The song consists of 44 lines, including four introductory lines known as thekāppu, followed by a couple of meditational lines and the main song portion consisting of 238 lines known as thekavacham. The introductory part and meditational part followsNerisai Venpa andKural Venbametres respectively. The main part follows the grammar ofNilai Mandila Asiriyappa. The author's name is mentioned twice in the song, first in Line 64 and then in Line 201.[2]
Thuthiporkku val vinai pom, Thunpam pom, Nenjil pathiporkku selvam palithu kadithongum Nishtayum kaikoodum Nimalar Arul kanthar sashti kavacham thanai
The sufferings great and sorrow will vanish for those who pray, The riches will increase for those who remember it in their mind, All penance will surely bear fruit By this Shashti Kavacham written by the grace of God.
When thedevas could not tolerate the evil doings of theasuraSurapadman, they approachedShiva andParvati for assistance. Shiva and Parvati tasked their sonKartikeya to lead the army of devas against Surapadman. The devas praised Kartikeya and prayed to him for six days. He used hisvel (divine spear) to split Surapadman into two halves, one half of which became apeacock, which he took as hisvahana, and the other became a rooster, which was transformed into hisbanner.Surasamharam is celebrated to commemorate the event.[8] Devotees observe afast and narrate theKanda Sashti Kavacham during a six-day period, known asShashthi Vrata, that precedes the event.[9][10] As stated in the hymns, regular chanting of the song 36 times a day causes the predicaments of life to be resolved and brings benefits to the chanter.[11]
The hymn is popular in the Tamil-speaking diaspora across the globe that the phrases from the hymn, its music, and others are often imitated. The titles of the Tamil movieKaakha Kaakha,Thadaiyara Thaakka,Thakka Thakka and the Indiansoap operaKakka Kakka are taken from the Kanda Shasti Kavasam. The film song "Padhinettu Vayadhu Ilamottu Manadhu" from the movieSurieyan imitates the tune of the hymn.[12][13]
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