Narasimha Purāṇa

The Narasimha Purāṇa is one of the eighteen minor Purāṇas, devoted to the Narasimha (man-lion) avatāra of Vishnu, who appeared to protect the devotee Prahlāda and destroy the demon Hiranyakashipu.

Overview

The text narrates the story of Prahlāda’s devotion to Vishnu despite the persecution by his father Hiranyakashipu, and Vishnu’s dramatic appearance as Narasimha to slay the demon. It contains approximately 6,000 verses and is primarily a Vaiṣṇava text.

Content and Structure

The Narasimha Purāṇa recounts the complete narrative of the Narasimha avatāra, from the curse of the sages upon Hiranyakashipu to the final liberation of Prahlāda. It includes hymns in praise of Narasimha, instructions for his worship, and descriptions of the benefits of devotion to this form of Vishnu.

Significance

The text is significant for its development of the Narasimha mythology, which became extremely popular in medieval Hinduism. The Narasimha avatāra is one of the most widely worshipped forms of Vishnu, and this Purāṇa provided the scriptural basis for his cult.

Verification Notes

• Classified as an Upa-purāṇa (minor Purāṇa).
• Audited against Wikipedia (September 2026).