Holy Appearance of Sri Nityananda Prabhu & Lord Varahadev

[Guest guest]

Dear Devotees:

 

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

 

We are posting the transcendental pastimes of the the Holy appearance of Sri

Nityananda Prabhu as for today (although in some countries is tomorrow) and

for Lord Varahadeva which in some countries ocurrs like today and in other

countires it was yesterday.

 

Ys

 

Tusti Mohan Krsna das

 

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Appearance Day of Sri Nityananda Prabhu

(Fasting till noon)

 

 

Lord Nityananda is the eternal associate of Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the Supreme

Personality of Godhead. Rarely is the name Nimai (Caitanya Mahaprabhu) taken

without that of Nitai (Lord Nityananda). Mahaprabhu cannot be approached or

understood without the mercy of Nityananda Prabhu, who is the cardinal guru

of all the universes and serves as an intermediary between Mahaprabhu and

His devotees. He is the Lord's active principle in both creation and lila.

He is the second body of the Lord, manifesting as Balaram to Sri Krishna,

Lakshman to Sri Ram and Nityananda Prabhu to Caitanya Mahaprabhu. All other

forms and expansions of the Lord emanate from this second body. Nityananda

Prabhu is thus the source of Sankarshan, all the Vishu's, and Ananta Sesa.

As Vishnu tattva He and Advaita Acarya are worshipped in the same category

as Caitanya Mahaprabhu. In the manifested earthly lila, Nityananda Prabhu is

senior to Caitanya Mahaprabhu by more than a decade. He is statuesque, like

His Ma!

ster, with the whitish complexion of Lord Balarama. His garments resemble a

cluster of blue lotus flowers and His effulgence is said to surpass the

grandeur of a rising moon at sunset. He has a deep melodious voice, constant

singing the glories of Sri Krishna and carries a red stick with benedictions

for the devotees, but feared by the demoniac. He has the carefree mood of a

wild avadhuta, so absorbed is He in the love of Godhead, and no one knows

what He will do next.

 

Nityananda Prabhu was born in Ekacakra, a small village in present West

Bengal, around the year 1474. His birthsite is commemorated by a temple

named Garbhasva and is visited by throngs of pilgrims today. His father,

Hadai Ojha and mother Padmavati, were pious Brahmans originally from

Mithila. Nityananda Prabhu was born on the auspicious thirteenth day of the

bright fortnight of the month of Maga. As a child, Nitai (as Nityananda

Prabhu was called), loved to enact the pastimes of Sri Krishna or Lord Rama.

He did this so authoritatively and with such rapture, that the entire

village would be immersed in the love of Godhead.

 

Nitai's favorite part was that of Lakshman, and He enacted it with so many

apparently authentic scenes not described in the Ramayana, that people would

wonder if He was making it up or actually relishing His own pastimes. The

village of Ekacakra was completely absorbed in the love of little Nitai,

where He spend the first 12 years of his earthly life. In the 13th year, a

travelling sannyasi, said to be the famous Lakshmipati Tirtha, enchanted by

Nitai"s devotion and service, requested Nitai from his parents, as a

travelling companion. His parents, bound by Vedic culture, could not refuse

the request of a guest and reluctantly parted with Nitai. However,

devastated by the separation with Nitai, that Hadai Pandit soon gave up his

life.

 

Nitai traveled with Lakshmipati Tirtha for about 20 years, during which He

visited all the holy places in the country, reminiscent of the manner that

Balarama traveled while the battle at Kurukshetra raged on. Nitai is said to

be later on initiated by Lakshmipati Tirtha. He also associated with another

of Lakshmipati Tirtha's famous disciple, Madhavendra Puri, who although his

godbrother, was revered by Nitai was as a spiritual master. Madhavendra Puri

is famous for establishing the sweet truth of Madhurya-rasa which later

become an integral part of Gaudiya Vaishnavism. Among the other disciples of

Madhavendra Puri is Advaita Acarya, and Isavara Puri (the spiritual master

of Caitanya Mahaprabhu).

 

Nityananda Prabhu met Caitanya Mahaprabhu in 1506, when He was 32 years old

and the Lord 20 years. It is said that when Nityananda Prabhu reached the

land of Nadia, He hid in the house of Nandanacarya, to heighten the ecstasy

of meeting through separation. Caitanya Mahaprabhu aware of the arrival of

His eternal associate dispatched Haridas Thakur and Srivas Pandit to search

out Nitai, but they failed. Finally unable to bear the separation any

longer, Caitanya Mahaprabhu Himself went directly to Nityananda Prabhu and

the ecstasy of the meeting was so transcendental that every one witnessing

it were awed by the sublime experience. A temple called Sri Gaura-Nityananda

commemorates this meeting place in Nadia.

 

Nityananda Prabhu in His role as the original spiritual master, was

instrumental in spreading the yuga dharma of sankritana all over the Gaudia

desh (Bengal, Orrisa). His mercy knew no bounds, and people fortunate to

come in contact with Him were inundated with the love of Godhead. It was by

His mercy that Raghunatha dasa, one of the six Goswamis started the famous

Danda Mahotsava festival of Panihatti, a tradition that continues to this

day, and was thus able to serve Caitanya Mahaprabhu. He extended His mercy

to even fallen souls like Jagai and Madhai, delivering them from the sinful

lives and protecting them from the wrath of even Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Indeed

His mercy knew no bounds, and fortunate were the people who tasted the

nectar of His instructions.

 

When Nityananda Prabhu returned to Bengal at the request of Caitanya

Mahaprabhu, His decided to abandon His avadhuta status and become a

grahastha (householder). He married Jahnava devi and Vasudha, the two

daughters of Suryadasa Sarakhel, who the brother of Gauridasa Pandit (an

intimate associate of Caitanya Mahaprabhu and the spiritual master of the

famous Shyamananda Pandit). Nityananda Prabhu had a son (Virchandara) and a

daughter (Gangadevi) from Vasudha. Soon after Vasudha passed away and

Jahanva devi looked after the children. She later initiated Virchandra, and

also became an instructing spiritual master to the likes of Shyamananda

Pandit, Shrivasa Pandit and Narottama dasa Thakur. Jahnava devi is revered

as a Vaishnavi and she established the pre-eminent positon of women in the

Vaishanava tradition.

 

Lord Nityananda wound up His earthly pastimes, by merging into the deity of

Krishna, known as Bankim Ray, not far from Ekacakra. Vaishanava acaryas

emphatically state that people who try to understand Caitanya Mahaprabhu

without getting the mercy of Nityananda Prabhu will never succeed. and one

must pray very sincerely to Lord Nityananda Prabhu as the adi-guru (original

spiritual master) to be delivered to the Lotus feet of Sri Caitanya

Mahaprabhu. The presence of Nityananada Prabhu is always felt in the

presence of one's own guru, for the guru is considered to be the living

manifestation of Nityananda Prabhu's love and mercy, and his sakti (power)

is what gives the disciple the ability to perform devotional service and

experience spiritual bliss.

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Appearance Day of Sri Nityananda Prabhu

(Fasting till noon)

 

 

NITAI MORA JIVANA

"Lord Nityananda, the Wealth of My Life"

(by Srila Locana dasa Thakura)

 

1)

nitai mora jivana dhana nitai mora pati

nitai bihane mora ana nahi gati

 

O my Lord Nityananda, wealth of my life! O my master Nitai!

I have no other means of deliverance except the mercy of Nitai!

 

2)

samsara sukhera mukhe tuilya dia chai

nagare magiya khaba gahiya nitai

 

Leaving behind all worldly pleasures,

I want to reduce the happiness of family life to ashes.

Like a mendicant I shall live begging in town

and glorifying the holy names of Lord Nitai.

 

3)

ye dese mora nitai nai sei dehe na yaba

nitai vihina kara mukha na dekhiba

 

Places where Lord Nityananda is not present I will not enter.

At peoples faces I wish not to look. Only Nitai I want to see.

 

4)

ganga yara pada jala harasire dhara

hena nitai na bhajiya dukha paiya mare

 

The water of the Ganga has emanated from His lotus feet

and Lord Siva has accepted it on his head.

In great distress the non-devotees give up their lives

without worshipping Lord Nityananda.

 

5)

locana bale mora nitai yeba nahi mane

anala bhejai tara majha mukha kane

 

Locana dasa says, "I will light a fire in the mouths of those who do not

worship my Lord Nityananda."

 

 

 

>From Srila Dhyanacandra Gosvami's

"Sri Gaura-Govindarcana-Smarana-Paddhati"

 

(21)

 

SRI NITYANANDA PRANAMA:

 

nityanandam aham vande

karne lambita-mauktikam

caitanyagraja-rupena

pavitri-krita-bhutalam

 

I offer my humble obeisance unto Sri Nityananda Prabhu, who has a

single pearl dangling from one of His ears. He is the elder brother of Sri

Caitanya Mahaprabhu, and the purifier of the earth.

 

* * *

 

(50)

 

SRI NITYANANDA DHYANA:

 

kanjarendra-vinindi-sundara-gatim shri-padam indivara-

shreni-shyama-sad-ambaram tanu-ruca sandhyendu-sammardakam

premodghurna-sukanja-khanjana-mada-jin-netra-hasyananam

nityanandam aham smarami satatam bhushojjvalanga-shriyam

 

Let me always remember that brightly smiling face of Sri Nityananda

Prabhu, whose beautiful movement ridicules the graceful gait of an elephant.

His cloth resembles a cluster of blue lotus flowers and His bodily

effulgence conquers the splendor of the rising moon at sunset. His

prema-saturated rolling eyes defeat the pride of a restless khanjana bird

(wagtail).

 

* * *

 

(72)

 

SRI NITYANANDA MANTRA:

klim deva-jahnavi-vallabhaya svaha

 

SRI NITYANANDA DHYANA GAYATRI:

klim nityanandaya vidmahe sankarshanaya dhimahi tan no balah pracodayat

 

------

 

SRI NITYANANDASTAKA

"Eight Prayers Glorifying Lord Nityananda"

 

by Srila Vrndavana dasa Thakura

(Translated by Kusakratha dasa)

 

 

TEXT 1

 

sarac-candra-bhrantim sphurad-amala-kantim gaja-gatim

hari-premonmattam dhrta-parama-sattvam smita-mukham

sadaghurnan-netram kara-kalita-vetram kali-bhidam

bhaje nityanandam bhajana-taru-kandam niravadhi

 

I worship Lord Nityananda, the limitless root of the tree of

devotional service. As He walks with the grace of a majestic elephant, His

pure, splendid beauty shines like the full autumn moon. Though He Himself is

the Absolute Truth, He is maddened with pure love for Lord Hari. He smiles

as He rolls His eyes in apparent intoxication, He carries a stick in His

hand [in the mood of a cowherd boy], and He breaks the power of the Age of

Kali.

 

TEXT 2

 

rasanam agaram svajana-gana-sarvasvam atulam

tadiyaika-prana-pramita-vasudha-jahnava-patim

sada-premonmadam param aviditam manda-manasam

bhaje nityanandam bhajana-taru-kandam niravadhi

 

I worship Lord Nityananda, the limitless root of the tree of

devotional service. He is the abode of the mellows of devotional service,

and no one can be compared to Him. He is the be-all and end-all for His

devotees, and the husband of Vasudha and Jahnava, to whom He is more dear

than life itself. Because He is always maddened with pure love for Krsna,

the foolish nondevotees cannot understand that He is the Supreme Personality

of Godhead Himself.

 

TEXT 3

 

saci-sunu-prestham nikhila-jagad-istam sukha-mayam

kalau majjaj-jivoddharana-karanoddama-karunam

harer akhyanad va bhava-jaladhi-garvonnati-haram

bhaje nityanandam bhajana-taru-kandam niravadhi

 

I worship Lord Nityananda, the limitless root of the tree of

devotional service. He is very dear to the son of Saci-devi and is worshiped

by the entire universe. Out of His great mercy He chants the holy name of

Lord Hari, thus rescuing the souls drowning in the age of Kali and crushing

the pride of the ocean of repeated birth and death.

 

TEXT 4

 

aye bhratar ninam kali-kalusinam kim nu bhavita

tatha prayascittam racaya yad-anayasata ime

vrajanti tvam ittham saha bhagavata mantrayati yo

bhaje nityanandam bhajana-taru-kandam niravadhi

 

I worship Lord Nityananda, the limitless root of the tree of

devotional service. He said to Lord Caitanya, "O brother, the people are all

becoming infected by the sins of Kali-yuga. How will they atone for these

sins? Please give them a way to easily approach You."

 

TEXT 5

 

yathestham re bhratah kuru hari-hari-dhvanam aniSam

tato vah samsarambudhi-tarana-dayo mayi laget

idam bahu-sphotair atati ratayan yah pratigrham

bhaje nityanandam bhajana-taru-kandam niravadhi

 

I worship Lord Nityananda, the limitless root of the tree of

devotional service. He went to each house in Bengal and, raising His arms,

said, " O brother, if you will, please constantly chant athe holy name of

Lord Hari. If you do this, you will become free from the ocean of repeated a

death. Please give Me this gift of your liberation."

 

TEXT 6

 

balat samsarambhonidhi-harana-kumbhodbhavam aho

satam sreyah-sindhunnati-kumuda-bandhum samuditam

khala-sreni-sphurjit-timira-hara-surya-prabham aham

bhaje nityanandam bhajana-taru-kandam niravadhi

 

I worship Lord Nityananda, the limitless root of the tree of

devotional service. He is the Agastya Muni who forcibly swallows the ocean

of repated death. He is a rising full moon (friend of the night-blooming

lotus) who expands the ocean of the saintly devotees' good fortune. He is

the blazing sun who extinguishes the darkness of the community of demons.

 

TEXT 7

 

natantam gayantam harim anuvadantam pathi pathi

vrajantam pasyantam svam api na dayantam jana-ganam

prakurvantam santam sa-karuna-drg-antam prakalanad

bhaje nityanandam bhajana-taru-kandam niravadhi

 

I worship Lord Nityananda, the limitless root of the tree of

devotional service. He traveled on every path, dancing, singing the names of

Lord Hari, and describing His glories. Without considering His own

interests, He was merciful to the people, and He cast upon them His

merciful sidelong glance.

 

TEXT 8

 

su-bibhranam bhratuh kara-sarasijam komalataram

mitho vaktralokocchalita-paramananda-hrdayam

bhramantam madhuryair ahaha madayantam pura-janan

bhaje nityanandam bhajana-taru-kandam niravadhi

 

I worship Lord Nityananda, the limitless root of the tree of

devotional service. He fondly grasped His brother Lord Caitanya's soft and

beautiful lotus hand, and together they wandered here and there, delighting

the townspeople with Their sweet beauty. They both became filled with bliss

when They gazed upon each other's lotus faces.

 

TEXT 9

 

rasanam adharam rasika-vara-sad-vaisnava-dhanam

rasagaram saram patita-tati-taram smaranatah

param nityanandastakam idam apurvam pathati yah

tad-anghri-dvandvabjam sphuratu nitaram tasya hrdaye

 

These eight verses glorifying Lord Nityananda are the abode of the

mellows of devotional service, and they are the wealth of the pure devotees

expert at relishing those mellows. All the fallen, conditioned souls can get

liberation just by remembering them. These verses are very excellent,

transcendental, and unprecedented. May the two lotus feet of Lord Nityananda

appear eternally in the hearts of those who read these verses and remember

the Lord.

 

 

***************************************************************************

 

The Most Holy Appearance Day of Lord Varahadev

 

The pregnancy of Diti || Jaya and Vijaya cursed by the four Kumaras || The

appearance of Lord Varaha || The victory of Hiranyaksha and his death at the

hands of Lord Varaha.

 

Srimad Bhagavatam, Canto 3.

 

After describing the appearance of the white Boar Incarnation that had

appeared during the Svayambhuva devastation, Maitreya next described the red

Boar Incarnation that had appeared during the Chakshusha devastation.

Maitreya related these pastimes to Vidura in the same manner in which he had

heard them long ago when Lord Brahma had narrated them to the demigods.

 

Once upon a time, at sunset, Kashyapa, the son of Marichi, was offering

oblations to Lord Vishnu into the sacrificial fire. At this time, his wife,

Diti, approached him due to being greatly afflicted by sex desire. Without

trying to attract him gradually by her bodily expressions, the beautiful

Diti frankly begged her husband, "O learned one, Cupid is forcibly

distressing me with his arrows, just as an elephant troubles a banana tree.

I want to have sons like my co-wives and so you should be merciful to me."

"My father, Daksha, had separately asked each of his daughters, whom we

preferred to marry. Then, after understanding our intentions, he handed over

thirteen of his daughters to you, and we have been faithful to you ever

since that time. O lotus-eyed one, when someone in distress approaches a

great person, his pleas should never go in vain."

 

The hen-pecked Kashyapa could have strongly refused his wife, but because he

was also sexually inclined, he tried to pacify Diti, who had become very

poor-hearted and talkative, due to the contamination of lust. Kashyapa said,

"O afflicted one, I shall soon gratify your desire. It is only due to having

a good wife that a man like me can cross over the great ocean of material

existence. Indeed, a wife is so helpful that she is called the better half

of a man's body. Just as a military commander can easily conquer invaders

while remaining protected within a fort, so a man can conquer his senses by

taking shelter of a good wife. For this reason, a man could never repay his

wife for all the benefit that he derives from her, even if he were to try to

do so during his entire lifetime, or even after death."

 

"My dear Diti, although I cannot sufficiently repay you, I will satisfy your

sex desire for the purpose of begetting children. I only request you to wait

for a few minutes so that I may not become subject to criticism. The present

moment is most inauspicious because at this time Lord Shiva rides upon his

bull carrier, accompanied by his horrible ghostly companions. He gives such

ghosts the chance of getting a gross material body by placing them into the

wombs of women that indulge in sexual intercourse during this forbidden

period. Lord Shiva is your sister's husband, and with his three eyes, he

will see your forbidden act."

 

In spite of receiving such good instructions from her husband, Diti was so

oppressed by sex desire that she caught hold of Kashyapa's clothes just like

a shameless prostitute, and thus she practically forced him to gratify her

lusty urge. After offering obeisances unto worshipful fate, Kashyapa lay

down with Diti in a secluded place. After finishing the forbidden act,

Kashyapa purified himself by bathing and once again sat down to chant the

Gayatri mantra, while meditating upon the impersonal aspect of the Absolute.

Meanwhile, after having gratified her lust, Diti came to her senses. With

her head lowered in shame, she approached her husband and said, "My dear

brahmana, please insure that my embryo is not killed by Lord Shiva, because

of the great offense that I have committed against him."

 

Diti then prayed for Lord Shiva's mercy in a very clever manner: "Let me

offer my obeisance unto the angry Lord Shiva. He is so great that he can

immediately destroy my embryo, but at the same time he is so merciful and

forgiving. Lord Shiva is known as the lord of all women, who are excused

even by uncivilized hunters, and therefore I beg him to spare me from his

wrath."

 

As Diti stood before him, trembling due to fear of his anger, Kashyapa said,

"Because of your polluted mind, the improper time, your disobedience, and

your neglect of the demigods, your conception will produce two abominable

sons who will create havoc within the world by killing innocent persons,

torturing women, and enraging the great souls. As a result, the Supreme Lord

will incarnate to kill them, just as Indra smashes mountains with his

thunderbolt."

 

Diti replied, "O my husband, it is a great relief for me to know that my

sons will be killed by the all-merciful Supreme Lord, rather than the wrath

of the brahmanas. One who offends the brahmanas or causes fear to others is

so condemned that even those who are already in hell, or who are of the

degraded species in which he will later on appear, feel no compassion toward

him."

 

Kashyapa then informed Diti, "Due to your repentance and firm faith in the

Supreme Lord, as well as your adoration for Lord Shiva and myself, one of

your grandsons will be a greatly exalted devotee whose fame will rival that

of the Lord Himself. Because of his great devotion for the Supreme

Personality of Godhead, others will follow in his footsteps, and because of

his having satisfied the Supreme Lord, everyone will become pleased with

him. As a first-class devotee, your grandson will be able to see the Supreme

Lord, within and without; he will be a reservoir of all good qualities; and

he will feel very pained to see the suffering of the conditioned souls in

this material world."

 

After hearing about the glories of Prahlada, Diti became very pleased. But,

because she could understand that her sons would cause great disturbances to

the demigods, she continued to bear the powerful embryos for one hundred

years without giving birth. Still, the force of Diti's pregnancy disturbed

the entire universe, and the light of sun and moon became impaired.

 

After observing this fearful condition, the demigods approached Lord Brahma

and submitted, "O lord, just see this darkness that is expanding in all

directions. O sustainer of the universe, who knows the intentions of all

living entities, Diti's pregnancy has caused this great disturbance, and

thus our work has become suspended. Please be merciful unto us, for we have

fallen into a very miserable condition."

 

In response, Lord Brahma informed the demigods of what had happened long

ago. After having travelled all over the material creation, the four sages

Sanaka, Sanatana, Sanandana and Sanat-kumara, entered the spiritual sky,

wherein the Vaikuntha planets are situated. They were able to do this due to

being freed from all material contamination. In the abode of Lord Narayana,

the residents have forms similar to that of the Supreme Lord, and everyone

is engaged in His unalloyed devotional service. There are many forests full

of desire-trees, and throughout all seasons they are filled with fruit and

flowers.

 

While flying in their airplanes, along with their consorts, the inhabitants

of Vaikuntha eternally sing of the character and pastimes of the Supreme

Lord. Although the consorts that crowd the airplanes have large hips and

beautifully smiling faces, they cannot stimulate the passion of the

residents of Vaikuntha. This means that in Vaikuntha there is the enjoyment

of the association with the opposite sex, but there is no sexual

relationship, because everyone is fully absorbed in Krishna consciousness.

When the king of bees hums in a high pitch, singing the glories of the Lord,

the cuckoos, cranes, chakravakas, swans, parrots and peacocks temporarily

stop their singing to listen. Although flowers, such as the champaka,

bakula, parijata and lotus are transcendentally fragrant, they are still

conscious of tulasi's austerities, and of how the Lord prefers to garland

Himself with her leaves. The ladies of Vaikuntha are as beautiful as the

goddess of fortune, and yet they are sometimes seen cleaning the marble

walls, just to receive the grace of the Supreme Lord, even though there is

practically no dust.

 

Upon reaching the outskirts of Vaikuntha, the four Kumaras felt an

unprecedented transcendental happiness. Then, after easily passing through

six gates, the sages saw two doormen at the seventh gate that had similar

bodily features and carried strong maces. They were four-armed and of bluish

complexion, and due to their arched eyebrows, discontented nostrils and

reddish eyes, they appeared somewhat agitated. The four Kumaras had opened

doors everywhere without any conception of "ours" and "theirs", and so they

innocently began to pass through the seventh gate. The sages, who had

nothing to cover their bodies but the atmosphere, looked just like

five-year-old boys, although they were the oldest created beings, next to

Brahma.

 

Due to possessing a disposition quite unpalatable to the Lord, the two

gatekeepers rudely blocked the Kumaras' entrance with their staffs. The Lord

is always anxious to serve great sages, and thus the Kumaras were never to

be prohibited from entering Vaikuntha. The boy-sages had been very eager to

see the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and so upon being checked by the

Lord's two chief doorkeepers, they immediately became agitated. Their eyes

red with rage, the Kumaras exclaimed, "Who are these persons who are

engaging in the Lord's service and yet have developed a discordant

mentality? They must be imposters, and so they suspect others to be just

like themselves. In Vaikuntha there is perfect harmony between the Supreme

Lord and the other inhabitants. These two persons are dressed like the

residents of Vaikuntha, but where has this seed of disharmony come from?

Because of seeing duality, they have become contaminated. Therefore, they

should be put into the material world, where everyone is conceived of as

being either a friend or an enemy."

 

When the gatekeepers realized that they were being cursed by the brahmanas,

they at once became very afraid. After falling down at the Kumaras' feet,

they begged, "You are correct in punishing us for having neglected such

great souls as yourselves. Still, in consideration of our repentance, we

pray that you mercifully insure that the illusion of forgetting the Supreme

Personality of Godhead will not overwhelm us as we fall down."

 

Just at that moment, the Supreme Lord, having learned of this incident, came

there on foot accompanied by the goddess of fortune. Thus, the four Kumaras

saw Lord Vishnu before them, Whom they had formerly seen only within their

hearts while being absorbed in the ecstatic trance of meditation.

 

The Lord's beautiful blackish body was dressed in bright yellow cloth, and

around His neck hung a garland of fresh flowers that was encircled by

humming bees. While resting one of His hands upon Garuda's shoulder, the

Lord twirled a lotus flower in another. Indeed, His beauty was so excellent

that it defeated the pride of the goddess of fortune, and thus the Kumaras

looked at Him with unsated eyes.

 

As the Kumaras joyfully bowed their heads, the breeze that carried the aroma

of tulasi leaves from the toes of the Lord's lotus feet entered their

nostrils, causing a spiritual transformation in their body and mind, even

though they had been fully attached to the impersonal Brahman. In other

words, the Kumaras became converted from impersonalists that had desired to

merge into the Lord's brahmajyoti, to devotees who desire to render service

to the Lord.

 

After seeing the Lord's transcendental body, the Kumaras advanced to the

stage of constant meditation upon His personal feature. Their anger having

subsided, the four sages prayed, "Our dear Lord, whatever we had heard about

You from our father, Lord Brahma, has now been confirmed by Your kind

appearance before us. We now understand that the most elevated

transcendentalists are those that constantly engage in hearing about Your

pastimes, without caring for any other benediction, including liberation."

"O Lord, we don't mind being born in any hellish condition, as long as our

hearts and minds are always engaged in Your devotional service."

 

By dint of the Lord's presence, the Kumaras realized that it had been

improper for them to curse the doorkeepers, in spite of the offense that had

been committed.

 

The Supreme Lord then said, "These attendants of Mine, Jaya and Vijaya, have

committed a great offense against you by ignoring My desire. I approve of

the punishment that you have awarded to My servants. Indeed, since these

doormen are My servants, I consider Myself to be the one that has offended

you, and for this reason, I seek your forgiveness. Whatever wrong a servant

commits causes people in general to blame the master, just as a single spot

of white leprosy is considered to pollute the whole skin."

 

"For Me, the brahmanas are the most worshipable personalities, and so I am

prepared to cut off My arm if its conduct proves to be hostile toward you.

Because I am the servant of My devotees, My lotus feet have become so sacred

that they immediately purify one of all sins. I do not enjoy the offerings

that are made into the sacrificial fire with as much relish as I enjoy the

delicacies cooked in ghee that are offered to the mouths of the brahmanas

who have dedicated their lives unto Me.The Ganga is the remnants of water

left after washing My feet, and it sanctifies the three worlds. If I can

take the dust of the Vaishnavas' feet upon My head, then who would refuse to

do the same? These servants of Mine have offended you due to not knowing My

mind. Still, I will consider it a great favor if you allow them to return to

My presence soon, after reaping the consequences of their transgression."

 

After hearing with wide-open ears, the Lord's extremely humble and beautiful

speech, which was difficult to comprehend due to its profound import, the

Kumaras pondered over its meaning for some time. Although the sages could

not understand the Lord's actual intention, a thrill passed through their

bodies due to the delight of simply beholding Him. Understanding their fault

in cursing the Lord's faultless servants, the Kumaras said, "O Lord, we

cannot understand Your plans, for You have spoken as if we had done

something good for You. Your adoration of the brahmanas is meant to teach

others, for it is You who are the supreme worshipable Deity.O Lord,

whatever punishment You wish to award to these two innocent persons, or to

us, we shall accept without duplicity."

 

The Lord replied, "O brahmanas, I have already ordained the punishment that

you inflicted upon Jaya and Vijay, and thus they will have to accept birth

in a demoniac family. But, by concentration of their minds upon Me in anger,

they will always remain connected with Me, and soon thereafter, they will

return to My abode."

 

It is to be understood that the Lord Himself engineered the cursing of Jaya

and Vijaya. Ordinarily, there is no possibility that the Kumaras could

become so angry, that the Lord could neglect His gatekeepers, or that anyone

could return to the material world after reaching Vaikuntha. Sometimes, the

Lord desires to fight, and because there are no enemies in Vaikuntha, He

incarnates into the material world for this purpose. The Lord only likes to

perform His pastimes along with His associates, however, and so He chooses a

devotee to play the part of His enemy. Then, after making a temporary show

of fighting, the Lord recalls His devotee to the spiritual world.

 

Thereafter, the four Kumaras circumambulated the Lord, offered their

obeisances, and departed from the gates of Vaikuntha. The Lord then ordered

Jaya and Vijaya, "Depart from here, but do not be afraid. I could have

nullified the brahmanas' curse, but I chose not to do so. Lakshmi, whom you

had once stopped at the gate while I was sleeping, already predicted your

fall. Although seven births in the material world are your designated

punishment, I want you to accept three demoniac births instead. By

practicing mystic yoga in anger, you will become quickly cleansed of your

sinful reactions, and thus be able to return to Me in a very short time."

 

After saying this, the Lord departed, and Jaya and Vijaya, who had become

morose and pale because of the brahmanas' curse, fell down from Vaikuntha.

As they were falling, the Kumaras reassured them that after three demoniac

births, they would once again return to Vaikuntha. The demigods, who were

observing all of this from their celestial airplanes, let out a great roar

of disappointment, and thereafter, Jaya and Vijaya entered Diti's womb,

after being covered by Kashyapa's powerful semen.

 

Lord Brahma then concluded by informing the demigods, "It is the prowess of

these twin demons that has disturbed you, by minimizing your own potency. I

have no remedy for this situation, however, for all of this is taking place

by the desire of the Lord. Rest assured that the Supreme Lord will come to

our rescue, and so do not bother to speculate any longer about the dense

darkness that is covering all directions."

 

After hearing this, the demigods became relieved from their fear and

returned to their respective abodes. Meanwhile, after bearing her embryos

for one hundred years, Diti gave birth to twin sons who were great demons.

At this time, there were many fearful natural disturbances, such as

earthquakes, and raging fires were seen burning everywhere. The inauspicious

planets, such as Saturn and Mars, outshone the auspicious ones like Venus

and Jupiter; and comets, meteors and thunderbolts appeared in the sky.

Fierce winds made a displeasing hissing noise and uprooted great trees; and

due to the covering of clouds, all became shrouded in darkness. The ocean

became highly agitated, and all of the lotuses that grew within the rivers

and lakes withered.

 

Solar and lunar eclipses occurred repeatedly, and from the mountain caves

came sounds like the rattling of chariots. She-jackals vomited fire while

crying out ominously, and asses ran here and there in herds, striking the

earth with their hard hooves and braying loudly. Being frightened by the

braying asses, birds flew shrieking from their nests, and cows passed stool

and urine due to fear. Indeed, the terrified cows yielded blood instead of

milk, and the clouds rained puss instead of water. The deities in the

temples shed tears, and trees fell down even though there were no gusts of

wind.

 

Upon seeing all of these evil omens, everyone except the four Kumaras became

seized by fear. Not knowing about the fall of Jaya and Vijaya and their

subsequent birth as demons, everyone thought that the dissolution of the

universe was at hand.

 

Kashyapa named the first-born, who was formerly Jaya, Hiranyaksha and the

one who was conceived first, who was formerly Vijaya, was named

Hiranyakashipu. Soon after their birth, the demoniac twins exhibited

uncommon bodily features, and their steel-like frames became so tall that

they seemed to touch the sky. Indeed, they blocked the view in all

directions, and as they walked, the earth shook with every step.

 

After performing great austerities, Hiranyakashipu received benedictions

from Lord Brahma, and as a result, he became unafraid of death and very

proud. Being most powerful, Hiranyakashipu was able to bring the entire

three worlds under his control. His brother, Hiranyaksha, had also received

Brahma's benediction of near-immortality, and so he became similarly

powerful and conceited.

 

To satisfy his elder brother, Hiranyaksha took his club and began to travel

all over the universe, with a fighting spirit. Because no one was able to

kill him due to Brahma's benediction, even the demigods fearfully hid upon

seeing Hiranyaksha, just as snakes hide out of fear of Garuda.

 

When Hiranyaksha thus saw Indraloka vacant, he roared loudly, understanding

that the demigods had admitted defeat without even fighting. After returning

from heaven, Hiranyaksha sportingly dove deep into the ocean, and upon

seeing him, all of the great aquatics panicked and fled. Finally, after

moving about in the ocean for many years, Hiranyaksha reached Vibhavari,

Varuna's capital. Just to make fun of the lord of the waters, Hiranyaksha

fell at his feet and smilingly begged, "Give me battle, O supreme lord!"

 

Upon seeing Hiranyaksha's arrogance, Varuna became enraged. Still, he curbed

his anger by means of intelligence and replied, "O dear one, I have given up

fighting because I am too old. You are so skilled in battle that I can see

no one else but the most ancient person, Lord Vishnu, who can satisfy you."

 

"O chief of the Daityas, I suggest that you approach Him, and thus become

rid of your pride by lying down dead upon the battlefield, surrounded by

carnivorous animals."

 

Without paying any more heed to Varuna, Hiranyaksha departed. Then, when he

happened to meet the great sage Narada, the demon learned the whereabouts of

the Supreme Lord. After once again entering the depths of the ocean,

Hiranyaksha saw the all-powerful Supreme Lord in His boar incarnation

bearing the earth upwards, while keeping her on the ends of His tusks. Upon

seeing the Lord, the demon laughingly exclaimed, "An amphibious beast! O

best of the demigods, dressed in the form of a boar, the earth belongs to

us, the inhabitants of the lower regions, and so I cannot allow You to take

it away from my presence. You rascal! Today I shall enliven my kinsmen by

killing You. When You fall down dead with Your skull smashed by my mace, the

demigods and rishis who offer You oblations in sacrifice will also cease to

be, just like a tree that can no longer live without roots."

 

Although the Lord was certainly pained to hear such abusive language, He

tolerated it so that He could continue carrying the earth, which had become

very frightened.

 

As Lord Varaha rose out of the water, Hiranyaksha chased Him and roared,

"Are You not ashamed of Yourself for running away after being challenged by

an adversary? There is nothing that is reproachable for shameless creatures

like You!"

 

Despite these harsh words, Lord Varaha calmly placed the earth upon the

surface of the water and then empowered her with the capacity to float. At

this time, Lord Brahma and the other demigods praised the Lord for His

wonderful act of lifting up the earth, and they showered flowers upon Him.

Then, to express His terrible anger, the Lord replied, "Indeed, We are

creatures of the jungle and are searching for hunting dogs like you. One who

is freed from the entanglement of death has no fear from the loose talk in

which you are indulging, for you are bound up by the laws of death. Now,

give up your foolish talk and attempt to kill Me. One may be very proud, but

he does not deserve a seat in an assembly if he fails to fulfill his

promise."

 

Being thus challenged, Hiranyaksha became very angry and agitated, and his

whole body began to tremble. While hissing indignantly, the demon sprang at

the Lord and tried to strike Him with his powerful mace. By moving aside,

however, the Lord dodged the blow, and then with His own mace, He attempted

to smash Hiranyaksha's forehead. Being an expert fighter, the demon blocked

the blow with his own mace, however, and thereafter, a fierce encounter took

place.

 

As both combatants struck one another repeatedly with their strong clubs,

the smell of blood that flowed from their wounds made them more and more

furious. Being very eager for victory, both the Lord and the demon exhibited

wonderful maneuvers, so that the battle looked like a contest between two

powerful bulls for the sake of a cow.

 

Lord Brahma had been staying in the sky, along with all of the demigods and

celestial rishis, so that he could witness the terrible fight that was being

waged for the sake of the earth. Becoming somewhat anxious, he addressed

Lord Varaha, "My dear Lord, Hiranyaksha has always oppressed the demigods,

brahmanas, cows and other innocent creatures. There is no need for You to

play with this serpentine demon any longer, for he is very skilled in

utilizing mystic powers, and he is most arrogant and wicked.My dear

infallible Lord, please kill him before the demoniac hour of twilight

arrives and thus increases his strength. The auspicious period called

abhijit began at noon and has almost passed. Therefore, please dispose of

Your formidable enemy quickly and thus establish peace within the world."

 

In response, the Lord heartily laughed, while at the same time He accepted

Brahma's prayers with a glance that was laden with love. Then, as

Hiranyaksha fearlessly stood nearby, Lord Varaha suddenly sprang at him

while aiming His mace at the demon's chin.

 

Hiranyaksha blocked the blow with his own mace, however, and as a result,

the Lord's club slipped from His hand. That blazing mace looked splendid

while whirling around and around as it fell, and a great cry of alarm arose

from the onlooking demigods and rishis. Still, even though he had an

excellent opportunity to strike his unarmed foe, Hiranyaksha respected the

etiquette for single-combat by refraining from doing so. This kindled the

Lord's fury even more, however, and He invoked His Sudarshana chakra. As

this wonderful disc revolved in the Lord's hand, while He was at close

quarters with His enemy, the demigods and rishis exclaimed, "May victory be

Yours!Dispatch him at once!Don't play with the demon any longer!"

 

Seeing Lord Varaha before him with the Sudarshana chakra in His hand,

Hiranyaksha resentfully bit his lip and began to hiss like a serpent. Then,

that great demon with fearful tusks suddenly sprang into the air while

wielding his club, and while doing so, he shouted, "You are slain!"

 

As Hiranyaksha tried to strike Him, Lord Varaha playfully kicked the mace

from his hand with His left foot and then said, "Pick up your weapon, since

you are so eager to conquer Me."

 

Being so challenged, Hiranyaksha picked up his mace and then hurled it

impetuously while roaring loudly. Without even flinching, however, Lord

Varaha easily caught the mace in His hand, and so the demon felt greatly

humiliated. Being reluctant to take back his weapon when the Lord offered it

to him, Hiranyaksha instead picked up a flaming trident and violently hurled

it. As the trident blazed brightly while soaring through the sky, Lord

Varaha tore it to pieces by releasing His Sudarshana chakra. At this, the

demon became more enraged, and while letting out a loud roar, he rushed at

Lord Varaha impetuously. After striking the Lord on the chest with his hard

fist, Hiranyaksha immediately disappeared.

 

The Lord was not disturbed in the least by the blow, however, any more than

an elephant would feel hurt being struck by a flower garland. Thereafter,

Hiranyaksha employed many conjuring tricks against the Lord, Who is

Yogeshvara, and all who saw the magical display thought that the dissolution

of the universe was at hand.

 

Fierce winds began blowing and the dust that was raised created darkness in

all directions. Torrents of stones fell from the sky, along with showers of

puss, hair, blood, stool, urine and bones- accompanied by lightning and

thunder. Mountains discharged various weapons, and naked demonesses with

their hair hanging loose suddenly appeared, carrying tridents. Hosts of

Yakshas and Rakshasas were heard uttering cruel and savage slogans as they

marched on foot or rode upon horses, elephants and chariots.

 

By releasing His Sudarshana chakra, however, the Lord was able to dispel all

of these illusions, and at that moment, a shudder of terror passed through

Diti's heart. While recalling the words of her husband, blood began to flow

from her breasts.

 

When Hiranyaksha saw that his magical creations had been dispelled, he once

again made himself visible. In a fit of rage, he tried to crush the Lord

within his arms as a last resort. But, to his great surprise, after trying

to grab the Lord, the demon found that He was still outside the circle of

his arms. Then, as Hiranyaksha angrily struck Him with his fists, Lord

Varaha slapped him indifferently at the root of the ear, making him stagger

backwards. With his eyeballs bulging out of their sockets, his hair

scattered, and his limbs broken, the great demon fell down dead, like an

uprooted tree.

 

Lord Brahma and the other demigods quickly arrived at that spot, to see the

slain body of the demon close up. Still biting his lip, Hiranyaksha's bodily

luster had not faded, in spite of the absence of the soul, because the

Lord's lotus foot remained touching it. Lord Brahma admiringly said, "Oh,

who could meet with such a blessed death? This fortunate demon was struck by

the lotus foot of the Lord, upon Whom yogis meditate in mystic trance in the

hopes of gaining liberation from their unreal, material bodies."

 

Thereafter, the demigods expressed their great appreciation for the Lord's

having assumed His Varaha form and relieving them of their agonizing fear of

the demon. After receiving the demigods' praises, the Lord returned to His

own abode in the spiritual world, where there is always an uninterrupted

festival going on.

 

Suta Gosvami concluded his narration by saying, "O brahmanas, anyone who

hears, chants, or takes pleasure in the wonderful description of Lord

Varaha's killing of Hiranyaksha is at once relieved from the results of all

kinds of sinful activities, including the killing of a brahmana."