On the day of Sashti, Muruga defeated Soorapadman, a demon who was creating havoc in all the 3 worlds. Muruga took birth as the son of Lord Shiva in order to kill this demon. He was made the Commander of the Devas or demigods and he waged war against the demons. The battle went on for 6 days. After Muruga’s victory, the gods praised him and worshipped him for 6 days. Muruga’s victory over the demons is celebrated as the Skanda Sashti festival.

Devotees observe a fast during the 6 days, which is called Kandha Sashti Viratham. They also perform Skanda Shasti Pooja to invoke Muruga’s blessings. It is the custom to recite Skanda Sashti Kavasam during this time. ‘Kavasam’ means ‘armor’. Those who recite it with devotion will be protected by Muruga and all their problems can be resolved with his grace. They will enjoy wealth and abundance, and those who lack progeny can be blessed with children. 

 

Kandha Shasti Kavasam Lyrics with Meaning

Kural Venpa (Declaration of Purpose)

thuthipporkku valvinaipom, thunbampom, nenjil pathipporkku selvam paliththuk – kathith Ongumnishttaiyum kaikoodum, nimalar arul kanthar sashti kavasam thanai.

The sufferings great will vanish for those who pray, the riches will increase for those who paste it in their mind, All penance will surely bear fruit, By this Sashti Kavacham written by the grace of God.

Kappu (Dedication)

amarar idar theera amaram purinthakumaran adi, nenje kuri.

Mind, oh mine, meditate on the feet of that young God (Kumaran), who waged the war, to end the problems of devas, great.

Nool (Kavasam/Armor Invocation)

sashtiyai nokka saravanabavanaar sishttaruk kuthavumsengathir velon paatham irandil panmani shathangaigeetham paada, kinkini yaada,maiya nadany seyum mayil vaakananaar (5)

kaiyil velaal enaik kaakkavenru vanthu,vara vara velaa yuthanaar varugavaruga varuga mayilon varugainthiran muthalaa enthisai potramanthira vadivel varuga varuga (10)

Welcome to thee, Oh, Lord, Who rides on the peacock, Who comes to help his devotees,Who comes accompanied by sweet songs, Who comes with the pleasing sound of ringing anklets, made by numerous bells tied to your feet. And I pray to Lord Saravana Bhava, to bless this poem on Sashti.

vaasavan marugaa varuga varuganesak kuramagaL ninaivon varugaaarumugam padaiththa aiyaa varuganeeridum velavan niththam varugasirakiri velavan seekkiram varuga (15)

Come,  come, son-in-law of Indra, come, darling of the lady of mountain, come, my master who has six faces, come, daily he who holds the Vel, and who applies the ash, come with speed, Oh Lord of Sira Mountain, come with speed, Oh holder of the Vel.

sarahanabavanaar saduthiyil varugarahana bavasa, rararara rarararihana bavasa, riririri riririvinabava sarahana veeraa namo namanibava sarahana nirannira nirena (20)

Oh Lord Saravana Bhava, come with speed, rahana bavasa ra ra ra ra ra ra rarihana bavasa ri ri ri ri ri ri ri vinabava sarahana,Salutations and salutations to the great hero, nibava sarahana nira, nira, nirena

vasara hanaba varuga varugaasurar kudigeduththa aiyaa varugaennai aalum ilaiyon kaiyilpannirandaa yutham paasa angusamumparantha viligal pannirandilanga (25)

Come, come, friend who lives within me, come, Lord, Who spoiled the lives of Asuras, come with wide open, twelve graceful eyes, come with weapons and paasa and angusa in your twelve hands, come, Oh young lord, who rules over me. (Paasa is a rope and Angusa is a weapon).

virainthenaikkaakka velonvarugaaiyum kiliyum adaivudan sauvumuyyoli sauvum uyir aiyum kiliyumkiliyum sauvum kilaroli aiyumnilai petrenmun niththamum olirum (30)

Come Oh, Lord of Vel, to protect me fast, let Aaim, Klim and Saum which reach to you, the Saum with its brilliant light, the Klim which is like the soul, and Klim, Saum and the sweet sounding Aaim, stand and shine before me. (Aaim, Klim, and Saum are the part of the Bija manthra (seed invocation) that denotes Lord Skanda).

shanmugam neeyum thaniyoli yovvumkundali yaam siva guhan thinam varugaaarumugamum animudi aarumneeridu netriyum neenda puruvamumpanniru kaNNum pavaLach sevvaayum (35)

Come, O six-headed one,with your brilliant light, come daily without fail, great Lord,Who has attained the Kundalini, and come with thine six faces with six crowns, with holy ash applied on your forehead,with your long eye brows, and with your twelve eyes and coral-like mouth.(Kundalani is the thousand-petal lotus in the bottom of the brain. It is believed that on opening it, all knowledge will automatically be yours).

nanneri netriyil navamani chuttiyumeeraaru seviyil ilagu kundalamumaariru thinbuyath thalagiya maarpilpal pooshanamum pathakkamum thariththunanmani poonda navarathna maalaiyum (40)

Come, O Lord, with decorations of nine gems in your forehead,with pretty ear rings shining in your twelve ears,with several ornaments and pendant shining. In thine, handsome trunk with twelve arms and with the garland of nine gems inlaid with precious stones.

muppuri noolum muththani maarpumseppalagudaiya thiruvayiru unthiyumthuvanda marungil sudarolip pattumnavaraththinam pathiththa natcheeraavumiruthodai alagum inaimulanthaalum (45)

Come O Lord, with the holy, three-stringed thread,with your chest decorated with pearls, with your very pretty abdomen which has been praised,with silken sash and girdle around your waist, and with nine gems chain adorning your silken robes,with the beauty of the two thighs and adjoining knees.

thiruvadi yathanil silampoli mulangasegagana segagana segagana seganamogamoga mogamoga mogamoga mogenanagannaga nagannaga nagannaga nagenadiguguna digudigu diguguna diguna (50)

ra ra ra ra ra ra ra ra ra ra ra ra ra ra rari ri ri ri ri ri ri ri ri ri ri ri ri ri ridu du du du du du du du du du du du du du dudagu dagu digu digu dangu dinguguvinthu vinthu mayilon vinthu (55)

Come O Lord, with anklets in thine holy feet,which make jingling sounds, like seha gana seha gana seha gana seganamoga moga moga moga moga moga mogananaha naha naha naha naha naha nahenadigu kuna digu digu digu kuna digunara ra ra ra ra ra ra ra ra ra ra ra ra ra rari ri ri ri ri ri ri ri ri ri ri ri ri ri ridu du du du du du du du du du du du du du dudagu dagu digu digu dangu dingugu O Lord who rides the peacock, come quickly.

munthu munthu murugavel munthuenranai yaalum eraga chelvamainthan vendum varamagilnth uthavumlaalaa laalaa laalaa vesamumleelaa leelaa leelaa vinothanenru (60)

Rush Oh rush, my Lord who has the Vel, O Lord of Swami Malai, who rules over me,Who is so prettily dressed, and who is so playful. Grant this boon with a smile to your son.

unthiru vadiyai uruthi yenrennumenthalai vaiththun inaiyadi kaakkaen uyirk uyiraam iraivan kaakkapanniru viliyaal baalanai kaakkaadiyen vathanam alaguvel kaakka (65)

Please save me, who has firm faith in thine feet, and who has placed his head on your feet, O God who is my soul of souls protect, please protect this child with your twelve eyes, let your pretty Vel protect my face.

podipunai netriyai punithavel kaakakathirvel irandum kanninai kaakavithisevi irandum velavar kaakanaasikal irandum nalvel kaakapesiya vaaythanai peruvel kaaka (70)

Let your pure Vel protect my ash-adorned forehead, let your shining Vel protect my two eyes, let he who holds the Vel protect my two ears, let your good Vel protect my two nostrils, Let your great Vel protect the mouth which speaks.

muppath irupal munaivel kaakaseppiya naavai sevvel kaakakannam irandum kathirvel kaakaennilam kaluthai iniyavel kaakamaarbai irathna vadivel kaaka (75)

Let your sharp Vel protect my thirty-two teeth, let your perfect Vel protect my tongue which tells, let your shining Vel protect my two cheeks, let your sweet Vel protect my tender neck, let your gem studded Vel protect my chest.

serila mulaimaar thiruvel kaakavadivel iruthol valambera kaakapidarigal irandum peruvel kaakaalagudan muthugai arulvel kaakapalu pathinaarum paruvel kaaka (80)

Let your holy Vel protect my chest, let your straight Vel protect my two shoulders, let your great Vel protect my two napes, let your graceful Vel protect my back, let your youthful Vel protect my sixteen ribs.

vetrivel vayitrai vilangave kaakasitridai alagura sevvel kaakanaanaam kayitrai nalvel kaakaaan pen kurigalai ayilvel kaakapittam irandum peruvel kaaka (85)

Let your victorious Vel protect my abdomen, let your pretty Vel protect my thin waist, let your good Vel protect my waist thread, let your pretty Vel protect the reproductive organs, let your big Vel protect my two kidneys.

vattak kuthathai valvel kaakapanai thodai irandum paruvel kaakakanaikaal mulanthaal kathirvel kaakaaiviral adiyinai arulvel kaakakaikal irandum karunaivel kaaka (90)

Let your big Vel protect my round colon, let your heavy Vel protect my two thighs, let your bright Vel protect the two knees and calves, let your graceful Vel protect my two feet, let your merciful Vel protect my two hands.

munkai irandum muranvel kaakapinkai irandum pinnavaL irukkanaavil sarasvathi natrunai yaaganaabik kamalam nalvel kakkamuppaal naadiyai munaivel kaaka (95)

Let your strong Vel protect my two forearms, let Goddess Lakshmi reside in my arms, let the Goddess of knowledge reside in my tongue, let your good Vel protect my belly button, let your sharp Vel protect the three nerve currents.

eppoluthum enai ethirvel kaakaadiyen vasanam asaivula neramkadugave vanthu kanagavel kaakavarum pahal thannil vachravel kaakaarai irul thannil anaiyavEl kaaka (100)

Let your great Vel always protect me, let your golden Vel come fast to protect me as long as I am alive, let your diamond Vel protect me in day time, let your glittering Vel protect me in darkness.

Emathil saamathil ethirvel kaakathaamatham neeki chathurvEl kaakakaaka kaaka kanagavel kaakanoaka noaka nodiyil nokathaakka thaakka thadaiyara thaakka (105)

Let his flowing Vel protect me during all the sections of the night, let his craft Vel protect me from delays, let the golden Vel protect and protect, let it be seen quickly and quickly, let it strike and strike and remove all my problems.

paarka paarka paavam podipadabilli soonyam perumpagai agalavalla bootham valaashtiha peygalallal paduthum adangaa muniyumpillaigal thinnum pulakadai muniyum (110)

kollivaay peygalum kuralai peygalumpengalai thodarum bramaraa chatharumadiyanai kandaal alari kalangida.

Please see and see that my sins are destroyed, let the black magic and great enmity go away, let great devils and those who shake their tails, let the uncontrollable Muni, which creates problems, let the back yard Muni which eats babies, let the ghosts with fire in their mouth, let the ghosts which steal my speech, and let the Brahma Rakshasas which follow ladies, run away screaming when they see me. (Muni is an evil spirit in Tamil Nadu. It can also mean sage in another context).

irisi kaatteri ithunba senaiyumellilum iruttilum ethirpadum annarum (115)

kana pusai kollum kaaliyodu anaivarumvittaan gaararum migu pala peygalumthandiyak kaararum sandaalar halumen peyar sollavum idi vilunthodida.

Let the Irusi Katteri and Idumba sena, let Mannar who is seen every where in the night, let Kali and all others, who kill us on meeting, let Vittan Karar and other ghosts and devils, let Thandai Karar and debased humans, as soon as they hear my name, run away as if struck by thunder. (These are ghosts that supposedly roam at night. Each has its own origin story).

aanai adiyinil arum paavaihalum (120)

poonai mayirum pillaihal enpumnagamum mayirum neenmudi mandaiyumpaavaigaludane pala kalasathudanmanaiyil puthaitha vanjanai thanaiyumottiya paavaiyum ottiya serukkum (125)

kaasum panamum kaavudan sorumothum anjanamum oruvali pokumadiyanai kandaal alainthu kulainthidamaatran vanjagar vanthu vanangidakaala thoothaal enai kandaal kalangida (130)

Dolls with spells, placed in our home, hairs of cat, bones of babies, claws, hairs, skulls with long hairs, dolls placed in several pots, buried in different parts of the house, dolls pierced, pierced shapes, coins and money, cooked rice, with vegetables, spell cast yellow-black balms, which travel in one direction, let all these get confused and be afraid on seeing me, please make them shiver on seeing me always, and make strangers and bad men salute me.
(These are signs and symbols of black magic supposedly done one’s enemies).

anji nadungida arandu purandidavaay vittalari mathi kettodapadiyinil mutta paasak kayitraalkattudan angam katharida kattukatti uruttu kai kaal muriya (135)

Make all of them afraid of me, make them roll in the floor out of fear, may they shout loudly and get mad, let them dash their head on my door steps, tie them with your Paasa rope,tie them tight, roll them after tying, and break their hands and legs.

kattu kattu katharida kattumuttu muttu muligal pithungidasekku sekku sethil sethilaagasokku sokku soorpagai sokkukuthu kuthu koorvadi velaal (140)
patru patru pahalavan thanalerithanaleri thanaleri thanalathuvaahaviduvidu velai verundathu oda.

Tie and tie them, till they loudly cry out, dash and dash them till the joints split, step on them, step on them, till they break in the mud, pierce and pierce them with your Vel. Catch and catch the fire of the Sun, set fire, set fire till they wilt in the fire,throw and throw your Vel till they get scared and run.

puliyum nariyum punnari naayumeliyum karadiyum inithodarnthu oda (145)

thelum paambum seyyaan pooraankadivida vishangal kadithuyar angameriya vishangaL elithudan iranga

Let the tiger, fox, wolf, rat and bear, continue to run away from me, let the poisons of scorpion, snake, millipede, which has entered in and will stay in my body after being bitten by them, come out of my body with great speed.

polippum sulukkum oruthalai noyumvaatham sayithiyam valippu pitham (150)

soolai sayam kunmam sokku sirangukudaichal silanthi kudalvi purithipakka pilavai padarthodai vaalaikaduvan paduvan kaithaal silanthiparkuthu aranai paruvarai yaakkum (155)

yellap piniyum yendranai kandaalnillaa thoda nee yenak arulvaay

Let wounds, sprains, one-sided headache, arthritis, cold fever, fits and bile, piles, fistula, carbuncles, strains, diseases of intestines, itching of the skin, partial paralysis, ring worm, skin ailments, bites of cat, dog and spider, tooth ache and all the diseases and attacks,vanish and run away, as soon as they see me, please Lord, bless me always so that, all these do not tarry and run away from me.

eerelula hamum yenak uravaahaaanum pennum anaivarum yenakkaamannaal arasarum mahilnthura vaahavum (160)

Let the seven worlds be my friends, let gents and ladies, and kings who rule, become my relations with pleasure and happiness.

unnai thuthikka un thirunaamamsarahana bavane saiyoli bavanethiripura bavane thigaloli bavaneparipura bavane pavamoli bavanearithiru maruhaa amaraa pathiyai (165)

kaathu thevargal kadum sirai viduthaaykanthaa guhane kathir velavanekaarthigai mainthaa kadambaa kadambanaiidumbanaiy aliththa iniyavel murugaa

Let me praise your holy names, He who originated from Saravana, He who originated from flashing light, He who was born to Tripura, He who originated from holy sound, He whose feet is adorned with anklets, He who severs the cords of attachment, He who is the nephew of Vishnu and Lakshmi, He who protected the army of devas, He who released them from prison, He who is called Skanda and Guha, He who holds the resplendent Vel, He who is the son of Karthika maidens, He who lives in Kadamba forest, He who is Muruga with the sweet Vel,who defeated Idumba and Kadamba asuras.(Guha and Muruga are other names for Skanda. When he was born, Muruga wass in the form of six babies who were looked after by the six Karthika maidens, He loves to dwell in the Kadamba forest. He also defeated two asuras called Idumba and Kadamba and made them his devotees).

thanigaa salane sangaran puthalvaa (170)

kathirkaa maththurrai kathirvel murugaapalani pathivaal baala kumaaraaaavinan kudivaal alagiya velaasenthinmaa malaiyurum sengalvaraayaasamaraa purivaal shanmugath arase (175)

Hey Lord, who is the son of Lord Shiva, hey Lord Muruga, with shining Vel, hey Lord, who lives in Kathirgamam, hey young Kumara who lives in the city of Palani, Hey pretty Vela, who lives in Thiruvavingudi, hey, Sengalva raya who lives on the Senthil mountains, hey King Shanmuga who lives in Samarapuri, (Thiruthani, Palani, Kathirgamam, Thiruvavingudi, Senthil Mountains and Samarapuri are famous Muruga temples.Vela and Kumara are other names for him).

kaarar kulalaal kalaimagal nandraayyennaa irukka yaan unai paadayenai thodarnthu irukkum yenthai muruhanai padinen aadinen paravasa maagaaadinen aadinen aavinan poothiyey (180)

When the Goddess of knowledge, with her dark black tresses, placed herself on my tongue, I did sing about you, and I sang about my father Murugan, then danced, went in to ecstasy, and sought the company of the great Lord of Thiruvavinkudi.

nesamudan yaan netriyil aniya paasa vinaigal patrathu neengiunpatham perave unnarulaagaanbudan rakshi annamum sonnamummetha methaaha velaayu thanaar (185)

sithi petradiyen sirappudan valga.

When I adorned with love, my forehead with your sacred ash, the ropes attaching me to the fate were untied, and I reached your feet to attain your grace.So please protect me with love, give me food and wealth,Oh Velayudha, slowly and gracefully.bless me with your grace, and let me live in a great manner.

vaalga vaalga mayilon vaalgavaalga vaalga vadivel vaalgavaalga vaalga malai guru vaalgavaalga vaalga malai kura magaludan (190)

vaalga vaalga vaarana thuvasamvaalga vaalga yen varumaigal neenga

Long live, long live, the rider of the peacock, long live, long live, the holder of the Vel, long live, long live, the god of mountains, long live, long live, he with the mountain girl, Valli. Long live, long live, he with the flag of a cock, long live, long live, let my poverty be driven out,

yethanai kuraihal yethanai pilaihalyethanai adiyen yethanai seythaal petravan neeguru poruppathu unkadan (195)
petraval kuramahal petravalaame pillai yendranbaay piriya malithumainthan yenmeethun manam mahilntharulithanjam yendradiyaar thalaithida arulseykanthar sashti kavasam virumbiya (200)

You are my father and teacher, Goddess Valli is my mother, and it is your duty to pardon, any number of errors that I make, Any number of mistakes that I make, without parting away from this your child, with happiness love this son of yours, and give protection to all devotees, who seek and love this Skanda Sashti Kavacham.

baalan theva raayan pagarn thathaikaalaiyil maalaiyil karuthudan naalumaasaa rathudan angam thulakkinesamudan oru ninaivathu vaahikanthar sashti kavasam ithanai (205)

sindhai kalangaathu thiyaani pavarhalorunaal muppathaa ruru konduothiyeh jebithu uhanthu neeraniyaashta thikkullor adangalum vasamaaythisai mannar yenmar seyalathu (sernthangu) arulvar (210)

maatralar ellaam vanthu vananguvar navakoL mahilnthu nanmai alithidumnavamatha nenavum nallelil peruvar enthanaalum eerettaay vaalvar kantharkai velaam kavasa thadiyai (215)

Daily in the morning and evening, all those who clean themselves,with religious fervor and read thirty-six times a day, this Skanda Sashti Kavacham,which has been composed by the young Devarayan, and meditate on that God with concentration, and wear the sacred ash,will get the great blessings of all the Devas from all eight directions, and the guardians of the eight directions.All strangers would come and salute them,the nine planets will become happy, and shower their blessings, they would shine in prettiness. They would happily live on all days, if they recite this Kavacham,which is equivalent to a Vel.

valiyaay kaana meiyaay vilangumviliyaal kaana verundidum peigal pollathavarai podi podi yaakkumnallor ninaivil nadanam puriyumsarva sathuru sankaa rathadi (220)

If seen as a way, this Kavacham would show the truth, if seen of Ghosts by their eyes, they will get scared, it would destroy bad people, and the good people would dance with joy, and all their enemies will be exterminated.

arinthena ullaam ashta letchmihalilveera letchmikku virun thunavaahasoora pathmaavai thunithagai yathanaalirupa thevarkku uvan thamuthalithaguruparan palani kundrinil irukkum (225)
chinna kulanthai sevadi potri

O Lord, let my mind that has understood you, pray to Veera Lakshmi among the Ashta Lakshmis, my salutations to the feet of the small baby of Palani,whose hands killed Soora Padman,who gave deathless nectar for the twenty-seven, and who is my teacher on the Palani Mountain

yenai thadu thaatkola yendrana thullummeviya vadivurum velavaa potrithevargal senaa pathiye potrikuramagal manamahil kove potri (230)

Salutations to Skanda with the Vel who has occupied my mind, so that I am always His, salutations to commander of the Devas, salutations to the darling of Valli, who is the daughter of a mountain tribe. He whose form is strong and dazzling, praise be to Thee! He who conquered Idumba, praise be to Thee!

thiramihu thivya thegaa potriidumbaa yuthane idumbaa potrikadambaa potri kanthaa potrivetchi punaiyum vele potriuyargiri kanaga sabaikor arase (235)

Salutations to the ablest of Gods,Who has a very holy form, salutations to him, who conquered Idumba, salutations to him who wears Kadamba flowers, salutations to him who is Kanda, salutations to the Vel which wears Vetchi flowers, salutations to the king of the golden hall of the mountain.

mayilnada miduvoy malaradi saranamsaranam saranam saravanabava om saranam saranam shanmugaa saranamsaranam saranam shanmugaa saranam (238)

I surrender to the flowery feet of my Lord, Who travels on the peacock, I surrender, surrender and surrender to the Saravanabhava, I surrender, surrender and surrender to the Shanmuga.