Narasimha Jayanti Vrat Katha | Legends of Narasimha Jayanti

Narasimha Jayanti Vrat Katha

Suta Ji says - "After killing Hiranyakashipu, Jagadguru Ramapati Lord Narasimha was seated peacefully, having calmed His anger. In His lap, the great among the wise, Bhakta Prahlada, was also seated. At that time, Bhakta Prahlada, seated in the lap of the Lord, said - 'O Lord Vishnu! I repeatedly bow to this Narasimha form of Yours. O Swamin! I am Your devotee, and a question arises in my mind. O Suresha! I have attained devotion to Your lotus feet in many ways. You have always protected me; therefore, O Bhagavan! How did I become dear to You? Kindly reveal this secret to me.'

Lord Narasimha said - 'O Mahaprajna! In order to resolve your curiosity, I shall describe the reason for your devotion and My affection towards you. Listen with a concentrated mind. In a previous birth, you were born as a Brahmin named Vasudeva. In that birth, you were unlettered and deeply attached to prostitutes. Throughout your life as the Brahmin Vasudeva, you did not observe any Vrat. However, due to association with a particular subject and desire, you observed one of My fasts. O sinless Prahlada! It is by the result of that Vrat that you have attained devotion to Me.'

Hearing these words from the sacred mouth of Lord Narasimha, Prahlada said - 'O Lord Narasimha! Kindly tell me what was the name of my father in that birth, what was that divine Vrat, and how is it performed? Even while being attached to prostitutes, how did I observe that Vrat, by which I received Your grace? O Lord! Kindly explain this to me.'

Lord Narasimha said - 'In ancient times, in the city of Avanti, there lived a renowned Brahmin who was a knower of the Vedas and Vedanta. His name was Susharmma. He performed Agnihotra daily and was devoted to all Vedic rites prescribed for Brahmins. He had performed Yajnas such as Agnishtoma for all the deities. The wife of Susharmma was also very virtuous like him. She was devoted, righteous, and dedicated to her husband. In time, his wife gave birth to five sons. Four of them were highly virtuous and learned, but you were his youngest son. You were deeply attached to prostitutes and constantly engaged in immoral conduct. Even when that prostitute opposed you, you indulged excessively in drinking and, along with a group of thieves, you stole large quantities of gold. Along with that courtesan, you committed many sinful deeds.

Once, a dispute arose between you and that prostitute in her house. Distressed due to the quarrel, you did not consume food, and thus unknowingly you observed a fast. Although done unknowingly, you observed this excellent Vrat completely. When that prostitute did not come to meet you at night, you remained awake throughout the night, observing celibacy. Due to the effect of this Vrat, affection arose in the heart of that prostitute towards you, and she too renounced all pleasures and stayed awake at night. If even the Gods residing in heaven become pleased by this Vrat, then her welfare was certainly assured.

In ancient times, Brahma Ji performed this excellent Vrat for the creation of the universe. By the power of this Vrat, Brahma Ji created the moving and unmoving world. Lord Shiva also observed this Vrat to destroy the demon Tripura. By the glory of this Vrat, Shiva Ji destroyed Tripura. O sinless one! Many sages and kings have also performed this Vrat. By the effect of this Vrat, all of them attained Siddhi.

That prostitute also attained My grace and began to roam happily in all the three worlds. Thus, this Vrat of Mine is famous throughout the world. This same Vrat was observed by that courtesan due to the dispute. O Prahlada! It is because of that Vrat that such extraordinary devotion towards Me has arisen in your heart. That cunning courtesan, knowing the day of My Vrat, deliberately quarreled with you and observed My Vrat under that pretext. That prostitute, after enjoying various pleasures, became an Apsara. Becoming free from karmic bondage, she ultimately merged into Me.

O Bhakta Prahlada! You remain separate from My body for the purpose of My divine work. Soon, after completing your task, you will merge into Me. Those who certainly observe this Vrat will not take birth again for a hundred Kalpa. By this Vrat, My childless devotee obtains radiant sons; the poor attains wealth like Kubera; one who desires long life attains longevity like Lord Shiva; and women obtain worthy sons and good fortune through this Vrat. They never become widows, nor do they suffer Putra Shoka, i.e., the grief of losing a son. This Vrat grants wealth and prosperity and makes one's birth auspicious. One first becomes a universal emperor and thereafter enjoys divine pleasures. Those men and women who faithfully observe this excellent Vrat, I grant them both Bhukti and Mukti along with supreme happiness. O child! What is the use of describing the countless fruits of this Vrat? Even I do not have the power to fully describe its fruits, nor is Lord Shiva capable. Even if Brahma Ji begins to describe it with his four mouths, there is no limit to its glory.'

After hearing the greatness of the Vrat from Lord Narasimha, Bhakta Prahlada said - 'O Bhagavan! By Your grace, I have heard about this excellent Vrat. Through this Vrat, my devotion and love for You have arisen and increased. O Swamin! Now I wish to hear the supreme method of observing this, Vrat. O Lord! Kindly explain in detail in which month, Tithi, and weekday this Vrat is observed. O Prabhu! Please describe all the procedures required to obtain the complete fruits of this Vrat.'

Lord Narasimha said - 'O Mahabhaga! It is proper. I shall describe an excellent method of this Vrat. Listen carefully. This Vrat, observed on the day of Vaishakha Shukla Chaudash in commemoration of My appearance, destroys all sins. Devout persons should observe this most sacred Vrat every year. This Vrat pleases Me, and by observing it with devotion, one obtains the merit of a thousand Dwadashi Vrat. When Swati Nakshatra, Shanivara, Siddha Yoga, and Vanija Karana coincide, and by divine fortune Pushya Yoga is also present, then if all these combines, this Vrat destroys the sins of millions of killings. Even if any one of these combinations occurs, it is still sin-destroying. This Vrat must be observed on My appearance day. If not done, one suffers in hell as long as the Surya and Chandra exist. As the influence of sin increases in Kali Yuga, all Dharma will decline, there is no doubt about it. However, by the power of this Vrat, even the hearts of the wicked will develop devotion. Therefore, it must certainly be observed in the Madhava Maas, along with following proper discipline after brushing the teeth.'

Prahlada Ji said - 'O Lord Narasimha! You are extremely fierce and terrifying. Please show mercy to me. Now I shall observe Your Vrat. Kindly ensure that it is completed without obstacles.'

Lord Narasimha said - 'One who desires complete fruits should not associate with sinners. One should not speak falsehood. One should not converse with women or wicked persons. On this sacred day of Mine, one should meditate only upon My form. Thereafter, at midday, one should bathe in pure water of a river, pond, or at home with Vedic Mantras, using clay, cow dung, and Amla, along with Mahanya, i.e., Acharyas who destroy all sins, and then wear pure clothes and perform daily rituals.

Thereafter, returning home, one should remember Me with devotion and prepare Ashtadala Kamal, i.e., an eight-petaled lotus by smearing the ground with cow dung. Establish a copper Kalasha, place gems in it, and above it place a bamboo vessel filled with Vrihi that is rice or wheat. Upon it, properly install a golden idol of Lord Narasimha along with Goddess Lakshmi. According to one's capacity, the idol should weigh one Pala, half a Pala, or even less.

Thereafter, bathe the idol with Panchamrita and perform worship. Invite a virtuous, self-controlled, calm, and non-greedy Brahmin and appoint him as Acharya. Perform the worship as instructed by him. Construct a Mandapa and decorate it with bunches of flowers. With a pure mind, perform Shodashopachara Pujan of the Lord Narasimha with seasonal flowers while chanting Vedic Mantras. One should also perform Puja with sacred Puranic Mantras. One should remain awake at night with singing and musical instruments. One should listen to sacred stories from the Puranas. In the morning, after bathing, one should again worship Me with self-control as described, and chant Vaishnava Mantras before Me with a steady mind.

O sinless one! Thereafter, give charity as appropriate. Those who desire victory in both worlds should donate a golden lion to worthy Brahmins to please Me. Those who desire fruits should donate cows, land, sesame, and gold. One should donate a bed along with seven types of grains and cotton garments. Other items should also be given according to one's capacity. One should not be miserly in order to obtain the full merit of the Vrat. Feed Brahmins along with Dakshina.

Even the poor should observe this Vrat according to their capacity and give charity accordingly. All classes have the right to observe My Vrat. Those devoted to Me should certainly observe it. By My grace, there will be no frailty in their lineage. Those born in My lineage should strive for realization of the Truth.

Thereafter, performing the following prayer, one should properly conclude the worship with Visarjan - "O Devesha! Please deliver us beings from the ocean of worldly existence. O Sheshashayi! O Lord of the universe! I am afflicted by delusion and sorrow, residing in the waters of disease and suffering in the ocean of sins, please grant me the support of Your hand. O Shri Narasimha! O Ramakanta! O destroyer of the fear of devotees! O resident of the Kshira Sagara! O wielder of the Sudarshana Chakra! O Janardana! O Devesha! Grant Bhukti and Mukti through this Vrat." After offering this prayer, conclude the ritual and present all offerings to the Acharya. Satisfy the Brahmins with Dakshina and then bid them farewell. Thereafter, gather at midday and partake of food along with relatives.

Whoever faithfully observes this sin-destroying Vrat and listens to its Mahatmya, even the sin of Brahmahatya is removed merely by hearing it. Whoever listens to this supremely sacred and secret Vrat attains all desires and obtains its complete fruits.'"