Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, Shloka 21
Nārāyaṇa-kavaca — The Armor of Lord Nārāyaṇa
देवोऽपराह्णे मधुहोग्रधन्वा सायं त्रिधामावतु माधवो माम् । दोषे हृषीकेश उतार्धरात्रे निशीथ एकोऽवतु पद्मनाभ: ॥ २१ ॥
devo ’parāhṇe madhu-hogradhanvā sāyaṁ tri-dhāmāvatu mādhavo mām doṣe hṛṣīkeśa utārdha-rātre niśītha eko ’vatu padmanābhaḥ
Sa ikalimang bahagi ng araw, nawa’y ingatan ako ni Madhusūdana na may hawak na busog na kinatatakutan ng mga asura. Sa dapithapon, nawa’y ingatan ako ni Mādhava sa Kanyang tatluhang anyo; sa simula ng gabi, nawa’y ingatan ako ni Hṛṣīkeśa; at sa kalaliman ng hatinggabi, nawa’y si Padmanābha lamang ang mag-ingat sa akin.
FAQs
This verse assigns specific names of Lord Viṣṇu to protect the devotee at afternoon, evening, dusk, and midnight, teaching continuous remembrance (smaraṇa) as a spiritual shield.
Indra, threatened by powerful enemies, was instructed by Viśvarūpa to take shelter of Lord Nārāyaṇa through a protective prayer, emphasizing that ultimate safety comes from devotion rather than mere strength.
Use time-based remembrance—briefly invoking Viṣṇu’s names at transitions like afternoon, evening, and before sleep—to cultivate steadiness, reduce fear, and anchor the mind in bhakti.