appearance - Blog - ISKCON Desire Tree | IDT2024-03-28T15:22:43Zhttps://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/feed/tag/appearanceSrila Bhaktisiddhanta’s Appearance – Srila Prabhupada Explains His Poetryhttps://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/srila-bhaktisiddhanta-s-appearance-srila-prabhupada-explains-his-2024-02-29T09:30:00.000Z2024-02-29T09:30:00.000ZISKCON Desire Treehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/members/iskcon_desire_tree<div><p><em><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}10139717100,RESIZE_584x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="10139717100?profile=RESIZE_584x" width="450" /></em>Dhruva Maharaja dasa: I put this slideshow/video together for a class on Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati’s Appearance day this Saturday at the Alachua Temple of Srila Prabhupada explaining his famous Vyasa-puja Offering poetry from 1936. I think devotees may appreciate Prabhupada explaining reasons for using various phrases in that offering.</p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iBoX_qZTlhQ" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /> <br /> <strong>Source: </strong><a href="http://www.dandavats.com/?p=71884">http://www.dandavats.com/?p=71884</a></p></div>Sripad Madhvacarya – Appearance By Jaya Tirtha Caran Dasahttps://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/sripad-madhvacarya-appearance-by-jaya-tirtha-caran-dasa2023-10-24T09:30:00.000Z2023-10-24T09:30:00.000ZISKCON Desire Treehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/members/iskcon_desire_tree<div><p><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}2515144282,RESIZE_584x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="2515144282?profile=RESIZE_584x" width="500" /></p>
<p>“Sripada Madhvacarya took his birth at Udupi, which is situated in the South Kanarada district of South India, just west of Sahyadri. This is the chief city of the South Kanarada province and is near the city of Mangalore, which is situated to the south of Udupi. In the city of Udupi is a place called Pajaka-ksetra, where Madhvacarya took his birth in a Sivalli-brahmana dynasty as the son of Madhyageha Bhatta, in the year 1040 Sakabda (A.D. 1119). According to some, he was born in the year 1160 Sakabda (A.D. 1239).</p>
<p>In his childhood Madhvacarya was known as Vasudeva, and there are some wonderful stories surrounding him. It is said that once when his father had piled up many debts, Madhvacarya converted tamarind seeds into actual coins to pay them off. When he was five years old, he was offered the sacred thread. A demon named Maniman lived near his abode in the form of a snake, and at the age of five Madhvacarya killed that snake with the toe of his left foot. When his mother was very much disturbed, he would appear before her in one jump. He was a great scholar even in childhood, and although his father did not agree, he accepted sannyasa at the age of twelve. Upon receiving sannyasa from Acyuta Preksa, he received the name Purnaprajna Tirtha. After traveling all over India, he finally discussed scriptures with Vidyasankara, the exalted leader of Srngeri-matha. Vidyasankara was actually diminished in the presence of Madhvacarya. Accompanied by Satya Tirtha, Madhvacarya went to Badarikasrama. It was there that he met Vyasadeva and explained his commentary on the Bhagavad-gita before him. Thus he became a great scholar by studying before Vyasadeva.</p>
<p>By the time he came to the Ananda-matha from Badarikasrama,Madhvacarya had finished his commentary on the Bhagavad-gita. His companion Satya Tirtha wrote down the entire commentary. When Madhvacarya returned from Badarikasrama, he went to Ganjama, which is on the bank of the river Godavari. There he met with two learned scholars named Sobhana Bhatta and Svami Sastri.Later these scholars became known in the disciplic succession of Madhvacarya as Padmanabha Tirtha and Narahari Tirtha.</p>
<p>When he returned to Udupi, he would sometimes bathe in the ocean. On such an occasion he composed a prayer in five chapters. Once, while sitting beside the sea engrossed in meditation upon Lord Sri Krsna, he saw that a large boat containing goods for Dvaraka was in danger. He gave some signs by which the boat could approach the shore, and it was saved. The owners of the boat wanted to give him a present, and at the time Madhvacarya agreed to take some gopi-candana. He received a big lump of gopi-candana, and as it was being brought to him, it broke apart and revealed a large Deity of Lord Krsna. The Deity had a stick in one hand and a lump of food in the other. As soon as Madhvacarya received the Deity of Krsna in this way, he composed a prayer. The Deity was so heavy that not even thirty people could lift it. Madhvacarya personally brought this Deity to Udupi. Madhvacarya had eight disciples, all of whom took sannyasa from him and became directors of his eight monasteries.Worship of the Lord Krsna Deity is still going on at Udupi according to the plans Madhvacarya established.</p>
<p>Madhvacarya then for the second time visited Badarikasrama. While he was passing through Maharashtra, the local king was digging a big lake for the public benefit. As Madhvacarya passed through that area with his disciples, he was also obliged to help in the excavation. After some time, when Madhvacarya visited the king, he engaged the king in that work and departed with his disciples.</p>
<p>Often in the province of Ganga-pradesa there were fights between Hindus and Muslims. The Hindus were on one bank of the river, and the Muslims on the other. Due to the community tension, no boat was available for crossing the river. The Muslim soldiers were always stopping passengers on the other side, but Madhvacarya did not care for these soldiers. He crossed the river anyway, and when he met the soldiers on the other side, he was brought before the king. The Muslim king was so pleased with him that he wanted to give him a kingdom and some money, but Madhvacarya refused. While walking on the road, he was attacked by some dacoits, but by his bodily strength he killed them all. When his companion Satya Tirtha was attacked by a tiger, Madhvacarya separated them by virtue of his great strength. When he met Vyasadeva, he received from him the salagrama-sila known as Astamurti. After this, he summarized the Mahabharata.</p>
<p>It was reputed that there was no limit to the bodily strength of Purnaprajna, Madhvacarya. There was a person named Kadanjari who was famed for possessing the strength of thirty men. Madhvacarya placed the big toe of his foot upon the ground and asked the man to separate it from the ground, but the great strong man could not do so even after great effort. Srila Madhvacarya passed from this material world at the age of eighty while writing a commentary on the Aitareya Upanisad. For further information about Madhvacarya, one should read Madhva-vijaya, by Narayanacarya.</p>
<p>The acaryas of the Madhva-sampradaya established Udupi as the chief center, and the monastery there was known as Uttararadhi-matha. A list of the different centers of the Madhvacarya-sampradaya can be found at Udupi, and their matha commanders are (1) Visnu Tirtha (Soda-matha), (2) Janardana Tirtha (Krsnapura-matha), (3) Vamana Tirtha (Kanura-matha), (4) Narasimha Tirtha (Adamara-matha), (5) Upendra Tirtha (Puttugi-matha), (6) Rama Tirtha (Sirura-matha), (7) Hrsikesa Tirtha (Palimara-matha), and (8) Aksobhya Tirtha (Pejavara-matha). The disciplic succession of the Madhvacarya-sampradaya is as follows (the dates are those of birth):<br /> (1) Hamsa Paramatma; (2) Caturmukha Brahma; (3) Sanakadi; (4) Durvasa; (5) Jnananidhi; (6) Garuda-vahana; (7) Kaivalya Tirtha; (8) Jnanesa Tirtha;<br /> (9) Para Tirtha; (10) Satyaprajna Tirtha; (11) Prajna Tirtha; (12) Acyuta Preksacarya Tirtha; (13) Sri Madhvacarya, 1040 Saka; (14) Padmanabha, 1120; Narahari, 1127; Madhava, 1136; and Aksobhya 1159; (15) Jaya Tirtha, 1167; (16) Vidyadhiraja, 1190; (17) Kavindra, 1255; (18)Vagisa, 1261; (19) Ramacandra, 1269; (20) Vidyanidhi, 1298; (21) SriRaghunatha, 1366; (22) Rayuvarya (who spoke with Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu),1424; (23) Raghuttama, 1471; (24) Vedavyasa, 1517; (25) Vidyadhisa, 1541; (26)Vedanidhi, 1553;<br /> (27)Satyavrata, 1557; (28) Satyanidhi, 1560; (29) Satyanatha,1582; (30) Satyabhinava, 1595; (31) Satyapurna, 1628; (32) Satyavijaya, 1648;(33) Satyapriya, 1659; (34) Satyabodha, 1666; (35) Satyasandha, 1705;(36) Satyavara, 1716; (37) Satyadharma, 1719; (38) Satyasankalpa, 1752; (39) Satyasantusta, 1763; (40) Satyaparayana, 1763; (41) Satyakama, 1785;<br /> (42)Satyesta, 1793; (43) Satyaparakrama, 1794; (44) Satyadhira, 1801; (45) Satyadhira Tirtha, 1808. (For approximate Christian era dates, add seventy-nine years.)</p>
<p>After the sixteenth acarya (Vidyadhiraja Tirtha), there was another disciplic succession, including Rajendra Tirtha, 1254; Vijayadhvaja; Purusottama; Subrahmanya; and Vyasa Raya, 1470-1520. The nineteenth acarya, Ramacandra Tirtha, had another disciplic succession, including Vibudhendra, 1218; Jitamitra, 1348; Raghunandana; Surendra; Vijendra; Sudhindra; and Raghavendra Tirtha, 1545.</p>
<p>To date, in the Udupi monastery there are another fourteen Madhva-tirtha sannyasis. As stated, Udupi is situated beside the sea in South Kanarada, about thirty-six miles north of Mangalore.</p>
<p>Most of the information in this purport is available from the South Kanada Manual and the Bombay Gazette.”</p>
<p>Caitanya-caritamrta, Madyam lila 9:245-278</p>
<p>Bhaktivedanta Book Trust. HDG A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada.</p>
<p>CHANT HARE KRISHNA HARE KRISHNA KRISHNA KRISHNA HARE HARE HARE RAMA HARE RAMA RAMA RAMA HARE HARE AND BE HAPPY<br /> ———————————————————————–</p>
<p>Srila Madhvacarya, quoting Padma Purana, states: vivikta-drsti jivanam dhisnyataya paramesvarasya bheda-drstih. “One who has clear vision and who is devoid of envy can see that the Supreme Lord is separate from all living entities, although He is situated in every living entity.” Madhvacarya further quotes from Padma Purana:</p>
<p>upapadayet paratmanam jivebhyo yah pade pade bhedenaiva na caitasmat priyo visnos tu kascana</p>
<p>“One who sees the living entity and the Supreme Lord as always distinct is very dear to the Lord.” Padma Purana also states, yo hares caiva jivanam bheda-vakta hareh priyah: “One who preaches that the living entities are separate from the Supreme Lord is very dear to Lord Visnu.”</p>
<p>Ref. VedaBase => SB 5.5.26</p>
<p>Compiled by HG JT caran prabhu.</p>
<p><strong>Source: </strong><a href="http://www.dandavats.com/?p=32149">http://www.dandavats.com/?p=32149</a></p></div>Lord Ramacandra’s Nrisimha-Panchamrita by Harivamsa Puranahttps://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/lord-ramacandra-s-nrisimha-panchamrita2023-05-04T07:30:00.000Z2023-05-04T07:30:00.000ZISKCON Desire Treehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/members/iskcon_desire_tree<div><p style="text-align:center;"><a href="http://i.imgur.com/pf5Iy97.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="http://i.imgur.com/pf5Iy97.jpg?profile=RESIZE_710x" alt="pf5Iy97.jpg?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="450" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">(These prayers are from the 47th chapter of the Harivamsa Purana which narrates the story of Lord Ramacandra’s visit to the holy place of Ahobalam to see the Deity of Nrisimha, where Lord Nrisimha appeared and saved His devotee Prahlada.)</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">ahobalam narasimham gatva ramah pratapavan</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">namaskutya sri nrisimham astaushit kamala patim</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">The glorious Rama once visited Ahobala where He saw the Deity of Lord Nrisimha. He<br /> offered His obeisances to Lord Kamalapati (husband of the Goddess of Fortune) and<br /> prayed as follows.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">1. Govinda keshava janardana vasudeva</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">vishvesha-vishva madhusudana vishvarupa</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">shri padmanabha purushottama pushkaraksha</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">narayanachyuta nrisimho namo namaste</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">O Govinda, Keshava, Janardana, Vasudeva, Vishvesha (the controller of the universe),<br /> Vishva, Madhusudana, Vishvarupa, Sri Padmanabha, Purushottama, Pushkaraksha,<br /> Narayana, Achyuta. O Lord Narasimha I offer my respectful obeisances unto You again<br /> and again.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">2. Devah samastah khalu gopi mukhyaha</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">gandharva vidyadhara kinnarash cha</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">yat pada-mulam satatam namanti</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">tam narasimham sharanam gato shmi</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">I have taken shelter of Lord Nrisimha unto whose lotus feet demigods, prominent<br /> yogis, gandharvas, vidyadharas and kinnaras are constantly offering their<br /> obeisances.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">3. Vedan samastan khalu shastragarbhan</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">vidyam balam kirtimatim cha lakshmim</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">yasya prasadat purusha labhante</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">tam narasimham sharanam gato shmi</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">I have taken shelter of Lord Nrisimha by whose mercy people receive all the Vedas,<br /> the essence of all scriptures, knowledge, strength, reputation and wealth.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">4. Brahma shivas tvam purushottamash cha</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">narayano ?€?shau marutam patish cha</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">chandrarka vayvagni marud-ganash cha</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">tvam eva tam tvam shatatam nato?€?shmi</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">You are Lord Brahma, Lord Shiva and the best person Lord Narayana. You are the<br /> master of the Marutas and You are the sun, the moon, air and the fire as well as the<br /> Marut-ganas. I offer my obeisances unto You.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">5. Snapne?€?pi nitya jagatam ashesam</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">srashta cha hanta vibhura prabheyaha</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">trata tvam eka strividho vibinnaha</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">tam tvam nrisimham satatam nato?€?smi</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">I offer my obeisances unto Lord Nrisimha who is the creator, the maintainer and the<br /> destroyer of the entire universe. Although You perform all of these three acts<br /> simultaneously, You are completely beyond these activities. You are the<br /> all-pervading, unlimited supreme spirit.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Iti stutva raghushreshthaha</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">pujayamasa tam harim</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">pushpa vrishtih papatashu</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">tasya devasya murdhani</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Praying this way, the best of the Raghus, Lord Ramacandra worshipped Lord Hari. At<br /> that time the demigods showered a rain of flowers on the head of Lord Nrisimhadeva.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Raghavena kutam stotram</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">panchamrita manuktamam</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">pathanti ye dvijavaraha</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">tesham svargastu shashvataha</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">This is the best of prayers, called pancamrita or five nectars compiled by Lord Rama<br /> Himself. One who reads this will be liberated eternally.</p>
<div style="text-align:justify;"><strong>Source:</strong> <a href="http://www.dandavats.com/?p=85546">http://www.dandavats.com/?p=85546</a></div></div>Prayers to Lord Narasimhadeva by Sri Nandanandana Dashttps://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/prayers-to-lord-narasimhadeva-by-sri-nandanandana-das2023-05-04T04:30:00.000Z2023-05-04T04:30:00.000ZISKCON Desire Treehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/members/iskcon_desire_tree<div><div>
<div style="text-align:center;"><img style="height:333px;width:500px;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_56rLCmgTNk/Vz3c2b4zjcI/AAAAAAAAbGo/Ggq_YhaBsiI/s0/2016-05-19_17-33-41.jpg" alt="" /></div>
</div>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Powerful mantras for protection to the Lord’s half-lion incarnation and His weapons. These are for protection from such things as malevolent spirits and material desires, as well as increased devotion and a peaceful world. Also contains the Nrisimha Kavacha.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Prayers to the Lord’s Weapons</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">To the Chakra</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">chakram yugantanala-tigma-nemi</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">bhramat samantad bhagavat-prayuktam</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">dandagdhi dandagdhy ari-sainyam ashu</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">kaksham yatha vata-sakho hutashaha</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Set into motion by the Supreme Personality of Godhead and wandering in all the four directions, the disc of the Supreme Lord has sharp edges as destructive as the fire of devastation at the end of the millennium. As a blazing fire burns dry grass to ashes with the assistance of the breeze, may the Sudarshana chakra burn our enemies to ashes.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">To the Club</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">gade ‘shani-sparshana-visphulinge</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">nishpindhi nishpindhy ajita-priyasi</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">kushmanda-vainayaka-yaksha-raksho</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">bhuta-grahamsh churnaya churnayarin</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">O club in the hand of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, you produce sparks of fire as powerful as thunderbolts, and you are extremely dear to the Lord. I am also His servant. Therefore kindly help me pound to pieces the evil living beings known as Kushmandas, Vainayakas, Yakshas, Rakshasas, Bhutas and Grahas. Please pulverize them.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">To the Conchshell</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">tvam yatudhana-pramatha-preta-matri</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">pishacha-vipragraha-ghora-drishtin</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">darendra vidravaya krishna-purito</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">bhima-svano ‘rer hridayani kampayan</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">O best of the conchshells, O Panchajanya in the hands of the Lord, you are always filled with the breath of Lord Krishna. Therefore you create a fearful sound vibration that causes trembling in the hearts of enemies like the Rakshasas, Pramatha ghosts, Pretas, Matas, Pishachas and brahmana ghosts with fearful eyes.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Sudarshana Nrisimha Mantra</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Om Sahasrara Jivalavartine</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Ksaum Ham Ham Hum Phat Swaha</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Om Shri Nrisinghaye namaha</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Om Jaya Jaya Sri Nrisimhaye namaha</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Om Nrim Nrim Nrim Nrisimhaye namaha</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">To Lord Narasimhadeva</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">vag-isha yasya vadane</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">laksmir yasya cha vakshasi</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">yasyate hridaye samvit</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">tam nrisimham aham bhaje</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">“Lord Nrisimhadeva is always assisted by Sarasvati, the goddess of learning and He is always embracing to His chest the goddess of fortune. The Lord is always complete in knowledge within Himself. Let us offer obeisances unto Nrisimhadeva.” (By Sridhara Swami in his commentary on Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.87.1)</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">vidikshu dikshurdhvam adhah samantad</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">antar bahir bhagavan narasimhah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">prahapayal loka-bhayam svanena</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">sva-tejasa grasta-samasta-tejaha</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">“Prahlada Maharaja loudly chanted the holy name of Lord Nrisimha. May Lord Nrisimhadeva, roaring for His devotee, Prahlada Maharaja, protect us from all fear of dangers created by stalwart leaders in all directions through poison, weapons, water, fire, air, and so on. May the Lord cover their influence by His own transcendental influence. May Nrisimhadeva protect us from all directions and in all corners, above, below, within and without.” (Bhag.6.8.34)</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">ko nv atra te ‘khila-guro bhagavan prayasa</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">uttarane shva bhava-sambhava-lopa-hetoho</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">mudheshu vai mahad-anugraha arta-bandho</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">kim tena te priya-janan anusevatam naha</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">“O my Lord, O Supreme Personality of Godhead, original spiritual master of the entire world, what is the difficulty for You, who manages the affairs of the universe, in delivering the fallen souls engaged in Your devotional service? You are the friend of all suffering humanity, and for great personalities it is necessary to show mercy to the foolish. Therefore, I think that you will show your causeless mercy to persons like us who engage in Your service.” (Bhag.7.9.42)</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">om kraum narasimhaya namaha</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">om ksaum namo bhagavate narasimhaya</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">jvala-maline dipta-damstrayagni-netraya</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">sarva-raksho-ghnaya sarva-bhuta vinashaya</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">sarva-jvara-vinashaya daha daha pacha pacha</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">raksha raksha hum phat</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">“Obeisances to the Lord Nrisimhaya, burning with His own scorching effulgence which are ablaze and whose eyes pour forth torrents of living fire, matched only by the glow of His glowing teeth. Obeisances to the destroyer of all demons, to the slayer of all ghosts, to the destroyer of all sorts of fever. Burn and burn, cook and cook, preserve and preserve.”</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">shri nrisimha, jaya nrisimha, jaya jaya nrisimha</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">prahladesha jaya padma-mukha-padma bringa</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">“All glories to Nrisimhadeva, who is the Lord of Prahlada Maharaja and, like the honey bee, is always engaged in beholding the lotus-like face of the goddess of fortune.”</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">prahlada-hridayahladam</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">bhaktavidya-vidaram</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">sharad-indu-ruchim vande</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">parindra-vandanam harim</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">“Let me offer my obeisances unto Lord Nrisimhadeva who is always enlightening Prahlada Maharaja within his heart and who always kills the nescience that attacks the devotees. His mercy is distributed like the moonshine, and His face is like that of a lion. Let me offer my obeisances unto Him again and again.”</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">om namo bhagavate narasimhaya</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">namas tejas-tejase avir-avirbhava</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">vajra-nakha vajra-damshtra karmashayan</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">randhaya randhaya tamo grasa grasa om svaha.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Abhayam abhayam atmani bhuyishtha om ksraum.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">“I offer my respectful obeisances unto Lord Nrisimhadeva, the source of all power. O my Lord who possesses nails and teeth just like thunderbolts, kindly vanquish our demon-like desires for fruitive activity in this material world. Please appear in our hearts and drive away our ignorance so that by Your mercy we may become fearless in the struggle for existence in this material world.” (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 5.18.8)</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">svasty astu vishvasya khalah prasidatam</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">dhyayantu bhutani shivam mitho dhiya</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">namash cha bhadram bhajatad adhokshaje</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">aveshyatam no matir apy ahaituki</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">“May there be good fortune throughout the universe, and may all envious persons be pacified. May all living entities become calm by practicing bhakti-yoga, for by accepting devotional service they will think of each other’s welfare. Therefore, let us all engage in the service of the supreme transcendence, Lord Sri Krishna, and always remain absorbed in thought of Him.” (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 5.18.9)</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">ugro ‘py anugra evayam</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">sva-bhaktanam nri-keshari</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">kesarivo sva-potanam</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">anyesham ugra-vikramaha</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">“Although very ferocious, the lioness is very kind to her cubs. Similarly, although very ferocious to non-devotees like Hiranyakashipu, Lord Nrisimhadeva is very, very soft and kind to devotees like Prahlada Maharaja.”</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">durgesv atavy-aji-mukhadishu prabhuh</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">payan nrisimha shura-yuthaparihi</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">vimunchato yasya mahatta-hasam</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">disho vinedur hyapatamsh cha garbhaha</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">“May Lord Nrisimhadeva, who appeared as the enemy of Hiranyakashipu, protect me in all directions. His loud laughing vibrated in all directions and caused the pregnant wives of the asuras (the demoniac) to have miscarriages. May that Lord be kind enough to protect me in difficult places like the forest and battlefront.” (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 6.8.14)</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Ugra-Nrisimha Dhyana</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">(Meditation on the angry form of Lord Nrisimhadave)</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">mimamsamanasya samutthito ‘grato</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">nrisimha-rupas tad alam bhayanakam</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">pratapa-chamikara-chanda-lochanam</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">sphurat sata-keshara-jrimbhitananam</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">karala-damstram karavala-chanchala</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">kshuranta-jihvam bhrukuti-mukholbanam</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">stabdhordhva-karnam giri-kandaradbhuta</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">vyattasya-nasam hanu-bheda-bhishanam</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">divi-sprishat kayam adirgha-pivara</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">grivoru-vakshah-sthalam alpa-madhyamam</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">chandramshu-gauraish churitam tanuruhair</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">vishvag bhujanika-shatam nakhayudham</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">durasadam sarva-nijetarayudha-</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">praveka-vidravita-daitya-danavam</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">“Hiranyakashipu studied the form of the Lord, trying to decide who the form of Nrisimhadeva standing before him was. The Lord’s form was extremely fearsome because of His angry eyes, which resembled molten gold; His shining mane, which expanded the dimensions of His fearful face; His deadly teeth; and His razor-sharp tongue, which moved about like a dueling sword. His ears were erect and motionless, and His nostrils and gaping mouth appeared like caves of a mountain. His jaws parted fearfully, and His entire body touched the sky. His neck was very short and thick, His chest broad, His waist thin, and the hairs on His body as white as the rays of the moon. His arms, which resembled flanks of soldiers, spread in all directions as He killed the demons, rogues and atheists with His conchshell, disc, club, lotus and other natural weapons.” (Bhag.7.8.19-22)</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Sri Nrisimha Pranama</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">(from the Nrisimha Purana, offered by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu to Lord Jagannatha in Jagannatha Puri)</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">namas te narasimhaya</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">prahladahlada-dayine</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">hiranyakashipor vakshaha</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">shila-tanka-nakhalaye</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">“I offer my respectful obeisances unto You, Lord Nrisimhadeva. You are the giver of pleasure to Prahlada Maharaja, and your nails cut the chest of Hiranyakashipu like a chisel cutting stone.”</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">ito nrisimhah parato nrisimho</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">yato yato yami tato nrisimhah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">bahir nrisimho hridaye nrisimho</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">nrisimham adim sharanam prapadye</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">“Lord Nrisimha is here and also there. Wherever I go Lord Nrisimha is there. He is in the heart and is outside as well. I surrender to Lord Nrisimha, the origin of all things and the supreme refuge.”</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">The Nrisimha Gayatris</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Om Nrisimhaye vidmahe</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">vajranakhaya dhimahi</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">tan nah simhah pracodayat</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">“Om. Let us think well aware of Nrisimha, the lightning-nailed. May the Lion promote our thought.”</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">vajra nakhaya vidmahe</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">tikshna damstraya dhimahi</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">tan no narasimhah prachodayat</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">“Let us meditate on He who is known as the possessor of nails as hard as thunderbolts and sharp teeth. Let us be enthused by Lord Narasimhadeva.”</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Sri Nrisimha Maha-mantra</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">ugram viram maha-vishnum</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">jvalantam sarvato mukham</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">nrisimham bhishanam bhadram</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">mrityur mrityum namamy aham</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">“I bow down to Lord Narasimha who is ferocious and heroic like Lord Vishnu. He is burning from every side. He is terrific, auspicious and the death of death personified.”</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">It is stated in Shastra that this mantra is the essence of all kavacha mantras, or mantras meant for wearing in a kavacha (capsule). The mantra is often written on a small piece of bark, such as from the botch tree. Then it is sealed in the capsule with a tulasi leaf or even flower petals that have been offered to the deity of Lord Narasimha. After worshipping the deity of Lord Narasimha with sixteen upacharas or items of worship, the pujari or priest performs a ritual called prana-pratistha: he calls the Lord to reside in the kavacha. He then worships the kavacha. Then it has full protective power. Men wear the kavacha around the neck or on the upper right arm, while women wear it around the neck or on the upper left arm. The Kavacha may be worn in all circumstances, at any time, or in any place.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">SRI NRISIMHA KAVACHA</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">of the Trailokya Vijaya in the Samhita of Brahma</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">1. Sri Narada-uvaca</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">indr-adi deva vrndesa</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">pateshvara jagat-pate</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">maha vishnor nrisimhasya</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">kavacho bruhi me prabho<br /> yasya prana thanad vidvan</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">trilokya vijayi bhavet</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Sri Narad Muni said: “My dear father and lord, master of the Universe, lord of the multitude of demigods headed by Indra, kindly tell me the kavaca mantra of Lord Nrsimha, the incarnation of Visnu. O master, reading this kavaca aloud, a learned man will become victorious throughout the three worlds.”</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">2. sri brahmovaca</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">srinu narada vaksyami</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">putra shrestha tapodhana</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">kavacham narasimhasya</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">trailokya vijaya bhavet</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">“Lord Brahma said: My dear Narada, please hear me. O best of my sons, who are rich in austerity, I shall speak this kavaca of Lord Narasimha, which gives victory over the three worlds.”</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">3. yasya prapathanad vayami</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">trailokya vijayi bhavet</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">shresthaham jagatam vatsa</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">pathanat dharanat yataha</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">“My dear boy, by recitation of this kavaca an eloquent person will become victorious throughout the three worlds. It is by reciting this and meditating deeply on it that I (lord Brahma) am the creator of all these planetary systems.”</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">4. laksmir jagat-trayam pati</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">samharta cha maheshvaraha</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">pathanad dharanad deva</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">babhuvush cha digishvaraha</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">“It is by reciting and meditating upon this that Laksmi maintains the three worlds, and Lord Siva destroys them. Also the demigods in this way became controllers of the different directions.”</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">5. brahma mantra nayam vakshye</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">bhutadi vinvakaram</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">yasya prasadad durvasa</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">trailokya vijayi munih</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">pathanad dharanad yasya</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">shasta cha krodha bhairavaha</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">“I shall speak this essence of all Vedic mantras, which wards off all kinds of ghosts and hobgoblins. By its grace the sage Durvasa became victorious throughout the three worlds, commanding respect and most fearful in his anger.”</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">6. trailokya-vijayasyasa</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">kavachasya prajapatih</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">rshish chandash cha gayatri</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">nrisimho devata vibhuhu</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">“For this kavaca, which is directly perceived as giving victory over the three worlds, I (Brahma) am the Rsi, Gayatri is the metre, and the all powerful Nrsimhadev is the Deity.”</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">7+ 8 ksraum bijam me shirah pati</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">chandra-varno maha-manuhu</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">“ugram viram maha-visnum</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">jvalantam sarvatomukham</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">nrisimham bhishanam bhadram</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">mrtyu-mrtyum namamy aham”</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">dva-trimshad aksharo mantro</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">mantra-rajah sura drumaha</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">“One should place Lord Nrsimha’s mantra bija, ksraum, on one’s head, thinking, ‘May my head be protected by the moon-colored one, who is the greatest among humans. My obeisances unto the ferocious and powerful, the great Visnu, the fiery one, who’s faces are on all sides, the fearful one, Nrsimha, who causes the death of even death personified, or the one who can overcome death.’ One should place this mantra, composed of thirty two syllables upon his head. It is the king of all mantras. It is like a wish fulfilling tree for the demigods and devotees.”</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">9. kantham patu dhruvam ksraum hrid</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">bhagavato chakshusha mama</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">narasimhaya cha jvala</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">maline patu mastakam</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">“One should also place ksraum firmly upon his neck for protection. Placing the word bhagavate upon his heart, narasimhaya upon his two eyes, and jvala maline on the top of his head, one meditates upon the different parts of this narasimha mantra protecting the different parts of his body.”</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">10. dipta-damshtraya cha tatha</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">agni netraya cha nasikam</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">sarva-raksho-ghnaya sarva</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">bhuta-vinashanaya cha</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">“One should place on his nose the syllables dipta damstraya agni netraya sarva rakso ghnaya sarva bhuta vinasanaya. (Obeisances unto Him, whose teeth are blazing, whose eyes are fire, and who destroys all ghosts and raksasas.)”</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">11. sarva-jvara-vinashaya</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">daha daha pacha dvayam</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">raksha raksha sarva-mantra</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">svaha patu mukham mama</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">“Meditating on the protection of one’s face, one should place there the syllables ‘sarva jvara vinasaya daha daha paca paca raksa raksa. ksraum ugram viram maha visnum jvalanatam sarvatomukham nrsimham bhisanam bhadram mrtyu mrtyum namamy aham. ksraum bhagavate narasimhya jvalamaline dipta damstrayagni netraya sarva rakso ghnaya sarva bhuta vinasanaya svaha’. (This means: Unto He who vanquishes all fevers, oblations. Burn and burn, cook and cook, protect protect. My obeisances unto the ferocious and powerful, the great Visnu, the fiery one whose faces are on all sides, the fearful one, Nrsimha, who causes the death of even death personified, or who can overcome even death. Unto the Personality of Godhead Narasimha, garlanded with blazing energy, whose teeth are glowing and whose eyes are fiery, who kills all raksasas and demons and annihilates the ghosts, to You my oblations)”</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">12. taradi ramachandraya</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">namah payad gudam mama</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">klim payat pani-yugmam cha</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">taram namah padam tataha</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">narayanaya parshvam cha</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">am hrim kraum kshraum cha hum phat</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">“Meditating on the protection of one’s rectum, one should first sip water for purification and chant om Ramacandra namah. Sipping water again one should place the bija mantra klim on both of his hands together. Thereafter one should place om namah on his feet and narayanaya on his side, as well as the bija mantras am hrim kraum ksraum hum phat.”</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">13. varaksarah katim patu</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">om namah bhagavate padam</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">vasudevaya cha prishtham</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">klim krishnaya uru-dvayam</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">“Praying for the protection of one’s waist, one should place there the varaksara Om. One should place the syllables om namo bhagavate upon his feet, vasudevaya on his back, and klim krsnaya upon his two thighs.”</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">14. klim krishnaya sada patu</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">januni cha manuttamaha</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">klim glaum klim syamalangaya</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">namah payat pada dvayam</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">“Upon his knees, one should place the mantra klim krsnaya, thinking that the Lord may always protect me in His form as the best of human beings. Then one should sip water for purification and place the mantra klim glaum klim syamalangaya namah upon his feet.”</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">15. kshraum narasimhaya kshraum cha</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">sarvangam me sadavatu</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">“One should meditate upon the constant protection of the body, placing the mantra kshraum narasimhaya kshraum upon all his limbs.”</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">16. iti te kathitam vatsa</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">sarva-mantraugha-vigraham</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">tava snehan mayakhyatam</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">pravaktavyam na kasyachit</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">“Lord Brahma continued: My dear boy, thus I have told you the embodiment of the potencies of all mantras. Because of your great affection I have explained it to you, although it is not to be spoken to just anyone.”</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">17. guru-pujam vidhayatha</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">grihniyat kavacham tataha</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">sarva-punya-yuto bhutva</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">sarva-siddhi-yuto bhavet</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">“Having performed worship of the spiritual master, one may accept this kavaca. Having become enriched in his pious activities he will attain all perfections.”</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">18. shatam ashtottaram chaiva</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">purashcharya vidhih smritaha</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">havanadin dashamshena</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">kritva sadhaka-sattamaha</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">“Performing the ritualistic ceremonies of purification (purascarya) one hundred and eight times is equal to one tenth the effect received by that best of devotees who chants this kavaca.”</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">19. tatas tu siddha-kavacaha</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">punyatma madanopaman</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">sparddham uddhuya bhavana</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">lakshmir vani vaset tataha</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">“Laksmi, the Goddess of fortune, and Sarasvati, the Goddess of speech and learning, reside in the home of that fortunate soul who has become perfected by this kavaca, giving up the intoxication of competing with others for supremacy.”</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">20. pushpanjalyashtakam dattva</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">mulenaiva pathet sakrit</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">api varsa sahasranam</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">pujayah phalam apnuyat</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">“Simply offering eight times puspajali and reading only once the original version, one attains the result of even a thousand years of worship.”</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">21. bhurje vilikhya gutikam</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">svarnastham dharayed yadi</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">kanthe va dakshine bahau</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">narasimho bhavet svayam</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">“If one write this down on a leaf or bark of a tree and keeps it within a golden capsule on his neck or right arm, Lord Nrsimhadev will be personally present.”</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">22. yoshid vama-bhuje chaiva</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">purusho dakshine kare</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">vibhryat kavacham punyam</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">sarva-siddhi-yuto bhavet</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">“A woman may keep it on her left arm, a man on the right hand. Certainly this most auspicious kavaca brings all perfection to the bearer.”</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">23. kaka-vandhya cha ya nari</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">mrita-vatsa cha ya bhavet</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">janma-vandhya nashta putra</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">bahu-putravati bhavet</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">“A woman who is totally barren, or who bears only one child, or whose sons are lost or dead may become possessed of many sons.”</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">24. kavachasya prasadena</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">jivan mukta bhaven-naraha</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">trilokyam kshobhayasyeva</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">trailokya vijayi bhavet</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">“By the grace of this kavaca, a man becomes jivan mukta, liberated soul even within this life time. He is able to move the whole universe, and certainly becomes victorious throughout the three worlds.”</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">25. bhuta-preta-pishachash cha</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">rakshasa danavash cha ye</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">tam drishtva prapalayante</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">deshad deshantaram dhruvam</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">“Certainly bhutas, pretas, pisacas, raksasas, and danavas all immediately flee from the country and go to another upon seeing it.”</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">26. yasmin gehe cha kavacham</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">grame va yadi tishthati</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">tam deshantu parityajya</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">prayanti chatidurantaha</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">“In the home or even the same village where this kavaca exists, all such demoniac creatures, once having understood its presence, give up that place and go far away.”</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Thus ends the Sri Nrsimha Kavaca, of the Trailokya Vijaya in the Samhita of Brahma.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Sri Nrisimha Kavacha of Prahlad</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">from the Brahmanda Purana.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">shri nrisimha kavacha-stotram</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">nrisimha-kavacham vakshye<br /> prahladenoditam puraa</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">sarva-raksha-karam punyam<br /> sarvopadrava-naashanam</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">1. I shall now recite the Narasimha-kavacha, formerly spoken by Prahlada Maharaja. It is most pious, vanquishes all kinds of impediments, and provides one all protection.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">sarva-sampat-karam chaiva<br /> svarga-moksha-pradaayakam</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">dhyaatva nrisimham devesham<br /> hema-sinhaasana sthitamah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">2. It bestows upon one all opulences and can give one elevation to the heavenly planets or liberation. One should meditate on Lord Narasimha, Lord of the universe, seated upon a golden throne.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">vivritasyam tri-nayanam<br /> sharad-indu-sama-prabham</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">lakshmyaalingita-vaamaangam<br /> vibhuutibhi rupaashritam</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">3. His mouth is wide open, He has three eyes, and He is as radiant as the autumn moon. He is embraced by Lakshmi devi on his left side, and His form is the shelter of all opulences, both material and spiritual.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">chatur-bhujam komalaangam<br /> svarna-kundala-shobhitam</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">saroja-shobitoraskam<br /> ratna-keyuura-mudritam</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">4. The Lord has four arms, and His limbs are very soft. He is decorated with golden earrings. His chest is resplendent like the lotus flower, and His arms are decorated with jewel-studded ornaments.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">tapta-kaanchana-sankasham<br /> pita-nirmala-vasasam</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">indradi-sura-maulishthaha<br /> sphuran manikya-diptibhih</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">5. He is dressed in a spotless yellow garment, which exactly resembles molten gold. He is the original cause of existence, beyond the mundane sphere, for the great demigods headed by Indra. He appears bedecked with rubies which are blazingly effulgent.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">virajita-pada-dvandvam<br /> shankha-chakradi-hetibhihi</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">garutmata cha vinayat<br /> stuyamanam mudanvitam</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">6. His two feet are very attractive, and He is armed with various weapons such as the conch, disc, etc. Garuda joyfully offers prayers with great reverence.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">sva-hrit-kamalasamvaasam<br /> kritvaa tu kavacham pathet</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">nrisimho me shirah patu</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">loka-rakshartha-sambhavaha</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">7. Having seated Lord Narasimhadeva upon the lotus of one’s heart, one should recite the following mantra: “May Lord Nrisimha, who protects all the planetary systems, protect my head.”</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">sarvago ‘pi stambha vasaha<br /> phalam me rakshatu dhvanim</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">nrisimho me drishau paatu<br /> soma-suryagni-lochanaha</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">8. Although the Lord is all-pervading, He hid Himself within a pillar. May He protect my speech and the results of my activities. May Lord Narasimha, whose eyes are the sun, and fire, protect my eyes.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">smritam me patu nriharih<br /> muni-vaarya-stuti-priyaha</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">nasam me simha-nasas tu<br /> mukham lakshmi-mukha-priyaha</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">9. May Lord Nrihari, who is pleased by the prayers offered by the best of sages, protect my memory. May He who has the nose of a lion protect my nose, and may He whose face is very dear to the goddess of fortune protect my mouth.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">sarva-vidyadhipaha patu<br /> nrisimho rasanam mama</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">vaktram patv indu-vadanam<br /> sada prahlaada-vanditaha</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">10. May Lord Narasimha, who is the knower of all sciences, protect my sense of taste. May He whose face is beautiful as the full moon and who is offered prayers by Prahlada Maharaja protect my face.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Nrisimha patu me kantham<br /> skandhau bhu-bhrid ananta krit</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">divyastra-shobhita-bhujaha<br /> nrisimhah patu me bhujaha</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">11. May Lord Narasimha protect my throat. He is the sustainer of the earth and the performer of unlimitedly wonderful activities. May He protect my shoulders. His arms are resplendent with transcendental weapons. May He protect my shoulders.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">karau me deva-varado<br /> nrisimhah patu sarvataha</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">hridayam yogi-sadhyash cha<br /> nivasam patu me harih</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">12. May the Lord, who bestows benedictions upon the demigods, protect my hands, and may He protect me from all sides. May He who is achieved by the perfect yogis protect my heart, and may Lord Hari protect my dwelling place.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">madhyam patu hiranyaksha<br /> vaksha-kukshi-vidaranaha</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">nabhim me patu nriharihi<br /> sva-nabhi-brahma-samstutaha</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">13. May He who ripped apart the chest and abdomen of the great demon HiraNyaaksha protect my waist, and may Lord Nrihari protect my navel. He is offered prayers by Lord Brahmaa, who has sprung from his own navel.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">brahmanda-kotayah katyam<br /> yasyasau patu me katim</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">guhyam me patu guhyanam<br /> mantranam guhya-rupa-drik</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">14. May He on whose hips rest all the universes protect my hips. May the Lord protect my private parts. He is the knower of all mantras and all mysteries, but He Himself is not visible.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">uru manobhavah patu<br /> januni nara-ruupa-drik</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">janghe patu dhara-dhara<br /> harta yo ‘sau nri-keshari</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">15. May He who is the original Cupid protect my thighs. May He who exhibits a human-like form protect my knees. May the remover of the burden of the earth, who appears in a form which is half-man and half-lion, protect my calves.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">sura-rajya-pradah patu<br /> padau me nriharishvarah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">sahasra-shirsha-purushaha<br /> patu me sarvashas tanum</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">16. May the bestower of heavenly opulence protect my feet. He is the Supreme Controller in the form of a man and lion combined. May the thousand-headed Supreme enjoyer protect my body from all sides and in all respects.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">mahograh purvatah patu<br /> maha-viragrajo ‘ghnitaha</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">maha-vishnur dakshine tu<br /> maha-jvalas tu nairritaha</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">17. May that most ferocious personality protect me from the east. May He who is superior to the greatest heroes protect me from the southeast, which is presided over by Agni. May the Supreme Vishnu protect me from the south, and may that person of blazing luster protect me from the southwest.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">pashchime patu sarvesho<br /> dishi me sarvatomukhaha</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">nrisimhah patu vayavyam<br /> saumyam bhushana-vigrahaha</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">18. May the Lord of everything protect me from the west. His faces are everywhere, so please may He protect me from this direction. May Lord Narasimha protect me from the northwest, which is predominated by Vaayu, and may He whose form is in itself the supreme ornament protect me from the north, where Soma resides.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">ishanyam patu bhadro me<br /> sarva-mangala-dayakaha</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">samsara-bhayatah patu<br /> mrityor mrityur nrikeshari</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">19. May the all-auspicious Lord, who Himself bestows all-auspiciousness, protect from the northeast, the direction of the sun-god, and may He who is death personified protect me from fear of the rotation of birth and death in this material world.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">idam nrisimha-kavacham<br /> prahlada-mukha-manditam</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">bhaktiman yah pathenaityam<br /> sarva-papaih pramuchyate</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">20. This Narasimha-kavacha has been ornamented by issuing from the mouth of Prahlada Maharaja. A devotee who reads this becomes freed from all sins.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">putravan dhanavan loke<br /> dirghayur upajayate</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">kamayate yam yam kamam<br /> tam tam prapnoty asamshayam</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">21. Whatever one desires in this world he can attain without doubt. One can have wealth, many sons, and a long life.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">sarvatra jayam apnoti<br /> sarvatra vijayii bhavet</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">bhumyantariksha-divyanam<br /> grahanam vini varanam</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">22. He becomes victorious who desires victory, and indeed becomes a conqueror. He wards off the influence of all planets, earthly, heavenly, and everything in between.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">vrishchikoraga-sambhuta<br /> vishhapaharanam param</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">brahma-rakshasa-yakshanam<br /> durotsarana-karanam</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">23. This is the supreme remedy for the poisonous effects of serpents and scorpions, and Brahma-raakshasa ghosts and Yakshas are driven far away.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">bhuje va tala-patre va<br /> kavacham likhitam shubham</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">kara-mule dhritam yena<br /> sidhyeyuh karma-siddhayaha</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">24. One may write this most auspicious prayer on his arm, or inscribe it on a palm-leaf and attach it to his wrist, and all his activities will become perfect.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">devasura-manushyeshhu<br /> svam svam eva jayam labhet</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">eka-sandhyam tri-sandhyam va<br /> yah pathen niyato naraha</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">25. One who regularly chants this prayer, whether once or thrice (daily), he becomes victorious whether among demigods, demons, or human beings.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">sarva-mangala-mangalyam<br /> bhuktim muktim cha vindati</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">dva-trimshati-sahasrani<br /> pathet shuddhatmanam nrinam</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">26. One who with purified heart recites this prayer 32,000 times attains the most auspicious of all auspicious things, and material enjoyment and liberation are already understood to be available to such a person.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">kavachasyasya mantrasya<br /> mantra-siddhih-prajayate</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">anena mantra-rajena<br /> kritva bhasmabhir mantranam</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">27. This Kavacha-mantra is the king of all mantras. One attains by it what would be attained by anointing oneself with ashes and chanting all other mantras.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">tilakam vinyased yas tu<br /> tasya graha-bhayam haret</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">tri-varam japamanas tu<br /> dattam varyabhimantrya cha</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">28. Having marked ones body with tilaka, taking achamana with water, and reciting this mantra three times, one will find that the fear of all inauspicious planets is removed.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">prasayed yo naro mantram<br /> nrisimha-dhyanam acharet</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">tasya rogah pranashyanti<br /> ye cha syuh kukshi-sambhavaha</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">29. That person who recites this mantra, meditating upon Lord Narasimhadeva, has all of his diseases vanquished, including those of the abdomen.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">garjantam garjayantam nija-bhuja-patalam sphotayantam hatantam<br /> rupyantam tapayantam divi bhuvi ditiyam kshepayantam kshipantam</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">krandantam roshayantam dishi dishi satantam samharantam bharantam<br /> vikshantam purnayantam kara-nikara-shatair divya-simham namami</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">30. Lord Narasimha roars loudly and causes others to roar. With His multitudes of arms He tears the demons asunder and kills them in this way. He is always seeking out and tormenting the demonic descendants of Diti, both on this earth planet and in the higher planets, and He throws them down and scatters them. He cries with great anger as He destroys the demons in all directions, yet with His unlimited hands He sustains, protects, and nourishes the cosmic manifestation. I offer my respectful obeisances to the Lord, who has assumed the form of a transcendental lion.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">iti shri brahmanda-purane prahladoktam<br /> shri nrisimha-kavacham sampurnam</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Thus ends the Narasimha-kavacha as it is described by Prahlada Maharaja in the Brahmanda Purana.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Five Prayers to Lord Narasimha</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">by Bhaktivinoda Thakura</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura has written five beautiful prayers in “Sri Navadvipa Bhava Taranga” for receiving the mercy of Lord Narasimha. These prayers are certainly assurance to all sincere devotees that the worship of Lord Narasimha is purely in the line of aspiring love and devotion to Sri Sri Radha and Krsna. Those prayers are as follows.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">e dusta hrdaye kama adi ripu chaya</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">kutinati pratisthasa sathya sada raya</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">hrdaya-sodhana ara krsnera vasana</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">nrsimha-carane mora ei to’ kamana</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Within my sinful heart the six enemies headed by lust perpetually reside, as well as duplicity, the desire for fame, plus sheer cunning. At the lotus feet of Lord Narasimha, I hope that He will mercifully purify my heart and give me the desire to serve Lord Krsna.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">kandiya nrsimha-pade magibo kakhana</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">nirapade navadvipe jugala-bhajana</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">bhaya bhaya paya yan’ra darsane se hari</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">prasanna hoibo kabe more daya kari</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Weeping, I will beg at the lotus-feet of Lord Narasimha for the benediction of worshipping Radha and Krsna in Navadvipa, perfectly safe and free from all difficulties. When will this Lord Hari, Whose terrible form strikes fear into fear itself, ever become pleased and show me His mercy?</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">yadyapi bhisana murti dusta-jiva-prati</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">prahladadi krsna-bhakta-jane bhadra ati</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">kabe va prasanna ho’ye sa krpa-vacane</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">nirbhaya karibe ei mudha akincane</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Even though Lord Narasimha is terrifying toward the sinful souls, He offers great auspiciousness unto the devotees of Lord Krsna headed by Prahlada Maharaja. When will He be pleased to speak words of compassion unto me, a worthless fool, and thereby make me fearless?</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">svacchande baiso he vatsa sri-gauranga-dhame</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">jugala-bhajana hau rati hau name</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">mama bhakta-krpa-bale vighna jabe dura</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">suddha cite bhajo radha-krsna-rasa-pura</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">He will say, “Dear child! Sit sown freely and live happily here in Sri Gauranga-dhama. May you nicely worship the Divine Couple, and may you develop loving attachment for Their Holy Names. By the mercy of My devotees, all obstacles are cast far away. With a purified heart, just perform the worship of Radha and Krsna, for such worship overflows with sweet nectar.”</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">ei boli’ kabe mora mastaka-upara</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">sviya sri-carana harse dharibe isvara</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">amani jugala-preme sattvika vikare</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">dharaya lutibo ami sri-nrsimha-dvare</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Saying this, will that Lord delightedly place His own divine lotus-feet upon my head? I will experience sublime love for the Divine Couple Radha-Krsna and undergo the ecstatic transformations called sattvika. Falling on the ground, I will roll about at the door of Sri Narasimha’s temple.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">(Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, – “Sri Navadvipa Bhava Taranga”, 36-40)</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Sri Ahovalam Stotram</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">(Obeisances to Ahovalam Narasimha)</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">(Use the same meter as the Brahma-samhita. These were written in glorification of the Deities in the holy place of Lord Nrisimha at Ahobalam)</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">lakshmi-kataksha-sarasi-ruha-raja-hamsam<br /> pakshindra-shaila-bhavanam bhava-nasham isham<br /> gokshira-sara-ghana-sara-patira-varnam<br /> vande kripa-nidhim ahobala-narasimham</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">“I offer my obeisances to that ocean of mercy, Ahobala Nrisimha. He is a great swan swimming amongst the lotuses of Lakshmi’s furtive glances. He is the Supreme Lord, who puts an end to material imprisonment and who appeared from the stone of the Garuda pillar. His body has lines of colour: both a creamy colour and the colour of rain clouds.”</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">adyanta-shunyam ajam avyayam aprameyam<br /> aditya-candra-shikhi-locanam adi-devam<br /> abja-mukabja-mada-lolupa-matta-bhringam<br /> vande kripa-nidhim ahobala-narasimham</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">“I offer my obeisances to that ocean of mercy, Ahobala Nrisimha. He has no beginning or end. He is unborn, everlasting, and immeasurable. He is the original God who gives brightness to the sun, moon, and to fire. He is like a honey bee intoxicated by his passionate desire for the lotus face of Lakshmi.”</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">kotira-koti-ghatitojjvala-kanti-kantam<br /> keyura-hara-mani-kundala manditangam<br /> cudagra-ranjita-sudhakara-purna-bimbam<br /> vande kripa-nidhim ahobala-narasimham</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">“I offer my obeisances to that ocean of mercy, Ahobala Nrisimha. He looks splendid with his thick shiny mane tied back and with his body decorated with armlets, necklaces, and jewelled ear rings. His face is like the disc of the full moon, adorned with his crown.”</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">varaha-vamana-nrisimha-subhagyam isham<br /> krida-vilola-hridayam vibhudendra-vandyam<br /> hamsatmakam paramahamsa-mano-viharam<br /> vande kripa-nidhim ahobala-narasimham</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">“I offer my obeisances to that ocean of mercy, Ahobala Nrisimha. He is the all-fortunate supreme Lord: Varaha, Vamana, and Nrisimha. His heart is frolicking with his own playful pastimes. The most intelligent persons pray to him, the Supreme soul, who fascinates the great sages.”</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">mandakini-janana-hetu-padaravindam<br /> vrndarakalaya-vinodanam ujjvalangam<br /> mandara-pushpa-tulasi-racitanghri-padmam<br /> vande kripa-nidhim ahobala-narasimham</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">“I offer my obeisances to that ocean of mercy, Ahobala Nrisimha. His lotus feet are the source of the Ganges. His body is resplendent as he enjoys himself in his superexcellent abode, and his lotus feet are bedecked with Tulasi leaves and the flowers from the heavenly coral tree.”</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">tarunya-krishna-tulasi-dala-dhama-rabhyam<br /> dhatri ramabhi ramanam mahaniya-rupam<br /> mantradhi-raja-matha-danava-mana-bhangam<br /> vande kripa-nidhim ahobala-narasimham</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">“I offer my obeisances to that ocean of mercy, Ahobala Nrisimha. His most favorite thing is fresh dark Tulasi leaves. He exhibits a magnificent form as he enjoys with his female assistants, the goddesses of fortune. He breaks the pride of the demons by destroying Ravana, that master of magic spells.”</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">SRI NAKHA STUTI</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">(offered to Madhvacarya)</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">paantvasmaam puruuhutavairi balavanmaatanga maadyadghataa<br /> kumbhocchaadri vipaatanaadhi kapatu pratyekavajraayitaah<br /> Shrimat kanthiravaasya pratatasunakharaa daaritaaraatiduura<br /> pradhvasta dhvaatashaanta pravitata manasaa bhaavitaa nakivrnda</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">“May the wide-spread and auspicious nails of the lion-faced God, Narasimha, Who is in the company of His consort Laxmi, protect us. His nails are like thunderbolts and are highly skilled in tearing asunder the lofty mountain-like heads of the herds of strong and intoxicated elephants in the form of demons; the foes of Indradev. His nails are also meditated upon by the groups of devas with their broad minds which are concentrated upon Him and from which the darkness of ignorance is driven away to a great distance and the internal enemies of lust, anger, etc., are torn in twain.”</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">lakshmikaanta samantato vikalayannai veshituste saman<br /> pashyaamyuttama vastu duurataarato paastam rasoyo stumah<br /> yadrosotkara daksanetra kutila prantotthitogni sphurat<br /> khadyotopamavisphylinya bhasitaa brhmeshushakrot karaan</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">“Oh consort of Laxmi! Although I’ve made an all round study of the shastras, I don’t find anything equal to You, Who are my master! The thing thought superior to You is therefore flung far and is similar to the 8th tuste (it does not exist). Brahma, Shiva, Indra and their hosts are reduced to ashes by the sparks of fire resembling sparking glowworms and issuing from the curved edge of Your right eye which is filled with masses of wrath.”</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">(from the Introduction of Sri Hari Vayuh Stuti of Trivikram Panditacarya)</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Sri Narasimha Stuti</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">This is a powerful prayer to Lord Narasimha for one’s protection from the dark elements and demons within this material world. It was written by Pandit Trivikramacharya, a leading disciple of Sri Madhvacharya.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">1. udaya ravi sahasra-dhyotitam ruksa-viksam</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">pralaya jaladhi-nadam kalpa-krid vahni-vaktram<br /> sura-pati-ripu-vakshah-kshoda-rakta-kshitangam</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">pranata-bhaya-haram tam narasimham namami</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">The radiance of a thousand rising suns is the glow on the Lord’s face. His eyes are fiery and His voice roars like the turbulent ocean of devastation. His body is wet with the blood of Indra’s foe, Hiranyakashipu. Lord Narasimha, the redeemer of the fear ridden, I bow down to Your feet.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">2. pralaya-ravi-karalakara-ruk chakra-valam<br /> virala-yaduru-rocirocitashanta-ralam<br /> prati-bhaya-tama-kopatyutkatoccatta-hasin<br /> daha daha narasimasahya-viryahitam me</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Your effulgence is dazzling like that of the destructive sun, pralayaravi. It glows and glitters, makes the wicked tremble with fear. You laugh in a piercing high tone at the fear, ignorance and anger of the demons. Burn Narasimha, burn my adversaries with Your unbearable power.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">3. sara-sa rabha-sapadapata-bharabhirava<br /> pracakita-chala-sapta-dvandva-loka-stutas tvam<br /> ripu-rudhira-nishekenaiva shonamghri-shalin<br /> daha daha narasimasahya-viryahitam me</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Your lotus feet are reddened by the blood of the enemy. Fourteen lokas are scared by the stamping of Your feet. Demigods assemble, fear and tremble and pray for Your mercy. Burn Narasimha, burn my adversaries with Your unbearable power.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">4. tava ghanaghana-ghosho ghoram aghraya jamgha<br /> parigham alaghum uru-vyaja-tejo-girim cha<br /> ghana vighatitam aga-daitya-jamghala-samgho<br /> daha daha narasimasahya-viryahitam me</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">You take great pleasure in slaughtering the armies of the demons. You wield Your heavy mace in a most cunning manner with the force of a great mountain. As You chop demons into pieces others immediately flee for their lives. Burn Narasimha, burn my adversaries with Your unbearable power.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">5. kataki-kata-karala-dhatakagrya-stha-labha<br /> prakata-pata-tadit te sat-katishthati-patvi<br /> katuka katuka dushtatopadrishti-pramushtau<br /> daha daha narasimhasahya viryahitam me</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">The mountains of Your hips are nicely decorated with yellow garments, which appear just like lightning in its intense brilliance. Attacking fiercely he who had the foremost position (the seat of King Indra), You removed the threat of that exceedingly wicked one. O ferocious one! Burn Narasimha, burn my adversaries with Your unbearable power.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">6. prakhara-nakhara-vajrotkhata-rukshari-vakshaha<br /> shikhari-shikhara raktai rakta nandoha-deha<br /> suvalibha-shubha-kukshe bhadra gambhira-nabhe<br /> daha daha narasimasahya viryahitam me</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">As Your nails, sharp like thunderbolts, tore the abdomen of the enemy, blood surged from the body of the demon and bathed You. Your lotus-like navel is deep and Your abdomen is decorated with the auspicious three lines. Burn Narasimha, burn my adversaries with Your unbearable power.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">7. sphurayati tava sakshat saiva nakshatra-mala<br /> kshapita-ditija-vaksho-vyapta-nakshatra-marga<br /> ari-dara-dhara-janvasakta-hasta-dvayaho<br /> daha daha narasimasahya viryahitam me</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Your two hands, as they directly burst open the chest of the son of Diti, appear just like a necklace of stars. Supporting him on Your knees, You tore his chest apart which blocked the path of the stars. Burn Narasimha, burn my adversaries with Your unbearable power.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">8. katu-vikata-sataudho-dhattanad bhrashta-bhuyo<br /> ghana-patala-vishalakasha-labdhavakasham<br /> kara-parigha-vimarda-prodyamam dhyayatas te<br /> daha daha narasimasahya viryahitam me</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Your mane is burning and monstrous, and You cause the enemy to fall from his position by tearing apart his chest. Once attaining the opportunity, under the broad roof of the clouds and sky, You raise Your hand, powerful as a mace, to strike. I meditate upon You in this form. Burn Narasimha, burn my adversaries with Your unbearable power.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">9. hata-lutada-laghisthotkantha-dashto ‘sta-vidyut<br /> sata-shata-katianorah-pitha-bhit sushtu nistham<br /> patati nu tava kanthadhishtha-ghorantramala<br /> daha daha narasimasahya viryahitam me</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Appearing brilliantly illuminated, Your neck, with hundreds of mane-hairs, is raised lightly and appears to be bitten by eight bolts of lightning. You divide the chest and very strong position of Hiranyakashipu. You are garlanded with his ghastly entrails. Burn Narasimha, burn my adversaries with Your unbearable power.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">10. hata-bahu-mihirabhasa hy asamhara-ramho<br /> huta-vaha-bahu-hetir hrepikananta-hetihi<br /> ahata-yihita-mohan samvihansai ham asyam<br /> daha daha narasimhasahya viryahitam me</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">The effulgence of many suns is destroyed by Your uncheckable potency. The many weapons sent against You are like sacrificial offerings, and You reply with unlimited weaponry. Put down, strike and slay my illusion. Burn Narasimha, burn my adversaries with Your unbearable power.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">11. guru-guru-giri-rajat-kandarantargad eva<br /> dina-mani-mani-shringevanta-vahni-pradipte<br /> daddhad ati-kau-damstre bhishanojjihva-vaktram<br /> daha daha narasimhasahya viryahitam me</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">My Lord, Your fearful countenance, with tongue extended and sharp teeth blazing as if illuminated from within, appears as the peak of a huge mountain of gems lit by the sunrise and by fire coming from within its caves. Burn Narasimha, burn my adversaries with Your unbearable power.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">12. adharita-vibudhadhi-dhyana-dhairya vididhyad<br /> vividha-vibudhadhi shraddha-pitendrari-nasham<br /> vidadhad ati-katahoddhatanoddhatta-hasam<br /> daha daha narasimhasahya viryahitam me</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">The enemy of Indra (Hiranyakashipu) made waves in the ocean of demigods and took the shraddha offerings meant for the forefathers. Confounding the intelligence of the demigods, he minimized their austerity and position in various ways. But You, O Narasimha, melted him in the pot of Your shrill laughter. Burn Narasimha, burn my adversaries with Your unbearable power.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">13. tri-bhuvana-trina-matra-trana-trishardra</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">netra-trayam ati-laghitarchir vishtapavishtapadam<br /> navatara-ravi-tamram dharayan ruksha-viksham<br /> daha daha narasimhasahya viryahitam me</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Every living being in the three worlds, down to the blade of grass, was scorched by the flame of Hiranyakashipu. But You, with Your three eyes, have annihilated this flame. Your appearance is threatening to the miscreants, and Your color is coppery like the newly risen sun. Burn Narasimha, burn my adversaries with Your unbearable power.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">14. bhramad abhi-bhava-bhubhrid bhuri-bhubhara-sad</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">bhidbhida-nava-vibhava-bhru-vibhramadabhra-shubhra<br /> ripu-bhava-bhayam etar bhasi bho bho vibho ‘bhir<br /> daha daha narasimhasahya viryahitam me</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">You wander about without resistance, for You are the supreme power and the maintainer of the earth. Hail to You, O Lord; You are effulgent and fearful to Your enemies, although You fear no one. You divided into nine parts the burden of the earth (Hiranyakashipu) simply by the effulgence produced by the movement of Your eyebrows. Burn Narasimha, burn my adversaries with Your unbearable power.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">15. shravana-khachita-canchat-kundaloccanda-ganda<br /> bhrukuti katu lalata-shreshtha-nasarunoshta<br /> varada surada rajat-kesarotsaritare<br /> daha daha narasimhasahya viryahitam me</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Your ears are prominent, Your earrings swing to and fro and Your face appears ferocious. Your eyebrows give Your forehead a threatening aspect, and You are most beautiful with Your high nose and reddish lips. O giver of benedictions, well-wisher of the demigods and devotees, the enemy is scattered by the effulgence the hair of Your mane. Burn Narasimha, burn my adversaries with Your unbearable power.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">16. pravikavacha-kacha-rajad-ratna kotira-shalin<br /> gala-gata galad-usradara-ratnangadadhya<br /> kanaka-kataka-kanchi sinjini sudrikavan<br /> daha daha narasimhasahya viryahitam me</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">You wear no armor, yet You are decorated by beautiful locks of shining hair and many ornaments made of jewels. Your bodily effulgence appears as if You had swallowed the newly-risen sun. Your hands exhibit various mudras, and Your waist is decorated with a gold chain, making a tinkling noise. Burn Narasimha, burn my adversaries with Your unbearable power.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">17. ari-daram asi hetau chapa-banau gadam</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">san-mushalam api kapolam cankusham pasha-shulam<br /> dadhad api vidhutantra-sragvi-bhinnari-vaksho<br /> daha daha narasimhasahya viryahitam me</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">You are equipped with bow and arrow, as well as various astras or missiles, club, mace, rod for controlling elephants, noose, and trident. Placing the enemy upon Your lap and tearing open his abdomen, he is thus purified of all contamination, and therefore You take his intestines and wear them as a victory garland. Burn Narasimha, burn my adversaries with Your unbearable power.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">18. cata cata cata duram mohayan bhramayarin<br /> kada kada kada kayam jvalaya sphotayasva<br /> jahi jahi jahi vegam shatravah sanubandham<br /> daha daha narasimhasahya viryahitam me</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Fall upon my foes, fall upon them, fall upon them. Bewilder them and drive them far away. Consume, consume, consume the bodies of the enemies; incinerate and burst them asunder. Conquer, conquer, conquer forcefully my foes and their followers. Burn Narasimha, burn my adversaries with Your unbearable power.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">19. vidhi-bhava-vibudhesha-bhramakagni-sphulinga<br /> prasavi-vikata-damshtrojjihva-vaktra trinetra<br /> kala kala kala kalam pahi mam te subhaktam<br /> daha daha narasimhasahya viryahitam me</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Even Lord Brahma, Lord Shiva and King Indra are bewildered to see Your tongue, like a firebrand, pressed between Your gigantic teeth. O three-eyed one, Your face appears most fearful, like time personified. Sound out the fate of the demons and kindly protect me, Your surrendered servant. Burn Narasimha, burn my adversaries with Your unbearable power.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">20. kuru kuru karunam tvam sankuram daitya-pote<br /> disha disha vishadam me shashvatim deva-drishtim<br /> jaya jaya jaya murte ‘narta jetavya-paksha<br /> daha daha narasimhasahya viryahitam me</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">O supreme form, Have mercy, have mercy upon me. Dispel, dispel my ignorance just as You uprooted the child of Diti. You are never subjected to the sufferings of material existence. Neither are You defeated; indeed, whoever You favor will always triumph. Be victorious. Bestow upon me the divine vision to see You always. Burn Narasimha, burn my adversaries with Your unbearable power.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">21. stutir iyam ahita-ghnisevita narasimhi<br /> tanur iva parishanta-malini sabhitolam<br /> tad akhila-gurum agrya-shrida-rupa-mahadbhihi<br /> daha daha narasimhasahya viryahitam me</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">This prayer, offered in devotional service to Lord Narasimhadeva, destroys all inauspicious things. That Lord of the universe, the universal teacher, appearing as if garlanded by the destroyed body of Hiranyakashipu, bestows all good fortune and opulence upon His worshipers. Burn Narasimha, burn my adversaries with Your unbearable power.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">22. likucha-tilaka-sunuh sad-dhitartanusari<br /> narahari-nitim etam shatru-samhara-hetum<br /> akrita-sakala-papa-dhvamsanim yah pathet tam<br /> daha daha narasimhasahya viryahitam me</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">The Lord appears in a seemingly bitter form to act for the protection of His devotee Prahlada. Anyone who reads this description of the character of Lord Narahari causes his enemies to retreat, and his sins are undone and vanquished. Burn Narasimha, burn my adversaries with Your unbearable power.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">108 Names of Lord Narasimhadev</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">1. Om narasimhaya namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances unto the half-man half-lion Lord<br /> 2. Om mahasimhaya namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to the great lion<br /> 3. Om diyva-simhaya namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to the Divine lion<br /> 4. Om mahabalaya namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to the greatly powerful<br /> 5. Om ugra-simhaya namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to the angry terrifying lion<br /> 6. Om mahadevaya namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to the Lord of lords<br /> 7. Om stambha-ja-aya namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to One who appeared from the pillar</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">8. Om ugra-locanaya namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to one who possesses terrifying eyes<br /> 9. Om raudraya namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to the angry one<br /> 10. Om sarvadbhutaya namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to one who is wonderful in every way<br /> 11. Om srimanaya namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to the most beautiful<br /> 12. Om yoganandaya namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to the source of yogic bliss<br /> 13. Om trivikramaya namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to Lord Vamana (Who took three great steps)<br /> 14. Om harine namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to Sri Hari Who takes our troubles away<br /> 15. Om kolahalaya namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to the roaring (Varahadeva – Varaha-nrisimha)<br /> 16. Om cakrine namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to Him Who carries the disk<br /> 17. Om vijayaya namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to Him Who is always victorious<br /> 18. Om jaya-vardhanaya namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances unto Him Who has ever increasing glories<br /> 19. Om panchananaya namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances unto Him Who is five-headed<br /> 20. Om param-brahma-aya namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances unto Supreme Absolute Truth<br /> 21. Om aghoraya namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to Him Who for His devotees is not horrible<br /> 22. Om ghora-vikramaya namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to Him Who has terrifying activities<br /> 23. Om jvalan-mukhaya namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to One Who has an effulgent face<br /> 24. Om jvala-maline namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to Him with effulgent garland of flames<br /> 25. Om mahajvalaya namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to He Who is most effulgent<br /> 26. Om maha-prabhuhaya namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to the Supreme Master<br /> 27. Om niti-laksaya namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to Him Who possesses all good (moral) qualities<br /> 28. Om sahasraksaya namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to the thousand-eyed One<br /> 29. Om durniriksyaya namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to Him Who is difficult to see (difficult to look at)<br /> 30. Om pratapanaya namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to Him Who oppresses His enemies with great heat<br /> 31. Om mahadamstraya namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to Him Who possesses huge teeth<br /> 32. Om yudha-prajnaya namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to the Supremely intelligent in battle (ready to fight)<br /> 33. Om canda-kopine namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to Him Who is likened to an angry moon<br /> 34. Om sada-sivaya namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to the All auspicious Lord<br /> 35. Om hiranyakasipu-dhvamsine namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisance to Him Who destroys Hiranyakasipu<br /> 36. Om daitya-danava-bhanjanaya namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to He Who destroys the masses of the race of demons and giants</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">37. Om guna-bhadraya namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances unto Narasimha Who is full of wonderful qualities<br /> 38. Om mahabhadraya namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to Him Who is very auspicious<br /> 39. Om bala-bhadraya namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to Him Who is auspiciously powerful<br /> 40. Om subhadrakaya namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to the extremely auspicious One<br /> 41. Om karalaya namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to He Who possesses a wide open mouth<br /> 42. Om vikaralaya namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to Him with very wide open mouth<br /> 43. Om vikartaya namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to the Lord Who performs wonderful activities<br /> 44. Om sarva-kartrikaya namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to the Lord Who performs ALL activities<br /> 45. Om sisumaraya namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to Him Who also appears as Matsya<br /> 46. Om trilokatmaya namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to the Soul of the three worlds<br /> 47. Om isaya namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to the Lord known as the controller<br /> 48. Om sarvesvaraya namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to that supreme controller<br /> 49. Om vibhuaya namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to Narasimha Who is the BEST<br /> 50. Om bhaivaradambaraya namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to Him Who causes terror by roaring in the sky<br /> 51. Om divyaya namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to That Divine Person Narasimha<br /> 52. Om acyutaya namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to our infallible Lord Nara-simha<br /> 53. Om kavine namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to the Supreme intelligent (poet)<br /> 54. Om madhavaya namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to the husband of Srimati Laksmi devi<br /> 55. Om adhoksajaya namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to Him Who is beyond understanding (or beyond explaining)<br /> 56. Om aksaraya namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to the infallible One<br /> 57. Om sarvaya namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to He Who is the origin of everything<br /> 58. Om vanamaline namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to Him Who wears garland of forest flowers (or adorned by His loving devotees)</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">59. Om varapradaya namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to the Merciful Lord Who grants boons to the deserving like Prahlada</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">60. Om visvambaraya namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to Narasimha Who maintains the universe<br /> 61. Om adbhutaya namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to Him Who is wonderful<br /> 62. Om bhavyaya namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to He Who determines the future (Who is the future for His devotees)</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">63. Om sri-visnave namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to that Narasimha Who is the all pervading Lord Vishnu<br /> 64. Om purusottamaya namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to Narasimha Who is the Supreme Enjoyer<br /> 65. Om anaghastra namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to Him Who can never be wounded by weapons<br /> 66. Om nakhastraya namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to Him Who has sharp nails for weapons<br /> 67. Om surya-jyotine namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to Narasimha the source of Suns rays<br /> 68. Om suresvaraya namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to Narasimhadev, Lord of devatas<br /> 69. Om sahasra-bahu-aya namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to Nara-hari the thousand-armed Lord<br /> 70. Om sarva-jnaya namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to Him Who is the all-knowing<br /> 71. Om sarva-siddhi-pradayakaya namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to Him Who awards all perfections to the sadhakas (devotees)<br /> 72. Om vajra-damstraya namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to Narasimha Who has teeth like lightning bolts<br /> 73. Om vajra-nakhaya namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to Narasimha Who possesses nails like piercing lightning bolts<br /> 74. Om mahanandaya namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to the source of supreme bliss – Atmananda – Narasimha<br /> 75. Om param-tapaya namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to the source of All austerities, spiritual energy (and taptah – heat)</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">76. Om sarva-mantraika-rupa namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to that Divine Personality Who although one, he appears as the many mantrika formulas</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">77. Om sarva-yantra-vidaramaya namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to Him Who destroys all machines (demoniac plans/arrangements/vehicles for demoniac works)</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">78. Om sarva-tantratmakaya namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to Narasimha the essence of, and proprioter of all tantras (ritual rites – pujas)</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">79. Om avyaktaya namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to the Lord Who appears unmanifest<br /> 80. Om suvyaktaya namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances unto Nara-simha Who for His devotees becomes wonderfully manifest from the pillar (or when needed)</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">81. Om bhakta-vatsala namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to the Lord Who always has the well-being of His devotee at heart</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">82. Om vaisakha-sukla-bhototthaya namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to That Narasimhadeva Who appeared during waxing moon of the month of Visakha (April-May)</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">83. Om saranagata-vatsalaya namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to the Lord Who is kind to those surrendered to Him (like the mother lioness who is kind to her cubs)</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">84. Om udara-kirtine namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to Nara-simha Who is universally famous<br /> 85. Om punyatmaya namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to Him Who is the essence of piety<br /> 86. Om mahatmaya namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to That great personality, Nara-simha<br /> 87. Om candra-vikramaya namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to Him Who is the performer of moonlike or great deeds, or who performs deeds that eclipse all others.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">88. Om vedatrayaya namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to the Lord of the three original Vedas (Rg, Yajur, Sama)<br /> 89. Om prapujyaya namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to Narasimha Who is supremely worshipable<br /> 90. Om bhagavanaya namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to Narasimha the Supreme Personality of Godhead<br /> 91. Om paramesvaraya namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to He Who is the Supreme Controller (Nara-simha-deva)<br /> 92. Om srivatsamkaya namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to the Lord Who is just like Krishna, being marked with symbol of Laksmi</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">93. Om jagat-vyapine namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to Narasimha Who pervades the entire universe<br /> 94. Om jagan-mayaya namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to the Supreme Mystic Who makes the material world seem real</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">95. Om jagat-palaya namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to the protector of the universe (Nara-simha)<br /> 96. Om jagannathaya namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to the Lord of Universe<br /> 97. Om mahakhagaya namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to Him Who moves in the air or with the movement of the air (is everywhere)</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">98. Om dvi-rupa-bhrtaya namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to Him Who has double form (man-lion)<br /> 99. Om paramatmaya namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to Him Who is the Supersoul of All beings<br /> 100. Om param-jyotine namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to Him (Nara-simha) Whose effulgence is the source of Brahman</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">101. Om nirgunaya namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to Narasimha Who possesses transcendental qualities (not those of the material nature)</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">102. Om nrkesarine namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances unto Him man-lion (or having a lion’s mane while appearing part human)</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">103. Om para-tattvaya namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to the Supreme Absolute Truth (One Who is of the Supreme nature)</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">104. Om param-dhamaya namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to He Who comes from the Supreme Abode<br /> 105. Om sac-cid-ananda-vigrahaya namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances to Narasimha Whose Form is made of eternal knowledge and bliss</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">106. Om laksmi-nrsimhaya namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances unto the Man-Lion Form together with the Supreme Goddess of Fortune Srimati Laksmi-devi</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">107. Om sarvatmaya namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances unto the universal, primeval soul (the Supreme Personality of Godhead – Narasimhadeva)</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">108. Om dhiraya namah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Obeisances unto Narasimha who is always sober (being never bewildered)</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Om prahlada-palakaya namah Obeisances unto Narasimha Who is the protector of Prahlada Maharaja, and those of that nature – surrendered unto Him.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;"><strong>Read more: </strong><a href="http://www.dandavats.com/?p=85553">http://www.dandavats.com/?p=85553</a></p></div>Lord Rama by Radhanath Swamihttps://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/lord-rama-by-radhanath-swami-12023-03-30T03:30:00.000Z2023-03-30T03:30:00.000ZISKCON Desire Treehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/members/iskcon_desire_tree<div><p style="text-align:center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-L95eylDckzw/Vw4cPLpD5YI/AAAAAAAAavY/kwlZxMUjkgs/s0/2016-04-13_12-15-14.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-L95eylDckzw/Vw4cPLpD5YI/AAAAAAAAavY/kwlZxMUjkgs/s0/2016-04-13_12-15-14.jpg?profile=RESIZE_710x" alt="2016-04-13_12-15-14.jpg?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="350" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">‘Lord Rama (BG 4.10)’ by Radhanath Swami, in Mumbai</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;"><strong>janma karma ca me divyam</strong></p>
<p style="text-align:justify;"><strong>evam yo vetti tattvatah</strong></p>
<p style="text-align:justify;"><strong>tyaktva deham punar janma</strong></p>
<p style="text-align:justify;"><strong>naiti mam eti so ‘rjuna</strong></p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">(BG 4.9)</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">One who knows the transcendental nature of My appearance and activities does not, upon leaving the body, take his birth again in this material world, but attains My eternal abode, O Arjuna.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">PURPORT</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">The Lord’s descent from His transcendental abode is already explained in the 6th verse. One who can understand the truth of the appearance of the Personality of Godhead is already liberated from material bondage, and therefore he returns to the kingdom of God immediately after quitting this present material body. Such liberation of the living entity from material bondage is not at all easy. The impersonalists and the yogis attain liberation only after much trouble and many, many births. Even then, the liberation they achieve—merging into the impersonal brahma jyoti of the Lord—is only partial, and there is the risk of returning to this material world. But the devotee, simply by understanding the transcendental nature of the body and activities of the Lord, attains the abode of the Lord after ending this body and does not run the risk of returning to this material world. In the Brahma-samhita (5.33) it is stated that the Lord has many, many forms and incarnations: advaitam acyutam anadim ananta-rupam. Although there are many transcendental forms of the Lord, they are still one and the same Supreme Personality of Godhead. One has to understand this fact with conviction, although it is incomprehensible to mundane scholars and empiric philosophers. As stated in the Vedas</p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><strong>eko devo nitya-lilanurakto</strong></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><strong>bhakta-vyapi hrdy antar-atma</strong></p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">“The one Supreme Personality of Godhead is eternally engaged in many, many transcendental forms in relationships with His unalloyed devotees.” This Vedic version is confirmed in this verse of the Gita personally by the Lord. He who accepts this truth on the strength of the authority of the Vedas and of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and who does not waste time in philosophical speculations attains the highest perfectional stage of liberation. Simply by accepting this truth on faith, one can, without a doubt, attain liberation. The Vedic version tat tvam asi is actually applied in this case. Anyone who understands Lord Krishna to be the Supreme, or who says unto the Lord “You are the same Supreme Brahman, the Personality of Godhead,” is certainly liberated instantly, and consequently his entrance into the transcendental association of the Lord is guaranteed. In other words, such a faithful devotee of the Lord attains perfection, and this is confirmed by the following Vedic assertion:</p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><strong>tam eva viditvati mrtyum eti</strong></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><strong>nanyah pantha vidyate ‘yanaya</strong></p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">“One can attain the perfect stage of liberation from birth and death simply by knowing the Lord, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and there is no other way to achieve this perfection.” (Shevatasvatara Upanishad 3.8) That there is no alternative means that anyone who does not understand Lord Kåñëa as the Supreme Personality of Godhead is surely in the mode of ignorance and consequently he will not attain salvation simply, so to speak, by licking the outer surface of the bottle of honey, or by interpreting the Bhagavad-gétä according to mundane scholarship. Such empiric philosophers may assume very important roles in the material world, but they are not necessarily eligible for liberation. Such puffed-up mundane scholars have to wait for the causeless mercy of the devotee of the Lord. One should therefore cultivate Krishna consciousness with faith and knowledge, and in this way attain perfection.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Duhkhalayam asasvatam:</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">In this most beautiful famous sloka from the 4th chapter of the Bhagavad-Gita Lord Sri Krishna is giving us the information of who it is that is qualified to return to him at the end of this life.</p>
<p><strong>mam upetya punar janma</strong></p>
<p><strong>duhkhalayam asasvatam</strong></p>
<p><strong>napnuvanti mahatmanah</strong></p>
<p><strong>samsiddhim paramam gatah</strong></p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">(BG 8.15)</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">that the great souls they make their goal of life, the kingdom of God. They never make their goal in life any of the attainments of this world. Because, all the attainments of this world are duhkhalayam asasvatam. They are essentially the cause of all the miseries. Because to the degree we become attached to what we attain in this world to that degree we must suffer. The bondage of repeated birth and death, whether it is our wealth, whether it is our prestige, whether it is our fame, our family, our renunciation, our beauty, and our abilities. If we become attached to any of these things that very thing that is giving us so much joy becomes the cause of the repetition of birth and death. So therefore we should make our goal, the eternal abode of god. All the great wise men throughout history have agreed on this principle.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Qualification to go back to Godhead:</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">What is the qualification to attain the eternal abode of lord? Krishna explains right here. One who understands the transcendental nature of my appearance and activities never has to take birth in this world of suffering again but attains my eternal abode. And Krishna is so kind, He is so infinitely merciful. That he descends from his eternal spiritual abode into this material world only for the purpose of giving us the opportunity to understand the transcendental nature of His appearance and His activities. It is described previous to the sloka:</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;"><strong>paritranaya sadhunam</strong></p>
<p style="text-align:justify;"><strong>vinasaya ca duskrtam</strong></p>
<p style="text-align:justify;"><strong>dharma-samsthapanarthaya</strong></p>
<p style="text-align:justify;"><strong>sambhavami yuge yuge</strong></p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">(BG 4.8)</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">In order to deliver the pious and annihilated the miscreants as well as to reestablish to principles of religion I have been myself millennium after millennium.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Appearance of Jiva and Eshwara:</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">What is the difference between the Lord’s appearance in this world and our appearance in this world? This is described here. Lord Kapiladeva has said, “karmana daiva-netrena” the conditioned soul is forced to take birth in a particular womb of a particular species of life due to his past karma. Therefore for the ordinary soul we say that is his birth day. But for the lord we never say birth day. We said his appearance day. Just like we say celebrate our birth days. Do you know what is really like at the time of your birth? Was that a joyous occasion? You are crying and screaming. You are about this big and you are being forced through and opening about this big. You are being crunched and your mother, my god, you know what she was doing? She was just screaming. She was crying. She was vowing at that time, I’ll never do this again. This is too much, right? Does not every mother?</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Of course they forgot after time but while it is happening it is very very painful experience. Of course I cannot speak from my own realizations. I can only speak from what I heard. But the baby is crying and the mother is crying not in ecstasy but in agony, right. It is said when you cry cold tear that is ecstatic and when you cry hot tears that means you are in great distress. Both the mother and the baby are just crying hot tears like anything. The baby just crying and crying and crying and the mother is just smiling and in this way happy birth day. We love to remember that day. Every year we celebrate that day. Fortunately we forget what it was really like.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">But we read when the supreme lord appears it is altogether different. He is not forced to take birth because of his previous karma. He appears in this world by his own sweet will. He appears in this world to annihilate the miscreants, to deliver the pious, and to reestablish the principles of religion. But actually it is the Lord who has to take birth Himself to perform these three activities. He can do this through the agency of His devotees. He can destroy the miscreants in any way He wants through the agency of this material nature, through the agency of his devotees. He could deliver the pious through the scriptures, through the saints. Similarly, reestablish the principles of religion. The actual real reason, why the lord has to come, is to attract the minds of the conditioned souls to His divine form to His divine pastimes and to His divine Lila.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">The more we understand how the Supreme Personality of Godhead Sri Bhagavan Lila is completely transcendental, it is the total spiritual experience to that extent we become spiritually purified. And therefore the most important activity in our life is to hear the glories of the lord and to chant the glories of the lord. But we must hear from the authoritative sources. Otherwise you will not get the proper understanding. Just like there are so many people who have so many opinions of Lord Sri Krishna’s Lila or lord Sri Rama Chandra’s lila. You cannot understand the transcendental nature of the Lord’s appearance and activities unless you hear from those who are coming in a disciplic line of self-realized soul.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">One who knows God can reveal God. Otherwise, we find there are so many people who know Krishna’s pastimes but they really do not know anything about Krishna. There are so many people who know Rama’s lila but they do not know nothing about Rama. People are seeing the Mahabharata every Sunday morning and as they watching the pastimes many of the defects of Mahabharata are actually what are written in the book. Some of them are changed and many of them are just like it is written in the book. But whether there is a little change or just like in the book, either ways, most people cannot really understand what is going on internally. They just see it is an entertaining story and they think because it is about god it must be pious. But to the really understand the message, to the really understand the nature of the lord’s activities in His divine lilas. It is impossible to understand without the explanation of the self-realized souls or those who are acting on behalf of the self-realized souls.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Therefore to hear the glories of the Lord in the association of sincere devotees of the Lord is the most important part of our life because it is only through the process that we can understand the transcendental nature of the appearance and the activities of the Lord and it is only by the processes that our mind becomes attracted away from the temporary pastimes of this world and attracted to the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. So tonight we are most fortunate, we are gathered together on the most sacred occasion of the appearance of the supreme Lord Sri Hari. As He appeared in His most beautiful and merciful form of the son of Dasaratha, Sri Rama Chandra. This story was originally told and written by the great sage Valmiki Muni.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Guru’s mercy:</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Valmiki Muni as we know was a highway robber and hunter. He would torture and murdered innocent creatures as is very means of livelihood. But of course how many ever think of him like that. That anyone can condemn him for being like that? We glorifying for being like that because the more fallen person is the more glorious it is when he becomes great. Valmiki Muni although living in such a sinful and ruthless life, in the association of the great devotee Narada Muni he became purified. Narada Muni taught him that if you want to be purified from all your sins you must chant the name of Rama. Valmiki Muni was so sinful; he could not chant the name of Rama. Now someone thinks that I am so fallen and I am addicted to so many sinful activities, what hope is there for me to become self-realized.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Sometimes we become discouraged. Do we not? Thinking of I am addicted to so many bad habits. I have so many attachments. My mind is so uncontrolled. How is it possible for me to become liberated in this life in Krishna Consciousness? But every one of you in this room is able to chant the name of Rama, correct. Repeat after me. Rama. Rama. Raise your hand if you cannot chant the name of Rama. If you are so sinful that it is not possible to chant the name of Rama. Then you are all much more pious than Valmiki was. Because he could not do it. He was trying. Narada Muni was saying Rama, Rama and he was just not able to do it. Even Narada Muni convinced him of the sinful reactions coming upon him for all of his deals all of his crimes, he could not chant the name of Rama. So you know the acharya, he is not a self-righteous fanatic. He does not say, “You won’t chant the name of Rama that’s the bona fide mantra then I am going somewhere else. I am sorry, I cannot help you.”</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">The acharya is willing to adjust all the rules and regulations to somehow or other make a person Krishna Conscious. Now what acarya has ever taught previously to chant the name of the God of death. Can you think of anyone? What bona fide guru taught, chant mara. Which means death? Nobody does. But Narada Muni knew that this man is so attached to death, he is so intimate with killing that he will be able to chant the name of Mara with great feeling. So therefore we understand that this is the real acarya. He is not simply self-righteous just to maintain traditions, but he is willing to do whatever it takes to liberate those persons who he is preaching to. So he began to chant MARA, MARA, MARA. Then by chanting, what was his qualification. His qualification was simply, he was willing to try to obey his guru. He had no qualification; he was such a sinful demon. He was a demon. But because, he was simply willing to try to follow the instructions of his guru sincerely, all of his shortcomings were put aside by the supreme Lord Rama. In a very short time he was chanting the name of Rama purely.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Then he was given the vision of the transcendental pastimes of Sri Rama Chandra and he noted down for all the world and he wrote that is longer than the mountains, securely placed on this earth and as long as there are rivers flowing from those mountains to the sea, the holy name of Rama and the pastimes of Ramayana will be chanted by all pious man. Now Valmiki Muni wanted this great scripture to be chanted in the great cities of the world. So his two most intimates and pious disciples, he taught them Ramayana and they were so virtuous that by hearing once they learned by memory and they were dispatch to chant for Ramayana for the benefit of all living beings. Their names were Lava and Kusa. They happened to be the two sons of Sita and Rama, who from their time of the birth lived in the hermitage of Valmiki Muni after Sita devi was banished to the forest.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">So Lava and Kusa came to Ayodha and in the holy streets of Ayodha they began to chant the beautiful glories of Ramayana. Although they had identical bodily features of their father Sri Rama Chandra they could not be recognized because they are living like ascetics, wearing the bark of trees with matted hair. When Lord Rama Chandra heard these pastimes being narrated, He invited Lava and Kusa into His palace court and invited all of His ministers and all the town’s people to listen attentively to the beautiful glories of story of Sri Rama.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">The narration of the Ramayana begins by Kusa and Lava narrating these pastimes to Rama Himself. It is described that in the holy city of Ayodha which is situated in the holy banks of the river Sarayu. There was a great king of the name Dasaratha. He was the king of the province of Kosala and a great descendent of maharaja Ikshwaku of the solar dynasty. King Dasaratha was very pious and religious King. He was in the true sense of Rajarshi. He was simultaneously a saint and a King. He was pure devotee of God and everyone in his kingdom was thoroughly satisfied because he was teaching everyone to live perfectly and harmony with the laws of God.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">The Kingdom of Ayodha because of the piety of this great king was flourishing with prosperity. There was no poverty. There was great opulence. The roads were beautiful and clean, scented with sandalwood and fragrant oils and the houses were made of marbles and decorated on the jewels. And all the people were dressed in beautiful coloring clothing and everyone was constantly singing the glories of Lord Hari. Dasaratha Maharaja had three hundred and fifty queens. We are talking about Tretayuga, where man lived tens and thousands years old. And great kings they were allowed to protect and care for as many women as they could satisfy. You imagine how great king Dasaratha was that he could keep 350 queens simultaneously fully satisfied. How many of you husbands can keep your one wife fully satisfied. Raise your hand if you can do that? I’ll not ask to you raise your hand if you cannot do it.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">We can understand how great and glorious the king was. He was a Maharathi. In the battle he can destroy thousands of men at a time. One day he approached his ministers and he explained to them as well as the great saints and sages that he was feeling great distress in his heart because although he was growing very old he had not yet had a single son. And of course a king is very important to have a son, because, someone must continue the dynasty. So that he said, “All my wealth and with all my strength and although I have conquered the whole world I am the king of earth. Although all my subjects love me as their father, still my heart is empty because I have no son.” He said, “I desired to perform a sacrifice to Lord Vishnu in order to have a male son.”</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">At that time his guru Vaisistha Muni, he said my dear king I’ll make arrangements for the sacrifice. Then his very loyal and faithful minister Sumantra took him aside. He said, so many years ago the great sage Sanatkumara gave you a benediction. He told you that you would have one daughter and you should name her Shanta. And that you should marry her to a great sage Rishyasringa and the same sage Rishyasringa would perform a sacrifice to Lord Vishnu and from that sacrifice you will have four illustrious and glorious sons. So my feeling is you should go and find Rishyasringa. What happened is after he had the beautiful daughter Shanta there was a king by name Romapada. He was the king of Anga Dynasty. He had no children. So Dasaratha was feeling very much for him. So he gave him his only daughter. And she grew up as the princess of Maharaja Romapada. Maharaja Romapada under Dasaratha’s instruction married his daughter to Rishyasringa.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">So Dasaratha went to that place and there were cordial greetings and there was warm friendship. After one week he brought Rishyasringa back to Ayodha. Then in the presence of all the great sages and saints and all the friends of Dasaratha he began to exclaim his great distress. And Rishyasringa replied, “My dear King! I’ll perform an Ashwamedha Yajna to Lord and I promised you the supreme Lord Himself will appear in four forms as your son.” So he began to perform the sacrifice. And when the time came to offer oblations to the various demigods, all the demigods appeared on the scene, headed by Lord Brahma. And they all took apart their share of the sacrifice. At that time all the demigods approached Brahmaji. They took the opportunity and with folded hands and tears in their eyes they began to explain Brahmaji, “the great Rakshasa Blood seeking demon Ravana was completely causing havoc throughout entire universe. He was killing innocent people sucking their blood; he was destroying the sacrifice of the brahmanas. He was harassing the demigods and exploiting their property. In this way the whole universe is in great anxiety and he was so powerful because you have given him this benediction that no one can defeat him. So Brahmaji please do something. You are our father. You are our guide.”</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">At that time Lord Brahma, began to think. What is to be done? And he began to pray Lord Vishnu. And just at that time from behind the clouds almost beautiful effulgent light was beheld by everyone in the assembly house of Maharaja Dasaratha. There, shining like millions of suns appeared Lord Narayana, descending on His bird Garuda and Lord Brahma began to pray. “Lord Narayana! This demon Ravana is causing so much distress and you are the only one that can annihilate him.” And Lord Vishnu explained,”I will soon come. I’ll appear as the four sons of Dasarath and Ravana will be killed.” And after confirming the fulfillment of their desires Lord Narayana again ascended to Vaikuntha and disappeared. Then Lord Brahma “tene brahma hrdaya adikavaye” who is receiving information from Krishna in his heart, he explained that, “All you demigods, Vishnu wants you to help him in this great battle against Ravana. So therefore you should all expand yourselves and take births as monkeys in the jungle of Kiskindha and you should expand yourself with all the power and all the strength you have now and very soon the supreme Lord Hari will come and together He will relieve the earth of the burden of Ravana and his Rakshasa Dynasty.”</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">At that time all the demigods left. They all returned to their abodes and then they all began making their plans. First the king of heaven Indra he expanded himself and begot a child, his name was Bali. Bali possessed all the strength and potency of His father Indra. Then the sun god, Vivasvan, he begot the most illustrious and faithful Sugriva, who is equal to him in all respects. Kuvera, the great treasure of the demigods he begot the great monkey child, Ghandamadana. And Agni, he expanded himself as Susena and Brihaspati, expanded himself as Nala. The Aswini Kumaras they expanded themselves as Mahinda and Vivida. In this way the monkeys were very powerful. They could lift mountains. They could make the earth tremble by their foot steps.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">At the end of the sacrifice Rishyasringa took the mahaprasada, the payasanna, and told King Dasaratha that you give this payasanna to your wives. And whoever drinks this Lord Narayana will come to your son. So, he first divided prasad in half. And he gave the first half to the principal wife Kausalya and she drank it. And he took the other half and divided that in half and gave half to Sumitra and then he took that half and divided into half and gave half to Kaikei and the other half to Sumitra. Very soon after drinking this divine mahaprasada all the three mothers became pregnant. This is the transcendental nature of the appearance of the lord. He does not have to come into the world through the same medium that we do. Rama was born from the union of His mother eating mahaprasad.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">And one year after the sacrifice on the most auspicious time when all the constellations were in perfect order the Supreme Personality of Godhead appeared as the son of Kausalya in his most beautiful form of Sri Rama. Then Bharata was born of Kaikei, and Lakshmana was born of Sumitra and his brother was Satrughna. And these four children, they were none other than the four expansions of Vasudeva, Sankarshana, Pradyumna and Anirudha. They were all Vaikuntha Murti’s of Sri Hari. It is described that they were so beautiful. All auspicious signs decorated all of them. But of all of them Rama was the most beautiful. His eyes were like lotus flowers. His every limb was delicate and soft but at the same time most powerful and strong. His arms extended to His knees. It is described that on his feet and on his hands were the signs of the conch shell, the disc, the lotus flower and the club. And Visishista Muni performed the birth ceremony and he also performed the name giving ceremony. When these beautiful sons appeared as the princes of Dasaratha there was great celebration throughout the city of Ayodhya for years and years. Everyone was waiting for Dasaratha’s child to be born. So Dasaratha Maharaja would giving tens and thousands of beautiful cows with golden ornaments and golden horns to the brahmanas. He was giving mountains of grains and beautiful jewels and silks in the charity to the Vaishnavas. He was preparing wonderful Prasad and delivering it to all living beings. In this way there was a celebration and all the inhabitants of Ayodhya were singing and dancing. It was a festival that no one has ever seen, all celebrating the beautiful appearance of Sri Rama. And actually this is the way we should all every year celebrate the appearance of Sri Rama.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">The residents of Ayodhya described, they were singing, they were dancing, they were just joyful, eating nice Prasad, distributing nice Prasad, giving gifts, receiving gifts, because, everyone’s mind were emerged only on the beautiful form of this child of Rama. They completely forgot the miseries of material existence. As they began to grow older, it is described they began to learn how to walk and the three mothers Sumitra, Kaikei, and Kausalya their love just no bounds and Dasarath Maharaja sharing that love. He was perfectly satisfied twenty four hours a day simply seeing the beautiful form of Rama. Indeed every inhabitant of Ayodhya shared the same love for Rama. He became as he grew older most learned in Vedas, the most expert archer and most expert charioteer and the whole city was simply waiting the auspicious day when he would be coroneted as the king.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">It is described that when Lord Sri Ramachandra was sixteen years old, the great sage Visvamitra Muni came to the Kingdom of Ayodhya. Visvamitra was living in the jungle. He had no material possessions. He was a hermit. He was beggar and Maharaja Dasaratha was the king of the world. But when Visvamitra came into the Kingdom, Dasaratha greeted him with great humility and devotion. He got up from his own throne and put Visvamitra on his throne and he washed his feet and worshiped his feet. You see, this is the secret that makes great kings great. The great kings understood that the greatest kings are those who have renounced all attachments to this material world. You see the crown of a king is considered insignificant compared to the opulence of the robes of renunciate, because, the opulence of renunciation is the greatest opulence. One who conquers all the lands is not as great the man who conquers his senses. You see in our history there are people, great souls who have conquered so many lands. But they could not control their own senses. So one who has conquered the senses, he was considered great. That is why a king is called Maharaja. But a renunciate is also called maharaja, great king. But there are different kinds of kings—one who has the crown and one who wears the bark of the tree or a simple dress of renuciate. But out of the two maharajas, the qualification of king maharaja is that he bows down and worships as the menial servant the renunciates, who have given their lives in the service of the God. So Maharaja Dasaratha, understood that the real treasure of his whole kingdom and of his whole life was completely dependent on blessings of the great souls.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Sometimes people think that those in the renounced order are lazy. But Maharaja Dasaratha was not thinking about like that for Visvamitra. He was not saying why not you have a job. In fact maharaja Dasaratha was just waiting for the day when he could give up his job and be like that. But, he knew it is more difficult to do than to maintain his job as king of the world. So he worshipped Visvamitra. This is the glory of grihasta is that he humbles himself before those who have sacrificed everything in the service of the lord. So Dasaratha Maharaja said to Visvamitra Muni I want to offer you everything in my kingdom. Whatever you like is yours? Now you’ve to be very careful when you say like that to a saddhu. He said, “I will offer you anything you like. Whatever you desire is yours. After all I am a representative of god. I am the king. I can fulfill any desire you have.”</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Visvamitra Muni, he looked at Dasarath Maharaja. “Yes, my dear king I know you are true to your words. In the forest we are performing our sacrifices. There are two very very powerful asuras, rakshasas who are constantly spoiling all of our spiritual activities by contaminating the sacrificial arena. Their names are Maricha and Subahu. I want to take Lord Rama, your son into the forest because it is only he who could destroy these demons.” My god, when Dasaratha heard this he was stunned. “How can you ask this? Who are these demons? I am a maharathi, I will leave my armies and I’ll take one akshauhini divisional soldiers. I’ll leave the ranks and we’ll destroy those demons. Leave Rama at home. What is the problem? let me do it. But Rama is just a young child. He is hardly sixteen years old. He is not very experienced at fighting. He is still learning His lessons in the school. He has a very frail and young body. How can He fight against these asuras? Tell me more about these asuras.”</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Visvamitra said they are the associates of Ravana. When Dasaratha heard this, he became very afraid. He said, “No one can touch Ravana and his associates. They are very powerful. Even I cannot stand up against them. Even Indra cannot stand up against them. He said take my whole kingdom, take everything but not Rama. I cannot bear separation from Him. I cannot give you this.” Upon hearing this Visvamitra became very angry. He became so angry that the earth began to tremble. He said, “Dasarath Maharaja! If you relinquish truth, if you go back on your words, all your piety and your entire kingdom and your entire fame of your dynasty will be finished today. I’ll leave this place and along with me will be the end of everything in your life.”</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">At that time, Vaisistha Muni told King Dasaratha, ”This Visvamitra is very powerful. You do not want to offend him. Give him your son. Your son is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. No one is going to defeat Him. Even if you think He will. If He is under the care of Visvamitra Muni, Visvamitra Muni could destroy all the Rakshasas single handedly. He is the all powerful of all sages. The only reason, why he is asking for your son is he wants your son to be glorified.” So on the advice of Vaisistha Dasaratha said, ”Alright please take care of him.” And then Visvamitra muni took Rama into the forest.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">As they wandered through the forest, they came into a jungle and this jungle was very very serious. There was practically no life in the jungle except fearful bees and vultures. Rama said what is happening. Why is this like this? Visvamitra told Him, “There was great female Rakshasi of the name Tataka. She was the mother of Maricha. He said one time this forest was very holy place, where great sages and saints would come to perform sacrifice. But she has simply come and she has destroyed everything. She eats everything in site. She loves to taste the blood. She absolutely horrified everyone with her deformed features and her ghastly roar. Rama you should kill this demon.” So Rama took His bow and He just pulled the string and it made such a noise that all the rakshasas those who are the associates of Tataka became very afraid. But she became outraged, who has come? She began screaming and roaring and she came into the forest and attacked Rama and Lakshamana. They were covered with a cloud of dust and she began to shower stones and rocks upon them. Then she was screaming a hideous sound. At that time Rama took His bow and He cut of her two arms. She was even more angry and she went upon to the sky and Lakshamana cut of his nose and ears. And she began to shower all sorts of abominable things and shower them with rocks and stones. In this way she was so angered that at last she plunged Rama with the seed of Indra’s thunderbolt and Ramachandra took His celebrated bow and shot an arrow into her breast and she fell down screaming and in a moment she died. And everyone was very happy.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Then the forest again became an auspicious place and they took rest that night. The next morning they came to the hermitage of Visvamitra. And then they began to perform the sacrifice. And Rama and Lakshmana stood up day and night with Visvamitra waiting for Maricha and Subahu to come. They stood up for six days. On the final day all of sudden the sky became very dark. And they heard screaming sounds. And Maricha and Subahu very very powerful rakshasas came down onto the sacrificial arena and began to throw stool and puss and urine and bloody human mutilated all over the sacrificial arena. Rama took His bow and He took His arrow and shot at into Maricha and it was so powerful that threw him 800 miles into the middle of the ocean. Then he took another arrow and appears to Subahu’s heart and he died instantly. Then he took another arrow that was the arrow of vayu (air). Then He shatterd all other rakshasas to flee for their lives. Thus Visvamitra was very pleased.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Then Rama very humbly approached Visvamitra who is now His guru and He said is there any other service I can render for you. In the evening Lord Sri Ramachandra would massage the legs of His spiritual master along with Lakshamana. They would go out and collect wood for their spiritual master to perform his sacrifices. Indeed they wood perform the most menial insignificant services. And everyday they would enquire with great humility from Visvamitra Muni to instruct them on the goal of life and the science of Vedas.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">One person asked, do we really need guru? Ramachandra appeared to show every human being how he must live? Do you think Jagat guru Bhagavan Sri Ramachandra needs a guru? He is the knower of past present and future. He is the author of Vedas; he is the goal of Vedas. But just to show us whoever you are, however great you are, you must humble yourself and submit yourself to a spiritual master. Some people say I do not need a guru, I know Krishna. But even Krishna, He will not even say that. Even Krishna accepted guru. So the supreme Lord, who is the enjoyer of all sacrifices, “bhoktaram yagnya tapasa”, who is the proprietor of everything, who is the master of all, living beings, to set the example for us, everyday and every night he would massage His guru’s lotus feet. He would inquire submissively for Him. And His goal was simply to please His spiritual master. So Visvamitra was very pleased.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">You see when the spiritual master is pleased with disciple; the spiritual master shares his life with the disciple. So Visvamitra began to take Rama and Lakshmana on a pilgrimage through the forest. One day they came to the very holy city of Mithila. When they saw the beauty of the city they were struck with wonder. How clean and how fragrant of the flowers and how beautiful and charming was the gardens of the forest and how peaceful and pure hearted were all the residence. Visvamitra Muni began to explain that this is the great king Janaka, who rules over this holy land of Mithila. He explained that in this city there is a mighty bow of Lord Sankara and people have been coming from years and years from all over the universe to try to lift this bow and bend it, because, whoever does it, attains the most beautiful goddess of fortune, Sita Devi as their wife in marriage. Now we are coming to Mithila and let us see the beauty of the place.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">It is described that as they came into the kingdom, when the word came that Visvamitra Muni arrived, King Janaka and all of his ministers with great devotion worshipped his lotus feet and took them into their palace. After sometime, Rama and Lakshmana with the permission of their guru began to wander to see the beauty of this great city. They came into a particular garden, which is the garden of Sita. In that garden there was a temple of Goddess Parvati and Sita devi would daily pray to her and worship her. When Sita’s friends saw the beauty of Lord Ramachandra, they were immediately stuck with wonder. How can anyone be so beautiful as Him? He is the perfect match for our Sita devi. So they went on and got Sita. “We want to show you something, come here.” And Sita she looked through the bushes and when she saw the beautiful form of Rama, immediately the eternal love between the Lord and His consort was awakened within her heart. Then Sri Rama when He saw the beauty of Sita that unlimited infinite divine love awakened within His heart. When they looked at one another, Sita Devi being very shy, immediately looked toward His lotus feet and fixed her eyes on His lotus feet. And through her eyes she engraved the form of His lotus feet within core of her heart. In this way in the hearts of Sita and Rama, the seed of love began to grow.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">At that time Visvamitra asked Janaka, “Where is the great bow? and tell us about it”, Rama had joined with them at that time with Lakshmana. Janaka said, “One time Lord Siva gave as a gift this great bow to the demigods and they gave it to my forefathers. This bow is so powerful that no man has ever even been able to lift it. But I have made a vow. He said, on the day when I was watching my beautiful little daughter Sita cleaning, she lifted this bow and dusted under it and put it back. How is it possible? Even the greatest demigods, the greatest Rakshasas, the greatest kings they cannot lift it and my little daughter lifted it. So I vow that will take the man who cringe this bow to marry my daughter. But he said unfortunately I think my daughter will have to die a kumari(unmarried girl) because there is no one in the whole universe to lift this bow. Visvamitra said Rama can lift this bow. You bring it. For thousands of man had to drag this bow into the assembly. And thousands of people came into the arena to see. At that time He effortlessly lifted the bow and He pulled the string and the bow cracked. When that bow broke it made such tumultuous and thunders sound that the universe began to shake.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">At that time beautiful Goddess Sita whose heart was set fixed on the lotus feet of Rama. She puts the garland of victory around His Lotus neck. This most beautiful and wonderful union of the Lord with His eternal consort brings great joy to the life of all devotees. You see a devotee’s pleasure is giving Krishna pleasure and giving Rama pleasure. The residence of Mithila, the residence of Ayodhya and all great devotees of the Lord they are constantly in transcendental bliss because their only pleasure in seeing the pleasure of Rama. The perfection of life is to forget what do I like, what do I want, what do I need, and to simply think in terms of what will please Rama. To that extent we give up our own selfish interest in life and make our only pleasure in pleasing Krishna to that extent we become transcendental to all the miseries of this world. This is bhakti.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Understand the residents of Ayodhya and Mithila. They were not jnanis, they were not yogis. They were ordinary people. They had jobs, they were merchants, they were politicians, they were warriors, they were housewives. But they were the most fortunate and the most highly spiritually advanced. Why? Because, their only pleasure in life was giving pleasure to Sita and Rama. Of course we would be very happy to continue on the narration of Ramayana. But I think it would become very late. So one drop from the ocean of Ramayana all we have time to taste this evening. But the real message that we would like for everyone to understand is what is real value in our life? To put aside all things that we consider valuable and strive for those things that Rama feels valuable. It is said when we decorate the deity of the Lord, because you find such great pleasure in seeing Krishna’s satisfaction, you will leave all desires to decorate you own dying body. When you cook nice food for the pleasure of the Lord, you loose all desire to cook nice food for your own fastidious senses. When you work and offer as sacrifice the fruits of your actions for the pleasure of the Lord you become indifferent to your own ineffaceable lusty desires for more and more fame, more and more power, more and more prestige, more and more wealth. By watering the root of the tree we become satisfied. Rama is the root. He is the root of the all existence. So by hearing this transcendental pastimes of the lord, let us understand how the supreme personality of godhead, is appearing in such a wonderful and attractive way just, so that we will be attracted to please Him, to serve Him, to glorify Him. And in the association of devotees this message comes to life in our heart. So let us associate with devotees. Let us follow in the foot steps of the residents of Ayodha and the residents of Mithila. And in this holy day of Rama Navami, let us reconfirm our vows in life. Let us reconfirm the direction of life, we want to strive for.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">atagh pumbhir dvija-srestha</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">varnasrama-vibhägasah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">svanushtitasya dharmasya</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">samsiddhir hari-tosanam</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">(SB 1.2.13)</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Whatever your occupation, whatever you position in society the goal is to please Krishna, to please Rama. Even if the whole world hates you, if you please Rama, your life will be perfect. But if the whole world glorifies but Lord Rama is not pleased then your life is a useless waste. And what pleases the Lord more than anything else.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;"><strong>In the age of Kali Yuga it is described</strong></p>
<p style="text-align:justify;"><strong>krishna varnam tvisakrishnam</strong></p>
<p style="text-align:justify;"><strong>Sangopangastra parsaadam</strong></p>
<p style="text-align:justify;"><strong>Yagnaih sankirtanaprayair</strong></p>
<p style="text-align:justify;"><strong>Yajanti hi su medhasah</strong></p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">(SB 11.5.32)</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">By performing the sacrifice of attentively chanting the holy name, more than anything else this gives pleasure to Krishna. It is so simple you may say why is He pleased to simple thing to chanting His holy name? Because in Kali yuga that’s the best you can do. The way to please Him in other Yugas, it is impossible for you today. But if you simply chant attentively His holy name and associate with His devotees, there is nothing to please Him more than this. So now it is time for the arati for Sri Rama Chandra and we will not go beyond the conchshell tonight. So Prasad will be in 25 minutes. But it is an opportunity to please Lord Ramachandra just as the residents of Ayodha and Mithila did on His birth. On Sita’s birth, they were also dancing and chanting and on Rama’s birth they were also dancing and chanting. So Today is Rama’s appearance day. So let us celebrate His coming into our lives in this most auspicious occasion by chanting His holy name by dancing and by remembering his mercy in our life. Thank you very much. Hare Krishna!</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">The history of Ravanas incarnation is an interesting one. Originally Ravana and his brother Kumbhakarna had guard the gates of Vaikuntha, the supreme Lord eternal abode. At that time their name was Jaya and Vijaya. Because they offended the four Kumaras, who are great sages, the Kumaras crushed them to take birth in the material world. When the supreme lord Vishnu informed them that they could take seven births as His devotees or three births as demons, they chose the shorter exile as the demons. Because the residents of Vaikuntha deplore separation from the Lord’s lotus feet, they did however receive the boon of never forgetting the lord while on earth. Thus they are considering eternally liberated associates, nitya-siddha or Lord Vishnu. Even by thinking of the lord inimically as demons do, one can liberated.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Of course we should think of God favorable. But it is significant. That he is so powerful that even demons can be purified by thinking of Him. Wanting to exhibit his provost in fighting, the supreme Lord chose Jaya and Vijaya to be His opponents. By his grace they became so strong that only the Lord Himself could defeat them. Therefore Jaya and Vijaya took their birth as Hiranyaksha and Hiranyakashipu. They were killed by the Lord appearing as Lord Varaha and Lord Narasimha respectively. In their second birth they came as Ravana and Kumbhakarna and they were killed by the Lord Ramachandra. In their third birth they appeared as Sishupala and Dantavakra and were killed by Lord Sri Krishna. Then they were able to return to Vaikuntha and resume their post as guards at transcendental abode.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">After hearing the demigods petition to lead the universe of the troublesome Ravana Lord Considered various solutions. Finally Bramha said indeed, I have granted a great boon to Ravana, where by he cannot be killed by any gandharva, demigod, Rakshasa, Naga or inhabitant of the lower planetary system. However he did not ask for invincibility against human beings. Therefore O demigods be confident that very soon the lord will lead the universe of this demon. As Brahma was speaking to the demigods, the Supreme Personality of Godhead Lord Vishnu suddenly appeared in the sky riding on the back of His wind carrier the great bird Garuda. As the supreme Lord approached to His transcendental effulgence illumined everything in all directions. The Lord wore yellow garments and in His four hands He has a conchshell, disc, lotus flower and club. He was begot with golden ornaments and on His chest with the Kasturi Mani jewel on the mark of Srivatsa. Upon seeing Him all the demigods offered obeisances. Then Lord Brahma said, “O all mighty Vishnu! You are the master of all the demigods including Lord Shiva. Please incarnate on this earth as the son of King Dasaratha and kill the demon Ravana, who was killing the three worlds with fear. This mighty rakshasa is pressing all the demigods and sages because we wish him annihilated. We have come here to seek your protection. O chastiser of force, you are the supreme resort and shelter of all of us. Please descend to this material world and destroy our enemies.”</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Hearing the demigods’ humble appeal, Lord Vishnu agreed to accept King Dasharatha as His father by taking birth in the wombs of King’s principal wives. Then bidding farewell to the demigods, He returned to His abode in the Vaikuntha. The sage Rrishyasringa completed the Ashwamedha sacrifice and King Dasaratha gave half of the Lord’s prasadam the holy sacrificial foods to his wife Kausalya and the other half to his wives Kaikeyi and Sumitra. After the sacrifice Lord Brahma spoke to the demigods, “Please beget personal manifestations of yourselves within the wombs of Monkeys. You should equally unite in strength. Be well versed with vedic literature and endowed with all mystic powers. They should be very intelligent, swift, and expert in warfare. They will assist Lord Vishnu in killing the chief of the Rakshasas, Ravana as well as his followers. Indeed Jambavan has already taken birth from my mouth. By hearing this all the demigods, rishis, and sages, begot thousands in the role of monkeys for the purpose of aiding Lord Vishnu. Lord Indra the chief of the demigods begot Bali who equaled to Him in strength. The sun god Vivasvan begot Sugriva the younger brother of Bali. The sage Brihaspati, the spiritual master of the demigods begot the mighty monkey Tara who is most intelligent. Kuvera the lord of wealth begot the monkey Gandhamadana. Visvakarma the architect of the demigod begot the powerful monkey name Nala. The fire god Agni begot the glorious Nila. The rich and beautiful Ashwini Kumaras begot the monkeys Mahinda and Vivida. Varuna the demigod of water begot the monkey of Susena. Hajanya the god of the rain begot Sarava and the wind god Vayu begot Hanumana. Of all the monkeys Hanuman was the strongest and most intelligent. He could with the stand with force of thunderbolt and he was swift of Lord Vishnu Himself.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">The principal Apsaras, Vidyadhara women the wives of the Nagas and Gandharva women also gave birth to the children in the form of monkey with gigantic bodies and mystic powers. Each monkey had the strength of thousand of elephants, with their arms alone the monkeys could uproot gigantic trees and throw huge rocks with great force. They all had extremely sharp teeth, claws, capable of tearing out the heart of any rakshasas. In fact they could agitate the sea with their great strength and the earth simply by walking. Their legs were so powerful that they could leave great distances and jump as high as clouds. Their hands were so strong that they could seize elephants and they were roaring with so great that they could not verge from the sky. Moreover these monkeys could as soon inform at will. Living in the mountains in the forest they saw the protection of their chiefs. Some monkeys follow Bali and Sugriva, where others follow Nala, Nila, Hanuman and others. All the monkeys however considered Bali to be their king and Lord. The monkey chief is so great that they looked like massive clouds covering the peaks of the mountains. Indeed they were given the gigantic bodies just to assist Lord Sri Ramachandra. After the successful Yajna directed by the great sage Rishyasringa, King Dasarath joyfully ruled his capital. His principal wives were pregnant having taken of Vishnu Prasadam from the sacrifice. And they appeared more effulgent as the sun feeling greatly satisfied. The king waited for the supreme Lord Himself to take birth as his son. After the sacrifice when the star Punarvasu was sending the sun on Aries, Mars was on Capricorn, Saturn was on Libra, Jupiter was on Cancer and the moon was on the Pisces.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">The eldest of King Dasaratha’s queens Kausalya gave birth to Lord Rama, who is the Lord of the universe, the Supreme Personality of Godhead himself, Lord Vishnu. Rama is the greatest descendent of the line of Kings – was endowed with all auspicious divine markings. His eyes were tinged with red and his lips were also red. His long arms extended down to his knees and the symbols of Vishnu, the lotus, conchshell, disc, and club and other markings could be seen of His hands and His souls of His feet. King Dasaratha’s next son named Bharat took birth from the womb of queen Kaikeyi. Being a manifestation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead Bharat also possessed great strength. After Bharata’s birth queen Sumitra gave birth to Lakshmana and Satrughna, who are also expansions of the supreme Lord.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Upon the birth of Lord Rama, all the demigods in the heavenly planets began singing and playing musical instruments. The heavenly apsaras danced and all the gandharvas, kinnaras, and vidhyadharas assembled in the sky to offer prayers to the lord and shower the earth with flowers. Everyone in Ayodha rejoiced to the appearance of Lord Ramachandra. Many people danced and chanted and everyone felt jubilant. All the roads leading to Ayodha were filled with sweet songs and King Dasharatha being very pleased performed splendorous name giving ceremony for his sons. Giving mounts of brilliant jewels, thousands of cows, and many other valuable gifts to the brahmanas. The priest Vaisistha Muni performed all the purificatory ceremonies for the four divine boys. Rama, Bharata, Lakshamana, and Satrughna.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">In due course, other ceremonies from bestowing of names to the presentation of sacred thread were performed by Vaisistha muni. Very soon King Dasaratha’s four illustrious sons became masters of Vedas and heroes intent on benefiting everyone. Lord Rama was expert at chariot fighting and riding elephants and horses. His special love however was archery and always He was devoted to his father’s service. Lord Rama’s younger borther Lakshmana was deeply attached to Rama and tried to satisfy Him in everyway. Rama loves Lakshsmana so much, that he could not even sleep without him. Rama would not even eat, when His brother was not present. Whenever Lord Rama was riding on horseback or took out a chariot Lakshmana was with Him guarding Him in all sides. Just as Lakshmana served Rama, Saturghana served Bharata. In this way the four sons were inseparable and very dear to one another. Seeing their excellent qualities King Dasaratha was extremely delighted. Indeed the four boys always dwelt in the core of his heart. This is the nature of love. The beloved dwells in the core of one’s heart and cannot be forgotten even for a moment.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">As Lord Krishna says His pure devotee is always within the core of His heart and He is always in theirs. They are most dear to Him and He is most dear to them. The devotees do not know anything but their worshippable Lord. There is no question of separation neither in this world or the next, for the Lord and His devotees they are internally and transcendentally blissful far beyond the mode of cares of this world birth and death. Because King Dasarath was always merged in thoughts of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, in the form of his first son, he knew full happiness in his heart was completely satisfied. Sri Ramachandra ki Jay!</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">On this special day we should be very very attentive to attract the mercy of Lord Sri Ramachnandra by always thinking of Him by speaking of Him and by hearing of Him. Whatever time we have at our disposal we should be reading the pastimes of the Lord and discussing amongst one another, this most beautiful and wonderful lila as depicted in Ramayana. And of course we should work very hard and attentively in our devotional activities and we should strive to consciously to offer our every act, every thought and our every word in the loving service of our guru maharaja, for the glorification of Sri Rama. So let us invite Sri Ramachandra to appear on this holy day of Rama Navami within the core of our own hearts by sincerely calling upon His holy names, by sincerely finding relish and satisfaction in describing his glorious pastimes.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">In this way the lord appears in this world to display His super excellent opulence, primarily to attract our minds, away from the things of the senses and again towards the shelter of His lotus feet. How holy and special is the day of Rama Navami? Of all Lord Sri Krishna’s incarnations Lord Sri Ramachandra has displayed such an exciting and beautiful and sweet pastimes manifesting the beautiful loving reciprocation of pure love with His devotees. Displaying His super excellent power to defeat and annihilate all demoniac forces. Lord Sri Ramachandra appeared to guides human being to show by his own example, how the perfect human being should behave. He also appeared as a king to show the world by His own example, the duties of great king. In this way Sri Ramachandra was absolutely perfect example and everything He did for all humanity to follow. So let us meditate upon the mercy of Sri Ramachandra and then it is for certain that divine love for His lotus feet will awaken within our hearts and we will taste the sweetness of pure devotion and then our love our lives will find great fulfillment in His divine service. Thank You very much.</p>
<div style="text-align:justify;"><strong>Source: </strong><a href="http://www.dandavats.com/?p=26357">http://www.dandavats.com/?p=26357</a></div></div>Lord Ramacandra by Gautam Sahahttps://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/lord-ramacandra2022-04-10T06:30:00.000Z2022-04-10T06:30:00.000ZISKCON Desire Treehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/members/iskcon_desire_tree<div><p style="text-align:center;"><a href="https://i.imgur.com/mxHpTUJ.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="https://i.imgur.com/mxHpTUJ.jpg?profile=RESIZE_710x" alt="mxHpTUJ.jpg?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="350" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Ramachandra<br /> Appeared on this earth in the lineage of Raghukula, in Ayodhya<br /> As the son of King Dasharath and Queen Kaushalya<br /> Elder to the princes Bharat, Lakshmana and Shatrughna</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">He is ever seen in the company of Mahalaksmi as Sita<br /> His eternal servitor Hanuman, and loving brother Lakshmana<br /> Both brothers wielded a bow and arrows and other weapons<br /> As shatriyas, it was their bounden duty to protect their citizens</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Lord Ram is maryada purushottam, the most perfect among human beings<br /> In which role He traversed the earth and engaged with all earthly beings<br /> Compassionate to the weak, kind to the poor, helpful to those in penury<br /> A nemesis for all demons and miscreants, whom He dispatched vigorously</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Out of His great sense of duty, He agreed to spend fourteen years in deportation<br /> Deep in the forest, with Lakshmana and Sita, living in desolate deprivation<br /> They lived on fruits and roots, far away from the luxuries and opulence of the city<br /> They chose the life of hermits, and underwent much hardship and poverty</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Towards the end of their banvaas, the demon Ravana took a fancy for mother Sita<br /> By various devious means and subterfuge, he managed to kidnap mother Sita<br /> And imprisoned her in Lanka, where she refused to submit to the demonic desires of Ravana<br /> Eventually Hanumanji found mother Sita, and the Lord led His army towards Lanka</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Being a demon, Ravana had not listened to the saintly counsel of brother Vibheeshan<br /> He mounted a counterattack on the army of Lord Ram, but all his efforts were in vain<br /> After a lengthy battle, in which numerous warriors on both sides gave up their life<br /> The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Ram, snuffed out Ravana’s life and rescued His wife</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">The Lord’s banvaas was at an end, and Ayodhya was His for the asking<br /> He ruled Ayodhya for many years, as a wise, much loved and magnanimous king<br /> To assuage His subjects, He sent mother Sita into exile, and They lived Their lives apart<br /> The Lord never forgot her, and till the end, mother Sita lived on in His heart</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Mother Sita had given birth to twin valiant sons, Luv and Kush, who grew up in a hermitage<br /> They ultimately found their great father and were reunited under His love and parentage<br /> The Lord lived a life of service to others, with great humility and sense of duty<br /> His life is an example for all, in Its sacrifice and values which reinforce His great divinity</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">His great affection for the poor old woman Shabri is a glowing example of love’s expression<br /> Even though of lowly birth, Lord Ram accorded to her the highest platform of pure devotion<br /> Lord Ram, Who is no different from Krishna, thus enacted His transcendental leela on this earth<br /> Ramachandra, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, reigns supreme in every devotee’s heart !</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;"><strong>Source:</strong> <a href="http://www.dandavats.com/?p=10388">http://www.dandavats.com/?p=10388</a></p></div>The Pastimes Of Ramachandra by Gautam Sahahttps://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/the-pastimes-of-ramachandra2020-04-02T08:00:00.000Z2020-04-02T08:00:00.000ZISKCON Desire Treehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/members/iskcon_desire_tree<div><p><img class="align-center" style="height:594px;width:400px;" src="http://dandavats.com/wp-content/uploads5/2017-04-07_18-45-11.jpg" alt="" /></p>
<p style="text-align:center;">The avatara came as Ramachandra<br /> Scion to the dynasty of Raghukula<br /> He is ever seen with Laxmi as Sita,<br /> Laxman and Hanuman, His servitor</p>
<p style="text-align:center;">Maryada purushottam, the best of humans<br /> Engaging with citizens, rsis and demons<br /> Treated the needy and poor mercifully<br /> Despatched rogues and demons swiftly</p>
<p style="text-align:center;">Rama spent fourteen years in desolation<br /> With Laxman and Sita, in deportation<br /> Separated from the luxuries of the city<br /> Stoically enduring poverty and paucity</p>
<p style="text-align:center;">The demon Ravana fancied mother Sita<br /> Kidnapped the one steeped in pativrata<br /> While Sita repelled advances of Ravana<br /> Hanuman found her, and Ram beset Lanka</p>
<p style="text-align:center;">Ravana spurned counsel for Sita’s return<br /> Fought back, but his tactics were in vain<br /> Many warriors on both sides lost their life<br /> Ram slew Ravana and saved His dear wife</p>
<p style="text-align:center;">Exile over, Ram ruled Ayodhya kingdom<br /> Reigning with grace, justice and wisdom<br /> His life is a paragon of sacrifice and duty<br /> His beatific pastimes validate His divinity</p>
<p style="text-align:center;">Often in this event filled historical narration<br /> Rama seems unable to overcome His situation<br /> The Lord appeared to be fallible, almost mortal<br /> Though Krsna or Visnu is eternally immortal !</p></div>Sri Radha-kunda’s Appearance Dayhttps://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/sri-radha-kunda-s-appearance-day2019-10-21T05:30:00.000Z2019-10-21T05:30:00.000ZISKCON Desire Treehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/members/iskcon_desire_tree<div><p style="text-align:center;"><img style="height:450px;width:600px;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HmOjcKcn2cg/W9ks1klpd3I/AAAAAAAAnbk/Gf3wdqApPQwfZGEs7mFR9TDJX_PnO-lvACHMYCw/s0/2018-10-31_05-16-55.jpg" alt="" /></p>
<p style="text-align:justify;"><strong>By Giriraj Swami</strong></p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Kartik is a very auspicious time for spiritual advancement. Another name for Kartik is Urja-vrata. Urjameans power. The supreme power, the original power, is Srimati Radharani. So Urja-vrata, or Kartik-vrata, is for Srimati Radharani. Many important pastimes took place in the month of Kartik. On the full moon night, Lord Krishna played on His flute and enjoyed the rasa-lila, which is considered the best of Krishna’s pastimes. Also during Kartik, Lord Krishna saw that the residents of Vrindavan were preparing to worship Indradeva, and He convinced them not to worship Indra but to use the same paraphernalia to worship Govardhana Hill, the brahmans, and the cows. When Indra saw that his worship had been stopped, he became furious and wanted to take revenge against Krishna and the Vraja-vasis. So he sent torrential rains and hail. And to give protection to the residents of Vrindavan, Lord Krishna lifted Govardhana Hill and kept it aloft for seven days on the little finger of His left hand. Thus King Indra’s pride was shattered and he came to beg forgiveness from Lord Krishna.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Also in the month of Kartik, our beloved founder-acharya, His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, left this world and entered the eternal pastimes of Krishna.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Another event that took place during Kartik was Lord Krishna’s killing of the demon Arista, who had assumed the form of a bull. Thereafter, Lord Krishna manifested Syama-kunda and Radha-kunda. Because today is celebrated as the appearance day of Radha-kunda, we shall read a relevant verse from The Nectar of Instruction, an authorized English presentation by Srila Prabhupada of Srila Rupa Gosvami’s Sri Upadesamrta.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">The Nectar of Instruction, Text Ten:</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">karmibhyah parito hareh priyataya vyaktim yayur jnaninas<br /> tebhyo jnana-vimukta-bhakti-paramah premaika-nisthas tatah<br /> tebhyas tah pasu-pala-pankaja-drsas tabhyo ’pi sa radhika<br /> prestha tadvad iyam tadiya-sarasi tam nasrayet kah krti</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;"> karmibhyah—than all fruitive workers; paritah—in all respects; hareh—by the Supreme Personality of Godhead; priyataya—because of being favored; vyaktim yayur—it is said in the sastra; jnaninah—those advanced in knowledge; tebhyah—superior to them; jnana vimukta—liberated by knowledge; bhakti-paramah—those engaged in devotional service; prema-eka-nisthah—those who have attained pure love of God; tatah—superior to them; tebhyah—better than them; tah—they; pasu-pala-pankaja–drsah—the gopis who are always dependent on Krsna, the cowherd boy; tabhyah—above all of them; api—certainly; sa—She; radhika—Srimati Radharani; prestha—very dear; tadvat—similarly; iyam—this; tadiya-sarasi—Her lake, Sri Radha-kunda; tam—Radha-kunda; na—not; asrayet—would take shelter of; kah—who; krti—most fortunate.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">TRANSLATION</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">In the sastra it is said that of all types of fruitive workers, he who is advanced in knowledge of the higher values of life is favored by the Supreme Lord Hari. Out of many such people who are advanced in knowledge [jnanis], one who is practically liberated by virtue of his knowledge may take to devotional service. He is superior to the others. However, one who has actually attained prema, pure love of Krsna, is superior to him. The gopis are exalted above all the advanced devotees because they are always totally dependent upon Sri Krsna, the transcendental cowherd boy. Among the gopis, Srimati Radharani is the most dear to Krsna. Her kunda [lake] is as profoundly dear to Lord Krsna as this most beloved of the gopis. Who, then, will not reside at Radha-kunda and, in a spiritual body surcharged with ecstatic devotional feelings [aprakrta-bhava], render loving service to the divine couple Sri Sri Radha-Govinda, who perform Their astakaliya-lila, Their eternal eight-fold daily pastimes. Indeed, those who execute devotional service on the banks of Radha-kunda are the most fortunate people in the universe.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">PURPORT by Srila Prabhupada</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">At the present moment almost everyone is engaged in some kind of fruitive activity. Those who are desirous of gaining material profits by working are called karmis, or fruitive workers. All living entities within this material world have come under the spell of maya. This is described in the Visnu Purana(6.7.61):</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">visnu-saktih para prokta<br /> ksetrajnakhya tatha para<br /> avidya-karma-samjnanya<br /> trtiya saktir isyate</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;"> Sages have divided the energies of the Supreme Personality of Godhead into three categories—namely, the spiritual energy, marginal energy, and material energy. The material energy is considered to be the third-class energy (trtiya saktih). Those living beings within the jurisdiction of the material energy sometimes engage themselves like dogs and hogs in working very hard simply for sense gratification. However, in this life, or, after executing pious activities, in the next life, some karmis become strongly attracted to performing various kinds of sacrifices mentioned in the Vedas. Thus on the strength of their pious merit, they are elevated to heavenly planets. Actually those who perform sacrifices strictly according to Vedic injunctions are elevated to the moon and planets above the moon. As mentioned in Bhagavad-gita (9.21), ksine punye martya-lokam visanti: After exhausting the results of their so-called pious activities, they again return to the earth, which is called martya-loka, the place of death. Although such persons may be elevated to the heavenly planets by their pious activities and although they may enjoy life there for many thousands of years, they nonetheless must return to this planet when the results of their pious activities are exhausted.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">COMMENT by Giriraj Swami</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">The lowest category mentioned here is the karmi. The principle of the karmi is to work to get money for sense gratification. Ninety-nine percent of the people in the world are karmis, and they fall into two categories: those who are regulated according to Vedic principles and those who are not regulated. Those who are not regulated are like animals, cats and dogs and hogs. They simply want to eat, drink, and enjoy. They engage in all sorts of sinful activities, and as a result they are pushed down into hellish conditions. Those in the other category, the regulated, follow the Vedic injunctions in order to enjoy a higher standard of material happiness. By performance of pious activities, such as Vedic sacrifices, such persons can be elevated to the heavenly planets, where they enjoy the results of their pious deeds. But after their pious credits are exhausted, they again fall down to earth.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">One time on a morning walk in New York City, Srila Prabhupada pointed to some blades of grass growing up between the cracks of the concrete pavement. “What is this?” he asked, and a devotee replied, “It’s grass, Srila Prabhupada.” “Yes, I know it is grass,” he said. “But how did it come up here between the cracks?” Nobody could answer. Then Srila Prabhupada explained that after the fruitive workers exhaust their pious credits on the higher planets, they fall down to earth. And how do the spirit souls get here from the higher planets? They come in the rain. The rain falls on the earth, between the cracks of the sidewalk, and the living entities who were enjoying life in the heavenly planets take birth as blades of grass or sprouts of grain on earth. This is because their pious credits have been exhausted.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">From the point of view of one in Krishna consciousness, that happiness of sense gratification is not real happiness. But even if someone is on a lower level and thinks that material enjoyment is happiness, still he cannot enjoy for long. As soon as his pious credits are finished, he will have to suffer. Therefore, intelligent persons do not try to enjoy the material world.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">PURPORT (continued)</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">This is the position of all karmis, including those who act piously and those who act impiously. On this planet we find many businessmen, politicians, and others who are simply interested in material happiness. They attempt to earn money by all means, not considering whether such means are pious or impious. Such people are called karmis, or gross materialists. Among the karmis are some vikarmis, people who act without the guidance of Vedic knowledge. Those who act on the basis of Vedic knowledge perform sacrifices for the satisfaction of Lord Visnu and to receive benedictions from Him. In this way they are elevated to higher planetary systems. Such karmis are superior to the vikarmis, for they are faithful to the directions of the Vedas and are certainly dear to Krsna. In Bhagavad-gita (4.11), Krsna says: ye yatha mam prapadyante tams tathaiva bhajamy aham. “In whatever way one surrenders unto Me, I reward him accordingly.”</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">COMMENT</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">In shastra, Lord Krishna states that “the injunctions of the Vedas are My orders, and one who goes against the injunctions of the Vedas goes against Me.” So, one who follows the Vedic injunctions follows the orders of Krishna, and he tends to be dearer to Krishna than one who goes against them.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">PURPORT (continued)</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Krsna is so kind that He fulfills the desires of the karmis and jnanis, what to speak of the bhaktas. Although the karmis are sometimes elevated to higher planetary systems, as long as they remain attached to fruitive activities they must accept new material bodies after death.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">COMMENT</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">In the Bhagavad-gita (8.16) Lord Krishna says, a-brahma-bhuvanal lokah punar avartino ’rjuna: from the highest planet in the material world, Brahmaloka, down to the lowest, all are places of misery wherein there is repeated birth and death. So even if one is elevated to a heavenly planet, he still has to die and take birth again. As stated in the Gita (2.27), “For one who has taken birth, death is certain. And for one who has died, birth is certain.” He remains caught in the repetition of birth and death.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">PURPORT (continued)</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">If one acts piously, he can attain a new body among the demigods in the higher planetary systems, or he may attain some other position in which he can enjoy a higher standard of material happiness. On the other hand, those who are engaged in impious activities are degraded and take birth as animals, trees, and plants. Thus those fruitive actors who do not care for the Vedic directions (vikarmis) are not appreciated by learned saintly persons. . . .</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">One should therefore be eager to understand the science of the soul (atma-tattva). Unless one comes to the platform of atma-tattva, by which one understands that the soul and not the body is oneself, one remains on the platform of ignorance. Out of thousands and even millions of ignorant people who are wasting their time simply gratifying their senses, one may come to the platform of knowledge and understand higher values of life. Such a person is called a jnani.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">COMMENT</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Higher than the karmis are the jnanis. The karmis are bound to remain in the material world to enjoy and suffer the fruits of their work. They may enjoy for a while, but mainly they suffer. The jnanis are more intelligent because they see that fruitive work causes one to suffer, but they don’t know about devotional service. They know only material activity, and that material activity brings material misery. So, to become free from material misery, they resolve to refrain from all activity. But the soul by nature is active. The soul cannot remain inactive for long. So, the jnani too must engage in activity, and having no knowledge of spiritual activity, he will again engage in material activity, and thus he will fall down. Therefore Srimad-Bhagavatam says that although jnanis imagine that they are liberated, actually they are not, because they neglect the service of the lotus feet of the Lord.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">ye ’nye ’ravindaksa vimukta-maninas<br /> tvayy asta-bhavad avisuddha-buddhayah<br /> aruhya krcchrena param padam tatah<br /> patanty adho ’nadrta-yusmad-anghrayah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">“O lotus-eyed Lord, although nondevotees who accept severe austerities and penances to achieve the highest position may think themselves liberated, their intelligence is impure. They fall down from their position of imagined superiority because they have no regard for Your lotus feet.” (SB 10.2.32)</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Because they neglect the Lord’s service, they fall down. Such impersonalists, after renouncing material activities, become restless. They want some activity. And because they are unaware of the spiritual activities of bhakti-yoga, devotional service, they fall into material activities and become karmis again. There are many examples of impersonal jnanis and yogis who went to the Himalayas to become one with Brahman, declaring, brahma satya jagan mithya: Brahman is truth, and the world is false. They left the world to engage in impersonal meditation, but they could not maintain it; they fell down. They come back to the world they declared was false, back to the cities, and engage in material welfare activities such as opening schools and hospitals, and sometimes they fall so low that they become involved in politics. So, patyanti adah: they fall down.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">The impersonal philosophers don’t have real knowledge. If someone actually has knowledge, he surrenders to Krishna and engages in devotional service.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">bahunam janmanam ante<br /> jnanavan mam prapadyante<br /> vasudevah sarvam iti<br /> sa mahatma sudurlabhah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;"> “After many births and deaths, he who is actually in knowledge surrenders unto Me, knowing Me to be the cause of all causes and all that is. Such a great soul is very rare.” (Gita 7.19) After being a jnani for many lifetimes, when the jnani actually becomes wise, he surrenders to Krishna and becomes a bhakta, a rare great soul.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">The bhakta is superior to the karmi and the jnani. The bhakta begins with the process of sadhana-bhakti, but even the sadhaka is considered higher than the best of the karmis and jnanis. And when the sadhakabecomes more advanced, he attains krsna-prema. Among the devotees, he who has prema is the best. And among the devotees who have prema, the active servants are better than those who have neutral appreciation; the friends are higher than the servants; the fathers and mothers are higher than the friends; and the lovers, or the young gopis, are the best of all. And among the gopis, Srimati Radharani is the best. She is the best of all.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">PURPORT (continued)</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Of all these devotees, the gopis are recognized as superior because they do not know anything other than satisfying Krsna. Nor do the gopis expect any return from Krsna.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">COMMENT</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">The gopis are the best because they have no personal desire for enjoyment. They want only Krishna’s happiness. Srila Prabhupada told the story of the time Krishna declared that He had a headache and that only the dust of the feet of His devotee could cure Him. He sent His messenger to so many devotees, but they all said, “If the dust of our feet goes on the Lord’s head, we will commit a great offense and have to go to hell.” So they all refused. The messenger became discouraged. He went back to Lord Krishna, and the Lord said, “You should go to the gopis of Vrindavan and ask them.” So he went, and all the gopisgathered around him and inquired, “How is Krishna?” The messenger replied, “Krishna is not well. He has a headache.” The gopis immediately became disturbed. “Krishna has a headache! What can we do? What can we do?” The messenger said, “The only thing that will cure Krishna’s headache is the dust of the feet of His devotee.” “Oh, then take as much dust as you like, take it all!” “But if the dust from your feet goes on Krishna’s head, you will be committing a great offense and could go to hell,” the messenger said. And the gopis replied, “As long as Krishna’s headache is cured, we don’t care if we go to hell.”</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">This is the standard of the gopis’ love. They have no desire for personal happiness. They want only Krishna’s happiness, and if their unhappiness gives Krishna happiness, they consider their unhappiness to be the greatest happiness. We cannot experience such feelings in the material world. Only someone who has come to the stage of bhava- or prema-bhakti can know, to some extent, what such selfless love is. “Of all these devotees, the gopis are recognized as superior because they do not know anything other than satisfying Krishna.”</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;"> Srila Prabhupada often gave the example that Krishna would go into the pasturing grounds and the gopiswould be at home, crying. Why were they crying? Because they were thinking that the paths of Vrindavan are filled with so many thorns and stones and that if the soft lotus feet of Krishna were pricked by some pebble or thorn, He would feel pain. And thinking of Krishna’s pain, they would cry.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;"> “Nor do the gopis expect any return from Krishna.” Srila Prabhupada said that when Krishna returned from the pasturing grounds in the afternoon, the gopis would not approach Him and say, “Krishna, You have been working all day. What have You brought for me? Let me look into Your pocket and see if You brought something for me.” Generally, in the material world the husband goes to work all day, and when he returns in the evening the wife asks, “Well, what did you bring for me?” Indirectly, Srila Prabhupada says that the gopis are not like that.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">PURPORT (continued)</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Nor do the gopis expect any return from Krsna. Indeed, sometimes Krsna puts them into extreme suffering by separating Himself from them. Nonetheless, they cannot forget Krsna.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">COMMENT</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">In the material world we may think that we love someone, but after some time we may forget. Somebody will die, and we will cry for some days, but gradually we may forget. But the gopis can never forget Krishna.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">PURPORT (continued)</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">When Krsna left Vrndavana for Mathura, the gopis became most dejected and spent the rest of their lives simply crying in separation from Krsna. This means that in one sense they were never actually separated from Krsna. There is no difference between thinking of Krsna and associating with Him.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">COMMENT</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Krishna is absolute. Therefore Krishna’s name, Krishna’s form, Krishna’s qualities, and Krishna’s pastimes are all Krishna. So when one remembers Krishna’s name, form, qualities, or pastimes, one is in Krishna’s association. In the extreme mood of separation from Krishna, the gopis actually experience Krishna’s presence. And they feel great ecstasy. The bodies of the gopis are ananda-cinmaya-rasa-pratibhavitabis(Bs 5.37). They’re made of ananda cinmaya-rasa, or mahabhava. Their constitution is ananda-maya, full of bliss. It cannot be anything but bliss. And not only bliss, but the highest ecstasy of mahabhava. Their feeling of separation appears externally to be misery, but actually it is not misery—it is ecstasy. Srila Sanatana Gosvami gives the example for extreme separation, that ice acts like fire. For example, dry ice. Dry ice is so cold that if you touch it you get burned. It’s cold, but it produces the opposite effect—burning. So, the mood of the gopis’ separation is so extreme and intense that in separation they experience meeting Krishna, and they experience ecstasy in Krishna’s association.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">PURPORT (continued)</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">There is no difference between thinking of Krsna and associating with Him. Rather, vipralambha-seva, thinking of Krsna in separation, as Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu did, is far better than serving Krsna directly.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">COMMENT</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">We should try to develop Krishna consciousness in the mood of separation. We are not liberated now, not in Krishna’s pastimes now. And if we imagine that we are meeting Krishna and serving Krishna and not factually realizing it, we can become sahajiyas. Srila Prabhupada didn’t want us to become sahajiyas. He wanted us to worship in the mood of separation, like Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and the Six Gosvamis.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">PURPORT (concluded)</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Thus of all the devotees who have developed unalloyed devotional love for Krsna, the gopis are most exalted, and out of all these exalted gopis, Srimati Radharani is the highest. No one can excel the devotional service of Srimati Radharani. Indeed, even Krsna cannot understand the attitude of Srimati Radharani; therefore He took Her position and appeared as Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, just to understand Her transcendental feelings.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">In this way Srila Rupa Gosvami gradually concludes that Srimati Radharani is the most exalted devotee of Krsna and that Her kunda is the most exalted place. . . .</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">yatha radha priya visnos<br /> tasyah kundam priyam tatha<br /> sarva-gopisu saivaika<br /> visnor atyanta-vallabha</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;"> “Just as Srimati Radharani is dear to the Supreme Lord Krsna, so Her bathing place is equally dear to Krsna. Among all the gopis, She alone stands supreme as the Lord’s most beloved.”</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Therefore everyone interested in Krsna consciousness should ultimately take shelter of Radha-kunda and execute devotional service there throughout one’s life. This is the conclusion of Rupa Gosvami in the tenth verse of Upadesamrta.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">COMMENT</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">We’re not really qualified to discuss Radha-kunda, but because today is Radha-kunda’s appearance day, we may say something about the appearance of Sri Radha-kunda, which we can respect and appreciate from a distance—not too close.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">As I mentioned earlier, Krishna killed the bull demon, Aristasura, and after killing him He approached the gopis for pastimes, but they refused. “You have killed a bull,” they said. “So you are contaminated. We do not want to associate with You.” Krishna asked, “What do I have to do to become purified from the sin?” The gopis replied, “You must take bath in all the sacred rivers in all the sacred places in all the three worlds.” Then Krishna thought, “Better I call all the holy places here.” He pushed His heel in the ground and immediately all the personified holy places came before Him and started offering prayers and obeisances. Srimati Radharani said, “I don’t see any holy places.” So Lord Krishna told the holy places to identify themselves, and the holy places personified did so: “I am Yamuna,” “I am Ganga,” “I am Sarasvati,” “I am Sindhu,” “I am Prayag,” “I am Puskhara,” and so on. Then, on Krishna’s indication, they became liquid and flowed into the kunda created by the impression of Krishna’s foot and filled it up with water. Thus Krishna-kunda, or Syama-kunda, came into existence. Krishna took His bath and then announced to the gopis, “Now I am completely pure. I have taken bath in all the sacred places in all the three worlds. But you are not pure. You are contaminated, because although Aristasura was in the form of a bull, still he was a demon. You took the side of a demon, so you are contaminated. So you also have to take bath and become purified. Take bath in My kunda, and you will be free.”</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Srimati Radharani said, “No, no. Your kunda is contaminated by the terrible sin of killing the bull. I am not going to take bath in Your kunda. I am going to make My own kunda.” Aristasura’s hooves had made a shallow ditch just west of Sri Krishna’s pond. So the gopis began digging up lumps of soft mud with their hands, and very quickly they manifested a beautiful kunda. Srimati Radharani had said from the beginning, “I will make My kunda more beautiful than Krishna’s.” Now Krishna said, “Well, Your kunda is very beautiful, but it has one defect: it has no water in it. So why don’t You take some water from My kunda?” “No, no, no, no. Your water is contaminated by your sin. We will bring our own water.”</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">There were thousands and millions of gopis. On Srimati Radharani’s indication, they made a long chain from Manasi-ganga to Radha-kunda, filled pots with water, and passed the pots from one gopi to the next to the next, all the way from Manasi-ganga to Radha-kunda. But Lord Krishna, seeing the labor of the gopis, was not happy, because He cannot bear to see even one drop of perspiration on the face of Srimati Radharani. So He appealed to Her, “Please take water from My kunda.” But She refused—“No!” Then Lord Krishna called the representative of all the holy places, who began to offer prayers to Srimati Radharani: “Even Krishna likes to serve Your lotus feet, and He rejoices and feels most fortunate simply by satisfying the tips of the toes of Your lotus feet. So we also want to serve Your lotus feet. If You fulfill our desire, our lives will be successful.”</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Srimati Radharani was pleased, and, glancing at Krishna from the corners of Her eyes, She smiled and replied, “Please come.” So, the holy waters in Syama-kunda broke through its boundary walls and quickly filled Radha-kunda. Then Sri Radha and the gopis took bath, and in the end Krishna was so pleased that He told Her, “Your kunda will become even more famous than Mine. I will always come here to bathe and enjoy My water pastimes. Your kunda is as dear to Me as You are.” Srimati Radharani was pleased, and She said to Lord Krishna, “I will also come and take bath in Your pond, even if You kill hundreds and thousands of Aristasuras. Anyone who has devotion for Your lake and bathes or resides there will become very dear to Me.” Both Sri Radha and Krishna became so pleased after the formation of Syama-kunda and Radha-kunda that They inaugurated a great festival of rasa dance.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">I’ll mention just one more point from the verse. The Sanskrit in the verse concludes, prestha tadvad iyam tadiya-sarasi tam nasrayet kah krti: “What fortunate person will not take shelter of Radha-kunda?” This is what the Sanskrit says. But what does Srila Prabhupada say? “Who, then, will not reside at Radha-kunda and, in a spiritual body surcharged with ecstatic devotional feelings, render service to the divine couple who perform Their eternal eight-fold daily pastimes?” In other words, this is what it really means to take shelter of Radha-kunda—not to go there and live like a monkey. Once, when a disciple told Srila Prabhupada that he wanted to go and stay in Radha-kunda, Srila Prabhupada replied that there were already enough monkeys at Radha-kunda; they didn’t need another one.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">So, taking shelter of Radha-kunda doesn’t mean going there and living like a monkey, thinking of the demands of the body. Monkeys appear to be very renounced because they don’t wear clothes, eat only fruits and berries, and live in the jungle in trees. But Srila Prabhupada says that each monkey has two dozen girlfriends. So they actually are not renounced. Now, if someone goes to Radha-kunda without being able to take shelter of the holy name as described by Srila Prabhupada in the translation, he may become just like a monkey—outwardly appearing renounced but internally full of desires for sense gratification. Therefore, we go step by step. Srila Rupa Gosvami describes the exalted position of Srimati Radharani and Radha-kunda and asks, “What fortunate person will not take shelter of Radha-kunda?” But here we are at the end of Rupa Gosvami’s instructions. There are so many instructions earlier in the book, and to take shelter of Radha-kunda properly, we have to follow all the other instructions, from text one to text nine—not jump like monkeys to texts nine, ten, and eleven.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">What is the first instruction? Vaco vegam manasah krodha-vegam/ jihva-vegam udaropastha-vegam—we have to control the urges. First is the urge to speak. We speak so much nonsense. Whenever we get the chance, we discuss politics, we discuss boy-girl affairs, or still worse, we criticize devotees. So, vaco vegam, and then manasa krodha-vegam: we have to control the mind. Anyway, I need not elaborate. We all can assess our present positions. And we should proceed step by step from the first verse up to the last ones—nine, ten, and eleven.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">By the mercy of Srimati Radharani, Srila Rupa Gosvami, and Srila Prabhupada, we have had the opportunity to remember Sri Radha-kunda and discuss the conclusions of Srila Rupa Gosvami given here in Sri Upadesamrta, so kindly explained by His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Hare Krishna!</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">[A talk by Giriraj Swami on Radha-kunda’s appearance day, November 7, 1993, Bombay]</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;"><strong>Source:</strong> <a href="http://www.dandavats.com/?p=68069">http://www.dandavats.com/?p=68069</a></p></div>