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CHAPTER EIGHT

The Nārāyaṇa-kavaca Shield

This chapter describes how Indra, the King of heaven, was victorious over the soldiers of the demons, and it also describes the shield of the Viṣṇu mantra.
To take protection from this shield, one must first touch kuśa grass and wash one’s mouth with ācamana-mantras. One should observe silence and then place the eight-syllable Viṣṇu mantra on the parts of his body and place the twelve-syllable mantra on his hands. The eight-syllable mantra is oṁ namo nārāyaṇāya. This mantra should be distributed all over the front and back of the body. The twelve-syllable mantra, which begins with the praṇava, oṁkāra, is oṁ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya. One syllable should be placed on each of the fingers and should be preceded by the praṇava, oṁkāra. Thereafter, one must chant oṁ viṣṇave namaḥ, which is a six-syllable mantra. One must progressively place the syllables of the mantra on the heart, the head, between the two eyebrows, on the śikhā and between the eyes, and then one should chant maḥ astrāya phaṭ and with this mantra protect himself from all directions. Nādevo devam arcayet: one who has not risen to the level of a deva cannot chant this mantra. According to this direction of the śāstra, one must think himself qualitatively nondifferent from the Supreme.
After finishing this dedication, one must offer a prayer to the eight-armed Lord Viṣṇu, who sits on the shoulders of Garuḍadeva. One also has to think of the fish incarnation, Vāmana, Kūrma, Nṛsiṁha, Varāha, Paraśurāma, Rāmacandra (the elder brother of Lakṣmaṇa), Nara-Nārāyaṇa, Dattātreya (an empowered incarnation), Kapila, Sanat-kumāra, Hayagrīva, Nāradadeva (the incarnation of a devotee), Dhanvantari, Ṛṣabhadeva, Yajña, Balarāma, Vyāsadeva, Buddhadeva and Keśava. One should also think of Govinda, the master of Vṛndāvana, and one should think of Nārāyaṇa, the master of the spiritual sky. One should think of Madhusūdana, Tridhāmā, Mādhava, Hṛṣīkeśa, Padmanābha, Janārdana, Dāmodara and Viśveśvara, as well as the Supreme Personality of Godhead Kṛṣṇa Himself. After offering prayers to the Lord’s personal expansions known as the svāṁśa and śaktyāveśa-avatāras, one should pray to the weapons of Lord Nārāyaṇa, such as the Sudarśana, gadā, śaṅkha, khaḍga and bow.
After explaining this process, Śukadeva Gosvāmī told Mahārāja Parīkṣit how Viśvarūpa, the brother of Vṛtrāsura, described the glories of the Nārāyaṇa-kavaca to Indra.
श्रीराजोवाच
यया गुप्त: सहस्राक्ष: सवाहान् रिपुसैनिकान् ।
क्रीडन्निव विनिर्जित्य त्रिलोक्या बुभुजे श्रियम् ॥ १ ॥
भगवंस्तन्ममाख्याहि वर्म नारायणात्मकम् ।
यथाततायिन: शत्रून्येन गुप्तोऽजयन्मृधे ॥ २ ॥
śrī-rājovāca
yayā guptaḥ sahasrākṣaḥ
savāhān ripu-sainikān
krīḍann iva vinirjitya
tri-lokyā bubhuje śriyam
bhagavaṁs tan mamākhyāhi
varma nārāyaṇātmakam
yathātatāyinaḥ śatrūn
yena gupto ’jayan mṛdhe

Synonyms

śrī-rājā uvācaKing Parīkṣit said; yayāby which (the spiritual armor); guptaḥprotected; sahasra-akṣaḥthe thousand-eyed King Indra; sa-vāhānwith their carriers; ripu-sainikānthe soldiers and commanders of the enemies; krīḍan ivajust like playing; vinirjityaconquering; tri-lokyāḥof the three worlds (the higher, middle and lower planetary systems); bubhujeenjoyed; śriyamthe opulence; bhagavanO great sage; tatthat; mamaunto me; ākhyāhiplease explain; varmadefensive armor made of a mantra; nārāyaṇa-ātmakamconsisting of the mercy of Nārāyaṇa; yathāin which way; ātatāyinaḥwho were endeavoring to kill him; śatrūnenemies; yenaby which; guptaḥbeing protected; ajayatconquered; mṛdhein the fight.

Translation

King Parīkṣit inquired from Śukadeva Gosvāmī: My lord, kindly explain the Viṣṇu mantra armor that protected King Indra and enabled him to conquer his enemies, along with their carriers, and enjoy the opulence of the three worlds. Please explain to me that Nārāyaṇa armor, by which King Indra achieved success in battle, conquering the enemies who were endeavoring to kill him.
श्रीबादरायणिरुवाच
वृत: पुरोहितस्त्वाष्ट्रो महेन्द्रायानुपृच्छते ।
नारायणाख्यं वर्माह तदिहैकमना: श‍ृणु ॥ ३ ॥
śrī-bādarāyaṇir uvāca
vṛtaḥ purohitas tvāṣṭro
mahendrāyānupṛcchate
nārāyaṇākhyaṁ varmāha
tad ihaika-manāḥ śṛṇu

Synonyms

śrī-bādarāyaṇiḥ uvācaŚrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī said; vṛtaḥthe chosen; purohitaḥpriest; tvāṣṭraḥthe son of Tvaṣṭā; mahendrāyaunto King Indra; anupṛcchateafter he (Indra) inquired; nārāyaṇa-ākhyamnamed Nārāyaṇa-kavaca; varmadefensive armor made of a mantra; āhahe said; tatthat; ihathis; eka-manāḥwith great attention; śṛṇuhear from me.

Translation

Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: King Indra, the leader of the demigods, inquired about the armor known as Nārāyaṇa-kavaca from Viśvarūpa, who was engaged by the demigods as their priest. Please hear Viśvarūpa’s reply with great attention.
श्रीविश्‍वरूप उवाच
धौताङ्‌घ्रिपाणिराचम्य सपवित्र उदङ्‍मुख: ।
कृतस्वाङ्गकरन्यासो मन्त्राभ्यां वाग्यत: शुचि: ॥ ४ ॥
नारायणपरं वर्म सन्नह्येद् भय आगते ।
पादयोर्जानुनोरूर्वोरुदरे हृद्यथोरसि ॥ ५ ॥
मुखे शिरस्यानुपूर्व्यादोंङ्कारादीनि विन्यसेत् ।
ॐ नमो नारायणायेति विपर्ययमथापि वा ॥ ६ ॥
śrī-viśvarūpa uvāca
dhautāṅghri-pāṇir ācamya
sapavitra udaṅ-mukhaḥ
kṛta-svāṅga-kara-nyāso
mantrābhyāṁ vāg-yataḥ śuciḥ
nārāyaṇa-paraṁ varma
sannahyed bhaya āgate
pādayor jānunor ūrvor
udare hṛdy athorasi
mukhe śirasy ānupūrvyād
oṁkārādīni vinyaset
oṁ namo nārāyaṇāyeti
viparyayam athāpi vā

Synonyms

śrī-viśvarūpaḥ uvācaŚrī Viśvarūpa said; dhautahaving completely washed; aṅghrifeet; pāṇiḥhands; ācamyaperforming ācamana (sipping a little water three times after chanting the prescribed mantra); sa-pavitraḥwearing rings made of kuśa grass (on the ring finger of each hand); udak-mukhaḥsitting facing the north; kṛtamaking; sva-aṅga-kara-nyāsaḥmental assignment of the eight parts of the body and twelve parts of the hands; mantrābhyāmwith the two mantras (oṁ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya and oṁ namo nārāyaṇāya); vāk-yataḥkeeping oneself silent; śuciḥbeing purified; nārāyaṇa-paramfully intent on Lord Nārāyaṇa; varmaarmor; sannahyetput on oneself; bhayewhen fear; āgatehas come; pādayoḥon the two legs; jānunoḥon the two knees; ūrvoḥon the two thighs; udareon the abdomen; hṛdion the heart; athathus; urasion the chest; mukheon the mouth; śirasion the head; ānupūrvyātone after another; oṁkāra-ādīnibeginning with oṁkāra; vinyasetone should place; omthe praṇava; namaḥobeisances; nārāyaṇāyaunto Nārāyaṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead; itithus; viparyayamthe reverse; atha apimoreover; or.

Translation

Viśvarūpa said: If some form of fear arrives, one should first wash his hands and legs clean and then perform ācamana by chanting this mantra: om apavitraḥ pavitro vā sarvāvasthāṁ gato ’pi vā/ yaḥ smaret puṇḍarīkākṣaṁ sa bahyābhyantaraḥ śuciḥ/ śrī-viṣṇu śrī-viṣṇu śrī-viṣṇu. Then one should touch kuśa grass and sit gravely and silently, facing north. When completely purified, one should touch the mantra composed of eight syllables to the eight parts of his body and touch the mantra composed of twelve syllables to his hands. Thus, in the following manner, he should bind himself with the Nārāyaṇa coat of armor. First, while chanting the mantra composed of eight syllables [oṁ namo nārāyaṇāya], beginning with the praṇava, the syllable om, one should touch his hands to eight parts of his body, starting with the two feet and progressing systematically to the knees, thighs, abdomen, heart, chest, mouth and head. Then one should chant the mantra in reverse, beginning from the last syllable [ya], while touching the parts of his body in the reverse order. These two processes are known as utpatti-nyāsa and saṁhāra-nyāsa respectively.
करन्यासं तत: कुर्याद् द्वादशाक्षरविद्यया ।
प्रणवादियकारान्तमङ्गुल्यङ्गुष्ठपर्वसु ॥ ७ ॥
kara-nyāsaṁ tataḥ kuryād
dvādaśākṣara-vidyayā
praṇavādi-ya-kārāntam
aṅguly-aṅguṣṭha-parvasu

Synonyms

kara-nyāsamthe ritual known as kara-nyāsa, which assigns the syllables of the mantra to the fingers; tataḥthereafter; kuryātshould execute; dvādaśa-akṣaracomposed of twelve syllables; vidyayāwith the mantra; praṇava-ādibeginning with the oṁkāra; ya-kāra-antamending with the syllable ya; aṅgulion the fingers, beginning with the index finger; aṅguṣṭha-parvasuto the joints of the thumbs.

Translation

Then one should chant the mantra composed of twelve syllables [oṁ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya]. Preceding each syllable by the oṁkāra, one should place the syllables of the mantra on the tips of his fingers, beginning with the index finger of the right hand and concluding with the index finger of the left. The four remaining syllables should be placed on the joints of the thumbs.
न्यसेद्‌धृदय ओंङ्कारं विकारमनु मूर्धनि ।
षकारं तु भ्रुवोर्मध्ये णकारं शिखया न्यसेत् ॥ ८ ॥
वेकारं नेत्रयोर्युञ्‍ज्यान्नकारं सर्वसन्धिषु ।
मकारमस्त्रमुद्दिश्य मन्त्रमूर्तिर्भवेद् बुध: ॥ ९ ॥
सविसर्गं फडन्तं तत्सर्वदिक्षु विनिर्दिशेत् ।
ॐ विष्णवे नम इति ॥ १० ॥
nyased dhṛdaya oṁkāraṁ
vi-kāram anu mūrdhani
ṣa-kāraṁ tu bhruvor madhye
ṇa-kāraṁ śikhayā nyaset
ve-kāraṁ netrayor yuñjyān
na-kāraṁ sarva-sandhiṣu
ma-kāram astram uddiśya
mantra-mūrtir bhaved budhaḥ
savisargaṁ phaḍ-antaṁ tat
sarva-dikṣu vinirdiśet
oṁ viṣṇave nama iti

Synonyms

nyasetshould place; hṛdayeon the heart; oṁkāramthe praṇava, oṁkāra; vi-kāramthe syllable vi of viṣṇave; anuthereafter; mūrdhanion the top of the head; ṣa-kāramthe syllable sa; tuand; bhruvoḥ madhyebetween the two eyebrows; ṇa-kāramthe syllable ṇa; śikhayāon the śikhā on the head; nyasetshould place; vekāramthe syllable ve; netrayoḥbetween the two eyes; yuñjyātshould be placed; na-kāramthe syllable na of the word namaḥ; sarva-sandhiṣuon all the joints; ma-kāramthe syllable ma of the word namaḥ; astrama weapon; uddiśyathinking; mantra-mūrtiḥthe form of the mantra; bhavetshould become; budhaḥan intelligent person; sa-visargamwith the visarga (); phaṭ-antamending with the sound phaṭ; tatthat; sarva-dikṣuin all directions; vinirdiśetshould fix; ompraṇava; viṣṇaveunto Lord Viṣṇu; namaḥobeisances; itithus.

Translation

One must then chant the mantra of six syllables [oṁ viṣṇave namaḥ]. One should place the syllable om on his heart, the syllable vi on the top of his head, the syllable sa between his eyebrows, the syllable na on his tuft of hair [śikhā], and the syllable ve between his eyes. The chanter of the mantra should then place the syllable na on all the joints of his body and meditate on the syllable ma as being a weapon. He should thus become the perfect personification of the mantra. Thereafter, adding visarga to the final syllable ma he should chant the mantra maḥ astrāya phaṭ in all directions, beginning from the east. In this way, all directions will be bound by the protective armor of the mantra.
आत्मानं परमं ध्यायेद् ध्येयं षट्‍‌शक्तिभिर्युतम् ।
विद्यातेजस्तपोमूर्तिमिमं मन्त्रमुदाहरेत् ॥ ११ ॥
ātmānaṁ paramaṁ dhyāyed
dhyeyaṁ ṣaṭ-śaktibhir yutam
vidyā-tejas-tapo-mūrtim
imaṁ mantram udāharet

Synonyms

ātmānamthe self; paramamthe supreme; dhyāyetone should meditate on; dhyeyamworthy to be meditated on; ṣaṭ-śaktibhiḥthe six opulences; yutampossessed of; vidyālearning; tejaḥinfluence; tapaḥausterity; mūrtimpersonified; imamthis; mantrammantra; udāharetshould chant.

Translation

After finishing this chanting, one should think himself qualitatively one with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is full in six opulences and is worthy to be meditated upon. Then one should chant the following protective prayer to Lord Nārāyaṇa, the Nārāyaṇa-kavaca.
ॐ हरिर्विदध्यान्मम सर्वरक्षां
न्यस्ताङ्‌घ्रिपद्म: पतगेन्द्रपृष्ठे ।
दरारिचर्मासिगदेषुचाप-
पाशान् दधानोऽष्टगुणोऽष्टबाहु: ॥ १२ ॥
om harir vidadhyān mama sarva-rakṣāṁ
nyastāṅghri-padmaḥ patagendra-pṛṣṭhe
darāri-carmāsi-gadeṣu-cāpa-
pāśān dadhāno ’ṣṭa-guno ’ṣṭa-bāhuḥ

Synonyms

omO Lord; hariḥthe Supreme Personality of Godhead; vidadhyātmay He bestow; mamamy; sarva-rakṣāmprotection from all sides; nyastaplaced; aṅghri-padmaḥwhose lotus feet; patagendra-pṛṣṭheon the back of Garuḍa, the king of all birds; daraconchshell; aridisc; carmashield; asisword; gadāclub; iṣuarrows; cāpabow; pāśānropes; dadhānaḥholding; aṣṭapossessing eight; guṇaḥperfections; aṣṭaeight; bāhuḥarms.

Translation

The Supreme Lord, who sits on the back of the bird Garuḍa, touching him with His lotus feet, holds eight weapons — the conchshell, disc, shield, sword, club, arrows, bow and ropes. May that Supreme Personality of Godhead protect me at all times with His eight arms. He is all-powerful because He fully possesses the eight mystic powers [aṇimā, laghimā, etc.].

Purport

Thinking oneself one with the Supreme is called ahaṅgrahopāsanā. Through ahaṅgrahopāsanā one does not become God, but he thinks of himself as qualitatively one with the Supreme. Understanding that as a spirit soul he is equal in quality to the supreme soul the way the water of a river is of the same nature as the water of the sea, one should meditate upon the Supreme Lord, as described in this verse, and seek His protection. The living entities are always subordinate to the Supreme. Consequently their duty is to always seek the mercy of the Lord in order to be protected by Him in all circumstances.
जलेषु मां रक्षतु मत्स्यमूर्ति-
र्यादोगणेभ्यो वरुणस्य पाशात् ।
स्थलेषु मायावटुवामनोऽव्यात्
त्रिविक्रम: खेऽवतु विश्वरूप: ॥ १३ ॥
jaleṣu māṁ rakṣatu matsya-mūrtir
yādo-gaṇebhyo varuṇasya pāśāt
sthaleṣu māyāvaṭu-vāmano vyāt
trivikramaḥ khe vatu viśvarūpaḥ

Synonyms

jaleṣuin the water; māmme; rakṣatuprotect; matsya-mūrtiḥthe Supreme Lord in the form of a great fish; yādaḥ-gaṇebhyaḥfrom fierce aquatic animals; varuṇasyaof the demigod known as Varuṇa; pāśātfrom the arresting rope; sthaleṣuon the land; māyā-vaṭuthe merciful form of the Lord as a dwarf; vāmanaḥnamed Vāmanadeva; avyātmay He protect; trivikramaḥTrivikrama, whose three gigantic steps took the three worlds from Bali; khein the sky; avatumay the Lord protect; viśvarūpaḥthe gigantic universal form.

Translation

May the Lord, who assumes the body of a great fish, protect me in the water from the fierce animals that are associates of the demigod Varuṇa. By expanding His illusory energy, the Lord assumed the form of the dwarf Vāmana. May Vāmana protect me on the land. Since the gigantic form of the Lord, Viśvarūpa, conquers the three worlds, may He protect me in the sky.

Purport

This mantra seeks the protection of the Supreme Personality of Godhead in the water, land and sky in His incarnations as the fish, Vāmanadeva and the Viśvarūpa.
दुर्गेष्वटव्याजिमुखादिषु प्रभु:
पायान्नृसिंहोऽसुरयूथपारि: ।
विमुञ्चतो यस्य महाट्टहासं
दिशो विनेदुर्न्यपतंश्च गर्भा: ॥ १४ ॥
durgeṣv aṭavy-āji-mukhādiṣu prabhuḥ
pāyān nṛsiṁho ’sura-yūthapāriḥ
vimuñcato yasya mahāṭṭa-hāsaṁ
diśo vinedur nyapataṁś ca garbhāḥ

Synonyms

durgeṣuin places where travel is very difficult; aṭaviin the dense forest; āji-mukha-ādiṣuon the war front and so on; prabhuḥthe Supreme Lord; pāyātmay He protect; nṛsiṁhaḥLord Nṛsiṁhadeva; asura-yūthapaof Hiraṇyakaśipu, the leader of the demons; ariḥthe enemy; vimuñcataḥreleasing; yasyaof whom; mahā-aṭṭa-hāsamgreat and fearful laughing; diśaḥall the directions; vineduḥresounded through; nyapatanfell down; caand; garbhāḥthe embryos of the wives of the demons.

Translation

May Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva, who appeared as the enemy of Hiraṇyakaśipu, protect me in all directions. His loud laughing vibrated in all directions and caused the pregnant wives of the asuras to have miscarriages. May that Lord be kind enough to protect me in difficult places like the forest and battlefront.
रक्षत्वसौ माध्वनि यज्ञकल्प:
स्वदंष्ट्रयोन्नीतधरो वराह: ।
रामोऽद्रिकूटेष्वथ विप्रवासे
सलक्ष्मणोऽव्याद् भरताग्रजोऽस्मान् ॥ १५ ॥
rakṣatv asau mādhvani yajña-kalpaḥ
sva-daṁṣṭrayonnīta-dharo varāhaḥ
rāmo ’dri-kūṭeṣv atha vipravāse
salakṣmaṇo ’vyād bharatāgrajo ’smān

Synonyms

rakṣatumay the Lord protect; asauthat; me; adhvanion the street; yajña-kalpaḥwho is ascertained by performance of ritualistic ceremonies; sva-daṁṣṭrayāby His own tusk; unnītaraising; dharaḥthe planet earth; varāhaḥLord Boar; rāmaḥLord Rāma; adri-kūṭeṣuon the summits of the mountains; athathen; vipravāsein foreign countries; sa-lakṣmaṇaḥwith His brother Lakṣmaṇa; avyātmay He protect; bharata-agrajaḥthe elder brother of Mahārāja Bharata; asmānus.

Translation

The Supreme indestructible Lord is ascertained through the performance of ritualistic sacrifices and is therefore known as Yajñeśvara. In His incarnation as Lord Boar, He raised the planet earth from the water at the bottom of the universe and kept it on His pointed tusks. May that Lord protect me from rogues on the street. May Paraśurāma protect me on the tops of mountains, and may the elder brother of Bharata, Lord Rāmacandra, along with His brother Lakṣmaṇa, protect me in foreign countries.

Purport

There are three Rāmas. One Rāma is Paraśurāma (Jāmadāgnya), another Rāma is Lord Rāmacandra, and a third Rāma is Lord Balarāma. In this verse the words rāmo ’dri-kūṭeṣv atha indicate Lord Paraśurāma. The brother of Bharata Mahārāja and Lakṣmaṇa is Lord Rāmacandra.
मामुग्रधर्मादखिलात्प्रमादा-
न्नारायण: पातु नरश्च हासात् ।
दत्तस्त्वयोगादथ योगनाथ:
पायाद्गुणेश: कपिल: कर्मबन्धात् ॥ १६ ॥
mām ugra-dharmād akhilāt pramādān
nārāyaṇaḥ pātu naraś ca hāsāt
dattas tv ayogād atha yoga-nāthaḥ
pāyād guṇeśaḥ kapilaḥ karma-bandhāt

Synonyms

māmme; ugra-dharmātfrom unnecessary religious principles; akhilātfrom all kinds of activities; pramādātwhich are enacted in madness; nārāyaṇaḥLord Nārāyaṇa; pātumay He protect; naraḥ caand Nara; hāsātfrom unnecessary pride; dattaḥDattātreya; tuof course; ayogātfrom the path of false yoga; athaindeed; yoga-nāthaḥthe master of all mystic powers; pāyātmay He protect; guṇa-īśaḥthe master of all spiritual qualities; kapilaḥLord Kapila; karma-bandhātfrom the bondage of fruitive activities.

Translation

May Lord Nārāyaṇa protect me from unnecessarily following false religious systems and falling from my duties due to madness. May the Lord in His appearance as Nara protect me from unnecessary pride. May Lord Dattātreya, the master of all mystic power, protect me from falling while performing bhakti-yoga, and may Lord Kapila, the master of all good qualities, protect me from the material bondage of fruitive activities.
सनत्कुमारोऽवतु कामदेवा-
द्धयशीर्षा मां पथि देवहेलनात् ।
देवर्षिवर्य: पुरुषार्चनान्तरात्
कूर्मो हरिर्मां निरयादशेषात् ॥ १७ ॥
sanat-kumāro ’vatu kāmadevād
dhayaśīrṣā māṁ pathi deva-helanāt
devarṣi-varyaḥ puruṣārcanāntarāt
kūrmo harir māṁ nirayād aśeṣāt

Synonyms

sanat-kumāraḥthe great brahmacārī named Sanat-kumāra; avatumay he protect; kāma-devātfrom the hands of Cupid or lusty desire; haya-śīrṣāLord Hayagrīva, the incarnation of the Lord whose head is like that of a horse; māmme; pathion the path; deva-helanātfrom neglecting to offer respectful obeisances to brāhmaṇas, Vaiṣṇavas and the Supreme Lord; devarṣi-varyaḥthe best of the saintly sages, Nārada; puruṣa-arcana-antarātfrom the offenses in worshiping the Deity; kūrmaḥLord Kūrma, the tortoise; hariḥthe Supreme Personality of Godhead; māmme; nirayātfrom hell; aśeṣātunlimited.

Translation

May Sanat-kumāra protect me from lusty desires. As I begin some auspicious activity, may Lord Hayagrīva protect me from being an offender by neglecting to offer respectful obeisances to the Supreme Lord. May Devarṣi Nārada protect me from committing offenses in worshiping the Deity, and may Lord Kūrma, the tortoise, protect me from falling to the unlimited hellish planets.

Purport

Lusty desires are very strong in everyone, and they are the greatest impediment to the discharge of devotional service. Therefore those who are very much influenced by lusty desires are advised to take shelter of Sanat-kumāra, the great brahmacārī devotee. Nārada Muni, who is the guide for arcana, is the author of the Nārada-pañcarātra, which prescribes the regulative principles for worshiping the Deity. Everyone engaged in Deity worship, whether at home or in the temple, should always seek the mercy of Devarṣi Nārada in order to avoid the thirty-two offenses while worshiping the Deity. These offenses in Deity worship are mentioned in The Nectar of Devotion.
धन्वन्तरिर्भगवान् पात्वपथ्याद्
द्वन्द्वाद् भयाद‍ृषभो निर्जितात्मा ।
यज्ञश्च लोकादवताज्जनान्ताद्
बलो गणात् क्रोधवशादहीन्द्र: ॥ १८ ॥
dhanvantarir bhagavān pātv apathyād
dvandvād bhayād ṛṣabho nirjitātmā
yajñaś ca lokād avatāj janāntād
balo gaṇāt krodha-vaśād ahīndraḥ

Synonyms

dhanvantariḥthe incarnation Dhanvantari, the physician; bhagavānthe Supreme Personality of Godhead; pātumay He protect me; apathyātfrom things injurious to the health, such as meat and intoxicants; dvandvātfrom duality; bhayātfrom fear; ṛṣabhaḥLord Ṛṣabhadeva; nirjita-ātmāwho fully controlled his mind and self; yajñaḥYajña; caand; lokātfrom the defamation of the populace; avatātmay He protect; jana-antātfrom dangerous positions created by other people; balaḥLord Balarāma; gaṇātfrom the hordes of; krodha-vaśātthe angry serpents; ahīndraḥLord Balarāma in the form of the serpent Śeṣa Nāga.

Translation

May the Supreme Personality of Godhead in His incarnation as Dhanvantari relieve me from undesirable eatables and protect me from physical illness. May Lord Ṛṣabhadeva, who conquered His inner and outer senses, protect me from fear produced by the duality of heat and cold. May Yajña protect me from defamation and harm from the populace, and may Lord Balarāma as Śeṣa protect me from envious serpents.

Purport

To live within this material world, one must face many dangers, as described herein. For example, undesirable food poses a danger to health, and therefore one must give up such food. The Dhanvantari incarnation can protect us in this regard. Since Lord Viṣṇu is the Supersoul of all living entities, if He likes He can save us from adhibhautika disturbances, disturbances from other living entities. Lord Balarāma is the Śeṣa incarnation, and therefore He can save us from angry serpents or envious persons, who are always ready to attack.
द्वैपायनो भगवानप्रबोधाद्
बुद्धस्तु पाषण्डगणप्रमादात् ।
कल्कि: कले: कालमलात् प्रपातु
धर्मावनायोरुकृतावतार: ॥ १९ ॥
dvaipāyano bhagavān aprabodhād
buddhas tu pāṣaṇḍa-gaṇa-pramādāt
kalkiḥ kaleḥ kāla-malāt prapātu
dharmāvanāyoru-kṛtāvatāraḥ

Synonyms

dvaipāyanaḥŚrīla Vyāsadeva, the giver of all Vedic knowledge; bhagavānthe most powerful incarnation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; aprabodhātfrom ignorance of the śāstra; buddhaḥ tualso Lord Buddha; pāṣaṇḍa-gaṇaof atheists creating disillusionment for innocent persons; pramādātfrom the madness; kalkiḥLord Kalki, the incarnation of Keśava; kaleḥof this Kali-yuga; kāla-malātfrom the darkness of the age; prapātumay He protect; dharma-avanāyafor the protection of religious principles; uruvery great; kṛta-avatāraḥwho took an incarnation.

Translation

May the Personality of Godhead in His incarnation as Vyāsadeva protect me from all kinds of ignorance resulting from the absence of Vedic knowledge. May Lord Buddhadeva protect me from activities opposed to Vedic principles and from laziness that causes one to madly forget the Vedic principles of knowledge and ritualistic action. May Kalkideva, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who appeared as an incarnation to protect religious principles, protect me from the dirt of the Age of Kali.

Purport

This verse mentions various incarnations of the Supreme Personality of Godhead who appear for various purposes. Śrīla Vyāsadeva, Mahāmuni, compiled the Vedic literature for the benefit of all human society. If one wants to be protected from the reactions of ignorance even in this Age of Kali, one may consult the books left by Śrīla Vyāsadeva, namely the four Vedas (Sāma, Yajur, Ṛg and Atharva), the 108 Upaniṣads, Vedānta-sūtra (Brahma-sūtra), Mahābhārata, Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam Mahā-Purāṇa (Vyāsadeva’s commentary on the Brahma-sūtra) and the other seventeen Purāṇas. Only by the mercy of Śrīla Vyāsadeva do we have so many volumes of transcendental knowledge to save us from the clutches of ignorance.
As described by Śrīla Jayadeva Gosvāmī in his Daśāvatāra-stotra, Lord Buddha apparently decried the Vedic knowledge:
nindasi yajña-vidher ahaha śruti-jātaṁ
sadaya-hṛdaya-darśita-paśu-ghātam
keśava dhṛta-buddha-śarīra jaya jagad-īśa hare
The mission of Lord Buddha was to save people from the abominable activity of animal killing and to save the poor animals from being unnecessarily killed. When pāṣaṇḍīs were cheating by killing animals on the plea of sacrificing them in Vedic yajñas, the Lord said, “If the Vedic injunctions allow animal killing, I do not accept the Vedic principles.” Thus he actually saved people who acted according to Vedic principles. One should therefore surrender to Lord Buddha so that he can help one avoid misusing the injunctions of the Vedas.
The Kalki avatāra is the fierce incarnation who vanquishes the class of the atheists born in this Age of Kali. Now, in the beginning of Kali-yuga, many irreligious principles are in effect, and as Kali-yuga advances, many pseudo religious principles will certainly be introduced, and people will forget the real religious principles enunciated by Lord Kṛṣṇa before the beginning of Kali-yuga, namely principles of surrender unto the lotus feet of the Lord. Unfortunately, because of Kali-yuga, foolish people do not surrender to the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa. Even most people who claim to belong to the Vedic system of religion are actually opposed to the Vedic principles. Every day they manufacture a new type of dharma on the plea that whatever one manufactures is also a path of liberation. Atheistic men generally say, yata mata tata patha. According to this view, there are hundreds and thousands of different opinions in human society, and each opinion is a valid religious principle. This philosophy of rascals has killed the religious principles mentioned in the Vedas, and such philosophies will become increasingly influential as Kali-yuga progresses. In the last stage of Kali-yuga, Kalkideva, the fierce incarnation of Keśava, will descend to kill all the atheists and will save only the devotees of the Lord.
मां केशवो गदया प्रातरव्याद्
गोविन्द आसङ्गवमात्तवेणु: ।
नारायण: प्राह्ण उदात्तशक्ति-
र्मध्यन्दिने विष्णुररीन्द्रपाणि: ॥ २० ॥
māṁ keśavo gadayā prātar avyād
govinda āsaṅgavam ātta-veṇuḥ
nārāyaṇaḥ prāhṇa udātta-śaktir
madhyan-dine viṣṇur arīndra-pāṇiḥ

Synonyms

māmme; keśavaḥLord Keśava; gadayāby His club; prātaḥin the morning hours; avyātmay He protect; govindaḥLord Govinda; āsaṅgavamduring the second part of the day; ātta-veṇuḥholding His flute; nārāyaṇaḥLord Nārāyaṇa with four hands; prāhṇaḥduring the third part of the day; udātta-śaktiḥcontrolling different types of potencies; madhyam-dineduring the fourth part of the day; viṣṇuḥLord Viṣṇu; arīndra-pāṇiḥbearing the disc in His hand to kill the enemies.

Translation

May Lord Keśava protect me with His club in the first portion of the day, and may Govinda, who is always engaged in playing His flute, protect me in the second portion of the day. May Lord Nārāyaṇa, who is equipped with all potencies, protect me in the third part of the day, and may Lord Viṣṇu, who carries a disc to kill His enemies, protect me in the fourth part of the day.

Purport

According to Vedic astronomical calculations, day and night are each divided into thirty ghaṭikās (twenty-four minutes), instead of twelve hours. Generally, each day and each night is divided into six parts consisting of five ghaṭikās. In each of these six portions of the day and night, the Lord may be addressed for protection according to different names. Lord Keśava, the proprietor of the holy place of Mathurā, is the Lord of the first portion of the day, and Govinda, the Lord of Vṛndāvana, is the master of the second portion.
देवोऽपराह्णे मधुहोग्रधन्वा
सायं त्रिधामावतु माधवो माम् ।
दोषे हृषीकेश उतार्धरात्रे
निशीथ एकोऽवतु पद्मनाभ: ॥ २१ ॥
devo ’parāhṇe madhu-hogradhanvā
sāyaṁ tri-dhāmāvatu mādhavo mām
doṣe hṛṣīkeśa utārdha-rātre
niśītha eko ’vatu padmanābhaḥ

Synonyms

devaḥthe Lord; aparāhṇein the fifth part of the day; madhu-named Madhusūdana; ugra-dhanvābearing the very fearful bow known as Śārṅga; sāyamthe sixth part of the day; tri-dhāmāmanifesting as the three deities Brahmā, Viṣṇu and Maheśvara; avatumay He protect; mādhavaḥnamed Mādhava; māmme; doṣeduring the first portion of the night; hṛṣīkeśaḥLord Hṛṣīkeśa; utaalso; ardha-rātreduring the second part of the night; niśītheduring the third part of the night; ekaḥalone; avatumay He protect; padmanābhaḥLord Padmanābha.

Translation

May Lord Madhusūdana, who carries a bow very fearful for the demons, protect me during the fifth part of the day. In the evening, may Lord Mādhava, appearing as Brahmā, Viṣṇu and Maheśvara, protect me, and in the beginning of night may Lord Hṛṣīkeśa protect me. At the dead of night [in the second and third parts of night] may Lord Padmanābha alone protect me.
श्रीवत्सधामापररात्र ईश:
प्रत्यूष ईशोऽसिधरो जनार्दन: ।
दामोदरोऽव्यादनुसन्ध्यं प्रभाते
विश्वेश्वरो भगवान् कालमूर्ति: ॥ २२ ॥
śrīvatsa-dhāmāpara-rātra īśaḥ
pratyūṣa īśo ’si-dharo janārdanaḥ
dāmodaro ’vyād anusandhyaṁ prabhāte
viśveśvaro bhagavān kāla-mūrtiḥ

Synonyms

śrīvatsa-dhāmāthe Lord, on whose chest the mark of Śrīvatsa is resting; apara-rātrein the fourth part of the night; īśaḥthe Supreme Lord; pratyūṣein the end of the night; īśaḥthe Supreme Lord; asi-dharaḥcarrying a sword in the hand; janārdanaḥLord Janārdana; dāmodaraḥLord Dāmodara; avyātmay He protect; anusandhyamduring each junction or twilight; prabhātein the early morning (the sixth part of the night); viśva-īśvaraḥthe Lord of the whole universe; bhagavānthe Supreme Personality of Godhead; kāla-mūrtiḥthe personification of time.

Translation

May the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who bears the Śrīvatsa on His chest, protect me after midnight until the sky becomes pinkish. May Lord Janārdana, who carries a sword in His hand, protect me at the end of night [during the last four ghaṭikās of night]. May Lord Dāmodara protect me in the early morning, and may Lord Viśveśvara protect me during the junctions of day and night.
चक्रं युगान्तानलतिग्मनेमि
भ्रमत् समन्ताद् भगवत्प्रयुक्तम् ।
दन्दग्धि दन्दग्ध्यरिसैन्यमाशु
कक्षं यथा वातसखो हुताश: ॥ २३ ॥
cakraṁ yugāntānala-tigma-nemi
bhramat samantād bhagavat-prayuktam
dandagdhi dandagdhy ari-sainyam āśu
kakṣaṁ yathā vāta-sakho hutāśaḥ

Synonyms

cakramthe disc of the Lord; yuga-antaat the end of the millennium; analalike the fire of devastation; tigma-nemiwith a sharp rim; bhramatwandering; samantāton all sides; bhagavat-prayuktambeing engaged by the Lord; dandagdhi dandagdhiplease burn completely, please burn completely; ari-sainyamthe army of our enemies; āśuimmediately; kakṣamdry grass; yathālike; vāta-sakhaḥthe friend of the wind; hutāśaḥblazing fire.

Translation

Set into motion by the Supreme Personality of Godhead and wandering in all the four directions, the disc of the Supreme Lord has sharp edges as destructive as the fire of devastation at the end of the millennium. As a blazing fire burns dry grass to ashes with the assistance of the breeze, may that Sudarśana cakra burn our enemies to ashes.
गदेऽशनिस्पर्शनविस्फुलिङ्गे
निष्पिण्ढि निष्पिण्ढ्यजितप्रियासि ।
कुष्माण्डवैनायकयक्षरक्षो-
भूतग्रहांश्चूर्णय चूर्णयारीन् ॥ २४ ॥
gade ’śani-sparśana-visphuliṅge
niṣpiṇḍhi niṣpiṇḍhy ajita-priyāsi
kuṣmāṇḍa-vaināyaka-yakṣa-rakṣo-
bhūta-grahāṁś cūrṇaya cūrṇayārīn

Synonyms

gadeO club in the hands of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; aśanilike thunderbolts; sparśanawhose touch; visphuliṅgegiving off sparks of fire; niṣpiṇḍhi niṣpiṇḍhipound to pieces, pound to pieces; ajita-priyāvery dear to the Supreme Personality of Godhead; asiyou are; kuṣmāṇḍaimps named Kuṣmāṇḍas; vaināyakaghosts named Vaināyakas; yakṣaghosts named Yakṣas; rakṣaḥghosts named Rākṣasas; bhūtaghosts named Bhūtas; grahānand evil demons named Grahas; cūrṇayapulverize; cūrṇayapulverize; arīnmy enemies.

Translation

O club in the hand of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, you produce sparks of fire as powerful as thunderbolts, and you are extremely dear to the Lord. I am also His servant. Therefore kindly help me pound to pieces the evil living beings known as Kuṣmāṇḍas, Vaināyakas, Yakṣas, Rākṣasas, Bhūtas and Grahas. Please pulverize them.
त्वं यातुधानप्रमथप्रेतमातृ-
पिशाचविप्रग्रहघोरद‍ृष्टीन् ।
दरेन्द्र विद्रावय कृष्णपूरितो
भीमस्वनोऽरेर्हृदयानि कम्पयन् ॥ २५ ॥
tvaṁ yātudhāna-pramatha-preta-mātṛ-
piśāca-vipragraha-ghora-dṛṣṭīn
darendra vidrāvaya kṛṣṇa-pūrito
bhīma-svano ’rer hṛdayāni kampayan

Synonyms

tvamyou; yātudhānaRākṣasas; pramathaPramathas; pretaPretas; mātṛMātās; piśācaPiśācas; vipra-grahabrāhmaṇa ghosts; ghora-dṛṣṭīnwho have very fearful eyes; darendraO Pāñcajanya, the conchshell in the hands of the Lord; vidrāvayadrive away; kṛṣṇa-pūritaḥbeing filled with air from the mouth of Kṛṣṇa; bhīma-svanaḥsounding extremely fearful; areḥof the enemy; hṛdayānithe cores of the hearts; kampayancausing to tremble.

Translation

O best of conchshells, O Pāñcajanya in the hands of the Lord, you are always filled with the breath of Lord Kṛṣṇa. Therefore you create a fearful sound vibration that causes trembling in the hearts of enemies like the Rākṣasas, pramatha ghosts, Pretas, Mātās, Piśācas and brāhmaṇa ghosts with fearful eyes.
त्वं तिग्मधारासिवरारिसैन्य-
मीशप्रयुक्तो मम छिन्धि छिन्धि ।
चक्षूंषि चर्मञ्छतचन्द्र छादय
द्विषामघोनां हर पापचक्षुषाम् ॥ २६ ॥
tvaṁ tigma-dhārāsi-varāri-sainyam
īśa-prayukto mama chindhi chindhi
cakṣūṁṣi carmañ chata-candra chādaya
dviṣām aghonāṁ hara pāpa-cakṣuṣām

Synonyms

tvamyou; tigma-dhāra-asi-varaO best of swords possessing very sharp blades; ari-sainyamthe soldiers of the enemy; īśa-prayuktaḥbeing engaged by the Supreme Personality of Godhead; mamamy; chindhi chindhichop to pieces, chop to pieces; cakṣūṁṣithe eyes; carmanO shield; śata-candrapossessing brilliant circles like a hundred moons; chādayaplease cover; dviṣāmof those who are envious of me; aghonāmwho are completely sinful; haraplease take away; pāpa-cakṣuṣāmof those whose eyes are very sinful.

Translation

O king of sharp-edged swords, you are engaged by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Please cut the soldiers of my enemies to pieces. Please cut them to pieces! O shield marked with a hundred brilliant moonlike circles, please cover the eyes of the sinful enemies. Pluck out their sinful eyes.
यन्नो भयं ग्रहेभ्योऽभूत् केतुभ्यो नृभ्य एव च ।
सरीसृपेभ्यो दंष्ट्रिभ्यो भूतेभ्योंहोभ्य एव च ॥ २७ ॥
सर्वाण्येतानि भगवन्नामरूपानुकीर्तनात् ।
प्रयान्तु सङ्‌क्षयं सद्यो ये न: श्रेय:प्रतीपका: ॥ २८ ॥
yan no bhayaṁ grahebhyo ’bhūt
ketubhyo nṛbhya eva ca
sarīsṛpebhyo daṁṣṭribhyo
bhūtebhyo ’ṁhobhya eva ca
sarvāṇy etāni bhagavan-
nāma-rūpānukīrtanāt
prayāntu saṅkṣayaṁ sadyo
ye naḥ śreyaḥ-pratīpakāḥ

Synonyms

yatwhich; naḥour; bhayamfear; grahebhyaḥfrom the Graha demons; abhūtwas; ketubhyaḥfrom meteors, or falling stars; nṛbhyaḥfrom envious human beings; eva caalso; sarīsṛpebhyaḥfrom snakes or scorpions; daṁṣṭribhyaḥfrom animals with fierce teeth like tigers, wolves and boars; bhūtebhyaḥfrom ghosts or the material elements (earth, water, fire, etc.); aṁhobhyaḥfrom sinful activities; eva caas well as; sarvāṇi etāniall these; bhagavat-nāma-rūpa-anukīrtanātby glorifying the transcendental form, name, attributes and paraphernalia of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; prayāntulet them go; saṅkṣayamto complete destruction; sadyaḥimmediately; yewhich; naḥour; śreyaḥ-pratīpakāḥhindrances to well-being.

Translation

May the glorification of the transcendental name, form, qualities and paraphernalia of the Supreme Personality of Godhead protect us from the influence of bad planets, meteors, envious human beings, serpents, scorpions, and animals like tigers and wolves. May it protect us from ghosts and the material elements like earth, water, fire and air, and may it also protect us from lightning and our past sins. We are always afraid of these hindrances to our auspicious life. Therefore, may they all be completely destroyed by the chanting of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra.
गरुडो भगवान् स्तोत्रस्तोभश्छन्दोमय: प्रभु: ।
रक्षत्वशेषकृच्छ्रेभ्यो विष्वक्सेन: स्वनामभि: ॥ २९ ॥
garuḍo bhagavān stotra-
stobhaś chandomayaḥ prabhuḥ
rakṣatv aśeṣa-kṛcchrebhyo
viṣvaksenaḥ sva-nāmabhiḥ

Synonyms

garuḍaḥHis Holiness Garuḍa, the carrier of Lord Viṣṇu; bhagavānas powerful as the Supreme Personality of Godhead; stotra-stobhaḥwho is glorified by selected verses and songs; chandaḥ-mayaḥthe personified Vedas; prabhuḥthe lord; rakṣatumay He protect; aśeṣa-kṛcchrebhyaḥfrom unlimited miseries; viṣvaksenaḥLord Viṣvaksena; sva-nāmabhiḥby His holy names.

Translation

Lord Garuḍa, the carrier of Lord Viṣṇu, is the most worshipable lord, for he is as powerful as the Supreme Lord Himself. He is the personified Vedas and is worshiped by selected verses. May he protect us from all dangerous conditions, and may Lord Viṣvaksena, the Personality of Godhead, also protect us from all dangers by His holy names.
सर्वापद्‌भ्यो हरेर्नामरूपयानायुधानि न: ।
बुद्धीन्द्रियमन:प्राणान् पान्तु पार्षदभूषणा: ॥ ३० ॥
sarvāpadbhyo harer nāma-
rūpa-yānāyudhāni naḥ
buddhīndriya-manaḥ-prāṇān
pāntu pārṣada-bhūṣaṇāḥ

Synonyms

sarva-āpadbhyaḥfrom all kinds of danger; hareḥof the Supreme Personality of Godhead; nāmathe holy name; rūpathe transcendental form; yānathe carriers; āyudhāniand all the weapons; naḥour; buddhiintelligence; indriyasenses; manaḥmind; prāṇānlife air; pāntumay they protect and maintain; pārṣada-bhūṣaṇāḥthe decorations who are personal associates.

Translation

May the Supreme Personality of Godhead’s holy names, His transcendental forms, His carriers and all the weapons decorating Him as personal associates protect our intelligence, senses, mind and life air from all dangers.

Purport

There are various associates of the transcendental Personality of Godhead, and His weapons and carrier are among them. In the spiritual world, nothing is material. The sword, bow, club, disc and everything decorating the personal body of the Lord are spiritual living force. Therefore the Lord is called advaya jñāna, indicating that there is no difference between Him and His names, forms, qualities, weapons and so on. Anything pertaining to Him is in the same category of spiritual existence. They are all engaged in the service of the Lord in varieties of spiritual forms.
यथा हि भगवानेव वस्तुत: सदसच्च यत् ।
सत्येनानेन न: सर्वे यान्तु नाशमुपद्रवा: ॥ ३१ ॥
yathā hi bhagavān eva
vastutaḥ sad asac ca yat
satyenānena naḥ sarve
yāntu nāśam upadravāḥ

Synonyms

yathājust as; hiindeed; bhagavānthe Supreme Personality of Godhead; evaundoubtedly; vastutaḥat the ultimate issue; satmanifested; asatunmanifested; caand; yatwhatever; satyenaby the truth; anenathis; naḥour; sarveall; yāntulet them go; nāśamto annihilation; upadravāḥdisturbances.

Translation

The subtle and gross cosmic manifestation is material, but nevertheless it is nondifferent from the Supreme Personality of Godhead because He is ultimately the cause of all causes. Cause and effect are factually one because the cause is present in the effect. Therefore the Absolute Truth, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, can destroy all our dangers by any of His potent parts.
यथैकात्म्यानुभावानां विकल्परहित: स्वयम् ।
भूषणायुधलिङ्गाख्या धत्ते शक्ती: स्वमायया ॥ ३२ ॥
तेनैव सत्यमानेन सर्वज्ञो भगवान् हरि: ।
पातु सर्वै: स्वरूपैर्न: सदा सर्वत्र सर्वग: ॥ ३३ ॥
yathaikātmyānubhāvānāṁ
vikalpa-rahitaḥ svayam
bhūṣaṇāyudha-liṅgākhyā
dhatte śaktīḥ sva-māyayā
tenaiva satya-mānena
sarva-jño bhagavān hariḥ
pātu sarvaiḥ svarūpair naḥ
sadā sarvatra sarva-gaḥ

Synonyms

yathājust as; aikātmyain terms of oneness manifested in varieties; anubhāvānāmof those thinking; vikalpa-rahitaḥthe absence of difference; svayamHimself; bhūṣaṇadecorations; āyudhaweapons; liṅga-ākhyāḥcharacteristics and different names; dhattepossesses; śaktīḥpotencies like wealth, influence, power, knowledge, beauty and renunciation; sva-māyayāby expanding His spiritual energy; tena evaby that; satya-mānenatrue understanding; sarva-jñaḥomniscient; bhagavānthe Supreme Personality of Godhead; hariḥwho can take away all the illusion of the living entities; pātumay He protect; sarvaiḥwith all; sva-rūpaiḥHis forms; naḥus; sadāalways; sarvatraeverywhere; sarva-gaḥwho is all-pervasive.

Translation

The Supreme Personality of Godhead, the living entities, the material energy, the spiritual energy and the entire creation are all individual substances. In the ultimate analysis, however, together they constitute the supreme one, the Personality of Godhead. Therefore those who are advanced in spiritual knowledge see unity in diversity. For such advanced persons, the Lord’s bodily decorations, His name, His fame, His attributes and forms and the weapons in His hand are manifestations of the strength of His potency. According to their elevated spiritual understanding, the omniscient Lord, who manifests various forms, is present everywhere. May He always protect us everywhere from all calamities.

Purport

A person highly elevated in spiritual knowledge knows that nothing exists but the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This is also confirmed in Bhagavad-gītā (9.4) where Lord Kṛṣṇa says, mayā tatam idaṁ sarvam, indicating that everything we see is an expansion of His energy. This is confirmed in the Viṣṇu Purāṇa (1.22.52):
eka-deśa-sthitasyāgner
jyotsnā vistāriṇī yathā
parasya brahmaṇaḥ śaktis
tathedam akhilaṁ jagat
As a fire, although existing in one place, can expand its light and heat everywhere, so the omnipotent Lord, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, although situated in His spiritual abode, expands Himself everywhere, in both the material and spiritual worlds, by His various energies. Since both cause and effect are the Supreme Lord, there is no difference between cause and effect. Consequently the ornaments and weapons of the Lord, being expansions of His spiritual energy, are not different from Him. There is no difference between the Lord and His variously presented energies. This is also confirmed in the Padma Purāṇa:
nāma cintāmaṇiḥ kṛṣṇaś
caitanya-rasa-vigrahaḥ
pūrṇaḥ śuddho nitya-mukto
’bhinnatvān nāma-nāminoḥ
The holy name of the Lord is fully identical with the Lord, not partially. The word pūrṇa means “complete.” The Lord is omnipotent and omniscient, and similarly, His name, form, qualities, paraphernalia and everything pertaining to Him are complete, pure, eternal and free from material contamination. The prayer to the ornaments and carriers of the Lord is not false, for they are as good as the Lord. Since the Lord is all-pervasive, He exists in everything, and everything exists in Him. Therefore even worship of the Lord’s weapons or ornaments has the same potency as worship of the Lord. Māyāvādīs refuse to accept the form of the Lord, or they say that the form of the Lord is māyā, or false, but one should note very carefully that this is not acceptable. Although the Lord’s original form and His impersonal expansion are one, the Lord maintains His form, qualities and abode eternally. Therefore this prayer says, pātu sarvaiḥ svarūpair naḥ sadā sarvatra sama-gaḥ: “May the Lord, who is all-pervasive in His various forms, protect us everywhere.” The Lord is always present everywhere by His name, form, qualities, attributes and paraphernalia, and they all have equal power to protect the devotees. Śrīla Madhvācārya explains this as follows:
eka eva paro viṣṇur
bhūṣāheti dhvajeṣv ajaḥ
tat-tac-chakti-pradatvena
svayam eva vyavasthitaḥ
satyenānena māṁ devaḥ
pātu sarveśvaro hariḥ
विदिक्षु दिक्षूर्ध्वमध: समन्ता-
दन्तर्बहिर्भगवान्नारसिंह: ।
प्रहापयँल्लोकभयं स्वनेन
स्वतेजसा ग्रस्तसमस्ततेजा: ॥ ३४ ॥
vidikṣu dikṣūrdhvam adhaḥ samantād
antar bahir bhagavān nārasiṁhaḥ
prahāpayaḻ loka-bhayaṁ svanena
sva-tejasā grasta-samasta-tejāḥ

Synonyms

vidikṣuin all corners; dikṣuin all directions (east, west, north and south); ūrdhvamabove; adhaḥbelow; samantāton all sides; antaḥinternally; bahiḥexternally; bhagavānthe Supreme Personality of Godhead; nārasiṁhaḥin the form of Nṛsiṁhadeva (half-lion and half-man); prahāpayancompletely destroying; loka-bhayamfear created by animals, poison, weapons, water, air, fire and so on; svanenaby His roar or the vibration of His name by His devotee Prahlāda Mahārāja; sva-tejasāby His personal effulgence; grastacovered; samastaall other; tejāḥinfluences.

Translation

Prahlāda Mahārāja loudly chanted the holy name of Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva. May Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva, roaring for His devotee Prahlāda Mahārāja, protect us from all fear of dangers created by stalwart leaders in all directions through poison, weapons, water, fire, air and so on. May the Lord cover their influence by His own transcendental influence. May Nṛsiṁhadeva protect us in all directions and in all corners, above, below, within and without.
मघवन्निदमाख्यातं वर्म नारायणात्मकम् ।
विजेष्यसेऽञ्जसा येन दंशितोऽसुरयूथपान् ॥ ३५ ॥
maghavann idam ākhyātaṁ
varma nārāyaṇātmakam
vijeṣyase ’ñjasā yena
daṁśito ’sura-yūthapān

Synonyms

maghavanO King Indra; idamthis; ākhyātamdescribed; varmamystic armor; nārāyaṇa-ātmakamrelated to Nārāyaṇa; vijeṣyaseyou will conquer; añjasāvery easily; yenaby which; daṁśitaḥbeing protected; asura-yūthapānthe chief leaders of the demons.

Translation

Viśvarūpa continued: O Indra, this mystic armor related to Lord Nārāyaṇa has been described by me to you. By putting on this protective covering, you will certainly be able to conquer the leaders of the demons.
एतद् धारयमाणस्तु यं यं पश्यति चक्षुषा ।
पदा वा संस्पृशेत् सद्य: साध्वसात् स विमुच्यते ॥ ३६ ॥
etad dhārayamāṇas tu
yaṁ yaṁ paśyati cakṣuṣā
padā vā saṁspṛśet sadyaḥ
sādhvasāt sa vimucyate

Synonyms

etatthis; dhārayamāṇaḥa person employing; tubut; yam yamwhomever; paśyatihe sees; cakṣuṣāby his eyes; padāby his feet; or; saṁspṛśetmay touch; sadyaḥimmediately; sādhvasātfrom all fear; saḥhe; vimucyateis freed.

Translation

If one employs this armor, whomever he sees with his eyes or touches with his feet is immediately freed from all the above-mentioned dangers.
न कुतश्चिद्भ‍यं तस्य विद्यां धारयतो भवेत् ।
राजदस्युग्रहादिभ्यो व्याध्यादिभ्यश्च कर्हिचित् ॥ ३७ ॥
na kutaścid bhayaṁ tasya
vidyāṁ dhārayato bhavet
rāja-dasyu-grahādibhyo
vyādhy-ādibhyaś ca karhicit

Synonyms

nanot; kutaścitfrom anywhere; bhayamfear; tasyaof him; vidyāmthis mystical prayer; dhārayataḥemploying; bhavetmay appear; rājafrom the government; dasyufrom rogues and thieves; graha-ādibhyaḥfrom demons and so on; vyādhi-ādibhyaḥfrom diseases and so on; caalso; karhicitat any time.

Translation

This prayer, Nārāyaṇa-kavaca, constitutes subtle knowledge transcendentally connected with Nārāyaṇa. One who employs this prayer is never disturbed or put in danger by the government, by plunderers, by evil demons or by any type of disease.
इमां विद्यां पुरा कश्चित्कौशिको धारयन् द्विज: ।
योगधारणया स्वाङ्गं जहौ स मरुधन्वनि ॥ ३८ ॥
imāṁ vidyāṁ purā kaścit
kauśiko dhārayan dvijaḥ
yoga-dhāraṇayā svāṅgaṁ
jahau sa maru-dhanvani

Synonyms

imāmthis; vidyāmprayer; purāformerly; kaścitsomeone; kauśikaḥKauśika; dhārayanusing; dvijaḥa brāhmaṇa; yoga-dhāraṇayāby mystic power; sva-aṅgamhis own body; jahaugave up; saḥhe; maru-dhanvaniin the desert.

Translation

O King of heaven, a brāhmaṇa named Kauśika formerly used this armor when he purposely gave up his body in the desert by mystic power.
तस्योपरि विमानेन गन्धर्वपतिरेकदा ।
ययौ चित्ररथ: स्त्रीभिर्वृतो यत्र द्विजक्षय: ॥ ३९ ॥
tasyopari vimānena
gandharva-patir ekadā
yayau citrarathaḥ strībhir
vṛto yatra dvija-kṣayaḥ

Synonyms

tasyahis dead body; upariabove; vimānenaby airplane; gandharva-patiḥthe King of Gandharvaloka, Citraratha; ekadāonce upon a time; yayauwent; citrarathaḥCitraratha; strībhiḥby many beautiful women; vṛtaḥsurrounded; yatrawhere; dvija-kṣayaḥthe brāhmaṇa Kauśika had died.

Translation

Surrounded by many beautiful women, Citraratha, the King of Gandharvaloka, was once passing in his airplane over the brāhmaṇa’s body at the spot where the brāhmaṇa had died.
गगनान्न्यपतत् सद्य: सविमानो ह्यवाक् शिरा: ।
स वालिखिल्यवचनादस्थीन्यादाय विस्मित: ।
प्रास्य प्राचीसरस्वत्यां स्‍नात्वा धाम स्वमन्वगात् ॥ ४० ॥
gaganān nyapatat sadyaḥ
savimāno hy avāk-śirāḥ
sa vālikhilya-vacanād
asthīny ādāya vismitaḥ
prāsya prācī-sarasvatyāṁ
snātvā dhāma svam anvagāt

Synonyms

gaganātfrom the sky; nyapatatfell; sadyaḥsuddenly; sa-vimānaḥwith his airplane; hicertainly; avāk-śirāḥwith his head downward; saḥhe; vālikhilyaof the great sages named the Vālikhilyas; vacanātby the instructions; asthīniall the bones; ādāyataking; vismitaḥstruck with wonder; prāsyathrowing; prācī-sarasvatyāmin the river Sarasvatī, which flows to the east; snātvābathing in that river; dhāmato the abode; svamhis own; anvagātreturned.

Translation

Suddenly Citraratha was forced to fall from the sky headfirst with his airplane. Struck with wonder, he was ordered by the great sages named the Vālikhilyas to throw the brāhmaṇa’s bones in the nearby river Sarasvatī. He had to do this and bathe in the river before returning to his own abode.
श्रीशुक उवाच
य इदं श‍ृणुयात्काले यो धारयति चाद‍ृत: ।
तं नमस्यन्ति भूतानि मुच्यते सर्वतो भयात् ॥ ४१ ॥
śrī-śuka uvāca
ya idaṁ śṛṇuyāt kāle
yo dhārayati cādṛtaḥ
taṁ namasyanti bhūtāni
mucyate sarvato bhayāt

Synonyms

śrī-śukaḥ uvācaŚrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī said; yaḥanyone who; idamthis; śṛṇuyātmay hear; kāleat a time of fear; yaḥanyone who; dhārayatiemploys this prayer; caalso; ādṛtaḥwith faith and adoration; tamunto him; namasyantioffer respectful obeisances; bhūtāniall living beings; mucyateis released; sarvataḥfrom all; bhayātfearful conditions.

Translation

Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: My dear Mahārāja Parīkṣit, one who employs this armor or hears about it with faith and veneration when afraid because of any conditions in the material world is immediately freed from all dangers and is worshiped by all living entities.
एतां विद्यामधिगतो विश्वरूपाच्छतक्रतु: ।
त्रैलोक्यलक्ष्मीं बुभुजे विनिर्जित्य मृधेऽसुरान् ॥ ४२ ॥
etāṁ vidyām adhigato
viśvarūpāc chatakratuḥ
trailokya-lakṣmīṁ bubhuje
vinirjitya mṛdhe ’surān

Synonyms

etāmthis; vidyāmprayer; adhigataḥreceived; viśvarūpātfrom the brāhmaṇa Viśvarūpa; śata-kratuḥIndra, the King of heaven; trailokya-lakṣmīmall the opulence of the three worlds; bubhujeenjoyed; vinirjityaconquering; mṛdhein battle; asurānall the demons.

Translation

King Indra, who performed one hundred sacrifices, received this prayer of protection from Viśvarūpa. After conquering the demons, he enjoyed all the opulences of the three worlds.

Purport

This mystical mantric armor given by Viśvarūpa to Indra, the King of heaven, acted powerfully, with the effect that Indra was able to conquer the asuras and enjoy the opulence of the three worlds without impediments. In this regard, Madhvācārya points out:
vidyāḥ karmāṇi ca sadā
guroḥ prāptāḥ phala-pradāḥ
anyathā naiva phaladāḥ
prasannoktāḥ phala-pradāḥ
One must receive all kinds of mantras from a bona fide spiritual master; otherwise the mantras will not be fruitful. This is also indicated in Bhagavad-gītā (4.34):
tad viddhi praṇipātena
paripraśnena sevayā
upadekṣyanti te jñānaṁ
jñāninas tattva-darśinaḥ
“Just try to learn the truth by approaching a spiritual master. Inquire from him submissively and render service unto him. The self-realized soul can impart knowledge unto you because he has seen the truth.” All mantras should be received through the authorized guru, and the disciple must satisfy the guru in all respects, after surrendering at his lotus feet. In the Padma Purāṇa it is also said, sampradāya-vihīnā ye mantrās te niṣphalā matāḥ. There are four sampradāyas, or disciplic successions, namely the Brahma sampradāya, the Rudra sampradāya, the Śrī sampradāya and the Kumāra sampradāya. If one wants to advance in spiritual power, one must receive his mantras from one of these bona fide sampradāyas; otherwise he will never successfully advance in spiritual life.
Thus end the Bhaktivedanta purports of the Sixth Canto, Eighth Chapter, of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, entitled “The Nārāyaṇa-kavaca Shield.”