Narasimha

Narasimha is an avatar or incarnation of Lord Vishnu. He is one of the 10 major incarnations (Dashavatar) of Lord Vishnu. Narasimha is the fourth avatar out of the ten dashavatars.

Hiranyakashipu's boon
Hiranyakashipu was Hiranyaksha's younger brother. As his brother was slain by Varaha, Hiranyakashipu was very much angered. He decided to perform a penance to Lord Brahma in order to ask for a boon. After years of meditation, Lord Brahma appeared before him and asked him for his boon. Hiranyakashipu replied that he should not be slain by any man or animal or god, not at day time or night time, not with any weapons, neither inside nor outside and not above or below the ground. Brahma granted his boon. Satisfied that there was no one who can kill him, Hiranyakashipu started to wreck havoc in all the worlds.

Prahlada
Hiranyakashipu had a son named Prahlada. Prahlada was an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu. He had heard of Lord Vishnu and his tales from Narada when he was in his mother's womb. Hiranyakashipu didn't like the fact that his own son was a devotee of his father's enemy. So he instructed many scholars to make his son forget about Lor Vishnu. But Prahlad refused to budge, making the others find peace in the lord's name. So, Hiranyakashipu tried of many ways to kill his son. But all the methods failed. One fine day, Hiranyakashipu brought Prahlad to a hall in the palace and asked him why he would always pray to his enemy. Prahlad replied telling about all the deeds of Lord Vishnu. Hiranyakashipu argues that if the lord is omnipresent, then why don't he appear. Prahlad tells that he is present everywhere and doesn't have to appear. So 0, Hiranyakashipu breaks a pillar nearby, to check if Vishnu is present or not. A blinding white light appears from the crack and Lord Vishnu, in the form of Narasimha, appears in front of them.

Slaying of Hiranyakashipu
Narasimha appears in a ferocious form, half-lion and half-man, with sharp claws and teeth that of a predator. He wrestles Hiranyakashipu, bringing him to his lap, bringing him to the entrance of the hall. He then, tears open Hiranyakashipu's body with his claws and teeth and kills him.

Pacifying Narasimha
Narasimha is very angry, he hunts for blood. Many gods and goddesses tried to pacify him, but failed. The gods, the went to Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, Lord Vishnu's wife. She claims that the only person who can pacify him will be Prahlada, as he is the one who called out to him. The gods go to Prahlada for help. Prahlada pacifies Narasimha, much to the happiness of the gods. Narasimha and the gods crown Prahlada, the king and bless him.

Etymology
The word Narasimha is comprised of two words, 'nara' and 'simha'. 'Nara' in sanskrit mean 'man' and 'simha' means 'lion'. Thus, Narasimha mean man-lion.