Restorer of Dharma.
Today is Narasimha Jayanti, a celebration of Narasimha, the fourth avatar of Lord Vishnu.
Among the treasures at Hampi, a World Heritage Site, is the astounding monolith of Narasimha. A masterpiece such as this must draw not only on extraordinary artistic imagination and skill but also from the deep wellspring of Bhakti (devotion).
Shloka and translation provided by Dr. V.N. Muthukumar:
यमाहुर्हि देहं हृषीकाणि केचित्परेऽसूंस्तथा बुद्धिशून्ये तथान्ये ।
यदज्ञानमुग्धा जना नास्तिकाग्र्याः सदानन्दरूपं तमीडे नृसिम्हम् ॥
The foremost amongst nāstikā-s, deluded by ignorance,
call Him the Body; likewise, the Vital Breath and the Senses.
Some call Him the Intellect and others, Nothingness.
(But) We praise that Nṛsimha who is sat and ānanda.
यमाहुर्हि देहं हृषीकाणि केचित्परेऽसूंस्तथा बुद्धिशून्ये तथान्ये ।
यदज्ञानमुग्धा जना नास्तिकाग्र्याः सदानन्दरूपं तमीडे नृसिम्हम् ॥
call Him the Body; likewise, the Vital Breath and the Senses.
Some call Him the Intellect and others, Nothingness.
(But) We praise that Nṛsimha who is sat and ānanda.
(Verse from Nṛsimhabhujaṅgaprayātastava, composed by Śrī Saccidānanda Śivābhinava Nṛsimhabhāratī Mahāsvāminaḥ, 33rd ācārya at Sringeri; 1879-1912)
Lord Narasimha of Hampi
5D, 24-105L
Rajan without your explanation , I would not be able to understand the immense value of this religious and cultural figure . it is sad that everywhere whether in India or Cambodia , these treasure pieces are being vandalized
Thank you, Fernando-bab.
A very foreboding monolithic Lakshmi Narasimha my friend! Beautiful color and wonderful texture and detail! Thank you for enlightening me on the meaning of this deity.
Great to hear, Dan.
I thought there ought to be a cover for the protection of this sculpture against the elements, lest it suffers the ravages of weather.
Antonio-bab, the original structure and the entire site suffered vandalism and attacks. Please see the history of the Vijayanagara Empire.