Sri Lakshmi Narasimhaaya Mangalam!

Sri Lakshmi Narasimhaaya Mangalam!

About Sri Mangala Giri Lakshmi Narasimha Swami

In Andhra Desham (in the current Guntur area), there is a punya kshetram called Shri Mangalagiri. The presiding Deity here is Shri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy.

He is also more famously known as Shri Panakala Narasimha Swamy as He returns some of the paanakam offered by Bhakthas as prasaadam. The paanakam is poured into the mouth of Shri Bhagawan and one can hear Him drinking it due to the gurgling sound that emanates as the paanakam is poured into His mouth by means of a conch shell! When the gurgling sound stops, some of the panakam shall be pushed back for the Bhakthas to collect. Not even a single ant can be found anywhere despite repeated offerings of jaggery water!

The greatness of this punya kshetram has been detailed in the sacred text named Shri Mangalagiri Mahathmyam. One of the many charithrams stated in the text is as follows:

An Involuntary "Narasimhaarpanam"

In the days of yore, two men named Pushkala and Naganna lived in Mangalagiri. These two men had taken to many vices. One day, they had consumed much wine and were on the way to the place of a courtesan. They passed by the Temple of Mangalagiri. However, as both were completely out of senses and were foolishly laughing aloud, they did not show any respect to Shri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy and His Temple.

Suddenly, one of them saw a flower shrub nearby. Some flowers had fallen near the shrub. Driven by an inexplicable whim, he picked one flower and asked his friend, "Ha.. Ha.. Ha... what is this, my friend?" The other one laughed stupidly, took the flower from his friend and cried, "Who knows? Here you go. Narasimhaarpanam!" and threw the flower towards the direction of the Temple. Laughing harder than ever, they hurried to the house of the courtesan.

At Yama Dharma Raja's Court

After living such a life, they both died in a mishap. As expected, Yama Kinkaras dragged them to the Naraka Lokam.

On the way to the Naraka Lokam, Pushkala and Naganna trembled with fear as they saw the terrifying ambience of the place. Yama Kinkaras pushed and dragged them, rebuking them for the hapless life they both had led in Bhulokam. Finally, they reached the court of Yama Deva.

Yama Deva scrutinized Pushkala and Naganna with furrowed brows. Finally, He said, "Hmm, of course, you both will have to spend a long time here to face the consequences of your evil conduct. However, before that, you have a small punya phala that entitles you both to spend 2 happy days with the beautiful Apsara Rambha!"

Pushkala and Naganna could not decipher anything out of this strange pronouncement and simply stood there in a state of extreme fear and utter confusion. Yama Deva recounted their involuntary act of offering a flower to Shri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy of Mangalagiri and explained that the casual act had earned them this unforeseen respite from hell.

"Hari! Hari!"

And so, the Yama Kinkaras escorted Pushkala and Naganna to the porch of Rambha's chambers in Swarga Lokam. "Sit here and await her permission to enter," they commanded. "We shall come back in 2 days and take you back to Naraka Lokam where you shall pay for your sins," they growled and went away.

Pushkala and Naganna felt miserable. What was this two-day enjoyment in front of dreadful sojourn in the putrid, bone-chilling hell that awaited them? At that time, a lady from Rambha's chambers came out. She looked at them both and coolly said, "Oh, the pair of you! As if you did not spend enough time with courtesans in Bhulokam! Well, you both need to wait for some time for Apsara Rambha is busy decorating herself." Pushkala and Naganna gaped at her.

And then, all of a sudden, the lady said, "As you await Apsara Rambha's orders to enter, why don't you realize your follies at least now and chant the glorious name of Shri Hari? Wake up at least now!" The lady then went inside the chambers. The wise words of the lady struck the right chord in the hearts of Pushkala and Naganna.

They closed their eyes and began to chant the name of Shri Hari. After some time, they were in a trance. When Apsara Rambha came out to welcome them, she saw them chanting the name of Shri Hari. "Ah! How can I disturb them when they are singing the name of Shri Bhagawan?" she wondered. And so, she left the place without waking them up! The chanting went on and on and on. After two full days, the Yama Kinkaras were back.

A Great, Happy Turn of Events

Escorted by Yama Kinkaras, Pushkala and Naganna set foot inside the court of Yama Deva once again. They both were feeling remarkably calm though. As Yama Deva started to plan their punishment, he slightly frowned. "How is it that I sense the aura of punya karma around these two now?" he wondered.

Using his gnana dhrishti, Yama Deva learnt what had transpired in the gap of two days. He raised his eyebrows and said, "Well, you both have continuously chanted the auspicious name of Shri Hari for two full days! All your papa karma have been washed away! You shall be born in Shri Mangalagiri Kshetram as human beings!" he exclaimed. Pushkala and Naganna could hardly believe their ears!

And so, they both did take that birth. They became extremely devoted to Shri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy. They constantly chanted Shri Hari Nama. They made and offered Thulasi flower garlands to Bhagawan. At the end of that glorious birth, they attained Shri Vaikuntam by the grace of Shri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy!

Such is the power of offering fresh flowers to Shriman Narayana, reciting the divine names of Shri Hari and meditating on Him! This is why the incomparable Aandaal Naachiyaar also advised us (in the fifth paasuram of Thiruppaavai) to perform these sacred and divine activities.