One of our readers sent us this beautiful picture of Aṣṭamukha Gaṇḍabheruṇḍa Nṛsiṃha, and this is of very special significance to us as yesterday marks the completion of ekādaśa sahasra japa and tarpaṇa for śarabheśvara who, in our lineage, is the pūrvāṅga for the mantra of Gaṇḍabheruṇḍa Nṛsiṃha. Without the initial japa of the fifty-six lettered Dakṣiṇāmnāya mantra of Sāḻuveśa, in the krama followed by us, one is not permitted to undertake the procedure for Gaṇḍabheruṇḍa Narasiṃha.
Also, for both the mantras, owing to their fierce nature, some kind of japaśānti is prescribed. The Tantra of Gaṇḍabheruṇḍa Nṛsiṃha, said to be revealed by Mārīca Kāśyapa, prescribes the use of Tryakṣarī Bhuvaneśvarī for the purpose of japaśānti. As Bālā is the chief mantra used for japaśānti in our Sampradāya [as also śaiva Pañcākṣarī], ūrdhvāmnāya Bālā is used after the japa of the mahāmantra (as it includes in itself the Bhuvaneśvarī bīja).
After completing a hundred thousand japa of the mūla mantra of the Lord (for some reason, mālā mantras and digbandhana mantras seem to be incorrectly treated as mukhya mantras today), one performs the āvaraṇa pūjā of the dvātriṃśāvaraṇa cakra, using sweetened lemon water as viśeṣārghya. Following this, tarpaṇa is offered using milk or water made ruddy by adding rakta-chandana. Bali is offered to sixty-four yoginīs and Nṛsiṃha gaṇas, and then to the main deity using a white pumpkin. The deity then expresses its statement of grace in a dream or through avishkarana.
Several years ago, during the second puraścaraṇa of the mahāmantra of Gaṇḍabheruṇḍa Nṛsiṃha, severe bodily afflictions were experienced and the unbearable energy of the mantra could not be easily discharged. This is a great possibility especially for those with a predominant kapha pravṛtti. At that point, I was guided one night in a dream to consume honey sanctified with Bhuvaneśvarī bīja-puṭita Mantrarāja seven times every day until the afflictions dissolved completely. In about three days, the afflictions dissolved and the grace of the Lord was magnificently experienced. There certainly is a reason why Māgha is the chosen month for the propitiation of this rather severe form of the Lord.
Like the upāsanā of Ucchiṣṭa Gaṇapati, one should completely immerse oneself in Nṛsiṃha-bhāva while invoking the Lord in this form as failing to do so will result in a perceived separation from the deity which may result in calamity to the upāsaka.