Shloka 1
Nārāyaṇa-kavaca — The Armor of Lord Nārāyaṇa
श्रीराजोवाच यया गुप्त: सहस्राक्ष: सवाहान् रिपुसैनिकान् । क्रीडन्निव विनिर्जित्य त्रिलोक्या बुभुजे श्रियम् ॥ १ ॥ भगवंस्तन्ममाख्याहि वर्म नारायणात्मकम् । यथाततायिन: शत्रून्येन गुप्तोऽजयन्मृधे ॥ २ ॥
śrī-rājovāca yayā guptaḥ sahasrākṣaḥ savāhān ripu-sainikān krīḍann iva vinirjitya tri-lokyā bubhuje śriyam
Raja berkata: Wahai Bhagavan, jelaskan kepadaku baju zirah mantra Viṣṇu yang melindungi Indra bermata seribu sehingga ia menaklukkan pasukan musuh beserta tunggangannya seakan bermain, lalu menikmati kemuliaan tiga dunia. Mohon uraikan Nārāyaṇa-kavaca itu, yang dengan perlindungannya Indra menang di medan perang atas musuh yang hendak membunuhnya.
FAQs
It is a divine protective armor (kavaca) centered on Nārāyaṇa, described as powerful enough to protect even Indra and ensure victory over enemies.
Parīkṣit cites Indra’s victory as evidence of the kavaca’s power, prompting a request to hear the exact Nārāyaṇa-based armor and how it works.
It teaches that sincere reliance on the Lord’s shelter and remembrance of Nārāyaṇa cultivates inner protection—reducing fear and strengthening steadiness in challenges.