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Narasimha Mantra (Ugram Viram Maha Vishnum) — Word-by-Word Meaning

नृसिंह मंत्र (उग्रं वीरं महाविष्णुं)

Every Sanskrit word explained in English

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Word-by-Word Breakdown

उग्रम्
Ugram
Fierce, ferocious
वीरम्
Viram
Valiant, heroic, full of valour
महाविष्णुम्
Maha-Vishnum
The great Vishnu, the Supreme Being
ज्वलन्तम्
Jvalantam
Blazing, radiant with fire / effulgence
सर्वतोमुखम्
Sarvato-mukham
Having faces (and vision) in all directions; all-pervading
नृसिंहम्
Nrisimham
The Man-Lion (Nara-Simha), the fourth avatar of Vishnu
भीषणम्
Bhishanam
Terrifying, awe-inspiring (to the wicked)
भद्रम्
Bhadram
Auspicious, benevolent, the giver of good (to devotees)
मृत्युमृत्युम्
Mrityu-Mrityum
The Death of death itself; the conqueror of all mortality
नमामि अहम्
Namamy-aham
I bow down, I offer my salutations

Complete Translation

I bow to Lord Narasimha — the fierce and valiant great Vishnu, blazing with effulgence, facing in all directions; the Man-Lion who is terrifying to the wicked yet auspicious and benevolent to His devotees, the very Death of death.

Origin & History

Source: Traditional Vaishnava dhyana mantra of Lord Narasimha, widely used in Narasimha upasana and stotra tradition

Author: Unknown (ancient Vaishnava tradition)

Period: Ancient

Lord Narasimha is the fourth avatar of Vishnu, who appeared from a pillar to protect His young devotee Prahlada and to slay the tyrant demon Hiranyakashipu. Hiranyakashipu had won a boon that he could not be killed by man or beast, by day or night, indoors or outdoors, on the ground or in the sky, by any weapon. Narasimha — neither fully man nor beast — emerged at dusk on the threshold, placed the demon on His lap, and tore him apart with His claws, fulfilling the boon's every condition. This mantra crystallises the fierce, protective glory of that form.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Ugram Viram Narasimha mantra?▼
It is a single, powerful Sanskrit verse glorifying Lord Narasimha, the Man-Lion avatar of Vishnu. It describes Him as fierce (ugram), valiant (viram), blazing and all-facing, terrifying to the wicked yet auspicious to devotees, and as 'Mrityu-Mrityu' — the death of death itself.
Why is Narasimha called the 'death of death' (Mrityu-Mrityu)?▼
Narasimha killed the demon Hiranyakashipu, who had obtained a boon making him nearly immortal. By overcoming a being who had conquered death, Narasimha is revered as the conqueror of death itself, and the mantra is chanted to overcome the fear of untimely death and grave danger.
What is this mantra chanted for?▼
It is chanted chiefly for protection and fearlessness — guarding against enemies, evil forces, black magic and the evil eye — and for courage in difficult times. Devotees also recite it for the strengthening of faith and to invoke Narasimha's grace as the swift protector of His devotees.
When is the best time to chant it?▼
It is especially auspicious at dusk (the twilight hour when Narasimha appeared, neither day nor night), and on Saturdays, during Swati Nakshatra, and on Narasimha Jayanti. It may also be chanted any time danger or fear arises.

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