Rudra-Shiva concept (Study)
by Maumita Bhattacharjee | 2018 | 54,352 words
This page relates ‘Sharabha incarnation’ of the study on the Rudra-Shiva concept in the Vedic and Puranic literature, starting with the concept of God as contemplated by the Rishis (Vedic sages). These pages further deal with the aspects, legends, iconography and eulology of Rudra-Shiva as found in the Samhitas, Brahamanas, Aranyakas, Upanishads Sutras and Puranas. The final chapters deal with descriptions of his greatness, various incarnations and epithets.
18. Śarabha incarnation
Here, in the Purāṇic literature, it is described that to destroy the man-lion form of Viṣṇu, Śiva assumed the form of a Śarabha. His Śarabha incarnation is a bird with big wings and beak. He has a fierce body and sharp fangs, huge arms and four legs and claws which are as storng as Vajra.[1] His voice is terrible. His three eyes are as wide and shining like fire. Like a vulture grasping a serpent, he fearlessly caught hold of Viṣṇu and lifted him up and threw him to the ground.[2] In another chapter, it is stated that lord Śiva, appearing in the form of Śarabha, attacked the man-lion form of Viṣṇu and pressing him with his feet, Śarabha (Śiva) tore off Viṣṇu’s heart by his sharp claws.[3]
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
...samṛddhograśarīreṇa pakṣābhyāñcañcunā dvijaḥ || atitīkṣṇo mahādraṃṣṭro vajratulyanakhāyudhaḥ | kaṇṭhe kālo mahābāhuścatuṣpādavahnisannibhaḥ || Śiva-purāṇa, 3.12.8-9
[2]:
Ibid., 3.12.10-16