Narsimha Jayanti: Know the Story of 4th Avatar of Lord Vishnu
Mon - May 13, 2024
5 min read
On Vaishakha Shiva Chaturdashi, Narasimha Jayanti celebrates the birth of Lord Narasimha, the Fourth Avatar or Incarnation of Lord Vishnu, who came down to defeat evil King Hiranyakashipu. Lord Narasimha's terrifying form had come to save his devoted follower Prahlada from Hiranyakashipu, where there were plans for his murder. The mission of Lord Narasimha was to safeguard the devotees of the Lord, who constantly conspired against him for his death. He wanted to get rid of the evil Hiranyakashipu.
Table of Contents
1. Tithi and Auspicious timing of Narsimha jayanti
2. Significance of Narsimha Jayanti
3. About Lord Narsimha
4. Benefits of worshipping Lord Narasimha
5. Fasting on Narasimha jayanti
6. About prahlad, the great devotee of Lord Vishnu
7. Conspiracy against Prahlad and end of evil Hiranyakashipu
8. Puja vidhi on Narasimha jayanti
9. Mantra to chant during worship
Tithi and Auspicious timing
The date of Narasimha Jayanti is Tuesday, May 21, 2024.
Time of the Narasimha Jayanti Sayana Kala Puja: 04:24 PM to 07:09 PM. It took 02 hours and 44 minutes. The following day, May 22, before 12:18 PM, Parana Time for Narasimha Jayanti Chaturdashi ends beyond 3 Prahar on Narasimha Jayanti, Parana Day.10:56 AM to 01:40 PM is the Narasimha Jayanti Madhyahna Sankalp time.
Start of Chaturdashi Tithi: May 21, 2024, at 5:39 PM
End of Chaturdashi Tithi: May 22, 2024, 06:47 PM
Significance of Narasimha Jayanti
Since this day commemorates Lord Narasimha's birthday, it stands for the triumph of good over evil. Lord Narasimha demonstrated the strength of God by saving His disciple Pralhad from a raging fire. Worshipping Narasimha Dev on Narasimha Jayanti bestows his devotees with his protection, keeps them safe from accidents, and resolves legal issues.
About Lord Narsimha
Lord Narasimha is reported to have a half-human, half-lion appearance, with a human torso and lower body and a terrifying lion's head and claws. Lord Narasimha is prominently featured in various ancient scriptures, including the Vedas and Puranas.
After Lord Varaha killed Hiranyaksha, his demon sibling Hiranyakashipu swore vengeance and began years of penance and austerity at Mount Mandarachal to appease Lord Brahma. Lord Brahma was satisfied with Hiranyakashipu's dedication. He came before him to fulfil his wishes. Hiranyakashipu sought to rule over all three worlds: heaven, hell, and earth. He petitioned Lord Brahma for immortality, but it was denied. After much thought, he requested three wishes. In his prayer to Lord Brahma, he requested that he not be killed by humans or beasts, that no God or Devil could harm him, that he not be killed by steel, stone, or wood, and that he could not be murdered indoors, outdoors, on earth, or in the sky. Lord Brahma granted Hiranyakashipu's requests, and he thought himself eternal as a result of his boons.
He became an autocratic ruler who outlawed prayers to Lord Vishnu and other deities, declaring himself the new God. Prahlad, Hiranyakashipu's son, was a devotee of Lord Vishnu who prayed to him constantly, as taught by Narada in his ashram. He was born to Kayadhu. Despite being transferred to other demons to learn about Rakshasas, Prahlad remained persistent in his prayers. Hiranyakashipu attempted to kill Prahlad, but Lord Vishnu stepped in to save him. Hiranyakashipu attacked Prahlad with a mace and inquired about the presence of Lord Vishnu, whom he considered omnipresent, in the iron pillar.
Lord Narasimha unexpectedly appeared and roared inside. During the twilight hour, he grabbed Hiranyakashipu with his bare claws and ripped him open, ultimately killing him and sparing Prahlad. Lord Narasimha's appearance was intended to deceive Hiranyakashipu into believing he was neither human nor beast. Lord Narasimha's shape and mindset demonstrate that evil cannot overcome good. Those who promote evil will be destroyed by God, who is present everywhere.
Benefits of worshipping Lord Narsimha
1. To overcome debts, money problems, and interpersonal problems for prosperity and goal fulfilment.
2. To safeguard against illnesses and afflictions.
3. For triumph in judicial proceedings and legal affairs.
Fasting on Narasimha Jayanti
Observing Narasimha Jayanti Vratam on Vaishakha Shukla Chaturdashi with Swati Nakshatra is very fortunate. The day before Narasimha Jayanti, one should only eat one meal, just like on Ekadashi. Everything made with grains and cereals should be avoided. The following Jayanti day the fast is to be broken on Parana time.
About Prahlad, the Great Devotee of Lord Vishnu
Prahlada was the son of Asura (devil) King Hiranyakashyipu, who used to harm everyone who followed or invoked the Divine God, Vishnu. Prahlada's devotion to Lord Vishnu was evident from birth. Prahlada considered Lord Vishnu to be the centre of the universe, which King Hiranyakashyipu found unacceptable and attempted to kill his son on multiple occasions. However, Prahlada was consistently saved by the Lord.
Conspiracy against Prahlad and end of evil Hiranyakashipu
In desperation of killing Prahlad, Hiranyakashyipu conspired with his sister Holika to burn Prahlada alive. However, the plan also failed in this scenario. Prahlada survived, but Holika died from the fire. Hiranyaksyipu received a boon from Lord Brahma to be invincible. This meant he could not be killed by any live or inanimate weapon, at any time of day or night, by humans or animals, or outside his residence. After Prahlada was saved, Lord Narasimha appeared to complete Hiranyakashipu. Lord Vishnu took the appearance of a half-man, half-lion due to Hiranyakashyipu's invincibility gift. Lord Narsimha killed the demon king using his claws.
Puja Vidhi on Narasimha Jayanti
1. Wake up in the morning, take a bath and wear clean clothes.
2. Offer water to Sun God.
3. Clean the temple and purify it by sprinkling Ganga water.
4. Place the idol of Lord Narasimha Ji on the post.
5. Take a pledge to fast.
6. Offer sweets, fruits, saffron, flowers, and kumkum to the Lord.
7. Light a ghee lamp.
8. Perform aarti and chant mantra.
9. At the end, offer special things and distribute the Prasad among the people.
10. According to your devotion, donate food and clothes to the poor.
