Sri Nrisimhashtakam

Sri Nrisimhashtakam

By Paramahamsat Yati Jiyar, a Sri Vaishnava Acharya

1. Shrimad akalanka paripurna shashikoti

shridhara manohara satapatakanta

palaya kupalaya bhavambudhi nimagnam

daityavarakala narasimha narasimha

O Lord Nrisimha, O Lord Nrisimha, You are the husband of Sri, the goddess of fortune. You are the death of the greatest demon, Hiranyakashipu. I am sinking into the ocean of birth and death, O Kripalaya, the treasure house of mercy, please protect me.

2. Pada kamalavanata pataki jananam

pataka davanala patatri varaketo

bhavana parayana bhavarti haraya mam

pahi kripayaiva narasimha narasimha

P Lord Nrisimha, You are the forest fire of sins of the sinful people who bow down to Your lotus feet. You are known as Garuda-dvaja, whose chariot flag is adorned by Garuda. O Lord Nrisimha, You are the cause of creation and the best shelter. Please protect me and bestow your mercy upon me which alone can remove the distress of birth and death.

3. Tunga nakha-pankti-dalitasuravarasrik

panka nava kunkuma vipankila mahoraha

pandita nidhana kamlalaya namaste

pankaja nishnna narasimha narasimha

O Lord Nrisimha, Your raised nails have ripped apart the great demon, Hiranyakashipu. The blood that squirted out made Your chest wet and made it look like that fresh kumkum was applied on You. O Lord Nrisimha, You are the shelter of the best persons including Kamala, the goddess of fortune. You always dwell in Your abode which resembles a lotus flower. I offer my obeisances unto You.

4. Maulishu vibhushanam iva maravaranam

yogihridayeshu cha shirassu nigamanam

rajad aravinda ruchiram padayugam te

dehi mama murdhni narasimha narasimha

O Lord Nrisimha, O Lord Nrisimha, please keep Your illuminating lotus feet on my head which are placed as ornaments on the helmets of the demigods, in the hearts of the yogis and on the nigamas, the Vedic scriptures.

5. Varija vilochana mad antima dashayam

klesha vivashikrita samasta karanayam

ehi ramaya saha sharanya vihaganam

natham adhiruhya narasimha narasimha

O Lord Nrisimha, O Lord Nrisimha, O lotus eyed one, please give me Your audience along with Rama, Your consort riding on the back of Garuda, the king of birds, when all my senses will be suffering in distress and I will be in my last difficulty at the time of giving up my body.

6. Hataka kiritavara hara vanamala

tararashana makara kundala manindraih

bhushitam-ashesha-nilayam tava vapurme

chotasi chakasta narasimha narasimha

O Lord Nrisimha, O Lord Nrisimha, Your transcendental body, which is the ultimate shelter of everything. Is decorated with a beautiful golden crown, a forest garland, shark-like earrings, various excellent jewels and an out projecting wide tongue.

7. Indu ravi pavaku vilochana ramayaha

mandira mahabhuja lasadvara rathanga

sundara chiraya ramatam tvayi mano me

nandita suresha narasimha narasimha

O Lord Nrisimha, O beautiful one, let me mind always be engaged in enjoying Your form. The sun, the moon and the fire are Your eyes and Your strong arm is beautified by a huge wheel. O Lord Nrisimha, You are the only shelter of goddess Ramaa (Lakshmi) and You are honored even by Lord Indra.

8. Madhava mukunda madhusudana murare

vamana nrisimha sharanam bhava natanam

kamada ghrinin nikhila karana nayeyam

kalam amaresha narasimha narasimha

O Lord Nrisimha, O Mukunda, Madhusudana, Murari, Vamana, You are the shelter of the surrendered souls. O Lord of the demigods, cause of all causes, please do not neglect me. Kindly fulfill my desire of passing my whole life chanting Your holy names.

9. Ashtakam idam sakala pataka bhayaghnam

kamadam ashesha duritamaya ripughnam

yah pathati santatam ashesha nilayam te

gacchati padam sa narasimha narasimha

O Lord Nrisimha, one who reads these eight prayers daily becomes free from all the fear of sinful reactions. All desires become fulfilled, kills all his enemies and destroys all kinds of diseases. He will attain the abode of Lord Nrisimha, the Lord reclining on Shesha.