brahma

 

Essence Of
Brahma Purana

 

16    Nrisimha, Sweta Madhava and Matsya Madhava Mahatmyas

Bhagavan Nrisimha Deva as Man-Lion Swarupa had been a significant resident Deity of Purushotthama Tirtha after the extermination of the Demon Hiranya Kashipu; the Bhagavan’s mere presence ensured the orderly existence of human beings in the pursuit of the Chaturvidha Purushaarthaas of Dharma, Artha, Kama and Mokshas; in fact, Bhagavan Nrisimha had been always assuring the safety of the entire ‘Charaachara Jagat’ viz. the Beings of Marthya, Swarga and Pataala lokas. To all the ‘Nrisimha Upasakaas’ practising a hermit- life by eating leaves, fruits and material grown under-ground like potatoes etc.; drinking natural water and meditating Nrisimha Deva in forests and forsaken Places, there would be nothing impossible to accomplish in life and beyond.Any  human being performing meditation to Nrisimha on Shukla Dwadashis by the Nrisimha Mantra twenty lakh times would have nothing else to ask for as the devotee would  become replete with success and virtue , besides demolishing Maha Patakaas even.


Krutwaa padakshinam tatra Narasimham Prapujayet,

Punya Gandhaadirdhupaih pranasya shiraasaa Prabhu/

Karpura chandanaaktaani jaatee pushpaani mastakey,

Pradadyaaannara Simhasya tatha siddhihi Prajaayatey/

Bhagavan Sarvakaryeshu na kwachitprati hasyatey hanyatey,

Tejahsodhum na shaktaahssyurbrahma Rudraa dayassuraah/

Kim punardaanavaalokey Siddha Gandharva Maanushaah,

Vidyaadharaa Yakshaganaah sa Kinnara  Mahoragaah/

Manrtam yaa naasuraanhantum Japanteykenya sadhakaah,

Tey Sarvey Pralayam yaanti drushtwaadityaagni varchasah/

Sakrujjaptam tu kavacham divyam rakshateyt -sarvamupadravam,

Dwirjaptam Kavacham Diwyam rakshatey Devadaanavaat/

Gandharwaah Kinnaraa Yaksha Vidyaadhara Mahoragaah,

Bhutaah Piscaachaa Rakshaamsi ye chaney paripandhanah/

Trijaptam kavacham Divya mabhedyam cha Suraasuraaih,

Dwaadasa -abhyantarey chaiva yojanaanaam Dwijotthamaa/


( After Pradakshina,  devotees should perform the ‘Shodasopachaaraas’ or the Sixteen Services of Aavaahana- Asana-Pratimabhisheka-Vastra- Yagnopaveeta-Pushpa-Phala- Gandha- Dhupa-Dipa-Mantra Pushpa-Naivedya-Taamboola- Geeta- Vaadya-Nrittha-and Swasti. Chandana and Pushpa should be placed on the heads of the devotees so that they attained complete satisfaction of the worship. Indeed, even Rudra and Brahma would be unable to withstand the ‘Tejas’of Bhagavan Nrisimha, not to mention of Danava- Siddha- Gandharva and Maanavas. Asuras had been in the habit of practicing Abhicharika Mantras but simple meditation of Nrisimha Mantras should not only save the targets of such Mantras but destroy the practitioners of such worships. Recitation of Nrisimaha Kavacha twice a day would ward off all Evil Spirits and demolish all obstacles created by Danava- Yaksha-Bhuta-Preta-Piscachas and even of Devas; recitation of the Kavacha thrice would fortify the practitioners some twelve Yojanas away and even Suraasuraas could never create any physical ailments, mental dis-satisfactions and psychological imbalances. In fact, mere ‘Smaran’ or thought of Nrisimha at the times of battles, difficulties, lonely places, fright of thieves /  bandits or tigers, peril of life, poison, fire and water hazards, threat of Royalty or Authorites, fear of Sea, distress by Grahas, physical ailments would provide instant liberation and safety. Darshan of Nrisimha Deva would assure such relief as the early day break would dispel all kinds of troubles and tribulations. Dedication to Nrisimha by any class of Society- is highly fruitful while formal pujas would guarantee fulfillment in life and Vishnu loka later.


Lord Brahma then narrated the legend of Sweta Madhava Mahatmtya to the next generation as conveyed by Suta Maharshi to the congregation of Munis. There was a valiant King named Sweta in Satya Yuga who was famed for Dharma, Satya, and Daanas. His Praja was of the normal longevity of ten thousand years and there were no untimely deaths of age, disease, or natural calamities. Unfortunetely once, there was a premature death of a child of Muni Kapala Gautama, who took the body to the Royal Court and the King declared that if he failed to bring the child back to life within a week from Yama Loka, then he would enter a Fire-pit for self-immolation! King Sweta worshipped Maha Deva with a lakh of Nila Kamalaas with tremendous dedication and reverence and the latter along with Devi Parvati gave darshan and as a proof of Sweta’s sincerity and directed Yama Dharma Raja to revive the Muni’s son to life. Subsequently, King Sweta administered his Kingdom without any problem for thousand years. In course of time, the King performed Keshavaaradhana and Vrata as per Vedic precriptions and undertook a pilgrimage to Purushottama Tirtha on the East Coast and had a Darshan of Lord Jagannaatha, Lord Balarama and their Sister Devi Subhadra to his heart’s contentment. It was at that time, he decided to build a Temple dedicated to Sweta Madhava and having prepared a Pratima he did the Pratishtha of the Lord in great veneration and faith with a  month’s mouna vrata, fastings, celibacy, ‘dwadashaakshara’ mantra japa, daily pujas, homas;  ‘jagaaranas’ and collective prayers, Stutis and Purana Pravachanas. At a crowing grand- finale function, the King prostrated before the Pratima of Sweta Madhava and recited a Stuti as follows:


Om Namo Vaasudevaaya Namah Sankarshanaaya cha,

Pradyumnaaniruddhhaaya Namo Naraayanaaya cha/

Namostu Bahurupaaya Viswarupaaya Vedhasey,

Nirgunaayaapr -arkyaaya Shuchaye Shubhra karminey/

Om Namah Padmanaabhaaya Padmagarbhod -bhavaaya cha,

Namostu Padmavarnaaya Padmasaastaayatey Namah/

Om Namo Pushakaraakshaaya Sahasra -akshaaya meedhushey,

Namah Saharapaadaaya Sahasrabhujamaanvaye/

Om Namostu Varaahaaya Varadaaya Sumedhasey,

Varishthaaya Varenyaa Sharanyaayaachyutaaya cha/

Om Namo Balarupaaya               Balapadmaprabhaaya cha/

Balarkasoma netraaya munjakeshaaya dheematey/

Keshavaaya Namo Nityam Namo Naraayanayecha,

Madhavaaya Varishthaaya Govindaaya Namo Namah /

Om Namo Vishnavey Niyam Devaaya Vasuretasey,

Madhusudanaaya Namah Shuddhaayaamshu dharaayacha/

Namonantaaya Sukshmaaya Namah Shri Vatsadhaariney,

Trivikramaaya cha Namo Divyapeetaambaraayacha/

Srishti Kartrey Namastubhyam Goptrey Dhaatrea Namo Namah,

Namostu guna bhutaaya Nirgunaaya Namo Namah/

Namo Vaamana Rupaaya Namo Vaamana Karmaney,

Namo Vaamana Netraaya Namo Vaamana vaahiney/

Namo Ramyaaya Pujyaaya Namostavyaktarupiney,

Aapratarkyaya Shuddhaaya Namo  bhaya haraayacha/

Samsaaraarnavapotaaya Prashaantaaya swarupiney,

Shivaaya Sowmya Rupaaya Rudraayottaranaayacha/

Bhavabhanga ktrutey chaiva Bhavabhoga pradaaya cha,

Bhavasanghaatarupaaya Bhavasrishtikruteynamah/

Om Namo Divyarupaaya Somaagniswasitaayacha,

Soma Suryaamsu keshaaya Go Brahmana hitaayacha/

Om Namah Rukswarupaaya Padakramaswarupiney,

Ruksutaaa Namastubhuam Nama Ruksaadhanaayacha/

Om Nano Yajushaam Dhaatrey Yajoorupa dharaayacha,

Yajurya -ajyaaya jushtaaya Yajushaam patayenamah/

Om Namah Shripatey Deva Shridharaayav Varaacha,

Shriya Kaantaaya Daantaaya yogi chintyaaya Yoginey/

Om Namah Saama Rupaaya Saamadwani varaayayacha,

Om Namah Saama Sowmyaaya Samayoga videy  namah/

Saamnecha Saamageetaaya Om Namah Saamadhaariney,

Saam Yagna videy chaiva Namah Saamakaraayacha/

Namastvatharva sirasye Namotharva swarupiney,

Namostwadharvapaadaaya Namotharva karaayacha/

Om Namo Vajra Sirshaaya Mathukaitabhja ghaatiney,

Mahodadhi jalasthaaya Vedaaharana kaariney/

Namo Deepti Swearupaayua Hrishisheekeshaaya vain amah,

N amo Bhagavatey tubhyam Vaasu devaaa tey namah/

Narayana namastubhyam Namo Loka hitaayacha,

Om NamoMoha naashaaya Bhava bhanga karaayacha/

Gati pradaaya Namo namo bandha haraayacha,

Thrailokya tejasaam Kartrey Namastejasswarupiney/

Yogeswaraaya Shuddhhaaya Raamaayottaranaayacha,

Sukhaaya Sukha Netraaya Namassukrutadhaariney/

Vaasudevaaya Vandyaaya Vaamadevaaya vainamah, 

Dehinaam deha kartey cha Bhedabhangakaraayacha,

Devairvandita dehaaya Namastey Divyamouliney,

Namo Vaasanivaasaaya Vaasavyavaharaayacha/

Om Namo Vasukartrey cha Vasuvaasa pradaayacha/

Namo Yagna Swarupaaya Yagnesaaya cha Yoginey/

Yatiyoga karesaaya Namo Yagnaanga dhaariney,

Sankashanaaya cha Namah Pralamba Mathanaayacha,

Meghaghosha swanotteerna vegalaangalka dhaari]ney,

Namostu Gnaaninaam Gnaana  Naraayana paraayana/


(Om! My greetings to you Vaasudeva, Sankarshana, Pradyumna, Aniruddha, Narayana! You have several Rupas like Vishwa Rupa,Vidhata, Nirguna, Atyarka, Shuddha, Shubha Karma, Padmanabha, Padmagarbodhbhava, Pusharaaksha, Sasraaksha, Meedhusha / Shiva Swarupa, Padmavarna, Sahasrapaada, Sahasrabhuja, Varaaharupa dhaari, Varada, Subuddhi, Varishtha, Varenya, Sharanaagata rakshana, Achyuta, Balarupadhaari, Balasurya, Chandrarupa, Keshava, Narayana, Madhava, Varishtha, Vishnu, Nitya, Vasureta, Madhusudana, Suddhaamsudhara, Ananta, Suksha swarupa, Shrivatsadhaari, Trivikrama, Divyapeetaambara, Srishti karta, Guna Swarupa, Nirguna, Vamana Rupa, VamanaKarmaney, Vaman netra, Vamanavahana, Ramya, Pujya, Avyata Swarupa, Atarkya, Shuddha, Bhayahara, Samsara Sumudra Taarana, Parama Shanta, Chaitanya Swarupa, Shiva, Sowmya Swarupa, Rudra, Uddharakarta, Bhavabhangakara or Samsarasamharakara, Bhavabhoga prada, Bhavasanghaatakara, Bhava Stishti Karta, Divyarupa, Somaagnivayurupa, Chandra Surya Kirana Kesha, Go-Brahmana Hita, Om Rukswarupa, Padakrama Swarupa, RukVedastuta, Ruksaadhana / Ruchajapasaadhaka, Yajurveda dhaatrey, Yajurupadhara, Yajurveda mantraaraadhya, Shripati, Deva, Lakshmipriya, Yogadhyeyi, Yoga; Om Saama swarupa, Shreshtha Saamadhwani, Saama / Shaanta bhava, Sowmya, Saamayogi, Saama Vedokta Yagna Swarupa; Atharva Sirsha, Atharva Swarupa, Atharvapada, Atharva-kara, Vajraseersha, Madhukaitabha ghaataka, Maha Saagara Shayana, Vedodhhaara, D eepti Swarupa, Hrishikesha, Vaasudeva, Narayana, Lokahita, Mohanaashaka, Vishwa samhaara kaari, Prabho, Utttamagati Pradaaya, Bandhahara, Trilokatejokara, Tejaswarupa, Yogeswara, Shudda, Raamaayottarana, Sukha Swarupa, Sukha Netra, Sukritadhara, Vaasudeva, Vandya, Vaamadeva, Utpattikarana, Bhedadrishti bhangakara,Devairvandita Deva, Divya Makutadharanakara, Vaasanivaasaaya, Vaasavyavahaaraaya, Vasukarta, Vasuvaasa prada, Yagna Swarupa, Yagneshaaya, Yatiyogakaraa, Yagnaanga dhara, Sankarshana, Pralambhmathana, Meghavaani gambheera, Prachandavega halaayudha Balarama, Jnaana Swarupa, and Narayana! Highly pleased by the Stuti, Sweta Madhava granted Vaikuntha to the King which was impossible to accomplish even to Devas, Siddhaas, Maha Munis and Parama Yogis; he also awarded the boon to bless the Temple where Sweta Madhava’s Sacred Idol was set up would be named as Sweta Ganga Tirtha and the Sweta Gangaajala sprinkled on a devotee’s head by the end of Kushaa grass would bestow access to Swarga after death and darshan of the Idol would secure full contentment.


Brahma Deva then continued the Mahatmya of Matsya Madhava Samudra which was not far away from Sweta Madhava Kshetra. Marjana Vidhi or the Method of Snaana / Bathing especially on Jyeshtha Purnima coinciding with Jyeshtha Nakshatra was stated to be of far-reaching consequence in the Samudra. After initial ‘Achamana’ and recital of Ashtakshara Mantra viz. OM NAMO NARAYANAYA, recalling that Narayana (Naara /water and Ayana / Residing Place) was floating in Yoganidra and signifying that Matsyaavatara of Narayana salvaged Bhudevi from Rasatala, a devotee in the Samudra must perform NYASA or coordination of the Mantra and Karapushtha or from hands to back as follows: OM shabda with left foot, NA with right foot, MO with left kati and NA with right Kati or waist, RA with Naabhi or navel, YA with left shoulder, NA with right shoulder, YA withnMastak or head, to be followed by total NYASA down to upper physique from Hridaya-Sides-back-and upward. Now, ANGANYASA or the Mantra and Body Parts vas follows: Govinda with East, Madhusudana with South, Sridhara with West, Keshava with North, Agneya with Vishnu, Madhava with Nirruti, Hrishikesha with Vayavya, Vamana with Ishana,Vaaraaha with Adhomukha, and Trivikrama with Urdhvamukha. Thereafter, a devotee should recite the Mantra:


Twamagnirdeepadaam Natha retoghaah kaamadeepanah,

Pradhaanah Sarvabhutaanaam Jeevaanaam Prabhu-ravyayah/

Amrutasyaaranitwam hi Devayonirapaam Patey,

Vrujinam Hara Sarvam Namostutey tey/


(Jagnaatha! You are Agni, the Provider of Veerya and the Light of Good Wishes; You are the Foremost all the Beings and the Unique of Indistructibility. Samudra!  You are the generator of Amrita and of Devatas alike. Do kindly mitigate my sins; Tirtharaja! My greetings to You.) After Snaana thrice, recite Aghamarshana Sukta, perform Achamana, Pranayama, Sandhyopaasana, Gayatri Mantra, Surya Namaskaraas and Pradakshinaas, Swadhyaaya seated towards East, Deva /Rishi Tarpana followed by Tila Tarpana to Pitru Devatas, Shraadhha and Havan. After these tasks, prepare on the Samudra Tata / Seashore an Ashtadala Mandala or Eight-Leafed Lotus shaped square reciting Ashtaakshara Mantra and perform the formal Puja, with the Upachaaraas or Services of  Avahana / Bhagavan Pratima’s Invocation, Aasana or Seat, Arghya /water, Padya / wash of feet, Madhuparka , Achamaniya or offer of water, Snaana /bathing, Vastra, Vilepana of Gandha, Yagnopaveeta or the Sacred Thread, Alamkaara with jewellery, Dhupa, Deepa and  Naivedya with Bhakshya-Bhojya- Lehya-Choshya and Paaniyas. Each of the Services to Jagannatha must be accompanied by the relevant Mantra and the Mula Mantra of Om Namo Narayanaya namah. In the Ashta dalas of the Lotus Vasudeva would be worshipped in the Eastern Leaf, Sankarshana in the Southern Leaf, Pradyumna in the Paschima, Aniruddha on the Uttara Dasha, Varaha in the Agnikona, Narasimha in the Nairuti Dasha, Madava in the Vayavya and Trivikrama in the Ishhana dasha; Guruda in the front of the Astaadala Kamala, Chakra in the Vaamabhaga, Shankha in the Dakshina Bhaaga, Maha Gada again with Chakra, and Dhanush/ Shaaranga along with Chakra; again Khadga on the left, Tarakas on the right and so on.

Formal Pujas would also be done to Indra, Agni, Yama, Nirruti, Varuna, Vayu, Kubera, Ishaana, Ananta and finally to Brahma. The Mula Mantra to dominate the whole Puja would be Om Namo Narayanaaya Namah.The Worship on these lines at the Pancha Tirtha afore mentioned viz. Indradymna Sarovara, Markandeya hlada, Akshayavata, Jagannatha Mandira, and Matsya Madhava Samudra would destroy the sins of the devotees and fetch the Maha Punya of performing Ashwamedha Yagna!



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