Sanskrit प्रत्यङ्गिरा Texts Atharvaveda | Mount Simha (lion) | |
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Tamil script பிரத்யங்கிரா
Kannada = Prathyangira Devi Affiliation Devi, Associated with Shakti Weapon Trishula (trident), Shankha (conch shell), Chakra (discus), Gada (mace) | ||
Pratyangira (Sanskrit: प्रत्यङ्गिरा; Pratyaṅgirā, IPA: / 'Pratyangira/) or sometimes called Prathyangira, Narasimhi or Narashimhika, is a Hindu Goddess associated with Shakti, the Hindu concept of eternal energy. She is described as a goddess with a lioness's face and a human body. This combination of lion and human forms represents the balance of good and evil.
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In Hindu Epics
Prathyangira is also mentioned in the Hindu epic Ramayana. Indrajit was performing "Nikumbala yaga" (a sacred ritual to worship Prathyangira) while Rama and his soldiers were waging war in Lanka. Hanuman came down to stop this ritual because he knew that if Indrajit completed it, he would become invincible.
Pratyangira Devi Homam (Havan)
Havan dedicated to Pratyangira devi is performed at many places for the welfare of the people and for eliminating the influences of evil forces. In some temples Pratyangira Devi Homam (Havan) is performed on days of Amavasya.