Srimad Bhagavatam · Canto 6 · Chapter 8

The Nārāyaṇa-kavaca Shield

6.8.1-2

श्रीराजोवाच यया गुप्त: सहस्राक्ष: सवाहान् रिपुसैनिकान् । क्रीडन्निव विनिर्जित्य त्रिलोक्या बुभुजे श्रियम् ॥ १ ॥ भगवंस्तन्ममाख्याहि वर्म नारायणात्मकम् । यथाततायिन: शत्रून्येन गुप्तोऽजयन्मृधे ॥ २ ॥

sri-rajovaca yaya guptah sahasraksah savahan ripu-sainikan kridann iva vinirjitya tri-lokya bubhuje sriyam bhagavams tan mamakhyahi varma narayanatmakam yathatatayinah satrun yena gupto ’jayan mrdhe

King Pariksit inquired from Sukadeva Gosvami: My lord, kindly explain the Visnu mantra armor that protected King Indra and enabled him to conquer his enemies, along with their carriers, and enjoy the opulence of the three worlds. Please explain to me that Narayana armor, by which King Indra achieved success in battle, conquering the enemies who were endeavoring to kill him.

6.8.3

श्रीबादरायणिरुवाच वृत: पुरोहितस्त्वाष्ट्रो महेन्द्रायानुपृच्छते । नारायणाख्यं वर्माह तदिहैकमना: श‍ृणु ॥ ३ ॥

sri-badarayanir uvaca vrtah purohitas tvastro mahendrayanuprcchate narayanakhyam varmaha tad ihaika-manah srnu

Sri Sukadeva Gosvami said: King Indra, the leader of the demigods, inquired about the armor known as Narayana-kavaca from Visvarupa, who was engaged by the demigods as their priest. Please hear Visvarupa’s reply with great attention.

6.8.4-6

श्रीविश्‍वरूप उवाच धौताङ्‌घ्रिपाणिराचम्य सपवित्र उदङ्‍मुख: । कृतस्वाङ्गकरन्यासो मन्त्राभ्यां वाग्यत: शुचि: ॥ ४ ॥ नारायणपरं वर्म सन्नह्येद् भय आगते । पादयोर्जानुनोरूर्वोरुदरे हृद्यथोरसि ॥ ५ ॥ मुखे शिरस्यानुपूर्व्यादोंङ्कारादीनि विन्यसेत् । ॐ नमो नारायणायेति विपर्ययमथापि वा ॥ ६ ॥

sri-visvarupa uvaca dhautanghri-panir acamya sapavitra udan-mukhah krta-svanga-kara-nyaso mantrabhyam vag-yatah sucih narayana-param varma sannahyed bhaya agate padayor janunor urvor udare hrdy athorasi mukhe sirasy anupurvyad omkaradini vinyaset om namo narayanayeti viparyayam athapi va

Visvarupa said: If some form of fear arrives, one should first wash his hands and legs clean and then perform acamana by chanting this mantra: om apavitrah pavitro va sarvavastham gato ’pi va/ yah smaret pundarikaksam sa bahyabhyantarah sucih/ sri-visnu sri-visnu sri-visnu. Then one should touch kusa grass and sit gravely and silently, facing north. When completely purified, one should touch the mantra composed of eight syllables to the eight parts of his body and touch the mantra composed of twelve syllables to his hands. Thus, in the following manner, he should bind himself with the Narayana coat of armor. First, while chanting the mantra composed of eight syllables [om namo narayanaya], beginning with the pranava, the syllable om, one should touch his hands to eight parts of his body, starting with the two feet and progressing systematically to the knees, thighs, abdomen, heart, chest, mouth and head. Then one should chant the mantra in reverse, beginning from the last syllable [ya], while touching the parts of his body in the reverse order. These two processes are known as utpatti-nyasa and samhara-nyasa respectively.

6.8.7

करन्यासं तत: कुर्याद् द्वादशाक्षरविद्यया । प्रणवादियकारान्तमङ्गुल्यङ्गुष्ठपर्वसु ॥ ७ ॥

kara-nyasam tatah kuryad dvadasaksara-vidyaya pranavadi-ya-karantam anguly-angustha-parvasu

Then one should chant the mantra composed of twelve syllables (om namo bhagavate vasudevaya). Preceding each syllable by the omkara, one should place the syllables of the mantra on the tips of his fingers, beginning with the index finger of the right hand and concluding with the index finger of the left. The four remaining syllables should be placed on the joints of the thumbs.

6.8.8-10

न्यसेद्‌धृदय ओंङ्कारं विकारमनु मूर्धनि । षकारं तु भ्रुवोर्मध्ये णकारं शिखया न्यसेत् ॥ ८ ॥ वेकारं नेत्रयोर्युञ्‍ज्यान्नकारं सर्वसन्धिषु । मकारमस्त्रमुद्दिश्य मन्त्रमूर्तिर्भवेद् बुध: ॥ ९ ॥ सविसर्गं फडन्तं तत्सर्वदिक्षु विनिर्दिशेत् । ॐ विष्णवे नम इति ॥ १० ॥

nyased dhrdaya omkaram vi-karam anu murdhani sa-karam tu bhruvor madhye na-karam sikhaya nyaset ve-karam netrayor yunjyan na-karam sarva-sandhisu ma-karam astram uddisya mantra-murtir bhaved budhah savisargam phad-antam tat sarva-diksu vinirdiset om visnave nama iti

One must then chant the mantra of six syllables [om visnave namah]. One should place the syllable om on his heart, the syllable vi on the top of his head, the syllable sa between his eyebrows, the syllable na on his tuft of hair [sikha], and the syllable ve between his eyes. The chanter of the mantra should then place the syllable na on all the joints of his body and meditate on the syllable ma as being a weapon. He should thus become the perfect personification of the mantra. Thereafter, adding visarga to the final syllable ma he should chant the mantra mah astraya phat in all directions, beginning from the east. In this way, all directions will be bound by the protective armor of the mantra.

6.8.11

आत्मानं परमं ध्यायेद् ध्येयं षट्‍‌शक्तिभिर्युतम् । विद्यातेजस्तपोमूर्तिमिमं मन्त्रमुदाहरेत् ॥ ११ ॥

atmanam paramam dhyayed dhyeyam sat-saktibhir yutam vidya-tejas-tapo-murtim imam mantram udaharet

After finishing this chanting, one should think himself qualitatively one with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is full in six opulences and is worthy to be meditated upon. Then one should chant the following protective prayer to Lord Narayana, the Narayana-kavaca.

6.8.12

ॐ हरिर्विदध्यान्मम सर्वरक्षां न्यस्ताङ्‌घ्रिपद्म: पतगेन्द्रपृष्ठे । दरारिचर्मासिगदेषुचाप- पाशान् दधानोऽष्टगुणोऽष्टबाहु: ॥ १२ ॥

om harir vidadhyan mama sarva-raksam nyastanghri-padmah patagendra-prsthe darari-carmasi-gadesu-capa- pasan dadhano ’sta-guno ’sta-bahuh

The Supreme Lord, who sits on the back of the bird Garuda, touching him with His lotus feet, holds eight weapons—the conchshell, disc, shield, sword, club, arrows, bow and ropes. May that Supreme Personality of Godhead protect me at all times with His eight arms. He is all-powerful because He fully possesses the eight mystic powers (anima, laghima, etc.).

6.8.13

जलेषु मां रक्षतु मत्स्यमूर्ति- र्यादोगणेभ्यो वरुणस्य पाशात् । स्थलेषु मायावटुवामनोऽव्यात् त्रिविक्रम: खेऽवतु विश्वरूप: ॥ १३ ॥

jalesu mam raksatu matsya-murtir yado-ganebhyo varunasya pasat sthalesu mayavatu-vamano ’vyat trivikramah khe ’vatu visvarupah

May the Lord, who assumes the body of a great fish, protect me in the water from the fierce animals that are associates of the demigod Varuna. By expanding His illusory energy, the Lord assumed the form of the dwarf Vamana. May Vamana protect me on the land. Since the gigantic form of the Lord, Visvarupa, conquers the three worlds, may He protect me in the sky.

6.8.14

दुर्गेष्वटव्याजिमुखादिषु प्रभु: पायान्नृसिंहोऽसुरयूथपारि: । विमुञ्चतो यस्य महाट्टहासं दिशो विनेदुर्न्यपतंश्च गर्भा: ॥ १४ ॥

durgesv atavy-aji-mukhadisu prabhuh payan nrsimho ’sura-yuthaparih vimuncato yasya mahatta-hasam diso vinedur nyapatams ca garbhah

May Lord Nrsimhadeva, who appeared as the enemy of Hiranyakasipu, protect me in all directions. His loud laughing vibrated in all directions and caused the pregnant wives of the asuras to have miscarriages. May that Lord be kind enough to protect me in difficult places like the forest and battlefront.

6.8.15

रक्षत्वसौ माध्वनि यज्ञकल्प: स्वदंष्ट्रयोन्नीतधरो वराह: । रामोऽद्रिकूटेष्वथ विप्रवासे सलक्ष्मणोऽव्याद् भरताग्रजोऽस्मान् ॥ १५ ॥

raksatv asau madhvani yajna-kalpah sva-damstrayonnita-dharo varahah ramo ’dri-kutesv atha vipravase salaksmano ’vyad bharatagrajo ’sman

The Supreme indestructible Lord is ascertained through the performance of ritualistic sacrifices and is therefore known as Yajnesvara. In His incarnation as Lord Boar, He raised the plane earth from the water at the bottom of the universe and kept it on His pointed tusks. May that Lord protect me from rogues on the street. May Parasurama protect me on the tops of mountains, and may the elder brother of Bharata, Lord Ramacandra, along with His brother Laksmana, protect me in foreign countries.

6.8.16

मामुग्रधर्मादखिलात्प्रमादा- न्नारायण: पातु नरश्च हासात् । दत्तस्त्वयोगादथ योगनाथ: पायाद्गुणेश: कपिल: कर्मबन्धात् ॥ १६ ॥

mam ugra-dharmad akhilat pramadan narayanah patu naras ca hasat dattas tv ayogad atha yoga-nathah payad gunesah kapilah karma-bandhat

May Lord Narayana protect me from unnecessarily following false religious systems and falling from my duties due to madness. May the Lord in His appearance as Nara protect me from unnecessary pride. May Lord Dattatreya, the master of all mystic power, protect me from falling while performing bhakti-yoga, and may Lord Kapila, the master of all good qualities, protect me from the material bondage of fruitive activities.

6.8.17

सनत्कुमारोऽवतु कामदेवा- द्धयशीर्षा मां पथि देवहेलनात् । देवर्षिवर्य: पुरुषार्चनान्तरात् कूर्मो हरिर्मां निरयादशेषात् ॥ १७ ॥

sanat-kumaro ’vatu kamadevad dhayasirsa mam pathi deva-helanat devarsi-varyah purusarcanantarat kurmo harir mam nirayad asesat

May Sanat-kumara protect me from lusty desires. As I begin some auspicious activity, may Lord Hayagriva protect me from being an offender by neglecting to offer respectful obeisances to the Supreme Lord. May Devarsi Narada protect me from committing offenses in worshiping the Deity, and may Lord Kurma, the tortoise, protect me from falling to the unlimited hellish planes.

6.8.18

धन्वन्तरिर्भगवान् पात्वपथ्याद् द्वन्द्वाद् भयाद‍ृषभो निर्जितात्मा । यज्ञश्च लोकादवताज्जनान्ताद् बलो गणात् क्रोधवशादहीन्द्र: ॥ १८ ॥

dhanvantarir bhagavan patv apathyad dvandvad bhayad rsabho nirjitatma yajnas ca lokad avataj janantad balo ganat krodha-vasad ahindrah

May the Supreme Personality of Godhead in His incarnation as Dhanvantari relieve me from undesirable eatables and protect me from physical illness. May Lord Rsabhadeva, who conquered His inner and outer senses, protect me from fear produced by the duality of heat and cold. May Yajna protect me from defamation and harm from the populace, and may Lord Balarama as Sesa protect me from envious serpents.

6.8.19

द्वैपायनो भगवानप्रबोधाद् बुद्धस्तु पाषण्डगणप्रमादात् । कल्कि: कले: कालमलात् प्रपातु धर्मावनायोरुकृतावतार: ॥ १९ ॥

dvaipayano bhagavan aprabodhad buddhas tu pasanda-gana-pramadat kalkih kaleh kala-malat prapatu dharmavanayoru-krtavatarah

May the Personality of Godhead in His incarnation as Vyasadeva protect me from all kinds of ignorance resulting from the absence of Vedic knowledge. May Lord Buddhadeva protect me from activities opposed to Vedic principles and from laziness that causes one to madly forget the Vedic principles of knowledge and ritualistic action. May Kalkideva, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who appeared as an incarnation to protect religious principles, protect me from the dirt of the age of Kali.

6.8.20

मां केशवो गदया प्रातरव्याद् गोविन्द आसङ्गवमात्तवेणु: । नारायण: प्राह्ण उदात्तशक्ति- र्मध्यन्दिने विष्णुररीन्द्रपाणि: ॥ २० ॥

mam kesavo gadaya pratar avyad govinda asangavam atta-venuh narayanah prahna udatta-saktir madhyan-dine visnur arindra-panih

May Lord Kesava protect me with His club in the first portion of the day, and may Govinda, who is always engaged in playing His flute, protect me in the second portion of the day. May Lord Narayana, who is equipped with all potencies, protect me in the third part of the day, and may Lord Visnu, who carries a disc to kill His enemies, protect me in the fourth part of the day.

6.8.21

देवोऽपराह्णे मधुहोग्रधन्वा सायं त्रिधामावतु माधवो माम् । दोषे हृषीकेश उतार्धरात्रे निशीथ एकोऽवतु पद्मनाभ: ॥ २१ ॥

devo ’parahne madhu-hogradhanva sayam tri-dhamavatu madhavo mam dose hrsikesa utardha-ratre nisitha eko ’vatu padmanabhah

May Lord Madhusudana, who carries a bow very fearful for the demons, protect me during the fifth part of the day. In the evening, may Lord Madhava, appearing as Brahma, Visnu and Mahesvara, protect me, and in the beginning of night may Lord Hrsikesa protect me. At the dead of night (in the second and third parts of night) may Lord Padmanabha alone protect me.

6.8.22

श्रीवत्सधामापररात्र ईश: प्रत्यूष ईशोऽसिधरो जनार्दन: । दामोदरोऽव्यादनुसन्ध्यं प्रभाते विश्वेश्वरो भगवान् कालमूर्ति: ॥ २२ ॥

srivatsa-dhamapara-ratra isah pratyusa iso ’si-dharo janardanah damodaro ’vyad anusandhyam prabhate visvesvaro bhagavan kala-murtih

May the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who bears the Srivatsa on His chest, protect me after midnight until the sky becomes pinkish. May Lord Janardana, who carries a sword in His hand, protect me at the end of night (during the last four ghatikas of night). May Lord Damodara protect me in the early morning, and may Lord Visvesvara protect me during the junctions of day and night.

6.8.23

चक्रं युगान्तानलतिग्मनेमि भ्रमत् समन्ताद् भगवत्प्रयुक्तम् । दन्दग्धि दन्दग्ध्यरिसैन्यमाशु कक्षं यथा वातसखो हुताश: ॥ २३ ॥

cakram yugantanala-tigma-nemi bhramat samantad bhagavat-prayuktam dandagdhi dandagdhy ari-sainyam asu kaksam yatha vata-sakho hutasah

Set into motion by the Supreme Personality of Godhead and wandering in all the four directions, the disc of the Supreme Lord has sharp edges as destructive as the fire of devastation at the end of the millennium. As a blazing fire burns dry grass to ashes with the assistance of the breeze, may that Sudarsana cakra burn our enemies to ashes.

6.8.24

गदेऽशनिस्पर्शनविस्फुलिङ्गे निष्पिण्ढि निष्पिण्ढ्यजितप्रियासि । कुष्माण्डवैनायकयक्षरक्षो- भूतग्रहांश्चूर्णय चूर्णयारीन् ॥ २४ ॥

gade ’sani-sparsana-visphulinge nispindhi nispindhy ajita-priyasi kusmanda-vainayaka-yaksa-rakso- bhuta-grahams curnaya curnayarin

O club in the hand of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, you produce sparks of fire as powerful as thunderbolts, and you are extremely dear to the Lord. I am also His servant. Therefore kindly help me pound to pieces the evil living beings known as Kusmandas, Vainayakas, Yaksas, Raksasas, Bhutas and Grahas. Please pulverize them.

6.8.25

त्वं यातुधानप्रमथप्रेतमातृ- पिशाचविप्रग्रहघोरद‍ृष्टीन् । दरेन्द्र विद्रावय कृष्णपूरितो भीमस्वनोऽरेर्हृदयानि कम्पयन् ॥ २५ ॥

tvam yatudhana-pramatha-preta-matr- pisaca-vipragraha-ghora-drstin darendra vidravaya krsna-purito bhima-svano ’rer hrdayani kampayan

O best of conchshells, O Pancajanya in the hands of the Lord, you are always filled with the breath of Lord Krsna. Therefore you create a fearful sound vibration that causes trembling in the hearts of enemies like the Raksasas, pramatha ghosts, Pretas, Matas, Pisacas and brahmana ghosts with fearful eyes.

6.8.26

त्वं तिग्मधारासिवरारिसैन्य- मीशप्रयुक्तो मम छिन्धि छिन्धि । चक्षूंषि चर्मञ्छतचन्द्र छादय द्विषामघोनां हर पापचक्षुषाम् ॥ २६ ॥

tvam tigma-dharasi-varari-sainyam isa-prayukto mama chindhi chindhi caksumsi carman chata-candra chadaya dvisam aghonam hara papa-caksusam

O king of sharp-edged swords, you are engaged by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Please cut the soldiers of my enemies to pieces. Please cut them to pieces! O shield marked with a hundred brilliant moonlike circles, please cover the eyes of the sinful enemies. Pluck out their sinful eyes.

6.8.27-28

यन्नो भयं ग्रहेभ्योऽभूत् केतुभ्यो नृभ्य एव च । सरीसृपेभ्यो दंष्ट्रिभ्यो भूतेभ्योंहोभ्य एव च ॥ २७ ॥ सर्वाण्येतानि भगवन्नामरूपानुकीर्तनात् । प्रयान्तु सङ्‌क्षयं सद्यो ये न: श्रेय:प्रतीपका: ॥ २८ ॥

yan no bhayam grahebhyo ’bhut ketubhyo nrbhya eva ca sarisrpebhyo damstribhyo bhutebhyo ’mhobhya eva ca sarvany etani bhagavan- nama-rupanukirtanat prayantu sanksayam sadyo ye nah sreyah-pratipakah

May the glorification of the transcendental name, form, qualities and paraphernalia of the Supreme Personality of Godhead protect us from the influence of bad planets, meteors, envious human beings, serpents, scorpions, and animals like tigers and wolves. May it protect us from ghosts and the material elements like earth, water, fire and air, and may it also protect us from lightning and our past sins. We are always afraid of these hindrances to our auspicious life. Therefore, may they all be completely destroyed by the chanting of the Hare Krsna maha-mantra.

6.8.29

गरुडो भगवान् स्तोत्रस्तोभश्छन्दोमय: प्रभु: । रक्षत्वशेषकृच्छ्रेभ्यो विष्वक्सेन: स्वनामभि: ॥ २९ ॥

garudo bhagavan stotra- stobhas chandomayah prabhuh raksatv asesa-krcchrebhyo visvaksenah sva-namabhih

Lord Garuda, the carrier of Lord Visnu, is the most worshipable lord, for he is as powerful as the Supreme Lord Himself. He is the personified Vedas and is worshiped by selected verses. May he protect us from all dangerous conditions, and may Lord Visvaksena, the Personality of Godhead, also protect us from all dangers by His holy names.

6.8.30

सर्वापद्‌भ्यो हरेर्नामरूपयानायुधानि न: । बुद्धीन्द्रियमन:प्राणान् पान्तु पार्षदभूषणा: ॥ ३० ॥

sarvapadbhyo harer nama- rupa-yanayudhani nah buddhindriya-manah-pranan pantu parsada-bhusanah

May the Supreme Personality of Godhead’s holy names, His transcendental forms, His carriers and all the weapons decorating Him as personal associates protect our intelligence, senses, mind and life air from all dangers.

6.8.31

यथा हि भगवानेव वस्तुत: सदसच्च यत् । सत्येनानेन न: सर्वे यान्तु नाशमुपद्रवा: ॥ ३१ ॥

yatha hi bhagavan eva vastutah sad asac ca yat satyenanena nah sarve yantu nasam upadravah

The subtle and gross cosmic manifestation is material, but nevertheless it is nondifferent from the Supreme Personality of Godhead because He is ultimately the cause of all causes. Cause and effect are factually one because the cause is present in the effect. Therefore the Absolute Truth, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, can destroy all our dangers by any of His potent parts.

6.8.32-33

यथैकात्म्यानुभावानां विकल्परहित: स्वयम् । भूषणायुधलिङ्गाख्या धत्ते शक्ती: स्वमायया ॥ ३२ ॥ तेनैव सत्यमानेन सर्वज्ञो भगवान् हरि: । पातु सर्वै: स्वरूपैर्न: सदा सर्वत्र सर्वग: ॥ ३३ ॥

yathaikatmyanubhavanam vikalpa-rahitah svayam bhusanayudha-lingakhya dhatte saktih sva-mayaya tenaiva satya-manena sarva-jno bhagavan harih patu sarvaih svarupair nah sada sarvatra sarva-gah

The Supreme Personality of Godhead, the living entities, the material energy, the spiritual energy and the entire creation are all individual substances. In the ultimate analysis, however, together they constitute the supreme one, the Personality of Godhead. Therefore those who are advanced in spiritual knowledge see unity in diversity. For such advanced persons, the Lord’s bodily decorations, His name, His fame, His attributes and forms and the weapons in His hand are manifestations of the strength of His potency. According to their elevated spiritual understanding, the omniscient Lord, who manifests various forms, is present everywhere. May He always protect us everywhere from all calamities.

6.8.34

विदिक्षु दिक्षूर्ध्वमध: समन्ता- दन्तर्बहिर्भगवान्नारसिंह: । प्रहापयँल्लोकभयं स्वनेन स्वतेजसा ग्रस्तसमस्ततेजा: ॥ ३४ ॥

vidiksu diksurdhvam adhah samantad antar bahir bhagavan narasimhah prahapayal loka-bhayam svanena sva-tejasa grasta-samasta-tejah

Prahlada Maharaja loudly chanted the holy name of Lord Nrsimhadeva. May Lord Nrsimhadeva, roaring for His devotee Prahlada Maharaja, protect us from all fear of dangers created by stalwart leaders in all directions through poison, weapons, water, fire, air and so on. May the Lord cover their influence by His own transcendental influence. May Nrsimhadeva protect us in all directions and in all corners, above, below, within and without.

6.8.35

मघवन्निदमाख्यातं वर्म नारायणात्मकम् । विजेष्यसेऽञ्जसा येन दंशितोऽसुरयूथपान् ॥ ३५ ॥

maghavann idam akhyatam varma narayanatmakam vijesyase ’njasa yena damsito ’sura-yuthapan

Visvarupa continued: O Indra, this mystic armor related to Lord Narayana has been described by me to you. By putting on this protective covering, you will certainly be able to conquer the leaders of the demons.

6.8.36

एतद् धारयमाणस्तु यं यं पश्यति चक्षुषा । पदा वा संस्पृशेत् सद्य: साध्वसात् स विमुच्यते ॥ ३६ ॥

etad dharayamanas tu yam yam pasyati caksusa pada va samsprset sadyah sadhvasat sa vimucyate

If one employs this armor, whomever he sees with his eyes or touches with his feet is immediately freed from all the above-mentioned dangers.

6.8.37

न कुतश्चिद्भ‍यं तस्य विद्यां धारयतो भवेत् । राजदस्युग्रहादिभ्यो व्याध्यादिभ्यश्च कर्हिचित् ॥ ३७ ॥

na kutascid bhayam tasya vidyam dharayato bhavet raja-dasyu-grahadibhyo vyadhy-adibhyas ca karhicit

This prayer, Narayana-kavaca, constitutes subtle knowledge transcendentally connected with Narayana. One who employs this prayer is never disturbed or put in danger by the government, by plunderers, by evil demons or by any type of disease.

6.8.38

इमां विद्यां पुरा कश्चित्कौशिको धारयन् द्विज: । योगधारणया स्वाङ्गं जहौ स मरुधन्वनि ॥ ३८ ॥

imam vidyam pura kascit kausiko dharayan dvijah yoga-dharanaya svangam jahau sa maru-dhanvani

O King of heaven, a brahmana named Kausika formerly used this armor when he purposely gave up his body in the desert by mystic power.

6.8.39

तस्योपरि विमानेन गन्धर्वपतिरेकदा । ययौ चित्ररथ: स्त्रीभिर्वृतो यत्र द्विजक्षय: ॥ ३९ ॥

tasyopari vimanena gandharva-patir ekada yayau citrarathah stribhir vrto yatra dvija-ksayah

Surrounded by many beautiful women, Citraratha, the King of Gandharvaloka, was once passing in his airplane over the brahmana’s body at the spot where the brahmana had died.

6.8.40

गगनान्न्यपतत् सद्य: सविमानो ह्यवाक् शिरा: । स वालिखिल्यवचनादस्थीन्यादाय विस्मित: । प्रास्य प्राचीसरस्वत्यां स्‍नात्वा धाम स्वमन्वगात् ॥ ४० ॥

gaganan nyapatat sadyah savimano hy avak-sirah sa valikhilya-vacanad asthiny adaya vismitah prasya praci-sarasvatyam snatva dhama svam anvagat

Suddenly Citraratha was forced to fall from the sky headfirst with his airplane. Struck with wonder, he was ordered by the great sages named the Valikhilyas to throw the brahmana’s bones in the nearby River Sarasvati. He had to do this and bathe in the river before returning to his own abode.

6.8.41

श्रीशुक उवाच य इदं श‍ृणुयात्काले यो धारयति चाद‍ृत: । तं नमस्यन्ति भूतानि मुच्यते सर्वतो भयात् ॥ ४१ ॥

sri-suka uvaca ya idam srnuyat kale yo dharayati cadrtah tam namasyanti bhutani mucyate sarvato bhayat

Sri Sukadeva Gosvami said: My dear Maharaja Pariksit, one who employs this armor or hears about it with faith and veneration when afraid because of any conditions in the material world is immediately freed from all dangers and is worshiped by all living entities.

6.8.42

एतां विद्यामधिगतो विश्वरूपाच्छतक्रतु: । त्रैलोक्यलक्ष्मीं बुभुजे विनिर्जित्य मृधेऽसुरान् ॥ ४२ ॥

etam vidyam adhigato visvarupac chatakratuh trailokya-laksmim bubhuje vinirjitya mrdhe ’suran

King Indra, who performed one hundred sacrifices, received this prayer of protection from Visvarupa. After conquering the demons, he enjoyed all the opulences of the three worlds.