Narasimha Avatar — Vishnu's 4th avatar. Nar (man) + Simha (lion) — half man, half lion. Manifested to slay Hiranyakashipu.
Story of saving devotee Prahlada. Most fierce of all avatars. Worshipped for fear-removal.
✦ Mythology
Asura Hiranyakashipu. Brahma boon:
Killed by neither man nor beast.
Neither day nor night.
Neither inside nor outside home.
Neither earth nor sky.
Neither weapon nor missile.
Son Prahlada was Vishnu devotee.
Hiranyakashipu asked: where is your god? Prahlada: everywhere.
Broke pillar. Narasimha appeared.
Twilight (neither day nor night).
Sat on threshold (neither in nor out).
Placed on lap (neither earth nor sky).
Tore with nails (neither weapon nor missile).
Nar-Simha (neither man nor beast).
✦ Puja
Narasimha Jayanti: Vaishakh Shukla Chaturdashi.
2026: 1 May.
Evening (godhuli) puja.
Red clothes-flowers.
Kheer-panjeeri naivedya.
Narasimha kavach path.
Ugra-Narasimha = angry. Shant-Narasimha = sitting.
✦ Mantras
Mool: "Om Ugram Veeram Mahavishnum Jvalantam Sarvatomukham".
Beej: "Kshaum" (Narasimha beej).
Narasimha kavach (all protection).
Devotees' protective power.
✦ Special Sites
Ahobilam (AP): 9 Narasimha temples.
Simhachalam (Vishakhapatnam).
Mangalagiri (AP).
Yoga-Narasimha (Melkote, Karnataka).
📚Sources & References
Content in this article is verified against the following classical and modern authoritative sources. Readers may independently verify against the original sources.
- ▪Surya Siddhanta — classical Sanskrit astronomical text (~5th century CE)
- ▪Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra — foundational text on Vedic astrology by Maharishi Parashara
- ▪Muhurta Chintamani by Ram Daivajna (16th century) — standard reference for muhurat selection
- ▪Astronomical Algorithms by Jean Meeus (Willmann-Bell, 1998) — basis for all astronomical computations on this site
- ▪Lahiri Ayanamsa — standard sidereal reference adopted by the Indian Calendar Reform Committee (1955)
✦ Frequently Asked Questions
Why fierce avatar?▼
All avatars for dharma. Narasimha special — vadh despite impossible boon. Symbol of fear-removal.
Prahlada message?▼
Unbreakable bhakti. Devotion despite asura father-king. Faith makes impossible possible.
🔗Related Topics
Note: This content is published for educational and cultural reference. For personal religious or astrological decisions, please consult a qualified pandit or jyotishi.