Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 48
The Exposition of Nṛsiṁha Worship-Mantras, Nyāsa, Mudrās, Yantras, Kavaca, and Nṛsiṁha Gāyatrī
पूर्वमृत्युपदे शत्रोर्नाम कृत्वा स्वयं हरिः । निशितैर्नखदंष्ट्राग्रैः खाद्यमानं च संस्मरेत् ॥ ४८ ॥
pūrvamṛtyupade śatrornāma kṛtvā svayaṃ hariḥ | niśitairnakhadaṃṣṭrāgraiḥ khādyamānaṃ ca saṃsmaret || 48 ||
At the moment when death draws near, one should first place the enemy’s name in the mind, and then remember Hari Himself—visualizing Him devouring that foe with His sharp nails and the tips of His fangs.
Narada (teaching in a technical/ritual-application context within Book 1.3)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: raudra
FAQs
It teaches that the decisive support at life’s most critical threshold is smaraṇa (remembrance) of Hari—where the devotee mentally hands over fear and hostility to the Lord’s protective power.
Bhakti here is expressed as single-pointed recollection of Vishnu even under threat; the devotee does not rely on personal vengeance but entrusts the removal of danger to Hari through devoted remembrance.
It reflects a practical prayoga-like instruction: controlled mental placement (nāma-karaṇa/saṃkalpa) and focused smṛti/visualization, aligning with technical disciplines that systematize recitation and contemplative application.