Table of Contents
Highlights of Durga Kavach
- Offers spiritual protection from negative forces and energies.
- Promotes fearlessness and courage in devotees.
- Ensures prosperity and abundance in material life.
- Shields against ghosts, spirits, and black magic.
- Enhances mental strength and focus through divine connection.
- Awakens devotional love and spiritual growth.
- Aligns the devotee with the qualities of Devi Durga.
The Origins of Durga Kavach
Durga Kavach is a protective armor from the Durga Saptashati which is a text in the Markandeya Purana.The Markandeya Purana is one of the 18 major Puranas composed by Sage Veda Vyasa.
The Devi Kavacham is regarded as the beej of Durga Saptashati. So devotees recite it before Argala stotram. To know more about Argala Stotram, watch our video titled Benefits of Chanting Argala Stotram | Devi Argala Stotram Benefits.
The Structure and Significance of Durga Kavach
The Kavacham comprises 47 shlokas which need to be mastered through daily recitation. It is most effective to recite the Durga Kavach on the auspicious days of Navratri. During this sacred period, we can feel the maximum presence of Devi. The Devi Mahatmyam teaches us that suffering is inescapable in the material world.
This Samsara is Dukhalaya, a pool of misery and sorrow. However, the Durga Kavacham emerges as a ray of hope to those afflicted by Maya. Whenever we are in pain, the first person who comes to mind is our mother. Devi too rejoices when we remember her in times of distress.
She sends help in some or the other form either through physical people or commodities. The goddess handholds us through the tribulations of life serving as a caring guide and companion. However, we cannot nullify the effects of Karma and must reap the fruits of our actions.
Hymns like the Durga Kavach give us the courage and assurance of the divine mother fortifying our minds to face the journey lying ahead of us. Usually Kavachas are a dialogue between sages, gods and kings. Here, Lord Brahma, the creator of the universe reveals the Devi Kavacham to Sage Markandeya, a staunch Shiva Bhakta.
He emphasized on the importance and glories of the recital. True to its name, the Durga Kavacham is a shield that offers over-all protection and well-being.
The Protective Power of Durga Kavach
The Durga Kavach puts a full stop to unnecessary mood swings. It fights negative energy with extraordinary power. Just as an electric fence burns a trespasser to ashes, the Durga Kavach sets ablaze all misfortune and negativity.
Bhoota, Preta, Pishacha, Rakshasas, Brahma rakshasas, invisible evil beings of upper and lower worlds, scary Dakinis, Yakshas, and Betaal perish at the sight of the reciter.
In Sanatana Dharma there are ghosts of many categories varying in their powers and abilities to influence other beings. Hence, I have mentioned each of their types for the viewers to get an idea. Such is the glory of the Durga Kavach.
Manifestation of Devi’s Divine Qualities
Since Durga Devi rules the material world, she blesses her devotees with plenitude.cA true Devi Bhakta never lacks grains in his household. The reciter of the Kavach succeeds in all walks of life and has all his desires fulfilled provided it is in the sadhaka’s interest.
When we love someone, the qualities of our beloved manifest in our own selves. For example, we observe that tattoos of serpents emerge in the limbs of devotees who have surrendered their all to Lord Shiva. Likewise, the qualities of Durga Devi manifest in the seeker who continually recites the Durga Kavach.
Her inherent qualities of courage, fearlessness and power manifest in the sadhaka’s personality. The person endowed with the Durga Kavach walks fearlessly, undaunted by the trials of life. Whom to fear in the world when the divine mother is by one’s side all the time? One is less likely affected by moveable poison of snakes, scorpions and other types of immovable artificial poison.
7/8 Questions from Sanatana Dharma
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Black magic and charms have no effect on the reciter of Durga Kavach. The chanter who has immersed himself in the recitation worries no more about his future or livelihood. Goddess Durga arranges for his upkeep through unforeseen ways.
By the grace of Mahamaya Durga, the chanter attains her lotus feet, inaccessible even to the gods and eternally rejoices in the company of her consort Lord Shiva. The person who recites the Durga Kavacham three times a day, at dawn, noon and dusk realizes the goddess in person and develops love for Her.
Like a mother, Devi protects us from the dark forces of nature with the armor of her names.
The Symbolism Behind Names in Durga Kavach
Each name of the mother goddess vibrates at a different frequency and energy level. Interestingly, the different names and forms of the goddess target specific parts of the body each having a special connotation.
For instance, we request Brahmani Devi or the goddess of creative energy to protect the semen which is the source of creation. Then, we invoke the blue complexioned goddess Neelagriva to protect the outer part of the throat.
Note that Griva literally means throat and hence the linking of goddess Neelagriva to the throat region seems relevant. Also, we beseech Chandraghanta Devi to protect our larynx, the throat passage containing the vocal cords.
As most of us know, Chandraghanta devi has a bell-shaped moon on her forehead.
Ghanta or Bell produces sound just like the vocal cords. Hence the linking is thoughtfully done. Indeed, the names of the goddess and their associated function have deep significance.
Now I shall discuss Durga Kavach Vidhi.
Rituals and Guidelines for Reciting Durga Kavach
Just like any other Sattvik Puja, the sadhaka should bathe and wear clean clothes before commencing the Sadhana. I recommend quitting non-vegetarian food, avoiding all forms of violence and sticking to a Sattvic diet. In fact, such a Sattvic lifestyle is mandatory to keep the sadhana going.
If food habits are unrestrained, then sadhana shall eventually leave the sadhaka taking a toll on one’s spiritual progress. Also, it is best to avoid all forms of intoxication such as drinking and smoking.
Sit in a quiet place preferably one’s worship room or a temple. Ideally we should install a photo of goddess Durga requesting her to give continuity in the sadhana. Pray to her to cast her loving glance on us.
As our eternal mother, she is always willing to lend help and protection to those who depend on her only. If we have a guru, we should seek his blessings before the recitation. We should then recite this Kavacham daily for a minimum of 1 year to see real benefits.
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