Shri Narasimha Ashtakam
Introduction to Shri Narasimha Ashtakam
The Shri Narasimha Ashtakam beginning with "Sundarajamatrimuneh Prapadye" is a powerful eight-verse hymn that glorifies Lord Narasimha, the fierce half-man half-lion avatar of Lord Vishnu. Lord Narasimha incarnated to protect His devotee Prahlada from the tyrannical demon king Hiranyakashipu, demonstrating that the Lord will manifest in any form to shield those who surrender unto Him.
This ashtakam extols the terrifying yet compassionate nature of Lord Narasimha — whose very appearance strikes terror into the hearts of evil forces while simultaneously showering grace upon His devotees. Each verse celebrates His unmatched valor, His cosmic roar that shakes the three worlds, and His supreme love for those who take refuge at His lotus feet.
Reciting this ashtakam with devotion destroys all fears, removes negative influences, and invokes the powerful protective shield of Lord Narasimha. It is especially beneficial for those facing insurmountable obstacles, enemies, or evil forces, as the Lord's fierce grace annihilates all that threatens His devotees.
Watch Shri Narasimha Ashtakam
Shri Narasimha Ashtakam: Sanskrit, English & Tamil Verses
॥ अथ श्रीनृसिंहाष्टकम् ॥
सुन्दरजामातृमुनेः प्रपद्ये चरणाम्बुजम्।
संसारार्णवसंमग्नजन्तुसंतारपोतकम्॥
श्रीमदकलङ्क परिपूर्ण! शशिकोटि-
श्रीधर! मनोहर! सटापटल कान्त!।
पालय कृपालय! भवाम्बुधि-निमग्नं
दैत्यवरकाल! नरसिंह! नरसिंह!॥1॥
पादकमलावनत पातकि-जनानां
पातकदवानल! पतत्रिवर-केतो!।
भावन! परायण! भवार्तिहरया मां
पाहि कृपयैव नरसिंह! नरसिंह!॥2॥
तुङ्गनख-पङ्क्ति-दलितासुर-वरासृक्
पङ्क-नवकुङ्कुम-विपङ्किल-महोरः।
पण्डितनिधान-कमलालय नमस्ते
पङ्कजनिषण्ण! नरसिंह! नरसिंह!॥3॥
मौलेषु विभूषणमिवामर वराणां
योगिहृदयेषु च शिरस्सु निगमानाम्।
राजदरविन्द-रुचिरं पदयुगं ते
देहि मम मूर्ध्नि नरसिंह! नरसिंह!॥4॥
वारिजविलोचन! मदन्तिम-दशायां
क्लेश-विवशीकृत-समस्त-करणायाम्।
एहि रमया सह शरण्य! विहगानां
नाथमधिरुह्य नरसिंह! नरसिंह!॥5॥
हाटक-किरीट-वरहार-वनमाला
धाररशना-मकरकुण्डल-मणीन्द्रैः।
भूषितमशेष-निलयं तव वपुर्मे
चेतसि चकास्तु नरसिंह! नरसिंह!॥6॥
इन्दु रवि पावक विलोचन! रमायाः
मन्दिर! महाभुज!-लसद्वर-रथाङ्ग!।
सुन्दर! चिराय रमतां त्वयि मनो मे
नन्दित सुरेश! नरसिंह! नरसिंह!॥7॥
माधव! मुकुन्द! मधुसूदन! मुरारे!
वामन! नृसिंह! शरणं भव नतानाम्।
कामद घृणिन् निखिलकारण नयेयं
कालममरेश नरसिंह! नरसिंह!॥8॥
अष्टकमिदं सकल-पातक-भयघ्नं
कामदं अशेष-दुरितामय-रिपुघ्नम्।
यः पठति सन्ततमशेष-निलयं ते
गच्छति पदं स नरसिंह! नरसिंह!॥9॥
॥ इति श्रीनृसिंहाष्टकं सम्पूर्णम् ॥
॥ Atha Shri Nrisimhaashtakam ॥
Sundarajaamaatrimuneha Prapadye Charanaambuajam.
Samsaaraarnavasanmagnajantusantaarapotakam॥
Shrimadakalanka Paripurna! Shashikoti-
Shridhara! Manohara! Satapatala Kaanta!.
Paalaya Kripaalaya! Bhavaambhudhi-Nimagnam
Daityavarakaala! Narasimha! Narasimha!॥1॥
Paadakamaalaavanta Paataki-Janaanaam
Paatakadavaanala! Patatrivara-Keto!.
Bhaavana! Paraayana! Bhavaartiharyaa Maam
Paahi Kripayaiva Narasimha! Narasimha!॥2॥
Tunganakha-Pankti-Dalitaasura-Varaasrik
Panka-Navakunkuma-Vipankila-Mahorahah.
Panditanidhaana-Kamalalaya Namaste
Pankajanishanna! Narasimha! Narasimha!॥3॥
Mauleshu Vibhushanamivaamara Varaanaam
Yogihridayeshu Cha Shirassu Nigamaanaam.
Raajadaravinda-Ruchiram Padayugam Te
Dehi Mama Murdhni Narasimha! Narasimha!॥4॥
Vaarijavilochana! Madantima-Dashaayaam
Klesha-Vivashikrita-Samasta-Karanaayaam.
Ehi Ramayaa Saha Sharanya! Vihagaanaam
Naathamadhiruhya Narasimha! Narasimha!॥5॥
Haataka-Kirita-Varahaara-Vanamaala
Dhaaararashanaa-Makarakundala-Manindraih.
Bhushitamashesha-Nilayam Tava Vapurme
Chetasi Chakaastu Narasimha! Narasimha!॥6॥
Indu Ravi Paavaka Vilochana! Ramaayaah
Mandira! Mahaabhuja!-Lasadvara-Rathaanga!.
Sundara! Chiraaya Ramataam Tvayi Mano Me
Nandita Suresha! Narasimha! Narasimha!॥7॥
Maadhava! Mukunda! Madhusuudana! Muraare!
Vaamana! Nrisimha! Sharanam Bhava Nataanaam.
Kaamada Ghrinin Nikhilakarana Nayeyam
Kaalamamaresha Narasimha! Narasimha!॥8॥
Ashtakmidam Sakala-Paataka-Bhayaghnam
Kaamadam Ashesha-Duritaamaya-Ripughnam.
Yah Pathati Santatamashkesha-Nilayam Te
Gachchhati Padam Sa Narasimha! Narasimha!॥9॥
॥ Iti Shri Nrisimhaashtakam Sampurnam ॥
॥ அத ஶ்ரீந்ருஸிம்ஹாஷ்டகம் ॥
ஸுந்தரஜாமாத்ருமுனேः ப்ரபத்யே சரணாம்புஜம்।ஸம்ஸாரார்ணவஸம்மக்னஜந்துஸந்தாரபோதகம்॥
ஶ்ரீமதகலங்க பரிபூர்ண! ஶஶிகோடி-ஶ்ரீதர! மனோஹர! ஸடாபடல காந்த!।
பாலய க்ருபாலய! பவாம்புதி-நிமக்னம்தைத்யவரகால! நரஸிம்ஹ! நரஸிம்ஹ!॥1॥
பாதகமலாவனத பாதகி-ஜனானாம்பாதகதவானல! பதத்ரிவர-கேதோ!।
பாவன! பராயண! பவார்திஹரயா மாம்பாஹி க்ருபயைவ நரஸிம்ஹ! நரஸிம்ஹ!॥2॥
துங்கநக-பங்க்தி-தலிதாஸுர-வராஸ்ருக்பங்க-நவகுங்கும-விபங்கில-மஹோரः।
பண்டிதநிதான-கமலாலய நமஸ்தேபங்கஜநிஷண்ண! நரஸிம்ஹ! நரஸிம்ஹ!॥3॥
மௌலேஷு விபூஷணமிவாமர வராணாம்யோகிஹ்ருதயேஷு ச ஶிரஸ்ஸு நிகமானாம்।
ராஜதரவிந்த-ருசிரம் பதயுகம் தேதேஹி மம மூர்த்னி நரஸிம்ஹ! நரஸிம்ஹ!॥4॥
வாரிஜவிலோசன! மதந்திம-தஶாயாம்க்லேஶ-விவஶீக்ருத-ஸமஸ்த-கரணாயாம்।
ஏஹி ரமயா ஸஹ ஶரண்ய! விஹகானாம்நாதமதிருஹ்ய நரஸிம்ஹ! நரஸிம்ஹ!॥5॥
ஹாடக-கிரீட-வரஹார-வனமாலாதாரரஶனா-மகரகுண்டல-மணீந்த்ரைः।
பூஷிதமஶேஷ-நிலயம் தவ வபுர்மேசேதஸி சகாஸ்து நரஸிம்ஹ! நரஸிம்ஹ!॥6॥
இந்து ரவி பாவக விலோசன! ரமாயாःமந்திர! மஹாபுஜ!-லஸத்வர-ரதாங்க!।
ஸுந்தர! சிராய ரமதாம் த்வயி மனோ மேநந்தித ஸுரேஶ! நரஸிம்ஹ! நரஸிம்ஹ!॥7॥
மாதவ! முகுந்த! மதுஸூதன! முராரே!வாமன! ந்ருஸிம்ஹ! ஶரணம் பவ நதானாம்।
காமத க்ருணின் நிகிலகாரண நயேயம்காலமமரேஶ நரஸிம்ஹ! நரஸிம்ஹ!॥8॥
அஷ்டகமிதம் ஸகல-பாதக-பயக்னம்காமதம் அஶேஷ-துரிதாமய-ரிபுக்னம்।
யः படதி ஸந்ததமஶேஷ-நிலயம் தேகச்சதி பதம் ஸ நரஸிம்ஹ! நரஸிம்ஹ!॥9॥
॥ இதி ஶ்ரீந்ருஸிம்ஹாஷ்டகம் ஸம்பூர்ணம் ॥
॥ అథ శ్రీనృసింహాష్టకం ॥
సుందరజామాతృమునేః ప్రపద్యే చరణాంబుజం।సంసారార్ణవసంమగ్నజంతుసంతారపోతకం॥
శ్రీమదకలంక పరిపూర్ణ! శశికోటి-శ్రీధర! మనోహర! సటాపటల కాంత!।
పాలయ కృపాలయ! భవాంబుధి-నిమగ్నందైత్యవరకాల! నరసింహ! నరసింహ!॥1॥
పాదకమలావనత పాతకి-జనానాంపాతకదవానల! పతత్రివర-కేతో!।
భావన! పరాయణ! భవార్తిహరయా మాంపాహి కృపయైవ నరసింహ! నరసింహ!॥2॥
తుంగనఖ-పంక్తి-దలితాసుర-వరాసృక్పంక-నవకుంకుమ-విపంకిల-మహోరః।
పండితనిధాన-కమలాలయ నమస్తేపంకజనిషణ్ణ! నరసింహ! నరసింహ!॥3॥
మౌలేషు విభూషణమివామర వరాణాంయోగిహృదయేషు చ శిరస్సు నిగమానాం।
రాజదరవింద-రుచిరం పదయుగం తేదేహి మమ మూర్ధ్ని నరసింహ! నరసింహ!॥4॥
వారిజవిలోచన! మదంతిమ-దశాయాంక్లేశ-వివశీకృత-సమస్త-కరణాయాం।
ఏహి రమయా సహ శరణ్య! విహగానాంనాథమధిరుహ్య నరసింహ! నరసింహ!॥5॥
హాటక-కిరీట-వరహార-వనమాలాధారరశనా-మకరకుండల-మణీంద్రైః।
భూషితమశేష-నిలయం తవ వపుర్మేచేతసి చకాస్తు నరసింహ! నరసింహ!॥6॥
ఇందు రవి పావక విలోచన! రమాయాఃమందిర! మహాభుజ!-లసద్వర-రథాంగ!।
సుందర! చిరాయ రమతాం త్వయి మనో మేనందిత సురేశ! నరసింహ! నరసింహ!॥7॥
మాధవ! ముకుంద! మధుసూదన! మురారే!వామన! నృసింహ! శరణం భవ నతానాం।
కామద ఘృణిన్ నిఖిలకారణ నయేయంకాలమమరేశ నరసింహ! నరసింహ!॥8॥
అష్టకమిదం సకల-పాతక-భయఘ్నంకామదం అశేష-దురితామయ-రిపుఘ్నం।
యః పఠతి సంతతమశేష-నిలయం తేగచ్ఛతి పదం స నరసింహ! నరసింహ!॥9॥
॥ ఇతి శ్రీనృసింహాష్టకం సంపూర్ణం ॥
Verse-by-Verse Meaning of Shri Narasimha Ashtakam
🙏 Invocatory Verse
सुन्दरजामातृमुनेः प्रपद्ये चरणाम्बुजम्।
संसारार्णवसंमग्नजन्तुसंतारपोतकम्॥
संसारार्णवसंमग्नजन्तुसंतारपोतकम्॥
Word Meanings: सुन्दरजामातृमुनेः (sundarajaamatrimuneḥ) = of the sage who is the son-in-law of the beautiful one; प्रपद्ये (prapadye) = I take refuge; चरणाम्बुजम् (charaṇāmbujam) = lotus feet; संसारार्णव (saṁsārārṇava) = ocean of worldly existence; संमग्न (saṁmagna) = drowned; जन्तु (jantu) = beings; संतार (saṁtāra) = ferrying across; पोतकम् (potakam) = boat
Translation: I take refuge at the lotus feet of the sage Sundarajamatri, which are like a boat that ferries beings drowning in the ocean of worldly existence across to safety.
1 First Verse
श्रीमदकलङ्क परिपूर्ण! शशिकोटि-
श्रीधर! मनोहर! सटापटल कान्त!।
पालय कृपालय! भवाम्बुधि-निमग्नं
दैत्यवरकाल! नरसिंह! नरसिंह!॥1॥
श्रीधर! मनोहर! सटापटल कान्त!।
पालय कृपालय! भवाम्बुधि-निमग्नं
दैत्यवरकाल! नरसिंह! नरसिंह!॥1॥
Word Meanings: श्रीमत् (śrīmat) = glorious; अकलङ्क (akalaṅka) = spotless; परिपूर्ण (paripūrṇa) = completely full; शशिकोटि (śaśikoṭi) = millions of moons; श्रीधर (śrīdhara) = bearer of Lakshmi; मनोहर (manohara) = enchanting; सटापटल (saṭāpaṭala) = mane of hair; कान्त (kānta) = beautiful; पालय (pālaya) = protect; कृपालय (kṛpālaya) = abode of mercy; भवाम्बुधि (bhavāmbhudhi) = ocean of worldly existence; निमग्नम् (nimagnam) = drowned; दैत्यवरकाल (daityavarakāla) = death of great demons
Translation: O glorious, spotless, supremely radiant one shining like millions of moons! O bearer of Lakshmi, enchanting one with a beautiful flowing mane! O abode of mercy, protect me who is drowning in the ocean of worldly existence! O destroyer of the mightiest demons, Narasimha! Narasimha!
2 Second Verse
पादकमलावनत पातकि-जनानां
पातकदवानल! पतत्रिवर-केतो!।
भावन! परायण! भवार्तिहरया मां
पाहि कृपयैव नरसिंह! नरसिंह!॥2॥
पातकदवानल! पतत्रिवर-केतो!।
भावन! परायण! भवार्तिहरया मां
पाहि कृपयैव नरसिंह! नरसिंह!॥2॥
Word Meanings: पादकमल (pādakamala) = lotus feet; अवनत (avanata) = bowed; पातकिजनानाम् (pātakijānānām) = of sinful people; पातक (pātaka) = sins; दवानल (davānala) = forest fire; पतत्रिवरकेतो (patatrivaraketo) = one whose banner bears Garuda; भावन (bhāvana) = creator/sustainer; परायण (parāyaṇa) = ultimate refuge; भवार्ति (bhavārti) = worldly suffering; हरया (harayā) = by removing; पाहि (pāhi) = protect; कृपयैव (kṛpayaiva) = by mercy alone
Translation: O Lord whose lotus feet are bowed to by sinners! O forest fire that burns away all sins! O one whose banner bears Garuda, the king of birds! O creator and ultimate refuge! Save me from worldly suffering by Your mercy alone, O Narasimha! Narasimha!
3 Third Verse
तुङ्गनख-पङ्क्ति-दलितासुर-वरासृक्
पङ्क-नवकुङ्कुम-विपङ्किल-महोरः।
पण्डितनिधान-कमलालय नमस्ते
पङ्कजनिषण्ण! नरसिंह! नरसिंह!॥3॥
पङ्क-नवकुङ्कुम-विपङ्किल-महोरः।
पण्डितनिधान-कमलालय नमस्ते
पङ्कजनिषण्ण! नरसिंह! नरसिंह!॥3॥
Word Meanings: तुङ्गनख (tuṅganakha) = tall/sharp nails; पङ्क्ति (paṅkti) = row; दलित (dalita) = torn apart; असुरवर (asuravara) = great demon; असृक् (asṛk) = blood; पङ्क (paṅka) = paste; नवकुङ्कुम (navakuṅkuma) = fresh saffron; विपङ्किल (vipaṅkila) = smeared; महोरस् (mahoras) = great chest; पण्डितनिधान (paṇḍitanidhāna) = treasure of the wise; कमलालय (kamalālaya) = abode of Lakshmi; पङ्कजनिषण्ण (paṅkajanishanna) = seated on the lotus
Translation: O Lord whose broad chest is smeared like fresh saffron paste with the blood of the great demon torn apart by Your rows of sharp nails! O treasure of the wise, O abode of Lakshmi! Salutations to You who are seated upon the lotus, O Narasimha! Narasimha!
4 Fourth Verse
मौलेषु विभूषणमिवामर वराणां
योगिहृदयेषु च शिरस्सु निगमानाम्।
राजदरविन्द-रुचिरं पदयुगं ते
देहि मम मूर्ध्नि नरसिंह! नरसिंह!॥4॥
योगिहृदयेषु च शिरस्सु निगमानाम्।
राजदरविन्द-रुचिरं पदयुगं ते
देहि मम मूर्ध्नि नरसिंह! नरसिंह!॥4॥
Word Meanings: मौलेषु (mauleshu) = on the crowns; विभूषणम् (vibhūṣaṇam) = ornament; इव (iva) = like; अमरवराणाम् (amaravārāṇām) = of the foremost gods; योगिहृदयेषु (yogihṛdayeṣu) = in the hearts of yogis; शिरस्सु (śirassu) = on the heads; निगमानाम् (nigamānām) = of the Vedas; राजदरविन्द (rājadaravinda) = royal lotus; रुचिरम् (ruchiram) = beautiful; पदयुगम् (padayugam) = pair of feet; देहि (dehi) = place; मम मूर्ध्नि (mama mūrdhni) = on my head
Translation: Your beautiful pair of lotus feet serve as ornaments on the crowns of the greatest gods, reside in the hearts of yogis, and are glorified at the head of the Vedas. Please place those divine feet upon my head, O Narasimha! Narasimha!
5 Fifth Verse
वारिजविलोचन! मदन्तिम-दशायां
क्लेश-विवशीकृत-समस्त-करणायाम्।
एहि रमया सह शरण्य! विहगानां
नाथमधिरुह्य नरसिंह! नरसिंह!॥5॥
क्लेश-विवशीकृत-समस्त-करणायाम्।
एहि रमया सह शरण्य! विहगानां
नाथमधिरुह्य नरसिंह! नरसिंह!॥5॥
Word Meanings: वारिजविलोचन (vārijavilochana) = lotus-eyed; मत् (mat) = my; अन्तिमदशायाम् (antimadaśāyām) = in the final moment; क्लेश (kleśa) = affliction; विवशीकृत (vivaśīkṛta) = overpowered; समस्तकरणायाम् (samastakaraṇāyām) = of all senses; एहि (ehi) = come; रमया सह (ramayā saha) = with Lakshmi; शरण्य (śaraṇya) = O refuge; विहगानाम् (vihagānām) = of birds; नाथम् (nātham) = lord (Garuda); अधिरुह्य (adhiruhya) = riding upon
Translation: O lotus-eyed Lord! At my final hour, when all my senses are overpowered by affliction, please come to me riding upon Garuda, the lord of birds, along with Goddess Lakshmi, O refuge of all! O Narasimha! Narasimha!
6 Sixth Verse
हाटक-किरीट-वरहार-वनमाला
धाररशना-मकरकुण्डल-मणीन्द्रैः।
भूषितमशेष-निलयं तव वपुर्मे
चेतसि चकास्तु नरसिंह! नरसिंह!॥6॥
धाररशना-मकरकुण्डल-मणीन्द्रैः।
भूषितमशेष-निलयं तव वपुर्मे
चेतसि चकास्तु नरसिंह! नरसिंह!॥6॥
Word Meanings: हाटक (hāṭaka) = golden; किरीट (kirīṭa) = crown; वरहार (varahāra) = excellent necklace; वनमाला (vanamālā) = forest-flower garland; धार (dhāra) = wearing; रशना (raśanā) = waist-belt; मकरकुण्डल (makarakuṇḍala) = crocodile-shaped earrings; मणीन्द्रैः (maṇīndraiḥ) = with finest gems; भूषितम् (bhūṣitam) = adorned; अशेषनिलयम् (aśeṣanilayam) = abode of infinite splendor; तव वपुः (tava vapuḥ) = Your form; मे चेतसि (me chetasi) = in my heart; चकास्तु (chakāstu) = may it shine
Translation: May Your divine form — adorned with a golden crown, excellent necklaces, forest-flower garlands, waist-belt, crocodile-shaped earrings, and the finest gems — the abode of infinite splendor, shine eternally in my heart, O Narasimha! Narasimha!
7 Seventh Verse
इन्दु रवि पावक विलोचन! रमायाः
मन्दिर! महाभुज!-लसद्वर-रथाङ्ग!।
सुन्दर! चिराय रमतां त्वयि मनो मे
नन्दित सुरेश! नरसिंह! नरसिंह!॥7॥
मन्दिर! महाभुज!-लसद्वर-रथाङ्ग!।
सुन्दर! चिराय रमतां त्वयि मनो मे
नन्दित सुरेश! नरसिंह! नरसिंह!॥7॥
Word Meanings: इन्दु (indu) = moon; रवि (ravi) = sun; पावक (pāvaka) = fire; विलोचन (vilochana) = eyes; रमायाः मन्दिर (ramāyāḥ mandira) = abode of Lakshmi; महाभुज (mahābhuja) = mighty-armed; लसत् (lasat) = shining; वररथाङ्ग (vara-rathāṅga) = excellent discus (Sudarshana); सुन्दर (sundara) = beautiful; चिराय (chirāya) = for long; रमताम् (ramatām) = may it delight; त्वयि (tvayi) = in You; मनो मे (mano me) = my mind; नन्दित (nandita) = delighter; सुरेश (sureśa) = lord of gods
Translation: O Lord whose three eyes are the moon, sun, and fire! O abode of Goddess Lakshmi! O mighty-armed one bearing the radiant Sudarshana discus! O beautiful one! May my mind forever delight in You, O delighter of the lord of gods! O Narasimha! Narasimha!
8 Eighth Verse
माधव! मुकुन्द! मधुसूदन! मुरारे!
वामन! नृसिंह! शरणं भव नतानाम्।
कामद घृणिन् निखिलकारण नयेयं
कालममरेश नरसिंह! नरसिंह!॥8॥
वामन! नृसिंह! शरणं भव नतानाम्।
कामद घृणिन् निखिलकारण नयेयं
कालममरेश नरसिंह! नरसिंह!॥8॥
Word Meanings: माधव (mādhava) = husband of Lakshmi; मुकुन्द (mukunda) = giver of liberation; मधुसूदन (madhusūdana) = slayer of demon Madhu; मुरारे (murāre) = enemy of demon Mura; वामन (vāmana) = the dwarf avatar; नृसिंह (nṛsiṁha) = man-lion; शरणम् भव (śaraṇam bhava) = be the refuge; नतानाम् (natānām) = of those who bow; कामद (kāmada) = fulfiller of desires; घृणिन् (ghṛṇin) = compassionate; निखिलकारण (nikhilakāraṇa) = cause of all; नयेयम् कालम् (nayeyam kālam) = may I pass my time; अमरेश (amareśa) = lord of immortals
Translation: O Madhava! O Mukunda! O Madhusudana! O Murari! O Vamana! O Narasimha! Be the refuge of those who bow to You! O fulfiller of desires, compassionate one, cause of all creation! May I pass my life in devotion to You, O lord of the immortals! O Narasimha! Narasimha!
✦ Phala Shruti (Fruit of Recitation)
अष्टकमिदं सकल-पातक-भयघ्नं
कामदं अशेष-दुरितामय-रिपुघ्नम्।
यः पठति सन्ततमशेष-निलयं ते
गच्छति पदं स नरसिंह! नरसिंह!॥9॥
कामदं अशेष-दुरितामय-रिपुघ्नम्।
यः पठति सन्ततमशेष-निलयं ते
गच्छति पदं स नरसिंह! नरसिंह!॥9॥
Word Meanings: अष्टकम् इदम् (aṣṭakam idam) = this eight-verse hymn; सकल (sakala) = all; पातक (pātaka) = sins; भयघ्नम् (bhayaghnam) = destroyer of fear; कामदम् (kāmadam) = fulfiller of desires; अशेष (aśeṣa) = all; दुरित (durita) = misfortunes; आमय (āmaya) = diseases; रिपुघ्नम् (ripughnam) = destroyer of enemies; यः पठति (yaḥ paṭhati) = whoever recites; सन्ततम् (santatam) = constantly; गच्छति पदम् (gacchati padam) = attains the abode
Translation: This ashtakam destroys all sins and fears, fulfills all desires, and annihilates all misfortunes, diseases, and enemies. Whoever recites it constantly attains Your infinite divine abode, O Narasimha! Narasimha!
Spiritual Benefits of Reciting Shri Narasimha Ashtakam
- Destroys Fear: Eliminates all deep-rooted fears and anxieties
- Protects from Enemies: Shields devotees from all adversaries and hostile forces
- Removes Evil Forces: Dispels negative energies, black magic, and evil influences
- Grants Fearlessness: Bestows supreme courage and unwavering confidence
- Bestows Divine Protection: Invokes the powerful protective shield of Lord Narasimha
- Cures Diseases: Aids in healing physical and mental ailments through divine grace
- Removes Sins: Purifies accumulated karmic debts and past transgressions
- Grants Liberation: Opens the path to moksha and eternal freedom
Chanting Instructions
- Sit in a clean, quiet place facing east or north
- Light a lamp and incense before the image of Lord Narasimha
- Offer flowers, tulsi leaves, or sandalwood paste to the Lord
- Chant with devotion, meditating on the fierce yet compassionate form of the Lord
- Ideal times: Narasimha Jayanti, Chaturdashi, Pradosh Vrat
- Recite 1, 3, or 11 times for maximum spiritual benefit
- Conclude with surrender to the lotus feet of Lord Narasimha
❓ Frequently Asked Questions About Shri Narasimha Ashtakam
What is Narasimha Ashtakam and who composed it?
Narasimha Ashtakam is a sacred eight-verse hymn (ashtakam) dedicated to Lord Narasimha, the fierce half-man half-lion avatar of Lord Vishnu. This particular version beginning with "Sundarajamatrimuneh Prapadye" extols the terrifying yet compassionate nature of Lord Narasimha and is recited for divine protection and the destruction of all fears.
What are the benefits of chanting Narasimha Ashtakam daily?
Regular chanting of Narasimha Ashtakam destroys all deep-rooted fears, removes negative energies and evil influences, shields the devotee from enemies and hostile forces, purifies accumulated sins, grants fearlessness and courage, aids in healing ailments through divine grace, and ultimately opens the path to moksha (liberation).
When is the best time to recite Narasimha Ashtakam?
The most auspicious times to recite Narasimha Ashtakam are during Narasimha Jayanti, Chaturdashi (14th day of the lunar fortnight), and Pradosh Vrat. It can also be chanted daily during Brahma Muhurta (early morning), at sunset, or during any time of distress when divine protection is sought.
How many times should Narasimha Ashtakam be chanted?
For maximum spiritual benefit, Narasimha Ashtakam should be recited 1, 3, or 11 times in a single sitting. Consistent daily recitation is considered most potent. Devotees facing severe obstacles or threats are advised to chant it 108 times during the period of difficulty for the Lord's powerful protective shield.
Who is Lord Narasimha and why did He manifest?
Lord Narasimha is the fourth avatar (incarnation) of Lord Vishnu, who appeared in a half-man half-lion form to protect His devotee Prahlada from his tyrannical father, the demon king Hiranyakashipu. Since Hiranyakashipu had a boon that he could not be killed by man or animal, day or night, indoors or outdoors, Lord Vishnu manifested as Narasimha — neither fully man nor animal — and slew the demon at twilight on a threshold, thereby upholding dharma.
Can Narasimha Ashtakam be chanted for protection from enemies?
Yes, Narasimha Ashtakam is one of the most powerful hymns for protection from enemies, evil forces, black magic, and all forms of negativity. The phala shruti (verse 9) itself declares that this ashtakam is "sakala-pataka-bhayaghnam" (destroyer of all sins and fears) and "ripughnam" (destroyer of enemies). Chanting it with sincere devotion invokes Lord Narasimha's fierce protective grace.
Is Narasimha Ashtakam available in Tamil lyrics?
Yes. This page includes Narasimha Ashtakam in Tamil (தமிழ்) script along with Sanskrit and English transliteration for easier recitation.