The Emergence of Nrsiritha

Rudra said:

1-2. Having learnt that his brother was killed, the great demon Hiranyakasipu practised a penance near Meru (dedicating it) to me. O auspicious one, he, the very powerful one, eating (i.e. subsisting on) air, muttering the five-syllabled formula, worshipped me for thousands of divine years.

3. Then with a pleased mind, I said to the great demon: " O demon, ask for the boon that is in your mind." Then the demon spoke to me, who was pleased, O you of an auspicious face: Hiranyakasipu said:

4-5. Grant me exemption from death from gods, demons, human beings, gandharvas, serpents, fiends, beasts, birds, animals, noble siddhas and yaksas, vidyadharas, so also kinnaras, so also all diseases, weapons, all principal sages. Rudra said:

6-14. O you of a pleasing appearance, I said to the demon: " Let it be so." The very powerful demon, having got the great boon from me, conquered Indra and gods and became the lord of the three worlds; and he himself forcibly took all portions of sacrifices. Gods, vanquished by him, did not find a protector. All gandharvas, gods, demons, yaksas, nagas, siddhas and sadnyas were under his control. The very mighty king of the demons married, according to proper rites, Uttanapada's daughter named Kalyanl. O you auspicious one, from her was born the very lustrous Prahlada, the king of the demons. Even while (he was) in (his mother's) womb, he was attached to Vishnu. He, of a delighted mind, never knew anyone else except the lord of gods in all conditions and deeds (done) with his mind, speech and body. The humble and very intelligent one stayed in his preceptor's house at a (proper) time. Having studied all the Vedas and various sacred texts, the demon's son sometime came along with his preceptor to his father and saluted him with humility. The lord of the demons, having embraced his son of auspicious marks with his arms, and having put him who was much amazed, on his lap, said these (words to him): Hiranyakasipu said:

15. O Prahlada, you stayed in your preceptor's house for a long time. O you of a good vow, tell me the knowledge given to you by your preceptor. Rudra said:

16. Thus asked by his father, Prahlada, a born devotee of Vishnu, affectionately spoka words removing sins to the lord of demons: Prahlada said:

17. After having saluted Vishnu, the Highest Being, the lord> who is the aim of all Upanisads, I shall tell you. Rudra said:

18-20. The lord of demons, having thus heard Vishnu's praise, was amazed. He angrily said to the preceptor: " What have you taught my son? O you wicked one, why did you teach my son such praise of Vishnu, a stupid thing not fit to be done by a brahmana? O mean brahmana, due to your favour (only) this my son has told ms the praise of my enemy, which is not fit to be heard."

21-24. Speaking like this and looking around, the demonking, in a fit of anger, said to a demon: " Bind this mean brahmana." Hearing these words of the king, he bound (Shukra, ) Bhrigu's son. Seeing his preceptor being bound, Prahlada, to whom brahmanas were dear, said to his father: " O father, my perceptor did not teach me this. I have learnt it through the favour of Vishnu, the speaker, the seer. The lord is omnipresent. Vishnu alone is the imperishable agent, the controller of allhuman beings. Therefore, O lord, This brahmana, my preceptor, who is innocent, should be released." Rudra said:

25-29. Having heard the words of his son, Hiranyakasipu then let the brahmana free, and with amazement said to his son: " O son, why do you thus go astray (influenced) by the brahmana's words? Who is " Vishnu? What is his form? Where does this Vishnu stay? Since I am the lord in the world, the master of the three worlds, honour me only. Abandon this Vishnu, our enemy, difficult to be overpowered. Or worship lord Jknkara, god Shiva, Rudra, the father of the worlds, the chief of gods, giving all splendour. After putting on the mark of three lines on your forehead with ash worship Mahadeva worshipped by demons, in the manner as told in the Pasupata sect. Rudra said:

30-32. Hearing these words of the lord of the demons, the priest of the demons said: " O glorious one, do like this only as your father tells. Abandon (our) enemy, Kaitabha's enemy, and worship the three-eyed (god, i.e. Shiva). There is no greater god than ava, who gives everything to men. Your father also became the lord (of demons) because of his favour only." Rudra said:

33. Hearing these words of them, Prahlada, a born devotee of Vishnu, said:

34-42. " O greatest ones, since the world is deluded by the Maya of the lord, even brahmanas knowing Vedanta and honoured among all the people, being proud, speak like this through fickleness. Narayana is the highest Brahman. Narayarta is the highest truth. Narayana is the highest meditator and the highest meditation. He is the refuge of the entire world. Acyuta is the eternal good. Eternal Vasudeva is the sustainer, the creator of the world. The Highest Being is all this. Everything depends upon him. His body is all golden. He is eternal. His eyes are like lotuses. He is the lord of Shri, Bhuand Llla. He is pleasing, spotless and of an auspicious body. He alone created the two lords, Brahma and Shiva, the two best gods. Brahma and Shiva act by honouring (i.e. according to) his order only. The wind blows through his fear. The sun rises through his fear. Through his fear run fire, the moon and death as the fifth. The highest, divine god Narayana Vishnu was alone there (in the beginning). Brahma was not there; Indra was not there; Shiva was not there; the sun and the moon were not there. The heaven and the earth were not there; nor were the stars and the gods there. The wise men always see the highest abode of that Vishnu.

43-51a. O best brahmanas, having ignored the significance of all Upanisads, why do you talk like this through attachment or greed before me? Abandoning that Vishnu, the god protecting all, and the god of all, how can I, resorting to heresy, worship Shiva? The noble meditating sages like Sanaka meditated upon Krishna, the lord of Lakshmi, the god of gods, Ananta, the Highest Being, dark like the petals of a blue lotus, having large eyes like lotus-leaves, with his chest marked with Shrivatsa, adorned with all ornaments, always a youth, the lord of all, eternal joy, and giver of pleasures, whom the hosts of gods like Brahma, Shiva, Indra and others worship, with half a glance of whose wife, gods like Brahma, Indra, Rudra, Varuna, Yama, Soma and (Kubera) the lord of wealth, are looked at. Merely by recollecting his name, even sinful living beings quickly obtain salvation, very difficult to be secured (even) by Brahma and others. That lord of Shri alone is always the protector of even the gods. I shall worship only that Vishnu united with Lakshmi. With great ease only I shall reach that highest place of Vishnu." Rudra said:

51b. Hearing these words of him, Hiranyakasipu, full of anger, burnt like another fire. Looking at the demons around him, he, in a fit of anger, spoke like this: Hirariyakasipu said:

52-54. By my order kill sinful Prahlada highly devoted to worshipping my enemy, with multitudes of fierce weapons. His protector Vishnu alone will protect him through love. Today only I would see (if) his being protected by Vishnu is effective. Rudra said:

55-59. Then by the order of the lord of demons, the demons, with weapons raised, stood round the son of the lord of demons to kill him. Prahlada too, meditating upon Vishnu in the lotus of his heart, and muttering the eight-syllabled formula, stood like another mountain. On all sides the heroes struck him with lances, iron clubs and saktis. O you auspicious one, due to Vishnu's inviolable power, Prahlada's body very much became adamantine due to remembering Vishnu. Then the great missiles of the enemies of gods, having reached his body, and being cutt off, fell down on the ground like blue lotuses, O auspicious one. The demons were not able to pierce (i.e. hurt) his body even slightly.

60-67. The soldiers, being amazed and with their faces hung down, stood near the king. Seeing his very powerful son of that kind, the demon-king being very much amazed and full of anger, wrathfully ordered all the very poisonous, fearful snakes like Vasuki: " Eat him (up)." Then the very powerful, very fierce snakes, with their mouths blazing, ate (i.e. started eating) the very powerful (Prahlada). They, full of poison, bit the devotee of (Vishnu) the Garuda-bannered one. The (snakes) that subsisted on air became poisonless and had their teeth cut off. With their limbs cut off by a thousand sons of Vinata, and very much afflicted and vomiting profuse blood, they ran into all directions. Seeing the great snakes (reduced to a condition) like that, the angry lord of the demons then ordered the very much intoxicated quarterelephants. The quarter-elephants, haughty with rut, ordered by that king, surrounded him, and struck him hard with their very large tusks. Then the tusks of the quarter-elephants, with their roots cut off. fell on the ground.

68-73. The elephants, rendered tuskless, and overcome by fear, fled. Seeing the great elephants (fleeing) the mighty lord of demons got angry. And burning a great fire, he threw it at his son. Fire, seeing Prahlada, dear to Vishnu, did not burn the wise one. Fire became very cool. Seeing the boy not being burnt, the king, who was very much amazed, gave him, good to all beings, terrible poison. Due to the power of that Vishnu, the poison become nectar. Poison, due to one's offering (oneself) to that god, becomes nectar. Having thus deluded his son by means of such fierce and very terrible means, and seeing that he could not be killed, the king of demons, being full of amazement spoke mildly to his son: Hiranyakasipu said:

74-78. You have properly described before me Vishnu's greatness. He is called Vishnu because (he stands) pervading all worlds. He who is the omnipresent god is alone the highest god. Actually show me his omnipresence. Having carefully and properly seen the splendour of qualities like supremacy, power, lustre, knowledge, heroism, strength, excellent form of him the highest one, I shall honour Vishnu from among the gods. There is no match for my power among the gods. O you who honour (others), as a result of grant of a boon from Shiva I have obtained immunity from death among all living beings and invincibility for living beings. Vishnu would receive the title of lord after having vanquished me with power and might. Rudra said:

79. Hearing these words of him, Prahlada, being amazed, spoke. He, of a good vow, told about the glory of Vishnu to the demon. Prahlada said:

80-84. Since that Narayana, the glorious one, the highest soul, the ancient one lives in all beings, he is called Vasudeva. He, the sustainer of the world, is called Vishnu. Nothing other than him is the immobile and the mobile. The sentient objects everywhere are Vishnu only and none else. The heaven he has pervaded himself with three steps and the pervasion with one step is wonderful(? ). That Vishnu, having a disc and a mace in his hands, and wearing a yellow garment, is seen by meditating sages through devotion and never without it. Vishnu cannot be seen through anger or jealousy. Having pervaded (everything) among gods, lower animals, immobile objects, living beings and among all small and great (objects), he dwells.

Rudra said:

85-87. Hearing these words of Prahlada, that excellent demon, with his eyes red due to anger, reproaching his son repeatedly, said to him: Hiranyakasipu said: If that Vishnu is omnipresent and the Highest Being, then actually show him to me. What is the use of much nonsensical talk? Mahddeva said: Speaking like this, Hiranyakasipu struck a pillar of thepalace with his hand, and said these (words) to Prahlada: Hiranyakasipu said:

88. If Vishnu would be (i.e. is) omnipresent, then show him (to me) in this (pillar). Otherwise I shall kill you, uttering false words. Rudra said:

89-93. Speaking like this, the lord of the demons, suddenly drew out his sword, and angrily threw it at Prahlada's chest to kill him. At that moment, a great sound was heard from the pillar. The interior of the sky was as it were broken with sounds of the destructive fire. Due to that big sound, striking the ears of the demons, all fell on the ground like trees with their roots cut off. The frightened demons thought that the three worlds were inundated. Then great Vishnu, of a great lustre, came out of the pillar. He made a very fearful sound, resembling (the one) at the time of the destruction of the world. Due to that great sound stars fell on the ground.

94-97. Having assumed the body of Nrsimha, Vishnu manifested (himself) there only. He was covered with the lustre of crores of suns and fires. In his face he resembled a lion, and in (the other parts of) the body he had a human figure. His mouth was fierce due to fangs, and was raised up to the sky with his throbbing tongue. The ends of his hair were surrounded by flames. The lord had eyes like burning firebrands. Covered by a thousand long arms, full of all weapons, he appeared like (mountain) Meru, with many trees having branches. He had worn a garland of divine flowers, and was decorated with divine ornaments.

98-107. To destroy all demons he remained in the form of a man-lion. Seeing very powerful, terrible-looking man-lion, the lord of demons, with his eyelashes burnt and body afflicted, fell (down). Then Prahlada, seeing Vishnu like a man-lion, saluted Vishnu with the words 'Victory (to you).' On the limbs of that high-souled man-lion he saw worlds, seas, islands, gods, gandharvas, human beings; a thousand cosmic eggs were seen on the tip of his mane. Similarly in his eyes were seen the moon, the sun etc. In his eyes (were seen) gods Asvinas, directions and intermediate directions. On his forehead (were seen) Brahma and Rudra; in his nose (were seen) the sky and air. In his mouth Indra and Agni (were seen). On his tongue Sarasvati (was seen). On his fangs (were seen) lions, tigers, sarabhas (i.e. the fabulous eightlegged animals), and great serpents. On his throat was seen Meru, and great mountains (were seen) on his shoulders. On the arms of the noble one (were seen) gods, lower animals and human beings. The atmosphere (was seen) in his navel, and the earth (was seen) on his feet. On his hair all herbs (were seen). On the rows of his nails trees (were seen). In his breaths, Vedas with Angas and Upangas (were seen). On all his limbs (were seen) Adityas, Vasus, Rudras, hosts of Maruts, gandharvas and celestial nymphs.

108-114. Thus were seen the splendours of the highest soul. The son of the lord of demons, seeing Vishnu having Shrivatsa and Kaustubha (worn) on his chest, adorned with a garland of woodflowers, endowed with weapons like a conch, a disc, a mace, a sword, the Sarnga (bow), the goal of all Upanisads, had his body sprinkled with tears of joy and repeatedly saluted him. The lord of demons, who was under the influence of (i.e. in the clutches of) death, seeing Vishnu, and raising his sword, ran to Nrsirhha to fight with him. Then all the very powerful demons who had regained consciousness, took their own weapons, and hurriedly struck Vishnu. The weapons were reduced to ash on (reaching) the body of Vishnu, as straws thrown into fire (are burnt) in various ways. At that time Vishnu, seeing the armies of the demons, burnt them with his bright mane which was arranged with lines of flames. The demons were very much burnt by the fire coming out of Nrsirhha's mane.

115-123. All the attendants (were thus burnt). The army had none left in it. Seeing that army, except Prahlada with his followers, reduced to ash, the lord of demons angrily drew out his sword and moved (towards Vishnu). The lord of gods seized the lord of demons with a sword in his hand with one arm, and dropped him down, as a stormy wind (knocks down) a branch. Nrsirhha, taking the huge-bodied (demon), fallen on the ground, placed him on his lap. He saw Vishnu's face. At that time the sin due to censuring Vishnu, and due to the blemish of not being a devotee of Vishnu, was reduced to ash merely by Vishnu's touch. Then Nrsirhha tore off the huge body of the lord of demons with his sharp, hard nails resembling the thunderbolt. The lord of demons, with his soul purified, and with his heart torn off with the nails, actually saw the face of Vishnu, and being (thus) fortunate, gave up his life. Great Vishnu, having cut off his body into a hundred pieces, and drawn out his long entrails, put the dear ones round his neck (put them affectionately round his neck). Then all hosts of gods, sages having penance as their treasure, led by Brahma and Rudra, slowly came there to praise (him). They were afraid to propitiate the blazing (Vishriu) having faces on all sides.

124-126. (Then) they brought before their mind the goddess, the mother, the supporter of the worlds, of a golden complexion, extremely beautiful (harini)1, and destroying all troubles. Having prought before their mind the auspicious Lakshmi (wife) of Vishnu, always of a blameless body, with the hymns of the goddess (i.e. Lakshmi), and devoutly saluted her, the eternal one, brought before their mind by them, that goddess, having four arms, large eyes, and adorned with all ornaments, appeared (there).

127-128. Seeing the beloved of the god of gods, who had put on silken garments, and a divine garland, all gods, with the palms of their hands joined, said to her: " Propitiate your husband. Act in such a way that the lord would give the three worlds immunity from fear."

1. Hariril — One of the four classes of women, also called 'Citrini', who is said to be a woman endowed with various talents and excellences. The four divisionsinto which writers on erotical science class women are: Padmini, Citrini, Sankhini, and Hastini or Karini.

Rudra said:

129-133. The goddess, thus addressed, suddenly went to her husband Vishnu and having bowed down before him and saluted him, said to him: " (Please) be pleased." Seeing his own dear wife, Vishnu, the lord of all, gave up his anger due to the demon s body, and in a moment became pleased. That ocean of pity, Vishnu, placing the goddess on his lap and embracing her, looked at the gods with eyes wet with the nectar of favour. Then there was a joyful agitation among them, praising him and saluting him, and seen by him with kind eyes. Then all the hosts of gods, with their minds full of joy, having saluted the god, the lord of the worlds, with the palms of their hands joined, said (to him): The hosts of gods said:

134-135. O lord of the worlds, we are notable to see your very wonderful lustre, and your very wonderful form, marked with many arms and feet. We, all gods, are not able to see and put up with your very strong lustre that has filled the three worlds. Mahadeva said:

136-146. Thus requested by the gods, the lord of gods withdrew that very fearful lustre, and became of a pleasing appearance, auspicious, resembling a crore of autumnal moons, having eyes like lotuses, resembling crores of flashes of lightning due to the mass of his mane full of nectar. The great lord was graced with four delicate, divine arms, endowed with divine armlets and bracelets full of various jewels, resembling the branches with fruits of the desire-yielding tree. The lord was decorated with lotus-like hands resembling japa-flowers. The man-lion was adorned with two raised hands holding a conch and a disc, ana with other two granting boons and freedom from fear. His chest was (marked) with Shrivatsa and Kaustubha; he was adorned witn a garland of wood-flowers. He was also decorated with ear-rings resembling the rays of the rising sun. The man-lion, adorned with ornaments like necklaces, armlets, bracelets, shone with Lakshmi sitting on the left (lap) of his body. The deities along with the great sages seeing Lakshmi and the man-lion, with their hearts full ot joy sprinkled them with tears of joy. They, plunged into the ocean of joy, constantly saluted them. By offering divine flowers, they worshipped the lord of souls. Having sprinkled the ancient Nrsimha with the nectar from jewelled pitchers full of nectar, having worshipped him with divine offerings of lights, they praised him with divine hymns, and repeatedly saluted him.

147-155. Then the lord of Lakshmi, who was pleased, gave them boons desired by them. Then Vishnu, to whom his devotees are dear, along with all hosts of gods made the imperishable Prahlada the king of all demons. Having cheered up Prahlada, and having, with the best gods, consecrated him, he gave him the boons desired by him and faithful devotion. Then Nrsimha, being praised by all hosts of gods, and his body scattered over with beautiful flowers, vanished there only. Then all the hosts of gods went to their respective abodes. And again, they, with their minds pleased, enjoyed the portions of sacrifices. Then the gods, along with gandharvas, became free from fear. When the great demon was killed, all were delighted only. Prahlada, Vishnu's devotee, then righteously ruled over the kingdom. The best devotee of Vishnu obtained the kingdom through Vishnu's grace. He having worshipped Nrsimha with many sacrifices and gifts etc. obtained, at (the proper) time, Vishnu's eternal place, obtained by meditating sages. Those who everyday listen to Prahlada's account, are all free from sins, and will obtain the highest state. O goddess, I have told you this grandeur of Vishnu as Nrsimha. O goddess, listen to the remaining state of grandeur in due order.

 

⇐ Предыдущая397398399400401402403404405406Следующая ⇒

Поделиться: