ŚRĪ LAKṢMĪ NARASIMHA – WITH PRABHĀVALĪ Panchaloha Icon

Description

In vaidika hindu theology, the concept of avatāra-s plays a crucial role in understanding the manifestations of the supreme godhead – bhagavan viṣṇu. One of the most revered avatars is that of Narasimha, a form of bhagavān viṣṇu that combines the attributes of man and lion. 

Bhagavān viṣṇu assumed the form of narasimha to protect his devotee prahlāda from the tyranny of his father, the daitya king hiranyakasipu. The form of narasimha, which is neither beastly nor humane – na mrgam na mānuṣam, symbolizes a unique combination of transcendental, indomitable omnipotence and epitome of compassion. This avatar is one of the most powerful manifestations of nārāyaṇa, showcasing the balance between destruction and creation.

According to vaidika scriptures, hiraṇyakasipu performed severe penance to obtain immortality from brahma. When his wish was denied, he asked for a boon that made him nearly invincible.

Emboldened by the boon, hiraṇyakaśipu embarked on a mission of denying the supremacy of bhagavān viṣṇu and succeeded in gaining dominion over the three worlds as a first step towards this. In a twist of events, his eldest son prahlāda, turns out to be an ardent devotee of bhagavān viṣṇu and refuses to bow down to his father’s malevolent ways. In a fit of rage, hiranyakasipu tried to kill prahlada multiple times, but each time, bhagavān viṣṇu intervened to protect his devotee. Finally, bhagavan viṣṇu assumed the glorious form of narasimha, emerging from the pillar to vanquish the demon king. In a dramatic showdown, narasimha tore apart hiraṇyakaśipu with his lion-like claws, fulfilling the prophecy that no weapon could harm the demon.

Narasimha represents various aspects of divinity, including protection, justice, and fierce determination. The neither man nor beast form signifies the transcendence of human and baser qualities, representing the victory of sattva over tamas in eternal struggle between good and evil. Narasimha’s swift action and decisive victory over evil forces serve as a powerful metaphor for overcoming obstacles and standing up for righteousness.

Narasimha is worshiped by millions of devotees across the world for its protective and benevolent qualities. The systematic worship of narasimha can ward off even the most negative of energies and bring peace and prosperity to those who surrender unto him with bhakti. Devotees often recite prayers and hymns dedicated to Narasimha to invoke his divine presence and seek his guidance in times of need. Worshipping narasimha with an understanding of the story and symbolism behind this powerful form of bhagavān viṣṇu, devotees can make quicker progress and it is recommended to seek the guidance of a guru in order to obtain deeper experience of this transcendent form of bhagavān viṣṇu. The worship of lakṣmī narasiṁha generally involves the ṣoḍaśopacāra pūjā and can be elaborated to include catuśśaṣṭyupacāra with the primary emphasis always on bhāva – intrinsic mindset – than merely on the rituals themselves. This is true for worship of all forms of nārāyaṇa where the self-realization and mokṣa are prime importance, both of which, as the vaidika śāstra-s promulgate, are impossible without the anugraha (~ blessing) of nārāyaṇa.