Narasimha Avatar

The story of Narasimha avatar is well known to all Hindus. Lord Vishnu took the Varaha Avatar to kill Hiranyaksha. To take revenge on Vishnu and in a wish to rule the 3 worlds, Heaven, Earth and Pathala, his brother Hiranyakashipu did penance to please Brahma. Brahma appeared but he refused to give him the boon of immortality. Instead Hiranyakashipu was granted a death wish which was, “not getting killed by humans or animals, not by any weapons, nor in the day or night, not touching earth or sky.”

After securing his death wishes Hiranyakashipu conquered the worlds and became a demon tyrant. He banned all pujas to Lord Vishnu and declared himself a God. He was cruel to his people.

He declared, anyone who prayed to Vishnu would be beheaded, and all should pray to him only. His own son Little Prahlad was an ardent devotee of Maha Vishnu and refused to obey him.

Hiranyakashipu gave the order to kill Prahlada, but at every attempt Vishnu appeared and saved him. This increased the fury of Hiranyakashipu.

One day in the court, Prahlada was brought, and Hiranyakashipu threatened to kill him, if he doesn’t stop reciting “Narayanaya Nama”.

Where is your Narayan? Asked Hiranyakashipu.

“he is everywhere, in the pillars and even in the rust” Prahlad answered. Hiranyakashipu in his rage struck a pillar with his mace, shouting, “Where is your Narayan, let him come out of this pillar.”

The pillar split open with a thundering sound and Vishnu’s Narasimha Avatar took place. He was half human and half lion. He grabbed Hiranyakashipu and kept him on his lap, sitting on a wooden step above the ground. With his lion nails, Narasimha split open the demon king and brought an end to his cruel reign.

It is believed by followers that Narasimha protects his sincere devotees when they are in extreme danger. He is known primarily as the 'Great Protector' who specifically defends and protects his devotees in times of need.

The following Narasimha Stothra recited with devotion helps in speedy recovery from all debts. The repeated lines “Runa Mukthaye “ depicts freedom from debts. It is proven beyond doubt that one will prosper in financial matters….

Narasimha Mantra.

Draupadi

With her hair untied,

Draupati stood firm, with an unbending will…

Nothing would suffice her,

But the end of Kauravas,

A virtuous woman she was

When dishonored in presence of her elders,

She wanted Duryodhana killed,

Vowed she would tie her hair washed in Dushassana’s blood

For the unpardonable offence he did.

The daughter of King Draupada and sister to Dhristadyumna

The crowned queen of the Pandavas,

Sri Krishna called her “Sakhi”,

A woman who had no equal in beauty and grandeur,

Draupadi is the symbol of woman’s strength and power,

She was the force behind the Kurushetra war,

She went through trouble and insult

She had spent long years in agony,

Her strength was her devotion for Krishna….

Who stood by her in all trials of life

Draupati got justice in the end,

Dharma won in the Kurukshetra battle,

She tied her hair smeared in Dushasana’s blood….

Ahalya Moksham

Ram and Lakshman were on their way to the kingdom of Janak accompanied by Viswamitra Maharshi. On the way they passed through the most aesthetic and divine place on the banks of the river Ganga…..It was the holy place where Gowtama muni’s ashram stood….Ram was amazed by the divinity of the ashram and its surroundings covered by plants full of beautiful flowers and fruits, all untouched by living beings.

Ram looked at Viswamitra and asked, “Maharshe, Taponidhe, Who owns this divine place which makes anyone so pleasant? What is the concealed secret of this place which makes anyone feel a divinity?”

Viswamitra replied, “Listen to me, Ram, I’ll tell you the story….Here lived the celestial and powerful Gowtama muni in his Ashram. Brahma the creator, married his daughter Ahalya, the heavenly beautiful girl to Gowtama muni. Gowtama muni was most pleased with Ahalya’s worship, chastity and duties to her husband. They were leading a perfect life of peace and happiness.

It was then that Indra tried to seduce Ahalya. Indra is the king of gods and the ruler of Heaven. Indra is a great warrior and the symbol of courage and strength. The Devas lead by Indra wages war against the Asuras.

The Rig-Veda states,

He under whose supreme control are horses, all chariots, the villages, and cattle;

He who gave being to the Sun and Morning, who leads the waters, He, O men, is Indra.

With all that power and Ahankar (pride), Indra wanted Ahalya. He couldn’t forget the Vishwamohini roopam of Ahalya, and finally decided to trick her. He was so blind with lust. Indra attained the form of Gowthama, in his absence, and persuaded Ahalya and seduced her.

Gowthama happened to witness this union of his wife and Indra in disguise. His rage was uncontrollable. In his fury, Gowthama cursed Indra to attain a form which he should be ashamed of…..He pleaded mercy to the Muni, saying it was his ignorance, but the Muni had already cast his curse and Indra had to go back to his kingdom in shame.

To the horrified Ahalya, Gowthama said,”Shame on you, you cruel woman, your act was most despicable….Your contemptable act is unforgivable..You disgraceful woman, your ignominious act has to be chastised….You have to undergo severe penance….You do the repentance by remaining a stone, remain here without food and water praying to Rama. No animal will come to this sacred place and when your penance is over after hundreds of years, Lord Ram will come this way. When Ram’s foot touches you, you will be free from your penance. With blessings from Ram, you can come back to me. “

The story was narrated by Viswamitra, and Ram along with Lakshman stepped into the Aashram. Ram bowed the Muni patni in respect, saying “Ramoham”. Ahalya opened her eyes and had the blissful sight of Lord himself. She had no words, and tears rolled out of her eyes. Ahalya bowed her head on the feet of Ram in ecstasy of salvation.

There is no sin or guilt which cannot be pardoned by repentance and pure faith in God. God himself will appear and devoid us from all sins.

That seems to be the moral of this story.

Of Taj, Mumtaz and Me…..

Burhanpur in Madhya Pradesh is a small town of Historical importance, but unfortunately little known to the tourists. The original resting place of Mumtaz Mahal was here, on the banks of Tapti river. But all the forts and monuments were in rot and ruins, when I saw them in 1979.

My husband was working in a bank in Burhanpur. Everything I saw was amazing as I just got out in the open from a somewhat secluded life in a joint family in Kerala. We explored the town and surrounding areas on every possible chance. We even travelled by bullock cart to reach some forts. Many of the evenings we spent at a garden on the banks of Tapti River.

On either side of the river stood the Mahals where Mumtaz rested in times of illness and pregnancy. She even died in this Mahal. The cool breeze, the silent river and the forts in ruin would have stories of love, passion, greed and hatred to say.

The Mughals built a quilla along the banks of Tapti river. It was like a protective barrier to the entire town of Burhanpur. We could see the traces of a long tunnel which might have been an escape route from the fort.

Ahu Khana is situated in front of Royal fort in Zainabad. It was just across the river .The place was Royal leisure pavilions during the Mughal time. Body of Mumtaz Mahal was buried at this place for six months.

The inscription at the Ahu Khana — or royal pavilion —says “Constructed during the reign of Shahjahan, Mumtaz Begum was buried here before her remains were transported to Agra”.

How many of us know this fact? On 7th June 1631, Shah Jahan lost his beloved & favourite wife Mumtaz Mahall at Burhanpur, and her body was buried at first in the Garden of Zainabad, across the river Tapti. This is History.

The local people in their struggle to make a living had no interest or means to protect the historical monuments.

In 1981, we left the place but I still remember the evenings I spent imagining as much that I became a part of the life of Mumtaz. I think I felt her presence in the ruins, in the gardens, and the river Tapti whispered the story of love and passion it witnessed, in my ears.

The scenes from the old Hindi film “Taj Mahal” went through my mind and I made friends with Mumtaz in that very garden where she spent many days of her life…..