Worship at the hour he appeared
Narasimha appeared at sandhya, the twilight that is neither day nor night, so his worship is done at dusk. That is the single most important detail of his puja. Whether it is Narasimha Jayanti or an ordinary Saturday when you feel in danger, light the lamp as the sun goes down. For his story, see the Bhagwan Narasimha page and the Prahlad story.
When to do it
- Narasimha Jayanti: Vaishakha Shukla Chaturdashi, at sunset.
- Saturdays and Chaturdashi evenings, for regular worship.
- Times of fear, danger, illness, or legal and financial trouble.
What you will need
- A picture of Lakshmi-Narasimha (the calm form is best for home worship), or of Narasimha with Prahlad.
- A ghee lamp, incense, sandalwood paste, kumkum, akshat.
- Tulsi leaves, which are essential for any Vishnu form, and red or yellow flowers.
- Panakam: jaggery dissolved in water with a pinch of cardamom and dry ginger, and a little black pepper if you like. It is a cooling drink, offered to calm his fiery form.
- Fruit, and soaked moong dal or a simple sweet.
- A kalash of water.
Step by step
- Bathe in the late afternoon and wear clean clothes. Clean the puja space.
- Sankalp at sunset. Hold water, akshat and a tulsi leaf, say your name and the purpose (protection, recovery, courage, or simply devotion), and release it.
- Remember Ganesh briefly.
- Worship Narasimha. Offer water, sandalwood paste, kumkum, akshat and flowers. Offer tulsi leaves one by one at his feet; on Jayanti many offer 108.
- Light the lamp and incense.
- Mantra. Chant the Ugram Viram Mahavishnum mantra 11 or 108 times.
- Stotra and chalisa. Recite the Lakshmi Narasimha Karavalamba Stotram and/or the Narasimha Chalisa. On Jayanti, read or tell the story of Prahlad aloud.
- Bhog. Offer the panakam, fruit and sweet, with a tulsi leaf on each.
- Aarti. Sing Om Jai Narsingh Hare.
- Kshama prarthana and pranam. Share the panakam as prasad.
The Jayanti fast
On Narasimha Jayanti devotees fast from sunrise. Some keep a full fast, others take fruit and milk. The fast continues through the dusk puja and is broken the next morning, after sunrise, with a sattvik meal. Grains, onion and garlic are avoided during the fast. Giving something to a needy person, especially sesame, clothes or food, is part of the day.
Things to keep in mind
- At home, worship the peaceful Lakshmi-Narasimha form. The ugra form is worshipped with strict rules in temples.
- Tulsi is offered to Narasimha but never to Ganesh; keep the offerings separate.
- Keep the evening calm. Narasimha is the protector of the devotee, not a deity to fear.
Frequently asked questions
When is Narasimha Jayanti?
On Vaishakha Shukla Chaturdashi, usually in May. The puja is done at sunset, the time of his appearance.
Why is Narasimha worshipped in the evening?
He appeared at twilight, neither day nor night, to answer one condition of Hiranyakashipu's boon. Dusk is therefore his time.
What is panakam and why is it offered?
A drink of jaggery water with cardamom and dry ginger. It is offered to cool and calm his fierce form; at Mangalagiri it is the main offering.
Which form of Narasimha should be kept at home?
Lakshmi-Narasimha, the calm form with the goddess on his lap, or Narasimha blessing Prahlad.
Which mantra should be chanted?
"Om ugram viram mahavishnum jvalantam sarvatomukham, nrisimham bhishanam bhadram mrityumrityum namamyaham", 11 or 108 times.
Can women keep the Narasimha Jayanti fast?
Yes. Anyone can keep it; there is no restriction.
Can I worship Narasimha for protection from enemies?
Yes, that is one of his traditional roles. The Karavalamba Stotram is especially recited in times of fear and trouble.
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