Nārāyaṇa-kavaca — The Armor of Lord Nārāyaṇa
श्रीविश्वरूप उवाच धौताङ्घ्रिपाणिराचम्य सपवित्र उदङ्मुख: । कृतस्वाङ्गकरन्यासो मन्त्राभ्यां वाग्यत: शुचि: ॥ ४ ॥ नारायणपरं वर्म सन्नह्येद् भय आगते । पादयोर्जानुनोरूर्वोरुदरे हृद्यथोरसि ॥ ५ ॥ मुखे शिरस्यानुपूर्व्यादोंङ्कारादीनि विन्यसेत् । ॐ नमो नारायणायेति विपर्ययमथापि वा ॥ ६ ॥
śrī-viśvarūpa uvāca dhautāṅghri-pāṇir ācamya sapavitra udaṅ-mukhaḥ kṛta-svāṅga-kara-nyāso mantrābhyāṁ vāg-yataḥ śuciḥ
Sinabi ni Viśvarūpa: Kapag dumarating ang takot, hugasan muna ang kamay at paa at magsagawa ng ācamana upang luminis; umupo nang taimtim na nakaharap sa hilaga, hawakan ang damong kuśa at manahimik. Pagkaraan, gawin ang nyāsa sa pamamagitan ng mantrang walong pantig at labindalawang pantig, at isuot ang baluting Nārāyaṇa. Habang inuusal ang ‘oṁ namo nārāyaṇāya’, ilagay ang nyāsa mula sa mga paa patungo sa tuhod, hita, tiyan, puso, dibdib, bibig at ulo; saka ulitin sa baligtad na ayos.
This verse instructs that when fear arises one should take shelter of the Narayana-centered “armor,” mentally placing divine protection over the body—signifying complete dependence on Nārāyaṇa.
Viśvarūpa teaches this protective discipline as a devotional safeguard in times of danger, directing the practitioner to consciously invoke Nārāyaṇa’s protection through sacred placement (nyāsa).
When anxiety or threat arises, remember Nārāyaṇa, recite His name/mantra, and cultivate mindful God-centered protection—training the mind to respond to fear with surrender rather than panic.