.jpg?w=1)
Lot Essay
When the brother of Hiranyakashipu, the demon king, was defeated by Vishnu's previous incarnation of Varaha, the king desired revenge. He realized it was not wise to attack Vishnu without some protection, and by performing great austerities, he gained Brahma's approval. He asked for a boon that would allow him not to be slain by day or night, by weapons or missiles, either indoors or outdoors, nor by man or beast. With this boon granted and thinking himself invulnerable, Hiranyakashipu attacked the gods until Vishnu reappeared at Narasimha, a man-lion, and eviscerated the king with his claws at the twilight hour on the threshold of the palace, thus circumventing all conditions of the demon king's boon.
In this example and lot 55, Narasimha is not shown in his ferocious fashion, but more calmly seated with his spouse on his knee, more appropriate for a portable or private shrine, as their size would suggest.
In this example and lot 55, Narasimha is not shown in his ferocious fashion, but more calmly seated with his spouse on his knee, more appropriate for a portable or private shrine, as their size would suggest.