Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, Shloka 22
Nārāyaṇa-kavaca — The Armor of Lord Nārāyaṇa
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
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.
FAQs
This verse invokes specific names and forms of the Lord to protect the devotee at particular times—late night, dawn, sandhyā junctions, and morning—showing that remembrance of Viṣṇu throughout the day is itself a spiritual shield.
Janārdana emphasizes the Lord as the remover of the suffering of living beings (and here, as a sword-bearing protector), while Dāmodara highlights His intimate, devotional aspect—both majesty and sweetness are invoked for complete protection.
Create brief daily “remembrance checkpoints” (pre-dawn, sunrise, twilight, morning) by chanting a name of the Lord; it builds steadiness of mind, reduces fear, and keeps one aligned with devotion and dharma.