SRI RAGHAVENDRA SWAMY’S SRI RAMACHARITRYA MANJARI (ಶ್ರೀ ರಾಘವೆಂದ್ರ ಸ್ವಾಮಿ ವಿರಚಿತ “ಶ್ರೀ ರಾಮಚಾರಿತ್ರ್ಯ ಮಂಜರಿ ಅರ್ಥವಿವರಣೆ)

SRI RAGHAVENDRA SWAMY’S SRI RAMACHARITRYA MANJARI

(ಶ್ರೀ ರಾಘವೆಂದ್ರ ಸ್ವಾಮಿ ವಿರಚಿತ “ಶ್ರೀ ರಾಮಚಾರಿತ್ರ್ಯ ಮಂಜರಿ ಅರ್ಥವಿವರಣೆ)

2.7  Clarifications on concepts

Clarifications on Atula continued…

In Mahabharata Tatparya Nirnaya (ಶ್ರೀ ಮಧ್ವಾಚಾರ್ಯರ ’ಮಹಾಭಾರತ ತಾತ್ಪರ್ಯ ನಿರ್ಣಯ’), Sri Madhwacharyaru states: “PurA varOnEna ShivOpalamBhitO mumukShayA ViShNutanupravEshanam” (ಪುರಾ ವರೋನೇನ ಶಿವೋಪಲಂಭಿತೋ ಮುಮುಕ್ಷಯಾ ವಿಷ್ಣುತನುಪ್ರವೇಶನಂ). It means, earlier, Lord Shiva had bestowed a boon to demon Atula by which he could enter into the body of Lord Vishnu. At the outset, this is in reply to “Why Parashurama kept the demon inside his body?” While the “boon” provides a simple reason in this context, it is not sufficient. There is a point to be noted beyond this explanation. Lord Parashurama, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, wanted to honor the “boon” bestowed by Lord Shiva, at least till such time that the troubles that demon was giving to the virtuous was within acceptable limits. Once the demon crossed the limits, no “boon” can save him. Moreover, Lord Parashurama wanted to show to the universe that a person, who casts a pall of threat on devotees of Vishnu and the righteous, cannot escape the punishment even if he hides himself in the stomach of Lord Hari. “Tadgam” also indicates this phenomenon.

ABOUT THE BOW OF PARASHURAMA

In the usage of “BhArgavEShTAsarOpAt”, the word “BhArgavEShTAsa” means the bow of Lord Parashurama. It also signifies the superiority of this bow over other bows. According to Scriptures, in the distant past, two extraordinary bows were there in the heavens. None of the deities, celestial beings or demons of so-called ‘infinite’ power, could lift them. Lord Rudra took one of these bows. Lord Vishnu took the other bow. Both Lord Vishnu and Lord Rudra had on various occasions and trying situations, proved that they are indefatigable. None in the universe, including the deities, planets, demons, animals, celestial beings etc. can ever dream of winning against them, if such a necessity arose. Now, the question arises “who, between the two, is superior?” All the deities came to the duo and said: “We want to know who is superior and therefore, please launch a battle and we will come to know the reality.” At that time, Lord Vishnu and Lord Rudra wore their bow. Lord Vishnu, the motivator of the entire universe, then, released a loud “HUM” sound from his mouth. With that simple sound, Lord Rudra, who had arrived with a sense of vanity and pride and actually wanted to defeat Lord Vishnu, became defunct. His body became a rock. He was unable to see or touch anything lying around Lord Vishnu. Being in such a precarious condition, how could Lord Rudra think of battling with Lord Vishnu? With Lord Rudra, who was popular as Supreme God,  reaching such a state, the condition of other deities needs no explanation. All of them concluded that Lord Vishnu is the Supreme Lord, prostrated before him and apologized. With the grace of Lord Vishnu, Lord Rudra recovered and offered prayers to Lord Vishnu. Impressed with his prayers, Lord Vishnu smiled at Lord Rudra. Offering prayers to Lord Vishnu, Lord Rudra went to Kailas to do penance.  The bow of Lord Rudra came down to the dynasty of Janaka Maharaja. The bow in the possession of Lord Vishnu was being carried by Lord Parashurama with the sole purpose of destroying the evil forces and protecting the virtuous.

Lord Parashurama, under the pretext of a fake confrontation, hands over the Vishnu Dhanus to Sri Rama so that he could kill the demons such as Ravana and Kumbhakarna.

(Parashurama-Srirama will continue. SDN)              

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