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)

Source: archive.org: Nilamata Purana: a cultural and literary study

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.

context information

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)

Source: Shodhganga: The significance of the mūla-beras (śilpa)

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.

context information

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

Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and 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 Aryabhusan school dictionary, Marathi-English

narasiṃhāvatāra (नरसिंहावतार).—m The avatar of viṣṇu as the man-lion to destroy hiraṇyakaśipu an infidel prince. narasiṃhāvatāra ghēṃṇēṃ To be furiously angry.

context information

Marathi 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.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Partial matches: Avatara, Narasimha.

Full-text: Narasimhajayanti, Narasimha, Simhavatara, Dashavatara.

Relevant text

Search found 2 books and stories containing Narasimhavatara, Narasimha-avatara, Narasiṃhāvatāra, Narasiṃha-avatāra; (plurals include: Narasimhavataras, avataras, Narasiṃhāvatāras, avatāras). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

The Religion and Philosophy of Tevaram (Thevaram) (by M. A. Dorai Rangaswamy)

Chapter 3.8 - Brahma-shirascheda-murti (cutting off Brahma’s head) < [Volume 2 - Nampi Arurar and Mythology]

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Laghu-yoga-vasistha (by K. Narayanasvami Aiyar)

Part 4 - The Story of Prahlāda < [Chapter V - Upaṣānti-prakaraṇa]

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