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Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swami Parabrahmane Namaha

 

Dear Bhagavatottamas,

 

Tomorrow is Narasimha Jayanti day. Therefore, the following is a brief

note about Lord Narasimha, marking the significance of this day.

Among the Dashavatarams of Lord Narayana NarasimhAvataram is unique in

many respects. The speciality of this avataram is that "Avataram Khatinam.

Avatara Karyam Sulabham" whereas in all other avatarams, the Avatara

Karyam was Khatinam while the avataram itself took place rather

easily (upon the Lord's Sankalpam).

 

Several articles on the subject of Lord Narasimha have been posted in this

forum. Sri Dileepan posted an excellent article on Sri Adivan Sadagopa

Mahadesikan (founder of Ahobila Matham). Sri Jaganath posted a beautiful

summary of the Nava Narasimhas of Ahobilam. Sri Rengarajan had an excellent

post on the Tala Puranam of Sholingar. Sri Sadagopan's essay on the joint

worship of Sudarshana-Narasimha was very eloquent and insightful. For the

benefit of new memebers to the group the scholars mentioned above may

consider re-posting their respective articles.

 

Hiranyakashipu had obtained a boon from Brahma that he could not be killed

either by day or by night, neither inside nor outside and no weapon could

harm him. Additionally, his killer could not be any creation of Brahma.

The Narasimhavataram was difficult because, the avataram itself could not

be any creation of Brahma. By emerging from the pillar (Sthambam) in the

form of Narasimha (half man-half lion), the Lord satisfied the condition of

not being any creation of Brahma. Since he emerged at twilight (neither

day nor night), the second condition was also satisfied. By carrying

Hiranyakashipu to the doorstep (neither inside nor outside), the third

condition was met. Finally by using his finger-nails to tear

Hiranyakashipu apart, Lord Narasimha upheld the last condition of

Brahma's boon (no weapons could kill Hiranyakashipu).

 

Furthermore, the Lord had to remain in the pillar for a long time before

incarnating. The Avatara Karyam was accomplished by Narasimha rather

swiftly compared to those of the other Avatarams. The Katha Kalakshepams

by Sri Sundara Kumar provide a very eloquent and moving description

of the Narasimha avataram. Just before the avataram took place,

Hiranyakashipu calls out "Ari atra Agaccha" (enemy come here). The Lord's

grace is such that if Hiranyakashipu had replaced "Ari" by "Hari"

(and thought about the Lord), the

Lord would have forgiven him for all his atrocities. Doesn't this say

something about the beauty of the Sanskrit language? One aksharam can make

the such a great difference.

 

Another useful reference in this context is Sri Thyagaraja Swami's Prahlada

Bhakti Vijayam where Sadguru Thyagaraja portrays Lord Narasimha as his

Abhimana Daivam Sri Rama in the Kriti Daya Rani Daya Rani. Interestingly,

this work is devoid of the Ugra (violent) aspect of Lord Narasimha and

focusses exclusively on Prahlada's Bhakti.

 

According to both the Pancharatra and Vaighanasa Agamams, Lord Narasimha is

worshipped in four places: below the earth (Patalam), in pillars, on hills

and in the Sudarshana Yantram. Lord Narasimha and the Sudarshana Chakram

share deep connections. The joint worship of Sudarshana and

Narasimha is prescribed in both Agamams.

 

The Chakram has the attribute of Pida-Pradanam

which is also a characteristic of Lord Narasimha. The Chakram is the mighty

Jwala which forms the center of the Kalanala (fire at the end of time).

This Jwala has the radiance of a thousand Adityas and therefore dispels all

forms of darkness and ignorance. This mighty Jwala connotes the Jwala

Narasimhar aspect, It is believed that Lord Narasimha destroyed Hiranyakashipu

in the form of Jwala Narasimhar, bringing instant relief to Prahlada from

his sufferings (Pida Pradanam). Therefore, Lord Narasimha is considered to

be resident in the Chakram. The Chakram is the protector of the

Devas, destroyer of the Asuras and is the bestower of true

knowledge as can be seen from Swami Desikan's Sudarshana Ashtakam (Dhanuja

VistAra Kartana Janita Misra Vikartana....). This is also the attribute of

Lord Narasimha in Jwala and Yoga Narasimhar forms. It can also be argued that

the Sudarshana Chakram destroys one's sins (Papa Nashanam). This is the

first step towards realizing Lord Narayana. The realization of the Lord comes

about due to the grace of Lord Narasimhar in Yoga Narasimhar form. There is

a Saligramam symbolizing the back-to-back forms of Sudarshana and Narasimhar

in support of this argument. There is also a Temple in Srirangam where

the Murthis of Sudarshana Chakram and Lord Narasimhar are seen in a single

Peetham.

 

Lord Narasimha is known to be Vara Prasadi. In other words even contemplating

on him even for a single moment is sufficient to being instant relief

from sufferings and untold prosperity. Before his marriage to Padmavati

Thayar Lord Srinivasar was required to perform Tadiaradhanai and feed 108

Brahmins. Lord Srinivasar made a pilgrimage to Ahobilam, performed

Tiruvaradanam for Lord Narasimhar and obtained his blessings. Upon

receiving Lord Narasimha's blessings Lord Srinivasa fed the 108 Brahmins and

returned to marry Padmavati Thayar. There is a Sannidhi in Ahobilam

symbolizing this aspect of Lord Narasimhar.

 

Finally, an important aspect of the NarasimhAvataram is that the Lord

grants Sharanagati entirely by himself. Nobody

can control the Lord in the matter of granting Sharanagati. All attempts to

abate the fury of Lord Narasimha (upon killing Hiranyakashipu) were futile.

The Lord was furious on account of Bhagavat Apacharam to his devotee

(Prahlada) by Hiranyakashipu. This fury threatened to destroy the three

worlds. The pleas of all the Devas and Sri were of no avail. It was only

Prahlada's prayers that made Lord Narasimha come back to his Shanta

Swaroopam.

 

Nara Mrugapati Varshma Lokana Branthanari

Nara Dhanujasuparva Vrata Patala Loka:

Karaja Kulisha Pali Binna Daityendra vaksha:

Suraripu Balahanta Sridharostu Sriyaivaha.

 

All errors in the above post are mine. If the readers liked this post

they may consider donating to the cause of Ahobila Matham.

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Sri Ahobila Muth,

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Muralidhar Rangaswamy