Sri Narasimha Ashtakam
Sri Narasimha Ashtakam
Sri Narasimha Ashtakam
śrī narasiṃha aṣṭakam
śrīmadakalaṅka paripūrṇa śaśikoṭi-
śrīdhara manohara saṭāpaṭala kānta|
pālaya kṛpālaya bhavāmbudhi-nimagnaṃ
daityavarakāla narasiṃha narasiṃha || 1 ||
pādakamalāvanata pātaki-janānāṃ
pātakadavānala patatrivara-keto|
bhāvana parāyaṇa bhavārtiharayā māṃ
pāhi kṛpayaiva narasiṃha narasiṃha || 2 ||
tuṅganakha-paṅkti-dalitāsura-varāsṛk
paṅka-navakuṅkuma-vipaṅkila-mahoraḥ |
paṇḍitanidhāna-kamalālaya namaste
paṅkajaniṣaṇṇa narasiṃha narasiṃha || 3 ||
mauliṣu vibhūṣaṇamivāmara varāṇāṃ
yogihṛdayeṣu ca śirassunigamānām |
rājadaravinda-ruciraṃ padayugaṃ te
dehi mama mūrdhni narasiṃha narasiṃha || 4 ||
vārijavilocana madantima-daśāyāṃ
kleśa-vivaśīkṛta-samasta-karaṇāyām |
ehi ramayā saha śaraṇya vihagānāṃ
nāthamadhiruhya narasiṃha narasiṃha || 5 ||
hāṭaka-kirīṭa-varahāra-vanamālā
dhāraraśanā-makarakuṇḍala-maṇīndraiḥ |
bhūṣitamaśeṣa-nilayaṃ tava vapurme
cetasi cakāstu narasiṃha narasiṃha || 6 ||
indu ravi pāvaka vilocana ramāyāḥ
mandira mahābhuja-lasadvara-rathāṅga|
sundara cirāya ramatāṃ tvayi mano me
nandita sureśa narasiṃha narasiṃha || 7 ||
mādhava mukunda madhusūdana murāre
vāmana nṛsiṃha śaraṇaṃ bhava natānām |
kāmada ghṛṇin nikhilakāraṇa nayeyaṃ
kālamamareśa narasiṃha narasiṃha || 8 ||
aṣṭakamidaṃ sakala-pātaka-bhayaghnaṃ
kāmadaṃ aśeṣa-duritāmaya-ripughnam |
yaḥ paṭhati santatamaśeṣa-nilayaṃ te
gacchati padaṃ sa narasiṃha narasiṃha || 9 ||
About This Stotram
Sri Narasimha Ashtakam
Sanskrit Title: श्री नरसिंह अष्टकम्
IAST Transliteration:
Overview
The Sri Narasimha Ashtakam is a powerful devotional hymn dedicated to Lord Narasimha, the half-man, half-lion avatar of Lord Vishnu. This avatar is renowned for his fierce form, assumed to protect his devotee Prahlada from the tyrannical demon-king Hiranyakashipu. Reciting this Ashtakam is believed to invoke the protective and destructive energies of Lord Narasimha, thereby safeguarding the devotee from all forms of negativity, both internal and external. It is a plea for divine intervention and grace, seeking the Lord's fierce protection against the 'demons' of worldly suffering, ignorance, and sin. The repetition of 'Narasimha Narasimha' in the verses emphasizes the invocation and the all-pervading presence of the deity. The verses highlight key attributes of Lord Narasimha, such as his radiant countenance, his role as the destroyer of sins, and his power to alleviate the suffering of the cycle of birth and death.
Details
| Attribute | Information |
|---|---|
| Deity | Narasimha |
| Author | Unknown |
| Type | Ashtakam |
| Category | Ashtakam |
| Number of Verses | 9 |
| Origin | The origin of this specific Sri Narasimha Ashtakam is not explicitly stated in the provided text. Ashtakams are typically devotional hymns composed in Sanskrit, often attributed to learned scholars or devotees. Without further textual evidence or scholarly consensus, its precise scriptural origin or the specific text it is derived from remains unknown. It is likely a standalone devotional composition rather than an excerpt from a larger Purana or Upanishad. |
Benefits of Recitation
- Protection from enemies and evil forces
- Removal of sins and karmic debts
- Granting of courage and strength
- Overcoming obstacles and difficulties
- Attainment of spiritual liberation (Moksha)
Best Time to Recite
Mornings and evenings are generally considered auspicious times for reciting devotional hymns. It can also be recited during times of distress, fear, or when facing significant challenges. Specific festivals dedicated to Lord Narasimha, such as Narasimha Jayanti, are also ideal occasions.
Historical Context
The exact historical period and author of this specific Sri Narasimha Ashtakam are unknown. Ashtakams, as a form of devotional poetry, have a long tradition in Sanskrit literature, with many attributed to prominent saints and scholars like Adi Shankaracharya. However, this particular composition does not bear a known authorial attribution. The tradition of worshipping Lord Narasimha dates back to ancient times, as evidenced in the Puranas, particularly the Vishnu Purana and Bhagavata Purana. The composition likely emerged from the devotional fervor of a follower of Vaishnavism, seeking the potent protection of the Narasimha avatar.
Related Stotrams
- Sri Narasimha Stotram
- Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Karavalambha Stotram
- Sri Narasimha Kavacham
Last Updated: 2025-12-01