नृसिंह अष्टोत्तर शतनामावली — Word-by-Word Meaning
नृसिंह अष्टोत्तर शतनामावली
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
श्रीनृसिंहाय नमः
śrīnṛsiṃhāya namaḥ
Salutations to Sri Nrisimha, the man-lion Lord
महासिंहाय नमः
mahāsiṃhāya namaḥ
to the great lion (Mahasimha)
दिव्यसिंहाय नमः
divyasiṃhāya namaḥ
to the divine lion (Divyasimha)
महाबलाय नमः
mahābalāya namaḥ
to the one of immense strength (Mahabala)
उग्रसिंहाय नमः
ugrasiṃhāya namaḥ
to the fierce lion (Ugrasimha)
महादेवाय नमः
mahādevāya namaḥ
to the great God (Mahadeva)
उपेन्द्राय नमः
upendrāya namaḥ
to Upendra, the younger brother of Indra (Vishnu)
अग्निलोचनाय नमः
agnilocanāya namaḥ
to one whose eyes blaze like fire (Agnilochana)
रौद्राय नमः
raudrāya namaḥ
to the terrible, wrathful one (Raudra)
शौरये नमः
śauraye namaḥ
to the valiant one (Shauri, of the Shura lineage)
महावीराय नमः
mahāvīrāya namaḥ
to the great hero (Mahavira)
सुविक्रमपराक्रमाय नमः
suvikramaparākramāya namaḥ
to one of excellent prowess and valour (Suvikrama-parakrama)
हरिकोलाहलाय नमः
harikolāhalāya namaḥ
to Hari of the terrifying roar (Harikolahala)
चक्रिणे नमः
cakriṇe namaḥ
to the wielder of the discus (Chakri)
विजयाय नमः
vijayāya namaḥ
to the victorious one (Vijaya)
अजयाय नमः
ajayāya namaḥ
to the unconquered one (Ajaya)
Complete Translation
नृसिंह अष्टोत्तर शतनामावली भगवान नृसिंह — विष्णु के उग्र नरसिंह अवतार, जिन्होंने अपने भक्त प्रह्लाद की रक्षा हेतु हिरण्यकशिपु का वध किया — के १०८ नामों की माला है। ये नाम उनकी उग्रता से दीप्त हैं — उग्रसिंह, रौद्र, अग्निलोचन, महादंष्ट्र, चण्डकोपी — फिर भी उनकी कोमलता को भी प्रकट करते हैं — भक्तातिवत्सल एवं शरणागतवत्सल। 'ॐ' व 'नमः' सहित इस नामावली का पाठ निर्भय रक्षा प्रदान करता है, शत्रुओं व बुराई का नाश करता है, तथा भक्त को प्रह्लाद के समान सब अनिष्टों से बचाता है।
Origin & History
Source: Traditional (Vaishnava tradition; sanskritdocuments.org)
Author: Traditional
Period: Classical
Lord Narasimha is the fourth of the ten principal avataras of Vishnu, who burst forth from a pillar in the form of a half-man, half-lion to slay the demon-king Hiranyakashipu — who could be killed neither by man nor beast, by day nor night, inside nor outside — and so to save his five-year-old devotee Prahlada. This garland of his 108 names celebrates both the terrifying wrath with which he destroyed evil and the boundless tenderness with which he protects those who take refuge in him.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Narasimha Ashtottara Shatanamavali?▼
It is the garland of the 108 names of Lord Narasimha, the fierce man-lion avatara of Vishnu. Each name, chanted with 'Om' before and 'namaha' after, praises his ferocious protective forms and his love for devotees, and is offered as an archana, above all for protection.
Why is Narasimha worshipped for protection?▼
Narasimha incarnated to destroy the tyrant Hiranyakashipu and save his devotee Prahlada from harm. Because he subdued an enemy who could not be slain by man or beast, day or night, indoors or out, he is revered as the supreme protector against all dangers, enemies and evil forces.
How is this Ashtottara different from the Lakshmi-Narasimha one?▼
This litany names the Lord Narasimha alone, emphasising his man-lion forms and protective power. The Lakshmi-Narasimha Ashtottara invokes him together with Goddess Lakshmi in his peaceful (shanta) aspect. Both are 108-name garlands; this one is the standalone Nrisimha namavali.
When is the best time to chant?▼
Narasimha Jayanti (his appearance day) is the most auspicious, along with Saturdays and the dusk hour, which recalls the twilight in which he appeared. It may also be chanted daily with devotion.
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