Navagunjara

Considered an astral form of the god Vishnu or Krishna, this mythical being is composed of nine different animals; head of a rooster, neck of a peacock, hump of a bull, waist of a lion, tail of a serpent, a raised human arm carrying a lotus/wheel, foreleg of an elephant and hindlegs of a deer and a tiger. In the Odia edition of Mahabharata, Arjuna encountered the Navagunjara while doing penance. With fear, he raise his bow, ready to shoot the mysterious creature. However, Arjuna later identifies Navagunjara as an avatar of Lord Krishna (or a manifestation of Lord Vishnu), bowing before the strange creature as a sign of respect. Navagunjara teaches us about the unity and diversity of all life. Besides, this being is thought the be the representation of dharma. Through the Navagunjara, one learns to comprehend the profound truth that all beings are part of the same divine essence.