śrīsarasvatī kavacam

Bhairava said: O Goddess! Listen, I shall explain the armor (Kavacha) which grants all perfections (siddhis). It is incomparable, immediately bestows eloquence, and is difficult even for the gods to attain.

By wearing which, Brahma, the Lord of Speech, drinks the nectar of the three worlds. So also Yama, Kubera (Dhanesha), Varuna, and the King of Yakshas.

This armor is called 'Trailokyamohana' (that which captivates the three worlds) and is the very embodiment of mantras. By its grace, the Lord of Desire (Kamesha) can captivate the three worlds in an instant.

Yama, Varuna, Kubera, and other lords of the directions (Digishvaras), Brahma who creates the universe, Vishnu the destroyer of demons, Shiva who destroys the universe, and Indra (Jishnu) the lord of the good-hearted (gods) - all achieve their states by it.

For the proper realization of the Lords of Directions and the Guardians of the Quarters, I shall speak of the Trailokyamohana Kavacha, which is the sole means for both enjoyment (bhoga) and liberation (moksha).

It is the embodiment of all knowledge, the unsurpassed treasure of Brahma Vidya (knowledge of the Supreme). Thus is the glory of this Trailokyamohana Kavacha sung.

For this Saraswati Kavacha, the Sage is Kanva, the meter is Virat, the auspicious Goddess Saraswati is the deity, 'Hrim' is the seed (bija), 'Om' is the power (shakti), 'Aim' is the pin (kilaka), and it is used for the attainment of the three goals of life (Dharma, Artha, Kama).

Salutations to Sage Kanva on the head. Salutations to the Virat meter on the mouth. Salutations to Goddess Saraswati in the heart. Salutations to the 'Hrim' seed in the secret parts. Salutations to the 'Om' power on the navel. Salutations to the 'Aim' pin on the feet. Salutations to the application for attaining the three goals on the whole body.

Om Aim Hrim Hrim. May Vani (the Goddess of Speech), the ever-pure one, always protect my head. Om Hrim. May Goddess Saraswati always protect my forehead.

Om Hrim. May Durga, who instills fear in the demons, protect my eyebrows. Om Aim Hrim. May the one who is the auspiciousness of all auspicious things protect my eyes.

Om Hrim. May the one who grants fearlessness to the universe protect both my ears. Om Aim. May the embodiment of knowledge, the bestower of the boon of knowledge, always protect my nose.

Om Hrim Aim. May Vagdevi (Goddess of Speech), the destroyer of fear, protect my mouth. Am, Aam, Im, Iim - may the one worshipped by the Lord of the Trident protect my teeth.

Um, Uum, Rm, Rrm, Lm, Lrm, Em, Aim - may Bharati protect my lips. Om, Aum, Am, Ah - may the one who resides in the lap of the blue-throated Shiva protect my throat.

Kam, Kham, Gam, Gham, Nkam - may the one worshipped by the lord of gods protect my shoulders. Cham, Chham, Jam, Jham, Nyam - may the one who dwells in the chest protect my chest.

Tam, Tham, Dam, Dham, Nam - may the one who dwells on the sides protect my sides. Tam, Tham, Dam, Dham, Nam - may the one worshipped by the lord of the worlds protect my middle (waist).

Pam, Pham, Bam, Bham, Mam - may the one served by Brahma and Shiva protect my navel. Yam, Ram, Lam, Vam - may the one who speaks endearingly protect my secret parts and hips.

Sham, Ssham, Sam, Ham - may Goddess Bagalamukhi protect my waist. Lham, Ksham - may the auspicious one who grants all knowledge always protect my thighs.

May Saraswati, worshipped by the lord of Rama (Vishnu), protect my shanks. Om Hrim Aim Hrim - may the one who resides on the footstool protect my feet.

Whatever place has been forgotten or whichever part has been left unnamed, may the Goddess of Speech (Vageshi), the Supreme embodiment of the root knowledge, protect all of that.

May Vagdevi protect me in the East, and Vageshi in the South-East (Agni direction). May Saraswati protect me in the South, and the beloved of fire protect me in the South-West.

May Vagisha protect me in the West, and Venamukhi in the North-West (Vayu direction). May Vidya protect me in the North, and Vidyadhari in the North-East (Ishanya).

May Asitanga protect me from water, and Ruru Bhairava from milk (liquids). May Chanda protect me from wind, and Krodhesha protect me while running.

May Unmatta protect me while standing, and Bhishana protect me from the front. May Kapali protect me in the middle of the path, and Samhara while entering.

May she protect my body everywhere, from the feet to the head. From the head to the feet, may Goddess Saraswati protect me.

Thus is this armor of Vani, pregnant with mantras and bringing victory. Named Trailokyamohana, it destroys poverty and fear.

It directly cures all diseases, bestows perfection, and destroys sins. It grants knowledge to seekers and is the supreme embodiment of the root knowledge.

It constantly bestows the highest truth and is the sole cause of enjoyment and liberation. O Goddess, whoever reads this armor in disputes or amidst enemy threats...

...will paralyze the mouth of the opponent and return home victorious. By reading this armor, the anger of the state (king) is pacified.

Whoever reads it three times at night in a cremation ground attains perfection. O Maheshwari! One should write this armor on a birch bark (bhurjapatra) with specific juices on a Sunday.

With eight fragrances (ashtagandha), lac, and offerings of incense and lamps, one should worship the golden amulet placed there like the king of yantras.

This amulet is of great form, auspicious, and bestows the grace of Saraswati. It accomplishes all goals in the world and grants the desired fruits.

This auspicious amulet of the Goddess should not be given to just anyone. O Ishani, this armor is certainly the embodiment of the root knowledge.

It grants knowledge, status of prosperity, and increases the lineage of sons and grandsons. It brings longevity, nourishment, prosperity, and fame.

Thus is this armor, O Goddess, named Trailokyamohana. Indeed, this armor pregnant with mantras is named Trailokyamohana.

Thus ends the Saraswati Kavacham from the secret of the ten Vidyas in the Sri Rudrayamala Tantra.