Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 26
The Exposition of Hanumān’s Protective Kavaca
Māruti-kavaca
यस्य शब्दमुपाकर्ण्य दैत्यदानवराक्षसाः । देवा मनुष्यास्तिर्यंचः स्थावरा जङ्गमास्तथा ॥ २६ ॥
yasya śabdamupākarṇya daityadānavarākṣasāḥ | devā manuṣyāstiryaṃcaḥ sthāvarā jaṅgamāstathā || 26 ||
ज्याचा शब्द (नाद) ऐकून दैत्य, दानव, राक्षस तसेच देव, मनुष्य, तिर्यक् (पशुपक्षी), स्थावर व जंगम सर्वच त्याच्या प्रभावाखाली येतात।
Narada (within the Narada–Sanatkumara dialogue frame)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: adbhuta (wonder)
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka (fear)
FAQs
It emphasizes the universal reach of sacred sound (śabda)—a spiritually potent utterance whose influence extends across all classes of beings, from gods and humans to animals and even immobile life.
By highlighting the transformative power of “hearing” (upākarṇya), it aligns with bhakti practices like śravaṇa (listening) to divine names and praises, suggesting that hearing sacred utterance itself can move and purify all beings.
It points to the Vedāṅga emphasis on śabda and correct utterance—especially the mantra-centric disciplines supported by Śikṣā (phonetics) and Vyākaraṇa (grammar), where precise sound is treated as functionally efficacious.