Essence Of
Vamana Purana
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14 Andhakaasura’s obsession and Prahladaa’s Dharma bodha | |
On reaching Pataala [ ref. previous chapter on Andhakasura’s passion for Gauri and her retalliation] Andhakasura was unable to control her infatuation for Gauri Devi but his Advisor Prahlada told him that Gauri was as good as his mother and should never ever entertain sinful ideas or hopes of a mother-figure; in fact, Hiranayaksha the father of Andhaka did most austere Tapasya to Maha Deva desirous of a son and Maha Deva while about to give the boon, Devi Parvati closed Shiva’s trinetras for fun and hence was born Andhakasura. Shankara also gave a qualified boon to Hiranyaksha that when Andhaka would become a King, the latter would get infatuated with Gauri as also harass Brahmanas and other Virtuous and that he himself would destroy the Asura. Prahlada while cautioning Andhaka also asserted not to misjudge the magnificence of Parama Shiva who was an invincible Supreme and yet extremely merciful. He also asserted: Parastree Kaamavaan Mudhah Saraashtro naashamaapavaan/ ( Even otherwise, one would be a stupid King desirous of another person’s wife). Thus citing the example of King Danda and Chitrangada, Prahlada continued his advice to Andhaka thus: Yo Dharmasheelo jitamaana rosho Vidyaavineeto na paropataapi, Swadaaratushtah Paradaara varjitaa na tasya lokey bhayamaasti kinchit/ (A person who possesses Dharma Nishtha or Self discipline, Self respect, peaceful demeanor devoid of Anger, modesty arising from good eduction, causing no concern or hindrances to fellow beings, and most essentially contented with one’s own legal spouse always has fear in life). Prahlada further continued: Yo Dharma heenam Kalahapriyah Sadaa Paropataapee Shriti Shastra varjitah, Paropadaareypsuravarna samyogi Sukham na vinteta paratra cheha/ ( A person who is without Virtue and is always involved in quarrels, provider of torment to others, unused to Veda Shastra Adhayana, avaricious of other’s money and woman and regular breaker of Varaashrama Regulations would never be happy either in this or other births). Prahlada gave the great examples of Surya for his eternal observance of Dharma, Vasishtha left his anger for good, Agastya was contented with his wife and none else, and he (Prahlada) himself never deviated from Dharma and Nyaaya, where as King Vena followed Adhrma and Anyaaya while Namuchi was jealousy of others and Nahusha was desirous of Indra’s wife when original Indra absconded due to fear of the blemish of Brahma Hatya. This was the caution that one must always observe since Dharma would always vindicate itself and Adharma would result in doom. Twaajyam Dhamaannityam Nityam Paradaaropasevanam, Nayanti Paradaaraa hi Narakaaneka vimshitam, Sarveshjaamapi Varnaanaameva vimshitam, Sarveshaamapi Varnaanaamesha Dharmo Dhruvontaka/ Paraartha paradeaareshu yadaa vaamcchaam Karishyati, Sa yaati Narakam Ghoram Rouravam Bahulaah Samaah/ (Those who observe Dharma Nishtha ought to refrain from Para Stree Vyamoha atvany cost, lest they pave way for the frightful Rourava Naraka!). The arrogant reply to Prahlada from Andhakaasura was that he could not care less for Dharma and ordered Shambaraasura to go to Mandara Mountain and question Shiva as to how he wasc staying in a cave of the Mountain without his permission as after all, Andhaka was the Supreme Lord of Trilokas! If he (Shiva) requested him then he would get the permission only if his wife should gift to Andhaka! Both Maha Deva and Devi Parvati sent calm but curt replies to Andhaka that the latter should fight with them to deserve Parvati to be gifted to the stupid Daitya! Incensed by the replies, Andhaka called Daitya Duryodhana to lead an offensive along with a strong force comprising several Akshouhinis of Sena along with Mahaabala Rakshasaas including Jambha, Krujambha, Hunda, Tuhunda, Shambara, Bali, Baana, Kaartaswara, Hasti, Suryashatru, Mahodara, Shibi, Shaalva, Vrishaparva, Virochana, Kalanemi, Hayagriva, Samhlaad, Kalanaashana, Sharabha, Shalabha, Viprachitti, Paaka, Vipaaka, and Kaala. Shivaya Vishnu Rupaaya Shiva Rupaaya Vishnavey, Shivasya Hridayagum Vishnuh Vishnorhridayagum Shivah/ Nandideva organised Rudra Sena and Vishnu Sena since the fool Andhaka never realised the identity of Shiva and Vishnu and even the Trilokaas were in utter ignorance that both the Swarupas were just one and the same! In this connection Rudra Deva clarified once for all: Bhavadbhirbhakti Samyukttair Harobhaavena pujitah, Ahamkaara vimudhayaischa nindadhir Vaishnavam padam/ Tenaajnaanena bhavatonaandruthyaanu virodhitaah, Yohamsa Bhagvan Vishurvishnuryah sohamavyayah/ Naavanorvai visheshostu ekaa Mutrirdwhidhaa sthitaa, Tadamorbhirnavyaaghair bhakti bhaava yutairganaaih/ Yathaaham vai parijnaato na bhavaddhistataa dhruvam, yenaahi nindito nityam bhavardhirmudha buddhibhih/ Tena Jnaanamhi vai nashtam Nataswaalingitaa maya, Yityeva muktey vachano ganaah prochyar- Maheswaram/ Katham bhavvan yathaikyena samshitosti Janardanah, Bhavaan Nirmalah Shuddhah Shaantah Shuklo Niranjanah/ (You are all obsessed with my devotion to me and tend to blame Vishnupada in that extreme dedication to me; in this blind faith of denounciation of Vishnu you did not please me but on the contrary I was highly upset! Whatever is there in me is what Vishnu possesses and what ever Vishnu has in me too is replete in me too and there is no basic difference in both of us excepting that one imagines we possess two Forms. Those devotees of mine who are confident of what I possess, do not really realise me fully. As the Ganaas were reprimanded by Shiva as above, they wondered as to how Janardana and Mahadeva could be identical! After all, Shiva is Nirmala / Clean, Shuddha /Pure, Shukla / White and Nirdosha/ Blemishless.) Parama Shiva replied smilingly that whoever indulged even in indirect references against Vishnu would surely go to Narakas. The Shiva Ganas then requested Mahadeva to display his real Swarupa. Tato Eka Mukham Bhuyo dadrushuh Shankaram Ganaah, Roudraischa Vaishnavaischaiva vrutam chihnaih Sahasrashah/ Ardhaina Vaishnava Purandraina Haravigrahah, Khagadhwajam Vrishaarudham Khagaarudham Vrishadhwajam/ Yathaa Yathaa Trinayano rupam dhatrey gunaagranih, Tathaa tathaa twajaayanta Mahaa Paashupata Ganaah/ Tatobhavacchaika rupee Shankaro bahurupavaan, Dwirupaschaa bhavad yogi Ekarupopya rupavaan, Kshanaacchaitah kshanaad raktah peeto neelah khanaadapi/ Mishrako Varna heenascha Mahaapaashupatastathaa, Kshanaad bhavati Rudraindrah Kshanaadcchambhuh Prabhakarah/ Khanaartharcchankaro Vishnuh Kshanaarccharvah Pitaamahah, Tadast -adbhutamayam drushtwaa Shaivaadayo ganaah/ Yadaabhinnamanyanta Deva devam Sadaa Shivam/ Tadaa Nirdhuta paapaastey Samayaajanta Paarshadaah, Teyshvevam Dhuta paapeshu Abhinneshu Harishwarah/ (The Ganaas then visioned a Single Faced Vishnu-cum- Shiva Swarupa with thousand ‘chinhaas’ or symbols indicating same Swarupas, of which half was Rudra and another half Vishnu; one half was Vrishabhadhwaja Garudhaarudha and another half was Garudhadhwaja Vrishaarudha. Just as one visualised, so did that person visioned the Rupa of Bhagavan. The same Shankara assumed various forms each time changing his colours of white, red, yellow, blue, mixed or colourless; some times as Rudra, of Indra, Surya, Vishnu, or Brahma. As this most surprising and swift changes happened, the Ganas were then convinced that Paramatma was indeed one and only one!) | |
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