Narasimha Avatar

The story of Narasimha avatar is well known to all Hindus. Lord Vishnu took the Varaha Avatar to kill Hiranyaksha. To take revenge on Vishnu and in a wish to rule the 3 worlds, Heaven, Earth and Pathala, his brother Hiranyakashipu did penance to please Brahma. Brahma appeared but he refused to give him the boon of immortality. Instead Hiranyakashipu was granted a death wish which was, “not getting killed by humans or animals, not by any weapons, nor in the day or night, not touching earth or sky.”

After securing his death wishes Hiranyakashipu conquered the worlds and became a demon tyrant. He banned all pujas to Lord Vishnu and declared himself a God. He was cruel to his people.

He declared, anyone who prayed to Vishnu would be beheaded, and all should pray to him only. His own son Little Prahlad was an ardent devotee of Maha Vishnu and refused to obey him.

Hiranyakashipu gave the order to kill Prahlada, but at every attempt Vishnu appeared and saved him. This increased the fury of Hiranyakashipu.

One day in the court, Prahlada was brought, and Hiranyakashipu threatened to kill him, if he doesn’t stop reciting “Narayanaya Nama”.

Where is your Narayan? Asked Hiranyakashipu.

“he is everywhere, in the pillars and even in the rust” Prahlad answered. Hiranyakashipu in his rage struck a pillar with his mace, shouting, “Where is your Narayan, let him come out of this pillar.”

The pillar split open with a thundering sound and Vishnu’s Narasimha Avatar took place. He was half human and half lion. He grabbed Hiranyakashipu and kept him on his lap, sitting on a wooden step above the ground. With his lion nails, Narasimha split open the demon king and brought an end to his cruel reign.

It is believed by followers that Narasimha protects his sincere devotees when they are in extreme danger. He is known primarily as the 'Great Protector' who specifically defends and protects his devotees in times of need.

The following Narasimha Stothra recited with devotion helps in speedy recovery from all debts. The repeated lines “Runa Mukthaye “ depicts freedom from debts. It is proven beyond doubt that one will prosper in financial matters….

Narasimha Mantra.

Shakuntala’s grief

The Kalidasa Mahakavya Abhinjanashakunthalam is the story of King Dushyantha and Shakunthala retold from the Mahabharatha.

King Dushyantha while hunting in the forest meets the beautiful Ashrama kanya Shakunthala and they fall in love..Without the consent of her father she agrees for the Gandharva vivah with the king. When he leaves to his palace, he promises to come back and escort her to the palace. He gives her a signet ring.
One day Shakuntala was lost in thoughts while the sage Durvasa appears. She fails to notice him.
The temperamental sage curses her: “He whose thoughts have engrossed you would not remember you anymore.”
Shakuntala’s grief had no bounds, she pleads to the saint for mercy to take back the curse. The sage calms down and tell her the king would remember her when she shows him a souvenir given by him.
Shakunthala was pregnant and her father sends her to the palace. On the way she lost the signet ring and Durva’s curse comes true. She comes back to the ashram rejected by the king. She gave birth to a boy. They live in the Ashram.

Once Maharishi Viswamitra came in search of Kashyap muni. He felt the sanctity of the Kashyapashram in the thick forest. The singing of the birds and the fragrance of wild flowers welcomed him. He sat under the Ashoka tree and sent his shishya to inform his presence.
Meanwhile a young boy runs to him and sits on his lap. Viswamitra felt an affection to the boy and hugs him. His mother comes in search of the kid.
The young woman attracted the sage’s attention. She looked very familiar. “I know you. You are Menaka.” he said to himself.
“Who are you?” he asked.
“I’m Shakunthala. I’m Kashyap muni’s dasi.” she whispered.”When I was born my parents seperated and my mother left me in this ashram”. There was pain in her voice.
Raja Dushyanth married me but abandoned due to the curse of Maharshi Durvasa.
“Who is your father?” Viswamitra asked.
“Brahmashri Viswamitra” she said.
“She is my daughter! Menaka is her mother.” Viswamitra held her affectionately and whispered. “I’m Viswamitra, your father.”
Tears flowing down her cheeks, Shakuntala touched her father’s feet for blessings. “This is my fate, father. I blame no one.”
Viswamitra overwhelmed by the purity of his daughter’s noble thoughts, blessed her. “You will join your husband soon and lead the life of a queen.”
His blessings came true and she lived in the palace with her son Bharatha. It is after the Prince Bharatha, the country got its name, Bharat.