naArasimHaVapu sreEmaAn kesAvaH puRusHottaMa

Lion is a symbol of royalty and power. 

Lord Vishnu assumed the form of half man and half lion in his Narasimha Avathara.

Specific purpose of this avathara was...

protection of his devotee Prahlada from his demon father Hiranyakasipa;

to establish a point and to make true the words of his devotee "the existence (omnipresence) of God everywhere".

Prahlada’s episode proves that, God will always come to the rescue of his devotees who prays him with sincere devotion.

Vishnu Sahasra Nama Stothram describe Lord Vishnu as....

> 'NaarasimhaVapu Sreemaan Kesavah Purushottama'

Meaning...

He is the one who has taken a rare and unique form of a man and a lion whose worship will eradicate the ignorance;

possessor of Goddess of wealth Sri Maha Lakshmi who always dwells in his chest;

one who has beautiful and charming hair;

the giver of knowledge to Gods;

greatest among all Purushas;

the Supreme Soul who is omnipotent and omniscient;

Lord Sri Krushna says in Bhagavadgeeta that he is the Lion (Mrugaanaam cha Mrugendro-aham) among the animals.

Sri Venkatesha Stothram from Brahmanda Purana eulogizes Lord Venkateswara (Srinivasa) as...

> "SreeNrusimho MahaaSimhah Sootraakaarah Puraathanah"

Meaning.........

With Goddess Lakshmi Devi (Sri) by His side SrinnivaAsa is Shaanta Swaroopa (SriNrusimha);

While killing Hiranyakasipa He was Ugra Narasimha (MahaSimha) and even during the great deluge (Pralaya).

He is the supporter to the entire universe and its beings like a Soothrakara; like a suutra (thread) in a necklace of beads.

He is very ancient God (Sanatana) who is in existence since time immemorial.

On the third day morning of Tirumala Srivari Brahmotsavam festival; Lord Venkateswara (Malayappa Swamy) is taken out in procession on Lion symbol as his vehicle.

Riding on Simha Vaahana Lord Venkateswara is depicted as,

a great protector at the time of need.
He is the God of Gods; 
Mruthyu for the Mruthyu.

"I surrender and bow to Lord Venkateswara (Sri Nrusimha);
> who is ferocious and heroic; 
> who is Maha Vishnu; 
> who is radiant and glowing from all sides; 
> who is omnipresent; 
> who is terrific; 
> who is adorable; 
> who bestows auspiciousness and 
> who is the death of death personified".

shrIramaNikarakamala pUjita
chArucharaNa sarOja brahma sa
mIra vANi phaNIMdra vIMdra bhavEMdra mukha vinuta
nIrajabhavAMDOdaya sthiti
kAraNane kaivalya dAyaka
nArasiMhane namipe karuNipudhemage maMgaLava...

(HarikathaAmruthasaara- Mangalacharana Sandhi)

MEANING.....

Salutations and appeal to the most compassionate and Supreme God Lakshmi Narasimha;

who is the consort of Goddess Lakshmi Devi (Sri Ramani) who is always in the service of Her Lord (Vishnu) with her lotus like hands;

the Lord who is the cause of this Universe - Srishti - Sthithi - Laya;

who is worshipped/eulogized by Brahma, Vaayu, Saraswathi/Bharati Devi, Sesha, Garuda, Rudra, Indraadi Devatas;

the one who grants mukthi (moksha);

to bless us with all auspiciousness/mangala to the,

one who surrenders at His lotus feet;

Harey Sriinivaasa...
Hari Sarvottama - Vaayu Jeevottama
Sri GururaajoVijayate🙏🙏