॥ Atha Tripura Kavacam ॥  (॥ अथ त्रिपुर कवचम् ॥)

Prologue :-

Tripura literally signifies three cities. Spiritually, it's the three states of Creation, Preservation and Destruction. The states of wakeful, sleep and deep sleep. The three dimensions of space, the three aspects of antaḥkaraṇa referring to the ego, intellect and mind. The three bodies that cage the Atma, namely the physical, subtle and causal. The three spiritual channels iḍa, piṅgala and suṣumnā, Or, other tridads such as  Brahma, Viṣṇu and Rudra; Icchā, jñāna and kriyā śakti-s; the three kūṭa-s of Pañcadaśī; three worlds, bhūr, bhuva, suvaḥ;  three guṇa-s sattvic, rajasic and tamsic.
The aspect of Creation is represented by Bālā, Preservation by Sundarī and the act of destruction by Bhairavī. Together, they form Tripura. The blessings of Tripura synchronize the three nāḍī-s, iḍa, piṅgala and suṣumnā, which allows the Kuṇḍalinī to rise and awaken all the cakras leading us to Self-realization and finally to liberation. She is the pure consciousness that can be attained by conquering the antaḥkaraṇa comprising of ahamkāra/ego, buddhi/intellect and manas/mind. The ultimate liberation that She/Tripura grants, frees the Atma/Soul/Consciousness from the physical, subtle and causal bodies by burning all the karmas and desires and transforming us from the three dimensional state to the timeless state of pure consciousness or super consciousness, which is Tripura Herself/Itself. Tripura is therefore beyond the dimensions of space and time and remains existent forever.

Tripura (three cities or any triads) in this context, refers to Bālā, the aspect of Creation depicted as a child and signifying all basic needs, Sundari the youthful, for Sustenance and fulfillment of all material desires and wishes and lastly, the mature and older Bhairavi, for obtaining the true liberating knowledge leading us to the contemplation of our true existence and ultimately igniting the transformation and ascension of Consciousness. The Tripura Trailokya Mohana Kavacam is capable of granting us the power of mesmerizing the universe and is also the combination of the powers obtained through the recitation of Bālā, Sundarī and Bhairavī kavacams. All the wishes of the devotee can get fulfilled in due course of time, by its sincere and daily recitation. It’s main purpose however, is to lead us towards self-realization and ultimately to liberation.

Devī uvāca (देवी उवाच) :-

kavacaṃ tripurāyāstu śṛṇu vetāla bhairava ।
yajjñātvā mantravit samyak phalam-āpnoti pūjane ॥ 1 ॥

कवचं त्रिपुरायास्तु शृणु वेताल भैरव ।
यज्ज्ञात्वा मन्त्रवित् सम्यक् फलमाप्नोति पूजने ॥ १ ॥

Meaning:- Śrī Devi (Śakti) speaks – Oh Dear Lord Vetāla Bhairava ( an attribute or form of Śiva, who is the Lord of all goblins, ghosts and other nether-wordly creatures), Please listen carefully and bless us with the knowledge of the Tripura Kavacam, worshipping which, achieves the benefits of the sum total of performing mantra japa and yajñā (sacrificial fire offerings or Homam)!

upacārāḥ purā proktā yena evātra pūjane ।
prati-pattistu saivātra kīrtitā nitya pūjane ॥ 2 ॥

उपचाराः पुरा प्रोक्ता येन एवात्र पूजने ।
प्रतिपत्तिस्तु सैवात्र कीर्तिता नित्य पूजने ॥ २ ॥

       Please provide all the details related to the pūja (worship) procedures, starting from the beginning and help us obtain all the benefits of worshipping you at all times.

kavacasya ca mahātmya-mahaṃ brahmā na keśavaḥ ।
vaktuṃ kṣamastva-ananto'pi bahu-jihvaḥ kadācana ॥ 3 ॥

कवचस्य च महात्म्यमहं ब्रह्मा न केशवः ।
वक्तुं क्षमस्त्वनन्तोऽपि बहुजिह्वः कदाचन ॥ ३ ॥

      The magnanimity and greatness of the kavacam is not limited to the knowledge of the Creator Brahma and the Preserver Keśava (Viṣṇu), but is also spoken by many, as being applicable at all times and known as the ode to obtaining infinite grace and forgiveness.

kravyād bhayaṃ na labhate tathā toya-pariplave ।
kavacasya maraṇād-dave sarva-kalyāṇam-āpnuyāt ॥ 4 ॥

क्रव्याद् भयं न लभते तथा तोयपरिप्लवे ।
कवचस्य मरणाद्दवे सर्वकल्याणमाप्नुयात् ॥ ४ ॥
 

      The fear of carnivorous beasts or of sinking ships, or the fear of untimely death in any manner, are removed by the kavacam and one obtains the desired results of all tasks and abounds in peace, comfort and happiness.

viniyogaḥ  (विनियोगः) :- 

oṃ asya tripurā kavacasya dakṣiṇa ṛṣiḥ ।
tripuraś-chandaḥ tripura-bhairavī devī dharmārtha kāma-mokṣāṇāṃ sādhane viniyogaḥ ॥

ॐ अस्य त्रिपुरा कवचस्य दक्षिण ऋषिः ।
रिपुरश्छन्दः त्रिपुरभैरवी देवी धर्मार्थ काममोक्षाणां साधने विनियोगः ॥

      The Tripurā kavacam is composed by Dakṣiṇa Ṛṣiḥ, the metre is tripura and the deity associated with the kavacam is Tripura Bhairavi. This kavacam is recited for obtaining all material and spritual desires and everlasting peace, justice, love and happiness.

Śiva uvāca   ( शिव उवाच ) :-

yathādyā tripurākhyāyā bījāni kramataḥ suta ।
nāmato vāgbhavādīni kīrtitāni mayā purā ॥ 5 ॥

यथाद्या त्रिपुराख्याया बीजानि क्रमतः सुत ।
नामतो वाग्भवादीनि कीर्तितानि मया पुरा ॥ ५ ॥

     Lord Śiva speaks – The befitting hymn composed of the essence of Tripura, the city constructed by the great celestial asura architect Mayā, is fully laden with the power, all types of knowledge and the abilities to attain fame, all embedded within. It’s power and effect, develop gradually and benefit all sincere devotees.

     The destruction of Tripura mentioned in the puraṇās, is a reference to the destruction of the antahkaraṇa comprising of ahamkāra/ego, buddhi/intellect and manas/mind.

tathā tripura-bhairavyā bījānnamapi nāmataḥ ।
vāgbhavaḥ kāma-rājaśca tathā trailokya-mohanaḥ ॥ 6 ॥

तथा त्रिपुरभैरव्या बीजान्नमपि नामतः ।
वाग्भवः कामराजश्च तथा त्रैलोक्यमोहनः ॥ ६ ॥

     Thus, in that manner, the entire essence and significance of Śrī Tripura Bhairavi, all the worldly and spiritual knowledge, the powers of attraction and mesmerization of all the worlds, is contained within this Kavacam.

avatu sakala-śīrṣaṃ vāgbhave vācam-ugrāṃ, nikhila-racita-kāmān kāmarājo 'vatānme ।
sakala-karaṇa vargabhīśvaraḥ pātu nityaṃ, tanugata bahutejo vardhayan buddhihetu ॥ 7 ॥

अवतु सकलशीर्षं वाग्भवे वाचमुग्रां, निखिलरचितकामान् कामराजो ऽवतान्मे ।
सकलकरण वर्गभीश्वरः पातु नित्यं, तनुगत बहुतेजो वर्धयन् बुद्धिहेतु ॥ ७ ॥

      Starting with the head and augmenting the entire upper region, One’s speech becomes very impressive befitting a noble status. One’s complete desires spread over all aspects, are fulfilled. Even an emaciated person acquires an impressive personality and gets enhanced knowledge through this kavacam. The all causing, fearless and comprehensive Īśvara protects the devotee at all times.

kūṭaistu pañca-bhiridaṃ gaditaṃ hiyantram, mantraṃ tato'nu satataṃ mama teja ugram ।
tejo-mayaṃ mahati nitya-parāyaṇa-sthaṃ, tantro hyadi pravi-tatāṃ tanutāṃ subuddhim ॥ 8 ॥

कूटैस्तु पञ्चभिरिदं गदितं हियन्त्रम्, मन्त्रं ततोऽनु सततं मम तेज उग्रम् ।
तेजोमयं महति नित्यपरायणस्थं, तन्त्रो ह्यदि प्रविततां तनुतां सुबुद्धिम् ॥ ८ ॥

      Staying focused and meditating on the five-pointed star yantra of the kūṭasta or ājñā cakra, as well as on the mantra of Tripura Bhairavi, One always remains sharp and effulgent and gains great honor. The five pointed star also refers to the pañca bhūta-s or the five elements of Earth, Air, Water, Ether and Fire. Gradually one attains a magnetic personality by reciting the kavacam and meditating upon Her mantra in the ājñā cakra. Following this method further, which forms Her tantra, One’s consciousness expands further and makes the person extremely wise and ultimately leads to self-realization.

      Her five part or pañcakūṭa mantra is formed by the syllables ‘ha’, ‘sa’, ‘ka’, ‘la’ and ‘ra’. The 5 letters together form a single consonant ‘hsklr’ combined with vindu/bindu(ṁ) and the visargra (‘ah’) to complete the mantra ‘hsrauṁ hsklrīṁ hasrauṁ’ (ह्स्रौं ह्स्क्ल्रीं हस्रौं).

Further information on kūṭasta, is in the Spiritual Journey articles.

ādhāre vāgbhavaḥ pātu kāma-rājas-tathā hyadi ।
bhruvor-madhye ca śīrṣaṃ ca  pātu trailokya-mohanaḥ ॥ 9 ॥

आधारे वाग्भवः पातु कामराजस्तथा ह्यदि ।
भ्रुवोर्मध्ये च शीर्षं च  पातु त्रैलोक्यमोहनः ॥ ९ ॥

      She is the source of all knowledge, spiritual and material. She is the bearer of all compassion and desire. The expansion of consciousness through Her kavacam from the ājñā to the sahasrāra cakra leads us to self-realization and ultimate liberation, uniting us with the superconsciousness (trailokyamohana).

Her mantra consisting of three bījas, is composed of the vāgbhava kūṭa, kāmarāja kūṭa and śakti kūṭa.

vitat-kula-kalājñā kāminī bhairavī yā, tripura-pura-dahākhyā sarvalokasya mātā ।
vitaratu mama nityaṃ nābhi-padme sakukṣauḥ, gaṇapati vanitā māṃ roga-hāniṃ sukhaṃ ca ॥ 10 ॥

वितत्कुलकलाज्ञा कामिनी भैरवी या, त्रिपुरपुरदहाख्या सर्वलोकस्य माता ।
वितरतु मम नित्यं नाभिपद्मे सकुक्षौः, गणपति वनिता मां रोगहानिं सुखं च ॥ १० ॥

     The great cosmic artist Vitat-kula-kalājñā, the desirous Kāminī and the annihilator Bhairavī aid in the destruction of all the triads such as the Tamasic, Rajasic and Sattvic guṇas and likewise, the three aspects of antahkaraṇa referring to the ahamkāra or ego, buddhi or intellect and manas or mind to free up the atma or consciousness. The three bodies that cage the atma, namely the physical, astral and causal, are also referred to in this allegory. Tripura Bhairavi, who constitutes all of these aspects of Creation, Sustenance and Destruction is the Divine Mother of all Existence. The latent energy in the body present at the bottom of the spine in the mūlādhāra cakra, governed by the Obstacle breaker Gaṇapati and invoked by the grace and desire of the Divine Mother Lalita Tripura Sundari, rises as the kuṇḍaliṇi energy breaking all the barriers imposed upon the cakras. When the energy reaches the navel Maṇipūra cakra, all the diseases get destroyed and one attains bodily peace.

yogair-jaganti pari-mohayat-īva nityaṃ, jāgartiṃ yā tripura-bhairava-bhāminīti ।
sāyaṃ ca bhāva-kalitā mama pañca-bhāge, nāsākṣi-karṇa-rasanāt-vaci pātu nityam ॥ 11 ॥

योगैर्जगन्ति परिमोहयतीव नित्यं, जागर्तिं या त्रिपुरभैरवभामिनीति ।
सायं च भावकलिता मम पञ्चभागे, नासाक्षिकर्णरसनात्वचि पातु नित्यम् ॥ ११ ॥

     For the sustenance of the entire Creation and to put all the forces of nature in place at all times, The most beautiful Tripura Bhairavi remains ever persistent and omniscient. All Her five senses of sight, smell, hearing, noise and taste are ever present in abundance at all times and She remains driven and ever active, be it day, evening or night.       

ādyā tu tripureyaṃ yā madhyā yā kāmadhāyinī ।
tridhā tu hyavatāṃ nityaṃ devī tripura-bhairavī ॥ 12 ॥

आद्या तु त्रिपुरेयं या मध्या या कामधायिनी ।
त्रिधा तु ह्यवतां नित्यं देवी त्रिपुरभैरवी ॥ १२ ॥

     Tripura devi or Śakti, has three aspects starting with Bālā for Creation, Sundari in the middle for Sustenance and Bhairavi at the end, for continuous destruction or transformation.

udayadiśi sadā māṃ pātu bālā tu mātā, yamadiśi mama madhyā-bhadram-ugraṃ vidadhyāt ।
varuṇa-pavana kāṣṭā-madhyato bhairavī mā bhavatu, sakala rakṣāṃ kuravatī sundarī me ॥ 13 ॥

उदयदिशि सदा मां पातु बाला तु माता, यमदिशि मम मध्याभद्रमुग्रं विदध्यात् ।
वरुणपवन काष्टामध्यतो भैरवी मा भवतु, सकल रक्षां कुरवती सुन्दरी मे ॥ १३ ॥

    The Eastern direction is protected at all times by the Divine Mother Bālā. From the Southern direction up to the Western direction, are all under the governance of the Divine Mother Bhairavi. All the eight directions are fully protected at all times by the Divine Mother Sundari.

mahā-māyā mahā-yoni viśva-yoniḥ sadaivatu ।
sā pātu tripurā-nityaṃ sundarī-bhairavī ca mā ॥ 14 ॥

महामाया महायोनि विश्वयोनिः सदैवतु ।
सा पातु त्रिपुरानित्यं सुन्दरीभैरवी च मा ॥ १४ ॥

     The acts of Creation, Preservations and Destruction are always maintained and ensured by the two aspects of Tripura Devi – Sundari for Creation (as Bālā) and Preservation. Bhairavi for Destruction, Annihilation and Re-Creation.

lalāṭe subhagā devī pūrvasyāṃ diśi kāmadā ।
nityaṃ tiṣṭhatu rakṣantī sadā tripura-sundarī ॥ 15 ॥

ललाटे सुभगा देवी पूर्वस्यां दिशि कामदा ।
नित्यं तिष्ठतु रक्षन्ती सदा त्रिपुरसुन्दरी ॥ १५ ॥

     The forehead is protected by the auspicious Subhagā devī and the Eastern direction is under the domain of the loving Kāmadā. May the Divine Mother Tripurasundarī, remain permanently stationed, to protect us at all times!

bhruvor-madhye tathāgneyyāṃ diśi māṃ tripurā ca yā ।
vardhayantī bhagaṇān pātu tripura-bhairavī ॥ 16 ॥

भ्रुवोर्मध्ये तथाग्नेय्यां दिशि मां त्रिपुरा च या ।
वर्धयन्ती भगणान् पातु त्रिपुरभैरवी ॥ १६ ॥

     The ājñā cakra and the South-Eastern direction is governed by Tripurā Bhairavi with increasing intensity and also protected by Her at all times.

vadane dakṣiṇasyāṃ ca diśi māṃ bhaga-sarpiṇī ।
tripurā yamadūtādīn vārayantī sadā'vatu ॥ 17 ॥

वदने दक्षिणस्यां च दिशि मां भगसर्पिणी ।
त्रिपुरा यमदूतादीन् वारयन्ती सदाऽवतु ॥ १७ ॥

     The face and the Southern direction are under the dominion of the serpentine Bhagasarpiṇī. Tripura Bhairavi protects our life from untimely demise, at all times.

karṇayoḥ paścimāyāṃ ca diśi māṃ bhaga-mālinī ।
ayonijā jagad-yonir-bālā māṃ tripurāvatu ॥ 18 ॥

कर्णयोः पश्चिमायां च दिशि मां भगमालिनी ।
अयोनिजा जगद्योनिर्बाला मां त्रिपुरावतु ॥ १८ ॥

    The ears and the South-Western direction are governed by Bhagamālinī. The unborn Divine Mother Bālā and Her aspects Tripura Bhairavi and Tripura Sundarī protect us at all times.

anaṅga-kusumā kaṇṭhe pratīcyāṃ diśi sundarī ।
tripura-bhairavī mātā nityaṃ pātu maheśvarī ॥ 19 ॥

अनङ्गकुसुमा कण्ठे प्रतीच्यां दिशि सुन्दरी ।
त्रिपुरभैरवी माता नित्यं पातु महेश्वरी ॥ १९ ॥

    The passionate Anaṅga Kusumā, governs the throat and the Western direction by the Divine Mother Tripura Sundarī. The Divine Mother Tripura Bhairavī an aspect of Maheśvarī or Śaktī, protects us at all times.

hyadi māruta kāṣṭhāyāṃ devī cānaṅga-mekhalā ।
nābhāv-udīcyāṃ diśi māṃ mātaṅgī tripurāparā ॥ 20 ॥

ह्यदि मारुत काष्ठायां देवी चानङ्गमेखला ।
नाभावुदीच्यां दिशि मां मातङ्गी त्रिपुरापरा ॥ २० ॥

    The North-Western direction is under the domain of the girdle of love Anaṅga Mekhalā. The navel and the Northern direction, is protected by the Divine Mother Mātaṅgī and Tripura Bhairavī.

anaṅ-madaṇā devī pātu tripura-bhairavī ।
eśānyāṃ diśi liṅge va madavi-bhrama-mantharā ॥ 21 ॥

अनङ्मदणा देवी पातु त्रिपुरभैरवी ।
एशान्यां दिशि लिङ्गे व मदविभ्रममन्थरा ॥ २१ ॥

     The boundless love of Anaṅmadaṇā devī, is always ensured by the Divine Mother Tripurabhairavī. The North-Eastern direction and the genitals are protected by the grace of the fountain of love Madavi-bhrama-mantharā.

vāgvādinī rakṣatu  māṃ sadā tripura-bhairavī ।
guda-meḍhrāntare pātu ratis-tripura bhairavī ॥ 22 ॥

वाग्वादिनी रक्षतु  मां सदा त्रिपुरभैरवी ।
गुदमेढ्रान्तरे पातु रतिस्त्रिपुर भैरवी ॥ २२ ॥

     The power of speech represented by Vāgvādinī is ensured at all times by Tripurabhairavī. The anal area, inner and outer, is protected by the delightful Ratis-Tripura Bhairavī.

hṛdayābh-yantare prītiḥ pātu tripura-bhairavī ।
bhrū-nāsayor-madhya deśe nityaṃ pātu mano-bhavaḥ ॥ 23 ॥

हृदयाभ्यन्तरे प्रीतिः पातु त्रिपुरभैरवी ।
भ्रूनासयोर्मध्य देशे नित्यं पातु मनोभवः ॥ २३ ॥

     The heart region, inner and outer, is lovingly protected by Tripura Bhairavī. The eyebrows and the nasal bridge region is always protected by the pleasing Manobhava.

drāvaṇī māṃ grahāt pātu vāṇī māṃ durga-mūrdhinī ।
kṣobhaṇī māṃ sadāpātu  kravyādabhyo'niṣṭa bhītitaḥ ॥ 24 ॥

द्रावणी मां ग्रहात् पातु वाणी मां दुर्गमूर्धिनी ।
क्षोभणी मां सदापातु  क्रव्यादभ्योऽनिष्ट भीतितः ॥ २४ ॥

     Metifluous speech is always ensured by Durga Mūrdhinī. The tremble causing Kṣobhaṇī, protects and removes all the fear of unfavorable situations and fear of consumption by carnivorous beasts.

vaśīkaraṇa vāṇī mām-agnitaḥ pātu rājataḥ ।
ākarṣaṇāhvayā vāṇī māṃ pātu śastra-ghātataḥ ॥ 25 ॥

वशीकरण वाणी मामग्नितः पातु राजतः ।
आकर्षणाह्वया वाणी मां पातु शस्त्रघाततः ॥ २५ ॥

    Enticing speech is ignited by the silvery Rājata. Attractive speech is always ensured by the weapon wielding Śastraghāta.

mohanāḥ sarva-bhūtebhyaḥ piśācebhyo jalāttathā ।
nityaṃ pātu mahā-bāṇa-stānvānaḥ kāma-muttatam ॥ 26 ॥

मोहनाः सर्वभूतेभ्यः पिशाचेभ्यो जलात्तथा ।
नित्यं पातु महाबाणस्तान्वानः काममुत्ततम् ॥ २६ ॥

    Mesmerizing all spirits and other dimensional beings as well as aquatic creatures, as well as generating love for all beings, is ensured by the great, praise worthy and sharp arrowed Mahā-bāṇa-stānvāna.

mālā māṃ śāstrabodhaya śāstravāde sadā'vatu ।
pustakaṃ pātu manasi sankalpaṃ vardhayan mama ॥ 27 ॥

माला मां शास्त्रबोधय शास्त्रवादे सदाऽवतु ।
पुस्तकं पातु मनसि सन्कल्पं वर्धयन् मम ॥ २७ ॥

     Complete knowledge of scriptures as well as their diction, is always ensured. Knowledge gained from books and scriptures will increase rapidly.

varaḥ pātu sadā dhāmni dhāmatejo vivardhayan ।
abhayaṃ hyabhayaṃ dhattāṃ sarvebhyo bhūti bhāvanam ॥ 28 ॥

वरः पातु सदा धाम्नि धामतेजो विवर्धयन् ।
अभयं ह्यभयं धत्तां सर्वेभ्यो भूति भावनम् ॥ २८ ॥

     Blessings are showered on the abode of the devotees exponentially. All types of fear and negativity are removed and wealth, prosperity and auspiciousness is ensured and enshrined within.

ūrdhvādho-bhāva-bhūta sthitatara-karaṇau rakta-kīrṇā sucakrā, kālāgni-prakhya-rociḥ sakala-sura-gaṇair-arcitā muṇḍa-mālā ।
jñāna-dhyānaikatāna prabala-bala-karaṃ-tatva-bhūta pratiṣṭa, pātād-ūrdhvaṃ tathādhaḥ sakala-bhaya-bhūto bhoga-bhīrostu vidhyā ॥ 29 ॥

ऊर्ध्वाधोभावभूत स्थिततरकरणौ रक्तकीर्णा सुचक्रा, कालाग्निप्रख्यरोचिः सकलसुरगणैरर्चिता मुण्डमाला ।
ज्ञानध्यानैकतान प्रबलबलकरंतत्वभूत प्रतिष्ट, पातादूर्ध्वं तथाधः सकलभयभूतो भोगभीरोस्तु विध्या ॥ २९ ॥

     Representing all the ups and down states in life and yet granting us the will and means to remain steadfast, She is the timeless subtle fire of transformation shining bright and represented as a red circle in Her yantra, with downward pointing embossed triangles. She is worshipped by all the celestial sura-s or gods as well as by all beings of the multi-dimensional multi-verse. She is adorned with a necklace of skulls representing all the letters of the Sanskrit alphabet, meaning all the vibrations of sound. She is to be meditated upon as the Divine Mother, with the knowledge that She’s the Universal Consciousness or Brahman. She, the great Mahāvidya, descends with great vigor and strikes down all fear latent in us. One is free from the bother of ghosts and other worldly beings and remains unintimidated by any loss of wealth and stays content with the true knowledge granted by Her (self-realization).

hraḥ pātu hyadi māṃ nitya saḥ śīrṣe pātu nityaśaḥ ।
raḥ pātu guhyadeśe māṃ sauḥ pātu kaṇṭha-pārśvayoḥ ॥ 30 ॥

ह्रः पातु ह्यदि मां नित्य सः शीर्षे पातु नित्यशः ।
रः पातु गुह्यदेशे मां सौः पातु कण्ठपार्श्वयोः ॥ ३० ॥

    The bīja ‘hsrauṁ’ (ह्स्रौं) is the first letter of the pañca kūṭa mantra. Combinaton of ‘ha’ with ‘ra’, forms the “hraḥ” astra bīja, to remove all the negativity and throw a shield of protection around us at all times. The ‘saḥ’ bīja protects the head. The ‘raḥ’ bīja protects the genitals and the parā bīja ‘sauḥ’ protects the throat and the rib cage.

ra kāro mama nāḍīṣu śiraḥ sauḥ pātu sarvadā ।
śakraḥ pātu sadākāśe brahmā rakṣatu sarvataḥ ॥ 31 ॥

र कारो मम नाडीषु शिरः सौः पातु सर्वदा ।
शक्रः पातु सदाकाशे ब्रह्मा रक्षतु सर्वतः ॥ ३१ ॥

    The ‘ra’ bīja protects all the channels in the body and specifically the spiritual channels iḍa, piṅgala and suṣumnā. The bīja ‘sauḥ’ protects the head and the entire body. The most powerful One Tripura Bhairavi, protects the skies and the entire Creation at all times!

vidyā vidyā-bhāvinī kāmarūpā, sthūlā māyayā yādimāyā ।
brahmendrādyair-arcitā bhūtidātrī, rakṣaṃ kuryāt sarvato bhairavī mām ॥ 32 ॥

विद्या विद्याभाविनी कामरूपा, स्थूला मायया यादिमाया ।
ब्रह्मेन्द्राद्यैरर्चिता भूतिदात्री, रक्षं कुर्यात् सर्वतो भैरवी माम् ॥ ३२ ॥

     The Divine Mother Tripura Bhairavi is one of the 10 wisdom goddesses or daśa-mahā-vidyā-s and is the knowledge giver and revealer of the secrets to self-realization and ultimate liberation. She’s the subtle fire of transformation who vanquishes our ignorace of the ultimate reality and removes the veil of māya or virtual reality. She is ardently worshipped by the Creator Brahma and all the celestial beings like Indra and other gods. Her worship purifies even the celestial gods and other higher dimensional beings and helps them retain their blissful state. May the Divine Mother Tripura Bhairavi, protect us at all times and reveal the divine knowledge, leading us to self-realization.

ādyā madhyā bhāvinī nītiyuktā, samyag-jñāna jñeya-rūpā parā yā ।
ādāvante madhya-bhāge ca tārā, pāyād devī traipurī bhairavī yā ॥ 33 ॥

आद्या मध्या भाविनी नीतियुक्ता, सम्यग्ज्ञान ज्ञेयरूपा परा या ।
आदावन्ते मध्यभागे च तारा, पायाद् देवी त्रैपुरी भैरवी या ॥ ३३ ॥

     The ten wisdom goddesses daśa-mahā-vidyā-s are Kāli, Tāra, Ṣoḍaśi Tripura Sundari, Bhuvaneśvari, Tripura Bhairavi, Cinnamastā, Dhūmāvati, Bagalamukhi, Mātaṅgi and Kamalā.

     The Divine Mother is the first wisdom goddess Kāli, followed by Tārā and in the middle is Tripura Bhairavi, who holds all the knowledge and wisdom represented by the entire ten wisdom goddesses. All the wisdom goddesses are merely aspects of the Divine Mother and are Her representations, in different forms, each signifying wisdom to be gained towards self-realization and ultimate liberation.

yan-mantra-bhāga tantrāṇāṃ yantrāṇām-api keśavaḥ ।
brahmā rudraśca jānāti tatvaṃ nānyo namo'stu tān ॥ 34 ॥

यन्मन्त्रभाग तन्त्राणां यन्त्राणामपि केशवः ।
ब्रह्मा रुद्रश्च जानाति तत्वं नान्यो नमोऽस्तु तान् ॥ ३४ ॥

      The Tripura devis - Bālā, Sundarī and Bhairavī represent the Creator Brahma, Preserver Viṣṇu and the destroyer Rudra and the knowledge and true significance can be gained by the worship of their Mantra, Yantra and Tantra.

tvaṃ brahmāṇi bhavāni viśva-bhavitur-lakṣmī-ratir-yoninī, tvaṃ vāgmī subhagā bhavāyut yugaṃ mantrākṣaraṃ niṣkalam ।
varṇāste nikhilā stanāvacalita-stvaṃ kāminī-kāmadā, tvaṃ devi tripure kavitvam-amalaṃ saubhāgyam-uccaiḥ kuru ॥ 35 ॥

त्वं ब्रह्माणि भवानि विश्वभवितुर्लक्ष्मीरतिर्योनिनी, त्वं वाग्मी सुभगा भवायुत् युगं मन्त्राक्षरं निष्कलम् ।
वर्णास्ते निखिला स्तनावचलितस्त्वं कामिनीकामदा, त्वं देवि त्रिपुरे कवित्वममलं सौभाग्यमुच्चैः कुरु ॥ ३५ ॥

     The Divine Mother Bhavāni is Brahman or the dynamic Super consciousness and She permeates the entire manifested Creation. She represents life and knowledge as Brahma/Sarasvati, compassion and prosperity as Viṣṇu/Lakṣmī and is also the destroyer Bhairava/Bhairavī. All the knowledge, secrets, powers and benefits of Her aspects, can be gained by the sincere devoted worship of Her mantras and the secrets represented by the bīja-s of Her mantras.

     She is the Whole and is undeterred in Her actions of Creation, Sustenance and Destruction. She manifests at will in many forms to bestow Her grace and is also all-pervading. What more can be said in praise of the Divine Mother Tripura Bhairavi, for She is the Observer and the Observed, She is the illusion as well as the reality, She is the source and the destination, the cause and the effect. She is the only singular reality that exists.

idaṃ tu kavacaṃ devyāḥ yo jānāti sa mantravit ।
nādhayo vyādhayas-tasya na bhayaṃ ca sadāccit ॥ 36 ॥

इदं तु कवचं देव्याः यो जानाति स मन्त्रवित् ।
नाधयो व्याधयस्तस्य न भयं च सदाच्चित् ॥ ३६ ॥

     One who knows the secrets of this mantra laden kavacam of Tripura, is relieved of all fears by the grace and protection of the Divine Mother, who ultimately frees the individual consciousness stricken by the karmic illnesses, which cause the turbulence of joy and misery. She finally liberates and merges us with Herself – the Super consciousness.

iti te paraṃ guhyam-ākhyātaṃ kavacaṃ param ।
tad-bhajasva mahā-bhāga tataḥ siddhim-avāpsayasi ॥ 37 ॥

इति ते परं गुह्यमाख्यातं कवचं परम् ।
तद्भजस्व महाभाग ततः सिद्धिमवाप्सयसि ॥ ३७ ॥

     This is a very secretive kavacam and is highly revered amongst all kavacams. It also confers all siddhis or magical powers and is all accomplishing by it’s grace.

idaṃ pavitraṃ paraṃ puṇyaṃ kīrti-vivardhanam ।
tripurāyās-trimūrtestu kavacaṃ mayākoditam ॥ 38 ॥

इदं पवित्रं परं पुण्यं कीर्तिविवर्धनम् ।
त्रिपुरायास्त्रिमूर्तेस्तु कवचं मयाकोदितम् ॥ ३८ ॥

     This kavacam heralds auspiciousness and grants great merits to the devotee. It is lauded to grant immense fame and protection. This supreme kavacam, which represents the essence of Tripura or all the triads, is among the highest and most revered hymns. It grants immense happiness and bliss and removes the veil of ignorance and elevates the consciousness.

yaḥ paṭhet prātaruttāya sa prāpnoti-manogatam ।
likhitaṃ kavacaṃ yastu kaṇṭhe gṛhṇāti mantravit ॥ 39 ॥

यः पठेत् प्रातरुत्ताय स प्राप्नोतिमनोगतम् ।
लिखितं कवचं यस्तु कण्ठे गृह्णाति मन्त्रवित् ॥ ३९ ॥

     Reciting the kavacam every day in the morning or at any suitable time, One obtains all the desired wishes. One may write down or recite this mantra laden kavacam and obtain the immense blessings conferred by the Divine Mother.

na tasya gātraṃ kṛntanti raṇe śastrāṇi bhairava ।
saṃgrāme śāstravāde ca vijayastasya jāyate ॥ 40 ॥

न तस्य गात्रं कृन्तन्ति रणे शस्त्राणि भैरव ।
संग्रामे शास्त्रवादे च विजयस्तस्य जायते ॥ ४० ॥

     No harm shall befall the devotee in any battlefield or endeavor. There shall be no defeat or loss in any aspect and all knowledge, material and spiritual will be bestowed upon the devotee by Bhairava and His consort Bhairavi. Victory in all fields and ignorance of all types will be removed. One shall attain true bliss and liberation.

॥ iti kālikāpurāṇe tripurā kavacam ॥  (॥ इति कालिकापुराणे त्रिपुरा कवचम् ॥)

     This Tripura kavacam is derived from the Śrī Kālikā Purāṇa.

Sincere appreciation for input and proof reading by Santosh, Ravi ji, C.M., Ruslan and many others. Dedicated to the loving memory of my sister Anupama.

This article is contributed by Krishna Vallapareddy and he can be contacted at Krishna@manblunder.com