Mrita Sanjivana Kavacham
मृतसञ्जीवनकवचम्
Sanskrit
एवमाराध्य गौरीशं देवं मृत्युञ्जयेश्वरम् । मृतसञ्जीवनं नाम कवचं प्रजपेत् सदा ॥
Transliteration
evam ārādhya gaurīśaṃ devaṃ mṛtyuñjayeśvaram | mṛtasañjīvanaṃ nāma kavacaṃ prajapet sadā ||
Translation
Having duly worshipped Gaurisha, Lord Mrityunjayeshwara, the devotee should always recite clearly this armour named Mrita-sanjivana, "reviver of the dead."
Deep Meaning
After worshipping Gaurisha Mrityunjayeshwara, Lord Shankara, according to proper rites, the devotee should always recite this armour named Mrita-sanjivana clearly.
Sanskrit
सारात् सारतरं पुण्यं गुह्याद् गुह्यतरं शुभम् । महादेवस्य कवचं मृतसञ्जीवनाभिधम् ॥
Transliteration
sārāt sārataraṃ puṇyaṃ guhyād guhyataraṃ śubham | mahādevasya kavacaṃ mṛtasañjīvanābhidham ||
Translation
This armour of Mahadeva Lord Shankara, named Mrita-sanjivana, is the essence even of the essence; it bestows merit; it is more secret than the secret, and it grants auspiciousness.
Deep Meaning
This armour of Mahadeva Lord Shankara, named Mrita-sanjivana, is the essence of the essence; it grants merit; it is more secret than the secret, and it bestows auspiciousness.
Sanskrit
समाहितमना भूत्वा शृणुष्व कवचं शुभम् । श्रुत्वैतद् दिव्यकवचं रहस्यं कुरु सर्वदा ॥
Transliteration
samāhitamanā bhūtvā śṛṇuṣva kavacaṃ śubham | śrutvaitad divyakavacaṃ rahasyaṃ kuru sarvadā ||
Translation
O child! With a concentrated mind, listen to this Mrita-sanjivana armour. It is a supremely beneficent, divine armour. Always preserve its secrecy.
Deep Meaning
The teacher instructs the disciple: O child, with a focused mind, listen to this armour. It is a supremely auspicious, divine armour. Always keep it secret.
Sanskrit
जराभयकरो यज्वा सर्वदेवनिषेवितः । मृत्युञ्जयो महादेवः प्राच्यां मां पातु सर्वदा ॥
Transliteration
jarābhayakaro yajvā sarvadevaniṣevitaḥ | mṛtyuñjayo mahādevaḥ prācyāṃ māṃ pātu sarvadā ||
Translation
O Mrityunjaya Mahadeva, who grants freedom from fear of old age, who constantly performs sacrifice, and who is worshipped by all the gods! Protect me always in the eastern direction.
Deep Meaning
O Mrityunjaya Mahadeva, giver of freedom from the fear of old age, constant performer of sacrifice, worshipped by all the gods, protect me always in the east.
Sanskrit
दधानः शक्तिमभयां त्रिमुखः षड्भुजः प्रभुः । सदाशिवोऽग्निरूपी मामाग्नेय्यां पातु सर्वदा ॥
Transliteration
dadhānaḥ śaktim abhayāṃ trimukhaḥ ṣaḍbhujaḥ prabhuḥ | sadāśivo'gnirūpī māmāgneyyāṃ pātu sarvadā ||
Translation
May Sadashiva, the Lord in the form of fire, who bears the fear-dispelling gesture of protection, who has three faces and six arms, always protect me in the south-east direction.
Deep Meaning
Sadashiva, the Lord in the form of fire, who holds the power that grants fearlessness, who has three faces and six arms, protect me always in the south-east.
Sanskrit
अष्टादशभुजोपेतो दण्डाभयकरो विभुः । यमरूपी महादेवो दक्षिणस्यां सदाऽवतु ॥
Transliteration
aṣṭādaśabhujopeto daṇḍābhayakaro vibhuḥ | yamarūpī mahādevo dakṣiṇasyāṃ sadāvatu ||
Translation
May Mahadeva Shiva, possessed of eighteen arms, bearing the staff and the gesture of fearlessness, all-pervading, in the form of Yama, always protect me in the south.
Deep Meaning
Mahadeva Shiva, having eighteen arms, holding the staff and the gesture of fearlessness, all-pervading, in the form of Yama, protect me always in the south.
Sanskrit
खड्गाभयकरो धीरो रक्षोगणनिषेवितः । रक्षोरूपी महेशो मां नैर्ऋत्यां सर्वदाऽवतु ॥
Transliteration
khaḍgābhayakaro dhīro rakṣogaṇaniṣevitaḥ | rakṣorūpī maheśo māṃ nairṛtyāṃ sarvadāvatu ||
Translation
May Mahesha, in the form of the Rakshasas, bearing a sword and the gesture of fearlessness, steadfast, worshipped by the hosts of demons, always protect me in the south-west direction.
Deep Meaning
Mahesha, in the form of the Rakshasas, steadfast, holding a sword and the gesture of fearlessness, worshipped by the hosts of demons, protect me always in the south-west.
Sanskrit
पाशाभयभुजः सर्वरत्नाकरनिषेवितः । वरुणात्मा महादेवः पश्चिमे मां सदाऽवतु ॥
Transliteration
pāśābhayabhujaḥ sarvaratnākaraniṣevitaḥ | varuṇātmā mahādevaḥ paścime māṃ sadāvatu ||
Translation
May Mahadeva Lord Shankara, of the nature of Varuna, bearing the gesture of fearlessness and a noose, served by all the oceans, always protect me in the west.
Deep Meaning
Mahadeva, of the nature of Varuna, holding the gesture of fearlessness and a noose, served by all the oceans, protect me always in the west.
Sanskrit
गदाभयकरः प्राणनायकः सर्वदागतिः । वायव्यां मारुतात्मा मां शङ्करः पातु सर्वदा ॥
Transliteration
gadābhayakaraḥ prāṇanāyakaḥ sarvadāgatiḥ | vāyavyāṃ mārutātmā māṃ śaṅkaraḥ pātu sarvadā ||
Translation
May Lord Shankara, in the form of the wind, bearing a mace and the gesture of fearlessness, the protector of the life-breaths, ever in motion, always protect me in the north-west direction.
Deep Meaning
Lord Shankara, in the form of the wind, ever moving, protector of the life-breaths, holding a mace and the gesture of fearlessness, protect me always in the north-west.
Sanskrit
शङ्खाभयकरस्थो मां नायकः परमेश्वरः । सर्वात्मान्तरदिग्भागे पातु मां शङ्करः प्रभुः ॥
Transliteration
śaṅkhābhayakarastho māṃ nāyakaḥ parameśvaraḥ | sarvātmāntaradigbhāge pātu māṃ śaṅkaraḥ prabhuḥ ||
Translation
May the all-pervading Supreme Lord Shiva, the leader bearing a conch and the gesture of fearlessness, the Self of all, protect me in the midst of all the directions.
Deep Meaning
Lord Shiva, the Supreme Lord, the leader who sees every path, the Self of all, all-pervading, holding a conch and the gesture of fearlessness, protect me amid all directions.
Sanskrit
शूलाभयकरः सर्वविद्यानामधिनायकः । ईशानात्मा तथैशान्यां पातु मां परमेश्वरः ॥
Transliteration
śūlābhayakaraḥ sarvavidyānām adhināyakaḥ | īśānātmā tathaiśānyāṃ pātu māṃ parameśvaraḥ ||
Translation
May the Supreme Lord Shiva, in the form of Ishana, bearing a trident and the gesture of fearlessness, the lord of all forms of knowledge, protect me in the north-east direction.
Deep Meaning
The Supreme Lord Shiva, in the form of Ishana, lord of all forms of knowledge, holding a trident and the gesture of fearlessness, protect me in the north-east.
Sanskrit
ऊर्ध्वभागे ब्रह्मरूपी विश्वात्माऽधः सदाऽवतु । शिरो मे शङ्करः पातु ललाटं चन्द्रशेखरः ॥
Transliteration
ūrdhvabhāge brahmarūpī viśvātmādhaḥ sadāvatu | śiro me śaṅkaraḥ pātu lalāṭaṃ candraśekharaḥ ||
Translation
May Shiva in the form of Brahma always protect my upper region, and Shiva in the form of the universal Self protect my lower region. May Shankara protect my head, and Chandrashekhara protect my forehead.
Deep Meaning
May Shiva in the form of Brahma always protect my upper region, and Shiva as the universal Self protect my lower region. May Shankara protect my head and Chandrashekhara my forehead.
Sanskrit
भ्रूमध्यं सर्वलोकेशस्त्रिनेत्रोऽवतु लोचने । भ्रूयुग्मं गिरिशः पातु कर्णौ पातु महेश्वरः ॥
Transliteration
bhrūmadhyaṃ sarvalokeśas trinetro'vatu locane | bhrūyugmaṃ giriśaḥ pātu karṇau pātu maheśvaraḥ ||
Translation
May Lord Shankara, the lord of all worlds, protect the space between my eyebrows, and the three-eyed one protect both my eyes; may Girisha protect both my eyebrows, and Lord Maheshwara protect both my ears.
Deep Meaning
May the lord of all worlds protect the space between my eyebrows, and the three-eyed Lord protect both my eyes; may Girisha protect both my eyebrows, and Lord Maheshwara protect both my ears.
Sanskrit
नासिकां मे महादेव ओष्ठौ पातु वृषध्वजः । जिह्वां मे दक्षिणामूर्तिर्दन्तान् मे गिरिशोऽवतु ॥
Transliteration
nāsikāṃ me mahādeva oṣṭhau pātu vṛṣadhvajaḥ | jihvāṃ me dakṣiṇāmūrtir dantān me giriśo'vatu ||
Translation
May Mahadeva always protect my nose, and Vrishabhadhvaja protect both my lips. May Dakshinamurti protect my tongue, and Girisha protect my teeth.
Deep Meaning
May Mahadeva always protect my nose, and Vrishabhadhvaja protect both my lips. May Dakshinamurti protect my tongue and Girisha my teeth.
Sanskrit
मृत्युञ्जयो मुखं पातु कण्ठं मे नागभूषणः । पिनाकी मत्करौ पातु त्रिशूली हृदयं मम ॥
Transliteration
mṛtyuñjayo mukhaṃ pātu kaṇṭhaṃ me nāgabhūṣaṇaḥ | pinākī matkarau pātu triśūlī hṛdayaṃ mama ||
Translation
May Mrityunjaya protect my mouth, and Lord Shiva, adorned with serpents, protect my throat. May Pinaki protect both my hands, and the trident-bearer protect my heart.
Deep Meaning
May Mrityunjaya protect my mouth, and the serpent-adorned Lord protect my throat. May Pinaki protect both my hands and the trident-bearer my heart.
Sanskrit
पञ्चवक्त्रः स्तनौ पातु उदरं जगदीश्वरः । नाभिं पातु विरूपाक्षः पार्श्वे मे पार्वतीपतिः ॥
Transliteration
pañcavaktraḥ stanau pātu udaraṃ jagadīśvaraḥ | nābhiṃ pātu virūpākṣaḥ pārśve me pārvatīpatiḥ ||
Translation
May the five-faced one protect both my breasts, and Jagadishwara protect my belly. May Virupaksha protect my navel, and the husband of Parvati protect my sides.
Deep Meaning
May the five-faced Lord protect both my breasts, and Jagadishwara protect my belly. May Virupaksha protect my navel and the husband of Parvati my sides.
Sanskrit
कटिद्वयं गिरीशो मे पृष्ठं मे प्रमथाधिपः । गुह्यं महेश्वरः पातु ममोरू पातु भैरवः ॥
Transliteration
kaṭidvayaṃ giriśo me pṛṣṭhaṃ me pramathādhipaḥ | guhyaṃ maheśvaraḥ pātu mamorū pātu bhairavaḥ ||
Translation
May Girisha protect both my hips, and the lord of the Pramathas protect my back. May Maheshwara protect my private parts, and Bhairava protect both my thighs.
Deep Meaning
May Girisha protect both my hips and the lord of the Pramathas my back. May Maheshwara protect my private parts and Bhairava both my thighs.
Sanskrit
जानुनी मे जगद्धर्ता जङ्घे मे जगदम्बिका । पादौ मे सततं पातु लोकवन्द्यः सदाशिवः ॥
Transliteration
jānunī me jagaddhartā jaṅghe me jagadambikā | pādau me satataṃ pātu lokavandyaḥ sadāśivaḥ ||
Translation
May Jagaddharta protect both my knees, Jagadambika protect both my shins, and the world-worshipped Sadashiva ever protect both my feet.
Deep Meaning
May Jagaddharta protect both my knees, Jagadambika both my shins, and the world-worshipped Sadashiva continually protect both my feet.
Sanskrit
गिरीशः पातु मे भार्यां भवः पातु सुतान् मम । मृत्युञ्जयो ममायुष्यं चित्तं मे गणनायकः ॥
Transliteration
giriśaḥ pātu me bhāryāṃ bhavaḥ pātu sutān mama | mṛtyuñjayo mamāyuṣyaṃ cittaṃ me gaṇanāyakaḥ ||
Translation
May Girisha protect my wife, and Bhava protect my sons. May Mrityunjaya protect my lifespan, and the lord of the ganas protect my mind.
Deep Meaning
May Girisha protect my wife and Bhava my sons. May Mrityunjaya protect my lifespan and Ganapati my mind.
Sanskrit
सर्वाङ्गं मे सदा पातु कालकालः सदाशिवः । एतत्ते कवचं पुण्यं देवतानां च दुर्लभम् ॥
Transliteration
sarvāṅgaṃ me sadā pātu kālakālaḥ sadāśivaḥ | etat te kavacaṃ puṇyaṃ devatānāṃ ca durlabham ||
Translation
May Sadashiva, the time of time itself, always protect my entire body. O child, I have thus described to you this sacred armour, difficult of attainment even for the gods.
Deep Meaning
May Sadashiva, the time of time itself, always protect all my limbs. O child, I have described to you this sacred armour, rare even for the gods.
Sanskrit
मृतसञ्जीवनं नाम्ना महादेवेन कीर्तितम् । सहस्त्रावर्तनं चास्य पुरश्चरणमीरितम् ॥
Transliteration
mṛtasañjīvanaṃ nāmnā mahādevena kīrtitam | sahastrāvartanaṃ cāsya puraścaraṇam īritam ||
Translation
Mahadeva himself has proclaimed this armour named Mrita-sanjivana. A thousand repetitions of it are declared to constitute its purashcharana, the preliminary ritual recitation.
Deep Meaning
Mahadeva himself proclaimed this armour named Mrita-sanjivana. A thousand repetitions of it are called its purashcharana.
Sanskrit
यः पठेच्छृणुयान्नित्यं श्रावयेत् सुसमाहितः । सोऽकालमृत्युं निर्जित्य सदायुष्यं समश्नुते ॥
Transliteration
yaḥ paṭhec chṛṇuyān nityaṃ śrāvayet susamāhitaḥ | so'kālamṛtyuṃ nirjitya sadāyuṣyaṃ samaśnute ||
Translation
Whoever, with a concentrated mind, recites it daily, or hears it, or causes others to hear it, conquers untimely death and enjoys a full lifespan.
Deep Meaning
Whoever recites it daily with a focused mind, or hears it, or causes others to hear it, conquers untimely death and enjoys a full lifespan.
Sanskrit
हस्तेन वा यदा स्पृष्ट्वा मृतं सञ्जीवयत्यसौ । आधयो व्याधयस्तस्य न भवन्ति कदाचन ॥
Transliteration
hastena vā yadā spṛṣṭvā mṛtaṃ sañjīvayaty asau | ādhayo vyādhayas tasya na bhavanti kadācana ||
Translation
Whoever touches with his hand the body of a dying person while reciting this Mrita-sanjivana armour brings consciousness back into that person on the verge of death. Thereafter, that person is never again afflicted by mental or physical ailments.
Deep Meaning
Whoever touches with the hand the body of one who is dying while reciting this armour brings consciousness back into that dying being. Thereafter that being is never again afflicted by mental or physical ailments.
Sanskrit
कालमृत्युमपि प्राप्तमसौ जयति सर्वदा । अणिमादिगुणैश्वर्यं लभते मानवोत्तमः ॥
Transliteration
kālamṛtyum api prāptam asau jayati sarvadā | aṇimādiguṇaiśvaryaṃ labhate mānavottamaḥ ||
Translation
This Mrita-sanjivana armour grants life even to one who has gone into the very jaws of death, and he, the best among men, attains the lordship endowed with powers such as Anima, the power of becoming minute.
Deep Meaning
This armour grants life even to one who has gone into the jaws of death, and such a person, the best among men, attains lordship endowed with powers such as Anima.
Sanskrit
युद्धारम्भे पठित्वेदमष्टाविंशतिवारकम् । युद्धमध्ये स्थितः शत्रुः सद्यः सर्वैर्न दृश्यते ॥
Transliteration
yuddhārambhe paṭhitvedam aṣṭāviṃśativārakam | yuddhamadhye sthitaḥ śatruḥ sadyaḥ sarvair na dṛśyate ||
Translation
Whoever, before the start of a battle, recites this Mrita-sanjivana armour twenty-eight times and then takes his place on the battlefield remains, at that time, invisible to all his enemies.
Deep Meaning
Whoever recites this armour twenty-eight times before the start of a battle and then takes his place on the battlefield remains invisible to all his enemies at that time.
Sanskrit
न ब्रह्मादीनि चास्त्राणि क्षयं कुर्वन्ति तस्य वै । विजयं लभते देवयुद्धमध्येऽपि सर्वदा ॥
Transliteration
na brahmādīni cāstrāṇi kṣayaṃ kurvanti tasya vai | vijayaṃ labhate devayuddhamadhye'pi sarvadā ||
Translation
Even if a battle breaks out with the gods themselves, not even the Brahma-weapon can destroy him; he attains victory.
Deep Meaning
Even if a battle should break out with the gods themselves, not even the Brahma-weapon can destroy him; he attains victory.
Sanskrit
प्रातरुत्थाय सततं यः पठेत् कवचं शुभम् । अक्षय्यं लभते सौख्यमिह लोके परत्र च ॥
Transliteration
prātarutthāya satataṃ yaḥ paṭhet kavacaṃ śubham | akṣayyaṃ labhate saukhyam iha loke paratra ca ||
Translation
Whoever rises at dawn and always recites this auspicious armour obtains imperishable happiness both in this world and in the next.
Deep Meaning
Whoever rises at dawn and always recites this auspicious armour obtains imperishable happiness both in this world and the next.
Sanskrit
सर्वव्याधिविनिर्मुक्तः सर्वरोगविवर्जितः । अजरामरणो भूत्वा सदा षोडशवार्षिकः ॥
Transliteration
sarvavyādhivinirmuktaḥ sarvarogavivarjitaḥ | ajarāmaraṇo bhūtvā sadā ṣoḍaśavārṣikaḥ ||
Translation
He becomes free from all afflictions; every kind of disease flees from his body. Becoming ageless and immortal, he remains forever as one of sixteen years of age.
Deep Meaning
He becomes free from all afflictions; every kind of disease flees his body. Becoming ageless and immortal, he remains forever as one of sixteen years of age.
Sanskrit
विचरत्यखिलाँल्लोकान् प्राप्य भोगांश्च दुर्लभान् । तस्मादिदं महागोप्यं कवचं समुदाहृतम् । मृतसञ्जीवनं नाम्ना दैवतैरपि दुर्लभम् ॥
Transliteration
vicaraty akhilāṁllokān prāpya bhogāṃś ca durlabhān | tasmād idaṃ mahāgopyaṃ kavacaṃ samudāhṛtam | mṛtasañjīvanaṃ nāmnā daivatair api durlabham ||
Translation
He wanders through all the worlds, attaining pleasures rare even in this world. Therefore this most secret armour has been declared under the name Mrita-sanjivana. It is difficult to attain even for the gods.
Deep Meaning
He wanders through all the worlds, having attained pleasures rare even in this world. Therefore this most secret armour has been called by the name Mrita-sanjivana. It is rare even for the gods.