Śrī Saubhāgya Kavacam ( श्रीसौभाग्यकवचम् ) - Part 5

trailokya-mohanaṃ cakraṃ romakūpāṃśca pātu me ।

sarvāśā-pūrakaṃ cakraṃ sapta-dhātūṃśca rakṣatu ॥ 58 ॥

त्रैलोक्यमोहनं चक्रं रोमकूपांश्च पातु मे ।

सर्वाशापूरकं चक्रं सप्तधातूंश्च रक्षतु ॥ ५८ ॥

The pores of the skin and hair are protected by the grace of the Divine Mother Tripurā, the constituent of all triads and also by the Divine Mother Prakaṭa Yogini, the explicit revealer of our true spiritual nature, who together preside over the Trailokya-Mohanaṃ cakraṃ, the mesmerizer of all triads!

The 7 constituent elements of the body (viz. chyle, blood, flesh, fat, bone, marrow, and the reproductive fluids – semen etc.)  are protected by the grace of the sarvāśā-pūrakaṃ cakraṃ, the abode and refuge of all, governed by the Divine Mother Tripureśvarī, the governess of all triads and the Divine Mother Gupta Yogini, the revealer and concealer of all secrets.            

sarva-saṃkṣobhaṇaṃ cakraṃ prāṇādyaṃ vāyu-pañcakam ।

saubhāgya-dāyakaṃ cakraṃ nāgādyānila-pañcakam ॥ 59 ॥

सर्वसंक्षोभणं चक्रं प्राणाद्यं वायुपञ्चकम् ।

सौभाग्यदायकं चक्रं नागाद्यानिलपञ्चकम् ॥ ५९ ॥

The five major vital airs - prāṇādyaṃ vāyupañcakam, consisting of Prāṇa (life breath), Apāna (expelling force), Udāna (the uplifting force), Samāna (digestive force) and Vyāna (circulating power) are activated, energized and protected by the grace of the Sarva-saṃkṣobhaṇaṃ cakraṃ, which shakes the foundation of our beliefs, faith and perceptions, governed by the Divine Mother Tripura-sundarī, the enchanter of all triads and the Divine Mother Guptatara Yogini, the revealer and concealer of the subtle and hidden secrets.

The five minor vital airs – nāgādya anila-pañcakam, consisting of nāga (air expelled by burping and hiccups), kūrma (air movement with blinking and closing of the eyes), kṛkala (sneezing, hunger and thirst), dhanañjaya (movement of heart valves, as well decomposition at death) and dēvadatta (yawning), are activated, energized and protected by the grace of the Saubhāgya-dāyakaṃ cakraṃ, the bestower of all types of auspiciousness, wealth and prosperity, governed by the Divine Mother Tripura-vāsinī, the resident of all triads and the Divine Mother Sampradāya Yogini, the bestower and enabler of the tradition and path to spirituality.

sarvārtha-sādhakaṃ cāntaḥ-karaṇānāṃ catuṣṭayam ।

sarva-rakṣākaraṃ cakraṃ pāyāt-puryaṣṭakaṃ ca me ॥ 60 ॥

सर्वार्थसाधकं चान्तःकरणानां चतुष्टयम् ।

सर्वरक्षाकरं चक्रं पायात्पुर्यष्टकं च मे ॥ ६० ॥

The antaḥkaraṇā catuṣṭayam, consisting of the ahaṃkāra (ego), manas (mind), buddhi (intellect) and citta (memory or sometimes associated with consciousness), is activated, energized and protected by the grace of the sarvārtha-sādhakaṃ cakram, signifying the successful obtainment and accomplishment of wealth, health, justice, knowledge, self-realization and liberation, ruled by the Divine Mother Tripurā-śrī, the bestower of abundance within the triads, as well as by the Divine Mother Kulottīrṇa Yogini, the accomplisher of all tasks and obtainer of all types of knowledge.

The puryaṣṭakaṃ representing the eight constituent parts of the body,

[namely -

1. The pañca-karmendriyas, which are the five organs of action namely - vāk-tattva (mouth - for speech and eating), pāṇi-tattva (hands – to perform tasks), pāda-tattva (feet – for movement),

pāyu-tattva (anus for excretion) and upastha-tattva (genetalia for procreation).

2. The pañca-jñānendriyās, which are the five organs of perception - śrotra (ears - hearing), cakṣuḥ (eyes - vision), ghrāṇa (nostrils - smell), rasanā (tongue - taste) and tvak/tvacā (skin - touch).

3. The pañca-prāṇas listed in the previous verse.

4. The pañca-bhūtas, which are the five natural elements - pṛthvī/bhūmi (Earth), ap/jala (water), tejas/agni (fire), vāyu (air) and ākāśa (ether).

5. The Antaḥkaraṇa listed in the previous verse.

6. Avidya - lack of proper knowledge.

7. Kāmam - desires, passion, lust etc.

8. Karma - results of actions from the past.]

-are protected by the grace of the Sarva-rakṣākaraṃ cakraṃ, which offers protection from all types of enemies, obstacles, mishaps and all types of phenomena, ruled by the Divine Mother Tripura-mālinī, who adorns and permeates all the triads, as well as by the Divine Mother Nigarbha Yogini, the bestower of protection from all unknown phenomena.

sarva-rogaharaṃ cakraṃ rakṣatānme guṇa-trayam ।

sarva-siddhi-pradaṃ cakraṃ mamāvyāt-kośa-pañcakam ॥ 61 ॥

सर्वरोगहरं चक्रं रक्षतान्मे गुणत्रयम् ।

सर्वसिद्धिप्रदं चक्रं ममाव्यात्कोशपञ्चकम् ॥ ६१ ॥

The three inherent qualities (sattva – peaceful demeanor, rajas – passionate and emotional demeanor, tamas – aggressive and rash demeanor) in the sentient beings - guṇa-trayam, are protected by the grace of the Sarva-rogaharaṃ cakraṃ, which offers protection from all types of ailments, conditions and diseases, ruled by the Divine Mother Tripura-siddhā, the accomplisher in all the triads, as well as by the Divine Mother Rahasya Yogini, the revealer of all hidden and secret information.

The five sheaths of our persona - kośa-pañcakam, which are the annamaya (food), prāṇamaya (vital airs), manomaya (mind), vijñānamaya (intellect) and ānandamaya (bliss) kośas [The first two annamaya and prāṇamaya are associated with the gross body. The second set of manomaya and vijñānamaya are associated with the astral and the last ānandamaya, with the causal body.], are protected by the Sarva-siddhi-pradaṃ cakraṃ, the accomplisher of all tasks, ruled by the Divine Mother Tripurāmbā, the Creator of all triads, as well as by the Divine Mother Atirahasya Yogini, the revealer of subtle and innermost secrets.

sarv-ānanda-mayaṃ cakraṃ yaśaḥ kīrtiṃ ca rakṣatu ।

saundarya-manmathaḥ pāyād-ratiḥ pātu ratiṃ mama ॥ 62 ॥

सर्वानन्दमयं चक्रं यशः कीर्तिं च रक्षतु ।

सौन्दर्यमन्मथः पायाद्रतिः पातु रतिं मम ॥ ६२ ॥

Our fame and glory are protected by the grace of the Sarv-ānanda-mayaṃ cakraṃ, which grants complete bliss, self-realization and liberation, ruled by the Divine Mother Mahā-tripura-sundarī, the Supreme super-consciousness – Parabrahman, as well as by the Divine Mother Parāpara Rahasya Yogini, the revealer of the Origin and culmination secrets associated with the entire Creation.

Our beauty and looks are protected by the god of eros Manmatha and the pleasures of love, conjugal bliss and related emotions are protected by His consort Rati devi, significator of amorous love and passion.

prītirme pātu sā prītir-utsāhaṃ ca vasantakaḥ ।

saṅkalpaṃ kalpakodyānaṃ mahālakṣmīr-mama śriyam ॥ 63 ॥

प्रीतिर्मे पातु सा प्रीतिरुत्साहं च वसन्तकः ।

सङ्कल्पं कल्पकोद्यानं महालक्ष्मीर्मम श्रियम् ॥ ६३ ॥

Our joy, sensual gratification etc. are also ensured and protected by the grace of the Divine Mother Rati Devi. Our solemn oaths and acts of our own volition, as well as rites, ceremonies and even the pleasures of vacations, strolls in the parks etc. are protected and ensured by the grace of the Divine Mother Mahālakṣmī, the grantor of all types of prosperity, wealth, abundance and auspiciousness!

kāntiṃ kapālinī rakṣen-mandiraṃ mama manḍapam ।

putrān śaṅkha-nidhiḥ pāyād-bhāryāṃ padma-nidhis-tathā ॥ 64 ॥

कान्तिं कपालिनी रक्षेन्मन्दिरं मम मन्डपम् ।

पुत्रान् शङ्खनिधिः पायाद्भार्यां पद्मनिधिस्तथा ॥ ६४ ॥

Our complexion, texture, luster, as well as our entire body and structure, as well as our home and prayer room, are protected and enhanced by the grace of the Divine Mother Kapālinī (Kāli), the cause of all transformation. Our children are protected by the grace of the coveted treasure Śaṅkha-nidhi, signifying all types of opulence, wealth, abundance and worldly enjoyments. Our spouses are protected by the grace of the coveted treasure Padma-nidhi, signifying spiritual knowledge (jñāna) leading towards self-realization and ultimate liberation.

mārge māṃ bhairavī rakṣen-mātaṅgī mukuṭaṃ sadā ।

aṣṭa-dikṣu mahendrādyāḥ sāyudhāḥpāntu māṃ sadā ॥ 65 ॥

मार्गे मां भैरवी रक्षेन्मातङ्गी मुकुटं सदा ।

अष्टदिक्षु महेन्द्राद्याः सायुधाःपान्तु मां सदा ॥ ६५ ॥

Our chosen and treaded path, is enhanced and protected by the grace of the Divine Mother Bhairavi, the destroyer of all types of delusions and paving the path to self-realization and spiritual liberation. Our saving grace is the Divine Mother Mātaṅgī, the knowledge giver and grantor of spiritual liberation, who helps us hold our heads in high esteem!

We are protected from all the eight cardinal directions, by the grace of the dik-pālakas – Mahendra (Indra, the Lord of the celestials, protects from the Eastern direction), Agni (the fire god, protects from the South-Eastern direction), Yama (the god of death, protects from the Southern direction), Nirrti (the goddess of calamity, protects from the South-Western direction), Varuṇā (the god of water, protects from the Western direction), Vāyu (the god of wind, protects from the North-Western direction), Kubera (the god of opulence and the treasurer of the celestials, protects from the Northern direction) and Īśānā (a form of Lord Rudra, denoting auspiciousness, protects from the North-Eastern direction).

Further protection and complete awakening to our true potential is aided by the weapons of the dik-pālakas – Vajra - the thunderbolt weapon of Lord Indra, signifying sudden awakening to the true Reality and also signifying massive amounts of energy transfer. Śakti - the lance weapon of Lord Agni, that pierces the cakras and activates the finest of pores in our body. Daṇḍa - the staff weapon of Lord Yama, that can drive away all negativity and gives the stick to bad behavior and influences. Khaḍga - the sword weapon of Goddess Nirrti, that can cut through the fabric of karma and slash through our karma. Pāśa - the noose weapon of Lord Varuṇā, that can help bring the lost souls back to the proper path leading to salvation. Aṅkuśa - the elephant goad weapon of Lord Vāyu, which can breakdown the most stubborn of karmas, leading us towards spiritual emancipation. Gada - the mace weapon of Lord Kubera/Soma, that can pound the vices within us and subdue them to submission and Triśūla - the trident weapon of Lord Īśānā, that can penetrate all the triads and awaken us to our full potential and help us enjoy the abundance of the material world and also aid in the rise to the higher spiritual realms.

pāyād-ūrdhva-diśaṃ brahmā viṣṇuś-cakrāyudho tvadhaḥ ।

पायादूर्ध्वदिशं ब्रह्मा विष्णुश्चक्रायुधो त्वधः ।

Protection from the downward direction is granted by the grace of the Divine Father Ananta/Viṣṇu, the eternal One and His weapon, the Cakra, which awakens all the inner cakras of our subtle body. Protection from the upper direction is granted by the grace of the Divine Father – the Creator Brahma and His weapon the Padma, which awakens us to experience eternal and complete spiritual bliss.

Phalaśruti (फलश्रुति) –

[ The fruits and benefits of reciting the kavacam over a period of time - ]

anāvṛtāni sthānāni kavacena tu yāni me ॥ 66 ॥

अनावृतानि स्थानानि कवचेन तु यानि मे ॥ ६६ ॥

The kavacam is thus revealed and its effects are exposed at the location where it is recited and it becomes a vehicle to one’s progress.

tāni rakṣantu satataṃ śivādi guravaḥ kramāt ।

etat-saubhāgya-kavacaṃ svakare yastu dhārayet ॥ 67 ॥

तानि रक्षन्तु सततं शिवादि गुरवः क्रमात् ।

एतत्सौभाग्यकवचं स्वकरे यस्तु धारयेत् ॥ ६७ ॥

Everything that we possess and cherish, are protected at all times and gradually, the grace of the guru and of Lord Śivā, the pure and eternal super-consciousness, become everlasting and permanent.

One may wear this auspicious kavacam on his/her hands as a bracelet, if desired, to ensure stupendous prosperity and success.

tri-sandhyaṃ paṭhati prītyā ś‍ṛṇuyādvā samāhitaḥ ।

tasya śīghreṇa sidhyanti siddhayastv-aṇimādyaḥ ॥ 68 ॥

त्रिसन्ध्यं पठति प्रीत्या शृणुयाद्वा समाहितः ।

तस्य शीघ्रेण सिध्यन्ति सिद्धयस्त्वणिमाद्यः ॥ ६८ ॥

One who recites this kavacam or listens with ardent devotion, utmost concentration and love toward the Divine Mother at dawn, noon and dusk, will very soon obtain the grace of the eight siddhis - Aṇimā etc. and become successful in all undertakings.

brahma-viṣṇu girīśendra-kandarpa-ratibhiḥ samaḥ ।

viharatkhilān lokān siddha-gandharva-sevitaḥ ॥ 69 ॥

ब्रह्माविष्णु गिरीशेन्द्रकन्दर्परतिभिः समः ।

विहरत्खिलान् लोकान् सिद्धगन्धर्वसेवितः ॥ ६९ ॥

One also becomes endowed with all the qualities of the Divine Fathers - Brahma (Creator), Viṣṇu (Preserver), Girīśa – Rudra (Destroyer), Kandarpa – Kāmadeva (Eros) and the Divine Mother Rati (love and lust).

Endowed with the benefits of this compilation, one is served in all the dimensions and worlds, by accomplished siddhas and the mystical gandharvas, who ensure that every need is taken care in a timely manner.

tasya smaraṇa-mātreṇa mahā-bhūta-piśācakāḥ ।

kīṭavat-prapalāyante kūṣmāṇḍā bhairavādyaḥ ॥ 70 ॥

तस्य स्मरणमात्रेण महाभूतपिशाचकाः ।

कीटवत्प्रपलायन्ते कुष्माण्डा भैरवाद्यः ॥ ७० ॥

By merely remembering the name of the Divine Mother Mahā-tripura-sundarī, the most terrific and loathsome extra-dimensional entities such as the bhūtas (ghosts), piśācakās (demons) and harmful insects are kept at bay and cause no impediments. The Divine Mother Durgā and all Her forms such as Kūṣmāṇḍā etc., as well as all the terrific Bhairavās -

tasy-āṅghri-toya-patanāt praśāmyanti mahārujaḥ ।

tat-pāda-kamalā-sakta-rajoleś-ābhi-marśanāt ॥ 71 ॥

तस्याङ्घ्रितोयपतनात् प्रशाम्यन्ति महारुजः ।

तत्पादकमलासक्तरजोलेशाभिमर्शनात् ॥ ७१ ॥

-will keep us afloat and prevent us from sinking in troubled waters. Calmness and tranquility will prevail even during the most troubled times and no harm shall befall us by their grace and protection!

We are but dust articles under Her divine lotus feet and may our prayers offered in this manner, smearing Her lotus feet lead us to complete salvation and liberation!

vaśyaṃ bhavati śīghreṇa trailokyaṃ sacarācaram ।

ābāla-mahilā bhūpāḥ kimu māyā vimohitāḥ ॥ 72 ॥

वश्यं भवति शीघ्रेण त्रैलोक्यं सचराचरम् ।

आबालमहिला भूपाः किमु माया विमोहिताः ॥ ७२ ॥

One would very soon gain the ability to attract anything manifested in the entire Creation, either stationary or in motion and gain the ability to mesmerize all over the triads.

One will gain control over children, women, kingdoms and much more and will no longer be deluded by the power of Māyā, the cosmic virtual reality.

iti śrī-vāmakeśvara-tantre nityā ṣoḍaśikārṇave

śrī-saubhāgya-kavacaṃ samāptam ।

śubhamastu ।

śrīśubham ।

इति श्रीवामकेश्वरतन्त्रे नित्याषोडशिकार्णवे

श्रीसौभाग्यकवचं समाप्तम् ।

शुभमस्तु ।

श्रीशुभम् ।

Thus, ends the Śrī Saubhāgya-kavacaṃ referenced in the Nitya Ṣoḍaśikārṇava and sourced from the Śrī-Vāmakeśvara-tantram. Let there be peace, prosperity and auspiciousness in our lives!

This article is written by Krishna Vallapareddy and can be contacted at Krishna@manblunder.com