Sarabeswara
Sri Sarabeswara or Sarabha ( Sanskrit : शरभ, Śarabha; Kannada : ಶರಭ) is a deity worshiped mainly in South India ; it resembles a chimera consisting of a lion, a bird and a human being. It is often associated with the Hindu god Shiva , who subdues or appeases Narasimha , an incarnation of Vishnu who has become overpowering . Sarabha is also mentioned in Buddhist texts as an earlier rebirth of Buddha .
myth
Sarabha is portrayed in older Sanskrit texts as an eight-legged creature who lives in the woods, feeds on raw meat and terrifies other animals and people with its terrible roar. Later, the name 'Sarabha' is used as an honorary designation for warriors, demons ( asuras ) and snakes ( nagas ) , but also for Vishnu and Buddha.
In a later phase of development it is described how Narasimha, who was still angry after his victory over the demon Hiranyakashipu and feared both gods and humans, is overcome at the request of the gods by Shiva, who takes the form of Sarabeswaras.
presentation
According to tradition, Sarabha has the body of an eight-legged lion and is winged; his head has human features. However, it is a divine being, which is made clear by the optical associations with Bhairava / Shiva. In his hands, Sarabha sometimes carries the attributes of a club ( gada ) and a gazelle (minga) , which indicates on the one hand Vishnu / Narasimha and on the other hand Shiva, from whose iconography the crescent moon in his hair (chandra) is borrowed.
meaning
In Sarabha the primal forces of nature and primal fears of man come together. Later a quasi-religious competition between the followers of Shivas ( Shivaiten ) and Vishnu ( Vishnuiten ) for the superior position of power developed. In some depictions Narasimha is subjugated by Sarabha, but there are also depictions in which the two opponents embrace and become one.
Adoration
Sarabha or Sarabeswara is revered throughout South India. The main sanctuary is the Sarabeswara Temple of Tirubuvanam .
See also
Web links
- Sarabeswara - Photos, Info + Links (English)
- Sarabeswara - invocation mantra (English)
- Sarabeswara - Worship in Tirubuvanam (English)