Narasimha Jayanti

(The secret behind the Avatar of Narsingh Bhagwan)

(An excerpt of a speech given by Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj on Narsingh Jayanti)

Hiranyakashipu, the king of demons, did severe penance to please the creator, Lord Brahma.  When Lord Brahma was pleased, Hiranyakashipu sought the boon to become immortal.  He asked for it in a very roundabout way.  He asked for the boon that –

*No living being created by you can kill me.  

*Neither human nor any animal, neither at the hands of demons, 

 nor at the hands of celestial beings,

*Neither should I die inside a house, nor outside any house

*Neither should I die during the day nor at night

*Nor should I die within the 12 months made by you

*Neither should I die by a weapon nor by bare hands

*Neither on earth nor in the sky

Prahlad was the son of Hiranyakashipu and a great devotee of Lord Vishnu.  Hiranyakashipu did not like his son because he worshipped Lord Vishnu. He tried to kill him many times, but God saved Prahlad every time. Hiranyakashipu eventually became so angry and went to meet Prahlad as he refused to acknowledge his father as the supreme lord of the universe and claimed that Lord Vishnu is all-pervading and omnipresent.  

HIranyakashipu seated on his throne, said angrily to his son, Prahlad.  “Tell me where is your God?” Prahlad answered with a smile, “He is present everywhere, Father.” Hiranyakashipu spoke in anger, “Then why isn’t he visible in this column?”  Prahlad says,  “I can see Him, Father.  You are unable to see him because you may have a problem with your vision.  What can I say?” 

Hiranyakashipu struck the pillar hard with his powerful fist.  He was a great ascetic and had great powers. The pillar broke.  Out came Narsingh Bhagwan from it and killed Hiranyakashipu. (Lord Krishna appeared in the form of Lord Narsingh to kill the demon king, Hiranyakashipu and protected His devotee Prahlad. Lord Narsingh was neither a man, nor an animal, nor a demon, nor a god. He sat at the doorstep of Hiranyakashipu’s house and killed him with his nails at dusk).  

I am explaining it in brief.  After killing Hiranyakashipu, all the Gods, like Brahma and Shankar came.  They said, “We should thank Him for having done this great deed for us, but who will lead the way.”  Everyone said to Shankar Ji, “You dissolve the world, please lead the way.”  Shankar JI said, “I don’t have the courage,”  Then they requested Brahma, “You created the world, you lead the way.”  Brahma said, “All that is true, but I can’t go before him now.”  They held a meeting and decided to send Lakshimi Ji, as she is His ardanghani (consort) and always resides close to Him.  Seeing her, He would withdraw his fearful form and become calm and smile.  

But Lakshimi said, “At this time, I cannot do what you ask me to do.” I don’t have the courage. I can’t bear to see his form.”  Lord Narsingh had the brilliance of unlimited suns!  They all gave up, and then Narad Ji came up with a suggestion. He said, “All your methods won’t work and it would give us a bad name that God appeared in this material world and did a great deed and we did nothing.  We should sing his praises and congratulate him.   Let’s send Prahlad instead.” 

Then they went to Prahlad and said to him, “Son, after killing your father, Shri Krishna is standing there. Go to him.”  Prahlad strode to God without a care.  He was, after all, merely 5 years of age.  When he went, Lord Narsingh was found displaying his universal form, wearing a garland of intestines, drenched in blood and having bloody nails. 

He looked at Prahlad, and smiled and said to him, “Son, ask for a boon.  I will grant you whatever you ask. Everyone asks for a boon, and so should you, son.”  Prahlad thought, “The Lord is trying to fool me.  He is asking me to ask for a boon.”  Prahlad said,  “Maharaj, if a servant asks his master for something, he is not a servant but a businessman,”  Such dealings take place daily in the world.  One gives 10 dollars and receives equivalent sweets in return. This is business. 

Prahlad said, “If you want to give me a boon, and it is your wish and order, and you  seriously want me to comply with it, then please grant me the boon, to never ever ask you for anything else.  Make my heart such, that I may never even think of asking you for anything. Currently, my heart is like that, Maharaj, but it should remain so forever.  Grant me that boon.”  “Why?” God asked.  “Because, I am selfless, and wish to serve you, and am not here to ask you for anything.  You too, do not want anything from me. Then why do you tell me to ask?”  

Prahlad continued, “Maharaj, a desire is so bad, that if it arises, then the senses, mind, life breath, soul, duty, sense of courage, shame, opulence, power, and truthfulness are all destroyed. Maharaj, I don’t have the problem of ‘desire’ yet, therefore grant me a boon that I may never have any desires.”  Lord Narsingh smiled and said, “That’s ok.”  

“Now listen to my instructions.  The Lord is instructing Prahlad as follows, “I want you to rule the world for the period of one manvantar, (i.e 4,320,000 years comprising the four yugas. Seventy-one times, these four yugas is one manvantar).  So Prahlad was instructed to rule the world for about  300 million years, based on our times. This was the instruction.  But what a long instruction –  to rule for millions of years? God said, “Yes, do it.” 

“Also perform the shraddha ceremony of your father.”  “Maharaj, but my father has reached your abode.”  Lord Narsingh said, “ Yes he did,  He got my touch.  I killed him. Still do his shraddha to establish this ideal in the world.”  Brahma and the others then approached Lord Narsingh fearlessly, as He had become normal.  

The Lord said to Brahma, “Come here,”  Brahma said, “What may I do?” Lord Narsingh said, ”In future do not give such boons to demons. Understand?” Brahma said, “Sorry Maharaj, sorry.” Lord Narsingh said, “You give out such odd boons and I have to bear the consequences.”  You gave such a big boon this time.” “Tell me, if I didn’t have supreme intelligence, how could I have killed him?”  

Saying this, God disappeared and everyone said, “Boliye Vrindavan Bihari Lal Ki Jai.”

Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj

*A brief introduction of Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj*

(Known by His devotees as Shri Maharaj Ji)

The original title of Jagadguruttam (Greatest Spiritual Teacher of the World) was bestowed upon Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj on January 14, 1957, by Kashi Vidvat Parishad (a council of 500 greatest scholars saints of India). He composed divine texts like Prem Ras Madira, Prem Ras Siddhant, and Radha Govind Geet to lead us on the right path of devotion. He also gave priceless monuments as gifts to the world which include Bhakti Mandir located in Bhakti Dham, Mangarh, Prem Mandir located in Vrindavan Dham, and Kirti Mandir located in Barsana Dham. Shri Maharaj Ji also built hospitals for the impoverished, the Jagadguru Kripalu Chikitsalaya in Vrindavan, Jagadguru Kripalu Chikitsalaya in Barsana, and another one in Pratapgarh. All three help millions of underprivileged to gain free access to medical care. His Kindergarten, School, and College for impoverished girls Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat Education is located in Kunda and provides completely free education.