Stories From The Nrsimha (Narasimha) Purana

Nrsimha Purana is not one of the eighteen Puranas, but is one of the upa-puranas, or auxiliary Puranas. It is quite definitely a Purana in the mode of goodness, or a Vaisanva Purana, because from beginning to end it is nothing but glorification of Lord Vasnu and His innumerable forms, one of which is Lord Nrsimha, as well as glorification of the Lord’s devotees, as well as His devotional service. A nice example of this is found in a purport of the Tenth Canto of Srimad-Bhagavatam, written by the humble disciples of Srila Prabhupada who completed his monumental project: “As stated in the Nrsimha Purana, patresu puspesu phalesu toyesv akrita-labhyesu vadaiva satsul bhaktya su-labhye puruse purane muktyai kim artham kriyate prayatnah: ‘Since the primeval Personality of Godhead is easily attained by offering Him such things as leaves, flowers, fruits and water, which are all found without difficulty, why does one need to endeavor for liberation separately?” We also find in Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, sixteenth chapter of the antya-lila, this verse describing Lord Caitanya’s going to the temple of Lord Jagannatha: “Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, His left side toward the Deity, offered obeisances to Lord Nrsimha as He proceeded toward the temple. He recited the following verses again and again while offering obeisances: namas te nara-simhaya prahladahlada-dayine hiranyakasipor vaksah- sila-tanka-nakhalaye “I offer my respectful obeisances unto You, Lord Nrsimhadeva. You are the giver of pleasure to Maharaja Prahlada, and Your nails cut the chest of Hiranyakasipu like a chisel cutting stone.” PURPORT: This and the following verse are quoted from the Nrsimha Purana. ito nrsimhah parato nrsimho yato yato yami tato nrsimhah bahir nrsimho hrdaye nrsimho nrsimham adim saranam prapadye “Lord Nrsimhadeva is here, and He is also there on the opposite side. Wherever I go, there I see Lord Nrsimhadeva. He is outside and within my heart. Therefore I take shelter of Lord Nrsimhadeva, the original Supreme Personality of Codhead.” So, every day the devotees are singing two verses of the Nrsimha Purana. As in the eighteen major Puranas, there are many interesting and unusual stories that are not found in Srimad-Bhagavatam. And, when there are stories that are also found in Srimad-Bhagavatam, we discover nuances that enhance the understanding the Lord’s pastimes. A major portion of the Nrsimha Purana is taken up by summary descriptions of the dasa-avatara, or ten major pastimes incarnations of the Lord. Here the pastimes of Lord Ramacandra are described in greater detail than those of the other incarnations, so that is a kind of mini-Ramayana. The pastimes of Lord Nrsimhadeva are not told very elaborately, but there are many additional details found in this rendition. Nrsimha Purana is a very short work compared to other Puranas but the advantage there is that the stories are told in a concise manner and do not ramble on and on. I have tried to give a simple and clear rendition of the Nrsimha Purana that will not bore you. I hope that you find it a pleasant read.