Hymns and Stotras - M S Rajajee

Part I

There are many Stotras on Lord Narasimha. It would not be possible to reproduce all of them and give their meaning. We give hereunder 35 Stotras. We believe that the list is adequately wide-ranging, as many well-known Stotras have been covered, as also the Stotras of well-known scholars/sages like Sri Sankara Bhagavatpada, Sri Vedanta Desika and others. There is no special significance about the order in which they have been presented and it is certainly not the intention to indicate that what is presented first is relatively more important than what is presented last. It would be a sacrilege to think like that, as all the hymns are in praise of the Lord and are intended for specific objectives. Generally speaking, the "phalashruti" of most of these Stotras is to ward off dangers, to ensure victory over enemies (in the largest sense of that term, including internal enemies) to ensure that all that is good and great is attained and to ensure liberation.

Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Pancharatna Stotram – by Sri Adi Sankara

Tvatprabhu jeevapriyam ichhasichennarahari poojaam kuru satatam

Pratibimbaalamkriti dhrutikusalo bimbaalamkriti maatanute

Chetobhringa bhrhamasi vrithaa bhavamarubhoomau virasaayaam

Bhaja bhaja Lakshmi Narasimhaanagha pada sarasija makarandam

O! the carpenter bee called the mind! Why do you wastefully move about in the desert called the essenceless "Samsara"? Please taste, with happiness, the honey which is in the lotus feet of Lord Lakshmi Narasimha. The skilful person who decorates and watches the reflection (jiva) would first decorate the main figure (Isvara), is it not? Similarly, if you desire the love of the ‘jiva’, first do not let go of Lord Lakshmi Narasimha. Please worship Him.

Shuktau rajata pratibhaa jaataa katakaadyartha samarthaachet

Duhkhamayee te samsrutireshaa nirvritidaane nipunaa syaat

Cheto bhringa bhramasi vrithaa bhavamarubhoomau virasaayaam

Bhaja bhaja Lakshmi Narasimhaanagha padasarasija Makarandam

If the silver seen in a shell is capable of becoming bracelet etc., then it is possible to derive happiness from this Samsara which is full of sorrow. But such a thing does not happen. Hence, O bee called the mind, why move about wastefully in the desert land called ‘Samsara’? You please partake with reverence the honey in the lotus which is the feet of Lord Lakshmi Narasimha.

© "Sri Narasimha Avatara" by M S Rajajee, published by Sri Ahobila Matha, Hyderabad 500 013. Reprinted with permission

<< Back