Sri Narasimha Jayanti is the auspicious appearance day of Lord Narasimha, the half-man, half-lion incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Lord Narasimha appeared at dusk on the Vaishaka Shukla Chaturdashi.
The Supreme Lord appeared as Narasimha to protect His dear devotee Prahlada from the persecutions of his demoniac father, Hiranyakashipu. By performing severe penances, Hiranyakashipu had received a benediction from Lord Brahma that he could not be killed by any living entity created by Brahma (whether demigod, demon, human being, or animal), within or outside a residence, during the day or at night, on the land or in the sky, by any weapon and from any entity – dead or alive.
Endowed with this special benediction, Hiranyakashipu became extremely powerful. He conquered all directions and established his supremacy over everyone else. He was inimical towards Lord Vishnu and His devotees. On the contrary, his son Prahlada was a great devotee of the Lord Vishnu from the beginning of his life. Hence, Hiranyakashipu made several attempts to kill his son in different ways, but every time, the Lord rescued him.
Finally, the Lord assumed a unique half-man half-lion form (this form is neither a human being nor an animal) by emerging from a pillar. He killed Hiranyakashipu in the evening (neither day nor night), in the doorway of the assembly hall (neither within nor outside any residence), keeping the demon on His lap (neither land nor sky) and tearing the demon’s body to pieces with His nails (neither by a weapon nor by any entity – dead or alive). Thus, the Lord effortlessly killed Hiranyakashipu while satisfying all the conditions of Brahma’s boon.
Through this wonderful pastime, the Supreme Lord showed that no one can surpass His intelligence and cheat Him. If the Lord wants to kill someone, nobody can save him, however intelligent and powerful he may be. Similarly, if the Lord wants to save someone, nobody can kill him.
Srila Rupa Goswami mentions some of the benefits of worshipping a Nrsimha shalagram sila in his book, Padyavali:
“A tulasi leaf offered to the lotus feet of the Nrsimha shalagram sila destroys the sin of murder. Water that has washed the lotus feet of the Nrsimha shalagram sila destroys the sin of theft. Foodstuff offered to the Nrsimha shalagram sila destroys the sin of drinking liquor. Sincere surrender to the Nrsimha shalagram sila destroys the sin of adultery with the wife of the spiritual master. Association with the devotees of the Nrsimha shalagram sila destroys the sin of offenses to the devotees. This is the extraordinary glory of the Nrsimha shalagram sila.”
Devotees observe fasting till dusk and offer prayers to Lord Narasimha to seek His mercy and protection from all kinds of dangers and disturbances in their spiritual path. An elaborate Homa and Abhisheka is performed to the Lord at ISKCON, Krishnagiri hills, Raichur. The abhisheka is performed with different items like panchamrita, panchagavya, fruit juices, and holy water from kalashas, accompanied by various prayers, Vedic chants, and kirtans. The Lord is then dressed and beautifully decorated with flower garlands and offered a special arati with grand kirtans.
Lord Narasimha, celebrated as vighna-vinasha, the remover of obstacles, showers His protection and blessings upon those who surrender to Him, offering prayers and worship. His divine grace not only facilitates spiritual progress but also acts as a shield, safeguarding devotees from the trials and tribulations of life. This is the special mercy bestowed by this unique incarnation of the Supreme Lord.
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