Vishnu, the deity who is responsible for the preservation of the Universe in Hindu mythology, incarnated in many forms whenever there was chaos and lawlessness in the world and restored it to normalcy. The most well-known of his incarnations or avatars were called Dasavatar (10 avatars) collectively. While some avatars are human in form, others are in animal form or half-human and half-human form. Vishnu’s avatars engaged in battle with various demons or Asuras, who represented evil forces, and killed them so that Dharma prevailed in the 3 worlds.
Narasimha, the 4th avatar of Vishnu, is his most fierce form. Here, he is half-man and half-lion. He has a lion’s face and a human body. Every avatar of Vishnu is born to respond to a specific need, and he takes the form that best meets the need. Thus, he took the form of Matsya, a giant fish, to retrieve the Vedas from the murky depths of the ocean. As Kurma, a giant tortoise, he helped support Mandara, the mountain, when the Milky Ocean was churned to get Amrit. The form of Narasimha, too, was necessitated by the conditions of the demon Hiranyakashipu’s boon, which rendered him near-invincible.
Narasimha Jayanti is celebrated on the 14th day of Shukla Paksha in Vaishakh month. As per mythology, it was on this day, during dusk, that Narasimha appeared from a pillar and killed the evil Hiranyakashipu. The special Pooja is also held during dusk.
The story of Narasimha is mentioned in the Ramayana, Vishnu Purana, Shiva Purana, and even the Mahabharata refers to the deity. Bhagavata Purana describes the pastimes of this avatar. One of the 5 faces of Panchamukhi Hanuman is that of Narasimha.
The Legend behind Narasimha Avatar
Sage Kashyap and his wife Diti had two sons - Hiranyaksha and Hiranyakashipu. They were causing problems, so Vishnu killed Hiranyaksha. Hiranyakashipu wanted revenge, so he did penance to please Brahma, the creator god. Brahma gave him a boon that made him invincible.
Hiranyakashipu became powerful enough to rule all the 3 worlds. Meanwhile, Kayadhu, his wife, gave birth to his son, Prahlad. But the child became a great devotee of Vishnu. Hiranyakashipu tried to make him stop worshipping Vishnu, but Prahlad did not heed him. Hiranyakashipu tried to kill Prahlad many times, but failed. Finally, he hatched a conspiracy to burn him. He made Prahlad sit on his aunt (Hiranyakashipu’s sister) Holika's lap and set fire to them. Holika thought she was safe as fire could not harm her. But it was Holika who burned to death while Vishnu saved Prahlad.
This enraged the demon. One day, he challenged Prahlad to prove that his God was omnipresent. Hiranyakashipu then smashed a pillar, asking if Vishnu was present in it. To his shock, a bizarre form with a lion’s face and a human body emerged from the pillar.
It was none other than Vishnu as Narasimha.
As per the boon received by Hiranyakashipu, he could not be killed by man or God or animal, or any weapons, during day or night, or inside or outside. Narasimha put him on his lap and tore his chest open with his claws. This happened on the threshold of the palace, and it was the time of dusk – neither day nor night. Thus, Vishnu killed the demon without violating the conditions of the boon. After the killing, Vishnu blessed Prahlad, saying that those who observe a fast on that day would be free of their problems. Hiranyakashipu’s death signifies the victory of good over evil.
How is Narasimha Jayanthi celebrated?
On the day of Narasimha Jayanti, devotees perform special Poojas to Narasimha and Goddess Lakshmi. They arise early in the morning and take a bath, after which they wear new clothes.
For the Pooja, devotees offer flowers, sweets, kumkum, saffron, coconut, gram dal, and jaggery. They start the fast at sunrise and end it at sunrise the next morning.
Cereals, grains, and rice items are not eaten during the fast. But milk and fruits are allowed.
People chant the Mantras of Narasimha and recite Narasimha Katha.
They donate clothes, precious metals, and sesame seeds to the needy.
Many people perform Narasimha Homa as well as the Pratyangira Devi Pooja, Mantra Japa, and Yagna on this day. Goddess Pratyangira emerged from the 3rd eye of Shiva and helped Narasimha to calm down after he killed Hiranyakashipu.
One can also install the Narasimha Yantra. It has the power to ward off malefic influences and negative energies.
Narasimha Jayanti Pooja Mantra
Ugram Viram Mahavishnum jvalanatum Sarvato Mukham Nirisimham Bhsihanam Bhadram Mrutyur, Mrutyum Namamy Aham
Meaning: May Lord Narasimha, who is highly ferocious and brave and the emanation of Maha Vishnu, full of effulgence, terrific, and auspicious, and the death of death blesses us as we bow down to him
Benefits of Narasimha Homa
- Helps overcome debts and other financial problems
- Gets rid of difficulties in business
- Removes sins
- Bestows prosperity
- Protects from illness
- Brings success in litigation
Narasimha Jayanthi 2023 is on May 4 (Thursday).
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