Hymns and Stotras-M S Rajajee

Part VIII

Dasaavataara Stuti

This is a very important Stuti for Maadhvas and has been composed by Svami Vadiraaja. During one of his periodic "digvijayas" (victory marches), he opened his box which had the idols meant for worship. He did not find the deity Sri Hayagreeva. At that time, a farmer came running to him and complained that a horse belonging to the Svaami was eating the crop in his field. Svami Vadiraaja rushed there and sure enough, they found a horse eating the gram plants. When the two of them reached the place, the horse disappeared from sight. The farmer was puzzled. The Svami explained that the horse was God Himself. The farmer found that in the place of the farm produce eaten by the horse, there was gold. The farmer took the gold and donated the entire land to the local temple. The Svaami spontaneously composed the Dasaavataara Stuti. Since then, it has become the custom for devotees to recite this "Stuti" when conducting the "devara" pooja (daily worship for the Lord).

We give below only that part of the Stuti which refers to Lord Narasimha.

Om Narasimhaaya Namah

Dambholiteekshnanakha sambhenditendraripu-kumbheendra paahi kripayaa,

Stambhaarbhakaasah-anadimbhaya dattavara gambheera nada Nrihare

Ambhodhijaanusaranaa-mbhojabhoopavana kumbheena sesha khagaraat

Kumbheendra krittidhara jambhali shanmukha

mukhaambhoruhaabhinuta namah

Lord Narasimha killed Hiranyakasipu, using only His sharp nails, which are equal to (Indra’s weapon) "Vajraayudha". This act is equal to the brutal killing of an elephant. Lord Narasimha was not of a natural birth, but emerged from a pillar. He will not pardon any enemies of Vishnu or His devotees. He was pleased with the devotion of Prahlaada and blessed him. The Lord’s roar is so pleasant to hear. While the goddess is uninterruptedly praying to Him, Brahma, Rudra, Vayu, Sesha, Garuda, Indra, Shanmukha and the other gods are also praying to Him. Sri Vadiraaja is praying to such a Narasimha to protect him.

© "Sri Narasimha Avatara" by M S Rajajee, published by Sri Ahobila Matha, Hyderabad 500 013. Part VII of this article appeared in Splendour, December 2004 issue.

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