Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 47
The Account of Kārtavīrya’s Protective Kavaca
Kārtavīrya-kavaca-vṛttānta
गह्वरे सर्वसंकीर्णे संध्याकाले नृपालये । विवादे विपुलावर्ते समुद्रे च नदीतटे ॥ ४७ ॥
gahvare sarvasaṃkīrṇe saṃdhyākāle nṛpālaye | vivāde vipulāvarte samudre ca nadītaṭe || 47 ||
Dans un ravin profond; en un lieu encombré de toutes parts; au temps du crépuscule; dans la demeure du roi; au milieu des querelles; dans un puissant tourbillon; et à la mer ou sur la rive d’un fleuve—qu’on soit vigilant et qu’on n’y entreprenne pas d’actes inconvenants.
Narada (teaching within a technical-dharma/vedanga styled instruction, traditionally in dialogue with Sanatkumara)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It teaches that sacred acts require a sattvic setting; unstable, dangerous, politically charged, or conflict-filled places and twilight conditions disturb concentration and purity, reducing the efficacy of dharmic practice.
Bhakti depends on steady remembrance; the verse indirectly supports devotion by advising environments that protect mental steadiness (ekāgratā) for japa, pūjā, and contemplation.
Applied prayoga-guidance aligned with Kalpa (ritual procedure): selecting appropriate deśa (place) and kāla (time), avoiding sandhyā-time hazards and disruptive locations for successful performance.