श्री शिव कवचम् — Word-by-Word Meaning
श्री शिव कवचम्
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
कवचम्
kavacham
Armour / protective shield — a hymn that invokes the deity to guard the devotee
वज्रदंष्ट्रं
vajra-daṃṣṭraṃ
Having teeth (fangs) hard as the thunderbolt
त्रिनयनं
tri-nayanaṃ
The three-eyed one
कालकण्ठम्
kāla-kaṇṭham
The dark-throated one (who holds the Kalakuta poison)
शम्भुमुमापतिम्
śambhum-umāpatim
Shambhu (source of bliss), the consort of Uma
मूर्धानम् अव्यात्
mūrdhānam avyāt
May He protect my head
चन्द्रमौलिः
candra-mauliḥ
He who bears the crescent moon on His crown
भालनेत्रः
bhāla-netraḥ
He who has an eye on His forehead (the third eye) — may He guard my forehead
भगनेत्रहारी
bhaga-netra-hārī
He who took away the eye of Bhaga — may He guard my eyes
विश्वनाथः
viśvanāthaḥ
The Lord of the universe — may He guard my nose
पञ्चवक्त्रः
pañca-vaktraḥ
The five-faced one — may He always protect my face
नीलकण्ठः
nīla-kaṇṭhaḥ
The blue-throated one — may Girisha guard my throat
पिनाकपाणिः
pināka-pāṇiḥ
He who holds the Pinaka bow in His hand — may He protect both my hands
दक्षमखान्तकः
dakṣa-makhāntakaḥ
The destroyer of Daksha's sacrifice — may He guard my chest
गिरीशपुत्रः
girīśa-putraḥ
(The form whose son is Guha/Skanda) — may He guard my belly
विश्वनाभिः
viśva-nābhiḥ
He who is the navel (centre) of the universe — may He guard my navel
त्रिनेत्रः
tri-netraḥ
The three-eyed one — may He ever guard my feet
प्राच्यां पातु शिवः
prācyāṃ pātu śivaḥ
May Lord Shiva protect me in the east
ईशान्यां पातु शङ्करः
īśānyāṃ pātu śaṅkaraḥ
May Shankara protect me in the north-east (Ishana) direction
इदं शिवमयं वर्म
idaṃ śivamayaṃ varma
This armour made wholly of Shiva (this Shiva-pervaded shield)
सर्वत्र विजयी भवेत्
sarvatra vijayī bhavet
He becomes victorious everywhere
सान्ते शिवपुरं व्रजेत्
sānte śivapuraṃ vrajet
And in the end attains the city of Shiva (Shivapura)
Complete Translation
ध्यान: वज्र के समान दाढ़ों वाले, त्रिनेत्रधारी, नीलकण्ठ, शत्रुओं का दमन करने वाले, सहस्रबाहु, अत्यन्त उग्र — उमापति शम्भु को मैं प्रणाम करता हूँ।
चन्द्रमौलि मेरे मस्तक की रक्षा करें; भालनेत्र (ललाट में नेत्र वाले) मेरे ललाट की रक्षा करें; भगनेत्रहारी मेरे नेत्रों की रक्षा करें; विश्वनाथ सदा मेरी नासिका की रक्षा करें।
भवलोकवन्द्य मेरे कानों की रक्षा करें; पञ्चवक्त्र सदा मेरे मुख की रक्षा करें; वेदजिह्व मेरी जिह्वा की रक्षा करें; नीलकण्ठ गिरीश मेरे कण्ठ की रक्षा करें।
पिनाकपाणि मेरे दोनों हाथों की रक्षा करें; धर्मबाहु मेरी भुजाओं के मूल की रक्षा करें; दक्षयज्ञान्तक मेरे वक्षःस्थल की रक्षा करें; गिरीश मेरे उदर की रक्षा करें।
विश्वनाभि मेरी नाभि की रक्षा करें; जगत्प्रतिष्ठ मेरी कटि की रक्षा करें; गुहप्रसूति मेरे गुह्य अंगों की रक्षा करें; त्रिनेत्र सदा मेरे चरणों की रक्षा करें।
पूर्व में शिवदेव रक्षा करें, आग्नेय में अग्निनायक; दक्षिण में यमरूपी, नैरृत्य में खड्गधारी रक्षा करें।
पश्चिम में वरुण रक्षा करें, वायव्य में प्राणदायक; उत्तर में सोम, और ईशान में शङ्कर रक्षा करें।
जो मनुष्य इस कवच को जानकर त्रिकाल श्रद्धापूर्वक पाठ करता है, वह समस्त कामनाओं को प्राप्त करता है।
युद्ध में, राजसभा में, द्यूत में, घोर भय में और महासंग्राम में — यह शिवमय परम अद्भुत कवच:
जो संयमी होकर इसका पाठ करता है, वह सर्वत्र विजयी होता है; सदा शिवभक्ति प्राप्त कर अन्त में शिवपुर को जाता है।
Origin & History
Source: Skanda Purana, Brahmottara Khanda (Shiva Kavacha chapter)
Author: Traditional (Puranic); taught by the sage Rishabha to Prince Bhadrayu
Period: Puranic / classical
According to the Skanda Purana's Brahmottara Khanda, the sage (yogishvara) Rishabha imparted this Shiva Kavacha to Prince Bhadrayu, who had lost his kingdom and was beset by misfortune. By wearing this armour of Shiva and reciting it with devotion, Bhadrayu was protected from every danger and ultimately regained his kingdom and prosperity, demonstrating the kavacha's power as a shield of the Lord himself.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Shiva Kavacham?▼
It is a 'kavacha' or protective armour hymn of Lord Shiva. It invokes Shiva, by His many names and forms, to guard each part of the devotee's body and to protect them in every direction, acting as a spiritual shield against danger, fear and evil.
Where does the Shiva Kavacham come from?▼
This Shiva Kavacham is drawn from the Skanda Purana, in the Brahmottara Khanda, where the sage Rishabha is said to have taught it to Prince Bhadrayu for protection, by whose power he regained his fortune. The verse 'asya shri-shiva-kavacha...' names Brahma as the rishi and Sadashiva Rudra as the deity.
When and how should it be recited?▼
Traditionally it is recited thrice daily (tri-sandhya) with faith, after a bath, before a Shiva Linga or image with sacred ash applied. It is considered especially powerful on Mondays, at Pradosha, on Maha Shivaratri and throughout Shravan, and is chanted for protection before travel, conflict or any undertaking.
What is the benefit of reciting the Shiva Kavacham?▼
The hymn's own phala-shruti declares that one who recites it with self-control becomes victorious everywhere, obtains all desires, gains unwavering devotion to Shiva, and at the end of life attains Shivapura — the City of Shiva.
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