How to Observe Pooja and Fasting on Narasimha Jayanti Day

The day of advent of Lord Narasimha is observed as Narasimha Jayanti. He is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, the supreme God of protection and sustenance. Narasimha is a unique form that has a human physique and a lion head. Lord Vishnu incarnated in the form of a man-lion to annihilate the evil demon Hiranyakashipu and establish dharma, the ultimate righteousness. Narasimha is believed to have appeared at the sunset time, on the Vaishak Shukla Paksha Chaturdashi day, that is, the 14th day of the bright fortnight, in the month of Vishaka (April–May). Hence, Narasimha Jayanti is celebrated with piety on that day, with poojas and fasting.

Story of Narasimha

Hiranyakashipu was a fearsome Asura. He developed a strong hatred towards Vishnu, as the Lord had earlier put an end to his brother Hiranyaksha, for saving the world from his cruelties. Hiranyakashipu did intense penance towards Lord Brahma and obtained from him exceptional boons, which made him almost unconquerable. Well-armed with these protective blessings, Hiranyakashipu let loose a reign of terror on all the worlds, dethroning the Devas, committing untold atrocities on sages, saints and humans, and mercilessly punishing anyone who took the name, Vishnu or Narayana. Unable to withstand the demon’s assaults, people surrendered to Lord Vishnu seeking his mercy and intervention and the Lord stepped in to save the harassed beings. Hiranyakashipu was blessed with a son Prahlada, who turned out to be the most ardent devotee of Vishnu himself. This pious young prince virtually lived on the Lord’s sacred name and by singing his glory right in Hiranya’s palace, while the world outside bowed to the Asura’s diktats. Hiranya could not digest his own son defying him openly and taking the name of his sworn enemy with great reverence, and tried all his means to make the boy change his mind and fall in line, but nothing helped. Exasperated, he tried even to kill him by various means, but nothing worked against that divinely blessed youngster. Firmly believing that it is none other than his great adversary Vishnu, who was instigating and protecting the young boy, Hiranya asked his son where exactly the Lord is and if he can be found in a pillar in his own palace. When Prahlada replied in the affirmative, Hiranya smashed his mace at the pillar with intense rage, so as to locate and challenge his incredible foe. Lo and behold! The pillar split open and out emerged the phenomenal figure of a man-lion, with eyes emitting fire. This spectacular manifestation simply grabbed the bewildered Hiranyakashipu with his hands, dragged him to the palace entrance, laid him on his lap, tore his body with his sharp nails and destroyed the ruthless demon, at sunset time. Thus, this remarkable Narasimha put an end to a deadly demon who looked unassailable, without violating any of the amazing boons that he had obtained, and saved his devotee and also the entire world, from his unbearable atrocities.

Narasimha Jayanti - Pooja and Fasting

Narasimha worship on the day of his Jayanti assumes special significance and so is the fasting observed on the occasion. People can get up at Brahma Muhurth, very early in the morning, freshen themselves up, install the images of the Lord and the Goddess, offer lamp, dhoop, fruits, flowers and Prasad to the deities and perform pooja. It is considered special to offer jaggery and gram sprouts to the Lord on this day. People can then chant sacred hymns like Vishnu Sahasranama and those in praise of Lord Narasimha. They can start the fasting subsequently, by offering water filled in a vessel to the Sun God and with the chants, ‘Om Vishnu Vishnu Vishnu’ and ‘Nrusingh Devadevesh Tava Janmadinae Shube Upavas Karishyami Sarvabhoga Varjithaha’. People can observe complete fast till the next morning or can do partial fasting by consuming fruits and milk, but avoiding food items made of rice and grains. During the day, they can chant hymns dedicated to the Lord and read stories on Narasimha Avatar from Bhagavatha Puran. Doing charity is considered beneficial, while feeding the poor, especially the poor children is believed to get for the devotees, divine blessings. As Narasimha appeared at the sunset, doing pooja for him at the twilight time is considered highly propitious. People can make offerings to him like milk, curd, butter, ghee and sugar and offer prayers, during this evening pooja. There is a firm belief that those who observe Narasimha Jayanti with devotion and faith will get liberation from the cycle of birth and death and reach Vaikunta, the abode of Lord Vishnu.