(
Hinduism,
Sanksrit)
This fourth avatara of Vishnu, or Nrisimhadev, is also the
fourteenth purusha incarnation. Due to the nature of the sanskrit language the name
is sometimes spelled Narasimha (q.v.), Nrisimha, or Nrisinghadeva.
He is described in the Srimad Bhagavatam, thus:
"caturdasham narasimham
bibhrad daityendram urjitam
dadara karajair urav
erakam kata-krid yatha
In the fourteenth incarnation, the Lord appeared as Nrisimha and
bifurcated the strong body of the atheist Hiranyakashipu with His
nails, just as a carpenter pierces cane."
Bhag., Canto 1, Ch. 3, Text 18
"trai-pishtapora-bhaya-ha sa nrisimha-rupam
kritva bhramad-bhrukuti-damshtra-karala-vaktram
daityendram ashu gadayabhipatantam arad
urau nipatya vidadara nakhaih sphurantam
The Personality of Godhead assumed the incarnation of Nrisimhadeva in
order to vanquish the great fears of the demigods. He killed the king of the demons [Hiranyakashipu],
who challenged the Lord with a club in his hand, by placing the demon on His thighs and piercing him with
His nails, rolling His eyebrows in anger and showing his fearful teeth and mouth."
Bhag., Canto 2, Ch. 7, Text 14
<< back to "Incarnations of Vishnu"