Sri Nrsimhadeva
ugram viram maha-vishnum
jvalantam sarvato mukham
nrisimham bhishanam bhadram
mrityur mrityum namamy aham
‘May my head be protected by the moon colored one, who is the greatest among humans. My obeisances unto the ferocious and powerful, the great Visnu, the fiery one, who’s faces are on all sides, the fearful one, Nrsimha, who causes the death of even death personified, (or who can overcome death).
In the Nṛsiṁha Purāṇa, Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva says, “Anyone who prays unto Me and takes shelter from Me becomes My ward, and I protect him always from all sorts of calamities.”
(Nectar of Devotion 11, Aspects of Transcendental Service)
When Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva appeared, Prahlāda Mahārāja was never afraid of Him, whereas his atheist father was immediately faced with death personified and was killed. Therefore, although Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva appears as death for an atheist like Hiraṇyakaśipu, He is always kind and is the reservoir of all pleasure for the devotees like Prahlāda. A pure devotee is not, therefore, afraid of birth, death, old age and disease.
(Kṛṣṇa Book Chapter 87: Prayers by the Personified Vedas)
Information – This rare form of Nrsimhadeva is known as “Sthanu-Nrsimha” and this is the only place where this particular form of Nrsimhadeva is known to be worshipped. With bent knees and in great anger with reddish eyes, He is ready to spring out of the pillar to attack the demons and protect His devotees. The Lord has eight arms. In six of His hands, He holds a sword, lotus flower, disc, conch, club and shield, and to keep the promise of Brahma, His two front hands yield no weapons.
Information – Mayapur was attacked by dacoits on March 26th, 1984. The installation of Lord Nrsimhadeva took place over a three-day period, from July 28th to 30th, 1986.