Shiva Kavacham
By Sage Rishabha
Translated by P. R. Ramachander
Edited by Benjamin Collins
Originally posted on http://www.celextel.org/
Background
In ancient times, Rishbha was born as a King in the family of Swayambhuva Manu and as a young man, married Meru Devi and had one hundred children wtih her. When his children grew up, he entrusted the kingdom to his eldest son and retired to the forest to seek enlightenment. After many years, he became a great saint and a great devotee of Lord Shiva. He perceived the deeper reality of Shiva, and how to invoke Shiva's power to protect those in need. His congnition was called Shiva Kavacham. One day as he walked in the forest, he met a prince called Bhadraayu, who, along with his mother, had been driven out from his kingdom by his enemies. Rishabha taught he the Shiva Kavacha, using which Bhadarayu regained his kingdom. This story and mantra forms a part of the Skanda Purana.
The first section is the invocation and performance of a puja to urify the atmosphere and the awareness of the performer of this ritual. Then the Shiva Kavacham is recited.
Asya Shiva Kavacha stotra maha manthrasya
Brahma rishi, Anushtup Chanda, Sri Sada shiva rudro devatha, Hreem Shakthi, Ram Keelakam, Sreem, Hreem, Kleem Bheejam
Sri Sada shiva preethyarthe Shiva kavacha stotra Jape Viniyoga.
For the great chant of Shiva's armour,
The sage is Brahma, the meter is Anushtup, The god addressed is Sada Shiva Rudra, the strength is hreem, the nail is ram and the root is Sreem, hreem, kleem.
The Shiva Kavacha is being chanted to please Lord Sada Shiva.
Adha nyasa
Invocation of the deity in the hands
Om namo bhagawathe jwala jwaala maline
Om hraam sarva shakthi daamne eesanathmane angushtabhyam nama.
Om salutations to the dazzling and shining God, Om Hraam, God who gives all powers,
Oh soul of God, salutations by the thumb.
Om namo bhagawathe jwala jwaala maline
Om nam rim nithya thruptha dhamne thath purushatmane tharjaneebhyam nama.
Om salutations to the dazzling and shining God, Om Nam Rim who grants perennial satisfaction, Oh soul of Purusha, salutations by the forefinger
Om namo bhagawathe jwala jwaala maline
Om nam rum anadhi shakthi dhamne aghorathmane madhyamabhyam nama,
Om salutations to the dazzling and shining God, Om Nam Rum, who gives the power of the ancient, the soul of Aghora salutations by the middle finger.
Om namo bhagawathe jwala jwaala maline
Om she raim swthanthra shakthi dhamne vamadevathmane anamikabhyam nama.
Om salutations to the dazzling and shining God, Om She raim, one who gives independent power and the soul of Vamadeva salutations by the ring finger
Om namo bhagawathe jwala jwaala maline
Om vam roum aluptha shakthi dhamne sadhyojathmane kanishtikabhya nama.
Om salutations to the dazzling and shining God, Om vam roum, he who grants strength of aluptha, the soul of Sadhyojadha, salutations by the little finger.
Om namo bhagawathe jwala jwaala maline
Om yam ra anadhi shakthi dhamne sarvathmane kara thala kara prushtabhya nama.
Om salutations to the dazzling and shining God,Om tam ra he who he grants primeval power, soul of all salutations by palm and back side of hand.
Yevam Hrudhayadhi.nyasa adha dhyanam
After completing this stage, visualize the deity in detail using the following mantras
Another version of the nyasa is as follows:
Kara nyasa
Om Sada shivaaya angushtabhyam nama
Nam Gangadharaya tharjaneebhyam nama
Mam mruthyunjayaya madhyamabhyam nama
She sollapanaya anamikabhyam nama
Vaam Pinaka panay kanishtikabhyam nama
Yam umapathaye Kara thala kara prushtabhyam nama
Om salutations to Sadashiva by the thumb
Nam Salutations to Gangadhara by the fore finger
Bam salutations to victor over death by the middle finger
She salutations to he who holds iron rod by the ring finger
Vaam salutations to he who holds Pinaka by the little finger
Yam salutations to consort of Uma and the palm and back of the palm.
Hrudaya nyasa
Om Sada shivaaya hrudayaya nama
Nam Gangadharaya Shirase swaha
Mam mruthyunjayaya shikayayai vashat
She sollapanaye kavachaya hoom
Vaam Pinaka panaye nethra thrayaya voushat
Yam umapathaye asthraya phat
Om ithi Digbandha
Om salutations to the heart of Sadashiva
Nam salutations to the head of he who carries Ganga
Mam salutations to the tuft of he who won over death
She salutations to he who holds iron rod and the armour
Vaam salutations to he who holds the Pinaka's eyes
Yamm salutations to the arrow of consort of Uma
Thus you tie yourself up with directions
After completing this stage, visualize the deity in detail using the following mantras
Adha Dhyanam
Then meditation on the form of the deity
Vajra damshtram trinayanam kala kanda marindhamam,
Sahasrakara mathyugam, vande Shambhum umapathe. 1
I salute Shambu the consort of Parvathi,
Who has diamond like teeth and three eyes,
Who has black neck and kills his enemies,
And who has thousands of fearful hands.
Adhoparam sarva purana guhyam,
Nissesha papougha haram pavithram,
Jayapradham Sarva vipath pramochanam,
Vakshyami shaivam kavacham hithaya they. 2
For your benefit I would tell you the armour of Shiva,
Which is very secret among the Puranas,
Which is holy and removes any sins that have been committed,
This leads to victory and prevents all dangers.
Pancha pooja:
Five step puja:
Lam Pruthvyathmane Gandham samarpayami
Ham Akasathmane pushpam poojayami
Yam Vayvathmane dhoopam agrahayami
Ram Agneyathmane deepam darasayami
Vam amtuthathmane amrutham maha naivedyam nivedayami
Sam sarvathmane sarvopachara poojam samarpayami
Lam spirit of earth, I offer you sandal paste
Ham spirit of sky, I worship you with flowers
Yam Spirit of wind I salute you with smoke incense
Ram spirit of fire, I show you a lit lamp
Vam spirit of deathlessness, I offer you nectar
Sam spirit of all souls I am offering you comprehensive worship
The Shiva Kavacham text is recited
Rishabha Uvacha:-
Rishabha said:-
Namskrythwa maha devam viswa vyapeenameeswaram,
Vakshye Shiva mayam varma sarva raksha karam nrunaam. 3
After saluting the great God who is spread through out,
I would tell you the armour of Shiva, which protects all men.
Suchou dese samaaseeno yadavath kalpithasana,
Jithendriyo jitha pranas chinthayeth shivamavyayam. 4
You should sit in a clean place,
Assume the proper sitting position,
Win over your senses, control your desires,
And meditate on Shiva who is forever stable.
Hruth pundarikaantha sannivishtam,
Swatheja saavyaaptha nabhovakasam,
Atheendriyam sookshmamananthamadhyam,
Dyayeth parananda mayam mahesam. 5
I meditate on the great lord, who is full eternal joy,
Who lives in the lotus of one's heart,
Whose innate luster spreads all over the sky,
And who is beyond the senses and is smaller than the smallest and who has no beginning or end
Dhyannavadhoothakhila karma bandha,
Schiram chidwananda nimagna chetha,
Shadakshara nyasa samahithathma,
SAivena kuryath kavachena rakshaam. 6
By deep meditation cutting off the ties of Karma,
For a long time and getting drowned in the divine joy,
With chant of the six letter mantra of Lord Shiva,
You have to protect yourself with Shiva's armour.
Maam pathu devo akhila devathathma,
Samsara koope pathitham gabheere,
Thannama divyam paramanthra moolam,
Dhunothu may sarvamagham hrudhistham. 7
May I be saved by The God of all devas,
From this deep chasm called domestic life,
And may his sacred divine names,
Which are the basis of all great mantras,
Destroy all the sins in my heart.
Sarvathra maam rakshathu viswa moorthir,
Jyothir mayananda ghanaschidathma,
Anoraniyanuru shathireka,
Sa iswara pathu bhayad aseshath. 8
Let me be protected everywhere by the Lord of the universe,
Who is full of the light of happiness, who is the divine soul,
Let the God,who is smaller than the smallest, who is all powerful,
Protect me completely from all sort of fears.
Yo bhoo swaroopena bhibharthi viswam,
Paayath sa bhoomer gireeso ashta moorthi,
Yopaam swaroopena nrunaam karothi,
SAnjeevanam sovathu maam jalebhya. 9
Let he who in the form of earth looks after the earth,
Look after me from the fear of land related issues,
Let he who gives life to all beings in the form of water,
Protect me from everything concerning water.
Kalpavasane bhuvanaani dhagdwa,
Sarvaani yo nruthyathi bhoori leela,
SA kala rudhro vathu maam davagner,
Vathyadhi bheethorakhilascha thapath. 10
Let the death like Kala Rudhra, who dances,
At the end of ages after burning the universe,
with playfulness. Protect me from problems.
Created by forest fire and cyclone.
Pradheeptha vidhyuth kanakava bhaso,
Vidhya vara bheethi kutara pani,
Chathurmukha sthath purushasthri nethra,
Prachyam sthitham rakshathu mamajasram. 11
Let he who shines like gold and glittering lightning,
Who holds in his hand symbols of knowledge, boon, protection and sword,
And who has four faces and three eyes,
Be in the east and protect me there.
Katara vedhamkusa pasa soola,
Kapala dakkaksha gunaan dhadhaana,
Chathurmukho neela ruchistrinethra,
Payadghoro disi dakshinasyam. 12
Let Aghora who holds the sword, Vedas, goad, rope, trident,
Skull, drum and Rudraksha in his eight hands,
And who is blue in colour and has four faces,
Protect me from the southern side.
Kundendu sankha sphatikaava bhaso,
Vedaksha mala varada bhayanka,
Triksha chatur vakthra uru prabhava,
SAdhyodhi jatho aavathu maam pratheechyam. `13
Let he who shines white like jasmine, moon, conch and crystal,
Who holds the Vedas, a chain of beads, and makes the gesture of protection and boon with his hands,
And who shines with three eyes and four necks,
And who is called Adhijatha* protect me from the west.
* Born in the beginning
Varaksha mala abhaya tanga hastha,
Saroja kinjathka samana varna,
Trilochanas charu chaturmukho,
Maam payad udechyam disa vama deva. 14
Let he who holds chain of beads and axe in his hand,
And shows the sign of boons and protection by his other hands,
Who is of the colour of the tendrils of the lotus flower,
And who has three eyes and four heads,
And is called Vamadeva protect me from the north.
Veda abhayeshtangusa pasa tanga,
Kapala dakkakshaka soola pani.
Sithadhyuthi pancha mukhova,
Thwnmaeesana oordhwam parama prakasa. 15
Let he who is holding the Vedas, a goad, rope, axe, skull, rudraksha
And hatchet in his hands and showing sign of protection with one hand,
Who is of white colour and who has five faces and is shining,
And is called Eesanamurthi protect me from above.
Moordhana mavyanmamam chandra mouli,
Phalam mamavyadhadha phala nethra,
Nethremamaavyadh bhaga nethra haaree,
Naasam sada rakshathu Viswanadha. 16
Let he who has the Moon on his head protect my head,
Let he who has an eye on his forehead protect my forehead,
Let the destroyer with the Sun as his eyes protect my eyes,
And let Lord of the universe protect my nose.
Payachsruthirmay sruthi Geetha keethi,
Kapola mavyaathsa thatham kapali,
Vakthram sada rakshathu pancha vakthra,
Jihwam sada rakshathu veda jihwa. 17
Let my ears be protected by he who is sung about by the Vedas,
Let Kapali (God with skull) protect my cheeks,
Let the five necked one protect my neck,
And let the God with the Vedas as his tongue protect my tongue.
Kandam gireesovathu Neela kanda,
Pani dhwayam pathu Pinaka pani,
Dhor mola mavyan mama dharma bahur,
Vaksha sthalam Daksha makhanda kovyath. 18
Let the Lord of the mountains with a blue neck protect my neck,
Let both of my hands be protected by he who holds the Pinaka bow,
Let the god having Dharma as his hands protect my shoulders,
Let my bosom be protected, by he who destroyed the yagya of Daksha
Mamodharam pathu Gireendra dhanwa,
Madhyam mamaavyanmadanathakari,
Heramba thatho mama pathu nabhe,
Payath kateem doorjateeswaro may. 19
Let my belly be protected by he who made a bow out of the mountain,
Let my middle part be protected by he who killed the God of love,
Let the father of Ganesa protect my navel,
And may my hips be protected by he who has wild plaited hair.
Oorudwayam padu kubheramithra,
Janu dhwayam may Jagadheeswaravyath,
Janga yugam pungava kethuravyath,
Padou mamavyath sura vandhya pada. 20
Let the friend of Kubhera* protect both my thighs,
Let both my knees be protected by Lord of universe,
Let both of my calves be protected by he who rides a bull,
Let my feet be protected by he, whose feet is worshipped by all of the devas.
*Lord of wealth
Maheswara pathu dhinadhi yame,
Maam madya yame aavathu vama deva,
Trilochana pathu thritheeya yame,
Vrusha dwaja padu dinandya yame. 21
May the great God protect me during the first quarter of the day,
Let Vamadeva protect me during the second quarter of the day,
Let the three eyed one protect me during the third quarter of the day,
And let he who rides a bull (Nandi) protect me during the last quarter of the day
Paayan nisadhou sasi shekharo maam,
Gangadharo rakshathu maam niseedhe.
Gowripathi pathu nisavasane,
Mruthyunjaya rakshathu sarva kalam. 22
Let he who wears the moon protect me during first part of night,
Let he who carries Ganga in his hair protect me during the middle of the night,
Let the consort of Gowri protect me during last part of night,
Let the God who won over God of death (Yama) protect me at all times.
Anthasthitham rakshathu Sankaro maam,
Sthsanu sadaa pathu bahi sthitham maam,
Thadanthare [athu pathi passonaam,
Sada shivo rakshathu sarva kalam. 23
Let me be protected by Shankara when I am inside,
Let Sthanu ( the immovable one) protect me when I am outside,
Let the lord of all beings protect me when I am inbetween,
And may Sada Shiva protect me in all ways and at all times.
Thishtanthamavyath bhuvaanaika nadha,
Payad vrujantham pramadhathi nadha,
Vedantha vedhyovathu maam nishannam,
Mamavyaya pathu Shiva sayaanaam. 24
Let the lord of all the worlds protect me when I am standing,
Let the lord of Pramadhas protect me when I am walking,
Let the Lord described in Vedantha protect me when I am sitting,
And let Lord Shiva protect me when I am lying down.
Margeshu maam rakshathu neelakanda,
Shailadhi durgeshu purathrayari,
Aranya vasadhi maha pravase,
Payad mruga vyadha udhara shakthi. 25
Let the blue necked one protect me when I am on my way,
Let the destroyer of three towns protect me when I am in the mountain or forts,
Let he, who lives in the forest protect me during my journies
Let the hunter of deer who is extremely strong protect my strength of digestion.
Kalpantha katopa patu prakopa,
Sphutattahasochali thanda kosa.
Ghorari senarnava dur nivara,
Maha bhayad rakshathu Veera bhadhra. 26
Let me be protected from great fear,
due to the attack of the army of enemies,
By Veerabhadra who burns, like the fire of deluge,
And who due to his anger throws the universe up and down.
Pathyaswa mathanga ghatavaroopa,
SAhasra lakshayutha koti bheeshanam,
Akshouhineenaam satha matha thayinam,
Chindhyan mrudo ghora kutaradharaya. 27
Let Mruda break with the terrible white axe,
The innumerable army of the enemies,
Which consists of several formations,
Of soldiers and horses, elephant and chariot borne troops.
Nihanthu dasyun pralayanalarchir,
Jwalath trisoolam tripuranthakasya,
Saardhoola simaraksha vrukaadi hesraan,
Santhraasaya thweesa dhanu pinaka. 28
Let the trident of the God who destroyed the three cities,
Which burns like the fire of the deluge destroy my enemies.
Let the Pinaka bow of Lord Shiva drive away.
Tiger, lion, bear, wolf and other wild animals.
Duswapna du shakuna durgathi dourmanasya,
Durbiksha durvyasana dussaha dooryamsi,
Uthpatha thapa visha bheethi ma sadgraharthi,
Vyadheemscha nasayathu may Jagatham adheesa. 29
Let the Lord of the different worlds protect me from
Bad dreams, bad omens, bad fate, bad conduct,
Famines, bad grief, unbearable bad fame,
And fear from comet, poison, effects of the planets and all diseases.
Om namo bhagwwathe, sad shivaya, sakala thathwathmakaya, sarva manthra swaroopaya, sarva Thathwa vidhooraya, brahma rudravatharine, neelakandaya, Parvathi manohara priyaya, soma suryagni lochanaya,
Om salutations to he who is God, eternal Shiva, personification of all principles, personification of all holy chants, one who is far away from philosophy, one who takes the form of Brahma and Rudra, One who has a blue neck, One who is dear to pretty Parvathi, One who has the Sun and Moon as his eyes,
Bhasmodhoolitha vigrahaya, maha mani makuta dharanaya, Manikhya bhooshanaya, Srushti sthithi pralaya kala rouudhravatharaya, Daksha dwara dwamsakaya, Maha kala bhedanaya, moola dharaika nilayaya, Thathwatheethaya,
One who applies ash all over, one who wears the great gem studded crown, One who wears Manikhya (ruby) as an ornament, He who takes the angry form and cares for the whole of creation, and who destroys it at the time of the deluge, he who destroyed the fire sacrifice of Daksha, He who broke the great God of death, He who stays in Mooladhara chakra, He who is above principles,
Gangadharaya, sarva devadhidevaya, shadasrayaya, vedantha saaraya, trivarga sadhanaya, Anantha koti brahmanda nayakaya, Anantha Vasuki Thaksha, karkodaka Sankha kulika, padma Maha padmayeshta maha naga kula bhooshanaya,
He who carries the Ganga, He who is God to all devas, He who is the basis of the six Adhara Chakras, He who leads to three types of fulfillment, He who is the chief of the endless billions of universes, He who wears ornaments of the eight great serpents viz Anantha, Vasuki, Thaksha, Karkodaka, SAnkha, Kulika, Padma and Mahapadma,
Pranava swaroopaya, chidakasaya, Aakasa dik swaroopaya, Graha nakshatra maline, Sakalaya, Kalanka rahithaya, Sakala lokaika karthre, Sakala lokaika bharthre, Sakala lokaika samharthre, SAkala lokaika gurave, Sakala lokaika Sakshine, Sakala nigama guhyaya,
He who is the form of "OM", He who is the divine ether, He who is personification of sky and directions, He who wears stars and planets as Garlands, He who is everything, He who does not have any dark spot, He who creates all the world, He who manages all the worlds, He who destroys all the worlds, He who is the teacher of all the world, He who is a witness of all the world, He who is hiding in all reasoning,
Sakala Vedantha paaragaya, Sakala lokaika vara pradhaya, Sakala lokaika sankaraya, Sasanku shekaraya, Sasvatha nija vasaya, Nirabhasaya, niramayaaya, nirmalaya, nirlobhaya, nirmadhaya, nischinthaya, Nirahankaraya, Nirangusaya, Nishkalankaya,
He who is expert in all of the Vedas, He who gives boons to all the world, He who gives all good things to every one, He who has collected the moon, He who is perennially in existence, He who shines always. He who is pervaded in everything, He who is clean, He who is generous, He who does not have exuberance, He who does not have pride, He who cannot be stopped, He who does not have anything bad,
Nirgunaya, Nishkaamaya, Nirupaplavaya, Niravadhyaya, Nirantharaya, Nishkaranaya, Nirathangaya, Nishprapanchaya, Nissangaya, Nirdwandwaya, NIradharaya, Neeraagaya,
Nishkrodhaya, Nirmoolaya, Nishpapaya, Nirbhayaya, Nivikalpaya, Nirbhedhaya, Nishkriyaya, Nisthoolaya, Nissamsayaya, Niranjanaya, Nirupamavibhavaya,
He who does not have any properties, He who does not have any desires, He who is separate from all dangers, He who is permanent, He who does not have any cause, He who does not have any worry, He who is different from the world, He who is not in any group, He who is not plural, He who does not have any basis, He does not have likes, He who is not angry, He who does not have any roots, He who is above all sins, He who is not afraid, He who is not bound by time, He who does not differentiate, He who is actionless, He who is above all, He who does not have any doubts, He who is without stains, He who has matchless assets,
Nithya shudha budhi paripoorna sachidaanadadwayaya, Parama santha swaroopaya, Thejo roopaya, Thejomayaya,
He who is perennially clean, completely wise, complete, divinely joyous and without second, He who is extremely peaceful, He who has a shining form, He who is full of light,
Jaya jaya Rudhra, Maha roudhra, bhadravathara, maha bhairava, Kala Bhairava, Kalpanthaka Bhairava, Kapala maladhara, Gadwanga, Gadga charma pasa angusa Damaru soola Chapa Bana Gadha Shakthi Bindi pala thomara musala mudgara, Pasa parigha Bhoosundi SAthagni Chakradhyaudha, Bheeshanakra Sahasra Mukha Damshtra karala vadana,
Victory,victory to Rudra, He who is very angry, He who protects, the great Bhairava, The Bhairava at the time of the deluge, He who wears a garland of skulls, He who is armed with a sword, He who is very fearsome armed with a sword, shield, rope, goad, drum, trident, arrow, mace, shakthi, catapult, iron mace, iron pestle, stick of thorns, rope, iron beam, spear, and fire wheel, He who is extremely fearsome, he who has thousand faces, He who is fearsome with sharp protruding teeth,
Vikatattahasa visamharitha brahmanda mandala, nagendra kundala, nagendra hara, nagendra valaya, nagendra charma dhara, Mruthyunjaya, Tryambaka, Tripuranthaka, Viswaropa, Viroopaksha, Visweswara, Vrushabha vahana, Visha vibhooshana, Viswathomukha,
He who due to his fearsome roar breaks the universe, He who wears the king of snakes as anear stud, He who wears the snake king as garland, He who wears snake king as armlet, he who wears the skin of the snake king, He who has defeated the God of death, He who has three eyes, He who destroyed the three cities, He who has a form as big as universe, He who has fearsome slanted eyes, He who is the Lord of the universe, He who rides on the bull, He who wears poison as an ornament, he who has universe as face,
Sarvatho raksha raksha maam,
Jwala jwala maha mrutyu bhayam nasaya nasaya,
Chora bhayamuthsadaya muthsadaya,
Visha sarpa bhayam samaya samaya,
Choran marya maraya,
Shathroon uchadaya uchadaya,
Trisoolena vidharaya vidharaya,
Kutarena bhindi bhindi,
Gadgena chindi chindi,
Gadwangena vipodhaya vipodhaya,
Musalena nishpekshaya nishpekshaya,
Banai santhadaya santhadaya,
Rakshamsi bheeshaya bheeshaya,
Bhoothani vidhravaya vidhravaya,
Koosmanda Vetala mareecha brahma rakshasa ganan santhrasaya santhrasaya,
Mam abhayam kuru kuru,
Vithrastham mam aaswasaya aaswasaya,
Naraka maha bhayan Maam udharoudhara,
SAnjeevaya sanjeevaya,
Kshuthrubhyam mamapyaya yapyaya,
Dukhathuram Maam Aananadanandaya,
Shiva kavache namaschadhaya yachadhaya,
Mruthyunjaya Trimbakka Sadashiva namasthe namasthe
Save, save me everywhere,
Shine, shine, destroy, destroy, the great fear of death,
Remove, remove the fear of theft and robbery,
Put out, put out, the fear of snakes with poison,
Kill, kill thieves,
Drive away, drive away my enemies,
Split, split with trident,
Kill, kill with white axe,
Cut, cut with the sword,
Hit, hit with the skull stick,
Powder, powder with the steel pestle,
Strike, strike with arrows,
Scare, scare Rakshasas,
Drive away drive away devils,
Scare away scare away Koosmandas, Vetalas Mareechas and Brahma Rakshas (evil spirits)
Give me, give me protection,
Console, console, me who is afraid,
Lift me up, lift me up from fear of hell, Keep me alive, keep me alive,
Save me, save me from effects of hunger and thirst,
Make me who is sad, happy,
Cover and protect me with the armour of Shiva,
Victor over death, the three eyed one, ever peaceful one, my salutations to you.
Poorva vath Hrudhayadhi nyasa, pancha pooja bhoorbuwaswarom ithi Dig vimoka
After wards after performing nyasa starting from the heart and performing the worship of five deities, you are getting free by chanting the Gayatri Mantra.
Phala Sruthi:-
The benefits of reciting this kavacha mantra
Rishaba Uvacha:-
Rishabha said:-
Ithyedath kavacham shaivam varadam vyahrutham mayaa,
Sarva bhadha prasamanam, rahayam sarva dehinaam. 30
This protective armour of Lord Shiva as spoken by me,
Removes all ills and bad things, and is secret for all beings.
Yasaada dharayen marthya saivam kavachamuthamam,
Na thasya jaayathe kwapi bhayam shambhoranugrahath. 31
That man who wears this great and divine armour of Shiva,
Due to the blessing of Lord Shiva will never have any fear.
Ksheenayu praptha mruthyurva Maha roga gahathopivaa,
Sadya sukhamavapnothi, deergatuscha vindathi. 32
People whose life is about to be over,
Or the one nearing death,
Or the one who is afflicted by leprosy,
Will get rid of those problems,
And wwill be blessed with long life.
Sarva daridrya samanam soumagalya vardhanam,
Yo dathe kavacham saivam sa devairapi poojyathe. 33
If any one wears this armour,
Which removes all poverty,
And increases good luck,
He would be worshipped even by devas.
Maha pathaka sangathair muchyathe chopa pathakair,
Dehanthe mukthi maapnothi shiva varmanu bhavatha. 34
He with the greatness of the armour of Shiva,
Would be saved from great as well as minor sins,
And after death would be blessed with salvation.
Thwamapi sradhaya vathsa, shaivam kvachamuthamam,
Dharayaswa maya datham sadhya sreyohyavapsyasi. 35
Wear this armour given by me,
And by wearing it you will see good things coming to you.
Sootha Uvacha:-
In response, Sootha said:-
Ithyukthwa Rishabho yogi thasmai Parthiva soonave,
Dadhou Sankham Maharaavam Gadganchari nishoodhanam. 36
Punascha basma sammanthrya thadangam parithosprusath,
Gajaanaam Shad sahasraya dwigunasya balam dadhou. 37
Telling him thus the sage Rishabha gave the son of the king,
A conch which makes loud noise and a sword which cuts well.
Then he applied the ash made divine by the Kavacha mantra all over him,
And gave Sootha the strength of 12,000 elephants.
Basma prabhvad sampraptha balaiswaryadruthi smruthi,
Sa raja puthra shushubhe saradarka iva sriya. 38
Due to the effect of the ash applied on his body,
The prince got strength, wealth, courage and memory,
And shone like the Sun of the autumn.
Thamaha pranjalim bhooya sa yogi nrupanandanam,
Yesh gadgo maya dathasthapo manthranubhavitha, 39
Then the sage told the prince saluting him,
This sword given by me has the strength,
Of the holy chants as well meditative power.
Shitha dharamimam Gadgam yasmai darsaye sphutam,
Sa sadhyomriyathe shathru saaksad mruthyurapi swayam. 40
If you show and shake this very sharp sword.
The enemy who sees it will die immediately.
Asya shankhasya nirhradham ye srunwanthi thavahithaa,
They moorchithaa pathishyanthi nyastha shasthra vichethana. 41
Those enemies who happen to hear the sound of this conch,
Would faint immediately and will fall down dropping all his weapons.
Gadga shankhavimou divyou para sainya vinasinou,
AAthma sainyasya pakshaanam sourya thejo vivardhanou. 42
This sword and conch which are divine destroy your enemy's army,
And bless one's own army with bravery and great power.
Yethayoscha prabhavena shaivena kavachena cha,
Dwishat sahasra nagaanaam balena mahathapi cha. 43
These along with the power of the armour of Shiva,
Has greater strength than 12,000 elephants.
Basma dharana samarthyath shathru sainyam vijayishyasi,
Prapya simhasanam pithryam gopthasi prithveemimaam. 44
Due to these and by the strength given by the sacred ash,
You will regain the throne of your father and rule over the earth.
Ithi bhadrayusham samyag anusasya samathrukam,
Thaabhyaam sampoojithaa sodha yogi swaira yayou. 45
Thus encouraging the prince called Bharayus,
Who was hearing these words along with his mother,
The sage called Rishabha returned into the forest.
Ithi Sri Sanda purane Bramothara Kande, Shiva kavacha prabhava varnanam nama dwadasodhyayam samaptham
Thus ends the armour of Shiva which occurs in the twelfth Brahmothara chapter of Skanda purana which deals with the power of the armour of Shiva.