||Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 85 – Varnnashrama Dharma - 1

Maharishi Narada continued “ Oh! Rajan, the supreme Lord is beyond forms or the description can be realized with a calm and serene mind, meditation, worship with intense devotion and faith.  In this way, you can please the Supreme Lord who resides as ‘Antharathma’/soul, can be considered as your preceptor and contemplates upon him with intense faith and devotion.”

Dharmaputhra speaks to Maharishi Narada “ Oh! Maharishi, kindly describe the Varnnashrama Dharma?”

Maharishi Narada speaks “ Oh! Rajan, listen to me carefully, once I went to meet Lord Narayana in Badarikashram, he narrated the marvelous Varnnashrama Dharma, the righteous path to approach the eternal Bhramam was divided into four known as Varnnashrama Dharma.  The significant virtues required in an individual is Sathyam/truth, Dhaya/kindness, austerities/Thapas and Shuchi, Thithiksha, Shamam, Dhamam,  principles of non-violence, self-sacrifice, celibacy, Swadhyaya, Marjjavam, happiness, Samyadhrik/oneness in all, service to humanity, belief in non-duality, Athmavichar/contemplation upon self, Maunam/vow of silence, Shravanam, Keerthanam, association with the saintly men, performance of fire sacrifices and various rites, worship of Lord, good companion,  and humility,  is the greatest virtues required for the grace of supreme Lord.  The twice-born/Brahmin who was born from the face of supreme Lord required following strict austerities, the performance of Yagna and Yaga, learning scriptures Upanishads, and Veda, and spreading knowledge of Veda.   A Vipra should have the knowledge of Modham, Shamam, Dhamam, Shaucham, Kshamam, Gnanam, austerities, Dhaya, good control over senses, worship of Lord, and truthfulness.   He should take up studies under preceptor; he should be devoted to the preceptor, honest, humble, and sincere and should have great respect towards the preceptor.  He should perform rites to honor preceptor, worship Lord Surya during the hours of Sandhya, perform rites to please Earth and deities, he should practices lessons in Veda, he should obtain alms to serve his preceptor, he should consume the meal in lesser quantity, he should strictly follow celibacy, he should not live in the house of women, he should not clean shave or cut nails,  he should avoid fragrant scents,  and intoxicating drinks, he should have thorough knowledge of the all-pervading nature of the supreme Lord.  He should serve his preceptor like a servant, he should not be proud.   The Kshatriya who was born from the arms of Supreme Lord, required following service to the Kingdom, he is the protector of the borders of the Kingdom, he should have qualities like Shaurayam, Veeryam, Dhrithi, Thejas, Thyagam, good control over sense, patience, and he should ensure the protection of twice-born.  The Vaishya who was born from the thighs of the supreme Lord required qualities like devotion, commerce, and ensuring the happiness of the three Varnas/Bhramin, Kshatriya and Shudra.  The Shudra has the responsibility to worship Lord without any Vedic chants, he should be truthful, they should undertake the protection of cow, agriculture, and all the labor tasks.  The women should undertake strict austerities, righteousness, and vow, she should have the qualities like  humility,  truthfulness, devoted service to her husband, love, and affection, happiness, intelligence, untiring, cleanliness, steadfast, good health, free from anxieties and depression, she should consider her husband as Lord Narayana, ultimately she will attain the abode of Lord.  The people of four Varnna should strive for obtaining knowledge of all-pervading nature supreme Lord and ultimately attains the abode of Lord.  The Vanaprastha attain the abode of Rishis, he should eat the fruit ripened from the trees, fiber roots are grown on its own, he should not consume any of the vegetables produced in the farm or field, he should not consume cooked meals, they should stay in hermitage or cave and perform the fire rituals, he should be capable of withstand any of the extreme climatic conditions.  He should have perfect control over senses; he should have knotted hair locks, hairs and nails should not be removed, he should have Dhanda and Kamadalu, gradually he will burn/immerses himself in the Gnana and Yogagni, eventually he will sacrifice all those loin clothes, Danda and Kamandalu and walk on the Earth without fear, body consciousness, I consciousness, and meals.  He will be in the association of ascetics; completely staying away from practice or learning scriptures, he will be serene, live alike of deaf, dumb and blind.”

Maharishi Narada speaks “ Oh! Rajan, The Purusharththa is the ultimate object and Varnnashrama Dharma is the way to attain the ultimate object.   Dharma is the path to get attached to the supreme Lord who resides as a soul in us and gets disconnected from all that is perishable nature.  The attachment to the Supreme Lord can be attained with the guidance of a preceptor.  Our mind has the potential to desire for the material things as well as eternal, the desire for eternal truth is the final object/Moksha.  It is the union of the soul with the supreme soul/supreme Bhramam.  The elevation of the soul is possible through Varnnashrama Dharma which was established by supreme Lord.”

||Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 84 – The legend of Prahladha - 14

Lord Narasimha was highly pleased at the devotion of Prahlada, and announced his willingness to offer boons, “ Oh! Child, ask for any boon,  I am extremely pleased, whoever witnesses my form will not have any grief in their lives,”  Prahladha speaks “ Oh! Lord, do not heave me to the material world by giving boons,  I have worshiped you and practiced my mind to unite with you, not for any boons.  Hence I expect Mumukshvuthva who earns for liberation from worldly existence.  The characteristics of a true devotee of Lord is he must be Jijjyasu who is completely surrendered to supreme Lord, will not ask for the fulfillment of any worldly matters, he does not have any desire to fulfill other than union with the Supreme Lord.  Oh! Bhagavan, you are the Universal preceptor, kindly guide us to attain liberation from worldly existence and enlighten us with the knowledge to attain Bhramam.  Oh! Akhila Guro, kindly elevate our soul to attain liberation from repeated births, If anyone asks for fulfillment of their desires won’t be a true devotee, he would be addressed as ‘Vanik’/merchant. Oh! Lord who is fulfilling the material matters of the worshiper instead of elevating his soul won’t be considered as supreme Lord.  Oh! Lord, you do not require anything other than sincere devotion from us, you do not require any support system, hence I do not desire anything from you; I am wholeheartedly surrendering myself to your lotus feet. Oh! Lord, my affection and devotion to you is not like the servant and King, you are my preceptor and I am your disciple.  Oh! Lord, you have shown your willingness to offer boon, kindly offer the boon to discourage me from if I have desired anything in my heart, Oh! Pundareekaksha, whoever worships you with no desire other than surrendering at your lotus feet, would succeed in their attempt to unite their soul with you.  Oh! Bhagavan, Oh! Purusha who resides as a soul in living beings, Oh! Hari, Oh! Adbhuthasimha, Oh! Bhramane, Oh! Paramathmane, I shall repeatedly prostrate before you.” Lord Narasimha was extremely delighted to witness staunch devotion of Prahladha and said “ Oh! child, you are the fortunate one, your mind and intellect are completely surrendered to me, therefore you will have all those happiness available on this Earth. You can take pleasure in them as the fruit of your righteous deeds, and face the grief and sorrows in life with a balanced mind; with the constant practice, gradually you will succeed in that.  Ultimately you will be relieved from all the worldly bondage and attain me.”  Prahlada fell at the feet of Lord Narasimha and said “ Oh! Lord, my father had the fortune to feel the touch of you, therefore kindly elevate his soul from repeated births.” Lord Narasimha replied with great admiration “ Oh! Child, you are a blessed one, the child born like you would elevate the souls of 21/Thrisapthabhi ancestors of the clan.  My sincere devotees would purify even the impure ones.”  Lord Narasimha instructed Lord Bhrama not to offer unique boons like this to any of the worshipers in the future and disappeared.

Whoever listens or recites the legend of Prahladha who is the greatest devotee of Lord would attain Bhakti/devotion, Gnana/wisdom, and Vairagya/renunciation.  The worshiper would be guided through the path of Bhagavatha Dharma and ultimately attain the abode of Lord.

Maharishi Narada spoke to Dharmaputhra “ Oh! Rajan, you are fortunate ones, and equally ignorant too. You have not thoroughly understood Lord Krishna who has been assisting you as the son of your uncle Vasudeva, emissary, charioteer, and closest companion.  Oh! Rajan, you are unfortunate as well, you have not considered Lord Krishna as your preceptor.  Hence, consider Lord Krishna as your preceptor, he is supreme Lord who resides as the soul in living beings, he is sought after by the illustrious Rishis and Sages, it is the ultimate asylum which could provide Kaivalya, Nirvana and Sukhaanubhoothi/supreme bliss."

||Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 83 – The legend of Prahladha – 13

Prahlada concludes “Oh! Bhagavan, you are the superior cure for getting rid of the sorrows and grief of worldly existence, hence bless me to put into practice my mind at your sincere service.  Oh! Bhagavan, you are the supreme bliss that can be understood by listening to your glorious myths sung by deities and Rishis, therefore kindly bless me to remain in the constant association of the intellectuals and Rishis who are surrendered at your lotus feet, thereby I could elevate my soul.  Oh! Bhagavan, you are supreme soul resides as the soul in living beings and illuminates the intellect and mind and preserves it while asleep, even the intellect and mind could not witness that supreme brilliance resides as soul but it can unite with it.  Oh! Bhagavan, you symbolize the highest philosophy  which cannot be understood effortlessly, it can be understood with the association of intellectuals and Rishis, and with the constant practice of meditation, it could provide stability of mind and would help to unite the soul with the supreme Bramham.  Oh! Bhagavan, my mind and intellect is under the constant influence of Maya/illusion, which makes me flee from you, even though, you all-pervading like the cluster of garland of numerous flowers, but the garland is made out of the same thread, an ignorant will not understand your all-pervading nature and keep taking several births, like a frog in the well.  Oh! Bhagavan, kindly bless me and do not keep me away from your lotus feet where I have taken shelter.  Oh! Bhagavan, I have not fallen in the deep well, I have fallen at your lotus feet and your supreme philosophies, kindly do not discard me.  Oh! Bhagavan, you are the creator, preserver, and destroyer as well, kindly elevate my soul from the sensual pleasures which has fleeting nature.  Oh! Bhagavan, kindly bless me to keep the vow of silence, recite your glories and endless myths, follow strict disciplines and meditation, thereby elevate my soul to realize the eternal presence of supreme Lord who resides as a soul, an ignorant cannot elevate his soul.  Oh! Bhagavan, you represent Vayu/vital air, Agni/Jaragni, Sky, ether/space, water, Prana, Indriyas/sense organs, mind, and intellect.  Oh! Bhagavan, you are all-pervading, kindly bless me to realize your presence in everything. Oh! Bhagavan, kindly bless me to listen to your endless glories and myths, and surrender at your lotus feet, kindly bless me to worship you with various rites, in this way I can elevate my soul, and kindly bless me to attain intense devotion and faith achieved by the Paramahamasa/renounced souls."

||Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 82 – The legend of Prahladha – 12

Prahlada continued “ Oh! Bhagavan, the mind and intellect illuminate with your presence in our bodies, the mind creates the body consciousness during the awakened state, the mind and intellect return to that soul while the state of sleep, therefore the mind and intellect are protected and preserved by the supreme soul.  Oh! Bhagavan, your presence in the soul makes the sense organs to function, you are the absolute truth, it is not easily understandable for the intellect or mind due to the constant influence of Maya/illusion, even though the mind and intellect cannot witness that supreme soul, it can experience the presence of it and unite with it with the constant practice of meditation.  Oh! Bhagavan, You represent the highest philosophy, it is not easily understandable or experience because of its minuscule form.   It can be understood with the guidance of preceptor, saintly people, and in the constant association of intellectuals.  The realization of self can be achieved through the guidance of the preceptor, and sincerely following their teachings, which could bring stability of mind, it could achieve union with the Supreme Lord who resides as soul.  The knowledge of self would help the individual to consider the sorrow and happiness with the balanced state of mind and accept them as the Bhagavath Prasadha/offerings made to the supreme Lord.  Oh! Bhagavan, our mind, and intellect are completely soaked in Maya/illusion, therefore it keeps the mind drift away from the supreme Lord who resides as soul, the mind has immensely drawn towards physical and mental pleasures, worldly matters, and attachments to people with the hope that it could give eternal happiness, unfortunately, none of the above could provide eternal bliss.  Oh! Bhagavan, I shall take shelter on your lotus feet,  kindly do not leave me to live like a frog in the well, without the knowledge of Oneness in all,  which is simpler as the cluster of the garland of flowers constructed with the thread.  The individual who does not understand the absolute truth would keep taking several births, go through the endless miseries and sorrows of the worldly existence.   Oh! Bhagavan, You have endless manifestations and perform various pastimes for the welfare of the Universe and its living beings, I shall prostrate before you. Oh! Bhagavan,  you reside as a soul in living beings, like the smell of the scents cannot be seen, it can experience,  same as the state of sleep, pain,  love, sorrow, grief, happiness and all kinds of emotions.  The presence of the Supreme Lord as the soul can be understood with extreme penance and perfect control over senses.    A renounced soul who is united his/her mind and intellect with the supreme soul experiences your permanent presence in everything and remains in extreme bliss.   Oh! Bhagavan, kindly bless me to realize the supreme Lord who resides soul in me.  Oh! Akhilaguru/Universal preceptor, whenever I forget your presence kindly remind me and elevates my soul from grief, sorrow, pain, and agonies.  The individual who does not unite his intellect and mind to the supreme soul remains a fool, carrying the burden of suffering, agonies, pain, and sorrows of life. Oh! Bhagavan, let your glorious manifestation as Lord Narasimha remove the extreme fears and anxieties in us. Oh! Bhagavan! I have no fear to witness your dreadful form with blazing fireballs like eyes, white manes all over the face, sharp protruding teeth and nails, and lolling tongue. I am scared of the wickedness, weakness, and ignorance of the mind which could heave the soul into the worldly existence.   The weakness of the mind causes attachment to worldly affairs, therefore I am scared of that mind which turns against you.  Oh! Bhagavan, therefore I shall surrender to your lotus feet, kindly remove my worldly bondage and bless my mind always contemplate upon you thereby unite with you.  Oh! Bhagavan, an ignorant mind keeps attachment which could give nothing but the grief of separation and hatred. The separation of beloved cause intense grief and heaves the soul to the fire of sorrow,  and thereby the cycle of birth and death continues in our lives, therefore kindly elevate our souls. "

||Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 81 – The legend of Prahladha – 11

All the deities assembled to witness the dreadful form of Lord Hari as half lion-half man, who is covered in a pool of blood, his sharp nails and fierce teeth were soaked in blood and meat, he is adorned in a garland of the intestine, the deities eulogized Lord Hari “Oh! Bhagavan, who is the creator, preserver, and destroyer of the Universe and its living beings, Oh! Nanda who is the source of happiness, Oh! Vichithrakarmane, who performs unique tasks to elevate the souls, Oh! Ananthashakthaye, who has endless prowess, you have killed the haughty demon, kindly be calm and accept our prayers. Lord Narasimha, kindly leave your brutal appearance and blesses us. We shall repeatedly prostrate before you.” In this way, Lord Indra, Lord Rudra, and deities were trying to pacify Lord Hari were terrified and moved backward.  None of the deities could bring back Lord Hari in his pleasing form.  Lord Bhrama approached Goddess Sri Mahalakshmi and asked her to calm down Lord Hari, but she was extremely frightened to appear before him.  

The five-year-old Prahladha who was utterly serene even after witnessing the entire dreadful scene, he was neither scared of Lord Narasimha nor grieved for his father, he had intense faith that his beloved Lord Hari appeared to protect him.   Lord Bhrama approached Prahladha and appealed “Oh! Child, you can only pacify Lord Hari.”  Prahlada with folded hands, with tears overflowing after witnessing the compassion of Lord,  fallen at the feet of Lord Narasimha, his tears washed the feet of Lord, gradually Lord Hari’s fierce form began to disappear.  Lord Hari blessed the child Prahlada, he embraced and took him on his lap.  Prahladha’s eyes were soaked in tears and eulogized with extreme devotion and faith to the Lord “ Oh! Lord Narasimha/Hari Ugrajathi, Lord Bhrama and deities, and Rishis eulogized your splendor to pacify you, but they could not calm down your rage, Oh Lord, I belong to the demon clan and a child, how did possible for me to calm you? It was all your mercy.  The number of penances, austerities, vows, richness, fame, prowess, would not help to elevate the soul or attain union with the Lord If the mind and the heart are not surrendered to the supreme Lord with intense devotion and faith.  If there are two kinds of people,  Vipra who do not have the knowledge of self or serenity of mind or not surrendered to the supreme Lord, and  a Chandala who is completely surrendered his mind and heart to supreme Lord would consider as intellectual.  I would prostrate at the feet of Chandala.   An individual who does not have the knowledge of the supreme self would not get purified himself or his clan.  The knowledge of self provides supreme bliss. Oh! Bhagavan,  who symbolizes all the auspiciousness, will not accept any of the offerings given with pride.   Whoever offers anything with humility, without pride or ego, or expectation or desires and whoever surrenders to supreme Lord and prepare themselves to receive grief or happiness with the serenity of mind would be considered as a true devotee.  Oh! Bhagavan, I have understood the supreme Lord who resides as a soul in the living beings, represent all the non-living things too, Oh! Bhagavan, you are omnipresent and capable to purify the intellect of the souls, I shall repeatedly prostrate before you, kindly bless me to remain your sincere servant.  Oh! Bhagavan, kindly bless me to cultivate intense devotion and faith on you, for that I should listen to your endless glories of you sung by the illustrious Rishis, Virinchi and deities, hence I should be in the constant association of ardent devotees who are completely surrendered at your lotus feet, so that I could elevate my soul and surrender at your lotus feet.” 

||Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 80 – The legend of Prahladha – 10

The dreadful half-lion – half-man emerged out of the pillar with blazing fireballs like eyes’ was staring at Hiranyakashipu.  It has white mane all over the face gives the dreadful appearance, two sharp protruding teeth, and sword-like lolling tongue as if ready to swallow him, sharp fingernails were moving towards him. Lord Narasimha was violently shaking his head and producing ear-splitting noise.  That appalling form of Lord Narasimha jumped out of the pillar that created intense trepidation in Hiranyakashipu. All the people assembled were started to flee out of the palace.  Hiranyakashipu remembered the boon of Lord Brahma and re-gained confidence. He picked up mace to fight against the dreadful form of Lord Hari that was utterly failed, he picked up the sword but that too failed miserably.    Finally, the time has arrived, Hiranyakashipu was brutally knocked down on the floor by  Lord Hari and sat on top of him, like the eagle perforates the venomous serpent with its sharp nails, one elbow on the thigh and another on the chest pressed heavily, thus he put a complete pause for the movement of Hiranyakashipu.  Lord Hari took him on his lap and moved slowly to the wooden entrance, with the sharp nails tore off chest and stomach, it created a pool of blood, Lord Hari gobbled down the blood with both the hands, his internal organs were adorned as garland.   Lord Hari immersed in extreme bliss, produced deafening voices and took great taste in the flesh and blood of Hiranyakashipu.  Thus, Emperor Hiranyakashipu who confiscated the three worlds with his power, ruled the entire Kingdom with immense haughtiness  became lifeless on the lap of Lord Hari, none of the boons from Lord Bhrama could help him.

||Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 79 – The legend of Prahladha – 9

The legend of Prahladha teaches that every human has the potential to create happiness within themselves, and share it with others too.  The state of bliss can be achieved with the constant practice of meditation.  The mind becomes free from selfishness, ego, pride, expectations, sorrow, grief, pain,  jealousy, etc.  The practice of meditation purifies the human mind and intellect.   Prahlada taught the children of the demons about the supreme knowledge of self, which could boost their confidence and courage.   The two preceptors Chanda and Amarka returned to the school,  saw all the children reciting and sung in praise of Lord Hari.  The preceptors angrily seized Prahladha and said: “You do not deserve to stay alive, you are a huge threat not only to the clan of demons but also to the children of demons and your father Hiranyakashipu.”  

The preceptors produced Prahladha before the assembly of the King.  Hiranyakashipu’s eyes were reddened with anger, he seized Prahladha from the preceptors and said “ Oh! Fool, you are an unfortunate one, you will destroy our clan, and how did you get this much courage to oppose your father? Who is protecting you? Who is influencing you to turn against me? I will cut you into pieces.” Hiranyaksha took the sword to chop the head of Prahlada who was serene, with folded hands began to speak “ Oh! Rajan, the supreme soul in the minuscule form resides in us and deities as well, Oh! Father, that gives you the strength to speak loudly, it is neither your skill nor the power of the muscle.  He is Ishwara who is behind all the functioning of the body and intellect.  He protects the mind and intellect while the state of sleep and it brings back while the awakened state, all those functions of the body takes place with his presence.  Oh! Father, you should not mistreat the all-pervading supreme soul, kindly leave your adamant and demonic nature, and surrender yourself to that supreme Lord who is extremely compassionate, he is capable to forgive all the sins of the worshiper.  Oh! Father, the Supreme Lord resides as a soul in all the living beings,  it is impossible to attain Him without surrendering to him,  otherwise, you cannot achieve serenity or peace of mind,  or cannot understand the Oneness of the soul.  Kindly contemplate upon the supreme Lord Hari, he will not discard anyone.”  Hiranyakashipu could not tolerate any of the advice of Prahladha, he was in extreme rage, could not control his mind listening in praise of Lord Hari.  He shrieked in extreme anger “ Oh! Fool, how dare you praise Lord Hari, who gave you the strength to praise him? How did you find this much courage to praise him? Who’s that Bhagavan protecting you always?  I will see who is going to protect you while I slice your head.  Let me see that supreme Lord who resides as soul and omnipresent.”  Hiranyakashipu moved forward to slice down Prahlada, put a pause to his action and thought  "Prahlada should understand that there is no Lord exists, other than me in this world.  I have to prove to him that I am the only Lord who is protecting and ruling the entire world.  Let me prove him first and kill.”  Hiranyakashipu changed the sword from left hand to right, he forcefully banged the pillar with his fist,  and roared “ Oh! Fool, prove as you are preaching, if your Lord is all-pervading, he must be in  living and non-living things too, therefore show me the presence of your Lord in this pillar.”  when Hiranyakashipu forcefully banged the pillar with his fist, a deafening voice rose from the eight directions as if the Earth was quivering.  Hiranyakashipu was taken aback; he could not realize what’s happening before him.  He was alarmed to see a dreadful form of half lion – half man rose from the pillar; it was to prove the perception of Hiranyakashipu is wrong,  it was to protect Lord Bhrama’s boons and protect his ardent devotee Prahladha from the danger and ultimately to prove the all-pervading nature of the supreme Lord.