The Prayer of Lord Rama to Lord Narasimha at Ahovalam
BY: PAYONIDHI DASA
May 11, MARYLAND, USA (SUN) — My small understanding is that when one accepts this prayer of Lord Rama and chants it, knowing the significance of Ahovalam as the place where Lord Narasimha appeared, then one gets the blessings of Lord Rama, Lord Narasimha, and the holy place of Ahovalam. (Better still is to chant it at the stambha, then this blessing takes full effect.)
raghavena kutam stotram
panchamrita manuktamam
pathanti ye dvijavaraha
tesham svargastu shashvataha
This is the best of prayers, called pancamrita or five nectars compiled by Lord Rama Himself. One who reads this will be liberated eternally.
janma karma ca me divyam
evam yo vetti tattvatah
tyaktva deham punar janma
naiti mam eti so arjuna
"One who knows the transcendental nature of My appearance and activities does not, upon leaving the body, take his birth again in this material world, but attains My eternal abode, O Arjuna."
Knowing that Lord Rama is the Supreme Lord, Lord Narasimha as well and the glory of Ahovalam, it is in line with janma karma ca me divyam vers, then one gets the full benefit of this prayer of Lord Rama. It seems very significant to know Lord Narasimhadeva's Appearence place also, though we worship Him no matter where He appeared. Plus He is all pervasive and everywhere at the same time. He also appears from the stambha at Ahovalam, and devotees have worshipped Lord Narasimha there for millions of years.
ito nrsimhah parato nrisimho
yato yato yami tato nrisimhah
bahir nrisimho hridaye nrisimho
nrisimham adim sharanam prapadye
Lord Ramacandra's Nrisimha-Panchamrita
(These prayers are from the 47th chapter of the Harivamsa Purana, which narrates the story of Lord Ramacandra's visit to the holy place of Ahobalam to see the Deity of Nrisimha, where Lord Nrisimha appeared and saved His devotee Prahlada.)
ahobalam narasimham gatva ramah pratapavan
namaskutya sri nrisimham astaushit kamala patim
The glorious Rama once visited Ahobala where He saw the Deity of Lord Nrisimha. He offered His obeisances to Lord Kamalapati (husband of the Goddess of Fortune) and prayed as follows.
1.
Govinda keshava janardana vasudeva
vishvesha-vishva madhusudana vishvarupa
shri padmanabha purushottama pushkaraksha
narayanachyuta nrisimho namo namaste
O Govinda, Keshava, Janardana, Vasudeva, Vishvesha (the controller of the universe), Vishva, Madhusudana, Vishvarupa, Sri Padmanabha, Purushottama, Pushkaraksha, Narayana, Achyuta. O Lord Narasimha I offer my respectful obeisances unto You again and again.
2.
Devah samastah khalu gopi mukhyaha
gandharva vidyadhara kinnarash cha
yat pada-mulam satatam namanti
tam narasimham sharanam gato shmi
I have taken shelter of Lord Nrisimha unto whose lotus feet demigods, prominent yogis, gandharvas, vidyadharas and kinnaras are constantly offering their obeisances.
3.
Vedan samastan khalu shastragarbhan
vidyam balam kirtimatim cha lakshmim
yasya prasadat purusha labhante
tam narasimham sharanam gato shmi
I have taken shelter of Lord Nrisimha by whose mercy people receive all the Vedas, the essence of all scriptures, knowledge, strength, reputation and wealth.
4.
Brahma shivas tvam purushottamash cha
narayano 'shau marutam patish cha
chandrarka vayvagni marud-ganash cha
tvam eva tam tvam shatatam nato'shmi
You are Lord Brahma, Lord Shiva and the best person Lord Narayana. You are the master of the Marutas and You are the sun, the moon, air and the fire as well as the Marut-ganas. I offer my obeisances unto You.
5.
Snapne'pi nitya jagatam ashesam
srashta cha hanta vibhura prabheyaha
trata tvam eka strividho vibinnaha
tam tvam nrisimham satatam nato'smi
I offer my obeisances unto Lord Nrisimha who is the creator, the maintainer and the destroyer of the entire universe. Although You perform all of these three acts simultaneously, You are completely beyond these activities. You are the all-pervading, unlimited supreme spirit.
iti stutva raghushreshthaha
pujayamasa tam harim
pushpa vrishtih papatashu
tasya devasya murdhani
Praying this way, the best of the Raghus, Lord Ramacandra worshipped Lord Hari. At that time the demigods showered a rain of flowers on the head of Lord Nrisimhadeva.
raghavena kutam stotram
panchamrita manuktamam
pathanti ye dvijavaraha
tesham svargastu shashvataha
This is the best of prayers, called pancamrita or five nectars compiled by Lord Rama Himself. One who reads this will be liberated eternally.
