Search:
Bhakti List Archives

Sri Narasimha avathaaram

From the Bhakti List Archives

Madhavkkannan, Vasudevan • April 28, 1999 


Sri:

Dearest Sisters and Brothers,

On this great day of Sri Nrisimha Jayanthi, we are blessed with the
excellent post from Sri Muralidhar. 

AdiyEn's reverent submittal at the Lotus Feet of the Most Ferocious
and Most compassionate Sri Narasimhan. 

Oh Prahalada, if He is there everywhere, why is He not here- present
in this pillar? Let me cut your head and let me see how your most 
worshippable Lord comes to protect you. With terrible anger,
hiraNyakasipu struck his fist against the pillar. 

THERE APPEARED FROM THE PILLAR, CAME A fierceful sound,
which appeared to crack the covering of the universe. It reached even the
abodes of Brahma. Demigods thought the planets are getting destroyed.

HiraNyakasipu studied the form of the Lord:

It was extremely fearsome, because of His angry eyes, like molten gold, 
shining mane, which added ferocity to the face, His deadly sharp teeth,
His razor sharp tongue, the erect ears, the cave like nostrils and the
mouth,
slightly parted jaws, the whole body so huge that it touched the sky, short
neck and thick, broad chest, thin waist and the body hairs like the rays
of moon. Long arms spread in all directions; 

Just a small insect falls forcefully into the fire, the insignificant
creature
becomes invisible, HiraNyakasipu attacked the Lord, who was
full of effulgence. Like Garuda plays with the snake by slowly releasing
and again catching, the Lord left him a little by letting him come back 
to fight; HiraNyakasipu thought he is winning. 

Making a huge noise, shrill sound of laughter, the Great Lord Sri Narasihmam
who is extremely strong and powerful, captured HiraNyakasipu, and with the 
great speed, He hit him on the strong chest. With great speed, HiraNyakasipu
was tossed sometimes in the sky and sometimes in the earth, he kept his eyes

closed because of fear of the Lord and His laughter.

Lord Sri Narasingan placed HiraNyakasipu on His lap supporting him with
His thighs, in the doorway, at twilight and effortlessly and very easily
tore open the demon to pieces with His sharp nails. (Sri Gerald Surya nicely

mentioned about the strength of His nails). 

Lord Sri Narsimhan's mouth and mane were sprinkled with blood, His
fearsome, fierce eyes, full of anger, were just impossible to look at.
Licking the edge of the mouth with his tongue, simply threw the body aside.

Manifesting a full effulgence, He roamed in the corridors, being very 
angry. He sat down on the assembly hall on the throne. No one, out of fear
could dare come near. 

Brahma requested Prahalada, Sri Narasimham is extremely angry and fearsome
 at Your father. Please go to Him and only You can appease Him. He 
appeared only for You. (Brahma is very scared; because he only had
granted such a boon to HiraNyakasipu). Prahalada gradually (not at
all scared of the Lord) went to Him and fell down flat to pay His
obeisance with folded hands. The Lord (with angry eyes) looked
with great dayA and compassion to Prahalada (what a combination!
Only he can have such fierceful, merciful eyes simultaneously)

He became ecstatic to see His devotee and placed His Lotus Hand
on the head of Prahalada. Prahalada became completely freed of all
contamination (if any existed), and his heart was full of Parama bhakti.

(Reference Srimad Bhagawatham, 7th Canto, Chapters 7-10)

Although the Lion is very ferocious, it is very kind to her cubs.
Although fearsome, and fierceful (to HiraNyakasipu- non devoted
People), Sri Narsimhan is very kind and merciful to devotees.

Swami Desikan's Kaamaasikaashtakam (slOka 8):

Oh Narasimhaa! You are sarva sakthan. When You have decided
to protect someone, is there any need to look for someone else?
And should You decide Not to save one, is there anyone who can 
save him at all? Realising that, I surrender to You Lotus Feet only.

(LET US PLACE OUR HEADS AT HIS LOTUS FEET TOO AND 
SURRENDER!)

Sri Lakshmi Nrusimha ParabrahmaNe Nama:

Narayana Narayana

Narayana dAsan