
  10. Verse 10. Iti Te Kathitam Vatsa Sarva Mantraugha Vigraham
  11. Verse 11. Yo Dharayati Sa Jnani Trishu Lokeshu Pujitah
  12. Verse 12. Idam Vishvajayakhyam Vai Kavacham Brahmarupakam
  13. Verse 13. Pratarutthaya Yo Bhaktya Pathedva Dharayedyadi
Verse 1#

Shrinu Vatsa Pravakshyami Kavacham Sarvakamadam

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.

Verse 2#

Uktam Krishnena Goloke Mahyam Vrindavane Vane

उक्तं कृष्णेन गोलोके मह्यं वृन्दावने वने। रासेश्वरेण विभुना रासे वै रासमण्डले॥

Uktam Krishnena Goloke Mahyam Vrindavane Vane Raseshvarena Vibhuna Rase Vai Rasamandale

MeaningIt 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.

Verse 3#

Ativa Gopaniyam Cha Kalpavriksha Samam Param

अतीव गोपनीयं कल्पवृक्षसमं परम्। श्रीं ह्रीं सरस्वत्यै स्वाहा शिरो मे सर्वदावतु॥

Ativa Gopaniyam Cha Kalpavriksha Samam Param Om Shrim Hrim Saraswatyai Svaha Shiro Me Sarvada Avatu

MeaningIt is most secret, and supreme like the wish-fulfilling tree. 'Om Shrim Hrim Saraswatyai Svaha' — may this ever protect my head.

Verse 4#

Shrim Vagdevatayai Svaheti Lalatam Me Sada Avatu

श्रीं वाग्देवतायै स्वाहेति ललाटं मे सदावतु। 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.

Verse 5#

Om Saraswatyai Namah Svaha Nasam Me Sarvada Avatu

सरस्वत्यै नमः स्वाहा नासां मे सर्वदावतु। 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.

Verse 6#

Om Shrim Hrim Brahmyai Svaheti Dantapanktim Sada Avatu

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.

Verse 7#

Om Shrim Hrim Patu Me Grivam Skandhau Me Shrim Sada Avatu

श्रीं ह्रीं पातु मे ग्रीवां स्कन्धौ मे श्रीं सदावतु। 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.

Verse 8#

Om Hrim Vidyasvarupayai Svaha Me Patu Nabhikam

ह्रीं विद्यास्वरूपायै स्वाहा मे पातु नाभिकाम्। 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.

Verse 9#

Om Sarvarnadi Bijadya Vyapya Patu Sada Cha Mam

सर्वार्णादिबीजाद्या व्याप्य पातु सदा माम्। श्रीं ह्रीं ब्रह्मरूपायै सर्वाङ्गं मे सदावतु॥

Om Sarvarnadi Bijadya Vyapya Patu Sada Cha Mam Om Shrim Hrim Brahmarupayai Sarvangam Me Sada Avatu

MeaningMay 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.

Verse 10#

Iti Te Kathitam Vatsa Sarva Mantraugha Vigraham

इति ते कथितं वत्स सर्वमन्त्रौघविग्रहम्। मयापि कीर्तितं भद्रं ब्रह्मणे नाभिपङ्कजे॥

Iti Te Kathitam Vatsa Sarva Mantraugha Vigraham Mayapi Kirtitam Bhadram Brahmane Nabhipankaje

MeaningThus, 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.

Verse 11#

Yo Dharayati Sa Jnani Trishu Lokeshu Pujitah

यो धारयति ज्ञानी त्रिषु लोकेषु पूजितः। लक्ष्मीर्धृत्वा ब्रह्मरूपं देवीं वै कृतवान् हरिः॥

Yo Dharayati Sa Jnani Trishu Lokeshu Pujitah Lakshmir Dhritva Brahmarupam Devim Vai Kritavan Harih

MeaningWhoever 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.

Verse 12#

Idam Vishvajayakhyam Vai Kavacham Brahmarupakam

इदं विश्वजयाख्यं वै कवचं ब्रह्मरूपकम्। ब्रह्मणा कथितं पूर्वं प्रवक्ष्यामि शृणु प्रिये॥

Idam Vishvajayakhyam Vai Kavacham Brahmarupakam Brahmana Kathitam Purvam Pravakshyami Shrinu Priye

MeaningThis 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.

Verse 13#

Pratarutthaya Yo Bhaktya Pathedva Dharayedyadi

प्रातरुत्थाय यो भक्त्या पठेद्वा धारयेद्यदि। वाचस्पतिसमो वाग्मी कविर्भवति ध्रुवम्॥

Pratarutthaya Yo Bhaktya Pathedva Dharayedyadi Vachaspati Samo Vagmi Sa Kavir Bhavati Dhruvam

MeaningWhoever, 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 Breakdown

कवचम्
Kavacham
Armor, protective shield
सर्वकामदम्
Sarvakamadam
Bestower of all desires
श्रुतिसारम्
Shrutisaram
The essence of the Vedas (Shruti)
रासेश्वरेण
Raseshvarena
By the Lord of the Rasa dance (Krishna)
कल्पवृक्षसमम्
Kalpavriksha Samam
Equal to the wish-fulfilling tree
सरस्वत्यै
Saraswatyai
To Saraswati, goddess of knowledge
शिरो मे अवतु
Shiro Me Avatu
May she protect my head
वाग्देवतायै
Vagdevatayai
To the goddess of speech
ललाटम्
Lalatam
Forehead
भारत्यै
Bharatyai
To Bharati (Saraswati), the eloquent one
नेत्रयुग्मम्
Netrayugmam
The pair of eyes
वाण्यै
Vanyai
To Vani, goddess of language/speech
ओष्ठाधरम्
Oshthadharam
The upper and lower lips
ब्राह्म्यै
Brahmyai
To Brahmi, consort-energy of Brahma
ऐम्
Aim
The single-syllable Saraswati seed-mantra (Vagbhava bija)
कण्ठम्
Kantham
Throat
वक्षःस्थलम्
Vakshahsthalam
Chest
विद्यास्वरूपायै
Vidyasvarupayai
To her whose very form is knowledge
विश्वजयाख्यम्
Vishvajayakhyam
Named 'Vishwajaya' — the conqueror of the universe
वाचस्पतिसमः
Vachaspati Samah
Equal to Brihaspati, lord of eloquence
कविः
Kavih
A poet, a seer-sage
धारयति
Dharayati
One who wears/holds (this armour)

Origin & History

Source: Brahma Vaivarta Purana (Prakriti Khanda)

Author: Traditional (spoken by Krishna; narrated by Narayana to Narada)

Period: 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'.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Saraswati Kavacham?
Saraswati Kavacham means 'the armour of Saraswati'. It is a protective hymn from the Brahma Vaivarta Purana in which the seed-mantras of Goddess Saraswati are invoked to guard each part of the body, while bestowing knowledge, eloquence and wisdom. It is also known as the Vishwavijaya Kavacham.
Why is it called the Vishwavijaya Kavacham?
'Vishwavijaya' means 'conqueror of the universe'. The hymn is given this name because the spiritual power of Saraswati's knowledge and speech, invoked through it, is said to grant the devotee victory and honour everywhere in the three worlds.
Who should recite the Saraswati Kavacham?
It is especially recommended for students, scholars, poets, musicians, orators and all seekers of knowledge. Anyone wishing for clarity of mind, eloquent speech, good memory and success in learning can recite it, ideally at dawn.
What is the origin of this Kavacham?
According to the Brahma Vaivarta Purana, it was first spoken by Lord Krishna to Narayana in Goloka within the Rasa-mandala, and was earlier declared by Brahma. It is therefore regarded as a most secret and powerful armour of the Goddess of knowledge.

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