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Nrusimha Jayanti

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muralidhar rangaswamy • April 29, 1999 


Sri:

SrimatE Gopala Desika MahadeikAya Namaha,

Dear Bhaktas,

For the most sacred occasion of Nrusimha Jayanthi, Adiyen wishes to 
share the Nrusimha RuNa 
Vimochana Stotram verses on this forum.The RuNa Vimochana Stotram is 
contained in the Nrusimha PuraNam. Every individual incurs three kinds 
of debt at birth. These 
are Deva RuNam (debt to the Devas), Rishi RuNam (debt to Rishis) and 
Pitru RuNam (debt to oneÂ’s 
ancestors). These are repaid by offering Havis in Yajnas, performing 
Veda Adhyayanam under great 
masters (sages), and performing TarpaNams and Shraddam, respectively. 
However, these debts are 
so great that they cannot be repaid in oneÂ’s lifetime. The RuNam 
referred to in this Stotram is 
also the bondage arising from oneÂ’s Karma on account of  Samsaric 
association. The RuNa Vimochana Stotram extols the the munificent 
grace of Bhagavan Nrusimha, as a result  of which an individual is 
absolved of these debts. The first eight verses glorify various 
attributes of Bhagavan Nrusimha, each verse ending with the line "Sri 
Nrusimham Mahaveeram Namaami RuNa MuktayE". Verse 9 contains the Phala 
Shruti for this Stotram. The salutations Nrusimham and Mahaveeram have 
their origins in the 
most sacred NrusimhaNushtup Mantram. These salutations are 
marvellously extolled by Ahirbudhnyan in the Mantrarajapada Stotram. 
Vedam glorifies the Padams Nrusimha and Veeram in the following 
salutations.

YatO Veera: KarmaNya: SudakshO Yuktagraavaa JaayatE Devakaama:

Shrungaprotaan Padaa Sprushtvaa Hatvaa Taamagrasat Swayam
Natvaa Cha BahuDhaa Drushtvaa Nrusimha: SwayamudhbhaBhoU



1.  Oh Lord, who incarnated from the pillar in (HiraNyanÂ’s) Sabha  in 
order to successfully accomplish the task of the Devas! Oh supremely 
valorous Bhagavan Nrusimha, salutations to you! Please absolve  me of 
my debts.

Related observations: HiraNyan received a boon from Brahma which 
rendered the task of killing him  extremely  difficult. As a result of 
the power from this boon, HiraNyan persecuted all noble persons 
engaged in worship of the Lord. Devas such as Indra and Rudra were 
powerless to stop HiraNyanÂ’s 
tyranny.  HiraNyanÂ’s atrocities reached their zenith, when he directed 
his ill-gotten power to harm 
his own son, Prahlada, who was a great Bhagavata of Lord Narayana. At 
this juncture, the Lord 
incarnated as Narasimha from the pillar in HiraNyanÂ’s Sabha to rush to 
the succour of his Bhakta. 
In the Dashavatara Stotram, Swami Desikan eulogizes the pillar in 
HiraNyanÂ’s Sabha as the grandmother of Brahma since it housed Lord 
Narayana. This verse pays tribute to Bhagavan Nrusimha, of these 
attributes, who accomplished the task which was beyond all the Devas 
while adhering to every condition of BrahmaÂ’s boon.

2.  Oh Lord seen embracing Mahalakshmi! You grant boons to your 
devotees.  Oh supremely valorous Bhagavan Nrusimha, salutations to 
you! Please absolve me of my debts.

Related observations: This verse contains the condensed essence of our 
sampradayam. First, it 
extols the eternal relationship between Lord Narayana and Periya 
Piratti. Next, it points to Thayar 
who is forever resident in the LordÂ’s Vakshasthalam. As a result of 
this Vishaya VailakshaNyam-
the eternal oneness of the Lord and Sri and His embrace of Piratti, 
Bhagavan Nrusimha begets the 
name Malola. The Pancharatra Agama salutes this eternal oneness as 
"Ekamat Sahachari". Swami 
Desikan echoes the message of the Agama in his Sri Stuti salutation 
"Priya SahacharImaikamatyOpapannaam. 

Granting boons to devotees takes on special significance in this 
context. The reference 
to the eternal relationship between the Lord and Sri preceding the 
Vara Prasadi extols the exalted 
nature of SharaNagati to the LordÂ’s lotus feet. The Purushakaratvam of 
Sri is succinctly stated and 
Her indispensible role in the process of granting SharaNagati is 
wonderfully glorified. Thayar argues on behalf of the supplicant and 
urges the Lord to ignore the supplicantÂ’s sins and bestow his grace.  
 During 
the January 1999 telephone Upanyasam, H.H. Srimad Andavan Swami of 
Srimad Poundarikapuram Ashramam brilliantly expounded on this act of 
extreme compassion of Thayar using PramaaNams from the RamayaNa. The 
act of granting refuge to a supplicant is a Yajna performed by the 
Lord. The term Patni is used exclusively in the context of Yajna. In 
the Yajna of gracing a supplicant, Thayar offers her support as VishNu 
Patni. This aspect is glorified in the NeeLa Sooktam salutation 
Prithivyaa AsyE Shaana JagatO VishNu Patni. The Lord makes no 
distinctions on the basis of caste, wealth, knowledge or other 
accomplishments in granting SharaNagati. Testimony in support of this 
fact is available in the 
Mantrarajapada Stotram salutation "SarvOpiyam SamAshritya Sakalam 
BhadramashNutE", the 
Sri Ranganatha Gadyam salutation "Analochita ViseshAshesha Loka 
SharaNya" and Swami DesikanÂ’s 
Mahavira Vaibhavam salutation "Sakrut Prapanna Jana SamrakshaNa 
Dikshita". As a result of these 
salutations and the LordÂ’s assurances in the salutations "Sambhavami 
YugE YugE", "Yogakshemam 
Vahaamyaham", and the three Charma Shlokams, the Lord is known as 
Achyuta (one who never 
slips in protecting his Devotees).  Of all the Avatarams of the Lord, 
Bhagavan Nrusimha is the only one 
who is seen constantly wearing his Padhukas. This provides further 
testimony in support of the 
terms Achyuta- an indication of the LordÂ’s readiness to rush to the 
help of his devotees.

3.  Oh Lord who bears the Amtramaala! The weapons Shanka (conch) and 
Chakra (Sudarshana) adorn 
your shoulders! Oh supremely valorous Bhagavan Nrusimha, salutations 
to you! Please absolve me of 
my debts.

Related Observations: This verse extols the back-to-back forms of 
Sudarshana and Nrusimha. The 
foremost characteristic of the Sudarshana Chakram is to destroy oneÂ’s 
sins and point a supplicant in 
the direction of the Lord. Sudarshana is the mighty Jwala which forms 
the center of the Kala Anala 
(fire at the end of time). Lord Nrusimha too denotes this mighty Jwala 
as is evident from the Nrusimha 
Gadyam salutation "Kalagni Rudra Simha:". The commonalities between 
Bhagavan Nrusimha and 
Sudarshana have been discussed in the Mantrarajapada Stotram summaries 
which are available in 
the archives.

4.  Oh Bhagavan Nrusimha! Contemplation of you destroys oneÂ’s sins and 
frees one 
from the poison-spitting reptiles. Oh supremely valorous Bhagavan 
Nrusimha, salutations to you! Please absolve me of my debts. 

Related observations: In the Mantrarajapada Stotram Bhagavan Nrusimha 
is extolled as "Yennama 
SmaraNaadbheetaa: BhUta VetaLa Rakshasaa:" Please see the archives for 
a detailed discussion of the Mantrarajapada Stotram salutation. This 
verse echoes the message of the Mantrarajapada 
Stotram salutation. Association with samsara on account of the 
inextricable bondage by the rope of 
Karma is akin to the virulent poison from reptiles.  Bhagavan Nrusimha 
alone is capable of freeing 
an individual from this bondage. "Contemplation on Bhagavan Nrusimha" 
in this 
context reveals the subtle connection to the Ashtakshara Mantram 
message of Hitam, i.e., SharaNagati 
to His Lotus feet paves the way for oneÂ’s salvation.

5.  Oh Bhagavan Nrusimha! Your resounding roar echoing in all 
directions destroys all fears.
Oh supremely valorous Bhagavan Nrusimha, salutations to you! Please 
absolve me of my debts.

Related observations: The roar of Bhagavan Nrusimha is the Simha 
Naada. This Naadam forebodes 
all auspiciousness since it is the condensed essence of the Rks from 
the Rg, Yajus and Saama Vedam. 
Veda Naadam denotes Anishta Nivrutti and Ishta Prapti. The Mahima of 
Bhagavan NrusimhaÂ’s roar 
arises from its association with PraNavam. PraNavam is an emphatic 
declaration of the supremacy of Lord Narayana. It is also indicative 
of the Shuddha Satva aspect of the Lord. Testimony in support of 
this fact can be seen from the Narayana Upanishad salutations 
"NishkaLO NiranjanO NirvikalpO 
NirAkyatha: ShuddhO Deva EkO Narayana: I Na DvitIyOsti Kaschit II" and 
"PratyagAnandam 
Brahma Purusham PraNava Swaroopam" The PraNavam sound echoing in all 
directions proclaims 
the Sarva Rakshakatvam of Bhagavan Nrusimha. Swami Desikan celebrates 
this aspect in the 
KamasikAshtakam salutation "Tvayi Rakshati Rakshakai: Kimanyai: Tvayi 
ChArakshati Rakshakai: Kimanyai:" Swami Desikan provides an exquisite 
description of the LordÂ’s Naadam in the 
Garuda Dandakam salutation "Bamkaara", the Hayagriva Stotram 
salutation "Hala Hala", the 
Mahaveera Vaibhavam salutations "Vepattu Lasya Leelopadesha Desika 
DhaurjyAgOsha", 
"Katuratadatani Tankruti" and the entire Naada Paddhati of the Padhuka 
Sahasram.

6.  Oh Lord of Sri! You graced Prahlada abd destroyed the Asura King 
(HiraNyan). Oh supremely valorous Bhagavan Nrusimha, salutations to 
you!Please absolve me of my debts.

Related observations: This verse extols the Pida Pariharam (for 
Bhaktas) and Pida Pradanam (for 
Dushtas) aspects of Bhagavan Nrusimha. The mention of Prahlada Varadan 
and DaityEshvara 
VidaaraNam in the same line suggests this.  Again the Pida Pariharam 
and Pida Pradanam aspects 
are also attributes of the LordÂ’s Sudarshana Chakram. This offers 
further testimony in support of the 
worship of the back-to-back forms of Sudarshana and Narasimha. It is 
also interesting to note that 
the the constellation of ChakratAzhwar is Chitta and that of Bhagavan 
Nrusimha is Swati. Therefore, 
even in this respect, the Sudarshana Chakram and Bhagavan Nrusimha 
appear consecutively (back-to-back). 

Swami Desikan goes into raptures in the KamasikAshtakam 
while describing the Avatara features of Bhagavan Narasimha. Swami 
Desikan observes that the 
hands of Bhagavan Nrusimha were in competition with each other to 
grace his Bhakta and destroy 
HiraNyan. Swami Desikan also notes that the eyes of Bhagavan Nrusimha 
simultaneously radiated 
compassion for Prahlada and struck terror in the heart of HiraNyan. 
The relevant Kamasikashtakam 
salutation is "Satapatala BheeshaNE SarbasattahasOtpatEhÂ…Â….". 
Ahirbudhnyan succinctly 
glorifies the Avatara Adhbutam of Bhagavan Nrusimha in the verse 
"Naravat SimhavacchaIva 
Rupam Yasya MahAtmana:I Mahaa Satam Mahaa Damshtram Tam Nrusimham 
Namaamyaham II"

6.  Oh Lord you destroy the fears of malefic influences for your 
Bhaktas! Oh supremely valorous Bhagavan Nrusimha, salutations to 
you!Please absolve me of my debts.

Related observations:  Bhagavan Nrusimha shines with great splendour 
and dazzling radiance dispelling 
all darkness caused by ignorance. Malefic influences are Tamasic in 
nature and hence, thrive in 
darkeness. However, when confronted by the fiercest flames and extreme 
luminescence of Bhagavan 
Nrusimha (Jwaala Nrusimhar), these creatures are ruthlessly destroyed. 
This is illustrative of the 
Vedam salutation "TamasOma JyOtirgamayaa". Additionally, Jwala 
Nrusimhar is saluted in the 
Vedam Rk "Savita Prasavitaa DeeptO Deepayan Deepyamaana: Jwalan 
Jwalita Tapan Vitapan 
Santapan RochanO Rochamana: Shobana: Shobamaana: KalyaaNa:"

7.  Oh Lord of Vedas, Vedanta and Yajna! You are saluted with 
reverence by Brahma and Rudra.
Oh supremely valorous Bhagavan Nrusimha, salutations to you!Please 
absolve me of my debts.

Related observations: The first part of this verse is best explained 
by Swami DesikanÂ’s KamasikAshtakam 
salutation "Shruteenaam Uttaram Bhagam". This implies that the Lord is 
beyond the Vedam , the 
Lord is extolled in the final part of the Vedam, i.e., the Upanishads. 
Final part of the Vedam also 
supports the interpretation that the Lord is extolled in the last 
Vedam (AtharvaNa Vedam). Testimony 
in support of this fact can be seen from Swami DesikanÂ’s tribute 
"Tapaneeya RahasyaaNaam". This 
refers to the fact that Bhagavan Nrusimha is extolled in the Purva and 
Uttara Tapaneeya Upanishad 
pertaining to the AtharvaNa Vedam. This verse is also a consummate 
illustration of the Narayana Upanishad salutation "Narayana EvEdagam 
Sarvam"

Yajna aspects of the Lord are covered in the VishNu Sahasranamam 
salutations 971-982 (YajnO Yajna Patir YajvaaÂ…Â….Yajna Guhyam). Yajna 
appearing in this verse also supports the interpretation that the Lord 
is the master of the Yajna of Prapanna Jana RakshaNam. In 
the Mahavira Vaibhavam, Swami Desikan salutes this aspect as "Sakrut 
Prapanna Jana SamrakshaNa 
Deekshita". Shruti extols the Yajna aspect of the Lord through the 
majestic salutation "Eta Asadan
Sukrutasya LokE Taa VishNO Paahi Paahi Yajnam Paahi Yajna Patim 
Pahimaam Yajna NiyaM". 
Rendition of this salutation in Ghanam form is a delight to hear. This 
majestic form of Bhagavan 
Nrusimha is reverentially saluted by Brahma and Rudra.

8.  Those who engage in constant recitation of this Stotram are 
assured of freedom from debt. Having
been absolved of their debt they will soon beget wealth.

Related observations: This verse provides the Phala Shruti for the 
Stotram. This again points to the 
fact that surrender to the LordÂ’s lotus feet (SharaNagati) frees the 
supplicant from the endless cycle of birth and death and paves the way 
for Divya Sampath (Nitya Kaimkaryam to Lord Narayana at His 
pleasure and for His pleasure). This verse illustrates the fact that 
surrender to the LordÂ’s lotus feet 
(Narayana Sayujyam) results in SaarUpyam Saameepyam and Saalokyam for 
the supplicant. 
"Narayana SayujyamavApnOti, Narayana SayujyamavApnOti" is the Narayana 
Upanishad 
slautation which describes the act of surrender to His lotus feet.

Sri Lakshmi Nrusimha ParabrahmaNE Namaha,

Namo Narayana,

Muralidhar Rangaswamy



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