Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, Shloka 12
Nārāyaṇa-kavaca — The Armor of Lord Nārāyaṇa
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
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.].
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.
FAQs
It is a devotional “armor” prayer to Lord Nārāyaṇa, invoking His forms, weapons, and guardianship for complete protection, as exemplified in this verse’s appeal for sarva-rakṣā (total protection).
The imagery proclaims Hari’s supreme power and readiness to protect devotees—Garuḍa signifies swift divine rescue, and the weapons represent the Lord’s ability to remove dangers and uphold dharma.
By remembering and praying to Hari with faith—especially in anxiety or uncertainty—one cultivates inner steadiness, moral courage, and reliance on divine shelter while continuing one’s duties responsibly.