The narration of Kavaca (the protective prayer) of Karttavirya

1. Well done, well done, О highly intelligent one, О scholarly one, expert in all the Tantras, a procedure kept in Tantras has been mentioned to me by you.

2. О highly blessed one, О store-house of mercy, I now wish to hear the Kavaca of Karttavirya and Hanuman. Please recount it.

3. О leading brahmin, listen. I shall recount the extremely wonderful Kavaca of Karttavirya, through which he causes the fulfilment of the tasks when he is delighted.

4-14. One shall meditate on Karttavirya as follows: His great Chariot resembles the thousand suns. It shines with different kinds of jewels. It contains brilliant flag-staff and banners, it is decorated with ten thousand horses. Its sound is as terrible as that of the Samvartaka cloud (of the great dissolution), the great umbrella that is lifted up has spread out like a canopy in the firmament. With the4 diverse kinds of weapons the great Chariot shines elegantly in which Karttavirya is seated steadily. He is large and elegant. He is adorned with a thousand arms. He holds strong bows with his left hands and with the others he holds arrows. He is bedecked with many kinds of ornament s such as coronet, necklaces, crown, shoulderlets, brace-lets, bangles, rings, belts round the belly, girdles, anklets and in various kinds of costly and shining ornaments. He has worn a coat of mail. He is a hero who appears delighted with his lotuslike face. He makes the three worlds tremble by means of leonine roar of the twangs from the bowstring. He makes his enemies dwindle in number. He dispels all ailments.

He is the bestower of all riches. He is served by the glory of victory. He bestows all good fortune, is gentle and offers fearlessness unto his devotees. He has worn divine garlands and exquisite unguents. He is characterised by all auspicious marks. He is the lord standing amongst the chariot soldiers, elephant soldiers, cavalry men and foot soldiers. He is the granter of boons. He is the lord of emperors. He is the sole protector of all the worlds. He has the lustre of a thousand suns rising up simultaneously. He has overwhelmed the three worlds by means of his glory, renown and great riches originating from Yogic powers. He is the glorious discus of Hari that has partially incarnated on the surface of the earth.

After meditating deeply on the deity as one with one’s self he shall utter the raksa mantra.

15-16. Let the five forms of his angas protect me. They areas refulgent as crystals. The heart etc. (hrdayadi) with their shining forms all over and lying in corners (i.e. quarters) agni (south-east), Isa (north-east), asura (south-west) and vayu (north-west) (protect us). They have the conch, the leather shield and the sword in their hands. Their strength, overlordship, powers, ability and physical bodies are unobstructed.

17. May the deity accompanied by the aaktis called Ksemamkari (the cause of conferring security protect the quarter east of mine. His weapons are the arrows and the bow. He is the destroyer of the groups of thieves.

18. May (the deity) accompanied by Srlkarl Shakti (that which causes prosperity and glory) protect the southern direction. He is glorious. He holds the arrows and the bow. He is the dispcller of the fear from pestilence.

19. May the deity accompanied by the Shakti called Mahavasyakarl (the great enchanter and charmer) protect my western quarter. He is the destroyer of all enemies. He is the bearer of great arrows and bow.

20. May the deity accompanied by Yasahkari (the cause of renown and fame) protect my south-eastern direction. He is the destroyer of the groups of demons.

21. May tiie lord armed with the bow and accompanied by Vidyakarl (the cause of learning) protect the south western direction. He is the remover of great misfortune.

22. May the lord accompanied by Dhanakari (the cause of wealth) protect mein the north-western direction. He is the destroyer of all sins. He holds arrows and bow.

23. May the deity accompanied by Ayu^karl (cause of longevity) protect my north-western direction. He is glorious. He is the destroyer of great fear. He holds the bow and arrows.

24. May the deity accompanied by VijayaSrl (glory of conquest) protect my upper direction. He is the lord himself holding the thousand-spoked (discus). He is the person striking terror into all wicked ones.

25. May the holder of conch accompanied by Sumaha- shakti (the very great power) protect my lower direction. He is the sun in piercing the darkness of misery.

26. May he who is endowed with great yogic power, who is the lord of great yogins and who has all the quarters as his sphere protect me all round. He is the bearer of the lotus.

27. These murtis (forms) are red in colour. They wear red garlands and garments. They are the principal deities and are stationed separately and severally in excellent chariots.

28. The aaktis have lotus in their hands. They resemble blue lotuses. They wear white garlands and garments. They look brilliant with well-smeared tilakas(marks on the forehead).

29. May Indra and others who possess great strength and are stationed in their respective quarters, who are the leaders of his attendants and who have their own vehicles, weapons and ornaments, protect me.

30. All his Avarana deities (attending deities) have been mentioned. They may protect me from all directions with all their strength.

31. May those wish-yielding heavenly trees (the deities in that form) stationed in the form of brilliance, protect me in the heart, in the belly, in the umbilicus, in the stomach and in the region of the private parts.

32. May those great syllables (inatrkas) in the form of highly brilliant mantras protect me from other quarters. By their pervasiveness may they protect me from the sole of the feet to the head.

33. May Karttavlrya protect the head. May Haihayesh- vara (the Lord ofHaihaya) protect the forehead. May Sumukha protect my month. May he who pervades the three worlds, protect the ears.

34. May Sukumara (the gentle one) protect the skin. May Dhanurdhara (the wielder of the bow) protect the pair of of eyebrows. May Puntfarikaksa (the lotus-eyed) protect the eye. May Gunakara (the store-house of good qualities) protect my nose.

35. May Brahmajfteya (comprehensible only to Brahma) ever protect the lips. May Kavi (the poet) protect the teeth. May Sarvashastra Kaladharin (one who possesses all scriptural lores and arts) protect the tongue.

36. May Dattatreyapriya (the favourite of Dattatreya) protect the neck. May Rajakulesvara (the lord of the Royal family) protect the shoulders. May Dasasyadarpaghna (the destroyer of the arrogance of ten-headed Ravana) protect the arms. May Mahabala (one of great strength) protect my heart.

37. My vidvan (scholarly one) protect my belly. May Parapurafijaya (the conquercr of the city of the enemy) protect the chest. May Sarvarthada (the bestower of all riches) protect the hands. May Jagatpriya (one who is the beloved of the world) protect the tips of the hands.

38. May Revambulllasarhdrpta (one who proudly sports about in the waters of Reva) protect the stomach. May vira sura (the hero and the valorous) protect my navel. May Sarvadustaha (the destroyer of all wicked ones) protect my sides.

39. May Sahasrabhujabhrt (one who has a thousand arms) protect my back. May SaptadvJpadhipa (the lord of seven continents) protect the hips. May Mahismatinatha, the lord of Mahismati protect the thighs. May Bhuvah Vallabhah (the lover of the earth) protect the knees.

40. May vlradhipa (the lord of tlic heroes) protect the calves. May Manojava (one who has the speed of the mind) protect the feet. May Sarvayudhadhara (the wielder of all weapons) protect all limbs and all vulnerable joints.

41. May Sarvadustantaka (the annihilator of all wicked persons) protect the body consisting of eight dhatus (fluids of the body). May SarvaSisteshtada (the bestower of the desired object unto all good people of disciplined behaviour) protect the ten vital airs, the lords of life.

42-43. May vasfkrtendriyagrama (one who has control over sense-organs) protect all my senses. May sarvalokanathe- shvareshvara (the lord of the chiefs of all the rulers of all the worlds), protect all those spots within or without me that have not been mentioned. This body enveloped by the kavaca becomes more durable and powerful than thunderbolt.

44. May I become free from fear and liberated from hundreds of obstacles after tying up this kavaca of the ruler of Haihaya, which is divine and unbreakable.

45-50. I move about during the days and nights with my mind free from fear. I move about in the Royal highway» in an impassable road infested with thieves and others, in the rough inaccessible and terrible forests, in the forest fire, in the mountain caves, in the battle, when being attacked by weapons, in caves frequented by lions and tigers, in places full of hazards, at the time of dusk, in the palace, in the hot discussion, in the ocean with large undercurrents, on the banks of rivers, in a land full of enemies and overrun by plunderers and robbers, when the robbing of all possessions is imminent when the life is in danger, when attacked by different kinds of fevers and ailments, when harassed by ghosts and evil spirits, when afflicted by pestilence and evil dreams, when betrayed, when there is physical or mental distress and agony, when there is impediment of every sort blazing like a flame.

51-55. Let there be no fear unto me covered with this kavaca. Let the Maharatha (the heroic warrior) with thousand strong arms prevent all those who come to rob us of our wealth. May the son of Karttavirya bind them with the thousand nooses brought by his hands. (The enemies) are very invincible. May he obstruct their movement and efficiency. May the crest- jewel of all kings defeat those who are inimical to us. May he pierce them with thousand goads, and cut them with a thousand arrows. May Kamalekshasha (lotus-cycd) destroy all wicked ones beginning with thieves. May he smite them with thousand swords and suppress them with a thousand ironclubs. May the wielder of thousand and thousand-spoked discuses terrify them with the sound of his conch. May the direct incarnation ofHari protect everything belonging to me.

56-63. О Karttavirva of great prowess, О destroyer of all wicked ones, destroy, destroy the wicked thieves everywhere and forever. О slayer of the wicked, why do you sleep? Why do you delay? Why do you stop? Get up, save us from all dangers and fears as though we are your sons. May all these be destroyed viz. those who are thieves and removers of wealth, those who are violent, those who are inimical to us, those who instil fear in good men, the wicked and the deceitful ones, those who are evil-minded defiled kings of wicked hearts, wicked and sinful ministers, those who spoil the work of others those knavish enemies, those who arc the five deceitful persons among looters of everything, the Mlecchas (outcastes) who inflict great pain, the stealthy Shudras, those who commit arson, those who administer poison, those who cheat others, those armed with weapons, sinners of wicked activities, those who give pain, those whose intellect is depraved, those who indulge in fraud and artifice, those who go astray along evil paths, those who instil fear in others in various ways, those who are engaged in finding out the weak points in others and those who are attempting to harass us. May all these be struck down by the noise of the great conch of Karttavlrya. May all those be dissolved suddenly. May they be deluded even from a great distance.

1. Suiruta gives the names of different Grahas, see uttaratantra, chapter 27. The names are:

6. Andhaputand, 7. SftapUUmd, 8. MukJumaQ(lika, 9. Pitigraha. The text gives the account of how they take hold of the baby and the characteristic marks, by which the expert physician can ascertain which of the above evil spirits is exercising evil influence over the baby. Dattanacarya, the commentator of the text, gives a mantra for propitiating Skandagraha in his commentary.

Suiruta says that these Grahas nine in number, some of which are male and others female, were born out of grace of Shiva, Umd and Agni to protect the child Karttikeya when he was lying in the reed forest. It should be remembered that these Skandagrahas are not identical with Skanda, the great commander of Devos t but are his attendants who are always trying to find fault with others and when they find any they take a hold over them, for which the name graha is given to them.

Suiruta gives some more names of Grahas and classifies them into eight. They are as follows: 1. Devagraha, 2. Asuragraha, 3. Gandharvagraha, 4. Yakfa- graha, 5. Rakjograha, 6- Pitrgraha, 7. Bhujartga graha, 8. PiSacagraha. They exercise evil influence over persons who take little care of remaining pure in body and mind during a particular tithi and the conjunctions of the day and night.

The Kavaca of KArttavtrya is given in the u^Jmareivara tantra and is quoted in PravatofOQi (pp. 252-256). In Praiiatofafii we have some additional verses in the last portion but we do not find them in our present text.

64-77. May all these be destroyed viz. Danavas, great Daityas, Yaksas, Raksasas the ghosts of great strength, Bhutaraksasas, Brahmaraksasas (a ghost of a Brahmin who led an unholy life), epileptic fits, evil planets, 1 the great swallowers of blood, Vetalas (vampires), Guhyakas (demigods who attend kuvera) Gandharvas, Apsarasas, Siddhas, Dcvas, Dakinls (witches) with noses as large as trees, the ghosts, the Ksetrapalas (the guardians of fields) the Vinayakas (the impeding deities), the great tigers, the great clouds, the devils with the size of huge horses, huge elephants, the great lions, the great buffaloes, those of the from of bears, boars, dogs, monkeys, and owls, those with the heads of huge camels, donkeys, cats, serpents, cows and bulls, great animals of diverse forms and sizes, those who cause thousands of pains and griefs, those who bring about different kinds of sickness, some small, some very terrible and serious like the gaseous, the beleous, the phlegmatic and those having all the humours deranged, the great evil planets belonging to Maheshvara, Vishnu and Brahma the cruel ones belonging to Skanda, Vinayaka and Pramatha and Guhyaka which are greatly inimical and terrible. The terrible pestilence, small poxes, the great fevers of a single day, tertiary or of four day recurrence, those that happen every fortnight, or month, those that recur half-yearly or yearly, those terrible fevers without any remedy, the great calamities indicated by dreams, the evil planets producing evil dreams,the different devils such as the Kusmantfas, Jrmbhikas, Bhaumas, Dronas, Sannidhya Vaficakas (those who cheat with their presence), the Bhramikas (those who cause whirling), the removers of vital breaths, the evil spirits affecting children, those who exercise evil influence over the mind and the senses and overpower them, the tumours that are caused by the great planets, the partakers of oblations who lake huge quantity of food, those who feed on corpses, those terrible beings that move about during day time, those who stalk about during the nights, and those that move about during dusks, those that are mad and those that are not mad which attempt to harass me — May all these be struck by the arrows discharged from the bow of Karttavlrya. May they be destroyed in their thousands with their strength, power and endeavour shattered.

78-84. May these spirits be destroyed viz. serpents, great snakes, those who lie in the crevasses of great mountains, black pythons, those with huge fangs called great Ajagaras, Ananta- Sulikas etc. (having endless pikes), who have poison in their fangs and that are very frightful, those that have many hundreds of heads, those terrible ones with broken tails, extremely poisonous leeches, scorpions with radiant tails, those poisonous serpents emitting poison in their very breath, those that are called great Halahalas, aquatic serpents, aquatic pythons, crocodiles under water, tortoises, fishes with poisonous tails, those other denizens under water, those that are born in water or the surface of the earth, those that have accidental poison and those that are extremely poisonous, those with hidden forms, those with concealed poison, the mice, the domesticated mongooses, other terrible animals with great or small quantity of poison in them, those who destroy the body and the vital breath and those who desire to harass us. May these be split asunder by a thousand swords of Karttavlrya. Let them perish even from a great distance with their sense-organs and adventurous spirit impaired.

85-90. May these be destroyed viz. men, animals, bears, monkeys in the forest regions, lions, tigers, boars, buffaloes, and other great animals, the elephants, horses, the wild oxen, the donkeys, the fabulous eight-footed Sarabhas, wolves, dogs, rhinoceros, white cats, jackals eager to be in their dens, hares, vultures, gariujas and other birds, Bhcrurujas (species of wild birds), crows, eagles, swans, and other types of birds, the oviparous and viviparous beings, the sweat-born ones, in fact all those different types of beings which desire to attack us during twilight, by day or by night — May all these be shattered by the thousand maces of Karttavirya. May these perish with their movement and prowess impaired.

91-95. May all these be destroyed, those who bestow harm, those who are deceitful cheats, those who bring about death, extermination, uprooting, hatred and fascination, those who commit breach of trust, the wicked men who hate their masters, the wicked ones who aim themselves with weapons, the sinners, who take away (treasures), those who burn, those who hit, those who administer poison, those who inflict wounds with weapons, those who torture others, those who take possession of fields, wealth etc. by force and those who imprison and terrify in many ways, the various sorts, of itis (disasters), the evil beings, those things that desire to find a weak point for an attack — May all these perish from distance. May they be shattered by the thousand cakras of Karttavirya. May their strength and adventurous spirit be destroyed.

96-101. At the behest of Karttavirya who is the lord of Yogins of unmeasured splendour, may all these be gentle and pleasing at all times viz. the clouds, the lightening, the thunderbolts, the bright and terrible whirlwinds, the falling meteors, the terrible weapons of Mahendra (i.e. thunderbolts), Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Rahu and Kctu, the terrible stars and signs of zodiac, tithis, transits, months, years, leading Yugas, the leaders of Manvantaras, Siddhas, sages, yogic powers and achievements, the treasures, the Rk, Yajus, Saman, Atharvan, the sacred fire, the seasons, the guardian deities, the Pitrs, the bands of deities, the sixty- four lores in three worlds — those that have been recounted here and those that have not been recounted — may all these be gentle unto us. May they be pleasing to us always and at all times.

102-114. (The hundred and eight names) Karttavlrya- juna, Dhanvin (having a bow), Rajendra (leading king) Haihaycsvara (Lord Haihaya), Dasasyadarpalia (The dispeller of the arrogance of the ten-headed Ravana) Revabaladfpta (one who is proud of his sports in the Rcva) Sudurjaya (who is very difficult to be conquered), Dtihkhaha (the destroyer of miseries), cauradamana (one who suppresses thieves) Rajaraje- svaraprabhuh (Lord and ruler of the kings of kings), Sarvajfta (omniscient), Sarvada (one who bestows everything), Shriman (glorious one) Sarvasistestada (one who bestows everything desired by (the disciplined one), Rajacudamani (crest-jewel of kings) yogin, Saptadvipadhinayaka (the overlord of the seven continents, Vijayin (the victorious), ViSvajit (one who conquers the universe), Vagmin (fluent in speech), Mahagatic (one whose gait is large), Alolupa (one who is not greedy or covetous) Yajvan (performer of yajfias) Viprapriya (one who is fond of brahmins), Vidvan (scholarly), Brahmajneya (one who is comprehensive only to Brahma) Sanatana (the eternal one) Mahismatipati (the lord of Mahismati), Yodha (Fighter), Mahakirti (one of great fame) Mahabhuja (one of great arms), Sukumara (very gentle and tender), Mahavira (Great hero), Marlghna (destroyer of pestilence), Madireksana (one of fascinating eyes), Satrughna (slayer of foes), shashvata (permanent), Sura (heroic), Sankhabhrt (one who holds the conch), Yogivallabha (A lover of Yogin’s) Mahabhagavata (great devotee of the lord), Dhlman (Intelligent), Mahabhaya- vinasana (destroyer of great fear), Asadhyavigraha (one whose body cannot be achieved (by others), Divya (Divine) Bhavavyaptajagattraya (who has emotionally pervaded the three worlds), Jitendriya (one who has conquered the sense organs), Jitarati (one who has conquered the enemies), Svac- chanda (one who goes as he pleases), Anantavikrama (one of endless exploits), Cakrabhrt, (one who holds the discus), Paracakraghna (destroyer of the armies of the enemies) Samgramavidhipujita (one who is worshipped in accordance with the procedure of battles), Sarvashastrakaladharl (one who Possesses all lores and arts), Virajas(one devoid of Rajas guna,), lokavandita (one who is saluted by the whole world), Vira (Heroic), Vimalasattvatfhya one who possesses the sattva guna devoid of impurities), Mahabalaparakrama (one of great strength and exploit), Vijayagrimahamanya (one who is highly honoured by the glory of conquest), Jitarin (one who has conquered the enemies), Mantranayaka (leader of the mantras), Kha^gabhit (one who holds swords), Kamada (one who bestows desires), Kanta (shining one). Kalaghna (destroyer of kala), Kamaleksana (the lotus-eyed), Bhadravadapriya (one who is fond of gentle reasoning), Vaidya (Physician), Vibudha (great scholar), Varada (granter of the boon), Vasi (one who controls all), Ivlahadhana (one of vast great wealth), Nidhipati (Lord of treasures), Mahayogi (great Yogin), Gurupriya (fond of the preceptor), Yogadhya (one possessing yogic power), Sarvarogaghna (remover of all ailments), Vijitakhilabhutala (one who makes the whole world conquered), Divyastrabhrt (one who holds divine weapons), Ameyalma (one whose soul cannot be measured), Sarvagopta (Protector of all), Mahojjvala (excessively shining one), Sarvayudhadhara (one who holds all weapons), Abhistaprada (one who grants the desired object), Parapuranjaya (one who conquers enemies' cities), Yogasiddha (one who has realised yogic powers), Mahakaya (one with a huge body), MahavindaaHadhipa (Lord of hundeals of great hosts), Sarvajnananidhi (Storehouse of all knowledge), Sarvasiddhidanakrtodyama (one who attempts to gift away all siddhis).

115. By mentioning these one hundred and eight names (the devotee shall complete the puja). May the ten irmrtis spreading over ten directions protect me.

116-121. May all the sense-organs be normal and healthy, may I always have peace. May the remaining light murtis shine with their valour and exploit. May the deities stationed in the southeast, southwest, northwest and northeast corners always protect me. May I have happiness without impediment, health and absence of defeat. Let me have loss of misery, absence of obstacles, flourishing progeny, rise of happiness, acquisition of desire, excess of welfare, absence of contrariety, absence of ailment, absence of laziness, fulfilment of desire, loss of death, rise in strength, loss of fear, attainment of renown, splendour, learning, prosperity and great glory. No article of mine shall be destroyed or lost. Let there be the regain of the lost possessions. 1 must have longevity, delight in the mind, tenderness and gentleness and everything desirable. I shall possess great efficiency and the ability to withstand any one and the status of being invincible. May all these tilings befall me by glorifying Karttavirya, the lord of Haihaya.

122-124. He who reads or learns this kavaca of Karttavirya shall attain his desires. It increases merits. It subdues sins. It destroys injuries. It yields peace unto all. It is a secret. It is destructive of fear. It grants success to men. It is auspicious and it accords all riches. The devotee shall see again the wealth of cattle etc. taken away by thieves.

125. (If the devotee sees that his cattle and other wealth has been taken away by the thieves) he shall then repeat the mantra seven times at night in this that within seven days he regains all the articles lost.

126. If the man faces the east and repeats the Mantra twentyseven times he shall be able to withstand the hosts of enemies resembling Devas and Asuras.

127. During arguments and quarrels of terrible nature, he who reads this five times, shall surely be victorious. He will never court failure.

128. In the course of affliction due to any sickness the devotee shall read this (kavaca) three or five times. He is then not afflicted by sickness, death, vampires, goblins or ghosts.

129. For the purpose of liberation from bondage one shall recite this twelve times during the night. There is no doubt about this that the man in bondage is liberated within three days.

130. By means of the same procedure in the activity of achieving anything even the inaccessible can be achieved by the most excellent of the knowers of the mantras within seven days.

131. At the time of setting out on a journey a man shall read this Kavaca, then he will not have anything to fear from wicked thieves, tigers etc. or from enemies.

132. A man shall sprinkle handfuls of water over his body even as he recites this kavaca. He is not then harassed due to krtyas (evil influence of a mantra), poisons, ailments or swellings.

133-137. The following twelve names of Karttavirya must be repeated always, viz. Karttavirya khaladvesi (beater of the wicked) KrtaviryaSuta (son of krtavirya), Bali (the strong), Sahasrabahu (one with a thousand arms), shatrughna (slayer of enemies), — Rakta vasas (Red-garmented), Dhanurdhara (one who holds the bow), Raktagandha (one having the smell of blood), Raktamalya (Red-garlanded), Raja (king), Smartult Abhl^ada (one who grants the desired benefit unto one who remembers). He who recites these twelve names becomes wealthy. People will always be subservient to him. О brahmin, the discus of the noblesouled Vishnu shall always protect the person who always serves the incarnation of the glorious discus. О brahmin, this kavaca has been heard by me from the leading sage, Dattatreya. It is now recounted to you. It is the bestower of everything desirable. Hold and retain this.

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