09-05-2025
May 10, 2025
Acharyas and pandits were engaged in a deep debate on the question of God's most eye-catching and beautiful avatar. Tirumazhisai Piran, the fourth among Azhwars, gave the verdict as 'Azhagiyaan Thaane Ari Uruvan Thaane', naming Nrisimha avatar as the most beautiful one. While the evil-minded and those with asura tendencies may cite the avatar as ferocious, to the true devotee, Nrisimha is his benevolent protector, said Tirukkudanthai Dr. Venkatesh.
An old adage says , 'There is no tomorrow for Nrisimha'. This is because He comes rushing to protect His devotee who believes in Him and appeals to Him. Nrisimha is mercy personified. He took form as half-man, half-lion as a way of outsmarting the asura Hiranyakasipu, who, through severe penance, received a boon from Brahma whereby he could not be killed by man or woman or beast, at morning or night, inside the house or outside, neither on earth nor in the sky, with any weapon. Bloated with ego, he instructed all to worship him as the supreme being and forbid his subjects from praying to any God and vedic rituals among others. Ironically, his son Prahlad was born with unshaking faith in Lord Narayana, thereby posing a challenge. When Hiranyakasipu sent him to a school for asuras, where he was hailed as God, Prahlad refused to countenance such thoughts and was soaked in true bhakti. A furious Hrianyakasipu ordered his son's death and taunted him saying, 'Where is your God now?' 'He is everywhere, even in the pillar here,' responded Prahlad at which the cruel king struck the pillar, as dusk fell. With a thundering noise Nrisimha emerged, dragged the asura to the threshold, put his body on his lap and tore him apart with nails (both living and non-living 'weapon'). Mahalakshmi appeared forthwith and His countenance became tranquil and beautiful, promising protection to His devotees.
One should observe Nrisimha Jayanti in the Vaishaka month of the lunar calendar (the 30 days between the new moon of Chittirai and the new moon of Vaikasi is called Vaishaka), under the star of Swati, during the twilight hour with offerings of flowers, sandalwood paste, tulasi and panagam (jaggery juice). Reading of or listening to Prahlad Charitra is highly efficacious on this day.
