One of the most powerful Tamil hymns devoted to Lord Murugan or Subramanian is the Kanda Sashti Kavacham. The Kavacham (meaning shield) includes 244 lines and was written with extreme devotion by a devotee named Devaraya Swamigal. Lord Murugan, the son of Lord Shiva and Devi Parvati, is now honoured with a song dedicated to him. On Skanda Sashti, recite the Kanda Sashti Kavacham to invoke Murugan Swamy’s blessings.

Kanda Sashti Kavacham (English)

Thuthipporku Valvinaipom Thunbampom
Nenjil Pathipporku Selvam Palithuk Kathithongum
Nishtaiyum Kaikoodum
Nimalar Arul Kanthar Sashti Kavacham Thanai

Amarar Idar Theera Amaram Purintha
Kumaranadi Nenjeh Kuri

Sashtiyai Nokka Saravana Bavanaar
Sishtarukku Uthavum Sengkathir Velon
Paatham Irandil Panmani Sathangai
Geetham Paada Kinkini Yaada
Maiya Nadam Seiyum Mayil Vahananaar

Kaiyil Velaal Yenaik Kaakka Vendru Vanthu
Varavara Velah Yuthanaar Varuha
Varuha Varuha Mayilon Varuha
Inthiran Mudhalaa Yendisai Potra
Manthira Vadivel Varuha Varuha

Vaasavan Maruhaa Varuha Varuha
Nesak Kuramahal Ninaivon Varuha
Aarumuham Padaitha Aiyaa Varuha
Neeridum Velavan Nitham Varuha
Sirahiri Velavan Seekkiram Varuha

Saravana Bavanaar Saduthiyil Varuha
Rahana Bavasa Ra Ra Ra Ra Ra Ra Ra
Rihana Bavasa Ri Ri Ri Ri Ri Ri Ri
Vinabava Sarahana Veeraa Namo Nama
Nibava Sarahana Nira Nira Nirena

Vasara Hanabava Varuha Varuha
Asurar Kudi Kedutha Aiyaa Varuha
Yennai Yaalum Ilaiyon Kaiyil
Pannirendu Aayutham Paasaan Gusamum
Parantha Vizhihal Pannirandu Ilanga

Virainthu Yenaik Kaakka Velon Varuha
Aiyum Kiliyum Adaivudan Sauvum
Uyyoli Sauvum Uyiraiyum Kiliyum
Kiliyum Sauvum Kilaroli Yaiyum
Nilai Petrenmun Nithamum Olirum

Shanmuhan Neeyum Thaniyoli Yovvum
Kundaliyaam Siva Guhan Thinam Varuha
Aaru Muhamum Animudi Aarum
Neeridu Netriyum Neenda Puruvamum
Panniru Kannum Pavalach Chevvaayum

Nanneri Netriyil Navamanich Chuttiyum
Eeraaru Seviyil Ilahu Kundalamum
Aariru Thinpuyathu Azhahiya Maarbil
Palboo Shanamum Pathakkamum Tharithu
Nanmanipoonda Navarathna Maalaiyum

Muppuri Noolum Muthani Maarbum
Sepppazhahudaiya Thiruvayir Unthiyum
Thuvanda Marungil Sudaroli Pattum
Navarathnam Pathitha Nartchee Raavum
Iruthodai Azhahum Inai Muzhanthaalum

Thiruvadi Yathanil Silamboli Muzhanga
Seha Gana Seha Gana Seha Gana Segana
Moga Moga Moga Moga Moga Moga Mogana
Naha Naha Naha Naha Naha Naha Nahena
Digu Kuna Digu Digu Digu Kuna Diguna

Ra Ra Ra Ra Ra Ra Ra Ra Ra Ra Ra Ra Ra Ra Ra
Ri Ri Ri Ri Ri Ri Ri Ri Ri Ri Ri Ri Ri Ri Ri
Du Du Du Du Du Du Du Du Du Du Du Du Du Du Du
Dagu Dagu Digu Digu Dangu Dingugu
Vinthu Vinthu Mayilon Vinthu

Munthu Munthu Muruhavel Munthu
Yenthanai Yaalum Yehraha Selva
Mainthan Vehndum Varamahizhnth Thuthavum
Laalaa Laalaa Laalaa Vehshamum
Leelaa Leelaa Leelaa Vinothanendru

Unthiru Vadiyai Uruthi Yendrennum
Yen Thalai Vaithun Yinaiyadi Kaaka
Yennuyirk Uyiraam Iraivan Kaaka
Panniru Vizhiyaal Baalanaik Kaaka
Adiyen Vathanam Azhahuvel Kaaka

Podipunai Netriyaip Punithavel Kaaka
Kathirvel Irandu Kanninaik Kaaka
Vithisevi Irandum Velavar Kaaka
Naasihal Irandum Nalvel Kaaka
Pesiya Vaaythanai Peruvel Kaaka

Muppathirupal Munaivel Kaaka
Seppiya Naavai Sevvel Kaaka
Kannam Irandum Kathirvel Kaaka
Yennilang Kazhuthai Iniyavel Kaaka
Maarbai Irathna Vadivel Kaaka

Serila Mulaimaar Thiruvel Kaaka
Vadivel Iruthol Valamberak Kaaka
Pidarihal Irandum Peruvel Kaaka
Azhahudan Muthuhai Arulvel Kaaka
Pazhu Pathinaarum Paruvel Kaaka

Vetrivel Vayitrai Vilangave Kaaka
Sitridai Azhahura Sevvel Kaaka
Naanaam Kayitrai Nalvel Kaaka
Aan Penn Kurihalai Ayilvel Kaaka
Pittam Irandum Peruvel Kaaka

Vattak Kuthathai Valvel Kaaka
Panai Thodai Irandum Paruvel Kaaka
Kanaikaal Muzhanthaal Kathirvel Kaaka
Aiviral Adiyinai Arulvel Kaaka
Kaihal Irandum Karunaivel Kaaka

Munkai Irandum Muranvel Kaaka
Pinkai Irandum Pinnaval Irukka
Naavil Sarasvathi Natrunai Yaaha
Naabik Kamalam Nalvel Kakka
Muppaal Naadiyai Munaivel Kaaka

Yeppozhuthum Yenai Yethirvel Kaaka
Adiyen Vasanam Asaivula Neram
Kaduhave Vanthu Kanahavel Kaaka
Varum Pahal Thannil Vachravel Kaaka
Arai Irul Thannil Anaiyavel Kaaka

Yemathil Saamathil Yethirvel Kaaka
Thaamatham Neeki Chathurvel Kaaka
Kaaka Kaaka Kanahavel Kaaka
Noaka Noaka Nodiyil Noaka
Thaakka Thaakka Thadaiyara Thaakka

Paarka Paarka Paavam Podipada
Billi Soonyam Perumpahai Ahala
Valla Bootham Valaashtihap Peihal
Allal Paduthum Adangaa Muniyum
Pillaihal Thinnum Puzhakadai Muniyum

Kollivaayp Peihalum Kuralaip Peihalum
Penkalai Thodarum Bramaraa Chatharum
Adiyanaik Kandaal Alari Kalangida
Irisi Kaatteri Ithunba Senaiyum
Yellilum Iruttilum Yethirpadum Mannarum

Kana Pusai Kollum Kaaliyodu Anaivarum
Vittaan Gaararum Migu Pala Peihalum
Thandiyak Kaararum Sandaalar Halum
Yen Peyar Sollavum Idi Vizhunthodida
Aanai Adiyinil Arum Paavaihalum

Poonai Mayirum Pillaihal Enpum
Nahamum Mayirum Neenmudi Mandaiyum
Paavaihal Udane Pala Kalasathudan
Manaiyil Puthaitha Vanjanai Thanaiyum
Ottiya Paavaiyum Ottiya Serukkum

Kaasum Panamum Kaavudan Sorum
Othu Manjanamum Oruvazhi Pokum
Adiyanaik Kandaal Alainthu Kulainthida
Maatran Vanjahar Vanthu Vanangida
Kaala Thoothaal Yenai Kandaal Kalangida

Anji Nadungida Arandu Purandida
Vaay Vittalari Mathi Kettoda
Padiyinil Mutta Paasak Kayitraal
Kattudan Angam Katharida Kattu
Katti Uruttu Kaal Kai Muriya

Kattu Kattu Katharida Kattu
Muttu Muttu Muzhihal Pithungida
Sekku Sekku Sethil Sethilaaha
Sokku Sokku Soorpahai Sokku
Kuthu Kuthu Koorvadi Velaal

Patru Patru Pahalavan Thanaleri
Thanaleri Thanaleri Thanalathuvaaha
Viduvidu Velai Verundathu Oda
Puliyum Nariyum Punnari Naayum
Yeliyum Karadiyum Inithodarnthu Oda

Thelum Paambum Seyyaan Pooraan
Kadivida Vishangal
Kadithuyar Angam
Yeriya Vishangal Yelithudan Iranga
Polippum Sulukkum Oruthalai Noyum
Vaatham Sayithiyam Valippu Pitham

Soolai Sayam Kunmam Sokku Sirangu
Kudaichal Silanthi Kudalvip Purithi
Pakka Pilavai Padarthodai Vaazhai
Kaduvan Paduvan Kaithaal Silanthi
Parkuthu Aranai Paru Arai Yaakkum

Yellap Piniyum Yendranaik Kandaal
Nillaa Thoda Nee Yenak Arulvaay
Eerezhula Hamum Yenak Uravaaha
Aanum Pennum Anaivarum Yenakkaa
Mannaal Arasarum Mahizhnthura Vaahavum

Unnai Thuthikka Un Thirunaamam
Saravana Bavane Sailoli Bavanee
Thirupura Bavane Thigazholi Bavane
Paripura Bavane Pavamozhi Bavane
Arithiru Maruhaa Amaraa Pathiyai

Kaathu Thevarkal Kadum Sirai Viduthaay
Kanthaa Guhane Kathir Velavane
Kaarthihai Mainthaa Kadambaa Kadambanai
Idumbanai Yazhitha Iniyavel Muruhaa
Thanihaa Salane Sangaran Puthalvaa

Kathirkaa Mathurai Kathirvel Muruhaa
Pazhani Pathivaazh Baala Kumaaraa
Aavinan Kudivaazh Azhahiya Vela
Senthil Maamalai Yurum Sengalva Raayaa
Samaraa Purivaazh Shanmuha Tharase

Kaarar Kuzhalaal Kalaimahal Nandraay
Yennaa Irukka Yaan Unai Paada
Yenai Thodarnthu Irukkum Yenthai Muruhanai
Padinen Aadinen Paravasa Maaha
Aadinen Naadinen Aavinan Poothiyey

Nesamudan Yaan Netriyil Aniya
Paasa Vinaihal Patrathu Neengi
Unpatham Perave Unnarulaaha
Anbudan Rakshi Annamum Sonnamum
Metha Methaaha Velaayu Thanaar

Sithi Petradiyen Sirappudan Vazhga
Vaazhga Vaazhga Mayilon Vaazhga
Vaazhga Vaazhga Vadivel Vaazhga
Vaazhga Vaazhga Malai Guru Vaazhga
Vaazhga Vaazhga Malai Kura Mahaludan

Vaazhga Vaazhga Vaarana Thuvasam
Vaazhga Vaazhga Yen Varumaihal Neenga
Yethanai Kuraihal Yethanai Pizhaihal
Yethanai Adiyen Ye thanai Seiyinum
Petravan Neeguru Poruppathu Unkadan

Petraval Kuramahal Petravalaame
Pillai Yendranbaay Piriya Malithu
Mainthan Yenmeethu Unmanam Mahizhntharuli
Thanjam Yendradiyaar Thazhaithida Arulsey
Kanthar Sashti Kavasam Virumbiya

Baalan Theva Raayan Paharn Thathai
Kaalaiyil Maalaiyil Karuthudan Naalum
Aasaa Rathudan Angam Thulakki
Nesamudan Oru Ninaivathu Vaahi
Kanthar Sashti Kavasam Ithanai

Sindhai Kalangaathu Thiyaani Pavarhal
Orunaal Muppathaa Ruru Kondu
Othiyeh Jebithu Uhanthu Neeraniya
Ashta Thikkullor Adangalum Vasamaay
Thisai Mannar Yenmar Seyalathu Arulvar

Maatrala Rellaam Vanthu Vananguvar
Navakol Mahizhnthu Nanmai Alithidum
Navamatha Nenavum Nallezhil Peruvar
Enthanaalum Eerettaay Vaazhvar
Kantharkai Velaam Kavasa Thadiyai

Vazhiyaay Kaana Meiyaay Vilangum
Vizhiyaal Kaana Verundidum Peigal
Pollathavarai Podi Podi Yaakkum
Nallor Ninaivil Nadanam Puriyum
Sarva Sathuru Sankaa Rathadi

Arintha Yenathullaam Ashta Letchmihalil
Veera Letchmikku Virun Thunavaaha
Soora Bathmaavaith Thunithagai Yathanaal
Iruba Thezhvarkku Uvan Thamuthalitha
Gurubaran Pazhani Kundrinil Irukkum

Chinna Kuzhanthai Sevadi Potri
Yenai Thadu Thaatkola Yendrana Thullum
Meviya Vadivurum Velava Potri
Thevargal Senaa Pathiye Potri
Kuramahal Manamahizh Kove Potri

Thiramihu Thivya Thehaa Potri
Idumbaa Yuthane Idumbaa Potri
Kadambaa Potri Kanthaa Potri
Vetchi Punaiyum Veleh Potri
Uyargiri Kanaha Sabaikor Arase

Mayilnada Miduvoy Malaradi Saranam
Saranam Saranam Saravanabava Om
Saranam Saranam Shanmuhaa Saranam
Saranam Saranam Shanmuhaa Saranam