Nrsimhavatara
Day 4, July 27, Nrsimhavatara
Mata Narasimha, Pita Narasimha
Bratha Narasimha, Sakha Narasimha
Vidyaa Narasimha, Dravinam Narasimha
Swami Narasimha, Sakalam Narasimha
Jai Bolo Narasimha Swami Ki Jai !
Mother is Narasimha. Father is Narasimha. Brother is Narasimha. Friend is Narasimha. Knowledge is Narasimha. Wealth is Narasimha. My Lord is Narasimha. Everything is Narasimha. Narasimha Swami is protecting all those who trust and pray Him. Until now, in Kurma incarnation, we spoke about the Jnana Narayana swami, Yoga Narayana swami and Veda Narayana swami. We spoke about the incident in which Matsya Swami rescued the Vedas - jnana, knowledge. In Varaha incarnation we spoke about Varaha Swami protecting earth. Varaha is a big form. We may or may not comprehend. We want *** to come closer and protect each person individually. When *** does something for the whole of humanity, we question how does it benefit me individually? Is there any incarnation that happened to save only one devotee?
Listening to only one devotee prayer, Vishnu incarnated as Narasimha to protect Prahalada. Narasimha Swami is a great Yogi. He is protecting all, and He particularly incarnated to uplift devotion. Narasimha Swami can be called as Bhakti Narayana Swami. Irrespective of how many names you call Him with, calling Him as Prahalada Varada makes Him satisfied. Narasimha Swami is mandatorily accompanied by Prahalada in all His sacred places, irrespective of Narada’s presence. Prahalada is such a small child, not educated also. Once all boys were chanting mantras, but a small boy did not know them, he went to his mother and told I don’t know mantras how should I pray ***? Mother told son, I taught the alphabets, go and recite them. The small child happily recited it in the divine presence of ***. Verily, there is so much hidden secret in this. Tattva is hidden in the way shown by mother. All the mantras contain nothing but these very alphabets. Small child prayed *** with such alphabets and got blessed. What can we talk about the *** Who incarnated for one small child? Wealth, education, ***, and everything is Narasimha. Surrender completely to Narasimha. We all are associated with the Datta Peetham and are devotees of Sri Swamiji. We must proudly say Sri Swamiji’s house deity is Lakshmi Narasimha Swami. It is very special that we are talking about Narasimha Swami.
In Mysore the Narasimha Swami idol has been sculpted by sculptor Jakkanacharya. Sri Swamiji has installed the idol with other Panchayatana Gods, saying that this is His worship place. Many devotees came forward to build a big temple for this Narasimha Swami but Sri Swamiji refused because, Narasimha Swami appeared in Sri Swamiji’s vision and asked Sri Swamiji to consecrate Him here.
ito narasimha parato narasimho yato yato yami tato Narasimha…sharanam prapadye.
Narasimha swami is here, there, and everywhere because He is also present in your heart. He is omnipresent. He is sarvantaryami - the inner ruler of everything. In this world, I don’t know anything other than Narasimha Swami. I surrender to Narasimha Swami.
Jai Bolo Lakshmi Narasimha Swami Ki Jai
Narasimha swami’s is maha Yogi. His devotion done either knowingly or unknowingly gives us yogam - blessings. His sitting posture is similar to the Ayappa Swami sitting posture. Mere chanting of Narasimha Narasimha Narasimha will remove all your difficulties, pains, and enemies. Chanting of His name is enough. This is taught to us by Prahalada. While you are on the move chanting Narasimha Narasimha Narasimha, He follows you uninvited. Will you call the person who is standing nearby you. Merely remembering Him is sufficient. No need to call Him. Narasimha Swami is practical proof of many Vedic mantras. Narasimha Swami is enveloping both the inner and outer worlds. The entire tattva of Swami is depending on the name Vasudeva. Krishna was called affectionately Vasudeva in His incarnation, but in reality it is the name of the Paramatma. He has created the entire creation, He entered His own creation. He is inside us and outside also. He knows this truth, but we are ignorant of this truth.
In the Kruta eon meditation, in Treta eon Yagna, in Dwapara eon pujas, and in Kali eon remembrance are the prevalent forms of *** worship. The changes in the modes of worship can be attributed to the degrading strength of man from time to time. In Kali eon, mere remembering of *** will give the same fruit as gained by the persons for their worship in the previous eons. Narasimha Swami likes remembering Him the most.
We spoke about the special meaning of “Narayana”. Pranams are done by Yati’s only to the mother who gave birth, Universal mother, and Sadguru. The deed of pranams done by Yati’s to any other person is fruitless. All the pranams offered to them are in turn offered by them to Narayana. As the Nigamas say, chanting of Narayana will ward away all the sins. I have practiced the chanting of Narayana as ordained by Vedas, so please protect and save me Narayana. Chanting of Divine names constantly is good for mind, intellect and environment. And the world will recognize you as a person who constantly chants the Divine names.
Due the grace of *** and Nama smarana, your words will be true. Nama smarana will bestow you with fame, position in society, respect, and all the goodies in this mortal world along with goodies in other worlds also. Teach Nama smarana to your children and make this a habit to them. You must make children understand that chanting of film stars name is futile, instead chant the name of the *** who made these stars and has the capability to change your starts - planetary positions. He is not a super star, but the supreme star. Nama smarana provides us the merit which comes with us after we leave the mortal body and blesses us with Atma uddharan - Self redemption, and this is what we precisely need. Our Vedas and scriptures shower on us their immense kindness. Irrespective of how you chant His name, be it in a moody way, in a friendship way, with love and affection, thinking Him as a relative, and out of fear, He will bless you.
Hiranyakashipu constantly chanted Narayana’s name with hatred and still got liberation. Devotees may forget *** but the non - orthodox people will never forget ***. There was big conference of non- orthodox people conducted. The person who chaired the conference concluded the program saying, with ***’s grace the conference went off very well. What kind of non-orthodox conference is this? *** is ever present. He will make you chant His name. Who should tell you to chant His name? He will make you chant! Your continuous chanting of His name will not enhance His fame or greatness. Whether you chant His name or not, He remains without any change. Continuously chanting His name is benefitting to us. Some people are doubtful whether we can also get liberation the Hiranyakashipu way. Many are of the wrong opinion that practicing devotion is harder than practicing hatred. Actually it is the other way around. No, hating *** is not that easy, you have to hate him 24 X 7, without a break. Hiranyakashipu searched for Vishnu in everything, in food, in visitors etc. He would remember Hari at all times but in a hating way. It is said in Vishnu Puana that Hiranyakashipu searched Hari outside everywhere, but did not search for Hari inside his heart. So Hari hided in his heart, but Hiranyakashipu always constantly remembered Hari. All the time he would remember Hari with hatred.
As a matter of fact we want to worship Hari with love and affection and not with hatred, we don’t want choice here. We must never abuse or hate *** and Vedas. On the later times, with His grace, we will be made to realize the truth about *** and Vedas and then we will have to undergo unnecessary repentance. Many people abuse *** in anger or sorrow, but *** will make them realize their mistake. The love on *** is inherent inside you like a small fire. One day the small fire will grow big and make you realize your mistake. You are questioning whether *** will pardon me for this abusive act? This very question is the proof that He has pardoned you, and hence you are asking this question. This is the secret and His grace. May *** surely bless all of us with ability of not abusing parents, ***, Guru, and Vedas.
Many times Sri Swamiji has told us that He sees Narasimha Swami in Dattatreya Swami and Dattatreya Swami in Narasimha Swami. Yesterday, when Lord Dattatreya was decorated with Varaha incarnation, I was doubtful of the airflow to Datta because of the snout of Varaha swami. In the invitation cards, the next day decoration was printed as Vamana’s incarnation, so the priest ordered the decorative materials for the Vamana incarnation. The priest expressed his doubt of how the taila abhishekam would be done to Datta on Sunday because on Sunday Datta would be decorated with Narasimha decoration. I was wondering that the Narasimha incarnation should have come on Saturday and not on Sunday. I did not disclose this to the priest. If instructed all would have been ready. See this divine play of Lord. Today in morning, the priest informed me about Vamana incarnation decoration to Datta, and tomorrow’s Narasimha incarnation decoration to Datta. I said yes, today all morning Datta will be in Vamana incarnation breathing comfortably, and will get decorated as Narasimha incarnation in the evening as He incarnated in the evening. We must see Narasimha in Datta because from the padas - foot to the belly He is in the form of Brahma. From belly to neck He is in the Vishnu form. And from neck to head He is in Rudra form. He is enveloped by Shivam - auspiciousness. At all places where He is remembered, auspiciousness will prevail. It means we are auspicious forms now. He has made us auspicious. He is filling bliss inside us. Auspiciousness is all around Him. Narasimha Swami takes auspicious form for the benefit of the worshippers. Worshipers could not see, understand and comprehend on His Nirguna form. Hence they pleaded him that they need an adharam - repository to understand His tattva. It is true that the Nirguna Brahman took form and came down to earth to protect Prahalada, but also to bestow the upasana siddhi – gaining attainment through worship or practice. He took the idol form to bless the devotees. In Mahabharata Narasimha Swami tattva is told. He took the ferocious form which not only the humans but all the three worlds shook with fear.
Narasimham vapuh krutva yas trilokya bhayamkaram
Hiranyakashipum jaghne Tasmai simhatmane namaha.
Jai Bolo Narasimha Swami Ki Jai
The Narasimha swami incarnation happened at the time where half day meets half night- at twilight time. The incarnations of Matsya, Kurma, Varaha, and Narasimha are called Sadyojāta and Swayambhu – Self manifested incarnations. These incarnations happened with His Icchā - power of will. These incarnations bestowed benefit to the worlds immediately after incarnating, without consuming much time. Narasimha was not born, or grown up, but He directly incarnated fully prepared and protected His devotee. Narasimha Swami did not take as much time as Matsya incarnation. It means *** is getting closer to human beings. Narasimha Swami incarnated as half human and half lion there by subtlety messaging us the essence of His incarnation, to remove the violence from our minds. Lion removes the violent feelings. Lion is written as “SIMHA-lion” when it is written from backwards in Sanskrit, then it becomes “HIMSA - violence”. Mother goddess’s vehicle is lion. She is conveying subtlety that She removes violence from our minds. For the same reason Vishnu incarnated as Narasimha form.
In Vishnu purana, Narasimha Swami is being prayed
Namaste pundarikaksha Namaste purushottam, Namaste Sarvalokatman Namaste Tigmachakrine, Namaste vasudevaya Namaste karunakara Namaste Vishwaroopaya Namaste Sarvamurtaye.
Narasimha swami incarnation gives darshan in all puranas and stories. In Vishnu epic it is told that Narasimha swami has protected and did upadesha to Prahalada, and pardoned Hiranyakashipu. Even though in their opinion Narasimha Swami killed Hiranyakashipu, they highlighted it as a blessing more than killing. The fruit of listening to Narasimha Swami charita is also told. Before going to sleep we must ponder on our today activities and evaluate our actions as good or bad. We must pray and make a determination that bad deeds will not be repeated and good deeds will be repeated. We must not postpone this activity. We must not increase our luggage, but finish it off on daily basis. The accumulated sins will do us no good. The sins should be cleaned on daily basis. Then we can happily and easily travel in our life journey without luggage. The travel should be easy, comfortable, and not risky. The merit of listening to the Narasimha incarnation story removes the sins earned on that day. The full moon day and no moon day are important days. On purnima day the thoughts in our mind run wild so it is very important to do Nama smarana of ***. This is the secret. This is why in schools in Sri Lanka the purnima and no moon day are declared as holidays. They don’t have the weekend holiday system. We are yet to realize this secret. Sri Swamiji conducts Pavamana Homa on every purnima day for the same reason. Pavamana homa means remembering *** Vayu-the father of Lord Hanuman. Those who remember Narasimha Swami on purnima, amavasya, ashtami, or on daily basis, their sins done on that day are vanquished, and will be saved just as Prahalada is saved. The purnima, amavasya, and ashtami days have special importance. Narasimha Swami is called “dosha hare - remover of sins”. The merit of chanting His name will remove the diseases like fits, destructs sorrows, and slays your enemies.
The poet Krishna kavi in Venkatanagadipati stotra is praying like this. On seeing Prahalada, Narasimha Swami wanted to be friends with him. Grace and kindness are big words, but see how practical this is. Narasimha Swami wanted to do friendship with Prahalada. In order to protect Prahalada, Narasimha Swami was animated and wanted to do friendship with him and He was born in a pillar in the evening. Narasimha Swami removed the ego of the demon by killing him with His bare hands to comply with His boons. Here Venkateshwara Swami is being prayed
Narasimha incarnation is a strange incarnation. Narasimha Swami has shown His divine play in this incarnation. It is difficult to believe this form. The leelas of Sadguru and *** are difficult to understand. Only those who have complete devotion and faith in *** will understand His leelas and the tattva. Listening to this story also will cultivate devotion in us. According to Vishnu purana, Narasimha Swami incarnated to save Prahalada, pardoned Hiranyakasipa, and went back to His abode Vaikuntha. As per this story, Hiranyakasipa was not killed.
Today, let us speak about this story as per the Bhagavatam version. There are total of 12 chapters in Bhagavatam and a special importance is given to Prahalada story in it by Sage Vyasa. When we speak about devotion, Prahalada comes to mind immediately. He teaches us devotion. Let us all remember Prahalada, Druva, and Alarka who have worshipped and done spiritual practice in their childhood. This devotion in childhood is essentially due to the predispositions of their previous births. They are called Bhagavatottamas – the best in devotion. They have given us the secrets of devotion. Let us remember all of them. Bhagavatulu are those devotees who have full faith in ***. Prahalada is the best among them. Prahalada, Narada, Parashara, Pundarika, Vysa, Ambareesha, Sukha, Shounaka, Bheeshma, Dalbhayan, Rukmaangada, Arjuna, Vasistha, Vibhishana. Among all these, Prahalada is given the first place.
Sometimes there is confusion in mind, whether the story of Narasimha Swami incarnation, named as Prahalada charitra or Narasimha charitra. Prahalada has earned such status with his devotion.
During Varaha incarnation, we spoke about the curse like boon given by Vishnu to his gatekeepers Jaya and Vijaya. Vishnu said, “be my enemies for three births, hate me, and come back to me after I *** you in these births". Jaya & VIjaya during these three births became Hiranyakasipa and Hiranyaksha, Ravana and Kumbhakarna, Shishupala and Dantavakra.
During the last discourse, we understood about Varaha and how Varaha Swami killed Hiranyaksha. Now, Vishnu is about to incarnate as Narasimha Swami to *** Hiranyakasipa. After the killing of Hiranyaksha, Diti, the mother of Hiranyaksha is weeping near his body. Hiranyakasipa seeing his mother weeping, teaches Vedanta to his mother and along with Vedanta, he tells the story of a bird couple. A hunter laid a trap for the birds. The female bird fell in the trap. Seeing this, the male bird wept. Meanwhile the hunter seized the opportunity and caught the male bird also. In this way, the hunter caught the bird couple. Hiranyakasipa further tells to his mother that one should not repent over the dead ones. One should do all the necessary ritual as stipulated by shastras and then move on in life. He says it is important to understand the tattva of time. Hiranyakasipa also tells his mother the story told by Yama.
Hearing all this, we get doubt possessing so much vedantic knowledge why did Hiranyakasipa trouble Prahalada so much. Because being knowledgeable is different from practicing the knowledge and then gaining experience from such practice. Vedanta is not just to be read but it is to be experienced. When reading Vedanta we must practice what we are reading. Similarly, in devotion while we are listening, our mind and intellect should travel to that place. Many people cry while listening to the devotional stories, some shiver with happiness, and to some it is hair raising experience. It means that listeners are deeply involved in the story. When we listen like this, our blood pressure is controlled, sins are washed away, the body is purified, our mind gains peace, and atman is happy and peaceful. Mere listening is not purposeful. When mind is stable, in concentration mode, all the sense organs get recharged, and revitalized.
Hiranyakasipa is a scholar, but he did not experience such scholarship. It is said “knowledge comes but wisdom lingers", it means knowledge should be practiced to gain experience. Just being a bookworm is not helpful. Only experience can give you involvement, just as the practicals are done in physics and for MBBS students. Imagination will not help here. We must comprehend and dwell in the Vedanta to the extent that, that Vedanta and you are inseparable. There should be no "I". Only then, Vedanta is understood. Unlike Hiranyakasipa, some people have not studied much but they have comprehended on the topic and dwelled in it to an extent that experience shoots up inside them. In education also, students must try to understand what they are reading. There are subjects when one only needs to memorize, but that is not the case most of the time. Formulas needs to be mugged up, but the understanding of the formula is very important. We must try to understand that until we experience it, this is important.
*** has given two ears, to use them fully for listening, and let that flow go and dissolve in the heart which is the residence of Goddess Saraswati. *** has intentionally given us one tongue there by telling us to speak only truth. Understand what you read, practicing what is understood is more important than just reading. Implementation is done for what we have understood. Hence the principle “Do what you say and say what you do". Practice at least 90% if not 100% to get closer to Sadguru or ***.
Hiranyakasipa did a severe penance to avoid the type of death that his brother had. If we fully trust *** with devotion then His fullest blessing will shower on us. With His blessings, all the goods in the world will rain on us. When Sadguru asks you, what do you want? We must ask for His fullest blessing to prevail on us forever. Then the rest will automatically come. However, despite so much severe penance, Hiranyakasipa did not understand this. His penance did not bestow correct knowledge on him. He asked small things. Hiranyakasipa asked *** to bestow on him a boon of living forever with this mortal body. This is not possible for Brahma- the first living being in the creation, yet Hiranyakasipa wanted this boon. Hiranyakasipa’s desire was against the law of nature. His penance did not make his mind think about possibility and impossibility.
Varaha Swami killed Hiranyaksha. Seeing this, Hiranyakasipa asked Brahma to give a boon where his death does result from humans, demi-Gods, demons, animals, and death should not occur at any time be it day or night, but forgot to mention the twilight time. Hiranyakasipa never did Sandhya Vandanam. Brahma granted the boon. Brahma at the same time pondered what form Sri Vishnu would take to *** Hiranyakasipa. Vishnu can do anything in any way He wants to. When we think something is over, then He can do it in another way. If He orders, earth will rain on sky and not the other way. Will this happen? Yes, it will if He orders. Water thrown upward has to come down. It is the law of gravity but He can defy the law of gravity also. His wish. He can make the water thrown upward go further upwards. In Bhagavat Gita, purshottama prapti yogam, the ocean is compared to a tree, which has roots upward and leaves downwards. We must have full faith in His abilities. He can do anything. Being devotees, for us also, there is nothing impossible. We must believe this in mind that for ***, nothing is impossible. *** also will fill such confidence in your heart. Hiranyakasipa asked the boon keeping in view all the living beings in the current creation, but little did he know that a new form is about to incarnate by Lord Vishnu and things would have been different maybe.
We must enter in Vedanta only with full faith in ***, because the peculiar explanations and definitions in Vedanta will generate a lot of confusions in us. We must not stop at doubts but pursue our journey through Vedanta. Only then we will attain siddhi. Will we stop our journey just because our foot hit a small stone? Similarly, we must continue our spiritual journey despite all the obstacles. It is important to carry on the journey of life irrespective of what speed we move with. This is spiritual practice and Hiranyakasipa did not understand this secret. Braham’s father Vishnu might have thought: my boon giving son has shopped me a new trouble.
Father has to correct the mistakes of His son. Hiranyakasipa tested his boon by troubling demi-Gods, saints, and interrupting people from doing prescribed rituals. He became the demon king. All the worlds were troubled. *** answered prayers by saying that He has a plan in place. According to the plan, a Vishnu devotee will be born as son of Hiranyakasipa and will be cause of his death. Narada rushi initiated the fetus with the mantra “Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya” while he was in the *** of mother, and the boy was born. The fetus chanted the mantra while being in the ***. After birth, the boy also chanted the mantra. If devotion on Hari takes a form then it is this boy. When devotion takes form, it is Prahalada. When dharma takes, form it is Rama, when penance takes form, then it is Vishwamitra. When Nama Sankeertana takes form then it is Nada Brahma Sri Swamiji. All of them sacrificed the life to pursue and practice their things. They are called form of devotion. Bhagavatam tells the guideline for the pregnant women. When women are pregnant, they should ponder over good things and listen to good music. Nowadays there are small children who sing bhajans. That is because their mothers listened to the music in their pregnancy period. This first vision of the Vamana is Sadguru or ***. It is their luck. Their parents did not have that luck.
Prahalada’s mother was very lenient, so Hiranyakasipa sent his son to Guru Kula. In his kingdom, the lessons on hatred of Hari formed the major part of any school curriculum. They would explain hatred on Hari and simultaneously teach devotion on Shiva. The ignorant demons did not understand that Hari and Shiva are the same. *** will bestow good on those who do not differentiate Hari and Shiva. On the orders of Hiranyakasipa, the teachers specifically taught Prahalada lessons to hate Hari. During the quarterly tests or half-yearly tests Prahalada would answer in detail in his words his likeness towards Hari and glory of Hari. Prahalada's writing was in tune with the scriptures and marks had to be given. Prahalada always answered logically and correctly. Teachers had to give him full marks. Teachers were scared to teach Prahalada.
Hiranyakasipa called Prahalada to check about his progress in education. Prahalada came along with his teachers. Hiranyakasipa enquired about Prahalada’s education. Prahalada answered, father I have read all the scriptures pertaining to Dhrama, Artha and other important scriptures. Prahalada further answered, not only this I, have studied the essence of the education also. Only Prahalada can say this. Hiranyakasipa happily asked Prahalada to tell further. Prahalada said that the essence of all his education is: Hari is the greatest in creation. Only Prahalada can say this.
Earlier, there was a student called Shweetaketu. After studying for some time in Guru Kula, he was in illusion that he has studied all and nothing else is left to study. He was egoistic. His father asked “knowing which there is nothing else left to know in this creation, studying which there is nothing left to study, did you study and know such thing?”
Shweetaketu thought for some time and replied " there is no such thing in this creation, if it were to exist, then my Guru would surely have taught me". Father answers: “No, son you are wrong. Atma tattva is the thing which, once known then there is nothing else to know and there is nothing else to learn." Father further proves his argument with 12 examples. Therefore, what Prahalada said, not many could say.
Knowing ourselves and teaching children fully about Dharma, Artha - accumulating money needed in a righteousness way, Kama - physical or emotional pleasure, and Moksha – liberation, gives completeness to life. Ramayana speaks in detail about Dharma, Artha and Kama only. Moksha - salvation will automatically come if these three are following perfectly. People living materialistic and mundane lives cannot go to moksha without knowing about Dharma, Artha, and Kama.
Listening to Prahalada, Hiranyakasipa was angry. Hiranyakasipa hates Hari so much that he used to name Hari in all things he did and in all times.
sharavanam keertanam vishnoho smaranam pada sevanam
archanam vandanam dasyam sakyam atma nivedanam
iti pumsarpitha vishnou bhakthische navalakshana preeyatae
bhagavat yeddha tanmanye deetham uttamam.
Sharavanam - Listening to the glory of ***.
Keertanam - understanding and chanting the names of ***.
vishnoho smaranam - remembering Vishnu constantly
pada sevanam - Serve the Supreme
archanam - worshipping ***
Our Puja room in the house is the place where we spend less time. Even though we spend less time here, we get maximum from this place. Spending a few minutes in the puja room gives us the energy to walk through our daily routines. Spend some time here, decorate photos of the Lord and chant His names that you know.
vandanam – prostrations. It is good exercise. Practice surya namaskaram.
dasyam - serving *** like servant, *** I am here to serve you. Such feeling should be in mind.
sakyam - friendship with *** just as Sugreeva did with Rama.
atma nivedanam - surrendering all to Him
“Practicing anyone of the above with devotion is very good. Even in mind if one thinks that he should serve *** with any one of the above means and with devotion, then according to me father, it is best of the educations.” Prahalada presented his opinion before his father.
Prahalada established a new principle in the world of devotion !!
Hands, which worship ***, are worthy hands, tongue that chants His name is purposeful, worthy eyes are those, which see ***, blind people see *** in their mind. We must make our eyesight count seeing ***, head that prostrates to His lotus feet is real head, ears which hear His name are true ears, our mind should travel towards Him and stick to Him. Words which describe *** are real words, intellect which comprehends Him is true intellect. The day and time, in which we remember *** is auspicious time and day.
Real education is that, which proves this truth. Disagreeing is very easy. When you say there is no *** then your life is wasted. When you say *** exists then the enquiry begins about ***. How is He? Where is He? What is He doing? Such question will arise then. We do not need Guru to say *** does not exist, but to say He exists and answers the questions, like how He exists and what He does, we need a Guru. We need a Guru to tell and show ***. That is the reason Sadguru has a special place. He makes us walk in the spiritual path. Teachers who tell us about the worldly education, should also tell about ***. We must first pray and then start to study. Such practice must always be prevalent in all educational sectors.
At times, parents are angry with children even though they are good students, only because the child's choice of subjects is not in line with their choice. It is a mistake. We must encourage the child in their choice of education. Students must pursue any one subject of their choice very deeply. Then many new things will see light.
Hiranyakasipa was not able to shower affection on his son because of his hatred towards Hari. One bad quality - hatred towards Hari covered all his good qualities. A father who encourages his son towards devotion is a real father. That is why we must do our worship in continuity.
Hearing this from Prahalada, Hiranyakasipa ordered varieties of punishments, threw him from mountains, got him stamped by elephants, and got him bit by snakes etc. Prahalada withstood all those punishments. Hiranyakasipa was frustrated to an extent that he used black magic on Prahalada. Prahalada kept saying Hari is *** and kept crossing all the punishments given by his father. Prahalada was again sent to Gurukul and education continued and he came back to his father without tiny change in his attitude. This procedure was repeated many times.
Hiranyakasipa lost his patience and questioned Prahalada " You keep chanting the name of Hari all the time. Where is Hari?”
Prahalada said, father I will show you Hari in all those places where you think He does not exist.
Hiranyakasipa pondered over Prahalada’s answers and he inferred that all his answers are logical and are supported by the Shastras. In mind, Hiranyakasipa is very angry on Prahalada. Prahalada is a good scholar, possess good intellect, and should be appreciated. Prahalada said Hari is omnipresent. He is present inside you and me. How can I show the omnipresent *** at one particular place? Is it possible? Is there any place where He does not exist? How can you ask me such a question?
A *** is full of water. How can one show water only in one corner of that *** ?
Prahalada said “Father, if you can believe me, undoubtedly Hari is omnipresent.” These are not his normal words. This is the order by Prahalada to the devotee world. Pondering over these orders will instill firm faith on *** in your mind. Your mind will never waver in belief of ***.
Hiranyakasipa started searching all sides.
Meanwhile Hari was fully ready to keep up to the words of His devotee. Hari was constantly watching Hiranyakasipa. Hari was ready to incarnate at the place where Hiranyakasipa chooses. He was more worried that His devotee words should not become untrue. Hari took the Narasimha form and he engulfed the entire kingdom. He was ready to incarnate. Narashima was more eager to prove Prahalada’s word to be correct. Finally, Hiranyakasipa choose a pillar constructed with gems and asked Prahalada “Is Hari in this pillar?!” Prahalada answered "He is omnipresent. He is in you and me. He is surely in this pillar." Hiranyakasipa took the sword and hit the pillar, the pillar broke, and Narasimha Swami incarnated there.
Jai bolo Narasimha Swami ki jai!
Hiranyakasipa’s hatred on Hari is burning him from inside, and it is burning his intellect, but he is ignorant of it. He has good qualities like composure and courage, but hatred on Hari made these qualities futile. His heart is filled with Tamo guna. It is preventing his growth, and stopping him from having darshan of Hari. He was in such bad position. Hiranyakasipa banged the pillar with his hand. Narasimha Swami incarnated with huge roar. The sound cracked up all the directions.
Bammera Pothana, a Telugu poet wonderfully describes this episode. In this, the description of Narasimha Swami starts with His lotus feet. All the Gods were present in subtle form and were prostrating to Narasimha Swami. Narasimha Swami was standing a few inches above the ground. It was as though if Narasimha swami puts His foot down, neither the Adisesha nor Earth could bear it. He tied the Peetambaram – sacred clothes around his waist. The bells of the ornament that He wore on the waist were making sounds. His stomach can easily accumulate all the sacred rivers, seven seas, yet there would be ample space to comfortably accumulate innumerable galaxies, yet the stomach of Narasimha can be measured with one fist of His, as He is Yoga Narasimha. His face and nails have been described. The weapons He held are described.
He is dressed up with all the ornaments like a crown, earrings etc. He is emanating Divine splendor. His neck is described. One can see three lines on the throat clearly just like they are on conch. His lips are furiously making sound out of anger - anger for hurting His devotee Prahalada. His big teeth looked very scary. His nostrils were huge enough to let all the mountains in the creation go into them easily. Those nostrils can be called as huge caves. This again refers towards his Yogic stature. When the lion body is experiencing over heat or anger, the water runs down the nostrils. Narasimha Swami’s nose is also watering, but it seems that all the seven oceans are running down His nose. His eyes were as red as the early morning sunrays. A mere movement of His head can scatter away all the planets. The form of Narasimha is very scary. His cheeks have been described. His hair is been described. Shaking His head, He called on Hiranyakasipa. And the air that was generated by mere head hair movement, threw all the drivers and passengers from the Divine plane in which they were sitting and watching this incident in subtle form. His ears are like Divine conchs. The body complexion of Narasimha Swami is very fair. He shouted and with this sound, the directions shivered and got scared. None other than Prahalada could see this form. Hiranyakasipa was confused, scared and was not able to see the form. Hiranyakasipa thought that Hari took the form that he could never comprehended in his mind. Hari incarnated as Narasimha to destroy the egos of demons.
Now the highlight of the entire description is coming. Narasimha Swami is seeing both Prahalada and Hiranyakasipa at the same time. Narasimha Swami sight on Prahalada was nectarean and affectionate, and on Hiranyakasipa it was scary, as if to tell this is your last day of life. Narashima Swami is showing two angles of Him. He is compassionate inside and is furious outside. It signifies that Narasimha Swami even though has taken this scary form, His heart always pours our grace.
Jai bolo Yoga Narasimha Swami ki Jai
Jai bolo Vugra Narasimha Swami ki Jai
Jai bolo Roudra Narasimha Swami ki Jai
Jai bolo Jwala Narasimha Swami ki Jai
Jai bolo Laxmi Narasimha Swami ki Jai
Such is the way Narasimha Swami incarnated! The main purpose of incarnation is to make the devotee Prahalada’s words true and not killing of Hiranyakasipa. Narasimha Swami also incarnated to prove that He is omnipresent. He showed His presence in this beautiful and scary form. His form is a mix of human and lion. None could comprehend this form in mind. He is therefore called Narasimha Swami. The predominant part of His body is Brahma instance, the middle part of the body is Vishnu instance, and the head is Shiva instance. Hiranyakasipa was confused and pondered his boons and he decided that this is not Brahma’s creation, but it is only Hari maya. Maybe he thought this is his day of moksha. First look at the form of Narasimha Swami, Hiranyakasipa was scared, but the next moment hatred towards Hari dominated his thoughts and made him go to war with Narasimha Swami.
Contrary to the common belief that Narasimha Swami killed Hiranyakasipa at one instance, Narashima Swami fought for good enough time with many other demons that came in His way of killing Hiranyakasipa. Noticing that the twilight time is fast approaching, Narashima Swami hurried on. Narasimha Swami complying with all the boons given to Hiranyakasipa, dragged him on to His lap, tore open his stomach, garlanded his nerves around his neck, and gave moksha to Hiranyakasipa.
Narasimha Swami continued to be in the anger mood. He slowly climbed up the steps leading to the throne and sat on it. All the Gods wondered how to calm down Narasimha Swami. The entire prayers of Gods were futile. Narada went ahead and prayed. Narasimha Swamy let him come close then picked him and hurled him into the sky. Encircling in the sky, Narada chanted Narayana Narayana. Hearing this, Narasimha Swami pulled Narada down to earth. Even Narada's prayers could not impress Him. Meanwhile Prahalada started to pray Narasimha Swami to regain His calmness. Prahalada began his prayer with a doubt if Narasimha Swami calms down listening to his prayers. I am from the demon dynasty. Narashima Swami did not calm down listening to prayers of Gods. Will my prayers work ? Thinking so, Prahalada started his prayers. This is the humbleness of Prahalada.
Sri Swamiji often says that devotional mood should be continued at all-time. Only then, he is a true devotee. Being from a very famous dynasty, very rich, beautiful form, egoistic penance, well-read scholarship, strength, splendor, highly famous, very good intellect, yoga… none of these take you closer to ***. Here Prahalada remembered Gajendra moksha episode. He pondered what the elephant knew. Vishnu knew only devotion and is accessible only with it. O ***! Please grant me the luck of surrendering my deeds at Your louts feet, a chance to serve Your lotus feet, and a chance to remember You at all times. I am praying only for this and not for any other thing. One devotee prayed *** to give him Satsang. All things will be eaten away by time but the merit of Satsang not only increases day by day but also remains with you even in the time of disaster. Anyone who wants to look beautiful in mirror applies makeup. O ***, all the worships done to You are decorations to me. Prahalada continued to pray. All the worships done to You, respects and hospitalities that are offered to You, they belong to us only because You are Self. We are ignorant of this truth.
Prahalada prayed that no fear is invoked in him after seeing this fearful form of Narasimha Swami. Prahalada says the ocean of samsara is invoking more fear and hence I am surrendering to Your feet. Prahalada further prays Narasimha Swami. Prahalada says I will not pray You for the post of Brahma or for good long life as time gobbles up all. I will ask for Satsang only. Please grant me that. Sadguru is not different from Narasimha Swami. Narasimha Swami, You have seated mother Goddess on Your lap, I can only see a smile on Your face, and it gives me Bliss.
Narasimha Swami hearing this prayer dissolved His anger inside Him and pacified Prahalada. He offered Prahalada a boon. Prahalada asked unshakable devotion on the lotus feet of Narasimha Swami. My father died abusing You. I am afraid what worlds will he get for this sin. Please bless him with good worlds. Narasimha Swami said, the moment he uttered my name Hari, even in hatred, the moment I touched him, he got salvation. In your dynasty, I am redeeming 21 generations. Prahalada, you are asking for salvation. I will not give it now as you have lot of duties to perform. Go and rule the demons kingdom and establish dharma in them and you rule the earth. Narashima Swami then went back to his abode.
Later, our Lord Datta gave tattva upadesha to Prahalada. Anyone who listens to this story will get rid of all their karmas. It is good for us to remember Prahalada and his devotion every day. Those who remember Narasimha Swami, have no reason to be fearful. Hearing Hari namasankeertana fear is fearful and runs away. That is the impact of Hari Nama smarana. All of you who desire for yoga or for removal of diseases should chant the name of Laxmi Narasimha Swami. The chanting of the Narashima Swami names removes our sorrows, differences, and pains.
Jai bolo Laxmi Narasimha Swami ki Jai.