Lord Narsimha — Adi Shankara

Here is the advent of Tamil Month, Karthik. Like every other month’s uniqueness, this has got its own. It is a celebrative month for the devotees of Lord Narasimha.

Of all the available stotram on the Lord, my favourite is the one by Sri Shankara Bhagawatpada, “Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Karavalambam”. On two occasions, our Acharya was helped by Lord Narasimha:

1. His disciple, Sri Padmapada saving him from the deadly Kapalikas

2. 2nd time, when the Acharya’s hands were burnt (Amaruka episode).

To celebrate the presence of the Lord, he composed the beautiful hymns on the Lord. Sloka after sloka, he seeks the blessing of the Lord to escape the clutches of samsara; here, the samsara (referred 7 times, continuous cycle of birth-living-death) is compared to different aspects — sea, well, deadliest snake, lion, etc and beseech the help of the Lord to extricate him/us out of this vicious cycle.

Srimat payonidhi nikethana chakra pane,

Bhogeendra Bhoga mani rajitha punya moorthe,

Yogeesa saswatha saranya Bhabdhi potha,

Lakshmi Nrsimha Mama Dehi Karavalambam., 1

Oh Great God Lakshmi Nrsimha,

Who lives in the ocean of milk,

Who holds the holy wheel as weapon,

Who wears the gems of the head,

Of Adhisesha as ornaments,

Who has the form of good and holy deeds,

Who is the permanent protection of sages,

And who is the boat which helps us cross,

This ocean of misery called life,

Please give me the protection of your hands.