Narasimha – Top 21 Interesting Facts About Lord Vishnu’s Avatar

Here Are The Top 21 Interesting Facts About Lord Narasimha:

#1 The Sanskrit word ”Narasimha” consists of two words: “nara” which literally translates as ”man,” and “simha” which translates as ”lion.” Together, the two Sanskrit words translate as “man-lion”, referring to a mixed creature avatar of Supreme Lord Vishnu.

#2 He is known mainly as the ”Great Protector” who specifically protects and defends his followers, especially in times of need. He is also considered the embodiment of victory over negative forces.

#3 Considered the most intense of all Lord Vishnu’s avatars, he has the form of a Lion-Man with a lion face and a human-like torso.

#4 Lord Vishnu is the preservation aspect of the entire universe, and existence is actively maintained and manifested through his will.

#5 The birth of Lord Narasimha is celebrated with joy and faith on the 14th day of the bright half month of Vaishakha, which corresponds to April/May in the Gregorian Calendar.

#6 He has been portrayed in more than 74 aspects, based on the weapons he holds and his pose. However, there are 9 aspects which are the most famous.

#7 It is said that he appears to save his followers from danger. For instance, Adi Shankaracharya (who was an 8th-century Indian theologian and philosopher who consolidated Advaita Vedanta) was saved by Narasimha when he was being sacrificed to Kali, the Hindu goddess of time, death, and doomsday.

#8 He gives the benediction of being able to venerate Sri Radha-Krsna and to live peacefully and calmly without disturbance in the rightful dharma.

#9 He is the main figure within the famous Holi festival (a springtime celebration that takes place on the last full moon of the lunar month), during which aspects of his myth are re-enacted.

#10 Two most famous temples dedicated to Lord Narasimha are located in the state of Andhra Pradesh (Ahobilam and Kadiri).

#11 He is usually described in iconography with a human torso and lower body, with a lion claws and face, commonly with the asura Hiranyakashyap in his lap whom he is in the process of killing.

#12 According to the Sthala Puranas (which tell the stories of specific Hindu temples and shrines), the self incarnated Narasimha was 1st adored and venerated by his devotee Prahlada, the son of the demon Hiranyakashypa as Rakshasa king and a reincarnation of one of Lord Vishnu’s Dwarapalakas in Vaikuntha (the celestial abode of Lord Vishnu).

#13 Hiranyakashipu had tried various methods to kill Prahlada, nevertheless, the Lord had protected him each time. Finally, in anger, Hiranyakashipu asked his son, “Where is this God of yours that you keep speaking of?” To which Prahlada said, “He is present everywhere.”

#14 After, Hiranyakashipu asks whether Lord Vishnu is in the Pillar by hitting the Pillar. Then the Pillar breaks, a half-man, and a half lion come out that is none other than Supreme Lord Vishnu in the form of Lord Narasimha. Then, he kills Hiranyakashipu and crowns Prahlad as the King.

#15 According to some Hindu scholars, Narasimha’s half-lion, half-man appearance allowed him to circumvent the boon received by Hiranyakashipu which protected him to be killed by any animal or human.

#16 More specific, Hiranyakashipu asks for this boon from Lord Brahma, and with it around him, he would not die either in space or on earth; nor in water nor in the fire; neither inside nor outside (of a home); neither during the day nor at night;  nor by an animal, human, or God; neither by animate nor by inanimate being.

#17 Hiranyakashipu was killed with the nails of the Lord, and no weapon was used during the twilight (neither in the daylight or under darkness).

#18 Once the Lord tore away the asura into pieces, his temper and rage would not subside. He was moving everywhere with a terrible form and red eyes.

#19 Because of his anger, the three worlds were trembling in complete terror. All the Gods were scared, and under Lord Brahma’s leadership, they had to approach Shiva – the Supreme Being, to pacify the Lord. Shiva does that by taking the form of Sharabha.

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#20 Narasimha Jayanti (falls on ShuklaPaksha Chaturdashi in the month of Chithirai as per Tamil calendar) celebrates the avatar of Lord Vishnu who killed the asura Hiranyakasipu, father of Prahlada, one of the greatest followers of Vishnu.

#21 There are a few potent mantras for seeking protection from Lord Vishnu’s half-lion incarnation and they include:

Narasimha Maha-mantra meaning – „I bow down to Narasimha who is ferocious and heroic like Supreme Lord Vishnu. He is burning from each side. He is terrific, auspicious, and the death of death personified.”

Lyrics – „Ugram viram maha-vishnum jvalantam sarvato mukham nrisimham bhishanam bhadram mrityur mrityum namamy aham.”

Gayatri mantra meaning – ”Om, Let me meditate on the god who is the lion man,
Oh, God who has diamond claws, give me higher intellect,
And let him illuminate my mind and understanding.”

Lyrics – ”Om Vajranakhaya Vidmahe
Tiksnadamstraya Dhimahi
Tanno Narasimhah Pracodayat.”

Image source – https://pixabay.com/photos/narasimha-vigraha-ugra-narasimha-1916062/

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