05/08/98 - 1789

Narasimha Jayanti

USA (VNN) - by Gerald

The endearing story of how Lord Narasimha (the fourth of Vishnu's dasavatara-s) saved His devotee Prahlada from a demonic tyrant has perpetually fascinated mankind. Indeed, for millenia artists have painted and carved His form, great kings have sought His blessings before war, and the devotees have always recited His transcendental pastimes and worshipped His vigraha-form.

One special feature of Narasimha-avatara is His unprecedented ferocity which is matched by His gentleness with His devotees. In fact, Sridhara Swami in his Bhagavatam commentary describes this dual feature:

ugro 'py anugra evaayaM
sva-bhaktaanaam nR^-kesharii
keshariiva sva-potaanaam
anyeshaM ugra-vikramaH

"Although quite ferocious, the lioness is kind to her cubs. Similarly, though fearsome to nondevotees like Hiranyakasipu, Lord Narasimha is incredibl soft and kind to pure devotees like Prahlada."

This avatar appeared several hundred million years ago during the reign of Caksusa-Manu (after Varaha-avatar and before the Churning of the Milk Ocean) at the end of a Satya-yuga. During this year, His appearance day falls on May 9 or May 10.

To hear about the pastimes of Prahlada and Lord Narasimha, read Srimad
Bhagavatam, Canto 7.

Visit Sri Narasimha website at http://narasimha.nols.com for prayers by the acharya-s and for pictures of His vigraha form including Lord Narasimha's latest appearance in ISKCON Bangalore.

Gerald