Tradition / Region: Indian Mythology
Alternative names: Gaṇḍabheruṇḍa
Category: Bird
The Myth
Gandabherunda is the fearsome two-headed eagle form assumed by Vishnu as Narasimha. The immense bird possesses overwhelming strength, capable of carrying elephants in its talons and beaks.
After Narasimha slew the demon king Hiranyakashipu, his terrible fury threatened the stability of the universe. To restore peace, Shiva took the form of the mighty beast Sharabha and confronted him. Narasimha answered by transforming into the colossal Gandabherunda, and the two divine beings fought a battle that lasted eighteen days.
On the final day, Gandabherunda overpowered Sharabha while also destroying Hiranyakashipu. With the conflict ended, Narasimha’s wrath subsided. Sharabha offered his own hide as a mark of respect, which Gandabherunda accepted before restoring it to him. Having brought peace back to the universe, the two resumed their true forms as Vishnu and Shiva and returned to their heavenly realms of Vaikuntha and Kailasha.
Sources
“Gandabherunda.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Accessed July 27, 2026. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gandabherunda