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Hymns and Stotras-M S Rajajee

Part IV

Indu-ravi-paavaka-vilochana ramaayaah

Mandira! Mahaabhuja lasadvaraa rathaanga!

Sundara! Chiraaya ramataam ttvayi mano me

Nandita suresa! Narasimha! Narasimha!

You who are handsome, let my mind always be engaged in enjoying Your form. The Sun, the Moon and the Fire are Your eyes. Your powerful arm is adorned by Discus. You are the residence of Goddess Lakshmi. You are honored by Indra. O! Lord Narasimha, Narasimha.

Maadhava Mukunda Madhusoodana Muraare

Vaamana Nrisimha saranam bhava nataanaam

Kaamada ghrinin! Nikhila-kaarana! rameyam

Kaalam amaresa! Narasimha! Narasimha!

O! Madhava, Mukunda, Madhusoodana, Muraari, Vaamana, Narasimha, You are the refuge of those who have surrendered. Grantor of boons! God of Gods, Cause of all causes! Kindly ensure that I spend all my time chanting Your Names, Narasimha, Narasimha.

Ashtakam idam sakala-paataka-bhayaghnam

Kaamadam-asesa-duritaamaya-ripughnam

Yah pathati santatam asesa nilayam te

Gachhati padam sa Narasimha! Narasimha!

O! Narasimha, Narasimha! He who daily reads these eight stanzas will be free from all sins and all fears; his desires would be fulfilled, his diseases will be cured and his enemies will be killed. He will attain to Your abode, which is the abode of all!

Mantraraja pada Stotra

This Stotra is from the Ahirbudhnya Samhita, a Paancharaatra text.

Ugram veeram mahavishnum

Jvalantam Sarvatomukhan

Nrsimham bheeshanam bhadram

Mrtya-mrtyum namaamyaham

I bow down to Narasimha, who is the ferocious, valorous, great Vishnu, resplendent with faces in all directions; the One who frightens and also who ensures welfare, and the One who is the death of Death.

Vritthotphulla visaalaaksham

vipakshakshayadeekshitam

Ninaadatrasta vishvaandam

Vishnu ugram namaamyaham

He who is having big and round eyes, He who has taken a vow to kill the enemies, He who by His fierce roars is shaking the entire world, to such a ferocious Lord, I offer my salutations.

Sarvairavadhyataam praaptam

sabalaugham ditessutam

Nakhaagraih sakaleechakre

yastam veeram namaamyaham

He who with His sharp nails tore to pieces the asura, the son of Diti who could not be killed by anyone along with His large armies. To such a valourous person, I offer my salutations.

Paadaavashtabddha paataalam

moordhaavishta trivishtapam

Bhuja-pravishtaashta-disam

mahaavishnum

namaamyaham

I offer my salutations to Maha Vishnu, whose feet touch the nether lands, whose forehead touches the heaven and whose hands spread in all directions.

Jyoteem shyakrendu

nakshatra-

jvalanaadeenyanukramaat

Jvalanti tejasaa yasya tvam

jvalantam namaamyaham

He after whose luster the luminary bodies, the Sun, the Moon, the Stars and Fire are effulgent and are shining, to that resplendent One I offer my salutations.

Sarvendriyairapi vinaasarvam

sarvatra sarvadaa

jaanaati yo namaamyaadyam

tamaham sarvatomukham

He who knows everything, all the time, and at all places, without the help of the senses, to such a primal Person who has faces in all directions, I offer my salutations.

Naravat simha vachhaiva

roopam yasya mahaatmanaha

Mahaasatam Mahaadamshtram

tam Nrisimham namaamyaham

To that Form of the Lord, which is half man and half lion, complete with the mane, the canine teeth, to such a divine Lord Nrsimha, I offer my salutations.

Yannaama-smaranada bheetaa

bhootha bhetaala raakshasaah

Rogaadyaascha pranaschhanti

bheeshanam tam

namaamyaham

By the mere thought of whose name, devils, demons, asuras get frightened, acute diseases get cured, to such a frightening One, I offer my salutations.

Sarvopi yam samaasritya

sakalam bhadramasnute

Sriyaa cha bhadrayaa jushto

yastam bhadram

namaamyaham

I offer my salutations to the Lord, the repository of good things, worshipping whom all the people are able to obtain auspicious things.

Saakshaat svakaale

sampraaptam satrum satru

ganaanapi

Bhaktaanaam naasoyed yastu

mrityu mrityum namaamyaham

He who is "Death to Death" and He who destroys death and hosts of enemies of the devotees by arriving at the right moment, to Him I offer my salutations.

Namaskaaraatmakam yasmai

vidhaayaatma nivedanam

Tyaktaduhkho’khilaan

kaamaan asnute tam

namaamyaham

I bow down to the One by offering obeisance to whom in the form of One’s own self, people get rid of all miseries and obtain their desired objects.

Daanabhootassvatah sarve

hyaatmaanah paramaatmanah

Atoham api te daasah iti

matvaa namaamyaham

All the living beings are, by nature, servants of the Supreme Being, I am prostrating to You, with the awareness that I am also for the same reason, Your servant.

Sankarenaadaraat proktam

padaanaam tattvam uttamam

Trisandhyam yah pathet tasya

vidyaayoch Sreescha vardhate

The meaning of the words had been explained by Lord Siva out of affection. Whosoever reads this hymn with faith, thrice a day (at Sunrise, mid-day and evening) would have a great increase in knowledge, longevity and prosperity.

Runa Vimochana Nrisimha Stotra

Devataakaarya-siddhyartham

sabhaastambha-samudbhavam

Sri Nrisimham mahaaveeram

namaami runamuktaye

For achieving the divine mission, He who emerged out of a pillar, in the Court hall (of the demon) to such a greatly valourous Lord Narasimha, I am praying to liquidate my debts.

Lakshmyaalingita-vaamaangam

bhaktaanaam varadaayakam

Sri Nrisimham mahaveeram

namaami runamuktaye

To the valourous Sri Nrisimha, who has embraced the Goddess Lakshmi on the left side of His chest and who fulfills the wishes of the devotees, I am praying to Him to give me relief from my debts.

Aanthramaalaadharam Sankha

Chakraabja aayudhaarinim

Sri Nrisimham mahaaveeram

namaami runamuktaye

To the greatly valourous Sri Narasimha, who is wearing the intestines (of Hiranyakasipu) as a garland, who carries weapons like Conch and the Discus, I am praying to relieve me from my debts.

Smaranaat sarvapaapagnam

kadrooja visha naasanam

Sri Nrisimha mahaaveeraam

namaami runamuktaye

To the greatly valourous Sri Narasimha, who rids us of all our sins as soon as we remember Him, to Him who takes away (removes) the poison of the serpents who are the children of Kadru, I am praying to relieve me from my debts.

Prahlaada varadam sreesam

daityesvara-vidaaranam

Sri Nrisimham mahaaveeram

namaami runamuktaye

To Him, who gave boons to Prahlada, He who is the Lord of Sri, who tore apart and killed the Raakshasa King, to the greatly valourous Sri Nrisimha, I pray to relieve me of my debts.

Krooragrahaih peeditaanaam

bhaktaanaam abhayapradam

Sri Nrisimham mahaaveeram

namaami runamuktaye

To the greatly valourous Sri Nrisimha who gives protection to the devotees (confers fearlessness) from the sufferings inflicted by cruel planets, I pray to relieve me of my debts.

Vedavedaanta-yajnesam

Brahma Rudraadi vanditam

Sri Nrisimham mahaaveeram

namaami runamuktaye

To Sri Nrisimha who is Master of the Vedas, Vedaantas and sacrifices, to whom salutations are offered by Brahma, Rudra and others, I am praying to relieve me of my debts.

Ya idam pathate nityam runa

mochana samjnitam

Anrunee jaayate sadyo dhanam

sheeghram avaapnuyaat

One who regularly reads this Runa Vimochana Stotra will not be afflicted by debts. Further, very soon he will obtain money and become a wealthy person.

Ahobala Naarasimha Stotra

Lakshmee kataaksha

saraseeruha raajahamsam

Paksheendrashailabhavanam

bhavanaasameesam

Goksheera saara ghanasaara

pateeravarnam

Vande kripaanidhi mahobala

Naarasimham

To the Lord, who is the Raaja Hamsa (King Swan) which is moving about in the lake called the side glances of the Goddess Lakshmi, to the One who is residing on Garudaadri, to the Lord who ensures that there is no rebirth, to the One who is pure white like Goksheerasaara (=essence of the milk of a cow), white camphor and snow, to the One who is the treasure-chest of compassion, to such a Ahobala Narasimha, I offer my salutations.

Aadyantya-soonyam

ajamavyayam aprameyam

Aaditya-chandra-sikhilochanam

aadidevam

Abjaamukhaabjamadalolu-

pamattabhringam

Vande kripaanidhim ahobala

Naarasimham

To the One who has no beginning or end, no birth, One who is without birth, who is immutable and inscrutable, who has the Sun, the Moon and the Fire as the three eyes, One who is the Primal Person, One who is like an inebriated bee partaking the nectar from the lotus face of the Goddess, who came out of the waters (ocean), One who is a treasure of compassion, to such Ahobala Narasimha, I am offering my salutations.

Vaaraaha-Vaamana-Nrsimha-

subhaagyam eesam

Kreedaavilola-hridayam

vibhudendra-vandyam

Hamsaatmakam

paramahamsa-manovihaaram

Vande kripaanidhim ahobala

Naarasimham

To Varaaha, vaamana and Narasimha manifestations, Who are divinely auspicious, One who has been saluted by the higher orderlies of gods, One who plays about in the hearts of His devotees, One who assumed the form of Swan (an Avatara), One who joyously moves about in the highways of the mind of the "Paramahamsas" (ascetic recluses), to One who is the treasure-house of compassion, to such a Ahobala Narasimha, I offer salutations.

Mandaakinee jananahetu

padaaravindam

Brindaarakaalaya vinodana

mujjvalaangam

Mandaara pushpa tulasi

rachitaanghri padmam

Vande kripaanidhim ahobala

Naarasimham

One whose lotus foot is the birth place of the Mandaakini river, One whose effulgent Form causes happiness to the assembly of gods who are moving about in heaven, One whose lotus feet are decorated by basil leaves and flowers of a celestial tree (the celestial coral tree), One who is a treasure-house of compassion, to such a Ahobala Narasimha, I offer my salutations.

Taarunya Krishna tulasee dala

daama ramyam

Dhaatree ramaabhiramanam

mahaneeya-roopam

Mantraadhiraajamatha

daanava-maana-bhangam

Vande kripaanidhim ahobala

Naarasimham

I am offering my salutations to Sri Ahobala Naarasimha, Who is so attractive and causing us happiness, adorned as He is with garlands of tender ‘krishna’ basil leaves, Who is the beloved of Goddesses Lakshmi and Bhoodevi, who has such a bewitching Form, Who is worshipped by the Narasimha mantra, the most supreme among ‘mantras’, Who crushes the arrogance of the raakshasas, and who is a treasure house of compassion.

Sri Nrisimha Dhyaanam

Jvaladagnisamaakaaram simha

vaktram narangakam

Damshtraakaraalavadanam

lolajihvaasu bheeshanam

Vrittaasyam, jatilam,

kruddhamaaleedham peena

vakshasam

Abhedya-teekshna-nakharam

aatmorukritadaanavam

Tadvaksho daarayantam (cha)

karaabhyaam nakharair

bhrusam

Gadaa-chakradharam

dvaabhyaam Nrisimham

pranamet prabhum

Lord Vishnu who has taken the Form of Sri Nrisimha is of an angry and fearful Form like a burning fire, pure white in body color, having the face of a lion and the body of a human being, with sharp teeth, a sharp tongue which is moving about (within the mouth), a round face, thick mane, striding feet, a strong powerful chest and having in the four hands, sharp pointed and firm nails which cannot be cut or split.

This Lord has on His thighs the asura Hiranyakasipu, whose chest has been torn apart by two of His hands, while the other two hands hold in the right hand the Discus and in the left hand the mace. Salutations should always be offered to Lord Narasimha in this Form (while meditating on Him)

Nrisimha Kavacha

{This was recited by Prahlada and is found in the Sri Brahmaanda Puraana}

Nrisimhakavacham vakshye

Prahlaadenoditam puraa

Sarvarakshaakaram punyam

Sarvopradrava naasanam

I shall now recite the Narasimha-Kavacha, formerly recited by Prahlada. It is the most pious of ‘Stotras’, removes all impediments and provides protection.

Sarvasampatkaram

svargamokshapradaayakam

Dhyaatvaa Nrisimham

devesam

hemasimhaasanasthitam

It bestows all prosperity and enables one to ascend to heaven and attain liberation. One should meditate on Lord Narasimha, who is seated on a golden throne.

Vivritaasyam trinayanam

saradindusamaprabham

Lakshmyaalingitavaamaangam

vibhootibhirupaasritam

He has an open, wide mouth, has three eyes and is as radiant as the autumn moon. He holds the Goddess Lakshmi in an embrace on His left side, and is the resting place for all kinds of prosperity – material and spiritual.

Charturbhujam Komalaangam

svarnakundalashobhitam

Sriyaasushobhitoraskam

ratnakeyoora mudritam

He has four arms. His limbs are very soft. He is shining with His gold earrings. His chest is glowing with Lakshmi. His arms are adorned with jewels having precious stones.

5 & 6.Taptakaanchanasan-

kaasam

Peetanirmalavaasasam

Indraadisuramaulistha

sphuranmaanikyadeeptibhih

Viraajitapadadvandvam –

sankhachakraadi hetibhih

Garutmataa chavinayaat

stooyamaanam mudaanvitam

He is dressed in golden yellow raiment, which looks like molten gold. His feet are very attractive by the rays emanating from the sparkling rubies on the crowns of Indra and other gods. He is hymned by the weapons like the Conch, the Discus (assuming forms) and by Garuda with due reverence and Who is blissful.

Svahritkamalasamvaasam

kritvaa tu kavacham pathet

Nrisimho me shirah paatu

lokarakshaatmasambhavah

Having seated Lord Narasimha in the lotus of one’s heart, one should recite the following "mantra" – "May Lord Narasimha, who has emerged to protect the entire world, protect my head".

Sarvagopi stambhavaasah

phaalam me rakshatu dhvanim

Nrisimho me drisau paatu

somasooryaagnilochanah

Although the Lord is all-pervading, (for the sake of a devotee), He hid Himself inside a pillar. May He protect my forehead and speech. May He, who has the Sun, the Moon and the Fire as His eyes, protect my eyes.

Smritim me paatu Nriharir

munivaryastuti-priyah

Naasaam me simhanaasastu

mukham Lakshmimukhapriyah

May Lord Narahari who is pleased with the prayers offered by the best of sages, protect my memory. May He who has the nose of a lion protect my nose. May He who is fond of Lakshmi’s mouth, protect my mouth.

Part V will be published in the next issue.

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