Speech of HH Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji on Narasimha Jayanthi as broadcasted by Datta Maata – May 3, 2012 – Mysore
Sri Mahaganapataye Namah – Sri Saraswatyai Namah – Sri Pada vallabha Narasimha Saraswati SriGuru Dattatreyayanamah
Narasimha Swami is the Lord that came to rescue the outcry of little boy Prahlada. He comes as you call Him or even think of Him. He comes in the form you like, or even look like you if you want it. If you want to see Him under pre-set circumstances, He will show up that way. That is His glory. There are many stories in Puranas that exemplify this. However, it needs great belief and devotion to see Him. He wouldn’t leave alone those who hurt His devotees. Lord was patient while the demon King Hiranyakasipa had insulted Prahlada but when HiranyaKasipa was making fun of Prahlada’s devotion, Lord couldn’t take it anymore. This is the reason why He got a a ferocious attitude. Add to that, Hiranyakasipa claimed Prahlada to be one with bad luck and challenged to cut his head off if the Lord he prays to does not show Himself in the pillar nearby. Then Prahlada replied that God is omnipresent and infact does exit in the pillar too. These words were heard by the omnipresent Lord. While the pillar started shaking, the worlds shook too. To make the words of His devotee true, Lord took a half animal/half human form. He lifted up Hiranyakasipa, put him on His lap and tore the demon apart with His great nails. Then the Lord searched for any humanity left in HiranyaKasipa but He didn’t find any. HiranyaKasipa was full of animal instincts. Only when one leaves demonic qualities and live a human life will one be able to see the possibility of achieving Goodliness. Although Prahlada is HiranyaKasipa’s son and is born to a demon, he lived a human life and that’s why he got to see the Lord Himself.
This event teaches us that when a man leaves all the demonic qualities inside him, he achieves greatness. The Lord appears as ferocious to non-believers. To the devotees, He appears calm and happy. Prahlada perceived Lord’s ferocity as clam. That’s why he could sit on the other lap of the Lord, talk to Him and also get boons. Hlada means happiness. Pra-hlada means a lot of happiness or inner happiness. This happiness faces no destruction. If one believes in worldly strengths and interests like HiranyaKasipa did, it would lead to destruction. But if one believes in devotion and surrender, he would see the Lord.
Samsaradava dahanakula bheekaroruh Jvalavalibhirati dagdha tanooruhasya ||
Tvatpaada padma saraseeru saranagatasya LaksmiNarasimha Manadehi Karavalambam ||
O Lord Lakshmi Narasimha, possessed by organs burned by the great fire of samsara, I reached the pond of your feet with full surrender. Please give me your support and protect me!!
Those who pray to the Lord with devotion today will not have any fears of enemies. With His grace, the fears of all shall be removed and victory shall hail. Let’s all pray to Him for the destruction of our inner fears.
Jai Guru Datta!! Sri Guru Datta!!