Verse 1:
नमस्ते नरसिंहाय
प्रह्लादाह्लाद-दायिने
हिरण्यकशिपोर् वक्षः-
शिला-टङ्क-नखालये
Transliteration:
namas te narasiṁhāya
prahlādāhlāda-dāyine
hiraṇyakaśipor vakṣaḥ
śilā-ṭaṅka-nakhālaye
Translation:
"I offer my obeisances to Lord Narasimha, who brings joy to Prahlada and whose claws are like chisels on the stone-like chest of the demon Hiranyakashipu."
Meaning:
- Narasimha: The form of the Lord as half-man (nara) and half-lion (simha).
- Prahlādāhlāda-dāyine: Narasimha is the giver of happiness to his devotee Prahlada, symbolizing divine protection and grace.
- Hiraṇyakaśipor vakṣaḥ-śilā-ṭaṅka-nakhālaye: His claws are compared to chisels that tore through the hard, stone-like chest of Hiranyakashipu, the demon who opposed dharma (righteousness).
This verse highlights Lord Narasimha’s role as the destroyer of evil (represented by Hiranyakashipu) and protector of the faithful (Prahlada). His fierce form, particularly his claws, is emphasized as the means of destroying the demon’s arrogance and cruelty.
Verse 2:
इतो नृसिंहः परतो नृसिंहो
यतो यतो यामि ततो नृसिंहः
बहिर्नृसिंहो हृदये नृसिंहो
नृसिंहम् आदिं शरणं प्रपद्ये
Transliteration:
ito nṛsiṁhaḥ parato nṛsiṁho
yato yato yāmi tato nṛsiṁhaḥ
bahir nṛsiṁho hṛdaye nṛsiṁho
nṛsiṁham ādim śaraṇam prapadye
Translation:
"Lord Nṛsiṁha is here, and He is also there. Wherever I go, Lord Nṛsiṁha is there. He is outside, and He is within my heart. I surrender to Lord Nṛsiṁha, the original source of everything and my supreme refuge."
Meaning:
- ito nṛsiṁhaḥ parato nṛsiṁho: "Narasimha is here and there," signifying that the Lord is omnipresent, present in all directions.
- yato yato yāmi tato nṛsiṁhaḥ: "Wherever I go, Narasimha is there," reinforcing his omnipresence and the idea that his protection is constant, regardless of place.
- bahir nṛsiṁho hṛdaye nṛsiṁho: "He is outside, and He is within my heart," representing both the external and internal presence of the divine.
- nṛsiṁham ādim śaraṇam prapadye: "I take refuge in Narasimha, the original source," emphasizing the surrender to Narasimha as the ultimate protector and origin of the universe.
This verse expresses the all-encompassing presence of Lord Narasimha and the devotee's complete surrender to him. It conveys the belief that no matter where we are, internally or externally, the Lord is always present to protect and guide us.
Verse 3:
तव कर-कमल-वरे नखम् अद्भुत-शृङ्गम्
दलित-हिरण्यकशिपु-तनु-भृङ्गम्
केशव धृत-नरहरि-रूप जय जगदीश हरे
Transliteration:
tava kara-kamala-vare nakham adbhuta-śṛṅgam
dalita-hiraṇyakaśipu-tanu-bhṛṅgam
keśava dhṛta-narahari-rūpa jaya jagadīśa hare
Translation:
"Your lotus hands hold nails like wonderful horns. With them, You have torn apart the body of the mighty demon Hiranyakashipu, like a wasp being crushed. O Keshava, who assumed the form of Narahari (half-man, half-lion), all glories to You, Lord of the universe!"
Meaning:
- tava kara-kamala-vare nakham adbhuta-śṛṅgam: Refers to Narasimha’s divine nails, which, though fierce, are still part of his lotus-like hands, symbolizing both destruction of evil and compassion for devotees.
- dalita-hiraṇyakaśipu-tanu-bhṛṅgam: Describes the destruction of Hiranyakashipu, whose body is likened to a wasp, illustrating the insignificance of evil in comparison to the Lord’s power.
- keśava dhṛta-narahari-rūpa jaya jagadīśa hare: Praises Lord Keshava (Vishnu) who assumed the form of Narahari (half-man, half-lion) to save the universe, proclaiming victory to the Lord of the world.
This verse celebrates the victory of Lord Narasimha over Hiranyakashipu, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil. It glorifies the Lord's unique form and his divine purpose in protecting the universe.
Overall Meaning:
The mantra praises Lord Narasimha as the divine protector and destroyer of evil, emphasizing his omnipresence, his compassionate nature towards his devotees (like Prahlada), and his fierce power to annihilate evil forces (like Hiranyakashipu). The mantra instills a sense of surrender, courage, and devotion, calling upon the Lord’s protection in both physical and spiritual realms.
By chanting this mantra, devotees express their faith in the omnipresent and all-powerful Lord Narasimha, seeking his protection and grace in all aspects of life.
