॥ Hanuman Kavach ॥
The Divine Armor of Lord Hanuman — a shield of protection for body, mind, and soul
Opening Invocation
Om Śrī Hanumate namaḥ।
Asya śrī hanumat kavacasya rāmacandra ṛṣiḥ।
Gāyatrī chandaḥ, Śrī Hanumān devatā॥
Meaning: Om, salutations to Lord Hanuman. For this Kavach of Lord Hanuman, the sage is Lord Ramachandra himself. The meter is Gayatri. The presiding deity is Lord Hanuman.
Verse 1: Shiro Raksha (Protection of the Head)
Pūrve pātu mahāvīro dakṣiṇe pavanātmajaḥ।
Paścime tu mahātejā uttare rāmasevakaḥ॥
Meaning: May the Great Hero protect me in the east. May the Son of the Wind God protect me in the south. May the one of supreme radiance protect me in the west. May the dedicated servant of Lord Rama protect me in the north.
Verse 2: The Eight Directions
Agnau rakṣatu rāmeśo naiṛtye laṅkāvidhvaṃsakaḥ।
Vāyavye vāyuputraśca īśāne ca mahābalaḥ।
Ūrdhvaṃ kapīśaḥ pātu adho vajrāṅgadhārakaḥ॥
Meaning:
- Southeast — May the supreme protector of Rama’s mission protect me
- Southwest — May the destroyer of Lanka’s pride protect me
- Northwest — May the Son of the Wind protect me
- Northeast — May the greatly powerful one protect me
- Above — May the king of monkeys protect me
- Below — May the bearer of the diamond-indestructible body protect me
Verse 3: Protection of the Body Parts
Śiro me rāmadūtaḥ pātu phālaṃ me vāyunandanaḥ।
Netre pātu mahāvīro nāsikaṃ pavanātmajaḥ।
Mukhaṃ pātu kapīśendro kaṇṭhaṃ rāmapriyaḥ punaḥ।
Bhujāvañjanāputraḥ karau hanumato mama।
Hṛdayaṃ pātu vīrendraḥ kukṣiṃ me kesarīsutaḥ।
Nābhiṃ pātu mahāprājño pṛṣṭhaṃ bhīmaparākramaḥ।
Kaṭyāṃ vajraśarīraśca ūrū ca pavanātmajaḥ।
Jānunī rāmabhaktaśca jaṅghe me bhaktavatsalaḥ।
Gulphau pātu mahāśūro pādau rāmendrasevakaḥ॥
Meaning:
| Body Part | Protector Form |
|---|---|
| Head | Ramaduta (Foremost messenger of Rama) |
| Forehead | Vayu Nandana (Son of the Wind God) |
| Eyes | Mahavira (The supreme hero) |
| Nose | Pavanatmaja (Born of the vital wind) |
| Mouth | Kapishendra (King of all champions) |
| Throat | Ramapriya (Beloved of Lord Rama) |
| Arms | Anjana Putra (Son of Mother Anjana) |
| Hands | Hanumat (Hanuman himself) |
| Heart | Virendra (Chief among heroes) |
| Abdomen | Kesari Suta (Noble son of Kesari) |
| Navel | Mahaprajna (Supremely wise one) |
| Back | Bhima Parakrama (Hero of immense valor) |
| Waist | Vajra Sharira (Diamond-bodied champion) |
| Thighs | Pavanatmaja (Wind-born defender) |
| Knees | Rama Bhakta (Supreme devotee of Rama) |
| Calves | Bhakta Vatsala (Compassionate protector of devotees) |
| Ankles | Maha Shura (Valiant warrior) |
| Feet | Ramendra Sevaka (Eternal servant of Lord Rama) |
Verse 4: The Concluding Protection
Sarvāṅgaṃ pātu vīreśo Hanumān romakūpataḥ।
Prāṇān pātu mahāprāṇo jīvaṃ rakṣatu sarvadā॥
Meaning: May Lord Hanuman, chief of heroes, protect every limb down to the pores of my skin. May the supremely vital one protect my life-breath. May he always guard and preserve my soul and life.
Verse 5: Phala Shruti (Divine Benefits)
Idaṃ kavacaṃ divyaṃ añjanāsūnunirmitam।
Yaḥ paṭhet sarvakāleṣu sa hanumat prasādabhāk।
Na tasya duḥkhaṃ bhavitā na bhayaṃ ca kadācana।
Rāmabhakto vimuktaśca sa eva sarvadā sukhī॥
Meaning: This divine armor, revealed by the grace of the son of Anjana, whoever recites it with devotion receives the constant blessings of Lord Hanuman. They experience freedom from fear, freedom from sorrow, and enjoy lifelong protection and peace.
How to Use the Kavach
Daily protection practice:
- Bathe and wear clean clothes (red or saffron preferred on Tuesdays and Saturdays)
- Light a ghee lamp before Hanuman’s image
- Offer pure thoughts and red flowers or sindoor
- Recite the kavach with full attention
- Feel the aura of courage, strength, and divine security surrounding your whole being