Vishnu in Meditation?

[Guest guest]

Dear Vaishnavas,

 

In reading the RaamaayaNam of Shrii Valmiiki I came to the story of

Siddhaashrama which was told by Vishvaamitra to Raama and LakshmaNa. This is

in Canto 29 of the Baala-KaaNDa.

 

While relating to the Lord the story of the siddhaashrama, Valmiiki says

that this Siddhaashrama is that place where Lord Vishnu performed

austerities before the demigods approached Him and begged Him to stop the

sacrifice of Bali. The rest of the story is well known, how He (in the form

of Vaamana) became the son of Kashyapa at the request of the latter and

took back the three worlds for the demigods.

 

It is made very clear from context that siddhaashrama was not merely the

site of meditation of Lord Vaamana (which would be believable, since Lord

Vaamana is a brahmachari) but was actually dwelled in by Lord Vishnu who was

performing some tapas.

 

What I want to know is, what was Lord Vishnu, who is none other than the

Supreme Personality of Godhead, doing there practicing meditation and

austerities? Certainly it is true that in His various avataaras, He descends

to Earth and shows men the proper dharma. But why was Vishnu Himself doing

this? We normally think of Him dwelling in Vaikuntha admist great spiritual

opulence. What purpose was there behind His performing austerities in

Siddhaashrama? Why would He even need to be practicing austerities?

 

I am interested to find out if anyone has an explanation for this. Hopefully

someone can shed some light on this.

 

your servant,

 

-- HKS