Sri Nrisimha Ashtakam

(Prayers for the protection of Lord Nrisimha)

1. Dhyayami narasimhakyam

brahma vedanta-gocharam

bhavabdhi taran opayam

shankha chakra dharam param

I am meditating on the Supreme Person known as Nrisimha who is attainable through Vedanta philosophy. He is the carrier of the conch and the Sudarshana disc, and He is the only means for crossing the ocean of birth and death.

2. Nilam ramam cha paribhuya kripa rasena

stambhe sva-shakti-managham vinidhaya deva

prahlada rakshana vidhavi yati kripa te

shri narasimha paripalaya mam cha bhaktam

You mercifully protect Nila and Rama with Your chaste, spiritual internal potency. You also extend Your protective energy over Prahlada Maharaja. O Nrisimha please protect me too, for I am also trying to be Your devotee.

3. Indra-adi deva nikarasya kirita koti

pratyupta ratna prati-bimbita pada-padma

kalpa-anta kala ghana garjana tulya-nada

shri narasimha paripalaya mam cha bhaktam

Your lotus feet are comparable in effulgence to the brilliance of the sum total of the jewelry possessed by all the demigods. Your roaring is like that of the thundering clouds at the universal dissolution. O Nrisimha please protect me too, for I am also trying to be Your devotee.

4. Prahlada posha pralayarka samana vaktra

hum-kara nirjita nishachara vrinda nada

sri-narada muni sangha sugiyamana

sri narasimha paripalaya mam cha bhaktam

You are the maintainer of Prahlada Maharaja and Your open mouth is exactly as the sun which causes the destruction of the universe. O Lord, Your grunts frighten all the roaming predators of the night. You are always beautifully glorified by sages such as Narada Muni. O Nrisimha please protect me too, for I am also trying to be Your devotee.

5. Ratrin charadri jatarat parisramsya-mana raktam

nipiya pari-kalpita sa-antara-mala

vidravita-akhila surogra nrisimha rupam

sri narasimha paripalaya mam cha bhaktam

O Nrisimha, Your divine form is horrifying. You are tearing apart all the wild animals descending from the caves of the mountains to terrify and to drink the blood of everyone. O Nrisimha please protect me too, for I am also trying to be Your devotee.

6. Yogi-indra yoga pari-rakshaka deva deva

dina-arthi-hari vibhava-agama giyamana

mam vikshya dinam asaranyam aganya-shilam

sri narasimha paripalaya mam cha bhaktam

O King of the yogis, Lord of Lords and the protector of the process of yoga. You are the remover of the sufferings of those who are dear to You. Your wonderful form is described in the agamas. Please glance upon me who is without shelter and possesses no good qualities. O Nrisimha please protect me too, for I am trying to be Your devotee.

7. Prahlada shoka vinivarana bhadra-simha

naktan-charendra mada khandana vira-simha

indra-adi deva-jana sangnuta pada-padma

sri narasimha paripalaya mam cha bhaktam

You are the auspicious lion that dispersed the grief of Prahlada Maharaja. O Powerful Lion, who tears everything apart in an intoxicated mood, You are the Lord of the ferocious predators of the dark night. Your lotus feet are surrounded by all divine and pious personalities beginning with Lord Indra. O Nrisimha please protect me too, for I am also trying to be Your devotee.

8. Gyanena kechid avalambya padambhujam te

kechit sukarma nikarena pare ch bhaktya

muktim gatah khalu janah kripaya murare

sri narasimha paripalaya mam cha bhaktam

Some people try to embrace Your lotus feet through the process of knowledge. Others try by performing pious activities and yet others by the path of devotion. O Murari by Your mercy all of them attain liberation. O Nrisimha please protect me too, for I am also trying to be Your devotee.

Iti sri nrisimha ashtakam sampurnam

Thus ends the Nrisimha ashtakam.