- oṃOm
- asyaof this
- śrīmahāgaṇapatiof Śrī Mahāgaṇapati
- mantravigrahawhose form is the mantra
- kavacasyaof the protective armor
- śrīśivaḥŚrī Śiva
- ṛṣiḥthe Seer (Rishi)
- devīgāyatrīthe Goddess Gāyatrī
- chandaḥthe poetic metre
- śrīŚrī / auspicious
- mahāgaṇapatiḥmahāgaṇapati
- devatāthe presiding Deity
- oṃOm
- śrīṃthe bīja-mantra 'śrīṃ'
- hrīṃthe bīja-mantra 'hrīṃ'
- klīṃthe bīja-mantra 'klīṃ'
- glauṃthe bīja-mantra 'glaum'
- gaṃthe bīja-mantra 'gaṃ'
- bījānithe seed-syllables
- gaṇapatayeunto Gaṇapati
- varavaradaO giver of excellent boons
- itiso (marks the end of the words quoted)
- śaktiḥthe energy (Śakti)
- sarvajanamall people
- memy / of me
- vaśamunder control / subjection
- ānayabring!
- svāhāsvāhā (the oblation/concluding mantra)
- kīlakamthe pin / wedge (Kīlaka)
- śrīŚrī / auspicious
- mahāgaṇapatiprasādasiddhyarthefor the purpose of attaining the siddhi of the grace of Mahāgaṇapati
- japein the recitation
- viniyogaḥapplication / employment
anvaya oṃ asya śrīmahāgaṇapati mantravigraha kavacasya śrīśivaḥ ṛṣiḥ [asti] devīgāyatrī chandaḥ [asti] śrī mahāgaṇapatiḥ devatā [asti] oṃ śrīṃ hrīṃ klīṃ glauṃ gaṃ bījāni [santi] gaṇapataye varavarada iti śaktiḥ [asti] sarvajanam me vaśam ānaya svāhā kīlakam [asti] śrī mahāgaṇapatiprasādasiddhyarthe jape viniyogaḥ [kriyate]
mantravigraha whose body is the mantra — This kavacha is built from Maha Ganapati's mantra, oṃ śrīṃ hrīṃ klīṃ glauṃ gaṃ gaṇapataye varavarada sarvajanaṃ me vaśam ānaya svāhā. The verses that follow place its syllables one by one on the body.
sarvajanaṃ me vaśamānaya bring all people under my sway — The closing words of the mantra, asking that everyone be well disposed to the one who prays.
note The viniyoga names the seer, metre and deity and sets out the parts of the mantra. The seed syllables are chanted as they are and not translated.
oṃ śrīṃ hrīṃ klīṃ – aṅguṣṭhābhyāṃ namaḥ |
glauṃ gaṃ gaṇapataye – tarjanībhyāṃ namaḥ |
varavarada – madhyamābhyāṃ namaḥ |
sarvajanaṃ me – anāmikābhyāṃ namaḥ |
vaśamānaya – kaniṣṭhikābhyāṃ namaḥ |
svāhā – karatala karapṛṣṭhābhyāṃ namaḥ |
- karanyāsaḥthe ritual placement of mantras on the hands or fingers
- oṃOm
- śrīṃthe seed-syllable of Goddess Lakṣmī
- hrīṃthe seed-syllable of Goddess Bhuvaneśvarī
- klīṃthe seed-syllable of Kāmadeva
- aṅguṣṭhābhyāmto the two thumbs
- namaḥsalutations
- glauṃthe earth seed-syllable associated with Gaṇeśa
- gaṃthe primary seed-syllable of Lord Gaṇapati
- gaṇapatayeto the Lord of the Ganas (Gaṇapati)
- tarjanībhyāmto the two index fingers
- namaḥsalutations
- varavaradaO Giver of the best of boons
- madhyamābhyāmto the two middle fingers
- namaḥsalutations
- sarvajanamall people
- memy (or unto me)
- anāmikābhyāmto the two ring fingers
- namaḥsalutations
- vaśamunder control
- ānayabring
- kaniṣṭhikābhyāmto the two little fingers
- namaḥsalutations
- svāhāauspicious exclamation of offering
- karatala-karatala-karapṛṣṭhābhyāmto the palms and the backs of the hands
- namaḥsalutations
anvaya karanyāsaḥ oṃ śrīṃ hrīṃ klīṃ aṅguṣṭhābhyām namaḥ glauṃ gaṃ gaṇapataye tarjanībhyām namaḥ varavarada madhyamābhyām namaḥ sarvajanam me anāmikābhyām namaḥ vaśam ānaya kaniṣṭhikābhyām namaḥ svāhā karatala-karapṛṣṭhābhyām namaḥ
oṃ śrīṃ hrīṃ klīṃ – hṛdayāya namaḥ |
glauṃ gaṃ gaṇapataye – śirase svāhā |
varavarada – śikhāyai vaṣaṭ |
sarvajanaṃ me – kavacāya hum |
vaśamānaya – netratrayāya vauṣaṭ |
svāhā – astrāya phaṭ |
- nyāsaḥthe ritual placement or assignment of mantras on the body
- oṃOm
- śrīṃthe seed-syllable of prosperity
- hrīṃthe seed-syllable of divine power
- klīṃthe seed-syllable of attraction
- hṛdayāyato the heart
- namaḥsalutations
- glauṃthe seed-syllable of Ganesha's earth aspect
- gaṃthe primary seed-syllable of Ganesha
- gaṇapatayeto the Lord of the Gaṇas
- śiraseto the head
- svāhāhail (offering exclamation)
- varavaradaO giver of the best of boons
- śikhāyaito the tuft of hair
- vaṣaṭritual exclamation of offering
- sarvajanamall people
- memy / unto me
- kavacāyato the armor
- humseed-syllable of protection
- vaśamsubjection / control
- ānayabring
- netratrayāyato the three eyes
- vauṣaṭritual exclamation of offering
- svāhāhail (offering exclamation)
- astrāyato the weapon
- phaṭweapon-mantra exclamation
anvaya nyāsaḥ oṃ śrīṃ hrīṃ klīṃ [iti] hṛdayāya namaḥ glauṃ gaṃ gaṇapataye [iti] śirase svāhā varavarada [iti] śikhāyai vaṣaṭ sarvajanam me [iti] kavacāya hum vaśam ānaya [iti] netratrayāya vauṣaṭ svāhā [iti] astrāya phaṭ
note The mantra is split into six parts and laid on the heart, head, crown, arms, eyes, and all around as a weapon, before the kavacha itself begins.
bījāpūragadekṣukārmuka ṛjā cakrābjapāśotpala
vrīhyagrasvaviṣāṇaratnakalaśaprodyatkarāmbhoruhaḥ |
dhyeyo vallabhayā sapadmakarayā śliṣṭojvaladbhūṣayā
viśvotpattivipattisaṃsthitikaro vighneśa iṣṭārthadaḥ |
iti dhyātvā | laṃ ityādi mānasopacāraiḥ sampūjya kavacaṃ paṭhet |
- dhyānammeditation
- bījāpūra-gada-bījāpūra-gada-ikṣukārmukacitron, mace, and sugarcane bow
- ṛjābright with (the printed ऋजा is read रुचा)
- cakrābjapāśotpalavrīhyagrasvaviṣāṇaratnakalaśaprodyatkarāmbhoruhaḥwhose lotus hands hold discus, lotus, noose, blue lily, rice sheaf, tusk and jewel pot
- vallabhayāby [his] beloved [consort Vallabhā]
- sapadmakarayāwho holds a lotus in her hand
- śliṣṭojvaladbhūṣayāwho is embraced [by him] and wears shining ornaments
- dhyeyaḥto be meditated upon
- viśvotpattivipattisaṃsthitikaraḥthe cause of the creation, destruction, and maintenance of the universe
- vighneśaḥthe lord of obstacles (Gaṇeśa)
- iṣṭārthadaḥthe giver of desired goals
- itiso (marks the end of the words quoted)
- dhyātvāhaving meditated
- lamthe seed-syllable 'lam' (representing the earth element)
- ityādiand other [mental offerings]
- mānasopacāraiḥwith mental offerings of worship
- sampūjyahaving thoroughly worshipped
- kavacamthe protective armor
- paṭhetone should recite
anvaya dhyānam bījāpūra-gada-ikṣukārmuka ṛjā cakrābjapāśotpalavrīhyagrasvaviṣāṇaratnakalaśaprodyatkarāmbhoruhaḥ vallabhayā sapadmakarayā śliṣṭojvaladbhūṣayā dhyeyaḥ viśvotpattivipattisaṃsthitikaraḥ vighneśaḥ iṣṭārthadaḥ iti dhyātvā lam ityādi mānasopacāraiḥ sampūjya kavacam paṭhet
chandas Śārdūlavikrīḍita, 19 syllables × 4 pādas
laṃ ityādi mānasopacāraiḥ with mental offerings beginning with lam — Worship done in the mind: lam offers earth as fragrance, ham space as flowers, yam air as incense, ram fire as the lamp, vam water as food, and sam all the rest. Nothing physical is needed.
note This is the well-known dhyana of the ten-armed Maha Ganapati. The printed ṛjā is read rucā, 'bright with', as in the usual form of the verse.
hrīṃ bījaṃ me lalāṭe'vyāt klīṃ bījaṃ bhrūyugaṃ mama || 1 ||
- oṅkāraḥOm
- memy
- śiraḥhead
- pātumay protect
- śrīṅkāraḥthe syllable Om Śrīm
- phālakamforehead
- pātumay protect
- hrīṃthe seed-syllable Hrīm
- bījamseed-syllable
- memy
- lalāṭeon the forehead
- avyātmay protect
- klīṃthe seed-syllable Klīm
- bījamseed-syllable
- mamamy
- bhrūyugamthe pair of eyebrows
anvaya oṅkāraḥ me śiraḥ pātu śrīṅkāraḥ phālakam pātu hrīṃ bījam me lalāṭe avyāt klīṃ bījam mama bhrūyugam [avyāt]
chandas Anuṣṭubh, 8 syllables × 4 pādas
note From here each syllable of the mantra is placed on a part of the body to guard it, from the head down to the soles of the feet.
gaṃ bījaṃ mukhapadme'vyādmahāsiddhiphalapradam || 2 ||
- glauṃthe seed-syllable 'glaum'
- bījamseed-syllable
- netrayoḥin/on the two eyes
- pātumay it protect
- gamthe seed-syllable 'gam'
- bījamseed-syllable
- nāsikāmthe nose
- pātumay it protect
- mahāsiddhiphalapradamgiving the fruit of great accomplishments
- gamthe seed-syllable 'gam'
- bījamseed-syllable
- mukhapadmein the lotus-face
- avyātmay it protect
anvaya glauṃ bījam netrayoḥ pātu gam bījam nāsikām pātu mahāsiddhiphalapradam gam bījam mukhapadme avyāt
chandas Anuṣṭubh, 8 syllables × 4 pādas
takāraḥ pātu me tālvoryekāra oṣṭhayormama || 3 ||
- ṇakāraḥthe syllable 'ṇa'
- dantayoḥin the teeth (two rows of teeth)
- pātumay protect
- pakāraḥthe syllable 'pa'
- mamamy
- lambikāmthe uvula (soft palate)
- takāraḥthe syllable 'ta'
- memy
- tālvoḥin the palate (upper and lower regions)
- pātumay protect
- yekāraḥthe syllable 'ye'
- mamamy
- oṣṭhayoḥin the two lips
anvaya ṇakāraḥ dantayoḥ pātu pakāraḥ mama lambikām [pātu] takāraḥ me tālvoḥ pātu yekāraḥ mama oṣṭhayoḥ [pātu]
chandas Anuṣṭubh, 8 syllables × 4 pādas
ṇakāra pakāra takāra yekāra the syllables na, pa, ta, ye — These are the syllables of gaṇapataye, taken one by one after gaṃ.
dvitīyastu vakāro me hṛdayaṃ pātu sarvadā || 4 ||
- vakāraḥthe syllable 'va'
- kaṇṭhadeśein the region of the throat
- avyātmay [it] protect
- rakāraḥthe syllable 'ra'
- caand
- upakaṇṭhakein the vicinity of the throat (the neck area)
- dvitīyaḥthe second
- tuindeed
- vakāraḥthe syllable 'va'
- memy
- hṛdayaṃheart
- sarvadāalways
- pātumay [it] protect
anvaya vakāraḥ kaṇṭhadeśe avyāt rakāraḥ ca upakaṇṭhake [avyāt] dvitīyaḥ tu vakāraḥ me hṛdayaṃ sarvadā pātu
chandas Anuṣṭubh, 8 syllables × 4 pādas
note Va, ra, va: the syllables of varavarada.
dakāra udare pātu sakāro nābhimaṇḍale || 5 ||
- dvitīyaḥthe second
- tuindeed
- rakāraḥthe syllable 'ra'
- vaisurely
- mamamy
- ubhauboth
- pārśvausides
- sadāalways
- dakāraḥthe syllable 'da'
- udarein the stomach
- pātumay protect
- sakāraḥthe syllable 'sa'
- nābhimaṇḍalein the region of the navel
anvaya dvitīyaḥ tu rakāraḥ vai mama ubhau pārśvau sadā [pātu] dakāraḥ udare pātu sakāraḥ nābhimaṇḍale [pātu]
chandas Anuṣṭubh, 8 syllables × 4 pādas
note Da ends varada, and sa begins sarvajanam.
nakāraḥ pātu me jaṅghe mekāro jānunordvayoḥ || 6 ||
- rvakāraḥthe syllable 'rva'
- memy
- liṅgamgenerative organ
- pātumay protect
- jakāraḥthe syllable 'ja'
- guhyakein the private region
- pātumay protect
- nakāraḥthe syllable 'na'
- memy
- jaṅghethe two shanks
- pātumay protect
- mekāraḥthe syllable 'me'
- dvayoḥin both
- jānunoḥknees
anvaya rvakāraḥ me liṅgam pātu jakāraḥ guhyake pātu nakāraḥ me jaṅghe pātu mekāraḥ dvayoḥ jānunoḥ [pātu]
chandas Anuṣṭubh, 8 syllables × 4 pādas
mākārastu sadā pātu dakṣapādāṅgulīṣu ca || 7 ||
- vakāraḥthe syllable 'va'
- memy
- gulphautwo ankles
- pātumay protect
- śakāraḥthe syllable 'śa'
- dvayoḥon both
- pādayoḥfeet
- mākāraḥthe syllable 'mā'
- tuindeed
- sadāalways
- dakṣapādāṅgulīṣuon the toes of the right foot
- caand
- pātumay protect
anvaya vakāraḥ me gulphau pātu śakāraḥ dvayoḥ pādayoḥ [pātu] mākāraḥ tu sadā dakṣapādāṅgulīṣu ca pātu
chandas Anuṣṭubh, 8 syllables × 4 pādas
note Va, sha, ma: the syllables of vaśam.
yakāro me sadā pātu dakṣapādatale tathā || 8 ||
- nakāraḥthe syllable 'na'
- tuindeed
- sadāalways
- vāmapādāṅgulīṣuon the toes of the left foot
- pātumay protect
- caand
- tathālikewise
- yakāraḥthe syllable 'ya'
- memy
- sadāalways
- dakṣapādataleon the sole of the right foot
- pātumay protect
anvaya nakāraḥ tu sadā vāmapādāṅgulīṣu [me] pātu ca tathā yakāraḥ me sadā dakṣapādatale pātu
chandas Anuṣṭubh, 8 syllables × 4 pādas
note Na, ya: the end of ānaya.
hākāraḥ sarvadā pātu sarvāṅge gaṇapaḥ prabhuḥ || 9 ||
- svākāraḥthe syllable 'svā' (from the mantra 'svāhā')
- brahmarūpākhyaḥdesignated as the form of Brahman
- tathālikewise
- vāmapādataleon the sole of the left foot
- hākāraḥthe syllable 'hā' (from the mantra 'svāhā')
- prabhuḥthe supreme Lord
- gaṇapaḥlord Ganesha
- sarvadāalways
- sarvāṅgein all limbs / the entire body
- pātumay He/it protect
anvaya brahmarūpākhyaḥ svākāraḥ tathā vāmapādatale [pātu] hākāraḥ [pātu] prabhuḥ gaṇapaḥ sarvadā sarvāṅge pātu
chandas Anuṣṭubh, 8 syllables × 4 pādas
note Sva and ha make svāhā, the last word of the mantra, and with it the armour of syllables is complete.
āgneyyāṃ me sadā pātu hrīṃ śrīṃ klīṃ lokamohanaḥ || 10 ||
- pūrvein the East
- kalādharaḥthe bearer of the crescent moon
- śrīrudraḥsri Rudra
- śrīṃthe seed-syllable of abundance
- hrīṃthe seed-syllable of power
- klīṃthe seed-syllable of desire
- phaṭthe weapon-syllable
- māṃme
- pātumay he protect
- āgneyyāṃin the South-East
- lokamohanaḥthe enchanter of the worlds
- hrīṃthe seed-syllable 'hrīṃ'
- śrīṃthe seed-syllable 'śrīṃ'
- klīṃthe seed-syllable 'klīṃ'
- meme
- sadāalways
- pātumay he protect
anvaya pūrve kalādharaḥ śrīrudraḥ śrīṃ hrīṃ klīṃ phaṭ māṃ pātu āgneyyāṃ lokamohanaḥ hrīṃ śrīṃ klīṃ me sadā pātu
chandas Anuṣṭubh, 8 syllables × 4 pādas
note Now the protection turns to the directions, each guarded by a deity with its own seed syllables. The syllables are chanted as they are.
nairṛtye nirṛtiḥ pātu āṃ hrīṃ kroṃ kroṃ namo namaḥ || 11 ||
- dakṣiṇein the south
- śrīyamaḥthe auspicious Yama
- pātumay protect
- krīṃthe seed-syllable krīṃ
- hraṃthe seed-syllable hraṃ
- aiṃthe seed-syllable aiṃ
- hrīṃthe seed-syllable hrīṃ
- hsrauṃthe seed-syllable hsrauṃ
- namaḥsalutation
- nairṛtyein the southwest
- nirṛtiḥnirṛti
- pātumay protect
- āṃthe seed-syllable āṃ
- hrīṃthe seed-syllable hrīṃ
- kroṃthe seed-syllable kroṃ
- kroṃthe seed-syllable kroṃ
- namaḥsalutation
- namaḥsalutation
anvaya dakṣiṇe śrīyamaḥ pātu krīṃ hraṃ aiṃ hrīṃ hsrauṃ namaḥ nairṛtye nirṛtiḥ pātu āṃ hrīṃ kroṃ kroṃ namaḥ namaḥ
chandas Anuṣṭubh (8 syllables × 4 pādas, with a minor irregularity of 7 syllables in the second pāda)
nirṛtiḥ Nirriti — The guardian of the southwest.
vāyurme pātu vāyavye hrūṃ hrīṃ śrīṃ hsphreṃ namo namaḥ || 12 ||
- paścimein the west
- varuṇaḥvaruna (the deity of the waters)
- pātumay he protect
- śrīṃthe seed-syllable of Śrī
- hrīṃthe seed-syllable of Māyā
- klīṃthe seed-syllable of Kāma
- phaṭthe weapon-syllable for warding off obstacles
- hsrauṃa specific tantric seed-syllable
- namaḥsalutations
- vāyavyein the north-west quarter
- vāyuḥvayu (the deity of wind)
- meme
- pātumay he protect
- hrūṃthe seed-syllable of protection/Krodha
- hrīṃthe seed-syllable of Māyā
- śrīṃthe seed-syllable of Śrī
- hsphreṃa rare tantric seed-syllable
- namaḥsalutations
- namaḥsalutations
anvaya paścime varuṇaḥ [me] pātu śrīṃ hrīṃ klīṃ phaṭ hsrauṃ namaḥ vāyavye vāyuḥ me pātu hrūṃ hrīṃ śrīṃ hsphreṃ namaḥ namaḥ
chandas Anuṣṭubh, 8 syllables × 4 pādas (with minor irregularity in the second pāda due to mantra syllables)
īśānye pātu māṃ devo hrauṃ hrīṃ jūṃ saḥ sadāśivaḥ || 13 ||
- uttarein the north
- dhaneśvaraḥthe Lord of Wealth (Kubera)
- dhanadaḥthe giver of wealth
- pātumay he protect
- śrīṃthe seed-syllable Śrīṃ
- hrīṃthe seed-syllable Hrīṃ
- śrīṃthe seed-syllable Śrīṃ
- hrīṃthe seed-syllable Hrīṃ
- īśānyein the northeast
- devaḥthe Lord
- sadāśivaḥsadāśiva (the eternally auspicious one)
- māṃme
- pātumay he protect
- hrauṃthe seed-syllable Hrauṃ
- hrīṃthe seed-syllable Hrīṃ
- jūṃthe seed-syllable Jūṃ
- saḥthe seed-syllable Saḥ (or He)
anvaya uttare dhaneśvaraḥ dhanadaḥ [māṃ] pātu śrīṃ hrīṃ śrīṃ hrīṃ īśānye devaḥ sadāśivaḥ māṃ pātu hrauṃ hrīṃ jūṃ saḥ
chandas Anuṣṭubh, 8 syllables × 4 pādas
jūṃ saḥ jum sah — Syllables from the Mrityunjaya mantra of Shiva.
ūrdhvaṃ me sarvadā pātu gaṃ glauṃ klīṃ hsrauṃ namo namaḥ || 14 ||
- prapannapārijātāyato the wish-fulfilling tree of those who have surrendered
- svāhāsvaha (exclamation of oblation, forming part of the mantra)
- īśvaraḥthe Lord
- māṃme
- pātumay He protect
- gaṃthe seed-syllable gam
- glauṃthe seed-syllable glaum
- klīṃthe seed-syllable klim
- hsrauṃthe seed-syllable hsraum
- namaḥsalutation
- namaḥsalutation
- memy
- ūrdhvaṃthe upper direction
- sarvadāalways
- pātumay it protect
anvaya prapannapārijātāya svāhā īśvaraḥ māṃ pātu gaṃ glauṃ klīṃ hsrauṃ namaḥ namaḥ me ūrdhvaṃ sarvadā pātu
chandas Anuṣṭubh, 8 syllables × 4 pādas
prapannapārijātāya to the wish-granting tree of those who take refuge — Parijata is the wish-granting tree of heaven.
pūrve māṃ gaṇapaḥ pātu dakṣiṇe kṣetrapālakaḥ || 15 ||
- anantāyato Ananta (the infinite serpent-deity)
- namaḥsalutation
- svāhāhail / oblation
- adhastātbelow / in the downward direction
- diśiin the direction
- rakṣatumay it protect
- pūrvein the east
- māṃme
- gaṇapaḥthe lord of the Ganas (Ganesha)
- pātumay he protect
- dakṣiṇein the south
- kṣetrapālakaḥthe guardian of the field (Kshetrapala)
anvaya anantāya namaḥ svāhā adhastāt diśi rakṣatu pūrve māṃ gaṇapaḥ pātu dakṣiṇe [māṃ] [pātu] kṣetrapālakaḥ
chandas Anuṣṭubh, 8 syllables × 4 pādas
kṣetrapālakaḥ guardian of the sacred ground — The Kshetrapala protects a temple and its grounds. He is a form of Bhairava.
uttare vaṭukaḥ pātu hrīṃ vaṃ vaṃ vaṭukaḥ śivaḥ || 16 ||
- paścimein the west
- aiṃthe bīja 'aiṃ'
- hrīṃthe bīja 'hrīṃ'
- klīṃthe bīja 'klīṃ'
- caṇḍikācaṇḍikā
- śivāŚivā
- durgādurgā
- māṃme
- pātumay she protect
- uttarein the north
- hrīṃthe bīja 'hrīṃ'
- vaṃthe bīja 'vaṃ'
- vaṃthe bīja 'vaṃ'
- vaṭukaḥvaṭuka
- śivaḥŚiva
- vaṭukaḥvaṭuka
- pātumay he protect
anvaya paścime aiṃ hrīṃ klīṃ caṇḍikā śivā durgā māṃ pātu uttare hrīṃ vaṃ vaṃ vaṭukaḥ śivaḥ vaṭukaḥ [māṃ] pātu
chandas Anuṣṭubh, 8 syllables × 4 pādas
vaṭukaḥ Vatuka — Batuka Bhairava, the boy form of Bhairava.
punaḥ pūrve ca māṃ pātu śrīmānasitabhairavaḥ || 17 ||
- svāhāthe syllable Om Svāhā
- sarvārthasiddheḥof the attainment of all goals
- caand
- dāyakaḥthe giver
- viśvanāyakaḥthe leader of the universe
- punaḥagain
- pūrvein the East
- caand
- śrīmānthe illustrious
- asitabhairavaḥasita Bhairava
- māmme
- pātumay protect
anvaya svāhā sarvārthasiddheḥ ca dāyakaḥ viśvanāyakaḥ [asti] punaḥ pūrve ca śrīmān asitabhairavaḥ mām pātu
chandas Anuṣṭubh, 8 syllables × 4 pādas
note From here the eight Bhairavas guard the eight directions in turn: Asita, Ruru, Chanda, Krodha, Unmatta, Kapali, Bhishana and Samhara.
dakṣiṇe pātu māṃ krauṃ kroṃ hraiṃ hraiṃ me caṇḍabhairavaḥ || 18 ||
- hrīmthe seed-syllable 'hrīm'
- hrīmthe seed-syllable 'hrīm'
- hrumthe seed-syllable 'hrum'
- kromthe seed-syllable 'krom'
- kromthe seed-syllable 'krom'
- rurubhairavaḥruru Bhairava (a fierce form of Lord Śiva)
- āgneyyāmin the south-eastern direction
- naḥus
- pātumay [He] protect
- kraumthe seed-syllable 'kraum'
- kromthe seed-syllable 'krom'
- hraimthe seed-syllable 'hraim'
- hraimthe seed-syllable 'hraim'
- caṇḍabhairavaḥcaṇḍa Bhairava (a fierce form of Lord Śiva)
- dakṣiṇein the south
- memy
- māmme
- pātumay [He] protect
anvaya hrīm hrīm hrum krom krom rurubhairavaḥ āgneyyām naḥ pātu kraum krom hraim hraim caṇḍabhairavaḥ dakṣiṇe me mām pātu
chandas Anuṣṭubh, 8 syllables × 4 pādas
svāhā me sarvabhūtātmā pātu māṃ krodhabhairavaḥ || 19 ||
- nairṛtyein the southwest direction
- hrīṃthe bīja-mantra of Māyā
- hrūṃthe bīja-mantra of Krodha
- hrauṃthe bīja-mantra of Prāsāda
- hrauṃthe bīja-mantra of Prāsāda
- hrīṃthe bīja-mantra of Māyā
- hsraiṃthe specific mantric seed syllable
- namaḥsalutations
- namaḥsalutations
- svāhāhail / mantric offering exclamation
- māṃme
- pātumay protect
- sarvabhūtātmāthe soul of all living beings
- krodhabhairavaḥlord Krodha Bhairava
- memy
- māṃme
- pātumay protect
anvaya nairṛtye hrīṃ hrūṃ hrauṃ hrauṃ hrīṃ hsraiṃ namaḥ namaḥ svāhā māṃ pātu sarvabhūtātmā krodhabhairavaḥ me māṃ pātu
chandas Anuṣṭubh, 8 syllables × 4 pādas
vāyavye pātu māṃ hrīṃ klīṃ kapālī kamalekṣaṇaḥ || 20 ||
- paścimein the west
- krīṃthe bīja-mantra Krīṃ
- klīṃthe bīja-mantra Klīṃ
- unmattabhairavaḥunmatta-Bhairava (the ecstatic form of Bhairava)
- īśvaraḥthe Lord
- pātumay he protect
- vāyavyein the northwest
- hrīṃthe bīja-mantra Hrīṃ
- klīṃthe bīja-mantra Klīṃ
- kapālīkapālī (the skull-bearing Bhairava)
- kamalekṣaṇaḥthe lotus-eyed one
- māṃme
- pātumay he protect
anvaya paścime krīṃ klīṃ unmattabhairavaḥ īśvaraḥ [māṃ] pātu vāyavye hrīṃ klīṃ kapālī kamalekṣaṇaḥ māṃ pātu
chandas Anuṣṭubh, 8 syllables × 4 pādas
īśānye pātu māṃ devaḥ klīṃ hrīṃ saṃhārabhairavaḥ || 21 ||
- uttarein the north
- devaḥthe deity
- bhīṣaṇabhairavaḥbhīṣaṇa-bhairava
- hrīṃthe seed-syllable hrīm
- hrīṃthe seed-syllable hrīm
- māṃme
- pātumay protect
- īśānyein the north-east
- devaḥthe deity
- saṃhārabhairavaḥsaṃhāra-bhairava
- klīṃthe seed-syllable klīm
- hrīṃthe seed-syllable hrīm
- māṃme
- pātumay protect
anvaya uttare devaḥ bhīṣaṇabhairavaḥ hrīṃ hrīṃ māṃ pātu īśānye devaḥ saṃhārabhairavaḥ klīṃ hrīṃ māṃ pātu
chandas Anuṣṭubh, 8 syllables × 4 pādas
adhastādvaṭukaḥ pātu sarvataḥ kālabhairavaḥ || 22 ||
- deveśaḥthe lord of the gods
- śrīsammohanabhairavaḥthe auspicious Sammohana Bhairava (the form of Bhairava who enchants or subdues obstacles)
- memy
- ūrdhvamabove / the upper direction
- pātumay protect
- vaṭukaḥvaṭuka (the youthful form of Bhairava)
- adhastātbelow / the downward direction
- kālabhairavaḥKāla Bhairava (the form of Bhairava representing Time and Destruction)
- sarvataḥfrom all sides / everywhere
anvaya deveśaḥ śrīsammohanabhairavaḥ me ūrdhvam pātu vaṭukaḥ adhastāt pātu kālabhairavaḥ sarvataḥ [me] [pātu]
chandas Anuṣṭubh, 8 syllables × 4 pādas
kālabhairavaḥ Kala Bhairava — Bhairava as Time itself, the guardian of Kashi.
gopanīyaṃ prayatnena yadīcchedātmanaḥ sukham || 23 ||
- itiso (marks the end of the words quoted)
- idamthis
- divyamdivine
- brahmavidyākalevaramwhose body is the sacred knowledge of Brahman
- kavacamarmour
- yadiif
- ātmanaḥone's own
- sukhamwell-being
- icchetone should desire
- prayatnenawith great effort
- gopanīyamto be concealed
anvaya iti idam divyam brahmavidyākalevaram kavacam yadi ātmanaḥ sukham icchet prayatnena gopanīyam [asti]
chandas Anuṣṭubh, 8 syllables × 4 pādas
note The phalashruti begins, with the usual warning that the text is for those who have received it properly.
aṣṭamyāṃ ca caturdaśyāṃ saṅkrāntau grahaṇeṣvapi || 24 ||
- eṣāthis
- vidyāmantra-science
- jananījāravatlike the paramour of one's mother (with absolute secrecy)
- gopyāto be kept secret
- itiso (marks the end of the words quoted)
- āgamāḥthe scriptures
- jaguḥhave declared
- aṣṭamyāmon the eighth lunar day
- caand
- caturdaśyāmon the fourteenth lunar day
- saṅkrāntauon the solar transit
- grahaṇeṣuduring eclipses
- apialso
anvaya eṣā vidyā jananījāravat gopyā iti āgamāḥ jaguḥ [eṣā] aṣṭamyām ca caturdaśyām saṅkrāntau grahaṇeṣu api [paṭhanīyā]
chandas Anustubh, 8 syllables x 4 padas
jananījāravadgopyā to be hidden like a mother's lover — A stock simile in the tantras for the strictest secrecy: something never spoken of to anyone.
ekāvṛtyā bhavedvidyā dvirāvṛtyā dhanaṃ labhet || 25 ||
- dhīraḥa resolute practitioner
- bhaumeon Tuesday
- avaśyamsurely
- paṭhetshould recite
- akhilamthe entire
- jagatworld
- mohayatibewitches
- ekāvṛtyāby a single repetition
- vidyāknowledge
- bhavetarises
- dvirāvṛtyāby two repetitions
- dhanamwealth
- labhetobtains
anvaya dhīraḥ bhaume avaśyam paṭhet [yena] [saḥ] akhilam jagat mohayati ekāvṛtyā vidyā bhavet dvirāvṛtyā [saḥ] dhanam labhet
chandas Anuṣṭubh, 8 syllables × 4 pādas
bhaume on the day of Bhauma — Tuesday, the day of Mars, the son of the Earth.
pañcāvṛtyā grāmavaśyaṃ ṣaḍāvṛtyā ca mantriṇaḥ || 26 ||
- triḥthrice / three times
- āvṛtyāby repetition
- rājavaśyamsubjugation of the king
- turyāvṛtyāby the fourth repetition
- akhilāḥall / entire
- prajāḥsubjects / citizens
- pañcāvṛtyāby five repetitions
- grāmavaśyamsubjugation of the village
- ṣaḍāvṛtyāby six repetitions
- mantriṇaḥthe ministers
- caand
anvaya triḥ āvṛtyā rājavaśyam [bhavati] turyāvṛtyā akhilāḥ prajāḥ [vaśyāḥ] [bhavanti] pañcāvṛtyā grāmavaśyam [bhavati] ṣaḍāvṛtyā mantriṇaḥ ca [vaśyāḥ] [bhavanti]
chandas Anuṣṭubh, 8 syllables × 4 pādas
navāvṛtyā ca nārīṇāṃ sarvākarṣaṇakārakam || 27 ||
- saptāvṛtyāby seven repetitions (of the kavacha)
- sabhāvaśyāsubjugation of the assembly
- aṣṭāvṛtyāby eight repetitions
- bhuvaḥof the earth
- śriyamthe wealth or prosperity
- navāvṛtyāby nine repetitions
- caand
- nārīṇāmof women
- sarvākarṣaṇakārakamthe cause of complete attraction
anvaya saptāvṛtyā sabhāvaśyā [bhavati] aṣṭāvṛtyā bhuvaḥ śriyam [labhet] ca navāvṛtyā nārīṇām sarvākarṣaṇakārakam [bhavati]
chandas Anuṣṭubh, 8 syllables × 4 pādas
note The count of recitations and what each one brings follows the pattern of tantric kavachas, which are used for particular ends as well as for protection.
devatā vaśamāyāti kiṃ punarmānavā bhuvi || 28 ||
- daśāvṛttīḥten recitations
- paṭhetone should read
- nityamevery day
- ṣaṇmāsābhyāsayogataḥthrough six months of practice
- devatāa deity
- vaśamunder one's sway
- āyāticomes
- kimwhat
- punaḥthen
- mānavāḥpeople
- bhuvion earth
anvaya ṣaṇmāsābhyāsayogataḥ nityam daśāvṛttīḥ paṭhet devatā vaśam āyāti bhuvi mānavāḥ punaḥ kim
chandas Anuṣṭubh (śloka), 8 syllables in each of 4 pādas
devatādarśanaṃ sadyo nātrakāryā vicāraṇā || 29 ||
- kavacasyaof the armour
- caand
- divyasyaheavenly
- sahasrāvartanātby a thousand recitations
- naraḥa person
- devatādarśanama sight of the deity
- sadyaḥat once
- nanot
- atrahere
- kāryāto be had
- vicāraṇādoubt
anvaya naraḥ divyasya kavacasya ca sahasrāvartanāt sadyaḥ devatādarśanam [labhate] atra vicāraṇā na kāryā
chandas Anuṣṭubh (śloka), 8 syllables in each of 4 pādas
raktamālāmbaradharo raktagandhānulepanaḥ || 30 ||
- ardharātreat midnight
- samutthāyahaving risen
- caturthyāmon Chaturthi
- bhṛguvāsareon a Friday
- raktamālāmbaradharaḥwearing red garlands and red clothes
- raktagandhānulepanaḥsmeared with red sandal paste
anvaya caturthyām bhṛguvāsare ardharātre samutthāya raktamālāmbaradharaḥ raktagandhānulepanaḥ [san]
chandas Anuṣṭubh (śloka), 8 syllables in each of 4 pādas
bhṛguvāsare on Bhrigu's day — Friday, the day of Shukra, the son of the sage Bhrigu.
svapne mūrtimayaṃ devaṃ paśyatyeva na saṃśayaḥ || 31 ||
- sāvadhānenaattentive
- manasāwith a mind
- paṭhetone should read
- ekottaramone more than
- śatama hundred
- svapnein a dream
- mūrtimayamin bodily form
- devamthe god
- paśyatisees
- evasurely
- nano
- saṃśayaḥdoubt
anvaya sāvadhānena manasā ekottaram śatam paṭhet svapne mūrtimayam devam paśyati eva saṃśayaḥ na
chandas Anuṣṭubh (śloka), 8 syllables in each of 4 pādas
koṭilakṣaṃ prajaptvāpi na mantraṃ siddhido bhavet || 32 ||
- idamthis
- kavacamarmour
- ajñātvāwithout knowing
- gaṇeśamGanesha
- bhajateworships
- naraḥa person
- koṭilakṣammillions of times
- prajaptvāhaving chanted
- apieven
- nanot
- mantraḥthe mantra
- siddhidaḥgiving success
- bhavetwould be
anvaya [yaḥ] naraḥ idam kavacam ajñātvā gaṇeśam bhajate koṭilakṣam prajaptvā api [tasya] mantraḥ siddhidaḥ na bhavet
chandas Anuṣṭubh (śloka), 8 syllables in each of 4 pādas
note The printed mantraṃ is read mantraḥ, to agree with siddhido.
apivarṣasahasrāṇāṃ pūjāyāḥ phalamāpnuyāt || 33 ||
- puṣpāñjalyaṣṭakameight handfuls of flowers
- datvāhaving offered
- mūlenawith the root mantra
- evajust
- sakṛtonce
- paṭhetreads
- apieven
- varṣasahasrāṇāmof thousands of years
- pūjāyāḥof worship
- phalamthe fruit
- āpnuyātgains
anvaya mūlena eva puṣpāñjalyaṣṭakam datvā sakṛt paṭhet varṣasahasrāṇām api pūjāyāḥ phalam āpnuyāt
chandas Anuṣṭubh (śloka), 8 syllables in each of 4 pādas
kaṇṭhe vā dakṣiṇe bāhau sakuryāddāsavajjagat || 34 ||
- bhūrjeon birch bark
- likhitvāhaving written
- svarṇasthāmset in gold
- guṭikāmas an amulet
- dhārayetwears
- yadiif
- kaṇṭheat the throat
- vāor
- dakṣiṇeright
- bāhauon the arm
- saḥthat person
- kuryātwould make
- dāsavatlike a servant
- jagatthe world
anvaya yadi bhūrje likhitvā svarṇasthām guṭikām kaṇṭhe vā dakṣiṇe bāhau dhārayet saḥ jagat dāsavat kuryāt
chandas Anuṣṭubh (śloka), 8 syllables in each of 4 pādas
bhūrje on bhurja — Birch bark, the traditional material for writing mantras and amulets.
note The printed svarṇastāṃ and sakuryād are read svarṇasthāṃ and sa kuryād.
abhaktebhyopi putrebhyo datvā narakamāpnuyāt || 35 ||
- nanot
- deyamto be given
- paraśiṣyebhyaḥto another teacher's students
- deyamto be given
- śiṣyebhyaḥto one's own students
- evaonly
- caand
- abhaktebhyaḥto those without devotion
- apieven
- putrebhyaḥto sons
- datvāhaving given
- narakamhell
- āpnuyātwould reach
anvaya paraśiṣyebhyaḥ na deyam śiṣyebhyaḥ eva ca deyam abhaktebhyaḥ putrebhyaḥ api datvā narakam āpnuyāt
chandas Anuṣṭubh (śloka), 8 syllables in each of 4 pādas
dātavyaṃ tena vighneśaḥ suprasanno bhaviṣyati || 36 ||
- gaṇeśabhaktiyuktāyato one devoted to Ganesha
- sādhaveto a good person
- caand
- prayatnataḥwith care
- dātavyamit should be given
- tenaby that
- vighneśaḥthe lord of obstacles
- suprasannaḥwell pleased
- bhaviṣyatiwill be
anvaya gaṇeśabhaktiyuktāya sādhave ca prayatnataḥ dātavyam tena vighneśaḥ suprasannaḥ bhaviṣyati
chandas Anuṣṭubh (śloka), 8 syllables in each of 4 pādas
note The kavacha ends by saying who may receive it: a good person who loves Ganesha.