Narasimha, The Man-Lion Avatar of Vishnu
11th century
Asia: India, Bihār
Chlorite
The Norton Simon Foundation
Encounters with the Collection: Narasimha, the Man-Lion Avatar of Vishnu
Intricate stone carvings surround the pronounced, pointed nose of Narasimha, the subject of one of the most riveting sculptures in the South and Southeast Asian collections. In an episode of Encounters with the Collection, Assistant Curator Lakshika Senarath Gamage focuses on Narasimha, the Man-Lion Avatar of Vishnu and elucidates the dramatic narrative that culminates in a shocking scene of the god disemboweling a demon king. Senarath Gamage explains this sculpture’s rich iconography, such as how the god Vishnu appears on earth in many different avatars. One of these is the lion-headed form called Narasimha, a violent manifestation known for warding off evil and bringing wealth and success.
