The Divine Embrace: Narasimha and Lakshmi in Brass
This exquisite brass sculpture captures a moment of profound divine union, presenting Lord Narasimha, the fierce avatar of Lord Vishnu with a human body and a lion's head, seated majestically with Goddess Lakshmi, the embodiment of wealth and prosperity, cradled in his lap. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, this piece radiates an aura of power, protection, and abundance. The rich, deep patina of the brass lends an ancient and sacred feel, making it a truly captivating centerpiece for any altar, meditation space, or home.A Symbol of Supreme Protection and Benevolence
The iconography of Narasimha is deeply rooted in Hindu mythology. The story tells of Hiranyakashipu, a demon king who gained a boon that made him virtually invincible. His arrogance and cruelty led him to demand that no god, man, or animal could kill him, and that he could not be killed by day or night, inside or outside, with any weapon. His devout son, Prahlada, remained a steadfast devotee of Lord Vishnu, incurring his father's wrath. In a dramatic display of divine intervention, Vishnu manifested as Narasimha, emerging from a pillar to tear Hiranyakashipu apart, thus fulfilling the boon's conditions and saving Prahlada. This act signifies Vishnu's commitment to protecting his devotees from all forms of evil and injustice.The Auspicious Union: Lakshmi and Abundance
Goddess Lakshmi, the consort of Vishnu, represents not only material wealth but also fortune, prosperity, and auspiciousness. Her presence with Narasimha is particularly significant. While Narasimha embodies the power to destroy evil and protect righteousness, Lakshmi brings blessings of abundance and well-being. Their combined presence symbolizes the ultimate balance of divine power and benevolent grace. This union signifies that true prosperity can only flourish when protected by righteousness and that divine protection ensures the flourishing of wealth and happiness. This intricately sculpted representation invites devotees to seek both strength and prosperity in their lives, believing that by honoring this divine pair, they invite blessings of security and abundance. The serene yet powerful depiction of Lakshmi, held close by the fearsome yet loving Narasimha, is a testament to the harmonious duality that governs the cosmos.
Unleashing the Power of Narasimha: The Divine Avatar of Lord
Vishnu
Narasimha Dev is an incarnation of the Supreme Lord Vishnu or
Krishna. He assumed a special form of half-man (Nara) and
half-lion (Simha) to protect His five-year-old devotee Prahlad
from the ghastly attacks of his demoniac father Hiranyakashipu.
He killed the demon to prove that whoever is surrendered to His
lotus feet is always taken care of by Him. Lord Narasimha is
worshiped in many parts of South India and is considered an
important deity in the Vaishnava Sampradaya.
What does Narasimha symbolize?
Although the form of Lord Narasimha appears fierce to the
general people, it appears as beautiful and sweet as the lotus
flower to His devotees. His ferocious yet transcendental form
signifies His rage towards the demoniac persons who try to harm
or blaspheme His devotees who are very dear to Him. The devotees
always worship and remember Lord Narasimha in their minds
because He is the source of all bliss and fortune and is also
the cause of all causes. The Vaishnav Acharyas explain that the
Lord"s killing of Hiranyakashipu symbolizes the killing of
Anarthas such as lust, anger, greed, illusion, attachment, and
false ego residing in our hearts. One who has taken the shelter
of the lotus feet of Lord Narasimha is at once purified of all
contamination which is a barrier in Bhakti.
Which day is for Lord Narasimha?
Since Lord Narasimha is Vishnu Tattva, the Vaishnavas worship
Him and observe fasting from grains on Ekadashi which comes on
every 11th day in the Hindu or Vedic calendar. On this day, the
devotees either completely refrain from eating and drinking
anything (Nirjala) or only take grain-free Prasad for satisfying
their hunger. They chant the Lord"s holy names, visit temple,
and read His pastimes mentioned in the Vedic scriptures. Being
completely absorbed in the thoughts of the Lord, the devotees
peacefully observe the fast and remain blissful. Another very
important day dedicated to Lord Narasimha Dev is “Narasimha
Chaturdashi” which comes once a year. It is celebrated as the
appearance (His advent on this planet) day of the Lord. On this
day, the Vaishnavas congregate in the temples and chant His
unending glories and beg for His causeless mercy so that they
may eternally be engaged in His devotional service.
Where is Narasimha Swamy statue?
You can find many statues or deities of Lord Narasimha in
different states of India such as Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh,
Uttar Pradesh, etc. The most revered place for the Vaishnava
community is Ahobilam situated in the state of Andhra Pradesh.
This is the holy site where Lord Narasimha chose to appear from
a stone pillar indicating that He is present everywhere. The
Narasimha Swamy temple in Ahobilam is where all the nine forms
of Narasimha Dev are situated; Prahlad Varada Narasimha,
Chatravata Narasimha, Yogananda Narasimha, Ugra Narasimha, Kroda
Narasimha, Malola Narasimha, Jwala Narasimha, and Pavana
Narasimha. Thousands of people from across the globe visit this
temple to take the divine blessings of the Lord.
The Vedic scriptures such as Srimad Bhagavatam advise everyone
to worship and take the divine shelter of Lord Narasimha dev,
the Supreme Lord, in all circumstances, knowing that He is our
only hope. Those who do so experience the highest form of bliss
and never get bewildered even in adverse conditions of life.
The Power Couple of Hindu Mythology: Vishnu and Lakshmi
Lakshmi, as we all know, is the Goddess of fortune/wealth and is
a highly revered deity in India. She is especially worshiped in
the festival of Diwali which brings auspiciousness into our
lives. But what is her connection with Lord Vishnu? Our Vedic
scriptures mention that Goddess Lakshmi is the eternal consort
of Lord Vishnu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. She is His
internal energy or potency and is always engaged in His
transcendental loving service. Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi
never separate from each other. In the Vaishnava Sampradaya and
as described in the Vedas and Puranas, Vishnu and Lakshmi
together are the Supreme Absolute Truth. The relationship
between them is not mundane but is completely on the spiritual
platform, above and beyond the three modes of material nature
(Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas).
Is it good to keep Vishnu Lakshmi idol at home?
As mentioned above, it is the injunction of the Shastras
(scriptures) that there is no truth superior to Vishnu and
Lakshmi. It is advised by all the Acharyas to take the shelter
of Shri Vishnu in all circumstances and depend on His mercy.
We see many people worshiping Lakshmi Devi alone in their homes.
But if you are willing to walk the path of Bhakti, this is not
recommended. Lakshmi Devi is an obedient wife of Lord Vishnu.
She never leaves His lotus feet and she never goes to the place
where Lord Vishnu is not being worshiped. Therefore, the Vedic
scriptures consider those people who engage in the loving
service of Vishnu and Lakshmi as the most intelligent. Thus, it
is very auspicious to install the deities of Shri Vishnu and
Lakshmi Devi at home and worship Them regularly. All good
fortune follows when you please Goddess Lakshmi and She is only
pleased when we worship Lord Vishnu with faith and devotion.
Which Avatar of Vishnu is very powerful?
Lord Vishnu is the cause of all causes and He expands Himself
into many forms to fulfill certain purposes. The main purpose of
His assuming different forms is to reciprocate the loving
exchanges with His devotees. He never fails to protect His
devotees from great difficulties. One of the most powerful forms
of Lord Vishnu is the “Narasimha” Avatar, the half-man and
half-lion form. He appeared from a stone pillar to protect His
five-year-old devotee Prahlad from the ghastly attacks of his
demoniac father Hiranyakashipu. In this incarnation, the Lord
looks ferocious but to His devotees, it is equally beautiful as
His original four-handed form. The devotees of Lord Narasimha
always remember Him in their minds and experience pure bliss.
How to keep a Brass statue well-maintained?
Brass statues are known and appreciated for their exquisite beauty and luster. The brilliant bright gold appearance of Brass makes it appropriate for casting aesthetic statues and sculptures. Brass is a metal alloy composed mainly of copper and zinc. This chemical composition makes brass a highly durable and corrosion-resistant material. Due to these properties, Brass statues and sculptures can be kept both indoors as well as outdoors. They also last for many decades without losing all their natural shine.
Brass statues can withstand even harsh weather conditions very well due to their corrosion-resistance properties. However, maintaining the luster and natural beauty of brass statues is essential if you want to prolong their life and appearance.
- The best and simplest way to maintain a brass statue is to clean it at least twice a week using a soft cloth or cotton rag. This will prevent dust from accumulating on the surface. Dusting is especially important for outdoor statues since it is prone to dust accumulation much more than indoors.
- To give a natural shine and luster to the statue, you may apply coconut or olive oil using cotton on every portion. You can use a toothbrush to get to the small crevices but do not be too harsh. This will make the brass statue appear fresh and new with a polished look.
In case you have a colored brass statue, you may apply mustard oil using a soft brush or clean cloth on the brass portion while for the colored portion of the statue, you may use coconut oil with a cotton cloth.
Brass idols of Hindu Gods and Goddesses are especially known for their intricate and detailed work of art. Nepalese sculptures are famous for small brass idols portraying Buddhist deities. These sculptures are beautified with gold gilding and inlay of precious or semi-precious stones. Religious brass statues can be kept at home altars. You can keep a decorative brass statue in your garden or roof to embellish the area and fill it with divinity.
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