Vishnu’s Narasimha is arguably the most awe-inspiring and legendary keeping of his promise of protecting the residents of Earth from evil and unruly forces. As a divine Chakravarti (sovereign ruler), Narasimha unburdens the earth as he ferociously battles the demons and cleanses the four directions with his riveting roar. These virtues of the man-lion incarnation made him a revered and favored deity for ancient Indian dynasties including the mighty Gupta-Vakataka empire.
In the Ramtek district of Maharashtra, which was earlier a part of the Vakataka empire is a temple of Kevala-Narasimha, with an inscription mentioning the Gupta princess and Vaktaka queen Prabhavatigupta, her daughter and genealogy of the two families, making the temple a historically significant spot. For the devotees and artists though, it is the Narasimha statute, emanating grandeur and tranquility, power, and stillness simultaneously, that makes the temple a unique aesthetic experience.
Sitting under a simple roof, Kevala Narasimha of Vakatakas is a silent protector, embodying grace and valor, as he positions himself in the regal “Maharajalilasana” posture.
This watercolor on paper brings the Vakataka Narasimha to life, in a unique visual idiom. Creating a background of architectural elements, with the texture of stone captured to precision with fine details, the artist has conjured the icon of Narasimha, not as a stone sculpture but in a human form.
The body of a warrior- muscled, broad shoulders and agile carries the head of a lion, whose fine mane and glaring eyes recreate the potent aura of the great incarnation. His hand and feet tinted beautifully, Narasimha holds a Chakra (discus)- a symbol of time and an attribute of Vishnu with which he slays demons. Commanding devotion and surrender and pacifying a troubled heart as its supreme guardian, Narasimha animates the artwork with his powerful and unflinching gaze.
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