Batuk Bhairava Kavach
श्रीबटुकभैरवकवचम्
Sanskrit
उक्तं च भैरवतन्त्रे । महादेव उवाच - प्रीयतां भैरवो देवो नमो वै भैरवाय च । देवेशि देहरक्षार्थं कारणं कथ्यतां ध्रुवम् ॥ १॥
Transliteration
uktaṃ ca bhairava-tantre | mahādeva uvāca - prīyatāṃ bhairavo devo namo vai bhairavāya ca | deveśi deharakṣārthaṃ kāraṇaṃ kathyatāṃ dhruvam ||1||
Translation
Stated in the Bhairava Tantra. Mahadeva said: May Lord Bhairava be pleased, salutations to Bhairava. O Goddess, tell the sure means for protection of the body.
Deep Meaning
Lord Shiva introduces the kavach by expressing reverence to Bhairava and requesting the protective armor for practitioners.
Sanskrit
म्रियन्ते साधका येन विना श्मशानभूमिषु । रणेषु चाति घोरेषु महामृत्युभयेषु च ॥ २॥
Transliteration
mriyante sādhakā yena vinā śmaśānabhūmiṣu | raṇeṣu cāti ghoreṣu mahāmṛtyubhayeṣu ca ||2||
Translation
Without which, sadhakas perish in cremation grounds, in terribly fierce battles, and in situations of great mortal danger.
Deep Meaning
Explains why the kavach is essential - practitioners face deadly dangers during tantric sadhana in cremation grounds and battlefields.
Sanskrit
शृङ्गीसलीलवज्रेषु ज्वरादिव्याधिवह्निषु । देव्युवाच - कथयामि शृणु प्राज्ञ बटुककवचं शुभम् ॥ ३॥
Transliteration
śṛṅgīsalīlavajreṣu jvarādivyādhivahniṣu | devyuvāca - kathayāmi śṛṇu prājña baṭukakavacaṃ śubham ||3||
Translation
From dangers of horned animals, thunderbolts, fevers, diseases and fires. The Goddess said: Listen, O wise one, I shall tell you the auspicious Batuk Kavach.
Deep Meaning
The verse lists more dangers, then the Goddess responds, agreeing to reveal the Batuk Bhairava Kavach.
Sanskrit
गोपनीयं प्रयत्नेन मातृकाजारजो यथा । ॐ अस्य श्री बटुकभैरवकवचस्य आनन्दभैरव ऋषिस्त्रिष्टुप्छन्दः श्रीबटुकभैरवो देवता बं बीजं ह्रीं शक्तिः ॐ बटुकायेति कीलकं ममाभीष्टसिद्ध्यर्थे जपे विनियोगः ।
Transliteration
gopanīyaṃ prayatnena mātṛkā-jārajo yathā | oṃ asya śrī baṭukabhairavakavacasya ānandabhairava ṛṣis triṣṭup chandaḥ śrībaṭukabhairavo devatā baṃ bījaṃ hrīṃ śaktiḥ oṃ baṭukāyeti kīlakaṃ mamābhīṣṭasiddhyarthe jape viniyogaḥ |
Translation
It should be kept secret with care. Viniyoga: For the Shri Batuk Bhairava Kavach - seer is Ananda Bhairava, meter is Trishtup, deity is Shri Batuk Bhairava, seed is Bam, power is Hreem, key is Om Batukaya, applied in japa for fulfillment of desired goals.
Deep Meaning
Establishes the sacred framework: the kavach must be kept secret. The viniyoga identifies all ritual components - seer, meter, deity, bija, shakti, kilaka, and purpose.
Sanskrit
ॐ सहस्रारे महाचक्रे कर्पूरधवले गुरुः ॥ ४॥
Transliteration
oṃ sahasrāre mahācakre karpūradhavale guruḥ ||4||
Translation
Om, in the great Sahasrara chakra, white as camphor, resides the Guru.
Deep Meaning
Invokes the Guru principle at the crown chakra, establishing the highest spiritual authority as the source of protection.
Sanskrit
पातु मां बटुको देवो भैरवः सर्वकर्मसु । पूर्वस्यामसिताङ्गो मां दिशि रक्षतु सर्वदा ॥ ५॥
Transliteration
pātu māṃ baṭuko devo bhairavaḥ sarvakarmasu | pūrvasyām asitāṅgo māṃ diśi rakṣatu sarvadā ||5||
Translation
May Lord Batuk Bhairava protect me in all actions. May Asitanga Bhairava always protect me in the eastern direction.
Deep Meaning
General protection by Batuk Bhairava in all activities, and directional protection begins with Asitanga in the east.
Sanskrit
आग्नेयां च रुरुः पातु दक्षिणे चण्डभैरवः । नैरृत्यां क्रोधनः पातु उन्मत्तः पातु पश्चिमे ॥ ६॥
Transliteration
āgneyyāṃ ca ruruḥ pātu dakṣiṇe caṇḍabhairavaḥ | nairṛtyāṃ krodhanaḥ pātu unmattaḥ pātu paścime ||6||
Translation
May Ruru protect in the southeast, Chanda Bhairava in the south. May Krodhana protect in the southwest, Unmatta in the west.
Deep Meaning
Four Ashta Bhairavas guard the cardinal and intermediate directions: Ruru (SE), Chanda (S), Krodhana (SW), Unmatta (W).
Sanskrit
वायव्यां मां कपाली च नित्यं पायात्सुरेश्वरः । भीषणो भैरवः पातु उत्तरास्यां तु सर्वदा ॥ ७॥
Transliteration
vāyavyāṃ māṃ kapālī ca nityaṃ pāyātsureśvaraḥ | bhīṣaṇo bhairavaḥ pātu uttarāsyāṃ tu sarvadā ||7||
Translation
May Kapali, lord of gods, always protect me in the northwest. May Bhishana Bhairava always protect in the north.
Deep Meaning
Kapali guards the northwest and Bhishana Bhairava guards the north.
Sanskrit
संहारभैरवः पायादीशान्यां च महेश्वरः । ऊर्ध्वं पातु विधाता च पाताले नन्दको विभुः ॥ ८॥
Transliteration
saṃhārabhairavaḥ pāyād īśānyāṃ ca maheśvaraḥ | ūrdhvaṃ pātu vidhātā ca pātāle nandako vibhuḥ ||8||
Translation
May Samhara Bhairava, the great lord, protect in the northeast. May Vidhata protect above, and Nandaka in the netherworld.
Deep Meaning
Samhara Bhairava guards the northeast, with vertical protection above (Vidhata) and below (Nandaka).
Sanskrit
सद्योजातस्तु मां पायात्सर्वतो देवसेवितः । वामदेवो वनान्ते च वने घोरस्तथाअवतु ॥ ९॥
Transliteration
sadyojātastu māṃ pāyāt sarvato devasevitaḥ | vāmadevo vanānte ca vane ghorastathā’vatu ||9||
Translation
May Sadyojata, worshipped by gods, protect me everywhere. May Vamadeva protect at the forest edge, and Ghora within the forest.
Deep Meaning
Protection by Pancha Brahma forms: Sadyojata universally, Vamadeva at forest borders, Ghora deep within forests.
Sanskrit
जले तत्पुरुषः पातु स्थले ईशान एव च । डाकिनीपुत्रकः पातु पुत्रान् में सर्वतः प्रभुः ॥ १०॥
Transliteration
jale tatpuruṣaḥ pātu sthale īśāna eva ca | ḍākinīputrakaḥ pātu putrān meṃ sarvataḥ prabhuḥ ||10||
Translation
May Tatpurusha protect in water, Ishana on land. May the son of Dakini, the Lord, protect my children from all sides.
Deep Meaning
Tatpurusha and Ishana guard in water and on land. Protection extends to children through the son of Dakini.
Sanskrit
हाकिनी पुत्रकः पातु दारांस्तुलाकिनीसुतः । पातु शाकिनिकापुत्रः सैन्यं वै कालभैरवः ॥ ११॥
Transliteration
hākinī putrakaḥ pātu dārāṃs tulākinīsutaḥ | pātu śākinikāputraḥ sainyaṃ vai kālabhairavaḥ ||11||
Translation
May the son of Hakini protect my wife, the son of Tulakini likewise. May the son of Shakini protect my army, and Kala Bhairava guard.
Deep Meaning
Protection extends to family and forces through the yogini sons and Kala Bhairava.
Sanskrit
मालिनीपुत्रकः पातु पशूनश्वान् गजांस्तथा । महाकालोअवतु क्षेत्रं श्रियं मे सर्वतो गिरा ॥ १२॥
Transliteration
mālinīputrakaḥ pātu paśūn aśvān gajāṃs tathā | mahākālo’vatu kṣetraṃ śriyaṃ me sarvato girā ||12||
Translation
May the son of Malini protect cattle, horses and elephants. May Mahakala protect my lands and wealth from all sides.
Deep Meaning
Protection of livestock, property, and prosperity by the son of Malini and Mahakala.
Sanskrit
वाद्यं वाद्यप्रियः पातु भैरवो नित्यसम्पदा । एतत्कवचमीशान तव स्नेहात्प्रकाशितम् ॥ १३॥
Transliteration
vādyaṃ vādyapriyaḥ pātu bhairavo nityasampadā | etat kavacam īśāna tava snehāt prakāśitam ||13||
Translation
May Bhairava, lover of music, protect musical instruments and eternal wealth. O Ishana, this kavach is revealed out of love for you.
Deep Meaning
Bhairava protects instruments and prosperity. The kavach is revealed by the Goddess out of affection for Shiva.
Sanskrit
नाख्येयं नरलोकेषु सारभूतं सुरप्रियम् । यस्मै कस्मै न दातव्यं कवचं सुरदुर्लभम् ॥ १४॥
Transliteration
nākhyeyaṃ naralokeṣu sārabhūtaṃ surapriyam | yasmai kasmai na dātavyaṃ kavacaṃ suradurlabham ||14||
Translation
This essence, dear to the gods, should not be told in the mortal world. This kavach, rare even for gods, should not be given to just anyone.
Deep Meaning
Emphasizes the secrecy and preciousness of this kavach - it must not be shared indiscriminately.
Sanskrit
न देयं परिशिष्येभ्यो कृपणेभ्यश्च शङ्कर । यो ददाति निषिद्धेभ्यः सर्वभ्रष्टो भवेत्किल ॥ १५॥
Transliteration
na deyaṃ pariśiṣyebhyo kṛpaṇebhyaśca śaṅkara | yo dadāti niṣiddhebhyaḥ sarvabhraṣṭo bhavetkila ||15||
Translation
O Shankara, it should not be given to unworthy disciples or the miserly. Whoever gives it to prohibited persons becomes utterly fallen.
Deep Meaning
Strict warning against sharing with unqualified people - doing so causes spiritual downfall.
Sanskrit
अनेन कवचेनैव रक्षां कृत्वा विचक्षणः । विचरन्यत्र कुत्रापि न विघ्नैः परिभूयते ॥ १६॥
Transliteration
anena kavacenaiva rakṣāṃ kṛtvā vicakṣaṇaḥ | vicaran yatra kutrāpi na vighnaiḥ paribhūyate ||16||
Translation
The wise person, protected by this kavach, wanders anywhere without being overcome by obstacles.
Deep Meaning
The kavach grants freedom from all obstacles - the protected practitioner moves fearlessly anywhere.
Sanskrit
मन्त्रेण रक्षते योगी कवचं रक्षकं यतः । तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन दुर्लभं पापचेतसाम् ॥ १७॥
Transliteration
mantreṇa rakṣate yogī kavacaṃ rakṣakaṃ yataḥ | tasmāt sarvaprayatnena durlabhaṃ pāpacetasām ||17||
Translation
The yogi protects himself through mantra, as the kavach is the protector. Therefore it is unattainable by those of sinful mind.
Deep Meaning
The kavach's protective power comes through mantra. It remains inaccessible to those with impure intentions.
Sanskrit
भूर्जे रम्भात्वचि वापि लिखित्वा विधिवत्प्रभो । कुङ्कुमेनाष्टगन्धेन गोरोचनैश्च केसरैः ॥ १८॥
Transliteration
bhūrje rambhātvaci vāpi likhitvā vidhivatprabho | kuṅkumenāṣṭagandhena gorocanaiśca kesaraiḥ ||18||
Translation
O Lord, writing it on birch bark or plantain leaf according to proper rites, with saffron, ashtagandha, gorochan, and kesara.
Deep Meaning
Instructions for creating a talisman of the kavach using sacred materials on birch bark or plantain leaf.
Sanskrit
धारयेत्पाठायेद्वापि सम्पठेद्वापि नित्यशः । सम्प्राप्नोति फलं सर्वं नात्र कार्या विचारणा ॥ १९॥
Transliteration
dhārayet pāṭhāyed vāpi sampaṭhed vāpi nityaśaḥ | samprāpnoti phalaṃ sarvaṃ nātra kāryā vicāraṇā ||19||
Translation
Whether one wears it, recites it, or studies it daily - one attains all fruits. There is no need for doubt.
Deep Meaning
Three modes of use: wearing as talisman, reciting aloud, or daily study. All grant complete results.
Sanskrit
सततं पठ्यते यत्र तत्र भैरवसंस्थितिः । न शक्नोमि प्रभावं वै कवचस्यास्य वर्णितुम् ॥ २०॥
Transliteration
satataṃ paṭhyate yatra tatra bhairava-saṃsthitiḥ | na śaknomi prabhāvaṃ vai kavacasyāsya varṇitum ||20||
Translation
Wherever this is constantly recited, there Bhairava establishes his presence. I cannot fully describe the power of this kavach.
Deep Meaning
Constant recitation establishes Bhairava's permanent presence. Even the Goddess declares the kavach's power beyond description.
Sanskrit
नमो भैरवदेवाय सर्वभूताय वै नमः । नमस्त्रैलोक्यनाथाय नाथनाथाय वै नमः ॥ २१॥
Transliteration
namo bhairavadevāya sarvabhūtāya vai namaḥ | namastrailokyanāthāya nāthanāthāya vai namaḥ ||21||
Translation
Salutations to Lord Bhairava, salutations to the lord of all beings. Salutations to the lord of three worlds, salutations to the lord of lords.
Deep Meaning
Concluding salutations establishing Bhairava as supreme - lord of all beings, three worlds, and lord of all lords.
Sanskrit
इति श्रीहरिकृष्णविनिर्मिते बृहज्ज्योतिषार्णवे धर्मस्कन्धे उपासनास्तवके श्रीबटुकभैरवोपासनाध्याये भैरव तन्त्रे देवीरहस्योक्तं श्रीबटुकभैरवकवचनिरूपणं सम्पूर्णम् ॥
Transliteration
iti śrīharikṛṣṇavinirmite bṛhajjyotiṣārṇave dharmaskandhe upāsanāstavake śrībaṭukabhairavopāsanādhyāye bhairava tantre devīrahasyoktaṃ śrībaṭukabhairavakavacanirūpaṇaṃ sampūrṇam ||
Translation
Thus, in the Brihat Jyotisharnava composed by Sri Harikrishna, in the Dharma Skandha, Upasana section, chapter on Sri Batuk Bhairava Upasana, as spoken in secret by the Goddess in the Bhairava Tantra, the Sri Batuk Bhairava Kavach description is complete.
Deep Meaning
The colophon traces the textual lineage from the Bhairava Tantra through the Brihat Jyotisharnava encyclopedia.
Benefits of Recitation
- ✦Complete protection from all physical and psychic dangers
- ✦Removal of obstacles and calamities (apad uddharana)
- ✦Victory over enemies and negative forces
- ✦Establishment of Bhairava's protective presence
- ✦Granting of spiritual powers (siddhis)
- ✦Material prosperity and all-round success
- ✦Protection during travel, battle, and dangerous situations
- ✦Shielding from black magic and evil spirits
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