Prathyangira, the powerful

Prathyangira also known as Atharvana Bhadrakali and Narasimhi is the destroyer of evil. Legend says that Prathyangira is described as a powerful goddess with a male lion's face. She has a female human body representing the union of Shiva and Shakthi. This combination of lion and human forms represents the balance of good and evil.

Another legend says that in ancient times when two rishis, Prathiyangira and Angiras, were meditating they re-discovered a Goddess through a Moola mantra who was nameless. Later She privileged the rishis by naming Herself after them and hence She was called as Prathyangira Devi. Narasimhi is another name of Hers. 'Nara' means human and 'Simha' means lion, so she got named thus as She appears with a lion's face and a human body.

She is belived to bestow enormous mental strength upon her devotees. Here is the mantra in honour of the Devi:

Om Hreem Yaam Kalpayandhinoraya
Kruthyaam Krooram Vadhuramive
Hraamdhaam Brahmhanaa Avanirnuthma
Prathyak karthaaram chadhu