Sharabha (Sanskrit: शरभ, Śarabha) or Sarabha is an eight-legged part-lion and part-bird deity in Hindu religion, who is described as more powerful than a lion or an elephant, possessing the ability to clear a valley in one jump in Sanskrit literature. In later literature, Sharabha is described as an eight-legged deer.[1][2]
The Shaiva scriptures narrate that the deity Shiva assumed the form of Sharabha to pacify Narasimha - the fierce man-lion avatar of Vishnu worshipped by the Vaishnava sect. This form is popularly known as Sharabheshvara ("Lord Sharabha") or Sharabheshvaramurti.[3] Vaishnavas refute the portrayal of Narasimha as being destroyed by Shiva-Sharabha, and regard Sharabha as a name of Vishnu. Some Vaishnava scriptures such as the Narasimha Purana suggest that Vishnu assumed the form of the ferocious two-headed bird Gandabherunda, who in turn defeated Sharabha.[4]
In Buddhism, Sharabha appears in Jataka Tales as an earlier birth of the Buddha. It also appears in Tibetan Buddhist art, symbolizing the perfection of effort. As a figure of power and majesty, Sharabha has appeared in numerous emblems.
- ^ Pattanaik, Devdutt (2006). Shiva to Shankara decoding the phallic symbol. Indus Source. pp. 123–124. ISBN 978-81-88569-04-5.
{{cite book}}:|work=ignored (help) - ^ "शरभ". Monier Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary. p. 1057. Archived from the original on 26 February 2012. Retrieved 18 January 2010.
- ^ Waradpande, N. R. (2000). The mythical Aryans and their invasion. Books & Books. pp. 43, 46. ISBN 978-81-85016-57-3. Retrieved 9 January 2010.
{{cite book}}:|work=ignored (help) - ^ Narayan, Aiyangar. Essays On Indo-Aryan Mythology-Vol. Asian Educational Services. p. 252. ISBN 978-81-206-0140-6.