Shloka 29

Nārāyaṇa-kavaca — The Armor of Lord Nārāyaṇa

Devanagari script

गरुडो भगवान् स्तोत्रस्तोभश्छन्दोमय: प्रभु: । रक्षत्वशेषकृच्छ्रेभ्यो विष्वक्सेन: स्वनामभि: ॥ २९ ॥

Transliteration

garuḍo bhagavān stotra- stobhaś chandomayaḥ prabhuḥ rakṣatv aśeṣa-kṛcchrebhyo viṣvaksenaḥ sva-nāmabhiḥ

Translation

Möge Herr Garuḍa, der Träger Viṣṇus—verehrungswürdig, durch Stotras gepriesen und die personifizierten Veden—uns vor allen Gefahren und Nöten schützen; und möge auch Herr Viṣvaksena uns durch Seine heiligen Namen vor jeglichem Unheil bewahren.

Synonyms

• गरुडः: Garuḍa
• गरुडः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गरुड (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-एकवचन (Masculine, Nominative singular)

• भगवान्: the blessed/lordly one
• भगवान्: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भगवत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifying ‘गरुडः’)

• स्तोत्र-स्तोभः: hymn and chant
• स्तोत्र-स्तोभः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्तोत्र (प्रातिपदिक) + स्तोभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वन्द्व-समास (copulative), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-एकवचन; ‘praise and chant’ as a collective epithet

• छन्दोमयः: consisting of Vedic metres
• छन्दोमयः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: छन्दस् (प्रातिपदिक) + मय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-एकवचन; विशेषण

• प्रभुः: the lord/master
• प्रभुः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रभु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-एकवचन

• रक्षतु: may (he) protect
• रक्षतु: Kriya (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: रक्ष् (धातु)
• Form: लोट्-लकार (Imperative/benedictive), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन, परस्मैपद

• अशेष-कृच्छ्रेभ्यः: from all hardships
• अशेष-कृच्छ्रेभ्यः: Apadana (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अशेष (प्रातिपदिक) + कृच्छ्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास; नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग (कृच्छ्र as neuter commonly), पञ्चमी-बहुवचन (Ablative plural)

• विष्वक्सेनः: Viṣvaksena (he whose army is everywhere)
• विष्वक्सेनः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विष्वक् (अव्यय/प्रातिपदिक) + सेन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-एकवचन; विष्वक् = सर्वतः (everywhere)

• स्व-नामभिः: by his own names
• स्व-नामभिः: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्व (प्रातिपदिक) + नामन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-बहुवचन (Instrumental plural)

Characters & Entities

• Garuḍa
• Viṣvaksena

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about protection through the Nārāyaṇa-kavaca?

This verse invokes divine protectors—Garuḍa and Viṣvaksena—affirming that remembrance and prayer, especially through sacred names and Vedic praise, remove all distress and give complete protection.

Why are Garuḍa and Viṣvaksena invoked in the Nārāyaṇa-kavaca prayer?

In the kavaca, specific divine beings are invoked as guardians. Garuḍa is celebrated as a powerful protector associated with the Lord, and Viṣvaksena is honored as the Lord’s commander who safeguards devotional service—both are called to ward off obstacles and dangers.

How can I apply the teaching of this shloka in modern life?

Practice regular remembrance of the Lord’s protectors and chant sacred names with faith, especially during anxiety or danger—using devotion and disciplined prayer as a spiritual shield against fear and hardship.