Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, Shloka 35

Nārāyaṇa-kavaca — The Armor of Lord Nārāyaṇa

Devanagari script

मघवन्निदमाख्यातं वर्म नारायणात्मकम् । विजेष्यसेऽञ्जसा येन दंशितोऽसुरयूथपान् ॥ ३५ ॥

Transliteration

maghavann idam ākhyātaṁ varma nārāyaṇātmakam vijeṣyase ’ñjasā yena daṁśito ’sura-yūthapān

Translation

Viśvarūpa continued: O Maghavan (Indra), I have described to you this mystic armor whose very essence is Nārāyaṇa. By wearing this protective covering, you will surely and easily conquer the leaders of the hosts of demons.

Synonyms

• maghavan: O Maghavan (Indra)
• maghavan: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: maghavan (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Vocative (8th/सम्बोधन), Singular (एकवचन)

• idam: this
• idam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: idam (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• ākhyātam: has been declared/told
• ākhyātam: Karma (कर्म) / Predicative (विधेय)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ā-khyā (आख्या धातु) + kta (क्त)
• Form: Past passive participle (कर्मणि भूतकृदन्त/क्त-प्रत्यय), Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• varma: armor, protective charm
• varma: Karta (कर्ता) / Apposition (समानाधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: varman (वर्मन् प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• nārāyaṇa-ātmakam: having Nārāyaṇa as its essence
• nārāyaṇa-ātmakam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: nārāyaṇa (नारायण प्रातिपदिक) + ātmaka (आत्मक प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (तत्पुरुष) compound; Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); qualifying varma

• vijeṣyase: you will conquer
• vijeṣyase: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vi-ji (विजि धातु)
• Form: Luṭ/Lṛṭ? actually Simple Future (लृट्), Ātmanepada (आत्मनेपद), 2nd person (मध्यमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन)

• añjasā: easily, straightaway
• añjasā: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: añjas (अञ्जस् प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Avyaya used adverbially (अव्यय/क्रियाविशेषण)

• yena: by which
• yena: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yad (यद् सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• daṁśitaḥ: having been bitten/stung
• daṁśitaḥ: Karta (कर्ता) (of implied state)
• Type: Verb
• Root: daṁś (दंश् धातु) + kta (क्त)
• Form: Past passive participle (कर्मणि भूतकृदन्त/क्त), Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); agreeing with implied 'tvam'

• asura-yūthapān: leaders of the asura-hosts
• asura-yūthapān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asura (असुर प्रातिपदिक) + yūthapa (यूथप प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (तत्पुरुष) compound; Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural (बहुवचन)

Characters & Entities

• Indra (Maghavan)
• Narayana
• Asura-yuthapas

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the Narayana-kavacha shield?

This verse states that the Narayana-kavacha is an armor of Nārāyaṇa’s own nature, and by taking shelter of it one can gain protection and victory even against powerful demoniac leaders.

Why did Vishvarupa say this to Indra (Maghavan)?

Indra sought a means of protection and success in battle against the asuras; Vishvarupa, acting as his priest and guide, concluded the teaching by assuring Indra that the Narayana-kavacha would grant easy victory despite being attacked.

Practical application of Narayana-kavacha teachings in modern life?

Take shelter of Nārāyaṇa through sincere remembrance, prayer, and disciplined devotion—using spiritual practice as inner “armor” to face fear, hostility, and adversity with steadiness.