Nira-Narsingpur Narasimha

[Ashok Aklujkar (Interchange)]

I find the possibilities mentioned by both Prof. Deshpande and Prof. Salomon
quite plausible. 

Prof. Joshi, Will you please e-mail a copy of the text or text section which
gives rise to your query? Having the context in front is important in such
matters. At least, please mention the book/edition in which the
Lakmii-n.rsi.mha-sahasra-naaman is printed. Then I can see if it is locally
accessible. 

Against, Prof. Deshpande's expectation, I know practically nothing about the
local traditions of Nira-Narsingpur -- an unfortunate consequence of being
more interested in cricket and the writings of Maharashtrian social
reformers when the family elders were discussing Sanskrit stotras or places
of pilgrimage!

ashok aklujkar


On 10/31/07 10:57 AM, "Deshpande, Madhav" <mmdesh at UMICH.EDU> wrote:

> The river name seems to be a feminine form
> of the Sanskrit word niira- "water".  As the rivers are commonly treated as
> goddesses (cf. Anne Feldhaus's work on river-goddesses in Maharashtra), one
> can assume that niiraa the river name also becomes the name of the river
> goddess that may be locally identified with Lakshmi.  Perhaps Ashok Aklujkar
> may know something more of the local traditions of Nira-Narsingpur, as he grew
> up in the town of Akluj which is nearby.

From: Richard Salomon <rsalomon at U.WASHINGTON.EDU>

> KEWA s.v. niiram, where he refers to other (early) river names such as
Sadaaniiraa. Could, for exampe, Niiraa be a shortening of some such original
name? Or, perhaps more likely, is the explanation to be sought in Dravidian
rather than IA?<

[Rasik Vihari Joshi[
> I have come across the word "Neera" meaning water in the
> Lakmii-Nrsimha-Sahasra-Naama,I shall appreciate if some one could help
> me how to interprete this word in the sence of Laksmi-Nrsimha.