Shloka 21
Veṅkaṭācala Māhātmya: Bhakti-Lakṣaṇa, Nārasiṁha-tīrtha, and the Secret Darśana-Vidhi of Śrīnivāsa
जैगीषव्यस्त्वेवमुक्तो महात्मा उवाच कन्यां संस्मरन् भक्तवर्यः / जैगीषव्य उवाच / प्रहादाद्या श्रीनिवासस्य भक्ताः कृत्वा नृसिंहे चोत्तमां भक्तिमेव
jaigīṣavyastvevamukto mahātmā uvāca kanyāṃ saṃsmaran bhaktavaryaḥ / jaigīṣavya uvāca / prahādādyā śrīnivāsasya bhaktāḥ kṛtvā nṛsiṃhe cottamāṃ bhaktimeva
এভাবে সম্বোধিত হয়ে মহাত্মা, ভক্তশ্রেষ্ঠ জৈগীষব্য কন্যাকে স্মরণ করে বললেন। জৈগীষব্য বললেন—প্রহ্লাদ প্রভৃতি শ্রীনিবাসের ভক্ত, যারা নৃসিংহেই পরম ভক্তি স্থাপন করেছিল।
Jaigishavya (Jaigīṣavya)
Concept: Prahlāda and other exemplars placed supreme devotion in Narasiṃha/Śrīnivāsa; remembrance of such devotees is itself instructive and purifying.
Vedantic Theme: Īśvara’s accessible manifestation (avatāra) as object of single-pointed devotion; grace responding to unwavering śaraṇāgati.
Application: Choose an iṣṭa-rūpa (here Narasiṃha) and cultivate ekānta-bhakti through remembrance, mantra, and steadfastness under pressure.
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 3.24.20 (question that prompts the exemplars)
FAQs
This verse highlights Narasiṃha as a focal form of Viṣṇu for “uttamā bhakti” (supreme devotion), exemplified by Prahlāda and other devotees of Śrīnivāsa.
While not describing after-death geography directly, it frames liberation-oriented practice as unwavering devotion to Viṣṇu (here, Narasiṃha), implying that bhakti is a decisive spiritual refuge and guiding path.
Cultivate steady devotion—daily remembrance, prayer, and ethical living—taking inspiration from Prahlāda’s single-minded faith in Narasiṃha as a model of spiritual resilience.