Ashtakam - Sacred Scripture

Sri Narasimha Ashtakam

Sri Narasimha Ashtakam

Sri Narasimha Ashtakam

Ashtakam
Unknown
9 Verses
110%

shrI narasiMha aShTakam

shrImadakala~Nka paripUrNa shashikoTi-

shrIdhara manohara saTApaTala kAnta|

pAlaya kRRipAlaya bhavAmbudhi-nimagnaM

daityavarakAla narasiMha narasiMha || 1 ||

pAdakamalAvanata pAtaki-janAnAM

pAtakadavAnala patatrivara-keto|

bhAvana parAyaNa bhavArtiharayA mAM

pAhi kRRipayaiva narasiMha narasiMha || 2 ||

tuNganakha-paNkti-dalitAsura-varAsRRik

paNka-navakuNkuma-vipa~Nkila-mahoraH |

paNDitanidhAna-kamalAlaya namaste

pa~NkajaniShaNNa narasiMha narasiMha || 3 ||

mauliShu vibhUShaNamivAmara varANAM

yogihRRidayeShu cha shirassunigamAnAm |

rAjadaravinda-ruchiraM padayugaM te

dehi mama mUrdhni narasiMha narasiMha || 4 ||

vArijavilochana madantima-dashAyAM

klesha-vivashIkRRita-samasta-karaNAyAm |

ehi ramayA saha sharaNya vihagAnAM

nAthamadhiruhya narasiMha narasiMha || 5 ||

hATaka-kirITa-varahAra-vanamAlA

dhArarashanA-makarakuNDala-maNIndraiH |

bhUShitamasheSha-nilayaM tava vapurme

chetasi chakAstu narasiMha narasiMha || 6 ||

indu ravi pAvaka vilochana ramAyAH

mandira mahAbhuja-lasadvara-rathA~Nga|

sundara chirAya ramatAM tvayi mano me

nandita suresha narasiMha narasiMha || 7 ||

mAdhava mukunda madhusUdana murAre

vAmana nRRisiMha sharaNaM bhava natAnAm |

kAmada ghRRiNin nikhilakAraNa nayeyaM

kAlamamaresha narasiMha narasiMha || 8 ||

aShTakamidaM sakala-pAtaka-bhayaghnaM

kAmadaM asheSha-duritAmaya-ripughnam |

yaH paThati santatamasheSha-nilayaM te

gachChati padaM sa narasiMha narasiMha || 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

  1. Protection from enemies and evil forces
  2. Removal of sins and karmic debts
  3. Granting of courage and strength
  4. Overcoming obstacles and difficulties
  5. 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