The Divine Armor of Mars for Protection and Blessings
From the Markandeya Purana, this hymn invokes Angaraka (Mars) for protection and blessings.
Acts as divine armor protecting devotees from enemies, diseases, and negative energies.
Bestows strength, courage, health, prosperity and success in endeavors.
The hymn details Angaraka's divine form (red garments, red body, four-armed, carrying a club) and how he protects each part of the body when worshipped with devotion.
॥ मङ्गलकवचम् ॥
श्रीगणेशाय नमः ।
अस्य श्री अङ्गारककवचस्तोत्रमन्त्रस्य कश्यप ऋषिः, अनुष्टुप् छन्दः, अङ्गारको देवता, भौमप्रीत्यर्थं जपे विनियोगः ।
रक्ताम्बरो रक्तवपुः किरीटी चतुर्भुजो मेषगमो गदाभृत् ।
धरासुतः शक्तिधरश्च शूली सदा मम स्याद्वरदः प्रशान्तः ॥ १॥
अङ्गारकः शिरो रक्षेन्मुखं वै धरणीसुतः ।
श्रवौ रक्ताम्बरः पातु नेत्रे मे रक्तलोचनः ॥ २॥
नासां शक्तिधरः पातु मुखं मे रक्तलोचनः ।
भुजौ मे रक्तमाली च हस्तौ शक्तिधरस्तथा ॥ ३॥
वक्षः पातु वराङ्गश्च हृदयं पातु रोहितः ।
कटिं मे ग्रहराजश्च मुखं चैव धरासुतः ॥ ४॥
जानुजङ्घे कुजः पातु पादौ भक्तप्रियः सदा ।
सर्वाण्यन्यानि चाङ्गानि रक्षेन्मे मेषवाहनः ॥ ५॥
य इदं कवचं दिव्यं सर्वशत्रुनिवारणम् ।
भूतप्रेतपिशाचानां नाशनं सर्वसिद्धिदम् ॥ ६॥
सर्वरोगहरं चैव सर्वसम्पत्प्रदं शुभम् ।
भुक्तिमुक्तिप्रदं नॄणां सर्वसौभाग्यवर्धनम् ।
रोगबन्धविमोक्षं च सत्यमेतन्न संशयः ॥ ७॥
॥ इति श्रीमार्कण्डेयपुराणे मङ्गलकवचं सम्पूर्णम् ॥
The Mangala Kavacham
Salutations to Lord Ganesha.
The sage of this Angaraka Kavacham hymn is Kashyapa, its meter is Anushtup, the deity is Angaraka (Mars), and its purpose is to propitiate Mars through chanting.
Wearing red garments, with a red body, crowned, four-armed, riding a ram, wielding a mace - the son of Earth, bearing a spear and a power-weapon. May he, the bestower of boons and the tranquil one, be always with me. (1)
May Angaraka protect my head; may the son of Earth protect my face. May the red-garmented one protect my ears; may the red-eyed one protect my eyes. (2)
May the wielder of the power-weapon protect my nose; may the red-eyed one protect my face. May the one adorned with red garlands protect my arms; and may the wielder of the power-weapon protect my hands. (3)
May Varanga protect my chest; may Rohita protect my heart. May the king of planets protect my waist; and may the son of Earth protect my face. (4)
May Kuja (Mars) protect my knees and shanks; may the one who loves his devotees always protect my feet. May the rider of the ram protect all my other limbs. (5)
This divine armor removes all enemies, destroys all ghosts, evil spirits, and demons, and bestows all accomplishments. (6)
It cures all diseases, bestows all wealth and auspiciousness. It grants enjoyment and liberation to human beings and enhances all fortunes. It certainly liberates from disease and bondage - this is true, without a doubt. (7)
Thus completes the Mangala Kavacham in the Shri Markandeya Purana.
Reciting this hymn with devotion grants protection, success, and removes all obstacles.
Removes all adversaries and negative influences from your life
Cures diseases and liberates from suffering and bondage
Bestows all forms of wealth and abundance
Grants enjoyment, liberation and enhances spiritual growth
Recite on Tuesdays during Mangala Hora (Mars period), especially during Shukla Paksha (bright lunar fortnight)
Take bath and wear clean clothes, preferably red in color. Light a ghee lamp and incense
Face east or north while seated on a red-colored asana (mat)
Chant with devotion, either 11, 21 or 108 times. Visualize Mars protecting you with his divine armor
Regular recitation grants courage, success in ventures, and protection from accidents and unforeseen dangers.