The Hanuman Kavach (हनुमान कवच) is a protective prayer — a spiritual armour. “Kavach” literally means armour or shield. Reciting this prayer is believed to create an invisible protective shield around the devotee, their family, and their home, warding off all negativity, evil, and harm.
When to Recite
- Daily in the morning for general protection
- Before travelling, especially long journeys
- When entering a new home or place of work
- During times of illness or danger
- On Tuesday and Saturday evenings
Invocation
ॐ अस्य श्री हनुमत्कवचस्तोत्रस्य ब्रह्म ऋषि, गायत्री छन्दः, श्री हनुमानदेवता।
Om Asya Shri Hanumatkavachastotrasya Brahma Rishi, Gayatri chhandah, Shri Hanumaandevata.
For the Hanuman Kavach prayer: Brahma is the sage, Gayatri is the metre, Lord Hanuman is the deity.
The Kavach
शिरो मे पातु हनुमते नमः। भालम् पातु कपिवराय नमः।।
नेत्रे पातु लक्ष्मीपति प्रियाय नमः। कर्णो पातु वायुपुत्राय नमः।।
नासिकाम् पातु रुद्रवराय नमः। मुखम् पातु महावीराय नमः।।
हस्तौ पातु द्रोणाधारिणे नमः। उदरम् पातु शत्रुनाशकाय नमः।।
पादौ पातु रामदूताय नमः। सर्वाङ्गम् पातु संकट मोचनाय नमः।।
Translation: May Hanuman protect my head / May the best of monkeys protect my forehead / May the beloved of Vishnu protect my eyes / May the son of Vayu protect my ears / May the form of Rudra protect my nose / May the great hero protect my mouth / May the carrier of the Drona mountain protect my hands / May the enemy-destroyer protect my stomach / May Ram’s messenger protect my feet / May Sankat Mochan protect my entire body.
Phalashruti (Benefit)
Whoever reads this Kavach daily with regularity shall face no fear in all the three worlds.
Jai Bajrang Bali!
Related Prayers
- Bajrang Baan — the powerful prayer for times of crisis
- Hanuman Chalisa
- Hanuman Mantras
- All Hanuman Prayers