Name: Narasiṃha Kavacam by Veda Studies
Duration: 9 min 42 s
Description: Narasiṃha is the fourth incarnation of Lord Viṣṇu in the Daśāvatāra, the unmistakable and fierce (ugra) manifestation as part lion & part man. The story of Prahlāda, the slaying of Hiraṇyakaśipu and restoration of dharma is the context behind this powerful “kavacam” – a genre of prayer that effectuates an armour to shield the devotee from harm and negative forces.

Mantrapuṣpam - With seemingly simple rhythmic and repetitive words, this mantra in fact conveys a much deeper symbolic message of the blossoming potency of the Supreme Truth. An extract from the Yajurveda, this mantra is a celebration of the true understanding of the source of the powers of the Moon, Sun, Wind, Fire, Rain, Time etc.

Mantrapuṣpam

Considered one of the most important of the Sahasranāma-s (1000 names), the Viṣṇu Sahasranāma is from the 149th adhyāya of the Anuśāna-parva of the Mahābhārata.

It is one of the most popular forms of prayer. It is a praise of the Lord with thousand words. Swami Dayananda Saraswati says “The Viṣṇu Sahasranāma does not propound a theology, it merely talks about what is already said in the Śruti, Smṛti and Purāṇa-s“.

“Each of these words is a name of Īśvara and when understood becomes a window through which you look at Īśvara and understand Īśvara with awe and wonderment.”

Viṣṇu Sahasranāma

The Camakam is typically recited after the Namakam or the Rudrapraśnaḥ. In the Namakam, we offer our salutation and in the Camakam, we are asking for specific blessings. Glory be to Lord Rudra.

Camakapraśnaḥ

Bhū or bhūmi is the globe or earth on which we live. It is a glorious place in the cosmos, for we find the marvel of life here. In the vision of the Vedas, Bhū is a divine entity, a devatā, one of the various forms of Īśvara's manifestation. (Swami Tattvavidananda Saraswati)

Bhū Sūktam

In this adoration, the devā-s offer salutations again and again, to the Devī who is in all beings as consciousness, intelligence, sleep, hunger, contemplation, power, forgiveness, modesty, peace, commitment, good fortune, compassion, contentment, error etc. At the end of this hymn, we realise Devī is literally our life.

Śrī Devī Stutiḥ

The chanting of the Devī Mahātyam requires preparation and rigorous training not only on chanting quality but also on the protocols to be followed before, during & after chanting. These three chants referred to as the Tryaṅgam are required to be recited before Devi Mahātmyam pārāyaṇa.

01 Devī Kavacam

Mahālakṣmi Aṣṭakam from the Padma Purāṇa is an inspiring prayer devoted to Goddess Lakṣmī to invite abundance and beauty into our lives. Said to have been recited by Indra, the Goddess is exclaimed as an enchantress and the verses describe incredible visualisations that mesmerise the devotee. She grants success, intelligence & knowledge leading to liberation.

Mahālakṣmī Aṣṭakam

Narasiṃha is the fourth incarnation of Lord Viṣṇu in the Daśāvatāra, the unmistakable and fierce (ugra) manifestation as part lion & part man. The story of Prahlāda, the slaying of Hiraṇyakaśipu and restoration of dharma is the context behind this powerful “kavacam” – a genre of prayer that effectuates an armour to shield the devotee from harm and negative forces.

Narasiṃha Kavacam

The Nārāyaṇa Sūktam is a poetic, heartfelt, emotional and devout personal address to the all-encompassing divine. This hymn describes the superb greatness of the Divine and how to meditate on this reality in our own hearts.

Nārāyaṇa Sūktam

Śivamānasa pūja is the mental performance of all the steps of a Pūja traditionally performed physically at an altar, thereby, creating an inner altar through this process. Composed by Śrī Śaṅkarācārya, this chant teaches us how to do a pūja quite vividly in our mind.

Śivamānasa pūja

Pic ©  dangdumrong shutterstock
A hymn from the Ṛg Veda invoking Gaṇapati, bringing forth our best inner resources to work through obstacles on our spiritual path. The first 9 mantras of this hymn are dedicated to Indra, who strengthens our subtle body to receive the knowledge, the Truth.

Ganesha Suktam

Veda recitation with Shantala Sriramaiah.

Narasiṃha Kavacam

Veda Studies

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