Iconography of Narasimha

Sri Veetrirundha Perumal Temple at Thirumozhisai et al of Narasimha and Sudarsana . Up to the seventh century AD, the narasimha Icons had two hands only. After that Period of Pallavas, the Iconography of Narasimha became complex with his Form having 16 and even 32 hands. The two-in-one icon came into vogue by daring sculptors. Narasimha-Sudarsana and Subrahmanya-Lakshmi Narasimha are two such creations. The latter is a very rare one seen in atemple 30 miles to the North of Bangalore and is known as Ghati Subrahmanya. According to the iconographic traditions, Subrahmanya faces east and Natrasimha faces West.

Now , Coming back to Sudarsana -Narasimha vigraha follow the Vighanasa and Pancharatra Agama stipulations on Narasimha Iconography. According to Vaikanasa Agama, Narasimhan has to be worshipped in 4 Places , namely, below the earth,in pillars, on hills and in Sudarsana. Presence of Narasimha inside the Sudarsana wheel is pointed out by Padma Samhita(31 and 257) .Narasimha isconsidered as residing in the heart of Sudarsana. THe Sudarsana disc(wheel )itself is recognized as a form of Vishnu (ie) he being present as Chakra rupi.

Thus in worshipping Sudarsana chakra, we not only worship Narasimha , but also Vishnu in all other forms.