Gaṇeśa Trailokya Mohana Kavacam । (गणेश त्रैलोक्यमोहनकवचम् ।)

Source: sanskritdocuments.org

Prologue:

This Kavacam is dedicated to the worshippers of Śrī Mahāgaṇapati, who is adored as the highest form of Lord Gaṇeśa, by the Gaṇapatyas – the sect of followers of Lord Gaṇeśa. Śrī Mahāgaṇapati upāsana, is initiated along with that of Śrī Bālā Tripura Sundarī in the tradition of Śrī Vidyā, by many gurus. In the Purāṇas, Lord Gaṇeśa is described as the son of the Divine Mother Pārvati, who created Him with the unguents smeared on Her body. His defiance of Lord Śiva, resulted in the replacement of his head with the elephant head of Gajāsura, an ardent devotee of Lord Śiva. In the tantric context, the Laghu Ṣoḍhā nyāsa of Śrī Lalita Tripura Sundarī, begins with the Gaṇeśa Mātṛkā nyāsa, highlighting Her descent into the Creation.

One cannot understand the highest state of Śiva and Śakti, unless we ascend beyond the restrictions of the mind, intellect and ego - Antaḥkaraṇa. The head of Gajāsura represents the Śiva tattva that He had attained and His oneness with Śiva, is the realization bestowed upon Lord Gaṇeśa, the Creation of Śakti. Lord Gaṇeśa is therefore the foremost medium of communication to help ascend our consciousness to merge into Him, who is verily the Brahman Himself. His bīja mantra ‘gam̐’ grants the power of discernment, that is essential for us to break the barriers and obstacles manifested as karma and overcome all our difficulties to lead a happy and successful life and ultimately merge into Lord Gaṇeśa.

Every word or combination of words, of the Śrī Mahāgaṇapati mantra (om̐ śrīm̐ hrīm̐ klīm̐ glaum̐ gam̐ gaṇapataye varavarada sarvajanaṃ me vaśamānaya svāhā ॥ [ॐ श्रीँ ह्रीँ क्लीँ ग्लौँ गँ गणपतये वरवरद सर्वजनं मे वशमानय स्वाहा ॥]), is placed upon a body part indicating protection offered by it/them upon us. Various forms of Lord Gaṇeśa, are invoked to protect the cardinal directions and give us complete protection from all sides! The end goal is to invoke His grace to make us self-realized and attain the highest levels of consciousness.

The Śrī Mahāgaṇapati upāsana helps us achieve tremendous success in all material pursuits and will also help orient our spiritual outlook towards contentment and ascension. Mantra japa without kavacam, delays the benefits and in many cases even prevents the same. It is hoped that sincere devotees of Lord Mahāgaṇapati may adopt this kavacam into their sādhana and flourish.

namastasmai gaṇeśāya sarva-vighna-vināśine ।

kāryārambheṣu sarveṣu pūjyate yaḥ surairapi ॥ 1 ॥

नमस्तस्मै गणेशाय सर्वविघ्नविनाशिने ।

कार्यारम्भेषु सर्वेषु पूज्यते यः सुरैरपि ॥ १ ॥

Salutations to the Supreme Lord Gaṇeśa, who destroys all the obstacles in our path to progress in every sphere and aspect of life. Salutations to the Divine Lord, who is fervently worshipped by the celestial suras (gods), prior to undertaking any major tasks.

Lord Gaṇeśa should be propitiated before undertaking any important task and should be worshipped daily, to help us overcome any difficulties that we may face in our lives. His grace will ensure that we succeed in all aspects and lead fruitful, prosperous and accomplished lives.

śrīmanmahāgaṇapateḥ kavacasya ṛṣiḥ śivaḥ ।

gaṇapatirdevatā ca gāyatrī chandaḥ eva ca ।

dharmārthakāmamokṣeṣu viniyogaḥ prakīrtitaḥ ।

śaktiḥ svāhā glaim̐ bījaṃ viniyogasya kīrtitaḥ ॥

श्रीमन्महागणपतेः कवचस्य ऋषिः शिवः ।

गणपतिर्देवता च गायत्री छन्दः एव च ।

धर्मार्थकाममोक्षेषु विनियोगः प्रकीर्तितः ।

शक्तिः स्वाहा ग्लैँ बीजं विनियोगस्य कीर्तितः ॥

The Viniyoga is formed thus –

1. Viniyogaḥ (विनियोगः) -

asya śrīmanmahāgaṇapateḥ kavacasya ।

śivaḥ ṛṣiḥ ।

gaṇapatir devatā ।

gāyatrī chandaḥ ।

glaim̐ bījaṃ

svāhā śaktiḥ ।

dharmārthakāmamokṣeṣu viniyogaḥ ॥

अस्य श्रीमन्महागणपतेः कवचस्य ।

शिवः ऋषिः ।

गणपतिर् देवता ।

गायत्री छन्दः ।

ग्लैँ बीजं

स्वाहा शक्तिः ।

धर्मार्थकाममोक्षेषु विनियोगः ॥

Meaning:- This prayer/mantra japa is to invoke Śrī Mahāgaṇapati devata and perform His mantra japa to obtain His complete grace in all aspects. With His blessings, one gains complete happiness, deep knowledge in all aspects and abundance in wealth etc. The sage (ṛṣiḥ) is the divine Lord Śrī Śiva Himself, the meter (chandas) for the mantra is Gāyatrī and the deity is the remover of all obstacles, bestower of all types of prosperity and happiness - the unmatched Śrī Mahāgaṇapati devata! The seed (bījaṃ) is glaim̐, the power or śakti is svāhā. The Viniyoga is for obtaining wealth, status, justice, fulfillment of all wishes and ultimately gaining liberation.

2. Ṛṣyādi nyāsa ( ऋष्यादि न्यास ) :-

3. Karanyāsaḥ (करन्यासः) :-

4. Aṅganyāsaḥ (अङ्गन्यासः) :-

bhūr-bhuva-ssuvarom-iti digbandhaḥ ॥

भूर्भुवस्सुवरोमिति दिग्बन्धः॥

May all the directions be sealed and may no thoughts or disturbances impact our ability to recite the hymn.

5. Dhyānaṃ (ध्यानं):-

hastīndrānanam-inducūḍam-aruṇac-chāyaṃ trinetraṃ rasā dāśliṣṭaṃ priyayā sapadmakarayā svāṅkasthayā santatam ।

bījāpūra-gadā-dhanus-triśikhayuk cakrābja-pāśotpala vrīhyagra-svaviṣāṇa-ratna-kalaśān hastairvahantaṃ bhaje ॥

हस्तीन्द्राननमिन्दुचूडमरुणच्छायं त्रिनेत्रं रसा दाश्लिष्टं प्रियया सपद्मकरया स्वाङ्कस्थया सन्ततम् ।

बीजापूरगदाधनुस्त्रिशिखयुक् चक्राब्जपाशोत्पल व्रीह्यग्रस्वविषाणरत्नकलशान् हस्तैर्वहन्तं भजे ॥

Salutations to the red hued Divine Lord bearing the countenance of the king of elephants, bearing the moon on His forehead and three-eyed, embracing his beloved atop his lap with His lotus like hands and holding a pomegranate, mace, sugarcane bow, discus, blue lotus flower, noose, broken tusk and a bejeweled pitcher.

6. Pañcapūjā (पञ्चपूजा) :-

7. Atha Kavacam (अथ कवचम् ।) -

[ The kavacam begins from this point onwards - ]

om̐ brahma-bījaṃ śiraḥ pātu kevalaṃ muktidāyakam ।

śrīm̐ bījamakṣiṇī pātu sarva-siddhi-samarpakam ॥ 1 ॥

ॐ ब्रह्मबीजं शिरः पातु केवलं मुक्तिदायकम् ।

श्रीँ बीजमक्षिणी पातु सर्वसिद्धिसमर्पकम् ॥ १ ॥

The Praṇava bīja (seed) mantra om̐, referred to as the Brahma bījaṃ, protects the head and is meant for liberation alone. The Lakṣmī bīja (seed) mantra śrīm̐ protects the temporal bones on the sides of the skull and the temple region. This bīja is capable of bringing to fruition, all the tasks undertaken by us and also fulfills our cherished desires and wishes.

[The praṇava bīja om̐ (ॐ) represents the Śabda Brahman, which is the super-consciousness Itself, manifested as sound. It consists of – ‘au’ signifying healing and deep cleansing, ‘m̐’ for removal of misery.

The Lakṣmī bīja (seed) mantra śrīm̐ (श्रीँ ) represents wealth, prosperity, abundance and fertility. In the context of the mantra, it is for the fructification of the desire to self-realize and gain liberation. The bīja consists of – ‘ś’ indicating Mahālakṣmī the manifestor of all types of wealth, abundance, fruition of wishes etc., Repha (r) indicating Dhana or wealth, ‘ī’ indicating Tuṣṭi or satisfaction, nāda indicating Parā or Śakti and Vindu (m̐) indicating uḥkhahara or removal of all miseries.]

hṛllekhā śrotrayoḥ pātu sarva-śatru-vināśinī ।

kāmabījaṃ kapolau ca sarva-duṣṭa-nivāraṇam ॥ 2 ॥

हृल्लेखा श्रोत्रयोः पातु सर्वशत्रुविनाशिनी ।

कामबीजं कपोलौ च सर्वदुष्टनिवारणम् ॥ २ ॥

The hṛllekhā bīja (seed) mantra hrīm̐ protects the ears and is capable of destroying all our enemies, internal and external. The kāma bīja (seed) mantra klīm̐ protects the head and is capable of removing all miseries and hardships.

[The Mahāmāyā bīja (seed) mantra hrīm̐ (ह्रीँ) represents the power of Creation, Preservation and Destruction. Elevation in society and high positions of power are also indicated. The power to gain, in the context of this main mantra, is knowledge that can be used for attaining any desires and ultimately gain liberation. The bīja hrīm̐ consists of – ‘h’ meaning Brahman/Śiva, ‘r’ meaning fire and drive within us, ‘ī’ meaning energy and the source of all power that helps us ascend, ‘m̐’ is for removal of all miseries and facilitation of self-realization and ultimate liberation.

The kāma bīja (seed) mantra klīm̐ ( क्लीँ ) represents the fulfillment of all desires, material and spiritual. In the context of this mantra, it is for spiritual desires. The bīja consists of – ‘ka’ is for Kāmadeva/Kṛṣṇa indicating desires and wishes, ‘la’ for Indra indicating victory, ‘ī’ for Tuṣṭi indicating satisfaction, ‘m̐’ for Sukha meaning happiness and removal of misery.]

glaum̐ gam̐ ca gaṇapataye vācaṃ pātu vināyakaḥ ।

varabījaṃ tathā jihvāṃ varadaṃ hastayostathā ॥ 3 ॥

ग्लौँ गँ च गणपतये वाचं पातु विनायकः ।

वरबीजं तथा जिह्वां वरदं हस्तयोस्तथा ॥ ३ ॥

The speech is protected by the grace of Lord Vināyaka, the destroyer of all obstacles, as well as by the bījas ‘glaum̐’ and ‘gam̐’ and the word ‘gaṇapataye’. The word ‘vara’, acting as a bīja, protects the tongue and the word ‘varada’ protects the hands.

[The Bhūbīja (seed) mantra glaum̐ (ग्लौँ) represents all the Earthly accomplishments and material desires. The bīja consists of – ‘ga’ meaning gakāra associated with discerning knowledge, wisdom and also removal of all obstacles. The letter ‘la’ represents Smṛtistha indicating remembrance of all knowledge. The letter ‘au’ signifying healing and deep cleansing. Nāda indicating Parā or Śakti and Vindu ‘m̐’ indicating Duḥkhahara or removal of all miseries.

The Gaṇeśa (seed) mantra gam̐ (गँ ) represents removal of all obstacles and bestowal of complete success, prosperity and auspiciousness in all aspects. The bīja consists of – ‘ga’ indicating Lord Gaṇeśa, the remover of all obstacles and Vindu ‘m̐’ indicating Duḥkhaharaṇa or removal of all miseries.]

sarvajanaṃ me ca bāhu-dvayaṃ kaṇṭhaṃ gaṇeśvaraḥ ।

vaśaṃ me pātu hṛdayaṃ pātu siddhīśvaras-tathā ॥ 4 ॥

सर्वजनं मे च बाहुद्वयं कण्ठं गणेश्वरः ।

वशं मे पातु हृदयं पातु सिद्धीश्वरस्तथा ॥ ४ ॥

The words ‘sarvajanaṃ me’ protect the arms and the throat, with the grace of Lord Gaṇeśvara, the Lord of the entire Creation, sentient beings and non-sentient matter. The word ‘vaśaṃ’ protects the heart by the grace of Lord Siddhīśvara, the grantor of all siddhis and accomplisher of all tasks.

nābhiṃ ānaya me pātu sarva-siddhi-vināyakaḥ ।

jaṅghayor-gulphayoḥ svāhā sarvāṅgaṃ vighnanāyakaḥ ॥ 5 ॥

नाभिं आनय मे पातु सर्वसिद्धिविनायकः ।

जङ्घयोर्गुल्फयोः स्वाहा सर्वाङ्गं विघ्ननायकः ॥ ५ ॥

The word ‘ānaya’ protects the navel by the grace of Lord Sarvasiddhi Vināyaka, by whose blessings, every undertaken task comes to fruition without any hassles! The legs and ankles are protected by the bīja ‘svāhā’. The feet, toes and nails are all protected by the grace of the Divine Lord Vighna-nāyaka, the Lord of all obstacles!

gaṇapatistvagrataḥ pātu gaṇeśaḥ pṛṣṭhatastathā ।

dakṣiṇe siddhidaḥ pātu vāme viśvārtihārakaḥ ॥ 6 ॥

गणपतिस्त्वग्रतः पातु गणेशः पृष्ठतस्तथा ।

दक्षिणे सिद्धिदः पातु वामे विश्वार्तिहारकः ॥ ६ ॥

The front region of the body is protected by the grace of Lord Gaṇapati, the Lord of all beings, sentient and non-sentient. The posterior back is protected by the grace of Lord Gaṇeśa, the Lord of the entire Creation. The right portion of the body is protected by the grace of Lord Siddhida, the bestower of all siddhis and accomplisher of all tasks and the left portion of the body is protected by the grace of Lord Viśv-ārti-hāraka, the remover of all pain and sorrow.

durjayo rakṣatu prācyāmāgneyyāṃ gaṇapastathā ।

dakṣiṇasyāṃ girijajo nairṛtyāṃ śambhunandanaḥ ॥ 7 ॥

दुर्जयो रक्षतु प्राच्यामाग्नेय्यां गणपस्तथा ।

दक्षिणस्यां गिरिजजो नैरृत्यां शम्भुनन्दनः ॥ ७ ॥

The Eastern direction is protected by the grace of Lord Durjaya, the victor over all evil. The South Eastern direction is protected by the grace of Lord Gaṇapati, the leader of all beings, sentient and non-sentient. The Southern direction is protected by the grace of Lord Girijaja, the son of the Divine Mother Girijā, the daughter of the mountains (an epithet of the Divine Mother Pārvatī). The South Western direction is protected by the grace of Lord Śambhu-nandana, the son of the most benevolent Lord Śambhu (an epithet of Lord Śiva).

pratīcyāṃ sthāṇujaḥ pātu vāyavyāṃ ākhuvāhanaḥ ।

kauberyām-īśvaraḥ pātu īśānyām-īśvarātmajaḥ ॥ 8 ॥

प्रतीच्यां स्थाणुजः पातु वायव्यां आखुवाहनः ।

कौबेर्यामीश्वरः पातु ईशान्यामीश्वरात्मजः ॥ ८ ॥

The Western direction is protected by the grace of Lord Sthāṇuja, the son of Lord Sthāṇu, who remains motionless like the trunk of a tree (an epithet of Lord Śiva, signifying the state of static super-consciousness). The North Western direction is protected by the grace of Lord Ākhu-vāhana, the One who has a mouse as His vehicle of conveyance. The mouse vehicle signifies His ability to get into hard-to-reach spaces and the ability to cut through any kind of barriers. The Northern direction is protected by the grace of Lord Īśvara, the Supreme Lord! The North Eastern direction is protected by the grace of Lord Īśvarātmaja, the One who is the very essence of the entire Creation and is Lord Īśvara.

adho gaṇapatiḥ pātu ūrdhaṃ pātu vināyakaḥ ।

etābhyo daśadigbhyastu pātu nityaṃ gaṇeśvaraḥ ॥ 9 ॥

अधो गणपतिः पातु ऊर्धं पातु विनायकः ।

एताभ्यो दशदिग्भ्यस्तु पातु नित्यं गणेश्वरः ॥ ९ ॥

The Downward direction is protected by the grace of Lord Gaṇapati, the ruler of all beings, sentient and non-sentient. The Upward direction is protected by the obstacle removing Lord Vināyaka. In this manner, all the ten directions are sealed and protected at all times by the grace of all forms of Lord Gaṇeśvara, the Supreme Lord.

itīdaṃ kathitaṃ devi brahma-vidyā-kalevaram ।

trailokyamohanaṃ nāma kavacaṃ brahma-rūpakam ॥ 10 ॥

इतीदं कथितं देवि ब्रह्मविद्याकलेवरम् ।

त्रैलोक्यमोहनं नाम कवचं ब्रह्मरूपकम् ॥ १० ॥

Thus ends the stotraṃ called “trailokyamohanaṃ nāma kavacaṃ”, O dear Devi! It is without any doubt, the embodiment and means to realizing one’s own true nature as pure consciousness and becoming self-realized.

8. Aṅganyāsaḥ (अङ्गन्यासः) :-

bhūr-bhuva-ssuvarom-iti digvimokaḥ ॥

भूर्भुवस्सुवरोमिति दिग्विमोकः॥

May all the directions be sealed and may no thoughts or disturbances impact our ability to recite the hymn.

9. Dhyānaṃ (ध्यानं):-

bījāpūra gadekṣu kārmukarujā cakrābja pāśotpala vrīhyagra svaviṣāṇa ratnakalaśa prodyat karāmbhoruhaḥ ।

pāyād vallabhayā sapadmakarayā śliṣṭojvalad bhūṣayā viśvotpatti vipatti saṃsthitikaro vighneśa iṣṭārthadaḥ ॥

बीजापूरगदेक्षुकार्मुकरुजा चक्राब्जपाशोत्पल व्रीह्यग्रस्वविषाणरत्नकलशप्रोद्यत्कराम्भोरुहः ।

पायाद्वल्लभया सपद्मकरयाश्लिष्टोज्वलद्भूषया विश्वोत्पत्तिविपत्तिसंस्थितिकरो विघ्नेश इष्टार्थदः ॥

Meaning: He is holding pomegranate, a club, sugarcane bow, chakra, a lotus flower, a rope, divine flowers, paddy plant, His own tusk, hugging His Consort Vallabha (vallabha means wife), a kalaśa made of precious gems. I bow unto Him who is the cause of creation of the universe, sustains the universe and who annihilates the universe. I bow unto Him who grants all my desires.

10. Pañcapūjā (पञ्चपूजा) :-

11. Samarpaṇam (समर्पणम्) :-

Take water in uttaraṇi (spoon) and by reciting the following śloka, offer the water to the earth.

guhyātiguhyagoptrā tvaṁ gṛhāṇāsmat-kṛtaṁ japam ।
siddhirbhavatu me deva tvatprasādānmayi sthirā ॥

            गुह्यातिगुह्यगोप्त्रा त्वं गृहाणास्मत्-कृतं जपम् ।

            सिद्धिर्भवतु मे देव त्वत्प्रसादान्मयि स्थिरा ॥