Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 52

The Exposition of Hanumān’s Protective Kavaca

Māruti-kavaca

Devanagari script

प्रजप्तमेतत्कवचमसाध्यं चापि साधयेत् ॥ ५२ ॥

Transliteration

prajaptametatkavacamasādhyaṃ cāpi sādhayet || 52 ||

Translation

Ang kavaca na ito, kapag na-japa at napaging ganap sa wastong pagbigkas, ay makapagtatamo maging ng itinuturing na imposible.

Word by Word

• प्रजप्तम्: well-recited
• प्रजप्तम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रजप्त (प्रातिपदिक; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त from प्र+√जप् (धातु))
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्यय (PPP) ‘well-recited’

• एतत्: this
• एतत्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एतद् (प्रातिपदिक; सर्वनाम)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

• कवचम्: armor (hymn)
• कवचम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कवच (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

• असाध्यम्: the impossible (thing)
• असाध्यम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: असाध्य (प्रातिपदिक; नञ्-तत्पुरुष from साध्य)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म), एकवचन; नञ्-समास (negated)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयार्थक (conjunction ‘and’)

• अपि: even/also
• अपि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अप्यर्थक (also/even)

• साधयेत्: should accomplish
• साधयेत्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √साध् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

Speaker

Sanatkumara (in dialogue with Narada)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in Narada Purana?

It asserts the Purāṇic principle that a kavaca, when empowered through disciplined japa, becomes spiritually efficacious—removing obstacles and enabling extraordinary attainment through mantra-siddhi.

How does this verse explain the path of devotion (Bhakti)?

Although framed as mantra-technology, it aligns with bhakti by emphasizing faithful, steady repetition; the ‘power’ arises from devoted practice and reliance on sacred sound as divine protection.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It highlights mantra-japa procedure and efficacy (a practical limb of ritual discipline), implying correct recitation and repetition—skills supported by Śikṣā (phonetics) and Vyākaraṇa (grammar) for accurate chanting.