Nrasimha (man-lion) is an avatar
of the Hindu god Vishnu, one who incarnates in the form of part lion and part
man to destroy evil and end religious persecution and calamity on Earth,
thereby restoring Dharma. Nrasimha iconography shows him with a human torso and
lower body, with a lion face and claws, typically with a demon Hiranyakashipu
in his lap whom he is in the process of killing.
Etimology
In Sanskrit the word Nrasimha
consists of two words "nara" which means man, and "simha"
which means lion. Together the term means "man-lion", referring to a
mixed creature avatar of Vishnu. He is known as Nrisimha, Nrisingha,
Narasingha, Narasingh, Narsingh, Narasimba and Narasinghar in derivative
languages.
The Vishnu hymn of the Rigveda
contains a verse with allusions to a "wild beast, dread, prowling,
mountain-roaming".
Significance
Nrasimha is a significant iconic symbol of creative resistance, hope against odds, victory over persecution, and destruction of evil. He is the destructor of not only external evil, but also one's own inner evil of body, speech, and mind.