Value of Bhakti

[Guest guest]

& nbsp;

Dear friends and devotees,

 

Bhakti is eternal.

 

Value of Bhakti

 

Padmapada was the student of Sri Jagadguru Adi Sankara. His original name was

Sananda. Once Sri Adi Sankara overheard his other students disusing why their

Guru likes Sananda the most? What is so great about him? In order to show the

Guru-Bhakti (devotion to the teacher) of Sananda to the other students Sri Adi

Sankara called Sananda who was on the other side of the holy river Ganges. He

said to Sananda “come fast”. Without any doubt, Sananda closed his eyes and with

undeviating devotion started to run across the river (Which is the nearest

route). Then river Ganges created lotus flowers below Sananda’s every step and

made him cross the river, without drowning. & nbsp; From that day onwards Sananda

was known as Padmapada.

 

Padmapada was born in a village in the area ruled by Chola Kings and right from

his childhood was the upasaka (devotee) of Lord Sri Lakshminarasimha. He was

more particular about Lakshminarasimha-Saakshatkaaram (the appearance of the

spirit of Lord) and therefore reached the famous Sri Lakshminarasimha Kshetram

at Ahobilam of Andhra Pradesh and did austerity for many years.. But he could

not attain darshan of the Lord. Knowing this Sri Adi Sankara who was camping at

Paladhara Theertham in Srisaila Kshetram, called Padmapada and said “O my son,

Padmapada! & nbsp; You are very eager to have the Divya- darsanam of Lord Sri

Narasimha swami. Time for it has come. & nbsp; Not far from here, there is one

place named Chenchugudem. There is one cave. Normally the caves are like

mother wombs. They keep lives away from usual worldly things and make them to go

in the path of liberation. So you go there immediately and do penance. You will

achieve the transcendental chant.

 

Immediately Padmapada reached the Cave in Chenchugudem and started great

penance. The king of the Aatavikas, knowing this came running to Padmapada and

said, with great obedience, “Swami! My name is Bayanna. I am the Chenchudora

(King of Aatavikas). This entire area is under my control, so just tell me what

you are searching for in this place? I will get it to you " . Padmapada replied

“Dora! I am looking for a Narasimham which has Lion’s head and human body.

Bayanna replied “Swami! I know whole of this forest. I saw many tigers, lions

and many wild animals. & nbsp; But I never saw what you described”

 

Padmapada replied “It is here only. & nbsp; However you will not be able to see

it”. Bayanna replied “Swami! If really there is some thing like what you

described, I will bind it and bring it before you, else I will leave my life”.

Saying this, he left for searching Narasimham. Always thinking about the figure

that Padmapada had described, leaving food and sleep, Bayanna searched all day.

But his effort did not yield any result. So he decided for self-sacrifice. Then

seeing the Narasimha-Bhakti of Bayanna, Sri Narasimham appeared before him!

Immediately Bayanna tied Sri Narasimha swami with some creepers and brought him

before Padmapada!!

 

Bayanna said “Swami! & nbsp; See I got what you were searching for. I put lot of

effort. Finally I got him. I tied and brought him, please see”. However

Padmapada was not able to see Sri Narasimha. He cried “Swami! In one day You

gave saakshaatkaaram (appearance) to Bayanna. Even though I did penance for so

many years I am not able to see you?”. “Putra! Padmapada! The ekaagrata

(concentration) which even after one crore years of tapas is difficult to get,

this Bayanna achieved it in one day. Because of your saangatyam (company) with

him, you are able to hear Me. Your tapas gave you phalitam (result) now. You got

mantra-siddhi. When you are in need, I myself will come to you” saying this, Sri

Narasimha Swami disappeared.

 

Spiritual Commentary.

 

Guru Bhakti always helps to tide over the hurdles safely, as Padmapada crossed

the river with closed eyes easily on the instructions of his Guru.

Nischala (Concentrated) Bhakti, is still more powerful, since Sri Narasimha

Swami Himself said that the Bhakti which cannot be got even after one crore

years of penance, achieved by Bayanna in one day through his concentration.

 

With love and regards,

 

Sastry