Narasimha
Narasimha is the fourth avatara, the man-lion who bursts from a pillar to kill the asura Hiranyakashipu, who by boon could not be killed by god, man or beast, indoors or out, by day or night, on earth or in the sky.
In the Shaiva Shiva Purana, Shiva takes the Sharabha form to subdue the still-raging Narasimha; that episode is a sectarian Shaiva framing and is not part of the Vaishnava account of the avatara. The Ahobilam shrines in Andhra Pradesh preserve nine forms (Nav Narasimha), and the pacified Lakshmi-Narasimha is the form most often kept in a household. The planetary, elemental, zodiacal and tarot values are a modern Western overlay.
Correspondences
- Planetary Correspondence
- Mars
Offerings
- Offerings
- TurmericSindoorRed flowersCoconutGheeHoney
Sacred timing
- Sacred Timing
Symbols and forms
- Alternate Names
- NrisimhaNrsimhaUgra NarasimhaThe Man-Lion
- Gender Expression
- Masculine
- Titles
- The Man-LionThe Fourth AvataraSlayer of HiranyakashipuProtector of Prahlada
- Symbols
- Lion faceClawsSplit pillarLapSudarshana chakra
Practice
- Invocation Approach
- ToneFierce protectiveAddressNarasimhaUgra NarasimhaLord NarasimhaRelationshipThe protector who arrives where no rule allows itWarningHis fury is for the child not for your enemies listResonanceThose protecting the helpless those under an impossible threat
- Modern Practice
Narasimha is called on for protection against what cannot be reached by ordinary means, and by householders for the protection of children and the home. His worship is fierce in its imagery and domestic in its setting; the pacified Lakshmi-Narasimha is the form kept in the house.
Nature and meaning
- Domain
- ProtectionFierce avataraThe man lionThe pillarJusticeCourageThe impossible
- Mythology Summary
Narasimha is the fourth avatara, the man-lion who bursts from a pillar to kill the asura Hiranyakashipu, who by boon could not be killed by god, man or beast, indoors or out, by day or night, on earth or in the sky. The Bhagavata Purana tells the story in Canto 7, where Narasimha protects the boy Prahlada, the asura's own son, and kills Hiranyakashipu on his lap at twilight, on the threshold of the hall. The Ahobilam hills in Andhra Pradesh preserve his nine forms, and the pacified Lakshmi-Narasimha is the householder's form.
Details
- Correspondences
- ColorsRedGoldOrangeScentsCamphorSandalwoodFrankincenseMetalsIronGoldAnimalsLionSerpent
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