The Glories of Observing – Sri Narasingha-Caturdashi-vrata

 

vaisakhasya caturdashyam

suklayam sri nrikesari

jatas tad asyam tatpujot-

savam kurvita savratam 

(Padma Purana)

 

18 May: “Sri Nrisimhadeva appeared on the fourteenth lunar day (Caturdashi-tithi) of the bright fortnight of the month of Vaishakha. So, on this day, it is proper to worship and celebrate the appearance of Nrisimhadeva by following the rules of fasting and others.”

 

prahlada-klesa nasaya

ya hi punya caturdasi

pujayet tatra yatnena

hareh prahladam agratah

(from the Agamas)

 

“It is proper to worship Prahlada before worshipping Nrisimha because the holy fourteenth lunar day of the bright fortnight has appeared in order to remove the distress of Prahlada.”

 

It is written in the Brihan-Narasimha Purana as follows: Prahlada Maharaja desired to know from Sri Nrisimhadeva how he had developed devotion to His lotus feet. Nrisimhadeva replied, “In ancient times, there lived a brahmin named Vasu Sharma in the city of Avanti, who was well-versed in the Vedas. His good wife Sushila was famous throughout the three worlds for her virtuous conduct and ideal devotion to her husband. Vasu Sharma fathered five sons in Sushila’s womb. His first four sons were learned persons of good conduct and devoted to their father. But you, the youngest son, became attracted to a prostitute and lost your character. You were then known as Vasudeva. Your virtuous conduct was destroyed in the company of that prostitute. Due to a quarrel with the prostitute, on the Nrisimha-Caturdashi-tithi both of you stayed awake throughout the night and unknowingly observed a fast. Therefore, both of you obtained the fruits of observing Nrisimha-Caturdashi vrata. The prostitute enjoyed as an Apsara in various ways in heaven and then became my favorite. As the son of Hiranyakashipu, you also took birth as My dear devotee. By observing this fast, Brahma has obtained the power of creation and Maheshvara has obtained the power of destruction of the three worlds. Other people also achieve all kinds of power and perform observance of this vow to fulfill all their desired objectives.”

 

 From: Dasavatara by Gurudeva.