Shloka 28

Vaiṣṇava-kavaca: Vishnu’s Protective Armor Against Fear, Disease, Poison, and Hostile Forces

Devanagari script

अयं भगवतो मन्त्रो मन्त्राणां परमो महान् / विख्यातं कवचं गुह्यं सर्पपापप्रणाशनम् / स्वमायाकृतिनिर्माणं कल्पान्तगहनं महत्

Transliteration

ayaṃ bhagavato mantro mantrāṇāṃ paramo mahān / vikhyātaṃ kavacaṃ guhyaṃ sarpapāpapraṇāśanam / svamāyākṛtinirmāṇaṃ kalpāntagahanaṃ mahat

Translation

C'est le mantra du Seigneur — suprême et le plus exalté parmi tous les mantras. C'est la célèbre armure protectrice secrète (kavaca) qui détruit les péchés liés aux serpents. Né du propre pouvoir de māyā du Seigneur, c'est un mystère vaste et profond, aussi insondable que la fin d'un âge (kalpa).

Word by Word

• ayam: This
• ayam: Karta (Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: idam
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st), Singular

• bhagavataḥ: Of the Lord
• bhagavataḥ: Sambandha (Relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhagavat
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th), Singular

• mantraḥ: Mantra
• mantraḥ: Karta (Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mantra
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st), Singular

• mantrāṇāṃ: Among mantras
• mantrāṇāṃ: Nirdharana (Specification)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mantra
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th), Plural

• paramaḥ: Supreme
• paramaḥ: Visheshana (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: parama
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st), Singular

• mahān: Great
• mahān: Visheshana (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahat
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st), Singular

• vikhyātam: Renowned
• vikhyātam: Visheshana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vikhyāta
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st), Singular

• kavacam: Armor
• kavacam: Karta/Predicate
• Type: Noun
• Root: kavaca
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st), Singular

• guhyam: Secret
• guhyam: Visheshana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: guhya
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st), Singular

• sarpapāpapraṇāśanam: Destroyer of snakes (poison) and sins
• sarpapāpapraṇāśanam: Visheshana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarpapāpapraṇāśana
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st), Singular

• svamāyākṛtinirmāṇaṃ: Constructed by the form of His own Maya
• svamāyākṛtinirmāṇaṃ: Visheshana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: svamāyākṛtinirmāṇa
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st), Singular

• kalpāntagahanaṃ: Deep/Mysterious like the end of the Kalpa
• kalpāntagahanaṃ: Visheshana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kalpāntagahana
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st), Singular

• mahat: Great
• mahat: Visheshana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahat
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st), Singular

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Bhagavat-mantra as supreme among mantras; kavaca as divine protection; māyā as the Lord’s power producing efficacious forms.

Vedantic Theme: Māyā as Īśvara-śakti (not mere illusion) enabling protective manifestations; surrender to the Supreme as the highest refuge.

Application: Treat the mantra as a confidential protective practice; recite with faith and restraint, especially for viṣa/serpentine afflictions and related pāpa.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.194.27 (when to recite); Garuda Purana 1.194.29 (full kavaca/mantra text)

Characters & Entities

• Bhagavan (Lord Vishnu)
• Sarpa (serpents)

FAQs

What is the importance of a kavacha (protective hymn) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse frames the kavacha as a secret, renowned spiritual armor empowered by the Lord, meant to protect and to destroy specific sins—highlighting kavacha-recitation as a dharmic means of purification and safeguarding.

How does this verse explain the power source of the mantra?

It explicitly attributes the mantra’s efficacy to Bhagavan himself—arising from the Lord’s own māyā-śakti—indicating divine origin rather than merely human composition.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Approach sacred recitation with discipline and ethical living: treat protective prayers as supports for inner purity, repentance, and restraint—especially when seeking relief from fear, guilt, or perceived doṣas connected with serpents.