Saturday 16 July 2011

!! Narasimha Jayanti !!




Tava Kara-Kamala-Vare Nakham Adbhuta-Sringham
Dalita-Hiranyakashipu-Tanu-Bhringam
Keshava Dhrita-Narahari-Rupa Jaya Jagadisha Hare

Narasimha Jayanti is celebrated to mark the appearance day of Lord Narasimha, the fourth and the greatest incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Vishnu who is the archetype deity of substance took the form of a lion-faced man (Narasimha) to save his staunch devotee Prahlad from the clutches of Hirnakashyapa, his father.
Hirankashyapa who acquired unmatched powers by virtue of severe penance considered himself, unbeatable. He also had a boon from Brahma that no man or animal, neither in day nor in night, neither inside a house nor outside a house can kill him. Under the impression that such a situation is unconceivable, he considered himself all-powerful and equal to Lord Vishnu. He asked everybody to worship him, and not Lord Vishnu. Whoever, either human or Devas tried to disobey him; he made his/ her life miserable. All his evil acts created imbalance in the nature which invited the wrath of Almighty to his peril.
Even though, Prahalad was born to the demon king, he had pristine qualities because when he was in his mother’s womb, one day, Devrishi Narada narrated the stories of Lord Vishnu to his mother which taught him (Prahlad) that Lord Vishnu is always compassionate towards his devotees. That’s the reason; he worshipped Lord Vishnu passionately right from his birth. Consequently, whenever his father tried to harm him, he emerged unscathed.
Similarly, if we connect to the ultimate intelligence, we can overcome all the obstacles of our lives without any denial. Narasimha Jayanti is the day to access the energies of purity and truthfulness that shields us against inner and outer evil forces like jealously, hatred and evil or malicious acts of others towards us.
In the whole event, Hirankashyapa is the symbolic personification of obsessive human ego while Narasimha represents omnipresent cosmic wisdom which enables us to tear apart the veil of ignorance. Since, Narasimha emerged during the Pradosham period; his energies are quite powerful for cleansing karmic impurities.
Lord Narasimha has 74 different forms based on his appearance and the weapon he holds. Out of 74, nine forms are important. But mostly, he is worshipped in two forms only. One is the Ugra Narsimha which depicts the fury after slaying Hirankashyapa. Another is the Laxmi Narasimha which depicts his peaceful form with his consort Laxmi sitting in his lap. In the peaceful form, he is extremely benevolent; always ready to fulfill the wishes of the devotees.
Narsimha Jayanti is celebrated with much pomp and fervor in the Narsimha kshetras (areas) of Andhra Pradesh. The famous temples of Narsimhas are Mangalagiri Paanakala Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temples, Ahobilam Narasimha Swamy Temple, Dharmapuri Yoga Narasimha Swamy, Yadagirigutta Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple, and Simhachalam Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple.
If you are looking for the armor of protection, you should worship the fiery form of Lord Narsimha; it will help you to guard against your egoistic tendencies. The worship of peaceful form of Narsimha helps in gaining lost assets or riches.
Narsimha Jayanti is celebrated on the fourteenth day of bright fortnight of May – June, i.e. Vaisakha Shukla Chaturdasi.
Narsimha Jayanti Tithi
In 2010, Narsimha Jayanti is celebrated on 26th May (Wednesday). The festival is known as Narsimha Chaturdashi too.
Brief Legend
According to Bhagwat Purana, Lord Vishnu when incarnated as Vaman killed the demon king Hiranayaksha. Hiranakashyapa was the brother of Hiranayaksha. He got furious over Lord Vishnu’s act and vowed to take revenge on him. He underwent severe penance and austerities for thousands of years and obtained mystical powers.
Lord Brahma after becoming pleased with his penance granted him a bizarre boon on his wish. According to the boon he cannot be killed by any God or human or an animal, either in day or in night, either inside or outside of a house, either on the earth or in space. Hiranakashyapa thought that such a situation is inconceivable; so, nobody can kill him now. Under the assumption of becoming immortal and the arrogance of mystical powers he started tormenting humans and Devgans. He also declared that he is the only Almighty and everybody should worship him. Whoever did not follow him, he made his/ her life miserable.
He was pleased on the birth of his son Prahalad; but, Prahalad was an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu right from his birth which irritated Hiranakasyapa. He tried to persuade Prahalad to his best to accept him as the Almighty because he possessed all the powers. Prahalad being the pristine soul was not ready to accept the fact because he knew that there was no other Almighty except Lord Vishnu.
When Prahalad did not act as per his father’s wish. Hirankashyapa grew furious and tried to kill him. Hirankashyap’s servants threw Prahalad from the peak of mountains, yet Lord Vishnu saved him. Then, they threw him in the ocean, Lord Vishnu saved him there too. They tried to kill him with the help of fire and snakes, but nothing could harm him. Every time, Prahalad emerged unharmed with the blessings of Lord Vishnu.
One day in the evening, Hirankashyapa had an argument with Prahalad. Hiranakashyapa said to Prahalad, “You say your Vishnu is everywhere, is he there in this pillar.” Prahalad said, “He is there everywhere, he is there in the pillar, he is there in the dust too.” Angered by Prahalad’s remark, Hiranakashyapa took his mace and broke the pillar into two. To his shock, a roaring lion-faced man emerged from the pillar; he was Lord Narasimha, a form of Vishnu.
In bewilderment, Hiranakshyapa hit Narasimha with his mace, but Narasimha brushed it aside swiftly. Attacking Hiranaksahyap, Narasimha caught him with his jaws took him at the door of the room put him over his thigh and tear him apart with his nails; the incident took place in the evening – this was neither daytime nor night. Narasimha overtook all the aspects of the boon granted to Hiranakashyapa by Lord Brahma.
Since, the Lord appeared with all these powers to save his devotee, devotees worship him on the day for the blessings of powers and riches.
Customs and Traditions
On this day, special prayers to the Lord Narasimha are offered during Pradosha period; it is considered very effective. Devotees also offer him Arghya chanting the following mantra:
Parithraynaya Saadhunaam Jaatho Vishnornrikesari,
Gruhnarghyam Maya Dattam SaLakshamirNrihari: swayam.
Many devotees observe fast on the day and offer jaggery and gram to the deity. Some devotees offer alms to the poor. It is believed that whoever observes Narasimha Jayanti reached the abode of gods, Vaikuntha, after death.
Pooja Vidhi with Mantras
Special prayers to Lord Narasimha are the following:
Ugra-Narasimha-Dhyana Mantra

Mimamsamanasya Samutthito 'Grato
Nrisimha-Rupas Tad Alam Bhayanakam
Pratapta-Camikara-Canda-Locanam
Sphurat-Sata-Keshara-Jrimbhitananam
Karala-Damshtram Karavala-Cañcala-
Kshuranta-Jihvam Bhru-Kuti-Bhishanam
Stabdhordhva-Karnam Giri-Kandaradbhta-
Vyattasya-Nasam Hanu-Bheda-Bhishanam
Divi-Sprishat Kayam Adirgha-Pivara-
Grivoru-Vakshah-Sthalam Alpa-Madhyamam
Candamshu-Gauraish Churitam Tanuruhair
Vishvag Bhujanika-Shatam Nakhayudham
Durasadam Sarva-Nijetarayudha-
Praveka-Vidravita-Daitya-Danavam

Prayer to Lord Naraisimha
(With the meaning in English)


Tava Kara-Kamala-Vare Nakham Adbhuta-Sringham
Dalita-Hiranyakashipu-Tanu-Bhringam
Keshava Dhrita-Narahari-Rupa Jaya Jagadisha Hare
(O my Lord Narsimha, Your hands are very beautiful like the lotus flower, but with your long nails you have ripped apart the wasp Hiranyakashipu. Unto You, Lord of the universe, I offer my humble obeisance.)
Narasimha Bija mantra
“Om Kshraum”


(Chanting the Narsimha Bija Mantra is said to remove all sorrows and fears and make one fearsome like a lion.) This is the bija of Narasimha, a very fierce half man half lion incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Ksha is Narasimha, ra is Brahma, au means with teeth pointing upwards, and bindu means dispeller of sorrow.
Ugra Narasimha Maha Mantra

Om Hrim Ksraum Ugram Viram Maha-Vishnum
Jvalantam Sarvato Mukham
Naraisimham Bhishanam Bhadram
Mrityur Mrityum Namamy Aham
(May my head be protected by the moon-coloured one, who is the greatest among humans. My obeisances unto the ferocious and powerful, the great Visnu, the fiery one, who's faces are on all sides, the fearful one, Narasimha, who causes the death of even death personified, (or who can overcome death).
Laxmi Narasimha Maha Mantra

Om AM Hrim Kraum Om Tattaka Hataka-Keshagra-Jvalat-Padoka-Lochana
-Bhadradika Nakha-Sparsha Divya-Simha Nami 'Stu Te
(O my Lord, O transcendental Lion, I offer my obeisances unto you along with Srimati Laxmi Devi. Sometimes, flying in the sky, sometimes moving on foot, your mane-hairs blaze with golden brilliance. Your glance and touch of you nails are the source of all auspiciousness. )
Narasimha Gayatri Mantra

Om Vajranakhaya Vidmahe
Tiksnadamstraya Dhimahi
Tanno Narasimhah Pracodayat

(Om let us meditate the half-man and half-lion form of the Lord Narasimha. May this great God with his nails pierce our ignorance and with his fierce sharp-tooth destroy the demon of darkness and illuminate our mind and understanding.)
Narasimha Aarti
(With the meaning in English)


Namas Te Narasimhaya
(My reverence to You Lord Nrsimha,)

Prahladahlada-Dayine
(who pleased Prahlada Maharaj.)

Hiranyakasipor Vaksah
(who tore Hiranyakasipu's breast,)

Sila-Tanka-Nakhalaye
(stonelike with His nails as chisels.)

Ito Nrsimhah Parato Nrsimho
(Here Lord Nrsimha, there Lord Nrsimha,)

Yato Yato Yami Tato Nrsimhah
(wherever I go, there Lord Nrsimha,)

Bahir Nrsimho Hrdaye Nrsimho
(Outside Lord Narasimha, Lord Nrsimha in the heart,)

Nrsimham Adim Saranam Prapadye
to Narasimha the origin, the highest refuge, I surrender.

Tava Kara-Kamala-Vare Nakham
(Your hand like a beautiful lotus)

Adbhuta-Srngam
(Your nails brilliantly pointed,)

Dalita-Hiranyakasipu-Tanu-Bhrngam
(Ripped apart Hiranyakasipu, his wasp body.)

Kesava Dhrta-Narahari-Rpa
(Kesava Lord of man, took the form of a lion,)

Jaya Jagadisa Hare
(All honor to the Lord of the Universe,)

Jaya Jagadisa Hare,
(All honor to the Lord of the Universe,)

Jaya Jagadisa Hare
(all honor to the Lord of the Universe,)

Jaya Narasimhadeva, Jaya Narasimhadeva.
(All glories to Narasimhadev , all glories to Narasimhadev,)

Jaya Prahlada Maharaja, Jaya Prahlada Maharaja
(All glories to Prahlad Maharaj, all glories to Prahlad Maharaj,)

Sri Naraisimha Pranama
(Sung after arati)
Namas Te Narasimhaya
Prahladahlada-Dayine
Hiranyakashipor Vakshah
Shila-Tanka-Nakhalaye
Ito Nshimhah Parato Nrisimho
Yato Yato Yami Tato Nrisimhah
Bahir Nrisimho Hridaye Nrisimho
Nrisimham Adim Sharanam Prapadye

(I offer my obeisances to Lord Narsimha-deva, who is always giving bliss to His devotees like Prahlada Maharaja and chiselling at the hearts of demons like Hiranyakashipu. The devotee always sees Lord Nrisimha everywhere. Lord Narsimha is within and without. Therefore let us all take shelter of Lord Narisimha.)

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