40. Description of Nrisimha (rites and rituals)

Nrsimha rites and rituals—Nrisimha is the fierce aspect and the fourth incarnation of Visnu. There are several Murtibhedas of Nrsimha, whose Pujavidhis are delineated in this Patala. The Mulamantra, Chandas and Sadanganyasas of Nrisimha are provided in coded form. 297 Rigorous self-disciplines are prescribed for those seeking Siddhi. It is ordained that they must be Sadhakas having equal and unstinted Bhakti for the Guru, Mantra and Devata. For attainment of Siddhi, 1,00,000 Japas in a place of purity and sanctity at Trisandhyas and 10,000 Homas with Tila and Ghrta are mandatory. Those lacking in the wherewithal to perform the above can acquire Siddhi through 2,00,000 Japas. Even without japa or Homa, the true devotee can reach the goal with undiluted Bhakti and total devotion. In the subsequent parts of the Patala, Mantrarahasyatattvas and their Aksarasankhyas, Nyasasthanas, and Sadadhvanyasavidhis are described. 298 Dhyana akalankasarascandrasahasradhavaladyutim | utphullaraktakamalanetranghrikarapallavam || simhavaktram lasaddamstram vyattaraktamukhambujam || trinetram bhrukutibhimam vidyutpingasatacchatam || raktaksaumottarasangam pitambaradharam vibhum || sasankhacakrordhvakaram makutollasimastakam || yogapattapinaddhangam svasinam pankajasane | vyatyastapadayugalam janvarudhabhujadvayam || 418

sasankasakalakaranakhollasikarangulim | karnavatamsavilasanmanikundalamanditam || nanamaniganodbhasikarnabhusanabhusitam | sulkopavitasamsaktamuktaharairalankrtam || srivatsakaustubhoraskam manikyodarabandhanam | keyuraratnavalayairanguliyaisca bhusitam || nanaratnaprabhodbhasikatisutravirajitam | vicitravalayollasinupuranghrisaroruham || sarvangasundarataya bhusananam vibhusanam| daityendradaranapritya prasannananapankajam|| 299 Only Yogis are authorised to perform Puja on the image of Nrsimha as portrayed in the Dhyana in their Hrdayakamala. Others are permitted to perform only Bahyapuja. Aradhanabimba can either be in the form of gold, jewels, silver, copper, picture, cloth, Salagrama, Padma, Agni or Suryamandala. Daily Arcana of Nrsimha is also recommended. Moreover, for the protection of the king and the kingdom, installation of Nrsimhavigraha in stone is also prescribed and the Puja proposed is in Trisandhyas or in one of them. Nityarcanavidhi, whether in Bimba or Padma, may be performed in customary style beginning with Avaranapuja and ending with Nirmalyadharipuja. Visesamudras of Nrisimha are also listed and described. If performed in Padma, Udvasana has to be additionally done. During Snanakala, Abhiseka with Pancagavya and Gandhadis is mandatory. Viniyogas- One hundred lakh( Koti) Japas at a holy venue brings Animadisiddhis and Mahapatakamukti. 10,000 Japas will grant 419

the Sadhaka, Patakamukti and Visuddhi. Apamrtyuraksa is the Phala gained through the Prayoga of drawing the Padma on which is placed a gold Kalasa containing water with various kinds of jewels, Aksata, Visistaphalas, fragrant flowers, Catuksira, Kurca, the tender leaves of Srivrksa, Asvattha, and Cuta. Kalasa is then embellished with Vastrabharanabhusadis and after invocation of Nrsimha into it, Puja is performed with Parivarasahita and due Astopacara. For Sarvamrtyunivarana, Grahapidanivarana and Rogasanti, Pratistha in Agni and 10,000 Ghrtahomas, Sampatasparsa, Brahmanabhojana and Abhiseka to the accompaniment of Gita-vadyanrttas are the prescribed Kriyas. One thousand and Bhasmalepana will also endow the Sadhaka with equal Phalas. Many other Rahasyaprayogas and Homavidhis for a variety of purposes like Corabhayanivarana, Abhicararaksa, protection from wild animals, Grahapidanivarana, Satrunasa, Atma raksa, Santanalabdhi, Yuddhavijaya, Istavrsti and the like are also provided. In subsequent parts, Nrisimha-cakralekhana-vidhi is explained in detail. 300 Nrisimhacakrapuja and Aradhana are said to provide the Sadhakas with all the Phalas mentioned earlier, and, in addition, Apasmaranivarana and Ksayaroganivarana. Yet another Viniyoga is the description of a Nrsimhayantralekhanavidhi. There is also a Rasayanavidhi pertaining to Nrisimha called 'Nrisimha-rasayana', the 420

consumption of which in Ayurvedic treatment provides Jaramtyujaya, and cure from 18 types of Kustha, seven types of Ksayas, 80 types of Vatarogas, 21 Pittarogas, 20 Slesmarogas, innumerable Sannipatajarogas and so on. 301 Patalanrsimha - rites and rituals Initially the Mulamantra, 302, its Malamantra and Chandas are given.303 For Purascarana, 12,000 Japas facing west along with Anganyasas are stipulated. Ever so many boons and endowments are said to be the Phalas to be had, once Mantrasiddhi is attained. Dhyana cakram khadgam ca musalam sankham carma gadamapi | bibhranam bahusatkaisca adhohastadvayena tu | | hiranyakasipum bhitva tadantrotksepabhisanam | dvaradese sthitam rodram janvoh ksiptvarivigraham | | garjantamatigambhiramattahasabhayanakam | stuyamanam virincadyairdevairmuniganairapi | | 304 Nrsimhaikaksara - rites and rituals The Mulamantra, Candas and Anganyasavidhi are provided first. 305 The venues for Purascaranakriya are riverbank, seashore and mountain top. One million Japas without food is stated to be the means of attaining Siddhi. 421

Dhyana tusarasailabham kunkumabhasatacchatam || balacandrardhadamstragram simhavaktram trilocanam | bhrukutikutila bhogalalatamakutojjvalam || caturbhujam sankhacakragadabhayakaram vibhum | sarvabharanacitrangam pitambaravibhusitam || hiranyakdhasamkruddham dahantamiva drstibhih | svaikyam dhyatva naraharim manasaiva tamacayet ||306 For Upasana, Nrsimha may be conceived in cloth or an idol. After just ten Matrajapas, the desired Phalas begin to be felt by the Sadhaka. It is also stated that those Sadhakas who cannot stand the rigours of sustained Upavasa can attain Phalas in equal measure with Siddhi gained through the purity of Bhakti. Viniyogas and Prayogas are the same as for other Nrisimha-murtis. A Visesamalamantra, Nyasavidhis and Chandas are provided in the Patala 307 For attainment of Malamantrasiddhi, 12,000 Japas and 1,200 Homas with Tila and Ghrta are mandated. This Mantra is considered to be a very potent one and the very Mantrasmarana is said to make the Dosas disappear instantly. Moreover, several Viniyogas, Prayogas, Phalas and Homavidhis are also provided for specific purposes, some of which are Visahara, Apasmaranasa, Sarvabhista, Yuddhavijaya, Divyadarsana, Maharogasamana, Putralabdhi, Apamrtyunasa, Astasiddhi and so on. 422