For 2008, Narasimha Jayanti falls on 18th May, Sunday. Narasimha Jayanti is an important festival of Hindus and celebrated to commemorate Lord Maha Vishnu’s incarnation as Narasimha-the fourth and the greatest avatara (incarnation) that signifies Lord’s omnipresence. Lord took this incarnation on the fourteenth day in the bright fortnight of Vaishaakha.

Bhajans and birth Kirtans are sung in praise of Lord Narasimha-the half man-half lion avatara during the festival. Devotees offer prayers to the lion headed Lord especially during the evening twilight period. The biggest highlight of this festival is the enactment of Prahlada Charitam- the story of Lord Vishnu, his fourth incarnation, his child devotee Prahlada and the demon Lord Hiranyakashyapu.

The Myth behind Narasimha Jayanti

Once the demon king Hiranyakashipu- Prahlada’s father secures a blessing from Lord Brahma that he should not be killed by devas (Gods), humans, animals or beasts and weapons of any kind. He should not be killed during daytime or night and inside or outside his dwelling place.

Hiranyakashipu does a long impressive tapasya in the name of Lord Brahma. At last Brahma appears and commands Hiranyakashipu to ask whatever he wishes. And the demonic tyrant takes the advantage of Brahma’s words and asks this blessing. Brahma unable ulter his words once uttered, blesses Hiranyakashipu.

Hiranyakashipu’s son Prahlada was an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu who heard about the greatness Lord and his compassion towards his devotees, while he was in his mother’s womb and declares before his father that his Lord is Maha Vishnu-the omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent Lord.

Hiranyakashyapu who was an arch rival of Lord could not bear with his son’s devotion towards Lord and starts torturing him in many ways, but Prahalada was never shaken and continued to love Lord. Finally Hiranyakashyapu advices Prahalada through his henchmen that he is the prime Lord and Lord Vishnu is nothing before him.

But child Prahalada denounces such thoughts and sticks to his wisdom that Lord Vishnu is the Lord of this universe.

Troubled by his son, one day, Hiranyakashyapu screams at Prahalada and questions him as where his Lord Vishnu was present and whether he could save Prahalada from death by his hands.
At this Prahalada declares that his Lord is omnipresence.

Hiranyakashyapu turns red with anger at his son’s answer and hits a pillar with his Gadha (Mace) and asks Prahalada to show his Lord in the pillar. Thus, Maha Vishnu in the form of Narasimha emerges from the pillar and takes hold of Hiranyakashyapu by placing him on his thighs, goes near the door entrance, slays him with His sharp nails in the sun set time satisfying all the conditions of Hiranyakashyapu boon from Lord Vishnu.

It is said and written that even after killing Hiranyakashyapu and his army of demons, Lord’s anger did not sink. So Lord Brahma appeals to Goddess Lakshmi to pacify Lord Narasimha anger, but she could not dare to go near him. Then Brahma asks Prahlad to pacify Lord. Prahlada prays Lord with folded hands, seeing his devotee Lord’s anger cools down and Lord accepts Prahlada’s prayers. He blesses Prahlaada and makes him the king.

This story is told in details in Vishnu Purana as well as in Bhaagavata Gita.

Significance of Narasimha Jayanti

One significant aspect of Narasimha-Avatara shows Lord’s unparalleled ferocity matching His gentleness towards His devotees. Sridhara Swami, in his Bhagavatam describes the combination of this dual feature as the following. To know about the pastimes Lord Narasimha and Prahlada, read Srimad Bhagavatam, Canto 7.

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

Translation of the above lines says that:
“Although quite ferocious, the lioness is kind to her cubs. Similarly, though fearsome to non devotees like Hiranyakasipu, Lord Narasimha is incredible soft and kind to pure devotees like Prahlada.”

At last beholding Prahlada, Lord’s fierce anger cools down. He draws Prahlad closer to Him, makes him sit on his lap and asks him:

“Prahlad dear, are you really afraid of seeing me in this form?” This shows Lord’s love towards His devotees even in His fierce form.

And Prahlaada says( written in two striking verses Bhaagavata) that he is not at all afraid of Lord’s fierce form. He is not afraid of Lord’s lion face… sharp teeth and claws… What he is afraid of the fierce samara existence i.e Ugra Samsaara Chakra Kadana.

To mark the above incidence, to salute Maha Vishnu’s Narasimha avatara, to pay our homage to our Lord, we celebrate this festival.