Kanda Guru Kavacham of Santhananda Swamigal (Tamil)
By Sadguru Santhanatha Swamigal of Skandasramam
Transliteration by Elango Kadhirvel
Translated by P. R. Ramachander with assistance by Elango Kadhirvel
This great armour is written by Sri Santhanatha Swamigal, who was a great saint devotee of Lord Skanda. He established a temple called Skandasrama near Salem[1].
Vinayagar Vazhthu[edit]
Kaliyuga deivame, kandanukku mooth-thone, Mooshika vahanane, moola porrullone, Skanda guru kavachathai kali dosham neengidave, Thiruvadiyin thiruvarullaal cheppugiren kathu arulvaay, Sithi vinaayaga jaya marul potturugiren., 5
Prayer to Ganesa
Oh God of Kali age, who is elder brother of Skanda,
Who rides on a mouse, who is the basis of all,
I would be telling the armour of Skanda Guru,
Due to the grace of your feet, for curing ills of Kali,
And so Oh Lord Sidhi Vinaayaka, give me victory, I worship you.
Chirpara Ganapathiye nar kathiyum thanthu arulvaay, Ganapathi thal inayai karuthinil vaithittean, Acham theerthu yennai rakshithiduveere.
Oh Ganapathy of holy worlds,
Please also give me good salvation,
For I have kept feet of Ganapathy in my mind,
And so please remove my fear and protect me.
Kavacham[edit]
Skandaa saranam, Skandaa saranam, Sarvana bhava guhaa saranam, Saranam 10
Salutations to Skanda, Salutations to Skanda,
Salutations and salutations to the great God,
Who lived in a cave near Saravana stream.
Guruguhaa saranam, guru paraa saranam, Saranam adainthitean, kandaa saranam, Thanai thaan arindu naan than mayamaagidave, Skanda giri guru naathaa thandiduveer jnaanamume, Skanda giri guru naathaa vandiduveer vandiduveer., 15
Salutations to the teacher of the cave,
Salutations to the greatest teacher,
Oh teacher of the Skanda mountain,
Give me knowledge to know,
That and become immersed in that,
Oh teacher of the skanda giri,
Please come, please come.
Avadhootha sad guruvaay aandavane Vandhiduveer, Anbu uruvaay vanthu yennai aatkonda guru parane Aram, porul, inbam, veedume, thanthu-arulvaay. Thandhiduvaay varamadanai skanda guru naathaa, Shanmugaa saranam, saranam, skanda guro., 20
Oh God please come as a teacher in the form of a saint,
Oh greatest teacher who possessed me in the form of pure love,
Please grant me Dharma., wealth, pleasure and salvation,
Oh Lord Skanda who is a teacher please give,
Salutations to Shanumuga, Salutations to the teacher Skanda.
Kaathiduvaay, kaathiduvaay, Skanda guru naathaa, Pothriduvaen, pothriduvaen bhuvana guru naathaa, Pothri pothri Skandaa Pothri, Pothri pothri Murugaa Pothri, Arumuga pothri, arut padam arulvaay., 25
Protect me, protect me, Oh Lord Skanda who is a teacher,
I would sing about you, sing about you, Teacher of the world,
I Praise, I praise, Skanda, I praise,
I praise, I praise, Muruga, I praise,
I Praise six faced one, I praise Lord Muruga
Thagappan saamiye yen idayathul thangiduvaay, Swami malai thannil chonna-thanai cholliduvaay, Shiva guru naathaa, cheppiduvaay pranavam adai, Agak-kann thirakka arulvaay upadesam, Thikkellam vendru thiru chendhil amarnthone., 30
Oh, father God, please live within my mind,
Please tell me what you told in Swami malai,
Oh Lord who is teacher of Shiva, tell me that Pranavam,
And give me counsel so that my inner eye opens,
Oh God, who won everywhere and sat at Thiru chendur.
Aarumuga swami unnai arut chodhiyaaik-kaana, Agathulle kumaraa nee anbu mayamaai varuvai, Amara thanmaiyinai anugrahithiduvaaye, Veludaik-Kumaraa nee vithaiyum thandu arul vaay, Vel kondu vandhiduvaay, kaalanai virattidave., 35
O God with six faces, to see you as a flame of mercy,
Oh Kumara within me, come completely filled with love,
Please me with a state of no death at all,
Oh God with a Vel, you bless me also with knowledge,
Please bring your Vel to drive away the God of death.
Thevarai kaatha Thiruchendil aandavane, Thiru murugan poondiyile divya jothiyaana kandaa, Param jothiyum kaati paripuranam aakiduvaay, Thiru malai muruga, nee thida jnaanam arul purivaay, Chelva muthu kumaraa mum-malam agathriduvaay., 40
Oh God of Thirchendur, who saved the devas,
Oh Skanda who became holy flame in Poondy,
Make me complete by showing me your holy splendour,
Oh Muruga of the holy hill, grant me stable holy knowledge,
Oh Chelva Muthu Kumara, remove the three dirt of my mind.
Adi mudi ariya vonna annaa-malaiyone, Arunchalak-kumaraa aruna girikku aruliyavaa, Thiruparan giri guhane theerthiduvaay vinai muzhuthum, Thiruthani vel murugaa theeranaay aakiduvaay, Yettu kudi kumaraa yeval pilli sooniyathai., 45
Oh God of Thiruannamalai whose head and feet could not be found,
Oh son of the mountain of dawn, who blessed Arunagiri,
Oh God of the cave of Thiruparan giri, completely wipe away my fate,
Oh Muruga with the Vel of Thiruthani, make me bold,
Oh Young God of Ettu Kudi, remove the chants and ghosts sent by others.
Pagaivar choothu vathugalai vel kondu virattiduvaay, Yella payangalum yenakku kidaithidave, Yengum niraintha kandhaa, yen kan murugaa nee, Yen ull arivaay nee, uul oliyaay vandu arulvaay, Thiru poroor maamuruga, thiruvadiye saranam ayya., 50
Please drive away the plots of my enemies by your Vel,
Oh Kanda who is every where, Oh Muruga with eight eyes,
You who know my mind well, enter me as the inner light,
So that I get all the things that I want,
Oh great Muruga of Thiruporur, salutations to your holy feet.
Arivoliyaay vandu nee, agak-kannai thirandiduvaay, Thiruchendur shanmugane, jagath guruvukku aruliyavaa, Jagat guro shiva kumaraa chitha malam agathriduvaay, Chenkottu velavane Shivaanubhoothi thaarum, Chikkal singaaraa jeevanai sivan aakiduvaay., 55
Come as the light of knowledge and open my inner eye,
Oh six faced god of Thiruchendur, who taught the teacher of the world,
Oh teacher of the world, son of Shiva, remove dirt of my mind,
Oh holder of Vel of Chengottu, give me the grace of Lord Shiva,
Oh Singara vela of Chikkal, make my soul as lord Shiva.
Kunra kudi kumaraa Guru Guhanaay vandhidappa, Kumaragiri perumaane manathaiyum maaythiduveer, Pachaimalai murugaa ichayai kalaindhidappa, Pavazha malai aandavane paavangalai pookidappa, Viraalimalai shanmugane viraivil nee vandhidappa., 60
Oh Young God of Kunra Kudi, come as Guha my teacher,
Oh great one of Kumaragiri please erase everything in my mind,
Oh Muruga of the green mountain, please also remove my desires,
Oh God of the coral mountain, remove all my sins,
Oh six faced God of Viralimalai, please do come very fast.
Vayalur Kumaara guro, jnaana varam yenakku arulveere, Vennaimalai murugaa, mey veetai thandhiduveer, Kadir Kaama Velavane mana maayai agathriduvaay, Kaantha malai kumaraa karuthul vanthiduveer, Mayilathu Murugaa nee manath-agathul vandiduveer., 65
Oh Young teacher of Vayalur, please grant me the boon of wisdom,
Oh Muruga of the butter mountain, please give me the real salvation,
Oh God with Vel of Kadhir Gama, please remove illusion from my mind,
Oh Young god of the magnetic mountain, please enter my opinions,
Oh Muruga of Mylapore, please come within my mind,
Kanjamalai chitha guro kannoli yaay vandhiduveer, Kumara malai guru naatha kavalai yellam pokkiduveer, Valli malai Vel murugaa, Vel kondu vanthiduveer, Vada Pazhani aandavane Val vinaikal pookiduveer, Ezhu malai aandavane yethikkum Kaathiduveere., 70
Oh holy teacher of Kanja mountain, come as my eye sight,
Oh teacher of the Kumara Mountain, please remove all my worries,
Oh Muruga with a Vel of Valli Mountain, come with your Vel,
Oh God of Vada Pazhani, please remove my bad fate,
Oh God of the seven mountains, please protect me from all sides.
Yezhmai agathri Kanthaa yama bhayam pokkiduveer, Asayaadha nenjathil arivaaga nee arulvaay, Arupadai Kumaraa mayilleri vandiduvaay, Panivathe paniyendru panithanai nee yenakku, Panindean Kanthaa unn paadam panindu uvvappean., 75
Oh Kanda, remove my poverty and remove the fear of death,
Please come and occupy my stable mind as wisdom,
Oh Kumara of the six houses, please come riding on the peacock,
You ordered that surrendering to you is my only work,
Oh Kanda, I surrendered, surrendered to your feet and became happy.
Arut perum jothiye anbenakku arulvaaye, Patarantha anbinai nee para Brahmam yendranaye, Ulagu yengum ullathu oru porul anbe thaan, Ulluyiraagi irupathum anbu yenbai, Anbe Kumaran, Anbe Skandan., 80
Oh holy great flame, grant me with love,
You said that the spreading love is Para Brahma,
For The thing which is everywhere is only love,
And Love is the only thing that is like a soul within us,
Love is Kumara, Love is Skanda.
Anbe Om yennum arul mandiram yendraay, Anbai ullathil asaiyaadhu amathidumor, Shakthiyai thandhu thaduthu aat kondidavum, Varuvaay anbanaay vandu arul Skanda Guro Yavarkkum iniyan nee, yavarkkum yeliyan nee., 85
You told that love is the holy chant called “Om”,
And For making love is a stable power in my mind,
And stopping me and showing me your grace,
Please come as love Oh Skanda, Oh Kumara,
You are pleasant to all, you are humbler than all.
Yavarkkum valiyan nee, yavarkkum aanoy nee, Unakku oru kovilai yen agathulle punaivene, Shiva shakthi kumaraa, saranam, saranam ayya, Apaayam thavirthu thaduthu aat kolvaay, Nizhal veyyil neer neruppu mann kathru vaanathilum., 90
You are greater than all, You belong to every one,
I would make a temple for you within my mind,
Oh son of Shiva and Shakthi, salutations and salutations to you,
Make me yours, after avoiding all dangers to me,
In Shadow, sin, water, fire, soil and sky.
Pagaimaiyai agathri abayam allithiduveer, Unarvile ondri yennai nirmalamaakkiduvaay, Yaan yenathu athra mey jnaanam arulvaay nee, Mukthikku vithaana murugaa kandaa, Chathur marai pothrum Shanmuga-naadha., 95
Please remove enmity from my mind and take care of me,
Please become one with my senses and make me clean,
Please grant me that true knowledge where I and mine are not there,
Oh Muruga, Oh Kanda, who is the seed for salvation,
Oh Lord Shanmuga who is praised by the four Vedas.
Aagamam yenthum Ambigai pudalvaa, Yezhayai kaaka nee Velendi vanthiduvaay, Thayaay thandayaay Muruga thak-kanam nee varuvaay, Shakthiyum shivavum maai chaduthiyil nee varuvaay, Param porullaana baalane Skanda Guro., 100
Oh son of Parvathi worshipped by Agama shastras,
You please armed with your Vel to protect this poor man,
Oh Muruga come instantly as mother and as father,
Please come as Shakthi and as Shiva quickly,
Oh child, Oh Skanda Kumara who is the holy God.
Aadhi moolame aruvaay, uruvaay nee, Adiyanai kathida arivaay vandu arulvaay, Ull oliyaay Murugaa udane nee vaa, vaa, vaa, Devaadhi devaa Shiva Kuuroo vaa, vaa, vaa, Velayudathudan Kumara viraivil nee vandhidappa., 105
Oh root of all,come with form and without form,
Come as wisdom to protect me,
Oh Muruga come as the light of my mind,
Oh God of gods, son of Shiva come, come, come
Please come armed with our Vel with great speed.
Kaan-pana yavumaai, kan kanda deivamaay, Veda chudaraai mey kanda deivame, Mithaiyaam ivuulugai mithai yendru arindhida chey, Abhayam abhayam Kandaa, Abhayam yendru alarugindrean. Amaithiyai vendi ArumugaVaa vaa yendren., 110
You have become what all I see,
You are the God that I can see with my eyes,
Oh God who have found the truth by becoming a flame of Veda,
Make me understand that this illusory world is but an illusion,
Oh Kanda, I seek your protection, your protection,
I am also saying that, I need your protection,
And desiring peace, I said, Oh Muruga come, come,
Unn thunai vendinean umayaval kumaraa kel, Acham agathriduvaay, amaithiyai thanthiduvaay, Vendiyathu un arule, arulvathu un kadane yaam, Unn arullaale Un thaal vanang-kitten, At-tamaa chithigalai adiyenukku arullidappa., 115
Oh son of Parvathi hear, I had asked you,
To remove my fear and grant me peace,
I want your grace and giving grace is your duty,
Due to your grace, I saluted your feet,
Please teach me occult education,
Ajabai vazhiyile asaiyaamal iruthi vidu, Sithargal pothridum jnaana sithiyum thanthu vidu, Shivanaanda thenil thillaythidave cheythu vidu. Arul oli kaatchiyai agathulle katti vidu, Arivai arinthidum av-varulayum nee thanthu vidu., 120
Please make me sit firmly in the yogic path,
Please give me the power of wisdom, praised by Sidhas,
Please make me boil in the honey of the happiness of Shiva,
Please show me in my mind the scenes and sounds of your grace,
And also please grant that knowledge by which I can know knowledge.
Angrathitheeduvaay Aadhi Guru naathaa kel, Skanda guru naathaa, Skanda guru naathaa, Thathuvam maranthu thannaiyum naan maranthu, Nallathum kettathum naan enbathum maranthu, Pava punniyathodu para lokam maranthida chey., 125
Oh Primeval teacher who blesses me, hear,
Please bless me, Oh Skanda, who is the lord of teachers,
Oh Skanda, Who is the lord of teachers,
Make me forget all philosophy and also forget myself,
Make me forget that good and bad are within me only,
And make me forget sin, good deeds and salvation.
Arul veli vittu evanai akalaathu irundhiduvaay, Adimayai kathiduvaay aarumugak-kanda guro, Sithiyile periya jnaana sithi nee arula, Seekirame varuvaay, Shivaanandam tharuvaay, Shivaanandam thanthu aruli shiva sithar aakkiduvaay., 130
You place me without allowing move in your ring of grace,
Oh Kanda, Oh Kumara, Oh six faced one, protect me as your slave,
And after granting the great Sidhi which is Jnana Sidhi,
Come fast and give me the holy joy of Shiva,
And after giving me that joy of shiva, make a Sidha of Shiva.
Sivanai pol yennai cheythiduvathu unn Kadane, Shiva Sad guru naathaa, Shiva Sad guru naathaa, Skanda Guru Naathaa katharugindrean, kettiduvaay, Thalinai pidithean than-thidu varam yenakku, Thiru varut shakthiyai thandu aat kondiduvaay., 135
It is your duty to make me like Shiva,
Oh Lord teacher who is Shiva,
Oh Lord teacher who is Lord Shiva,
Oh Skanda who is the Lord teacher,
I will loudly shout for your help, please hear,
I have caught your feet, please give me boon,
Please make me yours after giving me the,
Strength which is filled by divine grace.
Shathru pagaivargalai Shanmugaa Ozhithidu, Kizhakku thisaiyil irundu, krupaakaraa kaappaathrum, Then Kizhakku thisayil irundu, dheena bhando kaappaathrum, Then thisayilum yennai thiruvarulaal kaappaathrum, Then merkillum yennai, thiran velaal Kaappaathrum., 140
Oh Shanmuga, remove all my enemies and those hate me,
Oh doer of mercy, protect me on the eastern side,
Oh friend of the oppressed, protect me from south eastern side,
In the southern side, please protect by your divine grace,
In the western side, please protect me using your Vel.
Merkku thikkil Maal maruga yennai rakshippaai, Vadamerkilum yennai Mayillone Rakshippai, Vadakkil yennai kaappaathra vandhidhuveer sad guruvaay, Vada kizhakkil yenak-kaaga mayil meedu varuveere, Pathu thikku thorum yennai parandhu vandhu rakshippaay., 145
Oh nephew of Vishnu, protect me on the western side,
Oh he who rides the peacock, protect me on the north east,
For protecting me on the north, please come as the holy teacher,
For protecting me in the north east, come riding on a peacock,
Please come flying and hover in all ten directions to protect me.
Yen sikaiyaiyum sirasinaiyum Shiva Guro Rakshippaay, Nethiyum puruvamum ninadu arul kaakkattum, Puruvangalukkidaye purushothaman kaakkattum, Kangal irandaiyum kanda vel kaakkattum, Nasigal irandayum nalla vel kaakkattum., 150
Let my head and hair be protected by son of Lord Shiva,
Let your grace protect my eyes and eye brows,
Let the greatest among males protect the space between eye brows,
Let The Kanda Vel protect both my eyes,
Let the good Vel protect my two nostrils.
Sevigal irandaiyum sevar kodi kaakkattum, Kannangal irandaiyum kaankeyan kaakkattum, Uthattinaiyum thaan umaa suthan kaakkattum, Nakkai nan murugan nayamudan kaakkattum, Parkalai kandan balam kondu kaakkattum., 155
Let the flag of cock protect both my ears,
Let the child of Ganga protect both my cheeks,
Let the son of Parvathi protect my lips,
Let the good Muruga protect my toungue properly,
Let Kanda protect my teeth with strength.
Kazhuthai kandan kaigalaal kaakkattum, Tholgal irandaiyum thooya vel kaakkattum, Kaigal viralkalai Karthikeyan kaakkattum, Marbaiyum vayithraiyum valli manaalan kaakkattum, Manathai Murugan kai maathadi thaan kaakkattum., 160
Let the hands of Skanda protect my neck,
Let the pure Vel protect both my shoulders,
Let Karthigeya protect fingers of my hand,
Let the consort of Valli protect my chest and stomach,
Let my mind be protected by the stick in the hand of Muruga,
Hrudaythil kandan inithu nilaithirukkattum, Udarathai yellam umai main-than kaakkattum, Nabhi guhyam lingam, navayudai guthathodu, Iduppai muzhankaalai inayaana kaalgalaiyum, Purankaal viralgalayum porunthum ugir anaithaiyume., 165
Uroma dwaram yellam umai baala rakshippaay,
Thol ratham majjaiyaiyum mamasamenbu methasaiyum,
Aru mugavaa kaathiduveer, amarar thaliva kaathiduveer,
Yen agankaaramum agathri arivu oliyaay irunthum,
Muruga yenai kaakka vel kondu vanthiduveer., 170
Let Skanda reside sweetly and forever in m heart, Let my entire belly be protected by the son of Goddess Uma, Stomach, secret parts, penis and colon, Waist, knees and both my feet, Feet, fingers of feet and all the living parts,
And Hair roots may be protected by the son of Uma,
Let my skin, blood, fat deposits, flesh and bone marrow,
May be protected by the six faced lord,
May be protected by the chief of devas,
Please remove my pride and live with in me as light of wisdom,
Oh Muruga, please come with Vel to protect me.
Paapathai posukki paarellam chirappurave, Om Soum Saravana Bhava sreem hreem kleem yendrum, KLoum soum namaha yendru cherthidada naal thorum, Om irundu namaha varai ondraaka cherthidadaa, Ondraaka kootiyume ullathile iruthi., 175
Oru manathodu nee uruvaiyum yethidadaa,
Muruganin moola mithu muzhu manathodu yethittaal,
Mummalam agandru vidum, mukthi undan kaiyil undaam,
Mukthiyai vendiyume yethikkum chella vendaam,
Murugan iruppidame mukthi thalam aagum appa., 180
Destroy all the sins, so that all the world becomes better, Add daily “Om Soum Saravana Bhava, Sreem hreem, Kleem”, As well as “Kloum soum Namah”,and concentrate, From “Om “ to “Namaha” and meditate on it,
Absorb my form with single mindedness,
If with full mind if you understand this root chant of Muruga,
The three dirts of the mind would go away,
And the salvation would be within your hands,
There is ne need to go anywhere seeking salvation,
And oh man, the place where Murugan is indeed the place of salvation.
Hrudayathil muruganai iruthi vidu yikkaname, Yikkaname moola mandiram yethi vidu, yethi vidu, Moola mathai yethuvorkku kaala bhayam yillaiyadaa, Kaalanai nee jeyikka kandanai pathri-dadaa, Chonna padi cheythaal subrahmanya guru Nathan., 185
Thannoliyaay perum chudaraay unnulle taan iruppaan, Jaga maayaai jeyithidave cheppinen moolamume, Moolathai nee japithe mukthanum aagidadaa, Akshara laksha-mithai anbuden jepithu vidil, Yenniyathu yellam kittum, yama bhayam agandru odum., 190
Please fill up your mind immediately with Muruga,
At this instant fill your fill your mind with the root chant,
For those with the root chant there is no fear of death,
For winning over the God of death, catch hold of Skanda,
If you do according to what the teacher Subrahmanya says,,
He would stay within you as the cold light and also a big flame
I have told you this root to win over illusions of this world,
Chant this root and you would become evolved soul,
If this is chanted hundred thousand times with love,
You would get all that you wish and the fear of death will run away fast.
Moovulagum poojikkum murugan arul munnirkkum, Poovulagil yinaiyathra poojyanum aavaay nee, Kodi tharam jepithu kodik-kaana vendum appa, Kodi kaana chonnadai nee nadiduvaay maname, Janmam kadai-thera japithuduvaay kodiyume., 195
The grace of Murugan worshipped by the three words would stand out,
And you would be the matchless God worshipped in this earth,
This should be chanted one crore times to see the end,
And Oh mind try to desire the reaching of the end,
And chant this one crore times to attain salvation.
Vedaantha ragasiyamum veliyaagum unnulle, Veda sooshumathai viraivaaga pathridalaam, Subramanya guru jyothi-yaayuul thondriduvaan, Arut perum jothiyaana Aarumuga swamiyume, Andhar mukamirundu aat kolvaan sathiyamaai., 200
Due to your power the secrets of Vedantha would be known,
You can swiftly understand the meaning of Vedantha,
He would appear in our mind as the Lord teacher Subrahmanya.
As he is the great flame of grace of the six faced God,
And he would catch hold of you sitting and living inside you.
Sithiyayayum mukthiyayum Skanda guru thanthiduvaan, Ninnaiye naan vendi nithamum yethukiren, Meyyarivaaga kandaa vandu iduvaay ivan ulle nee, Vandhiduvaay maruviduvaay pagutharivaagave nee, Paguthari Vodu evanai paarthida cheythidappa., 205
That teacher Skanda would give occult powers and salvation,
And desiring only for you, I meditate on you,
Oh Kanda come inside me as the true knowledge,
Please come and change yourself as rational knowledge,
And please make me capable of seeing the rational Vadi Vela.
Pagutharivana Kandan Parang-kundril irrukindraan, Pazhaniyil neeyum pazham jothiyaanaai nee, Brahmanukku aruliyavaa pranava porullone, Piravaa varam aruli brahma mayam aakkiduvaay, Thiruchenduril nee Shakthi vel thangi vittaay., 210
The Kanda who is rational is in Thiruparam kundram,
In Pazhani you became the very ancient flame,
Oh God who taught Om to the God Brahma,
Please give me boon of no birth and make me full of Brahmam,
In Thiuchendur you held the powerful Shakthi vel.
Pazhamudhir cholayile nee param jyothi mayamaanaay, Swami malaiyile Shiva Swaamikku aruliya nee, Kundrugal thorum guruvaay amarnthittoy, Kanda giriyai nee sondamaakki kondanaiye, Skanda guru naathaa skanda-asrama jyothiye., 215
In Pazham udhir Cholai you became the divine flame,
You who became the teacher to Lord Shiva in Swami Malai,
Sat in each and every hill as the great teacher.
You made Kanda giri as your own,
Oh Lord teacher Skanda, who is the flame of Skanda Asram.
Pirappayum irappayum peyarrthu kaathiduvaay, Piravamai yenkindra peru varam nee thandhiduvaay, Thatthuva kuppayai maranthida cheythiduvaay, Yenda ninaippaiyum yerithu nee kaathiduvaay, Skandaa Saranam, Skandaa Saranam., 220
You would protect birth and death separately,
You would give the great boon of absence of birth,
You would make me forget the dirty heap of unnecessary principles,
You would destroy all other thoughts and save me,
I surrender to you Skanda, I surrender to you Skanda,
Saranam adaindhittean saduthiyil Vaarume, Saravana Bhavane, Saravana Bhavane, Unn arullaale naan uyirodu irukkindrean, Uyirukku uyir aana kandaa, unnil yennai karaithidappa, Yennil unnai kaana yenakku varam arulvaay., 225
Oh Sarvana Bhava, Oh Saravana Bhava,
I have surrendered to you, come quickly,
I am alive only because of your grace,
Oh Kanda who is the soul of my soul,
Pleases dissolve me within your self,
And give me the boon to enable,
Me see myself within you.
Seekiram vandu shiva shakthiyum thandu arulvaay, Idagalai pingalai yedum arindilean naan, Indiriyam adakki iruthum arikilean naan, Manathai adakka vazhi ondrum arindilean naan, Skanda unn thiruvadiyai pathrinean Chikkenave., 230
Come quickly and grant me the power of Shiva,
I do not know anything about Ida and Pingala nadis,
I do not know how to control my senses,
I do not know any methods to control the mind,
But I have caught hold of your holy feet firmly,
Chikkena pathrinean cheppiduveer upadesam, Kaama kasadugal yaavaiyum kalinthiduvaay, Chitha suthiyum japamum thanthiduvaay, Ninaippu yellam ninnaye ninainthida cheythiduvay, Thiru murugaa unnai thidamura ninaithidave., 235
I have held it tightly and swiftly, please teach me,
Please remove the dirt caused by passion,
Please give me purity of mind and meditation,
Please make all my thought to be pervaded with you,
Oh holy Muruga, make me think about you firmly,
Thiruvarul thanthiduvaay thiruvarul thaan pongidave, Thiruvarul ondrile nilai pera cheythiduvaay, Nilai pera cheythiduvaay nithyaananda mathil, Nithyaanandame nin uru vaagayinaal. Athvai anandathil imai pozhudu aazhthiduvaay., 240
Grant me your grace, let the grace increase,
Please make me stand firm in your grace,
Please make me stand in the perennial bliss,
For your form is the perennial bliss,
Make me drown for a moment in the happiness of Advaitha,
Jnaana pandithaa naan marai vithakaa kel, Skanda guru naathaa, Skanda Guru naathaa kel, Mey porulaik-kaati menmai adainthida chei, Vinaigal yaavaiyume vel kondu virattiduvaay, Tharithiriyangalai un thadi kondu virattiduvaay., 245
Please hear scholar of Jnana, expert in four Vedas,
Please hear Lord teacher Skanda, Lord Teacher Skanda,
Show me the truth and help me improve myself,
Please drive away all my sins using your Vel,
Please drive away the poverty using your stick.
Thukkangal anaithaiyum tholai dooram pokkiduvaay, Papa udalai parisutha makkiduvaay, Inba thunbathai iru vizhiyaal virattiduvaay, Asai peygalai arave nasukkiduvaay, Aganthai pisaasai azhithu ozhithidadaa 250
Please drive away all my sorrows to a long distance away from me,
Please make my sinful body pure,
Please drive away pleasure and pain by your two eyes,
Please pulverize the devil of desires,
Please destroy the devil of pride completely.
Meyyarullaal unnarulil Murugaa irunthiduvaay, Kan kanda deivame, kali Yuga varadane, Aaru mugamaana guro arinthittean un magimai, Yikkaname varuvaay yen skanda guruve nee, Yennai kaathidave yenakku nee arullidave., 255
By the true grace, please remain in your grace, Oh Muruga,
Oh God whom I can see, Oh God who blesses in Kali yuga,
I have understood your power, Oh teacher with six faces,
You come at this instant, Oh God who is the teacher Skanda,
Please bless me so that you protect me,
Arai kanathil neeyum aadi varuvaayappa, Vandenai thaduthu valiya aat kol varada kuro, Anbu theivame aru mugamaanavane, Subramanyane sokam agathriduvaay, Jnaana skandare jnaanam arulvaay nee 260
Please come dancing within half a second,
After coming, please make me yours, Oh Lad who blesses,
Oh God of love, Oh God with six faces,
Oh Subrahmanya, please remove all my sorrow,
Oh Skanda who is wise, give me wisdom.
Jnaana danda paaniye, yennai jnaana pandithan aakiduvaay, Aganthai yellam azhithu anbinai ootiduvaay, Anbu mayamaakki aat kolluvay appa, Anbai yen ullathil asaivindri niruthividu, Anbaye kannaga aaki kaathiduvaay 265
Oh God wise god holding a stick, Make me a scholar having Jnana,
Destroy all pride in me, and feed me with love,
Make me full of love and then make me yours,
Please make love stand in my mind with stability.
Please make love as my eyes and protect me,
Ullum puramum unn arulaam anbaye, Urithiyaaga naanum pathrida uvanthiduvaay, Yellai illatha anbe irai veli yendraay nee, Angu ingu yennaathapadi yengum anbe yendraay, Anbe shivamum, Anbe Shakthiyum., 270
Please allow me to strongly catch hold,
Of love which is your grace and which in within and without,
You told that limitless love is godliness,
You told that love is everywhere not only here and not only there,
Love is Shiva, Love is Shakthi.
Anbe Hariyum, Anbe Brahmanum, Anbe devarum, Anbe manitharum, Anbe neeyum, Anbe naanum, Anbe Sathiyam, anbe nithiyam, Anbe saantham, anbe aanantham., 275
Love is Vishnu, love is Brahma,
Love is gods, love is men,
You are love and I am love.
Love is truth, love is permanent,
Love is peace, love is happiness,
Anbe Mounam, Anbe Moksham, Anbe brahmamum, anbe anaithum yendraay, Anbillatha yidam angum ingum illai yendraay, Yengum niraintha anbe yen guru naathanappa, Anbil urayum arut guru naathare thaan., 280
Love is silence, love is salvation,
Love is Brahmam and you told love is everything,
The place without love is neither here not there, you told,
The love that is filled everywhere is my teacher,
And he is the sacred teacher steeped in love.
Skandaasramathil skanda guru vaanaan kaan, Moovarum, devarum, munivarum pothridave, Skandaasramam thannil skanda jothiyumaai, Atma jothiyumaai amarndhitta Skanda guru, Irulai agathrave ezhunthitta yengal Guru., 285
He became the Teacher Skanda in Skandashramam,
The holy trinity, devas and sages made him,
The Skanda jyothi in Skandashramam,
And that Skanda Guru sat there as the light of the soul,
And our Guru was born there to remove darkness.
Yellai illaa unn irai veliyaik kaatiduvaay, Mukthiyai thanthiduvaai moovarum pothridave, Nambinean unnaiye nambinean Skanda guro, Unnayandri ivvulagil ondrumillai yendru unarnthean, Nangu arinthu kondean naanum unatharullaal., 290
Please show me your limitless godly land,
Give me salvation which the trinity will praise,
I believed in you, believed in you, Oh Skanda Kumara,
I realized that there is nothing except you in this world,
And because f your grace, I understood it well.
Vittida maattean kandaa veeda-tharullveere, Nadu nethri thaanathu naan unnai thyanippean, Brahma mandirathai pothithu vandhiduvaay, Chuzhu munai maargamaay chothiyai kaattiduvaay, Shiva yogiyaaga yennai cheythidum guru naathaa., 295
I wont leave you, Oh Kanda, please grant me salvation,
I would meditate in the middle of my forehead,
Please teach me the Mantra of Brahma,
And show me the light through the holy wheels,
And Oh teacher pleas make me a great savant of Shiva.
Aasai aruthu aran adiyaik kaatividum, Meyyadiya-raaki mey veetil iruthividum, Kongu naattile koil konda skanda guro, Kolli malai mele kumara guru vaanavane, Kanja malai chithar pothrum skandagiri guru naathaa 300
Please cut of my desires and show me the feet of Lord Shiva,
Please make me a saint and make me sit in the world of salvation,
Oh Skanda Kumara who had Temples in the Kongu Nadu (Coimbatore district)
Oh, God who became the teacher Kumara on Kolli malai.
Oh teacher Skanda who is praised by Kanja malai Chithar.
Karuvoorar pothrum Kaangeyaa kanthaguro, Maruda malai chithan magizhindu pani parama guro, Chennimalai kumaraa chitharkku arullvone, Siva vaakkiyar chithar unnai Siva malayil pothruvare, Pazhaniyil Bhogarume paaror vaazha prathish-ttai cheythittaar., 305
Oh Gangeya, Oh Skanda Kumara who is praised by the saint of Karuvoor,
Oh great teacher whom the Sidha of Maruda malai served with joy,
Oh Kumara of Chennimalai who blessed sidhars,
The Shiva Vakya chitha praised you on Shiva mountain,
And Bhogar installed you in Pazhani, so that the world lives because of you.
Pulippani chithargalaal pudai choozhinda kumara guro, Kongil malindhitta skanda guru naathaa, Kallam kapadamathra vellai ullam arullveere, Kathravargalodu yennai kallippura cheythidume, Ulagengum niraindu irukkum kanda guru ulla idam., 310
Oh Kumara Guru who is surrounded by Pulippani Chithars,
Oh Skanda Guru who blossomed in Kongu Nadu,
Please grant me a clean heart without lies and deceit,
Please put me in the company of learned people,
The land in which Kanda guru is there is throughout the world.
Skanda giri yenbathai thaan kandu kondean kandu kondean, Nalvar arunagiri navam irandu chithargalum, Bhakthargalum pothrum pazhani malai murugaa kel, Kongu thesathil kundru thorum kudi kondoi, Seelam nirainda selam maa-nagarathil., 315
I found out and found out Skanda Giri,
Oh Muruga praised by the four people lead by Arunagiri
And the eighteen sidhars, and the devotees, please hear,
You occupied all the hills of Kongu desam,
And also the Salem town known for good character.
Kannimaar odayin mel kandha giri athanil, Skandaasramathile jnaana skanda sath guruvaay, Amarnthirukkum jothiye, aadhi moola maana kuro, Ayarchiyai neekiduvaay, thalarchiyai agathriduvaay, Sukha vanesan magane Subrahmanya jothiye., 320
In Skanda giri over the stream of virgins,
In the Skandasramam you are the Skanda Guru,
And exist as flame praised by the devas,
Who became the prime moot of everything,
Please remove my tiresomeness, Please remove my laziness,
Of Flame of Subramanya who is the son of Lord Shiva.
Perinba magizhchiiyaiyum perigida cheythidappa, Paramaananda mathil yennai marakka paalippaay, Mal maruga, valli manavaallaa, skanda guro, Shiva kumaraa unn koil skanda giri yena unarinthean, Jyothi pizhambaana sundarane pazhaniappa., 325
Please increase manifolds the eternal joy,
And make me forget myself in that great joy,
Oh nephew of Lord Vishnu, Oh consort of Valli, Oh teacher Skanda,
I realized that your temple is in Skanda giri,
Oh pretty Lord of Pazhani who is a shining globe of flame.
Shiva jnaana pazhamaana skanda guru naathaa, Pazham nee yendrathinaal pazhani malayil irundhaayo, Thiru vaavinan kudiyil thiru murugan aanayo, Kumara muruga, Guru guhaa, velavane, Agathiyarkku thandhu aatchi kondaay thamizhakathai., 330
Of Lord teacher Skanda who is the fruit of Shiva wisdom,
Because you are a fruit did you go and stay in Pazhani,
And in Thiruvavin kudi you became Thiru murugan,
Oh lad Muruga, Oh teacher Guha, Oh holder of Vel,
You gave Thamiz Nadu to Agasthya and you ruled over it.
Kali Yuga varadan yendru kalasa muni unnai pugazhinthaan, Auvayikku arul cheytha aaru mugavaa, skanda guro, Ozhukkamodu kanrunaiyaiyum thavathaiyum thandarulvaay, Bhogarukku arul cheydha bhuvana sundarane, Danda paani theyvame thaduthu aat kondidappa., 335
Agasthya praised as the Lord who blesses us in Kali age,
Oh Skanda Kumara who blessed the lady Avvai,
Please grand me character, pity and meditation,
Oh prettiest of the world who blessed sage Bhogar,
Oh God Danda Pani, please give me a stick and bless me.
Aandi kolathil anaithiduvaay thannudane, Deivangal pothridum dandaayutha jothiye, Skanda giri mele Skanda giri jothi yaanavane, Kadai kannaal parthidappa karunayulla skanda guro, Yezhayai kaathidappa, yethukiren unn naamam., 340
Please embrace me along with a stick in your beggar role,
Oh flame of the weapon of stick, who is praised by all gods,
Who became the Skanda giri flame on Skanda giri,
Please bless me with a side long glance, Oh teacher Skanda full of mercy,
Please protect this poor man, I will chant your name,
Unnai andri verondrai oru podum nambugilean, Kan kanda deivame, kali yuga varadane Kandan yendru peyar chonnal kadidaaga noy theerum, Bhuvaneswari mainda pothrinean unn thiruvadiyai, Thiruvadiyai nambinean thiruvadi saakshiyaaga., 345
I wont believe any other thing at any time,
Oh God whom I see, Oh God who blesses us in Kali age,
Just telling your name of Skanda would cure diseases quickly,
Oh Son of Parvathi, I praise your holy feet,
I believe in your holy feet, with your holy feet as witness.
Bhuvana maatha maindane, punniya moorthiye kel, Nin naamam yethuvathe naan cheyyum thavamaagum, Nathaazhum perave yethiduvean nin naamam, Muruga muruga vendre moochellam vittiduvean, Ullum puramum oru muruganaye kaanben., 350
Oh on of the mother of the world. Oh holy lord, please hear,
The only penance I ever do is repeating your name,
I would goo on telling it till there is a scar in my toungue,
I would go on breathing saying Muruga, Muruga,
I would see you as the single muruga, inside and outside me.
Angu ingu yennaathapadi yengume muruganappa, Murugan yillaavittal moovulagum yethappa, Appappa Muruga nin arulle ullagamappa, Arulellam murugan, anbellam murugan, Sthaavara jangamamaay skandanaay aru uruvaay., 355
I find Murugan not here nor there but everywhere,
Without Murugan none of the three worlds can exist,
Oh Oh Muruga, Your grace itself is surely Muruga,
All the grace is Muruga, all the love is Muruga,
He became movable and immovable all his grace took the holy form.
Muruganaay mudalvalanaay aanavan skanda guru, Skandaasramam irukkum skanda guru adi pathri, Charanam adainthavargal sayujyam pethriduvar, Sathiyam chollugindren, sandegam illayappa, Vedangal pothridum Vadivelan muruganai nee., 360
The Guru Skanda is Muruga as well as the first one,
Catching hold of the feet of the skanda of Skandashramam,
And surrendering to him would lead them to salvation,
I am telling the truth and there is no doubt about it,
You are the Vadivelan who is praised by the Vedas.
Sandegam illamal sathiyamaai nambiduvaay, Sathiyamana deivam skanda guru Naathan, Sathiyam kaanave nee sathiyamai nambidappa, Sathiyam veralla, skanda guru veralla, Skanda guruve sathiyam, sathiyame skanda guru., 365
Without any doubt believe in the truth,
That Lord guru Skanda is the true God,
To see the truth you believe in the truth,
Truth is not some thing else, Guru is skanda is not different from it,
Guru Skanda is the truth and Truth is Guru Skanda,
Sathiyamaai chonnathai sathiyamaai nambiye nee, Sathiyamaai jnaamaai sadaanandam agi vidu, Azhivathra brahmamaai aaki viduvaan murugan, Thiru maraigal thirumuraigal cheppuvathum idhuve thaan, Skanda guru kavchathai sontha makki kondu nee., 370
When truth has been told, believe it as truth,
In truth in Jnana become the eternal joy,
For Murugan would become the eternal Brahmam,
The Vedas and Vedas tell only about this,
And so make this armour of Guru Skanda as your own.
Porul unarnthu yethidappa, pollaappu vinai agalum, Piravi pini agalum brahmaanantha mundu, Immaiyilum marumayilm imayavar unnai pothriduvar, Moovarume mun-nirpar, yaavarume poojippar, Anu dhinamum kavachathai anbudan yethidappa., 375
Read it understanding its meaning and sins and bad name would vanish,
The disease of birth would go away and the eternal joy would come,
In this world and afterwards the gods would praise you,
The trinity would stand in front of you, and all people would worship you,
And so daily read the armour with mind full of love.
Sradhaa bhakthiyudan chinthayondri cheppidappa, Kavalai agarndridume, kandan arul pongidume, Pirappum irappum pinigalum tholayinthidume, Kandan kavachame kavacham yendru unarnthiduvaay, Kavacham yethuveer-ale kaliyai jeyithidalam., 380
With attention and devotion do it with concentration,
Worries would go away, the grace of Skanda would increase,
The disease of death and birth would go away,
Realize that armour of Skanda is the only armour,
If you read this armour, you can win over Kali age.
Kali yendra arakkanai kavacham virattidume, Chonna padi cheythu sukam adaivai maname nee, Skanda guru kavachathai karuthoondri yethuvorkku, Ashta iswaryam tharum andamilla inbam tharum, Aal pol thazhaithiduvan, arugu pol ver oodiduvan., 385
The armour would drive away the ogre called Kali,
You would attain happiness, if you obey what is said,
They who read this Kanda Guru armour with concentration of thought,
The eight types of wealth would come and endless joy would be theirs,
He would grow like a banyan tree and send roots like a grass.
Vazhai aadi vazhaiyai pol vamsamadhai pethriduvan, Pathinaarum pethru pallaandu vazhinthiduvan, Saanthiyum soukhyamum sarva mangalamum perikidume, Skanda guru kavachamidhai karuthu iruthi yethruveer-ale, Garvam kaama krodham kali dosham agathru-vikkum., 390
Like Banana growing under banana his family would grow,
He would get sixteen good things and live for several years,
Peace, joy and all that is good would increase,
If this Skanda guru armour is read with attention,
Pride, passion, anger and ills of Kali age would go away.
Mun cheytha vinai agandru murugan arul kitti-vidum, Aram porul inbam veedu athi sulbhamaay kittum, Aachaaram seelamudan aadhi nema nishtaiyudan, Kallamilla ullathodu kanda guru kavcham thannai, Sradhaa bhakthiyudan shiva kumaranai ninaythu., 395
The sins done earlier would go away and the grace of Muruga would be got,
Dharma, wealth, joy and salvation would be attained easily,
Following purity, obeying the rules and with discipline,
And with a pure mind if Skanda Guru armour,
Is read with attention and devotion and thinking of the son of Lord Shiva.
Paaraayanam cheyveer-ale paarkkalaam kandanaiyum, Kanda guru kavachamithai mandalam nishtaiyudan, Pagal iravu paaraamal oru manathaai pagaruveer-ale, Thiru murugan vel kondu thikkugal thorum nindru, Kaathiduvaan kanda guru kavalai illai nischayamaai., 400
If you read it with devotion, you can see Kanda,
If this Kanda Guru armour is read with purity for forty days,
Without bothering whether it is day or night and with single mindedness,
The holy Muruga as Skanda Guru would come with Vel
And stand in all directions, protect you, so please do not worry.
Jnaana skandanin thiruvadiyai nambiye nee, Kanda Guru Kavacham thannai oduvadhe thavam yenave, Unarnthu kondu othuvai-ale unaku perithaana, Iga para sukham undaam, yen-naalum thunbam yillai, Thunbam agaruvidum thonthiraigal neengi vidum., 405
You believe in the holy feet of Jnana kanda,
Thinking that reading Kanda Guru kavacham is an austerity
And start reading it with belief in it, then to you,
Pleasure of this and other world will come,
There would not be sorrow any time ever,
Sorrows will run away and troubles will vanish.
Inbam perugi vidum, ishta sidhi koodi vidum, Piravi pini agathri brahma nishtaiyum thandhu, Kaathu rakshikum kanda guru kavchamume, Kavalayai vittu nee kanda guru kavachamidhai, Iruntha padi irunthu yethrividu, yethrinaal., 410
Joys will increase, desired occult powers will be yours,
The sins you were born with will be removed,
And you would be given the power to meditate on Brahmam,
And you would be protected for ever by this armour of Kanda Guru,
Leave out all your worries and from wherever you are,
Read with concentration, this armour of Skanda Guru, If you do,
Deivangal, devargal, chithargal, Bhakthargal, Pothriduvar, yevalume purindu iduvar nischayamaay, Skanda Guru Kavacham samsaya peyottum, Ajnaana-mamum agathri arul oliyum kaattum, Jnaana skanda guru naan yendrum munnirppan., 415
Gods, demi gods, sages and devotees,
Would praise you and would definitely obey your wishes,
This armour of Skanda Guru would drive away the devil of suspicion,
Would remove ignorance, would show you the divine grace,
And the Jnana Skanda Guru would stand in front of you.
Ull-oliyaay irundu unnil avan aakkiduvan, Thannil unnaik-kaati, unnil thannaik-kaati, Yengum thanaik-kaatti, yenkum-unaik-kaattiduvaan, Skanda jothiyaana kandan kanda giri irundu, Dandaayutham thaangi tharugindraan kaatchi yume 420
He would be within you and become your inner light,
He will show himself in you and you in himself,
He would show himself everywhere and show you everywhere,
The Kanda who is the Skanda flame would from Skanda giri,
Carry his weapon of stick and would appear before you.
Kandan pugazh paada kanda giri vaarumine, Kandagiri vandu nitham kandu-uymin jagath-theere, Kali dosham agathruvikkum kanda guru kavachamidhai, Paaraayanam cheydu paaril pugazh perumin, Skanda guru kavacham palan pattru aruthu param kodukkum., 425
Please do come to Skanda Giri to sing the praise of Kanda,
After coming see Kanda giri and be saved, oh people of the world,
Then read this Armour of Kanda giri which removes ills of Kali,
And become very famous in this world,
The armour of Kanda giri will cut off all desires and grant salvation.
Oru tharam kavacham odhin ull-azhukku pogum, Iru tharam yethuveer-ale yenniya-thellam kittum, Moondru tharam oduthin mun-nirpan Skanda Guru, Nan murai odhi dinam nalla varam peruveer, Aiyndu murai dinamada odhi panchaaksharam pethru., 430
If you read this armour once the dirt from your mind will vanish,
If it is read two times, we will get all that we wish,
If it is read three times, Skanda Guru would stand in front of you,
Read it four times daily and get all good boons,
Read it five times daily and get the blessings of Lord Shiva.
Aru murai odhi aaruthalai pethriduveer, Yezhu murai dinam odhin yellaam vasa-maagum, Yettu murai yethil at-tamaa sithi kittum, Onbadhu tharam odhin marana bhayam ozhiyum, Pathu tharam odhi nitham pattru aruthu vaazhveere., 435
Read it six times and get consolation,
Read it seven times and everything will obey you,
Read it eight times you would get internal peace,
Read it nine times, fear of death will vanish,
And reading ten takes would make you live unattached.
Kannimaar odaiyile neeraadi neeru poosi, Kanda guru kavacham odhi kanda giri yeri vitaal, Munthai vinai yellam kandan agathriduvaan, Nithaigal neengi vidum nishtaiyume kai koodum, Kannimaar odai neerai kai kalil nee yeduthu., 440
After taking bath in the stream of virgins and applying sacred ash,
After reading Kanda Guru armour and climb the kanda mountain,
Would make Kanda remove all sins committed before that time,
All noterity will vanish, you would be able to do meditation,
Take the water of the stream of virgins in your hand,
Kandan yendra mandirathai kan moodi uruvethi, Uchiyilum thelithu utkondu vittittaal un, Chitha malam agandru chitha suthiyum kodukkum, Kannimaar devigalai kannimaar odayile, Kandu vazhi pattu kanda giri yeriduveer., 445
Make it holy by chanting the chant of the name “Kanda”,
Sprinkle on your head and swallow a little,
And this would remove the dirt of your mind and your mind would become clean,
In the stream of virgins, pray the Virgin goddesses,
Salute them and climb the Kanda mountain.,
Kanda giri yeri jnaana kanda guru kavachamidhai, Paaraayanam cheydhu ulagil pakkiyamellam pethriduveer., 447
After climbing the Kanda mountain, if you read the Armour of Kandam
Then you would be blessed will all the luck of the world.
Kanda giri kavacham muthrithru.
Thus ends the Kanda giri Armour.
- ↑ The original Tamil version of this kavacham is available at Lord Muruga