ŚRĪ BĀLĀ TRIPURA SUNDARĪ KAVACAM (श्री बाला त्रिपुर सुन्दरी कवचम ्)

 
Prologue:-
Tripura represents Bālā, Sundarī and Bhairavī encompassing all the triads. Śrī Bālā
represents the entirety of Creation and Knowledge within the Tripura analogy.
She opens up new vistas of opportunity and bestows us with the knowledge to
take advantage of the same. Mahidhara of Mantra Mahodadhi, states that Her
mantra can bestow material riches equal to Kubera and also grant mokṣa or
liberation, to the sincere devotees. All the deities of Tripura, namely Śrī Bālā,
Sundarī and Bhairavī are associated with the three kūṭa-s or parts, namely -
vāgbhava kūṭa, kāmarāja kūṭa and śakti kūṭa. The first vāgbhava kūṭa represents
vāc or word, implying all the letters of the alphabet through which the entire
Creation is expressed as well as the sounds emanating from the letters and their
combination. Goddess Sarasvati, the Knowledge giver and the consort or Śakti of
the Creator Brahma, is represented by Her bīja mantra aim̐ (ऐँ ), which signifies the
vāgbhava kūṭa in it’s entirety. Likewise, the kāmarāja kūṭa encompasses desires,
wishes and continuity, which is represented by the Kāma bīja klīm̐ (क्लीँ). Lastly,
the Śakti Kūṭa which represents the Super Consciousness or the Singular reality is
represented by the parā bīja sauḥ (सौः). Śrī Bālā’s mantra is therefore “aim̐ klīm̐
sauḥ” (ऐँ  क्लीँ सौः) and represents Her will and desire to Create, expand and
ultimately grant Liberation.
This kavacam fulfills all the wishes of Her devotees and works best when
combined with her mantra japa.

Śrī Bhairavī uvāca (श्री भैरवी उवाच):

Devadeva! mahādeva! bhaktānāṃ prītivarddhana! sucitaṃ yat

tvayā devyāḥ kavacaṃ kathayasva me ॥ 1 ॥
दे वदे व! महादे व! भक्तानां प्रीतिवर्द्धन! सचि
ु तं यत ् त्वया दे व्याः कवचं कथयस्व मे ॥ १ ॥
Śrī Bhairavī (Śakti) spoke:- O Lord Mahādeva, The Supreme being. The One who’s
the favorite of all devotees and is easily pleased by their sincere devotion! Dear
Lord, May you please enlighten me with the details of the Pure and pristine
kavacam of Śrī Bālā?
Śrī Bhairava uvāca (श्री भैरव उवाच):
śṛṇu devi! pravakṣyāmi kavacam devadurlabham ।
aprakāśyaṃ paraṃ guhyaṃ sādhakābhīṣṭa siddhidam ॥ 2 ॥
शण
ृ ु दे वि! प्रवक्ष्यामि कवचम ् दे वदर्ल
ु भम ् ।
अप्रकाश्यं परं  गुह्यं साधकाभीष्ट सिद्धिदम ् ॥ २ ॥
Śrī Bhairavā (Śiva) spoke:- My dearest devi! Please listen very attentively to this
Kavacam, which is very difficult to obtain even for the celestial devas. This is
extremely secretive with hidden meanings and is capable of fulfilling all the
wishes of the sincere devotees.
Viniyogaḥ (विनियोगः):
asya śrī bālātripurasundarī kavacasya । śrī dakṣināmūrti ṛṣiḥ । paṅktiśchandaḥ ।
śrī bālā tripurasundarī devatā । aim̐ bījaṃ ।  sauḥ śaktiḥ । klīm̐ kīlakaṃ ।
caturvarga sādhane pāṭhe viniyogaḥ ॥
अस्य श्री बालात्रिपरु सन्
ु दरी कवचस्य । श्री दक्षिनामर्ति
ू  ऋषिः । पङ्क्तिश्छन्दः ।
श्री बाला त्रिपरु सन्
ु दरी दे वता । ऐँ  बीजं । सौः शक्तिः । क्लीँ कीलकं ।
चतुर्वर्ग साधने पाठे  विनियोगः ॥
Meaning:- To obtain the blessings of all the four kūṭa-s (The fourth secret kūṭa is
turiya leading to liberation or mokṣa) of Śrī Bālā Tripurasundarī, I hereby recite
the below kavacam and seek Her blessings. The sage/preceptor/ṛṣi for this kavaca
mantra is Śrī Dakṣināmūrti. The metre or chandas is paṅkti. The deity is Śrī Bālā
Tripurasundarī. The seed or bīja is aim̐. The power or śakti is sauḥ. The key/kīlaka
to unlock the secrets of the kavacam is klīm̐.
ṛṣyādi nyāsaḥ (ऋष्यादि न्यासः):
S.No. IAST Devanagari Procedure
śrī dakṣiṇāmūrti ṛṣaye namaḥ Open the ri
1 श्री दक्षिणामूर्ति ऋषये नमः शिरसि । of the foreh
śirasi ।
thumb finge
paṅktiśchandase namaḥ Now touch
2 पङ्क्तिश्छन्दसे नमः मुखे ।
mukhe । the above m
 śrī bālātripurasundarī devatāyai
3 श्री बालात्रिपुरसुन्दरी दे वतायै नमः हृदि । Touch the h
namaḥ hṛdi ।
Touch the g
4 aim̐ bījāya namo guhye । ऐँ  बीजाय नमो गुह्ये ।
finger and t
Touch the n
5 sauḥ śaktaye namo nābhau । सौः शक्तये नमो नाभौ ।
ring finger a
Touch the f
6 klīm̐ bījāya namaḥ pādayoḥ । क्लीँ बीजाय नमः पादयोः ।
finger and t
caturvarga sādhane pāṭhe चतर्व
ु र्ग साधने पाठे  विनियोगाय नमः सर्वाङ्गे 
7 Run both th
viniyogāya namaḥ sarvāṅge ॥ ॥
 
3. kara nyāsaḥ (कर न्यासः) :-
S.No. IAST Devanagari Procedure
Use both the index fi
1 aim̐ aṅguṣṭhābhyāṃ namaḥ । ऐँ अङ्गुष्ठाभ्यां नमः ।
both the thumbs.
Use both the thumbs
2 klīm̐ tarjanībhyāṃ namaḥ । क्लीँ तर्जनीभ्यां नमः ।
index fingers.
3 sauḥ madhyamābhyāṃ namaḥ । सौः मध्यमाभ्यां नमः । Use both the thumbs
4 aim̐ anāmikābhyāṃ namaḥ । ऐँ अनामिकाभ्यां नमः । Use both the thumbs
5 klīm̐ kaniṣṭhikābhyāṃ namaḥ । क्लीँ कनिष्ठिकाभ्यां नमः । Use both the thumbs
Open both the palms
sauḥ karatalakara सौः करतलकर पष्ृ ठाभ्यां the right hand on the
6
pṛṣṭhābhyāṃ namaḥ । नमः । the left palm and rep
palm.
7 iti kara nyāsaḥ इति कर न्यासः  
 
aṅga nyāsaḥ (अङ्ग न्यासः) :-
S.No. IAST Devanagari Procedure
Open index, midd
1 aim̐ hṛdayāya namaḥ । ऐँ  हृदयाय नमः । right hand and pl
chakra.
 Open middle and
2 klīm̐ śirase svāhā । क्लीँ शिरसे स्वाहा ।
hand and touch t
Open the right th
3 sauḥ śikhāyai vaṣaṭ । सौः शिखायै वषट् । the head. This is t
hair, is kept.
Cross both the ha
4 aim̐ kavacāya hum̐ । ऐँ  कवचाय हुँ ।
opened palms fro
Touch the eyes w
5 klīm̐ netratrayāya vauṣaṭ । क्लीँ नेत्रत्रयाय वौषट् । fingers, with the
the ājña cakra.
Open up the left
6 sauḥ astrāya phaṭ । सौः अस्त्राय फट् । times with index
right hand.
7 iti ṣaḍaṅga nyāsaḥ इति षडङ्ग न्यासः  
bhūrbhuvassuvaromiti digbandhaḥ ॥
भूर्भुवस्सुवरोमिति दिग्बन्धः॥

Dhyānam (ध्यानम ्):

muktāśekhara - kuṇḍalāṅgada maṇi - graiveya - hārormikā,

vidyotad valayādi kaṅkaṇakaṭi sūtrāṃ sphuran nūpurān ।
māṇikyodara bandhakambu kabarīmindoḥ kalāṃ vibhratīṃ,
pāśāṃ cāṅkuśa pustakākṣa valayaṃ dakṣordhva bāhvāditaḥ ॥
मुक्ताशेखर - कुण्डलाङ्गद मणि - ग्रैवेय - हारोर्मिका,
विद्योतद् वलयादि कङ्कणकटि सूत्रां स्फुरन ् नूपरु ान ् ।
माणिक्योदर बन्धकम्बु कबरीमिन्दोः कलां विभ्रतीं,
पाशां चाङ्कुश पस्
ु तकाक्ष वलयं दक्षोर्ध्व बाह्वादितः ॥
Meaning: I meditate upon Śrī Bālā Tripurasundarī, who is adorned at the top of
Her head with a crescent moon, necklaces of rubies and other precious stones on
Her fingers, bejeweled bracelets around Her arms, beautiful ear rings, shell girdles
around Her waist and glittering anklets on Her feet. She has beautiful braided
hair, round and pleasing eyes and is flawless in appearance, shining forth
radiantly. She holds a rope – pāśa, an elephant goad - aṅkuśa, as well as a book.
She blesses us with Her raised right hand and infuses us with Her limitless grace.
Muktāśekhara - the top of Her head, meaning brahma-randra or the crown cakra
sahasrāra, represents liberation, which is the effect of the parā bīja - sauḥ.
Kuṇḍalāṅgada represents the coiled Kuṇḍalinī at the bottom of the spine and is
awakened by Her grace and our desire for spiritual growth. This is represented by
the Kāma bīja klīm̐. The liberating knowledge itself, is represented by the
vāgbhāva bīja aim̐.

Pañcapūjā (पञ्चपज
ू ा) :-
S.No. IAST Devanagari Procedure
Hold the lower tip of
the bottom phalange
of the little fingers of
lam̐ - pṛthivyātmikāyai लँ - पथि
ृ व्यात्मिकायै both hands with the
1
gandhaṁ samarpayāmi | गन्धं समर्पयामि। upper tip of the
thumbs, with the
back of the palm
facing us.
Hold the lower tip of
the bottom phalange
of the thumbs of
ham̐ - ākāśātmikāyai puṣpaiḥ हँ - आकाशात्मिकायै both hands with the
2
pūjayāmi | पुष्पैः पूजयामि। upper tip/nails of the
index fingers, with
the back of the palm
facing us.
Hold the lower tip of
the bottom phalange
of the index fingers
yam̐ - vāyvātmikāyai यँ - वाय्वात्मिकायै of both hands with
3
dhūpamāghrāpayāmi | धूपमाघ्रापयामि। the upper tip of the
thumbs, with the
back of the palm
facing us.
4 ram̐ - agnyātmikāyai dīpaṁ रँ - अग्न्यात्मिकायै दीपं Hold the lower tip of

darśayāmi |
vam̐ - amṛtātmikāyai
5 amṛtaṁ mahānaivedyaṁ
nivedayāmi |
sam̐ - sarvātmikāyai
6 sarvopacāra pūjām
samarpayāmi ||
7 Iti Pañcapūjā ॥
the bottom phalange
of the middle fingers
of both hands with
दर्शयामि। the upper tip of the
thumbs, with the
back of the palm
facing us.
Hold the lower tip of
the bottom phalange
of the ring fingers of
वँ - अमत ात्मिकायै अमत ं
ृ ृ both hands with the
महानैवेद्यं निवेदयामि। upper tip of the
thumbs, with the
back of the palm
facing us.
Hold the fingers of
each palm in a folded
manner with the tips
सँ - सर्वात्मिकायै of each fingers of
सर्वोपचार पज ू ाम ् both hands touching
each other and the
समर्पयामि॥
thumbs facing the
heart, in a Namaste
position.
इति पञ्चपज
ू ा॥  

kavacamārambham (कवचमारम्भम ्) :-

aim̐ vāgbhavaṃ pātu śīrṣaṃ klīm̐ kāmastu tathā hṛdi ।
sauḥ śakti bījaṃ ca pātu nābhau guhye ca pādayoḥ ॥ 1 ॥
ऐँ  वाग्भवं पात ु शीर्षं क्लीँ कामस्त ु तथा हृदि ।
सौः शक्ति बीजं च पातु नाभौ गुह्ये च पादयोः ॥ १ ॥
The aim̐ vāgbhava bīja, which represents the source of all knowledge, material
and spiritual, as well as the source and cause of all speech, protects the head. The
desire fulfilling klīm̐ kāma bīja, protects the heart at all times. The liberating
parā śakti bīja - sauḥ protects the navel, genitals and the feet.

aim̐ klīm̐ sauḥ vadane pātu bālā māṃ sarvasiddhaye ।

hasakalahrīm̐ sauḥ pātu bhairavī kaṇṭhadeśataḥ ॥ 2 ॥
ऐँ  क्लीँ सौः वदने पात ु बाला मां सर्वसिद्धये ।
हसकलह्रीँ सौः पातु भैरवी कण्ठदे शतः ॥ २ ॥
The Śrī Bālā Tripurasundarī mantra ‘aim̐ klīm̐ sauḥ’, protects the face and also
grants all siddhis or magical powers and is also the all accomplishing, wish
fulfilling mantra. One becomes extremely rich in all types of wealth, material and
spiritual. Bhairavī, weilding the Kāmarāja Kūṭa bīja-s ‘hasakalahrīm̐’ and the
liberating Parā bīja ‘sauḥ’, protects the throat and gives us metifluous speech, as
well as the highest spiritual knowledge.

sundarī nābhi deśe'vyācchīrṣikā sakalā sadā ।
bhrū nāsayor-nantarāle mahā-tripurasundarī ॥ 3 ॥
सुन्दरी नाभि दे शेऽव्याच्छीर्षिका सकला सदा ।
भ्रू नासयोर्नन्तराले महात्रिपरु सुन्दरी ॥ ३ ॥
Lalita Tripura Sundarī protects from the navel region to the head, signifying the
activation of the navel cakra to the ājñā cakra. Lalita
Mahā Tripurasundarī protects the forehead, nasal area and the entire head,
signifying the opening of the ājñā and the sahasrāra cakras. She grants self-
realization and liberates us from all karmas and grants us mokṣa or ultimate bliss.

lalāṭe subhagā pātu bhagā māṃ kaṇṭhadeśataḥ ।

bhagā devī tu hṛdaye udare bhagasarpiṇī ॥ 4 ॥
ललाटे  सुभगा पातु भगा मां कण्ठदे शतः ।
भगा दे वी तु हृदये उदरे  भगसर्पिणी ॥ ४ ॥
The forehead region is protected by the auspicious Subhagā, the throat area and
the heart are protected by the bountiful Bhagā devī. The stomach region is
protected by the majestic serpentine Bhagasarpiṇī.

bhagamālā nābhideśe liṅge  pātu manobhavā ।

guhye pātu mahādevī rājarājeśvarī śivā ॥ 5 ॥
भगमाला नाभिदे शे लिङ्गे  पातु मनोभवा ।
गुह्ये पातु महादे वी राजराजेश्वरी शिवा ॥ ५ ॥
The garland of good fortune Bhagamālā, is the protector of the navel region. The
genitals are protected by the desirous Manobhavā. The genetalia region is
protected by the Divine Mother Mahādevī Rājarājeśvarī and Her consort Śivā,
representing the activation of the Kuṇḍalinī in the root Mūlādhāra cakra.

caitanya-rūpiṇī pātu pādayor-jagad-ambikā ।
nārāyaṇī sarva-gātre sarva-kārye śubhaṅkarī ॥ 6 ॥
चैतन्यरूपिणी पातु पादयोर्जगदम्बिका ।
नारायणी सर्वगात्रे सर्वकार्ये शुभङ्करी ॥ ६ ॥
The pure consciousness – Caitanya Rūpiṇī Divine Mother Jagadambika, protects
the feet. The Supreme superconsciousness and pure bliss Nārāyaṇī, protects the
entire body. All tasks that the devotee undertakes, are fructified by the
auspicious Śubhaṅkarī.

brahmāṇī pātu māṃ pūrve dakṣiṇe vaiṣṇavī tathā ।

paścime pātu vārāhī uttare tu maheśvarī ॥ 7 ॥
ब्रह्माणी पातु  मां पूर्वे दक्षिणे वैष्णवी तथा ।
पश्चिमे पात ु वाराही उत्तरे  त ु महे श्वरी ॥ ७ ॥
The Absolute Truth Brahmaṇi protects the Eastern direction and the Southern
direction is always protected by the omniscient Vaiṣṇavī. The Western direction is
protected by the karma vanquisher Vārāhī and the Northern direction by the
Supreme Maheśvarī.

āgneyyāṃ pātu kaumārī mahālakṣmīśca nairṛte ।

vāyavyāṃ pātu cāmuṇḍā indrāṇī pātu ceśake ॥ 8 ॥
आग्नेय्यां पात ु कौमारी महालक्ष्मीश्च नैरृते ।
वायव्यां पात ु चामण्
ु डा इन्द्राणी पात ु चेशके ॥ ८ ॥
The South-Eastern direction is protected by the brave and dashing Kaumārī and
the South-Western direction is protected by the auspicious and wealth-granting
Mahālakṣmī. The North-Western direction is protected by the extremely fierce
Cāmuṇḍā. The North-Eastern direction is protected by the fabulous Indrāṇī.

jale pātu mahāmāyā pṛthivyāṃ sarva-maṅgalā ।

ākāśe pātu varadā sarvato bhuvaneśvarī ॥ 9 ॥
जले पातु महामाया पथि
ृ व्यां सर्वमङ्गला ।
आकाशे पात ु वरदा सर्वतो भवु नेश्वरी ॥ ९ ॥
Water is protected by the great virtual illusory Mahāmāyā. The Earth/land is
protected by the all accomplishing Sarva-maṅgalā. The skies are protected by the
wish-granting Varadā and everything else is protected by the benevolent and the
material desire granting Bhuvaneśvarī.

 Phalaśruti (फलश्रति
ु ) :-
idaṃ tu kavacaṃ nāma devānāmapi durlabham ।
paṭhat prātaḥ samutthāya śuciḥ prayata mānasaḥ ॥ 10 ॥
इदं  त ु कवचं नाम दे वानामपि दर्ल
ु भम ् ।
पठत ् प्रातः समत्ु थाय शचि
ु ः प्रयत मानसः ॥ १० ॥
This kavacam is very difficult to obtain even for the celestial beings and is highly
coveted. One must wholeheartedly recite it at the day break, after getting up
early in the morning, with a clean heart and mind (no desires or thoughts
contaminating the mind).
nādhayo vyādhayas-tasya na bhayaṃ ca kvacid bhavet ।
na ca mārībhayaṃ tasya pātakānāṃ bhayaṃ tathā ॥ 11 ॥
नाधयो व्याधयस्तस्य न भयं च क्वचिद् भवेत ् ।
न च मारीभयं तस्य पातकानां भयं तथा ॥ ११ ॥
One shall receive Her grace and assistance for cure of deadly diseases. One need
not have any fear for She will manifest anywhere and at anytime in aid of Her
devotees. One need not fear of untimely death and of sins committed in the past
and their repercussions. Her protection will ensure that the devotees lead a
wealthy and comfortable life.
na dāridrya-vaśaṃ gacchet tiṣṭhan-mṛtyu vaśe na ca ।
gacchec-chivapure devī! satyaṃ satyaṃ vadāmyaham ॥ 12 ॥
न दारिद्र्यवशं गच्छे त ् तिष्ठन्मत्ृ यु वशे न च ।
गच्छे च्छिवपरु े  दे वी! सत्यं सत्यं वदाम्यहम ् ॥ १२ ॥
Poverty is removed and One shall have a glorious life and ending. One shall surely
attain Śiva pura or the state of pure bliss and this is the absolute truth. Such is the
power of the blessings accrued from this kavacam and the grace
of Śrī Bālā Tripurasundarī.
idaṃ kavacam-ajñātvā śrīvidyāṃ yo japec-chive ।
sa māpnoti phalaṃ tasya prāpnuyāc-chastra ghātanam ॥ 13 ॥
इदं  कवचमज्ञात्वा श्रीविद्यां यो जपेच्छिवे ।
स माप्नोति फलं तस्य प्राप्नुयाच्छस्त्र घातनम ् ॥ १३ ॥
No benefits accrue to the Śrīvidyā devotees or to those who perform the japa or
recitation of Śiva mantras, if the knowledge of this kavacam is not bestowed. One
who sincerely recites the kavacam daily, will in due course of time, attain all the
benefits as well as enormous power to vanquish all karmas and ultimately gain
self-realization and liberation.

iti śrī rudrayāmalam tantre bhairava -

bhairavī samvāde śrī bālā tripurasundarī kavacam ॥ 
इति श्री रुद्रयामलम ् तन्त्रे भैरव - भैरवी सम्वादे  श्री बाला त्रिपरु सुन्दरी कवचम ् ॥
This hymn Śrī Bālā Tripura-Sundarī Kavacam, is derived from the conversation
between Bhairava and Bhairavi and extracted from the Śrī Rudrayāmalam Tantra.