Narasimha Kshetras - M S Rajajee

Part III

The temple for Jvaala Narasimha is at a higher elevation, on top of a hill called Achalaachaya Meru. This is about four kilometers from Upper Ahobilam. It is said that this is the precise place where the ferocity of Lord Narasimha was at the maximum, when He destroyed Hiranyakas ipu. The place where Jvaala Narasimha is seated is the threshold of the main entrance to the palace of Hiranyakasipu. The pillar from which the Lord emerged is seen here as a lofty hill. On top of the Achalaachaya Meru hill some devotees have embedded three pillars which are still intact. The main shrine is a cave. Just below this is a pond, which appears as if it is having blood red water. The belief is that the Lord washed his hands here after He killed the asura and therefore the waters are blood red even now. In the natural caves, which form the shrine here, there are Ashtabhuja Narasimha, Chaturbhuja Narasimha and Lord Narasimha chasing Hiranya-kashipu. In the middle of the cave, the main idol on a Garuda Peetha is that of Ashtabhuja Narasimha. On the left side, Prahlaada is standing with folded hands. A pair of hands of the Lord firmly hold the top of the head of the asura and render him immobile, another hand holds the hand of the asura in which the sword is held, a pair of hands are tearing the abdomen of the asura, the third pair of hands are holding the conch and discus while the fourth pair of hands are holding aloft the intestines of the asura, like a garland. This is a monolithic idol. The second idol seen here is that of Chaturbhuja Narasimha, which is a Kevala Narasimha. Surprisingly, the asura himself is absent in this depiction. Two of the hands of the Lord are holding the conch and the discus while the two other hands are ready to tear the chest of the asura. On the side, the Goddess is seated and on the right side is Prahlaada in an Anjali mudra. The third idol present here, shows Lord Narasimha advancing against the asura. The asura is holding aloft his sword appearing as if he is ready to attack the Lord. The Lord appear as if He has caught hold of the asura. The right hand of the Lord is raised and looks like the paw of a lion which is about to strike the victim.

(to be continued in July, 2006 issue)

© "Sri Narasimha Avatara" by M S Rajajee, published by Sri Ahobila Matha, Hyderabad 500 013. Part I of this article appeared in Splendour, May  2006 issue. Reprinted with permission.

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