Lord Sharabha
Lord Sharabha is an avatar of Lord Shiva, who incarnated in the most powerful form than a lion to pacify Lord Narasimha Swamy. Lord Sharabha appeared like a huge bird with wings and strong beak. Sharabha Jayanthi falls in Vaisakha mass. Sharabha JAyanthi is an auspicious occasion for shaivaites.
Legend of Sharabha Avatar of Lord Shiva:
After demolishing Demon Hiranyakashapa, Lord Narasimha was very ferocious, roaring with anger, and it was impossible to stop him for all Gods and even for Prahlad, for whom Lord Narayana incarnated as Lord Narasimha and destroyed Hiranyakashapa.
To make Lord Narasimha calm and peaceful or to pacify him, all Gods went to Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva manifested as Veerabhadra (one of the incarnations of Lord Shiva) and went to Lord Narasimha and asked him to be calm as he was an incarnated for Lok Kalyan (Universal peace). But Lord Narasimha refused Lord Veerabhadras words and told him to go away from the place.
Angered with Lord Narasimhas reply, Lord Veerabhadra spread his body up to the sky and spread all over the Universe. He made his lower half of the body as Sharabha (bird) and remained his upper half as it is.
Lord Sharabha (one of the incarnations of Lord Shiva), lifted Lord Narasimha with his tail and was about to hit him on to the space. Lord Narasimha realized his mistake and prayed to Lord Sharabha to forgive him. Sharabheswara knew that Lord Narasimha realized his mistake and will remain calm and forgiven Narasimha. Excited Narasimha removed his skin (Lions skin) and presented it to Lord Shiva. Thus, Lord Shiva was appeared in two avatars (Veerabhadra avatar and Sharabha avatar) to pacify Lord Narasimha.
Sharabha is a lesser-known but significant avatar of Lord Shiva in Hindu mythology, primarily recognized for its role in pacifying the fierce Narasimha, an avatar of Lord Vishnu. This form is often depicted as a powerful creature combining features of a lion and a bird, sometimes described as having eight legs and resembling a dragon or a man-eating bird
Background and Significance
The Context of Sharabha’s Appearance
The narrative surrounding Sharabha originates from the Shiva Purana and other texts. After Narasimha vanquished the demon king Hiranyakashipu, his wrath became uncontrollable, threatening the cosmos. The other gods, alarmed by his fury, sought Shiva’s intervention to restore balance.
The Transformation into Sharabha
In response to the chaos caused by Narasimha, Shiva first attempted to calm him through his form Virabhadra, which failed. Consequently, he transformed into Sharabha—an imposing entity with multiple limbs and formidable features—designed to subdue Narasimha’s rage
Description of Sharabha
Sharabha is characterized by:
- Physical Attributes: A hybrid form that includes aspects of a lion and a bird, often illustrated with wings and claws. It is described as having three fiery eyes and producing thunderous sounds
- Symbolism: Represents the combination of strength and ferocity, embodying Shiva’s power to restore order in the universe
The Encounter with Narasimha
In their confrontation, Sharabha overpowered Narasimha, ultimately leading to the latter’s submission. This encounter not only highlights the might of Shiva but also emphasizes the importance of humility and respect among the divine beings. After being subdued, Narasimha acknowledged Sharabha’s superiority and praised Shiva
Cultural Depictions
Sharabha is primarily venerated in southern India, where sculptures and temple art depict this avatar alongside Narasimha. These representations often illustrate the dramatic moment of their encounter, showcasing Sharabha’s dominance over Narasimha. In conclusion, Sharabha serves as a crucial figure in Hindu mythology, symbolizing the interplay between different divine powers and the necessity for balance in the cosmic order. Its story underscores themes of respect among deities and the protective aspects of Shiva’s nature.
Comparison of Sharabha with Other Avatars of Shiva
| Aspect | Sharabha | Bhairava | Nataraja | Ardhanarishvara |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Form | Part-lion, part-bird; often depicted with eight legs and multiple arms. | Fierce form, often depicted with a dog and a skull, symbolizing destruction and time | Lord of Dance; depicted in a cosmic dance posture, symbolizing creation and destruction | Half male (Shiva) and half female (Parvati), representing the unity of opposites |
| Purpose | To pacify Narasimha’s fury after he killed Hiranyakashipu | To protect devotees and destroy evil forces; often associated with the annihilation of ignorance | Represents the cosmic cycle of creation and destruction; symbolizes the rhythm of the universe | Symbolizes the balance between masculine and feminine energies |
| Cultural Significance | Primarily revered in southern India; highlights rivalry between Shaivism and Vaishnavism | Worshipped across India, especially in Shakti cults; emphasizes overcoming fear | Widely recognized in classical dance forms; represents the dynamic nature of existence | Celebrated for its philosophical implications regarding gender and duality in spirituality |
| Iconography | Often shown overpowering Narasimha, with a fierce appearance that includes wings and claws | Typically portrayed with a fierce expression, holding weapons, often with a dog companion | Depicted dancing within a ring of fire, surrounded by various deities and symbols of creation | Shown as a single figure split into two halves, adorned with symbols representing both deities |
Key Highlights
- Sharabha’s Role: Unlike other avatars that focus on protection or cosmic balance, Sharabha specifically addresses the aftermath of Narasimha’s actions, showcasing Shiva’s role as a mediator among deities.
- Physical Attributes: The hybrid nature of Sharabha emphasizes its ferocity and power, setting it apart from more human-like or abstract representations like Nataraja or Ardhanarishvara.
- Cultural Context: Sharabha is less recognized outside specific regions compared to other avatars like Nataraja or Bhairava, which have broader cultural significance across various sects.
In summary, while Sharabha shares the divine purpose of protection and balance typical of Shiva’s avatars, its unique narrative context and physical representation distinguish it within Hindu mythology.
How does the Sharabha Upanishad describe Sharabha’s power
The Sharabha Upanishad describes Sharabha as a powerful and formidable avatar of Lord Shiva, emphasizing his unique attributes and divine powers. Here are the key aspects of Sharabha’s power as depicted in the Upanishad and related texts:
Attributes of Sharabha’s Power
Physical Strength
- Mighty Form: Sharabha is described as having an imposing physique, often depicted with eight legs, a lion’s head, and bird-like wings. This combination signifies not only physical strength but also agility and dominance over other beings, surpassing even lions and elephants in power
- Ability to Fly: His wings enable him to soar through the skies, symbolizing transcendence over earthly limitations. This ability allows him to cover vast distances in a single leap, showcasing his speed and energy
Divine Purpose
- Pacification of Narasimha: The primary narrative surrounding Sharabha’s manifestation is his role in calming the fierce Narasimha, who became uncontrollably wrathful after slaying Hiranyakashipu. The Upanishad illustrates that Sharabha was not merely a creature of destruction but a divine mediator sent to restore balance and order in the universe
- Control Over Forces: Sharabha embodies both ferocity (Ugrata) and divinity (Ishvaratva), representing the duality of creation and destruction. His presence is said to hold sway over both the physical (Apara) and spiritual (Para) realms, indicating his comprehensive control over nature and cosmic forces
Symbolism of His Attributes
- Thunderous Voice: Sharabha’s voice is likened to thunder, which not only signifies power but also serves as a tool for instilling fear among adversaries. This characteristic ties him closely to Rudra, another form of Shiva known for his fierce aspects
- Vajra Paash: His tail is referred to as ‘Vajra Paash,’ symbolizing an unbreakable grip that can ensnare even the most powerful beings. This aspect emphasizes his role as a protector who can subdue chaos without resorting to violence
Spiritual Significance
- Siddhis Bestowed: Those who engage in sadhana (spiritual practice) dedicated to Sharabha are believed to attain various siddhis (spiritual powers), such as the ability to choose their birth in different realms (LokaMata Siddhi) and liberation from the cycle of birth and death (Kram Mukti Siddhi)
- Protector Against Evil: Sharabha is also seen as a vanquisher of evil forces, providing protection to devotees from negative influences and calamities. His worship is associated with fearlessness and strength, enabling followers to face life’s challenges with confidence
In conclusion, the Sharabha Upanishad portrays Sharabha as a complex avatar embodying immense power, wisdom, and the capacity for mediation between divine forces. His unique attributes not only highlight his physical prowess but also underscore his crucial role in maintaining cosmic order.
What is the significance of Sharabha’s eight legs
The significance of Sharabha’s eight legs in Hindu mythology is multifaceted, reflecting both physical prowess and deeper symbolic meanings. Here are the key aspects:
Physical Power and Dominance
- Enhanced Strength: Sharabha is described as more powerful than a lion or an elephant, and its eight legs contribute to this immense strength. The ability to clear a valley in one jump emphasizes its physical capabilities, showcasing it as a formidable force in the cosmic order
- Agility and Speed: The eight legs not only symbolize strength but also agility, allowing Sharabha to navigate various terrains swiftly. This agility is crucial in its role as a protector, enabling it to respond quickly to threats, such as pacifying the furious Narasimha
Symbolism of Balance and Control
- Duality of Nature: The presence of eight legs can be interpreted as representing balance between different forces. In some interpretations, the upper four legs symbolize the divine aspect of creation and control over the universe, while the lower four legs represent earthly power and ferocity . This duality reflects Sharabha’s role in maintaining cosmic balance.
- Representation of Realms: Each leg can also symbolize Sharabha’s ability to traverse multiple realms—both physical and spiritual. This aspect highlights its role as a guardian who operates across different dimensions of existence
Religious Context
- Pacification Role: Sharabha’s primary purpose was to pacify Narasimha, who had become uncontrollably wrathful after defeating Hiranyakashipu. The eight-legged form signifies that Sharabha possesses not only the power to overpower but also the wisdom to restore balance without unnecessary destruction
- Divine Intervention: The eight-legged form is a manifestation of Lord Shiva’s divine intervention, showcasing his ability to adapt and embody different forms to address cosmic disturbances effectively
Cultural Interpretations
- Iconography and Worship: In various texts, such as the Sharabha Upanishad and Kalika Purana, Sharabha is depicted with distinct features that emphasize its power. The eight legs are often associated with its fearsome appearance, making it an object of reverence and worship among devotees seeking protection from evil forces
In summary, Sharabha’s eight legs are not merely a physical characteristic but are deeply embedded in its mythological significance, symbolizing strength, balance, agility, and divine intervention in restoring cosmic harmony.
Your article is excellent to know about something new.
I don’t know about sharabha this articles gives me good
information about hinduism.
please do not give people wrong information. the truth is that lord narashimmar is the supreme personality and other gods such as shiva, brahma they themselves pray to him.
how is it possible wen maha lakshmi herself being the lord’s wife or we could possibly say the lords biggest devotee couldn’t even go near lord narahari how is it possible for shiva to do so?
please do not teach people wrong information. do not give our own version of great Hinduism. i can prove what i am saying through many vedic literature such as the bagavad gita, srimad bagavadam and many more. if the information given here was true that shiva could actually lift lord narasimmar then show me the proof. tell me from which vedic literature u got this. Give it to me black n white. prove to me this article is true. you will never be able to cos wats a lie will remain a lie.
hari om.
The information given above is true and purely based on Shiv Puran and you are talking according to Vishnu Purana and Shri bhagwad geeta in which it is mentioned that no god was able to pacify lord narshimha so lord brahma requested Prahlada to worship lord Vishnu and after that Lord Narshimha comes to his original form.
hari bol.
base is there prabhu. complete pastime is described in shiva mahapuran written by none other thatn vedavyasa maharshi.Thing is that puranas are written according to theme that they should give faith in their favorite god. So no complaints from you should be accepted. All gods are equal.
read the puranas of your favorite god and forget the rest.You cant do anything about it.
You are obsessed, why are separating Hindu gods.it’s true. about the sharabha story and accept it.ppl like u only Hindus are suffering in Hindustan.all Hindu gods are great
First f all want to say don’t discriminate between shiva and narayan they are holy powers and beyond our imagination and as far as shrabha story it is true .
who is saying that lord vishnu is the higher authority than lord shiva. I think they unaware of the Ancient text. if it is paltable to them go through Vishnu puran, Skand puran, bhgwat puran, narsinha puran and others. Make it clear from them.
Dear Naresh none of them is superior from other although both lord Vishnu and lord Shiva are equally powerfull so it is not good to compare lord shiva and lord Vishnu as both of them are the devotee of each other i.e Lord shiva always medidates Lord vishnu and lord Vishnu medidates lord shiva
In some manifestations, Trimurthi – the three supreme Gods Lord Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma, dominates one another. For instance, Lord Sri Rama worshipped Lord Shiva before the battle of Lanka (war with Ravana). At last, the good wins over evil. Shiva Thathwa and Vishnu Thathwa is same. All the Hindus (even all human beings) are equal…
hey! rajesh, you should know something that Lord shiva and vishnu both do pooja of each other and both are devotees each other while the Bramha is lower than them and always prays them.
We all know that “Sivaya vishnu roopaya,siva roopaya vishnave, sivasya hridayam vishnum,vishunusha hridayam sivam”. Then why unnecessary fight, as who is superior? Srishti, sthithi and layakaras are Thrmurthies.
wen v go thro the four vedas,”rig veda-sri rudram,”yajur veda -“svetavastara upanishad”,”sama veda-“kena upanishad,”atharvana veda-“mundaka upanishad” one wil come to knw that lord shiva “the one supreme personality”also anusasana parva says the same.
in the brahma samhita its clearly stated
ishwara param krishna, sat-chit-ananda vigraha, anadir adir govindaya, sarva karana karanam – meaning “Krishna who is known as Govinda is the Supreme Godhead. He has an eternal blissful spiritual body. He is the origin of all. He has no other origin and He is the prime cause of all causes” in the padma purana lord shiv himself said to parvati that he is a great devotee of lord mahavishnu… Vishnu is supreme among all u can search in the scriptures and you’ll find it… We can address lord shiv or any other demigod as bhagavan or ishwar but param ishwar (the supreme god) is addressed to Krishna or vishnu only
The superiority of gods i.e lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva varies according to the different mythological books .According to Shiva Purana lord shiva is superior and according to Vishnu Purana lord vishnu is superior so better to accept that both gods are equal and not to fight for the superiority of both these gods are both are the devotees of each other
very interesting debate here is my thought>>>
Rudra and Narayan are derivatives of ParaShiva and the brahmaanda is created by mother Shristi( Shakthi Devi). If you watch Bhakta prahlad film you can see that Narsimha says that Only shiva is supreme god and if anybody(like hiranyakashyap) claims himself as God then I am going to destroy him…I however donot agree that Narsimha was defeated by Sharabadeva because Narsimha is afterall Lord Narayan taking a form of Lion for protecting the Brahmanda (mother’s creation) and restablish dharma…Narayan is the most purest form of ParaShiva like Ghee which is so different from curd or buttermilk and yet derived from the same source(milk). Regarding Lord Veerabhadra he is the Param Vairagya chakravarthi unbounded by all kind of Maya even sansaaar which is bounding everybody else. He, the param vairaagya can only be materialistic to claim more powerful because he beleives in non being (parama Shunyaa- Nonthingness)…..
One should also try to understand why lord narayan took the form of a Wild Boar to rescue Bhoomi(avataaar of Shakthidevi) ?because he beleives from his heart that , He is only a servant….who is there to keep the nature clean…
can u plz tl us in which scripture u hav seen thez things..i hpe ur source of info r nt films or tv serials which r done 4 commercial purposes 2 satisfy all classes of believers lol n v r misguiding n nisleading 2 people believeing in thoz gossips made 4 commerce. bkoz i hav never ever seen or heard abt such things in the scriptures..therez NEVER mentioned of NRSIMHA saying shiv is god n VARAHA never think hez the servant of shiv or watever..instead in the satvic puranas if i remember well its the padma purana, it is said tht all demigods including brahma praised NRSIMHA n addressed him as the destroyer of Rudra.in fact mother srishti u r saying is the inferior energy of MAHAVISHNU knwn as MAHAMAYA as mentioned in the Bhagavat purana, Brahma samahita n other puranas.n by the glance of MAHAVISHNU, SHIV(SHAMBHU) is born n he fertilizes MAYA..the milk n curd ur tlking abt is mentioned by Brahma in the Brahma samahita n its nt at all wat u r saying..He said if VISHNU is considered as milk then SHIV is considered as yogurt.we get yogurt from milk but we cannot extract milk from yogurt..v both r same n different simultaneously but the very source is VISHNU..again SHIV himself declared in many puranas, Bhagavatam n other vedic literatures tht He is the greatest devotee of KRISHNA or VISHNU..SHIV himself tld Parvati tht he meditates on his lord MAHAVISHNU..but therz not mention of VISHNU worshiping SHIV anywhere..VISHNU n SHIV r almost the same but the source n refuge of SHIV is VISHNU n not the contrary..MAHAVISHNU fertilises maya indirectly through SHIV..meaning SHIV is a plenary portion(or expansion) of MAHAVISHNU..all these n much more are mentioned in the vedic literatures..better read the scriptures 2 get the right info instead of believing in films n tv serials made only 2 make money in the name of religion..
We follow Rudra samhita. Not lower valued brahma samhita.And it is the last thing that you want to know, i bet on it. vishnu,’s name is vishwa and shivas name is vishweswara. vishnu always prays to shiva who is root cause to him (shiva creted vishnu). all this is based on vedavyasas shiva mahapuran.shiva is jagannatha natha, vishnu vallabha etc.
om shiva,
I am Very exicted About Of Sharabha raj avtar of Lord shiva, And I want to know more details of sharabh raj
i have Some nformation Of sharabh raj And Also i want to share with all those people,
Sharabha raj have to two Wings, And Devi kali And Devi durga r in two wings,
( !!yasya smaran matren vairanam Samul kul nashanam !!) (jiske smaran matrase shatru ke samast kul ka nash ho jata hain)
Thats means if we r worship of sharabha raj we will not face any probalam regarding our enemy.
sri maha prathyangira devi , adishakthi / atharvana bhadrakali is said to have destroyed sarabeshwaras arogance, she is also known as narasimhika , she swallowed gandaberunda narasimhas avathar and cleaned him. to know more about all details google search for Sri maha prathyangira devi and also see search for sarabeshwara , all will defnitly get clear answers.
my dear athmas lord narayana is the supreme and all other gods or demons or all the universe is in him only. Narayana created brahma and brahma created shiva and vishnu and creator, preserver and destroyer.
lord narasimha incarnation of lord vishnu and killed hiranyakasipu in the form of narasimha then veerabadra siva gana took sarabha body and went fight with narasimha and narasimha took gandaberunda form and killed this sarabha. This u can see at sri ranga temple trichy. Even in the three gods brahma, vishnu and siva, vishnu is most powerful than any other because he is of satva guna.
But narayana is supreme there is no opposite or any energy without him. Understand that.
true story ,lord narsimbha transformed into gandaberunda and he torn apart sarabha in a hundert pieces.then shri narasimhi
9 shri ( laxmi )was only able to bring lord narsimbha back to his shanti form. i have done a lot of research on it.
lord narsimbha ,transformed into gandaberunda tore apart sarabha.i have lot of information regarding this.
Please share such information with us.. It will be helpful for all of us..
from 1992 i started my reacherch on gandabherunda ,narsimbha and prathyangira devi . i visited many places and collected much rare and valuable information which are not known to every person . in A.P their is a ancient temple of asta mukha garundabherunda centerly located in forest . i will provide you some photos ,texts and scripts that will help you to know about lord narsimbha and lord sarabha fight . but i want to tell you all that lord narsimbha was not defeated or killed by sarabha . lord sarabha took narsimbha with the help of his legs and lord narsimbha realized that it was lord shiva . lord narsimbha joined his hand before lord sarabha but lord sarabha did not pay any attension to it and tried to tear lord narsimba. after that lord narsimbha created gandabherunda a two head bird . the gandabherunda was swallowed by prathyangira devi as a result lord narsimbha him self transformed in to asta mukha gandabherunda and tore sarabha . lord narsimbha became calm when devi sat on his lap.
hey did u read shri shri chandi there goddess durga says that s
he is the eternal power of universe she gave brahma vishnu and mahesh their powers
Calm down guys.. Truth is some thing which is to be discovered by self.Shaivas and vaishnavas always says things differently Do chanting and meditation on god and find out truth by yourself.
First things first. Lord Ram never prayed to Lord Shiva. Its a false inclusion in the later versions of Ramayana. Pls refer to the original text of Ramayana wirtten by Rishi Balmiki. There is no such mention of Ram praying to Lord Shiva any where. It is only later in later versions that this apwaad came up… continue reading this comment Lord Ram never prayed to Lord Shiva?.
Oh god pl help these poor souls who claim that their religions which they follow is great. It is pity that people go further to the level of claiming that, the god whom they worship is great.
But I really feel for Lord Brahma who was always tormented in almost all puranas. Take the case of Shiv Purana, Lord Shiva beheads lord brahma’s one head.
In Vishnu purana he is considered to be a person always running for help to his creator Lord Mahavishnu. Much worse is in Skanda Purana Lord Muruga puts him behind bar for not explaining the tatva of Pranava Mantra OM. Even lord Shiva was made to behave like a student in knowing the secret from Lord Skanda who actually originated from his third eye. Often we find in shiv purana that the incarnations of lord vishnu have always been dominated by lord shiva and established his supremacy. Lord Sarabeshwar for Lord Narasimha. Another one for Kurma Avatar. Halahala venom could not be taken by anyone except lord shiva. But if we see devi purana, that establishes devi as the supreme personality of godhead who created the trimurtis. It was prathyankira devi who aided Lord Sarabeshwar in subduing lord narasimha. Never get confused by the onesided puranas that always self-centre one particular god. If u read Lord Ganesh’s there u find Ganesh to be the main God. Never forget that God is one, that supreme soul was responsible for the creation of all the living beings(human-beings{hindus, christians, muslims, sikhs, buddhists, etc are governed by that supreme soul}).
Some call Krishna, some Vishnu, some Shiva, some Sakthi, some Skanda, some Ganesha, Some Durga, Some Lakshmi, some Jehovah, some Jesus, some Mary, some Allah, some Buddha and the list goes on. The supreme soul is called by different names. Let’s not be diverted and divided by some exaggerations that appear in different mythologies.
dont give this types of articles, everything is lie i dnt who mentiond this sharabheshwara role there is no any sharabheshwara in vedas,puranas & nobody mentioned earlier.dont confuse people & stop this noncense.
Lord Vishnu & Lord Shiva is One and the Same.
Lord Vishnu is in Shiva Heart and Lord Shiva is in Visnus Heart.
Shivaya Vishnu Roopaya & Shiva Roopaya Vishnu Roopaya…..
Finally Shiva is Stronger than Lord Vishanu depending on circumstances & situation and Lord Vishnu is Stronger than Lord Shiva depending on circumstanced & situation.
VISHNU IS SHIVA & SHIVA IS VISHNU……
PLEASE PRAY TO BOTH THE MIGHTY GODS!!!!!!
Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu play their games to kill demons. Point is not to prove who is strong. They never tried to pro ve that they are the strongest. They always did their best for “Loka Kalyana”. Please stop thinking who is strongest. Even if you pray Lord Vishnu or Lord Shiva, they wont bless you to prove their strengths but rather on deeds what you do. Trust and belief on the any god you pray is required.
Any one can help me gandanbarunda narashima and sharabheswara photos and pooja please
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