Narashima Jayanthi - 3/5/04

[gokulkr]

JAI SHRI NARSIMHA

APPEARANCE OF GOD NARSIMHA

AMONG THE TEN INCARNATIONS OF GOD, NARSIMHA WAS THE FOURTH. THERE ARE AS SUCH TWENTY-FOUR INCARNATIONS IN ALL, BUT TEN INCARNATIONS ARE CONSIDERED AS MAIN. SEQUENCE OF THESE TEN INCARNATIONS IS THUS :

1) MEENA-EVATOR

(IN FISH FORM),

2) KACCHHAPA AVATAR (IN TURTLE FORM),

3) SHUKARA OR VARAHA AVATOR (IN BOAR FORM),

4) NARSIMHA AVATAR (IN HALF-HUMAN, HALF FELINE FORM),

5) VAMANA AVATAR (IN DWARF FORM),

6) PARASHU RAMA AVATAR (IN THE FORM OF ANGRY-SAGE, PARASHU RAMA),

7) RAMA AVATAR (IN THE FORM OF MARYADA PURSHOTTAMA SHRI RAMA),

8) KRISHNA AVATAR (IN THE FORM OF COMPLETE MASCULINE SHRI KRISHNA,

9) BUDDHA AVATAR (IN THE FORM OF GAUTAMA BUDDHA AND

10) KALKI AVATAR (IT WILL APPEAR AT THE END OF KALIYUGA).

AMONG ALL THESE INCARNATIONS ONE IS THE FORM OF LORD NARSIMHA. HE HAS HALF-HUMAN AND HALF-FELINE APPEARANCE. GOD APPEARED IN THIS STRANGE FORM TO SAVE THE LIFE OF HIS DEVOTEE PRAHLADA WHO HAD BEEN CONSTANTLY TORTURED BY HIS FATHER THE DEMON HIRANYAKASHIPU FOR HIS DEVOTION TO LORD VISHNU. BECAUSE OF A BOON FROM LORD BRAHMA, DEMON HIRANYAKASHIPU HAD GROWN CORPULENT. HE THEN BEGAN TO ASSUME HIMSELF GREATER THAN GOD. HE HAD SOUGHT A BOON FROM BRAHMA THAT HE COULD BE KILLED NEITHER BY HUMAN NOR BY ANIMAL, NEITHER IN A DAY OF IN NIGHT, NEITHER ON EARTH NOR IN THE SKY, NEITHER INSIDE THE HOME, NOR OUTSIDE IT ETC. WITH THAT BOON HE HAD BEGUN TO TAKE HIMSELF AS IMMORTAL AND IMAGING. HE THAN BEGAN TO CAST DOUBT AT THE REIGN OF GOD. AND DEFEATING A FEW POWERLESS AND HELPLESS CREATURES, HE DECLARED HIMSELF AS GOD AND PROCLAIMED NO ONE SHOULD WORSHIP GOD. INSTEAD, HE ORDERED HIS SUBJECT, TO WORSHIP HIM AS GOD. BUT HIS OWN SON PRAHLADA WAS JUST OPPOSITE TO HIM. HE HAD A UNSHAKABLE FAITH IN LORD VISHNU AND DESPITE CONTINUOUS HARASSMENT AND TORTURE BY HIS FATHER HIRANYAKASHIPU, PRAHLADA DID NOT CHANGE, HIS COURSE. HIRANYAKASHIPU TRIED EVERY POSSIBLE MEANS TO KILL PRAHLADA - LIKE GOT HIM DROPPED FROM TOP OF THE HILL, AGAIN IN A VERY DEEP WELL, GOT HIM THROWN BEFORE A MAD ELEPHANT, GOT HIM IMPRISONED IN A SECLUDED CELL FOR MONTHS WITHOUT FOOD AND WATER, BUT EVERY TIME THOSE EFFORTS ENDED IN FAILURE. YET HIRANYAKASHIPU DID NOT ACCEPT THE POWER AND GRACE OF GOD, AND THOUGHT THAT BECAUSE OF SOME DRAWBACK IN THE SYSTEM, SOMEONE WAS SECRETLY HELPING PRAHLADA. HENCE AT THE END HE DECIDED TO KILL PRAHLADA HIMSELF SO HE GOT PRAHLADA TIED WITH A PILLAR AND GOT HIMSELF READY WITH A MACE TO KILL HIM. FEELING ASSURED OF THE SUCCESS OF HIS OWN ATTEMPT, HIRANYAKASHIPU ASKED PRAHLADA HAUGHTILY : "NOW TELL ME WHERE IS YOUR GOD?EVERY WHERE", HE REPLIED PRAHLADA,, IN YOU, IN ME STAYS MY GOD.EVEN IN THIS PILLAR" ASKED INFURIATED HIRANYAKASHIPU. YES" CAME REPLY. "OK CALL HIM, LET US SEE WHERE IS YOUR GOD". SHOUTING THESE WORDS, HIRANYAKASHIPU HIT PRAHLADA, WITH HIS MACE. BUT THE BLOW MISSED PRAHLADA AND FELL ON THE PILLAR INSTEAD. AS SOON AS THE MACE HIT THE PILLAR, IT BROKE WITH A LOUD, FRIGHTENING SOUND AND LORD NARSIMHA EMERGED FROM IT. LORD NARSIMHA THEN DRAGGED HIRANYAKASHIPU TO THE THRESHOLD OF THE PALACE AND PUTTING HIM ON HIS THIGHS, HE KILLED HIM WITH HIS MIGHTY NAILS.

SCRIPTURAL APPEARANCE OF LORD NARSIMHA

TAVAKARA KAMALAVARE NAKHABH

ADBHUT SHRINGAMA

DALIT HIRANKASHIPU TANUBHRINGAMA |

KESHAVADHRITA NARAHARI RUPA,

JAYAJAGADISH HARE ||

MEANING :

O JAGDISH (LORD OF THE WORLD) O HARI, O KESHAVA IN NARSIMHA FORM, MAY THE VICTORY ALWAYS ADORN YOU. ON THE EXCELLENT, LOTUS LIKE HANDS OF YOURS, STRANGE HORN LIKE NAILS ARE PRESENT THAT KILLED THE HUMBLE BEING HIRANYAKASHIPU. THESE LINES HAVE BEEN TAKEN FROM GEET GOVIND AND DESCRIBE THE SCRIPTURAL APPEARANCE OF LORD NARSIMHA. NOW LET US TRY TO UNDERSTAND THE MEANING HIDDEN BEHIND THIS APPEARANCE.

THE MEANING OF NARSIMHA'S APPEARANCE

FROM HIS HALF-HUMAN, HALF-FELINE APPEARANCE, GOD PREACHES ABOUT THE SEQUENTIAL DEVELOPMENT OF CREATION. FIRST OF ALL HE APPEARED IN FISH FORM WHICH IS PURELY AQUATIC ORGANISM. IN FISH FORM, GOD SAVED VEDAS DURING THE GREAT DELUGE (PRAHALAYA). THEN HE APPEARED IN TURTLE FORM ALSO A WATER-LOVING ORGANISM TO SUPPORT MANDARACHALA MOUNTAIN DURING THE CHARMING OF SEA BY THE GODS AND THE DEMONS. THEN IN BOAR-FORM GOD RECOVERED THE EARTH FROM THE ABYSMAL DEPTH WHERE DEMON HIRANYAKSHU HAD HIDDEN IT. BOAR IS AN ANIMAL THAT LOVES BOTH - LAND AND WATER HABITATS. NEXT IN THE LINE OF SEQUENTIAL DEVELOPMENT, GOD APPEARED IN HALF- HUMAN AND HALF-LINE (ANIMAL) FORM. THIS FORM ALSO TELLS THAT NO ONE CAN DEVELOP SUDDENLY. EVEN THE HUMAN BEING PASSES SINCE BIRTH THROUGH SEQUENTIAL DEVELOPMENTAL STAGES. AT THE TIME OF BIRTH, HUMAN-BABY IS FISHLIKE. THEN IT PASSES THROUGH TURTLE AND BOAR STAGES. THE TEENAGE STAGE IS A MIXTURE OF HUMANE AND ANIMAL VIRTUES. ULTIMATELY, A PERSON ATTAINS COMPLETE HUMAN LIKE CHARACTERS.

DEVOTIONAL ASPECT

GOD IS ALWAYS READY TO TAKE ANY FORM TO PROTECT HIS DEVOTEES WHO ARE DEPENDENT ON HIM. GOD IS ALWAYS KIND TO HIS DEVOTEES, AND IT WAS SOLELY OUT OF KINDNESS THAT HE APPEARED IN HALF-HUMAN, HALF-FELINE NARSIMHA FORM. IT ALSO IMPLIES THAT IN ORDER TO PROTECT OR SAVE HIS DEVOTEE GOD GIVES UP ALL THE BINDINGS. HENCE, IF AN ORGANISM WISHES TO RECEIVE HIS GRACE, IT MUST CERTAINLY DEVELOP FAITH FOR GOD FIRST.

THE PASTIME OF PRAHLADA AND SHRI NARASIMHA

THE ENDEARING STORY OF HOW LORD NARASIMHA (THE FOURTH OF VISHNU'S DASAVATARA-S) SAVED HIS DEVOTEE PRAHLADA FROM A DEMONIC TYRANT HAS PERPETUALLY FASCINATED MANKIND. INDEED, FOR MILLENIA ARTISTS HAVE PAINTED AND CARVED HIS FORM, GREAT KINGS HAVE SOUGHT HIS BLESSINGS BEFORE WAR, AND THE DEVOTEES HAVE ALWAYS RECITED HIS TRANSCENDENTAL PASTIMES AND WORSHIPPED HIS VIGRAHA-FORM. ONE SPECIAL FEATURE OF NARASIMHA-AVATAR IS HIS UNPRECEDENTED FEROCITY WHICH IS MATCHED BY HIS GENTLENESS WITH HIS DEVOTEES. IN FACT THE FOLLOWING VERSE DESCRIBES THIS DUAL FEATURE:

UGRO 'PY ANUGRA EVAAYAM

SVA-BHAKTAANAAM NR^-KESHARII

KESHARIIVA SVA-POTAANAAM

ANYESHAM UGRA-VIKRAMAH

"ALTHOUGH QUITE FEROCIOUS, THE LIONESS IS KIND TO HER CUBS. SIMILARLY, THOUGH FEARSOME TO NONDEVOTEES LIKE HIRANYAKASIPU, LORD NARASIMHA IS INCREDIBL SOFT AND KIND TO PURE DEVOTEES LIKE PRAHLADA." … THIS AVATAR APPEARED SEVERAL HUNDRED MILLION YEARS AGO DURING THE REIGN OF CAKSUSA-MANU (AFTER VARAHA-AVATAR AND BEFORE THE CHURNING OF THE MILK OCEAN) AT THE END OF A SATYA-YUGA. DURING THIS YEAR, HIS APPEARANCE DAY FALLS ON MAY 9 OR MAY 10. ON HIS APPEARANCE DAY, IS DEVOTEES CHANT HIS HOLY NAMES SUCH AS THE SHRI NRSIMHA DVADASA NAMA STOTRA

1. PRATAMAASTU-MAHAAJVAALO (GREATLY FIERY ONE)

2. DVITIIYAS-TUGRAKESHARIH (ANGRY LION)

3. TRITIIYAH-KRSNA PINGAAKSAH (ONE WITH BLACKISH BROWN EYES

4. CATURTHAASTU-VIDHAARANAH (ONE WHO RIPS APART)

5. PAN~CASYA-PAN~CAMASHCAIVA (ONE WHO HAS FIVE MOUTHS)

6. SHASTA-KASHIPU MARDHANAH (THE KILLER OF HIRANYAKASHIPU)

7. SAPTAMO-DAITYA HANTAA CA(THE KILLER OF THE DEMONS)

8. ASTAMO-DIINA-VALLABHAH (BELOVED TO THE WRETCHED)

9. NAVAMO- PRAHLAADA-VARADO (BENEFACTOR OF PRAHLADA)

10. DASHAMO-'NANTA HASTAKAH (ONE WHO HAS UNLIMITED HANDS)

11. EKAADASHO-MAHAA-RAUDRO (TERRIBLE ONE)

12. DVAADASHAH-KARUNA NIDHIH (OCEAN OF MERCY)

THE ONTOLOGICAL POSITION SHRI NARASIMHA

ACCORDING TO VEDIC PHILOSOPHY, VISHNU DESCENDS IN A VARIETY OF AVATARS ALL OF WHOM ARE NON-DIFFERENT FROM HIM. ALL THE AVATARS ARE OF THE NATURE OF SAT-CID- ANANDA: ETERNITY BLISS AND KNOWLEDGE. THEY RESIDE IN THE SPIRITUAL WORLD, VAIKUNTHA. WHEN THEY DESCEND INTO THE MATERIAL WORLD, THEY ARE CALLED "AVATAR A" (LITERALLY, "DESCENT"). ANY ATTEMPT TO MINIMIZE THE TRANSCENDENTAL STATUS OF ANY AVATAR CONSTITUTES AN OFFENSE AND IS A STUMBLING BLOCK ON THE PATH OF SELF-REALIZATION. AND TO UNDERSTAND LORD NARASIMHA, ONE MUST FIRST APPRECIATE THE TRANSCENDENCE OF VISHNU…. IN ADDITION, THE SCRIPTURES DESCRIBE LORD NARASIMHA AS PROMINENTLY MANIFESTING ALL SIX ATTRIBUTES OF GOD (STRENGTH, WEALTH, RENUNCIATION, SPLENDOR, ENERGY, WISDOM):

"IN NARASIMHA, RAMA, AND KRISHNA, ALL THE SIX OPULENCES ARE FULLY MANIFEST." (NRSIMHA-RAMA-KRSNESU SAD-GUNYAM PARIPURITAM--PADMA-PURANA)

LORD KRISHNA OR LORD NARAYANA IS CONSIDERED TO BE THE ORIGIN OF THE OTHER TRANSCENDENTAL FORMS OF GOD. FROM NARAYANA, VASUDEVA IS MANIFEST, AND FROM VASUDEVA, SANKARSANA IS MANIFEST (AGNI-PURANA 48.13). AND ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURES, LORD NARASIMHA IS AN EXPANSION (AMSHA) OF SANKARSANA. [PADMA-TANTR A 1.2.31 AND VISHNU-DHARMOTTARA-PURANA 3.78(2).5-7 (HARIS SANKARSANAMSENA NARASIMHA-VAPUR DHARAH)] JUST AS SANKARSANA DESTROYS THE UNIVERSE, LORD NARASIMHA DESTROYS ALL IGNORANCE AND ALL SINS ARISING FROM BODY, MIND AND SPEECH. LORD NARSIMHA HIMSELF IS RECOGNIZED IN THE SCRIPTURES BY A VARIETY OF FORMS. THE VIHAGENDRA-SAMHITA (4.17) OF THE PANCARATRA-AGAMA ENUMERATE MORE THAN SEVENTY FORMS OF NARASIMHA. MOST OF THESE FORMS ARE DISTINGUISHED BY THE ARRANGEMENTS OF WEAPONS IN THE HANDS, HIS DIFFERENT POSTURES, OR OTHER SUBTLE DISTINCTIONS.

OF THESE SEVENTY-FOUR, NINE ARE VERY PROMINENT (NAVA-VYUHA-NARASIMHA):

(1) UGRA-NARASIMHA

(2) KRUDDHA-NARASIMHA

(3) VIRA-NARASIMHA

(4) VILAMBA-NARASIMHA

(5) KOPA-NARASIMHA

(6) YOGA-NARASIMHA

(7) AGHORA-NARASIMHA

(8) SUDARSANA-NARASIMHA

(9) LAKSMI-NARASIMA

IN AHOBILA, ANDHRA PRADESH, THE NINE FORMS ARE AS FOLLOWS:

(1) CHHATRA-VATA-NARASIMHA (SEATED UNDER A BANYAN TREE)

(2) YOGANANDA-NARASIMHA (WHO BLESSED LORD BRAHMA)

(3) KARANJA-NARASIMHA (4) UHA-NARASIMHA

(5) UGRA-NARASIMHA (6) KRODA-NARASIMHA

(7) MALOLA-NARASIMHA (WITH LAKSMI ON HIS LAP)

(8) JVALA-NARASIMHA (AN EIGHT ARMED FORM RUSHING OUT OF THE PILLAR)

(9) PAVANA-NARASIMHA (WHO BLESSED THE SAGE BHARADVAJA)

OTHER FORMS ARE AS FOLLOWS:

STAMBHA-NARASIMHA (COMING OUT OF THE PILLAR) SVAYAM-NARASIMHA (MANIFESTING ON HIS OWN) GRAHANA-NARASIMHA (CATCHING HOLD OF THE DEMON) VIDARANA-NARASIMHA (RIPPING OPEN OF THE BELLY OF THE DEMON) SAMHARA-NARASIMHA (KILLING THE DEMON)

THE FOLLOWING THREE REFER TO HIS FEROCIOUS ASPECT:

GHORA-NARASIMHA

UGRA-NARASIMHA

CHANDA-NARASIMHA

JVALA-NARASIMHA (WITH A FLAME-LIKE MANE)

LAKSMI-NARASIMHA (WHERE LAKSMI PACIFIES HIM)

PRASADA-NARASIMHA OR PRAHLADA-VARADA-NARASIMHA

(HIS BENIGN ASPECT OF PROTECTING PRAHLADA)

CHHATRA-NARASIMHA (SEATED UNDER A PARASOL OF A FIVE-HOODED SERPENT)

YOGA-NARASIMHA OR YOGESVARA-NARASIMHA (IN MEDITATION)

AVESHA-NARASIMHA (A FRENZIED FORM)

ATTAHASA-NARASIMHA (A FORM THAT ROARS HORRIBLY AND MAJESTICALLY STRIDES ACROSS TO DESTROY EVIL)

CHAKRA-NARASIMHA (WITH ONLY A DISCUS IN HAND)

BRAHMA-NARASIMHA, VISHNU-NARASIMHA, AND RUDRA-NARASIMHA PRTHVI-NARASIMHA, VAYU-NARASIMHA, AKASA-NARASIMHA, JVALANA-NARASIMHA, AND AMRTA-NARASIMHA (REPRESENTING THE FIVE ELEMENTS)

PUSTHI NARASIMHA (WORSHIPPED FOR OVERCOMING EVIL INFLUENCES)

THERE ARE STILL OTHER VARIETIES WHICH ARE STANDING, RIDING ON GARUDA, ALONE, IN COMPANY, BENIGN, FEROCIOUS, AND MULTI-ARMED (TWO-SIXTEEN). ALL OF THESE FORMS POINT TO THE DIVERSITY IN TRANSCENDENCE OF THE NARASIMHA-AVATAR.

(THIS PAGE IS BASED ON INFORMATION FROM S.K. RAMACHANDRA RAO'S PRATIMA-KOSA)

IN PRAISE OF SHRI NARASIMHA

DEVA NR^ISIMHA HIRANYAKASHATRO

SARVA BHAYANTAKA DAIVATABANDHO

[i BOW TO THEE,] O DIVINE NR^ISIMHA (MAN-LION INCARNATION) - ENEMY OF THE [DEMON] HIRANYAKASHIPU, TERMINATOR OF ALL FEARS, AND BENEFACTOR OF GODS.

ATIBALADITISUTA HR^IDAYA VIBHEDANA JAYANR^IHARE.AMALA BHAVA MAMA SHARANAM.H SHUBHATAMA KATHASHAYA PARAMA SADODITA JAGADEKAKARANA RAMARAMARAMANA

[O] VICTORIOUS AND IMMACULATE NR^IHARI (NARASIMHAVATARA), WHO RENDS THE HEART OF THE VERY STRONG SON OF DITI (THE DEMON, HIRANYAKASHIPU), O RAMA, CONSORT OF RAMA, OBJECT OF THE HOLIEST SCRIPTURES, SUPREME ONE, ALWAYS LUSTROUS, THE SOLE CAUSE OF THE UNIVERSE, BE MY REFUGE.

 

DVADASHA STOTRA (6.5, 9.8)

OF SHRI MADHVACHARYA

NAMAS TE NARA-SIMHAAYA PRHLAADAAHLAADA-DAAYINE HIRANYAKASHIPOR VAKSAH SHILA-TAN^KA-NAKHAALAYA

I OFFER MY OBEISANCES TO LORD NARASIMHA, WHO GIVES JOY TO PRAHLADA AND WHOSE NAILS ARE LIKE CHISELS OB THE STONE-LIKE CHEST OF THE DEMON HIRANYAKASHIPU.

ITO NR^SIMHAH PARATO NR^SIMHO YATO YATO YAMI TATO NRSIMHO BAHIR NR^SIMHO HR^DAYE NR^SIMHO NR^SIMHAM ADIM SHARANAM PRAPADYE

LORD NARASIMHA IS ALL-PERVADING. WHEREVER I GO LORD NARASIMHA IS THERE. HE IS IN THE HEART AND EVERYWHERE ELSE AS WELL. I SURRENDER TO THAT NARASIMHADEVA, THE ORGIN OF ALL THINGS AND THE SUPREME REFUGE.

UGRO 'PY ANUGRAHA EVAYAM SVA-BHAKTANAM NR^-KESHARII KESHARIIVA SVA-POTANAM ANYESAM UGRA-VIKRAMAH

ALTHOUGH QUITE FEROCIOUS, THE LIONESS IS KIND TO HER CUBS. SIMILARLY, THOUGH FEARSOME TO NON-DEVOTEES LIKE HIRANYAKASHIPU, LORD NARASIMHA IS INCREDIBLY SOFT AND KIND TO PURE DEVOTEES LIKE PRAHLADA MAHARAJA. TAVA-KARA-KAMALA-VARE NAKHAM ADBHUTA SR^N^GAM DALITA-HIRANYAKASHIPU-TANU-BHR^N^GAM KESHAVA-DHR^TA-NARAHARI-RUUPA JAYA JAGADISHA HARE O KESAVA! O LORD OF THE UNIVERSE! O LORD HARI, WHO HAVE ASSUMED THE FORM OF HALF-MAN HALF LION! ALL GLORIES TO YOU! JUST AS ONE CAN EASILY CRUSH A WASP BETWEEN ONE'S FINGERNAILS, SO IN THE SAME WAY THE BODY OF THE WASP-LIKE HIRANYAKASIPU HAS BEEN RIPPED APART BY THE WONDERFULLY POINTED NAILS ON YOUR BEAUTIFUL LOTUS HANDS.

SHRI LASHMI NARASIMHA STOTRA OF SHRI SANKARACHARYA

SHRIMATPAYONIDHINIKETANA CHAKRAPANE BHOGINDRABHOGAMANIRANJITAPUNYAMUURTE | YOGISHA SHASHVATA SHARANYA BHAVABDHIPOTA LAKSHHMINR^ISIMHA MAMA DEHI KARAVALAMBAM.H || 1 ||

O LAKSHMINRSIMHA, WHOSE ABODE IS THE OCEAN OF MILK, WHO HOLD THE (SUDARSANA) DISCUS IN YOUR HAND, WHOSE PLEASING FORM IS ADORNED BY THE JEWELS THAT ARE THE HOODS OF ADI SESHA, WHO ARE THE LORD OF THE YOGIS, THE ETERNAL ONE, WHO PROVIDE PROTECTION TO THOSE WHO SEEK IT, THE BOAT BY WHICH ONE CROSSES THE OCEAN OF MISERIES, PROVIDE ME THE SUPPORT OF YOUR HANDS.

BRAHMENDRARUDRAMARUDARKAKIRITAKOTI - SAN^GHATTITAAN^GHRIKAMALAAMALAKAANTIKAANTA | LAKSHHMILASATKUCHASARORUHARAAJAHAMSA LAKSHHMINR^ISIMHA MAMA DEHI KARAVALAMBAM.H || 2 ||

YOUR LOTUS FEET ARE TOUCHED BY THE TIPS OF THE CROWNS OF BRAHMA, INDRA, RUDRA, THE MARUTS AND SUURYA. THE BRILLIANCE OF YOUR LOTUS FEET THUS ADDS TO YOUR EFFULGENCE, O DEAR ONE! YOU ARE THE KING OF SWANS SPORTING NEAR THE BEAUTIFUL LOTUS BREASTS OF LAKSHMI. O LAKSHMINRSIMHA, PROVIDE ME THE SUPPORT OF YOUR HANDS.

 

SAMSAARAGHORAGAHANE CHARATO MURAARE MAAROGRABHIIKARAMR^IGAPRAVARAARDITASYA | AARTASYA MATSARANIDAAGHANIPIIDITASYA LAKSHHMINR^ISIMHA MAMA DEHI KARAVALAMBAM.H || 3 ||

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, DO YOU PROVIDE THE SUPPORT OF YOUR HANDS.

SAMSAARAKUUPAMATIGHORAMAGAADHAMUULAM SAMPRAAPYA DUHKHASHATASARPASAMAAKULASYA | DIINASYA DEVA KR^IPANAAPADAMAAGATASYA LAKSHHMINR^ISIMHA MAMA DEHI KARAVALAMBAM.H || 4 ||

HAVING REACHED THE BOTTOM OF THE UNFATHOMABLE AND EXTREMELY FEARFUL WELL CALLED SAMSAARIC EXISTENCE, I HAVE BEEN TROUBLED BY THE HUNDREDS OF SERPENTS CALLED MISERIES. O DEVA! O LAKSHMINRSIMHA! TO ME WHO AM HELPLESS AND WHO HAVE REACHED THIS WRETCHED CONDITION, DO YOU PROVIDE THE SUPPORT OF YOUR HANDS.

SAMSAARASAAGARAVISHAALAKARAALAKAALA- NAKRAGRAHAGRASANANIGRAHAVIGRAHASYA | VYAGRASYA RAAGARASANORMINIPIIDITASYA LAKSHHMINR^ISIMHA MAMA DEHI KARAVALAMBAM.H || 5 ||

IN THE OCEAN THAT IS WORLDLY EXISTENCE, MY BODY HAS BEEN EATEN BY LARGE AND DREADFUL CROCODILES AND WHALES THAT ARE TIME. I HAVE BEEN AFFLICTED BY THE WAVES CALLED PASSION AND ATTACHMENT TO THE ORGAN OF TASTE. O LAKSHMINRSIMHA, PROVIDE ME THE SUPPORT OF YOUR HANDS.

SAMSAARAVR^IKSHHAMAGHABIIJAMANANTAKARMA- SHAAKHAASHATAM KARANAPATRAMANAN^GAPUSHHPAM.H | AARUHYA DUHKHAPHALITAM PATATO DAYAALO LAKSHHMINR^ISIMHA MAMA DEHI KARAVALAMBAM.H || 6 ||

THE TREE OF WORLDLY EXISTENCE ARISES FROM THE SEED OF SIN. ITS NUMEROUS BRANCHES ARE THE ENDLESS ACTIONS (KARMAS), ITS LEAVES ARE THE ORGANS OF THE BODY, ITS FLOWER IS PASSION (KAAMA), ITS FRUIT IS SORROW. HAVING ASCENDED THIS TREE, I AM FALLING DOWN. O COMPASSIONATE LAKSHMINRSIMHA, PROVIDE ME THE SUPPORT OF YOUR HANDS.

SAMSAARASARPAGHANAVAKTRABHAYOGRATIIVRA- DAMSHHTRAAKARAALAVISHHADAGDHAVINASHHTAMUURTEH | NAAGAARIVAAHANA SUDHAABDHINIVAASA SHAURE LAKSHHMINR^ISIMHA MAMA DEHI KARAVALAMBAM.H || 7 ||

WORLDLY EXISTENCE IS A SERPENT WHICH HAS OPENED ITS GIGANTIC MOUTH, REVEALING ITS MOST DREADFUL AND SHARP FANGS FILLED WITH TERRIBLE VENOM. THIS VENOM HAS BURNT UP MY BODY AND HAS DESTROYED IT. O LORD WHOSE VEHICLE IS GARUDA! O LORD WHOSE ABODE IS THE OCEAN OF MILK! O SHAURI! O LAKSHMINRSIMHA, PROVIDE ME THE SUPPORT OF YOUR HANDS.

SAMSAARADAAVADAHANAATURABHIIKARORU- JVAALAAVALIIBHIRATIDAGDHATANUURUHASYA | TVATPAADAPADMASARASIISHARANAAGATASYA LAKSHHMINR^ISIMHA MAMA DEHI KARAVALAMBAM.H || 8 ||

IN THE FOREST CONFLAGRATION OF WORLDLY EXISTENCE (ILLUSION), I HAVE BEEN BURNED BADLY. EVEN EVERY SINGLE HAIR ON MY BODY HAS BEEN BURNED BY LARGE AND FEARFUL COLUMNS OF FLAMES. IN THIS CONDITION I HAVE SOUGHT THE SHELTER OF THE COOL LAKE THAT IS YOUR LOTUS FEET. O LAKSHMINRSIMHA, PROVIDE ME THE SUPPORT OF YOUR HANDS.

SAMSAARAJAALA-PATITASYA JAGANNIVAASA SARVENDRIYAARTHA-VADISHAARTHA-JHASHHOPAMASYA | PROTKHANDITA-PRACHURA-TAALUKA-MASTAKASYA LAKSHHMINRISIMHA MAMA DEHI KARAVALAMBAM.H || 9 ||

I AM LIKE A FISH, CAUGHT IN THE NET OF WORLDLY EXISTENCE. MY PALATE AND HEAD HAVE BEEN SEVERELY TORN APART BY THE FISH-HOOK THAT IS THE OBJECTS OF THE SENSES. O LORD IN WHOM THE WORLD RESIDES! O LAKSHMINRSIMHA, PROVIDE ME THE SUPPORT OF YOUR HANDS.

SAMSAARA-BHIIKARA-KARIINDRA-KARAABHIGHAATA- NISHHPISHHTA-MARMAVAPUSHHAH SAKALAARTINAASHA | PRAANAPRAYAANA-BHAVABHIITI-SAMAÌ¥Á

 

 

THE FEARFUL ROGUE ELEPHANT OF WORLDLY ILLUSION HAS STRUCK ME WITH ITS TRUNK, COMPLETELY CRUSHING ALL MY VITAL PARTS. I HAVE BEEN OVERCOME BY THE FEAR OF WORLDY EXISTENCE AND DEATH. O DESTROYER OF ALL SUFFERING! O LAKSHMINRSIMHA, PROVIDE ME THE SUPPORT OF YOUR HANDS.

ANDHASYA ME HR^ITAVIVEKAMAHAADHANASYA CHORAIH PRABHO BALIBHIRINDRIYANAAMADHEYAIH | MOHAANDHAKUUPAKUHARE VINIPAATITASYA LAKSHHMINR^ISIMHA MAMA DEHI KARAVALAMBAM.H || 11 ||

O LORD! MY GREAT WEALTH CALLED POWER OF DISCRIMINATION (VIVEKA) HAS BEEN STOLEN AWAY BY THE POWERFUL THIEVES CALLED SENSES. I AM BLIND (WITHOUT THE POWER OF DISCRIMINATION BETWEEN THINGS ETERNAL AND NONETERNAL). IN THIS CONDITION, I HAVE BEEN PUSHED INTO THE DARK WELL CALLED DELUSION. O LAKSHMINRSIMHA, PROVIDE ME THE SUPPORT OF YOUR HANDS.

BADDHVAA GALE YAMABHATAA BAHUTARJAYANTAH KARSHHANTI YATRA BHAVAPAASHASHATAIRYUTAM MAAM.H | EKAAKINAM PARAVASHAM CHAKITAM DAYAALO LAKSHHMINR^ISIMHA MAMA DEHI KARAVALAMBAM.H || 12 ||

I HAVE BEEN BOUND BY HUNDREDS OF SNARES OF WORLDLY ATTACHMENTS. THE SOLDIERS OF YAMA (DEATH) HAVE CAST THEIR NOOSE AROUND MY NECK AND ARE DRAGGING ME ALONG, THREATENING ME. I AM ALONE, FRIGHTENED, AND WITHOUT ANY INDEPENDENCE. O COMPASSIONATE LAKSHMI NRSIMHA, PROVIDE ME THE SUPPORT OF YOUR HANDS.

LAKSHHMIPATE KAMALANABHA SURESHA VISHHNO VAIKUNTHA KR^ISHHNA MADHUSUDANA PUSHHKARAKSHHA | BRAHMANYA KESHAVA JANARDANA VASUDEVA LAKSHHMINR^ISIMHA MAMA DEHI KARAVALAMBAM.H || 13 ||

O LORD OF LAKSHMI, FROM WHOSE NAVEL EMANATES A LOTUS, O LORD OF GODS, O VISHNU, O VAIKUNTHA, O KRISHNA, O MADHUSUDANA (SLAYER OF MADHU), O LOTUS-EYED ONE, O BRAHMANYA (THE MOST EXALTED KNOWER OF BRAHMAN), O KESHAVA, O JANARDANA, O VASUDEVA, O LAKSHMI NRSIMHA, DO YOU PROVIDE ME THE SUPPORT OF YOUR HANDS.

EKENA CHAKRAMAPARENA KARENA SHAMKHA- MANYENA SINDHUTANYAAAMAVALAMBYA TISHHTHAN.H | VAAME KARENA VARADAABHAYAPADMACHIHNAM LAKSHHMINR^ISIMHA MAMA DEHI KARAVALAMBAM.H || 14 ||

IN ONE HAND YOU HOLD THE (SUDARSHANA) DISCUS; IN ANOTHER YOU HOLD THE (PAANCHAJANYA) CONCH; ANOTHER HAND RESTS ON (THE WAIST OF) THE DAUGHTER OF THE OCEAN, LAKSHMI; AND THE (FOURTH) HAND SIGNIFIES THAT YOU BESTOW BOONS AND DRIVE AWAY THE FEAR (OF THE DEVOTEES). O LAKSHMI NRSIMHA PROVIDE ME THE SUPPORT OF YOUR HANDS.

SAMSAARASAAGARANIMAJJANAMUHYAMAANAM DIINAM VILOKAYA VIBHO KARUNAANIDHE MAAM | PRAHLAADAKHEDAPARIHAARAPARAAVATAARA LAKSHHMINR^ISIMHA MAMA DEHI KARAVALAMBAM.H || 15 ||

BEING DROWNED IN THE OCEAN OF SAMSAARIC EXISTENCE, I AM DELUDED. O LORD! O TREASURE OF COMPASSION! TURN YOUR GLANCE TOWARD ME WHO AM HELPLESS. (JUST AS YOU) ASSUMED THE SUPREME AVATAR FOR THE PURPOSE OF ERADICATING THE SORROW OF PRAHLAADA, DO YOU, LAKSHMI NRSIMHA, PROVIDE ME THE SUPPORT OF YOUR HANDS.

PRAHLAADANAARADAPARAASHARAPUNDARIIKA- VYAASAADIBHAAGAVATAPU.NGAVAHR^INNIVAASA | BHAKTAANURAKTAPARIPAALANAPAARIJAATA LAKSHHMINR^ISIMHA MAMA DEHI KARAVALAMBAM.H || 16 ||

YOU DWELL IN THE HEARTS OF THE BEST OF THE BHAGAVATAS, SUCH AS PRAHLADA, NARADA, PARASHARA, PUNDARIKA, AND VYASA. YOU ARE LIKE THE DESIRE-FULFILLING TREE IN PROTECTING THE LOYAL DEVOTEES. O LAKSHMI NRSIMHA, PROVIDE ME THE SUPPORT OF YOUR HANDS.

LAKSHHMINR^ISIMHACHARANAABJAMADHUVRATENA STOTRAM KR^ITAM SHUBHAKARAM BHUVI SHA.NKARENA | YE TATPATHANTI MANUJAA HARIBHAKTIYUKTAA- STE YAANTI TATPADASAROJAMAKHANDARUUPAM || 17 ||

THIS AUSPICIOUS HYMN HAS BEEN COMPOSED BY SHANKARA WHO IS THE BEE ENGAGED IN DRINKING THE NECTAR OF THE LOTUS FEET OF SHRI LAKSHMINRSIMHA. IN THIS WORLD, ANYONE WHO RECITES IT WILL BE FILLED WITH DEVOTION TO HARI AND WILL ATTAIN THE UNDIVIDED LOTUS FEET OF BRAHMAN.

|| SHRII LAKSHHMINR^SIMHAARPANAMASTU ||

[NOTE: WITH THIS CONCLUSION, I HAVE FULFILLED A LONG-CHERSIHED DESIRE OF MINE TO TRANSLATE THE LAKSHMI NRSIMHA STOTRA. I WOULD LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE MY GRATITUDE TO THE ADVAITI PRABODHAKA SANGHA, DHARWAD, KARNATAKA, WHOSE KANNADA TRANSLATION OF THE SHORTER VERSION OF THE STOTRA WAS USEFUL IN TRANSLATING SOME VERSES. THE STOTRA APPEARS IN TWO VERSIONS. THE SHORTER VERSION HAS 13 VERSES, AND THE LONGER VERSION HAS 17. I HAVE USED THE TEXT OF THE LONGER VERSION WHICH INCLUDES THE TWO VERSES WITH REFERENCES TO PRAHLADA. DRINK DEEP FROM THE OCEAN OF NECTAR THAT IS THE LOTUS FEET OF LAKSHMINRSIMHA! …..

YADDHITAM TAVA BHAKTAANAAM ASMAAKAM NR^IHARE HARE | TADAASHU KAARYAM KAARYAJNA PRALAYAARKAAYUTAPRABHA || 1||

RATATSATOGRA-BHRUKUTIIKATHORA-KUTILEKSHHANA | NR^IPANCHAASYA JVALAJVAALO JVALAASYAARIIN.H HARE HARA || 2 ||

UNNADDHAKARNAVINYAASA VIVR^ITAANANA BHIISHHANA | GATADUUSHHANA ME SHATRUUN.H HARE NARAHARE HARA || 3 ||

HARE SHIKHISHIKHODBHAASVADURAH KRUURANAKHOTKARA | ARIIN.H SAMHARA DAMSHHTROGRA-SPHURA-JIHVA NR^SIMHA ME || 4 ||

JATHARASTHAJAGAJJAALA KARAKOTYUDYUTAAYUDHA | KATIKALPA-TATITKALPAVASANAARIIN.H HARE HARA || 5 ||

RAKSHHODHYAKSHHA-BR^IHADVAKSHHORUUKSHHA-KUKSHHIVIDAARANA | NARAHARYAKSHHA ME SHATRUPAKSHHAKAKSHHAM HARE DAHA || 6 ||

VIDHIMAARUTA-SHARVENDRA-PUURVAGIIRVAANAPUMGAVAIH | SADAA NATAAN^GHRIDVANDVAARIIN.H NARASIMHA HARE HARA || 7 || BHAYAMKARORVALAMKAARA VARAHUMKAARAGARJITA | HARE NARAHARE SHATRUUNMAMA SAMHARA SAMHARA || 8 ||

VAADIRAAJAYATIPROKTAM NARAHARYASHHTAKAM NAVAM | PATHANNR^ISIMHAKR^IPAYAA RIPUUN.H SAMHARATI KSHHANAAT.H ||LORD NARASIMHA IS SO EXALTED THAT EVEN HIS NAILS ARE GLORIFIED BY THE VAISHNAVA ACHARYAS. IN THE SUDARSANA-SATA-NAMA STOTRA OF THE SRI VAISHNAVA SAMPRADAYA, IT IS SAID THAT LORD NARAYANA'S SUDARSHANA CHAKRA DESCENDED AS THE TUSK OF VARAHA, THE AXE OF PARASURAMA, AND THE NAILS OF NARASIMHA. IN THIS WAY, THE NAILS OF NARASIMHA ACCOMPANY THE LORD IN HIS VARIOUS AVATARS. SRI MADHVACHARYA (1238-1317 AD) WORSHIPS THE POWER OF LORD NARASIMHA'S NAILS IN HIS NAKHA-STUTI. WHAT FOLLOWS IS THE SANSKRIT AND ENGLISH TRANSLATION BY MADHUSUDANA RAO, AND THEN THE WORD FOR WORD MEANING. NAKHA-STUTI

1 PAANTVASMAANPURUHUUTAVAIRI BALAVAN MATANGAMADYAT GHATA KUMBOKSHADRIVIPATANADIKAPATU PRATYEKA VAJRAYITA.H ||

O SRI NARASIMHA, WHO IS OMNIPRESENT, MAY YOUR NAILS PROTECT ME AND OTHERS AT ALL TIMES. JUST AS A LION ATTACKS POWERFUL ELEPHANT GROUPS AND SPLITS APART THEIR HEADS WITH ITS NAILS AND THE VAJRAYUDHA (INDRA'S DEFENSE WEAPON) SPLITS THE HIGHEST MOUNTAINS, IN THE SIMILAR WAY, THE ASURAS (WHO THROUGH THE BLESSINGS OF SRI BRAHMA, RUDRA AND THE DEMIGODS) ARE LIKE POWERFUL EXHILARATING ELEPHANTS WHO ARE EASILY KILLED BY EACH OF SRI NARASIMHA'S NAILS WHICH ARE PRECIOUS AND POWERFUL.

2 SHRIIMADKANTEERAVASYA PRATHATHASUNAKHARA DARITARATIDUURA PRADVASTHA DVANTA SHANTA PRAVITATAMANSA BAVITABUURIBHAGAI.H ||

ALL DEMIGODS ARE DEVOTED TO AND PRAYING TO THIS NAIL, WHICH ELIMINATES ALL BAD ELEMENTS IN THIS WORLD. THEY ARE VERY [DEVOTED TO] THIS NAIL AS IT WILL GIVE ALL SIX SENSES OF A BRAHMAN OR DEVATAAS. THIS NAIL WILL EVEN GIVE COMPLETE KNOWLEDGE AND THE GODS WILL COME OUT OF THE DARKNESS (OF IGNORANCE). BY PRAYING TO THIS NAIL, THEY WILL GET PEACE AND KNOWLEDGE OF ALL THE QUALITIES OF SRI HARI.

3 LAKSHMIIKANTA SAMANTATOPI KALAYAN NAIVESHITUSTESAMAM PASHYAMITTAMAVASTU DUURITARATOPASTHAM RASOYASTAMA.H ||

O SRI NARASIMHA, WHO HAS SRI LAKSHMI, THERE IS NO BODY EQUAL TO YOU. IF THERE IS ANY THING WHICH IS EQUAL, IT IS 'ASTAMA RASA' THE FAMOUS SIX ESSENCES. SIMILARLY, THERE IS NOBODY EQUAL OR UTTAMA [MORE EXCELLENT] THAN YOU.

4 YADROSHAKKHARADAKSHANETRA KUTILAPRANTOPITAGNISPURAT KHADHYOTOPAMA VISHPULINGA BASITA BRAHMESHA SHAKROTKARA.H ||

THERE ARE MANY BRAHMA'S, MANY RUDRA'S, MANY INDRA'S AND ALL OF THESE AND OTHER DEMIGODS BECAME ASHES BECAUSE OF YOUR SMALLEST VISION. YOUR VISION IS LIKE THE SMALLEST FIREFLY [A TWINKLING INSECT WHICH GLOWS IN NIGHT], YET IT HAS THE BRIGHTNESS OF THE SUN'S RAYS.

 

WORD FOR WORD MEANINGS

FIRST SLOKA

PA.NTU - PROTECT US

ASMAN - ALL OF US

PURUHUUTA - INDRA

VAIRI - ENEMIES LIKE ASURAS

BALAVAT - STRONGER OR POWERFUL

MATANGA - ELEPHANTS

MADHYAT - EXHILIRATING OR PLUMP

GHATA - GROUP(S)

KUMMBO -FRONTAL GLOBE OF AN ELEPHANT'S HEAD

UCCHADRI - HIGHEST MOUNTAINS

VIPATANA - BREAKING

ADIKAPATU - HIGHEST SUPPORT

PRATYEKA - EACH ONE

VAJRAYITA.H - LOOKS TO BE VAJRAYUDHA (INDRA'S DEFENSIVE WEAPON)

SECOND SLOKA

PRATHATHA - OMINI PRESENT

SHRIIMADKANTEERAVASYA - SRI NARASIMHA ALONG WITH SHRIMATI LAKSHMI DEVI

SUNAKARAH - YOUR PRECIOUS

DARITA - DESTROYED

ARATI - SIX DUTIES OF A BRAHMAN

DUURA PRADVASTAHA - SOLVED SINCE ANCIENT TIMES

DVANTA - DARKNESS OF POOR KNOWLEDGE OR AG^NYANA

SHAANTA - ONE WHO IS DEVOTED TO SRI VISHNU

PRAVITITA - ONE WHO KNOWS QUALITIES OF SRI VISHNU

MANASA - OBLIGED OR SENSITIVE BHAVITAH - PRAYED BY BHURIBHAGAI - BRAHMA AND OTHER DEVATAAS WHO ARE ALL DEVOTED DEVATAAS

SLOKA THREE

LAKSHMIIKANTA - ONE WHO HAS SRI LAKSHMI, SRI NARASIMHA,

SAMANTATA - EVERYWHERE

KALAYAN OPI - IN SEARCH OF ESHITA - ONE WHO HAS COMPLETE KNOWLEDGE

TE - LIKE YOU SAMAM - NO EQUAL

PASHYAMI NAIV - I CANNOT FIND OR I CANNOT SEE

YAH - WHICH IS UTTAMAVASTU - THERE IS NOTHING WHICH IS EQUAL OR GREATER THAN DOOR

ATARATAH - AT ANY DISTANCE APPASTAM - NOTHING I COULD FIND OR THERE IS NOTHING TO FIND.

ASTAMA RASAH - EVEN ASTAMA RASA ALSO; WHO IS CALLED ASTAMARASA

SLOKA FOUR

YAD - WHOSE

ROKSHA - WILDERNESS

UTKARA - GLOWING RAYS

DAKSHA - CAPABLE OF BURNING THIS WORLD OR BRAHMANDA NETRA - EYES

KUTILA - HAPAZARD OR CURVED

PRANT - FROM THE END

OPITA - WAKE UP

AGNI - FIRE

SPURAT - GLOWING OR BRIGHNESS

KHADHYOTOPAMA - THOUGH IT LOOK TO BE A SMALL LIKE

TWINKLING INSECT (SMALLESH INSECT WHICH TWINKLES AT NIGHT TIMES) BUT GLOWING LIKE SUN VISHPULINGA - SPARKS

BASITA - ASHES

BRAHMA - MANY BRAHMA'S OF PREVIOUS KALPA

ESHA - MANY RUDRAS

SHAKRA - MANY INDRA'S

OTKARA.H - GROUPS

(NOTE: THE ENGLISH TRANSLATION AS IT APPEARS HERE HAS BEEN PARTIALLY EDITED)

IN ADDITION TO THE VIGRAHA (DEITY) FORM, LORD NARASIMHA ALSO APPEARS AS THE SELF-MANIFESTED SHALAGRAMA-SHILA. HERE ARE SOME DETAILS OF THE NARASIMHA-SALAGRAMA FROM S.K. RAMACHANDRA RAO'S SALAGRAMA-KOSA:

THERE ARE TWENTY-FOUR VARIETIES OF NARASIMHA-SALAGRAMA

(1) LAKSMI-NARASIMHA (IN THREE SUBVARIETIES)

(4) YOGANANDA-NARASIMHA

(5) BALA-NARASIMHA

(6) VIDYUJJIHVA-NARASIMHA

(7) VIBHISANA-NARASIMHA

(8) ADHOMUKHA-NARASIMHA

(9) PATALA-NARASIMHA

(10) SARVATI-MUKHA-NARASIMHA

(11) RAKSASA-NARASIMHA

(12) VIDURARANA NARASIMHA

(13) KUKUSHI NARASIMHA

(14) BHITTI-NARASIMHA

(15) VIJAYA-NARASIMHA

(16) KAPILA NARASIMHA

(17) JVALA-NARASIMHA (3 SUB-VARIETIES)

(20) MAHA-JVALA-NARASIMHA

(21) SUDDHA-NARASIMHA

(22) BUDDHA-CHAKRA-NARASIMHA

(23) DAMSTHRA-KARALA-NARASIMHA

(24) VAKRA-DAMSHTRA-NARASIMHA

THE NARASIMHA SALAGRAMA-SHILA-S GENERALLY HAVE FOUR CHAKRAS, BUT SOMETIMES THERE ARE ONLY TWO. THEY ALSO MAY HAVE A GAPING MOUTH WITH SHARP TEETH LIKE STRUCTURES. HERE ARE SOME DESCRIPTIONS OF FOUR SPECIFIC NARASIMHA-SHILAS:

(1) THE NARASIMHA-SALAGRAMA HAS AN ELONGATED MOUTH, TAWNY HUED, A LONGISH CAKRA AND A BIG BELLY. THIS STONE IS SUITABLE FOR WORSHIP BY ASCETICS.

(2) THE LAKSMI-NARASIMHA-SALAGRAMA HAS A CAKRA ON ITS LEFT SIDE, IS BLACK IN COLOR, AND HAS SPOTS. ITS WORSHIP MAKES FOR BHUKTI (WORLDLY PROSPERITY) AND MUKTI (EMANCIPATION).

(3) THE MAHA-JVALA-NRSIMHA-MURTI-SALAGRAMA IS THICK IN CHAPE, BLUE-BLACK IN COLOR AND HAS A GAPING MOUTH (APERTURE). THIS IS FIT FOR WORSHIP ONLY BY MENDICANTS (MAHAMUNI).

(4) THE KAPILA-NARASIMHA-SALAGRAMA HAS A LARGE CHAKRA AT THE PLACE WHERE THE TUSK WOULD BE LOCATED; THE COLOR OF THE STONE IS TAWNY, AND THERE CAN BE SEEN ON THE STONE THE MARK OF VANAMALA. THIS MUST BE WORSHIPPED ONLY BY CELIBATES (BRAHMACHARI-S) FOR WORLDLY PROSPERITY (BHUKTI) OR SALVATION (MUKTI). NARASIMHA, THE FOURTH INCARNATION OF GOD VISHNU I KNOW I SAID UPABOVE BUT YOU CAN SAY IT SAY MANY TIME AND YOU WILL HAVE PEACE SAYING THIS ALL THE TIME , IS HALF-LION HALF-HUMAN. THIS INCARNATION IS TO TO ALLEVIATE THE SUFFERINGS OF DEVOTEES SYMBOLIZING FIGHT AGAINST EVIL AND TYRANNY. LORD NARAYANA IS CONSIDERED TO BE THE ORIGIN OF THE OTHER TRANSCENDENTAL FORMS OF GOD. FROM NARAYANA, VASUDEVA IS MANIFEST, AND FROM VASUDEVA, SANKARSANA IS MANIFEST (AGNI-PURANA 48.13). AND ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURES, LORD NARASIMHA IS AN EXPANSION (AMSHA) OF SANKARSANA. LORD NARSIMHA HIMSELF IS RECOGNIZED IN THE SCRIPTURES BY A VARIETY OF FORMS, DISTINGUISHED BY THE ARRANGEMENTS OF WEAPONS IN THE HANDS, HIS DIFFERENT POSTURES, OR OTHER SUBTLE DISTINCTIONS. OF THESE MORE THAN SEVENTY-FOUR FORMS, NINE ARE VERY PROMINENT

(NAVA-NARASIMHA): (1) UGRA-NARASIMHA OR AHOBILA NARASIMHA IN FIERCE FORM (2) VIRA-NARASIMHA (3) KOPA-NARASIMHA (4) KRUDDHA-NARASIMHA (2) VILAMBA-NARASIMHA (6) YOGA-NARASIMHA WHO BLESSED LORD BRAHMA (7) AGHORA-NARASIMHA (8) SUDARSANA-NARASIMHA (9) LAKSHMI-NARASIMHA MALOLA-NARASIMHA OR PRAHLADA-VARADA NARASIMHA WITH LAKSHMI ON HIS LAP AND BLESSING PRAHLAD AHOVALAM IN ANDHRA PRADESH IS THE ONLY PLACE IN INDIA WHERE ALL NINE FORMS OF LORD NARASIMHA, NAVA NARASIMHA,

ARE WORSHIPED. AHOVALAM IS SAID TO BE THE PLACE WHERE LORD VISHNU ACCEPTED THE HALF-MAN, HALF-LION FORM OF LORD NARASIMHA IN ORDER TO DEFEAT THE DEMON HIRANYAKASIPU. AHOVALAM IS 49KM SOUTH OF NANDYAL RAILWAY STATION AND ABOUT 300KM SOUTH OF HYDERABAD. THE MOST POPULAR FORM OF NARASIMHA IS LAKSHMI NARASIMHA STORY OF LORD NARASIMHA

HIRANYAKASHIPU (THE BROTHER OF HIRANYAKSHA WHO WAS KILLED BY THE VARAHA AVTAR) WANTED TO TAKE REVENGE ON THE DEVATAS AND IN PARTICULAR ON LORD VISHNU. HE WANTED TO BECOME THE MASTER OF ALL THE THREE WORLDS - HEAVEN, EARTH & PATHALA. HE WENT TO MOUNT MANDARACHALA AND BEGAN PENANCE WHICH CONTINUED FOR YEARS. DUE TO THE INTENSITY OF PENANCE, LORD BRAHMA APPEARED BEFORE HIRANYAKASHIPU AND HIRANYAKASHIPU ASKED FOR IMMORTALITY AS BOON. BRAHMA, HOWEVER, DECLINED, SAYING "ALL LIVING BEINGS MUST FACE DEATH HIRANYAKASHIPU. YOU CAN, HOWEVER, CHOOSE YOUR DEATH WISH." HIRANYAKASHIPU THEN ASKED FOR THREE CONDITIONS, AS HIS DEATH WISH, "'O BRAHMA, LET NOT DEATH COME TO ME EITHER BY MAN OR BEAST, NOR DEVIL, NOR GOD SHALL CAUSE MY DEATH BY DAY OR BY NIGHT WITH STEEL OR STONE OR WOOD, INDOORS OR OUTDOORS, OR EARTH OR IN SKY. GRANT ME UNDISPUTED LORDSHIP OVER THE WORLD". BRAHMA AGREED AND HIRANYAKASHIPU GOT HIS DEATH WISHES GRANTED. THUS HE BECAME PRACTICALLY IMMORTAL. AFTER SECURING SUCH A BOON HIRANYAKASHIPU CONQUERED THE WORLDS AND BECAME A TYRANT. HE BANNED ALL POOJAS ON VISHNU AND DECLARED HIMSELF AS GOD. THE DEVTAS APPROACHED LORD VISHNU FOR HELP. LORD VISHNU ASKED THEM TO BE PATIENT AND SAID, "HIRANYAKASHIPU' S SON PRAHLAD IS A DEVOTEE OF ME. WHEN HIRANYAKASHIPU SEEKS TO KILL MY DEVOTEE I WILL SLAY HIM." HIRANYAKASHIPU'S WIFE KAYADHU GAVE BIRTH TO PRAHLAD IN THE ASHRAMA OF NARADA WHO TOLD PRAHLAD ABOUT THE GLORY OF LORD VISHNU. PRAHLAD GREW UP AND BECAME AN ARDENT DEVOTEE OF VISHNU. HIRANYAKASHIPU, HOWEVER, WANTED HIS SON TO BE THE KING OF THE ASURAS, STRONG AND RUTHLESS. REALISING THAT PRAHLAD ALWAYS PRAYED TO LORD VISHNU, HIRANYAKASHIPU TOOK HIS SON TO SHANKU AND AMARKA, THE SONS OF SHUKRACHARYA, FOR SCHOOLING. ALL THEIR EFFORTS TO INFLENCE PRAHLAD FAILED. HIRANYAKASHIPU ORDERED HIS SERVENTS TO KILL PRAHLAD IF HE REFUSED TO ACCEPT THE SUPREMACY OF HIS FATHER. THEY TRIED TO KILL HIM BY THROWING DOWN A MOUNTAIN, DROWNING, POISONING, BURNING ETC. AND FAILED IN ALL ATTEMPTS SINCE LORD VISHNU SAVED HIM FROM ALL THE ATTEMPTS. THE KING GOT ANGRY ON HEARING THE REPORTS ABOUT PRAHLAD. ONE DAY THE KING CHALLENGED HIS SON IN THE OPEN COURT: "PRAHLAD! IS MY ENEMY, WHOM YOU WORSHIP, PRESENT ANYWHERE HERE?". PRAHLAD REPLIED, "VISHNU IS OMNIPRESENT. THERE'S NOT A SINGLE PLACE WHERE HE'S NOT FOUND." HIRANYAKASHIPU'S FURY WAS AT ITS CLIMAX. HE GOT AN IRON PILLAR HEATED AND ASKED PRAHLAD, "CAN YOU EMBRACE THIS PILLAR IF YOUR VISHNU IS IN IT ALSO?" PRAHLAD DID NOT HESITATE EVEN FOR A MOMENT BUT RUSHED TOWARDS THE PILLAR AND EMBRACED IT. THE HEATED IRON DID NOT BURN HIM. THE KING GOT UP FROM HIS THRONE IN FURY AND HIT THE PILLAR WITH HIS MACE. AND TO HIS SURPRISE! THE PILLAR CRACKED WITH A THUNDERING SOUND AND VISHNU APPEARED THERE IN THE FORM OF NARASIMHA. ONE HALF OF HIS BODY WAS OF A LION AND THE OTHER HALF OF A MAN. HE HAD MATTED HAIR ON HIS HEAD, LARGE MOUSTACHES ON THE FACE AND TERRIBLE TEETH IN THE MOUTH. HIS PAWS HAD TERRIBLE NAILS ON THEM. HIRANYAKASHIPU REMEMBERED HIS FIRST DEATH WISH, "TO BE KILLED BY SOME ONE WHO IS NEITHER HUMAN NOR BEAST." IT WAS ALSO THE TWILIGHT HOUR, NEITHER DAY NOR NIGHT, THE SECOND DEATH WISH. THE DEMON KING HIT NARASIMHA WITH HIS MACE BUT NARASIMHA BRUSHED IT ASIDE SWIFTLY. IT WAS TWILIGHT AND NARASIMHA CAUGHT HOLD OF THE DEMON HIRANYAKASHIPU. HE SAT ON THE THRESHOLD OF THE COURT ROOM, PLACED THE BODY OF THE DEMON ON HIS THIGHS, AND PIERCED HIS NAILS INTO THE BODY OF THE DEMON AND BROKE OPEN HIS STOMACH. THE DEMON WAS KILLED ON THE SPOT IN A MOMENT. THE PLACE WAS NEITHER INSIDE NOR OUTSIDE. THIS WAS HIRANYAKASHIPU’S THIRD DEATH WISH. LORD NARASIMHA WAS FURIOUS AND ROARED. HOWEVER, HE WAS PASSIFIED WHEN PRAHLAD TOUCHED HIS FEET AND GODDESS LAKSHMI ALSO TRIED TO COOL HIM. LORD NARASIMHA THEN MADE PRAHLAD THE KING . THE MAIN TEMPLES OF LORD NARASIMHA IN KERALA ARE AT ALLEPPEY, THURAVOOR AND TELLICHERRY

[krsna]

TODAY IS THE APPEARANCE DAY OF LORD NRSIMHADEVA.

 

It is called Nrsimha-chaturdasi. So I am so pleased that within such a short time these boys have nicely learned how to play, and especially I have to thank Mr. Hiranyakasipu. (applause) (laughs) Mr. Hiranyakasipu has played his part very nicely.

 

So this is a very instructive struggle between the atheist and the theist. This story of Prahlada Maharaja is eternally true. There is always a struggle between the atheist and the theist. If a person becomes God conscious, Krsna conscious he will find many enemies because the world is full of demons. What to speak of the devotee of Krsna, even Krsna, when He personally came, He had to kill so many demons.

 

Nobody can kill God. The demons, godless society, they simply want to kill God. But actually, God is never killed, but the demon is killed by God. That is the law of nature. This is the instruction from Prahlada Maharaja's life. The atheist and the theist will never agree, but the theist never will submit to the atheist. This is the principle. Prahlada Maharaja was put into so many troubles by his father, but he never forgot to chant om namo bhagavate vasudevaya. He never forgot. We should take lessons from this story that even in a dangerous position, we should not be forgetful of Krsna. Krsna will save us.

 

Krsna consciousness is so nice that if one gets Krsna consciousness any other benefit or gain is never considered. We are hankering after getting so many things, but as soon as you get Krsna consciousness, you will be satisfied. Prahlada Maharaja was offered all benediction but he never asked for anything. That is the example of a Vaisnava son in the family. Despite so much troubles given by his father, still, he begged from Nrsimhadeva, “My Lord, my father has committed so many offenses. Kindly give him liberation.” He did not ask anything for himself. So Narahari, Nrsimhadeva, immediately said, “Why do you speak of your father? Your father’s father, his father, fourteen generations are all liberated because a son like you is in this family.” This is the benefit. If a son becomes a pure Vaisnava he can deliver fourteen generations. If we become devotee we can give the best service to the nation, the family and to humanity.

 

Our Krsna consciousness movement is preaching this philosophy that “You take to Krsna consciousness; your life will be perfect.” And the method is very simple. Our mantra, Hare Krsna, is open to everyone. Why it should be secret? If by chanting Hare Krsna mantra we can approach God, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, why it should remain secret? It should be distributed like anything. In this age meditation, sacrifices, worship in the temple.etc. are impossible to be performed, but even a child can chant Hare Krsna maha-mantra, even an old man can take part. So this is the only method for God realization. There is no expenditure, but the gain is very, very great. That was the teaching of Sri Prahlada Maharaja, and we are following his footsteps. Let us stick to his principle, accepting whatever progressive path the mahajanas advocate and thus become more and more advanced in Krsna consciousness.

Thank you very much.

 

(Class by Srila Prabhupada 5/5/1974)

 

O my Lord, full of six opulences, O Supreme Person! O Supreme Soul, killer of all miseries! O Supreme Person in the form of a wonderful lion and man, let me offer my respectful obeisances unto You.

 

(Srila Prahlada Maharaja SB 7.10.10)