Mediaeval Temples of the Dakhan c14.15

c14.15

NĀGA.—A serpent; the chief of the serpent race, generally represented with a human body to the waist and a serpent tail, said to inhabit Pātāla, the nether world. NANDI.—The sacred bull of Śiva, and his constant attendant and vehicle. NARASIṄHA.—The man-lion *avatāra* of Vishnu. NARATHARA.—One of the mouldings in the basement of a temple, decorated with images of men. NĀRĀYAṆA.—Vishnu. NATEŚVARA or NATEŚA.—Śiva in his rôle as a dancer. NIRRITI.—The guardian of the south-west and personification of decay or destruction.