Ashtamukha Gandabherunda Narasimha
Ashtamukha Gandabherunda Narasimha is one of the fiercest forms of Narasimha Swamy. The Sadhana of Ashtamukha Gandabherunda Narasimha (the eight-faced Narasimha) is extremely secretive method of worship in Vaishnava Agama Nigama Tantra Shashtras.
According to Ashtamukha Gandabherunda Narasimha Kalpam, during the fight between Sharabheshwara (form of Shiva) and Narasimha reached to its peak, furious Narasimha took the form of Ashtamukha Gandabherunda Narasimha and subdued Sharabha.
The Eight Faces of Ashtamukha Gandabherunda Narasimha:
1. Gandabherunda Pakshiraja (Twin headed Gandabherunda Facing East):
Narasimha defeated Sharabheshwara with Gandabherunda Pakshiraja face. The merits of Gandabherunda Sadhana includes Shatru Nashanam and Rakshana from Evil Prayogas.
2. Narasimha Mrigaraja (Adi Jwala Narasimha – Facing South East)
Narasimha defeated Veerabhadra, Aghora and other Astramurtis of Sharabheshwara with this face. Narasimha Mrigaraja Sadhana gives protection from diseases and blesses sadhakas with good health.
3. Mahavyaghra (Vyaghra Facing South)
Narasimha defeated Nandikeshwara, Ganesha and other Sharabheshwara Parivara devatas with Mahavyaghra face. Mahavyaghra Sadhana protects sadhakas from natural calamities and unknown celestial forces.
4. Hayagriva (Haya Facing South West)
Hayagriva Sadhana is associated with Mantra, Tantra, Sastra and Moksha related knowledge.
5. Adivaraha (Varaha Facing West)
Adivaraha Sadhana is associated with abolishment of poverty, marital bliss, progeny and wealth.
6. Aghora Vanarendra (Hanuman Facing North West)
Aghora Vanarendra Sadhana protects sadhakas from Graha Dosha, Graha Badha and all kinds of kshudra prayogas, etc.
7. Maha Garuda (Garuda Facing North)
With Maha Garuda Sadhana, sadhaka gets rid of Nagadosha, Pitrudosha and all other dosha related fears.
8. Bhalluka (Bhalluka Facing North East)
Bhalluka Sadhana helps sadhaka in attaining Shodasha Siddhis.
The hidden ninth face of Ashtamukha Gandabherunda Narasimha is ‘Badabanala Mukha’. This is ‘Adinarayana’ himself and is visible only to a true Sadhaka. ‘Adinarayana Sadhana’ grants sadhaka with Moksha, the ultimate liberation.