Narasimha Ashtottara Shatanamavali: 108 Names of Lord Narasimha with Meaning
Narasimha Ashtottara Shatanamavali - Sanskrit Text
ॐ नारसिंहाय नमः ॥ ॐ महासिंहाय नमः ॥ ॐ दिव्यसिंहाय नमः ॥ ॐ महाबलाय नमः ॥ ॐ उग्रसिंहाय नमः ॥
ॐ महादेवाय नमः ॥ ॐ स्तम्भजाय नमः ॥ ॐ उग्रलोचनाय नमः ॥ ॐ रौद्राय नमः ॥ ॐ सर्वाद्भुताय नमः ॥ (१०)
ॐ श्रीमते नमः ॥ ॐ योगानन्दाय नमः ॥ ॐ त्रिविक्रमाय नमः ॥ ॐ हरये नमः ॥ ॐ कोलाहलाय नमः ॥
ॐ चक्रिणे नमः ॥ ॐ विजयाय नमः ॥ ॐ जयवर्धनाय नमः ॥ ॐ पञ्चाननाय नमः ॥ ॐ परब्रह्मणे नमः ॥ (२०)
ॐ अघोराय नमः ॥ ॐ घोरविक्रमाय नमः ॥ ॐ ज्वलन्मुखाय नमः ॥ ॐ ज्वालमालिने नमः ॥ ॐ महाज्वालाय नमः ॥
ॐ महाप्रभवे नमः ॥ ॐ निटिलाक्षाय नमः ॥ ॐ सहस्राक्षाय नमः ॥ ॐ दुर्निरीक्ष्याय नमः ॥ ॐ प्रतापनाय नमः ॥ (३०)
ॐ महादंष्ट्रायुधाय नमः ॥ ॐ प्राज्ञाय नमः ॥ ॐ चण्डकोपिने नमः ॥ ॐ सदाशिवाय नमः ॥ ॐ हिरण्यकशिपुध्वंसिने नमः ॥
ॐ दैत्यदानवभञ्जनाय नमः ॥ ॐ गुणभद्राय नमः ॥ ॐ महाभद्राय नमः ॥ ॐ बलभद्राय नमः ॥ ॐ सुभद्रकाय नमः ॥ (४०)
ॐ करालाय नमः ॥ ॐ विकरालाय नमः ॥ ॐ विकर्त्रे नमः ॥ ॐ सर्वकर्तृकाय नमः ॥ ॐ शिंशुमाराय नमः ॥
ॐ त्रिलोकात्मने नमः ॥ ॐ ईशाय नमः ॥ ॐ सर्वेश्वराय नमः ॥ ॐ विभवे नमः ॥ ॐ भैरवाडम्बराय नमः ॥ (५०)
ॐ दिव्याय नमः ॥ ॐ अच्युताय नमः ॥ ॐ कविमाधवाय नमः ॥ ॐ अधोक्षजाय नमः ॥ ॐ अक्षराय नमः ॥
ॐ शर्वाय नमः ॥ ॐ वनमालिने नमः ॥ ॐ वरप्रदाय नमः ॥ ॐ विश्वम्भराय नमः ॥ ॐ अद्भुताय नमः ॥ (६०)
ॐ भव्याय नमः ॥ ॐ श्रीविष्णवे नमः ॥ ॐ पुरुषोत्तमाय नमः ॥ ॐ अनघास्त्राय नमः ॥ ॐ नखास्त्राय नमः ॥
ॐ सूर्यज्योतिषे नमः ॥ ॐ सुरेश्वराय नमः ॥ ॐ सहस्रबाहवे नमः ॥ ॐ सर्वज्ञाय नमः ॥ ॐ सर्वसिद्धिप्रदायकाय नमः ॥ (७०)
ॐ वज्रदंष्ट्राय नमः ॥ ॐ वज्रनखाय नमः ॥ ॐ महानन्दाय नमः ॥ ॐ परन्तपाय नमः ॥ ॐ सर्वयन्त्रैकरूपाय नमः ॥
ॐ सर्वयन्त्रविदारणाय नमः ॥ ॐ सर्वतन्त्रात्मकाय नमः ॥ ॐ अव्यक्ताय नमः ॥ ॐ सुव्यक्ताय नमः ॥ ॐ भक्तवत्सलाय नमः ॥ (८०)
ॐ वैशाखशुक्लभूतोत्थाय नमः ॥ ॐ शरणागतवत्सलाय नमः ॥ ॐ उदारकीर्तये नमः ॥ ॐ पुण्यात्मने नमः ॥ ॐ महात्मने नमः ॥
ॐ चण्डविक्रमाय नमः ॥ ॐ वेदत्रयप्रपूज्याय नमः ॥ ॐ भगवते नमः ॥ ॐ परमेश्वराय नमः ॥ ॐ श्रीवत्साङ्काय नमः ॥ (९०)
ॐ श्रीनिवासाय नमः ॥ ॐ जगद्व्यापिने नमः ॥ ॐ जगन्मयाय नमः ॥ ॐ जगत्पालाय नमः ॥ ॐ जगन्नाथाय नमः ॥
ॐ महाकायाय नमः ॥ ॐ द्विरूपभृते नमः ॥ ॐ परमात्मने नमः ॥ ॐ परंज्योतिषे नमः ॥ ॐ निर्गुणाय नमः ॥ (१००)
ॐ नृकेसरिणे नमः ॥ ॐ परतत्त्वाय नमः ॥ ॐ परंधाम्ने नमः ॥ ॐ सच्चिदानन्दविग्रहाय नमः ॥ ॐ लक्ष्मीनृसिंहाय नमः ॥
ॐ सर्वात्मने नमः ॥ ॐ धीराय नमः ॥ ॐ प्रह्लादपालकाय नमः ॥ (१०८)
Transliteration (Roman/IAST)
oṃ nārasiṃhāya namaḥ, oṃ mahāsiṃhāya namaḥ, oṃ divyasiṃhāya namaḥ, oṃ mahābalāya namaḥ, oṃ ugrasiṃhāya namaḥ … oṃ dhīrāya namaḥ, oṃ prahlāda-pālakāya namaḥ. (Each of the 108 names is recited with the prefix oṃ and the suffix namaḥ, “salutations to…”)
Meaning
This litany salutes 108 names of Lord Narasimha, each unveiling a facet of the man-lion avatara: Narasimha (the man-lion), Mahabala (of great strength), Ugrasimha (the fierce lion), Stambhaja (born of the pillar), Hiranyakashipu-dhvamsin (slayer of Hiranyakashipu), Daitya-danava-bhanjana (crusher of demons), Bhakta-vatsala (tender to devotees), Sharanagata-vatsala (loving to those who surrender), Lakshmi-Nrisimha (joined with Lakshmi), and finally Prahlada-palaka (protector of Prahlada). To utter each name with “namaḥ” is to bow before that aspect of the Lord’s fierce yet compassionate nature.
About this Stotra
The Narasimha Ashtottara Shatanamavali is the sacred litany of 108 names of Lord Narasimha, recited as a namavali - each name framed by “Om” and “namaḥ” - rather than as metered verse. The number 108 corresponds to the beads of a japa mala, allowing one full round of remembrance. The names are gathered from the Puranic and Agamic traditions of Narasimha worship and are chanted during archana, when each name is accompanied by an offering of a flower, tulsi leaf, or kumkum at the Lord’s feet.
Significance & Spiritual Benefits
Chanting the 108 names is held to grant protection, fearlessness, removal of obstacles, and the destruction of enemies and negative forces. Because each name meditates on a divine attribute, the practice steadies and uplifts the mind while invoking Narasimha’s fierce guardianship. Names such as Sarva-siddhi-pradayaka (giver of all accomplishments) and Vara-prada (granter of boons) make the litany a prayer for success and fulfilment of desires, while Bhakta-vatsala and Sharanagata-vatsala assure the devotee of the Lord’s tender protection. It is especially favoured for warding off evil, black magic, and fear.
Astrological Relevance
As the supreme destroyer of malefic forces, Narasimha is invoked to pacify the cruel grahas - Rahu (hidden enemies, sorcery, sudden upheaval), Ketu (mysterious afflictions), Mars (conflict, accidents), and a severe Saturn (chronic adversity, sade-sati). This archana is prescribed during difficult dashas and antardashas of these planets, for protection against abhichara (black magic) and drishti-dosha (evil eye), and to strengthen a weak ascendant or afflicted Moon. The name “Sarva-siddhi-pradayaka” ties it to remedies for stalled efforts and blocked success, while as “Lakshmi-Nrisimha” it also draws prosperity, supporting an afflicted 2nd or 11th house.
How to Chant (Vidhi)
Bathe and sit before an image of Lord Narasimha (ideally Lakshmi-Narasimha) facing east, with a ghee or sesame-oil lamp. Recite the 108 names slowly, offering a tulsi leaf, flower, or kumkum at each name during formal archana, or simply telling the names on a tulsi/rudraksha mala. Conclude with a final prostration and arati. An unhurried pace lets each name register as a small meditation on the Lord.
Best Day & Time
Saturday and the Swati nakshatra are associated with Narasimha, and the pradosha twilight recalls the dusk of his appearance. Narasimha Jayanti (Vaishakha Shukla Chaturdashi) is the most sacred occasion for this archana; dawn and dusk are the traditional daily times.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many names are in this namavali?
It contains 108 names of Lord Narasimha, each chanted with “Om” at the start and “namaḥ” at the end - the Ashtottara Shatanamavali.
What is the benefit of chanting the 108 names?
It is believed to grant protection and fearlessness, remove obstacles and enemies, fulfil desires, and bestow the fierce yet loving grace of Lord Narasimha.
How is a namavali different from a stotram?
A namavali lists each of the 108 names separately with “Om…namaḥ,” ideal for archana with offerings, whereas a stotram weaves the names into metered verse for recitation.
The man-lion's 108 names as armour and refuge
Lord Narasimha - the fierce man-lion avatara of Vishnu who emerged from a pillar to protect the child-devotee Prahlada - is one of the most intensely protective presences in the entire Vaishnava tradition. His Ashtottara Shatanamavali of 108 names moves through the full spectrum of his nature: the ferocity of his form, the tender love with which he held Prahlada, his role as destroyer of demonic pride, and his status as the ultimate refuge for those who have no other place to turn. Chanting each name with Om and Namaha is traditionally understood not merely as praise but as a kind of sacred armour - kavacham in devotional practice - built name by name around the devotee.
In the Jyotish tradition, Narasimha is associated with the power to pacify severely afflicted malefic planets - particularly a Rahu or Mars that brings sudden danger, betrayal, or violent disruption - because his myth is precisely about the unexpected, shattering intervention of divine grace at the moment when all seems lost. The archana is traditionally performed on Saturdays or during the twilight hour (sandhya kala), which mirrors the liminal time of Narasimha's own emergence - neither day nor night, neither inside nor outside, neither man nor beast. Devotees believe that regular recitation of his namavali builds a deep inner confidence: not the confidence of one who has no problems, but of one who knows that grace can appear from the most unexpected direction at the most critical moment.