|
Book Review
Devotional work
V. N. VEDANTA DESIKAN
NRISIMHAM NAMAAMYAHAM: N. Jagannathan; Sri Vishnu Sahasranama Satsangham, C-8519, Vasanth Kunj, New Delhi-110070. Rs. 55.
Narasimha is one of the more popular incarnations of Lord Vishnu. The preceptors of the three parallel systems of Vedanta, namely Sankara, Ramanuja and Madhwa, were all pious worshippers of Narasimha. This deity finds a very important place in the Vishnu Sahasranama stotra too.
The present book, concise and handy, takes us to the fundamentals of Narasimha worship, as the title implies. One should remember that incarnations on the Earth, in flesh and blood, are alluded to in the Vedas also. “Brahman is birthless, but He does take numerous births in a variegated way,” says the Veda. One remembers that sentient souls are bound to be born again and again, as warranted by their past deeds, good and bad. But Brahman takes such births out of His free will. His purpose in taking such incarnations is to safeguard Dharma and protect good men from the hands of wicked forces, and annihilate evil. Lord Vishnu does it. Scriptures record them. He does this out of His infinite grace.
Supremacy
The first chapter is on the tenet of Vishnu being the Supreme Being (Para Brahman) in Vedantic language. This name, Vishnu, as also the two others, Vasudeva and Narayana, emphasise, in an etymological sense, the trait of the Lord being all-pervasive and all-penetrating.
Reference is made, in this book, to the 10 cardinal manifestations, from Matsya to Kalki, and a passing reference to some 39 such incarnations. Naturally, Archa (idol form of worshipping a deity) and Antaryami (in the heart of living beings) are also alluded to in passing.
The next two chapters contain extensive quotations from the Upanishads extolling the greatness of the Narasimha incarnation. The story of Prahlada, his intense devotion to Hari (Vishnu), his ordeals from his demon-father, the majestic apparition unfolded by a pillar that was knocked at by his father in wrath, are all presented with precision, citing many portrayals as given in the Bhagavata and other Puranas, the Narayaneeya of Bhattathiri, Lakshminrisimha Sahasranamastotra and Mangalya stuti.
Extracts
The concluding chapter is on Prahlada’s hymn to the Lord as found in the Bhagavata Purana. Here, extensive extracts from the original texts are provided. That all these are given impressively in this small book is commendable. Quotations from various authors including Kuresa, a disciple of Ramanuja, abound. But, how the author missed a couple of pregnant verses from Parasara Bhattar, (the rightly famous son of Kuresa) in the Rangarajastavam, Uttara Satakam, is rather surprising. Also the author’s allusion to the epistle of Rukmini to Krishna in the Bhagavata Purana, wherein she addresses the latter as Nrisimha, is amusing. Here the reference is obviously not to the incarnation. It only implies that Krishna was a lion among humans.
Altogether an inspiring book with a lot of information, citations and a helpful bibliography. A better organisation of the material in the notes both in the chapters and in the bibliography would have added to its value.
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Book Review
|
