Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, Shloka 18
Nārāyaṇa-kavaca — The Armor of Lord Nārāyaṇa
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
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.
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.
FAQs
This verse prays to Lord Ṛṣabha to protect the devotee from fear arising from dvandva—seeing life through opposites like gain/loss and honor/dishonor—by cultivating self-mastery and devotion.
Dhanvantari is invoked as Bhagavān to protect one from apathya—unwholesome diet and harmful habits—since bodily discipline supports spiritual steadiness and devotional practice.
Use it as a daily prayer for disciplined living: eat and act in ways that sustain clarity, avoid fear-based thinking rooted in duality, stay cautious in social entanglements, and seek divine help to restrain anger.