The Glories of Lord Narasimhadeva
BY: SUN STAFF
May 22, 2013 — CANADA (SUN) — In honour of Sri Nrsimha Caturdasi, the Appearance of Lord Nrsimhadeva observed on May 23rd, we offer this collection of 125 images of Lord Nrsimhadev. The Lord's Name, Fame, Forms and Pastimes are glorifed, and are categorized according to pastime scene, posture, paraphernalia, associates, etc. You can advance forward or backwards from page to page with link buttons at the bottom of each screen:
View the Narasimhadeva
Collection
References to Lord Narasimhadeva are found throughout the Puranas, with seventeen versions of the main narrative in: the Bhagavata Purana (Canto 7), Agni Purana (4.2-3), Brahmanda Purana (2.5.3-29), Vayu Purana (67.61-66), Harivamsa (41 & 3.41-47), Brahma Purana (213.44-79), Vishnudharmottara Purana (1.54), Kurma Purana (1.15.18-72), Matsya Purana (161-163), Padma Purana (Uttara-khanda 5.42), Shiva Purana (2.5.43 & 3.10-12), Linga Purana (1.95-96), Skanda Purana 7 (2.18.60-130) and Vishnu Purana (1.16-20). All contain depictions of the Narasimha pastime. There is also a short reference in the Mahabharata (3.272.56-60) and a Tapani Upanishad (Narasimha tapani Upanisad), the earliest Vaishnava Upanishads named in reference to Him.
Due to the nature of Lord Narasimha's form (divine anger), it is essential that worship be given with a very high level of attention compared to other Deities. In many temples only life-long celibates (brahmacharya) will be able to have the chance to serve as priests to perform the daily puja. Forms where Narasimha appears sitting in a yogic posture, or with the goddess Lakshmi are the exception to this rule, as Lord Narasimha is taken as being more relaxed in both of these instances compared to His form when first emerging from the pillar to protect Prahlada.
adi adi agam karaindhu isai
padip padik kannir malgi engum
nadi nadi narasinga endru,
vadi vadum ivval nuthale!
"I will dance and melt for you, within my heart, to see you, I will sing in praise of you with tears in joy, I will search for Narasimha and I am a householder who still searches to reach you (to attain salvation)."
(Divya Prabandham 2954)
