On Vaishakh Shukla Chturdashi (fourteenth day in the bright fortnight of the Hindu lunar month Vaishakh) protector of devotees Lord Vishnu incarnated as Narsingh (“Nar” means man & “Singh” means Lion), he appeared from a pillar to make true the words of devotee Prahlad. He killed the King of Demons, Hiranyakashyapu and ended his terror from the world. Since then, this day is celebrated as festival. Combination of Vanij Karan, Sidha Yog, Swati Nakshatra (fifteenth Planet) and Saturday makes it more auspicious. This fast is fruitful for everyone. Kalash (water filled copper utensil) and murti of Lord Narsingh should be installed on a wooden stool and should be worshipped as per scriptures. Land, cow, Til (sesame seeds), clothes and a cot with bedding should be donated as per the capacity. Fast should be observed till evening. In the evening after the Aarti food should be offered to a Brahmin. This fast is helpful in removing all types of problems and devotee is blessed with fortune. According to the great epic Shrimad Bhagvat Puran, Jai and Vijay, who served Bhagwan Vishnu were cursed by Rishi’s (sage’s) were born as demons, Hiranyakashyapu and-Hiranyaksh to get liberation by the hands of the Lord. Hiranyakashyapu and Hiranyaksh were two brothers Hiranyaksh was a great warrior. Bhagwan Vishnu killed him incarnating as Varah (pig). So Hiranyakashyapu became enemy of Bhagwan Vishnu. He took austerities to please Lord Brahma. Brahma appeared before him and allowed a boon to him. He asked immortality, which was denied. By diplomacy he tried to make his death impossible. He asked that he should not die in the following conditions as a boon.
A-Neither by a man nor by an animal created by the Lord.
B- Neither on earth nor in the space.
C- By any type of weapon.
After getting the boon he terrorized the Devtas (Gods). Hiranyakashyapu’s wife Kayadhu gave birth to a divine son who was named Prahlad. Divine boy Prahlad was a great devotee of Bhagwan Vishnu. Hiranyakashyapu tried his best to kill Prahlad because of his devotion to Bhagwan Vishnu, but could not succeed. Disappointed Hiranyakashyapu asked his sister Holika (fire could do no harm to her because of a boon) to sit in fire taking Prahlad in her lap. By the grace of God Holika ashed in the fire and devotee Prahlad came out safe. In the evening of Vaishakha Shukla Chaturdashi Prahlad was reciting hymns of Bhagwan Vishnu Hiranyakashyapu taken out his sword in anger but Prahlad sat remained undisturbed. Hiranyakashyapu challenged the existence of Bhagwan Vishnu and abused him. He asked Prahlad “Have you ever seen your Bhagwan Vishnu to whom you pray all the time?” Prahlad replied “Supreme power Bhagwan Vishnu is present everywhere” devotee Prahlad was tied with a heated pillar. Hiranyakashyapu asked, “Is your Bhagwan present in this pillar too?” Prahlad answered, “yes.” Angry Hiranyakashyapu attacked on the pillar with his sword. The pillar broke away and with a fearful noise Bhagwan Narsingh appeared there. He was in a dreaded form, his upper part of the body was of a Singh (Lion) and lower part of the body was of a man. In Narsingh incarnation Lord’s personality was very savage. To protect his devotee Prahlad Bhagwan Narsingh kept Hiranyakashyapu on his lap ‘and ended his life by teatearing off his heart. Then he blessed the Devotee Prahlad, with affection. Reciting of following hymn of Bhagwan Narsingh helps in removing the fear of enemies and gets rid o f them, when one finds oneself surrounded by the enemies.
Taptahatak Keshantah Jwalatpavak Lochanah, Vajradhik Nakh Sparshah Divya Singh Namostute.
Means, “Whose ends of the hairs are like inflamed gold, whose eyes are glorious like fire whose nails are like Vajra (thunderbolt o f Indra), oh supernatural lion! I salute you.”
Aum Namah Shivaye
Source: Book: Hindu Festivals By Shashi Kant Kaushik