Explore the holy stories of the avatar of Lord Vishnu through Dasavatharam Tanjore Paintings.
Lord Vishnu is the supreme deity who preserves the world and protects the three realms: Bhuloka (Earth), Svarga (Heaven), and Naraka (Hell). He resides in Vaikuntam with his wife, Goddess Lakshmi, in the primeval ocean of milk, known as Kshira Sagara. Adishesha is the name of the serpent, on whom Lord Narayana rests his head. It is also believed that the serpent represents the time, itself.
Lord Vishnu is the supreme deity who controls the cosmic balance and ways of dharma. When needed, he descends to the earth when the forces of evil, chaos, and destruction reign over the truth and good. He takes different forms, known as avatars, to establish Dharma again on earth.
The 10 avatars known as Dashavatar are, Matsya (fish), Kurma (tortoise), Varaha (boar), Narasimha (half-lion, half-human), Vamana (dwarf), Parashurama (brahman warrior), Rama (Marayada Purushottam/perfect man), Krishna, Buddha (the enlightened one who preached), and Kalki.
Lord Vishnu will take the avatar of Kalki at the end of Kali Yuga and destroy the adharma. Kalki is visualized as wielding a fiery sword and riding his white horse, Devadutta.
Among the 10 avatars, Narasimha is the fourth avatar of Lord Vishnu, who is part lion and part human.
Lord Vishnu descended to kill Hiryankashipu and to end persecution and calamity on earth. Narasimha’s avatar is often depicted with his claws out and the asura disemboweled on his lap. He is also known as the great protector who protects his devotees from evil.
The reason for the Narasimha avatar is because of the boon that Hiranyakashipu received from Lord Brahma.
“He could not be killed during day or night, inside or outside the house, neither in the sky nor on land nor in Svarga nor Patala, by any weapon, nor by humans, deities, demons, or animals.”
Lakshmi Narasimar Tanjore Painting
With a lion head and human torso, Lakshmi Narasimar is an iconographical depiction of Narasimha. The four other forms are Jvala Narasimha, Gandaberunda Narasimha, Ugra Narasimha, and Yoga Narasimha.
As the legend goes, after the slaying of the asura, Lord Narasimha was overtaken by his divine fury and remains unpacified. The devas prayed to his consort, Lakshmi, to soothe the lion-faced Lord. He calms down at the words of Goddess Lakshmi and takes on a serene demeanor. Hence, he is seen as a representation of gentleness and peace, often depicted with Goddess Lakshmi on his lap.
Buy our enchanting Lakshmi Narasimar Tanjore painting, adorned with 22-carat gold and precious gems sketched with vibrant and vivid colors. The glorious Thanjavur paintings will be a beautiful addition to your Pooja room for worshipping the deity. Also, the Dasavatharam Tanjore paintings make excellent decor with their cultural and religious significance.