Elements of Hindu Iconography v1.c11.59

v1.c11.59

In a second manuscript of *Vaikhānasāgama* a somewhat different description of the image of Sthauna-Narasimha is given. According to this description the image may have twelve or sixteen hands, and there should be three bends in the body (*tribhaṅga*). On the left thigh thereof Hiranyakasipu should be stretched out with the belly being ripped open by two of the hands of Narasimha. One of the right hands should be in the *abhaya* pose, and another has to carry a sword so as to make its point reach up to the *kuṇḍala* in the ear. One of the left hands of Narasimha should hold the *makuṭa* of Hiranyakasipu, and another should be shown as lifted up for administering a blow to the demon. The legs of the *asura* are to be taken hold