** Our Devi of the week ** Sri Maha Pratyangira Devi

[Guest guest]

Sri Maha Pratyangira Devi is a powerful Devi who is said to have

destroyed Sarabheswara's arrogance. Sarabheswara is a ugra avatar

of

Siva. She is also known as Narasimhika [ in Kalisahasranama

Stotram] : She who is the Ferocious Half Human Half Lion of Courage.

It is said that when Narashimhika shake her Lion's Mane, she

throws

the stars into disarray. She is enveloped as bliss in the

letter "Ksham".

 

Sri Pratyangira Devi is also associated with Sri Cakra. She is

considered to be a powerful repellent of the influences generated by

witch-craft. In Sri Cakra worship, she protects the devotees against

all odds and guides him/her along the right path.

 

In some image she is shown as dark complexion, terrible in aspect,

having a lion's face with reddened eyes and riding a lion,

entirely

nude or wearing black garments, she wears garland of human skulls;

her hair strands on end, and she holds a trident, a serpent in the

form of a noose, a hand-drum and a skull in her four hands. She is

also associates with Bhairava, and she has a variant form viz

Atharvana-Bhadra-Kali.

[Guest guest]

I have a request please. While suggesting gods, is it possible to give

out the Puranas which the gods are associated with? It will also be

nice if we can have the temples and other information that is

available, where possible.

 

I must really congratulate you for the amount of information already

accumulated on the Goddess. This is the firsy time I am seeing this

diety although I used to speculate if a lady version of Narasimha did

really exists.

 

Thanks again,

Seshadri.

[Guest guest]

Greetings to you Seshadri

 

Welcome back and thank you for your excellent suggestions.

 

It will also be nice if we can have the temples and other information

that is available, where possible.

 

Blessingonnet have put a link to : Temples of India in the link

section of the group. Do take a look and browse through.

 

I must really congratulate you for the amount of information already

accumulated on the Goddess.

 

Thank you for your kind compliments. It is an effort of several

people. They should be congratulated.

 

This is the firsy time I am seeing this diety although I used to

speculate if a lady version of Narasimha did really exists.

 

Ah! There is always the first time. You have come at the right time

then. I have been searching for her for along time too. I remember

posting something about it sometime back asking for information, but

no response. Nevertheless I have never stop thinking about

Narashimhika. If you look in the photo gallery of the group homepage:

[http://www.shaktisadhana.org/Photo%20Gallery/Saptamarkasmain.html]

on the Saptamarkas, you will see that she is with the seven mothers.

A friend visited me few weeks ago, told me that he have seen A

Temple of Kali with "the Amman who have lion head" but he

can't remember which temple in Malaysia. I will continue to keep HER

in my mind and she will lead the way. I am very sure of it.

 

But I have found several mentions of Narashimhi in the Devi Mahatmaya.

 

The eight chapter of "The Slaying of Raktabija" of

Devi-Mahatmya in

the Markandeya-purana.

 

Verse 20 : " Narashimhi arrived there, bringing down the

constellations by the toss of her mane"

 

Verse 37 : "Narashimhi, filling all the quarters and the sky with

her

roars, roamed about in the battle, devouring other great asuras torn

by her claws"

 

The ninth chapter called "The Slaying of Nishumbha" of Devi

Mahatmaya.

Verse 1-3

Sumbha angrily said "O Durga, who are puffed up with the pride of

strength, don't show your pride here. Though you are exceedingly

haughty, you, resorting to the strength of others fight"

 

Verse 4-5

The Devi said : " I am all alone in the world here. Who are else

there besides me? See, O vile one, these Goddesses, who are but my

own powers, entering into my own self"

 

Then all those, Brahmani, and the rest [ including narashimhi ] were

absorbed into the body of the Devi. Ambika alone then remained.

 

Hymns to Narayani of Devi Mahatmaya

Verse 18 :

"Salutation to you, O Narayani, O you who in the fierce form of a

man-

lion, put forth your efforts to slay the daityas. O you who possess

the benevolence of saving the three worlds.

 

"Thanks again, Seshadri"

You are always welcome. Pleasure is indeed mine.

 

 

Om Shanti