Saligrama, the sacred stone found only in the Kandaki river in Nepal, and worshipped by Vaishnavites in their homes, is used in the puja of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam. It is believed that fervent recitation of these hymns on Lord Narasimha will always help one smoothly get over difficulties with the Lord's helping hand. These hymns are so titled because each of these verses ends with the same refrain 'Lakshmi Narasimha, mama dehi karavalambam' (O Lord Narasimha, please lend me your helping hand). On another occasion, Adi Shankaracharya's hands got burnt (the Amaruka episode) but he was cured by extolling Lord Narasimha through the famous hyms, the 17-verse Lakshmi Narasimha Karavalamba Stotram (also known as Lakshmi Narasimha Karunarasa Stotram'). The Acharya saw before him the awesome Lord Narasimha himself and pacified him with soothing and overflowing devotion. Padmapada's body was smeared with the blood of the vile Kapalika while his face glowed with divine splendour like a galaxy of suns. It was a re-enactment of the Narasimha incarnation once again when the demon Hiranyakasipu was disembowelled by the Lord with his leonine claws.Īdi Shankaracharya, hearing the thunderous roars of a lion, awoke from his trance and witnessed the gory scene. Sankara Vijaya, published by the Ramakrishna Math in Chennai, describes how Padmapada leapt into the sky, scattering away the clouds with a slash of his mane, and literally flew into the cave, stunning all beholders. He had attained Narasimha mantra siddhi, and caught hold of the villainous Kapalika and tore him to pieces. In an avesa of Lord Narasimha he, verily, became the man-lion Lord himself temporarily.
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However, when the Kapalika lifted his sword and readied himself to chop off his head Sankara's disciple Padmapada (also known as Sanandana) envisioned this murderous scheme in his mind. He took the Acharya to a nearby cave, made necessary arrangements for the sacrifice-ritual and prepared himself to behead Adi Shankaracharya. This Kapalika had been nursing a grievance against Adi Shankaracharya whom he viewed as a potential threat to his faith and sect.
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The Lord of the famous temple in Mylapore in Chennai is worshipped as Kapaliswara.
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Kapalikas were followers of a particular Saiva sect who always carried human skulls, wore them as garlands around their necks and even ate and drank from these macabre vessels. Adi Shankaracharya had once given his consent to a cruel Kapalika to take his head and offer it as a sacrifice to Goddess Kali in order to win favours from her.