The Shiva Armor

Verse 1 (skanda.3.104.1)

॥ ऋषभ उवाच ॥ नमस्कृत्य महादेवं विश्वव्यापिनमीश्वरम् ॥ वक्ष्ये शिवमयं वर्म सर्वरक्षाकरं नृणाम्

ṛṣabha uvāca namaskṛtya mahādevaṁ viśvavyāpinamīśvaram vakṣye śivamayaṁ varma sarvarakṣākaraṁ nṛṇām

Rishabha said: Having bowed to Mahadeva, the Lord pervading the universe, I shall declare the Shiva-armor, the protector of all for men.

Verse 2 (skanda.3.104.2)

शुचौ देशे समासीनो यथावत्कल्पितासनः ॥ जितेंद्रियो जितप्राणश्चिंतयेच्छिवमव्ययम्

śucau deśe samāsīno yathāvatkalpitāsanaḥ jiteṁdriyo jitaprāṇaściṁtayecchivamavyayam

Seated in a pure place, having duly arranged one's seat, with senses and breath controlled, one should meditate on the imperishable Shiva.

Verse 3 (skanda.3.104.3)

हृत्पुंडरीकांतरसन्निविष्टं स्वतेजसा व्याप्तनभोवकाशम् ॥ अतींद्रियं सूक्ष्ममनंतमाद्यं ध्यायेत्परानंदमयं महेशम्

hṛtpuṁḍarīkāṁtarasanniviṣṭaṁ svatejasā vyāptanabhovakāśam atīṁdriyaṁ sūkṣmamanaṁtamādyaṁ dhyāyetparānaṁdamayaṁ maheśam

One should meditate on the great Lord, seated within the lotus of the heart, his own radiance pervading the whole expanse of the sky, beyond the senses, subtle, endless, primal, full of supreme bliss.

Verse 4 (skanda.3.104.4)

ध्यानावधूताखिलकर्मबंधश्चिरं चिदानंदनिमग्नचेताः ॥ षडक्षरन्याससमाहितात्मा शैवेन कुर्या त्कवचेन रक्षाम्

dhyānāvadhūtākhilakarmabaṁdhaściraṁ cidānaṁdanimagnacetāḥ ṣaḍakṣaranyāsasamāhitātmā śaivena kuryā tkavacena rakṣām

With all the bonds of karma shaken off by meditation, the mind long immersed in consciousness and bliss, the self composed through the placement of the six syllables, one should perform protection with the Shaiva armor.

Verse 5 (skanda.3.104.5)

मां पातु देवोऽखिलदेवतात्मा संसारकूपे पतितं गभीरे ॥ तन्नाम दिव्यं वरमंत्रमूलं धुनोतु मे सर्वमघं हृदिस्थम्

māṁ pātu devo'khiladevatātmā saṁsārakūpe patitaṁ gabhīre tannāma divyaṁ varamaṁtramūlaṁ dhunotu me sarvamaghaṁ hṛdistham

May the god, the soul of all deities, protect me, fallen into the deep pit of worldly existence; may his divine name, the root of the excellent mantra, shake off from my heart all sin residing there.

Verse 6 (skanda.3.104.6)

सर्वत्र मां रक्षतु विश्वमूर्त्तिर्ज्योतिर्मयानंदघनश्चिदात्मा ॥ अणोरणीयानुरुशक्तिरेकः स ईश्वरः पातु भयादशेषात्

sarvatra māṁ rakṣatu viśvamūrttirjyotirmayānaṁdaghanaścidātmā aṇoraṇīyānuruśaktirekaḥ sa īśvaraḥ pātu bhayādaśeṣāt

May he protect me everywhere, the form of the universe, made of light, a mass of bliss, pure consciousness, subtler than the subtlest, yet of vast power, the one Lord, may he protect me from every fear.

Verse 7 (skanda.3.104.7)

यो भूस्वरूपेण बिभर्ति विश्वं पायात्स भूमेर्गिरिशोऽष्टमूर्तिः ॥ योऽपां स्वरूपेण नृणां करोति संजीनं सोऽवतु मां जलेभ्यः

yo bhūsvarūpeṇa bibharti viśvaṁ pāyātsa bhūmergiriśo'ṣṭamūrtiḥ yo'pāṁ svarūpeṇa nṛṇāṁ karoti saṁjīnaṁ so'vatu māṁ jalebhyaḥ

May Girisha, of eight forms, who in the form of earth sustains the universe, protect me from the earth; may he who in the form of water gives life to men, protect me from the waters.

Verse 8 (skanda.3.104.8)

कल्पावसाने भुवनानि दग्ध्वा सर्वाणि यो नृत्यति भूरिलीलः ॥ स कालरुद्रोऽवतु मां दवाग्नेर्वात्यादिभीतेरखिलाच्च तापात्

kalpāvasāne bhuvanāni dagdhvā sarvāṇi yo nṛtyati bhūrilīlaḥ sa kālarudro'vatu māṁ davāgnervātyādibhīterakhilācca tāpāt

May Kalarudra, who at the end of the kalpa, having burned all the worlds, dances in abundant sport, protect me from forest fire, from storms, and from every affliction.

Verse 9 (skanda.3.104.9)

प्रदीप्तविद्युत्कनकावभासो विद्यावराभीतिकुठारपाणिः॥ चतुर्मुखस्तत्पुरुषस्त्रिनेत्रः प्राच्यां स्थितं रक्षतु मामजस्रम्

pradīptavidyutkanakāvabhāso vidyāvarābhītikuṭhārapāṇiḥ caturmukhastatpuruṣastrinetraḥ prācyāṁ sthitaṁ rakṣatu māmajasram

Blazing like lightning and gold, holding in his hands learning, the boon-gesture, protection, and the axe, four-faced, three-eyed Tatpurusha, may he ever protect me who stand in the east.

Verse 10 (skanda.3.104.10)

कुठारवेदांकुशपाशशूलकपालढक्काक्षगुणान्दधानः ॥ चतुर्मुखो नीलरुचिस्त्रिनेत्रः पायादघोरो दिशि दक्षिणस्याम्

kuṭhāravedāṁkuśapāśaśūlakapālaḍhakkākṣaguṇāndadhānaḥ caturmukho nīlarucistrinetraḥ pāyādaghoro diśi dakṣiṇasyām

Holding the axe, the Veda, the goad, the noose, the trident, the skull, the small drum, and the rosary, four-faced, dark-blue in hue, three-eyed, may Aghora protect me in the southern direction.

Verse 11 (skanda.3.104.11)

कुंदेन्दुशंखस्फटिकावभासो वेदाक्षमालावरदाभयांकः ॥ त्र्यक्षश्चतुर्वक्त्र उरुप्रभावः सद्योधिजातोवतु मां प्रतीच्याम्

kuṁdenduśaṁkhasphaṭikāvabhāso vedākṣamālāvaradābhayāṁkaḥ tryakṣaścaturvaktra uruprabhāvaḥ sadyodhijātovatu māṁ pratīcyām

Radiant as jasmine, the moon, conch, and crystal, holding the Veda, the rosary, the boon and protection gestures, three-eyed, four-faced, of vast power, may Sadyojata protect me in the west.

Verse 12 (skanda.3.104.12)

वराक्षमालाभयटंकहस्तः सरोजकिंजल्कसमानवर्णः ॥ त्रिलोचनश्चारुचतुर्मुखो मां पायादुदीच्यां दिशि वामदेवः

varākṣamālābhayaṭaṁkahastaḥ sarojakiṁjalkasamānavarṇaḥ trilocanaścārucaturmukho māṁ pāyādudīcyāṁ diśi vāmadevaḥ

Holding in his hands the excellent rosary, the gesture of protection, and the chisel, of a hue like the pericarp of a lotus, three-eyed, of beautiful four faces, may Vamadeva protect me in the northern direction.

Verse 13 (skanda.3.104.13)

वेदाभयेष्टांकुशटंकपाशकपालढक्काक्षकशूलपाणिः ॥ सितद्युतिः पंचमुखोऽवतान्मामीशान ऊर्द्ध्वं परमप्रकाशः

vedābhayeṣṭāṁkuśaṭaṁkapāśakapālaḍhakkākṣakaśūlapāṇiḥ sitadyutiḥ paṁcamukho'vatānmāmīśāna ūrddhvaṁ paramaprakāśaḥ

Holding the Veda, the gesture of protection, the desired boon, the goad, the chisel, the noose, the skull, the small drum, the rosary, and the trident, of white radiance, five-faced, may Ishana protect me above, of supreme radiance.

Verse 14 (skanda.3.104.14)

मूर्धानमव्यान्मम चंद्रमौ लिर्भालं ममाव्यादथ भालनेत्रः ॥ नेत्रे ममाव्याद्भगनेत्रहारी नासां सदा रक्षतु विश्वनाथः

mūrdhānamavyānmama caṁdramau lirbhālaṁ mamāvyādatha bhālanetraḥ netre mamāvyādbhaganetrahārī nāsāṁ sadā rakṣatu viśvanāthaḥ

May the crescent-moon-crested one protect my head; may the one with the eye in his forehead protect my brow; may the destroyer of Bhaga's eyes protect my eyes; may the Lord of the universe ever protect my nose.

Verse 15 (skanda.3.104.15)

पायाच्छ्रुती मे श्रुतिगीतकीर्तिः कपोलमव्या त्सततं कपाली ॥ वक्त्रं सदा रक्षतु पंचवक्त्रो जिह्वां सदा रक्षतु वेदजिह्वः

pāyācchrutī me śrutigītakīrtiḥ kapolamavyā tsatataṁ kapālī vaktraṁ sadā rakṣatu paṁcavaktro jihvāṁ sadā rakṣatu vedajihvaḥ

May he whose fame is sung in the scriptures protect my ears; may Kapali ever protect my cheeks; may the five-faced one ever protect my mouth; may he whose tongue is the Veda ever protect my tongue.

Verse 16 (skanda.3.104.16)

कंठं गिरीशोऽवतु नीलकंठः पाणिद्वयं पातु पिनाकपाणिः ॥ दोर्मूलमव्यान्मम धर्मबाहुर्वक्षःस्थलं दक्षमखांतकोऽव्यात्

kaṁṭhaṁ girīśo'vatu nīlakaṁṭhaḥ pāṇidvayaṁ pātu pinākapāṇiḥ dormūlamavyānmama dharmabāhurvakṣaḥsthalaṁ dakṣamakhāṁtako'vyāt

May Girisha, the blue-throated one, protect my throat; may the wielder of the Pinaka bow protect my two hands; may he whose arm is dharma protect my shoulders; may the destroyer of Daksha's sacrifice protect my chest.

Verse 17 (skanda.3.104.17)

ममोदरं पातु गिरींद्रधन्वा मध्यं ममाव्यान्मदनान्तकारी ॥ हेरंबतातो मम पातु नाभिं पायात्कटी धूर्जटिरीश्वरो मे

mamodaraṁ pātu girīṁdradhanvā madhyaṁ mamāvyānmadanāntakārī heraṁbatāto mama pātu nābhiṁ pāyātkaṭī dhūrjaṭirīśvaro me

May he whose bow is the mountain-king protect my belly; may the destroyer of Kama protect my waist; may the father of Heramba protect my navel; may Dhurjati, the Lord, protect my hips.

Verse 18 (skanda.3.104.18)

ऊरुद्वयं पातु कुबेरमित्रो जानुद्वयं मे जगदीश्वरोऽव्यात् ॥ जंघायुगं पुंगवकेतुरव्यात्पादौ ममाव्या त्सुरवंद्यपादः

ūrudvayaṁ pātu kuberamitro jānudvayaṁ me jagadīśvaro'vyāt jaṁghāyugaṁ puṁgavaketuravyātpādau mamāvyā tsuravaṁdyapādaḥ

May the friend of Kubera protect my two thighs; may the Lord of the universe protect my two knees; may the bull-bannered one protect my two shins; may he whose feet are worshipped by the gods protect my two feet.

Verse 19 (skanda.3.104.19)

महेश्वरः पातु दिनादियामे मां मध्ययामेऽवतु वामदेवः ॥ त्रियंबकः पातु तृतीययामे वृषध्वजः पातु दिनांत्ययामे

maheśvaraḥ pātu dinādiyāme māṁ madhyayāme'vatu vāmadevaḥ triyaṁbakaḥ pātu tṛtīyayāme vṛṣadhvajaḥ pātu dināṁtyayāme

May Maheshvara protect me in the first watch of the day; may Vamadeva protect me in the middle watch; may Tryambaka protect me in the third watch; may the bull-bannered one protect me at the day's end.

Verse 20 (skanda.3.104.20)

पायान्निशादौ शशिशेखरो मां गंगाधरो रक्षतु मां निशीथे ॥ गौरीपतिः पातु निशावसाने मृत्युंजयो रक्षतु सर्वकालम्

pāyānniśādau śaśiśekharo māṁ gaṁgādharo rakṣatu māṁ niśīthe gaurīpatiḥ pātu niśāvasāne mṛtyuṁjayo rakṣatu sarvakālam

May the moon-crested one protect me at the beginning of the night; may Gangadhara protect me at midnight; may the husband of Gauri protect me at the end of the night; may the conqueror of death protect me at all times.

Verse 21 (skanda.3.104.21)

अंतःस्थितं रक्षतु शंकरो मां स्थाणुः सदा पातु बहिःस्थितं माम् ॥ तदंतरे पातु पतिः पशूनां सदा शिवो रक्षतु मां समंतात्

aṁtaḥsthitaṁ rakṣatu śaṁkaro māṁ sthāṇuḥ sadā pātu bahiḥsthitaṁ mām tadaṁtare pātu patiḥ paśūnāṁ sadā śivo rakṣatu māṁ samaṁtāt

May Shankara protect me when I am within; may Sthanu ever protect me when I am without; may the Lord of beasts protect me in between; may Shiva ever protect me on all sides.

Verse 22 (skanda.3.104.22)

तिष्ठंतमव्या द्भुवनैकनाथः पायाद्व्रजंतं प्रमथाधिनाथः ॥ वेदांतवेद्योऽवतु मान्निषण्णं मामव्ययः पातु शिवः शयानम्

tiṣṭhaṁtamavyā dbhuvanaikanāthaḥ pāyādvrajaṁtaṁ pramathādhināthaḥ vedāṁtavedyo'vatu mānniṣaṇṇaṁ māmavyayaḥ pātu śivaḥ śayānam

May the sole lord of the worlds protect me when I stand still; may the lord of the Pramathas protect me when I go; may he who is known through the Vedanta protect me when I sit; may the imperishable Shiva protect me when I lie down.

Verse 23 (skanda.3.104.23)

मार्गेषु मां रक्षतु नीलकंठः शैलादिदुर्गेषु पुरत्रयारिः ॥ अरण्यवासादिमहाप्रवासे पायान्मृगव्याध उदारशक्तिः

mārgeṣu māṁ rakṣatu nīlakaṁṭhaḥ śailādidurgeṣu puratrayāriḥ araṇyavāsādimahāpravāse pāyānmṛgavyādha udāraśaktiḥ

May the blue-throated one protect me on the roads; may the enemy of the three cities protect me in mountain-fortresses and the like; on great journeys of dwelling in forests and the like, may the noble-powered Mrigavyadha protect me.

Verse 24 (skanda.3.104.24)

कल्पांतकाटोपपटुप्रकोपः स्फुटाट्टहासोच्चलितांडकोशः ॥ घोरारिसेनार्णवदुर्निवारमहाभयाद्रक्षतु वीरभद्रः

kalpāṁtakāṭopapaṭuprakopaḥ sphuṭāṭṭahāsoccalitāṁḍakośaḥ ghorārisenārṇavadurnivāramahābhayādrakṣatu vīrabhadraḥ

May Virabhadra, whose fierce wrath is swift as at the end of the kalpa, whose clear peal of laughter causes the cosmic egg to shake, protect me from the great terror of the fearsome ocean of enemy armies, impossible to withstand.

Verse 25 (skanda.3.104.25)

पत्त्यश्वमातंगघटावरूथसहस्रलक्षायुतकोटिभीषणम् ॥ अक्षौहिणीनां शतमाततायिनां छिंद्या न्मूढो घोरकुठारधारया

pattyaśvamātaṁgaghaṭāvarūthasahasralakṣāyutakoṭibhīṣaṇam akṣauhiṇīnāṁ śatamātatāyināṁ chiṁdyā nmūḍho ghorakuṭhāradhārayā

May the deluded one, with a terrible axe-edge, cut down the hundred akshauhinis of aggressive troops, terrible with thousands, hundred-thousands, myriads, and millions of infantry, cavalry, elephants and chariots.

Verse 26 (skanda.3.104.26)

निहंतु दस्यून्प्रलयानलार्चिर्ज्वलत्त्रिशूलं त्रिपुरांतकस्य ॥ शार्दूलसिंहर्क्षवृकादिहिंस्रान्संत्रासयत्वीशधनुःपिनाकम्

nihaṁtu dasyūnpralayānalārcirjvalattriśūlaṁ tripurāṁtakasya śārdūlasiṁharkṣavṛkādihiṁsrānsaṁtrāsayatvīśadhanuḥpinākam

May the blazing trident of the destroyer of Tripura, with its flames like the fire of dissolution, slay the robbers; may the bow Pinaka of the Lord frighten away tigers, lions, bears, wolves, and other fierce beasts.

Verse 27 (skanda.3.104.27)

दुःस्वप्नदुःशकुनदुर्गतिदौर्मनस्यदुर्भिक्षदुर्व्यसनदुःसहदुर्यशांसि। उत्पाततापविषभीतिमसद्ग्रहार्तिव्याधींश्च नाशयतु मे जगतामधीशः

duḥsvapnaduḥśakunadurgatidaurmanasyadurbhikṣadurvyasanaduḥsahaduryaśāṁsi utpātatāpaviṣabhītimasadgrahārtivyādhīṁśca nāśayatu me jagatāmadhīśaḥ

May the Lord of the worlds destroy for me bad dreams, ill omens, misfortune, despondency, famine, evil habits, unbearable ill repute, calamities, distress, the fear of poison, evil planets, affliction, and diseases.

Verse 28 (skanda.3.104.28)

ओंनमो भगवते सदाशिवाय सकलतत्त्वात्मकाय सकलतत्त्वविहाराय सकललोकैककर्त्रे सकललौकैकभर्त्रे सकललोकैकहर्त्रे सकललोकैकगुरवे सकललोकैकसाक्षिणे सकलनिगमगुह्याय सकलवरप्रदाय सकलदुरितार्तिभंजनाय सकलजगदभयंकराय सकललोकैकशंकराय शशांकशेखराय शाश्व तनिजाभासाय निर्गुणाय निरुपमाय नीरूपाय निराभासाय निरामयाय निष्प्रपंचाय निष्कलंकाय निर्द्वंद्वाय निःसंगाय निर्मलाय निर्गमाय नित्यरूपविभवाय निरुपमविभवाय निराधाराय नित्यशुद्धबुद्धपरिपूर्णसच्चिदानंदाद्वयाय परमशांतप्रकाशतेजोरूपाय जयजय महारुद्र महारौद्र भद्रावतार दुःखदावदारण महाभैरव कालभैरव कल्पान्तभैरव कपालमालाधर खट्वांगखड्गचर्मपाशांकुशडमरुशूलचापबाणगदाशक्तिभिं डिपालतोमरमुसलमुद्गरपट्टिशपरशुपरिघभुशुंडीशतघ्नीचक्राद्यायुधभीषणकरसहस्र मुखदंष्ट्राकराल विकटाट्टहासविस्फारितब्रह्मामण्डल नागेंद्र कुण्डल नागेंद्रहार नागेंद्रवलय नागेंद्रचर्मधर मृत्युंजय त्र्यंबक त्रिपुरांतक विरूपाक्ष विश्वेश्वर विश्वरूप वृषभवाहन विषभूषण विश्वतोमुख सर्वतो रक्षरक्ष मां ज्वलज्वल महामृत्युभयमपमृत्युभयं नाशयनाशय रोगभयमुत्सादयोत्सादय विषसर्पभयं शमयशमय चोरभयं मारयमारय मम शत्रूनुच्चा टयोच्चाटय शूलेन विदारयविदारय कुठारेण भिंधिभिंधि खड्गेन छिंधिछिंधि खट्वांगेन विपोथयविपोथय मुसलेन निष्पेषयनिष्पेषय बाणैः संताडय संताडय रक्षांसि भीषयभीषय भूतानि विद्रावयविद्रावय कूष्मांडवेतालमारीगणब्रह्मराक्षसान्संत्रासयसंत्रासय ममाभयं कुरुकुरु वित्रस्तं मामाश्वास याश्वासय नरकभयान्मामुद्धारयोद्धारय संजीवयसंजीवय क्षुत्तृड्भ्यां मामाप्याययाप्यायय दुःखातुरं मामानन्दयानंदय शिवकवचेन मामाच्छादया च्छादय त्र्यंबक सदाशिव नमस्तेनमस्तेनमस्ते ॥ ऋषभ उवाच ॥ इत्येतत्कवचं शैवं वरदं व्याहृतं मया ॥ सर्वबाधाप्रशमनं रहस्यं सर्व देहिनाम्

oṁnamo bhagavate sadāśivāya sakalatattvātmakāya sakalatattvavihārāya sakalalokaikakartre sakalalaukaikabhartre sakalalokaikahartre sakalalokaikagurave sakalalokaikasākṣiṇe sakalanigamaguhyāya sakalavarapradāya sakaladuritārtibhaṁjanāya sakalajagadabhayaṁkarāya sakalalokaikaśaṁkarāya śaśāṁkaśekharāya śāśva tanijābhāsāya nirguṇāya nirupamāya nīrūpāya nirābhāsāya nirāmayāya niṣprapaṁcāya niṣkalaṁkāya nirdvaṁdvāya niḥsaṁgāya nirmalāya nirgamāya nityarūpavibhavāya nirupamavibhavāya nirādhārāya nityaśuddhabuddhaparipūrṇasaccidānaṁdādvayāya paramaśāṁtaprakāśatejorūpāya jayajaya mahārudra mahāraudra bhadrāvatāra duḥkhadāvadāraṇa mahābhairava kālabhairava kalpāntabhairava kapālamālādhara khaṭvāṁgakhaḍgacarmapāśāṁkuśaḍamaruśūlacāpabāṇagadāśaktibhiṁ ḍipālatomaramusalamudgarapaṭṭiśaparaśuparighabhuśuṁḍīśataghnīcakrādyāyudhabhīṣaṇakarasahasra mukhadaṁṣṭrākarāla vikaṭāṭṭahāsavisphāritabrahmāmaṇḍala nāgeṁdra kuṇḍala nāgeṁdrahāra nāgeṁdravalaya nāgeṁdracarmadhara mṛtyuṁjaya tryaṁbaka tripurāṁtaka virūpākṣa viśveśvara viśvarūpa vṛṣabhavāhana viṣabhūṣaṇa viśvatomukha sarvato rakṣarakṣa māṁ jvalajvala mahāmṛtyubhayamapamṛtyubhayaṁ nāśayanāśaya rogabhayamutsādayotsādaya viṣasarpabhayaṁ śamayaśamaya corabhayaṁ mārayamāraya mama śatrūnuccā ṭayoccāṭaya śūlena vidārayavidāraya kuṭhāreṇa bhiṁdhibhiṁdhi khaḍgena chiṁdhichiṁdhi khaṭvāṁgena vipothayavipothaya musalena niṣpeṣayaniṣpeṣaya bāṇaiḥ saṁtāḍaya saṁtāḍaya rakṣāṁsi bhīṣayabhīṣaya bhūtāni vidrāvayavidrāvaya kūṣmāṁḍavetālamārīgaṇabrahmarākṣasānsaṁtrāsayasaṁtrāsaya mamābhayaṁ kurukuru vitrastaṁ māmāśvāsa yāśvāsaya narakabhayānmāmuddhārayoddhāraya saṁjīvayasaṁjīvaya kṣuttṛḍbhyāṁ māmāpyāyayāpyāyaya duḥkhāturaṁ māmānandayānaṁdaya śivakavacena māmācchādayā cchādaya tryaṁbaka sadāśiva namastenamastenamaste ṛṣabha uvāca ityetatkavacaṁ śaivaṁ varadaṁ vyāhṛtaṁ mayā sarvabādhāpraśamanaṁ rahasyaṁ sarva dehinām

"Om, salutation to the blessed Sadashiva, the soul of all reality, who sports in all reality, sole creator of all worlds, sole sustainer of all worlds, sole destroyer of all worlds, sole guru of all worlds, sole witness of all worlds, the secret of all scriptures, the giver of all boons, the destroyer of the pain of all misfortune, who grants fearlessness to the whole world, the sole benefactor of all worlds, crowned with the crescent moon, of eternal self-radiance, without qualities, without comparison, without form, without semblance, without affliction, beyond all multiplicity, without blemish, beyond duality, without attachment, stainless, without passing away, of eternal form and glory, of incomparable glory, without support, of eternal pure, awakened, perfectly full being-consciousness-bliss non-dual nature, of supremely tranquil, radiant, luminous form, victory, victory! O great Rudra, great and terrible one, incarnation of auspiciousness, render of the forest of sorrow, great Bhairava, Kala-Bhairava, Bhairava at the end of the kalpa, wearer of a garland of skulls, bearing the skull-staff, sword, shield, noose, goad, small drum, trident, bow, arrow, mace, spear, javelin, club, hammer, mallet, battle-axe, axe, iron bludgeon, sling, cannon-like weapon, discus and other fearsome weapons in a thousand hands, terrible with fanged mouths, whose wild, harsh laughter makes the sphere of Brahma tremble, wearing serpent-king earrings, a serpent-king garland, serpent-king bracelets, a serpent-king's skin as garment, O conqueror of death, three-eyed one, destroyer of Tripura, of misshapen eyes, lord of the universe, of universal form, whose mount is the bull, adorned with poison, facing all directions, protect, protect me from every side! Blaze, blaze! Destroy, destroy the fear of great death and untimely death! Dispel, dispel the fear of disease! Pacify, pacify the fear of poison and serpents! Slay, slay the fear of thieves! Drive away, drive away my enemies! Rend, rend with your trident! Cleave, cleave with your axe! Cut, cut with your sword! Crush, crush with your skull-staff! Pound, pound with your club! Strike, strike with your arrows! Frighten, frighten the demons! Rout, rout the spirits! Terrify, terrify the Kushmandas, Vetalas, hosts of pestilence, and Brahma-rakshasas! Grant me fearlessness, grant it! Comfort, comfort me who am terrified! Deliver, deliver me from the fear of hell! Revive, revive me! Satisfy, satisfy me who am afflicted by hunger and thirst! Delight, delight me who am tormented by sorrow! Cover, cover me with the armor of Shiva! O Tryambaka, O Sadashiva, salutation to you, salutation to you, salutation to you!" Rishabha said: Thus has this boon-giving Shaiva armor been declared by me, the secret that calms every affliction, for all embodied beings.

Verse 29 (skanda.3.104.29)

यः सदा धारयेन्मर्त्यः शैवं कवचमुत्तमम् ॥ न तस्य जायते क्वापि भयं शम्भोरनुग्रहात्

yaḥ sadā dhārayenmartyaḥ śaivaṁ kavacamuttamam na tasya jāyate kvāpi bhayaṁ śambhoranugrahāt

Whatever mortal always wears this excellent Shaiva armor, no fear ever arises for him, by the grace of Shambhu.

Verse 30 (skanda.3.104.30)

क्षीणायुर्मृत्युमापन्नो महारोगहतोऽपि वा ॥ सद्यः सुखमवाप्नोति दीर्घमायुश्च विंदति

kṣīṇāyurmṛtyumāpanno mahārogahato'pi vā sadyaḥ sukhamavāpnoti dīrghamāyuśca viṁdati

Even one whose life is failing, who has met with death, or who is struck by a great disease, at once obtains happiness and attains long life.

Verse 31 (skanda.3.104.31)

सर्वदारिद्र्यशमनं सौमंगल्यविवर्धनम् ॥ यो धत्ते कवचं शैवं स देवैरपि पूज्यते

sarvadāridryaśamanaṁ saumaṁgalyavivardhanam yo dhatte kavacaṁ śaivaṁ sa devairapi pūjyate

It calms all poverty and increases auspiciousness; whoever wears the Shaiva armor is worshipped even by the gods.

Verse 32 (skanda.3.104.32)

महापातकसंघातैर्मुच्यते चोपपातकैः ॥ देहांते शिवमाप्नोति शिववर्मानुभावतः

mahāpātakasaṁghātairmucyate copapātakaiḥ dehāṁte śivamāpnoti śivavarmānubhāvataḥ

He is freed from the accumulation of great sins and lesser sins; at the end of the body he attains Shiva, through the power of Shiva's armor.

Verse 33 (skanda.3.104.33)

त्वमपि श्रद्धया वत्स शैवं कवच मुत्तमम्॥ धारयस्व मया दत्तं सद्यः श्रेयो ह्यवाप्स्यसि

tvamapi śraddhayā vatsa śaivaṁ kavaca muttamam dhārayasva mayā dattaṁ sadyaḥ śreyo hyavāpsyasi

You too, my child, with faith, should wear this excellent Shaiva armor, given by me; you shall at once obtain the highest good.

Verse 34 (skanda.3.104.34)

सूत उवाच ॥ इत्युक्त्वा ऋषभो योगी तस्मै पार्थिवसूनवे ॥ ददौ शंखं महारावं खड्गं चारिनिषूदनम्

sūta uvāca ityuktvā ṛṣabho yogī tasmai pārthivasūnave dadau śaṁkhaṁ mahārāvaṁ khaḍgaṁ cāriniṣūdanam

Suta said: Having said this, the yogi Rishabha gave to that prince a conch of great resonance, and a sword that slays enemies.

Verse 35 (skanda.3.104.35)

पुनश्च भस्म संमंत्र्य तदंगं सर्वतोऽस्पृशत् ॥ गजानां षट्सहस्रस्य द्विगुणं च बलं ददौ

punaśca bhasma saṁmaṁtrya tadaṁgaṁ sarvato'spṛśat gajānāṁ ṣaṭsahasrasya dviguṇaṁ ca balaṁ dadau

And again, having consecrated ashes with mantras, he touched his whole body with them, and gave him a strength twice that of six thousand elephants.

Verse 36 (skanda.3.104.36)

भस्मप्रभावात्संप्राप्य बलैश्वर्यधृतिस्मृतीः ॥ स राजपुत्रः शुशुभे शरदर्क इव श्रिया

bhasmaprabhāvātsaṁprāpya balaiśvaryadhṛtismṛtīḥ sa rājaputraḥ śuśubhe śaradarka iva śriyā

Having obtained, by the power of the ash, strength, lordship, fortitude, and memory, that prince shone with splendor like the autumn sun.

Verse 37 (skanda.3.104.37)

तमाह प्रांजलिं भूयः स योगी राजनंदनम् ॥ एष खड्गो मया दत्तस्तपोमंत्रानुभावतः

tamāha prāṁjaliṁ bhūyaḥ sa yogī rājanaṁdanam eṣa khaḍgo mayā dattastapomaṁtrānubhāvataḥ

Then, with joined palms, that yogi spoke again to the prince: "This sword I have given you, by the power of tapas and mantra.

Verse 38 (skanda.3.104.38)

शितधारमिमं खड्गं यस्मै दर्शयसि स्फुटम् ॥ स सद्यो म्रियते शत्रुः साक्षान्मृत्युरपि स्वयम्

śitadhāramimaṁ khaḍgaṁ yasmai darśayasi sphuṭam sa sadyo mriyate śatruḥ sākṣānmṛtyurapi svayam

"This sword, of sharp edge, to whomever you clearly show it, that enemy dies instantly, even were he death itself in person.

Verse 39 (skanda.3.104.39)

अस्य शंखस्य निह्रादं ये शृण्वंति तवाहिताः.॥ ते मूर्च्छिताः पतिष्यंति न्यस्तशस्त्रा विचेतना

asya śaṁkhasya nihrādaṁ ye śṛṇvaṁti tavāhitāḥ. te mūrcchitāḥ patiṣyaṁti nyastaśastrā vicetanā

"Those hostile to you who hear the roar of this conch shall fall unconscious, their weapons dropped, bereft of their senses.

Verse 40 (skanda.3.104.40)

खड्गशंखाविमौ दिव्यौ परसैन्यविनाशिनौ ॥ आत्मसैन्यस्वपक्षाणां शौर्यतेजोविवर्धनौ

khaḍgaśaṁkhāvimau divyau parasainyavināśinau ātmasainyasvapakṣāṇāṁ śauryatejovivardhanau

"This sword and this conch, both divine, destroy the armies of enemies, and increase the valor and splendor of one's own army and allies.

Verse 41 (skanda.3.104.41)

एतयोश्च प्रभावेन शैवेन कवचेन च ॥ द्विषट्सहस्रनागानां बलेन महतापि च

etayośca prabhāvena śaivena kavacena ca dviṣaṭsahasranāgānāṁ balena mahatāpi ca

"By the power of these two, and by the Shaiva armor, and by the strength of twelve thousand elephants,

Verse 42 (skanda.3.104.42)

भस्मधारणसामर्थ्याच्छत्रुसैन्यं विजेष्यसि ॥ प्राप्य सिंहासनं पैत्र्यं गोप्तासि पृथिवीमिमाम्

bhasmadhāraṇasāmarthyācchatrusainyaṁ vijeṣyasi prāpya siṁhāsanaṁ paitryaṁ goptāsi pṛthivīmimām

"and by the power of wearing the ash, you shall conquer the enemy's army; having obtained your paternal throne, you shall protect this earth."

Verse 43 (skanda.3.104.43)

इति भद्रायुषं सम्यगनुशास्य समातृकम्॥ ताभ्यां संपूजितः सोऽथ योगी स्वैरगतिर्ययौ

iti bhadrāyuṣaṁ samyaganuśāsya samātṛkam tābhyāṁ saṁpūjitaḥ so'tha yogī svairagatiryayau

Having thus duly instructed Bhadrayu, together with his mother, and being honored by the two of them, that yogi departed, going wherever he willed.