Sri Pratyangira Gayatri, Kavacham,

Ashtotharanamavali

In some images she is shown with a dark

complexion, ferocious in aspect, having a lion's
face with reddened eyes and riding a lion,
entirely nude or wearing black garments, she
wears a garland of human skulls; her hair strands
on end, and she holds a trident, a serpent in the
form of a noose, a hand-drum and a skull in her
four hands. She is also associated with Bhairava,
and she has a variant form, namely Atharvana-
Bhadra-Kali. She is also known by the name
Narasimhi.

Narasimha is an ugra or ferocious from of

Narayana, or Vishnu. By drinking the blood of
rakshasas, Lord Narasimha was in a very
destructive mode, which made everyone tremble.
Shiva came to pacify him and he could not
Sri Maha Pratyangira Devi :- is a powerful Devi who
succeed. Lord Shiva took the form of Sharabha a
is said to have destroyed Sarabheswara's arrogance.
bird and human combination with two wings of
Sarabheswara is an ugra avatar of Lord Siva. She is
shakti. One wing was Shoolini and the other was
also known as Narasimhika [in Kalisahasranama
Pratyangira. This form of Shiva is called
Stotram], "She who is the Ferocious Half Human Half
Sharabheshwara. Sharabheshwara's efforts or
Lion of Courage". It is said that when Narashimhika
Shoolini's efforts could not control the Ugra
shakes her Lion's Mane, she throws the stars into
Narasimha. Pratyangira was released from his wing
disarray. She is enveloped as bliss in the letter
and then she took the female form of Narasimha,
"Ksham". In the Rig Veda khila kAndam a suktam
and calmed down the Lord.
named Pratyangira sUktam occurs.
Pratyangira is the lion headed form of the
(Note: Please see videos of Pratyangira Devi
divine mother. It is told that if her mantra is
mantras and bhajans at the bottom of this article.)
used to harm others for material gains and settle
enmity it can react and adversely affect the
Another name of the atharvaveda is
individual performing such rites. Many of the
atharvAngirasa. Angirasa veda denotes black magic
protective forms of deities also have destructive
or witchcraft. Angirasa kalpa denotes a manual on
powers, like Pratyangira, Shulini, Siddhakubjika,
witchcraft. Prati-Angirasa denotes counter-witch
Raktakali, Aghora, Vatuka, Bhairava,
craft. I hazard a guess that the name pratyangira
Sharabheshwara, Narasimha, and Sudarshana. They
is derived from this. She is supposed to frustrate
all have destructive aspects and destructive
the witchcraft attacks by enemies.
applications are described in the scriptures.
Sri Pratyangira Devi is also associated with Sri
It is said that when Lord Narasimhadeva, an
Cakra. She is considered to be a powerful repellent
incarnation of the supreme Lord Vishnu, did not
of the influences generated by witchcraft. In Sri
calm down after the slaying of the demon
Cakra worship, she protects the devotees against
Hiranyakshipu, many great sages were praying for
all odds and guides him/her along the right path.
his peaceful form. Even Lord Shiva was asked to
appear in his special form as Sharabha (a bird
The most detailed source for worshipping
like creature who devours lions and elephants) to
Pratyangira is Meru Tantra. Pratyangira mantras are
cool down Lord Narasimha. However, when Sharabha
also given in Mantra-mahodadhi and some other
approached Lord Narasimha, he became even more
texts.
ferocious and revealed His special form as Asta
Pratyangira is sometimes identified with
Muhka Ganda Berundha Narasimha, having 8 heads.
Bhadrakali and Siddhilakshmi. However it is far
Garuda (eagle face, giving health and
better to worship Devi in One form as Kali,
counteracting poisons), Varahadeva (a boar face,
Kamalatmika, Tara, Tripurasundari etc. Pratyangira
removing black magic), Hanuman (monkey face,
sadhana is done mainly to protect yourself from
protecting from evil forces, and returning lost
attacks of black magic (Dhurmantravaadam) and to
objects), Baluka (bear face, protectig in
prosper in your life. There are many benefits of
darkness and giving opulence), Hayagriva (horse
this sadhana.
face, giving wisdom and life force), Vyagra
(tiger face, giving protection in battle and
Those interested in hearing mantras and bhajans
liberating from all kinds of diseases, evil
of Pratyangira Devi can find some videos on YouTube
spirits and demons), Gandaberundha (two faces of
(see bottom of this article for one video). There
a special bird like phoenix, giving peace of
are also a few MP3 albums available on Amazon.com
mind) and Lord Narasimha himself (lion face,
for download:
giving liberation and devotional service to the
Supreme).
Sarabhesvara & Pratyangira Stothras
Sarabhesvara & Pratyangira Kavacham Pratyangira
The Sharabha Form of Shiva was then torn apart
Ashtotharam
in a hundred pieces, and only Lakshmidevi in her
Sri Pratyangira Gayatri
secret tantric form as Sri Narasimhi was able to
Sri Pratyangira Kavacham, Ashtotharanamam,
bring Lord Narasimha back to His shanti Rupa,
Samoutikarna Manthram
peacefully reclining in company with Laxmi devi
on Anantashesha.

The Pratyangira aspect of the Divine has been a bit
of a secret for most of these past ages. Many
believed that direct experience with this energy
was reserved for saints and rishis. Seeing
Pratyangira in any form was considered an enormous
blessing, and an indication that you were in
similar company.
Pratyangira comes from a deep, deep place within
the Divine Mother. As Pratyangira energy manifests,
it’s often a very swift and sometimes ferocious
current. Many of the saints who've seen it's
energetic expression have described it as half lion
and half human. The lion head is that of a male and
the body is that of a female, representing the
union of Shiva and Shakti. In her full form, she is
humongous, with 1008 heads (symbolically
representing the 1008-petalled Sahasrara Chakra,
the universal chakra of cosmic energy) and 2016
hands, riding majestically on a chariot pulled by 4
lions (representing the 4 Vedas), carrying many
swords for removing obstacles. The jaws of so many
lions makes it very powerful for destroying
negative karmas, and a great blessing for anyone on
a spiritual path. However, such a current can be
understandably rough, so it’s wise to approach with
respect and some consideration of what our heart is
asking for.
Two rishis in the ancient times, Pratyangira and
Angiras, in their deep meditation, discovered this
goddess through her moola mantra in the ethereal
waves of the sound current. And though this Mother
is nameless, she honored these Rishis by giving the
blessings to be named after them. She has hence
been known as Sri Maha Pratyangira Devi. The
beejaksharam (seed letter) of her mantra is ksham
(bliss).
Sri Maha Pratyangira Devi is all powerful and
secretly protects devotees and others. She is
always by the side of Her devotees. She is within
each and every being in all planes of existence,
and there to be awakened within.
An awareness of Sri Maha Pratyangira Devi has
been only quietly known, until recently. Although
the siddha masters and great maha rishis like Sri
Dhurvasha Munivar and Puli Paani Siddhar have
been devotees of this mother.Prathyangira Amman
is believed to have been born to calm Narasimha
Swami's anger and to save the world from his
wrath after he killed Asuran Hiranyakashipu. One
story from our purana states that when
Hiranyakashipu was killed, Narasimha swami's
ugraham was unbearable and could not be pacified
by other Gods. They feared that his anger might
destroy the three worlds and all creations will
come to a stand-still. The Gods approached Lord
Shiva to help calm Narasimha Swami.
Lord Shiva worshiped the Tri Shakthis (Parvati,
Mahalakshmi & Saraswathi) and with their combined
powers incarnated in the form of a Sarabha Pakshi
as Lord Sarabeshwarar. From his wings appeared a
huge fearful Goddess called Prathyangira. Her
form was powerful, 1000 times larger than
Sarabeshwarar, her head rising above the clouds
and her feet well into the underworlds, fearsome
with 1000 faces of roaring lions, 2000 protruded
blood shot red eyes, 2000 hands with multiple
ayudham, 1000 blood stained tongues protruding
from her wide opened mouth.
It is believed her creation came with thunder
and lightning and as soon as Narasimha Swami saw
her huge figure, he realized the mission of his
Avataram and calmed immediately. In her potri
malai she is beautifully described as "Sarabeshan
Rekkaiyaal Vandhavale Potri, Seeriya Simha mugam
etravale Potri, Narasimhan Ugiram Thaniththavale
Potri, Engal Annai Sri Prathyangira Potri".
According to another story, it is also believed
that Sages Angiras and Prathyangiras meditated on
this Devi and as a result Prathyangira appeared
in front of them and pleased with their bhakti
offered to have their names combined as hers. The
Moola Mantram was then created. In her Potri
Malai, she is referred as "Angirasar
Prathyangirasar Dyaname Potri".
A third story even refers to Mata Prathyangira
as having destroyed the ego of Lord
Sarabeshwarar. She is also called Narasimhi. In
her dhyanam we may often see "Narasimhi
Kripasindho, Prathyangari"; Narasimhi, because
she hosts the face of a lion and body of a
beautiful woman.
Similar to Varahi Amman, many people fear to
keep a photo of Prathyangira because she is once
again thought of as a Ugraha Deivam or Dushta
Deivam. People who think like that are ignorant
of her karunai, azhagu, mahimai. "Aval Samaanya
Patta Deivam Illai.... Maha Mayee"... When we
look at her, we often find her mouth wide opened,
and this makes many fear her. There are two
versions that I have heard about this roopam. One
is that with her mouth wide open, she sucks in
all the Dushta Shakthi, Valvinaigal, Theeya
Shakthis and releases her bhakthas from Dhrishti
and Seivinai. In her Potri Malai, she is described
as "Val Vinaigal Yaavaiyume Theerpavale Potri,
Engal Annai Sri Prathyangira Potri".
snakes on her body. Her Potri Malai describes her
as "Ashta Nagam Konda Kali Thirisuli". Those who
have Sarpa Dosham or often get scary dreams
involving Snakes can worship Prathyangira Devi
for instant relief. It is believed that
Prathyangira Amman relieves us from Rahu Dosham
and Varahi Amman relieves us from Ketu Doshams.
Devotees who have experienced her Mahima have
shared stories wherein by just spreading her
kumkumam around the house or at the entrance of
the house acts like a barrier and protects the
house and family from Dushta Atma, snakes and
other Visha (poisonous) Jeevangal.

The following are Prathyangira Devi's favorite

foods:

1. Panakam (jaggery crushed in pure water,

flavoured with cardamom, dried ginger)
2. Paruppu-Vellam Payasam (made with Kadalai
Paruppu, Paitham Paruppu, Jaggery, Coconut and
Pure Milk)
3. Ulundu Vadai
4. Ellu Urundai
5. Red Banana (Chevvazhai Pazham)
6. Pomegranate
7. Dates

The following are Prathyangira Devi's favourite

colors (for sarees):

1.Deep Red (preferred by Shantha Prathyangira &

Ugraha Prathyangira)
2.Purple(preferredby Shantha Prathyangira)
3.Yellow(preferredby Shantha Prathyangira)
4.Black (preferred by Ugraha Prathyangira)

The following are special days for pooja for

Second interpretation is that she is in a state Prathyangira Amman:
of Dhyanam. When one reaches the liberation point
or Uccha Dhyana Nilai, it is believed that the 1. Amavasya
mouth is widely opened. Prathyangira forever 2. Ashtami
performs Dhyanam or Yoga for us, for her bhakthas. 3. Sunday
She is Sri Chakra Swaroopini. "Ksham" is her Bheeja 4. Tuesday
Mantram. While talking about Prathyangira Amman, 5. Friday
she is often associated with Bhairavar.. She is
called Bhairava Pathnee or Atharvana Bhadra Kali The following is Prathyangira Amman's moola
(since Kali is considered to be Bhairavar's wife). mantram and some simple shlokams.
In her Potri Malai, she is described as "Bhairavar
Manam Niraindhai Potri". She is considered to be Mantram chanted in Sri Maha Prathyangira Homam:
the protector of the Universe, the Nayaki of
Atharvana Vedam. In Ayyawadi, Thanjavur, she is Om Ksham Krishna Vasase, Simha Vadhane, Maha
seated in the middle of a graveyard. Vadhane,Maha Bhairavi, Sarva Shatru Karma
Vidhdwamsini,Paramanthra Chetini, Sarva Bhootha
The message we need to understand from this is Dhamani,Sarva Bhoothaam Pandha Pandha, Sarva
not that she is a Dushta Devadhai, but like Lord Vignyaan Sindhi Sindhi,Sarva Vyadhir Nikrindha
Shiva, she is the Amman who gives us Gnyanam, self- Nikrindha, Sarva Dhushtaan Paksha Paksha,Jwala
realization. She is not to be mistaken as someone Jihwe, Karaala Vakhtre, Karaala Dhamshtrey,
who causes Death or is associated with Death. By Prathyangire Hreem Swaaha.
living in the graveyard, surrounded by skulls,
bones and burning pyres, she is revealing the truth Slokam - 1
associated with Maanida Janmam.
We would have heard of this Siddhar Padal Aparaajithaayaicha Vidhmahe
"Nandavanathil Ore Andi, Avan Naalu Aru Shatru Nishoodhinyaicha Theemahi
Madhangalai Kuzhavanai Vendi, Kondu Vandhaan Oru Thanno Prathyangirayai Prachodhayaath :
Thondi, Adhai Koothaadi Koothaadi Pottu
Udaithaandi" which conveys that Anyone Born Has to Slokam - 2
Die one day... burnt ashes is the Truth of Life.
Ugram Veeram Maha Shakthim
Worshipping Prathyangira Amman relieves us from Jwalantham Sarvathomukham
all kinds of dosham, accidents, enemies, diseases, Prathyangira Bheeshanam Pathram
wrath, curses, obstacles, black magic. She bears 8 Mrityum Mrithyum Namaamyaham
 Slokam - 3 Prahalada. After being so furiously fought with
so much of power to kill the king, the anger and
Amma Prathyangira, Devi Prathyangira the fierce of Narasimha didnt come down.
Sathyam Prathyangira, Sarvam Prathyangira With so much of anger Narasimha couldn't make
Shozinganalluril Vaazhum Prathyangira out between good and bad people and started
Valvinaigal Theerkum Annaiye Prathyangira disturbing everyone and no one could control him.
People prayed Lord Shiva to save them.
Sri Prathyangira Gayatri Mantra:
Lord Shiva took a new and powerful form or
Om Aparajeethaya Vidhmahey Avatar as Sarabeswara, with lion's face and
Pratyangiraya Dheemahi eagle's wings. Shakthi accompanied Lord Shiva in
Thano Ugra Prachodhayaath... the form of Sri Mahaprathyangira Devi seated on
Om Pratayangiraya Vidhmahey one of the wings of Sri Sarabeswara. Sarabeswarar
Sathrunisoothiniya Dheemahi went and subsided Narasimha's anger to bring back
Thano Devi Prajothayaath peace.

For those who find this difficult, just chant

"Jay Prathyangira, Jaya Jaya Prathyangira" as much
as you can.

Sri Prathiyangira Devi Temples:

These are some of the temples of Sri

Prathiyangira Devi:

1. Ayyavadi(Aivar Padi) near Kumbakonam (South

India). Here her deity is lion faced with 18 hands.

This temple for Sri Maha Prathyangira Devi is

situated in a small village called Ayyavadi around
6 kms from Kumbakonam.

Located just 500 mts from Uppiliappan temple,

this village was once called as Aivar
Padi.According to legends, the 5 Pandavas visited
this place, kept their weapons under a tree,
worshipped Sri Maha Prathyangira Devi and went
around in the forests. As the five Pandavas
worshipped here, it is beleived that the place was
called as Aivar Padi which later changed as
Ayyavadi.

In Ramayana, Indrajit, son of Ravana performed a

Yaga called "Nigumbalai Yagam", worshipping Sri
Maha Prathyangira Devi. It is beleived that from
this Ayyavadi he performed the Yaga. If he had
completed the Yaga successfully, he would have got
the powers to kill Rama.

But somehow it was spoiled by Lakshmana and

Anjaneya before completion. Here the Devi is seated
on the chariot with 4 lions, 8 arms with weapons
possessing Lion's face.

Sri Maha Prathyangira Devi's worship will take

away all evil forces and unsolvable problems from
one's life. In this temple Homams are conducted
every full moon day and No moon day, after which
huge volumes of Red Chillies are offered to the
Goddess.

2. Vedian Enthal a small village near Manamadurai

(South India). Here she is five faced and seated on
a lotus.

3. In the corridor of the Karumariamman Temple

(Chennai).

4. A private temple at Solinga Nallur (Chennai).

Lord Vishnu took the Narasimha Avatar to kill the

demon king Hiranyakasipu who is the father of