Hiranyakashipu Vadham - Kerala Mural Archive

Detail Photos

Thalore, THL_P004 — Vishnu (as Narasimha): detail view 1 of 4

Thalore, THL_P004 — Vishnu (as Narasimha): detail view 2 of 4

Thalore, THL_P004 — Vishnu (as Narasimha): detail view 3 of 4

Thalore, THL_P004 — Vishnu (as Narasimha): detail view 4 of 4

Living Tradition · The Present Day

Deity: Vishnu Location: Thalore Mahadeva Temple Theme: Bhagavata Purana

Narasimha depicted as killing Hiranyakashipu as Prahlada onlooks. The panel is dominated by the figure of Narasimha, the half-human, half-lion incarnation of Vishnu. There is green-skinned Prahlada standing to the right holding anjali mudra. Narasimha keeps Hiranyakashipu in his lap and tears him apart with his claws. There are veeralipattu motifs in the backdrop.

Narrative

Textual Source: Bhagavata Purana
Mythological Tale: Hiranyakashipu was an asura king with disdain for the Gods and arrogance about his own powers. In turn, his son Prahlada is a true devotee of Vishnu, which angers Hiranyakashipu. He tries to kill Prahlada but all his efforts go in vain because of divine intervention. In a fit of anger, Hiranyakashipu asks where Prahlada's God is and crushes a pillar in anger. Out of the pillar emerges the half-man, half-lion form of Vishnu. Hiranyakashipu had acquired the boon of not facing death unless several conditions are fulfilled: he cannot be killed by humans or animals, in day or night, using any weapons, or in sky or land. Narasimha validates all these conditions as he is neither human nor animal, emerges at dusk which is neither day nor night, uses his claws not any weapons, and finally neither in sky nor land but on Narasimha’s lap. The depiction reminds the devotee that God comes to the aid of a true devotee and is omnipresent.
Episode: Hiranyakashipu Vadham (Narasimha slays Hiranyakashipu)

Iconography

Primary Deity/Figure: Vishnu (as Narasimha)
Secondary Figures: Hiranyakashipu, Prahlada
Iconographic Form: Prahladacharitham
Iconographic Attributes: Narasimha has a lion’s mane and a human body with six arms. Each of his four arms are engaged in ripping out the entrails of Hiranyakashipu, while his other two hands holds the sudarsana chakra and shankhu or conch respectively. Hiranyakashipu is depicted as a green-skinned asura. Prahlada is also green- skinned, but wears a white lower garment depicting his satvik nature. He is holding his hands in an anjali mudra.
Visual & Formal Features: Background pattern, Facial expression detail, Hand gesture (mudra), Ornamentation
Rasa: Raudra

Spatial & Architectural

Temple: Sanctum
Zone within Temple: Sanctum
Position in Pradakshina Sequence: 4
Adjacent Panels: Gajendramoksham, Subrahmanya

Condition & Documentation

Condition: Good
Deterioration Type: Pigment loss
Restoration Status: Unrestored
Documentation Type: DSLR full panel
Permission Basis: Temple authorities
Date of Documentation: 22/08/2024
Artist: Senthil
Identifier: THL_P004
Rights / Notes: These images may not be reproduced, redistributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior permission.