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Source: The Hindu (http://www.the-hindu.com)

 

The Lord protects His devotees

 

CHENNAI, MARCH 2. The manifestations of the Almighty in the world

have been to fulfil several objectives though it has been

reiterated in the scriptures that it is for the protection of

Dharma. This should be understood in its subtler import as

protection of those who uphold righteousness in the world - the

Lord's devotees. Further it can be seen from the Lord's assurance

to Sage Narada that He cannot bear separation from His devotees

and that He would go to any length to protect them.

 

His incarnation in the unique form of a man-lion is a case in

point. This manifestation has caught the imagination of saints

and poets alike as unlike in His other manifestations it was to

fulfil the words of a child devotee that He incarnated instantly

as Narasimha. Among the Puranas it is in the Bhagavata that this

manifestation is narrated in detail. But its significance and

appeal was such that the Mahabharata which has Lord Krishna as

the central figure and the Kamba Ramayanam depicting Lord Rama's

incarnation have dealt with the incarnation of Narasimha, said

Kalyanapuram Sri R. Aravamudan in his Harikatha.

 

Yudishtra performed the Rajasuya sacrifice after Sage Narada

visited him in Indraprastha and advised him to perform it to

please his forefathers. The Rajasuya was a grand success and at

the time of honouring the guests by offering ``Argya'', on

Bheeshma's advice it was decided that Krishna must be honoured

first. This offended Sisupala who started a tirade of abuse in

the presence of all which finally led to Krishna killing him with

His discus.

 

But, there was a look of infinite love in Lord Krishna's eyes

when He hurled the discus and everyone was witness to a glow of

light which emanated from Sisupala's body and merged into

Krishna's which made them wonder how he who hated the Lord could

have been blessed in this manner. It was to explain this enigma

that the Lord's incarnation as Narasimha is explained in this

context about the fall of His gate-keepers Jaya and Vijaya from

Vaikunta due to a curse when they were born in the world as

demons thrice. As Hiranyaksha and Hiranyakasipu they were killed

by the Lord in His incarnations as Varaha and Narasimha and He

redeemed them finally when they were reborn as Sisupala and

Dantavaktra.

 

Likewise, there is an interesting lengthy interlude about His

incarnation in the Kamba Ramayanam episode before Vibhishana's

surrender to Rama when he tried to advise Ravana to return Sita

by reminding him that their mighty ancestors were annihilated by

Lord Narasimha.

 

 

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