Shukra Kavacham — Word-by-Word Meaning
शुक्र कवचम्
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
मृणालकुन्देन्दुपयोजसुप्रभम्
mṛṇāla-kunda-indu-payoja-suprabham
Radiant like the lotus-stalk fibre, jasmine, the moon and the lotus (a fair, white lustre)
पीताम्बरम्
pītāmbaram
Clad in yellow garments
अक्षमालिनम्
akṣamālinam
Holding a rosary (aksha-mala)
समस्तशास्त्रार्थविधिम्
samasta-śāstrārtha-vidhim
Knower of the meaning and method of all scriptures
ध्यायेत्कविम्
dhyāyet kavim
One should meditate on Kavi (the 'seer-poet', Shukracharya)
भार्गवः
bhārgavaḥ
Bhargava — descendant of Bhrigu, a name of Shukra; guarding the head
ग्रहाधिपः
grahādhipaḥ
Lord among the planets; guarding the forehead
दैत्यगुरुः
daityaguruḥ
Preceptor (guru) of the Daityas/Asuras; guarding the eyes
चन्दनद्युतिः
candanadyutiḥ
Of a lustre like sandalwood; guarding the ears
काव्यः
kāvyaḥ
Kavya — son of Kavi, a name of Shukra; guarding the nose
उशनाः
uśanāḥ
Ushanas — the Vedic name of Shukracharya; guarding speech
श्रीकण्ठभक्तिमान्
śrīkaṇṭhabhaktimān
Devoted to Shrikantha (Shiva); guarding the throat
तेजोनिधिः
tejonidhiḥ
Treasury of brilliance; guarding the arms
भृगुसुतः
bhṛgusutaḥ
Son of Bhrigu; guarding the navel
महीप्रियः
mahīpriyaḥ
Beloved of the earth; guarding the middle
विश्वात्मा
viśvātmā
Soul of the universe; guarding the waist
सुरपूजितः
surapūjitaḥ
Worshipped by the gods; guarding the thighs
जाड्यहरः
jāḍyaharaḥ
Remover of dullness/inertia; guarding the knees
ज्ञानवतां वरः
jñānavatāṃ varaḥ
Foremost among the wise; guarding the shins
स्वर्णमालापरिष्कृतः
svarṇamālāpariṣkṛtaḥ
Adorned with a golden garland; guarding all the limbs
न तस्य जायते पीडा भार्गवस्य प्रसादतः
na tasya jāyate pīḍā bhārgavasya prasādataḥ
No affliction arises for him, by the grace of Bhargava (Shukra)
Complete Translation
Salutations to Sri Ganesha. For this Shukra Kavacha hymn, the sage is Bharadvaja, the metre is Anushtup, the deity is Shri Shukra; it is recited to please Shukra.
For the fulfilment of one's desires, let one meditate on Kavi (Shukra) — radiant like lotus-fibre, jasmine, the moon and the lotus, clad in yellow, holding a rosary in his extended hand, the great one who knows the meaning of all scriptures.
Om. May Bhargava guard my head, and the lord of planets my forehead; may the guru of the Daityas guard my eyes, and the sandal-hued one my ears.
May Kavya guard my nose, and the one revered by the Daityas my face; may Ushanas guard my speech, and the devotee of Shrikantha (Shiva) my throat.
May the treasury of brilliance guard my arms, and the swift-minded one my belly; may the son of Bhrigu guard my navel, and the beloved of the earth my middle.
May the Soul of the universe guard my waist, and the one worshipped by the gods my thighs; may the remover of dullness guard my knees, and the best of the wise my shins.
May the treasury of virtues guard my ankles, and the one in fine garments my feet; may the one adorned with a golden garland guard all my limbs.
Whoever recites this divine armour, filled with faith — for him no affliction ever arises, by the grace of Bhargava (Shukra).
Thus ends the Shukra Kavacham in the Brahmanda Purana.
Origin & History
Source: Brahmanda Purana (Shukra Kavacham)
Author: Sage Bharadvaja (rishi of the mantra)
Period: Puranic
The Shukra Kavacham is preserved in the Brahmanda Purana, with the sage Bharadvaja named as its rishi and Anushtup as its metre. It belongs to the family of planetary (Navagraha) armour-hymns recited for graha-shanti, the pacification of the nine planets. Shukra (Venus) is the brilliant son of the sage Bhrigu and the preceptor of the Asuras, master of the Mritasanjivani vidya and lord of love, beauty, art and wealth; this kavacha invokes him by his many names to shield the devotee limb by limb and to bless him with the comforts, harmony and prosperity that Venus governs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Shukra Kavacham?▼
The Shukra Kavacham is a protective hymn to the planet Venus (Shukra), found in the Brahmanda Purana. A 'kavacha' is a spiritual armour: each verse asks Shukra — under names such as Bhargava, Kavya and Ushanas — to guard a specific part of the body, surrounding the devotee with Venus's auspicious energy.
What does chanting the Shukra Kavacham give?▼
Because Venus governs love, marriage, beauty, art and wealth, it is chanted for marital happiness, attraction, artistic and creative talent, comforts and prosperity. Its own phalashruti also promises that the faithful reciter suffers no affliction, by the grace of Bhargava (Shukra).
When should the Shukra Kavacham be recited?▼
On Fridays (Shukravara), the weekday ruled by Venus, and during any Navagraha puja, ideally with white or fragrant flowers, white sandal and a lamp. For a remedy it may be recited daily through the period of an adverse Venus dasha or transit, or for delays in marriage.
Who is Shukra?▼
Shukra is the planetary deity of Venus and the guru of the Asuras (Daityas), the wise son of the sage Bhrigu — hence Bhargava, Kavya, Kavi and Ushanas. He is famed as the master of all scriptures and the holder of the Mritasanjivani (the science of reviving the dead), and presides over love, beauty, art and wealth.
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