॥ Durga Kavach ॥
The Divine Armor of Goddess Durga — from the Devi Mahatmya (Markandeya Purana)
Opening Invocation
Om Namaścaṇḍikāyai॥
Salutations to Goddess Chandika (the fierce protective form of Durga)!
The Introduction (Viniyoga)
Asya śrī caṇḍīkavacasya brahmā ṛṣiḥ।
Anuṣṭup chandaḥ, cāmuṇḍā devatā।
Aṅganyāsādikaṃ svayameva kuryāt॥
Meaning: For this sacred Chandika Kavach, the sage (rishi) is Brahma, the meter is Anustup, and the presiding deity is Goddess Chamunda.
Verse 1: Intention
Jātavedase sunavāma somam arātīyato nidahāti vedaḥ।
Sa naḥ parṣadati durgāṇi viśvā nāveva sindhuṃ duritātyagniḥ॥
Meaning: We offer Soma to Agni (Jataveda) — he who burns up all negativity and hostility. May he lead us safely through all difficulties, just as a boat navigates safely across the turbulent river — may the divine light carry us past all obstacles and sins.
Verse 2: Protection of the Head
Śiro me devī pātu, lalāṭaṃ śūladhāriṇī।
Netre mahāgrahā pātu, karṇau pātu mahāśrutiḥ॥
Meaning:
- Head — May the Goddess protect me
- Forehead — May the trident-bearer protect me
- Eyes — May Mahagriha (the supreme observer of forces) protect me
- Ears — May the one of supreme celestial hearing protect me
Verse 3: Protection of Face and Throat
Nāsikāṃ caṇḍikā pātu, dantān kālarātriḥ svayam।
Mukhaṃ pātu mahāvidyā, jivhāṃ vidyādharī svayam।
Kaṇṭhaṃ pātu caṇḍikā devī, ghrāṇaṃ sugandhavāhinī॥
Meaning:
- Nose — May Chandika protect
- Teeth — May Kalaratri (dark night of time) herself protect
- Mouth — May Mahavidya (supreme knowledge) protect
- Tongue — May the Holder of Knowledge herself protect
- Throat — May Goddess Chandika protect
- Sense of smell — May the bearer of sweet divine fragrances protect
Verse 4: Protection of the Body
Stanau rakṣenmahādevī, hṛdayaṃ lalitā devī।
Udaraṃ sarpiṇī devī, nābhiṃ hiṃsā nivāriṇī।
Guhyaṃ guhyeśvarī pātu, nitambaṃ vajradhāriṇī।
Ūrū mahābalā pātu, jaṅghe pātu mahābale।
Pādau pātu siddheśvarī, sarvāṅge pātu caṇḍikā॥
Meaning:
| Body Part | Protecting Form |
|---|---|
| Chest/Breasts | Mahadevi (Great Goddess) |
| Heart | Lalita Devi (the playful and radiant one) |
| Abdomen | Sarpini Devi (the coiled cosmic power) |
| Navel | Destroyer of all harm and violence |
| Private parts | Guhyeshvari (Goddess of hidden secrets) |
| Hips | Bearer of the invincible thunderbolt |
| Thighs | Mahabala (immensely powerful one) |
| Calves | The greatly mighty protector |
| Feet | Siddheshvari (Goddess of divine perfection) |
| All limbs | Chandika |
Verse 5: Protection in All Directions
Prācyāṃ rakṣatu māṃ devī, āgneyāṃ pāvakī svayam।
Dakṣiṇe rakṣet vārāhī, nairṛtye khaḍgadhāriṇī।
Pratīcyāṃ varuṇī devī, vāyavye mṛgavāhinī।
Uttare pātu kaumārī, aiśāne śūladhāriṇī।
Ūrdhve brahmāṇī pātu, adhaḥ vaiṣṇavī svayam॥
Directional Protection:
| Direction | Protecting Goddess Form |
|---|---|
| East | Devi (the supreme Goddess) |
| Southeast | Pavaki (radiant fire goddess) |
| South | Varahi (boar-faced warrior goddess) |
| Southwest | Khadgadharini (sword-bearer) |
| West | Varuni (water realm goddess) |
| Northwest | Mrigavahini (deer-vehicle goddess) |
| North | Kaumari (eternal maiden goddess) |
| Northeast | Shuladharini (trident-bearer) |
| Above | Brahmani (creative cosmic power) |
| Below | Vaishnavi (sustaining cosmic power) |
Verse 6: The Concluding Protection
Sarvasyāṃ rakṣā karotu, sā devī sarvamaṅgalā।
Graha-pīḍā-bhayaṃ caiva vyādhayaśca vināśayet॥
Meaning: May that Goddess who is all-auspiciousness protect everywhere and at all times. May she destroy all afflictions caused by planetary disharmony, all fear, and all disease.
Phala Shruti (Divine Benefits)
Idaṃ kavacaṃ paṭhet yo vai nityaṃ bhaktyā susaṃyataḥ।
Durgamaṃ tasya nāstīha jagatsarvamavaśyakam॥
Meaning: One who recites this sacred armor daily with sincere devotion and pure self-restraint — for them, nothing in this world is difficult or impossible. They attain divine peace, protection, and grace.
The Devi Mahatmya promises:
- Complete shield against negative influences, malice, and fear
- Physical vitality, mental clarity, and spiritual fortitude
- Auspicious success in all righteous endeavors
- Divine protection of home, family, and loved ones
How to recite: Recite the Durga Kavach with a calm mind, preferably in the morning or during evening twilight, especially on Tuesdays, Fridays, or during the holy days of Navratri.