Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 136
The Account of Kārtavīrya’s Protective Kavaca
Kārtavīrya-kavaca-vṛttānta
तस्य रक्षां सदा कुर्याच्चक्रं विष्णोर्महात्मनः । मयैतत्कवचं विप्र दत्तात्रेयान्मुनीश्वरात् ॥ १३६ ॥
tasya rakṣāṃ sadā kuryāccakraṃ viṣṇormahātmanaḥ | mayaitatkavacaṃ vipra dattātreyānmunīśvarāt || 136 ||
Qu’on assure sans cesse sa protection par le Cakra du Seigneur Viṣṇu, à l’âme magnanime. Ô brāhmane, ce kavaca, hymne de sauvegarde, m’a été transmis par le sage souverain Dattātreya.
Narada (teaching in a raksha/kavacha transmission line)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It establishes Viṣṇu’s Cakra as a divine protective principle (rakṣā) and emphasizes that kavaca-practices are most authoritative when received through a recognized guru-paramparā (here, Dattātreya → Nārada).
Protection is sought not through mere technique but through reliance on Lord Viṣṇu’s power (the Cakra as His śakti), expressing bhakti as surrender and continual remembrance—“always perform protection” (sadā).
It points to disciplined mantra/kavaca application—proper transmission, correct recitation, and consistent practice—skills aligned with śikṣā (phonetics) and vyākaraṇa (precise wording) that ensure the kavaca is applied accurately.