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Mantra · Prahlada's armour of the man-lion, limb by limb and on all eight sides

Narasimha Kavacham

नृसिंहकवचं वक्ष्ये प्रह्लादेनोदितं पुरा । सर्वरक्षाकरं पुण्यं सर्वोपद्रवनाशनम् ॥

Also known as Sri Nrisimha Kavacha Stotram

In Devanagari, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and English — with the meaning of every word, and the one syllable most people pronounce wrongly.

What the Narasimha Kavacham is

A kavacham is a spoken armour: a prayer that asks a deity to stand guard over the reciter's body, part by part. This one, the Narasimha Kavacham, is addressed to Narasimha, the man-lion form of Vishnu, and its own first line names Prahlada as the one who first spoke it. The closing colophon places it in the Brahmanda Purana. The text moves in clear stages. Verse 1 announces the armour; verses 2 to 6 form a single long meditation, picturing Narasimha on a golden throne with Lakshmi at his left side and Garuda singing before him. From verse 7 the protection begins, travelling from the head down through forehead, eyes, memory, tongue, throat, heart, navel and knees to the feet. Verses 17 to 19 then turn outward and post a different name of Narasimha at each of the eight directions. Eleven verses describe the fruit of recitation, and a single closing verse in a long, rolling metre bows to the roaring lion.

A son's armour, handed down by sages

The kavacham opens by pointing back to its first speaker: the verse says it was told long ago by Prahlada, the young prince whose devotion to Vishnu set his father against him. In the Bhagavata Purana Prahlada calls the sage Narada his teacher, and it is Prahlada whom Brahma sends forward to calm Narasimha's anger once the danger to him has passed. A devotee so close to the man-lion is, in the tradition's eyes, the natural author of an armour in his name. The text reaches readers through a second frame. The colophon of one longer recension describes it as part of a conversation between Narada and the sage Agastya inside the Brahmanda Purana, so the sages pass on what Prahlada first said. Its preliminary assignment of seers names Vyasa and Prahlada together, with Lakshmi-Narasimha as the deity. Whether the surviving manuscripts of the Brahmanda Purana actually hold the passage is less certain, and at least one modern editor has said so openly. Several names in verses 17 to 19 carry the epithets of the Ugra Narasimha verse: Mahavishnu, the one facing every way, the auspicious one and the death of death, the same names that verse strings together in a single line.

The mantra, in six scripts

DevanagariSanskrit & Hindiनृसिंहकवचं वक्ष्ये प्रह्लादेनोदितं पुरा । सर्वरक्षाकरं पुण्यं सर्वोपद्रवनाशनम् ॥

Tamilந்ருஸிம்ஹகவசம் வக்ஷ்யே ப்ரஹ்லாதேநோதிதம் புரா । ஸர்வரக்ஷாகரம் புண்யம் ஸர்வோபத்ரவநாஶநம் ॥

Teluguనృసింహకవచం వక్ష్యే ప్రహ్లాదేనోదితం పురా । సర్వరక్షాకరం పుణ్యం సర్వోపద్రవనాశనమ్ ॥

Kannadaನೃಸಿಂಹಕವಚಂ ವಕ್ಷ್ಯೇ ಪ್ರಹ್ಲಾದೇನೋದಿತಂ ಪುರಾ । ಸರ್ವರಕ್ಷಾಕರಂ ಪುಣ್ಯಂ ಸರ್ವೋಪದ್ರವನಾಶನಮ್ ॥

Malayalamനൃസിംഹകവചം വക്ഷ്യേ പ്രഹ്ലാദേനോദിതം പുരാ । സര്വരക്ഷാകരം പുണ്യം സര്വോപദ്രവനാശനമ് ॥

EnglishRoman transliterationnṛsiṃhakavacaṃ vakṣye prahlādenoditaṃ purā | sarvarakṣākaraṃ puṇyaṃ sarvopadravanāśanam ||

“I shall recite the armour of Narasimha, spoken long ago by Prahlada. It gives complete protection, is sacred, and destroys every calamity.”

नृसिंहकवचं: nṛsiṃhakavacaṃ — the armour of Narasimha
वक्ष्ये: vakṣye — I shall recite
प्रह्लादेनोदितं: prahlādenoditaṃ — spoken by Prahlada
पुरा: purā — long ago
सर्वरक्षाकरं: sarvarakṣākaraṃ — giving complete protection
पुण्यं: puṇyaṃ — sacred
सर्वोपद्रवनाशनम्: sarvopadravanāśanam — destroying every calamity

Narasimha Kavacham lyrics in full

Nineteen verses of meditation and protection, eleven verses on the fruit of recitation, and the closing salutation to the divine lion.

All 31 verses, in Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and English, each with its meaning. Choose a script:

Download the Narasimha Kavacham PDFAll 31 verses with their meanings, in Sanskrit. Free to print and keep.

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Verse 1

नृसिंहकवचं वक्ष्ये प्रह्लादेनोदितं पुरा ।
सर्वरक्षाकरं पुण्यं सर्वोपद्रवनाशनम् ॥

I shall recite the armour of Narasimha, spoken long ago by Prahlada. It gives complete protection, is sacred, and destroys every calamity.

Verse 2

सर्वसम्पत्करं चैव स्वर्गमोक्षप्रदायकम् ।
ध्यात्वा नृसिंहं देवेशं हेमसिंहासनस्थितम् ॥

It brings every kind of prosperity and grants heaven and liberation. One should meditate on Narasimha, lord of the gods, seated on a golden throne,

Verse 3

विवृतास्यं त्रिनयनं शरदिन्दुसमप्रभम् ।
लक्ष्म्यालिङ्गितवामाङ्गं विभूतिभिरुपाश्रितम् ॥

his mouth wide open, three-eyed, shining like the autumn moon, embraced on his left side by Lakshmi, and attended by all divine glories,

Verse 4

चतुर्भुजं कोमलाङ्गं स्वर्णकुण्डलशोभितम् ।
सरोजशोभितोरस्कं रत्नकेयूरमुद्रितम् ॥

four-armed, soft of limb, adorned with golden earrings, his chest beautiful as a lotus, and his arms marked with jewelled armlets,

Verse 5

तप्तकाञ्चनसङ्काशं पीतनिर्मलवाससम् ।
इन्द्रादिसुरमौलिस्थस्फुरन्माणिक्यदीप्तिभिः ॥

bright as molten gold, wearing a spotless yellow garment, his two feet shining with the light of the flashing rubies on the crowns of Indra and the other gods,

Verse 6

विराजितपदद्वन्द्वं शङ्खचक्रादिहेतिभिः ।
गरुत्मता सविनयं स्तूयमानं मुदान्वितम् ॥

his two feet radiant, bearing the conch, the discus and other weapons, joyful as Garuda humbly sings his praise.

Verse 7

स्वहृत्कमलसंवासं कृत्वा तु कवचं पठेत् ।
नृसिंहो मे शिरः पातु लोकरक्षात्मसम्भवः ॥

Having seated him in the lotus of one's own heart, one should recite the armour. May Narasimha, self-born for the protection of the worlds, protect my head.

Verse 8

सर्वगोऽपि स्तम्भवासः फालं मे रक्षतु ध्वनिम् ।
नृसिंहो मे दृशौ पातु सोमसूर्याग्निलोचनः ॥

May he who, though all-pervading, dwelt in the pillar protect my forehead and my voice. May Narasimha, whose eyes are the moon, the sun and fire, protect my eyes.

Verse 9

स्मृतिं मे पातु नृहरिर्मुनिवर्यस्तुतिप्रियः ।
नासां मे सिंहनासस्तु मुखं लक्ष्मीमुखप्रियः ॥

May Nrihari, who delights in the praise of the best of sages, protect my memory. May the lion-nosed one protect my nose, and he who loves the face of Lakshmi protect my mouth.

Verse 10

सर्वविद्याधिपः पातु नृसिंहो रसनां मम ।
वक्त्रं पात्विन्दुवदनः सदा प्रह्लादवन्दितः ॥

May Narasimha, master of all learning, protect my tongue. May the moon-faced one, ever worshipped by Prahlada, protect my face.

Verse 11

नृसिंहः पातु मे कण्ठं स्कन्धौ भूभरणान्तकृत् ।
दिव्यास्त्रशोभितभुजो नृसिंहः पातु मे भुजौ ॥

May Narasimha protect my throat, and he who ended the burden of the earth protect my shoulders. May Narasimha, whose arms shine with divine weapons, protect my arms.

Verse 12

करौ मे देववरदो नृसिंहः पातु सर्वतः ।
हृदयं योगिसाध्यश्च निवासं पातु मे हरिः ॥

May Narasimha, giver of boons to the gods, protect my hands on every side. May Hari, who is reached by yogis, protect my heart and my dwelling.

Verse 13

मध्यं पातु हिरण्याक्षवक्षःकुक्षिविदारणः ।
नाभिं मे पातु नृहरिः स्वनाभिब्रह्मसंस्तुतः ॥

May he who tore apart the chest and belly of the demon protect my middle. May Nrihari, praised by Brahma who rose from his own navel, protect my navel.

Verse 14

ब्रह्माण्डकोटयः कट्यां यस्यासौ पातु मे कटिम् ।
गुह्यं मे पातु गुह्यानां मन्त्राणां गुह्यरूपधृक् ॥

May he on whose hips rest millions of universes protect my hips. May he who holds the secret form of the most secret mantras protect my private parts.

Verse 15

ऊरू मनोभवः पातु जानुनी नररूपधृक् ।
जङ्घे पातु धराभारहर्ता योऽसौ नृकेसरी ॥

May the one who is the god of love protect my thighs, and he who took a human form protect my knees. May the man-lion who removed the earth's burden protect my shanks.

Verse 16

सुरराज्यप्रदः पातु पादौ मे नृहरीश्वरः ।
सहस्रशीर्षा पुरुषः पातु मे सर्वशस्तनुम् ॥

May Nrihari, the lord who grants the kingdom of the gods, protect my feet. May the thousand-headed Supreme Person protect my whole body in every way.

Verse 17

महोग्रः पूर्वतः पातु महावीराग्रजोऽग्नितः ।
महाविष्णुर्दक्षिणे तु महाज्वालस्तु नैरृतौ ॥

May the most fierce one protect me from the east, and the foremost of great heroes from the southeast. May Mahavishnu protect me in the south, and the great blazing one in the southwest.

Verse 18

पश्चिमे पातु सर्वेशो दिशि मे सर्वतोमुखः ।
नृसिंहः पातु वायव्यां सौम्यां भूषणविग्रहः ॥

May the lord of all protect me in the west, he whose faces turn every way in every direction. May Narasimha protect me in the northwest, and the one of adorned form in the north.

Verse 19

ईशान्यां पातु भद्रो मे सर्वमङ्गलदायकः ।
संसारभयतः पातु मृत्योर्मृत्युर्नृकेसरी ॥

May the auspicious one, giver of all blessings, protect me in the northeast. May the man-lion, who is death to death itself, protect me from the fear of worldly existence.

Phala Shruti 1

इदं नृसिंहकवचं प्रह्लादमुखमण्डितम् ।
भक्तिमान्यः पठेन्नित्यं सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते ॥

The verse says that this Narasimha armour, adorned by coming from Prahlada's mouth, frees from all sins the devotee who recites it daily.

Phala Shruti 2

पुत्रवान् धनवान् लोके दीर्घायुरुपजायते ।
यं यं कामयते कामं तं तं प्राप्नोत्यसंशयम् ॥

The verse says such a person gains sons, wealth and long life in this world, and without doubt obtains whatever wish he desires.

Phala Shruti 3

सर्वत्र जयमाप्नोति सर्वत्र विजयी भवेत् ।
भूम्यन्तरिक्षदिव्यानां ग्रहाणां विनिवारणम् ॥

The verse says he wins everywhere and is victorious everywhere, and that the armour wards off the influence of the planets of earth, sky and heaven.

Phala Shruti 4

वृश्चिकोरगसम्भूतविषापहरणं परम् ।
ब्रह्मराक्षसयक्षाणां दूरोत्सारणकारणम् ॥

The verse calls it the supreme remover of poison from scorpions and snakes, and the means of driving far away Brahma-rakshasas and yakshas.

Phala Shruti 5

भूर्जे वा तालपत्रे वा कवचं लिखितं शुभम् ।
करमूले धृतं येन सिध्येयुः कर्मसिद्धयः ॥

The verse says that when this auspicious armour is written on birch bark or palm leaf and worn on the wrist, the wearer's works are accomplished.

Phala Shruti 6

देवासुरमनुष्येषु स्वं स्वमेव जयं लभेत् ।
एकसन्ध्यं त्रिसन्ध्यं वा यः पठेन्नियतो नरः ॥

The verse says that among gods, demons and men he gains his own victory, he who recites it with discipline once a day or at the three junctions of the day.

Phala Shruti 7

सर्वमङ्गलमाङ्गल्यं भुक्तिं मुक्तिं च विन्दति ।
द्वात्रिंशतिसहस्राणि पठेच्छुद्धात्मनां नृणाम् ॥

The verse says he obtains the most auspicious of blessings, worldly enjoyment and liberation; and for the pure-hearted person who recites it thirty-two thousand times,

Phala Shruti 8

कवचस्यास्य मन्त्रस्य मन्त्रसिद्धिः प्रजायते ।
अनेन मन्त्रराजेन कृत्वा भस्माभिमन्त्रणम् ॥

the mantra of this armour becomes perfected. Having charged sacred ash with this king of mantras,

Phala Shruti 9

तिलकं विन्यसेद्यस्तु तस्य ग्रहभयं हरेत् ।
त्रिवारं जपमानस्तु दत्तं वार्यभिमन्त्र्य च ॥

whoever applies it as a tilaka is, the verse says, freed from fear of the planets. Repeating it three times over water that has been offered and charged with the mantra,

Phala Shruti 10

प्राशयेद्यो नरो मन्त्रं नृसिंहध्यानमाचरेत् ।
तस्य रोगाः प्रणश्यन्ति ये च स्युः कुक्षिसम्भवाः ॥

the person who has that water drunk while meditating on Narasimha is, the verse says, rid of diseases, including those arising in the belly.

Phala Shruti 11

किमत्र बहुनोक्तेन नृसिंहसदृशो भवेत् ।
मनसा चिन्तितं यत्तु स तच्चाप्नोत्यसंशयम् ॥

What more need be said? The verse says such a one becomes like Narasimha, and without doubt obtains whatever he has thought of in his mind.

Closing Verse

गर्जन्तं गर्जयन्तं निजभुजपटलं स्फोटयन्तं हठन्तं रूप्यन्तं तापयन्तं दिवि भुवि दितिजं क्षेपयन्तं क्षिपन्तम् ।
क्रन्दन्तं रोषयन्तं दिशि दिशि सततं संहरन्तं भरन्तं वीक्षन्तं घूर्णयन्तं शरनिकरशतैर्दिव्यसिंहं नमामि ॥

I bow to the divine lion who roars and makes all roar, who flexes his mass of arms and strikes with force, who blazes and scorches, who hurls and casts down the son of Diti in heaven and on earth; who cries out and rages, who in every direction ceaselessly destroys and sustains, who glares and whirls about with hundreds of volleys of arrows.

The syllable people get wrong

The deity's name in this text is spelled nṛsiṃha, with the vowel ṛ, not "nara": say it as a short "nri" sound, nri-SIM-ha, and let the ṃ close softly into the h. The same vowel returns in nṛhari and nṛkesarī later in the armour.

When the Narasimha Kavacham is chanted

Weekday. Thursday

Festival. Narasimha Jayanti (Vaishakha Shukla Chaturdashi)

Questions

No individual poet is named. The first verse says the armour was spoken long ago by Prahlada, and the colophon calls it Prahlada's kavacham from the Brahmanda Purana. In the fuller printed form, the preliminary assignment names Vyasa and Prahlada as its seers, Anushtubh as its metre and Lakshmi-Narasimha as its deity. It belongs to the anonymous Puranic tradition, so its date cannot be fixed.

The difference is a single phala verse, the one beginning kim atra bahunoktena, which asks "what more need be said?" and says the reciter becomes like Narasimha. The Devanagari editions printed in India keep it, giving 31 verses with the closing salutation. Several Gaudiya Vaishnava editions leave it out and print 30. One longer recension also adds a few lines after verse 19 and an appendix, which most editions do not carry.

After guarding the body, verses 17 to 19 guard the space around it. Each direction receives its own name of Narasimha: the most fierce one in the east, the foremost of heroes in the southeast, Mahavishnu in the south, the great blazing one in the southwest, the lord of all in the west, Narasimha in the northwest, the one of adorned form in the north and the auspicious one in the northeast. The last line asks the man-lion, death to death itself, to guard against the fear of worldly existence.

The kavacham is a Sanskrit text, and Telugu-script editions print the same Sanskrit words in Telugu letters, as Kannada and Tamil-script editions do. Nothing in the wording changes with the script, so a Telugu reader can follow the verses alongside the Devanagari and IAST given here. The English meanings on this page translate the Sanskrit itself, line by line, rather than any regional retelling.

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Narasimha Kavacham

What the Narasimha Kavacham is

A son's armour, handed down by sages

The mantra, in six scripts

Narasimha Kavacham lyrics in full

The syllable people get wrong

When the Narasimha Kavacham is chanted

Questions

Have your chart read before you decide

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