God Narashimha - Forgiver of Unknown Sins

Lord Vishnu takes the form of Narasimha in his fourth incarnation, the previous one being that of a Boar (Varaha). Vishnu kills the demon Hiranyaksha during his Varaha avatar. Narasimha is a fierce avatar of the Hindu god Vishnu, one who incarnates in the form of part lion and part man to destroy evil and end religious persecution and calamity on Earth, thereby restoring Dharma.

Narasimha avatar shows him with a human torso and lower body, with a lion face and claws, typically with a demon Hiranyakashipu in his lap whom he is in the process of killing. The demon is powerful brother of evil Hiranyaksha who had been previously killed by Vishnu, who hated Vishnu for killing his brother. [3] Hiranyakashipu gains special powers by which he could not be killed during the day or night, inside or outside, by any weapon, and by man or animal. [4] Endowed with new powers, Hiranyakashipu creates chaos, persecutes all devotees of Vishnu including his own son.

Vishnu understands the demons power, then creatively adapts into a mixed avatar that is neither man nor animal and kills the demon at the junction of day and night, inside and outside. [1] Narasimha is known primarily as the Great Protector; who specifically defends and protects his devotees from evil.

The most popular Narasimha mythology is the legend that protects his devotee Prahlada, and creatively destroys Prahlada demonic father and tyrant Hiranyakashipu. Narasimha legends are popularly revered in Vaikhanasas, Sri Vaishnavism, Madhwa Brahmins and Shaivism.

Hiranyaksha’s brother Hiranyakashipu wants to take revenge by destroying Lord Vishnu
and his followers. He performs penance to please Brahma, the god of creation.

Impressed by this act, Brahma offers him anything he wants. Hiranyakashipu asks for a tricky boon. That he would not die either on earth or in space; nor in fire nor in water; neither during day nor at night; neither inside nor outside (of a home); nor by a human, animal or God; neither by inanimate nor by animate being. Brahma grants the boon.

With virtually no fear of death he unleashes terror. Declares himself as god and asks people to utter no god’s name except his. However his son Prahlada (who a devoted worshiper of Lord Vishnu!) refuses. Repeated pressurization on him yields no results for Hiranyakashipu. Prahlada declares the omnipresence of Lord Vishnu.

Once Hiranyakashipu points to a pillar and asks if Vishnu is present in it. Prahlada nods in affirmative. Angered at it, he draws his sword and cuts the pillar; Narasimha appears out of the broken pillar. He comes out to kill at the twilit (neither day nor night);on the doorsteps of his palace neither inside nor outside); uses his nails to kill (neither animate nor inanimate); puts him on his lap before killing (neither earth nor in space). Thus making power of the boon ineffective.

The death of this demon king is celebrated as Holi (the celebration of colors) in India, especially in the northern parts.

You can see an iconic image at Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Hampi located a bit south of the Krishna Temple. Also many temples have the scenes from the above story carved on its pillars. For example, in Vittala Temple you can see a hall fully carved with this theme. In Ahobilam hill, there are nine forms of Narasimha with separate temples. Besides , there are a number of temples for Narasimha in various forms, spread throughout India.

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