The Account of Kārtavīrya’s Protective Kavaca
Kārtavīrya-kavaca-vṛttānta
महाशना बलिभुजो महाकुणपभोजनाः । दिवाचरा रात्रिचरा ये च संध्यासु दारुणाः ॥ ७६ ॥
mahāśanā balibhujo mahākuṇapabhojanāḥ | divācarā rātricarā ye ca saṃdhyāsu dāruṇāḥ || 76 ||
他们贪食无厌,吞食供献之物(bali 祭供),又啖食成堆腐尸;有的昼行,有的夜行,另有一些在晨昏交界(黎明与黄昏的沙恩提亚时分)尤为凶怖。
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa
It warns that certain harmful, impure forces are believed to be most active at specific times (day, night, and especially sandhyā), reinforcing the need for purity, vigilance, and disciplined conduct.
By highlighting danger at sandhyā, it indirectly supports steady devotional routine—especially sandhyā-prayer and remembrance—so the mind remains anchored in sattva and protected by sacred practice.
It emphasizes correct timing and observance around sandhyā (a key ritual junction), aligning practice with traditional time-discipline used in Vedic rites and daily nitya-karmas.