Kṛshṇa Kavaca

The Kṛshṇa Kavaca is a kavaca (armour of protection) of Bhagavān Kṛshṇa. It is found in chapter 19 of the Brahma Khaṇḍa of the Brahma Vaivarta Purāṇa, and it comes in the account of Upabarhana and Mālavatī. Its root mantra (mūla mantra) has sixteen akshara (syllables).

The setting

Chapter 19 follows directly after the account of the revival of Upabarhana. The kavaca is given there as a teaching of protection for devotees who know the power of the name of Bhagavān Kṛshṇa and wish to set his protection around themselves and their families.

The mūla mantra

Oṃ namaḥ bhagavate rāsamaṇḍaleśāya svāhā

• The mantra has 16 akshara.
• The one addressed is Bhagavān Kṛshṇa as Rāsamaṇḍaleśa, the master of the Rāsamaṇḍala (the sacred circle of the rāsa dance).

The structure of the kavaca

The kavaca gives protective mantras to all eight directions, the ashṭa-dikpālakas (the eight guardians of the directions).

• Each direction is given a name or form of Bhagavān Kṛshṇa as its protector.
• In this way the kavaca makes a full circle of protection around the one who recites it.

Recitations needed for siddhi

Three lakh (300,000) recitations of the mūla mantra are needed to gain siddhi (perfection) of this kavaca.

Sources

• Brahma Vaivarta Mahā Purāṇa, Brahma Khaṇḍa, chapter 19