Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 43
The Exposition of Hanumān’s Protective Kavaca
Māruti-kavaca
नखायुधाय भीमाय दन्तायुधधराय च । विहंगमाय शवाय वज्रदेहाय ते नमः ॥ ४३ ॥
nakhāyudhāya bhīmāya dantāyudhadharāya ca | vihaṃgamāya śavāya vajradehāya te namaḥ || 43 ||
ನಖಗಳನ್ನು ಆಯುಧವಾಗಿ ಧರಿಸಿದ ಭೀಮಸ್ವರೂಪನಿಗೆ, ದಂತಗಳನ್ನು ಶಸ್ತ್ರವಾಗಿ ಹೊಂದಿದವನಿಗೆ, ವಿಹಂಗಮರೂಪನಿಗೆ, ಯೋಗನಿಶ್ಚಲತೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಶವದಂತೆ ಅಚಲನಾಗಿರುವವನಿಗೆ ಹಾಗೂ ವಜ್ರಸಮ ದೇಹಧಾರಿಯಿಗೆ ನಮಸ್ಕಾರ।
Narada
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: raudra
FAQs
It functions as a namaskāra-mantra: by invoking multiple epithets of the Lord—fierce, protective, and invincible—it trains the mind to surrender and seek refuge in Vishnu’s all-powerful presence.
Bhakti here is expressed as reverent remembrance (nāma and guṇa-kīrtana): the devotee approaches Vishnu through repeated salutations, contemplating His attributes as a direct devotional practice.
The verse highlights chandas-style liturgical usage: a compact sequence of epithets suited for recitation (japa/stotra), showing how precise wording supports ritualized remembrance and devotional focus.