Kavacas of Lakshmaṇa, Bharata and Śatrughna

The fifteenth sarga (chapter) of the Manohara Khaṇḍa of the Ānanda Rāmāyaṇa holds three protective kavacas (armour hymns). There is one for each of Bhagavān Rāma’s three brothers: Lakshmaṇa, Bharata and Śatrughna. Agastya Maharshi taught all three.

These come after the Hanumān Kavaca (Chapter 13) and the Sītā Kavaca (Chapter 14). Together they give protection to the chief members of the royal family of Ayodhyā. In the same chapter the three kavacas are followed by the full list of Rāma mantras, from one akshara (syllable) up to fifty akshara.

Agastya, the teacher of the kavacas

Agastya Maharshi is the teacher of all three kavacas. Earlier in the Rāma narrative he had done these things:

He gave Rāma divine weapons in the Āraṇya Kāṇḍa: the Vaishṇava bow, Brahmā’s arrow and the akshaya tūṇīras (quivers that never empty).
He gave Rāma a ratna-kaṅkaṇa (jewelled bracelet) in the Vivāha Khaṇḍa.
He gave Kuśa and Lava kāṅkaṇas (bracelets) in the Rājya Khaṇḍa.
He taught Sutīkshṇa the Sītā Kavaca in this same Manohara Khaṇḍa (Chapter 14).

Now Agastya gives a kavaca to each of the three brothers.

Lakshmaṇa Kavaca

The Lakshmaṇa Kavaca is built around these marks of Lakshmaṇa:

His complete loyalty and self-giving. He went with Rāma to the forest for fourteen years.
His work as Rāma’s guard in the forest. He stood at the edge of the kuṭī (hut) to protect Rāma and Sītā.
His strength in battle. He slew Indrajit (Meghanāda), the mightiest of Rāvaṇa’s sons.
His near death, when Indrajit’s śakti (spear) felled him. Hanumān brought him back to life with the Saṃjīvanī herb from the Gandhamādana mountain.

The kavaca calls on Lakshmaṇa as the example of a brother’s devotion and selfless service. He gave up everything, his home, his wife and his comforts, to serve his elder brother and the dharma that Rāma stood for.

Bharata Kavaca

The Bharata Kavaca calls on the special spiritual standing of Bharata. His devotion was so pure that many traditions count Bharata first among Rāma’s brothers in love for Rāma. It recalls these things:

He wholly refused the throne that had been gained by wrong means. He went to Chitrakūṭa to beg Rāma to return.
For fourteen years he ruled from Nandigrāma, outside Ayodhyā. He wore the dress of an ascetic and governed as Rāma’s representative.
He placed Rāma’s pādukās (sandals) on the throne. He governed in the name of Rāma’s feet and not in his own name.
His vow: “If Rāma does not return on the last day of the fourteenth year, I will enter the fire.”

The kavaca protects through the power of this devotion, which was free of ego. Bharata never sought any gain for himself from his bond with Rāma. He sought only Rāma’s presence.

Śatrughna Kavaca

The Śatrughna Kavaca calls on Śatrughna’s chief quality, his devoted service to Bharata. He served Bharata as Lakshmaṇa served Rāma. It also recalls these things:

He slew the asura Lavaṇāsura of Madhupurī on Rāma’s behalf during Rāmarājya (the rule of Rāma).
He founded the city of Mathurā at the place where Lavaṇāsura was defeated.
He lived quietly and steadily in Rāmarājya. He did not seek fame for himself. He served the kingdom’s work of dharma.

The protection of the whole family

With these three kavacas, the Hanumān Kavaca (Chapter 13) and the Sītā Kavaca (Chapter 14), the Manohara Khaṇḍa gives a set of protective hymns for every member of Rāma’s close family. Rāma himself has the Rāma Kavaca (Chapter 13). Sītā has the Sītā Kavaca (Chapter 14). The three brothers have their kavacas in Chapter 15.

Sources

Ānanda Rāmāyaṇa, Manohara Khaṇḍa, Chapter 13 (Hanumān Kavaca and Rāma Kavaca), as named
Ānanda Rāmāyaṇa, Manohara Khaṇḍa, Chapter 14 (Sītā Kavaca)
Ānanda Rāmāyaṇa, Manohara Khaṇḍa, Chapter 15 (Lakshmaṇa, Bharata and Śatrughna Kavacas)

Lakshmaṇa, Bharata and Śatrughna Kavacas