Hymns and Stotras-M S Rajajee

Part VI

Sri Kaamaasikaashtakam

This is a Stotra of eight stanzas, composed by Sri Nigamaanta Vedanta Desika with one more verse giving the phalasruti. It is addressed to Lord Narasimha at Velukkai, south of Kanchipuram, on the bunds of the river Vegavati. The Lord came here of His own free Will or "Sankalpa" and hence the Sanskrit equivalent of this has been ascribed as the title. The Lord is a Yoga Narasimha having three eyes. While He looks frightening to His enemies, He is very benign and compassionate towards His devotees. It is said that the Lord at Velukkai is the same as Lord Ashtabhuja at Kanchipuram, staying at Velukkai to protect the yajna of Brahma.

Sruteenaamuttaram bhaagam

Vegavatyascha dakshinam

Kaamaadadhivasan jeeyat

kaschdadbhuta Kesaree

May that unique wonderful lion, who by His own free will dwells in the upper parts of the Vedas, also on the south bank of Vegavati river, remain ever shining and glorious.

Tapanendvagninayanah

taapaanapacinotu nah

Taapaneeyarahasyaanaam

saarah kaamaasika Harih

May Kaamaasika Hari, who is the essence of the Tapaneeyopanishad and whose eyes are the Sun, the Moon and Fire, remove our three afflictions.

Aakanthamaadipurusham

kantheeravamupari

kunthitaaraatim

Vegopakanthasangaat

vimuktavaikunthabahumatimupaase

I contemplate on He who is the form of the Primordial Person up to the neck and is in the Form of a lion above, who has vanquished the enemies, and who prefers the vicinity of Vegavati to even Vaikuntha, His natural abode.

Bandhumakhilasya jantoh

Bandhura paryanka

bandharamaneeyam

Vishama-vilochanamede

Vegavateepulinakeli-Narasimha

I hymn Him, who out of sport took the Form of Narasimha, on the sand bank of the river Vegavati, who has three eyes, who is radiantly handsome in His "Paryanka" posture (sitting with the legs crossed) and who is a kinsman of all beings.

© "Sri Narasimha Avatara" by M S Rajajee, published by Sri Ahobila Matha, Hyderabad 500 013. Part V of this article appeared in Splendour, November 2003 issue.

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