Narasimhavatara, aka: Narasimha-avatara, Narasiṃhāvatāra; 4 Definition(s)
Introduction
Narasimhavatara means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Marathi. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.
In Hinduism
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Narasiṃhāvatāra (नरसिंहावतार) refers to the “man-lion incarnation” of Viṣṇu and was once depicted and worshipped in ancient Kashmir (Kaśmīra) as mentioned in the Nīlamatapurāṇa.—The Nīlamata refers to the man-lion incarnation of Viṣṇu tearing Hiraṇyakaśipu to pieces, with his claws. Frequent references to Narasiṃha and the places dedicated to Narasiṃha prove the popularity of this incarnation in Kaśmīra. A Viṣṇu image from Kaśmīra shows two lion faces.
Source: archive.org: Nilamata Purana: a cultural and literary study
The Purana (पुराण, purāṇas) refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.
Shilpashastra (iconography)
Narasiṃhāvatāra (नरसिंहावतार) or Narasiṃha is one of the daśāvatāra (ten incarnations) of Viṣṇu, is found depicted at the Kallazhagar Temple in Madurai, which represents a sacred place for the worship of Viṣṇu.—[in Narasiṃhāvatāra, ] Viṣṇu in the shape of a terrible giant with a lion’s head is found in the sanctum of the daśāvatāra.
Source: Shodhganga: The significance of the mūla-beras (śilpa)
Shilpashastra (शिल्पशास्त्र, śilpaśāstra) represents the ancient Indian science (shastra) of creative arts (shilpa) such as sculpture, iconography and painting. Closely related to Vastushastra (architecture), they often share the same literature.
Languages of India and abroad
Marathi-English dictionary
narasiṃhāvatāra (नरसिंहावतार).—m (S) The avatar of viṣṇu as the man-lion to destroy hiraṇyakaśipu an infidel prince. na0 ghēṇēṃ To be furiously angry.
Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionarynarasiṃhāvatāra (नरसिंहावतार).—m The avatar of viṣṇu as the man-lion to destroy hiraṇyakaśipu an infidel prince. narasiṃhāvatāra ghēṃṇēṃ To be furiously angry.
Source: DDSA: The Aryabhusan school dictionary, Marathi-EnglishMarathi is an Indo-European language having over 70 million native speakers people in (predominantly) Maharashtra India. Marathi, like many other Indo-Aryan languages, evolved from early forms of Prakrit, which itself is a subset of Sanskrit, one of the most ancient languages of the world.
Relevant definitions
Search found 333 related definition(s) that might help you understand this better. Below you will find the 15 most relevant articles:
| Narasimha | Narasiṃha (नरसिंह).—Lord Viṣṇu took the form of Narasiṃha (half lion and half man) to kill Hira... | |
| Avatara | Avatāra (अवतार).—n. (-raṃ) 1. Descent, especially of a deity from heaven; the appearance of any... | |
| Dashavatara | Daśāvatāra (दशावतार) refers to the “ten incarnations of Lord Viṣṇu”, as defined according to te... | |
| Matsyavatara | Matsyāvatāra (मत्स्यावतार) or Matsya is one of the daśāvatāra (ten incarnations) of Viṣṇu, is f... | |
| Ankavatara | Aṅkāvatāra (अङ्कावतार).—when an act, hinted by persons at the end of the preceding act, is brou... | |
| Amshavatara | Aṃśāvatāra (अंशावतार).—The incarnation of God on earth is called avatāra. When the incarnation ... | |
| Kurmavatara | Kūrmāvatāra (कूर्मावतार) or Kūrma is one of the daśāvatāra (ten incarnations) of Viṣṇu, is foun... | |
| Varahavatara | Varāhāvatāra (वराहावतार) or Varāha is one of the daśāvatāra (ten incarnations) of Viṣṇu, is fou... | |
| Krishnavatara | Kṛṣṇāvatāra (कृष्णावतार) or Kṛṣṇa is one of the daśāvatāra (ten incarnations) of Viṣṇu, is foun... | |
| Vishnunarasimha | Viṣṇunarasiṃha (विष्णुनरसिंह) is the name of an ancient Tibetan tantric deity.— Viṣṇu Narasiṃha... | |
| Lakshminarasimha | Lakṣmī Narasiṃha is the name of a deity depicted at the Kallazhagar Temple in Madur... | |
| Arcavatara | Arcāvatāra refers to the “simple and easy method to attain the blessings from the Lord” as expl... | |
| Vamanavatara | Vāmanāvatāra (वामनावतार) or Vāmana is one of the daśāvatāra (ten incarnations) of Viṣṇu, is fou... | |
| Purnavatara | Pūrṇāvatāra (पूर्णावतार).—Name of the fourth, seventh and eighth incarnations of Viṣṇu. Derivab... | |
| Lilavatara | Līlāvatāra (लीलावतार).—the descent (of Viṣṇu) on the earth for amusement. Derivable forms: līlā... |
Relevant text
Search found 1 books and stories containing Narasimhavatara, Narasimha-avatara or Narasiṃhāvatāra. You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Laghu-yoga-vasistha (by K. Narayanasvami Aiyar)
Part 4 - The Story of Prahlāda < [Chapter V - Upaṣānti-prakaraṇa]