Mantra · Narasimha
Narasimha Mantra (Om Ugram Viram Mahavishnum)
Om Ugram Viram Mahavishnum, the Narasimha mantra for protection from fear — Sanskrit text, meaning, benefits, and how to chant it correctly.
ॐ उग्रं वीरं महाविष्णुं ज्वलन्तं सर्वतोमुखम्। नृसिंहं भीषणं भद्रं मृत्युमृत्युं नमाम्यहम्॥
Om Ugram Viram Mahavishnum Jvalantam Sarvatomukham Nrisimham Bhishanam Bhadram Mrityu-mrityum Namamyaham
Meaning
I bow to the fierce and heroic form of the great Vishnu — Narasimha — blazing, facing all directions, terrifying yet auspicious, who is death to death itself.
मैं उस उग्र, वीर, महाविष्णु स्वरूप नृसिंह को नमन करता हूँ, जो प्रज्वलित हैं, सभी दिशाओं में मुख वाले हैं, भयंकर होते हुए भी कल्याणकारी हैं, और जो स्वयं मृत्यु के लिए भी मृत्यु के समान हैं।
Benefits
- Chanted for protection from fear, danger, and negative influences.
- Believed to be especially powerful for overcoming obstacles that feel overwhelming or urgent.
- Associated with removing fear of death and instilling fearlessness.
- Popular during Narasimha Jayanti and whenever facing a genuinely difficult situation.
How to Chant
This mantra is traditionally chanted with intensity and focus, reflecting Narasimha's fierce protective nature. It can be repeated 108 times using a mala, and is often chanted during Narasimha Jayanti or in moments requiring courage and protection.
Recommended count: 108 times (1 mala)
Origin
Narasimha, the half-man half-lion avatar of Vishnu, appears in the Puranas to protect his devotee Prahlada from his demonic father Hiranyakashipu, who could not be killed by man or beast, indoors or outdoors, by day or night — a boon Narasimha’s unique form circumvented entirely. This mantra draws on that story, invoking Narasimha specifically as a protector who overcomes situations that seem impossible to escape.
Word-by-word breakdown
| Sanskrit | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Ugram | Fierce, intense |
| Viram | Heroic, valiant |
| Mahavishnum | The great Vishnu |
| Jvalantam | Blazing, radiant |
| Sarvatomukham | Facing in all directions |
| Nrisimham | Narasimha, the man-lion |
| Bhishanam | Terrifying |
| Bhadram | Auspicious, benevolent |
| Mrityu-mrityum | Death to death itself |
| Namamyaham | I bow |
When it is chanted
Widely chanted during Narasimha Jayanti, and by devotees seeking protection during moments of acute fear, danger, or seemingly inescapable difficulty — reflecting the story of Prahlada’s rescue that the mantra directly references.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Narasimha Mantra (Om Ugram Viram Mahavishnum) mean?
I bow to the fierce and heroic form of the great Vishnu — Narasimha — blazing, facing all directions, terrifying yet auspicious, who is death to death itself.
How many times should Narasimha Mantra (Om Ugram Viram Mahavishnum) be chanted?
The traditional recommendation is 108 times (1 mala).
What are the benefits of chanting Narasimha Mantra (Om Ugram Viram Mahavishnum)?
Chanted for protection from fear, danger, and negative influences. Believed to be especially powerful for overcoming obstacles that feel overwhelming or urgent.