A Wisdom Archive on Narasimha

Narasimha ("man-lion"), also known as Narasingh, is the Fourth Avatara of Vishnu. Narasimha - Legend. In the form of his previous avatar, Varaha, Vishnu killed the demon Hiranyaksha. Hiranyaksha's brother Hiranyakashipu, greatly angered by this, starts to abhor Lord Vishnu and his followers. Further, he decides to put an end to Vishnu by gaining magical powers by performing a penance for Brahma. Brahma, pleased with his tough penance, appears before him and agrees to grant a boon. Hiranyakashipu asks ... Including:

• Narasimha - Legend
• Narasimha - Places of Pilgrimage
• Narasimha - Symbolism

Read more here: » Narasimha: Encyclopedia - Narasimha

In the form of his previous avatar, Varaha, Vishnu killed the demon Hiranyaksha. Hiranyaksha's brother Hiranyakashipu, greatly angered by this, starts to abhor Lord Vishnu and his followers. Further, he decides to put an end to Vishnu by gaining magical powers by performing a penance for Brahma. Brahma, pleased with his tough penance, appears before him and agrees to grant a boon. Hiranyakashipu asks for a tricky boon from Brahma: that he would not die on earth or in space, nor in fire or water, neither during the day nor at night, neither i ...

Read more here: » Narasimha: Encyclopedia II - Narasimha - Legend

Narasimha:
Narasimha - the man-lion, fourth incarnation of Vishnu

 
(See also: Narasimha, Hinduism, Hinduism Dictionary, Sanskrit Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul )

For more dictionary entries, see » narasimha dictionary

Narasimha avatar, one of the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu, is unique in many ways. In the other avatars Vishnu was born at a particular time, grew up in this world and helped his devotees at some other time. But as Narasimha, both his appearance on earth and his coming to the aid of his devotee were simultaneous and instantaneous.
 
Maitreya, Parasara's disciple and author of Vishnu Purana asks why the Lord always seems to be partial, why he helps the Devas and kills asuras. In reply, Parasara narrates to him the story of Narasimha, who comes to the rescue of the little boy Prahlad, the son of asura king Hiranyakashipu.

 
(See also: Narasimha avatar, Indian Festivals, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul )

Read more here: » Narasimha avatar: Devotee's Dream, Brahma's Pride  

The Upa-Puranas : The eighteen Upa-Puranas are: Sanatkumara, Narasimha, Brihannaradiya, Sivarahasya, Durvasa, Kapila, Vamana, Bhargava, Varuna, Kalika, Samba, Nandi, Surya, Parasara, Vasishtha, Devi-Bhagavata, Ganesa and Hamsa.
 
Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda
 

Read more here: » Upa-Puranas: The Upa-Puranas in the Hindu Scriptures

Bhakti Yoga-Classes Of Worship
At the lowest rung of the ladder of Bhakti Yoga comes the worship of elements and departed spirits. Next comes the worship of Rishis, Devas and Pitris. The third class includes those followers who worship Avataras like Sri Rama, Krishna, Narasimha. Next comes the class of Bhaktas who do Nirguna Upasana on Brahman devoid of attributes. This is the highest form of worship known as Ahamgraha Upasana or Jnana Yoga Sadhana.
 
From "Kundalini Yoga" by Sri Swami Sivananda
 

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The Srimad Bhagavata Purana and the Ten Avataras
The Srimad Bhagavata Purana is a chronicle of the various Avataras of Lord Vishnu. There are ten Avataras of Vishnu. The aim of every Avatara is to save the world from some great danger, to destroy the wicked and protect the virtuous.
 
Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda
 

Read more here: » Srimad Bhagavata Purana: The Srimad Bhagavata Purana and the Ten Avataras in the Hindu Scriptures

Holi is an abundant celebration of joy, goodness and the season of spring. The day of Holi on Phalgun Purnima (full moon day) is observed as the birthday of Manu, the start of Sambat (first day in the Hindu calendar). Spiritually, it signifies light prevailing over darkness, fear and ignorance.
 
Holi is associated with mal utsav (smearing of colours) and the Holika bonfire in which dry sticks and cow dung are put to fire and corn seeds burnt to the point of losing their power to germinate. The fire represents the burning away of what is old and worn out. The festivities of Holi have a central message - let bygones be bygones, bury old hatchets and start anew in the spirit of spring.

 
(See also: Holi, Indian Festivals, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul )

Read more here: » Holi: Colourful Triumph of Good over Evil - about Holi