Original Author[1]: Śrī Likuca Trivikrama Paṇḍitācārya (or his son Nārāyaṇa Paṇḍitācārya[2])
Version: 0.9
Release Date: śrī-makara-saṅkramaṇa-parvakāla, Kali-gatābda 5124 (January 15, 2024 CE)
Maṅgalācaraṇam
[udaya-ravi-sahasra-dyotitaṃ rūkṣa-vīkṣaṃ pralaya-jaladhi-nādaṃ kalpa-kṛd-vahni-vaktram |
sura-pati-ripu-vakṣaḥ-kṣoda-raktokṣitāṅgaṃ praṇata-bhaya-haraṃ taṃ nārasiṃhaṃ namāmi || * ||[3]]
[I bow down to that Nārasimha, who dispels the fears of those who prostrate before him. His radiance mirrors a thousand dawning suns. His [three] eyes are fierce. His sound resembles the roaring waves of the cosmic deluge. The fire within His mouth initiates cosmic dissolution. His body is sprinkled with blood flowing from the vanquished chest of the enemy of the lord of gods.]
pralaya-ravi-karālākāra-ruk-cakravālaṃ viralayad-uru-rocī-rocitāśāntarāla |
prati-bhaya-tama kopātyutkaṭoccāṭṭahāsin
daha daha narasiṃhāsahya-vīryāhitaṃ me || 1 ||
O Narasimha! your immense radiance illuminates the entire space between horizons, overshadowing the radiance cast by the halos of suns of cosmic dissolution in their fierce forms. You are an unmatched conqueror of fear, and you possess a boisterous laughter born out of profound anger.
O such Narasimha, an embodiment of indomitable valour! Burn, burn and incinerate my sins.
Narasimha’s feet:
sa-rasa-rabhasa-pādāpāta-bhārābhirāva-
pracakita-cala-sapta-dvandva-loka-stutas tvam |
ripu-rudhira-niṣekeṇeva śoṇāṅghri-śālin
daha daha narasiṃhāsahya-vīryāhitaṃ me || 2 ||
Your feet move with valour and force; and the sound emanating from the intensity of those steps shake and frighten the fourteen worlds. And, you are praised by the people there. Your feet are red in colour, as if because they are drenched in the enemy’s blood.
O such Narasimha, an embodiment of indomitable valour! Burn, burn and incinerate my sins.
Legs and thighs:
tava ghana-ghana-ghoṣo ghoram āghrāya jaṅghā-
parigham alaghum ūru-vyāja-tejogiriṃ ca |
ghana-vighaṭitam āgād daitya-jaṅghāla-saṅgho
daha daha narasiṃhāsahya-vīryāhitaṃ me || 3 ||
The assembly of demons, swift in motion, whose tumult resonates like the thunderous roar of dense rain clouds, is utterly scattered upon beholding your fearsome shank, reminiscent of an iron mace, and your stout thighs whose pretext reminds an unassailable mountain.
O such Narasimha, an embodiment of indomitable valour! Burn, burn and incinerate my sins.
Cloth covering the waist:
kaṭaki-kaṭaka-rājaddhāṭakāgrya-sthalābhā
prakaṭa-paṭa-taṭit te satkaṭisthā ’atipaṭvī |
kaṭuka-kaṭuka-duṣṭāṭopa-dṛṣṭi-pramuṣṭau
daha daha narasiṃhāsahya-vīryāhitaṃ me || 4 ||
The radiant fabric on your elegant waist, gleams like the brilliant golden peaks atop the mountain bases. Like a lightening bolt, it is highly capable of stealing the gaze of demons enveloped in formidable and malevolent arrogance[4].
O such Narasimha, an embodiment of indomitable valour! Burn, burn and incinerate my sins.
Abdomen:
prakhara-nakhara-vajrotkhāta-rūkṣāri-vakṣaḥ-
śikhari-śikhara-raktair ākta-sandoha-deha |
su-valibha( )śubha-kukṣe bhadra-gambhīra-nābhe
daha daha narasiṃhāsahya-vīryāhitaṃ me || 5 ||
Oh Narasimha, you bear a divine abdomen with [three] elegant skin folds. You possess an exquisite and deep navel. The midriff portion of your form is anointed with blood streaming from the mountain peak of the chest of this ferocious enemy, split apart by your diamond-like penetrating claws.
O such Narasimha, an embodiment of indomitable valour! Burn, burn and incinerate my sins.
Chest, neck and hands:
sphurayati tava sākṣāt saiva nakṣatra-mālā
kṣapita-ditija-vakṣo-vyāpta-nakṣatra-mārgam |
ari-dara-dhara jānvāsakta-hasta-dvayāho
daha daha narasiṃhāsahya-vīryāhitaṃ me || 6 ||
You wield cakra, the wheel and śaṅkha, the conch [in your upper two hands]; your [lower] two hands are placed on knees. Your evident necklace made of 27 pearls clearly illuminates the celestial pathway of stars pervaded by the chest of this vanquished demon.
O such Narasimha, an embodiment of indomitable valour! Burn, burn and incinerate my sins.
Mane and hands:
kaṭu-vikaṭa-saṭaughodghaṭṭanodbhraṣṭa-bhūyo-
ghana-paṭala-viśālākāśa-labdhāvakāśam |
kara-parigha-vimarda-prodyamaṃ dhyāyatas te
daha daha narasiṃhāsahya-vīryāhitaṃ me || 7 ||
The sweep of your sharp and vast mane [around your neck] has scattered myriad clouds carving an expansive realm for your hands, akin to iron maces, to embark on their annihilative mission. I contemplate this formidable endeavour.
O such Narasimha, an embodiment of indomitable valour! Burn, burn and incinerate my sins.
Neck:
haṭha-luṭhad-alaghiṣṭhotkaṇṭha daṣṭoṣṭha vidyut-
saṭa śaṭha-kaṭhinoraḥ-pīṭha-bhit suṣṭhu niṣṭhām |
paṭhati nu tava kaṇṭhādhiṣṭha-ghorāntra-mālā
daha daha narasiṃhāsahya-vīryāhitaṃ me || 8 ||
Your robust and elegant neck moves forcefully; your lips are clenched; your mane resembles a thunderbolt; you destroy the base in the form of the wicked’s tough chest; the terrifying necklace of intestines draped around your neck signifies your unwavering commitment.
O such Narasimha, an embodiment of indomitable valour! Burn, burn and incinerate my sins.
Face as a whole:
hata-bahu-mihirābhāsahya-saṃhāra-raṃho-
hutavaha-bahu-heti-hreṣitānanta-heti |
a-hita-vihita-mohaṃ saṃvahan saiṃham āsyaṃ
daha daha narasiṃhāsahya-vīryāhitaṃ me || 9 ||
Oh Narasimha! Your lion-face, perplexing the wicked, surpasses the brilliance of numerous suns, and swiftly advancing flames of the all consuming fire, humbling even the radiance of Śeṣa[5].
O such Narasimha, an embodiment of indomitable valour! Burn, burn and incinerate my sins.
Mouth and teeth:
guru-guru-giri-rājat-kandarāntargate vā
dina-maṇi-maṇi-śṛṅge vā( ’a)nta-vahni-pradīpte |
dadhad ati-kaṭu-daṃṣṭre bhīṣaṇoj-jihva-vaktre
daha daha narasiṃhāsahya-vīryāhitaṃ me || 10 ||
Oh Narasimha! You wield razor-sharp fangs, reminiscent of the peaks of a sunstone-laden mountain. These teeth reside within your frightening mouth, accompanied by a protruding tongue that gleams like the brilliance of an unleashed fire, as if dwelling in a magnificent cave within a colossal mountain.
O such Narasimha, an embodiment of indomitable valour! Burn, burn and incinerate my sins.
Laughter:
adharita-vibudhābdhi-dhyāna-dhairyaṃ vidīdhyad-
vividha-vibudha-dhī-śraddhāpitendrāri-nāśam |
vidadhad ati-kaṭāhodghaṭṭaneddhāṭṭahāsaṃ
daha daha narasiṃhāsahya-vīryāhitaṃ me || 11 ||
Oh Narasimha! you carry a fiery resounding laughter, which cleaved apart the powerful bounds of the universe; belittled even the unwavering meditation of sage-oceans; and instilled a belief about the annihilation of Indra’ enemy in the minds of many revered sages.
O such Narasimha, an embodiment of indomitable valour! Burn, burn and incinerate my sins.
Eyes:
tri-bhuvana-tṛṇa-mātra-trāṇa-tṛṣṇārdra-netra-
trayam ati-laghitārcir-viṣṭapāviṣṭa-pādam |
nava-tara-ravi-tāmraṃ dhārayan rūkṣa-vīkṣaṃ
daha daha narasiṃhāsahya-vīryāhitaṃ me || 12 ||
Oh Narasimha! you bear three ferocious eyes with the crimson hue of the newborn sun, moistened by the thirst to safeguard the three worlds that are mere blades of grass for you, and with rays permeating the exceedingly subtle realms of fiery entities like the sun and the moon.
Oh such Narasimha, an embodiment of indomitable valour! Burn, burn, and incinerate my sins relentlessly.
Eyesbrows:
bhramad-abhibhava-bhūbhṛd-bhūri-bhū-bhāra-sad-bhid-
bhid-abhinava-vida-bhrū-vibhramādabhra-śubhra[6] |
ṛbhu-bhava-bhaya-bhettar bhāsi bho bho vibhābhīr[7]
daha daha narasiṃhāsahya-vīryāhitaṃ me || 13 ||
Hey, hey, Narasimha! The movement of your eyebrows fulfils every new endeavour; vanquishes the numerous ignorant defeaters, who dominate the world, are a burden on this earth, and destroy the noble people. You are utterly pure. You dispel the fear that even the gods experience in this world. You shine with brilliant radiance.
O such Narasimha, an embodiment of indomitable valour! Burn, burn and incinerate my sins.
Parts of face:
śravaṇa-kacita-cañcat-kuṇḍalollola-gaṇḍa[8]
bhru-kuṭi-kaṭu-lalāṭa śreṣṭha-nāsāruṇoṣṭha |
varada surada rājat-kesarotsāritāre
daha daha narasiṃhāsahya-vīryāhitaṃ me || 14 ||
Your cheeks move with swaying earrings adorning your ears. A fierce frown embellishes your forehead. Your nose is elegant and lips crimson-hued lips. Your teeth are graceful and your glorious mane vanquish the enemies.
A bestower of boons, O Narasimha, an embodiment of indomitable valour! Burn, burn and incinerate my sins.
Ornaments:
ka-vikaca[9]-kaca-rājad-ratna-koṭīra-śālin
gala-gata-galad-usrodāra-ratnāṅgadāḍhya |
kanaka-kaṭaka-kāñcī-śiñjinī-mudrikāvan
daha daha narasiṃhāsahya-vīryāhitaṃ me || 15 ||
O Narasimha! You are adorned with a crown of resplendent jewels embellishing the distinct cascade of your hair upon your head. A magnificent jewel on your neck exudes radiance. You flourish with an elegant armlet. You wear golden bangles, a girdle, anklets and ring.
O such Narasimha, an embodiment of indomitable valour! Burn, burn and incinerate my sins.
Weapons:
ari-daram asi-kheṭau bāṇa-cāpe gadāṃ san-
musalam api dadhānaḥ pāśa-varyāṅkuśau ca[10] |
kara-yugala-dhṛtāntra-srag( )-vibhinnāri-vakṣo
daha daha narasiṃhāsahya-vīryāhitaṃ me || 16 ||
You wield a wheel and a conch; a sword and a shield; an arrow and a bow; a mace and a pestle, a rope and a goad; In [the remaining three] pairs of hands you grasp [the enemy], the garland of intestines, and the chest of the enemy cleaved apart.
O such Narasimha, an embodiment of indomitable valour! Burn, burn and incinerate my sins.
Prayers:
caṭa caṭa caṭa dūraṃ mohaya bhrāmayārin
kaḍi kaḍi kaḍi kāyaṃ jvālaya sphoṭayasva |
jahi jahi jahi vegaṃ śātravaṃ sānubandhaṃ
daha daha narasiṃhāsahya-vīryāhitaṃ me || 17 ||
Decimate enemies from afar; confuse and unsettle them; destroy, incinerate, and obliterate the bodies [of enemies]; kill the swiftness of enemies along with their auxiliaries.
O Narasimha, an embodiment of indomitable valour! Burn, burn and incinerate my sins.
vidhi-vibhu-vibudheśa[11]-bhrāmakāgni-sphuliṅga-
prasavi-vikaṭa-daṃṣṭroj-jihva-rakta-trinetra[12] |
kala kala kala kāmaṃ pāhi māṃ te su-bhaktaṃ
daha daha narasiṃhāsahya-vīryāhitaṃ me || 18 ||
Oh Narasimha! Your expansive fangs, protruding tongue, and the three red eyes emit fiery particles that unsettle even Brahman, Śiva, and Indra. Fulfil my desires, and protect me, your committed devotee[13].
O such Narasimha, an embodiment of indomitable valour! Burn, burn and incinerate my sins.
kuru kuru karuṇāṃ tāṃ sāṅkurāṃ daitya-pote
diśa diśa viśadāṃ me śāśvatīṃ deva-dṛṣṭim |
jaya jaya jaya-murte ‘nārta jetavya-pakṣaṃ
daha daha narasiṃhāsahya-vīryāhitaṃ me || 19 ||
Grant, and grant again, the evident mercy you displayed towards the son of that demon. O divine one, provide, and repeatedly provide me with that pure and everlasting vision. O embodiment of victory, free from afflictions! Conquer, and conquer the enemy side.
O Narasimha, an embodiment of indomitable valour! Burn, burn and incinerate my sins.
stutir iyam ahitaghnī sevitā nārasiṃhī
tanur iva pariśāntā mālinī sā ‘bhito ‘lam |
tad-akhila-guru-māgrya-śrīdarūpā mahadbhir[14]
su-ni-ya-ma-na-ya-kṛtyaiḥ sad-gaṇair[15] nitya-yuktāḥ || 20 ||
This eulogy on Narasimha is composed in the Malini meter throughout. It has ‘ma’gaṇa pattern, featuring only ‘guru’ syllables, and thus is capable of offering abundant wealth. It is bound with the excellent gaṇas, well identified as na, na, ma, ya, and ya. When recited and completed, it dispels distress akin to the divine form of Narasimha.
Narasimha’s tranquil form, adorned with a garland, when worshipped, bestows prosperity upon Brahman, the teacher of all, and also upon Lakṣmī. It is eternally bound by a cluster of revered virtues such as regulation, guidance, and other actions.
likuca-tilaka-sūnuḥ saddhitārthānusārī
narahari-nutim etāṃ śatru-saṃhāra-hetum |
akṛta sakala-pāpa-dhvaṃsinīṃ yaḥ paṭhet tāṃ
vrajati nṛhari-lokaṃ kāma-lobhādy-asaktaḥ || 21 ||
The scion of a great personality of the Likuca lineage, who treads the path what is good for righteous people, authored this Narasimha-Stuti, a tool to vanquish enemies. Anyone, being detached from desires, greed and other allurements, recites this hymn, capable of destroying all sins, attains the abode of Lord Narasimha.
As per the commentary by Śrī Viśvapati Tīrtha, the author composed this poem during his pilgrimage to Ananta-Padmanābha. Here, he encountered adversaries who, displeased by his erudite rebuttals, conspired to harm him. It is believed that the author composed this poem as an invocation to Lord Narasimha, seeking divine intervention to thwart the malevolent forces conspiring against him. ↩︎
The ekāvalī commentary by Śrī Sumatīndra Tīrtha attributes the work to Trivikrama Paṇḍitācārya himself. However, an earlier commentary by Śrī Viśvapati Tīrtha designates this as a work of Nārāyaṇa Paṇḍitācārya, the son of Trivikrama Paṇḍitācārya. ↩︎
This verse, although not integrated into the poem commented upon by Śrī Viśvapati Tīrtha, appears distinctly following the completion of the commentary. Nevertheless, Śrī Sumatīndra Tīrtha’s commentary asserts that this particular verse serves as the inaugural verse of the poem itself. ↩︎
This translation relies on Śrī Viśvapati Tīrtha’s commentary, interpreting ‘kaṭuka-kaṭuka’ as ‘formidable’. Ekāvalī, however, interprets it as possessing the quality of kaṭuka, implying a piercing nature akin to desire and anger. Thus, it conveys the idea of ‘noxious arrogance that pierces like desire and anger’. ↩︎
This text has two readings, and two different interpretations. One interpretation treats ‘hata-bahu-mihirābhāsahya-saṃhāra-raṃhohutavaha-bahu-heti-hreṣitānanta-heti’ as a single word, utilizing the phrase ‘…hreṣitānanta…’. Alternatively, the other interpretation regards ‘hata-bahu-mihirābhāsahya-saṃhāra-raṃho’ and ‘hutavaha-bahu-heti-hreṣikānanta-heti’ as two separate words, reading it as ‘…hreṣikānanta…’. The translation provided above aligns with the first reading and is based on Ekāvalī’s explanation. In contrast, the interpretation according to the second reading and Śrī Viśvapati Tīrtha’s commentary would be: “Your lion-face, perplexing the wicked, possesses an unstoppable speed of destruction, surpassing the brilliance of numerous suns. The boundless radiance humbles the countless flames of the fire.” ↩︎
‘bhid-abhinava-vida…’ has two other readings: ‘bhid-anava-vibhava…’ and ‘bhid-abhinava-vibhava…’. ↩︎
‘vibhābhīr’ has a variant reading: “vibho ’bhīr”. In this case, these are two words ‘vibho’ and ‘abhīḥ’, which get translates as: ‘Oh Lord! You are fearless.’ ↩︎
‘…-kacita-…’ in some variations is read as ‘…-khacita-…’. The meaning remains the same. ‘…kuṇḍalollola-gaṇḍa’ has a variation ‘…kuṇḍaloccaṇḍa-gaṇḍa’ in some texts. The translation given above is based on the first reading. This is a single word. In the second reading, it is two words: ‘śravaṇa-kacita-cañcat-kuṇḍala’ and ‘uccaṇḍa-gaṇḍa’. Then the translation would be: ‘Your ears are adorned with swaying earrings; and your cheeks are ferocious’. ↩︎
‘pra-vikaca’ ↩︎
‘musalamapi kapāle cāṅkuśaṃ pāśaśūle’ ↩︎
‘vidhi-bhava-vibudheśa’ ↩︎
‘…daṃṣṭroj-jihva-vaktra-trinetra’ is another reading. In that case the translation would be: “Your expansive fangs, protruding toungue, mouth and three eyes emit fiery particles …” ↩︎
‘kala-kala-kala’ can also be seen as an adjective to Lord Narasimha. In that case the translation would be: ‘O Narasimha! Yours is a melodious uproar; protect me, your committed devotee, in every way.’ ↩︎
‘lasadbhir’ ↩︎
‘sad-guṇair’ ↩︎