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15-Narasinh

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15-Narasinh Avataar
This story comes in Bhaagvat Puraan, 7/2.
See also   Narasinh Idol Found in Germany;    Nav Narasinh Kshetra for the Temples of Narasinh Bhagvaan

5th Avataar in 10 Main Avataar and 15th Avataar in 24 Avataar

Narasinh Avataar (Half Lion and Half Man Incarnation) is the third Avataar of Lord Vishnu. The day He appeared to save Prahlaad was Shukla 14 (Chaturdashee) of Vaishaakh month. Narasinh Jayantee (birthday) is celebrated as a festival. Fasting is observed on this date, and the Vaidik Mantra are recited by lunch time, having a bath is a must. Narasinh is the chief deity of strength and power of God.

Brahmaa had 10 Maanas Putra among whom there was one son named Mareechi. Mareechi had a son named Kashyap Jee. Kashyap married 13 daughters of Daksh. Among those 13 wives there was one wife named Diti. Diti had two very mighty sons - Hiranyaaksh and Hiranyakashyap. Hiranyaaksh was killed by Vishnu. Vishnu had to come to kill him in Varaah form. Hearing that Vishnu had killed his brother Hiranyaaksh, Hiranyakashyap became rebel towards Vishnu and decided to kill Vishnu. For this he needed special powers so did Tap for 100 Divine years to please Brahmaa Jee. Devtaa could not tolerate its heat so they went to Brahmaa Jee. Brahmaa Jee said - "Its remedy is only to grant him boon, nothing else."

Brahmaa Jee got pleased by his tough austerity, appeared before him and asked him to ask for any Var. He said - "I should die neither in the morning nor in the evening, neither inside of my house not outside of my house, neither on earth nor in sky, not by any creature created by you and not by any weapon, neither up in the sky nor down on ground." Brahmaa bestowed him this boon and went away. After getting this boon of almost immortality Hiranyakashyap got very proud of his powers and he declared himself as Bhagavaan.

Now when Hiranyakashyap went to do Tap, Devtaa invaded Hiranyakashyap's city and destroyed it. They entered his palace too to get his women. Kayaadhu was pregnant with Prahlaad. With the fear of being caught and hurt, she wanted to commit suicide, but the the Naarad Jee came there and consoled her that she should not commit suicide as she was carrying a great devotee of Vishnu. He took her to his Aashram, kept her there till Hiranyakashyap came back from his Tap. During this period he told her many religious and devotional stories. So when Prahlaad was born, he became a great devotee of Vishnu. [He was one of the two Daitya who were the devotee f Vishnu, otherwise all other Daitya were the devotee were the devotees of Shiv. The other one was Vibheeshan.]

As Prahlaad grew up, his father sent him to get his education to Guru Shukraachaarya Jee. ncidentally Shukra had to go somewhere so his sons were taking classes of Daitya children. Being a Vishnu Bhakt, Prahlaad was no paying any attention to classes as they wee related to only his father's superiority and royal politics. He like to play Hari's Leelaa and sing Hari's Bhajan. Once Hiranyakashyap asked his son as what was e learning, he told all the things related to Hari who was Hiranyakashyap's enemy. He taughtall this to other Daitya children too. When nobody could stop him, Hiranyakashyap tried to kill him. He asked his servants to drop his son from the top of the mountain, drown in the sea, to bite from snakes, to crush under the feet of drunk elephants, and to burn him in the fire. But all his attempts failed.

When his all attempts failed, he got tired, he asked him - "Who saves you?" Prahlaad said - "My Hari, who has given life to you too." Hiranyakashyap again asked him - "Who is your God?" Prahlaad said with polite expressions - "Father, God is only One. Whoever is my God, He is your God too. There are no separate gods for anybody. Yours and my gods are the same." Hiranyakashyap again said - "I am going to kill you now, you may call Him whoever He is and wherever He is." Prahlaad sad - "Father, God is everywhere. I don't need to call Him." Hiranyakashyap said - "Is He in this pillar too." Prahlaad said - "Yes Father, in this pillar too." Hiranyakashyap hit the pillar in anger. As he hit the pillar, there appeared Narasinh Bhagavaan. His head was of a lion and His body was of a human being (He was not the creature created by Brahmaa). He immediately attacked Hiranyakashyap and fought with him. He fought till it was evening (neither day nor night). At that time He picked him up, took him to the door (neither inside the house nor outside the house), kept his body on his lap (neither on Prithvi nor in the sky) and ripped his stomach with his nails (not with any kind of weapon). Hiranyakashyap died immediately.

After the death of his father Prahlaad prayed to God that his father should attain salvation. Prahlaad pleased God through the Stuti (prayers) which He accepted and said that those who will worship me on this day they will get to redeem my abode.

Narasinh Avataar is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Keep fast this day and worship Narasinh Bhagavaan.

 

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Created by Sushma Gupta on 6/15/11
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Updated on 04/09/13