When evil reigns and asserts absolute control over good, he will rise in this world and establish Dharma again.
He is the Lord Vishnu, the supreme deity who resides in the depths of the ocean, resting his head on the serpent, Shesh Naag. At his feet is Goddess Lakshmi, the deity of wealth and prosperity.
Lord Vishnu’s 10 avatars are famously known as the Dashavatara. Matsya, Kurma, Varaha, Narasimha, Vamana, Parashurama, Rama, Krishna, Buddha, and Kalki. Narasimhar, the fourth avatar of Lord Vishnu, is part lion and part human. He was born to kill Hiranyakashipu and to end the religious persecutions and calamities in this world.
Lord Narasimha is considered the most ferocious of all the avatars of Lord Vishnu, with his long talons and baring teeth. It is believed that Lord Narasimha saves his devotees from danger, just like he saved Shankaracharya when he was being sacrificed to Goddess Kali.
In this blog, let’s uncover the nine forms of Lord Narasimha, called Nava Narasimha, and their significance.
Ugra Narasimha
The first form is Ugra Narasimha. Ugra means ferociousness, and he is represented as the epitome of ferocity with Hiranyakashyapu, the asura king disemboweled on his lap, and the intestines of the asura adorning the Lord’s neck. He is fierce, aggressive, and full of wrath radiated towards evil.
Beyond ferocity, Ugra Narasimha represents the will and power to destroy evil and protect what’s just. It is also believed that he gave darshan to Adi Shankaracharya and Garudan in this form.
Yoga Narasimha
Quite ironic to Ugra Narasimha, Yoga Narasimha is represented as a calm deity, holding a meditative pose with his legs crossed and eyes closed. His hands rest on his lap, holding the mudra of peace.
He helps his devotees enjoy peace, harmony, and calm in life. It is notable that Yoga Narasimha signifies that true power lies in control and is also a way to channel inner power through meditation.
Many temples in South India are dedicated to Yoga Narasimha, and he is often present at yoga and meditation halls as an ideal symbol to tame the inner rage.
Jwala Narasimha
Similar to Ugra Narasimha, Jwala Narasimha is a fierce form represented by fiery eyes, divine anger, and flames. Jwala Narasimha is closely related to the power of fire and intense energy. He is seen holding the Chakra and Gada, weapons to destroy the ultimate evil.
Jwala Narasimha is known for his fiery nature and often prays to remove obstacles, evil, and impurities from life.
One of the most notable temples dedicated to Jwala Narasimha is the Ahobilam Narasimha Swamy Temple in Andhra Pradesh.
Lakshmi Narasimha
In this form, Lord Narasimha is seen with Goddess Lakshmi as Senju Laksmi on his lap, radiating serenity and love. The story goes that after Narasimha kills Hiranyakashipu, he can’t control his divine anger and drinks his blood. Despite Deva’s attempt to calm him down, he stays wrathful.
So, Goddess Lakshmi appeared and soothed Narasimha, assuring him that his devotee Prahlada and the world had been saved. Lord Narasimhar calms down, and he is seen as a representation of gentleness.
He is decorated with ornaments and garlands, holding his Sudarshana Chakra and his conch shell, Panchajany.
Bhargava Narasimha
This form of Narasimha is closely associated with Parashurama, another avatar of Lord Vishnu. Bhargava Narasimha is represented by a more serene, calm outlook, unlike Ugra and Jwala Narasimhar.
Signifying strength and serenity, this form of Narasimhar is an ideal combination for a warrior. Barghava Narasimha is worshipped to receive blessings of protection and destruction from evil. He is a blend of strength and rigor and holds a unique place among his devotees.
In this form, he is depicted carrying the Sudarshana Chakra, conch shell, bow, and arrow.
Krodha Narasimha
Quite different from all the other forms, Kroda Narasimha is a divine union of the Narasimha, the 4th avatar and Varaha, the 3rd avatar. He is represented as having protruding teeth, as in Varaha with a lion’s head, holding Mother Earth between his teeth.
This form of Narasimha is fierceness and protectiveness combined with the rescuing and earth-sustaining qualities of Varaha.
This form of Narasimha is known for protecting his devotees, just like how he protects Mother Earth from cosmic upheaval, restating Lord Vishnu’s role as the cosmic protector who ensures balance and harmony.
Malola Narasimha
Malola Narasimha is one of the calmest forms of the Nava Narasimhas. Ma means, Goddess Lakshmi, and Lola means loved, this form is a serene portrayal of Narasimhar and Goddess Lakshmi. It also means Narasimhar is the beloved of Matha Lakshmi.
Characterized by his affection and calm nature, Narasimhar is depicted with Goddess Lakshmi seated on his lap. The form symbolizes his loving and protective nature, holding the chakra and conch and embracing Lakshmi.
The divine power is not only fierce but also soft, assuring, warm, and compassionate, and seeking the blessing of this Narasimhar is believed to bring peace, prosperity, and harmony in relationships.
Chatravata Narasimha
Chatravata Narasimha is depicted sitting under a banyan tree, signifying his connection with nature. He exhibits a calm, composed, and serene demeanor while holding the chakra and conch shell, along with musical instruments, displaying his connection with the arts and music.
This form of Narasimhar is worshipped to invoke blessings of prosperity, peace, and harmony in life.
Pavana Narasimha
The word Pavana means “purifier,” representing him as the one who purifies. He is seen in a standing posture with a warm, serene, and tranquil expression.
Worshipping Pavama Narasimha is believed to cleanse souls for spiritual well-being. He is also related to providing relief from illness and nurturing the health of his devotees.
Conclusion
Lord Narasimha, the 4th avatar of Lord Vishnu, manifests in different forms, each with an attribute of its own. They embody unique aspects of life such as divine power, fury, righteousness, compassion, and protection.
Worshipping these different forms allows devotees to connect with the specific values of the divine that resonate with their personal spiritual needs, seeking protection, prosperity, purity, and inner peace.
Bring home the blessings of the deity with Lakshmi Narasimar Tanjore Painting, painted by excellent craftsmen using 22-carat gold and precious stones.
Check out our website for Tanjore Paintings Narasimha.