Protection

A golden peacock, snared by desire after millennia of unbroken hymns, teaches his hunter so deeply that the hunter awakens and frees every caged bird in India.

'Manojavam maruta-tulya-vegam', a Hanuman shloka praising him as swift as thought and wind, master of his senses and Rama's messenger.

A devotional hymn invoking Hanuman's swift protection, composed by Tulsidas and recited for courage, obstacle removal, and relief from hardship.

Tulsidas's 44 stanzas praising Hanuman's strength and heroic deeds, with a heartfelt plea for relief from the pain in his arm.

A protective hymn of eight verses that asks Hanuman to guard the body from head to foot, said to give long life, strength, wisdom and happiness.

The Devi Kavacham, an armor hymn from the Devi Mahatmya calling on the Goddess's many forms to guard the body and mind; recited before the Saptashati.

A Tamil armor hymn to Murugan, attributed to Devaraya Swamigal, asking his vel to guard each part of the body; recited during Skanda Shasti.

A 43-entry armor from Bhagavata Purana 6.8, taught by Vishvarupa to Indra, placing Vishnu's names, weapons and forms on the body and all directions.

The Ratana Sutta (Khp 6, Sn 2.1): the Buddha's protective discourse on the Three Jewels, taught at Vesali in a time of plague and fear.

A Buddhist protective verse from Majjhima Nikaya 86, in which the arahant Aṅgulimāla wishes safety to a mother in labour and her child.

Eight Pali verses recalling the Buddha's victories over Mara, Alavaka, the elephant Nalagiri, Angulimala and others, chanted as a protective paritta.

A short mantra invoking Green Tara, the swift, compassionate protector of Vajrayana Buddhism, chanted to dispel fear and obstacles.

A short invocation of Sitatapatra, the White Umbrella goddess, taken from her longer protective dhāraṇī; the full text is not given here.

This is a devotional hymn from the Sikh tradition, recited as a heartfelt plea for divine protection, the fulfillment of inner wishes, and the safety of one's family and followers.