Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, Shloka 21
Nārāyaṇa-kavaca — The Armor of Lord Nārāyaṇa
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
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.
FAQs
This verse assigns specific names of Lord Viṣṇu to protect the devotee at afternoon, evening, dusk, and midnight, teaching continuous remembrance (smaraṇa) as a spiritual shield.
Indra, threatened by powerful enemies, was instructed by Viśvarūpa to take shelter of Lord Nārāyaṇa through a protective prayer, emphasizing that ultimate safety comes from devotion rather than mere strength.
Use time-based remembrance—briefly invoking Viṣṇu’s names at transitions like afternoon, evening, and before sleep—to cultivate steadiness, reduce fear, and anchor the mind in bhakti.