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Bound by Bhakti

CHENNAI : Many encomiums extolling the Supreme Being highlight His compassion and His readiness to rush to the succour of His devotees in distress if only they seek His help with faith and devotion and this unique trait of the Lord stands validated through many episodes in the Bhagavata Purana. A more remarkable aspect in this context is that the Lord is not as much concerned when there is a direct affront to Him as when there is harm to His devotees, and rushes to their aid, said Sri C. L. Ramakrishnan in a lecture. Lord Krishna says in the Bhagavad Gita that His devotees are always very dear to Him.

Sage Durvasa's attempt to harm Ambharisha turned catastrophic and when the sage surrendered at the Lord's feet, the Lord directed him to seek Ambharisha's help instead, pointing out that He was powerless in the case of His devotees who are bound to Him in love. To authenticate Prahlada's words, the Lord assumed the form of Narasimha and emerged from the pillar indicated by Hiranyakasipu who was frustrated with his son's faith in Lord Narayana's supremacy. What was the source of Prahlada's courage that sustained such unflinching faith? The child reiterated that the Lord is the only support of the entire universe, including Hiranyakasipu.

But even after slaying the demon, the Lord's anger continued unabated. The unprecedented form that the Lord assumed baffled and awed all — including Brahma and Goddess Lakshmi — and none had the courage to even attempt to pacify Him. But the devout child Prahlada remained unafraid, just as a lion cub is not frightened by the fierceness of the lion that causes terror in others. Prahlada prostrated before the Lord and sang His glory. The Lord blessed this child devotee and placed His right palm softly on his head. Prahlada experienced the touch of the Lord and true knowledge dawned on him.

The Lord fulfilled the promise to Brahma, Prahlada and Hiranyakasipu. He averted the disastrous consequences of Brahma's boon to Hiranyakasipu, responded to Prahlada's devotion and redeemed the demon from a curse.

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