Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 50
The Account of Kārtavīrya’s Protective Kavaca
Kārtavīrya-kavaca-vṛttānta
शारीरे च महादुःखे मानसे च महाज्वरे । आधिव्याधिभये विघ्नज्वालोपद्रवकेऽपि च ॥ ५० ॥
śārīre ca mahāduḥkhe mānase ca mahājvare | ādhivyādhibhaye vighnajvālopadravake'pi ca || 50 ||
Dans la grande souffrance du corps et dans la fièvre ardente de l’esprit; même dans la crainte des afflictions et des maladies; et au milieu des obstacles, des périls flamboyants et des calamités—c’est alors qu’il faut se réfugier en Hari et mettre en œuvre le remède spirituel prescrit.
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It frames extreme physical and mental distress—disease, anxiety, obstacles, and calamities—as moments when one should intensify refuge in dharma and the prescribed sacred practice (typically japa, stotra, vrata, or protective prayoga) rather than fall into fear.
By listing crises (duḥkha, jvara, ādhi-vyādhi, vighna), it implies that devotion is not conditional on comfort; bhakti is a steady refuge that is especially activated when life becomes unstable.
The verse points to applied prayoga—structured use of sacred recitation and ritual procedure for protection—aligned with Vedanga-style discipline (correct application, timing, and method), even though it does not name a specific Vedanga explicitly.