Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, Shloka 19
Nārāyaṇa-kavaca — The Armor of Lord Nārāyaṇa
द्वैपायनो भगवानप्रबोधाद् बुद्धस्तु पाषण्डगणप्रमादात् । कल्कि: कले: कालमलात् प्रपातु धर्मावनायोरुकृतावतार: ॥ १९ ॥
dvaipāyano bhagavān aprabodhād buddhas tu pāṣaṇḍa-gaṇa-pramādāt kalkiḥ kaleḥ kāla-malāt prapātu dharmāvanāyoru-kṛtāvatāraḥ
愿圣者兑毗婆耶那·毗耶娑护我脱离因缺乏吠陀知识而生的一切无明。愿佛陀化身护我远离外道之徒的怠惰与违背吠陀原则的行径。愿为护持正法而降世的伟大化身迦尔基，护我脱离迦利时代的污垢。
This verse mentions various incarnations of the Supreme Personality of Godhead who appear for various purposes. Śrīla Vyāsadeva, Mahāmuni, compiled the Vedic literature for the benefit of all human society. If one wants to be protected from the reactions of ignorance even in this Age of Kali, one may consult the books left by Śrīla Vyāsadeva, namely the four Vedas ( Sāma, Yajur, Ṛg and Atharva ), the 108 Upaniṣads, Vedānta-sūtra ( Brahma-sūtra ), Mahābhārata, Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam Mahā-Purāṇa (Vyāsadeva’s commentary on the Brahma-sūtra ) and the other seventeen Purāṇas. Only by the mercy of Śrīla Vyāsadeva do we have so many volumes of transcendental knowledge to save us from the clutches of ignorance.
FAQs
This verse invokes divine protection through avatāras—especially Lord Kalki—specifically to be saved from the impurity and destructive influence of Kali-yuga and to safeguard dharma.
They are invoked as protective manifestations aligned with specific dangers: Vyāsa against spiritual dullness, Buddha against deception by irreligious sects, and Kalki against Kali-yuga’s corruption—each guarding dharma in different ways.
Use it as a daily reminder to seek genuine spiritual awakening (avoid apathy), discern truth from misleading ideologies, and actively support dharma through sādhana, ethical living, and devotion.