Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 42
The Account of Kārtavīrya’s Protective Kavaca
Kārtavīrya-kavaca-vṛttānta
वशीकृतेंद्रियग्रामः पातु सर्वेन्द्रियाणि मे । अनुक्तमपि यत्स्थान शरीरांतर्बहिश्च यत् ॥ ४२ ॥
vaśīkṛteṃdriyagrāmaḥ pātu sarvendriyāṇi me | anuktamapi yatsthāna śarīrāṃtarbahiśca yat || 42 ||
Semoga Dia yang menundukkan seluruh gugus indria melindungi semua indriaku. Dan semoga Ia juga menjaga setiap tempat yang tak disebutkan—apa pun yang berada di dalam tubuhku maupun di luarnya.
Narada (protective stotra-style recitation within the teaching context)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It frames spiritual safety as arising from indriya-nigraha (mastery of the senses), asking for protection not only of the senses but of all “unmentioned” inner and outer domains—implying complete, all-directional spiritual guardianship.
Bhakti becomes stable when the senses are restrained and directed; the verse prays to the supremely self-controlled protector so that devotion is not broken by sensory agitation, whether from internal impulses or external influences.
It emphasizes disciplined practice foundational to Vedic learning—control of speech and senses that supports correct recitation and observance (a prerequisite for effective mantra-prayoga and ritual steadiness).