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On the auspicious occasion of #narasimhajayanti let's look at how Narasimha opens and closes the Vishnu Sahasranama. #thread 
He is the first Avatara to be mentioned by name, appearing right in the 3rd verse.
योगो योगविदां नेता प्रधानपुरुषेश्वरः ।
नारसिंहवपुः श्रीमान् केशवः पुरुषोत्तमः ॥
Sreeman Narasimha, the one from whom Lakshmi never leaves.
योगो योगविदां नेता प्रधानपुरुषेश्वरः ।
नारसिंहवपुः श्रीमान् केशवः पुरुषोत्तमः ॥
Sreeman Narasimha, the one from whom Lakshmi never leaves.
He appears around the middle in Verse 52 as
गभस्तिनेमिः सत्त्वस्थः सिंहो भूतमहेश्वरः ।
आदिदेवो महादेवो देवेशो देवभृद्गुरुः ॥
He is the Mahesvara who appeared as the Lion.
गभस्तिनेमिः सत्त्वस्थः सिंहो भूतमहेश्वरः ।
आदिदेवो महादेवो देवेशो देवभृद्गुरुः ॥
He is the Mahesvara who appeared as the Lion.
Narasimha also appears the last naama.
शङ्खभृन्नन्दकी चक्री शार्ङ्गधन्वा गदाधरः ।
रथाङ्गपाणिरक्षोभ्यः सर्वप्रहरणायुधः ॥
Sarva Praharanaayudha. The one who can wield anything as a weapon (to protect those devoted to Him).
Now, how does this refer to Narasimha?
शङ्खभृन्नन्दकी चक्री शार्ङ्गधन्वा गदाधरः ।
रथाङ्गपाणिरक्षोभ्यः सर्वप्रहरणायुधः ॥
Sarva Praharanaayudha. The one who can wield anything as a weapon (to protect those devoted to Him).
Now, how does this refer to Narasimha?
After all, one may argue that being Sarva Praharanaayudha is a common attribute of all Avataras.
Indeed, Rama picks up a darbha grass to launch at Jayanta disguised as a crow.
Indeed, Rama picks up a darbha grass to launch at Jayanta disguised as a crow.
And Krishna, after vowing to not take up weapons during the Kurukshetra war, nevertheless picks up a wheel to attack Bheeshma.
But you see, both Rama and Krishna had to *pick up* something to use as a weapon.
It is Narasimha who uses his own nails as a weapon against Hiranyakasipu.
Thus, Narasimha is Sarva Praharanaayudha.
It is Narasimha who uses his own nails as a weapon against Hiranyakasipu.
Thus, Narasimha is Sarva Praharanaayudha.
It is this act that Rama refers to, when Sugreeva and others hesitate to accept Vibheeshana, fearing that he may cause harm to Rama.
Rama asks Sugreeva not to worry, and says
पिशाचान् दानवान् यक्षान् पृथिव्याम् चैव राक्षसान् ||
अन्गुलि अग्रेण तान् हन्याम् इच्चन् हरि गण ईश्वर |
All the Pisachas, Danavas, Yakshas, &Rakshasaas living on the earth, if I wish, I can eliminate them with just the tip of my finger
पिशाचान् दानवान् यक्षान् पृथिव्याम् चैव राक्षसान् ||
अन्गुलि अग्रेण तान् हन्याम् इच्चन् हरि गण ईश्वर |
All the Pisachas, Danavas, Yakshas, &Rakshasaas living on the earth, if I wish, I can eliminate them with just the tip of my finger
Narasimha as Sarva Praharanaayudha, does not waste even a moment to pick up a weapon to protect His devotees.
May He protect us always!
श्रीमत्पयोनिधिनिकेतनचक्रपाणे
भोगीन्द्रभोगमणिराजितपुण्यमूर्ते ।
योगीश शाश्वत शरण्य भवाब्धिपोत
लक्ष्मीनृसिंह मम देहि करावलम्बम् ॥
May He protect us always!
श्रीमत्पयोनिधिनिकेतनचक्रपाणे
भोगीन्द्रभोगमणिराजितपुण्यमूर्ते ।
योगीश शाश्वत शरण्य भवाब्धिपोत
लक्ष्मीनृसिंह मम देहि करावलम्बम् ॥
Thank you for reading.
@threadreaderapp please compile.
@threadreaderapp please compile.
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