Essentials of Hinduism

Essentials of Hinduism

Puranas

Puranas will be broadly classified into (I) 18 Moola Puranas; and, (II) 17 Upa Puranas. The 18 Moola Puranas are: (1) Agni; (2) Bhagavatha; (3) Brahma; (4) Brahmanandha; (5) Brahmiva; (6) Bhavisya; (7) Garuda; (8) Kurma; (9) Linga; (10) Margandeya; (11) Matsya; (12) Narada; (13) Padma; (14) Shiva; (15) Skandha; (16) Vamana; (17) Varaha; (18) Vishnu Purana. We will review only the Sri Vishnu Purana, Garuda Purana and the Shiva Purana in this Chapter.

The 17 Upa Puranas are: (1) Narayaniya; (2) Adithya; (3) Dhurvasa; (4) Kapila; (5) Kalika; (6) Maheswara; (7) Manava; (8) Nandi; (9) Narasimha; (10) Parasara; (11) Sanat Kumara; (12) Sowra; (13) Samba; (14) Vayu; (15) Varuna; (16) Vusanaf; (17) Vasishta Purana. We will not review any Upa Puranas in this Chapter.

SRI VISHNU PURANA:

All Charitas are narrated by Parasara Muni (Grandson of Vasishta Muni) to Maitreya Muni. As one Charita narration is completed, at the request of Maitreya, Parasara Muni narrates the next one to Him. This Amsha has (1) Purana History; (2) The Prakriti (Universe) Creation; (3) The Time Factor; (4) Varaha Avatara; (5) Deva and Human Creations; (6) Rudra Srishti and Sridevi Vaibhava; (7) Kurma Avatara; (8) Dhuruva Charitha; (9) Prahalada Charitha. This Amsha will not cover (1) Purana History; (2) The Prakriti (Universe) Creation; (3) Time Factor; (4) Varaha Avatara (7) Kurma Avatara.

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Deva and the Humans Creations:

The Gunas constitute the Prakriti (Universe). Before the Creation of the World, Sattva, Rajas and Tamas remained in the state of Equilibrium. If we compare the Pre-Creation State of the Prakriti to a River, then Sattva, Rajas and Tamas are three Streams flowing side by side in it with perfect Harmony.

Although Creations came from the Brahma, it should be emphasized that Vasudeva takes the form of Brahma to initiate the Creations. From Tamas Guna derived the Creations of the Grass, Trees and Plantations. From Thamisra, another form of Tamas Guna (when instigated gets Angry) came the Creations of a variety of Animals. Brahma noted that all these Creations do not have any brain power; He Created the Devas with the Jnyana and Viveka. He was happy to see His Creations that had Satva Gunas and they did not have contact with the Ground. In His mind, even this Creation was not satisfactory because He wanted some Creation that will perform Karmas. From the middle portion of His body came the Creation of the Humans. Therefore they lived in the Bhu-Loka that is the Madhya-Loka and who had Satva Guna at one time, Rajas Guna other time, as well as, Tamas Guna yet at another time. They performed Karmas involving all these Gunas at different times. Asuras were born from the part below His waist.

From the Power derived from the Paramatma, from the East face of Brahma came the Rig Veda, from the South face came the Yajur Veda, from the West came the Sama Veda and from the North face came the Atharvana Veda. It should be noted here that the Veda get split into four separate Vedas every time in the Dvapara Yuga by the Veda Vyasa for each Kalpa Cycle. Therefore, Vedas have been split 28 times so far. The Veda Vyasa for this Kalpa is Krishnadvaipayana, Son of Parasara Muni.

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Rudra Srishti and Sridevi Vaibhava:

Brahma wanted a Creation that will match His Capacity and therefore came Rudra. To please Him more, Brahma gave Rudra seven other Names: Bhava, Sharva, Eeshana, Pashupathi, Bhima, Ugra and Mahadeva.

In continuation of the conversation, Maitraya Muni asked Parasara Muni to explain the Truth of manifestation of Goddess Mahalakshmi who appeared from the Milky Ocean. Then Parasara says, Mahalakshmi is Mother of the Universe, She does not have Births, She stays with Mahavishnu at all times, She Appears and Disappears like Paramatma at all times. Sriman Narayana is the Dharma and All Power behind His Dharma is Sri Devi; the Creator is Mahavishnu and the Power behind Creation is Sri Devi; Bhagavan is Sama Veda, the Power inside is Lakshmi; Sri Vishnu is Sankara and Sri Mahalakshmi is Gowri; the Ocean is Govinda and Ocean wave is Sri Devi. Finally, He concludes the Vibhuthee (Greatness) of this Divine Couple by stating that you should think - Inside the Devatas, Humans, All Objects - Inside All of Them is Sri Hari and Sri Devi. They are not different!

Dhuruva Charitha:

Parasara now tells the Story of Dhuruva to Maitreya. Uttanapada has a favorite Wife Suruchi and a favorite Son Uttama; another Wife Sunithi and a Son Dhuruva are not his favorites. Dhuruva was well behaved and possessed a good character. One day he wanted to sit on his Father’s lap and noticed that Uttama was sitting already. As Suruchi was present, the King did not accept Dhuruva and was asked to leave. Sunithi saw her dejected Son with red eyes and consoled her Son stating that you should think that the treatment you faced from your Father and step Mother are due to your Past Karmas. In order to uplift your Present Status perform Punya Karmas from now onwards. Do Dharmas, be Good to Everyone. Dhruva said, mark my words, I will reach the highest status with my own efforts and with permission from her Mother he left for the forest.

He met the Sapta Rishis and told them the treatment he got from his Father. He was advised by all the Sapta Rishis (including Atri and Vasishta Muni) in different ways that he should do Aradhana to Sri Mahavishnu and achieve the highest status. He was asked to get rid of the Worldly Desires and Purify his Mind. Then he was asked to perform Japa by chanting the Mantra for Totally Surrendering to Vasudeva.

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Dhuruva became happy and proceeded to Madhuvana near Yamuna River Bank. He performed the Total Dhyana on Mahavishnu. Even Devas were concerned by his Tapas. Indra played trick to disturb his deep Dhyana by sending to him his Maya Mother Sunithi and told him that you are just five years old. He should not be involved with such a difficult Tapas at this age.

However, because Dhuruva was deeply meditating on Sriman Narayana, he did not open his eyes. Then some demons came and made loud noises. However, Dhuruva did not realize all these and Totally Meditated on Lord Narayana with complete focus. Now the Devas got scared that the Power of his Tapas may affect them and so approached Lord Narayana to save them.

Narayana said He will appear before Dhuruva and grant his desired boon and stop his Tapas. He then appeared with His Four Hands, with Chang, Chakra, Gatha and along with his complete Divine Look exactly the same way Dhuruva had performed his Tapas and said He is very pleased with him. Dhuruva Totally Surrendered to Him and said his Mind wants to pray to Him with Bhakti at all times and wanted the Jnyana to get his Desire fulfilled. He granted his wish and said you will shine in the Sky as a Dhuruva Nakshattira (Star) and those who witness you early in the Morning and Evening will achieve Mahapunya.

Prahalada Charitha:

Salutations to Lord Vishnu who took the shape of Lord Narasimha to annihilate Hiranyakasipu and provide protection to Prahlada. Hiranyakasipu swore to take vengeance against the Lord who killed his Brother Hiranyaksha (in Varaha Avatara). He therefore performed a very deep Tapas upon Lord Brahma, the Creator. Lord Brahma had to appear before him and grant his desire. Hiranyakasipu wanted immortality. Brahma said that is impossible. Then the giant requested Him to give him immunity from death at hands of any Living or Non-living Being, the minor Gods and Goddesses, giants or Men any time Day or Night, either on Earth, Sky or Water. The Lord granted him his Wish and cautioned him to be Virtuous (good).

During the period of Hiranyakasipu’s Penance, his Wife, Lilavati was carried away by Indra who had defeated the giants in the absence of their King. She was pregnant at that time. Indra wanted to kill the baby when born for fear that a more vicious giant might be born to her. Narada visited Indra and found his intention. Narada told Indra that the baby to be born would be a Passionate Devotee of Lord Vishnu and he should not kill the baby. Narada took Lilavati to his Hermitage and looked after her carefully. He spoke to her of Lord Narayana, the All-Pervasive and explained to Her the Vishnutattva. The infant in the womb imbibed the Teachings of the Sage.

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So, from the time of his descent to the World, the infant was permeated with Narayana- Consciousness. He always thought of Lord Vishnu and became devoted to the Lord. He was named Prahlada. Hiranyakasipu returned from his Penance, found out what had happened during his absence. He conquered Indra, put him in prison. He said he was the Almighty Lord. He alone should be worshipped and none else. No one should think of Vishnu or Pray to Him. But he found that his Son acted otherwise. He put Prahlada to be tutored by Chandra and Amarka the Sons of the asura-guru Sukracharya. They tried their best to set him right according to the conception of the giant. However, Prahlada extolled the Greatness of Lord Vishnu who is the Omnipotent (All-Powerful) Lord and affirmed emphatically that it was the Eternal Truth.

The anger of the giant knew no bounds. He told the boy that Vishnu was their natural enemy and Pralada should not think of Him. However, the boy categorically stated there is no better vanquisher of foes than Lord Vishnu, no better Dharma, Mantra, Truth, Japa than Vishnu. When peaceful methods failed, the giant tried violent means – the boy got bitten by snakes, stung by scorpions, thrown down from top of Mountain, trampled (crushed) under the feet of Elephants. All these had no effects on the boy whose Mind was centered on Lord Vishnu. Finally Hiranyakasipu brought Prahlada to the Court and pointing to the Pillar, he asked the undaunted Boy if his Vishnu could be found in the Pillar. Prahlada said that he would surely find Him inside the Pillar. With great anger the giant foolishly struck the Pillar. Out came with roars the Manifestation of the Lord Vishnu as Half-Lion and Half-Man, very fierce to look at. The time was Twilight, neither Day or Night. The Lord was neither Man nor Beast. He lifted the giant bodily, placed him on His Thighs, which was neither floor or water, all that satisfies the boon he has got from Brahma, and with His incisive (sharp and penetrating) nails, cut his stomach open, drank the blood. The scene was terrible. No one was bold enough to go near the Lord whose ferocity was unbearable. Even Goddess Lakshmi feared to approach Him. Prahlada prayed to Him, please save Me. On listening to the Prayer of Prahlada, the Lord directed His merciful looks towards Him. He forsake (abandoned) His fearful aspect. He promised to stand by for all time to come. The Lord made

Prahlada the King of giants and disappeared.

This article is a snippet from the Book Essentials of Hinduism, Authored by G.S Nilakantan. Hinduism for All is available online at www.giri.in and across Giri Trading Agency Private Limited, A chain of Speciality Stores dealing in all kinds of products needed in Indian Culture and Tradition.