Rahu Kavacham

Rahu Kavacham
(The armour of Rahu)
Translated by
P.R.Ramachander
(Rahu is an asura (unlike other planets ) and son of sage Kasyapa and an ogre called Simihika. He was born with a serpent head .When Mohini (the feminine form of Lord Vishnu) was distributing the nectar to the devas, Rahu entered the row and ate the nectar. The Sun and moon who saw this informed Lord Vishnu about this. Lord Vishnu cut him in to two pieces. The piece which had head is Rahu. The piece without head is Kethu. Both pieces continued to live and circle the earth in an anti clock wise manner. Rahu creates all the problems that are created by planet Saturn. This Kavacham should be read on Saturdays to ward of any evil caused by this planet.)

Pranamami sada rahum, soorpakaram kireetinam,
Saimhikeyam karalasyam, lokanamabhaya pradham. 1

I always salute Rahu, who holds a winnow, who has a crown,
Who is like a lion and is terrible looking,
And who grants protection to people

Neelambara sira pathu, lalatam loka vanditha,
Chakshushi pathu may Rahu, srothre thwardha sareeravan. 2

Let my head be protected by he who wears blue silk,
Let my forehead be protected by he who is worshipped by the world,
Let Rahu protect my eyes and semi bodied one protect my ears.

Nasikam may dhoomravarna, soolapanir mukham mama,
Jihwam may simhika sunu, Kantam may katinamgrika. 3

Let the smoke colured one protect my nose,
And let he who holds the spear protect my face,
Let the son of Simhika protect my toungue,
And let my neck be protected by he who perceives by smell.

Bhujangeso bhujai pathu, neela malyambara karou pathu,
Pathu vaksha sthalam manthri, pathu kuksheem vidhunthuda. 4

Let the lord of serpents protect my arm,
Let my hands be protected by he who wears blue garlands,
Let the minister protect my breast,
And let the wise one protect my belly.

Katim may vikata pathu, ooru may sura poojitha,
Swarbhanuni januni pathu jange may pathu jadayaha. 5

Let my hip be protected by the funny one,
Let my thighs be protected by he who is worshipped by devas,
Let my knees be protected by him who makes the sun his own,
Let my calves be protected by him who is sluggish.

Gulphou grahapathi pathu, padhou may bheeshanakruthi,
Sarvanyangani may pathu neela chandana bhooshana. 6

Let my ankle be protected by the lord of planets,
Let my feet be protected by he who looks terrible,
And let all my limbs be protected by him who wears blue sandal paste.

Raheridham kavacham rhudhi davasthudham yo,
Bhakthya padathyunu dinam niyatha suchi sanu,
Prapnothi keerthimathulam sriyamrudhi maayura,
Aaroghya mathma vijayam cha hi thath prasadath, 7

He who invests himself in this armour of Rahu,
Daily reads it with devotion according to rules cleanly,
Would get incomparable fame , plenty of wealth, long life,
Health and great victory in life due to his blessings.

Ithi Sri Mahabharathe Drutharasthra jayantha samvade drona parvani rahu kavacham sampoornam,

Thus ends the armour of Rahu occurring in the middle of discussion between Drutharashtra and Jayantha which occurs in the chapter on Drona of the Mahabharatha epic.