Protect my Prahlada!

The story of Prahlada maharaja in the Bhagavat purana is a favorite of almost every gurukuli  that I've ever met. Gurukuli's are the 2nd generation of the widely known, Hare Krsna movement, who attended the Gurukul Ashrama schools. Many were severely abused and had horrific experiences at the hands of inexperienced, totalitarian, puritanical, hypocritical, ashram teachers and so-called "gurus". Although they faced these hardships most of them did not break from the spiritual message of Bhakti and the knowledge of the soul, karma, yoga, but strengthened it by turning to the all-protective lord Narasimha deva.

I think we all could see ourselves in Prahlad, despite the hardships we faced, we felt sure that Narasimha deva, the ferocious embodiment of Godhead appearing as a half-man half-lion, would protect us, just like he did for Prahlad. He did just that for some and/or gave us the strength of understanding to accept our particular karmas and find a way to process that without becoming bitter, resentful, and hateful.

Prahlad maharaja's gentle demeanor  yet determined adherence to truth and devotion towards the Supreme lord won my heart from a very young age. Despite Narasimha's terrible appearance, I never felt afraid or disgusted by his depiction, covered in blood, wearing entrails, and demolishing countless demons with his many arms, sharp fangs, and razor like claws. I think that Prahladas presence nearby calmly offering a flower garland, gazing upon his lord with total devotion made it apparent that he was safe.

I have a fond memory of taking a large painting(a copy of the image above) out to a nearby barn, which was quiet and without any chance of spectators, and singing his prayers playing kara-talas. I would have been no more than 4 years old but I can recall the sense of safety and protection he seemed to exude. I was not at Gurukul at the time and was not in any danger of abuse, but I was in a new place at a young age. We moved to the small farm of New Talavana in Mississippi, which was a big change from Los Angeles where I was born. The move, I was told later by my mother, was very difficult for me. I asked almost everyday for months to go home to California. I never got my wish, but I did learn to adapt and accept the changes that occur in life, a boon far greater than immediate gratification.

The story of Narasimha deva rescuing Prahlad has so much meaning for Gurukulis. We who are often harassed by our desires for material security, sensual pleasure, and intoxication.  Negative tendencies that are the meaning behind the demon Hiranyakasipu(literally soft golden bed). We ask Narasimhadeva to protect the budding youth of transcendental pleasure(Prahlada) which sprouted when we heard the words of the bonafide acharya who spoke about Krsna, Bhakti, and the eternal nature of the soul. We ask him to protect that budding youth and destroy the demon of Lust which seeks to kill that youthful devotion and instead engage us in the never ended quest for sensual gratification. We may suffer many injustices at the hands of others, we may be betrayed, abused, poor, rich, friendless, and destitute, but we pray our Prahlad remains ever safe at the lotus feet of Narasimha deva.

om namo bhagavate nara-simhaya namas tejas-tejase avir-avirbhava 

vajra-nakha vajra-damstra karmashayan randhaya randhaya tamo grasa grasa om svaha; abhayam abhayam atmani bhuyistha om kshraum

"I offer my respectful obeisances unto Lord Nrsimhadeva, the source of all power. O my Lord who possesses nails and teeth just like thunderbolts, kindly vanquish our demonlike desires for fruitive activity in this material world. Please appear in our hearts and drive away our ignorance so that by Your mercy we may become fearless in the struggle for existence in this material world."

Srimad Bhagavatam 5.18.8

Narasimha Mantra:

Ksraum om

ugram viram mahavisnu jvalantam sarvatomukham

Nrsimham bishanam bhadram mrytor mrytor namamyaham

Pancopacara puja mantra:

esa Gandhah Ksraum Narasimhaya svaha

Etani puspani Ksraum Narasimhaya svaha

Esa dupah Ksraum Narasimhaya Svaha

Esa dipah Ksraum Narasimhaya svaha

Idam Naivaedyam Ksraum Narasimhaya svaha

Narasimha Gayatri mantra:

Vajranayakaya vidmahe tiksnadagamstraya dimahi

Tanno Narasimah pracodayate