Matsya Avatara

 

21    The Incarnation of Vamana Deva and Bali Daanava’s humiliation
(Prayers to Bhagavan Vishnu by Aditi and Brahma included)


Aditi Devi, the hallowed mother of Devas felt agitated when Indra and all oher Devas were defeated in a series of fierce battles and had to leave Swarga as refugees in the Celestial Regions incognito. The highly disillusioned mother prayed to Bhagavan Vishnu to reinstate them to their respective posts without any battle. Her prayer was as follows:
Namah sarvaarti naashaaya namah Pushkara maliney,
Namah Paramakalyanaadi -vedhasey/
Namah pankaja netraaya namah pankajannaabhaye,
Shriyah kaantaaya daantaaya Paramaarthaanaaya Chakriney/
Namah Pankaja sambhuti sambhaavaatma-yonavey,
Namah shankhaa sahi hastaaya Namah Kanakaretasey/
Tathaatma jnaanayogi chintyaamaatma yoginey,
Nirgunaayaaviseshaaya Haraey Brahmarupiney/
Jagatpratishthitam yatra Jagataam yo na drushyatey,
Namah sthulaati sukshmaaya Tasmai Devvaya shaaranginey/
Yam na pashyanti pashyanto jagadyakhilam naraah,
Apashyadabhirjagatraya sa Devo hrudi samsthitah/
Yasminneva vinashyet yasyaitadakhilam jagat,
Tasmai Samasta jagadaadhaaraaya namo namah/
Aaadyah Prajaapati patiryah Prabhuunaam Patih parah,
Patih Suraanaam yatasmai namah Krishnaaya Vedhasey/
Yah pravurtthou nivrutthou cha ijjatey karmabhih swakaih,
Swaraapavarga phaladou Namastasmai Gadaabhrutey/
Yacchinthyamano masah sadyah paapam vyapohati,
Namastasmai Vishuddhaaya Paraaya Hari vedhasey/
Yam buddhvaa sarva bhutaani Deva deveshamavyayam,
Na punarjanma maraney Praaptunanti Namaami tam/
Yo yagney Yagna paramaireejyatey Yagna sagjnitah,
Tam Yagna purusham Vishnum namaami Prabhureeshwaram/
(My salutations to Kamala Mulaa- dhaari Bhagavan! You are the demolisher of all sins and the Prime bestower of propitious -ness; you are the Lotus Eyed, the Lotus navelled, Lakshmipati, Chakradhaari, the Epitome of capability and of Supreme Profile! My obeisnances to you; You are the Creator of the Creators and the Self-Generator; the bearer of Shankha and Khadga and of Golden Sperm; You are the target of Soul-searchers and Yogis; the Featureless, Endless, All- pervading but invisible; the most magnified yet the most miniscule; the absorber of the entire Universe in his heart and vice versa; You are the fulcrum of the ‘Jagat’; the Decider of the ‘Karma Phala’ (Fate) of every Being in existence; Gadaadhari! Adikarta! Each of one’s thoughts about You Sri Hari, snips off sins and difficulties at once; those who could break the vicious circle of births and deaths deserve my sincere falicitations; and those who perform Yagnas, the deeds in the name of Yagnas as also worship that Maha Yagna Purusha Vishnu deserve my admirations too). Aditi continued her prayer further:
Geeyatey Sarva Vedeshu Vedavidbhirvidaam Patih,
Yastasmai Veda Vedyaaya Vishnavey Jishnavey namah/
Yato Vishwam Samutpannam yasmimscha layameshyati,
Vishwaagama pratishthaaya Namastasmai Mahatmaney/
Brahmaadistamba paryantam ena Vishwamidam tatam,
Mayaajaalam samurttatrum tamupendram Namaamyaham/
Yastu toyawasa rupastho Vibhartrakhila meeshwarah,
Vishwam Viswapatim Vishnum tam Namaami Prajaapatim/
Yamaaraadhya Vishudhena manasaa karmanaagiraa,
Taranyaty avidyaamahilaam tamupendram namaamyaham/
Vishaadathosha roshaa -dwaiyourajastram Sukhadhukha jaih,
Nrutyatyakhila bhutasthastamupendram namaamyaham/
Murtam taosuramayam tadhaat vinihantiyah,
Raatrijam Suryaswarupeeva tamupendram namaamyaham/
Kapilaadi swarupastho yaschagnaana mayam tamah,
hanti Jnaana pradaanena tamupendram namaamyaham/
Yasyaakshini Chandra Suryou Sarva loka shubhaashubham/
Pashyatah karma satatamupendram tam namaamyaham/
Yasmin Sarweswarey Sarvam Satyameytanmayoditam,
Naanrutam tamajam Vishnum namaami Prabhavaapyayam/
Yaccha tatsatyamuktam mey bhuyaamschaato Janaardanah,
Satyena tena sakalaah puryantaam mey manorathaah/

(I salute the victorious Vishnu who is chanted by Vidwans by the Four Vedas and is sought to be approached through that medium; I pay my reverences to Bhagavan Vishnu who is the Creator of the Universe which is finally absorbed into Him and who safeguards the regulations of Vedas; my respects to that Supreme Architect who encompasses ‘Srishti’ from Brahma downwards to a piece of grass to lift me from the deep morass of ‘Mayajaal’or the heavy pulls of illusion; I hail that Vishveshwara who is set in the form of water protects and preserves the entire Creation; I greet that Upendra whom those illustrious persons worship through their hearts, adulations and deeds far beyond the reaches of Avidya / Ignorance and seek salvation; I pray to Vishnu who makes all the ‘Charachara Praanis’(moving or immobile Beings) hop, jump and dance with various emotions of laughing, crying, anger, passion and pity; my prostrations to that unique Super Power who like Surya Deva devastates pitch darkness typified with Asuras and Evil Spirits with glorious and ever-resplendent radiance; my entreaties to Narayana who assumes the sacred form of Maharshis like Kapila to demolish ‘Ajnana’/ ignorance and usher in ‘Vijnana’ /knowledge) to enlighten humanity about the do’s and don’t of life; and my veneration to the Omni-scient who like Surya and Chandra as his eyes notice each and every thought, feeling, act and deed of all the Beings. Viswesvara! the illustrations that I have presented to you are pure and simple facts and not figs of my imagination. Bhagavan! Kindly fufil my request of reinstating my children to their original positions.)
Pleased by the supplication that Devi Aditi made, Bhagavan Narayana gave his vision and said that soon he would be born to Kashyapa Muni and her and subdue the enemies to facilitate the restoration to Devas. In course of time as Aditi conceived King Bali experienced peculiarities of Nature as earth was trembling, mountains were quivering and Oceans were disturbed and ascending high. King Bali approached his grand father Prahlada and told that the premonitions were not favourable to Daityas. The great Prahlada performed concentrated meditation to Vishnu-of whom the former was a bench-mark Bhakta of Narayana who destroyed his demon father Hiranyakashipu-and realised that Bhagavan was to take birth to Kashyap and Aditi soon.

Prahlada told King Bali:

Vatsa! Jnaatam mayaa sarvam yadartham Bhavataamiyam,
Tejaso haanirutpannaa tacchun twamaseshatah/
Devadevo Jagadyoniryonir jagadaadi –krit,
Anaadiraadirviswasya Varenya Varado Harih/
Paraavaraanaam Paramam Parah Paravataamapi,
Pramaanamcha Pramaanaanaam Saptaloka Guroguruh/
Prabhuh Prabhunaam Paramah Paraanaamanaadi madhyo Bhagavaanantah/ Tralokyamamshena Sanaathamesha kartrum Mahaatmaaditijovateernah/
Na yasya Rudro na cha Padmayoni –nindro na Suryendu Marichi mukhyaah/
Jaananti Daityadhipa yatswarupam, sa Vaasudevah kalayaaviteernah/

( Now I guess the reason as to why all the Rakshasas are getting un-nerved: Vaasudeva who is the Devadi Deva, the Creator of the Universe, the ‘Ajanma’ or the Unborn, the Originator, the Timeless, the Highest and the Supreme, the Best of the Best, the Guru of Gurus, the King of Kings; without a beginning, middle and the end; and the mightiest of the mightest, is the about to incarnate as the son of Aditi. It is from the ‘Amsa’ of Vishnu whose worth could never be guessed by Rudra, Brahma, Indra, Surya or Chandra that Vaasudeva would be born very soon). King Bali replied :
Oh, Grand father! Who is this Vaasudeva that the entire Universe has to be afraid of! We have thousands of Rakshasas who are the mightiest of the mightest like Viprachitti, Shivi, Shankha, Ayah Shankha, Aya Shiraa, Aswa shira, Bhangakaari, Maha Hanu, Prataapa, Praghasa, Shumbha, and Kukura-each one of them being able to lift and throw Bhudevi into Patala! Enraged by these comments, Prahlada said that the comparisons made by the King between the Rakshasas that he mentioned and Bhagavan Vishnu were so invidious and unbecoming of a King that too born out of a Parama Bhakta like Prahlada; he said that such comments arose out of arrogance and sheer ignorance.

Thus he cursed Bali as follows:

Yathaa mey shiraschhedadidam Gurutaram vacha,
Twayottama achytamaakshepi Raajyabhrashstathaa pata/
Yathaacha Krishnaanna param paritraanam bhavaarnavey,
Tathaachirena pashyeyam bhavantam raajyavichyutam/

(The way that such harsh language was used in offending Bhagavan as to have my head cut off should be the same as the King Bali’s pitiless exit from the latter’s Kingship! Also, the manner in which Bhagavan would provide refuge and protection to a Bhakta would be the same as the King would be disgraced and defamed!). On receiving the ‘Shaap’, King Bali was taken aback at the extreme view taken by Prahlada and cursed him forthwith. Bali apologised and so did Prahlada; the latter said:

Vatsa! Kopena Moho mey janitasten tey maya,
Shaapo dattho vivekascha mohonaapahyato mama/
yadi mohena mey Jnaanam naakshiptam smaanmahaasura,
Twaktham sarvagam jaanan Harim kinchiccha paam -yaham/

(Vatsa! My anger was as a result of excessive attachment which resulted in the curse; since attachment knocks down ‘Viveka’ or capacity for thinking!) So saying, the curse would have to become a reality; yet since the King’s heart was basically pure, Prahlada said that the curse would get mollified on its own and by the grace of Vishnu.

Meanwhile, Devi Aditi gave birth to Bhagavan Vishnu as Vamana Deva and Devas became ecstatic and Rakshasas felt extremely disturbed. There was excitement alround as the inhabitants of Prithvi, Akash and Swarga celebrated the day as that of Liberation. Brahma performed the ‘Jatakarma’and other ‘Samskaras’ in the presence of Maharshis, Dikpalakas, Devas and Indra. There was an extollment by Brahma which was joined by Indra and Devas as a mark of Victory:

Jayaadhyesha Jayaajeya Jaya Sarvatmakatmaka,
Jaya Janma jaraapetha Jayaanantha Jayaachuta,
Jayaajita Jayaameya Jayaavyaktta sthitey Jaya,
Paramaarthaartha Sarvagna Gnaanagneyaat munihstutah/
Jayaasesha Jagatsaakshinya Jagatkarta Jagad Guro,
Jagatosyanantakrud Deva sthithi paalayantu jaya/
Jaya sesha Jagaasesha Jayaakhila hridisthita,
Jayadaadi madhyaanta Jaya Sarvajgna nithey Jaya/

(Victory to you, Parameshwara, Ajeya, Sarvatma Swarupa; You are free from birth, old age and destruction; You are Ajita/ undefeated, Avyakta / unrevealed, Ameya / immesurable; You are Sarvajna / All-Knowing, disclosable by Knowledge and Yoga, and singularly utilitarian for common welfare; You are Jagat Saakshi / Universal Evidence, Jagat Karta / Creator of the Universe, and Jagat Guru / the Universal Preceptor; You are responsible for Sthiti (Existence), Palan (Preservation) and Samhar ( Termination); You are the Sesha Rupa (The Remainder Form), the Asesha Rupa (The distinctive Form) and Existent among the Beings all over; and You are ‘Jagadaaditya Madhyaanta’ / The Beginning, the Middle and the End).

Mumkshubhiranirdeshya Swayamdhrishta Jayeswara,
Yoginaam Murti phalada Damaadiguna bhushana/
Jayaati sukshma durjeya Jaya sthula jaganmaya,
Jaya Sthullati sukshma twam Jayaateendriya sendriya/
Jayaswamayaayogastha sesha bhoga –shayaakshara,
Jayaika damshtraapraantaagra samuddhita Vasundhar/
Nrikesmarin jayaaraati vakshahsthala vidaarana,
Saampratam jaya Vishwaatman Jaya Vamana Keshav,
Nijamaayaapatacchaanna Jagan murtey Janaarana,
Jayaachintya Jayaaneka Swarupaikavidha Prabho/
Vardhaswa Vardhataasesha Vikaara Prakrutey Harey,
Twayyeshaa Jagataameesho samstithaa Dharma paddatih/
Na twamaaham na cheshaano nendraadyaastridashaa Harey,
Na jnaatumeeshaa munayah Sanakaadyaa na Yoginah/
Twanmaayaapata samveeto Jagannyatra Jagatpatey,
Kastwaam vetsyati sarveshatwat –prasaadam vinaa narah/
Twameraadhito yena prasaada sumukha prabho/
Sa yeva kevalo Deva vetti twaam netarey janaah/
Nandeeswareswareshaana Prabho vardhaswa Vaamana,
Prabhavaasya Vishwasya Vishwaatman Pruthu lochana/

( Victory to you Jayeswara! You bestow Mukti to Yogis who seek the ‘Agnaat’/ The Unknown, Swayam dhrushta/ Self realised, and the Possessor of endurance / fortitude and such other quailties; You are the Sukshma / the Minutest, Sthula / the most huge, the All- Pervading, and the Supreme Controller of Indriayas; You are the Adi Varaha, who stays in the thick veil of Maya / illusion and sleeps in Yoga Nidra on the soft hoods of Sesha Naga; You are Nrisimha who ripped off the broad chest of Hiranyakashipu; You are now in the Sacred Incarnation; You are the ‘Achintya’ / the Inconceivable and of Unique as also of myriad Rupas / Forms; You have all the ‘Vikaras’/ Characteristics and at the same time devoid of any Vikara! You possess the ‘Buddhi’ and Shakti to enforce ‘Dharma Maryada; neither me-Brahma-, nor Shankara, nor Indra and Devas, the Sanakaadi Maharshis nor Maha Yogis possess the comprehension and capability to guess your reality; the Universe is shrouded by the covering of Maya and who else could realise who you are! Is there a way of finding out except ‘Araadhana’ that one could achieve you! Maha Vamana! Give us strengh of Mind to dedicate us to the betterment of the Universe). To Vamana Deva, Brahma gifted ‘Krishna Mriga Charma’/ The Skin of a black deer; Brihaspati gave an ‘Yagnopaveet’ / the Holy Thread; Marichi Maharshi provided a ‘Palasha Danda’; Vasishtha Muni gave a ‘Kamandalu’ with everful the Ganga water; Angira donated a ‘Kushaasana’and Vedas; Pulaha Maharshi an ‘Aksha Sutra’; and Pulastya offered two white robes. Then Vamana Deva prodeeded to the Place where King Bali was performing a Sacred Yagna along with Jata, Danda, Chatra / umbrella, and Kamandalu, accompanied the personified Vedas, Shastras and Sankhya Yoga. At the ‘Yagna Shaalaa’, King Bali welcomed Vamana Deva and said:

Dhanyoham krutapunyascha yanmey Yagnapatih Swayam,
Yagnamabhyaagato Brahmanmattah konyodhikah pumaan/

(I am extremely excited that honoured that Bhagavan ‘Yagna Pati’ Himself has arrived ; could there be any better miracle which could happen than this!). Then King asked Shukraachaarya for an advice and the reply was that as per Vedas, Devaganas were authorised ‘Yagna bhoktas’ but the King ordered against that pratice and made Senior Daityas and Danavas eligible instead. Hence, the Guru advised the King not to promise any thing to be donated to Vamana. But Bali argued with the Daitya Guru that if Vishnu himself asked for any thing, then he would be prepared to give away, especially because that in his Kingdom there was no poverty, ill-health or any discontentment and all his citizens were extremely happy, prosperous and joyous. The King thus disregarded Shukra’s advice and told Vamana Deva:

Suvararathna sanghaatam Gajaashwamamitam tathaa,
Striyo Vastraanyalankaaraamsthathaa graamaamscha pushkalaan/
Sarvaswam sakalaamurveem bhavatovaa yadeepsitam,
Taddamaami vrunushwa twam yanaarthi Vamanah priyah/

(Vamana Deva! You may ask me for any thing; would you wish for Jewellery, gold, several elephants or horses, women, clothes, villages, my entire land and riches!). Vaman Murti replied in a soft and sweet voice:

Mamaagnisharanaarthaaya dehi Rajan Padatrayam,
Suvanagraama ratnaani tadarthibhyah pradaanam maargataam bhavaan/

(Raja! To set and keep Agni, I request you to donate three feet of land to enable to set up mainain Agni; you may donate gold, villages, ratnas and money may be given to beggars!) He said that three steps of land would be quite insufficient for the purpose; I am giving away one lakh feet. Vamana said politely that the King might as well give away one lakh feet to any body else but he was happy with the three feet only. As desired, Bali did the ‘Samkalpa’/ proposal for thee feet only. Even as the water of the Samkalpa was poured, Vamana Deva’s appearance grew up as follows:

Chandra Suryamchanayaney dhourmurthaa charanow kshitih,
Paadaangulya pishaachaastu hastaangulyascha Guhyakaah/
Vishvey Devaascha jaanusthaa janghey saadhyaah Surotthamaah,
Yakshaa nakheshu sambhutaa rekhaascha apsarastathaa/
Drushtow Rukshaanyasheshini keshaah Suryaamshavah Prabho,
Taarakaa romakupaani romaani cha Maharshayah/
Baahavo viditastashya Dishaa Shrotrey Mahaatmanah/
Ashvanow Shravaney tasya naasaa vaayur –mahaatmanah,
Prasaadaschandramaa Devo mano Dharmah samaashritah,
Satyam tasyaabhavad Vaani jihvaaDevi Saraswatee/
Greevaaditirdeva maataa Vidyaastha –dwalayastathaa,
Swargadwaar bhun maitram twastaa Pushaa cha vai bhruvow/
Mukham Vaishwaanaraschaascha Vrushanow tu Prajaapatih,
Hridayam cha Param Brahma Pumstwam vai Kashyapo Munih/
Pushthesya Vasavo Devaa Marutah Sarva sandhishu,
Sarva suktaani dashanaa jyoteemshi Vimalaprabhaah/
Vakshasthaley Mahaadevo Dhairya chaasya Mahaarnavaah,
Udarey chaascha Gandharvaah Sambhutaascha Maha Balaah/
Lahsmirmedhaa Dhrutih Kaantih sarva Vidyaascha vai katih,
Sarva Jyoteemshi jaaneehi tasya tatparam mahah/
Tasya Devaadhi Devasya Tejah prodbhutamuttamam,
Ratnow kukshee cha Vedaascha Udaram cha Mahaamakhaah/
Ishtayah Pashu bandhha –scha Dwijaanaam cheshtitaanicha,
Tasya Deva mayam rupam drushtaa Vishnormahaa balaah/

(Chandra and Surya are Bhagavaan’s eyes; Sky his head; Prithvi his feet; Pishaachaganas his foot fingers; Skanda his hand fingers; Vishwadeva his knees; Sahyaganas thighs; Yakshas his nails; hand lines Apsaras; Nakshatras the illumination of his eyes; Suryakiranas / rays his hair; Stars his hair-roots; Maharshiganas his romaavali; ‘Dishaa konaas’/ Angularities of Directions his shoulders; Ears his Directions; Ashvini Kumars his Ear roots; Vayu his nose; His Prasannata or Coolness is Chandra Deva; his mind is Dharma /Virtue; his voice is Devi Vaani and tongue is Sarasvati; Aditi his neck; eyebrows are Twashta and Pusha his eyebrows; Vidyas are Valaya/ bracelet; Swarga dwaar Maitri / friendship; his face is Vaishwaanara; Andakosha Prajapati; hridaya/ heart is Parabrahma; Kashyapa Muni is Pumstva; his back constitutes Vasuganas; Saandhi -bhaaga the Marudganas; Suktas / Pravachanas his teeth and pure radiance Jyotirganas; His Vakshasthala is Mahadeva; Dharma is Maha sagara; Stomach full of Gandharvas; his Kati pradesha / lower back are the Deities viz. Lakshmi, Medha, Dhruti, Kaanti and various Vidyas; all Jyotis are his illuminations; Vedas and Ratnaas in his Kukshi / belly; in his stomach are Maha Yagnas, Balidaanaas, and the noble deeds of Brahmanas. Such was the Form of Vamana Deva which was visioned by Maha Bali Asura!) Vamana Deva expanded his stature to occupy the whole Universe, then measured Bhu Devi as the first step, ‘Antariksha’ as also the Lokas above as the second step and the third foot was reckoned as the underground lokas of Atala, Vitala, Sutala, Rasatala, Talaatala, Mahatala and Paataala and donated these to reign as their King. Vamana Deva bestowed the ‘Varas’ to Bali to enjoy Kingship for the on-going Vaiwasvanta Manvantara in the ‘Adholokas’and blessed him to become Indra on the arrival of the next Manvantara of Savavarni; meanwhile not only he should create problems to Indra but also control any evil forces to raise their heads as also perform ‘Vishnu Aradhana’ till then; at the same time, never antagonise Devas and Brahmanas, Vamana Deva warned King Bali.


Prev:Andhakasura’s killing necessitated Shiva to create ‘Maatrikas’

Quick Jump: