Narasimha Disemboweling Hiranyakashipu

Description

The work is held in the permanent collection of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, having entered the institution via the Nasli and Alice Heeramaneck Collection.

Historical context

This striking miniature captures the profound moment of divine intervention when Lord Vishnu descends in his ferocious Narasimha avatar (part man and part lion) to dismantle the tyranny of the demon king Hiranyakashipu. The painting resonates with the cosmic truth that righteousness shall always prevail over arrogance. With a steady hand, the artist depicts the climactic resolution of the devotee Prahlad's suffering, as the Lord humbles the demon within the threshold of his own palace. The vibrant yellow backdrop signifies the illumination of truth, while the delicate figures of Prahlad and his family add a layer of human devotion to the unfolding miracle.