॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥
Wednesday, 14 December 2022 V.18 - The incarnations of Bhagavan in different Varshas (regions) and the prayers He received.
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This chapter summarises the various significant incarnations of Bhagavan Maha Vishnu in different epochs and in different regions (Varshas). His devotees ardently prayed to Him in each instance, realising how He had come to save them.
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In Bhardrashrava Varsha, King Bhadrashrava prays to Lord Hayagriva, the incarnation of Bhagavan thus:
भद्रश्रवस ऊचु:
ॐ नमो भगवते धर्मायात्मविशोधनाय नम इति ॥
T: "We offer our respectful obeisances to Bhagavan, the reservoir of all Dharma! In His form of Hayagriva retrieved the Vedas and returned them to Lord Brahma!"
Prahlada, the devotee, prayed ardently to the worderful incarnation of Lord Narasimha in Hari Varsha:
ॐ नमो भगवते नरसिंहाय नमस्तेजस्तेजसे आविराविर्भव वज्रनख वज्रदंष्ट्र कर्माशयान् रन्धय रन्धय तमो ग्रस ग्रस ॐ स्वाहा । अभयमभयमात्मनि भूयिष्ठा ॐ क्ष्रौम् ॥
T: My prayers to Lord Narasimha, the source of all power! O my Lord who possess nails and teeth just like thunderbolts, kindly vanquish our demonlike desires for fruitive activity in this material world! Please appear in our hearts and drive away our ignorance so that by Your mercy we may become fearless in the struggle for existence in this material world. May there be good fortune throughout the universe, and may all envious persons be pacified. May all living entities attain Bhakti!"
In Ketumala Varsha, Bhagavan comes as Kamadeva, Pradyuma, and attracts everyone irresistibly, including Devi Sri Lakshmi. They all pray to Him as the supreme "husband" and protector.
In Ramyaka Varsha, Bhagavan comes and saves all life as Matsya, receiving the prayer of Vaivasvata Manu.
In Hiranmaya Varsha, Bhagavan comes as Kurma, the giant tortoise. Aryama, the chief, prays:
ॐ नमो भगवते अकूपाराय सर्वसत्त्वगुणविशेषणायानुपलक्षितस्थानाय नमो वर्ष्मणे नमो भूम्ने नमो नमोऽवस्थानाय नमस्ते ॥
T: "You, who have assumed the form of a tortoise, are the reservoir of all transcendental qualities, and being entirely untinged by matter, You are perfectly situated in pure goodness. You move here and there in the water, but no one can discern Your position. Therefore I offer my respectful obeisances unto You. Because of Your transcendental position, You are not limited by past, present and future. You are present everywhere as the shelter of all things, and therefore I offer my respectful obeisances unto You again and again."
In the incarnation as the Boar, Bhagavan is prayed to thus by Earth and everyone else:
ॐ नमो भगवते मन्त्रतत्त्वलिङ्गाय यज्ञक्रतवे महाध्वरावयवाय महापुरुषाय नम: कर्मशुक्लाय त्रियुगाय नमस्ते ॥
T: "Oh Lord, with your gigantic form, we know you are the Yajna, the Yajna enjoyer, and the one who pervades all in all the three Yugas! My Lord, as the original boar within this universe, You fought and killed the great demon Hiranyaksha. Then You lifted me from the Garbhodaka Ocean on the end of Your tusk, exactly as a sporting elephant plucks a lotus flower from the water. I bow down before You."
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