Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 67
The Account of Kārtavīrya’s Protective Kavaca
Kārtavīrya-kavaca-vṛttānta
डाकिन्यो द्रुणसाः प्रेताः क्षेत्रपाला विनायकाः । महाव्याघ्रमहामेघा महातुरागरूपकाः ॥ ६७ ॥
ḍākinyo druṇasāḥ pretāḥ kṣetrapālā vināyakāḥ | mahāvyāghramahāmeghā mahāturāgarūpakāḥ || 67 ||
Para Dākinī, makhluk Druṇasa pemakan daging, para preta; para penjaga kawasan suci dan para Vināyaka; yang menampakkan diri sebagai harimau perkasa, sebagai awan ribut yang luas, dan dalam rupa kuda besar yang menggerunkan—demikianlah disebutkan.
Sanatkumara (in instruction to Narada)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: raudra
FAQs
The verse catalogs classes of subtle beings and fearsome manifestations to stress that unseen forces can affect ritual space (kṣetra) and the practitioner, hence the need for purity, correct procedure, and protective rites.
Indirectly, it supports bhakti by implying that reliance on dharmic discipline and devotion-centered worship (especially of the Lord who removes obstacles) steadies the mind against fear and disturbances attributed to such entities.
It points to applied ritual science—protecting the worship-space through proper mantra/nyāsa and procedural correctness (a Vedāṅga-aligned, technical approach to ritual performance rather than a purely mythic description).