Elements of Hindu Iconography v1.c11.67

v1.c11.67

In illustration of the descriptions given above, one picture of the Kēvala-Narasimha, which is the same as the Yōga-Narasimha, and two of the Sthauna-Narasimha have been given; and six other pictures which do not correspond to the descriptions are also reproduced here. The figure of Kēvala-Narasimha (PL. XLII) is the principal image in the Narasimha temple near Haḷēbīḍu. In it, it has to be noticed that the two up-turned hands carry the śankha and the chakra, but not the gadā and the padma as required by the Śilparatna. In respect also of having the śankha and the chakra sculptured near the two hands made to rest upon the knees, this image differs from the description given in the Śilparatna. The workmanship leaves nothing to be desired. The rigid posture, representing the unshakable firmness of the mind of the yōgin and showing a very strict adherence to all the prescribed details is in fact wrought so beautifully that no praise can be too much in appreciation of the skill and ability of the sculptor. In the *prabhāvali* surrounding the image, there are sculptured the ten *avatāras* of Vishnu. The *padmā-sana*, upon which Kēvala-Narasimha is required to be seated, is here absent; and instead of it we have only a raised seat placed upon a well designed pedestal, in front of which the Garuḍa-lāñchhana or the Garuḍa-emblem is worked out to indicate that the deity resting on the pedestal is Vishnu.