“SRI NRSIMHAPALLI” or
DEVAPALLI
AT “SRI GODRUMADVIPA“ ISLAND OF NAVADVIPA-MAYAPUR DHAMA
THE PLACE WHERE LORD NRSIMHADEVA CAME TO TAKE REST AND
WASH THE BLOOD FROM HIS HANDS AFTER KILLING HIRANYAKASIPU
Sri Nrsimhapalli is located on the eastern and southern boundaries of Navadvipa Dhama and is known by the names Nrsimha Puri and Devapalli (neighbourhood of the Devas). This temple is famous since Satya-yuga when Lord Nrsimhadeva came here to take rest and wash the blood from His hands after bestowing His mercy on Prahlada by killing his demoniac father Hiranyakasipu. Next to the temple is a lake left behind by the Mandakini River that flowed here at that time. When Lord Nrsimhadeva arrived here, He drank the sweet water of this river to refresh Himself and also washed the blood of Hiranyakasipu from His hands. Knowing that Lord Nrsimhadeva had come to take rest here, all the demigods followed Him, constructed large palaces and worshipped Him with great opulence. The changing course of the Mandakini River covered the demigod palaces and destroyed them and all that remains of them now are the hills that surround this area. Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and His associates used to come here regularly to discuss Lord Nrsimha-katha and perform Harinam Sankirtana. The Bhaktivedanta Swami Charity Trust built the kirtana hall here.
deva-pallim tato gatva
devan surya-mukhan prabhuh
sri-krsna-kirtananande
plavayam asa bhamini
“Oh, Bhamini! (After visiting Suvarna-vihara) the Lord went to Devapalli. There he drowned the demigods headed by Surya with the bliss of chanting the holy name of Sri Krishna.” (Navadvipa-dhama-mahatmya, Pramana-khanda 4.38)
In Navadvipa-bhava-taranga Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura describes Devapalli as follows:
“Southeast of Suvarna-vihara there is Nrsimha Puri. When will I see the pure transcendental sweetness of this place, also called Devapalli? I will roll about on the ground in ecstatic love while visiting this residence of Lord Nrsimha. Sincerely begging for His grace without a trace of duplicity in my heart, I will attain Krishna-prema.
Within my heart the six enemies headed by lust perpetually reside, as well as duplicity, the desire for fame, and sheer cunningness. At the lotus feet of Lord Nrsimhadeva, I hope that He will mercifully purify my heart and give me the desire to serve Lord Sri Krishna.
Weeping, I will beg at the lotus feet of Lord Nrsimha for the benediction of worshipping Radha and Krishna on Navadvipa, perfectly safe and free from all difficulties. When will this Lord Hari, whose terrible form strikes fear into fear itself, ever become pleased and show me His mercy?
Even though Lord Nrsimha is terrifying toward the sinful souls He offers great auspiciousness unto the devotees of Lord Krishna headed by Prahlada Maharaja. When will He be pleased to speak words of compassion unto me, a worthless fool, and thereby make me fearless?
He will say, ‘Dear child! Sit down freely and live happily here in Sri Gauranga-dhama. May you nicely worship the Divine Couple and may you develop loving attachment for Their holy names. By the mercy of My devotees, all obstacles are cast far away. With a purified heart, just perform the worship of Radha and Krishna, for such worship overflows with sweet nectar.’
Saying this, will that Lord delightedly place His own divine lotus feet upon my head? Suddenly I will experience sublime love for the divine couple Radha-Krishna and undergo the ecstatic transformations called the sattvika-vikaras. Falling on the ground, I will roll about by the door of Sri Nrsimha’s temple.”
(Navadvipa-bhava-taranga)
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