Yoga Narasimha, Vishnu's Man-Lion Incarnation

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Narasimha was an avatar of Vishnu who appeared on earth to slay the evil ruler Hiranyakashipu, who believed himself to be invincible after tricking Brahma into granting him a protective spell. Narasimha is venerated as an embodiment of valor and martial strength; here, he assumes the pose of a meditative yogi after successfully outwitting and slaying the evil king. Narasimha is thus praised as the bringer of peace and order to the world of men. As a meditative yogi, Narasimha assumed Vishnu’s four-armed form and would have carried Vishnu’s weapons—the discus (chakra) and conch—in his raised hands; his lower hands rest passively in meditation.

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Met's collection of Asian art—more than 35,000 objects, ranging in date from the third millennium B.C. to the twenty-first century—is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the world. Each of the many civilizations of Asia is represented by outstanding works, providing an unrivaled experience of the artistic traditions of nearly half the world.

Metropolitan Museum of Art