Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 20

Nṛsiṁhadeva Appears from the Pillar and Slays Hiraṇyakaśipu

Devanagari script

मीमांसमानस्य समुत्थितोऽग्रतो । नृसिंहरूपस्तदलं भयानकम् ॥ १९ ॥ प्रतप्तचामीकरचण्डलोचनं स्फुरत्सटाकेशरजृम्भिताननम् । करालदंष्ट्रं करवालचञ्चल क्षुरान्तजिह्वं भ्रुकुटीमुखोल्बणम् ॥ २० ॥ स्तब्धोर्ध्वकर्णं गिरिकन्दराद्भ‍ुत- व्यात्तास्यनासं हनुभेदभीषणम् । दिविस्पृशत्कायमदीर्घपीवर- ग्रीवोरुवक्ष:स्थलमल्पमध्यमम् ॥ २१ ॥ चन्द्रांशुगौरैश्छुरितं तनूरुहै- र्विष्वग्भुजानीकशतं नखायुधम् । दुरासदं सर्वनिजेतरायुध- प्रवेकविद्रावितदैत्यदानवम् ॥ २२ ॥

Transliteration

mīmāṁsamānasya samutthito ’grato nṛsiṁha-rūpas tad alaṁ bhayānakam pratapta-cāmīkara-caṇḍa-locanaṁ sphurat saṭā-keśara-jṛmbhitānanam

Translation

Seine Ohren standen aufrecht und reglos; Nüstern und weit aufgerissener Mund glichen Berghöhlen, und die Kiefer klafften furchterregend. Sein Leib reichte bis an den Himmel; der Hals war kurz und kräftig, die Brust breit und die Taille schmal. Bei diesem Anblick erstarrte der Asura-König.

Synonyms

• pratapta-cāmīkara-caṇḍa-locanam: having fierce eyes like heated gold
• pratapta-cāmīkara-caṇḍa-locanam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pratapta (√tap, क्त-कृदन्त) + cāmīkara + caṇḍa + locana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: बहुपद-कर्मधारय-समास (विशेषणविशेष्यभाव); प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन, नपुंसकलिङ्ग (नृसिंहरूपम् इति विशेष्ये)

• sphurat: flashing, quivering
• sphurat: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √sphur (धातु, शतृ-कृदन्त)
• Form: वर्तमानकाले शतृ-प्रत्ययान्त; प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन, नपुंसकलिङ्ग (अव्यक्त-विशेषणरूपेण)

• saṭā-keśara-jṛmbhita-ānanam: with a face expanded by (flaring) mane and whiskers
• saṭā-keśara-jṛmbhita-ānanam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: saṭā + keśara + jṛmbhita (√jṛmbh, क्त-कृदन्त) + ānana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (सम्बन्ध/उपपद-प्रायः: ‘सटाकेेशरैः जृम्भितम् आननम्’); प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन, नपुंसकलिङ्ग

• karāla-daṁṣṭram: with dreadful fangs
• karāla-daṁṣṭram: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: karāla + daṁṣṭra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय-समास; प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन, नपुंसकलिङ्ग

• karavāla-cañcala: restless like a sword
• karavāla-cañcala: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: karavāla + cañcala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (‘करवालेन चञ्चलः/चञ्चलम्’); (पाठे ‘चञ्चल’ अव्यक्त-विशेषणम्) प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन, नपुंसकलिङ्ग (समस्तवर्णनस्य)

• kṣurānta-jihvam: with a tongue like the edge of a razor
• kṣurānta-jihvam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kṣura + anta + jihvā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (‘क्षुरान्ता जिह्वा यस्य’/‘क्षुरान्त-जिह्वा’); प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन, नपुंसकलिङ्ग

• bhrukuṭī-mukha-ulbaṇam: with a face made fierce by knitted brows
• bhrukuṭī-mukha-ulbaṇam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bhrukuṭī + mukha + ulbaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय-समास (भ्रुकुटीमुखं च तत् उल्बणम्); प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन, नपुंसकलिङ्ग

Characters & Entities

• Nṛsiṁha
• Hiraṇyakaśipu

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the sudden appearance of Lord Narasimha?

In this verse, Lord Nṛsiṁha manifests instantly before Hiraṇyakaśipu, showing that the Lord can appear at once to uphold truth and protect His devotee.

Why did Śukadeva Gosvāmī describe Nṛsiṁha as terrifying?

Because the form was meant to shatter the demon’s arrogance and fearlessly neutralize his power; the Lord’s awe-inspiring aspect overwhelms the faithless.

Practical application of this Narasimha episode in modern life?

When circumstances seem impossible, this verse inspires steadiness in devotion—help can arise unexpectedly when one stands with truth and surrender.