Narasimha Swamy is also a protector of his devotees in case of danger. Near Srisailam, a forest called Hatakesvanam, where no man enters. Sankaracarya entered this place and did penance for several days. Meanwhile, a Kapalika, called Kirakashan, appeared before him.
Kirakashan told to Adi Shankaracharya that he should return his body as a human sacrifice to Mata Kali. Adi Shankaracharya gladly accepted. His disciples were surprised to hear this and begged Shankaracharya to change his mind, but he refused to do so, saying that it was an honor to give up his body in sacrifice to Kalika and that one should not regret such things. Kapalika then prepared a fire for the sacrifice and Shankaracharya sat near him. Just as he raised his axe to cut Shankaracharya’s head, Sri Maha Vishnu as Narasimha entered the body of Sankaracarya’s disciple and Narasimha’s devotee, Padmapada. He then fought against Kapalika, killed him and liberated the Kapalikas forest. Adi Shankaracharya composed the powerful Laksmi Narasimha Karavalambam Stotram in the same place in front of Lord Narasimha Swamy.
