🛡️ Hanuman Kavacham

Hanuman Kavacham — a kavacham is armour.

This hymn asks Hanuman to protect every part of the body — from the feet to the head, and in all four directions.

When: mornings after bathing · before a journey · when afraid.

📖 Verses

Meditation Verses

Atulita-bala-dhaamam hema-shailaabha-deham |
Danuja-vana-krishaanum jnaaninaam agraganyam |
Sakala-guna-nidhaanam vaanaraanaam adheesham |
Raghupati-priya-bhaktam vaatajaatam namaami ||

Meaning: I bow to the son of the Wind — abode of immeasurable strength; body shining like a golden mountain; a fire to the forest of demons; foremost among the wise; treasury of all virtues; lord of the vanaras; and the beloved devotee of Rama.

Note: Hanuman's most famous meditation verse.

Strength is named first — but the last word is beloved devotee. His greatness lies not in his power, but in his devotion.

Goshpadeekrita-vaareesham mashakeekrita-raakshasam |
Raamaayana-mahaamaalaa-ratnam vande'nilaatmajam ||

Meaning: I bow to the son of the Wind — who made the ocean small as a cow's hoofprint, the demons trifling as mosquitoes, and who is the jewel in the great garland of the Ramayana.

Note: Ramayana-maha-mala-ratnam — the gem on the necklace.

Anga Raksha — Protection of the Body

Hanumaan poorvatah paatu dakshine pavanaatmajah |
Prateechyaam paatu rakshoghnah saumyaam saagara-taarakah ||

Meaning: May Hanuman protect me in the east; the Son of the Wind in the south; the Slayer of Demons in the west; the Crosser of the Ocean in the north.

Note: Protection in all four directions. Traditionally recited before a journey.

Paadau paatu mahaaveero janghe paatu mahaabalah |
Ooroo paatu mahaatejaa guhyam paatu mahaakapih ||

Meaning: May the Great Hero protect my feet; the Mighty One my legs; the Radiant One my thighs; the Great Monkey my loins.

Naabhim paatu mahaanaado hridayam paatu maarutih |
Kantham paatu mahaabaahuh mukham paatu mahaahanuh |
Shirah paatu mahaatejaah sarvaangam pavanaatmajah ||

Meaning: May the Great Roarer protect my navel; Maruti my heart; the Strong-armed my throat; the Great-jawed my face; the Radiant One my head — and the Son of the Wind my whole body.

Note: Feet to head, and finally sarvangam — everything. That is what kavacham (armour) means.

The Fruit of Recitation

Etad hanumatah kavacham yah pathet prayato narah |
Sarvaapado vinirmuktah sarvatra vijayee bhavet ||

Meaning: Whoever recites this Kavacham with purity and sincerity is freed from all dangers and becomes victorious everywhere.

Note: Prayatah = with purity, with attention. Not merely reading the words — reading them with the mind present.

How: mornings after bathing, facing east. Tuesdays and Saturdays especially.

Please note: This is a devotional tradition. For illness or legal matters, please also consult the proper professionals.

📚 Source: Hanuman Kavacham (Sanskrit original), traditional texts. Transliteration and translation in our own words.