The Prayer for World Peace

A concise summary of Srimad Bhagavatam 5.18.9

Once upon a time, in the land known as Harivarsa, there lived an exalted devotee named “Prahlad”. He was the son of Hiranyakasipu.

Hiranyakasipu had demoniac qualities but unrivaled in prowess and as a result, he conquered the heaven, earth, and hellish planes of existence. He propagated viciousness and Lord Hari appeared as Man-Lion (Lord Narasimha) to kill him to re-establish righteousness.

The inhabitants of Harivarsa along with Sri Prahlad continued to worship Lord Narasimha and they used to chant this prayer for peace.

“May there be health and prosperity throughout the world! May the cruel give up cruelty! May all living beings mutually achieve a state of auspiciousness and blissfulness (shivam)! May our mind resort to the path of righteousness! May our thoughts remain absorbed in Lord Narasimha, without any selfish motives! ”

As explained by Adi Shankaracharya, when one concentrates his mind on the Supreme Lord, one will become free from the disturbance of mind and false ego and that all blissful and all auspicious state is called “Shiva”. In other words, a soul (Atma) attains self-realization.

A devotee like Sri Prahlad who transcended the state of self-realization and surrendered to the Supreme Lord in devotion will not pray for himself but prays for the welfare of others. He even asked the Lord to forgive the sins of his father and give his father liberation. Lord Narasimha pleased by Sri Prahlad’s devotion gave a boon that anyone who surrenders to Lord Narasimha will not only get liberated but 10 generations before him and after him will also be liberated.

The world is comprised of cruel people. So, a devotee works towards changing the hearts of cruel people by showing them the path of becoming free of cruelty. Anyone who serves the Lord or Lord’s devotees will become free of cruel attitude by the grace of the Lord. So, a devotee requests people to chant “Om Ksraum Narasimhaya Namaha” regularly to help one destroy their sinful propensities.

This prayer is sung wonderfully by Mata Jahnavi Harrison which you can listen to here.

The chant of Lord Narasimha can be listened to here.