95 - The Exploits of Nrusimha the Man-lion

The sages said: 

1. It is heard that Hiranyakašhipu the elder brother of Hiraṇyākṣha was formerly killed by Nrusimha. How was he killed by him, kindly tell us. 

Süta said: 

2. The son of Hiranyakaśhipu was known by the name Prahlāda. He was conversant with virtue endowed with truthfulness, asceticism and intelligence. 

3-4. Ever since his birth he devoutly worshipped the unchanging omniscient Vışhņu who is lord of Devas, who is omnipresent, who is the cause of origin of all Devas, who is the primordial Puruşha, who has the form of Brahman, who is the overlord of Brahınā and who is the cause of creation, sustenance and annihilation. 

5-6. The enenıy of Devas saw that his son was frequently rcpeating "O Govinda, Obeisance to Nārāyaṇa." He observed that his son was devoted to Vişhnu. The demon of sinful intellect looked at his son as though he would burn him and said: - "O boy of wicked intellect, you don't know me the lord of all Daityas as well as Devas. 

7-8. O heroic Prahlāda, O my wicked son, I am the cause of agony to the brahmins as well as Devas. Who is Vişhnu? Who is lotus-born (Brahmā)? Who is Indra, Varuņa, Väyu, Soma (Moon), Ishana or Pavaka (Fire) to be considered equal to me? Worship me alone with devotion and never the insignificant Nārāyana. 

9-12. O Prahlāda, listen to me if you have any desire to be alive." 

Even after hearing the threatening words of Hiranyakashipu, the intelligent boy Prahlāda worshipped Vişhņu and uttered "O Nārāyana, Obeisance to you, Obeisance to Nārāyaņa" He taught all the Daitya boys the same excellent Brahmavidyā. 

Hiranyakaśhipu saw that his command had been transgressed by his son, the command that could not be transgressed even by Indra and others. On knowing that his behest had been violated Hiranyakashipu said to Dīnavas; "It behoves you to kill this wicked son of mine who is worthy of being put to death in various ways." 

13. Thus ordered by that Daitya of extremely wicked heart, Dānavas hit and struck the undaunted Prahlāda who considered himself a servant of the lord of Devas. 

14. O excellent brahmins, what had been evilly perpetrated then by those Asuras on the son of the king of Daityas became futile, thanks to the brilliance of the lord who lies down in the milk ocean. 

15-16. In order to kill Hiranyakashipu who was furious due to his haughtiness, the lord assumed the form of the man-lion and manifested himself there itself. Glancing at the son kindly he hit the father the base Dānava. At the very same moment he split him with his sharp claws. 

17. Then, the dispeller of sins killed that Daitya along with his kinsmen. Like a fire of annihilation at the close of yugas he harassed the leading Daitya. 

18. O brahmins of good holy rites, the entire universe became terrified due to the terrible roar of Nrusimha. All the worlds beginning with the world of Brahmā trembled. 

19-21, On seeing Nrusimha, Devas, Asuras, Nāgas, Siddhas, Sädhyas, Vişhņu, Brahma and others left off their courage and strength and went off in different directions in order to protect their lives. When they had gone, the lord Nrusimha who had a thousand shapes, who had all feet and all arms, who had a thousand eyes, whose three eyes were the moon, Sun and fire, who was the wielder of Māyā remained there enveloping everything. The excellent Devas who were stationed on the Lokaloka accompanied by Brahmā, Siddhas, Yama and the Maruts, eulogised him. 

Prayer

22-30. You are the Brahman that is greater than the greatest. You are the greatest of realities. You are the greatest splendour among all luminaries. You are the greatest Ātman. You are identical with the universe. 

You are gross and subtle; nay the subtlest. You are the auspicious being identical with Shabdabrahman. You are beyond the scope of speech and devoid of support. You are free from Dvandvas (mutually clashing opposites) impediments and calamities. 

24. You are the partaker of sacrifices of sacrificers. You are the lord bestowing fruits on those who perform sacrifices. You assume the form of a fish.⁸⁷⁴ You are stationed in the universe after assuming the form of a tortoise. ⁸⁷⁵

874-875. The verses 24-25 of this chapter refer to the fish, tortoise, boar and man-lion incarnations of Vişhnu. For detail, see H.M. under Avatāra, pp. 33-38.

25. You have assumed the forms of the Boar and the lion for saving the kingdom of Devas by killing the lord of Daityas. 

26. Under the pretext of the curse of brahmin (i.e. Bhrugu) you sportingly incarnated on the earth. Nothing is seen as distinctly different from you. You are the whole universe consisting of the mobile and immobile beings. 

27. You are Vişhnu, Rudra, and Brahmã. You are the beginning and the end; O lord, you alone are we. 

28. You alone are the universe. O lord, of what avail is mere prattling. O lord, that which is non-dualistic is stationed in manifold ways, due to Māyā. 

29-30. How shall we eulogise you? O lord of the pašhus! O lord of Devas, how you shine!" 

Although the lord was thus eulogised with different hymns, with emotional feelings, O brahinins, the lord did not become calm because he was honouring the?????. he manifested himself (i.e. a lion). 

He who reads this hymn pertaining to the Man-lion, or he who ponders over its meaning or he who narrates this to the brahmins, is honoured in the world of Vişhnu. 

31-34. In the meantime, Devas including Indra and Brahmã came to lord Shiva and eulogised him after informing him about the activities of Vişhņu who assumed the form of a beast (Lion). Then Brahma and others eulogised Parameśhvara. They sought refuge in him who is the great cause, for saving their souls. Accompanied by Devas and extremely afraid, Brahmā eulogised Parameśhvara Mahādeva who was staying on the Mandara mountain sporting with Umā and who was served by his Ganas, Gandharvas, Siddhas and Apsaiscs. Brahinā prost rated on the ground and eulogised Parameśhvara with words choked in the throat. 

Brahmä said: 

35 Obeisance unto you the destroyer of death; obeisance unto the wrath of Rudra; obeisance unto Shiva, Rudra; obeisance to you Shiva,⁸⁷⁶ Shankara. 

876. Śhivāya--mokşharūpāya ST. of the form of salvation. Cf. “Shivam mokshe sukhe bhadre,"_Vishva. 

36 You are Ugra (Terrible), the retainer of all living beings; you are Shiva (auspicious) unto us; obeisance to Shiva, Sharva, Shankara the dispeller os dejection. 

37. Obeisance to Mayaskara, ⁸⁷⁷ obeisance to Vishva, to Vişhnu, to Brahma; obeisance to you the destroyer; obeisance to the lord of Uma. 

877. Mayaskarāya---sukhakaraya ST. the bestower of happiness. 

38. Obeisance to Hiranyabāhu (one with golden arms); obeisance to the lord of Hiranya (gold); obeisance to Sharva, ⁸⁷⁸ having all forms; Obeisance to Purusha. 

878. Sharvaya---sruņāti jagat hinastiti Sharvaḥ ST. the destroyer of the universe. 

39. Obeisance unto one devoid of distinction between 'Sat' and 'Asat'; obeisance unto you the cause of 'mahat'; obeisance to the permanent Being of the form of the universe that is being born. 

40. Obeisance unto one born in many ways; obeisance unto the plentiful being; obeisance to Rudra; obeisance to Nilarudra; to Kadrudra; obeisance to Prachetas.

41. Obeisance to Kāla of dark complexion; obeisance to the destroyer of Kāla; obeisance to lord Midhustama⁸⁷⁹ (bountiful): Obeisance to you Shitikantha (blue-necked). 

879. midhuşhtamāya-Sharva-varshakāya ST. the best among those who grant wishes. 

42. Obeisance to you the great one; to the perpetual destroyer of Daityas; obeisance to Tara ⁸⁸⁰ (redeemer) and to Sutāra (the excellent redeemer); Obeisance to Tārana (one engaged in redeeming sinners). 

880. täräya-pranavarūpāya ST. of the form of pranava (om) 

43. Obeisance to Harikeśha (one with tawny hair); obeisance to Shambhu the great Atman; obeisance to you the benefactor of Devas; obeisance to one the benefactor of living beings. 

44. Obeisance to the benefactor of Umā, the daughter of Hinavãn; obeisance to wrath in the form of Rudra; obeisance to Kapardin (one with matted hair). Obeisance to Kālakantha (the blue-necked). 

45. Obeisance to gold-complexioned Mahesha; obeisance to Shrikantha; obeisance in one who is smeared with ashes; obeisance to Dandeshvara (lord with the staff or rod of punishment); obeisance to Mundiśhvara (lord with skulls). 

46. Obeisance to Hrasva (short one); to Dirgha (long one); Obeisance to Vamana (dwarf), to the terrible trident-bearing lord; Obeisance to the fierce being. 

47. Obeisance to Bhima (the terrible), to one of terrible form; obeisance to you interested in trrrible activities; obeisance to one, the foremost among the annihilators; obeisance to one who can kill from far. 

48. Obeisance to Dhanvin (one with a bow), to Sūlin (the trident-bearing); obeisance to you the Gadin (one with an iron club), t0 Halin (one with) ploughshare (as weapon) to Chakrin (one with discus), toVarmin (one with coat of man), to the perpetual destroyer of the activities of Daityas. 

49. Obeisance to you, the Sadya, Sadyarūpa, and Sadyojāta; Obeisance to you the Vama, Vamarupa, ⁸⁸¹ Vāmanetra. 

881. Vämarūpāya-sundararupāya ST. of charming features. 

50-51. Obeisance to you the lord with hideous form and shape; obeisance to Puruşharūpa; to Tatpuruşha; to the sole Puruşha;⁸⁸² obeisance to the bestower of Puruşhārthas (aims of life); Obeisance to the lord, to Parameşhthin; obeisance to you, to Ishäna, to Ishvara. 

882. Puruşhaika-tatpuruṣhāya-Purusheşhu ekas tatpuruṣhaḥ uttamapuruşha-rûpa ityarthaḥ ST. the best among men. Cf. "uttamah Purushas tvanyaḥ paramätmetyudihrutaḥ"-Bhagavad Gita.

52-54. Obeisance to Brahmā, to one of the form of Brahman; obeisance to you, to Shiva himself. 

 O Sharva, Vishnu the maker of the universe has assumed the form of Nrusimha. For the welfare of the worlds that lord himself has killed Hiranyakaśhipu with his sharp claws along with many leading Daityas. But being in the leonine form he is harassing the universe. 

O lord of Devas, kindly do what should be done in the matter. 

55. You are Ugra (fierce); you are the restrainer of all wicked ones; you are our benefactor. Protect us through your bodies of Kälakūta, etc. We have sought refuge in you. 

56-58. O lord of the universe, your conduct is spotless; we are but tools of your game. Our dissolution and rise depend upon the closing or opening of your eyes. Even when you are wide awake, O lord, we are distressed by Vişhnu of unmeasured splendour. O Shiva, our destruction cannot happen when you are wide awake. It behoves you to curb and check Nrusimha, for the welfare of the worlds. 

Süta said: 

The lord who was thus addressed by them replied smilingly. 

59-63. The lord offered them fearlessness saying "I shall kill him." Indra bowed to the lord along with Devas. Lord Brahmã and Devas returned to their homes. Soon alter Mahādeva assumed the form of a Sharabha and approached the haughty Man-lion. The lord in the form of Sharabha took away his life and was worshipped by Devas. From the form of a lion Vişhnu assumed his original form and went away gradually. The lord too who was thus eulogised by Devas went away. 

He who reads or listens to this excellent hymn of Shiva attains his world and rejoices along with him.