The Matsya Purana (critical study)

by Kushal Kalita | 2018 | 74,766 words | ISBN-13: 9788171103058

This page relates ‘Myth of the Man-Lion Form of Lord Vishnu’ of the English study on the Matsya-purana: a Sanskrit text preserving ancient Indian traditions and legends written in over 14,000 metrical verses. In this study, the background and content of the Matsyapurana is outlined against the cultural history of ancient India in terms of religion, politics, geography and architectural aspects. It shows how the encyclopedic character causes the text to deal with almost all the aspects of human civilization.

Part 1f - The Myth of the Man-Lion Form of Lord Viṣṇu

Hiraṇyakaśipu was a powerful demon who with a view to obtain more power severely practiced austerities for 11,000 years. Being pleased with his devotion Lord Brahmā told him to ask a boon. At this the demon wished that he should not be killed by devas, asuras, gandharvas, yakṣas, rākṣasas, manuṣyas or piśācas. The curse of the sages should not affect him. He should not die of any weapon, missile, rock, tree, wet and dry things, not during the day or night. He should have all the power. Brahmā granted him the boon.

Attaining the boon Hiraṇyakaśipu became proud and started to oppress the world. He conquered the heaven and interfered with the rights of the devas. He did not even spare the sages practicing austerities. He disturbed the three worlds so much that ultimately all went to Lord Viṣṇu and prayed him to save them. Giving assurance to them Lord, with the assistance of Śiva went to the place of the demon. He assumed the form of Narasiṃha i.e., the man-lion form (the lower half of human form with the upper half of the lion).

When Prahlāda, the son of Hiraṇyakaśipu who was an ardent devotee of Lord eulogized Viṣṇu, then the demon with his assemblage present there, insulted Him. At this Narasiṃha roared loudly with opened wide mouth and started destroying the assembly of Hiraṇyakaśipu. The demons attacked Narasiṃha with the shower of rocks, rains, fire etc.; but nothing could move him. Then Hiraṇyakaśipu used every kind of force to stop him but as he failed the demon took the club and the trident rushed to Viṣṇu assuming a fearful form. At that very moment Narasiṃha with the help of Śiva jumped and tore the demon with his pointed nails. Thus Hiraṇyakaśipu met his death.[1]

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

, 163.93

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