Read our new book on Invoking Sri Devi Kavacham. Sri Devya Kavacham, also known as Durga Kavacham, or Chandi Kavacham, is a revered hymn that calls upon the grace and protection of Goddess Durga. “Kavacha” in Sanskrit means “armor” or “protection,” symbolizing the hymn’s role as a protective shield that envelops the devotee who recites it with devotion and with right practice as described in this book. With each verse, the reciter is believed to invoke the goddess’s energy with blessings and secure divine protection, dispelling fear, adversity, and negative influences in life.
It is among the most powerful devi hymn of divine protection attributed to the Goddess Durga and her various forms and holds a deeply revered place in the Indian spiritual tradition. This kavach, meaning “armor,” was revealed by Brahma himself to the sage Markandeya in response to his request for an infallible practice capable of shielding devotees from harm and fulfilling their desires. Brahma explained that the Devyāḥ Kavacam is a supremely secret and potent practice, beyond any other in its capacity to protect and elevate the spiritual seeker.
The kavach invokes many-many forms of the Goddess Durga. Each of these forms represents different aspects of the Goddess’s power, bestowing distinct blessings upon the devotee, such as strength, courage, healing, wisdom, and spiritual advancement. As the reciter invokes each form, the kavach forms a protective energy field around them, shielding them from physical, spiritual, and supernatural dangers.
Those who recite the Devyāḥ Kavacam with devotion are believed to be safeguarded from illness, warding off diseases like leprosy, smallpox, and other severe ailments. Its effects also counteract the effects of poisons, including those from plants, creatures, and toxins produced by humans. Additionally, the kavach protects against negative spiritual influences, such as ghosts, evil spirits, and malevolent deities, and disrupts the power of harmful mantras, yantras, or black magic aimed at the devotee.
By establishing a regular practice of the Devyāḥ Kavacam, typically recited at dawn, noon, and dusk, devotees experience greater peace, longevity, and fearlessness. This sacred armor enhances one’s radiance, bringing recognition, respect, and influence, while also nurturing prosperity and success in all endeavors. Importantly, the kavach safeguards future generations, ensuring the well-being of the devotee’s family lineage.According to tradition, reciting the kavach daily, especially when followed by the Saptashati Chandi, multiplies its blessings and protection. With devoted practice, the Devyāḥ Kavacam ultimately guides the reciter toward a state of divine grace, bringing them closer to the Goddess herself. At life’s end, devotees are granted an auspicious ascent to the heavenly realms, where they attain bliss and divine union alongside other liberated souls in the presence of the benevolent Goddess and Lord Shiva.