Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, Shloka 4
Nārāyaṇa-kavaca — The Armor of Lord Nārāyaṇa
श्रीविश्वरूप उवाच धौताङ्घ्रिपाणिराचम्य सपवित्र उदङ्मुख: । कृतस्वाङ्गकरन्यासो मन्त्राभ्यां वाग्यत: शुचि: ॥ ४ ॥ नारायणपरं वर्म सन्नह्येद् भय आगते । पादयोर्जानुनोरूर्वोरुदरे हृद्यथोरसि ॥ ५ ॥ मुखे शिरस्यानुपूर्व्यादोंङ्कारादीनि विन्यसेत् । ॐ नमो नारायणायेति विपर्ययमथापि वा ॥ ६ ॥
śrī-viśvarūpa uvāca dhautāṅghri-pāṇir ācamya sapavitra udaṅ-mukhaḥ kṛta-svāṅga-kara-nyāso mantrābhyāṁ vāg-yataḥ śuciḥ
Viśvarūpa dijo: Cuando sobrevenga el temor, primero lávate manos y pies y realiza ācamana; toca la kuśa sagrada y siéntate mirando al norte, en silencio y pureza. Luego, haciendo nyāsa en el cuerpo y en las manos con el mantra de ocho sílabas ‘oṁ namo nārāyaṇāya’ y el mantra de doce sílabas, vístete con la armadura consagrada a Nārāyaṇa. Coloca las sílabas, comenzando con el praṇava, en los pies, rodillas, muslos, vientre, corazón, pecho, boca y cabeza en orden; y después colócalas también en orden inverso.
FAQs
This verse emphasizes external and internal purification—washing, ācamana, facing north, performing nyāsa with mantras, and observing controlled speech—before beginning the Narāyaṇa-kavaca.
Viśvarūpa teaches the proper method to invoke Lord Nārāyaṇa’s protective armor, ensuring the practitioner approaches the prayer with purity, discipline, and correct ritual focus.
Create a brief, consistent pre-prayer routine—cleanliness, a quiet posture, and mindful speech—so chanting becomes focused, reverent, and steady.