Retelling Nara Sinha's Myth

You can read about Narasimha on wikipedia. He is considered the fourth avatar of the Hindu god Vishnu. He incarnated as a part-lion, part-man to kill a tyrant named Hiranyakshipu, thereby restoring balance.

He is one of 10 or 12 avatars of Vishnu, depending on your source. Vishnu is the energy of the universe as embodied by his blue skin, representing the cosmos or oceans. Consider for a moment that the Buddha is also an avatar of Vishnu.

Narasimha is worshipped in India to this day. He is known as a fierce deity with strong shakti energy. He is a protector god, a master of Yoga and time.

I was researching lion-headed or lion-related warriors and heroes in Indian (subcontinental) ancient history when I came across his story. His character intrigued. He seems to pop in and out of Hindu mythology, usually to confront an unstoppable force.

I decided he would define one of my characters in my retelling. I would maintain the essence of how he and the characters of his story are perceived. He is wild and independent. He stands apart from the pantheon of Hindu gods. On occasion, he needs to be calmed down as he is known for his righteous anger.

In A Lion's Head, he is a construct of the gods. This is the beginning of his journey. He is simply Sinha, a character naive about relationships, yet holding a seed of the Tree of Knowledge. He is appreciated for his defeat of Hiranyakshipu and yet he is feared. He is recognized by the humans he has saved, yet he is pushed to stand on a pedestal. He has no family to fall back on. He is alone.

Through my writing, he experiences the joys of friendship and family. Through his choices he becomes legendary, embodying the god that is worshipped today.

A Lion's Head By D.M. De Alwis

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.

Here's a link to the introduction and first chapter.

A Lion’s Head | Pawn of Samsara

A LION’S HEAD is a retelling of the mythology of Nara Sinha. In my version of events, he is an immortal who lives for over 1,000 years. His mortal enemy is Mahishasura, the Water Buffalo Demon. The book sets up both characters in their mutual hatred.

The Erudite BookwormD.M. De Alwis