SVS 26

21. OM NAARASIMHAVAPUSHE NAMA:
Appeared as a combo of Lion and Human forms.

Before the start of Mahabharatha war, both Duryodana and Arjuna, came to Sri Krishna to seek His help. As Sri Krishna was sleeping, they had to wait. Duryodana, full of ego, thought it fit to sit near the Head of the Lord; while with only service to the Lord in mind Arjuna sat at the feet of the Lord. Knowing all and pretending to sleep, the Lord first saw Arjuna and gave what he wanted, ignoring Duryodana. Therefore, when we worship the Lord [as in Srirangam], we have to start first worshiping His feet. Thiruppanalwar also teaches us this important lesson in his Amalanadhipiran pasurams.
While chanting, some say Naarasimha and some others say Narasimha. Both mean the same and so both are acceptable. The Lord took the avatar of Narasimha to rescue child Prahlada. Hiranyakasipu asked his son Prahlada as to where was his all pervading Lord and asked whether He was in a particular pillar. The child ridicules at the foolish question; for Hiranyakasipu says all pervading Hari and then asks whether He was in a pillar. We should search for Him in our heart or inside, rather than searching Him outside. Sri Nrusimha is easy to approach, provided we are like Prahlada. All epics like Bhagavatham, Vishnu Puranam, Nrusimha Puranam and Varaha Puranam hail Sri Narasimha avatar. He bestows our prayers instantly. Srimad Azhagiyasingar, Jeer of Sri Ahobila Mutt says samalingitha vama bagam. With Sri Lakshmi on His left lap, He is embracing Thayar and She also is embracing the Lord. This is to assure the devotees, that the Thayar is always there to ensure His mercy and compassion. Satyam vidhathum says in Bhagavatham, as the Avatara is described. He will keep up His promise. In praise of Sri Narasimha is Nrusimha tapaniyopanishad. While commenting on this Adi Shankara tells that just as the lion is king among animals, so is this Sri Narasimha avatar among all avatars. While the names Viswam and Vishnu, denote the all pervasiveness of the Lord, Sri Narasimha also pervaded all objects. In fact, all the names in SVS are Sri Narasimha oriented. The last divine name is Saravapraharanayudha, meaning possessing weapons even while not having any weapon. Thus in Sri Narasimha avatara, He used His nails as weapons to kill Hiranyakasipu.