Rahu Kavacham In English

Rahu Kavacham’ means “Armor of Rahu”. It is a Navagraha Stotram that is believed to protect one from the malefic effects of planet Rahu. This devotional Stotram is dedicated to Lord Rahu, one of the nine planets or Navagrahas in Vedic Astrology. The Rahu Kavacham Stotram is found in the Mahabharatha epic, where it occurs during a discussion between Dritharashtra and Jayantha in the chapter on Drona.  

What is Rahu?

Rahu is a shadow planet in Vedic astrology. It has the head of a snake and the body of a person. Rahu is associated with temptations and material things. It is always dissatisfied and wants more. As Rahu is also a warrior, it gives those who come under its influence a quarrelsome mentality. 

Rahu is unsteady and erratic. It is ruled by obsessive passions, and it is not bothered about ethics. For this reason, Rahu can bring a native great wealth and success, but all these are likely to be short-lived. Rahu is tricky. It creates all kinds of illusions. It also gives rise to uncontrollable passions. 

Rahu is fond of worldly riches. It represents the native’s ambitions and what occupies their thoughts. 

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Story of Rahu and Ketu

According to mythology, the gods and demons churned the Milky Ocean for Amrit, the elixir of immortality. The gods did not want to share it with the demons. Vishnu took the form of the enchanting Mohini and made the demons surrender the pot of nectar to him. As the nectar was being given to the gods, a demon called Swarbhanu disguised himself as a god and sat among the gods to get a share of the nectar. But the Sun and Moon saw through his disguise and informed Vishnu. Vishnu chopped off Swarbhanu’s head with his Sudarshan chakra. But by then, the demon had swallowed a few drops of the nectar and become immortal. The head became Rahu, and the body became Ketu. 

In scientific terms, Rahu and Ketu are the two points at which the paths of the Sun and the Moon intersect as they move in the sky. Hence, they are called the North and the South Lunar nodes. As the Moon passes these nodes, sometimes it will be in perfect alignment between the earth and the Sun. This causes eclipses. Since eclipses occur when the Sun and Moon are at either of these points, it led to the myth of Rahu and Ketu swallowing the Sun. 

Rahu and Ketu are strong planets in Vedic Astrology, although they do not exist. As they have a strong impact on our lives, they are quite significant. 

Rahu Kavacha Lyrics and Meaning 

Pranamami sada rahum, soorpakaram kireetinam,
Saimhikeyam karalasyam, lokanamabhaya pradham
 
 I always salute Rahu, who holds a winnow, who has a crown,
 Who is like a lion and is terrible looking,
 And who grants protection to people
 
 Neelambara sira pathu, lalatam loka vanditha,
 Chakshushi pathu may Rahu, srothre thwardha sareeravan
 
 Let my head be protected by he who wears blue silk,
 Let my forehead be protected by he who is worshipped by the world,
 Let Rahu protect my eyes, and the semi-bodied one protect my ears.
 
 Nasikam may dhoomravarna, soolapanir mukham mama,
 Jihwam may simhika sunu, Kantam may katinamgrika
 
 Let the smoke-colored one protect my nose,
 And let he who holds the spear protect my face,
 Let the son of Simhika protect my tongue,
 And let my neck be protected by he who perceives by smell.
Bhujangeso bhujai pathu, neela malyambara karou pathu,
 Pathu vaksha sthalam manthri, pathu kuksheem vidhunthuda
 
 Let the lord of serpents protect my arm,
 Let my hands be protected by he who wears blue garlands,
 Let the minister protect my breast,
 And let the wise one protect my belly.
 
 Katim may vikata pathu, ooru may sura poojitha,
 Swarbhanuni januni pathu jange may pathu jadayaha
 
 Let my hip be protected by the funny one,
 Let my thighs be protected by he who is worshipped by devas,
 Let my knees be protected by him who makes the sun his own,
 Let my calves be protected by him, who is sluggish.           
 
 Gulphou grahapathi pathu, padhou may bheeshanakruthi,
 Sarvanyangani may pathu neela chandana bhooshana.
 
 Let my ankle be protected by the lord of planets,
 Let my feet be protected by he who looks terrible,
 And let all my limbs be protected by him who wears blue sandal paste.
 
 Raheridham kavacham rhudhi davasthudham yo,
 Bhakthya padathyunu dinam niyatha suchi sanu,
 Prapnothi keerthimathulam sriyamrudhi maayura,
 Aaroghya mathma vijayam cha hi thath prasadath
 
 He who invests himself in this armor of Rahu,
 Daily reads it with devotion cleanly, according to rules,
 Would get incomparable fame, plenty of wealth, long life,
 Health and great victory in life due to his blessings.
 
 Ithi Sri Mahabharathe Dritharasthra Jayantha samvade Drona parvani Rahu kavacham sampoornam,
 
 Thus ends the Armor of Rahu occurring in the middle of the discussion between Dritharashtra and Jayantha, which occurs in the chapter on Drona of the Mahabharatha epic.