Retelling Nara Sinha's Origins
This is the story of Vishnu's avatar, Nara Simha, written to illustrate karma, reincarnation, time and the universe.
Narasimha is the fourth avatar of the Hindu God Vishnu. He was created as the solution to a riddle of invincibility—built part-lion, part-man—to kill a tyrant named Hiranyakshipu.
The era in which the story begins predates the Hindu trinity of Gods called Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. Instead, we have Lords Ishwara, God of Reality; Sakka (also known as Indra), King of the Gods; and Surya, God of the Sun. They are named in ancient Buddhist and Hindu texts.
Narasimha is worshipped in India and is known for being a fierce deity with strong shakti energy. He is a protector god, a master of Yoga and time.
Background for the Duology
I was researching lion-headed or lion-related warriors and heroes of the Indian subcontinent when I came across Narasimha's story. He appears in and out of Hindu mythology, usually called on by the Gods to confront an unstoppable force.
He is reputed to inhabit at least one forest in India.
He also appears in statues and carvings from across the globe, often battling a bull-headed man.
Sinha is one of the pillars for the series. Wild, independent, with a fierce temper, he is an outlier from the pantheon of Hindu Gods who can attest to having a 'parentage'. I use this term loosely as sometimes 'parentage' is defined by creation from a dreadlock pulled from the head of Shiva. In the hierarchy of gods he is an outlier. He has no family to fall back on. He is alone.
A Lion's Head, is the beginning of his journey. He is simply Sinha, a character new to the world around him, with access to all the universe's knowledge.
Through his actions he becomes legendary, embodying the god that is worshipped today.
A LION'S HEAD and A LION'S PRIDE are works of fiction inspired by mythology.
The Long Road Ahead
Yes. Before that can happen, there are battles between Mahishasura and Narasimha—two invinciables—in the build up to the former's defeat by Dhurga. Be assured, the series will touch on her tale as well, in an unexpected way.
Because my original story included a lion-man hybrid taking an errant princess for a wife and having a pair of twins who would parent the founder of the Sinhalese people, for more on that story, see Vijaya's story.
I needed a hybrid lion-man for Prince Vijaya of Lanka's origins. More to come on this but for the curious, check out Myths & Samsara.
The Pawn of Samsara Duology
Two hybrids were created to serve and protect. Their success is tempered by circumstance. Both are cut loose, abandoned, and left alone to find their way through Samsara.
Who would desire a fierce lion at their hearth? Sinha is a young immortal asura with the power to transform between the forms of a lion and a man. Struggling with identity, he gravitates to the familiar, which turns out to be the reincarnations of his long-dead companions.
What price would you pay to safeguard your loved ones? The Water Buffalo God, Isha is playing with fire when his ambition lands him a coveted role under the Asura King. Good intentions pave the path to hell. Isha is slow to realize his mistake. He is out of time. Cursed, he descends into madness.
Sinha could save him, but will his efforts be enough? Destinies entwined, the knots of Samsara take hold.
The Pawn of Samsara is a duology: A LION'S HEAD (Fall 2025) and A LION'S PRIDE (Spring 2026).
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