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("man-lion") (also spelt as ''Narasingh'', ''Narasinga'') (नरसिंह in form by a significant number of Vaishnava groups throughout India (especially in the South ) and is primarily known as the 'Great Protector', being a form of Vishnu who specifically defends and protects his devotees in times of need. Steven J. Rosen, ''Narasimha Avatar, The Half-Man/Half-Lion Incarnation'', p5 SCRIPTURAL BACKGROUND References to Narasimha are found in a wide variety of the Puranic scriptures, with seventeen versions of the main narrative Steven J. Rosen, ''Narasimha Avatar, The Half-Man/Half-Lion Incarnation'', p1 , some in more detail than others. The Bhagavata Purana (Canto 7), Agni Purana (4.2-3), Brahmanda Purana (2.5.3-29), Vayu Purana (67.61-66), Harivamsa (41 & 3.41-47), Brahma Purana (213.44-79), Vishnudharmottara Purana (1.54), Kurma Purana (1.15.18-72), Matsya Purana (161-163), Padma Purana (Uttara-khanda 5.42), Shiva Purana (2.5.43 & 3.10-12), Linga Purana (1.95-96), Skanda Purana 7 (2.18.60-130) and Vishnu Purana (1.16-20) all contain depictions of the Narasimha pastime. There is also a short reference in the Mahabharata (3.272.56-60) and an Upanishad (''Narasimha tapani Upanisad'') named in reference to him. Narasimha and Prahlada , as Prahlada and his mother bow before Lord Narasimha]] The story of Narasimha as described in the Bhagavata Purana is as follows: In his previous avatar of ( Varaha ), Vishnu killed a Rakshasa known as Hiranyaksha . Hiranyaksha's brother Hiranyakashipu , greatly angered by this, started to abhor Lord Vishnu and His followers. To which end he decides to attempt to kill Vishnu by gaining Mystical powers, which he believes Brahma , the chief among the Devas will award to him if he undergoes many years of great austerity and Penance . This initially seems to work as planned with Brahma becoming pleased by Hiranyakashipu's austerities. Bhag-P 7.4.1 "Lord Brahma was very much satisfied by Hiranyakasipu's austerities, which were difficult to perform" Brahma thus appears before Hiranyakashipu and offers him a boon that he will personally make true anything he wishes for. In reply to which Hiranyakashipu requests the following:
One day whilst Hiranyakashipu was performing austerities at Mandaracala Mountain, his home was attacked by , became affected by the transcendental instructions of the sage even at such a young stage of development. Thus, Prahlada when later growing as a child began to show symptoms of this earlier training by Narada, gradually becoming recognised as a devoted follower of Vishnu, much to his father's disappointment. Bhag-P 7.8.6 Hiranyakashipu eventually becomes so angry and upset at his son's devotion to Vishnu (who he sees as his mortal enemy) that he decides he must kill him Bhag-P 7.8.3-4 "Thus he finally decided to kill his son Prahlada. Hiranyakasipu was by nature very cruel, and feeling insulted, he began hissing like a snake trampled upon by someone's foot." but each time he attempts to kill the boy, Prahlada is protected by Vishnu's mystical power. When asked, Prahlada refuses to acknowledge his father as the supreme lord of the universe and claims that Vishnu is all-pervading and Omnipresent . To which Hiranyakashipu points to a nearby pillar and asks if 'his Vishnu' is in it: "O most unfortunate Prahlada, you have always described a supreme being other than me, a supreme being who is above everything, who is the controller of everyone, and who is all-pervading. But where is He? If He is everywhere, then why is He not present before me in this pillar?" Bhag-P 7.8.12 Prahlada then answers, ''He was, He is and He will be''. In an alternate version of the story, Prahlada answers ''He is in pillars, and he is in the least twig''. Hiranyakashipu, unable to control his anger, smashes the pillar with his mace, and then following a tumultuous sound, Vishnu in the form of Narasimha appears from it and in defence of Prahlada moves to attack his father. In order to kill Hiranyakashipu and not upset the boon given by Brahma , the form of Narasimha was chosen. Hiranyakashipu could not be killed by human, deva or animal, Narasimha is neither one of these, as he is a form of Vishnu incarnate as a part-human, part-animal. He comes upon Hiranyakashipu at twilight (when it is neither day nor night) on the threshold of a courtyard (neither indoors nor out), and puts the demon on his lap (neither earth nor space). Using his nails (neither Animate nor Inanimate ) as weapons, he disembowels and kills the demon. Bhag-P 7.8.29 "ord Nrisimhadeva placed the demon on His lap, supporting him with His thighs, and in the doorway of the assembly hall the Lord very easily tore the demon to pieces with the nails of His hand." Even after killing Hiranyakashipu none of the present demigods were able to calm Narasimha's fury, not even Shiva . So all the gods and goddesses called His consort, the goddess Lakshmi, but she was also unable to do so. Then, at the request of Brahma, Prahlada was presented to Narasimha, and finally, he was calmed by the prayers of his devotee. Bhag-P 7.9 Based on this story it is believed by followers that Narasimha protects his sincere devotees when they are in cases of extreme danger and there are testimonies of people who were saved by Him to this effect. There is one story in which He saved Adi Sankara from being sacrificed to goddess Kali by a Kapalika. Thus Adi Sankara composed Laksmi -Nrsimha stotra. Sri Nakshmi Nrsimha Karavalamba stotra, by Adi Sankara Bhagawat Pada MODE OF WORSHIP ) during a flood in Mayapur .]] Due to the nature of Narasimha's form (divine anger), it is considered essential that worship is given with a very high level of attention compared to other deities. In many temples only life-long celebates ( Brahmacarya ) will be able to have the chance to serve as priests to perform the daily Puja . Forms where Narasimha appears sitting in a Yogic posture, or with the goddess Lakshmi are the exception to this rule, as Narasimha is taken as being ''more relaxed'' in both of these instances compared to his form when first emerging from the pillar to protect Prahlada. Prayers A number of prayers have been written in dedication to Narasimha avatar. These include:
"Lord Nrsimha is here and also there. Wherever I go Lord Nrsimha is there. He is in the heart and is outside as well. I surrender to Lord Nrsimha, the origin of all things and the supreme refuge." (Narasimha Pranama) Steven J. Rosen, ''Narasimha Avatar, The Half-Man/Half-Lion Incarnation''
"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 wasplike demon Hiranyakasipu has been ripped apart by the wonderful pointed nails on Your beautiful lotus hands." (from the Dasavatara-stotra composed by Jayadeva ) Steven J. Rosen, ''Narasimha Avatar, The Half-Man/Half-Lion Incarnation'' Tvayi Rakshathi Rakshakai: Kim Anyai:, Tvayi Cha Arakshati Rakshakai: Kim Anyai:, Ithi Nischita Dhee: Srayaami Nityam, Nruhareh: Vegavathee Tataasrayam Tvam! "O kamasikha Narasimha! you are ''sarva sakthan''. When You are resolved to protect some one, where is the need to seek the protection of anyone else? When You are resolved not to protect some one, which other person is capable of protecting us?. There is no one. Knowing this fundamental truth, I have resolved to offer my Saranagati at your lotus feet alone that rest at the banks of Vegavathi river." (Kamasika Ashtakam by Vedanta Desika ) Aadi Aadi Agam Karandhu, Isai Paadi Paadi Kanner Malgi, Engum Naadi Naadi Narasinga Endru, Vaadi Vaadum Il Vaazh Noothale! "I will Dance and melt for you within my heart to see you, I will sing in praise of you with tears in joy, I will Search for Narasimha and I am a householder who still Searches to reach you(to attain Salvation)." ( Divya Prabandha ) SYMBOLISM
SIGNIFICANCE Killing Hiranykashyapu by incarnating as Narasihma is one of Vishnu's major exploits. In Indian tradition of festivity this episode is related with s perhaps next only to Rama and Krishna in popularity. Holi One of Hiranyakashipu's attempts to kill Prahlada was to have him sit on a burning Pyre with his sister Holika . Holika had a special gift that prevented her from being harmed by fire. Prahlada chanted Vishnu's name and in the battle of good against evil, Holika was burnt down but nothing happened to Prahlad. The burning of Holika is celebrated as Holi festival in Hinduism indiasite.com "ancient lore trace the roots of this festival to the story of Prahlad" . PLACES OF PILGRIMAGE ]] The main places of pilgrimage associated with Sri Narasimha are those places where the events described above are reputed to have taken place. These are: # Ahobilam # Antarvedi # Chintalvadi # Devarayana Durga # Ghatikachala (Known today as Sholingur, derived from Chola singa oor) # Hemachalam , (Mallooru), Warangal # Kadiri # Mangalagiri # Melkote # Multan , Pakistan # Namakkal # Narasimha Konda , Nellore. # Simhachalam # Savana Durga # Saligrama, Udupi Dist. # Yadagirigutta # Gudha , Rajasthan # KoleNarasimhaPur Islampur Dist Sangli Maharashtra # Parikkal, Tamil Nadu The first seven are located in the present-day state of Andhra Pradesh in India . Namakkal, Ghatikachala and Chintalvadi are located in the state of Tamil Nadu and Devarayana Durga, Savana Durga, Melukote, Saligrama are in Karnataka . TEMPLES DEDICATED TO NARASIMHA in Cambodia.]]
SEE ALSO FOOTNOTES EXTERNAL LINKS
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