# Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva > [!summary] > *Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva is the fourteenth incarnation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, appearing in the transcendental form of half-man and half-lion. He appeared from within a pillar in the assembly hall of Hiraṇyakaśipu to protect His devotee Prahlāda Mahārāja and to kill the powerful demon who had terrorized the three worlds. The Lord's appearance fulfilled all the benedictions granted to Hiraṇyakaśipu by Lord Brahmā — killing him at twilight (neither day nor night), on His lap (neither land nor sky), with His nails (neither weapon nor hand), being neither fully beast nor fully man. After killing Hiraṇyakaśipu, the Lord's anger was so intense that even Lord Brahmā and Lord Śiva dared not approach Him — only the humble prayers of Prahlāda could pacify Him.* ![[images/all-catalogs/0050_SB-7-2-4.jpg]] ## The Fourteenth Incarnation Among the celebrated incarnations of the Supreme Lord, Nṛsiṁhadeva appeared as the fourteenth. The Lord bifurcated the strong body of the atheist Hiraṇyakaśipu with His nails, just as a carpenter pierces cane. ![[sb/1/3/18#translation]] ## Appearance from the Pillar When Hiraṇyakaśipu challenged his son Prahlāda, asking whether God was present in the pillar, the Lord immediately appeared to prove that His devotee's statement was true — the Supreme Lord is indeed present everywhere. The form that emerged was wonderful beyond description, neither fully a man nor fully a lion. ![[sb/7/8/17]] ## Killing Hiraṇyakaśipu The demon Hiraṇyakaśipu had received benedictions that he could not be killed by any weapon, on land or in the sky, during day or night, by man or beast. Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva killed him at twilight, on His lap, with His nails — paradoxically fulfilling all of Lord Brahmā's boons while demonstrating that the Lord's will is supreme. ![[sb/7/8/29]] ## The Lord's Transcendental Anger After killing Hiraṇyakaśipu, the Lord remained in an extremely angry mood. Even the greatest demigods — Lord Brahmā, Lord Śiva, and all the celestial beings — dared not approach Him. Only Prahlāda Mahārāja, the Lord's pure devotee, could pacify His anger. ![[sb/7/9/1]] ## Prahlāda's Humble Prayers Pushed forward by the assembled demigods, young Prahlāda approached the fearsome Lord with complete humility. Though qualified to offer the most exalted prayers, Prahlāda considered himself unfit, having been born in a family of demons. This humility is the hallmark of a pure devotee. ![[sb/7/9/8]] ## Protection of Devotees The appearance of Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva demonstrates the Supreme Lord's unfailing protection of His devotees. Despite all attempts by the powerful demon to kill the five-year-old Prahlāda — throwing him from cliffs, placing him in fire, casting him among serpents — the Lord protected His devotee and finally appeared to end the demon's reign of terror. ## From the Scriptures **Srimad-Bhagavatam, Canto 7** — The complete narrative: - [[sb/7/8|SB 7.8: Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva Slays the King of the Demons]] — The appearance and killing - [[sb/7/9|SB 7.9: Prahlāda Pacifies Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva with Prayers]] — Prahlāda's prayers **Key Verses:** - [[sb/1/3/18|SB 1.3.18]] — The fourteenth incarnation - [[sb/7/8/17|SB 7.8.17]] — Appearance from the pillar - [[sb/7/8/29|SB 7.8.29]] — Killing Hiraṇyakaśipu - [[sb/7/9/1|SB 7.9.1]] — The Lord's anger - [[sb/7/9/8|SB 7.9.8]] — Prahlāda's humble prayers **Sri Caitanya-caritamrta:** - [[cc/madhya/9/66|Madhya 9.66]] — Temple of Nṛsiṁhadeva ## Related Articles - [[wiki/articles/prahlada-maharaja|Prahlāda Mahārāja]] — The devotee He protected - [[wiki/articles/the-role-of-demigods|The role of demigods]] — Who could not pacify Him - [[wiki/articles/surrender-to-the-lord|Surrender to the Lord]] — The protection of devotees - [[wiki/articles/the-qualifications-of-a-devotee|The qualifications of a devotee]] — Prahlāda's humility ## From the Index - [[index/entries/nrsimhadeva-lord|Nṛsiṁhadeva, Lord]] — Index entry (101 references) - [[index/meta/incarnations|Incarnations]] — Avatāras of the Lord