Sharaba

In Hindu belief, god Shiva took the form of a Sharaba, which is part-lion, part-human and part-bird. In this fierce form, Shiva is known as Sarabheswara.

Sarabheswara engaged god Narasimha, an Avatar of god Vishnu in combat, in order to quell Narasimha's terrifying rage, which had not dissipated even after Narasimha had slain the wicked Rakshasa king Hiranyakashipu.

Very soon Narasimha realised that the Sharaba was none other than Shiva. He saluted the Sharabha, shed his wrath and became pleasant to be worshiped by Prahlada and other devotees.

The image of two Sharabhas guarding the entrance is common in many south Indian Shiva temples.The animals are also present in the and the Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Limited(KSDL). [cite web|url=http://www.mysoresandal.co.in/profile.html|title=Sharabha-The KSDL Emblem|accessdate=2007-07-18]

Notes

External links

* [http://education.vsnl.com/skandashramam/tambaram.html to see an Image of Lord Sarabhesvara]