Namasthe- Narasimha

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, Dear All,

 

 

Today is Akshaya thritheeya, Lord Balaraama's birthday. So let us do namaskaar to Him!

 

 

namasthe halagraha (one who holds the plough)

namasthe musalaayudha (one who holds musalam)

namasthe revati-kaanta (one who is Revathi's husband)

namasthe bhakta-vatsala (one who is kind to devotees)

 

namasthe dharani-dhara (one who holds Bhoomi on his head- serpent Anantha)

namasthe balaanam srestha ( one who is greatest in strength)

pralambaare namasthestu ( enemy of Pralambaasura)

pahi mam krsna-purvaja (protect me, Oh! the elder brother of Krishna!)

 

 

 

Continuation of the 24 names:

 

 

" When you are in forest and afraid, think of Narasimha "

 

 

As everybody knows, the word Narasimha means a creature with half of it's body like a man and other half like a lion. On the surface, the appropriateness of praying Him when we are lost in a forest is obvious. Lion is the King of forest and so if we encounter any problem in the forest we should naturally seek the help of the Divine avataar of Man-Lion.

 

 

But looking at the significance of the Narasimha avataar throws more light on the appropriateness and greatness of this manifestation of Vishnu Bhagavan and how He can help us in the " samsaaravanam " or the forest of the material world.

 

As we all know Hiranyakashipu had this boon that he will neither be killed in daytime nor at night; neither on earth nor in the sky, neither outside nor inside; neither with a weapon nor with anything alive or dead. To meet all these requirements He manifested Himself as Narasimha to protect His greatest devotee Prahlada and killed Hiranykashipu at dusk, under the arch of the doorway, on his lap, and with his claws.

 

 

What does this really tell us?

 

 

Narasimha emerges out of a pillar in Hiranyakashipu's palace and this indicates God's omnipresence and telling us that He is everywhere to help His devotees and He will emerge Himself from anywhere in any form meeting exactly all the requirements demanded by the situation.

 

 

Swami Desika describes Narasimha in 5 ways:

1. Adbhutha kesari ( wonderful lion)

2. Kaamaasikaa kesari ( who became a lion by His own choice)

3. Kapata Kesari ( cheating lion)

4. Kelee kesari ( playful lion)

5. Vishama vilochana kesari ( One who displays opposite emotion of anger to Hiranya kashipu and of compassion to Prahlad at the same time)

 

 

So Narasimha can take any of the above Bhaavam to save His devotee.

 

In the Narasimha karaavalamba sthothram by Shankaraachaarya, there are some beautiful slokaas and this is the meaning of one of them

 

 

1. " O Muraari (enemy of Mura)! I have been tormented by the fierce and terrifying lion called desire (kaama) while wandering in the dense forest called samsaaric existence. I have been scorched by the heat of the summer called envy (matsara). To me who have been thus afflicted, O Lakshminrsimha, provide me the support of your hands "

 

 

Prahlaada is very dear to Bhagavan and in Gita he syas: " among asuraas, I am Prahlaada, the greatgest devotee " .

 

 

Also let us conclude this with a prayer from Vedanta Desika's sthothram:

 

 

" Tvayi Rakshathi Rakshakai: Kim Anyai:,

Tvayi Cha Arakshati Rakshakai: Kim Anyai:,

Ithi Nischita Dhee: Srayaami Nityam,

Nruhareh: Vegavathee Tataasrayam Tvam!

 

 

O Lord Narasimha! you are my saviour. When you are resolved to protect some one, where is the need to seek the protection of anyone else? When you are resolved not to protect some one, which other person is capable of protecting us?. There is no one. Knowing this fundamental truth, I have resolved to offer my saranagati at your lotus feet alone "

 

 

 

 

May Lord Narasimha protect all of us in the forest of this material existence!

 

 

Regards and prayers

 

 

Savitri

 

 

P.S. Please feel free to correct any mistakes you see.