śrībhairavapañjarakavacam (baṭuka bhairava kavaca)

A cage rather than an armour, asked for by Pārvatī and answered with a story that gives the text its standing: Śiva says that long ago, when he was himself overcome with terror at Bhasmāsura, it was by reciting this that his own life was saved. A protection the god needed is a strong claim, and the verses that follow set out what it is against — every wicked thing, every disease, the quieting of sorrow, and the fear of untimely death — before adding the worldly register these texts usually carry, the winning over of kings, victory in the three worlds, and Lakṣmī settled in the house. Its closing restriction is severe even by the standards of the class: it is not to be given to just anyone, not ever; a kingdom may be given away and one's own head may be given away, but not the syllables of Bhairava.