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Narasimha Jayanti

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muralidhar rangaswamy • May 12, 1998 


Ahobilam Narasimham Gatva Rama PratapavAn 
NamaskrutvA Sri Nrusimham Astousheeth KamalApatim

Dear Bhaktas,

A few more details pertaining to the Mantraraja Pada Stotram 
became apparent to me after I posted my article yesterday. Therefore, 
I am sharing these additional observations. The structure of the 
Mantra Raja Pada Stotram is remarkable for its masterful use of 
each Aksharam from the extremely powerful Narasimha Mantram. 
In particular, in the opening verse of the Stotram Ahirbudhnyan 
blesses us with the powerful Narasimha Mantram denoting 9 aspects 
of Bhagavan Narasimha. Each aspect is then saluted individually 
at the conclusion of verses 2-10, in the same order of occurence in 
the Narasimha Mantram. This is indicative of Ahirbudhnyan's 
compassion for those who may not be fortunate to receive MantrOpadesham 
of this sacred Mantram. For such individuals merely 
reciting verses 2-10 of the Mantra Raja Pada Stotram confers the 
same benefit as worship offered to Bhagavan Narasimhar through 
the Narasimha Mantram. Perhaps this motivated Swami Desikan to 
follow suit and include the essence of important Mantrams like 
the Sri Lakshmi Mantram in the Sri Stuthi, Sri Hayagriva Mantram 
in the Hayagriva Stotram and the Garuda Mantram in the Garuda 
Panchasat. 

The number 9 is sacred for Bhagavan Narasimhar due to the nine aspects 
of the Narasimha Mantram, the nine salutations (verses 2-10) of the 
Mantra Raja Pada Stotram and the Nava Narasimhas of Ahobilam. 

Aho VIryam Aho Shouryam Aho Bahu ParAkrama:
Narasimham Param Daivam Ahobilam Ahobalam

Sudarshana NarasimhAya Namaha

Namo Narayana,

Muralidhar Rangaswamy

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