Faith Column | January 6, 2026

Perumal took avatar as Nrisimha in order to vanquish Hiranyakashyap, who misused his yogic powers. After completing His mission, Nrisimha continues to help ordinary devotees by helping them gain clarity and gnana, said Tirukkudanthai Dr. Venkatesh.

In Treta Yuga, Mareecha Muni had a prescience that Perumal would be offering a darshan to saint Atri, who had undertaken severe penance, and shares the news with saint Vikatan, grandson of sage Kapila. As foreseen, one morning at the end of the autumn season, Atri, who had just completed the morning sandhyavandhana ritual, suddenly heard divine music outside.

When he stepped out, he found flowers strewn everywhere. He looked eastward and was astonished to see a heavenly cavalcade. Garuda and Adisesha heralded the arrival of a dark-hued figure, whose eyes were like a lotus. He sported a ruby-studded crown over dancing locks of hair and held the divine conch and discus. The heavenly vision was none other than Lord Nrisimha (not in the ugra posture, but with a smiling visage), and Atri spontaneously broke into a sloka. A smiling Nrisimha said, “I know what is on your mind. Like a mother happy to give a child what it wants, you too may articulate your wishes.”

Sage Atri immediately surrendered to Nrisimha and sought moksha for himself, sage Vikatan, and a friend who went by the name Jaali. Nrisimha granted the sage his wishes and added that He would be residing permanently in Tiruallikeni (in present day Chennai). A stunned Atri demanded to know why He wanted to reside there permanently. Nrisimha replied that living in Kali Yuga, people lacked clarity, and like a dirty mirror, allowed confusion to cloud their vision. He would be ever-present to offer them gnanam and a crystal-clear mind. Nrisimha is the ‘loka’ guru, offering guidance to devotees who seek Him. That is why he is called Thelliya Singar.