Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 4
Chapter 49 — मत्स्यादिलक्षणवर्णनम्
Description of the Characteristics of Matsya and the Other Incarnations
नरसिंहो विवृत्तास्यो वामोरुक्षतदानवः तद्वक्षो दारयन्माली स्फुरच्चक्रगदाधरः
narasiṃho vivṛttāsyo vāmorukṣatadānavaḥ tadvakṣo dārayanmālī sphuraccakragadādharaḥ
Narasimha, dengan mulut ternganga luas, menewaskan raksasa (dānava) dengan paha kirinya; berkalungkan bunga, baginda mengoyak dada makhluk itu, sambil memegang cakra yang berkilau dan gada.
Lord Agni (narrating to sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa’s dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Guiding Narasiṃha iconography and narrative depiction—open mouth, demon on thigh, chest-tearing posture, and weapons—useful for sculptors, painters, and ritual visualization.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Narasiṃha Ugra-rūpa: Hiraṇyakaśipu-vadha Iconic Scene","lookup_keywords":["Narasiṃha","vivṛtāsya","ūrū","cakra-gadā","vakṣo-dāraṇa"],"quick_summary":"Describes the fierce Narasiṃha moment: gaping mouth, demon subdued on the left thigh, chest torn, garlanded, holding flashing discus and mace—key cues for ugra iconography."}
Alamkara Type: Rūpaka
Weapon Type: Chakra and Mace (cakra, gadā)
Concept: Protection of devotees and restoration of dharma through divine intervention; terror as a form of grace against adharma.
Application: Supports ritual meditation on Narasiṃha for fear-removal and safeguarding; reinforces ethical boundary against tyranny.
Khanda Section: Avataras (Vaishnava Incarnations and Mythic Episodes)
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Narasiṃha with lion face and gaping mouth, demon pinned on left thigh, chest being torn open; garland, flashing discus and mace; intense, dramatic moment.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural of Ugra Narasiṃha: bold red-gold palette, wide-open jaws, demon across left thigh, dynamic limbs, cakra and gadā glowing, stylized flames and aura.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore Narasiṃha-vadha: heavy gold halo and ornaments, embossed weapons, demon on thigh, dramatic but symmetrical composition, rich jewel tones.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting emphasizing iconographic correctness: clear depiction of left-thigh placement, open mouth, chest-tearing hands, labeled cakra and gadā, controlled expressions.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature of palace interior: Narasiṃha overpowering demon on thigh, fine textile patterns, attendants recoiling, detailed architecture, restrained yet vivid action."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"intense","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"fast","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तद्वक्षो = तत् + वक्षः; दारयन्माली = दारयन् + माली; स्फुरच्चक्रगदाधरः = स्फुरत् + चक्रगदाधरः (त् + च → च्च)।
Related Themes: Agni Purana 49 (avatāra iconography run)
FAQs
This verse primarily conveys avatāra-tattva and protective theology: Narasiṁha’s iconography (cakra and gadā) and the decisive act of daitya-vadha, used devotionally as a remembrance of divine protection rather than a procedural ritual instruction.
It preserves a compact mythic-visual template (mūrti-lakṣaṇa style cues like cakra-gadā-dhara, garlanded form, and the mode of slaying), showing how the Agni Purāṇa catalogs avatāra narratives alongside other domains (ritual, polity, medicine, poetics) as a single reference work.
The depiction reinforces faith that dharma is protected when oppression peaks: remembrance of Narasiṁha’s victory is traditionally taken to dispel fear and negate hostile forces, cultivating devotion (bhakti) and moral confidence in divine justice.