The Myths of Narasimha and Vamana: Two Avatars in Cosmological Perspective

by Deborah A. Soifer

Book Overview

The Sanskrit Puranas and epics are replete with stories of the avatars, incarnations of the god Visnu in various forms to rid the universe of malevolent forces and to restore the proper cosmic balance. As Narasimha, half-man half-lion, Visnu finds a loophole in the pact of invulnerability the demon Hiranaipu has received from god Brahma, and rends the demon apart with his claws. As the brahmin dwarf, Vamana, Visnu deceives the demon Bali with his...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0791407993
• ISBN13: 9780791407998
• Release Date: November 1991
• Publisher: State University of New York Press
• Length: 321 Pages
• Weight: 1.35 lbs.