Durga Kavach Stotram
श्री दुर्गा कवच स्तोत्रम्
The Shield of Durga — from Durga Saptashati (Markandeya Purana)
Deity: Goddess Durga — Navadurga (देवी दुर्गा — नवदुर्गा)
Opening Invocation
आरम्भिक प्रार्थना
The devotee asks Brahma to reveal the supreme secret of divine protection.
ॐ यद्गुह्यं परमं लोके सर्वरक्षाकरं नृणाम् । यन्न कस्यचिदाख्यातं तन्मे ब्रूहि पितामह ॥
The Nine Forms (Navadurga)
नवदुर्गा स्तुति
Invocation of the nine forms of Goddess Durga who together form the complete shield of protection.
प्रथमं शैलपुत्री च द्वितीयं ब्रह्मचारिणी । तृतीयं चन्द्रघण्टेति कूष्माण्डेति चतुर्थकम् ॥ पञ्चमं स्कन्दमातेति षष्ठं कात्यायनीति च । सप्तमं कालरात्रीति महागौरीति चाष्टमम् ॥ नवमं सिद्धिदात्री च नवदुर्गाः प्रकीर्तिताः ॥
Core Protection (Anga Raksha)
अंग रक्षा
The heart of the Kavach — each verse invokes the Goddess to protect a specific part of the body.
पातु मे शिखां नन्दिनी
ललाटे कालिका पातु
भ्रुवौ रक्षेत् यशस्विनी
त्रिनेत्रा च भ्रुवोर्मध्ये
यमघण्टा तु नासिके
द्वारवासिनी कर्णी
कपोलौ कालिका रक्षेत्
सरस्वती च जिह्वायां
दन्तान् रक्षतु कौमारी
कण्ठं रक्षतु चण्डिका
हृदयं ललिता देवी
🙏 The Nine Forms of Durga (Navadurga)
Daughter of the Mountains
The Celibate One
One who has a Half-moon Bell
The Creator of the Universe
Mother of Skanda
The Warrior
The Destroyer of Darkness
The Radiant One
The Giver of Siddhis
Significance
The Durga Kavach (Shield of Durga) is one of the most powerful parts of the Durga Saptashati. It is traditionally recited before the main text to “arm” the devotee with divine protection. Each verse invokes the Goddess to protect a specific part of the body and a specific direction. Regular recitation during Navratri and daily worship provides a sense of complete spiritual armor.
Benefits
Provides divine protection for the entire body, removes fear and negativity, invokes the blessings of all nine forms of Durga, and shields from evil forces and obstacles.
Practice
Recited daily before Durga Saptashati, especially during Navratri. Chant with devotion for complete divine protection.