Table of Contents
Lord Narasingha is Like a Flower Unlike popular Lores
In this video post, we shall focus on the following points-
1. Purpose of Narasingha Avatar
2. Promise of Lord Narasingha
3. Benefits of chanting Ugram Veeram
4. How to chant the Narasingha Mantra
Lord Narasimha is the half-man-half-lion incarnation of Lord Vishnu. He is the fourth incarnation of the Lord, among the Dasha Avataras of Lord Vishnu.
Lord Narasingha cares for his devotees. In none of the avatars have I seen such care and affection. Lord Narasingha is ferocious from the outside. But from the inside he is as soft as a flower. Overcome by love for his devotee, he ripped the stomach of Hiranyakashipu and wore a garland of intestines around his neck.
Lord Narasimha is the Protector of His Devotees
Such is his affection for His dear devotee Prahlad. He doesn’t spare the one who harms his beloved ones. Hence, pleasing Narasimha deva, eliminates all worldly problems. For overall protection, one should recite this mantra.
Know that there are nine worshipable forms of Lord Narasingha. Out of them, the Ugram Veeram mantra glorifies the Ugra Narasingha form of the Lord. Usually Lord Vishnu’s incarnations are very gentle.
However, among the various incarnations, Narasimha is the fiercest. He appeared to kill non-devotees and establish Truth. During Narasingha Sadhana, you notice early changes in your life.
Brief Story of Prahlad Maharaj
Nervousness and indecision vanish from one’s life. Many watching this video might know the story of Lord Narasingha. I shall narrate the story in brief. Prahalad, the son of the demon king Hiranyakashipu was a great devotee of Lord Vishnu.
But his father was against his faith. Hiranyakashipu devised a thousand ways to kill his son. But he never succeeded since Lord Vishnu had taken charge of Prahalad’s life. Finally, the Lord Himself appeared as Narasimha and slaughtered the demon.
Yet his anger did not subside. The three worlds trembled in the fire of his rage. The Devatas approached Prahalad Maharaj to pacify the Lord. Finally, the Lord became satisfied only when Prahalad Maharaj pacified him with emotional prayers.
Lord Narasingha is the epitome of Vatsalya Rasa or parental affection. You may find the video What is Dasya, Sakhya, Vatsalya and Madhurya Bhav? | Life in Golok, Saket and Vaikuntha that appears on our channel interesting.
Ignorant men might find Lord Narasingha very fearsome. His form appears fierce only to those who have deceit in their heart. Know that Lord Narasingha chooses his devotees. He reveals his nature only to a selected few. This form of the lord is very ferocious.
He appears very majestic as a lion. Near him stands Prahalad Maharaj with a garland in his hands. The one, who has gained Lord Narasingha’s favour, does not pine for any material relationship. Lord Narasingha gave a blessing to humankind.
He promised to look after 7 generations of a true devotee. This was Narasingha Dev’s promise to Prahalad Maharaj. Hiranyakashipu was a hard-core atheist. Hence, Lord Narasingha destroys atheistic tendencies and instils the seed of faith in our hearts.
An Interesting Story of Bhagavatapada Shankaracharya
The demon king had received a boon which made him practically immortal. Repeated chanting of the mantra sharpens one’s intelligence and improves lateral thinking. Lord Narasingha had once protected the great Adi Shankaracharya from dying.
An evil Kapali had convinced Shankaracharya to become a human sacrifice for Mother Kali. Know that Kapaliks are followers of the Saiva or Shakta Sect. Shankaracharya consented and was ready for the sacrifice. Meanwhile, his disciple, Padmapada, smelled foul play and immediately came to his rescue.
Lord Narasingha entered his body as a Shaktyavesha Avatar. Padmapada, who had attained Narasingha Siddhi, roared like a lion and tore the Kapali into pieces just like Narasinghadeva. Thus the great Acharya . Thereafter Adi Shankaracharya composed the Lakshmi-Narasimha Stotra expressing his gratitude.
Adi Shankaracharya preached Advaita Philosophy.
You can watch our video ‘The Truth About Consciousness in Advaita Vedanta | Process of Self Realization’ on our channel, to know more about the philosophy.
Meaning of the Ugram Veeram Mantra
Now I shall explain the meaning of the mantra-
Ugram Veeram maha-vishnum jvalantam sarvatho mukham
Narsimham bheeshanam bhadram mrityur mrityum namam yaham
I bow down to the brave form of Maha Vishnu whose radiance and faces spread in all directions. May I please the half-man half-lion incarnation who is the death of death personified.
7/8 Questions from Sanatana Dharma
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Benefits of Chanting the Ugram Veeram Mantra
The Ugram Veeram mantra is very dear to Lord Narasingha and can even lead to darshan. I have ample examples in my life where Lord Narasimha has given personal Darshan to sincere devotees. He is the kindest of Lords.
Among the various benefits, fearlessness is the prime attainment. Prahalad Maharaj was fearless because of the grace of Lord Narasingha. You will find our video How to Become Fearless in Life? | Can I be Spiritual in a Materialistic World?, interesting.
Role of Maya in our Life
Know that Hiranyakashipu represents maya while Prahalad Maharaj represents an ideal devotee. Whenever Prahalad sat down to meditate, Hiranyakashipu, would disrupt his meditation. Similarly, in our everyday life, chanting is difficult. Maya always comes with her demons to disturb our meditation.
Lord Narasingha is the slayer of Maya; he slays the Hiranyakashipu of our lives and establishes Dharma. The vibrations of the Ugram Veeram mantra are very potent. The mantra does wonders even without one knowing its meaning.
The Mantra is purely Satvik and is safe for all to chant. Ugram Veeram mantra represents the fire element and heats the body if chanted for a long duration. Lord Narasingha appeared on a Chaturdashi or the 14th day after the no moon day, so the sages advise us to start Narasingha sadhana on a Chaturdashi day.
Process of Chanting the Ugram Veeram Mantra
Now I shall share how one should chant the Mantra. Keep a photo of Lord Narasingha in front of you. Put a garland of Tulsi leaves around his photo. You can offer a Bhoga of dry fruits, and coconut water/ coconut for the Lord.
Since the Ugram Veeram mantra is long, you can begin by chanting 1 round which is 108 beads.
Use Neem mala if you consume or are addicted to Non-veg/onion-garic/ smoking/ drinking/ Investing in Shares/ Gambling/ Not following Celibacy or in a Live-In etc. If you are free from these vices, after consulting the right Bhakti Guru, you should take up chanting on Tulsi Beads.
Otherwise kindly stick to Neem beads so as to avoid “Aparadha” towards Tulsi Devi. With time, as you get comfortable with the chanting, you can increase the number of rounds. Use Tulsi beads for the purpose since Tulsi is very dear to Lord Vishnu.
Rupa Dhyana in Narasimha Aradhana
Rupa Dhyana is a powerful process in Bhakti Sadhana.
While chanting the mantra visualise Lord Narasingha seated on a jewelled throne. Celestials on his side are fanning him with camara(Made from Yak tail hair). Start your meditation by observing his feet, and then his glowing toenails. Then move on to visualise his golden dhoti and then his face, his eyes overflowing with mercy.
Visualise yourself as a little child sitting on his lap, with his huge hands caressing your head. By touching your head, he is absorbing all negativity and instilling confidence. Relish every moment you spend with Him. Then visualise yourself clasping His feet in a prayerful mood.
Bow down to Him. Surrender your ego and individuality to the Lord. You can meditate on the form of Lakshmi Narasimha as well. This is a powerful form of Manas Puja which shall yield immediate results.
After you complete one round of chanting, conclude the sadhana process by reciting the Narasingha Aarati.