httpv://youtu.be/N0mchZKyVYY
video: ISKCON Bangalore Group
Lakshmi Narasimha Karavalamba Stotram by Adi Shankaracharya
Iskcon Bangalore Group — Srila Prabhupada’s ISKCON Bangalore team has made this video of Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Karavalamba stotram by Adi Shankaracharya, as an offering to Sri Prahlada Narasimha of ISKCON Bangalore Temple. For more info please visit: http://www.iskconbangalore.org
Yadagirigutta Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple
By ISKCON Bangalore
Sri Lakshminarasimha Swamy Temple or Yadagirigutta is a popular temple of Lord Narasimha Swamy, an incarnation Lord Krishna. It is situated on a hillock in the Nalgonda district, Andhra Pradesh, India, 60 kilometers from the city of Hyderabad.
A large number of devotees visit the temple on Sundays and public holidays. The temple is quite popular and is busy throughout the year with different events of the Lord. The annual Brahmotsavam is held in the month of March, it includes Yedurkolu, the Celestial Wedding and Divya Vimana Rathotsavam. The birthday of Lord Narasimha is celebrated on 28 April every year. Lord Narasimha is also known as Yadagiri, hence the name.
History
In Tretayugam, there lived a sage named Yadarishi, son of the great sage Rishyasrunga and Santa Devi who did penance inside a cave with the blessings of Anjaneya (Hanuman) on this hill between Bhongir (Bhuvanagiri) and Raigiri (Now in Nalgonda district of Andhra Pradesh). Pleased with his deep devotion, Lord Narasimha, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu appeared before him in five different forms as Jwala, Yogananda, Gandabherunda, Ugra and Lakshminarasimha. They later manifested themselves into finely sculpted forms that later came to be worshiped as Pancha Narasimha Kshetram.
As the legend goes, the Lord appeared first as Jwala Narasimha (Lord as a flame), when Yadarishi was unable to face the intensity of this apparition, he appeared in a peaceful form as Yoganarasimha (Lord in a Yogic Padmasana posture with open palms on the knees). Not satisfied with the Lord appearing alone, Yadarishi sought to see him with this consort, so he is said to have appeared with Lakshmi on his lap’, known as Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy and as being worshipped by Alwars, His ardent devotees. To see these three forms one has to go through an entrance that narrows itself into a dark cave which in fact is surmised as the ugra (fiery) form of Narasimha (the fourth form) because it was beyond the strength of a sage to see that form and gandabherunda (the garuda pakshi or the eagle) is the fifth form of the Lord which is said to have been found sculpted in rock underneath Anjaneya, known as ‘Kshetrapalaka‘ (or the one who ruled over that hill). All these forms are known as “swayambhu” or self emanated.
There are puranas and traditional accounts of this shrine, which are widely popular among the devotees. There is mention about the origin of this temple in the Skanda Purana, one of the 18 famous puranas.
Glowing bright atop the shikharam of garbha griha (Sanctum Sanctorum) of this cave temple is the golden Sudarshana Chakra (about 3 ft x 3 ft) of Lord Vishnu (whose reincarnation is Lord Narasimha), the adornment as well as the weapon is a symbol this temple and is identified by from as far away as 6 km. It is said that many years ago the chakra moved in the direction from which the devotees came as if like a compass guiding them towards the temple.
Another legend has it that Sriman Narayana, pleased with Yada’s penance, sent Sri Anjaneya to direct the rishi to a holy spot, where the Lord appeared to him in the form of Sri Lakshmi Narasimha. This spot is marked by a temple located at the foot of the Yadagiri hillock, and is located about 5 km from the present temple. There the sage worshiped the Lord for many years.
After Yadarishi attained moksha, a number of tribals, hearing of the Lord’s presence, came to worship Him at this temple. But, not being very learned, these devotees began to engage in improper worship. Because of this, Sri Lakshmi Narasimha moved into to the hills. The tribals searched for many years to find their Lord, but to no avail.
After many years had passed, the Lord appeared in the dream of a devout lady among the tribe, directing her to a large cave wherein He revealed Himself to all as five majestic Avatars.
Beliefs:
Lord Narasimha is believed to have been worshiped by sages (rishis). The region of Yadagirigutta is reputed to be a “Rishi Aradhana Kshetram” or the place of worship for sages.
As the belief goes, Lord Narasimha has taken on the role of a “doctor” and is known as “Vaidya Narasimha” by his devotees at this shrine to cure many chronic diseases and the role of a ‘do gooder’ to those who are under the influence of bad planets, witch craft and black magic. Many instances are cited of the Lord appearing in the dreams of the devotees, and administering medicines and operated the patients and blessed them with good health. Many devotees tell of vivid dreams in which the Lord comes to heal them from chronic or terminal illnesses, and even mental or emotional problems. A mandala (40 day) pradakshina is made by many devotees to get cured of a long standing ailment or chronic disease. Often, the Lord Himself has imparted mantropadesham to select devotees in their dreams.
How to reach:
Yadagirigutta is about 60 km (approx. 38 miles) from Hyderabad and is well connected by Rail and Road.
The nearest airport is Hyderabad. There are number of buses from Hyderabad, Secunderabad and other parts of the state to Yadagirigutta.
The nearest Railway station is Raigiri (about 3 km) where we can catch passenger trains. After alighting at Raigiri, one can take an auto rickshaw.
The nearest railway stations for Express trains are Bhongir (14 KM) & Aler (14 KM) where you can get the express trains towards Vijaywada, Nagpur & Hyderabad.
Gallery:
Narasimha and Adi Shankara
It is believed by followers that Narasimha protects his sincere devotees when they are in extreme danger. Near Srisailam, there is a forest called Hatakeshwanam that no man enters. Shankaracharya entered this place and did penance for many days. During this time, a Kapalika, by name Kirakashan appeared before him.
Kapalikas are a set of people who live in the burial grounds and pray to God by giving human and animal sacrifice. They were against Vedanta system of Adi Shankara which preaches love and affection and shuns violence. He told Sri Sankara that he should give his body as a human sacrifice to Kali.
Shankara was happy to hear this request and agreed. His disciples were shocked to hear this and pleaded Shankara to change his mind but Shankara refused to do so saying that it was an honour to give up his body as a sacrifice for Kali and one must not lament over such things. The Kapalika arranged a fire for the sacrifice and asked Shankara to sit beside it.
Just as he lifted his axe to severe Shankara’s head, Lord Vishnu as Narasimha entered the body of Shankaracharya’s disciple, Padmapada, who was a devotee of Narasimha, and fought the Kapalika, slayed him and thus freed the forest of Kapalikas. Thus Adi Shankara composed the very powerful Lakshmi-Narasimha Karavalambam Stothram at the very spot in front of Lord Narasimha.
source: Hare Krishna Blog
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