THE DIVINE PROTECTOR

Lord Nrsimha is the incarnation of Lord Krsna that appeared to protect his young devotee Prahlad. He appeared as a half-man, half-lion incarnation and killed the envious demon Hiranyakashipu, who was materialism personified (hiran-gold, kasipu-soft bed). Devotees pray to Lord Nrsimhadeva for protection and to kill their material desires.

"I offer my obeisances to Lord Narasimha, who gives joy to Prahlad Maharaja and whose nails are like chisels on the stone like chest of the demon Hiranyakasipu.

Lord Nrsimha is here and also there. Wherever I go Lord Nrsimha is there. He is in the heart and is outside as well. I surrender to Lord Nrsimha, the origin of all things and the supreme refuge. 

O Kesava! O Lord of the universe! O Lord Hari, who have assumed the form of half-man, half-lion, all glories to You! Just as one can easily crush a wasp between one's fingernails, so in the same way the body of the wasp like demon Hiranyakasipu has been ripped apart by the wonderful pointed nails on Your beautiful lotus hands."