Prahlada Charitra: The Eternal Tale of Unwavering Devotion to Lord Narasimha
Complete lyrics with original text, transliteration, and meaning, 8 sections
Prahlada Charitra Eternal Tale Unwavering Lord Narasimha / Lord Vishnu other
Mangalacharan (Invocation)
Original
ॐ नमो भगवते नरसिंहाय प्रह्लादभक्तवत्सलाय । हिरण्यकशिपोर्विनाशनाय जगत्पालनाय नमः ॥
Transliteration
Om Namo Bhagavate Narasimhaya Prahladabhaktavatsalaya । Hiranyakashiporvinashanaya Jagatpalanaya Namah ॥
Meaning / Translation
Om, salutations to Lord Narasimha, the beloved of devotee Prahlada, the destroyer of Hiranyakashipu, and the sustainer of the universe.
Verse 1: Prahlada's Divine Birth and Innate Devotion
Original
कयाधौ कश्यपस्य गृहे जन्म गृहीतवान् हरेः भक्तिम् । गर्भे मातुर्नारदवचनात् विष्णुमयोऽभवत् बालकः ॥
Transliteration
Kayadhau Kashyapasya Grihe Janma Grihitavan Hareh Bhaktim । Garbhe Maturnaradavachanat Vishnumayo'bhavat Balakah ॥
Meaning / Translation
In the womb of Kayadhu, wife of Sage Kashyapa, the child Prahlada imbibed devotion to Hari by hearing Narada's divine words, becoming fully absorbed in Vishnu even before birth.
Verse 2: Hiranyakashipu's Tyranny and Prahlada's Steadfastness
Original
हिरण्यकशिपुः पिता क्रूरः सर्वदेवतिरस्करः । प्रह्लादं मारयितुं यत्नं चकार विविधं बहु ॥ न तत्र भयं न च शोकः प्रह्लादस्य हरेः सुतः । विष्णुं स्मरन् सुखं प्राप्नोति नान्यदेव शरणं गतः ॥
Transliteration
Hiranyakashipuh Pita Krurah Sarvadevatiskarah । Prahladam Marayitum Yatnam Chakara Vividham Bahu ॥ Na Tatra Bhayam Na Cha Shokah Prahladasya Hareh Sutah । Vishnum Smaran Sukham Prapnoti Nanyadeva Sharanam Gatah ॥
Meaning / Translation
Hiranyakashipu, the cruel father who scorned all gods, made countless attempts to kill Prahlada. Yet Prahlada, son of Hari, knew no fear or sorrow; remembering Vishnu, he found bliss and took refuge in none other.
Verse 3: Failed Attempts to Kill Prahlada
Original
विषं ददौ दावानले निपातयत् गिरेरुपरि । समुद्रे बद्धवा क्षिप्तः शस्त्रैः प्रहरणैर्वृतः ॥ नागपाशैर्बद्धोऽपि विष्णुं स्मरन्नैव मुक्तवान् । सर्वत्रैव हरिः साक्षात् प्रह्लादं रक्षितुं स्थितः ॥
Transliteration
Visham Dadau Davanale Nipatayat Girerupari । Samudre Baddhva Kshiptah Shastraiḥ Praharanairvritah ॥ Nagapashairbaddho'pi Vishnum Smarannaiva Muktavan । Sarvatraiva Harih Sakshat Prahladam Rakshitum Sthitah ॥
Meaning / Translation
Poison was given, he was thrown into fire, cast from a mountain peak, bound and thrown into the ocean, attacked with weapons, and bound by serpent nooses — yet remembering Vishnu, Prahlada was freed. Hari Himself stood everywhere to protect His devotee.
Verse 4: The Pillar Splits — Lord Narasimha Emerges
Original
स्तम्भं प्रहरत् क्रोधितः पिता किमस्ति मेऽत्र हरिः इति । स्फुरितः स्तम्भमध्ये तु नरसिंहो महाबलः ॥ न नृपो न च सिंहोऽयं न देवो न च मानवः । अद्भुतं रूपमेतत्ते दैत्यान्तकरणं प्रभो ॥
Transliteration
Stambham Praharat Krodhitah Pita Kimasti Me'tra Harih Iti । Sphuritah Stambhamadhye Tu Narasimho Mahabalah ॥ Na Nripo Na Cha Simho'yam Na Devo Na Cha Manavah । Adbhutam Rupametatte Daityantakaranam Prabho ॥
Meaning / Translation
Enraged, the father struck the pillar, challenging, 'Is Hari in this?' From within the pillar burst forth the mighty Narasimha — neither man nor lion, neither god nor human — a wondrous form, O Lord, for the destruction of the demon.
Verse 5: Slaying of Hiranyakashipu at Twilight on the Threshold
Original
संध्यायां दारिद्र्यनाशिन्यां न खे न भूमौ न चापरे । उरसि नखैर्विदार्य तं निघ्नन्तं दैत्यमुत्तमम् ॥ नास्त्रं न शस्त्रं न वह्निर्न च वारि न मारुतः । कालो न यमो न चैव त्वं रक्षासि भक्तवत्सलः ॥
Transliteration
Sandhyayam Daridryanashinyam Na Khe Na Bhumau Na Capare । Urasi Nakhairvidarya Tam Nighnantam Daityamuttamam ॥ Nashtram Na Shastram Na Vahnir Na Cha Vari Na Marutah । Kalo Na Yamo Na Chaiva Tvam Rakshasi Bhaktavatsalah ॥
Meaning / Translation
At twilight, the destroyer of poverty, neither in sky nor on earth nor elsewhere — on His lap, with claws He tore apart the supreme demon. No weapon, fire, water, wind, time, or Yama can harm — You alone protect, O Beloved of devotees.
Verse 6: Prahlada's Coronation and Eternal Glory
Original
प्रह्लादं राज्यमददात् भगवन् नरसिंहः प्रभुः । भक्तानां रक्षकं कृत्वा स्वकीयं धाम गतः हरिः ॥ यः पठेत् प्रह्लादचरितं भक्त्या श्रद्धया नरः । स नरसिंहपदं याति न संशयोऽत्र विद्यते ॥
Transliteration
Prahladam Rajyamadadat Bhagavan Narasimhah Prabhuh । Bhaktanam Rakshakam Kritva Svakiyam Dham Gatah Harih ॥ Yah Pathet Prahladacharitam Bhaktya Shraddhaya Narah । Sa Narasimhapadam Yati Na Samshayo'tra Vidyate ॥
Meaning / Translation
Lord Narasimha crowned Prahlada king, established him as protector of devotees, then returned to His divine abode. Whoever reads Prahlada's character with devotion and faith attains the feet of Narasimha — there is no doubt.
Phala Shruti (Benefit of Recitation)
Original
इति श्रीमद्भागवते महापुराणे सप्तमस्कन्धे प्रह्लादचरितं संपूर्णम् । इदं स्तोत्रं पठितवा नरसिंहप्रसादं लभते । भक्तिरेव गरीयसी नान्यत् किंचिदपि ॥
Transliteration
Iti Shrimadbhagavate Mahapurane Saptamaskandhe Prahladacharitam Sampurnam । Idam Stotram Pathitva Narasimhaprasadam Labhate । Bhaktireva Gariyasi Nanyat Kinchidapi ॥
Meaning / Translation
Thus concludes the complete Prahlada Charitra from the 7th Canto of Srimad Bhagavata Mahapurana. By reciting this stotra, one obtains the grace of Narasimha. Devotion alone is supreme — nothing else whatsoever.