Happy Birthday, Lord Narasimha Dev!!
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It is time to celebrate the birthday of Lord Narasimha, the 4th avatar of Lord Vishnu. He is the “Great Protector” who protects his followers from harm and comes to their rescue in times of need. He also embodies victory over evil forces. Narasimha Jayanthi is the day of Lord Narasimha’s advent to destroy evil and protect his devotee, Prahlada. It is also celebrated as his birthday. In 2022, it falls on May 14.
Devotees believe that he always appears to save them from danger. For instance, he supposedly saved Adi Shankaracharya, an 8th-century Indian theologian and philosopher, when he was about to be sacrificed to Goddess Kali.
According to many Sthala Puranas, the first devotee of the self-incarnated Narasimha was Prahlada, who was the son of the demon king, Hiranyakashipu. The demon was also one of Vishnu’s Dwarapalakas in his celestial abode, Vaikuntha, in his previous birth. Two of the most famous temples for Narasimha are in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh (Ahobilam and Kadiri). As per the Scriptures, he manifested in Ahobilam as it was the capital of Hiranyakashipu’s kingdom.
Narasimha Jayanti falls on Shukla Paksha Chaturdashi in the Tamil month of Chithirai (April-May). He is usually depicted with a lion’s face and claws and a human torso. The demon or asura Hiranyakashipu lies on his lap, and Narasimha kills him by tearing open his bowels with his claws.
The story goes that even after killing the demon, Narasimha’s temper and rage did not subside. On seeing his anger, the denizens of the three worlds trembled with terror. The terrified gods approached Lord Shiva and asked him to pacify Narasimha. So Shiva took the form of Sharabha for this purpose.
The Legend behind Narasimha Jayanthi
The demon, Hiranyakashipu, had obtained a boon from Lord Brahma that made him invincible. No human, god, weapon, or animal could kill him. He could not be slain during day or night, on the ground or in the sky. Neither could he be killed inside or outside a house. Soon, he conquered the 3 worlds and declared that everyone should worship him instead of Lord Vishnu.
Hiranyakashipu hated Vishnu because the latter had killed his brother, Hiranyaksha. But the demon king’s son, Prahlad, turned out to be a staunch devotee of Vishnu. Despite his father’s pleas and threats, the boy continued to worship Vishnu. Hiranyakashipu made many attempts to kill Prahlad, but the Lord saved him every time. Finally, one day, when Hiranyakashipu struck a pillar and asked him to show his god, Vishnu emerged from the pillar as Narasimha and killed the demon. Narasimha was neither man nor god nor animal. He killed the demon on his lap by tearing open his stomach with his claws. The time was twilight, neither day nor night. He was killed on the threshold, which was neither inside nor outside of his house. Thus, Vishnu managed to circumvent Brahma’s boon.
Hiranyakashipu’s Viparitha Bhakti
The story of Lord Narasimha is a good illustration of what the Scriptures describe as ‘Viparita Bhakti’ or reverse devotion. Hiranyakashipu refused to acknowledge Lord Vishnu as a God and hated him so much that he was consumed by his hatred. All his words, thoughts, and actions were directed towards Vishnu. Thus, he dedicated his body, mind, and speech to Vishnu, albeit inadvertently. Hiranyakashipu’s dedication proved to be so intense that Vishnu was compelled to incarnate and grant him Moksha or salvation. Hence, Narasimha incarnated not only to protect Prahlada and destroy Adharma but also for bestowing liberation to Hiranyakashipu. This concept is unique to Hinduism. It illustrates the power of Bhakti (devotion), which brings results even when it is done in reverse.
Narasimha Jayanti Rituals
On this day, devotees observe a fast similar to the Ekadashi fast. They visit temples and make offerings. Some rituals are also performed at home. They avoid grains and cereals on this day. People have only one meal.
They also chant Mantras. Special Poojas are performed in the evening. Some choose to keep vigil for the entire night. The next day, they break the fast after doing the Visarjan Pooja and feeding a Brahmin.
The belief is that those who pray to Lord Narasimha on his Jayanthi can receive his divine intervention in their lives and be freed from all their problems. He will also protect them from negative forces.
So let’s wish Lord Narasimha a very happy birthday and receive his protection and blessings!!!